Zion Lutheran Church Newsletter

Our Lenten journey is a journey to war.

AS WE GATHER:

We are on a journey through time and space on this earth until we reach the promised land of heaven. Our Lord walked this way, and He did it as our Savior. Today we see Him fighting for us in spiritual warfare, victorious over the temptations of the devil. Paul reminds us in the Epistle that the Word (the strong defense Jesus used) is near us, even on our lips. With God accompanying them on their wilderness journey, the Israelites were promised that one day they would bring the firstfruits of the harvest in the Promised Land. We can confidently anticipate that joy each time we gather around Word and Sacrament.

PRE-SERVICE REFLECTION

When God, at times, takes us into the solitude of the wilderness, when by sickness or other circumstances He removes us from the business of everyday life, shuts the door behind us, and draws the curtains closed, then, if we are wise, we will use that time for spiritual renewal and strengthening. May we always remember that our great High Priest, who was tempted just like we are, yet was without sin, can easily be moved by our weakness. Let us come boldly to His throne of grace with our prayers that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:15-16)

PRAYER upon ENTERING our LORD’S HOUSE TODAY

Blessed are You, Lord our God, for You did not leave us to ourselves in this world of sin, but sent Your Son to be our Savior. He it was who, born as one of us from a virgin and yet true God, overcame the cunning of the devil, endured the humiliation of His Passion, and rose on the third day. He has paved the way for us into Your heavenly banquet and provided this Sacrament of His body and blood, a foretaste of the feast to come. Grant that we may faithfully receive Him under bread and wine for the forgiveness of sins and our eternal salvation. Come now to us with Your Holy Spirit and bless us through Your Word and Sacrament. To You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be all praise and glory in Your kingdom on earth and in heaven. Amen.

THE LORD’S SUPPER......According to the Scriptures when we commune with other Christians we are declaring our agreement with them in our church teachings. That is known as “close” communion. Lutherans (and the majority of Christians in the world) believe that the Lord’s Supper is an action of the worshiping community signifying a oneness in faith, life, and worship of the church. Reception of the Lord’s Supper by Christians not fully united with us would imply a oneness which does not yet exist, and for which we must all pray. If you do not belong to a congregation that is in fellowship with The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, we would ask that, at this time, you would simply refrain from communing. If you have questions or concerns, feel free to speak to the pastor at an opportune time.

Life Together at Zion

THE PSALMIST WROTE: “Blessed are all who take refuge in him” (Psalm 2:12). There is no better security known than the love of God. As we worship today, therefore, let us place ourselves in God’s hands and then express our love and joy to one another. It is a blessing to have you here. Welcome to all!

WE REMIND members and guests to please sign the record of fellowship found at the end of the pew. Please join us for the coffee hour in the parish hall following the service.

LIFE LIGHT BIBLE STUDY will begin meeting on Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. here at the church. They will be doing the study on “Worship”. Study books can be found on the counter in the kitchen.

OUR CHARITY of the MONTH is our student at Concordia, Wes Gehrke. At today’s service the loose currency in the offering will be given to assist him with school expenses. If you wish to support him simply place currency in the offering or a check earmarked Charity of the Month.

ALL LADIES of our CONGREGATION. On Saturday, April 10th, you are invited to attend the annual Young Women and Young at Heart Retreat at Peace Lutheran Church in Eau Claire. Guest speaker is Jan Struck. Jan brings a fresh approach to the journey of faith and uses her sense of humor as she shares her life with others. Cost for the day is $25.00 which includes lunch and materials. You may obtain registration forms from Bev at the church office or from Char Stamm.

OUR MIDWEEK LENTEN services are on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. A sing-a-long precedes each of the worship times. A soup and sandwich meal is served after the 11:00 a.m. service and at 6:00 p.m. before the evening worship. (This week’s soup is chicken dumpling.)

WE SINCERELY THANK our bulletin sponsors, George and Julie Benning, this day. The gift is given in honor of granddaughter Annah Gruber’s birthday which was on February 20th. Happy birthday, Annah!

