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Peace

Pastor Lisa Rygiel

During the season of Advent, I will be providing a series of prayers from Jesus Listens--for Advent and Christmas, by Sarah Young. 

 

PEACEFUL SAVIOR, Sometimes I feel lonely during the holidays. May Your Peace protect my mind and heart. Help me to rejoice in You always, remembering that You are near. As I spend time with You, presenting my requests to You with thanksgiving, You bless me with Peace that transcends all understanding. This is how You guard my heart and my mind. It’s a collaborative, You-and-I together effort. I’m grateful that I never face anything alone!

 

Because I belong to You, aloneness is just an illusion—but it’s a dangerous one that can lead to depression or self-pity. The devil and his underlings work hard to cloud my awareness of Your Presence. So, it’s crucial for me to recognize and resist their attacks. I can fight back with Your powerful Word, which is living and active — reading it, pondering it, memorizing it, speaking it out loud. Even when I’m feeling alone, I can talk freely with You, trusting that You are with me always. I’ve discovered that the longer I talk with You, the more aware of Your nearness I become. And this awareness of Your Presence with me fills my heart and mind with Your Peace. 

 

IN YOUR BELOVED NAME, JESUS, AMEN

 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. PHILIPPIANS 4:6–7

Dec. 14, 3rd Sunday of Advent
10 a.m. Sunday Worship

Announcements 

  • Fellowship: After services on Sunday, please join us in the Fellowship Hall for coffee and conversation.
  • Church Council: Council meets after worship on Sunday, downstairs in the Fellowship Hall. All are welcome.
  • Advent Soup Suppers:Last week’s Advent soup supper was canceled due to weather, but it is on for tonight, 6 p.m. Dec. 10. We will have soup, desert, and fellowship. Sign-up sheets to bring soup, bread, or dessert are in the Fellowship Hall.
  • The Way Ministry: At 1 p.m. each Sunday, Zion’s welcomes the Way ministry to our fenced lower yard as they offer food and worship to the unhoused and others in need. In the event that weather makes dining outside difficult, the meal will be moved to the Fellowship Hall.
  • Yoga: At 5:30 p.m. Friday, join Cora Gardiner for yoga in the Fellowship Hall.
  • Newsletter: The December newsletter was sent out Wednesday morning via email; copies also are available in the back of the Sanctuary and in the Fellowship Hall.
  • Toys for Tots: Thank you to everyone who contributed to this year’s Toys for Tots.
  • Giving Tree: Again, this year, Zion’s will partner with First National Bank to support Santa’s Gift Tree. Please remember to take your wrapped gifts to the First National Bank main lobby or to Jo Moss, no later than Monday, Dec. 15.
  • White Elephant Christmas Exchange: On Sunday, December 21 following worship, we will have a White Elephant Christmas gift exchange. Bring a new, wrapped present, $20 limit, for exchange.  We suggest that you provide items that people will want to use. Numbers will be drawn to determine who gets to pick a mystery gift from the pile or, better yet, stolen from someone who has already opened theirs! 
  • Church Directory Updates: Julie Wersal is working on the Zions 2026 Church Directory. She placed a copy of the 2025 directory in a pink binder in the Fellowship Hall. Please take time to look at that directory and make any changes or updates to your information. If you would like to be added to the directory, there are pages in the back of the binder to add your information. Also, if you would like a new photo, please indicate that in your review as well.

Save the Dates:               

o   Dec. 21 — White Elephant Gift Exchange — 11:30 a.m.

o   Dec. 21 — Blue Christmas Worship — 5:30 p.m.

o   Dec. 24 — Christmas Eve Evening Worship — 7 p.m.

o   Feb. 1 – Annual Congregational Meeting (after worship)

E-formation

This coming Sunday we hear about John the Baptist while he was imprisoned for preaching against the immorality of the rulers. How ought we as Christians to prepare God’s way? Come to worship to pray for guidance as the church prepares for the coming of Christ.

Matthew 11:2-11

The gospel of Advent 3 responds to the gospel of Advent 2: last week John the Baptist predicted the coming judgment, and this week Jesus, also citing the prophet Isaiah, speaks of the transformative power of his ministry. Each week we hear more about what the presence of God means for the world, today and at the end of time. That coming begins here, in word and sacrament.

Isaiah 35:1-10

Sometimes in the lectionary, the first reading presents the full citation that is referred to in the gospel reading. This Sunday, the first reading is the oracle from Isaiah that Jesus cites in today’s gospel reading. On Sunday, Christians praise the resurrection of Christ as just such a joyous transformation of all things. This Sunday’s liturgy means to celebrate that transformation.

James 5:7-10

The Old Testament and gospel readings that promise wondrous signs of the presence of the Lord are held next to this New Testament call to patience. In Advent, we join the early church in waiting, perhaps impatiently, for the coming of the Judge and for the end of suffering and evil.

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Zion's Lutheran Church

zionsluth@gmail.com

719-846-7785