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Hello, Lisa Rygiel here with this week’s e-formation.  

While looking for some inspiration after a very busy Sunday, I came upon this passage from Philippians 4.  “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  

Some of you know that in my “day job”, I am a safety manager for a consulting company.  I am severely challenged by the “do not be anxious about anything” statement because I am naturally anxious about everything!  I worry professionally for a living.  At work, we have a process we go through before we perform a task that is called 4-Sight.  “What am I about to do, what can go wrong, and what can I do about it.”  Based on this concept, it seems like we ought to be able to predict everything that could go wrong and therefore prevent it from happening.  That may be true for completing a work task, but it sure doesn’t apply to real life!

These are anxious times we are living in.  The future of Zion’s, the war in Ukraine, supply chain disruptions, looking forward to another election cycle, and even the incessant wind are enough to have us all a bit on edge.  Fortunately, we have the word of God to help soothe us through these times.  Rejoice.  Be gentle to one another.  Do not be anxious.  Pray with thanksgiving. And let the peace of God guard your hearts and minds good people of God! Rejoice in the Lord always!

Announcements:

This week (other meetings/gatherings will be taking place as well but here are some things to note):

Sunday, May 15, The 5th Sunday in Easter

  • 8:30 a.m. Sunday morning Bible study -- We will be studying "The Wesley Challenge" using our Amplify account.  It is a 21-day challenge to grow in your faith.  Join in person or via Zoom at:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/907628370?pwd=eFVCTEVhb0xqMXcxY2xaUG5JMUZEdz09 Or Dial 1 312 626 6799 Meeting ID: 907 628 370  Passcode: 332397.
  • 10 a.m. Worship with Holy Communion -- Please join us, either in person Or via ZOOM ('hybrid' worship). If you will be worshiping via Zoom, log on or call in using these links: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/91739214242?pwd=b1QrZzk0QzBtM1RXZnZuaVFVMDNmZz09 -- or Dial: 1 301 715 8592 -- Meeting ID: 917 3921 4242 -- Password: 731771. For those of you who will be worshiping in person, masks will now be at the discretion of each individual. We continue to be mindful of all the different ways people are compromised that may not be known and so please continue to practice healthy community habits such as staying home when you are sick etc. 

Worship leader: Pastor Andrea Doeden

Assistant: Lisa Rygiel; 

Organist: Connie Pallone; 

Ushering: Joni Jones and Pat Fletcher; 

Reading: David Lamb; 

Communion prep/cleanup: David Serafini & Pamela Nelson-Serafini

Flowers: Presented by Jeff & Carol Smith in honor of their 43rd Wedding Anniversary and by Connie & Tony Hass in celebration of the baptism of their grandson Liam.

  • · Fellowship time at approximately 11:15 a.m. to share a cup of coffee/soda and conversation!
  • · Bread and Belonging will resume! Our high school/college ministry gathers each Sunday night from 6-8 p.m. in the lower level of the Fellowship Hall.

Other important stuff of note:

  1. Women's Bible Study:  The Women's Bible Study will begin a new series on the Psalms. The first session will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, May 13.  We will meet in person in the fellowship hall downstairs and also on Zoom. Any questions can be directed to Becky McNeil or Carol Smith.  All are welcome! To join the Zoom meeting use: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83136424723?pwd=TkxsQVllMmo2bVlSekN0dGZqbzF1Zz09  Meeting ID: 831 3642 4723  Passcode: 865505 (or call in 1-312-626-6799).
  2. You can still join Zion's Afghan sponsorship team through Lutheran Family Services-Rocky Mountain,  Pamela and David Serafini have stepped up to be our primary contact people so join the team and let them know your level of planned engagement.  
  3. The flower ministry blesses our worship space and people and they are always amazingly beautiful!  Please coordinate with Lynn Chase to sponsor the flowers.
  4. Prayer Shawl Ministry:  Are you interested in knitting one/some to share?  Join the knitters who bless so many.  I remember that after we (John and I) were flooded out in Louisiana, we received a prayer quilt prepared by some blessed woman unknown to us in Texas.  It was one of the first things of beauty we hand in our soon-to-be reconstructed home.
  5. The deadline for the June newsletter is May 24, please send submissions to zionsluth@gmail.com -- attn. Jo Moss, or to Jo at moss3@juno.com.

E-formation

This coming Sunday is the fifth Sunday of Easter, and our readings testify that God is making all things new. Come to worship, celebrate the resurrection, and reflect on both what is old and what is new.

The Readings in the Bible: Fifth Sunday of Easter

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 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

zionsluth@gmail.com

719-846-7785