December 2015
Inside this issue
Advent and Christmas Worship
Stephen Ministry training
Peruvian craft sale
MinistrE-news: Guarantees
The newsletter of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
Here’s a question: What can your pastor guarantee will happen in Sunday morning worship? First, let me tell you what I cannot guarantee. I cannot guarantee: that you will feel at home, or that you will be welcomed sufficiently, or that someone won’t ignore or avoid you, or offend you. that you will ‘experience’ anything in particular, that you will feel better, or closer to God when you leave. that the music and singing will inspire you or move you. that my sermon will ‘speak’ to you, inspire you, or challenge you.
See “Sermon” on page 2
Worship opportunities during Advent and Christmas Advent Evening Prayer - Thursday evenings during Advent: December 3, 10, and 17. 7pm at Zion Norwegian Christmas Worship Service at Zion Sunday, December 6 at 2pm Healing Service Monday, December 7 at 7pm Sunday School Christmas worship December 20 at 11am Christmas Eve Worship at 6pm and 7:30pm Christmas Day Worship at 11am December 27 Worship 11am January 3, 2016 Worship 11am January 10, 2016 Worship at 9am and 11am January 10, 2016 Sunday School kickoff at 10am January 10, 2016 Adult Christian Education at 10am
Last chance to make your 2015 charitable donation to Zion: Please have your contribution to the office by Thursday, December 31 at 1:00pm
“Sermon” continued from page 1 I cannot guarantee what you will experience or feel on any given Sunday morning. So, what can I guarantee? I can guarantee that we won’t get worship ‘right’. Something will go wrong. I can guarantee that you will have the opportunity to confess your sins and receive Christ’s promise of forgiveness, the promise of your baptism, whether you feel it or not. I can guarantee that you will hear Christ speak to you as the Holy Scriptures are read out loud. I can guarantee that I will strive to faithfully reveal Jesus Christ to you in my sermon, based on these same scriptures. I can guarantee that you will be given opportunity to offer praise, thanksgiving and worship in song, psalm and prayer.
CLWR Update for Zion Did you know that Zion sent 23 boxes of We Care items this year to CLWR? The boxes contained a total of: 116 quilts and blankets, 70 baby bundles and 21 baby blankets and quilts, 13 learning kits, 19 sewing kits, 29 little girls’ dresses, 1 teacher’s kit, 2 hygiene kits and knitted toys. A big thank you to all who contributed!
Parish Life helps us connect Keep these dates free for the following events: Sunday, January 17: Noon-Soup/Bun/Pie lunch (food will be provided) Friday, February 12: 6:00pm-Valentine Dinner. Catered meal. Tickets will be sold. Friday, April 15: time to be announced-Coffee House featuring Doug Cooney
I can guarantee that we will pray for each other and for our world. I can guarantee that Jesus Christ, truly and fully in his body and blood, will meet you and feed you in the bread and wine of Holy Communion. “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them.” If you come, Christ will be here. Whatever the Sunday, the trip is always worth it. Guaranteed. -Pastor Randy
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Parish Life events help us connect with one another outside of worship. Thank you to all the members of the committee who organize these events for our congregation!
Stephen Ministry training begins soon! The Stephen Ministry program is a complete system of training and organizing lay persons in the church for caring ministry.
The next Stephen Minister training class begins in mid-January and continues through April. Following a break for the summer, we will reconvene in the fall.
A new training class for Stephen Ministers begins soon! The need for trained caregivers is increasing as more and more people experience difficulties and losses of all kinds. The need is great not only here at Zion but in our Lutheran community at large.
Please prayerfully consider your calling to this important ministry! For an application or for more information, please contact Pastor Randy.
Senior Youth Movie Night Friday, December 4, 7 to 9pm Youth Room Movie, popcorn and snacks provided; discussion, and time hanging out together! Please use the parking lot entrance.
More events coming up in December Naomi Circle Monday, December 14 at noon in Heritage hall. Hilltoppers Friday, December 11 at 6:30pm
Would you like to offer your own crafts for sale at the Peru to Canada Craft and Artisan Fair? Tables are free, but a contribution from your sales to the youth fund for the CLAY gathering would be greatly appreciated! Please contact Jackie at jlsmith56@sasktel.net.
323 4th Avenue S., Saskatoon, SK S7K1N3 Office phone: 306-653-2442
E-mail: Zion.office@sasktel.net Internet: www.zionsaskatoon.com
Pastor Randy’s Cell #: 306-321-7868 Pastor Randy’s E-mail: Zion.pastor@sasktel.net