President’s Perspective

Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year! 
As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, I’ve been reflecting on how excited Mary and Joseph must have been as they waited for His arrival. That made me think about how excited Diana and I were as we awaited the amazing gifts God gave us, the births of our son and daughter. Those moments are ones I will never forget, filled with joy, anticipation, and gratitude. We prayed often for God’s guidance as we embraced the responsibility of parenthood. 

Christians often reflect on how Mary and Joseph must have felt, knowing that the child entrusted to them was the Savior of the world. I’m sure they prayed earnestly for God’s wisdom and strength. 

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
– Isaiah 9:6 

As you prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, remember to take time out of your busy schedule to join us for Advent or Christmas services as we honor this most precious gift, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year in the hope and peace of Christ. 

In Christ, 
Bob Schmidt 
Congregational President 

Lost and Found

FYI ... each Monday we find various items left at church ... jackets, glasses, gloves, cups, etc., so if you have misplaced an item and think you may have left it in church, please give the office at call at 412-221-4776, ext 203.  

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Here’s a perfect example
These YETI cups were left in church yesterday.
Feel free to pick them up in the church kitchen if they belong to you!  

Facing the Firsts - A Grief Support Event

Facing the Firsts – A Grief Support Event hosted by; Good Samaritan Hospice

Event location: Good Samaritan Hospice 116 Browns Hill Rd., Valencia, PA 16059 
Date: January 17, 2026
Time: 10:00 am- 1:00 pm

This grief workshop is designed to help individuals prepare for how to navigate those first holidays, birthdays and other special occasions, without their loved one being present. This year, we will also address the matter of, "sometimes the second year seems worst than the first." This workshop will also allow time for bereaved individuals to connect and share with one another. The Facing the Firsts ... workshop will be hosted by Good Samaritan Hospice Bereavement Coordinator, Marcia Jones-Washington. Please call to RSVP by Friday January 9, 2026. Lunch will be provided to all registered attendees. 

To Register Call: Good Samaritan Hospice: 1-800-720-2557 

Where Do You Fit?

Megan Pasquini talks about the Events Committee at Zion, and how it might be a good fit for you.

We Mourn the Loss of Gladys Kolljeski

Gladys Kolljeski
February 25, 1933 - January 7, 2026

Gladys Kolljeski, 92, of Bridgeville, passed away Wednesday, January 7, 2026, in Canonsburg Hospital. She was born February 25, 1933, in Cecil Township, a daughter of the late Joseph and Elizabeth Storm Scanny. Gladys was a faithful member of Zion Lutheran Church, Bridgeville; a member of the Cecil #3 Ladies Auxiliary; and a longtime volunteer with Cecil Township Parks and Recreation. She enjoyed cooking for her family, playing bingo, and spending time at the casino. Gladys is survived by her son, George (Linda) Kolljeski, Jr.; her grandchildren, Brandon Kolljeski (Annie Culleton) and Allyson (Joshua) Bell; and her great-grandchildren, Gavin Bell and Gunner Bell, all of Cecil Township. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, George Kolljeski, Sr.; and her sisters, Joan Kovach, Dolores Preaux, and Gloria Godfrey. Friends will be received from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, January 9, in Coleman-Taylor Funeral Services, 3378 Millers Run Road, Cecil, PA15321, where a funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, January 10, with Pastor John Patterson officiating. Interment will follow in Robinson Run Cemetery. To share memories or condolences, please visit www.coleman-taylorfuneralservices.com

We only became aware of Gladys Kolljeski’s passing on Sunday, January 11, 2026 — otherwise this information would have been posted in a timely manor.

VIDEO: Sunday, January 11, 2025 - Complete Service

View the bulletin for Sunday, January 11, 2026
Archive of AUDIO “Readings & Sermons”
Archive of VIDEO “Complete Service”
Archive of Bulletins

Audio: Readings & Sermon for Sunday, January 11, 2026

View the bulletin for Sunday, January 11, 2026
Archive of AUDIO “Readings & Sermons”
Archive of VIDEO “Complete Service”
Archive of Bulletins

Old Testament Reading -- Isaiah 42:1–9 
Behold my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen, in whom my soul delights;
I have put my Spirit upon him;
he will bring forth justice to the nations.
He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice,
or make it heard in the street; 
a bruised reed he will not break,
and a faintly burning wick he will not quench;
he will faithfully bring forth justice.
He will not grow faint or be discouraged
till he has established justice in the earth;
and the coastlands wait for his law.
Thus says God, the Lord,
who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth and what comes from it,
who gives breath to the people on it
and spirit to those who walk in it:
“I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness;
I will take you by the hand and keep you;
I will give you as a covenant for the people,
a light for the nations,
to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
from the prison those who sit in darkness.
I am the Lord; that is my name;
my glory I give to no other,
nor my praise to carved idols.
Behold, the former things have come to pass,
and new things I now declare;
before they spring forth
I tell you of them.” 

Epistle Reading – Romans 6:1–11 
What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. 

The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the third chapter
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.”