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Transports and Transitions

Hey there, Lisa Rygiel here with our e-Formations.  

Here at my current home, I have a perfect bird’s eye view of the hospital from my ridge up on Corundum Road.  In fact, I see the life-flight helicopters when they land and when I see them, I pause and say a prayer for whoever is getting transported and for their friends and family.  Not so long ago, I found out later that I had said a prayer for our beloved sister Ann when she was transported to Colorado Springs after she was struck by a car while walking her dog.  Thank God that she was treated properly and restored to good health!

But, life is complicated, and all outcomes are not so fortunate.  My dear friend Renee lost her husband last week to a massive heart attack.  No warnings.  No time to prepare.  He was there in the morning and then gone.  I had the opportunity to speak with her and mourn with her yesterday.  But surprisingly, as we spoke, she stated how fortunate she was. She had known Oscar, loved him, and enjoyed life with him.  She felt blessed for having that time and also blessed that he had not suffered long.  Then she began to speak of the joys he must be beholding in the Kingdom of Heaven.  And we both, simultaneously stated, “I Can Only Imagine!”  

I Can Only Imagine is a beautiful song by a Christian band, Mercy Me, and every time I hear it, it brings me to my knees.  So powerful.  Take a listen.  https://youtu.be/N_lrrq_opng.  Or, at least, take a look at the lyrics.  Can you imagine?  

I can only imagine
What it will be like
When I walk
By Your side

I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When Your face
Is before me
I can only imagine, yeah

Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel
Will I dance for You, Jesus
Or in awe of You be still
Will I stand in Your presence
Or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah
Will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

I can only imagine
When that day comes
And I find myself
Standing in the Son

I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever
Forever worship You
I can only imagine, yeah
I can only imagine

Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel
Will I dance for You, Jesus
Or in awe of You be still
Will I stand in Your presence
Or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah
Will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine, yeah
I can only imagine

Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel
Will I dance for You, Jesus
Or in awe of You be still
Will I stand in Your presence
Or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah
Will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine, yeah
I can only imagine

I can only imagine, yeah
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever
Forever worship You
I can only imagine

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

Wednesday-Friday, May 4-6, Zion's Camping Extravaganza at Trinidad Lake, for details contact Sharon Sorenson.

Sunday, May 8 Good Shepherd Sunday

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 leaders: Lisa Rygiel; Assistant: Julie Wersal; Organist: Connie Pallone; Ushering: Jo Moss and Hailey Bearden; Reading: John Rygiel;  Communion prep/cleanup: Mike & Becky McNeil

Flowers: Jeff and Carol Smith for Mother’s Day

  • Fellowship time at approximately 11:15 a.m. to share a cup of coffee/soda and conversation!
  • Bread and Belonging will resume! Our high school/college ministry gathers each Sunday night from 6-8 p.m. in the lower level of the Fellowship Hall.

Other announcements:

Sunday's worship service can be viewed by following this link:

  • May 13 the Women's Bible Study resumes with a new study of the Psalms using Kerygma's Psalms (Discovering): Passion, Promise & Praise. There are seven sessions. Books have been ordered but please let Carol Smith or Becky McNeil know if you want a book reserved for you and if you will be joining. Join in person or via Zoom at Join Zoom at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83136424723?pwd=TkxsQVllMmo2bVlSekN0dGZqbzF1Zz09 -- Meeting ID: 831 3642 4723 -- Passcode: 865505
  • May 9-11 the Synod Assembly takes place in Loveland. Carol Schulzkump and Lisa Rygiel will represent Zion's.
  • Church council meeting has been postponed from May 8 to May 15, details will follow.
  • Deadline for the June Newsletter is May 24, send submissions to Zion's email or Jo Moss at moss3@juno.com.
  • If you would like to sign up to sponsor the flowers that beautify our worship space, please contact Lynn Chase or sign up on the Flower Chart that is located in the back of the Sanctuary.  For a donation of $25, you may choose to take the arrangements and enjoy them or donate.  Simply place your check in the offering plate with "Flowers" designated on the Memo line.  

E-formation

This coming fourth Sunday of Easter is called Good Shepherd Sunday since on this Sunday all three years of the lectionary celebrate Christ imagined as a shepherd. We will sing the beloved Psalm 23. Unfortunately, most art depicting the Good Shepherd is unrealistic and sentimental: shepherding was a difficult and dirty job for the men and women who herded the flocks, but sheep were gifts from God and essential sources of life for the people. Join us to thank Christ for being our shepherd.

The Readings on This Day: Fourth Sunday of Easter/Good Shepherd Sunday

Brought over from the second Sunday after Easter in the medieval one-year lectionary is the beloved Good Shepherd Sunday. Despite the popularity of the image of the lone lamb held in the shepherd’s arms, the most biblical use of the image of sheep intends a communal interpretation. This Sunday, the conclusion to John 10 includes the metaphor of Christ shepherding a flock of sheep given to him by God.

John 10:22-30

Concluding the three years of reading John 10 on the fourth Sunday of Easter, we praise the risen Christ as the shepherd whose voice calls us to follow him into eternal life. The entire flock is in the hand of Christ, which is God’s hand. The sheep are given life, but they must follow him there.

Acts 9:36-43

During the Sundays of Easter, the first readings come from Acts, to emphasize the ongoing power of Christ’s resurrection through the Spirit. Here a disciple is praised for her contributions to a charity (albeit a gender-stereotyped one), and Peter aided by prayer can raise the dead. Resuscitation of a corpse is not what the New Testament means by resurrection. Yet those who are in Christ can experience a renewed life.

Revelation 7:9-17

Martyrdoms and other “great ordeals” continue in the twenty-first century. Christians have interpreted the “springs of the water of life” as baptism. This Sunday, as we gather around the table, we are singing the martyrs' songs of praise. The Lamb at the center of the throne is the bread and wine we share.