Pastor’s Corner

“Christ is risen! He is risen indeed, alleluia!” These are the words we start Easter with. Our entire Easter season is peppered with these words, salted with them so we may never forget. Jesus Christ truly has risen from the dead. Because we have been baptized into Christ, united to Christ through baptism, we will also rise from the dead (Romans 6). It is very right and fitting we shout, “Christ is risen! He is risen indeed, alleluia!” 

We need to say these words. We desperately need to be reminded of the reality of Christ’s resurrection from the dead, because the reality we see around us is so often very different looking. We see our parents die, we see our spouses die, our friends, our family, even our children. We see the cold reality of death staring us in the face all the time. This is why we need the warm reality of the resurrection being shouted into our ears. 

St. Paul understood what Christians like us go through. The church in the city of Thessalonica had Christians who were worried about the resurrection. They saw their loved ones die, just like we do. They saw spouses, friends, and children die as well. Seeing them die was just as hard for them as it is for us. St. Paul wrote to them, and you as well, saying: 

[we do not want you to] grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep . . . For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) 

The reality of death we see around us is hard, it is bitter, it is heartbreaking. But the Easter proclamation “Christ is risen! He is risen indeed, alleluia!” can soften the blow of death, comfort the sadness, and soothe the bitterness of death. We do grieve, but we do not grieve as those without hope. May we shout it out loud and remind ourselves constantly, “Christ is risen! He is risen indeed, alleluia!” 

– Pastor Grimenstein 

VIDEO: Sunday April 7, 2024 - Complete Service

View the bulletin for Sunday, April 7, 2024
Archive of AUDIO “Readings & Sermons”
Archive of VIDEO “Complete Service”
Archive of Bulletins

First Reading -- Acts 4:32–35 
Epistle Reading -- 1 John 1:1—2:2 
The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the twentieth chapter

AUDIO: Announcements, Readings, Sermon & Bell Choir for Sunday April 7, 2024

View the bulletin for Sunday, April 7, 2024
Archive of AUDIO “Readings & Sermons”
Archive of VIDEO “Complete Service”
Archive of Bulletins

First Reading -- Acts 4:32–35 
The full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 

Epistle Reading -- 1 John 1:1—2:2 
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. 

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 

The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the twentieth chapter. 
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of anyone, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld.” 

Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” 

Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

UPDATE: Congregational Art Show - Just Announced for Friday, November 8, 2024

Zion’s 2024 Congregational Art Show
Will be held on Friday November 8th from 6:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.

• Confirmation Age and up for submissions

• Wine, Appetizers and Dessert - We will provide

• Music during event - Provided by members of the church

We’re announcing this now so you’ve got time to prepare existing artwork, or create new artwork in time for the show. This exhibit is being planned for the Fellowship Hall on Friday November 8, 2024. Paintings, drawings, sculptures, photography, ceramics, fiber art, art-form jewelry, and more may be submitted. It may be a current or past original works of art.

We’re currently working out an entry form, so look for that soon on Zion’s website, in the newsletter, and in the bulletin. 

Pictured above in the slideshow are image from Zion’s last member art show in January of 2016.

Bulletin: Sunday April 7, 2024

View the bulletin for Sunday, April 7, 2024
Archive of AUDIO “Readings & Sermons”
Archive of VIDEO “Complete Service”
Archive of Bulletins

THIS WEEK AT ZION:

Saturday April 6
No Events Scheduled

Sunday April 7
8:00 a.m. — Worship Service with Communion
9:00 a.m. — Adult/Teen Bible Study & Children’s Sunday School
10:30 a.m. — Worship Service with Communion
(The 8:00 a.m. service streamed on our YouTube channel)

Monday April 8
6:30 p.m. - Faith Bell Choir Practice

Tuesday April 9
6:15 p.m. - Grace Bell Choir Practice
7:15 p.m. - Adult Choir Practice

Wednesday April 10
2:00 p.m. - Worship Service
2:30 p.m. - Bible Study (30 min.)
(The 2:00 p.m. service streamed on our YouTube channel)

Thursday April 11
7:00 p.m. - Council Meeting

Friday April 12
No Event’s Scheduled

Saturday April 13
10:00 a.m. - LWML Pittsburgh Zione Rally at Bethel Lutheran in Glenshaw
View Additional Details

Sunday April 14
8:00 a.m. — Worship Service with Communion
9:00 a.m. — Adult/Teen Bible Study & Children’s Sunday School
10:30 a.m. — Worship Service with Communion
(The 8:00 a.m. service streamed on our YouTube channel)

View Details on Zion’s Congregational Art Show, coming in November 2024.

Sunday School News

We hope you had a wonderful and blessed Easter!
During April, Sunday school classes will be continuing with Enduring Faith Unit 8: 

4/7/2024 - Lesson 5 
The Thankful One -- Jesus Heals Ten Lepers 

4/14/2024  - Lesson 6 
The Kingdom of Children -- Jesus Blesses the Children 

4/21/2024 - Lesson 7 
The Passion Prediction -- Mary Anoints Jesus 

4/28/2024 - Lesson 8 
Jesus Rides into Jerusalem 

Adult Bible/Teen Bible Study
Adults and youth 7th grade and older are invited to the Fellowship Hall for Pastor's fascinating study on the book of Numbers! All are welcome … bagels, donuts and coffee provided. Sunday School and Adult/Teen Bible Study are from 9:15-10:15 am. 

"...man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord."
Deuteronomy 8:3 NIV 

LWML Spring Rally - April 13, 2024

The Pittsburgh Zone LWML Spring Rally will be Bethel Lutheran Church, 301 Scott Avenue in Glenshaw, PA 15116
Save the Date: April 13, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.
Lunch will be provided

Spring InGathering to benefit The Hearth Woman’s Shelter
Items needed include: Lotions, perfumes, soaps, make up, hair products, body sprays and washes. Donations may also include gently used purses and/or bags.

Can’t attend but want to donate?
Leave your donations in the bin at the back of the sanctuary on Sunday April 7th

RSPV
RSPV to Tevia Grimenstein no later than April 7th
grmnstns@live.com