Author: Pastor Stephen Heimer

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Renewed Joy

If God sees the sparrow fall,

paints the lily short and tall,

gives the sky its azure hue,

surely then He cares for you

-author unknown, inspired by Matthew 6:25-34

What are the Words of scripture that stir up joy in your heart?  Tell someone about it this month.

Each week in May we will read and sing at Zion about the dramatic events that challenged Christ’s followers after His resurrection. Surprisingly, joy and the promise of joy surrounds the hard that we will read about. Christ is risen! Get ready to rejoice with them as Christ lifts us up also amid our present struggles.  Every Sunday touches on an element of joy that Christ brings to our lives.  Christ is risen, which means our Good Shepherd holds our present and future life in His grace, dominion, and love.  

Reading together from the Psalms, the book of Acts, Revelation, and the Gospel of John, we will meditate on the surprising context for Christian joy in the Bible.  Joy, enduring joy, is rooted in Jesus, His death for us, His resurrection, His ongoing rule and shepherding, and His sending us to be witnesses of salvation to others near and far.  Joy surely is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5). Joy in Christ overcomes:

  • our own weak faith (May 1)
  • imprisonment and martyrdom (May 8)
  • cultural conflict and the “birthing pains” of Christ’s mission (May 15)
  • our shortcomings in service to him (May 22)
  • the ascension’s “out of sight” mission for believers (May 29)

If joy seems absent in your heart.  Don’t worry, Christ will renew your joy.  Now in Easter awe, let us together consider the witness of those first followers of Christ and, “Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Each of this month’s weekly memory verses contains an element of Christ’s gift of renewed joy:

  • May 1st “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing” Ps 30:11
  • May 8th “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Revelation 7:17
  • May 15th “You have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice” John 16:22
  • May 22nd “Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” John 16:24
  • May 29th “Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy! For the Lord, the Most High, is to be feared, a great king over all the earth.” Psalm 47:1–2.

In Christ’s Joy,

Pastor Stephen

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Sermon – “Walk With Me”

“The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:8-9 (ESV)


Today on this first Sunday in Lent we ask Jesus to walk with us in life and into eternity in His love. Our Gospel reading from Luke chapter 4 reminds us that Jesus knows what it is like to walk alone in life under the attack of the devil’s temptations. Jesus overcame temptation during His forty days in the wilderness, employing scripture against satan’s lies.

(“Thank you, Jesus for your purposeful walk in human flesh and perfect resistance to sin and satan. Thank you for taking our sin to the cross so that we may call upon Your victorious name in our journey and know You will save.”)

Today’s Gospel reading reminds us of the powerful weapon and shield that God gives us against sin and satan and how important it is to learn it and use it. This weapon and shield is God’s Word.

We observe the devil using God’s word, trying to tempt Jesus away from His mission to save us. Jesus responds to the temptations with His perfect understanding of the divine truths of scripture, undoing the devil’s distortions. It has been satan’s tactic from the beginning, even in the garden of Eden, to twist scripture and mislead humanity. We have an enemy that was so bold as to walk with Jesus in the wilderness and try to turn Him toward dark, evil paths. Don’t think this evil one would not try to tempt us. Fortunately the same Jesus who overcame satan in the wilderness remained steadfast in His mission to defeat sin, satan, and death itself. “It is finished!” He declared from the cross. (John 19:30) Gods promises that, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13). This Word from God to us emboldens us in our life journey to confront our sin with repentant prayer, turning it over to Jesus. “Forgive me, Oh Lord! Save me, Jesus!” Because Jesus is victorious, is risen, and is our Good Shepherd, King of heaven and earth, we rejoice in perfect forgiveness and salvation and are invited to walk boldly through life, praying, “Lord, walk with me.”

Jesus does walk with us. When our flesh and satan would tempt us we remember the Lord’s promise, “I am with you always to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:20). When sin and satan attempt to turn your eyes away from Christ’s victory, God’s Word reminds us to live as champion warriors whose home in heaven is won:

Ephesians 6:10–18: “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.”

If we are at a loss for words in these times of attack, pray,”Lord walk with me. Or Lord, save me.” Or as Jesus teaches, “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. (deliver us from the evil one)

In John 16:33 Jesus encourages His disciples, and it is also an encouragement to us, “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

The Lord grant you strength in His Word and presence, in His forgiveness and mission calling as He walks with you today and into eternal glory.

HYMN: “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me”

1. I want Jesus to walk with me; I want Jesus to walk with me; All along my pilgrim journey, Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.

2. In my trials, Lord, walk with me; In my trials, Lord, walk with me; When my heart is almost breaking, Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.

3. When I’m troubled, Lord, walk with me; When I’m troubled, Lord, walk with me; When my head is bowed in sorrow, Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.

(Hymn Text: Public domain found in the hymnal: One and All Rejoice #200 Concordia Publishing House)

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Video Bible Study This Week – February 7 – 13, 2022

“Lessons for Liturgy, Lessons for Life”

Scripture Study leading to Sunday, February 13, 2022

Pastor Emeritus Howard Patten and Pastor Stephen Heimer examine the upcoming scripture lessons for February 13, 2022, the Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany.

Scripture:

  • Jeremiah 17:5–8
  • 1 Corinthians 15:1–20
  • Luke 6:17–26
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Outdoor Communion Service? Rain?

Due to rain, we will not hold the outdoor service today (August 15).

We are still holding the indoor/online 9:15am Bible study and 10:30am communion service. Drive safely.

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“At Home in the Word” This Week – June 28 – July 4, 2021

Repetition yields memorization, contemplation, and deeper understanding.  Draw from these scriptures, prayers, catechetical materials, and hymn(s) throughout your week of personal and family devotion, prayer, or homeschool family instruction. Then let them resonate in new ways as we all gather together in worship on Sunday.

This Week’s Theme: “Opportunity to Love”

Download “Opportunity to Love” At-Home Devotional Materials

Memory Verse Graphic

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Video Bible Study This Week June 21-27, 2021

“Lessons for Liturgy, Lessons for Life”

Scripture Study leading to Sunday, June 27, 2021

“Lessons for Liturgy, Lessons for Life” Pastor Emeritus Howard Patten and Pastor Stephen Heimer examine the upcoming Bible readings for Sunday, June 27, 2021, the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost.

Scripture:

  • Lamentations 3:22–33
  • 2 Corinthians 8:1–9, 13–15
  • Mark 5:21–43
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Video Bible Study This Week June 14-20, 2021

“Lessons for Liturgy, Lessons for Life”

Scripture Study leading to Sunday, June 20, 2021

“Lessons for Liturgy, Lessons for Life” Pastor Emeritus Howard Patten and Pastor Stephen Heimer examine the upcoming Bible readings for Sunday, June 20, 2021, the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost.

Scripture:

  • Job 38:1–11
  • 2 Corinthians 6:1–13
  • Mark 4:35–41