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The Invitational Christian Part 2

By Vicar Lisa

As I pointed out in last week’s e-formation, I have been reading a book by Dave Daubert called The Invitational Christian.  As I stated, we like our church and we find life, meaning, and hope here.  However, we rarely ask others to attend.  Daubert points out that for a congregation to be truly invitational, it must adopt and embrace two major reasons for inviting others to church.

The first reason is that the congregation itself matters and is actively participating in work that matters to God.  This is why a clear identity (core values, guiding principles, mission priorities, etc.) is essential — the very things our Transition Team is working on! A congregation that is clear about what is most important can make a case for the work they do and are better able to invite others to join into that work. 

The second key answer to the question, “Why invite others to church?” is found in the lives of the participants.  In a healthy ministry people sense that attending church is life changing.  They believe that the teaching, spiritual support, and guidance they receive at church is personally transforming.  Daubert states that when people participate in congregational life, they feel more connected to God, and they have more awareness of the intersection between their life and the work of that God. What a great thought!  Where do you see your life and God’s work intersecting?

As I mentioned last week, please continue to hold up Pastor Kate and the Transition Team in your prayers.  The work they are doing is important, to ourselves, our community, and to the world we serve.  Please read the message from the team below and prayerfully consider.  Bless you all!

From the Transition Team:

Your thoughts are important to us and our future together as a congregation.  We really need you to participate.   

The Transition Team has worked hard for the last couple of months and it’s time to involve the entire congregation.  As we move into the future, we need to have a vision of what we want in our church and what we want in our pastor.  Your feedback on these questions is important. 

These are the questions that the Transition Team has discussed and now we are asking you to answer.  1) What do you want in your church…..2) What do you want from your church Pastor  ….3)  What are you willing to offer to make this happen?

Please sign up for one of these three dates – Nov. 13, 20 or 27 to meet with the Transition Team.  The  signup sheet is in the Fellowship Hall.   Or if you want to speak to one of the transition team personally, please reach out.   We look forward to visiting with you!

 

Announcements:

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

Sunday Nov. 13, The 23rd Sunday After Pentecost

Special Leader on Sunday:

Megan Pierce will bring our message on Sunday, speaking to the amazing time she had being a counselor at Rainbow Trails Camp this past summer.  She will also play the guitar!  Come hear what she has to say and play!

8:30 a.m. Sunday Morning Bible study 

Bible study has been concluded for the calendar year. Our next study will resume in January.

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: Megan Pierce,  Vicar Lisa Rygiel, Julie Wersal

Lector:  Melodie Lanosga

Zoom Leader(s): Sharon Sorenson & Ernie Parker

Musician: Melodie Lanosgna 

Ushers: Dick and Ann Rasmussen

Communion: Carol Schulzkump & Ruthie Culpepper

Flowers: Donated by Jeff and Carol Smith in thankfulness for all God’s love and blessings

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

Thanksgiving is Coming!!

    • We need many food items and assistance for our Community Thanksgiving Dinner. If you can donate food, please sign up in the Fellowship Hall or contact Norine Hazen. Also contact Norine know if you can help with food service on Thanksgiving Day.  If you can help deliver, please let Jo Moss know.  Or just send the church an email to  zionsluth@gmail.com and let us know how you can help.
    • Monetary donations are welcomed as well and designated offerings can be donated via Tithely, by placing your designated donation in the offering plate, or given directly to Norine Hazen or Joni Jones.
    • Also note, Turkey Bucks designated for Zion’s Thanksgiving Dinner can be purchased upon checkout at Safeway!

Coats, Blankets, Socks, and Mittens Collection

Everyone needs to stay warm this winter, but some people need a little extra help.  During November, Zion’s will collect coats, blankets, socks, and gloves or mittens. We will then donate these items to members of our community who are in need, including the people served by Pastor Clay and the Way Ministry. Our collection runs Nov. 1 to 20. If you can donate, bring your items to the Fellowship Hall. And, if you know someone in need, call or email the church and leave a message with the person's name, address, phone number, and need(s).    

Blue Christmas:  

On Tuesday Dec 13, 2022, at 5:30pm, 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.

Senior Giving Tree: 

As in past years,  Zion’s will partner with First National Bank, Trinidad, to provide Christmas gifts for area seniors through the bank’s Senior Giving Tree program. We need to let the bank know by Nov. 14, how many people we can help. If you can sponsor a senior, please let Jo Moss know by Nov. 13.

Other Information:

    • The Flower Chart has been replaced by the Flower Book.  This will be located in the back of the sanctuary on the bulletin table.  There are several weeks still available this year.  If you wish to sign up, you can use an envelope in the book and place it into the offering plate.
    • Transition Team meets at 5 p.m. on Thursday, November 10 in the Blue room.
    • Women’s Bible Study has concluded for the calendar year.

 

E-formation

How should Christians think about God’s power, granting wars, earthquakes, plagues, injustice, and strife even within families? This coming Sunday the gospel holds these examples of human suffering next to the word of Christ, who will save us. 

Luke 21:5-19

The human fear of future terrors is perennial. Not breath-taking buildings, nor stunning art, nor religious affiliation, nor national pride, nor the stability of the earth, nor what our society likes to call “family values” will save: Christ is the one.

Malachi 4:1-2a

This passage is set next to the Lucan apocalypse because of its imagery of both judgment and mercy. The tree of evil will be burned up. Christians see Christ as the sun by which God will heal and bring justice. As also Christians fear future terrors, we can trust in divine healing.

2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

In this, the final excerpt in the ecumenical lectionary from 2 Thessalonians, Christians are called to live in the real present, rather than in an imagined ideal future. Care must be taken that this passage not be heard as condemning those countless people who cannot find adequate work, which was not a problem that the early church faced.

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Zion's Lutheran Church

zionsluth@gmail.com

719-846-7785