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Peace on Earth

By Vicar Lisa

Last Sunday, on our second Sunday of Advent, our theme was peace. And, we received a beautiful message on that subject from Elizabeth Eaton, ELCA Presiding Bishop, that I want to share. You also can view the accompanying video on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxN1j7IWJSQ

At this time of the year, perhaps our longing for peace is even more acute. We know the world isn’t right. Nevertheless, we wait for and trust in Jesus, the Prince of Peace. The angels proclaimed, “Peace on Earth. Good tidings we bring.”

We pray for peace in our world and in our communities. Every week we take time during worship to greet one another with the message of peace. We reach out, grasping hands across pews, across the aisle. Some may walk to other areas of the sanctuary to give a message of peace to a neighbor or a visitor. “The peace of Christ be with you…And also with you.”

We share the peace, the love of God, and as we do, we know that God has reached from heaven to earth and, in the Prince of Peace, is sharing God’s peace with us. In this season and all year round, may the peace of Christ be with you.

Third Sunday of Advent, Dec. 17, 2023

10 a.m. Worship with Communion

Announcements

The Third Sunday in Advent, Dec. 17

  • Christmas Dinners (5-Loaves Ministry): Zion’s has volunteered to prepare meals for the individuals on our 5-Loaves list and Meals on Wheels. These will be deliveries only, no meals will be served at the Church. We have been asked to show up at 9 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 22, to start assembling and doing initial preparations. At 8 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 23, at the Fellowship Hall to do the final assembly and deliver. We need people to cook turkeys and to make and package Christmas cookies. If you can help with meal preparation or delivery for that event, please contact Norine Hazen.
  • After Worship: Join us in the Fellowship Hall for coffee, snacks, and conversation.
  • Congregational Meeting: Zion’s Church Council has called a special congregational meeting for 11 a.m. (or after worship) this Sunday, Dec. 17, to review and vote on changes to Zion’s constitution and by-laws. Voting members should have received updated information earlier in the month.
  • An Opportunity to Give: Thank you to everyone who took “Secret Santa” letter to assist local seniors in partnership with First National Bank. Please remember to deliver the wrapped presents to the main bank lobby (on Main Street) no later than Dec. 15. If you have questions, please let Jo Moss know.
  • Blue Christmas Worship: Zion's is offering a Blue Christmas service at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 21, in the sanctuary. We invite all who desire to honor their losses and who wish to do so in a safe and sacred space to join us. The service is a quiet and contemplative experience that respects those who are walking through grief and struggling with loss. It is intended to create a sacred, holy setting for comfort.

Third Sunday of Advent -- December 17, 2023

Each week of Advent, as our society gets more consumed by solstice celebrations, it gets increasingly difficult for Christians to wait for Christ as the light who shines with justice into our world. We come to the table for strength to focus on justice and mercy.

John 1:6-8, 19-28

As the northern hemisphere darkens day by day, the Gospel of John points to Christ as the light. Whenever God comes—in the past in the history of Israel and the incarnation of Jesus, in the present in the word and sacrament of each Sunday, and in the future at the end of all things—we join John the Baptist to make a straight path for the Lord.

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

Because Christians have seen Jesus Christ as the one who embodies the Spirit of God and so transforms the world, this joyous poem is chosen to accompany John’s testimony. Jesus brings good news, release, comfort, justice, the covenant, righteousness. And so the poet speaks of the joy of the wedding and the springtime. Last week the Isaiah reading placed us in the wilderness and likened us to dying grass; today we are a forest of oak trees, a sprouting garden.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

The baptized assembly has been given the Spirit, which too often is quenched. Paul calls us to live blamelessly according to the will of God. In our weekly intercessions, we attempt Paul’s call to pray without ceasing.

Zion's Lutheran Church

zionsluth@gmail.com

719-846-7785