Blog - Zion Lutheran Church

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.

Imitators of God

“Be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1–2

For fifty-seven years, Steve Henning of Huntley, Illinois, could not hear music, laughter, or human speech and longed to hear the voices of those he loved. In the winter of 2001, he learned of a surgical procedure that would allow sound waves to bypass the nonfunctioning part of his ear and travel directly to the auditory nerve. On January 30, he was operated on, and after a six-week recovery the day arrived to activate the device. As Steve waited nervously, the audiologist programmed the cochlear implant. Then he invited Steve’s wife to say something. Pat Henning leaned toward her husband and gently said, “I love you.” Able to hear for the first time in six decades, Steve’s face broke into a smile. The first words he heard were of love. (adapted from Greg Asimakoupoulos,“Hearing God’s Word of Love)

The Holy Spirit calls us to faith by the Gospel and enlightens us with His gifts. This means you can know God’s love and be the first to speak of God’s love to someone, to show God’s love to someone! By God’s working, they can truly hear and see! How? Imitate Christ. Humanity doesn’t naturally know God’s love. We learn it from the Bible and also by observing others do the unnatural works of love that are empowered by the Holy Spirit: the repentance and a daily denying of self and bearing their cross while following Jesus (Luke 9:23). “Be imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love as Christ loved us… (Ep 5)” if not for the personal joy of it, than for the goal that the world would encounter truths of God, of His love through it. (May you know the joy, though, and the world know the truth of God.)

The actions of God’s love through His children take place everywhere. Your treatment of others at home, at work, while shopping, while vacationing, while worshiping… The parent preparing food for a child, a police officer stepping into harm’s way to prevent a crime, a child saying “thank you” to the baby sitter for a safe, enjoyable evening…

The actions and words of Christians don’t always reflect God’s true love. We know this as we review the ten commandments and other scripture and realize we haven’t been true to the mind and ways of Christ. This realization returns us to God’s call to repentance. It returns us to God’s baptismal assurances: sin will have no dominion over us (Rom 6). In the grace won by Christ, we return to the joy of a new day in service to God.

This summer, dive deeply into God’s Word and Sacraments and the renewal, transformation of your mind in the depths of His true love (Eph 4). Oh Lord, open our ears to hear of You, of Your goodness and love. Open our hearts to want to repeat your loving words and imitate your loving ways.

—Pastor Stephen

The size of the colored lines in this Heart show the relative frequency the word “love” is used in each book of the New Testament (Matthew is the top line and Revelation is the bottom). The largest lines are the books of John and 1 John. Read these books this month, and make this a summer to grow in God’s revelation of love.

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 1^st “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing” Ps 30:11
May 8^th “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Revelation 7:17
May 15^th “You have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice” John 16:22
May 22^nd “Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” John 16:24
May 29^th “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

To Seek and To Save: Countdown to our 125th Anniversary

Jesus said… “Today salvation has come to this house… For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Luke 19:10

If there is a brief mission statement in scripture about the essential work of Christ’s love, it would be that Jesus Christ came to seek and to save the lost. Jesus declares these words when an infamous thief is turned around in the joy of Jesus’ truth and grace. Jesus had invited himself into the home of the tax collector Zacchaeus. Salvation came to Zacchaeus that day as he received Jesus, spent time with Him, and was transformed. His new heart was on display as he resolved to stop stealing from those from whom he collected taxes. He resolved to give back four times what he had defrauded and to start giving to the poor. May Jesus’ mission be fulfilled in us and in all the world still today. Jesus remains the most essen- tial of workers. He works salvation. He gives the Holy Spirit and works in us new hearts of love. He gives us joyful purpose as He leads us in new paths of praise to God, new depths of awareness of His goodness, and new opportunities and abilities to love our neighbors.

Countdown to 125

Established in 1898, our Zion congregation has been filled with nearly 125 years of men, women, and children rejoicing to receive Jesus, be transformed by Jesus, and reach out in love to others. As we approach the milestone 125th anniversary in 2023, (100th anniversary of worship in our building), let us take to heart the mission of our Savior that gives us unending purpose and joy. Let’s dust off old pictures and sleuth out historical details about the people and events that reveal a heritage of Christ’s grace and Holy Spirit power in this mission field. Above all let us learn anew to love one another as Christ has loved us (1 John 4) and love the “Zacchaeuses” in our world with Christ’s love in us. Jesus is on a mission still today to save and transform, and He has chosen to give us the joy of being His hands, feet and voice.

