AUDIO: Announcements, Readings & Sermon for Wednesday December 13, 2023
View the Bulletin for Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Service Time: 2:00 p.m.
Service Time: 7:00 p.m.
Both services are the same, however the 7:00 p.m. service will feature an organist and hymns.
All are welcome, bring a friend, neighbor or relative
From today’s Advent bulletin
PEACE TO ALL, NEAR AND FAR
As we pause to contemplate His Word during this second week of Advent, Jesus comes to us where we are and says, “My peace I give to you” (John 14:27). This peace does not come through our attempts to remove ourselves from reality or rearrange the broken pieces of our past. No, it is only by the grace of God that we now receive His peace, His forgiveness, and His restoration through faith in His promises. Gathering us from far and near, no matter who we are or where we have been, our Advent King gives us His peace by means of His death and resurrection. When we trust in Him, we will not simply feel better with a short-term stillness; we will stand fully forgiven by Jesus and at permanent peace with our God.
First Reading – Ephesians 2:12–18
Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in His flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments and ordinances, that He might create in Himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through Him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
Second Reading – John 14:25–31
“These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. You heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on Me, but I do as the Father has commanded Me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.
Y4Life in Washington D.C. - Conference and March
Y4Life in Washington D.C. • Conference and March • January 18-20, 2024
Open to all high school and college students
Just As . . . I AM - with Courage and Compassion
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Thursday January 18, 2024 • 6:00 p.m. ET
Registration and Exhibits
Opening Devotions
Introductions and Icebreakers
Y4Life Conference Session 1: Just as ... I AM with Courage and Compassion with Rev. Trevor Sutton
Music, Sign-making, Exhibits, and Social Time
Friday January 19, 2024 • 9:00 a.m. ET
As Male or Female
Y4Life Conference Session 2: Just as . . . I AM with Melissa Ohden
Pre-March Devotion: Rev. Harrison Goodman
March for Life: Rally, March, and Testimonials
Dinner on own
Exhibits, Social Time
Devotion and Post-March Discussion
Y4Life Conference Session 3: Just as . . . I AM as Male or Female (Panel Discussion on Gender)
Saturday January 20, 2023 • 9:00 a.m. ET
For Blessing and Service
Y4Life Conference Session 3: Just as . . . I AM for Blessing and Service
Y4Life Conference Session 4: Just as . . . I AM Joy Despite Brokenness
Closing Devotion: Rev. Michael Salemink
Location
Hilton Arlington National Landing (near Reagan National Airport)
2399 Richmond Hwy, Arlington, VA 22202
Cost
Conference is FREE for registered youth. Rooms cost $124 per night with group rate, up to 4 people per room. Breakfast included. Limited availability.
Registration
Register with QR Code (top of the page) or at y4life.org
Conference registration closes December 15, 2023
For more information, visit Y4life.org
or email Director of Y4Life, Michelle Barman at michell@y4life.org
President’s Perspective
Closer still to the End of the Age
Another year shall pass this month in the history of your church here at Zion. We move onward into the 126th year of this parish and give thanks to Almighty God for all the good He has done here in our presence. I hope you all enjoy a wonderful Christmas and New Year as we welcome 2024. Your church is standing strong, grounded firmly in a precious doctrine of faith and Christianity that is more rare than you might believe in this world of lies, deceptions and subtle evils. Thank goodness for the LCMS.
This January we will convene an important Voter's Meeting that will have at least two important actions on the agenda. We'll be discussing forming a call committee to call a deaconess to Zion and we'll be taking action to consider establishing an endowment for the church. Please stay tuned for information on those matters in the coming weeks. The Voter's Meeting is January 28th after the second service; as a member of this congregation, please attend the meeting.
Hopefully you've experienced or seen the lighting improvement in the parking lot. This provides much more safety in our lot. Not only is it easier to see what is around you but our camera systems are able to better "see" also. There are some other projects on the drawing board, however, let's all enjoy the Holiday Season; the trustees deserve a break from all the issues with contractors, etc.
Speaking of the Holidays, your church is gearing up for the usual busy season of providing the wonderful Holiday Services, so plan on being part of the joyous celebration as we mark the birth of the Christ Child. The Light of the World coming in humble manner, to fulfill the law and create salvation for all mankind, is our rock upon which we stand. Our hope is in the name of the Lord.
As a "church" I think our Catechism infers that we're supposed to be in contact with each other, a sort of family of believers. In Acts, the beginnings of the church described in chapter 2 finds us reading, "and they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers … and all who believed were together and had all things in common..."
Well, that needs to be us -- together, with all things in common. Let's enjoy being a chosen Christian, praying for Christians in this troubled world, our Synod and our members who need help. God Bless you as 2023 ends and God be with Zion in 2024! Christ is with us, even to the end of the age. Amen.
– Paul Klemash
Bulletin: Wednesday December 13, 2023
View the Bulletin for Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Service Time: 2:00 p.m.
Service Time: 7:00 p.m.
Both services are the same, however the 7:00 p.m. service will feature an organist and hymns.
All are welcome, bring a friend, neighbor or relative
From today’s Advent bulletin
PEACE TO ALL, NEAR AND FAR
As we pause to contemplate His Word during this second week of Advent, Jesus comes to us where we are and says, “My peace I give to you” (John 14:27). This peace does not come through our attempts to remove ourselves from reality or rearrange the broken pieces of our past. No, it is only by the grace of God that we now receive His peace, His forgiveness, and His restoration through faith in His promises. Gathering us from far and near, no matter who we are or where we have been, our Advent King gives us His peace by means of His death and resurrection. When we trust in Him, we will not simply feel better with a short-term stillness; we will stand fully forgiven by Jesus and at permanent peace with our God.
Visit our YouTube channel — Click the red “subscribe” box, and then click on the “bell” next to that box to receive Live Streaming notifications. You must be logged into YouTube to activate these features.
Archive of AUDIO “Readings & Sermons”
Archive of VIDEO “Complete Service”
Archive of BULLETINS
Member Milestones
On Nov. 17, 2023 Max and Jean Ma recited the Oath of Allegiance during the naturalization ceremony held at the United States Courthouse in downtown Pittsburgh. Following their more than 10 years of studying, working, and residence in the U.S. and holding permanent residency (referred to as the Green Card) for 5 years, Max and Jean officially become American citizens! Max is originally from western China and Jean is from Taiwan. Coincidentally, Nov. 17 – the date of Naturalization Ceremony for Max and Jean – marks the 10th anniversary of Max’s baptism.
2 Remaining Advent Services - December 13 & 20, 2023
There are two remaining Mid-week Advent services
Wednesday, December 13th & 20th at 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Join us as we prepare our hearts and minds for the birth of our Savior!
Advent Devotionals are now available in the black basket organizer near the door in the back of the sanctuary. Please take one.
Merry Christmas from the Zion Lutheran Church Sunday School!
Merry Christmas from the Zion Lutheran Church Sunday School!
Each Sunday, Zion Lutheran Sunday School teaches children ages 3 through 12 about the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord using the lessons of the Bible. All children are welcome, regardless of prior Sunday school experience or Biblical knowledge. If interested in our programs, please send an email to our SS Directors at sundayschool@zlcb.org.