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Good morning dear followers of Jesus.  Take a deep breath and give thanks for the gift of Emmanuel--- GOD IS WITH US!  No matter if you have a crazy week planned or are able to enjoy a more sane pace, breathe and know you are so loved that God came down in the form of a human child, for you, me and all of creation.  What an amazing gift!  For this week, I share the devotional for this past Friday and invite you to consider your "and suddenly" moments.  Blessings to you as you share the joy of our faith DAILY with anyone and everyone you meet- in word or better yet, in deed!  

Merry Christmas!  Love, Pastor Andrea

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”  Luke 2:13–14

Life is full of and suddenly moments. Moments in time that can forever change our perspective. When and suddenly moments appear, they can come in all shapes and sizes. They can be full of surprise, delight, joy, and healing but they can also be full of hurt, brokenness, despair, fear, and anguish.

For the shepherds who experienced this and suddenly moment their first reaction was one of fear but then peace settled in. Peace, the Shalom of God. In John 14:27 Jesus says “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”  It’s not difficult to experience His peace in those joyful moments that happen suddenly. To run into an old friend unexpectedly or to receive an unexpected promotion or encouragement.  These are the good and suddenlys that are welcomed with much delight.

But what about the other kind? When the car appears out of nowhere or we receive a phone call with devastating news. Maybe we go to our place of employment to find out we have been let go, or the sudden death of someone dearly loved. No matter what the circumstance this one thing remains. His peace will be there, overshadowing, hovering over the pain, the fear, the anguish.  He is always present.  Have you experienced any and suddenly moments recently? I want to encourage you, His peace was in the chaos. He is always present, in the moment. And He cares deeply for you.

This week (other meetings/gatherings will be taking place as well but here are some things to note):  

  • Monday, December 22nd  January newsletter submission deadline 
  • Tuesday, December 21st  Winter Solstice/ Blue Christmas (see email from 12/19)
  • Wednesday, Dec. 22nd  Gifts for Trinidad Youth Club children due to 10 am at fellowship hall
  • Friday, December 24th   CHRISTMAS EVE Service of Lessons & Carols with Holy Communion

We gather at 10 pm in the fellowship hall for conversation, cookies and coffee/hot chocolate. 

We will gather in the sanctuary for worship.  Prelude begins approximately 10:45 pm and the service will begin at 11pm.   Come in person to worship (masked please) or join us on ZOOM as we worship our newborn King together!  

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87561080495?pwd=Tyswdi9XZmpwK3k4bFhPckhOeVQ4UT09

  • Worship leaders:  Pastor Andrea Doeden; Assisting: Julie Wersal;  Pianist:  Mark Nelson; Organist:  Connie Pallone;  Ushering: Carol Schulzkump and Cherie Holder;  Reading: David Lamb;  Communion prep/cleanup: Jo and Mark Moss
  • Sunday, December 26th THE FIRST SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS
    • 8:30 am NO Sunday morning Bible study  
    • 10 am Worship "The Inn: Housing the Holy" DWELLING
    • 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 be required indoors.  Please bring your own, thanks!
    • Worship leaders:  Pastor Andrea Doeden; Assisting: Julie Wersal;  Pianist:  Mark Nelson; Organist:  Connie Pallone;  Ushering:  Kathy Broman and Doris Blalock;  Reading: Doris Blalock;  Communion prep/cleanup: Mike & Becky McNeil
    • Flowers are from Doris Blalock for Happy Holy Days!
  • Fellowship after worship (approx. 11:10am) in the fellowship hall.  Gather after worship for wonderful conversation! 
  • Bread & Belonging is on hiatus during winter break until January 9.

Prayer List: It is a privilege to pray for one another and to bring those who need healing to Jesus. Send prayer requests to Carol Smith at csmith2621@gmail.com or 412-477-7531.  

"Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:12-13).

In prayer, we ask in His name: Comfort for those in mourning, including family and friends of - Leslie Modica's sister Guin; Joni Jones' nephew Mike; Mary Danielson; Jill Wilson's mother; Pastor Nicole Garcia's mother; and Phyllis Tamburelli.

We pray for and surround with God's healing touch all those impacted by the recent tornados in our country.  

We also pray for Lynn Chase; Mary McKenna; Cindy Rodriguez; Dale Krueger; Pastor Clay with emergency retinal surgery; Brent Kapling; Mike Blackmore; Bradley Tennery; Cora Warrick and son Tyler; Carol Schulzkump, her son Kris and DIL Ana; JoAnn's sister Beth; Steve Karspeck's SIL Deena; Floyd Gumke; Wilmae and Sherry Gartside; Lisa Rygiel's parents; Loren Eigenburg; and the Sandstead family.

We surround with prayers those battling cancer, including Gary Miller; Marci Guard; Lynn's brother Kenny; Nancy Wilhelm (Ernie and Sharon's family member); linda Bounds; Norine's step-daughter Sherry; Jo Moss' cousin Virginia; Kimber Begano; Dr. Mark Jacobson; Linda Theige's BIL Pastor Bob; and Max Phillips. We also pray for those affected by COVID, including the Pearson family; the Ramirez family; Natalie Lugan.

