Blog - Zion Lutheran Church

Pastor’s Blog “Gifted for More”

“One day a meat packer was asked, ‘What is your business?’ He answered, ‘I am a Christian.’ Rather puzzled and perplexed over the answer, the inquirer continued, ‘Sir, you evidently did not understand me. I mean, what is your daily business in life?’ ‘My daily business is to be a Christian. I pack meat to pay the expenses.’”

This story is one that bears truth but not ALL the truth when it comes to our Christian life. It’s true that his wages pay expenses of home, church, mission, and charity. However, he should know that the tasks of his job are also his Christian work for the Lord. In it he is using natural gifts God has given, held and used by believers and unbelievers. The packer is participating in God’s answer to the prayers of those praying, “Give us this day our daily bread.”

Lately I’ve been telling nurses and doctors as I encounter them at hospitals, “Thank you for taking care of ________. You’re doing the Lord’s work.” As Christians, our vocations involve spiritual gifts (Rom 12 & 1 Cor 12) and also natural gifts that are part of God’s design in creation. As someone once expressed poetically:

God made the sun—it gives.
God made the moon and stars—they give.
God made the air—it gives.
God made the clouds—they give.
God made the earth and sea—they give.
God made the trees—they give.
God made the flowers—they give.
God made the fowls—they give.
God made the beasts—they give.
God made the PLAN—He gives.
God made man—he …?

The poem stops without saying that man “gives,” critiquing our self-serving human nature. However God wants us to rejoice in knowing He has redemption and purpose for us. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹not a result of works, so that no one may boast. ¹⁰For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Eph 2:8-10)” This Good News passage reveals the giftedness of our lives. Unbelievers have natural gifts from God and ARE gifts in their good works. Believers have those natural gifts and spiritual gifts, fruit of the Holy Spirit that we pray for and rejoice to see flow through our lives.

Barna research has revealed that 55% of practicing Christians select “church” as the place they most wish to develop their giftings, including abilities that aren’t spiritual in nature. I don’t think classes in meat packing would find their way into this year’s plans at Zion; however, this lent we are on a journey to know our gifts, celebrate them, plan to use them, and grow them… all for the Glory of God.

EveryGift Inventory – As part of our Sunday Lenten Journey to Purpose “Gifted for More” stewardship theme, you have free access to the EveryGift Inventory tool provided by Lutheran Hour Ministries. We’d like everyone at Zion to take some time this week to go online and learn more about your personal set of talents, skill, giftedness (as well as gifts you would like to develop). Find it at:

www.everygift.org

Use the Church Code: zionelpaso

In Christ’s service,

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.

Pastor’s Blog “With Gentleness and Respect”

There was a lawyer who asked Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 10:25) Jesus listened to the question and could have answered immediately with no debate. However, on this occasion, hearing the “what must I do” in the question and perhaps sensing that the question was a test, Jesus instead asked the man a question. Jesus’ process left the man with some answers and also planted seeds that would challenge his thinking with God’s deep truth.

LISTEN and ASK are the first two steps in the method for Christian witness that we are examining on Sunday mornings during the education hour. Both the adult class and youth class are looking into the topic this month.

When we spend time with unbelievers or “believers” who have their own preferred ideas about God, we can expect conversations to eventually arise about deep-felt beliefs or questions about life. Sometimes we worry that we don’t know enough to be able to share the gospel or that such conversations will only lead to fights. This is why I’ve selected this topic and the “Every One His Witness: Lutheran Evangelism” materials for us to learn together this year. It provides instruction for real and yet gentle, respectful sharing of the Gospel. In our everyday relationships, we can share about Christ and not leave the conversation disappointed because of unreasonable expectations. We can leave the conversation with the person appreciating the respect shown and the earnest words about Jesus Christ that we shared. We pray the Holy Spirit will ignite saving faith, as only He can, and that it won’t be thrown away.

Scenarios for Sharing

“How are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?” Romans 10:14

Our goal is more and more sharing of faith in El Paso. People have other views. They have questions and objections to Christianity. Nevertheless, they can come to faith. “No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except in the Holy Spirit. (1Cor 12:3).” The Holy Spirit uses the Gospel message to ignite faith, so let’s start sharing it with people in our lives. The website that corresponds with our Sunday morning study is:

www.everyonehiswitness.org . If you haven’t been to our study and received a book and invitation code for the website, you can still gain free access by going to the site and sending a request to the email noted on its homepage. Then use the code that you receive when you register at everyonehiswitness.org . You’ll enjoy the videos which introduce the different contexts, questions, and attitudes people have around us.

