Happy Easter! I can say that all through the Easter Season, which, as you probably know, lasts seven full weeks. How important it is that we greet one another often with words of reverent joy: “Alleluia! Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia!” 

On Easter Sunday I noticed a larger than usual attendance at worship. In fact, there was a couple I didn’t know sitting directly in front of me. I did my best to greet them. I politely asked their names and bid them “welcome.” As I looked around, I noticed other visitors and began to ponder: How well will these fellow travelers on life’s highway be received? I know the pastor will do his best, but who among our members will take the time to welcome them? Will they emerge from church with a favorable impression? Will they be inclined to return? 

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Multiply the Mission is more than a campaign… it’s an opportunity to help a place where faith grows, families connect, and lives are impacted through Christ.

From retreats and camps for all ages to Pioneer Fest and the many exciting things ahead, God is continuing to move through Pioneer on the Lake in incredible ways.

We invite you to watch, share, and help spread the word about what this mission is all about. Every share, every prayer, and every donation helps make these moments possible for so many.

Thank you for being part of what God is doing here at Pioneer. 🙌🏼

Click here to donate 👉 https://www.clover.com/pay-widgets/b2f1c988-7bd0-45fa-ae93-b5c59f8836e4

BOCCE: A Men’s Fellowship Event
Join the Men’s Fellowship Group for an afternoon of lawn bocce, food and fellowship on Saturday, June 13th from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on the church grounds. Sign up in the narthex, or use this link to sign up with “Sign Up Genius.”

Questions, call Rich Berardelli at 724-480-5501

SERVICE CANCELED: Wednesday, May 13, 2026.
Pastor is sick.

In this Life Together Digest, the Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, president of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, connects Christ’s glorious resurrection to your Baptism. “Through the resurrection, Baptism justifies,” says Harrison, emphasizing that “[Jesus’] resurrection is the promise of eternal life for you.” Indeed, we confess that “we were buried therefore with Him by Baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4).

View this month’s Life Together Digest at https://mailchi.mp/lcms/life-together...

Please reach out to Susie in the Church Office with any changes to contact information for you, your family, or adult children no longer in your household (phone numbers, mailing and email addresses, etc). The office email address is secretary@zlcb.org. 

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Communion Statement 
We believe that in the Lord’s Supper, Christ’s physical body and blood are present in the bread and wine (1 Cor. 11:23-25). We also believe receiving the Lord’s Supper is an act of church fellowship. Scripture cautions that those who receive without recognizing Christ’s body and blood will bring judgment upon themselves (1 Cor. 11:27-29). Therefore, out of love to our guests, we invite to our altar to receive the Lord’s Supper those who are baptized, confirmed, repentant members of Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod congregations or sister congregations. If you are visiting us today from another Christian denomination, we welcome you to come to the altar to receive a baptismal blessing. Please signify by crossing your arms over your chest upon kneeling. 

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Pastor’s Corner
Sometimes, I am struck by something I hear in church. We hear fascinating things in our readings, our liturgy, but especially in our hymns. The stanza from the above hymn caused me to pause a few Sundays ago. The words gave a striking image that I don’t know if I’ve thought about before: “. . . and the grave that shuts us in, shall but prove the gate to heaven.” 

We’ve all been to funerals. If there is a viewing, our loved ones will be laid to rest in a casket. They will usually wear their Sunday best. The casket is lined with fabric; there is even a pillow for the head. We pay little attention to the lid. But we should. The same thing goes for a loved one who is cremated. We admire the nice case in which our loved one’s remains are resting, we pay little attention to the lid. How do we view the lid of a casket or an urn? Is it our enemy? Are we angry because that piece of metal is separating us from our loved ones? Either way, I doubt we view the lid of a casket or urn favorably. But we could. We should. 

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