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Classic Church  -  Church Becoming

By Vicar Lisa

One of the sessions I was able to attend when I attended the Rocky Mountain Synod assembly was entitled Classic Church – Church Becoming.  Church Becoming is a term that describes the truth that the Church is never a static reality, but always a work in progress.  We are always being made new, and re-formed, through the leading of the Spirit.  Over time, the Church of Jesus has been reformed over and over again.  Embracing our call to live as Church Becoming means that we seek to open our hearts and minds to the Spirit’s invitation to us.   As a Church Becoming,  we ask ourselves:

    • What is unique about our witness to the gospel and how do we best share it with our whole community?
    • Where do we find current and future opportunities to be church better together?
    • How is it possible to reframe or recast our current assets for the sake of our identity/values, mission, and vision?
    • What measures are we using to define vitality, viability, and growth?
    • What is needed to unleash the gifts and talents of the members of our community of faith?  How can we equip all folks for ministry in the world?

The objective of this process is to create a vital -right-shaped ministry.  Vital congregations create cultures that call members/friends/disciples to act out of their shared values to live into the mission of God in their context.  The mission is fueled by a vision for their desired future and their discernment of God’s pull on them from God’s future led by the Spirit.

If the Spirit is moving you, please speak to any member of the transition team and make your voice heard.  Note that there is one more opportunity for a Cottage meeting this upcoming Sunday, December 4.  Please seek out Pastor Kate Schlechter or any member of the Transition Team if you want to sign up. 

Announcements:

Sunday, Dec. 4, The Second Sunday of Advent

  • 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.
  • Fellowship time at approximately 11:15 a.m. Please join us for coffee, tea, and chatter! 

Blue Christmas:  On Tuesday, Dec 13, at 5:30 pm, Zions will offer a special Blue Christmas service in our church sanctuary. A Blue Christmas service provides a quiet and contemplative worship service as an alternative to more traditional gatherings.  This is in honor of those who are experiencing grief and struggling with loss.  All are welcome. Invite your family and friends.

Christmas Market:  The Methodist Church located at 216 Broom Street will be hosting a Christmas Market this Saturday, December 3 from 10 am – 4 pm.  Gift ideas, candy, and cookies are available!  Contact Nelma Treider if you would like to be a vendor at 907-394-2007.

The Chosen:  I know a lot of you have watching The Chosen series.  Trinidad Church of Christ at 1000 Nevada Ave. has obtained permission from the producer to host viewings of Season 3, episodes 1 & 2, which are only scheduled to be held in theaters.  If you are interested in attending, they will have 4 showings available. To purchase tickets and help support the filming of season 4, please select the day that best fits your schedule and follow the link to purchase tickets.

Friday December 2nd, 7pm

Saturday December 3rd, 7pm

Friday December 9th, 7pm

Saturday December 10th, 7pm

For additional information, Contact Jason at Johnsonjasonm33@gmail.com

Other Information:

The Transition Team meets at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 1, in the Blue room.

E-formation

Each year on the second Sunday of Advent we hear John the Baptist urging us to prepare for the coming of Christ. This coming Sunday we also hear Isaiah’s famous poem about the wolf lying down with the lamb. Come to worship and receive the blessings from the word of the Lord.

Matthew 3:1-12

To prepare for the coming of God in Jesus Christ, we are invited into a total reversal of life’s values, a complete change of mind, and the burning up of useless chaff. God comes to inaugurate “the kingdom of heaven,” Matthew’s Jewish way to speak of the presence and power of God. We celebrate that presence of God coming today in word and sacrament.

Isaiah 11:1-10

In Advent, we read Old Testament poems that are filled with images of peace, justice, and joy. The church sees in the past, present, and future the presence of Jesus Christ, in whom is the realization of these perennial human hopes. Jesus fills and fulfills our human hopes.

Romans 15:4-13

Christ comes not only to the Jewish people, as we would know from the Scriptures, and not only to us in the church, but also to all the Gentiles, that is, to all people of the world. In Advent, we prepare for this momentous arrival, which in word and sacrament fills us with the power of the Holy Spirit. Godalways comess as the Triune One.

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Zion's Lutheran Church

zionsluth@gmail.com

719-846-7785