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Good evening!  And a blessed All Saints Day to you!  Today I share this reflection from Women of the ELCA:

Saints and Sinners

Despite all the Lutheran talk about grace, we still tend to think about scales and to consider our good deeds as pebbles and our bad ones as boulders.  We fear—and perhaps even believe—that our misdeeds are actually very much stacked against us.
Martin Luther grasped this existential fear about sinfulness. He knew it in his bones. Ultimately, he wrestled with it, like Jacob with the angel.
Yet even though (or perhaps because?) the struggle bruised him, Luther morphed his fear into a theological revolution. We are sinful, he determined, and we are also bestowed with grace by which we as sinners are transformed into saints. He even came up with a Latin phrase for it: simul iustus et peccator.  All Saints Day is an occasion to recall that Luther was right: We have spots, we have wrinkles…and we are holy.

Yes, YOU ARE HOLY.  You are a saint, and a sinner.  And you are God's beloved child, saved by grace!  And for that, we all give thanks. Have a blessed week.  Take time with God.  Consider a new spiritual practice to help you grow closer to God and more Christ like.   It doesn't have to be fancy, it just needs to be practiced.  If you want some ideas, let's talk!  

Blessings and in Christ, Pastor Andrea

This week (other meetings/gatherings/work will be taking place as well but here are some things to note):  
  • Tuesday, Nov 2nd  LFSRM Refugee Training ZOOM seminar 6 pm.  To register go to  https://www.lfsrm.org/event/refugee-volunteer-orientation-colorado-springs-online-3/?instance_id=3582  
  • Wednesday, Nov 3rd  Worship & Music committee meeting with potluck 11 am in lower level of fellowship hall
  • Thursday, Nov 4th. LFSRM Refugee Training ZOOM seminar 5 pm.  To register go to  https://www.lfsrm.org/event/refugee-volunteer-orientation-colorado-springs-online-3/?instance_id=3582  
  • Friday, Nov 5th Women's Bible study will meet at 9:30 am, beginning an Advent study on "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel", by Lifeway Women. It takes four of the hymn's verses and explores their meaning in a deeper understanding as we prepare for the Lord's first and second coming. There are 5 days of personal study to be done before each session, so order your book now and join us!  All are welcome.The sessions will be both in person and on Zoom.   The Zoom link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82692013940?pwd=dHB4S2N2VW9XZmNORmhRa3l0VGxSUT09 or join by phone 301-715-8592; Meeting ID: 826 9201 394; Passcode: 624229 
  • Saturday, Nov 6th Paula Little is sponsoring an art day for Veterns!  Spread the news!  "Free the Mind" Painting from the Subconscious for the Vets 10am-1pm in the fellowship hall.   RSVP to Paula Little
  • Sunday, November 7th ALL SAINTS DAY    ***DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME CHANGE (Fall Back!)
    • 8:30 am Sunday morning Bible study Our new study begins using "The God Who Sees" by Karen Gonzalez.  Stories from scripture about Hagar, Joseph, Ruth and Jesus will guide us to consider those who have fled their homelands.  It might help us to understand the journey our Afghan families have had to take and encourage us as we consider partnering with LFSRM in resettling them.  The book is not mandatory but would be so helpful but all are welcome!  Come and participate in the study & discussion.  4 Sundays in November.  Discussions led by David and Lisa.
    • 10 am Worship INDOORS in our Sanctuary
      • Join us, either in person OR via ZOOM ('hybrid' worship).  If you will be worshipping 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 worshipping in person, masks will be required indoors.  Please bring your own, thanks!
      • Worship leaders:  Pastor Andrea; Assisting: Lisa Rygiel;  Organist:  Connie Pallone;  Ushering:  Connie Hass & Jo Moss;  Reading:  Jo Moss;  Communion prep/cleanup: Kathy Broman, Doris Blalock
      • Flowers are for all the Saints who have gone before us but especially today in remembrance of Pat Fletcher's father's birthday
    • Fellowship after worship (approx. 11:10am) in the fellowship hall
    • BREAD & BELONGING  College/High School Student Fellowship resumes again tonight.  Discussion topic is "Is there a right and wrong way to read the Bible?" It's the first Sunday of the month so a meal will be served.  ARE THERE ANY VOLUNTEERS TO PROVIDE FOOD?  Please let Pastor know by emailing.  Thanks!!
Prayer List: It is a privilege to pray for one another and to bring those who need healing to Jesus.  The prayer list has been updated, as we periodically do. Send prayer requests to Carol Smith at csmith2621@gmail.com or 412-477-7531.  
 