GOD is the only third party in a marriage that can make it work.

NEEDED - BULLETIN SPONSORS. Please consider sponsoring the bulletin a week. It is a special way to remember a loved one or a special date. Many dates are available. If you are willing, simply sign up on the chart in the narthex. The fee of $35.00 can be paid at the church office prior to the week of sponsorship.

CAMP LUTHER is offering a youth camp for those in grades 4-6 at Beaver Creek Reserve near Fall Creek. See insert for more information.

HELPING HAITI. If you wish to help with disaster relief in Haiti you may do so through LCMS World Relief. Checks should be made out to LCMS World Relief / Human Care - earmarked Help in Haiti. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans will match donations up to $250 per member donation through March 31st. Individuals may leave their check at the church office and we will forward them for the matching dollars.

TO WHOMEVER left the Valentine’s gift on my steps - a sincere thank you.

---Pastor and Deb

FROM the BOOK of BOOKS. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” Ephesians 6:10-11

LUTHERAN HOUR. It’s a topsy-turvy world where little is considered to be true...so, what is...? Hear the message, “Evil Enemies” (Philippians 3:18-19) next Sunday on radio station WAYY (790 AM) at 6:00 a.m. or WAXX (104.5 FM) at 6:30 a.m.

“IT’S OK to be old. That doesn’t mean that you’re washed up and useless. If you’re a Christian, what it really means is that you’re just very, very close to seeing Jesus in person in heaven. In words especially dear to all the ‘aging,’ Jesus said in John chapter 14, ‘Don’t let your hearts be troubled...In my Father’s house are many rooms. I am going there to prepare a place for you.’ You might call it a homecoming.” Pastor Mark Jeske, speaker on “Time on Grace” This “Life Quote” is from Lutherans For Life - www.lutheransforlife.org

GOD WILL SUPPLY every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. (Philippians 4:19-20)

V V V

SERVING WITH JOY TODAY

(Sunday, February 21st)

Elder: 9:00 a.m. Matt Mohn

Acolyte: 9:00 a.m. Shelby Stewart

Usher: 9:00 a.m. Joe Radle

Jeff Kacures

Greeters: 9:00 a.m. Al & Ruth Lehman

Organist: Mary Gehrke

Camera: 9:00 a.m. JoAnn Harris

Coffee: Sunday Fellowship Circle # 4

Finance: Joe Radle

Keith Reinhardt

Altar Guild: Marge Schlegel

Dedri Johnson

OUR WEEK’S WORK

MON. 7:00 p.m. Life Light Study

WED. 10:45 a.m. Hymn Sing

11:00 a.m. Lenten Service

11:45 a.m. Soup/Sandwich Lunch

4:00 p.m. 8th gr. Confirmation

5:00 p.m. 7th gr. Confirmation

6:00 p.m. Soup/Sandwich Supper

6:45 p.m. Hymn Sing

7:00 p.m. Lenten Service

7:45 p.m. Choir Rehearsal

8:00 p.m. Elders

SUN. 9:00 a.m. Worship Service

10:15 a.m. Coffee Hour

10:15 a.m. Sunday School & Bible Classes

6:15 p.m. Devotions-Nursing Homes

OUR WORSHIP LAST WEEK

Attendance: 16/93

Offerings: $ 2,469.00

Missions: $ 70.00

Charity/Mth: $ 70.00

Haiti Relief: $ 35.00

Choir: $ 15.00

Paraments: $ 10.00

Sun. School: $ 15.77

Needed Weekly: $ 4,097.29

OUR ATTENDANCE at worship as well as the way we live and the way we give expresses our gratitude to God for all He gives us.

