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NOTE: Please remember that all of our Zoom links recently changed. Make sure that you use the most recent ones included below as well as in the E-formation, Website, or your Bulletin.

Animal Blessings – Vicar Lisa

Every October 4, churches celebrate Saint Francis of Assisi, the acclaimed Catholic friar, philosopher, mystic, and teacher.  Although Francis was born into the family of a wealthy merchant, he gave up his inheritance to serve poor people. Francis had a spirit of gratitude for all of God's creation and is considered the Patron Saint of all animals and the ecology.  He is attributed to say: If you have [people] who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have [people] who will deal likewise with their fellow men [and women].

Think of all pets bring into our lives: joy, companionship, amusement, and adoring devotion.  We develop a warm and intimate relationship with our pets that we sometimes don't allow ourselves to have with our fellow humans.  We walk with them and talk to them, play with them, and let them spend hours drooling or snoring on our laps on the couch.  We need them as much as they need us!

In honor of St. Francis, this year we started a new tradition at Zion’s by having the Blessing of the Animals last Saturday.  We were one of many congregations across the globe that celebrated and blessed our beloved pets. It was such a delight to see some of our congregational dogs in “person” as well as other breeds represented in spirit including cats, horses, and goats.  We had dog and cat treats available as well as some people treat too with hot apple cider and cinnamon drop donuts (thanks Becky!).  It was a joyful time and I believe it foretells what is to come. 

Luke 12:6 states that “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God.”  God created animals for us to love and care for.  And he loves us even more!  The Luke passage continues “Why even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.”  If God keeps track of the sparrows of the field and the hairs on your head, how much more does he value your very soul and spirit? 

Isaiah 11:6-9 tells us that “The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together, and the lion shall eat straw like the ox….” That sounds like my idea of heaven!

Announcements:

Sunday, Oct. 9, The 18th Sunday after Pentecost

  • 8:30 a.m. Sunday morning Bible study
    We will be having a study on Galatians led by Carol Smith.  Note:  This will be the same study she has been leading for Women’s Bible study, so if you missed any or just want a repeat, please join us in the fellowship hall downstairs in the Blue Room or via Zoom. Join the Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88425864750?pwd=K1JMVThhaEp3OEg2bGw2RFNtWVV1UT09, Meeting ID: 884 2586 4750, Passcode: 651890, or dial +1 719 359 4580 US.
  • 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 leader: Vicar Lisa Rygiel

Assistant: Julie Wersal

Organist: Connie Pallone

Ushering: Mike McNeil and Cheri Holder

Reading: Mike McNeil

Communion prep/cleanup: Kathy Nicolai

Flowers: Flowers are donated by Carol Schulzkump in honor of her grandchildren

  • Fellowship time at approximately 11:15 a.m., join us for coffee, tea, soft drinks, and holy chatter! If you missed the Timeline Event, please feel free to add your apple to the tree.  And also, continue to add to the Timeline as you recall other noteworthy events.

Other Information:

  • Church council meets on Sunday, October 9, at 11:30 in the Blue Room downstairs in the Fellowship Hall.
  • 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.
  • The Transition Team meets at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 6 in the Blue room.
  • Women’s Bible Study will continue a study on Galatians on October 14, 9:30 - 11:00 am in the blue room, downstairs of the Fellowship Hall.  You can also join by zoom:  https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89665400942?pwd=ejZTUmVnRi9zVS9HTzVrSGtXVVhTQT09, Meeting ID: 896 6540 0942, Passcode: 905229.  Or Dial in at +1 719 359 4580 US. A couple of books are still available. Questions can be directed to Carol Smith.
  • Paula Little will lead an Art & Wine Workshop from 1-4 in the Fellowship Hall on Saturday, Oct. 15.  There is a sign-up sheet in the sanctuary or you can email Paula to sign up at paulajeanlittle@gmail.com. 
  • On October 16, Diana Linden-Johnson from the Office of the Bishop will be here to lead worship and to formally install Lisa Rygiel as our new Vicar.  Please plan on attending and bring a dish to share for the potluck to follow.
  • As a reminder, we are no longer sending out a Worship/Bulletin email each Saturday.  That information (link and bulletin) will be available every Saturday on our webpage under the Sermon & Bulletin tab — https://zionslutheran.tithelysetup2.com/podcasts/media.

 

E-formation

The gospel on this coming Sunday speaks of how surprising it would be if a master served his slaves their evening meal. Yet this is precisely what happens each Sunday when Christ serves us at his table of mercy. Come to worship and strengthen your faith in the power of this surprising food.

Luke 17:5-10

Today’s extreme description of the Christian life—lived by “worthless slaves” whose faith cannot possibly be adequate—is surprising in Luke. Yet here is also Luke’s promise of mercy: Christ, our lord, amazes us by serving us at the table.

Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4

Paul cited Habakkuk’s call for faith in God’s salvation in both Romans and Galatians, and there it became instrumental in Martin Luther’s theological breakthrough. The passage fits with today’s Lucan passage by calling us to faith. Today is the only citation from Habakkuk in the complementary readings of the three-year lectionary.

2 Timothy 1:1-14

Although the second readings do not always cohere with the gospel and first reading, today’s selection from 2 Timothy certainly does. Timothy’s faith is praised, and Vv. 9-14 is a summary of the faith in Christ’s resurrection which constitutes the Christian hope.

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Zion's Lutheran Church

zionsluth@gmail.com

719-846-7785