Greetings from South Jordan, Utah!
The move to 10128 S. Redwood Road (Suite I) in South Jordan has been wonderful. We continue to grow (slowly, but surely). Our new worship space works magnificently for worship (see photo). With the new space we are able to have more Bible studies, Sunday School for children and adults, potlucks, and monthly game nights. We are also partnering with St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in providing a local food pantry.
Christ the King Lutheran Church was in the South Jordan Countryfest Parade in June. Out float theme was “A Heritage of Religious Freedom.” We had three banners preceding the float, one saying “Jesus,” one saying “Forgiven,” and one saying “Rejoice.” As far as we know, we were the only church in the parade.
Thank you for your continued support and prayers for Christ the King in South Jordan!
Together in the ministry
of Christ our King,
Pastor Scott Stein
ZY Jam, Zion’s Youth Praise Band, will rehearse each Sunday immediately following worship.
ZY Jam is for Junior and Senior high school age youth. Questions, please see Susan Swidnicki or Brian Ruggles or contact Zion church 582-2321 about joining our band. This group will perform several times at Zion throughout the school year.
Get in on the fun!
THE REALITY OF SB 81 in UTAH
Senate Bill 81, called “Illegal Immigration”, has been touted by its legislators, the minutemen, and citizens that support it, as Utah’s way of dealing with all the “undocumented immigrants” residing in Utah. SB 81 is viewed by many of its supporters, as the solution for their frustration with the federal government’s failure to overhaul a broken system. It purports to make sure that no person without “documents”, receives public benefits, state identification, employment, or housing, and if any infraction is committed, that person is turned over to Immigration officials for deportation. But SB 81, presented as a solution to this country’s immigration crises, is a myth being perpetrated upon us all at great cost. The truth is that only federal comprehensive immigration reform can change the immigration situation in Utah.
In fact, SB 81 is creating a climate of fear, racial profiling and hate in a state that has always uniquely distinguished itself as a state founded by immigrants fleeing persecution; a state which values families, hard work and entrepreneurship. It is important for all residents of Utah to step back from the fear and hate and understand SB 81 is not the solution and must be repealed.
One of the most threatening parts of SB81, for us all, is the cross deputization of local law enforcement as Immigration officers. Our undocumented brothers and sisters live in constant fear of the police despite many of our counties and cities opting out of the program. Their solution is to live in the shadows. It can’t be that different than the fear the Jews had during the pogroms or when the Nazi’s knocked at their door. Everyone’s safety is put in jeopardy when immigrants do not feel safe to come forward with crucial information when crimes are committed against them, their families or the larger community. There are enough immigration agents in Utah without deputizing our law enforcement to do the job they did not sign up for. Likewise, Utah’s criminal law is more than sufficient to handle the crimes that are committed by people with documents or without. We don’t need the hate that this law has spawned when all our faith traditions preach a God of love and compassion. As people of faith let us work together to see that this law is repealed before the damage to this state and to all of us is irreparable.
Barbara Swezeda
Lawyer with the ACLU
Evangelical
Our congregation name is Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. We are members of the denomination called the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
We need to clarify and reclaim the meaning of the word, “evangelical.” Contrary to prevailing climate of opinion, “evangelical” is not connected with the “Christian Right” or any religious movement that zealously promotes certain causes.
The root of the word, evangelical, comes from the Greek and means, “good news” or “bringing the good news.” In Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, it means that we proclaim and share the really good news about God’s loving mission to save, heal, reconcile, and to set people free to live in God’s gracious acceptance for all people. We proclaim Jesus who welcomed those who had been cast aside, who shared his table with everyone, whose radical love has torn down every wall that separates us from God and one another. This is what it means for us to be evangelical, i.e. good news sharing and proclaiming people.
Pr. Steve