Let’s learn and grow together as people who think about the lost, pray for them, spend time with them, listen, ask, seek points of connection in their thoughts and the Gospel, share about Jesus in ways they can appreciate, invite them to further conversation, and encourage them in their journey.

See you on Sunday!

—Pastor Stephen

Pastor’s Blog: “Revealing Christ in 2024”

“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

Zion Lutheran Church Proclamation

Proclamation
City of El Paso, Texas

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

Pastor’s Blog: “Peace, Our Common Pursuit”

In the Good News of Christ’s salvation and richness of Christianity’s celebratory traditions (and the uniqueness of Zion’s varied gifts!), we welcome the arrival of Advent and Christmas. Cookies and Advent suppers! Wednesday evening worship services and a posada with the star piñata and Mariachi San Pablo! Caroling and decorating! The Christmas Eve youth and children’s program, candlelight and carols, bells and choirs, trumpets and organ and the sound of the full congregation’s singing praises to God…. All these beloved “little ‘t’ traditions” point us to the cosmic “Big ‘T’ Traditions” of Jesus at Christmas: His Word and Sacrament, His Church, Confession and Forgiveness, Charity, love, and peace in His provision and Grace…

Our Advent Theme:
“Peace Came to Earth”

On Wednesdays this month and in the Youth & Children’s Christmas Program on Dec. 24^th, we will grow a deeper appreciation for the peace that comes from Jesus Christ. A series of sermons, a children’s book and song, program led by our young people will help. Convey to all this message as described by the theme authors:

“As Advent leads us to Christmas, we are especially seeking a distinct season of peace. We need a quiet place to rest during this restless time. Often, we grow impatient as we seek peace. Despite knowing the promises of God to provide for us, we might try to find peace on our own. We then define peace according to the ways we seek it. We might imagine that peace comes when we finally have enough of all the things we plan to buy. Or we might look for the perfect place where peace is an undisturbed solitude, the cabin beside a still lake. We might seek peace by escaping memories of the past. Or peace might be an elusive future where everyone does exactly what they should. These are our many ways of defining peace, but sadly, each of these directions could go on and on without ever being fulfilled. Each of our “paths to peace” could go on and on, never being fulfilled. There won’t be enough possessions or perfectly calm places to give us lasting peace. But as we seek peace in these many ways, God intersects us with a peace that both passes our understanding and yet meets our needs. God knows the many ways and directions by which we seek peace. As we journey, God meets us, halts our endless pursuits, and gives us a new understanding of His gift of peace.”

Our aim this month is to bring Jesus to each of you amid your stresses, duties, depressions, worries, ambitions, and obligations that are propelling you on paths in search of peace. As you come upon Jesus in our worship and witness, His will be the source of perfect peace. In His Word proclaimed, sung, and taught at Zion and through the Lord’s supper received, we know that we and our love-ones will be blessed this Christmas.

In Christ’s peace,
Pastor Stephen

This article, news, and information is found in our November 2023 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.

Pastor’s Blog: “Worry to God, with Thanksgiving, then…”

“Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Philippians 4:8

This prescription comes after God invites us to remember Christ’s presence and find relief from Him as we give to Him our anxieties “in prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving.” God promises to bring us peace and invites us to take a break from worrying. Instead of worrying He says to think about, “Whatever is true, honorable, just pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, worthy of praise…”.

No doubt this is why generations of Zion members have loved the hymn “Beautiful Savior.” Consider using it in your after-prayer meditations. Think about all you know of our most-excellent Jesus. “Beautiful Savior, King of creation, Son of God and Son of Man! Truly I’d love Thee, Truly I’d serve Thee, Light of my soul, my joy, my crown.” Consider the wonders of God’s creation and the one who created and rules it, “Fair are the meadows, Fair are the woodlands, Robed in flow’rs of blooming spring; Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer, He makes our sorr’wing spirit sing.” Let God know your appreciation and awe. One of my favorite prayers is simply, “Wow, God!” as I picture in my mind something He made…. Humming birds come to mind, or the massive elephant with a tiny tip of a trunk that can pickup a little pea and carry it to its mouth. “Jesus, you made these!” (John 1:3)

Featured Image - Open House and Concert — Come to the public Concert on November 16th at 7pm

It is my prayer and goal that every Sunday will provide you fuel for your after-prayer meditations. What did Jesus do? What did He teach? What does it mean that “God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Rom 5:8)”? Indeed, “Fair is the sunshine, Fair is the moonlight, Bright the sparkling stars on high” but “Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer, Than all the angels in the sky.”

