Youth Group: Spring Retreat May 15-17

Zion youth are going on a Spring Retreat May 15-17, 2026 
Save the date for a fun-filled weekend retreat that your middle/high school aged-child won’t want to end! At Pioneer on the Lake -- a Lutheran Camp and Retreat Center on the shores of beautiful Lake Erie -- weekend retreats are packed with meaningful worship, relevant teaching, devotion time, a hands-on service project, and awesome Christian fellowship with friends, both new and familiar. Add in fun games and camp activities, and it’s a weekend that’s both spiritually impactful and incredibly memorable. 

More details to come !!! 

Exploring God’s World through STEM

Children are curious. It is a vital part of who they are as developing humans. At Zion Preschool, a class for 4 and 5 year olds channels students’ innate curiosity toward the discovery of things about the world around them. And, best of all, they’re learning that this amazing world was designed and created by their Lord and Savior! 

I teach this class -- called STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) -- three days a week, for several sessions each day. I’ve been a Zion preschool teacher and church member for more than 30 years, and I’ve also been an avid STEM explorer myself from childhood. So, when I was considering retirement in 2019, God gave me an idea that would reduce my hours in the classroom and allow me to focus on a subject I love. 

STEM is a special “breakout” session from the preschool day; I take 5-7 students to a separate classroom to LISTEN, OBSERVE, and EXPLORE on an area of STEM. For example, one lesson is about wind and what causes it, which integrates nicely with one of the Bible stories that Pastor teaches the children in chapel: Jesus Calms the Storm. Before beginning the STEM class, I ask the children if they remember our Bible story of Jesus calming the wind and waves when he was out on a lake with his disciples. Then I explain that today we’re going to learn about wind, and that it’s an awesome force in our world, but our God is even more awesome. 

Some lessons are tied to holidays and events. In December, kids learn that coding is simply putting things in the correct order, or “sequence”. They’ve already heard the Bible story of Mary and Joseph’s travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem before Jesus’ birth, so I use simple coding cards to help kids plot a path between the two ancient towns and arrive at the spot where Jesus was born. 

Savannah Killinger uses a coding mouse during STEM. Her goal: To put code in the right sequence for the mouse to reach a cheese treat. 

In February, I like to contrast the cute hearts we see drawn on Valentine’s cards with pictures of what the heart inside our body actually looks like, and the work it does for us. I also take the opportunity to explain that life is precious because God made it. He formed us, and each of us had our own beating heart even before we were born when we lived inside our mothers. An apt lesson for children today! 

Over the past seven years as a STEM teacher, there have been a few occasions when I’ve pondered whether to continue in the classroom, or step back from teaching to enjoy more leisurely pursuits in retirement. As any grandparent can attest, some days keeping up with energetic four year olds is quite challenging physically and mentally. But then God puts a Bible verse on my heart and I know He wants me to continue … 

O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come. Psalm 71:17-18 

My hope and prayer is that when I decide to ease into retirement someday, God will prepare another teacher to embrace the integration of STEM and Biblical principles for all His children at Zion. 

Bulletin: Wednesday, April 29, 2026

View the bulletin for Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Archive of AUDIO “Readings & Sermons”
Archive of VIDEO “Complete Service”
Archive of Bulletins

2:00 p.m. - Worship Service
2:30 p.m. - Bible Study: The Book of Galatians
This service will be LIVE STREAMED on our YouTube Channel

2026 MEN’S RETREAT

Men’s Retreat: Lutheran Laymen's League Eastern & Ohio District’s
May 29th - May 31st 2026
Pioneer on the Lake - 9324 Lake Shore Road, Angola, NY 14006

Interested in Attending?
Please call or eMail the Zion church office, as there may be other Zion men interested in forming a group. 

You can also contact Camp Pioneer directly at 716-383-6157
Our annual Men’s Retreat brings Christian men together for a weekend of spiritual growth, fellowship, and renewal – helping them step away from distractions and return home strengthened as leaders, husbands, fathers, and servants of Chrisst.

Retreat Speaker: 
Rev Gregory Seltz, Executive Director of Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty and Speaker Emeritus of Lutheran Hour Ministries 

You can also go to https://pioneeronthelake.com/mens-retreat to learn more.
Registration deadline is May 15th! 

Christ on Campus

A Letter to LSF and First Trinity 
By Ross George, Master’s of Public & International Affairs, University of Pittsburgh ‘06 

I thank God every time I remember you. I want to let you all know that I am enrolled in Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne. I recently completed my first year, and I earned high marks in all my classes, thanks be to God! It is difficult work, and I am giving it my best effort. My decision to attend seminary and, God willing, to be ordained as an undershepherd to the Shepherd’s flock was due in no small part to both the time I spent at First Trinity, and as a participant in its Campus Ministry. 

Attending the University of Pittsburgh was the first time I had left home and my church. My pastors warned me that when young adults leave home for the first time they either fall away from church or fall more into it. Thanks be to God for First Trinity. The Lord provided housing within walking distance and used First Trinity’s divine service and the LSF to minister to my needs. The opportunities to meet outside of class and outside of Sunday services were exactly what I needed. 

Since moving on from Pittsburgh in 2006, the LORD has continued to provide. I was blessed with confessional churches and faithful pastors. I have also been blessed with a wonderful, God-fearing family—Jenni (married eight years); Ethan (7); Audrey (5); and Clara (3) [pictured Dec 2024]. They have been reared in church and all of them actively participate in the service. God is good. May God grant us the opportunity to visit soon. 

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The Lutheran Student Fellowship-Int’l Student Ministry serves the Pittsburgh university community (Pitt, CMU, Chatham, Carlow, Duquesne, CCAC, Point Park, et al). Campus Pastor Eric Andrae (First Trinity, Oakland) engages students who want to learn more about the Lutheran faith and experience how the Divine Service connects us to Christ, each other, and the Church of the ages. Today’s student has a place here! To join LSF, or learn more about supporting our ministry, visit lsfpgh.com. 

ATTENTION: Military Service Members and Veterans

ATTENTION: Military Service Members and Veterans
In commemoration of our nation’s 250th anniversary, we would like to collect some basic information from our members who serve, or have served, in the military. Please email or call the church office at secretary@zlcb.org/412-221-4776 (ext 203), with the following information no later than Monday, May 4h: Your Name, Branch of Service, Your Rank when Service was Completed, Location(s) in which you Served . Thank you! 

Bible Study: Sunday, April 19, 2026

Bible Study for Sunday April 19, 2026
Lead by Rev. Dr. Edward O. Grimenstein of Zion Lutheran Church, Bridgeville, PA.
Online at https://www.zlcb.org/
In this week's Bible Study, we will be reviewing John 9:1-41.