In Christ’s love,

Pastor Stephen

We Can Face Tomorrow, Because He Lives

We have enjoyed beautiful celebrations of Christ together during these HolyDays of December. Now, still in the glow of Christmas, we pray for our New Year. The final hymn we’ll sing together on December 31st is the much loved anthem of faith in the victory of Christ’s death and resurrection: “Because He Lives.”

Because He lives I can face tomorrow, Because He lives all fear is gone, Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living just because He lives.

It’s so hard to imagine the future, because experience teaches us that surprises, good and bad, will come amid the best of our plans and intentions. As your circumstances, expectations, and worries stir up feelings of excitement or dread, lift them up in prayer this week to our faithful, gracious, almighty, and merciful God. Gather at Zion or pull your family and friends around our livestream at home to mark the New Year with faith, prayer, and praise.

As you consider your life and plans in this new year, don’t neglect to pray for God’s guidance, perspective, and peace. His death for you and victorious resurrection means you CAN and will face tomorrow with His victory guiding and sustaining you. Scripture tells us, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Co 5:17)” God says, “Be transformed by the renewal of your mind (Rom 12:2)” Also, “Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life… to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God (Eph 4:22-24).” It is always encouraging to remember that God says, “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them (Eph 2:10).”

Rejoice this New Year to REST in His grace, to DISCOVER more and more about God’s will and His mercy, and to LOVE Him and the people He loves in all the expected and surprising ways 2022 will bring us.

in Christ’s peace,

Pastor Stephen

Forever Alive, Forever in Love

Love came down at Christmas and achieved His mission of love. “God is love.” (1 John 4:8) Now, in Christ, we are alive forever, and we love now and forever.

While we live, we have opportunities galore to love others in tangible ways: We feel affections that attract deeper interest in others, we make resolutions that focus relationship plans with others, we defend others, we work to provide for people’s needs, we make vows and promises that steady hearts, we sacrifice for others’ good (displaying the love of Christ on the cross)… and more. Because of God’s love for us and Christ’s victory over death for us, we can love others now, even in small ways, with anticipation of long-term impact. As love connects with others “in the name of Jesus” the potential impact is LONG TERM. By faith, they too will live forever because of Jesus. We can truly say to every believer, “I will love you forever.” In Christ we are alive, in love forever. “Love never ends…. ….faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Co 13:8, 13) Chapter thirteen of 1 Corinthians reveals details about God’s perfect love. We aspire to it. We read this passage at weddings. Many people have artwork at home that display it so they can remember and hopefully be guided by its explanation that love is patient and kind, not boastful, arrogant, rude, selfish, irritable, or resentful; doesn’t rejoice at wrongdoing, rather rejoices with the truth (13:4-7).

It is a surprising love that Mary and Joseph receive into their lives as the angel Gabriel comes to them with God’s plans for the birth of Christ. They were betrothed, preparing to marry and no doubt had an idea of what types of blessing they would bring to each other and their families. They surely had heard the prophetic words of Isaiah, “The Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Is 7:14). Perhaps Mary as a child had even entertained the thought, “Maybe I could be that virgin?” Such a thought was most likely far from her mind as she made plans to marry Joseph. Yet as the angel revealed her place in God’s plan, she responded with the faithful, loving, phrase, “Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38) Her life changed that day and she loved God and us in a unique way by bearing the child and raising him in the ways of God’s law. Joseph too would find himself wrapped up in God’s plans, loving God and loving Mary (and the world!) by following through with their marriage, providing for her, escorting her to Bethlehem, completing tasks and offerings prescribed for newborns and children by God’s law, leading the family to safety in Egypt, and bringing them home again to live, work, and grow in Nazareth… (fulfilling in many ways various other prophetic signs that affirms God’s steadfast love, justice, and eternal plans for us.)

Love expressed itself in many ways in their marriage and life together until death took Joseph away to heaven. Many people speak of “forever love” as they live and grow in appreciation for each other. All across the world there are sentiments of unending love even when death strikes. Praise be to God, because of Jesus, forever-love is more than a wish or a heartfelt hope. Forever-love is found and preserved in our eternal God, given to us freely; the best Christmas gift. To anyone who is in Christ, we can say, “I will love you forever” and it will be true.

On Sundays, as we gather for Word and Sacrament and listen to scripture readings for Advent, we will explore aspects of this love and its impact now and forever. Join us also on Wednesdays for evening prayer and a series of messages: Advent Answers to Hard Questions (learn more) May the Lord hold you in His loving grace.

