Be a Messenger of the Good News

Be a Messenger of the Good News 
By: Mike Wallace, Congregational Vice President 

Pause for a moment and reflect on our role as Christians to share the good news with others. Are we actively sharing the Love of Christ with those around us? Are we a living testimony of His Grace? 

“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” Romans 10:14 ESV 

You can read Paul’s call to "Preach" in the passage above, and think it is reserved for a Pastor, Priest, or Preacher. But, in fact, it is for us, so that we can serve in our homes, workplaces, and communities. We act as pulpits of influence when we surrender to Him and share the Word in Truth and His Gospel. In ordinary places and spaces, we can truly share the Love of Christ through what we do. Whether it’s being a listening ear that brings peace to a troubled soul . . . a helping hand that lifts burdens from someone in need . . . or a mouth speaking encouragement that rekindles His love and grace in someone who needs to hear. 

As a follower of Christ, we are qualified to share this hope and encourage others! What God desires is obedience and willingness to be a vessel of His word and good news. In our everyday interactions, we are messengers of the Gospel of Jesus’ love and what He has done for us. 

As believers, we have an integral role in sharing the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit equips us. God chooses and empowers us. And the seeds we sow, even the tiniest ones, have the power to take root and spread the message of Salvation to all those around us. Be a seed sower, give water to the plant, shine bright the light of Christ, and let God give His Grace for the growth. 

PRAYER 
God, use me to share Your Love with those You have placed around me. Give me the boldness and strength to share Your Love and Grace. Guide and direct my steps and actions to plant the seeds of Your Blessings. Equip and empower me with Your Spirit to water the seeds and be a light of Your Love, Mercy, Grace, and Peace. In the name of Jesus, Your son, our Savior, Amen. 

VIDEO: Sunday, June 15, 2025 - Complete Service

View the bulletin for Sunday, June 15, 2025
Archive of AUDIO “Readings & Sermons”
Archive of VIDEO “Complete Service”
Archive of Bulletins

AUDIO: Announcements, Readings & Sermon for Sunday, June 15, 2025

View the bulletin for Sunday, June 15, 2025
Archive of AUDIO “Readings & Sermons”
Archive of VIDEO “Complete Service”
Archive of Bulletins

Old Testament Reading -- Proverbs 8:1–4, 22–31 
Does not wisdom call?
Does not understanding raise her voice?
On the heights beside the way,
at the crossroads she takes her stand;
beside the gates in front of the town,
at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:
“To you, O men, I call,
and my cry is to the children of man. . . . 

“The Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work,
the first of his acts of old.
Ages ago I was set up,
at the first, before the beginning of the earth.
When there were no depths I was brought forth,
when there were no springs abounding with water.
Before the mountains had been shaped,
before the hills, I was brought forth,
before he had made the earth with its fields,
or the first of the dust of the world.
When he established the heavens, I was there;
when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,
when he made firm the skies above,
when he established the fountains of the deep,
when he assigned to the sea its limit,
so that the waters might not transgress his command,
when he marked out the foundations of the earth,
then I was beside him, like a master workman,
and I was daily his delight,
rejoicing before him always,
rejoicing in his inhabited world
and delighting in the children of man.” 

Second Reading – Acts 2:14a, 22–36 
Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, . . . 

“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. For David says concerning him, 

“‘I saw the Lord always before me,
for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;
therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
my flesh also will dwell in hope.
For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,
or let your Holy One see corruption.
You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’ 

“Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, 

“‘The Lord said to my Lord,
Sit at my right hand,
until I make your enemies your footstool.’ 

Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 

The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the eighth chapter
The Jews answered [Jesus], “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge. Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.’ Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?” Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple. 

We Mourn the Loss of Carl Bauer

It has pleased the Lord to call unto Himself our brother-in-Christ, Carl Bauer, this morning. Funeral details will be forthcoming. Please include Carl's family in your prayers -- Karen, and their children Michael and Dawn -- and the rest of their family. May the Lord comfort them with the assurance of eternal life in Him.

Additional details will be posted as they become available.

Bulletin: Sunday June 15, 2025 + This Week at Zion

View the bulletin for Sunday, June 15, 2025
Archive of AUDIO “Readings & Sermons”
Archive of VIDEO “Complete Service”

Please note: There are Bibles, Handmade Wooden Wall Crosses and Pocket New Testaments/Psalms on a table in the back of the Sanctuary. They are free to anyone who would like to have them for home use, or to give as gifts!

THIS WEEK AT ZION
Saturday June 14
No Events Scheduled

Sunday June 15
CONFIRMATION SUNDAY
8:00 a.m. — Worship Service with Communion
9:15 a.m. — Confirmand Public Examination & Youth Sunday School
10:30 a.m. — Worship Service & Confirmation
5:35 p.m. - Zion Night at the “Wild Things” game (additional details)
(The 8:00 a.m. service streamed on our YouTube channel)

Monday June 16
No Events Scheduled

Tuesday June 17
No Events Scheduled

Wednesday June 18
2:00 p.m. - Midweek Worship with Communion
2:30 p.m. - Bible Study; Obadiah (30 min.) - Each Bible Study starts with a recap from the previous lesson
3:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. - Open-Playground Fellowship time (additional details)
(Wednesday’s service will be streamed on our YouTube channel)

Thursday June 19
(Pastor away at convention)
6:00 p.m. - Ladies Dinner at Atrias in McMurray (additional detials)

Friday June 20
(Pastor away at convention)
No Events Scheduled

Saturday June 21
(Pastor away at convention)
No Events Scheduled

Sunday June 22
8:00 a.m. — Worship Service with Communion
9:15 a.m. — Adult/Teen Bible Study & Youth Sunday School
9:15 a.m. - VBS Crew Volunteers drop-in meeting (conference room)
10:30 a.m. — Worship Service with Communion
(The 8:00 a.m. service streamed on our YouTube channel)

---

CLICK THE UPCOMING EVENTS GRAPHIC to go directly to our UPCOMING EVENTS page

Confirmand Questioning & Reception

Sunday, June 15th at 9:15 a.m.
Join us in the Fellowship Hall to support and encourage our confirmands as they demonstrate how they have grown in the faith and rejoice with them on their Confirmation!

Cake, small pastries, juice, and coffee reception.

What is Youth Confirmation at Zion?

What is Youth Confirmation at Zion . . . 
Confirmation is the public affirmation of a person’s baptism and faith, and is an important milestone in the life of a Christian 

What began at a person’s baptism, continues throughout their life of faith. Public affirmation of faith happens after a period of instruction. At Zion, confirmation instruction is provided through a weekly class for young people (typically in 6th & 7th grades) under the guidance of Pastor Grimenstein. “Confirmands” meet over a two-year period (Sept-May) culminating in the Rite of Confirmation during a Sunday worship service in the spring. 

What Do Confirmands Study? 

• God’s Word and how it works 

• The six chief parts of Luther’s Small Catechism which expound on God’s Word (Ten Commandments, The Apostles’ Creed, The Lord’s Prayer, The Sacrament of Holy Baptism, The Sacrament of the Altar, and Confession) 

• What worship is, and what it does 

Finally, they discover that learning from God’s Word and growing in faith does not end with Confirmation, or when they reach adulthood. Staying connected to Christ through regular participation in Word and Sacrament in the Church throughout one’s life, is both an exhortation and a privilege. An additional benefit is the bond that often develops between confirmands as they go through this formative time together. 

To learn more about Confirmation at Zion, or inquire about enrolling your child, please reach out to Pastor Grimenstein at pastor@zlcb.org.