Sunday School News
Upcoming Sunday School Schedule
Sunday, December 7th
Lesson 6 - A Living Truth: Jesus Rises
Sunday, December 14th
Lesson 7 - A Revealing Truth: The Emmaus Road
Sunday, December 21st
CHRISTMAS PARTY
Sunday, December 28th
Lesson 8 - An Ascending Truth: Jesus Ascends
Sunday, January 4th
Lesson 9 - A Telling Truth: Pentecost
Sunday, January 11th
Lesson 10 - A Servant Speaks: Stephen
Sunday, January 18th
Lesson 11 - A Deacon Delivers: Philip and an Ethiopian
Sunday, January 25th
Lesson 12 - An Enemy Converts: Saul
*Enduring Faith Unit 3, "Jesus Teaches His Church"
Sunday, December 7th
Lesson 6 - A Living Truth: Jesus Rises
Sunday, December 14th
Lesson 7 - A Revealing Truth: The Emmaus Road
Sunday, December 21st
CHRISTMAS PARTY
Sunday, December 28th
Lesson 8 - An Ascending Truth: Jesus Ascends
Sunday, January 4th
Lesson 9 - A Telling Truth: Pentecost
Sunday, January 11th
Lesson 10 - A Servant Speaks: Stephen
Sunday, January 18th
Lesson 11 - A Deacon Delivers: Philip and an Ethiopian
Sunday, January 25th
Lesson 12 - An Enemy Converts: Saul
Sunday School Mission
Please don’t forget our mission fundraising project, "Praise Him Africa" sponsored by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation. We are raising money to produce Lutheran song books ($5.00/book) for African children, printed in Swahili Remember your M&M (“mission money”) tubes that we handed out earlier in the year -- a good place to collect loose change!
Sunday, December 13th at 1:30 pm
Zion Sunday School and Youth Groups are coming together to sing carols to residents of Concordia senior care in Bridgeville (see announcement on opposite page!) Members of all ages are encouraged to join us!
Sunday, December 21st … A BIG day for our Sunday School!
Tess Carter has completed the children’s Christmas video, which will be shown after BOTH worship services. Mark Killinger has been working with the children for their Christmas song performance during the late service. During the Sunday school hour on the 21st, we will be starting off in the Fellowship Hall at 9:15 singing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus while enjoying some birthday cake. After cake we’ll practice our Christmas song in the Sanctuary prior to singing it during worship, then we finish in Room 205 in the school wing for some more activities.
We all look forward to the video and the song performance, so please make sure your children are in Sunday School throughout December to practice!
Pastor’s Corner
God is With Us
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).
- Matthew 1:23
Forget the presents. Ignore all the food. Enjoy friends and family, but don’t let your joy stop there. During this time of year, there is only one reason to have true, lasting joy – God has taken on human flesh, forever.
God has taken on “flesh” in many ways throughout time. God walked in Eden (Gen. 3:8). He came to Moses in a burning bush (Exodus 3:6). He led the people of Israel out of Egypt as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21). He literally sat on top of the ark of the covenant between the two cherubim (1 Sam. 4:4). God has been taking on different forms of “flesh” ever since Eden, but they all pale in comparison to what Christ has done for you at Christmas. He took on OUR flesh.
Click the link below to read the complete article …
God is With Us
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).
- Matthew 1:23
Forget the presents. Ignore all the food. Enjoy friends and family, but don’t let your joy stop there. During this time of year, there is only one reason to have true, lasting joy – God has taken on human flesh, forever.
God has taken on “flesh” in many ways throughout time. God walked in Eden (Gen. 3:8). He came to Moses in a burning bush (Exodus 3:6). He led the people of Israel out of Egypt as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21). He literally sat on top of the ark of the covenant between the two cherubim (1 Sam. 4:4). God has been taking on different forms of “flesh” ever since Eden, but they all pale in comparison to what Christ has done for you at Christmas. He took on OUR flesh.
He took on our flesh with all its weaknesses, our flesh with all its temptations, our flesh with its many limitations, our flesh that is subject to pain, and hunger, and tiredness. God took on all these limitations willingly. But it was not enough for Jesus to just take on human flesh. He did this for a very good reason. Jesus took on human flesh so He could suffer, die, and rise from the dead. In Christ’s incarnation, we have truly been given the greatest gift of all time. His death and His resurrection have now become our death to sin and our resurrection to eternal life.
