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God’s Love

by Vicar Lisa

Now that the excitement of Valentine’s Day is behind us, it is time to think about love, God’s way. Although we have one day a year set aside to celebrate our loved ones, every day is a celebration of love in the Kingdom of Heaven!  No, we do not celebrate with candy hearts, Hallmark cards, or chocolate  (bummer). 

But there is a lot the Bible has to say about God’s love for us. Consider the following verses as we approach our Lenten journey: 

    • For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16
    • God made him who had no sin to be sin for us so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21
    • But God demonstrates his love for us in this; While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Romans 5:8
    • This is love: not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:10

“For God so loved the world…”  That includes all of us. 

How wide is God’s love? Wide enough for the entire world. Are you included in the world? Then you are included in God’s love.  Don’t we all want to feel included?

In this world, a lot of places are exclusive. You can be excluded from a university if you are not smart enough, you can be excluded from a job because you are not qualified, or you may be excluded from a social club because you don’t make enough money.  Even some churches will exclude you if you don’t think or look like them. 

But no matter how you may feel excluded, Christ includes you.  

When asked to describe the width of his love, he stretched one hand to the right and the other to the left and had them nailed in that position so you would know that he died loving you. 

And remember what he said about how we should love: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34 

AMEN!

Sunday, Feb. 19, Transfiguration Sunday 

10 a.m. Worship with Holy Communion 

Please join us, either in person OR via ZOOM ('hybrid' worship). If you will be worshiping via Zoom, log on or call in using these links: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85889977831?pwd=Z1hXUlBCdUlrQkhFOENKMWIzaG1tUT09

Meeting ID: 858 8997 7831, Passcode: 538710, +1 719 359 4580 US

Announcements:

Adult Education:  Sunday school canceled this upcoming Sunday only, Feb. 19

Lunch Bunch: Holy Lunch bunch meets at noon this Saturday, Feb. 18 in the Fellowship Hall. All are welcome! Bring a dish and enjoy the chit-chat. We will be discussing how to best assist and visit our homebound members who can no longer attend our services but still need our love! 

Lent is Soon Upon Us: We begin the Lenten season with Ash Wednesday worship, at 7 p.m. on Feb. 22. Lenten Sunday worship services continue Feb. 26, March 5, 12, 19, and 26. Palm Sunday is April 2 and Good Friday is April 7.  The Lenten season ends Saturday, April 8. Easter Sunday is April 9. Throughout Lent, we will share Lenten Soup suppers Wednesday nights at 6 p.m., beginning Ash Wednesday. The suppers include delicious food, great fellowship, and a brief devotional.

Women’s Bible Study:  Women's Bible Study will resume at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, March 17 in the Fellowship Hall Blue Room (downstairs) and will meet every other Friday. Please direct questions to Carol Smith.

Wine and Art: Paula Little will reprise her popular Wine & Art event, so plan now to join in, on March 4, 1 to 4 p.m. Everyone is welcome, no talent is required!

5 Loaves Help Wanted:  We will make 5 Loaves deliveries next Saturday, if you can help, please let Jo Moss, Norine Hazen, or Peggy Gustafson know.

Flower Guild: The Flower Chart has been replaced by the Flower Book, located in the back of the sanctuary. Sign up and use the envelopes in the book for your flower donation, which can be placed in the offering plate. Recommended minimum donation is $35. 

Earthquake Relief: On Feb. 6 powerful earthquakes hit Turkey and Syria, leaving thousands dead. Lutheran Disaster Response is helping those affected. Donations are welcome and you can donate, using this QR Code: 

E-formation - Transformation Sunday

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 transfiguration narrative, 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.

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Zion's Lutheran Church
zionsluth@gmail.com

719-846-7785