El Paso, Texas LCMS
“Lessons for Liturgy, Lessons for Life” Pastor Emeritus Howard Patten and Pastor Stephen Heimer examine the upcoming scripture lessons for Sunday, December 13, 2020, the Third Sunday in Advent
Scripture:
Download: “Rejoice Again!” At-Home Devotional Materials(pdf)
Learn more about Zion’s “At Home in the Word” Weekly resource.
“Lessons for Liturgy, Lessons for Life” Pastor Emeritus Howard Patten and Pastor Stephen Heimer examine the upcoming scripture lessons for Sunday, December 6, 2020, the Second Sunday in Advent
Scripture:
Download: “God’s Great Shake-Up” At-Home Devotional Materials (pdf)
Learn more about Zion’s “At Home in the Word” Weekly resource.
In-Person and via Live-stream, our mid-week Advent Services of Evening Prayer will begin at 7pm Mountain Time each Wednesday. Would you be interested in attending an outdoor service mid-week service? Fill out this quick 3-question survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MYS7N6F
John 1:1–18 introduces one of the Bible’s greatest and grandest books—the Gospel according to St. John. These eighteen verses contain some of the most important words written—ever. They explode with light and brilliance, truth and grace. And John 1:1–18 is chock full of dearly loved Advent and Christmas themes, with the most famous one being, “The Word became flesh.” (John 1:14). That’s the focus of this series of sermons on John 1:1–18. The lineup is as follows:
Advent 1, Wednesday, December 2nd – “You Have My Word!” (John 1:1–5)
John 1:1–18 These verses are rich in light and life, truth and grace. They are some of the most important words ever
written! God has given his to you. It’s a Word connected to creation and connected to God—all so he can be forever connected to you. Connected to you as the Light that shines (shines!) in your darkness! So slow down. Take a deep breath. There’s no need to panic. God says, “You have my Word.” And what an awesome Word it is. His name? Jesus!
Advent 2, Wednesday, December 9th – “A Man Named John” (John 1:6–9, 15)
The biggest bully on the block of life is a liar and the father of lies. We know him as the devil and Satan. And Satan hits us with his lies and rubs our face in our dirt. That’s why God sent a man named John— John the Baptist.
Advent 3, Wednesday, December 16th – “Chosen Children” (John 1:12b)
Your heavenly Father comes looking for you. That’s the message of John 1:12. You are his chosen and baptized child, forevermore!
Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24th – “The Word Dwelt Among Us” (John 1:14)
“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1:14a) Christ did it all for demoted, devalued, and dismissed people. He did it all for us!
Christmas Day, Friday, December 25th – “We Have Seen His Glory!” (John 1:14)
If you need a Savior from sin, a Friend who loves at all times and a Redeemer who restores and renews, it’s time to open your eyes and this day join the faithful in saying, “We have seen his glory!”
Historically, the Gospel of John is likened to an eagle—an image suggesting that John soars to awesome heights of glory and grandeur. As we begin Advent and dig deep into John 1:1–18, get ready to fly!
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A Blessed Christmas
May the Savior, Jesus Christ, lift your hearts this Advent and Christmas season. Call out to Him in every need. Also give me, an elder, or another brother and sister in Christ at Zion a call when you need an ear, a prayer, or an encouragement. COVID has caused great loss of many kinds this year, and there may be other strains weighing on you. We care and want to be part of God’s life-line in Jesus to you this month (and always). God is with us. He will see us through these times. “Immanuel” God is With Us! and is ever ready to lift us up and set exactly where we need to be to share the good news of His salvation.
In Christ’s love,
Pastor Stephen Heimer
Please take one minute to fill out this 3-question survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MYS7N6F
We are open for in-person worship with special measures in place. For at-home worship, here are links to the video stream, bulletins, and more:
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Mail Offerings to: Zion Lutheran Church, 2800 Pershing Dr., El Paso, TX 79903
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“Lessons for Liturgy, Lessons for Life” Pastor Emeritus Howard Patten and Pastor Stephen Heimer examine the upcoming scripture lessons for Sunday, November 29, 2020, the First Sunday in Advent.
Scripture:
Download: “We Pray, ‘Come Lord Jesus'” At-Home Devotional Materials (pdf)
Learn more about Zion’s “At Home in the Word” Weekly resource.
Download: “Family Thanksgiving” At-Home Devotional Materials(pdf)
Learn more about Zion’s “At Home in the Word” Weekly resource.
SERVICE OF LIGHT
Jesus Christ is the Light of the world, the light no darkness can overcome. Stay with us, Lord, for it is evening, and the day is almost over. Let Your light scatter the darkness and illumine Your Church. The Spirit and the Church cry out: Come, Lord Jesus. All those who await His appearance pray: Come, Lord Jesus. The whole creation pleads: Come, Lord Jesus.
PHOS HILARON
Joyous light of glory: of the immortal Father; heavenly, holy, blessed Jesus Christ. We have come to the setting of the sun, and we look to the evening light. We sing to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: You are worthy of being praised with pure voices forever. O Son of God, O Giver of life: the universe proclaims Your glory.
THANKSGIVING FOR LIGHT
Blessèd are You, O Lord our God, king of the universe, who led Your people Israel by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Enlighten our darkness by the light of Your Christ; may His Word be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path; for You are merciful, and You love Your whole creation and we, Your creatures, glorify You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
PSALM 141
Let my prayer rise before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. O Lord, I call to You; come to me quickly; hear my voice when I cry to You. Let my prayer rise before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Set a watch before my mouth, O Lord, and guard the door of my lips. Let not my heart incline to any evil thing; let me not be occupied in wickedness with evildoers. But my eyes are turned to You, O God; in You I take refuge. Strip me not of my life. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Let my prayer rise before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
PSALM 70
Make haste, O God, to deliver me! O Lord, make haste to help me! Let them be put to shame and confusion who seek my life! Let them be turned back and brought to dishonor who desire my hurt! Let them turn back because of their shame who say, “Aha, Aha!” May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you! May those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great!” But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay!
PSALM 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.