AUDIO: Readings & Sermon for Wednesday, July 16, 2025

View the Bulletin for Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Worship Service: 2:00 p.m. with communion
Bible Study: 2:30 p.m. with Pastor Kettner
All are welcome, bring a friend, neighbor or relative

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Judges 16:4-30 
After this he loved a woman in the Valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. And the lords of the Philistines came up to her and said to her, “Seduce him, and see where his great strength lies, and by what means we may overpower him, that we may bind him to humble him. And we will each give you 1,100 pieces of silver.” So Delilah said to Samson, “Please tell me where your great strength lies, and how you might be bound, that one could subdue you.” 

Samson said to her, “If they bind me with seven fresh bowstrings that have not been dried, then I shall become weak and be like any other man.” Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried, and she bound him with them. Now she had men lying in ambush in an inner chamber. And she said to him, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” But he snapped the bowstrings, as a thread of flax snaps when it touches the fire. So the secret of his strength was not known. 

Then Delilah said to Samson, “Behold, you have mocked me and told me lies. Please tell me how you might be bound.” And he said to her, “If they bind me with new ropes that have not been used, then I shall become weak and be like any other man.” So Delilah took new ropes and bound him with them and said to him, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” And the men lying in ambush were in an inner chamber. But he snapped the ropes off his arms like a thread. 

Then Delilah said to Samson, “Until now you have mocked me and told me lies. Tell me how you might be bound.” And he said to her, “If you weave the seven locks of my head with the web and fasten it tight with the pin, then I shall become weak and be like any other man.” So while he slept, Delilah took the seven locks of his head and wove them into the web. And she made them tight with the pin and said to him, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” But he awoke from his sleep and pulled away the pin, the loom, and the web. 

And she said to him, “How can you say, ‘I love you,’ when your heart is not with me? You have mocked me these three times, and you have not told me where your great strength lies.” And when she pressed him hard with her words day after day, and urged him, his soul was vexed to death. And he told her all his heart, and said to her, “A razor has never come upon my head, for I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother's womb. If my head is shaved, then my strength will leave me, and I shall become weak and be like any other man.” 

When Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called the lords of the Philistines, saying, “Come up again, for he has told me all his heart.” Then the lords of the Philistines came up to her and brought the money in their hands. She made him sleep on her knees. And she called a man and had him shave off the seven locks of his head. Then she began to torment him, and his strength left him. And she said, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” And he awoke from his sleep and said, “I will go out as at other times and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the LORD had left him. And the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes and brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze shackles. And he ground at the mill in the prison. But the hair of his head began to grow again after it had been shaved. 

Now the lords of the Philistines gathered to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god and to rejoice, and they said, “Our god has given Samson our enemy into our hand.” And when the people saw him, they praised their god. For they said, “Our god has given our enemy into our hand, the ravager of our country, who has killed many of us.” And when their hearts were merry, they said, “Call Samson, that he may entertain us.” So they called Samson out of the prison, and he entertained them. They made him stand between the pillars. And Samson said to the young man who held him by the hand, “Let me feel the pillars on which the house rests, that I may lean against them.” Now the house was full of men and women. All the lords of the Philistines were there, and on the roof there were about 3,000 men and women, who looked on while Samson entertained. 

Then Samson called to the LORD and said, “O Lord GOD, please remember me and please strengthen me only this once, O God, that I may be avenged on the Philistines for my two eyes.” And Samson grasped the two middle pillars on which the house rested, and he leaned his weight against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other. And Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines.” Then he bowed with all his strength, and the house fell upon the lords and upon all the people who were in it. So the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he had killed during his life. 

Hebrews 4:1-13 
Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, 

“As I swore in my wrath,
‘They shall not enter my rest,’” 

although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” And again in this passage he said, 

“They shall not enter my rest.” 

Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, 

“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts.” 

For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. 

Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. 

The Ten Commandments
What is the third commandment. 
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 
What does this mean?
We should fear and love God so that we do not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it. 

Bulletin: Wednesday July 16, 2025

View the Bulletin for Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Worship Service: 2:00 p.m. with communion
Bible Study: 2:30 p.m. with Pastor Kettner
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.

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President’s Perspective

On June 29, 2025, the Budget Committee and Church Council presented a balanced budget for the upcoming fiscal year (July 2025 - June 2026) to the Voters Assembly. This presentation included both financial updates and ministry highlights from the past year, underscoring our ongoing commitment to Zion’s mission, ministry, and facility maintenance. To view the entire presentation, go to the zlcb.org website and the member documents. 

We are pleased to report that weekly giving has increased for the fiscal year. The Preschool was able to increase tuition. However, overall expenses continue to rise for the Church and Preschool. Thanks to the strong oversight provided by the Council, Boards, and staff, our finances are being managed effectively. 

The Preschool remains financially sound, and we are excited to welcome over 160 students again for the upcoming school year. We can take pride in the fact that Zion continues to offer a high-quality, Christian-based education to our community. Let's not forget VBS, we will share Jesus with over 90+ children in the local community. 

During the Voters' meeting, we also reviewed key decisions to balance the budget and a list of deferred major projects. The Council will be discussing the possibility of whether to explore the potential for launching a capital campaign. 

