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Sermons

Dec. 31, 2017 Reflections

Gospel: John 14:18-27

18 ‘I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. 19In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. 20On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.’ 22Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, ‘Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?’ 23Jesus answered him, ‘Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me.

25 ‘I have said these things to you while I am still with you. 26But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. 27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.

Other readings include: Psalm 138, Ecclesiastes 3:9-15, Mark 13:28-37

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Sermons

Christmas Eve 2017 Sermon

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Preaching Text: Luke 2:1-20

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3All went to their own towns to be registered. 4Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
14 ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ 16So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Sermons

December 17, 2017 Sermon

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Preaching Text: Luke 1:26-38

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.’ 29But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. 31And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ 34Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ 35The angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 36And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37For nothing will be impossible with God.’ 38Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.

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Sermons, Uncategorized

Dec. 10, 2017 Sermon

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Third Sunday in Advent

Preaching Text: John 1:6-8,19-28

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.

19 This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ 20He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, ‘I am not the Messiah.’* 21And they asked him, ‘What then? Are you Elijah?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ ‘Are you the prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ 22Then they said to him, ‘Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?’ 23He said,
‘I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,
“Make straight the way of the Lord” ’,
as the prophet Isaiah said.

24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25They asked him, ‘Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah,* nor Elijah, nor the prophet?’ 26John answered them, ‘I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, 27the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.’ 28This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

Other readings: Isaiah 61:1-4,8-11 and Psalm 126

Rejoicing Spirits

Rejoicing Spirits

What is it?
Rejoicing Spirits is an interactive worship service that intentionally welcomes all people, including those with special needs.

Can you still come if you are not “special needs”?
Yes!  All are invited.  The interactive format is particularly friendly to people of all ages and all disabilities, including autism.  The idea is not to have a service for just  people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  Our service, instead, offers a welcoming and accessible environment to all people.

What does it look like?
It looks like the Kingdom of God; that is, people of all ages, shapes and sizes praising God!  We follow a simple worship order that includes prayer, scripture and singing.  Readings and prayers are done in a back-and-forth style.  The music is guitar/camp-style, using familiar songs with a limited number of verses.

Why a separate service?
Zion’s welcomes people with developmental and physical disabilities into all aspects of our life together; everyone is still welcome on Sunday.  However for some people “normal” church doesn’t work.  Families often struggle and feel that their presence in church only interrupts other people’s worship experience.  One could easily argue that the most unchurched group in America are people with disabilities and their families.  Each of us know someone who no longer goes to church because they struggle to find an environment suitable for their family.

Remembering how Jesus washed the disciples feet on Maundy Thursday

When is it?
The service is on Wednesday night, beginning at 6:15 and lasting until 6:45 PM. Families and members of the community are also invited to a supper, which starts at 5:30. Following worship, there is Bible study for adults at 6:50 PM and adult choir practice at 7:30 PM.

Why have it on a Wednesday night?
1/3 of all people who work have a Sunday commitment.  While I wish no one had to work on Sundays, this is simply not the way the world works.  The midweek service also offers a bit of rest and joy in the middle of the week for everyone.

Is this service connected with the national “Rejoicing Spirits” movement?

Yes! New this year, we are officially part of the Rejoicing Spirits movement, which is a national organization affiliated with Mosaic.

 

Sermons

Nov. 26, 2017 Sermon

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First Sunday of Advent 

Preaching text: Mark 13:24-37

Jesus said to his disciples: “But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.  Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory.  Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.  “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near.  So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place.  Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.  “But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.  Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come.  It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch.  Therefore, keep awake–for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn,  or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly.  And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”

Other readings include Isaiah 64:1-9 and Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19

Sermons

Nov. 19, 2017 Sermon

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Adult Bible Studies, Children

Advent Devotionals

At Zion’s, we will begin to celebrate Advent on Sunday, November 26 so that we can share four full weeks of Advent worship before Christmas Eve (which also falls on a Sunday this year).

We have devotionals available to help guide your family through this season. They can be picked up on the window sills in the Gathering Area. Please note that these devotionals begin on December 3, the  universally recognized date for the beginning of Advent.

NEW THIS YEAR,  you can also sign up to have the adult devotional emailed to your inbox each day! Visit http://lutheranchurch.org/ and scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up. Pastor Caitlin was a contributing author to this devotional, written by pastors and lay leaders all across the nation.