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Good morning!  It's another beautiful day in southern Colorado with some leaves changing color and the signs that Fall is upon us.  Here's a prayer from one of my favorite authors, Joyce Rupp, that I hope is the perfect reminder to take time to sit back and contemplate the transformative wonders of autumn:

A Prayer for Autumn Days
By Joyce Rupp

God of the seasons,
there is a time for everything;
there is a time for dying and a time for rising.
We need courage to enter into
the transformation process.

 

God of autumn,
the trees are saying goodbye to their green,
letting go of what has been.
We, too, have our moments of surrender,
with all their insecurity and risk.
Help us to let go when we need to do so.

God of fallen leaves
lying in colored patterns on the ground,
our lives have their own patterns.
As we see the patterns of our own growth,
may we learn from them.

God of misty days and harvest moon nights,
there is always the dimension of mystery
and wonder in our lives.
We always need to recognize your power-filled presence.
May we gain strength from this.

God of harvest wagons and fields of ripened grain,
many gifts of growth lie within the season of our surrender.
We must wait for harvest in faith and hope.
Grant us patience when we do not see the blessings.

 

God of geese going south
for another season, your wisdom enables us
to know what needs to be left behind
and what needs to be carried into the future.
We yearn for insight and vision.

God of flowers
touched with frost and windows wearing white designs,
may your love keep our hearts
from growing cold in the empty seasons.

God of life,
you believe in us, you enrich us,
you entrust us with the freedom to choose life.
For all this, we are grateful.

Amen.

Blessings and peace to you dear people of God.  Look for signs of God's amazing transformation happening all around you!  And pray for the Holy Spirit to continue to work in you and transform you so that you love like our Heavenly Creator loves! In Christ, Pastor Andrea

This week (other meetings/gatherings/work will be taking place as well but here are some things to note):
  • MONDAY, Sept 27th at 10 am, Zion's Sante Fe Trail Bicentennial Committee gathers in person or via ZOOM.  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81667839880?pwd=LyttZ0I3ZWY0ekk1NzlvaDArZ3VuQT09
  • Friday, October 1st at 9:30 am - 11.  We use a hybrid meeting - downstairs of Samuel's building (wearing masks) and on Zoom. This is a three-session study on Wisdom, Truth, and Hope, led by Carol Smith. 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, October 2nd from 8 am to 7 pm, Zion's will have a booth along Main Street as part of Trinidad's celebration of the Sante Fe Trail Bicentennial.  Please sign up to 'staff' the booth for two hours either Saturday or Sunday.  Let's share with our community, "WHY ZION'S?"  Talk to Paula Little about volunteering and getting a t-shirt or wear your yellow "God's Work, Our Hands" t-shirt!
  • Sunday, October 3rd
    • NO Sunday morning Bible study this week!  Lisa Rygiel is scheduled to be in our booth on Main Street
    • 10 am Worship Outdoors on the TSJC Lawn south of the 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, please bring a folding camp chair to sit on and wear comfortable clothing 
      • Worship leaders:  Assisting:  Julie Wersal;  Song Leader:  Becky McNiel; Pianist:  Mark Nelson;  Ushering:  Doris Blalock & Kathy Broman ;  Reading: Kathy Broman;  Communion prep/cleanup:  Cherie Holder & Pat Fletcher
      • Flowers are from Carol Schulzkump for her 3 grandkids whose birthdays are in September/October
    • Fellowship after worship (approx. 11am).  
    • BREAD & BELONGING  College/High School Student Fellowship from 6-8 pm.  We begin by serving some food, followed by fellowship and discussion using the book "YOU CAN'T ASK THAT! 50 Taboo questions about the bible, Jesus, and Christianity".   Invite college and students 9-12th grade.  
Prayer List: It is a privilege to pray for one another and to bring those who need healing to Jesus.  Send prayer requests to Carol Smith at csmith2621@gmail.com or 412-477-7531.
 
The Lord tells us in Matthew 11:28 "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."   In doing this, we lift up our concerns to Him in prayer.  An urgent prayer request came in this morning for Glenn Davis who is having emergency surgery up north this morning for pancreatic issues.  
We continue to pray for guidance and wisdom for the leaders of our country and the world.  We lift up those that are mourning the loss of a loved one, especially Carol Bordo and family; Phyllis Jean Mackenzie and family; and Bob Koenen's family (wife Deb).  Prayers continue for those affected by COVID-19, especially Mary's niece Libby; Carol S's son's MIL Carmen Ortez (pulmonary embolism from COVID);  Mark Moss' family members -Amy and Willy Ashley, Andrea and Lane Houston; Norine's step daughter Sherry; Becky's niece, Paige(thankful she is improving); Karen's father (on a vent); Kim, Dan, and Debbie Ruscetti; and Joshua.  We pray for those affected by the Afghanistan takeover and ask for protection for the Christians left behind and all who are needing God's presence and hope.  We pray for and surround with God's healing touch :Michael Blackmore; Lisa's Mother; Cheri's Mom Phyllis (fell);  Barbara Snow; Jacqueline and Larry Sinniett; Christine Eliss; Elaine's brother Pete (car accident);  Huffor family; Steve Devorack; Joni's nephew Mike (lung cancer); Mike Johnson; Floyd Gumke; Linda Bounds; Erin's friend Jenny (leukemia); Patrick Nye; Carol Schulzkump; Jo Moss' cousin Virginia (cancer);  Kimber Begano (cancer); Glenn Davis (cancer); Dr. Mark Jacobson (cancer); Doris' family; Linda Theige's brother Pastor Bob (cancer); Max Phillips (cancer); Carol Schulzkump's daughter Katy and nephew Brent Kapling; Caleb, Eliza and Ryan Schulte; Willmae Gartside (hospice) and Sherry; Larry French; Janice and Dennis Hornamen; Sue Nesbitt; Loren Eigenberg; Moises; Doug and Darlynne Sandstead, daughters Heather & Rebecca, family Ed and Bev; Christine and Mark; Richard W.; Richard S.; KC (Alzheimer's).  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/AfUtEZSU6s3XypTuXCyJdLX24GNUw-i-MoIoHLq2te06OusNwA_cBMvQ1rKKmxGV.rkWiqlfizAL5HKMK Passcode: b72YKF6&   A HUGE thank you to our musicians & the whole team for leading the service.  We've had technical difficulties with the song leaders microphone and so apologize that you've had a tough time hearing thier fine voices.  It'll be fixed for next week!  Our website should have the sermon only also available to view.  www.zionsluth.org 
 
