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A prayer for trying to stay off the internet more

by Vicar Lisa Rygiel

I enjoy the blogs I get from time to time from Nadia Bolz-Weber. This one really grabbed my attention because I had had one of those mornings where I just could not get up and get motivated. I wasted far too much time on Facebook and playing my New York Times puzzles. It was a beautiful morning, why was I spending it in a dark room with the black-out curtains drawn?

And then, I found Nadia’s blog. And apparently, she and I were having the same type of morning. In the blog, she includes a prayer. She wrote: “I wrote this prayer this morning after waking up and mindlessly scrolling for 45 minutes. Then, I went on a long walk around my neighborhood, trying to really pay attention for once.” Then she posted some beautiful photos of the various wildflowers she had encountered on her walk. Here is her prayer.

Almighty God, Creator of all things, including all those Spring flowers that I haven’t spent enough time appreciating because I think for some reason that doom-scrolling is a better use of my time,

I’ve cut down some, but it doesn't seem to be enough, so I beseech thee to grant me the will to get off the internet more. You and I both know that the last thing I need is to watch another inane video, read another hot take, or buy any more stuff I absolutely do not need.

In your infinite mercy, guide me away:

…from the virtual and into the actual

…from feared tomorrows into this only now

…from what I see on a screen to what I behold in my life

…from what I am manipulated to desire to what I am content to have.

When my “will power” fails me yet again, may the strength of your hand keep my own from mindlessly picking up my phone or opening my laptop.

Guide me to what is most real, because you know, O Lord, how unsuited my heart is for the artificial.

And finally, in your infinite mercy, forgive me for the hypocrisy of posting this online. Amen.

Now, I guess I should go take a walk! And take some photos of wildflowers!

May 25, 6th Sunday of Easter

10 a.m. Sunday Worship with Communion

Flowers: Flowers are given to the glory of God and in celebration of life by Lorna Hassad

Announcements

  • Fellowship Time: Join us after worship in the Fellowship Hall for coffee and conversation. All are welcome.
  • Your Help Needed: Levi, our groundskeeper, is out of the country until for one more week. To help with mowing or weeding, contact Julie Wersal.
  • Five Loaves Assistance Needed: If you can help with meal preparation on Friday and/or Saturday morning, or with deliveries on Saturday, please let Norine Hazen, Terri Watson, or Jo Moss know.
  • Sante Fe Trails Day Team: We are looking for people willing to help support our booth at the Santa Fe Trails Day scheduled for June 13-14. A sign-up sheet is posted in the Fellowship Hall. We need help with set up and tear down, as well as with staffing, and with special activities. If you have questions, please let Vicar Lisa know.
  • Synod Assembly: Vicar Lisa will be at Synod Assembly in Albuquerque from Thursday to Saturday. If you need assistance this week, council vice president Mark Moss, or contact Jo Moss.
  • 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 & grounds, interiors, or people and events, consider sharing them with us so we can have new pictures for Santa Fe Trails as well as to update our outreach materials, publications, website, and other social media.

Special Congregational Meeting for Pastoral Call

Zion's Lutheran Church will hold a special Congregational Meeting on Sunday June 1st at 11:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall for the purpose of voting to call Vicar Lisa Rygiel as our pastor. Join us in person or via Zoom, using the link below:

Topic: Congregational Call Meeting

Time: Jun 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 – 6th Sunday of Easter, May 25

This coming Sunday is the thirty-sixth day of Easter, and so we are still singing some rousing Easter hymns. We continue reading from Acts, Revelation, and John’s gospel. Come to worship, to share in the fruits of the tree of life.

John 14:23-29

This option for the gospel emphasizes the comforting presence of the triune God within the believing community. We are enjoined to keep God’s word (what Lutherans call “law”), and we are given the gospel promise that God will live within us.

Acts 16:9-15

Appealing not only to his Gentile audience but also to us, Luke tells of women of means who function independently and support the Christian mission. We join Lydia in the community of the praying women, and we hope to remain, with her, faithful to the Lord.

Revelation 21:10, 22—22:5

One stunning detail about the new Jerusalem is its openness to all people, in contrast to human cities where gates tried to protect residents from enemy outsiders. We have already begun to live in this very city during our weekly worship: the crucifix we see is our tree of life, the font is the river of life, and on the forehead of all the baptized is shining the mysterious and powerful name of God.

Zion's Lutheran Church

A Reconciling in Christ Community
zionsluth@gmail.com
719-846-7785