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Feb. 8, 2023, E-Formation

Disaster in Turkey and Syria

By Vicar Lisa

“I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me, hear my words” (Psalm 17:6).

If you watched the news this week, you were no doubt horrified by the images of disaster from the two powerful earthquakes that hit Turkey and significantly impacted neighboring Syria. The death toll surpassed 11,000 across the two countries and officials said the numbers would likely rise. More than 6,000 buildings were toppled. 

In addition to the climbing death toll, tens of thousands of injuries have been reported. It was heartbreaking to see the images of panicked people, running through the streets for safety or digging through the rubble of buildings trying to find loved ones.

"We are facing one of the biggest disasters not only of the history of the Turkish Republic but also of ... the world," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday.

At times like these, we pray, we cry, we ask God “Why?” But there is something more that we can do.

Lutheran Disaster Response has been active in this region for several years, partnering with ACT Alliance, the Lutheran World Federation and the Middle East Council of Churches to accompany Syrian refugees and internally displaced people with food, water, shelter, health services and sanitation support. 

The epicenter of one earthquake lies near Turkish provinces that host hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees, which will only exacerbate the refugee crisis in the region.

Lutheran Disaster Response is committed to supporting ACT Alliance and other partners in responding to these earthquakes. Even as the sun was rising on the first earthquake, ACT Alliance member organizations began distributing emergency supplies, including medicines, bedding and other relief items. A comprehensive response will be coordinated as the full extent of the impact becomes clearer.

One Hundred Percent (100%) of donations made to “Middle East Crisis” through Lutheran Disaster Response will go towards supporting earthquake survivors and other people affected by regional disasters. I just went online, and it was easy, but you also can give by phone or check or money order:

Ways to Give

Give by phone at 800-638-3522 

or online - LDR Middle East

Checks or money orders can be sent to:

Lutheran Disaster Response

P.O. Box 1809

Merrifield, VA 22116-8009 

Sunday Feb. 12, Sixth Sunday After Epiphany

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

Worship Leaders: Vicar Lisa Rygiel, Peggy Gustafson

Lector: David Lamb

Zoom Leader(s): Sharon Sorenson & Ernie Parker

Musicians: David Lamb (singer)

Ushers: Dick & Ann Rasmussen

Communion: Carol Schulzkump and Ruthie Culpepper

Flowers: Donated by Paula Little for the glory of God!

Announcements:

Adult Education: At Sunday School at 8:30 a.m., we will resume our study of Luther’s Small Catechism. If you are new to the Lutheran faith, considering membership or baptism, or just want a refresher study, please consider joining us. You can also join us via Zoom:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82340581969?pwd=V0E5UWNzYXFWK3NoNEUxcmR3SW9KZz09

Meeting ID: 823 4058 1969, Passcode: 938515, Dial by your location, 1 719 359 4580 US

Transition Team Report Q&A: The Transition Team Report was circulated to the congregation at our annual meeting this past Sunday. The Transition team will be available for a Question-and-Answer session regarding the report this Sunday following worship. If you didn’t receive a copy, you can pick one up in the Fellowship Hall.

Souper Bowl of Caring: Please bring canned soups, stews, vegetables, meats, and other shelf-stable items to church on Sunday. These will be donated to the soup kitchen.

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 continues Feb. 26, March 5, 12, 19, and 26. Palm Sunday is April 2. Good Friday is April 7 and the Lenten season ends Saturday, April 8. Easter Sunday is April 9. 

Throughout Lent, we will share Lenten Soup suppers Wednesday nights at 6 pm. Norine Hazen will coordinate these meals, please let her know if you can provide soup or bread for these meals. A sign-up sheet also is available in the Fellowship Hall.

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 & Art: Paula Little will reprise her popular Wine & Art event, so plan now to join in, March 4, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Everyone is welcome, no talent required!

E-formation -- Sixth Sunday after Epiphany

Much of the New Testament is a commentary on the Old Testament, in the light of Christ. The gospel for this coming Sunday is an example of this, as Matthew quotes Jesus discussing several of the Ten Commandments. Come to worship, to hear these words, to pray for strength to live God’s ways, and to share in the meal of forgiveness.

Matthew 5:21-37

We hear Matthew’s words about anger, offense against the other, lust, divorce, and swearing. We are all guilty of something here, and there appears to be no way to avoid suffering the “hell of fire” and paying “the last penny.” We pray for mercy, and we come to the meal for comfort. In the history of the church, some of these statements have been literalized, most not.

Deuteronomy 30:15-20

As is sometimes the case, the first reading provides some background for the gospel reading. In today’s Matthew selection, Jesus reiterates the theology of the Deuteronomist: the people must obey God’s commands, or they will be punished. This passage from Deuteronomy can be seen as descriptive of the seriousness of the baptismal promises.

1 Corinthians 3:1-9

During these Sundays we continue to read through Paul’s scolding of the Corinthians. Paul’s description of factions within the body written in 54 ce speak also to our current situation.

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Zion's Lutheran Church

zionsluth@gmail.com

719-846-7785