If you prefer using your phone or tablet, you can download the Vanco Mobile app from either the App Store or Google Play, depending on your type of phone. You can easily set up an account and donation through the app.
If you prefer using your phone or tablet, you can download the Vanco Mobile app from either the App Store or Google Play, depending on your type of phone. You can easily set up an account and donation through the app.
“Have you thought about coming to church here? We have a service in English.” That was all I said during a light hearted conversation with a man who told me he hadn’t yet found a new church after his had closed a few years before. He hadn’t been very eager to visit churches, feeling the loss of years of life spent at the now-gone congregation. Hearing my suggestion, he thought about it for a second, and then his eyes lit up and he replied, “You know, I think I will.” He and his wife came to visit the next Sunday and soon joined as members. Their final years of life were joyful at San Pablo Lutheran Church and their presence was a blessing to others. Some of you may know them: Bob and Mary Charske. I wasn’t a pastor at the time. I was just a twenty-something year old member of the church, working for YLM.
It was beautiful to worship with the Charskes, and know them, and accompany them as a church during what ended up being the final few years of their life. Jesus soon called them home to heaven, but first gave us some years together. Only God knew that the timing of the simple conversation and the simple invitation would lead us to enjoy sweet communion in His Grace. Only God knew what help and healing was needed and received and shared among us all. God be praised. He knows us, and as we are, He chooses to include us in His mission of Grace to the world. Everyone of us are His witnesses. We believe in Jesus and We proclaim Him among the nations.
“[God] was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. (1 Timothy 3:16).” When we wake up each new day, it is a reawakening to thoughts about at least these three miracles: 1) We exist (creation is the first miracle revealed in scripture) 2) We aren’t in heaven yet (a miracle of God’s restraint, His patient love that sustains all of us, in spite of creation’s brokenness, as He brings new generations of His beloved people to birth and new birth in Christ) 3) We are alive in the gracious mission of Jesus (a miracle of stewardship and Grace that Jesus would commission us and equip us to be His witnesses)
We enter this new year with wonder about what miracles of faith newly kindled and reignited in family members we might see. We wonder who we will meet, who God has always known who now will become near and dear to us in the Church.
All of 2024 is a new year of life in Christ’s mission that will present us with His comforting Gospel and also with challenging tests, with stretching of comfort zones, with healing, and with growing together through learning, working, and communing.
Beginning on January 7th, I will lead the weekly Sunday Adult Bible Study. We will examine Jesus Himself and people’s moments of witness in response to His unique words and actions. We’ll examine Christ’s promises surrounding the sharing of the Good News. This study will lead us at the end of the month into the six-week “Every One His Witness: Lutheran Evangelism ” lessons/videos/discussions created by Mark Wood of LCMS National Missions. The insights we’ll learn will help guide our understanding of “every day witness”, (anywhere, as you live your life, witness) and I pray remove any nervousness you may have about the prospect of sharing the Good News. Make a New Year resolution to grow in Christian Witness with us on Sundays at 9:15.
In Christ’s peace, Pastor Stephen
This article, news, and information is found in our January 2024 newsletter, available by mail, email, of pickup in the church entryway and office. Let us know if you wish to subscribe to receive this monthly publication.
Whereas, Zion Lutheran Church was organized in 1898 under the leadership of Rev. Huebotter and a small group of dedicated members, meeting in various locations in Downtown El Paso before constructing its first church building in 1900 on San Antonio St.; and
Whereas, Zion Lutheran Church quickly became a place of worship that also served numerous soldiers deployed to Fort Bliss, drawing so many people that they began plans to dedicate a new building and property to accommodate this growing number of attendees; and
Whereas, in October of 1922 the cornerstone was laid for a new building for Zion Lutheran Church to call home and dedicated less than a year later in January of 1923 and the year 2023 will mark the 100th anniversary of the sanctuary itself: and
Whereas, El Pasoans not only gathered at Zion Lutheran Church for worship and growth in their Christian faith, providing chaplain services in the early years of Thomason Hospital, provided services to Deming, New Mexico, and started working with businesses, governments, nonprofits, hospitals, and schools, eventually becoming the mother church of Lutheran congregations throughout El Paso, New Mexico, and Ciudad Juarez; and
Whereas, we give pause, honor, and praise this day for the deep and abiding commitment of those, who in faith, began this work, and for all those who have given so unselfishly during these many years to help this church grow and thrive, and provide valuable human services where the need was great; and
Whereas, the City of El Paso expresses best wishes to the members of Zion Lutheran Church as they are the oldest entity in Five Points with 125 years of service to the El Paso community;
Now, Therefore, Be It Proclaimed: by the Mayor and Council of the City of El Paso that December 31, 2023, shall be known as:
“ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH DAY”.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the official seal of the City of El Paso to be affixed this 31 day of December A.D., 2023 Mayor Oscar Leeser
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Service of Prayer and Mission – Non-Communion Service
The First Sunday after Christmas
Sermon Theme: “Generation to Generation Blessed”
Today we bring our 125th anniversary year to a close and pray the Lord to bless this new generation living in El Paso and Ciudad Juarez in this new year. The special anniversary mission offering we have been gathering reflects Christ’s commission to shine His light locally, regionally, and globaly with the redemptive joy and Good News that has been passed from generation to generation. How long is a generation? Keepers of statistics suggest that a generation is between twenty and thirty years and note that at the present time there are six distinct generations living in the United States. The current generations range from our oldest citizens, known as the Greatest Generation through our youngest, given the group name of Generation Z. In the account of the presentation of our Lord in the temple at Jerusalem, we see Jesus as a baby from the youngest generation and we meet Anna the prophetess, well advanced into the most elderly generation. The temple is the place for all generations to experience the presence and blessing of God! The psalmist exults in praise to God: “One generation shall commend Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts” (Psalm 145:4). As we worship, we continue that praise in this generation.
If you prefer using your phone or tablet, you can download the Vanco Mobile app from either the App Store or Google Play, depending on your type of phone. You can easily set up an account and donation through the app.
If you prefer using your phone or tablet, you can download the Vanco Mobile app from either the App Store or Google Play, depending on your type of phone. You can easily set up an account and donation through the app.
If you prefer using your phone or tablet, you can download the Vanco Mobile app from either the App Store or Google Play, depending on your type of phone. You can easily set up an account and donation through the app.
If you prefer using your phone or tablet, you can download the Vanco Mobile app from either the App Store or Google Play, depending on your type of phone. You can easily set up an account and donation through the app.
If you prefer using your phone or tablet, you can download the Vanco Mobile app from either the App Store or Google Play, depending on your type of phone. You can easily set up an account and donation through the app.
