Lutheran’s For Life - Life Thoughts in the Church Year

Life Thoughts in the Church Year are designed to help pastors and congregations see the church year through the lens of the sanctity of human life. Life Thoughts are based on the appoint-ed readings from Lutheran Service Book using the Three-Year Lectionary. 

June 2 – Pentecost II
Abortion and euthanasia aim to avoid disabilities by eliminating the persons who have them. The Christian community, on the other hand, regards persons with disabilities as reasons for rejoicing. Even the most fragile human bodies testify to the goodness of the God who created and sustains them (2 Corinthians 4:7-11). Let us declare and demonstrate how the life of Jesus manifests in every neighbor! 

June 9 – Pentecost III
We believe Almighty God creates human beings in His own image, and so we also speak (2 Corinthians 4:13) against using death as a solution. We believe He redeems each one through His beloved Son, and so we also speak it despite political opposition or popular opinion. We believe He calls them all by His very Spirit, and so we also speak the sanctity of every human life! 

June 16 - Pentecost IV/Father’s Day
Fathers embody how much difference the little things make. What seems just a personal choice at first quickly affects everyone around with its repercussions. The devil uses privacy and independence as deceptions. But salvation also only starts small (Mark 4:30-32). An embryo soon grows into the Savior of the universe, and one word spoken in courage and compassion changes untold hearts and saves countless lives. 

June 23 - Pentecost V
“Widen your hearts,” the Apostle exhorts his Corinthian companions (2 Corinthians 6:13). He has just instructed them how God’s grace prevails to make life worthwhile without regard to anyone’s size, skills, or circumstances. Doesn’t His love expand our imaginations and affections to receive every human life as a gift and privilege? Won’t our voices offer the same opportunities to neighbors in surprise pregnancy and terminal diagnosis? 

June 30 – Pentecost VI
“Silence.” “Dust.” “Strikes.” “Insults.” “Grief.” Lamentations knows right where it hurts. And this Word of the Lord gives us a God who comforts just how each needs: “steadfast love,” “mercies,” “faithfulness,” “salvation,” “compassion,” and “abundance.” Let us diagnose abortion by naming it sinfulness, so that we may directly dispense the healing that the hearts it has broken long for. 

VIDEO: Sunday June 23, 2024 - Complete Service

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AUDIO: Announcements, Readings & Sermon for Sunday June 23, 2024

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Old Testament Reading -- Job 38:1–11
Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:

“Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
Dress for action like a man;
I will question you, and you make it known to me.
“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell me, if you have understanding.
Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it?
On what were its bases sunk,
or who laid its cornerstone,
when the morning stars sang together
and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
“Or who shut in the sea with doors
when it burst out from the womb,
when I made clouds its garment
and thick darkness its swaddling band,
and prescribed limits for it
and set bars and doors,
and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther,
and here shall your proud waves be stayed’?”

Epistle Reading -- 2 Corinthians 6:1–13
Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says,
“In a favorable time I listened to you,
and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”

Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.

We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.

The Holy Gospel according to St. Mark, the fourth chapter.
On that day, when evening had come, [Jesus] said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him?”

Mark Your Calendars: Pastor’s 25th Anniversary

Join us for an all church potluck celebration on Sunday July 14th after the late service!
We’re Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Pastor Grimenstein’s Ordination
Potluck sign up in the Narthex for main & sides
Dessert provided

Bulletin: Sunday June 23, 2024

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THIS WEEK AT ZION

Saturday June 22
No Events Scheduled

Sunday June 23
8:00 a.m. — Worship Service with Communion
9:15 a.m. — Adult/Teen Bible Study & Children’s Summer Sunday School
10:30 a.m. — Worship Service with Communion
(The 8:00 a.m. service streamed on our YouTube channel)
LWML Eastern District Convention @ Cranberry Doubletree

Monday June 24
No Events Scheduled

Tuesday June 25
6:30 p.m. - Ladies Book Club at the Debowski’s Home
Additional Details

Wednesday June 26
2:00 p.m. - Mid-Week Worship Service with Communion
2:30 p.m. - 30 min. Bible Study
(The 2:00 p.m. service streamed on our YouTube channel)

Thursday June 27
No Events Scheduled

Friday June 28
5:30 p.m. - Grief Art Workshop sponsored by Concordia Hospice in Fellowship Hall
Additional Detials

Saturday June 29
No Events Scheduled

Sunday June 30
8:00 a.m. — Worship Service with Communion
9:15 a.m. — Voter’s Meeting for Zion’s Budget & Children’s Summer Sunday School
10:30 a.m. — Worship Service with Communion
(The 8:00 a.m. service streamed on our YouTube channel)
LWML Eastern District Convention @ Cranberry Doubletree

DEADLINE EXTENDED: BBQ Fundraiser for Youth Group

Youth Group BBQ Fundraiser

DOWNLOAD ORDER FORM
The DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO … Sunday June 23rd
Just in time for outdoor barbecues, Zion youth group is selling "ready to heat & eat" pulled pork, baby back ribs, and sauces from South Fayette company Rib Raiser BBQ. A percentage of each sale will help with expenses for our trip to the 2025 LCMS Youth Gathering in New Orleans. 

To order, download the linked order form, or call the church office at 412-221-4776, ext 203
Sale ends Sunday June 23, 2024 ... distribution is June 30th.  

Grief Art Workshop at Zion 6/28/2024

Concordia Hospice of Washington Presents the Grief Art Workshop
Come, relax and Create an expression of your Journey Through Grief with painting
Friday June 28th at 5:30 p.m. - Please RSVP via. phone or e-mail
For more info contact Roxanne Sweany, Bereavement Coordinator at 724-250-4500 ext. 2109 or e-mail rsweany@concordiahw.org