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A New Heaven and a New Earth

by Vicar Lisa Rygiel

Our 2nd reading for Sunday is a passage from Revelation 21:1-6. This passage is one that always brings me hope for the future, whatever that may look like. The passage is presented below with a devotion following that was prepared by Shawn Schneider, graduate of Luther Seminary '23, Pastor of First Lutheran, Galion, Ohio

Reading

1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them as their God; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; 4he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away." 5And the one who was seated on the throne said, "See, I am making all things new." Also, he said, "Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true." 6Then he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life.

Devotion

As the tried-and-true joke within my tradition goes: “How many Lutherans does it take to change a light bulb?” “What do you mean CHANGE?!” It’s not just the dragons and beasts of Revelation that make it scary, it’s that this chaotic battle will end with the one who is seated on the throne “making all things new.” (v.5) Wait, the good news is newness!?

Yes, the final victory requires everything we know to be dismantled and destroyed. Does this make you, as it does me, uncomfortable? Who, on the other hand, might receive this as unequivocal good news?” Might the call, then, be to seek out the places of death and mourning and crying and pain and proclaim there the good news that the I AM of all creation is (currently) making all things new? And how might we participate with God in bringing about this newness to the here and now?

Prayer

Restoring God, separate us from our old and broken ways and systems and reveal to us your new way of being in the world. Encourage us to encounter the places where your creation longs for justice and mercy and sustain us as we participate in your coming newness. Amen.

May 18 -- 5th Sunday of Easter 

10 a.m. Sunday Worship with Communion

Announcements

  • Fellowship Time: Join us after worship in the Fellowship Hall for coffee and conversation. All are welcome.
  • Weekday Bible Study: Weekday Bible Study is on summer hiatus. 
  • Your Help Needed: Levi, our groundskeeper, is out of the country until May 30. To help with mowing or weeding, contact Julie Wersal.
  • Sante Fe Trails Day Team: We are looking for people willing to help plan and man our booth at the Santa Fe Trails Day scheduled for June 13-14. We will meet in the fellowship hall on Sunday after service.
  • Flower Chart: Remember to use the new flower chart to sign up for Sunday flowers. A gift of $35 is suggested for flower donations.
  • Photos Needed: If you have photos of Zion’s — buildings and grounds, interiors, or people and events, consider sharing them with us as we need to update our outreach materials, including publications, the website, and social media.

Special Congregational Meeting for Pastoral Call

Zion's Lutheran Church will hold a special Congregational Meeting on at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 1, in the Fellowship Hall for the purpose of voting to call Vicar Lisa Rygiel as our pastor.

Topic: Congregational Call Meeting

Time: June 1, 2025, 11:30 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88194378769?pwd=TEGE68Fnavk8mLk6Xxkcmjzer7507b.1

Meeting ID: 881 9437 8769, Passcode: 697284

Lisa Rygiel was installed as Vicar of Zion's Lutheran by Bishop Gonia of the Rocky Mountain Synod in October 2022. She completed her seminary studies in January 2025. The Rocky Mountain Synod's Candidacy Committee voted to approve Vicar Lisa for ordination as a Minister of the Word and Sacrament in February 2025. The Zion's Call Committee recommended approving Vicar Lisa as our Pastor to the Church Council on May 4, 2025.

Voting members are defined in the constitution of Zion's Lutheran as confirmed members who have communed in this congregation and have a contribution of record in the current or preceding calendar year. Voting in person is strongly recommended; voting by Zoom is permitted, but proxy or absentee ballot voting is not permitted.

E-formation – 5th Sunday of Easter, May 18

Easter lasts for several more weeks. The three readings continue the unfolding of the meaning of the resurrection: the loving community formed by God’s love and baptized with the water of life includes those who had been previously deemed unacceptable. All things are being made new, for the resurrection continues through the power of the Spirit.

John 13:31-35

The loving community of the church manifests the glory of God, which surprisingly is seen in the passion and death of Christ. That Christ, the Son of God, submitted to death reveals a loving, sacrificing God who nurtures a community that also is known for its mutual love and service. In about 200 ce Tertullian wrote that outsiders said of Christians, “See how they love one another,” a testimony especially to Christian care for the poor, the sick and the dying. In such love is the glory of God.

Acts 11:1-18

Throughout the centuries, Christians have debated the meaning of church membership and its openness to nonmembers. So, Peter’s vision continues to challenge the church: what in our time and in our religious community are the rules that separate insiders from outsiders? Does Luke intend that Christians have no such barriers? Christians have not agreed to what extent Luke’s call to repentance (v. 18) fits with the elimination of any traditions of religion or morality.

Revelation 21:1-6

Our hope is in God, who promises to make all things new for the believing community. God’s promises are always realized both now and, in the future, and so in some ways we are already in the new Jerusalem, married to God, living without sorrow and death.

Zion's Lutheran Church

A Reconciling in Christ Community

zionsluth@gmail.com

719-846-7785