Our prayers continue for Wal-reat (missionary in Sudan we support financially through Global Missions); The Way ministry; ACTS ministry; and the prison congregation New Beginnings and Pastor Schjang.

Other announcements/dates to put on your calendar:

Sunday’s worship service (Dec. 19, 2021) can be viewed by following this link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/HPkb_Y9jGBuzY3fCtPksr6O0-vtSWdTrRUSDcudRh0tJNnc5IuqHDcRWtWuJzcvf.l_QfMds67cZNdy2_ Passcode: ^8ETy3k^  .Arthur Pierce's dramatic interpretation of the Magi begins at minute 20:20 with the sermon following.  

1.  Thank you for being such generous people!  We have sponsored 20 elders and a family with 5 kids!  We have 8 youth in partnership with the Trinidad Youth Club left to buy for (22 kids already matched!  Way to go!).  We are buying SOCKs for them as well as a small educational gift such as a book, puzzle, etc. (approx $20 per child).   If you would like to shop for these kids, please let us know by emailing the church or texting Pastor.  We have names, ages, and ideas that grandma shared.  We will deliver these gifts to the Youth Club on Wednesday so please get all gifts to the fellowship hall by Wednesday 10 am.  

2. We are praying for the victims and families impacted by the tornadoes but if you would like to donate to thier urgent recovery, 100% of your donation will go to help those affected.  Please give any amount at https://community.elca.org/USTornadoRelief?erid=ce86ba71-e071-4397-964a-3450d5869dc7&trid=ce86ba71-e071-4397-964a-3450d5869dc7

3.  The flower ministry continues to bless our worship as well as those who receive the flowers after church.  Lynn Chase has put the new 2022 calendar in the back of the sanctuary.  Please sign up to sponsor the flowers in our new year.  

4.  Save some dates:  January 4 - Budget Committee; January  6 - Welcoming All Committee.   February 6 - Zion's Annual Meeting following worship.

5.  Centering Prayer will be returning to Zion's!  All who are interested in resuming or starting this practice please mark Saturday, February 12th for a half day workshop led by the Southern Colorado Contemplative Outreach leadership team.  Prior to March 2020, Zion's had a Centering Prayer group that met weekly and members have requested that it be restarted.  

E-formation for Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve we celebrate God being born on earth as a poor Jewish child, whom we call Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. The darkness of the night recalls Calvary, and the candles we light anticipate the candles of Easter, for this infant was born to die and rise for us. With the angels we sing, “Glory to God!”  By the fourth century, Christians had adapted the Roman festival at the winter solstice as a day to celebrate the incarnation of God in Jesus. Christ is the Sun, bringing light and life to the world. For Christmas, all three years of the lectionary appoint both the Lukan infancy narrative and the poem that begins John’s gospel. 

Luke 2:1-14 [15-20]

Luke 2, the only biblical narrative detailing the birth of Jesus, is proclaimed at the first eucharist of Christmas. In contrast to Matthew’s interest in high status males, Luke emphasizes the opposite: a pregnant woman, “no place in the inn,” and lower-class shepherds. Thanks in part to Luke’s talent in storytelling, this narrative has become for many people synonymous with Christmas. The challenge at this service is to proclaim the truth of this narrative as other than and far beyond stereotypical sentimentality.

Isaiah 9:2-7

That the angels in Luke name the child the Messiah, in Greek “Christ,” recalls oracles such as Isaiah 9, and Christians have seen in Jesus Christ the ancient promises of a coming king fulfilled. Jesus is “wonderful Counselor and mighty God” among us. Thus Christians hear in this oracle references to the triune God.

E-formation for Sunday Dec 26th

First Sunday of Christmas. Since medieval times, Christmas has been celebrated for twelve days, culminating at Epiphany, the 13th day. The first Sunday within these twelve days focuses on the biblical stories about Jesus’ childhood: Year A the infant Jesus escaping death by Herod, Year B the presentation of the infant Jesus in the temple, and this year the boy Jesus conversing with the temple authorities. Each story anticipates the destiny of Jesus.

Luke 2:41-52

Before the destruction of the temple in 70 ce, Passover had evolved into a pilgrimage festival that focused on the Jerusalem temple, and with this narrative Luke indicates that Jesus was obedient to Jewish religious rituals. As distinct from Luke’s infancy narratives, Mary seems to know nothing about Jesus’ unique identity. Three days foreshadows Jesus’ time in the tomb. This narrative about Jesus’ childhood, unique in the gospels, proclaims his early dedication to God.

Colossians 3:12-17

Because the rhetoric and theology of Colossians differ substantially from that of the uncontested Pauline letters, most scholars judge that this letter to the church in Colossae, a city in what is now western Turkey, was written in about 75 ce by a disciple of Paul. Opposing a current teaching in the Colossian community that believers ought to experience angelic visions, the author argues that baptism into the death and resurrection of Christ is enough for salvation. In Colossians 3, the author uses the imagery of clothing to describe baptism, probably because early Christian baptisms were conducted naked. “In the name of” means under the authority of.