President's Perspective

October at Zion
Your church is going to have a few important events this month. First, on Sunday, October 20th after the second service, we're conducting the regular Quarterly Voters Meeting. This meeting is important because we will nominate and vote on church officers for the coming term which begins in January. Please attend! We'll have a light lunch available, so let's gather as Christians and take care of our Lord's business in fellowship with one another. On Sunday, October 27th we will once again celebrate the Reformation during worship. Then, after the second worship service, we will gather in the Fellowship Hall for our 4th annual Refor-Fest celebration (see flyer in this newsletter).

Always know that your church is a rock. Zion is your refuge from the world's trials, tribulations and evil-doings. We are being shown who the liars, wicked and evil people are that would deceive and corrupt our world. There really isn't a "grey" area in which to hide. It's really just good and evil that continually fight for our souls and minds. With Christ in your heart, you will be able to see through the deception and ferret out truth and walk a path worthy of your baptism. Zion is here for you in our services, studies and sacraments. "The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous." (Prov. 3:33)

Chapter 17 of John's gospel is an incredible prayer of Jesus right before his betrayal. Take the time to read it. Jesus knew He needed to finish the mission so that the Helper could come to the world and save many throughout the age. He loves his disciples and He loves us. When we gather in church, we're together because we have all been given to Christ. "I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them." (John 17:9-10)

No matter what unfolds in the world around us in the coming weeks or months, we shall be certain that Zion will pass the test; our fellowship will continue to breathe and thrive. We're chosen, blessed and bought through Christ crucified. The secular world and evil has no claim to us. It never did. "The Lord will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore." (Psalm 121:7-8). Pray for Christians, our LCMS, District and Circuit churches, and your home here at Zion. Amen.

Paul Klemash

AUDIO: Announcements, Readings, Sermon & Men’s Choir for Sunday October 13, 2024

View the bulletin for Sunday, October 13, 2024
Archive of AUDIO “Readings & Sermons”
Archive of VIDEO “Complete Service”
Archive of Bulletins

Od Testament Reading -- Amos 5:6–7, 10–15 
Seek the Lord and live,
lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph,
and it devour, with none to quench it for Bethel, 
O you who turn justice to wormwood
and cast down righteousness to the earth! . . . 

They hate him who reproves in the gate,
and they abhor him who speaks the truth.
Therefore because you trample on the poor
and you exact taxes of grain from him,
you have built houses of hewn stone,
but you shall not dwell in them;
you have planted pleasant vineyards,
but you shall not drink their wine.
For I know how many are your transgressions
and how great are your sins —
you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe,
and turn aside the needy in the gate.
Therefore he who is prudent will keep silent in such a time,
for it is an evil time.
Seek good, and not evil,
that you may live;
and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you,
as you have said.
Hate evil, and love good,
and establish justice in the gate;
it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts,
will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph. 

Epistle Reading -- Hebrews 3:12–19 
Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. As it is said, 

“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” 

For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses? And with whom was he provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief. 

The Holy Gospel according to St. Mark, the tenth chapter
As [Jesus] was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. 

Men's Choir -- All People that on Earth do Dwell (8 am)

VIDEO: Sunday October 13, 2024

View the bulletin for Sunday, October 13, 2024
Archive of AUDIO “Readings & Sermons”
Archive of VIDEO “Complete Service”
Archive of Bulletins

4th Annual REFOR-FEST! ... Sunday October 27th

Join Us for Zion’s 4th Annual REFOR-FEST!
Sunday October 27, 2024
12 Noon - 3:00 p.m. … Rain or Shine

Catered German Meal!
Beer & Root Beer
Guessing Jars
Pastor’s Famous Bingo

Advance Tickets Required
Adults: $15
Kids (4-10 yrs.): $5
3 and Under: FREE
Purchase your tickets in the Narthex after Sunday Service
Questions: Contact events@zlcb.org

All Church Voter’s Meeting

All Church Voter’s Meeting Sunday October 20, 2024 following second service. Candidates for church leadership positions will be voted upon. Your attendance is requested and encouraged! Lunch will be served. 

Zion’s Response to Hurricane Helene

Zion Lutheran Church is taking up a collection to help with the hurricane disaster response.
You may place your donation in the offering plate at church.
Checks should be made payable to:
“Zion Lutheran Church”
with “Disaster Response” in the memo line.

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TO VOLUNTEER
Visit lcms-lert.org.

TO GIVE
VISIT lcms.org/givenow. TEXT “LCMSDISASTERS” to 41444. CALL the LCMS toll-free gift line between 8 a.m. and 4:10 p.m. Central time at 888-930-4438.

MAIL
Make checks payable to “The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod” (or “LCMS”). On the memo line, write “Disaster Response” and mail to the LCMS, P.O. Box 66861, St. Louis, MO 63166-6861. Gifts are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

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PRAYER
Lord of heaven and earth, we know that you hold all things and people in Your hands. In your mercy, provide for the needs of those who have been affected, in big ways or small, by Hurricane Helene. Work through the efforts of those who bring relief, aid and comfort, and protect all involved from any further harm. Most of all, help us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. In His name we pray. Amen.

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ADDITIONAL DETAILS
Hurricane Helene made landfall near Perry, Fla., on Sept. 26 as a Category 4 storm. Since that time, it has left a devastating trail of death and destruction across the southeastern United States. The death toll is currently estimated at more than 180 people in six states.

On Sept. 30, the Rev. Dr. Ross Johnson, director of LCMS Disaster Response, departed for a multi-day visit to assess the damage, after which an initial response plan will be developed in cooperation with the districts affected. Other LCMS districts and Recognized Service Organizations are also assisting with the response.

While early reports seemed to indicate the damage would not be extensive, that quickly changed. In Florida, the Tampa and St. Petersburg areas sustained severe flooding, with multiple homes taking in water, making them currently uninhabitable. Meanwhile, south-central Georgia experienced significant tree damage, and western North Carolina — particularly Asheville — remains in dire conditions, with closed roads impeding transportation, and widespread power and cellular outages making communication difficult or impossible.

Johnson encourages everyone in the LCMS to take part in the response as they are able. First, and most important, please pray for those affected by the storms. Second, consider volunteering to assist with the response. Third, consider a gift to LCMS Disaster Response.

Ladies Booo-nco (Bunco) Night

Ladies Booo-nco (Bunco) Night
Friday, October 25, 2024
Starting at 7:00 p.m. in Zion’s Fellowship Hall
Bring an appetizer or dessert to share!

RSVP to Tracey Harris at tharris@zlcb.org by Wednesday, October 23, 2024