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Good evening on this last day of January!  I had the draft of today's E-Formation completed last night and had hoped to send it out this morning but as you can tell, it didn't happen.... 

It's been a crazy few days for many of us so prayers for those with Covid, broken bones, injured bodies and bruised spirits!   The Angels will be blessing many of you but if you need a meal or a little help, please let us know!  We love by showing up with a casserole, surrounding each other with prayers, calling/texting, and maybe sharing a hug or two!  

Yesterday's service was all about LOVE and our focus text was 1 Corinthians 13.  These are a few concrete ways in which we LOVE but as I suggested yesterday, LOVE also pushes us to consider ways in which people are not feeling loved/included/welcomed.  

This week we are thinking especially of those who have a disability — either physical or intellectual.  I mentioned in my sermon that I had listened to a podcast (The PloughCast #21, Made Perfect, Part 3: Disability, Embodiment, and What It Means to Be Human) that discussed the law and disabilities and brought up ideas I had never thought of.  

Listen to it here:  https://www.plough.com/en/podcast.  The Winter edition of Plough Quarterly "Ability and Disability" was also a wellspring of information with so many thoughtful articles.  The online edition can be found at https://www.plough.com/en/subscriptions/quarterly/2022/winter-2022-issue-30.  Pastor Brian (who has cerebral palsy) shares his experience on Holy Access (https://vimeo.com/282241936) and there are so many other resources for us to engage in as we consider what we at Zion's can do to be an inclusive welcoming church for ALL people.  I asked you to share ideas of how we can do better and I hope you do!  

Now for this night, I offer Psalm 138 — a song of thanksgiving offered by one who has been delivered from distress that calls on each of us to make our own offerings of praise to the ONE who makes all things new...  

For those in distress, those who have been in distress, for those whom we pray for in distress, lets us sing:

  1. I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise;
  2. I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness; for you have exalted your name and your word above everything.
  3. On the day I called, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul.
  4. All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O Lord, for they have heard the words of your mouth.
  5. They shall sing of the ways of the Lord, for great is the glory of the Lord.
  6. For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly; but the haughty he perceives from far away.
  7. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies; you stretch out your hand, and your right hand delivers me.
  8. The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.

I pray these words encourage you.  Now, LOVE fiercely with intention.  

Peace my friends.  

Love, Pastor Andrea

P. S. It's great to be back!  This week (other meetings/gatherings will be taking place as well but here are some things to note):  

  • Tuesday, Feb. 1 Dementia Caregivers Support Group (Cancelled)
  • Tentative plans for the 2nd Floor of the Fellowship Hall to be used as the emergency warming shelter for the homeless in the event the cold weather arrives as predicted.  Tuesday evening through Friday morning. ALL OTHER CHURCH MEETINGS WILL TAKE PLACE DOWNSTAIRS DURING THIS TIME.
  • Friday, Feb. 4 Session #1 of the Women's Bible Study using Amy — Jill Levine's SERMON ON THE MOUNT from 9:30-11 a.m. in person or Zoom (hybrid).  All women are invited to join us.   This week we will be discussing Matthew 5: 1-12, the Beatitudes.  Read chapters 5-7 if possible.  Join by  Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83136424723?pwd=TkxsQVllMmo2bVlSekN0dGZqbzF1Zz09 or phone in by dialing 1-312-626-6799 Meeting ID: 831 3642 4723 Passcode: 865505
  • Sunday, Feb. 6
    • 8:30 a.m. Sunday Bible study on miracles, led by Jeff Smith.  This is session #3 of the new study using Lee Strobel's book "The Miracle Answer Book."  Come in person or join via ZOOM https://us02web.zoom.us/j/907628370?pwd=eFVCTEVhb0xqMXcxY2xaUG5JMUZEdz09
      Or Dial 1 312 626 6799  Meeting ID: 907 628 370  Passcode: 332397. Contact Jeff Smith if you would like the handouts from last week.  The second session was recorded so catch up is possible!  https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/rWb9e5hv3Qb3VpqnRN2XlItfgs7XLaJ3-r8vI-CAS4cu3462AppOYVVeNvZ04Ehk.G5jS_k6MGQmedw0C (Passcode: 3d*.1kvp)
    • 10 a.m. Worship with Holy Communion 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;  Assistant:  Julie Wersal;  Organist:  Connie Pallone;  Ushering:  Steve & JoAnn Karspeck;  Reading:  Ruthie Culpepper;  Communion prep/cleanup: Kathy Nicolai
    • Flowers are from Doris Blalock in celebration of her birthday and all February Birthdays.
  • ANNUAL POTLUCK AND ZION'S ANNUAL MEETING will follow next Sunday’s worship service.  Please bring a dish to share and plan to dine together and participate in the business of our faith community.  Julie Wersal, President, has been working hard to present all that we've done in 2021.  
  • Bread & Belonging is our high school/college ministry that gathers each Sunday night from 6-8 p.m. in the lower level of the Fellowship Hall.  

