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Gather Us In

By Vicar Lisa Rygiel

On Sunday morning, we will sing one of my favorite hymns, "Gather Us In." It seems a beautifully appropriate way to open the month of June, which some of you may know as Pride Month.

The hymn was composed by Marty Haugen in 1982 and has since become a beloved hymn in both Protestant and Roman Catholic congregations. Haugen, known for his prolific work in liturgical music, aimed to craft a message that resonated with North American ears, inspired by the text "What Is This Place?" by former Jesuit Dutch theologian and poet Huub Oosterhuis.

The hymn's second person perspective avoids gender issues and is directly addressed “to” God rather than being “about God.” It reflects Haugen's intention to create a message that is inclusive and welcoming to all. The hymn's themes of community, hope, honesty, inclusiveness, and the sacramental activity of worship are central to its message. It calls the Christian community to come together and to overcome barriers such as age, health, pride, fear, and past wrongs.

"Gather Us In" has been used in various worship settings, including parishes, schools, and conferences, and continues to be a significant part of worship music for many. Its enduring popularity and relevance underscore the hymn's impact on contemporary worship music.

June 1, 7th Sunday of Easter

10 a.m. Sunday Worship with Communion

Announcements

  • Fellowship Time: Please join us after worship today in the Fellowship Hall for our First Sunday Potluck, followed by a Special Congregational Meeting for the purpose of issuing a Pastoral Call (details to join the meeting via Zoom are listed below).
  • Thank You: We are grateful to Julie Wersal and John Rygiel who have done an outstanding job keeping our yard mowed while groundskeeper Levi has been away. Levi returns June 1.
  • 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.
  • Santa Fe Trail Celebration Team: We are looking for people willing to help support our booth at the Santa Fe Trails Celebration 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 get with Vicar Lisa, Terri Watson, or T.M. Garner.
  • Pentecost Sunday: June 8 is Pentecost Sunday, a day when we traditionally wear red, consider doing so when you join us to worship.
  • Flower Chart: Remember to use the new flower chart to sign up for Sunday flowers. A gift of $35 is suggested for flower donations. 
  • Worship Assistance Needed: Are you able to serve as an usher, communion preparation and clean up volunteer, or lector — for the summer months. The summer assistants list (July-September) will be distributed June 15. If you are interested in helping in one of these worship roles, please let Vicar Lisa or Jo Moss know.

Special Congregational Meeting for Pastoral Call

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

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

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 – 7th Sunday of Easter, June 1

On this seventh Sunday of Easter, the resurrection is proclaimed by means of a conversion narrative, a promise of Christ’s life beyond the grave and throughout time, and a prayer for Christian unity. Some assemblies that do not meet for worship on Ascension Thursday replace the readings of the seventh Sunday of Easter with those of Ascension Day.

John 17:20-26

What has been called the High Priestly Prayer of John 17 is divided between the three years of the lectionary on the Sunday after the Ascension. Proclaiming John 17 after Easter rather than during Holy Week exemplifies not only the technique of the lectionary, which layers up biblical meanings for the church’s worship life, but also the facts of the composition of the gospels: not a verbatim from Jesus’ life, this chapter was crafted decades after the resurrection to hold before the believers the name of Christ and so to strengthen the community, who like Christ are both in the world and not in the world. The unity of the Son with the Father is to inspire and enable the unity of all Christ’s followers.

Acts 16:16-34

This delightful narrative has it all, from a boisterous fortune-teller to a fortuitous earthquake. The point of the story is that God is leading the apostles through many adventures, including imprisonments, towards the conversion of the Roman Empire. We join with the jailer and his family to rejoice in baptism. Although the author of Revelation despairs of life under Roman domination, Luke suggests that the mission of Christ through the Roman Empire will succeed. This Sunday concludes Year C’s Easter semi-continuous reading through Acts.

Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21

Although much of the book of Revelation dwells on the horrors of evil and the brutality of divine judgment, these concluding verses stress what Lutherans call “gospel”: what is coming is life with God, and Jesus is our opening to God. This Sunday concludes the lectionary’s semi-continuous reading of the book of Revelation.

Zion's Lutheran Church

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