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
Membership
How do I become a member?
What is expected of church members?
All baptized Christians are members of the Body of Christ, period. To become a member, be baptized. There are no prerequisites for becoming a Christian and therefore a member. In fact, having membership to a “church” means you are actively becoming Christian; and not that you have finally and spiritually acquired or earned anything in particular. (Think Lutheran (verb) = the act of becoming Christian).
“The church as the Body of Christ and as a local congregation, an element in that body, implies a relationship that is not bordered by death. Instead, it brings promise of eternal relations with God in Christ.”
Christians are to consider their participation in the church of their choice as a gift, not an achievement. Grace is God’s gift to you, what you do with it is up to you. But there is exhilaration to being involved, being connected with your congregation or in creating a more vibrant one.
What do I need to do to prepare for baptism? For myself or for my child?
When can we meet with the Pastor?
Everyone is welcome to receive Holy Baptism, infants through adults. Although a person is baptized once, the gift of baptism continues throughout a Christian’s life. Children are nurtured in the faith through participation in worship and Sunday School; in their adolescent years they receive instruction in the basics of the Christian faith. The ongoing nurture of the faith is a part of our congregation’s ministries of education, fellowship and service.
If an adult is new to the Christian faith tradition, the pastor and a small group will meet with the person to explore the basics of the Christian faith.
Newcomers or congregational members are invited to contact Pastor Steve Klemz to schedule a baptism date. He will also meet with you to share the incredible promises and responsibilities entrusted in what he calls “the wet grace” of Holy Baptism.
Pastor Steve Klemz can be reached through the church office at 801-582-2321.
Confirmation is the affirmation of Baptism. This means saying YES to God’s promise.
Confirmation is for those young people who desire to publicly announce YES to God’s promise after the completion of a thorough study of the Ten Commandments, the Apostle’s Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, the Holy Communion and the Holy Baptism.
The Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church’s Confirmation is essentially a 3-year program that begins in the 7th grade and finishes in the 9th grade. Instruction is offered during the Sunday School hour each Sunday morning. The curriculum is basically the study of the Bible, Catechism and Living the Faith, which seeks to integrate the young person into the faith life of the congregation. Included in the 9th grader Confirmand program are special activities, group retreats and mentoring.
To tell when your child is ready to receive Communion, look for these three primary things:
1. The child has the desire,
2. The child has a fundamental understanding of what Communion is
3. You, as their parents, are ready to bring them to receive Communion.
The Pastor will usually meet the child and their families in classes to talk about Communion as the gift of God’s promise and the meaning of thanksgiving. There are specific Communion classes offered for 5th graders in Sunday School and for all at the commencement of Lent (the six week period prior to Easter Sunday).
Yes. All are welcome to receive Holy Communion, which is the gift of Christ’s promise of forgiveness “for you.”
The wine may be received by dipping the bread in the cup, or eating the bread and drinking from the cup. Individual cups are available in the silver trays for those who desire. Grape juice is clear, individual cups of wine are red.
