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Emanuel Nine, Martyrs, died 2015

By Vicar Lisa

On June 17, 2015, Clementa C. Pinckney, Cynthia Marie Graham Hurd, Susie Jackson, Ethel Lee Lance, DePayne Middleton-Doctor, Tywanza Sanders, Daniel Lee Simmons, Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, and Myra Thompson were murdered by a self-professed racial extremist while they were gathered for Bible study and prayer at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church (often referred to as Mother Emanuel) in Charleston, South Carolina. Pastors Pinckney and Simmons were both graduates of the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary.

A resolution to commemorate June 17 as a day of repentance for the martyrdom of the Emanuel Nine was adopted by the Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on August 8, 2019.

Congregations of the ELCA are encouraged reaffirm their commitment to repenting of the sins of racism and white supremacy which continue to plague this church, to venerate the martyrdom of the Emanuel Nine, and to mark this day of penitence with study and prayer.

In Sunday’s prayers, we will remember the lives of the Emanuel Nine. You can learn more about these people, their families, and about the Emanuel Nine Memorial at: https://emanuelnine.org/.

Serving 4nd Sunday After Pentecost -- June 16, 2024

10 a.m. Worship with Communion

Council Meeting Notes

Zion's Lutheran Church Council met on Sunday, June 9. We welcomed Lynn Chase who was elected to a council position last month.

The Secretary's report, Treasurer's Report, Financial Secretary's Report and Trust Fund report were reviewed and approved. Jeff Smith's resignation from church council was accepted. Julie Morris was elected to complete his term.

Vicar Lisa reported that we began our Biblical Stewardship study on June 2, led by Mike McNeil. We have one more mid-week Bible Study session on June 12. We are looking into suggestions for the next topic for summer.

An introductory video to the RIC (Reconciling in Christ) designation was shown on May 19 during the fellowship time with good response. The Core team met for the third time on May 28. Plans are to hold informational "cottage meetings", similar to those held by the transition team last fall. These discussions will be held June 16 and June 23 during fellowship time. Any and all are encouraged to participate.

It was decided that the 5th Sunday Blessing for June will go to benefit the local Soup Kitchen. Sept. 8 is God’s Work Our Hands Sunday. We are looking for ideas for a service project. We are also planning for the annual potluck picnic in the park.

Respectfully submitted,

Julie Wersal, Council President

Announcements

  • Thanks! Special thanks to Julie Morris, Mike McNeil, Mike Nipps and Michael, Jim Schatzman, Kathy Nicolai, Carol Smith, and Julie Wersal for helping pack up and drop off items for the garage sale, scheduled in August, donated by the gentleman from Santa Fe Trail Ranch!
  • Fellowship Times: Join us after worship for coffee and conversation, as we go into conversation with an open mind and open heart and continue our Reconciling in Christ discussions using an open cottage meeting format. Today we ask two questions for discussion: “What do you love about Zion’s?” and “What opportunities and challenges do you foresee Zion’s facing if we become an RIC Congregation?” All are welcome.
  • Bible Study: Our Wednesday weekday study is on hiatus for part of the summer. Check the bulletins, e-formations, and newsletters for updates.
  • Flowers: There are several days available to sponsor flowers. Select the date in the flower book at the back of the sanctuary, write your name and the commemoration you want included in the bulletin. A minimum donation of $35 is encouraged.
  • Celebrating Bishop Gonia: At 3 p.m. on June 29, First Lutheran Church of Colorado Springs will celebrate the ministry of Bishop Jim Gonia, who retires July 31. Bishop Gonia has served the Rocky Mountain Synod as Bishop since 2012 and helped Zion’s through some difficult times. Zion’s members and friends are welcome to attend the celebration.
  • Prayer List Updates: We are updating the prayer lists for the summer. If you have changes for the current list or requests for additions, please let Vicar Lisa, Julie Wersal, or Jo Moss know.
  • Remembering the Emanuel Nine: In today’s prayers, we remember the Emanuel Nine, whose lives were cut short on June 17, 2015, when an evening of church meetings and Bible study ended in tragedy for the church’s clergy and members who welcomed a 21-year-old man to join them. That young man opened fire on the group, killing nine of them. You can learn more about these people and their families at: https://emanuelnine.org.

E-formation – 4th Sunday after Pentecost, June 16

This coming Sunday we hear a reference to the cosmic tree of life in which all the birds of the air are nesting. Yet what we gather around is the cross of Christ. Come be a bird on this tree.

Mark 4:26-34

With the mustard seed parable, Mark is not presenting the stereotypical image of the small-become-great. Rather, in the cross and resurrection of Christ, what looks to the world like an annual bush, grown only for flavoring, is actually recognized by believers as the cosmic tree of life. The church itself cannot explain the growth of the seed: the mystery lies in the power of God.

Ezekiel 17:22-24

The allegory in Ezekiel is chosen to illumine Mark’s use of the image of the tree that houses all the birds of the air. Like Mark, Ezekiel trusts that God will surprise the world by reversing the expected order of things. Christians see the sprig of the cedar to be Christ on the cross.

2 Corinthians 5:6-10 [11-13] 14-17

Christians have developed each of Paul’s hints about human destiny by means of the belief in the immortality of the soul, the final judgment, and the death and resurrection of Christ as the transformative power of God in the present. Christians have proposed a variety of ways that these religious ideas cohere.

Zion's Lutheran Churchzionsluth@gmail.com

719-846-7785