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When We All Get to Heaven

By Vicar Lisa

In our 8:30 a.m. Last week's Sunday School class discussed the third Article of the Apostles Creed, which states, “I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.”

Once we got past the use of the word “catholic” (which we established meant “universal” and not the denomination known as Roman Catholic), we then launched into some interesting speculation about what happens when we die. Will we go to heaven immediately after death, or do we sleep in death until the end times? Will we all be raised at once? How are Christians judged if they are forgiven? Great discussion and mind-blowing. And you can find different places in the Bible to justify just about any position you may choose, which is probably why even theologians don’t agree!

But, regardless of when I get there or how I get there, the older I get, the more I want to be there. Every year, it seems like more of the people I love are there. When this life hits hard, I long for it, a place where there are no more tears, tragedies, tornadoes, mass shootings, and pain. No death, dementia, cancer, crippling painful arthritis, and so on. Pride won’t cause discrimination. Power won’t corrupt. Greed and shame won’t exist. Every beautiful thing we lost when mankind sinned will be restored.

Heaven is the direct opposite of all that is awful and painful here on earth. The opposite of everything that wounds and scars.

Our relationship with Christ now is merely a taste of the divine intimacy we’ll experience, once we encounter God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Finally, all barriers between us will be removed. We’ll see Jesus, touch him. We’ll be able to look into His eyes and find heaven.

For now, we have to reach out and find all the joy this life does offer, seeking the Lord wherever we find him, good days and bad. And, it sometimes helps to sing an old church hymn that some of you may remember. Here is an excellent version of When We All Get to Heaven, by Alan Jackson. Yep, okay to sing along!

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”

--Revelation 21:4-5a

Sixth Sunday in Lent, April 2, 2023

10 a.m. Worship with Holy Communion 

Palm Sunday/Passion Sunday: We meet in front of the fellowship hall to get our palms and process in. If it is cold/windy, we will meet in the fellowship hall and process from there!

Sunday Bible Study: Our study is at 8:30 a.m., downstairs in the Fellowship Hall. This will be our last session in this time slot.

Council Meeting: Our monthly Church Council meeting is after worship. The meetings are open to all interested in attending.

Women's Bible Study: Our next study is at 9:30 a.m. Friday, March 31 in the Fellowship Hall. The study is every other Friday. Join in person or via Zoom at: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87573014829?pwd=R3kzMUFxMTZMdEl5ZzVMeUdsVElGQT09 -- Meeting ID: 875 7301 4829 -- Passcode: 304100, or call in: 301-715-8592.

Good Friday Service: Our Good Friday service will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 7.

Easter Flowers: During Lent Zion's uses only greenery on the altar (see the March newsletter for a history of this practice). Consider signing up instead for Easter flowers. We have a special page in the flower book for Easter donations and there still is time to do so. Include your name and commemoration for inclusion in the Easter bulletin. The Flower Book is in the back of the sanctuary and envelopes for flower donations, which can be put in the offering plate, are there as well. The recommended minimum donation is $35. 

E-formation

Sunday of the Passion / Palm Sunday

To grasp something fully, we need to look at both sides. This coming Sunday is both Palm Sunday and the Sunday of the Passion. We join in the joy of the palm procession, and we gather in sorrow at the foot of the cross. Come to sing both “Hosanna!” and “Lord, have mercy upon us.”

Matthew 21:1-11

Holy Week begins with a palm procession and the proclamation of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem from the gospel of Matthew. Christ enters the assembly now, just as he did then, and we praise his presence among us. “Hosanna” is now our song.

Matthew 27:11-54

Twice each Holy Week we hear the entire story of the betrayal, arrest, trials, abuse, and crucifixion of Jesus. Since it is Sunday, we listen to Matthew, the synoptic gospel of this year.

Isaiah 50:4-9a

Christians have seen in the Servant Songs descriptions of Jesus Christ. The reading imagines Jesus himself as describing his ill-treatment while affirming his innocence and his trust in God.

Philippians 2:5-11

We join with Christians of the first century in a creedal poem: Christ humbled himself to death, and God has raised him as Lord. The ancient song is a summary, not only of our baptismal faith but also of the Holy Week which has begun.

Zion's Lutheran Church

zionsluth@gmail.com

719-846-7785

 

 

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