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The Gift of Vulnerability

By Vicar Lisa Rygiel

A familiar adage says, “It’s better to deal with the devil you know than the one you don’t know.” The idea is that it’s safer to deal with something you’re familiar with than to take a risk with something new. This new thing can be scary, disarming, even harmful. On the other hand, although it takes work to let go of things that provide security and support self-reliance, vulnerability can also lead to connection, openness, and love.

Jesus asked the seventy disciples to enter the towns ahead of him to proclaim the good news that God’s kin-dom was coming near, to care for the sick, to stand with the weak and defenseless, and to love the brokenhearted. He knew he was asking them to make themselves vulnerable to the villagers they would encounter on their mission and that they’d likely receive both negative and positive responses. Although they might face rejection, hate, or dismissiveness, they might also be met with care, appreciation, and affirmation.

Gathering around God’s table in memory of Jesus’ full embodiment of love is also a vulnerable and tender moment together. The gift of free grace we receive in the holy sacrament of bread and wine is worth the risk to stand close to our neighbor. The gift doesn’t require perfection, but it allows for a moment to let go of whatever proverbial baggage and deep-rooted brokenness we live with. Jesus meant for all to be fed and welcomed with gracious hospitality at the table. And when the time comes to leave the gathering spaces, God’s hope is that all who gathered feel filled and affirmed so they can go out again into the world of unknowns.

May each one find the courage to embrace the gift of vulnerability as we enter both places of worship and living spaces, remaining in a state of holy wonder about the unknown.

Devotional message based on the readings for July 6, 2025, reprinted from sundaysandseasons.com.

July 13, 5th Sunday After Pentecost
10 a.m. Sunday Worship with Communion

Announcements

  • Lutheran Disaster Relief: Give to Lutheran Disaster Relief to help alleviate the disaster from flooding in Texas.

[URGENT] Support flood response and recovery in Texas

  • Fellowship: Join us after worship for coffee and conversation.
  • Church Council: Zion’s church council will meet after worship on Sunday, all are welcome.
  • Fellowship Hall Guests: As a reminder, a group of scouts will use the Fellowship Hall tonight, July 9. Scouts and their adult chaperones from a troop sponsored by Christ the King Lutheran in Bellevue, Nebraska, will spend the night on their way to Philmont scout camp.
  • Gratitude: Special thanks to Terri Watson and everyone else who helped make last Sunday’s potluck and cookout such a success.
  • New Hymnals: Zion’s is adding the blue All Creation Sings hymnals to each pew. If you would like to donate one of these hymnals to Zion’s in honor, memory, or appreciation of someone or something, you are encouraged to do so. Please complete the form available in the back of the Sanctuary and in the Fellowship Hall and place it and your donation in the offering plate, give it to Vicar Lisa, or mail it to Zion’s at 510 Pine Street, Trinidad. We will put a book plate inside the front cover of the hymnal in recognition of your gift. The recommended donation of $20 per book is appreciated.
  • Flower Chart: The flower chart is posted on the door to the robing room in the back of the Sanctuary. A gift of $35 is suggested for flower donations.
  • Zion’s Garage Sale: This year’s annual garage sale will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2. If you are able to help or to donate items to the sale, your generosity is appreciated. Donations can be brought for the sale during the week of July 27. While Zion’s can accept most items for the sale, we cannot accept electronic items of any kind, and we do not accept clothing.
  • Save the Dates:
    • Vicar Lisa’s installation will be at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 10.
    • God’s Work Our Hands Sunday, Sept. 7.

E-formation – 5th Sunday After Pentecost, July 13

The gospel for this coming Sunday is the well-known parable of the Good Samaritan. Come to worship to consider this story again and to pray that we ourselves will embody such mercy. The bread and wine of the table will strengthen you for such a life.

Luke 10:25-37

Mark (12:28-34) and Matthew (22:34-40) include similar exchanges between Jesus and a Jewish authority, but Luke’s narrative skill adds the parable to illumine and modify Jesus’ answer. Luke’s gospel previously cited Samaritans as refusing to receive Christ (9:52-53), but here the representative of the hated ethnic group epitomizes the compassion of God so important to Luke. Jesus’ answer to the lawyer cites Deuteronomy 6:4 and Leviticus 19:18, yet by highlighting the Samaritan’s merciful conduct, rather than the Torah and Jewish religious status, the parable was especially welcoming to Luke’s Gentile audience. Jericho is sixteen miles northeast of Jerusalem and “down” below sea level.

Deuteronomy 30:9-14

In the closing of what is presented as Moses’ final discourse, the Deuteronomist, hoping to encourage those returning from exile to resume their religious devotion, promises that God will bless those who follow the law. The rhetorical majesty of the Deuteronomist’s prose is evident in this striking passage. The speech may have been part of a covenant renewal ceremony: see “today” (v. 11). The passage indicates a move of “law” from a written societal legal code to an inner disposition of the faithful, and thus appropriate to the post-exilic situation.

Colossians 1:1-14

Because the rhetoric and theology of Colossians differ substantially from that of the uncontested Pauline letters, most scholars judge that this letter was written in about 75 ce by a disciple of Paul. Crediting one’s teacher with one’s own work was not considered false advertising but rather was honoring authority. Colossae was a city 100 miles west of Ephesus, in what is now western Turkey. Timothy was Paul’s younger partner in ministry. Epaphras, a leader in the Colossian community, is mentioned also in 4:12-13. Since the letter indicates that the community is being urged to accept further and more rigorous religious knowledge, the author cites Father, Son, and Spirit and the imagery of bearing good fruit to encourage the community in its Christian life: it already has received redemption and forgiveness.

Zion's Lutheran Church

A Reconciling in Christ Community
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719-846-7785