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Living Out Martin Luther King’s Dream

by Vicar Lisa

I am writing this article on Monday, Jan. 15. The day we honor Martin Luther King Jr.  I was 8 years old, living in Memphis, when the famous civil rights leader was shot on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in my hometown. I remember the city being torn apart by riots and civil unrest. Curfew was implemented and we were told not to leave our homes. I didn’t understand all that was happening, but it was a scary time. It was not until I was much older, and read his writings that I began to realize what an amazing man Dr. King was and how much our nation lost that April 4, 1968 day. Below is an excerpt of an article by Abraham D. Allende that appeared in the Living Lutheran Magazine Jan. 17, 2022.

Though King is known primarily as a leader of the civil rights movement, he always considered himself first a child of God and a preacher of the gospel. He was a social reformer, an activist, a politician; but above all, his message of personal and social transformation was rooted in the prophets and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

He knew the power of Christ’s teachings to change the world if we allow the love of God to enter and dwell within our hearts and, in so doing, transform our practices and attitudes toward each other. This was his dream. This was his gospel message.

As many congregations and synods look to this year’s commemorations, some of us are concerned about the deep racial divide that persists in our nation and mars the body of Christ. We lament that we have fallen far short of King’s dream.

We need to repent for the sordid injustices of our past and the bigotry rampant in our present day, which is intensified by the anxiety of the pandemic.

Yet others might ask, “Why is this so important? What does it have to do with me?”

I say to them that our covenant of baptism entrusts us with the responsibilities of caring for others and the world God made, and of working for justice and peace.

As people of faith, we are called to defend the dignity of every human being. We are called to speak out against discrimination of any kind. We are called to advocate and act to realize the change that will lead to a more equitable society; to make God fully present in our lives and interaction with others; to create places where God can be seen, where God’s grace and love can be known.

We are children of God. That is the one identity that we have in common and that supersedes all the other labels we love to put on people. When we begin to think in terms of what unites us—God’s love—we can boldly proclaim the grace and forgiveness we have through the death and resurrection of Jesus, and strive to bring healing and wholeness to all people and unity to the nation.

May we strive to live into that dream and to make God’s reign a reality on earth.

 

Sunday, Third Sunday after Epiphany -- Jan 21

10 a.m. Worship (no communion)

Council Meeting Notes

Zion's Lutheran church council met after worship on Jan. 14. All secretary and financial reports were approved.

Vicar Lisa reported that the warming shelter was moved to the Knights of Columbus building on Jan. 11 and is being managed by the group “Keep Trinidad Safe and the Trinidad Coalition for the Unhoused” along with Pastor Clay and Mary Mason. Zion’s will continue to support them with food, funding and prayer. The Knights of Columbus building is centrally located on Commercial Street across from the First National Bank drive-up.

Ash Wednesday is Feb. 14, Vicar Lisa described plans for Lent, including use of the series "Why Church?" developed by the Rocky Mountain ELCA and resumption of Wednesday night soup suppers.

The ELCA Lenten series was designed to help congregations reflect on why the world needs our church today and into the future. Sunday services will use the series, “The Depths of Love”. This series is designed to lay ourselves alongside the life of Jesus to examine our lives and get our spiritual houses in order, it also is an invitation to commit to love as Christ loves.

A group tasked with developing our Mission and Vision Statement will meet when Vicar Lisa returns from seminary to finalize the statements, which will be presented at the annual congregational meeting, Feb. 4. The synod has reviewed and approved our changes to the Constitution and By-Laws that Zion’s members approved on Dec. 17. The changes to the By-Laws go into effect immediately. The congregation will be asked to ratify the changes to the Constitution at the annual meeting on Feb. 4 and those changes will go into effect at that time.

The Christmas Dinner delivery project was reviewed by the council. Since the Soup Kitchen was unable to prepare Christmas dinners, and the Meals on Wheels program was not delivering on Monday, Dec. 25, Zion’s decided to deliver meals on Saturday, Dec. 23. Volunteers delivered between 450 and 500 meals, which included a generous portion of turkey, stuffing, vegetables, and homemade Christmas cookies and desserts.

Committee leads are in the process of writing reports for the annual meeting. The council plans to send the meeting report packet, including the proposed budget, to voting members (via email) during the last week of January. Printed copies also will be available.