1.  This week and weekend is the Santa Fe Trail Bicentennial celebration!  Our community has a lot going on and it is a wonderful opportunity to get out and celebrate the history of our corner of the world while also looking to the future!  This website has a list of events:  https://visittrinidadcolorado.com/santa-fe-trail/ and most are happening over the weekend.  Here are a few highlights:
David Lamb's production of Kit Carson (assisted by our own Jeff Smith and Melodie Lanosga) at 3pm on Main Street LIve stage.  FREE
First Friday ART WALK~ 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ~ Downtown Trinidad and the Marketplace Gallery will be open too
“Dirty Deeds at the Depot”, Main Street LIVE, 131 W. Main 7 pm Friday and Saturday with some of Zion's members performing/playing
Saturday - lots of activity along Main Street, the Main Street Stage, our museums, parks and Los Ninos Field, etc.  Plus all the booths (like ours)
2. The Zion's newsletter is called CONNECTIONS and will be published this week.  Look for it in your email inbox or pick up a printed copy.  Thanks to Jo Moss for creating this and to all the contributors~ THANKS!
3. New Members will be received at Zion's October 17th.  Do you want to formally join this faith family?  Speak to Pastor Andrea
4. The 4th quasi annual Zion's Lutheran Church bike/camp outing will be held on Saturday October 16th on the River Trail outside Pueblo.  The bikers will meet at the Pueblo Fish Hatchery (500 Pueblo Reservoir Rd) at 10 am and bike the paved Arkansas River trail to have lunch at the Coyote Grill (5220 Nature Center Rd) near the raptor center (approx 4 miles).  If the Coyote Grill is closed, we'll head to the Pueblo RiverWalk and dine at one of the many restaurants there.  Those interested in camping, we will be at. the Arkansas Point area of Pueblo Lake State Park where there are currently a variety of electric sites available.  Carol & Jeff Smith have reserved site #88 for arrival Friday Oct 15th, departing on Sunday Oct 17th.  Invite friends!  Thanks to Jeff Smith for organizing this and please direct all questions to Jeff.
5.  Confirmation Camp at Rainbow Trails Lutheran Camp, Oct 15-17th.
6.  Worship flowers can be sponsored each week for $25. A flower chart is in the fellowship hall to sign up or contact Lynn Chase.
7. Angels in Aprons is our team of amazing cooks who bless you by helping with meals when you are in need for any reason, such as surgeries, illnesses, etc.  If you would like to be blessed by these angels or would like to volunteer, please contact Lynn Chase. 
8.  FREE Covid testing for all Colorado residents can be accessed at the Sebastiani Gym Parking Lot.  Schedule an appointment at AffinityeCareColorado.com ahead of time or register on site (longer wait time).  The times I believe have changed so log on to see when/times.  
 
E-formation

This Sunday’s gospel reading includes both stern words about divorce and gracious words about little children. Come to worship to hear both law and gospel, both God’s call to the ethical life and God’s welcome of all of us who cannot fully obey.

The Readings in the Bible

 

By having the Pharisees question Jesus about the interpretation of Mosaic Law, Mark grants to Jesus messianic scriptural authority. First-century rabbis disagreed about the grounds for divorce. Verse 12 indicates that Mark’s community, which included Gentiles, is considering also Roman law which gave women the right of divorce. By conflating Genesis 1:27 and 2:24, the text regards marriage as effected by God rather than as merely a legal contract. These views on the indissolubility of marriage conflict with Paul’s advice in 1 Corinthians 7:15. Children were brought to the rabbis for blessing on the eve of Yom Kippur. To bless something meant to thank God for it. The description of believers as in some way like children echoes Lectionary 25.

 

 

According to the Genesis story of creation from the more androcentric J (Yahwist) tradition, earlier than the P (Priestly) tradition of Genesis 1, females are created as helpers and companions for males rather than childbearers. In Hebrew, the noun rib may be connected with the Sumerian word life, and the noun for woman is an elaboration of the noun for man, in a way similar to female/male, woman/man. In accord with the Hebrew understanding, the woman is derivative of the man. Yet verse 24 hints at a prior gynocentric cultural pattern in which the woman was dominant and the man went to her home, rather than the reverse.

 

 

The letter to the Hebrews is an intellectually and symbolically complex sermon written in elegant Greek, probably around the time of the destruction of the temple in 70 ce, that encourages believers to remain faithful to the gospel despite any hardships they are encountering. The initial section (1:1-4) proclaims the high Christology of the relationship between the Father, the Creator of all things, and the Son. According to this Christology, Christ is “the imprint of God’s very being” who was for a time made lower than angels. The citation in verse 6 (“someone has testified somewhere”!) is from Psalm 8, an Old Testament passage that became central to Christian understanding of Christ. The relationship of the Son to the Father is now shared by believers, who are Jesus’ siblings and, like him, suffer.