President’s Perspective
As hard as it is to believe, the end of 2025 is quickly approaching. November is a special time when we pause to give thanks not just for the comforts and joys of life, but most importantly, to thank God for His countless blessings. Every breath we take, every relationship we cherish, and every provision we receive is a gift from His gracious hand.
As we look ahead to the Thanksgiving holiday, many of us eagerly anticipate gathering with loved ones to enjoy traditions like turkey, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, and the warmth of togetherness. Yet beyond the familiar flavors and cherished memories, Thanksgiving offers a sacred opportunity to pause and reflect on God’s faithfulness throughout the past year.
Click on the link below to read the complete story …
As hard as it is to believe, the end of 2025 is quickly approaching. November is a special time when we pause to give thanks not just for the comforts and joys of life, but most importantly, to thank God for His countless blessings. Every breath we take, every relationship we cherish, and every provision we receive is a gift from His gracious hand.
As we look ahead to the Thanksgiving holiday, many of us eagerly anticipate gathering with loved ones to enjoy traditions like turkey, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, and the warmth of togetherness. Yet beyond the familiar flavors and cherished memories, Thanksgiving offers a sacred opportunity to pause and reflect on God’s faithfulness throughout the past year.
We invite you to join us on Wednesday, November 26, at 2:00 and 7:00 pm as we come together in gratitude to worship and give thanks to our Heavenly Father. Let us reflect on His blessings, our health, our relationships, and even the trials that have drawn us closer to Him.
This season also calls us to live out our gratitude through action. Many of us will spend the day volunteering, donating food, or sharing meals with those in need. As followers of Christ, let us be especially mindful of those who may be struggling. May we embody the love of Jesus by reaching out in kindness, generosity, and compassion.
Let us “give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever” (Psalm 107:1). May this Thanksgiving be filled with joy, reflection, and an overflowing sense of gratitude for all that God has done.
God’s Blessings,
Bob Schmidt Congregation President
VIDEO: Sunday, November 16, 2025 - Complete Service
Each service at Zion Lutheran Church (normally the first of our two Sunday services) is streamed LIVE on our YouTube channel. These streams are for Sunday’s, Wednesday’s, Lenten, Advent, and special services. The entire service is streamed from beginning-to-end. Weddings and Funerals can also be streamed, if requested in advance.
Audio: Readings & Sermon for Sunday, November 16, 2025
This audio-only file includes all the readings from scripture, along with the sermon — and when available, the announcements, adult choir, men’s choir, and/or bell choir. Also posted along with the audio file is the text for all the scripture readings, and a link to the current bulletin, and our YouTube channel if you prefer to watch the LIVE Stream.
View the bulletin for Sunday, November 16, 2025
Archive of AUDIO “Readings & Sermons”
Archive of VIDEO “Complete Service”
Archive of Bulletins
Old Testament Reading -- Malachi 4:1–6
“For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts.
“Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and just decrees that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel.
“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”
Epistle Reading -- 2 Thessalonians 3:1–13
Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.
Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.
As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.
The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the twenty-first chapter
While some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, [Jesus] said, “As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” And they asked him, “Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” And he said, “See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them. And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once.”
Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives.
“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
“And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
Spiritual Conversations: Part 1 of 4 Videos
PART 1 of 4
The Eager Conversationalist/Spiritual Conversation Curve WorkshopsDrawing on Barna Group data contained in the 2018 monograph Spiritual Conversations in the Digital Age, Lutheran Hour Ministries is offering two workshops: the first, Eager Conversationalists, examines spiritual conversations. It offers insights to help us become more intentional-more eager-to engage in spiritual conversations with others. The second, The Spiritual Conversation Curve, offers help in getting past conversational hurdles. This is possible when we focus on someone’s “spiritual posture,” so as not to impose a conversation that’s forced or ill-timed.
Download: Eager Profile Inventory
PART 1 of 4
The Eager Conversationalist/Spiritual Conversation Curve Workshops
Drawing on Barna Group data contained in the 2018 monograph Spiritual Conversations in the Digital Age, Lutheran Hour Ministries is offering two workshops: the first, Eager Conversationalists, examines spiritual conversations. It offers insights to help us become more intentional-more eager-to engage in spiritual conversations with others. The second, The Spiritual Conversation Curve, offers help in getting past conversational hurdles. This is possible when we focus on someone’s “spiritual posture,” so as not to impose a conversation that’s forced or ill-timed.
Download: Eager Profile Inventory
Women of Zion … We Need Your RSVP’s
Hello Women of Zion!
We have two exciting events coming up to close out 2025, and we are in need of your RSVP's!
Christmas Crafting Night and Quarterly (very brief) LWML Meeting … Thursday, November 20, 7:00 p.m., Zion Fellowship Hall
Join us as we make a no-sew quilted Christmas tree. Please bring a snack or dessert to share.
RSVP TO TEVIA (grmnstns@live.com) NO LATER THAN NEXT MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17TH
Christmas Ornament Exchange
Sunday, December 14, 5:00 p.m., Napoli's Restaurant Bridgeville
Join us once again as we gift (and maybe steal) the ornament we never knew we needed! Please bring a new ornament of your choice wrapped with no tag.
