September 2016
Inside this issue
Luther Reading Challenge/ Reformation Challenge
Sunday School kick off Cedar Room update
MinistrE-news: Three Places
Lutheran worship is grounded in three places: the Word, Baptism, and Holy Communion. “The Church is the assembly of all believers among whom the Gospel is preached in its purity and the holy sacraments are administered according to the Gospel.” (Augsburg Confession VII)
The newsletter of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
Word and sacraments are all we truly need to be the Church at worship. So, what makes worship Lutheran? Here is my list: Confession and Forgiveness We confess our sins weekly at Zion. We do this because confession is our return to baptism. It is our chance to hear Jesus repeat his baptismal promise as we receive the promise of sins forgiven week after week. “Baptism signifies that the old person in us with all sins See “Sermon” on page 3
Worship at 9am and 11am Sunday, September 11, 2016
September 11 10am
Please join us for a breakfast treat. Don’t forget to bring your backpacks for a blessing from Pastor Randy. We look forward to a year of music and faith building fun! Hope to see you there! Andrea and Tracy
The Reformation Challenge
Luther Reading Challenge (part 2) The Augsburg Confession and the Apology Again this year, we will do our part to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation by reading together one of the back bone documents of our Lutheran Confessions. We will digest slowly and together one evening each month beginning September 28 at 7:00pm.
2017 marks the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.
The Reformation Challenge calls us to:
The Lutheran World Federation encourages Lutherans around the world to lift up this commemoration.
ØØ Sponsor 500 refugees to Canada
Join with Lutherans across Canada and take the Reformation Challenge as we commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation and demonstrate our excitement for the theme Liberated by God’s Grace.
ØØ Provide 500 scholarships for ELCJHL schools ØØ Plant 500,000 trees ØØ Give $500,000 to the LWF Endowment Fund
Learn more about the ELCIC’s Reformation Challenge at www.elcic.ca/ReformationChallenge.
Zion has ordered helpful study books and guides to help us along. If you are interested please sign up through the office and order your book. We ask for a $5 donation to help cover the cost of the book. Let the challenge begin!
Lutheran/Roman Catholic Reformation Conference at Lutheran Theological Seminary, October 27 to 29, 2016 with both an ELCIC presenter from Calgary, Rev. Dr. Kayko Driedger Hesslein, and a Catholic presenter, Sr. Dr. Donna Geernaert. Registration fee: by September 15 - $125; until October 24 - $150. October 28 Oktoberfest dinner/evening at German Cultural Centre: $50. Call 306-653-1633 to register.
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“Sermon” continued from page 1
and evil desires is to be drowned and die through daily sorrow for sin and through repentance, and on the other hand, that daily a new person is to come forth and rise up to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.” (Small Catechism) At Zion, we are given weekly opportunity to make confession Word and before receiving Holy sacraments are all Communion. Although we truly need to it is not a requirement be the Church at that we must confess worship. before receiving communion (we can never be repentant enough), this time for self examination and honest account-taking is valuable and a worthy exercise for we who are about to receive our Lord’s body and blood. The Word of God is proclaimed and preached: Scriptures read, sermon preached: here is the second place we know Christ is sure to meet us. We pray together and for each other and for our broken world: We are the “communion of saints.” The Lord’s Prayer: We pray this as the one prayer Jesus taught us. One of our creeds is confessed regularly: The speaking of the creed reminds us that we do not “do our own thing” in worship. The creed is a fence that keeps us in the fold of the “one, holy, catholic (universal) church.” The Church is more than OUR church. Holy Communion: The third place where Jesus makes His clear and faithful promise to meet and forgive us. That’s my list. Other than these foundations, the kind of music we sing, the language we use, the order we follow falls under the category of evangelical freedom, meaning, whatever serves the gospel is acceptable and welcome.
City-Wide Youth Group We will meet on the last Saturday of each month in the evenings at various churches throughout the city. The events will last approximately three hours. Students grades 9 to 12 are always welcome. We know that youth are very busy with academics, sports, and other activities so we understand if you can’t make it every time. Join us when you can- we’d love to see you! Keeping an eye on social media, or looking in the church bulletin is the best way to find out what is happening.
What we’ll do:
Welcoming with a prayer An icebreaker activity A learning experience (speaker or devotional) A fun activity Closing prayer
Leader: Samantha Neumeyer •
e-mail: sam.elcicyouth@gmail. com
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Facebook: Saskatoon ELCIC Lutheran Youth Group
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Twitter: @sam_neumeyer
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Instagram: #elcicyouth
Are you following Zion on social media?
I welcome your feedback. ~Pastor Randy
Search Facebook for “Zion Lutheran Church Saskatoon” and be sure to “like” the page. ...3
Cedar Room repairs are complete! Easter Sunday morning 2016! Disaster: a vehicle ran into the building and destroyed a section of the outer wall and much of the Cedar Room.
Today...
The stone work on the outside wall is repaired. And inside, the Cedar Room looks brand new. We are thankful no one was hurt in the incident, but we are also thankful to have our space restored to its beautiful condition!
CLWR Sunday October 16, 2016 has been designated Canadian Lutheran World Relief Sunday in our congregation. The CLWR committee (Linda/Jackie/Pat) together with Pastor Randy and Intern Emmanuel are planning worship and Adult Christian Education time with an emphasis on CLWR. Don’t miss it – there is so much happening in the world!
Parish Adult Christian Education (P.A.C.E) Interesting topics for everyone!
September 11 - Zion Youth - CLAY Report September 18 - President Michael Nell, Lutheran Theological Seminary - Bible Study September 25 - Jan Uitti - Bible Story Each Sunday at 10am in Heritage Hall. Everyone is welcome to attend.
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