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Zealous for Good Deeds

By Vicar Lisa

The texts for all the Christmas services are the same every year but the story never grows old.  Luke’s account of the birth of Jesus, the shepherds, and the angels concludes with Mary pondering all these things in her heart and the shepherds glorifying and praising God for what they saw and heard.  The Titus text (2:11-14) for our Christmas Eve service may seem slightly out of place but it speaks to the two “appearances”.  The first “appearing” occurred when God’s grace was manifested to everyone in the sending of Christ.  The second “appearing” lies in the future when Christ will come again as the God and Savior of his redeemed. 

11The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, 12training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, 13while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 14He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

It is interesting how you can read the same passage year after year and have something totally different jump out at you.  We are being trained while we wait for the blessed hope!  And he has redeemed us and purified us to be “a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.”  Wow, let that sink in.  There’s so much richness here.

We are his people in training.  And as a result, we are being made into his people who are zealous for good deeds!  I think of the good deeds we do with 5-Loaves, and our recent Community Thanksgiving Dinner.  We supplied Christmas presents to senior citizens along with First National Bank.  We provided blankets, coats, socks and other clothing items to the homeless. Today I heard that Norine and Peggy fed 100 people at the Sr. Citizens Center in Zion’s name!  Amen!  Tomorrow, again we open the doors of our fellowship hall for the homeless who are willing to stay there under the supervision of Pastor Clay and The Way Ministry.  We indeed are a bunch of his chosen people zealous to do good works.  Thank you all for your beautiful godly giving hearts!

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

Special Request for assistance! 

Could you foster a needy dog for a few days?  As mentioned above, Zion’s will be opening its fellowship hall to the homeless sponsored by Pastor Clay and the Way ministry from Wednesday night until Saturday morning. Please note that it will be bitterly cold during this time with wind chill factors that can easily be fatal in a very short period of time.  However, many of the homeless will not come to the hall because they fear for the safety and wellbeing of their pets.  We fear that if these individuals have no alternative, both pet and master will perish.   If you would be willing to sponsor a dog for a few days during this cold snap, please Vicar Lisa know and we will get word to Pr. Clay.  Thank you!

Announcements:

Sunday, December 25, 2022, Nativity of Our Lord II: Christmas 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://us06web.zoom.us/j/81535174862?pwd=MnVLL3FSZGJWdGsxRmhBUWhBWFRHZz09, Meeting ID: 815 3517 4862, Passcode: 155280 or dial +1 719 359 4580 US.

Worship Leaders: Pastor Kate Schlechter, Julie Wersal, and David Lamb

Zoom Leader(s): Mike McNeil and Kathy Broman

Musicians: Connie Pallone and Melodie Lanosga

Ushers: Mark & Jo Moss

Communion: Mark & Jo Moss

Flowers: From a grateful Zion's Lutheran Church in celebration of Jesus' birth and in Thanksgiving for Pastor Kate's ministry here.

Announcements:

  • Saturday, Dec. 24, at 11 p.m., Zion’s will offer a traditional candlelight Christmas Eve service in our church sanctuary.  Before the service, we will have cookies, coffee, tea, and cider available in the fellowship hall, beginning around 10:15 pm.  Please join us for some Christmas cheer!  Then, be ready to welcome the light of the Christ child! Invite your friends and family. All are welcome because Jesus welcomes everyone!
  • Sunday, Dec. 25, at 10 a.m., we will have a worship service on Christmas Morning!
  • Save the Date: Jan. 1, 2023 is Pastor Kate's last Sunday as our intentional interim pastor, we will have a special worship service and farewell party  honoring  her wonderful service to our congregation. Please plan to join us.
  • Save the Date: Feb. 5, 2023, is Zion's Annual Meeting, watch your email, E-formation, bulletins and newsletters, for updates and information.
  • The Flower Chart has been replaced by the Flower Book, located in the back of the sanctuary. Now is the time to sign up for Sundays in 2023, many dates fill quickly so volunteer now. Sign up and use the envelopes in the book for your flower donation, which can be placed in the offering plate.
  • The December issue of our Connections newsletter is available in the back of the sanctuary, via email, and on our webpage. If you need a copy, you also can contact Jo Moss or send an email request to zionsluth@gmail.com. The deadline for the January issue is Dec. 21, please give contributions to Jo Moss, or send to Zion's email address.

ZION'S PRAYER LIST:   

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

—Romans 12:12

In prayer, we ask in His name comfort for those in need; protection for those in harm’s way; strength for those who are weak; and guidance and wisdom for leaders around the world.

We lift up those who are sick, hurting or healing, including Joni Jones and family; Lisa & John Rygiel and Lisa's parents; Lana Geier; Paul Tennery; Lana’s sister, Cynthia; Mark Nelsen; Leslie Modica; Pastor Kate; David; Ron; the Powell family; Cheryl Egan; Pastor Dean; Phyllis; Sharon Sorenson; Tracy’s Uncle Earl; Cherie’s niece, Demi Evans; Tracy Wahl; Linda Bounds; Margaret’s daughter Sandy Fox; Jo Moss; Bob Holder; Jo Ann Rygiel; Kate’s friend, Tim; Andrew Jackson; Maximus & Micah(preemie twins); Larry French; Willa Mae & Sherry Gartside; Cora Mae (Paula’s friend’s 3-year-old daughter with leukemia); Doris’ granddaughter MaLeigh; JoAnn’s sister Beth; Steve’s sister-in-law Deena; Loren Eigenburg.

For comfort and peace we pray for Bob & Terre Compton on the passing of their daughter, Julia; JoAnn Karspeck and family on the passing of her sister, Beth; and the family of Terrie Farris.

We surround with prayer those battling cancer, including Andrea Doeden; Norine’s son, Randal Hazen; Kate’s friend Wendilyn; Kim Brickley; Elaine’s cousin, Linda Bounds; Brent Johnson; Bruce Livingston; Jamie (Lynn’s nephew’s wife); Pam’s brother, Jerry Nelson; Mike Blackmore; James Brewer-Calvert; Pastor Kevin Olson; Polly (Ruthie’s friend); Rick Barian (Lynn’s friend); Rick Spalding (Paula’s brother-in-law); Nancy Wilhelm (Ernie & Sharon’s family); Jo’s cousin Virginia.

We are thankful for our new Vicar Lisa Rygiel, our Transition Team, and for Pastor Kate as they help guide us through our changes and challenges at Zion’s.

Our prayers continue for Wal-reat (missionary in Sudan); Pastor Clay and The Way ministry; ACTS ministry; and the prison congregation New Beginnings with Interim Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber.

E-formation

Around the world, some Christians assemble early on Christmas morning to come with the shepherds to Bethlehem. Bethlehem means “house of bread”: we are now given the grain and the wine of which Isaiah spoke. We are the redeemed of the Lord, renewed by the Holy Spirit. We sing, “Glory to God!”

Luke 2:[1-7] 8-20

The activity of the shepherds—coming to Christ, telling others, praising God—is a model for the life of Christians during the day. We are the shepherds, spending our day filled with the Spirit of Christ and spreading the good news of salvation to others.

Isaiah 62:6-12

For Christians, Christ is himself the city Jerusalem. In Christ the people become holy and are sought out and redeemed. Coming to church on Christmas Day is like parading through the gates of the restored city.

Titus 3:4-7

The reading proclaims, not baby Jesus, but the triune God: God in Christ has given us the Holy Spirit. The fruits of Christmas come to us in baptism. Christ is God born among us.

 

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Zion's Lutheran Church

zionsluth@gmail.com

719-846-7785