BLUE
The color for hope. The liturgical color for the Advent season, heralding our Advent prayer: “Come, Lord Jesus.” Overheard from Let Me Shine Preschool children, “My school is in the blue church.” Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church – the place of hope, the gathering place with Jesus. BLUE NO MORE The blue walls are gone, replaced. Alas, they could not contain our hope, to be wise stewards of our carbon footprint. CROSS SHAPED The blue walls are gone, but they are now transformed, redeemed. Cut into pieces, they are etched with the sign of the cross. Jesus said of the cross, “I, when I am lifted up, will draw all to me.” Paul said of the cross, “it has broken down the dividing wall of hostility.” Behold, the cross shaped wall has become a gospel bridge. MILAGRO DE LA FRONTERA --- Miracle at the Border With your donations, these crosses created a miracle. True to their blue character, they are a miracle of hope for Cristo Rey Lutheran Church, El Paso. Pastor Rose Mary reports: “We received 22 asylum seekers today. They came tired, hungry and seemed lost. They ate, registered, received new clothing, showered, ate dinner and began to relax. As always, we welcomed them we offered God’s hope and love to his children. Thank you for being mission partners with your support for Immigration and Refugee Ministry.” HOSPITALITY REPLACES HOSTILITY The bridge of hospitality replaces the wall of hostility. Thank you for opening the borders of your hearts. Thank you for your generosity! To date, $3,318 has been raised for Cristo Rey. Thank you for your prayers and support for Juan de Dios Lopez. Thank you, Bob Hackworth, Jimmy Krzysik and Christian Hackworth, for your labor of love, crafting the crosses. Caminante, no hay puentes se hace punetes al andar. (Voyager, there are no bridges, one builds them as one walks.) --- Gloria E. Anzaldúa With Christ, Pastor Steve
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Announcements. We have sung hymns, received the Word and celebrated the great grace of Christ’s “for you” in the Holy Meal. Now we anticipate the holy rhythm of worship’s conclusion: “Go in peace. Serve the Lord.” But, before we go: “Announcements.” (More than once assisting minister Denny Gross has introduced them as “Zion’s commercials.”) Our announcements are typical of many churches, which share various congregational concerns: receptions, ice cream socials, the Salmon Run and fundraisers like the Olivia Rose Golf Tournament. But listen carefully to this summer’s announcements. They embraced a unique theme in the many ways we are connecting through grace in our community and the world. Seventh grader Berkley announced that she was selling home made slime, so that she could purchase toys for activity bags for children in Primary Children’s Hospital. (she made 34 bags) Brant Parker Graham invited us to his band’s concert at Zion. The MAD (Make A Difference) Band raised thousands for the Youth Resource Center, which supports and shelters homeless and at-risk teens. During all the “Bread Sundays,” we were encouraged to join Bread for the World http://www.bread.org/ John Krehbiel asked that we consider school supply donations for Bright Minds Daycare, serving refugee children. We were invited to address those difficult-to-talk-about-social-justice-issues at monthly Social Action Forums. Volunteers responded to requests to provide meals for Family Promise and the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Journey for Justice Caravan. Then there are the crosses. Yes, we are requesting donations for crosses, cut out of our old exterior wall, raising funds for Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey, El Paso. The funds will support the congregation’s ministry with family reunification and border ministries. Have you noticed how the announcements give witness to the many and various ways we are caught up in God’s loving service to the world? You are amazing people, Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. Don’t be surprised if the announcements replace the sermon for a Sunday sometime soon. The sermon would begin, “Listen to the various ways the Holy Spirit is moving in and among and through us.” Announcements follow. Then we will conclude with a loud, “Amen!” Pastor Steven Klemz The Cross For Luther, it is the great exchange, the sweet swap. At the place of the cross God has taken away the sins of the world and has dropped them down the dark hole of Jesus’ death. On the cross, God has shut up forever on the subject of guilt: “There is now therefore no condemnation….” At the cross God replaces our sin with righteousness; and, for us in the place of dying, gives Christ’s life and joy and peace.
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February 2022
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ZION EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH1070 Foothill Drive
Salt Lake City, UT 84108 [email protected] 801-582-2321 Summer Office Hours: June 3 - August 30, 2024 Monday - Thursday, 9:00 am-2:00 pm Zion is a congregation of the Rocky Mountain Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). CLICK HERE to explore the Rocky Mountain Synod CLICK HERE to explore the ELCA |
We are a church
on a mission to proclaim Christ through word and deed. |
CLICK HERE for directions to Zion
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