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13) Hope is trusting in God's promises- that He will never leave us and He loves us and knows our needs. In prayer, we ask in His name: Comfort for those in mourning, including the Truillo family on the death of Elaine's nephew; families and friends of Manei Serafini; Amy Estes; Steph Romero; Robin Sanchez; Kenny Chase; Bob Gonzales; and Rich Samora. We pray for and surround with Gods' healing touch: Bradly Tennery, Sharon Sorenson; Mike Blackmore hospitalized at Parkview; Pastor Andrea; Carol Schulzkump; JoAnn's sister Beth and Deena Karspeck; Floyd Gumke; Wilmae and Sherry Gartside; Linda Bounds; Lisa's mother; Anthony Campbell; Liz McKethen; Kimberly Ehrman; Katy and Brent Kapling; Loren Eigenberg; the Sandstead family.  We surround with prayers others battling cancer, including Rick Spalding, Norine's stepdaughter Sherry; Joni's nephew Mike; Jo Moss' cousin Virginia; Kimber Begano; Glenn Davis; Dr. Mark Jacobson; Linda Theige's BIL Pastor Bob; Elaine's nephew Carlos Trujillo; and Max Phillips.  We also pray for those affected by COVID-19.  Our prayers continue for Wal Reat (missionary in Sudan whom we support financially through Global Missions); Pastor Clay and The Way ministry; ACTS ministry; and the prison congregation New Beginnings and Pastor Schjang.
 
Other announcements/dates to put on your calendar:
Yesterday's worship service can be viewed by following this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/1f9PHGSRrSRWLUodH8kfq77RuZOHi6HiUQlHapnZfj71sKSTcCqwTHV818OQeGBM.V2kh5aNkXCquk04e Passcode: Iv+$k?C6 The sermon begins at 19:50
1.  NOVEMBER COAT DRIVE is taking place!  Let's go through our closets, gather our donations, and bring those coats (clean and washed) to church and they will be shared with those in need.  Thank you!  
2.  Thanksgiving is fast approaching and again this year we are providing the Trinidad Community Thanksgiving Dinner.  We need volunteers to prepare food, package meals and deliver meals.  Please sign up on the sheets that are at church in the sanctuary and the fellowship hall.  Thanks!! 
3.  A BOOK DISCUSSION will take place via ZOOM on Saturday, November 20th at 10 am on  "The God Who Sees" by Karen Gonzalez.  The Rocky Mt Synod AMMPARPO group will be leading this and we can join in!  Zoom Link - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88514349858. Maybe we can meet at church and participate together-- a book club!  
4.  The November edition of Zion's newsletter CONNECTIONS is out.  Grab a print copy at church.
5.  Thank you to all the volunteers who make FIVE LOAVES possible.  Last weekend was another success!  Feeding people monthly is such a gift of love and care and is a direct response to Matthew 25:35.  We will resume in January 2022.
6.  We are back worshipping indoors and Jeff Smith is heading up our security team.  We need a few more members to assist so if you would consider this and call Jeff at 412-916-1826. 
7.  Last call to be part of the Fall/Winter prayer team.  Email or call Carol Smith to be added to our email list.  
8.  Prior to March 2020, Zion's had a Centering Prayer group that met weekly on Tuesday nights.  Doris Blalock wants to restart this!  Who else is interested in Centering Prayer?  Please email Pastor and we'll gather and plan how to proceed.  

“We share in centering prayer, when done in common, a reservoir of silence that is enhanced by each one's contribution.”

― Thomas Keating, Reflections on the Unknowable

 

E-formation

God has made into saints all who have been baptized into Christ, and we honor especially those who have died in the faith by referring to them as saints of God. Our assembly joins with countless other Christians to praise God for the life of all the saints.

The Readings in the Bible

 

In the last of the seven signs presented by the fourth evangelist in the late first century as demonstrations of Jesus’ divinity, the long narrative of the raising of Lazarus includes Jesus’ sorrow over the death of his friend. The miracle is a sign from God that Jesus is sent by God to show God’s glory and to give life, which in John is seen most fully on the cross. The man laid in a cave with a stone at its entrance prefigures Christ’s resurrection. The resuscitation of Lazarus is a symbol of the resurrection at the end of time. The word of Jesus is seen as powerful over death.

 

 

From First Isaiah in the eighth century bce comes one of the Bible’s loveliest descriptions of the full and final messianic banquet. The sacred mountain no longer inspires terror, but welcomes all peoples to a feast. Verses 8-9 exemplify the Bible’s eschatological vision: in the end, disgrace will be erased and death will be defeated, for God will save the world. Eschatological hopes especially mark a people who see no way out of their current dilemma.

 

 

The Revelation of John, written in the late first or early second century, uses traditional Jewish apocalyptic imagery both to express the terrifying situation of the early churches at the time when the Roman Empire required that the emperors be worshiped as gods, and to convey the faith that ultimately God would save them. The visionary employs multiple metaphors to describe the final victorious presence of God. The sea, the frightful domain of the monster, is thus no more. A primordial garden is replaced with a city. God is no longer distant on a mountain but lives in the city. God is like a husband, like a mother drying our tears, like a monarch on a throne, like the beginning and end of human knowledge.