Cost is $30 per person (cash or checks made payable to Zion Lutheran Church with Ornament Exchange in the memo line)
RSVP TO TRACEY (tharris@zlcb.org) BY MONDAY, DECEMBER 1ST (Payment should also be made by December 1st)
Hello Women of Zion!
We have two exciting events coming up to close out 2025, and we are in need of your RSVP's!
Christmas Crafting Night and Quarterly (very brief) LWML Meeting
Thursday, November 20, 7:00 p.m., Zion Fellowship Hall
Join us as we make a no-sew quilted Christmas tree. Please bring a snack or dessert to share.
RSVP TO TEVIA (grmnstns@live.com) NO LATER THAN NEXT MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17TH
Christmas Ornament Exchange
Sunday, December 14, 5:00 p.m., Napoli's Restaurant Bridgeville
Join us once again as we gift (and maybe steal) the ornament we never knew we needed!
Please bring a new ornament of your choice wrapped with no tag.
Cost is $30 per person (cash or checks made payable to Zion Lutheran Church with Ornament Exchange in the memo line)
RSVP TO TRACEY (tharris@zlcb.org) BY MONDAY, DECEMBER 1ST (Payment should also be made by December 1st)
Trustee News
Last month, a brand-new Vulcan commercial kitchen range was delivered at Zion, replacing the 57-year old unit that was installed when the church was first built, and for which repair parts were no longer available.
In the pre-dawn darkness on October 2 (see photos above), four very strong and capable employees of Hobart Appliance Service removed the old 1,000-pound range and installed the new unit, navigating a difficult path down the outside stairs, into the lower hallway, through four heavy steel doorways that had to be removed to provide clearance, and into the kitchen. It was an impressive feat of strength and mobility without a single scratch or dent to any part of the stove or church! Our Head Trustee, Mike Debowski, was there along with them, coordinating the delivery. In fact, Mike spent many hours prior to the delivery meeting with commercial range suppliers, researching various models for purchase, and finally prepping for delivery of the oversized item (including removal of interior and exterior doors, and taking precise measurements to determine the best delivery path).
Click below to read the complete story …
Last month, a brand-new Vulcan commercial kitchen range was delivered at Zion, replacing the 57-year old unit that was installed when the church was first built, and for which repair parts were no longer available.
In the pre-dawn darkness on October 2 (see photos above), four very strong and capable employees of Hobart Appliance Service removed the old 1,000-pound range and installed the new unit, navigating a difficult path down the outside stairs, into the lower hallway, through four heavy steel doorways that had to be removed to provide clearance, and into the kitchen. It was an impressive feat of strength and mobility without a single scratch or dent to any part of the stove or church! Our Head Trustee, Mike Debowski, was there along with them, coordinating the delivery. In fact, Mike spent many hours prior to the delivery meeting with commercial range suppliers, researching various models for purchase, and finally prepping for delivery of the oversized item (including removal of interior and exterior doors, and taking precise measurements to determine the best delivery path).
The new range has a built-in griddle that will come in handy for cooking pancakes, sausage, hash browns, and bacon! Is a future church pancake breakfast in the offing? Stay tuned!
The next time you see one of our Trustees -- Mike, Paul Hayes, Jim Oelschlager, Ben Meyer, Deborah Sterba, and Linda Kroeger -- let them know you appreciate what they do to keep our church, school, and parsonage in good shape! The Trustees are always looking for new members to support the work of managing and maintaining all church property. As the saying goes, “many hands make light work”, and we can always use some extra hands. God bless!
Angel Tree 2025
The Food Bank would like to bless the 30 registered children with gifts at the December distribution. Starting November 16, you will have the opportunity to participate in purchasing a gift for a child in need. If you wish to participate, choose an angel gift tag marked with the child’s age from the tree set up in the back of the church. Please use the sign-up sheet to record your name next to the number and age listed on the angel. Then purchase a gift costing around twenty dollars. Return your unwrapped gift with the gift tag attached no later than Sunday, December. 14.
The Food Bank would like to bless the 30 registered children with gifts at the December distribution. Starting November 16, you will have the opportunity to participate in purchasing a gift for a child in need. If you wish to participate, choose an angel gift tag marked with the child’s age from the tree set up in the back of the church. Please use the sign-up sheet to record your name next to the number and age listed on the angel. Then purchase a gift costing around twenty dollars. Return your unwrapped gift with the gift tag attached no later than Sunday, December. 14.
Zion is a church partner of the Bridgeville Area Food Bank, which is operated out of Bethany Presbyterian Church on Washington Rd. in Bridgeville. The food bank distributes non-perishable food and hygiene products to needy families within the Chartiers Valley and South Fayette communities. Our congregation collects food monthly for the Food Bank (monthly announcements -- like the one at the top of the page -- are in each Zion newsletter).
Barb Oechslein is Zion's volunteer Food Bank coordinator. Additional volunteers are always needed! If you're looking for a way to serve others and get involved in the community, reach out to Barb at barb@zlcb.org to learn more!