LCMS Thank You Letter

July 1, 2024

Zion Lutheran Church
3197 Washington Pike
Bridgeville, Pennsylvania 15017-1423

Dear Members of Zion Lutheran Church,

You have played an integral part in keeping missionaries on the field, spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who don't know Him. We wanted to take this opportunity to acknowledge your years of partnership in the Together In Mission program.

You have been a faithful partner since 2/11/2014 and we wanted to take this opportunity to thank you. Below is a list of the missionaries you have partnered with through the years.

• William and Nicole Lohmeyer

• Rev. Edward and Monica Naumann

• Rev. Cullen and Deaconess Jacqueline Duke

• Rev. P.A. Richard Wokoma

• Rev. Philip and Deaconess Rachel Jaseph

Please convey our gratitude to the members of Zion Lutheran Church. Without you the ministry of these missionaries would not be possible.

God's blessings to arr of you.

Sincerely,
Julie Loehring
Missionary Support Coordinator
LCMS Mission Advancement

VIDEO: Wednesday September 25, 2024 - Complete Service

View the Bulletin for Wednesday, September 25, 2024
Worship Service: 2:00 p.m.
Bible Study: 2:30 p.m. — The Book of Hebrews
All are welcome, bring a friend, neighbor or relative

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

AUDIO: Readings & Sermon for Wednesday September 25, 2024

View the Bulletin for Wednesday, September 25, 2024
Worship Service: 2:00 p.m.
Bible Study: 2:30 p.m. — The Book of Hebrews
All are welcome, bring a friend, neighbor or relative

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

Malachi 1:1-14 
The oracle of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi. 

“I have loved you,” says the LORD. But you say, “How have you loved us?” “Is not Esau Jacob's brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet I have loved Jacob but Esau I have hated. I have laid waste his hill country and left his heritage to jackals of the desert.” If Edom says, “We are shattered but we will rebuild the ruins,” the LORD of hosts says, “They may build, but I will tear down, and they will be called ‘the wicked country,’ and ‘the people with whom the LORD is angry forever.’” Your own eyes shall see this, and you shall say, “Great is the LORD beyond the border of Israel!” 

“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ By saying that the LORD's table may be despised. When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the LORD of hosts. And now entreat the favor of God, that he may be gracious to us. With such a gift from your hand, will he show favor to any of you? says the LORD of hosts. Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, says the LORD of hosts, and I will not accept an offering from your hand. For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the LORD of hosts. But you profane it when you say that the Lord's table is polluted, and its fruit, that is, its food may be despised. But you say, ‘What a weariness this is,’ and you snort at it, says the LORD of hosts. You bring what has been taken by violence or is lame or sick, and this you bring as your offering! Shall I accept that from your hand? says the LORD. Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished. For I am a great King, says the LORD of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations. 

Matthew 3:1-17 
In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, 

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
make his paths straight.’” 

Now John wore a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 

“I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” 

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” 

The Ten Commandments 
What is the eighth commandment? 
You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
What does this mean?
We should fear and love God so that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way. 

Bulletin: Wednesday September 25, 2024

View the Bulletin for Wednesday, September 25, 2024
Worship Service: 2:00 p.m.
Bible Study: 2:30 p.m. — The Book of Hebrews
All are welcome, bring a friend, neighbor or relative

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

Lutherans for Life

Maybe you have heard this phrase before: “Man plans, and God laughs.” According to Google, the phrase comes from a Yiddish proverb. And you know what it means: Our plans are not nearly as good as God’s plans for us—no matter what we think! 

Jeremiah was in a hard place as a prophet. He had been telling God’s people to change their wicked ways and follow God, but they had not done so. Babylon had defeated Israel, destroyed Solomon’s temple, and taken many in exile to Babylon. Jeremiah told them that in 70 years, God would come to them to fulfill His promise to bring them back to their land. 

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope’” (Jeremiah 29:11). 

Despite the sin of His people, God remained faithful and kept His covenant promise. This promise is for us, too. Note that it is not always immediate, but that it is the best plan for us. When we think of our future, we have a promise of hope even though our plans are failing. 

What are God’s plans? Once upon a time, my husband, Mike, and I wanted to start a family, but it took six years before we had our first child and three more years before we had our second. We wanted a third child, but because of my age I did not want to wait six years. So, we prayed and gave God a deadline and, of course, we got pregnant immediately when our daughter was about nine months old! Now I had the opposite problem! What was I going to do with two babies under two? 

I believe that God was preparing me for my work with Lutherans For Life (LFL). I know how it feels to long for a child and wonder if it will ever happen. I never contemplated an abortion, but I know how it feels to be pregnant when you are not sure that you want to be. LFL is prepared to help infertile couples see God’s plan for them. If not their own biological child, perhaps adoption or foster care are part of God’s plan. 

As a teacher, I saw students with learning disabilities, severe allergies, physical disabilities, and Down syndrome and, as I worked with these children, I saw their mama’s pain. I saw how society views these children, and how their mamas were encouraged to abort. LFL is prepared to uphold families with children that have any kind of disability and to help women who have been hurt by abortion. 

I have seen my parents, my in-laws, my brother, and dear friends who died in the Lord cared for and prayed for until the end. LFL has much to say about the end of life. 

by Diane Albers, President of Lutherans For Life 

Over 45 years ago, a small group of people met and formed LFL to uphold the value of life affirmed by the resurrected Christ. Today we communicate clearly that death is not an acceptable, God-pleasing way to deal with the problems of life, and that there is a better way: the Gospel! Did that small group of Lutheran Christians have any idea what God’s plans were for LFL? Maybe not, but they had the sure hope of God’s covenant promise!

Chili Cook-Off Fundraiser at Zion - THIS SUNDAY!

Sign-Up today for the Chili Cook-Off Youth Group Fundraiser (and Steelers watch party)!
Call the church office at 412-221-4776, ext 203 and we will add your name to the sign-up, or send an email to secretary@zlcb.org.

Add your name to attend and/or to make a chili!
There will be lots of prizes in a variety of categories:

• Best Overall

• Most Unique

• Best Classic

• Most Spicy!

Zion Lutheran Youth Group Presents a Chili Cook-Off Fundraiser and Steeler’s Watch Party
Sunday, September 29, 2024 starting at 11:30 a.m. with Steeler Kick-off at 1:00 p.m.
All members are invited to enter a crockpot of chili.
Sign up in the Narthex to enter and/or attend!
Hot prizes for the best chilis!

Vote with your dollars!
Cash donations benefit the Zion Youth Gathering trip in July 2025

Don’t confuse Zion’s Youth Group Fundraiser with the South Fayette Chili Cook Off held in October 2024

Congregational Art Show - Friday, November 8, 2024

Calling all artists …
Zion’s 2024 Congregational Art Show will be held on
Friday November 8th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
In the Fellowship Hall, with Wine & Hors d’oeuvres, Lemonade & Cookies
Families Welcome

• 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. Artwork can be for sale, or just for show.
Questions? E-mail: events@zlcb.org

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