You truly have so much to be thankful for at Christmas, but make sure you look past the lights, the trees, the gifts, and the food. Take joy in what Christ has done for you by coming in your flesh to save you from all sins and even save you from death itself.
- Pastor Grimenstein
VIDEO: Sunday, December 7, 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 & Bell Choir for Sunday, December 7, 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, December 7, 2025
Archive of AUDIO “Readings & Sermons”
Archive of VIDEO “Complete Service”
Archive of Bulletins
Old Testament Reading – Isaiah 11:1–10
There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.
He shall not judge by what his eyes see,
or decide disputes by what his ears hear,
but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist,
and faithfulness the belt of his loins.
The wolf shall dwell with the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat,
and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together;
and a little child shall lead them.
The cow and the bear shall graze;
their young shall lie down together;
and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra,
and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den.
They shall not hurt or destroy
in all my holy mountain;
for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.
In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.
Men’s Choir -- Prepare the Royal Highway (10:30 am)
Epistle Reading – Romans 15:4–13
Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,
“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles,
and sing to your name.”
And again it is said,
“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”
And again,
“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.”
And again Isaiah says,
“The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.”
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the third chapter
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 for 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 with 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.”
Bell Choir -- Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending (8 am)
Spiritual Conversations: Part 4 of 4 Videos
PART 4 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.
Special Downloads for Part 4 of 4:
Download: Curve Graphic
Click the graphic above to watch part 4
PART 4 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.
Special Downloads for Part 4 of 4:
Download: Curve Graphic
These are the same downloads that were included with part 1
Download: Eager Profile Inventory
Calling All Musicians
Attention all musicians! We are looking for people to perform for prelude at the 2:00 and 7:00pm services on Christmas Eve. If you are interested in performing, please email Mark Killinger at Killingermued@hotmail.com with the following information: Which service you plan to attend, and the name and duration of the piece. If you are interested and available to perform at both services, please indicate that as well.
Attention all musicians! We are looking for people to perform for prelude at the 2:00 and 7:00pm services on Christmas Eve. If you are interested in performing, please email Mark Killinger at Killingermued@hotmail.com with the following information: Which service you plan to attend, and the name and duration of the piece. If you are interested and available to perform at both services, please indicate that as well.
Bulletin: Sunday, December 7, 2025 + This Week at Zion
Download/view the latest bulletin. It’s filled with our hymns, the order of service, all the readings from scripture, prayer requests for family & friends, service participants, communion statement, about our worship, the schedule of events for this coming weeks, along with announcements, news updates, happenings, and more!
View the bulletin for Sunday, December 7, 2025
Archive of AUDIO “Readings & Sermons”
Archive of VIDEO “Complete Service”
Archive of Bulletins
THIS WEEK AT ZION
Saturday, December 6
9:00 a.m. - CANCELED - Due to Cold Weather, Outdoor Fall Clean-up
10:00 a.m. - STILL ON SCHEDULE - Church Christmas Decorating & Luncheon
Sunday, December 7
2nd Sunday of Advent
8:00 a.m. — Worship Service with Communion
9:15 a.m. — Adult/Teen Bible Study & Sunday School
10:30 a.m. — Worship Service with Communion
(The 8:00 a.m. service streamed on our YouTube channel)
Monday, December 8
7:00 p.m. - Preschool Christmas Program
Tuesday, December 9
7:00 p.m. - Preschool Christmas Program
Wednesday, December 10
2:00 p.m. - Advent Worship Service - Week 2
7:00 p.m. - Advent Worship Service - Week 2
(Service streamed on our YouTube channel)
Thursday, December 11
7:00 p.m. - Preschool Christmas Program
Friday, December 12
No Events Scheduled
Saturday, December 13
1:30 p.m. - Christmas Caroling at Concordia Bridgeville (Formerly Country Meadows)
Additional Details
Sunday, December 14
3rd Sunday of Advent
8:00 a.m. — Worship Service with Communion
9:15 a.m. — Adult/Teen Bible Study & Sunday School
10:30 a.m. — Worship Service with Communion
5:00 p.m. - Ladies Dinner & Ornament Exchange (Additional Details)
(The 8:00 a.m. service streamed on our YouTube channel)
CLICK THE UPCOMING EVENTS GRAPHIC to go directly to our UPCOMING EVENTS page