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A New Year’s Blessing for Realists

by Vicar Lisa

Some of you are familiar with Nadia Bolz-Weber.  Pastor Nadia is my assigned Relator, my go-to-person if I have concerns or needs associated with the Rocky Mountain Synod (yes, I got lucky!). She is a great writer and usually brings a different perspective to things. She sent out a blog on New Year’s Eve that I thought was unique and I am sharing it with you below:

As you enter this new year, as you pack away the Christmas decorations and get out your stretchy pants,

as you face the onslaught of false promises offered you through new disciplines and elimination diets,

as you grasp for control of yourself and your life and this chaotic world -

May you remember that there is no resolution that, if kept, will make you more worthy of love.

There is no resolution that, if kept, will make life less uncertain and allow you to control your aging parents and your teenage children and the way other people act.

So, this year (as every year),

May you just skip the part where you resolve to be better do better and look better this time.

Instead, may you give yourself the gift of really, really low expectations. Not out of resignation, but out of generosity.

May you expect so little of yourself that you can be super proud of the smallest of accomplishments.

May you expect so little of the people in your life that you actually notice and cherish every small, lovely thing about them.

May you expect so little of the service industry that you notice more of what you do get and less of what you don't and then just tip really well anyhow.

May you expect to get so little out of 2024 that you can celebrate every single thing it offers you, however small.

Because you deserve joy and not disappointment.

So, I wish you a Happy as possible New Year.

Serving This Sunday, Baptism of Our Lord, Jan. 7

10 a.m. Worship with Communion

Announcements

Baptism of our Lord, January 7

  • This Sunday: After worship next Sunday, we will have our first Sunday potluck and Sunday Bible Study, as we continue the series, “How Lutherans Read the Bible”.
  • Church Council: Each year the congregation elects 3 members of the church to serve 3-year terms on the church council. We also have positions open for the nominating committee. If you are interested, please contact Vicar Lisa or Julie Wersal.
  • Goodbye and Farewell: We will say our Goodbye and farewell to Hal and Rita Burton on Jan. 14.
  • Church Council: The next church council meeting will take place after worship on Jan. 14, downstairs at the Fellowship Hall.
  • Save the Date: The Congregation’s Annual Meeting will take place on Sunday, Feb. 4. We will have our first Sunday potluck that day too.
  • Newsletters: Zion’s January 2024 Connections Newsletter was sent out Jan. 1, check your email! Hard copies will be available in the Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall as well. The deadline for the February 2024 newsletter is Jan. 24.

E-formation – Baptism of Our Lord Sunday -- Jan. 7, 2024

During year B of the lectionary, most of the gospel readings come from the Gospel of Mark. The post-Christmas standard Sundays of the year begin with a narrative of Jesus’ baptism, just as in the church, our life as Christians begins with baptism. In this new year, we are called into the Spirit of our baptismal life.

Mark 1:4-11

At Jesus’ baptism, Jesus hears the voice of God, receives the Spirit of God, and is acclaimed Son of God. For Christians, this narrative illumines Christian baptism, when also believers are adopted as children by the name of the triune God. Mark includes no birth narratives: for this first gospel, the Spirit comes into Jesus at his baptism. This gospel is yet another Trinity Sunday, summing up the Christmas cycle.

Genesis 1:1-5

The poem from Genesis 1 is chosen because according to the ancient story, the “wind from God,” which can also be translated “the Spirit from God,” hovers over creation, and God speaks a word to bring forth life. In baptism, this imagery is enacted.

Acts 19:1-7

This passage from Acts is chosen to coordinate with the gospel from Mark 1: Christian baptism is not merely like John’s, a washing to signify repentance, but is immersion into the death and resurrection of Christ and brings to the believer the Holy Spirit.

Zion's Lutheran Church

zionsluth@gmail.com

719-846-7785