SERVING NEXT

(Wednesday, February 24th)

Usher: 7:00 p.m. Jeanne Anderson

Greeters: 7:00 p.m. Gary & Ruth

Norrish

Organist: Mary Gehrke

Finance: Galen Aase

Jeff Glanzman

(Sunday, February 28th)

Elder: 9:00 a.m. Joe Radle

Acolyte: 9:00 a.m. Elizabeth Roby

Usher: 9:00 a.m. Orlen Stamm

Randy Graese

Greeters: 9:00 a.m. Cheryl Anibas

Rachel Baumann

Organist: Mary Gehrke

Camera: 9:00 a.m. Joe Sessions

Coffee: Sunday Fellowship Circle 4

Finance: Galen Aase

Jeff Glanzman

Altar Guild: Marge Schlegel

Dedri Johnson

V V V

The First Sunday in Lent

February 21, 2010

THE ORDER of WORSHIP:

Divine Service, Setting Three, page 184, The Lord’s Supper (Please note: because of the solemn nature of services in Lent, we do not sing the Gloria in Excelsis or the Alleluia following the Epistle)

THE HYMNS: 657, 722, 571, 544, 659, 719

THE INTROIT:

P: When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble;

C: I will rescue him and honor him.

P: With long life I will satisfy him

C: and show him my salvation.

P: Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place---

C: the Most High, who is my refuge---

P: no evil shall be allowed to befall you,

C: no plague come near your tent.

P: For he will command his angels concerning you

C: to guard you in all your ways.

P: On their hands they will bear you up,

C: lest you strike your foot against a stone.

P: You will tread on the lion and the adder;

C: the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.

P: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;

C: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

P: When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble;

C: I will rescue him and honor him

P: With long life I will satisfy him

C: and show him my salvation.

THE COLLECT: O Lord God, You led Your ancient people through the wilderness and brought them to the promised land. Guide the people of Your Church that following our Savior we may walk through the wilderness of this world toward the glory of the world to come; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

THE SERMON: “Not On Bread Alone” Luke 4:1-13

THE OFFERTORY: “Christ the Life of All the Living” LSB # 420 verses 1& 7

Christ, the life of all the living, Christ, the death of death, our foe,

Who, Thyself for me once giving To the darkest depths of woe:

Through Thy suff’rings, death, and merit I eternal life inherit.

Thousand, thousand thanks shall be, Dearest Jesus, unto Thee.

Then, for all that wrought my pardon, For Thy sorrows deep and sore,

For Thine anguish in the Garden, I will thank Thee evermore,

Thank Thee for Thy groaning, sighing, For Thy bleeding and Thy dying,

For that last triumphant cry, And shall praise Thee, Lord, on high.

THE PRAYER of the CHURCH:

Pastor: O Lord God Most High, almighty Fortress and Protector, we praise You for Your providence which has brought us to this hour.

People: In the midst of many dangers and temptations, we are still Your children by Your grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

Pastor: Trusting in Your grace and mercy and believing Your promises to hear our prayers, we come before You with praise and thanksgiving.

People: We give You special thanks, O Lord, for sending Your Son into the world to become true man.

Pastor: Thank You that when He was tempted, as we are, He did not yield to sin but remained obedient to You for our sake.

People: When Satan tempts us through our fleshly appetites, the riches of this world, and our love for honor and prestige, help us to use Your Word as our weapon against him.

Pastor: For inspiring men to write it, translate it, and print it so that it is readily available to us, we give You hearty thanks.

People: We confess, O Lord, that we often live as if bread for our bodies is more important than food for our souls.

Pastor: We confess, O Lord, that we often forget to use Your Word as the source of our strength in fighting temptation.

People: For these and many other transgressions, forgive us, O Lord.

Pastor: As we read, study, and hear Your Word, send us Your Holy Spirit to enlighten our minds and strengthen our faith.

People: May Your Word prove to be a power of healing to the sick a ray of hope to the discouraged, and a companion to the lonely.

Pastor: We pray for those near and dear to us, including David Larson in St. Mary’s hospital in Rochester, the family of Garett Kipp, and others in our church family who are struggling with health issues and whom we name in our hearts.................................. Visit and relieve them, heavenly Father, so that they may receive each new day with joy, according to Your gracious will. Lord, in Your mercy,

People: hear our prayer.

Pastor: Grant peace to our nation, and help us to live according to Your will.

People: In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

THE SERVICE of the SACRAMENT: Page 194