Prayer List: 

But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. I call out to the Lord, and He answers me from his holy mountain. (Psalm 3:3-4)

In prayer, we ask in His name: Comfort for those in mourning, including family and friends of:  Dave Barr (wife Elaine is member of Chorale);  Max Phillips (friend of Mark & Jo Moss); Sherry Marie Lewis (Norine's stepdaughter); Roger Buck (Becky McNeil's uncle); Patty Thomas (Jeff Smith's cousin).

We pray for and surround with God's healing touch all those impacted by recent fires, tornadoes and storms across the country; the military and civilians around the world in harm's way — especially those in the Emirates, Afghanistan, and Ukraine; as well as the police and other first responders in our country. 

We also pray for Ann Rasmussen & Dick; Margaret Gumke; Sharon Sorenson; Vicki Rienks; AC (Doris' uncle); Polly (Ruthie's friend); Melodie; Jill Wilson; Michelle Ramirez; Gregory Weida; Cindy Rodriguez; Dale Krueger; Brent Kapling; Mike Blackmore; Cora Warrick & son Tyler; Carol Schulzkump, her son Kris & daughter-in-law Ana; JoAnn's sister Beth; Steve Karspeck's sister-in-law Deena; Floyd Gumke; Wilmae & Sherry Gartside; Lisa Rygiel's parents; Loren Eigenburg; and the Sandstead family.

We surround with prayers those battling cancer, including Jeanine Tapia; Rick Barian (Lynn's friend); Rick Spaulding (Paula's brother-in-law); Gary Miller; Marci Guard; Lynn's brother Kenny; Nancy Wilhelm (Ernie & Sharon's family member); Linda Bounds; Jo Moss' cousin Virginia; Kimber Begano; Dr. Mark Jacobson; Linda Theige's brother-in-law Pastor Bob; and Francis Baldwin (friend of Mark & Jo Moss). We also pray for those affected by COVID-19, including Cherie Holder; Glenna (Mike & Becky's daughter); the Maucione family; and Melissa Lucero (cleans our facility and teaches at Head Start).

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:

  1. Yesterday's worship service can be viewed by following this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/LtFItiOeftOY2_TcEY9dHFzWx2P-vz3l1JDFL9d8rt_4s1JH4osDkphT4j88rs2-.X1P4F1-7nc08xwE1 (Passcode: 119#8G*O).  The sermon begins at minute 13:55 and is the first sermon in a 4-week series on LOVE and being an inclusive welcoming community!  If you missed it, listen in.
  2. January's 5th Sunday Blessing was to support the work and ministry of New Beginnings women's prison congregation and Pastor Terry Schjang.  You can send a donation via tithe.ly if you still want to contribute.  
  3. Thanks to everyone who participated this weekend in Zion's monthly feeding ministry FIVE LOAVES.  Almost 260 meals were shared.
  4. Worship & Music committee will meet at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 9 via Zoom.
  5. SATURDAY Feb. 12 Zion's is hosting a Centering Prayer retreat led by the Southern Colorado Contemplative Outreach leadership team. Gathering begins at 8:30 a.m. with the session beginning at 9 a.m.  We are a praying church and this is a wonderful opportunity to gather and pray together!  This is a non-denominational meditation practice so invite folks to join us!  
  6. 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.  

E-formation

This coming Sunday, the gospel is the story of the miraculous catch of fish. So what does this have to do with us? Come to worship, to hear about you and the fish, to pray, to sing, to eat and drink.

The Readings in the Bible:

Luke 5:1-11

Writing in the late 80s for a largely Gentile audience, Luke places the story of the miracle of the fish and the call of the first disciples after several healing miracles in Capernaum and Jesus’ move “to the other cities” in Judea (4:43-44). Yet this narrative is located back in the north. Since Jesus’ call to catch people is addressed only to Peter, Luke seems to be using the story to cement Peter’s leadership in the believing community. The catch of fish demonstrates Jesus’ divine power, because like God he can command nature. The move from calling Jesus Master (v. 5) to Lord (v. 8), which title carries divine overtones, resembles the post-resurrection appearance to Mary Magdalene (John 20:15, 18) in that it articulates early Christian creed.

Isaiah 6:1-8 [9-13]

Chronicling the life and preaching of Isaiah in the eighth century bce, chapters 1–39 of Isaiah threaten the Israelites with divine punishment in the form of political defeat if the people do not return to faithfulness to the covenant. Chapters 6–8 narrate the call of Isaiah himself. King Uzziah died in 742 or 736 bce. God’s robe, signifying the cloaking of the divine being, is too large for the temple to contain. Seraphs were winged serpent figures who served God in the heavenly court. The fire from the altar cleanses Isaiah’s lips from unworthiness. His answer “Here I am” is a standard response found in Old Testament call narratives. The optional verses include a poetic description of God’s judgment on the people and the land.

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

This excerpt from Paul’s letter written in about 54 to the church in Corinth is our earliest extant description of Christ’s resurrection. “The scriptures” Paul refers to are the Hebrew Scriptures. Cephas is Peter. Paul’s account of Christ’s post-resurrection appearances differs significantly from the four gospels: Paul omits the women, lists “five hundred brothers,” clearly differentiates the disciples from the apostles, claims that also he saw the risen Christ, and never mentions Christ’s physical body. Paul’s listing may have meant to indicate authority in the church.