Key Decisions to Achieve a Balanced Budget: 

• Deferred certain major Trustee projects. 

• Projected a modest 2% increase in CMS giving. 

• Transferred funds from the Elders Discretionary Fund to support Bridge Builders ministries. 

• Allocated funds from the Preschool Growth Fund to replace outdated PreS staff PCs. 

• Implemented a 2.5% cost-of-living salary increase, with additional salary adjustments recommended by the HR Committee, to align Preschool staff compensation with Eastern District and local market standards. 

• Covered the rising costs in utilities, maintenance, third-party services, and general goods 

The balanced budget reflects both financial stewardship and a commitment to our mission: Zion equips, educates, and encourages believers in Christ, sending them into the world to share the Gospel. 

1. Trustee Wish List (Future Capital Campaign Consideration): 

2. Sanctuary A/C – Replace the aging unit in the northeast corner of the sanctuary 

3. Parking Lot – Repair cracks, reseal, and repaint

4. Preschool Carpet – Professional cleaning

5. Fellowship Hall Lighting – Replace fluorescent fixtures with LED lighting

6. Atrium Roof – Replace overhead windows with a solid roof to resolve persistent leaks and mold issues

7. Retaining Walls outside of Fellowship Hall – Replace deteriorating masonry walls

8. Choir Loft A/C – Replace the portable unit with a permanent system 

Special thanks to our Budget Committee: Bill Bishop, Jon & Connie Canale, Mike Debowski, Doug Krantz, John Migyanko, Megan Pasquini, Mary Lou Rilee, Deborah Sterba, Mike Wallace, and special thanks to Jim Oelschlager, our dedicated Church and Preschool custodian, for his daily efforts to maintain our facility. 

We are grateful for the congregation's continued support as we move forward in faith, stewardship, and service. Thank you for making our ministry possible. 

In Christ’s service, 
Bob Schmidt Congregation President 

4th Annual Pioneer Fest

Join us for the 4th Annual Pioneer Fest!
Sunday, July, 20, 2025!
As we celebrate 80 years of Christian ministry on the shores of Lake Erie!

Join us for an amazing day with lake breezes, sunshine, hot dogs/hamburgers, ice cream, bounce houses, face painting, tractor train rides, worship music and so much more! Come, join us for a great day on the lake and be refreshed at Pioneer!

We have some pretty cool things in store for this year’s event, so stay tuned for some MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENTS!

Bring your family and friends for this FREE EVENT!!!

2025 Artist Special Performances

• Steven Curtis Chapman

• Five14 Band

• The Brothers McClurg

• Randy Stonehill

• The Good News Band
  

  2025 Happenings

• Morning Church Service 

• Food, Beverages, and Ice Cream

• Live Worship Music

• Fun for all ages 

Contact the Pioneer office at 716-383-6157 for further information and/or to reserve your spot.
9324 Lake Shore Road. Angola, NY 14006
PIONEERONTHELAKE.COM

VIDEO: Sunday, July 13, 2025 - Complete Service

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AUDIO: Announcements, Readings & Sermon for Sunday, July 13, 2025

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Old Testament Reading – Leviticus 18:1–5; 19:9–18 
The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, I am the Lord your God. You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. You shall not walk in their statutes. You shall follow my rules and keep my statutes and walk in them. I am the Lord your God. You shall therefore keep my statutes and my rules; if a person does them, he shall live by them: I am the Lord. . . . 

“When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God. 

“You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another. You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the Lord. 

“You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him. The wages of a hired servant shall not remain with you all night until the morning. You shall not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God: I am the Lord. 

“You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor. You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord. 

“You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.” 

Epistle Reading – Colossians 1:1–14 
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 
To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: 
Grace to you and peace from God our Father. 

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf and has made known to us your love in the Spirit. 

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 

The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the tenth chapter
Behold, a lawyer stood up to put [Jesus] to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” 

But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.” 

80 Years of Kingdom Impact

80 Years of Kingdom Impact – and We’re Just Getting Started
This year marks a special milestone for Pioneer on the Lake – 80 yeras of Christ-centered ministry on the shores of Lake Erie. Four eight decades, God has used this sacred space in Angola, NY to draw people closer to Him – through retreats, worship, fellowship, and the stillness of His creation. Generations of believers have encountered God here in powerful ways, and we believe He’s just getting started.

To celebrate this legacy, we warmly welcome you to Pioneer Fest on Saturday, July 20th – a day of joy, worship, and community of churches, families, and ministry leaders.

Come experience what God is doing at Pioneer on the Lake:

• Join us in celebrating 80 years of ministry impact

• Enjoy worship and live musical performances in a lakeside setting

• Meet our team and explore our retreat spaces

• Participate in games, activities, and fellowship for all ages

• Spend time in prayer, rest and renewal by the water

Whether you’re planning a youth retreat, leadership weekend, women’s or men’s gathering, ou a church-wide event, Pioneer on the Lake offers a Christ-centered atmosphere where lives are transformed and faith is deepened.

We’d be honored to have you join us – for Pioneer Fest and in the journey ahead.

RSVP or learn more at 716-383-6157

Come celebrate what God has done – and dream with us about what He will do in the next 80 years.

In His Service,
The Fiiends of Pioneer Board at Pioneer on the Lake