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New/Updated Social Statements from ELCA

By Pr. Lisa Rygiel

The Theological Discernment team of the ELCA churchwide organization is excited to share with you three key pieces of social teaching adopted by the ELCA Church Council and 2025 Churchwide Assembly. A summary of each is presented below. These and other social teaching resources at resources.elca.org. Select “Faith and Society” from the “Topics” menu to get started.

NEW Social Statement—Faith and Civic Life: 
Seeking the Well-being of All

Faith and Civic Life: Seeking the Well-being of All sets forth broad insights that address questions and challenges to the flourishing of civic life in the United States today. The social statement draws on the Scriptures and Lutheran Confessions to examine God’s call to civic participation as well as key issues, including church and state, Christian nationalism and the appropriate use of power in government. It calls for robust civic education and offers criteria relevant to questions of political violence, voter suppression, systemic racism and the use of religion to justify domination. Read the full social statement at ELCA.org/civicsandfaith.

UPDATED Social Statement—Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust

The 2025 Churchwide Assembly adopted the edited text of Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust. The edits, authorized by the 2022 Churchwide Assembly, update language while maintaining the statement’s theological vision of trust, responsibility, pastoral care and well-being. A diverse task force led the ELCA in discernment on these edits. This same task force has begun work on a second, substantive reconsideration of the social statement’s description of the coexistence of four different but valid convictions that Lutherans faithfully hold about same-gender relationships. To learn more and to read the 2025 social statement, visit ELCA.org/reconsiderations.

NEW Social Message on “Child Protection”

This new social message draws on the Scriptures, Lutheran traditions, research and the experiences of ELCA Lutherans to deepen our understanding of child maltreatment and to offer a theological vision of childhood and the church’s commitment to the dignity and well-being of children. It includes robust sections on forgiveness, confidentiality in pastoral care, trauma-informed ministry and specific policy recommendations for protecting children. Order or download “Child Protection” at ELCA.org/ChildProtection.

In Christ,

Ryan P. Cumming, Ph.D.
Director, Theological Ethics
Office of the Presiding Bishop

Feb. 15, Transfiguration Sunday

10 a.m. Sunday Worship

Announcements

  • Fellowship: Join us after worship each Sunday in the Fellowship Hall for coffee and conversation. All are welcome.
  • Souper Bowl of Caring: Even though Super Bowl 2026 is in the record books, our Souper Bowl of Caring continues throughout the month of February, as Zion’s joins churches nationwide to address hunger in our communities. As part of Souper Bowl of Caring, Zion’s will collect canned goods and non-perishable food items throughout the month of February, for donation to the Trinidad Soup Kitchen. At the end of February, all donations will be blessed and given to the Trinidad’s Soup Kitchen.
  • Wednesday Book Club: The Wednesday Book Club focusing upon What if Jesus was Serious – A Visual Guide to the Teachings of Jesus We Love to Ignoremeets at 10:30 each Wednesday in the Fellowship Hall.
  • Children’s Choir Resumes: Children’s choir resumes at 3 p.m. on Sunday Feb. 15 in the Fellowship Hall.
  • Ash Wednesday: We begin our Lenten observance with worship on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18, with a 5:30 p.m. soup supper followed by worship. At 7 p.m. All are welcome.
  • Lenten Soup Suppers: At 5:30 p.m. each Wednesday during Lent, Zion’s will share a soup supper and devotion in the Fellowship Hall. All are welcome. Sign-up sheets are in the Fellowship Hall to volunteer to bring soup, bread, beverages, or dessert.
  • Time of Prayer and Coffee: The Zion’s family is invited to join our siblings in Christ from the Methodist church for a time of prayer and coffee at 10:30 a.m. each Thursday at Kangaroo Coffee -- in the Marketplace on Commercial Street.
  • God’s Hands: Terri Watson is working to identify members of our congregation who would be willing to help area residents with basic assistance, such as rides and running errands. Terri will have a sign-up sheet at worship on Sunday, to identify resources and ways to help. Signing up allows Terri to match individual needs with people who are able to help, considering volunteer schedules and capabilities.
  • The Way Ministry: At 1 p.m. each Sunday through March 29, Zion’s welcomes the Way ministry to our Fellowship Hall as they offer food and worship to the unhoused and others in need.
  • We’re Here for You: For pastoral care, call Pastor Lisa at 719-846-7785 or send an email: zionsluth@gmail.com.

E-formation

This coming Sunday we conclude the time after Epiphany by celebrating the Transfiguration of our Lord, when Jesus went up a mountain and showed himself to be divine. Then next Wednesday we observe Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, as Jesus walks up another mountain and shows himself to be human. Come to worship, to praise this Jesus Christ, to hear him speak, and to partake of his body.

Matthew 17:1-9

In the narrative of the transfiguration the church sees testimony to Jesus’ status as the eschatological Son of Man and the beloved Son of God. Just as God spoke on a mountaintop in ages past, so now Christ speaks, first in the Sermon on the Mount, and now from the Mount of Transfiguration. Matthew’s message: “Listen to him.” This Sunday, through these reading, we stand to do so. The church becomes the dwelling that Peter thinks to erect.

Exodus 24:12-18

In describing the transfiguration experience as a mountaintop theophany, Matthew assumes that his readers know this Exodus passage, and in hearing Exodus 24, we understand more of Matthew’s theology. The church now assembles on the mountain of the church to receive the word of God for the forty days of Lent.

2 Peter 1:16-21

Not only the author of 2 Peter, but now also we affirm the mystery of Jesus Christ transfigured by divine majesty. We are now on the holy mountain, and we will stand to receive the gospel account

Zion's Lutheran Church

zionsluth@gmail.com

719-846-7785