At the annual meeting each year three positions on the church council come up for election. These are 3-year terms. This year we are also voting to fill the remaining 1-year term vacated by Joni Jones and a 2-year term vacated by Paula Little. Nominated so far are Peggy Gustafson, Kathy Broman, Julie Wersal, and David Lamb. We are also need to fill three positions on the newly formed Nominating Committee. For more information, please see Julie Wersal, Vicar Lisa, or any other council member.  

The Synod Assembly will be held April 25-27 in Loveland. Included in the program will be the election of a new Bishop. We are looking for two people to accompany Vicar Lisa to this event. If interested, please contact Vicar Lisa or Julie (expenses are paid).

Respectfully submitted, Julie Wersal, Council President

Announcements: Third Sunday After Epiphany

  • After Worship: Join us in the Fellowship Hall for conversation and coffee. And plan to join us after worship NEXT Sunday as we bid farewell to Hal & Rita Burton, who are moving to the Boulder area.
  • Help Wanted: Next Saturday, Jan. 27, we will resume our regular 5-Loaves lunch deliveries and need volunteers to help finish packaging meals and making the deliveries. If you can help, please let Norine Hazen, Peggy Gustafson, or Jo Moss know.
  • Save the Date: The Congregation’s Annual Meeting is Sunday, Feb. 4. We will have our first Sunday potluck that day too. Watch your email for updates from Julie Wersal regarding this important meeting. Please note that because of the meeting, our Sunday morning Bible Study “How Lutherans Read the Bible” will be on Sunday, Feb. 11.
  • Women’s Bible Study: Bible Study will move from Fridays to Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. beginning Jan. 31 and continuing every other week. See Carol Smith for details.
  • Synod Assembly Representatives Wanted: At the congregational meeting (Feb 4), we will vote on people to represent Zion’s at the next Synod Assembly (expenses paid). It will be in Loveland, April 25-27. The Assembly focus will include electing a new Bishop. If you are interested, please let Lisa or Julie know.
  • Flower Donations 2024: The 2024 Flower Book is in the back of the sanctuary, there are many Sundays available for donating flowers. The suggested donation is $35. Sign up now; if you have questions, contact Lynn Chase or any member of the flower guild.

E-formation – Third Sunday After Epiphany -- Jan. 21, 2024

The word “Epiphany” means “the showing forth of God,” and the readings on the Sundays after Epiphany and our participation in the sacrament continue to show forth Jesus to be our God. This Sunday, Jesus calls the disciples—and us—to repent, believe, and follow him. And Jonah, after trying to run away, finally heeds God’s call and preaches repentance in Nineveh, the capital city of Israel’s enemy Assyria.

Mark 1:14-20

The “good news” that we call the book of Mark is the first full gospel written, probably around 70 in Rome, and it proclaims to assemblies of believers the meaning of Jesus’ ministry, miracles, and death. For Mark, the crucified Christ is the Messiah, risen now at the beginning of the end time, and hidden in the word proclaimed. In today’s excerpt, Jesus’ ministry begins, following immediately after his baptism and temptation. The narrative means not to be an accurate report of Jesus’ ministry—too bad for Zebedee’s father if it was—but Mark’s indication of the urgency of Christ’s call to his hearers.

Jonah 3:1-5, 10

Written in perhaps 500 bce, long after the destruction of the Assyrian capital Nineveh, the ironic, even comic, short story of Jonah urges Israel to move beyond narrow religious and ethnic boundaries and to recognize God’s mercy toward all people, even their historic enemies. In today’s excerpt, God foregoes punishment and forgives. Jonah is a narrative version of the Torah proclamation that God’s mercy is everlasting. Repeatedly in the Bible, forty days is a time between, a time of waiting.

1 Corinthians 7:29-31

1 Corinthians was written by Paul in about 54 ce in part to address various situations in the Christian community that he believed needed correction. Chapter 7 presents some interesting advice on sexual matters and on the status of various persons, such as slaves and widows, in the community. Paul’s ethical and practical advice reflects his belief that the eschaton has already begun in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Zion's Lutheran Church

zionsluth@gmail.com

719-846-7785