In Christ’s love,

Pastor Stephen

Fall Stewardship Theme: “Forever Alive”

Our times together on Sundays this Fall, as the Pentecost Season gives way to Advent, will offer us opportunity to reflect on these important stewardship themes of Good News for a weary, confused, and hurting world:

REST October: Weariness yields to rest.

DISCOVER November: Confusion gives way to discovery.

LOVE December: Hurt finds healing in love.

These will inspire a fresh outlook concerning our 24/7 walk with God and our times together for worship, prayer, study, and working together at Zion.

Forever Alive: “I Never Knew That!”

While visiting with families recently, I’ve asked them, “What is it about Jesus that most excites you… something He did, something He taught… What’s the first thing that comes to mind as ‘great’ about Jesus?’” The responses have been wonderful to listen to as children and adults share out loud what come comes to each person’s mind. There is no right or wrong answer. They’ve revealed something about Jesus to those listen- ing and also something about the person who is speak- ing. Every time, I’ve enjoyed seeing how interested the children were in their parent’s answers. “Resurrection”, “Healing”, “My sins are forgiven”, “His care for the suffering….” Some parents seemed nervous about what their children might say and then were really fascinated to hear their answers.

Pastors’ sermons and lessons have an important place in the life of God’s people, but I am convinced that the words about Jesus spoken out loud by Christian men, women, and children throughout the week are the most powerful way people discover (and rediscover) Jesus. Not bossing people around with Words about God, but sharing out loud their admiration of Jesus and His varied actions and teachings. Reflecting out loud about how His actions, promises, and lessons relate to situations you are in will sow seeds of faith and deep encouragement.

Sometimes, a few of the children won’t know what to say to answer the question, probably feeling nervous about taking in front of adults and a pastor. Their par- ents or godparents have jumped in to help. In every case, I’ve thought, “This is so good. We need to get in the practice of remembering and talking about the glori- ously wonderful and mind-blowing things Jesus has done.” It’s created an opportunity for me to give the family one of the Storybook Bibles Zion members have purchased for children and encourage them to read to- gether as a family. “When I see you next time, let me know what has jumped out as AMAZING about Jesus during your devotional moments together.”

The more practice we have talking about all the great deeds and important lessons Jesus did and taught, the more likely it will be that He will influence our decisions and actions and those of our family.

Fuel your conversations with discovery,— discovery of God and of the people around you. This month as we continue our stewardship theme, “Forever Alive,” we move from October’s focus on “REST” to “DISCOVER.” Alive forever in Christ, we can look forward to eternal discovery of all that is His heav- enly glory and His new heaven and earth. Alive forever, we can spend our days prioritizing the discovery of the Lord’s actions and promises and who we are in Him. The world will pass away, but God’s ways are eternal. God has not only saved us, but He reveals Himself through creation and through Holy Scripture. What we do together at Zion enables us to discover more and more who God is, what exciting things He has done and taught, as well as who we are together as His Church. We show our faith in Christ by pursuing knowledge of God and of our neighbor (because God wants us to love our neighbor and has united us to each other in Christ).

In Christ’s peace,

Pastor Stephen

Fall Stewardship Theme: “Forever Alive”

REST October: Weariness yields to rest.

DISCOVER November: Confusion gives way to discovery.

LOVE December: Hurt finds healing in love.

These will inspire a fresh outlook concerning our 24/7 walk with God and our times together for worship, prayer, study, and working together at Zion.

Forever Alive: “You Will Find Rest”

When I was little, about five years old, I LOVED being carried into the house “asleep” in my father’s arms. Usually, it was in the late evening, after driving home from some activity. After years of finding their little boy asleep in the car seat, my parents were in the habit of carrying me in. Now a little bit older, I wasn’t actually asleep, but had learned to love the embrace, the lift, the carry, and the placement right into bed. As an adult with my own children, when each one arrived at that stage, I smiled inside as I lifted the pretend sleeper up out of the seat to carry them in, resolving to keep doing it as long as my back could hold out under the growing weight. God lifts and carries us when we are weary (and even when not so weary). Our Father is always present, strong, and loving to lift us and give comfort and rest.

Matthew 11:28–29 (ESV): “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

What you can look forward to from your Heavenly Father as you remember Christ’s sacrifice and victory is REST.

Hebrews 4:9–11 (ESV): “there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall”

Everyday (every moment 24/7), in Christ, we live in His Sabbath rest. He died for our sins. Our souls rest in His accomplishments, in His grace, in His ways, and in His promise of resurrection. We do our daily duties of school, job, or home from a condition of security and rest in Christ.