May the peace that surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus as you pray to Him about the situations that cause you anxiety, as you thank Him for His mercies, and as you think on Him. You’ll never run out of things to admire about Jesus, His ways, His works, and the depth of love He has shown to us on the cross.

in Christ’s peace,

Pastor Stephen

There in Heaven

Rise up and sing

Your journey’s done

Arise with joy, your journey’s just begun

Rise up and sing^*

Take a moment this week and remember someone you love. Say the names of loved ones whom Jesus has saved from death and are with Him in glory. Today I say, “Rowena”. I composed the ^*lyric above when my grandmother Rowena died and we kids were asked to sing and play trumpet at her funeral. Because Jesus said to His disciples,

¹“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. ²In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? ³And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” John 14:1–3 (ESV)

I pictured Jesus reaching out and lifting my grandma to her feet, and her face was full of joy as they walked off together upward into bright light. How do you picture the moment shared between your loved one and Jesus, the moment He arrived to bring your loved one to glory?

We have this description of our loved ones who are in heaven living eternally in the kingdom of God,

^15b“he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. ¹⁶They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. ¹⁷For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Revelation 7:15b–17 (ESV)

Jesus is that “Lamb in the midst of the throne” who is the “shepherd.” Because He gave His life for us on the cross and rose in victory over sin and death, He is the meeting place for us who are on earth and for those who are in glory. In Holy Communion are all brought together in Him.

I am looking forward to seeing Jesus, and heaven, and my grandmas and grandpas and the many, many others I have met and loved who found their salvation in Jesus. I’m thankful that they taught my mom to know and trust Christ and that she has done the same for me and so many others. There are and will be many, many people rejoicing in heaven because their sins are forgiven by grace of God, through faith in Christ (Rev. 7, Eph 2). Since the book of Revelation tells us some of the words sung there by saints and angels, we have chosen to include those same words in our Sunday communion liturgies: ¹²“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” Revelation 5:12 (ESV)

Gather together this month in affirmation of your faith, in joy as redeemed saints by the grace of Christ, and in remembrance and thanksgiving for those who have gone before us in faith. Serve Christ for the salvation of a new generation of God’s beloved. May Christ knit us together in Holy Communion with Him and all who are in Him here and everywhere, including heavenly glory.

In Christ’s peace,

Pastor Stephen

Let Us Love One Another

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. )”
1 John 4:7-8

In addition to the means of grace: the Gospel message, Baptism, Absolution, and the Lord’s Supper… In addition to Salvation… Jesus chose to give us.. EACH OTHER! “Make disciples of all nations… baptizing them… (Mat 28)” “You are the body of Christ and individually members of it (1 Cor 12)” Yes, we are individually united to Christ AND we are together united to each other in Him.

Jesus has given many Gospel gifts and the gift to us of each other is an often-neglected joy when we list priorities or list blessings. Not just our close circle of family and friends, but all God’s children are on our gratitude-radar. You are the church, the beloved of God, brothers and sisters getting to know each other and discovering what it means to be wrapped up in God’s grace. Did you know that God brought 235 people together at Zion during worship services to see each other, meet each other, and receive His grace together this year? Last month, when we gathered for our picnic, what a joy it was to play games, share food, and begin conversations! Last Sunday when our eldest member Marge’s heart stopped and she was attended to by prayer and CPR, what a unique time it was together of concern, action, and then rejoicing as she was revived. Last month when you put on work clothes to begin preparations of classrooms for our expansion of Children’s and Youth Bible Classes, what a exhausting labor of love it was, filled with hope of little disciples growing in knowledge and faith in Jesus! We experienced public and private sorrows, struggles, and joys that we lifted to Jesus in prayer during small group Bible studies and in the Divine Service.

