Slideshow image

Power Under Pressure Produces Hope

by Vicar Lisa

2 Thessalonians 1:3-4 states “We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.”

It is hard to think persecution and trials produce perseverance and faith, but according to the writer of 2 Thessalonians, they do. As Paul writes this passage, he points out some interesting things that are taking place. He reminds them that their faith is growing, their love is increasing, they are standing tough, and they are facing it together. If someone were to ask me if I wanted to be described as a person who was growing stronger in his faith and loving others more, I'd have to say, "Certainly, but preferably not by persecution or trials, please God!"

But Paul realizes that we grow in the hard times, not the good times. We grow in the pressure cooker. Sometimes we make great discoveries about God when we weren't expecting to do so. When we are under pressure, we can see the way God provides and cares for us, and that brings hope. God does some of His greatest work in the pressure cooker. Never forget, it takes broken soil to produce a crop. It takes broken clouds to give rain. It takes broken grain to give bread. It takes broken bread to give us strength. During turbulent times, we find a power that we never knew we could have. That power awakens within us awareness that we are not alone. That power brings with it hope!

Even though we may feel like we are in a pressure cooker right now, Advent invites us to keep watch for God -- looking for Christ in the people we cross paths with in all the spaces we connect. Let us allow ourselves to see, using a set of hope-filled eyes that allow us to join in a present-tense advent— to see God’s ongoing presence in the here and now.

Serving This Sunday, First Sunday of Advent, Dec. 10, 2023

10 a.m. Worship with Communion

Worship – Vicar Lisa Rygiel, Mike McNeil

Lector – JoAnn Karspeck

Ushers – Steve and JoAnn Karspeck

Musicians – Connie Pallone, Melodie Lanosga & Sharon Sorenson 

Communion – Kathy Nicolai/John Rygiel

Flowers – Flowers are given Steve and JoAnn Karspeck in thanksgiving for their children and grandchildren.

Announcements

The Second Sunday in Advent, Dec. 10

  • Fellowship Hall Tree Decorating Party: Join us in the Fellowship Hall on Wednesday, December 6 at 6:30 to decorate our Fellowship Hall Christmas tree. Bring a beverage of choice and a snack to share!
  • 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) next 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. Please contact Julie or any other church council member if you have any questions or did not receive the email.
  • 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.
  • Christmas Dinners (5-Loaves Ministry): This year, we will have a 5 Loaves Christmas meal delivery on Saturday Dec. 23. If you can help with meal preparation or delivery for that event, please contact Norine Hazen. We need people to cook turkeys and to make and package Christmas cookies.
  • Save the Date/Volunteers Needed: Our special Blue Christmas worship service will be Thursday Dec. 21, and we will have two worship services on Sunday, Christmas Eve. If you can volunteer to serve as an usher or assist with communion for any of these worship services, contact JoAnn Karspeck.

E-formation – Second Sunday of Advent
Dec. 10, 2023

The origin of Advent as a season of fasting to prepare for baptisms at Epiphany is evident on the second Sunday, which introduces the preaching and baptismal ministry of John the Baptist. 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. The preaching of John the Baptist calls us to prepare for God—perhaps in many ways quite different from our preparing for Christmas.

Mark 1:1-8

By connecting John the Baptist with Elijah, Isaiah, Malachi, and the Jordan, Mark introduces Jesus as the culmination of Jewish tradition. This reading exemplifies the reason that Christians have continued to proclaim the Old Testament, without which countless New Testament references make no sense. So, John the Baptist is not a crazed wild man, but like the prophets of old is the mouthpiece of God. The Christ who came, who comes, and who will come brings God’s Holy Spirit to us.

Isaiah 40:1-11

The passage is chosen to proclaim the Isaiah passage quoted by Mark. We too are like grass, soon to die. Yet we hear the comforting promise that, as we wait for the end of our sufferings, God will care for us like a mother sheep her lambs.

2 Peter 3:8-15a

The excerpt from 2 Peter contains both “law” and “gospel”: the earth will come to an end, until which we are supposed to live in perfection; but mercifully, God promises a new creation. We taste the beginning of that new creation at holy communion today.

Zion's Lutheran Church

zionsluth@gmail.com

719-846-7785