At Zion, on Sundays, keep setting apart time to rest for a few hours together in His Word and sacraments, in the singing of hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs, in prayer and in the mutual consolation that comes from time spent with others in Jesus’ name. All the week, continue to rest in Christ’s gifts alone in the early morning or late evening hours, with family in devotions together on the phone or online.

Each time we worship, we rest in the arms of Christ as we hear scripture and preaching and share in the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion. Christ gives rest, by His power, real supernatural rest for our souls.

Fall Stewardship Theme: “Forever Alive”

October: Weariness yields to REST

November: Confusion gives way to DISCOVERY

December: Hurt finds healing in LOVE

These will inspire a fresh outlook concerning our 24/7 walk with God and our times together for worship, prayer, study, and working together at Zion.

I’m excited for us all to rest in some new (for us) songs we will sing together in canon during worship, sung throughout each month reflecting the month’s theme. What a blessing to share life together, resting in the arms of our savior!

In Christ’s love,

Pastor Stephen

Echos of Grace

Thank You all so much! The Anniversary Celebration on August 1st was such a blessing to me and all my family. Your kindness, love, and thoughtfulness warmed my heart. (Some of those warm feelings may have been the work of the delicious food from our first potluck meal in a long, long time! So great!) I thank God for all of you and I thank you. I smile when I see the pictures of the day and the sweet necklace given to Krysia. The trumpet is amazing and I’m so thrilled to put it to work in praising God right away during hymns at Zion and in this week’s evangelism performances of Mariachi San Pablo in South Dakota.

One of the first songs Pastor Jose Ruiz taught me after he was ordained and I asked about important hymns of Mexico is the song, “Cien Ovejas” (One Hundred Sheep). It tells the story of the Good Shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine in the sheepfold when He discovers one of his sheep is missing He goes out searching for the one who is lost and in danger. The song, as Ruiz arranged it, ends with a back and forth echo between the singer and speaking of the shepherd and the trumpet responding as a grateful, rescued sheep, echoing the tune of the shepherd’s love. “La tomó en sus brazos” (He took her [the sheep] in His arms) [trumpet echo] “Curó sus heridas” (healed her wounds) [trumpet echo] “y al redil volvió” (and returned [with her] to the fold).

We are all His beloved, rescued and redeemed, brought together by our Savior to share life eternal in His grace. What a joy to be carried by Him, be healed by Him, and echo His love for us by loving each other! Thank you for your love. I pray you and all of God’s people will continue to find healing and inspiration in our worship and service gatherings and that more and more of God’s beloved who are lost will be wrapped up in Christ’s loving arms as we echo His Gospel words where and when they can hear them.

In Christ’s peace,

Pastor Stephen

Together in Hope

“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits. And in His Word I hope” Psalm 130

Eternity is ours. Jesus is risen and we shall arise. We’ve heard His Word and now we wait in it and for it. We live and wait while experiencing things that are broken in us and around us, the very reasons Jesus gave His life on the cross. While we wait, and experience the problems of life, we remember God’s Word that these things do not define us or own us. They will not be the end of us who are in Christ. While we wait, we hope with a beautiful, thrilling hope fueled by the Word of God, the Word of Good News. We exclaim, “Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!” And wonder at the love for God we might express on this side of heaven, the love of God that brings Glory to His name as we love others joyfully and at times less joyfully, even sacrificially.

Psalm 130 is the prayer of hopeful people.

“Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy! If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning. O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption. And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.” (ESV)

In my 43 years of life, 10 as your pastor at Zion, my experience in Christ has been varied and eventful. I’ve learned to wait for the Lord to fulfill His promises while serving His means of grace. I’ve experienced His miracles of soul-healing. I’ve witnessed in others His provision for physical and spiritual needs after prayers have been lifted. There have been inexplicable healings in bodies, in marriages, and in friendships as baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and God’s law and gospel word have brought Christ to bear on lives who receive Him with faith. Brothers and sisters in Christ have died in these ten years, and Jesus says He has redeemed them and taken them home.

You have blessed me and my family in so many ways in the name of Jesus. Please forgive any missteps I’ve made along the way in this journey with Jesus that we are on together. I treasure the memories He has given me with you in worship and so many other settings of work, play, and need (yes, including bed side as loved ones were taking their final breaths). Together we have waited for the Lord with hopefulness fueled by Christ’s victory in the cross and eternal promises for His children.

Eternally grateful,

Pastor Stephen