God wants us always to remember that we are part of His plan to show Jesus as Savior of real people. Lots and lots of beloved people. October offers us many opportunities to know His love and love one another more and more by opening up scriptures to each other and serving side-by-side in times of fun, times of renewal, and times of struggle. Let’s come together for Jesus. Know that the people surrounding you are very much part of His gift in life to us all.

In Christ’s peace,

Pastor Stephen

Grow in the Word, Faith, Love

When we study the Bible together in small groups we invite the Holy Spirit to renew our minds, strengthen our faith, and guide our love. There is nothing like a small group to provide not only the chance to learn but the chance to build close kinship and a support network as you share prayer requests and encourage each other through life’s joys and challenges. This month, there are numerous new opportunities for everyone in your family to learn more about Jesus’ teachings and be strengthened in His salvation promises. An additional group will begin on Tuesdays in October. Looking to start a new group and topic not currently available? Great! Let me know what you have in mind, and I’ll help connect you with materials from our lending library. I’ll introduce you to others at Zion who may wish to join you in the study. Rejoice in and Grow in the Word of God

—Pastor Stephen

Learn and Grow at Zion the fall:

Youth Confirmation Classes—Tuesdays 5:45pm Pre-marriage Classes—Sundays after worship
New Member Classes— to be scheduled
Children’s Bible Classes—Sundays 9:15am
YouthImpact—Sundays 9:15am
Men’s Bible Study— Tuesdays 7:30pm
Lending Library—Sundays after church
Sunday Adult Bible Study—Sundays 9:15am
Portals of Prayer Devotions Booklets—free, near door
Weekly YouTube Bible Study—Thursdays
At Home in the Word Materials and Podcasts
Choir, Handbell Choir—Saturdays
Mariachi, & Music Classes—Tuesdays

Free to…

“Oh, let us all from bondage flee (Let My people go)
And let us all in Christ be free (Let My people go)
Go down Moses, way down in Egypt’s land;
Tell old Pharoah, Let my people go”*
– African American Spiritual

When the children of Israel took up residence in Egypt, they never hoped they would be enslaved. God had used Joseph to save them and all of Egypt from starvation during a severe drought. Joseph’s work brought Egypt great prosperity and earned his family a favored status when they immigrated to Egypt. Sadly, a few hundred years later, the good that came from their God was forgotten and their descendants were enslaved by Pharaoh. The oppression weighted heavily and they called out to God. The Lord heard their prayers and ended their enslavement with mighty displays of power and mercy. The false gods of Egypt were put to shame and the Name of the Lord was made known in its strength and love for the lowly people of Israel.

Though they were free to live in love and harmony with their creator, sadly, the scriptures reveal there is another slavery they and we and all people face. We are all born slaves of sin. Sin distorts our best intentions, it turns God’s beloved human creatures throughout the world against each other and against God. Sin is a slavery that enslaves each person to fear, selfishness, and hate. Because of God’s rich mercy and because of the love with which He loves us, He sent His only begotten Son Jesus to fulfill righteousness and break us out of sin’s guilt and grip. He paid for our freedom with His life on the cross. For all who had, who have, and will have faith in Him, there is freedom. There is life. There is eternal purpose.

“For freedom you have been set free… (Galatians 5:1)”

When we feel afraid or terrorized by the world around us, when we worry about our inabilities, when we are frustrated by our self-sabotage and failures, we remember Christ and call out to God who answers with Word and Sacrament, with His declaration of victory for us, with forgiveness, the working of His Holy Spirit, and His renewed commission to love. Jesus breaks our chains of slavery to sin death and the schemes of satan.

Each Sunday this month of July we remember and rejoice that in Jesus’ victory we are…

“Free in Christ” Sundays in July

Free! to Proclaim Jesus – July 3
Free! to Love Our Neighbors – July 10
Free! to Rest in Jesus – July 17
Free! to Receive Good from God – July 24
Free! to Struggle in Love for Others – July 31

We pray the Lord would enliven and empower us to live in the peace Christ’s victory brings and to proclaim freedom for all by grace, through faith in Jesus.

In Christ’s love,
Pastor Stephen

*from the African American Spiritual “When Israel Was in Egypt’s Land” Hymnal: One and All Rejoice 345 © Public domain which we will sing together on July 10th.

Proclamation City of El Paso, Texas

“Free in Christ” Sundays in July

Proclamation
City of El Paso, Texas