Announcements and E-formation for the Week of Aug. 7, 2022
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Hello, Lisa Rygiel here.
And They Will Know We are Christians….
How many of you read that line above and immediately started singing that dearly beloved camp song in your head?
How do others know we are Christians? Some of us may wear t-shirts with Christian-based slogans or cross jewelry or have fish emblems on our cars or other visible means so that others know. I remember that when I lived in Houston, there was a Christian Radio station called KSBJ that I used to listen to. (Of course, I alternated between that and NPR so I could maintain a balanced view of the world!) Because of the popularity of KSBJ, there were a lot of cars driving around Houston displaying KSBJ bumper stickers. And inevitably, I would witness someone with a bumper sticker proclaiming their Christianity cutting off others in traffic or running a red light, or driving way over the speed limit. Great testimony right?
Our actions should declare to the world the characteristics of our Master. We show that we are Christians by our love for others which means we make sure that our actions demonstrate that love. It is important to remember that there are two sides of the faith-sharing coin. One side is to proclaim the gospel, to announce it with our words. The second side of the faith-sharing coin is living the gospel.
Sharing our faith through acts of mercy, compassion, and social justice is key to bearing witness to God’s work in the world. When we take time to serve those who are in need, whether with food, shelter, love, safety, or the like, and do it in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we participate with God in God’s mission to restore the world toward its intended wholeness. Our congregation at Zion’s is good about that. We show our love. God’s work, our hands.
And if you are not familiar with the song or just want to hear it again, check out the link: “We are One in the Spirit”. God's peace!
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you as a stranger and invite you in, or need clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:35-40
Announcements:
This week (other meetings/gatherings will be taking place as well but here are some things to note):
Sunday, August 14, The 10th Sunday after Pentecost
- ·8:30 a.m. Sunday morning Bible study
Bible study is on hiatus for August, resuming after Labor Day.
- 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://us02web.zoom.us/j/91739214242?pwd=b1QrZzk0QzBtM1RXZnZuaVFVMDNmZz09 -- or Dial: 1 301 715 8592 -- Meeting ID: 917 3921 4242 -- Password: 731771. For those of you who will be worshiping in person, masks will now be at the discretion of each individual. We continue to be mindful of all the different ways people are compromised that may not be known and so please continue to practice healthy community habits such as staying home when you are sick etc.
Worship leader: Pastor Kate Schlechter
Assistant: Julie Wersal
Pianist: Melodie Langosa
Ushering: Mary McKenna & Jo Moss
Reading: Jo Moss
Communion prep/cleanup: Cheri Holder/Lisa Rygiel
Flowers: Given by Lynn Chase in Thanksgiving for receiving all of our delightful and much-needed rain.
Fellowship time at approximately 11:15 a.m. to share a cup of coffee/soda and conversation!
Bread and Belonging on summer hiatus.
Garage Sale
The annual Garage Sale is over, and it was a great success! Julie would like to thank those who donated, shopped, and especially organized and worked at our annual garage sale last Saturday. So many, as usual, worked hard: Bruce who trucked items to Aguilar, Norine for collecting the money, both Carols, Jo, three Kathys, JoAnn, Lisa, Paula, Jan, Colby, Cherie, Melodie, and Pastor Kate. And all of us would like to thank Julie for her efforts in orchestrating this effort! We collected approximately $1400 and more is trickling in. Extra items will be donated to:
The Autism Awareness Group
ACTS,
AADA
The Way Ministries
Noah's Ark
Other important stuff of note:
- Next Sunday, Aug. 21, we will have a potluck following worship. Please join us and bring something to share!
- Save the dates! On Sept. 10, we will participate in our God’s Work Our Hands project. We will be cleaning up the sanctuary and the church grounds, inside and out. Specific tasks and coordinators are to be determined but please mark them on your calendars so we can have great participation. As the proverb goes, “Many hands make light work.”
- On Sept. 11, in celebration of our God’s Work Our Hands effort, we will have our annual worship and picnic at the Fairgrounds with the Huerfano Valley Singers. This is always an awesome time of worship and community.
- Are you interested in being an Assisting Minister or an usher or serving in some other capacity? Still, you are a bit unsure as to what the responsibilities of that role are. If so, please reach out to Pastor Kate, Becky McNeil, or Lisa Rygiel. We will train you!
- We are looking to add members to the security team. These volunteers would monitor the sanctuary door and check that doors in the fellowship hall are locked during services and after everyone has left. Please see Jeff Smith or any member of the council if you would be interested.
- Women's Bible Study will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 19, in person in the Blue Room and via Zoom; all are welcome! We will do a one-session study on the NT book of Philemon. To Join via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83136424723?pwd=TkxsQVllMmo2bVlSekN0dGZqbz F1Zz09 -- Meeting ID: 831 3642 4723, Passcode: 865505 (or call 1-312-626- 6799). Beginning in Sept we will start a study on Galatians. Questions can be directed to Carol Smith.
- The flower ministry blesses our worship space, and they bring such joy to our sanctuary. Please coordinate with Lynn Chase to sponsor the flowers.
- Prayer Shawl Ministry: Are you interested in knitting one/some to share? Join the knitters who bless so many.
If you wish to hear yesterday's message recording, see the link below:
E-formation
The gospel for this coming Sunday is surprisingly harsh: being a believer brings not peace, but dissension. Come to worship to hear about this; come to pray. The bread and wine will strengthen us for our future, no matter what comes.
The Readings in the Bible
Luke 12:49-56
Luke writes that faithfulness to Christ and the community of the baptized is likely to be countercultural, unpopular, and even divisive. This gospel reading reminds us that frequently, a statement about Christianity needs to be held together with its opposite. Next to the dove of peace is the sword of the word.
Jeremiah 23:23-29
This selection from Jeremiah is set next to Luke 12 to emphasize that God’s word has always been unpopular and a challenge to the culture. The human phenomenon of religion is characterized by pleasant dreams that may be far distant from the message of God’s word. Both Jeremiah and Luke describe the word of God as fire.
Hebrews 11:19 – 12:2
Also in the twenty-first century, some Christians are tormented, persecuted, and killed for their faith. We trust that Jesus, who in faith endured the cross, will enable us to finish the race of life faithful to God. And if we have no such agonies in our lives, we stand with those Christians who do.
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Zion's Lutheran Church
719-846-7785
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