AUDIO: Announcements, Readings, Sermon & Bell Choir for Sunday March 30, 2025

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Old Testament Reading -- Isaiah 12:1–6 
You will say in that day: 
“I will give thanks to you, O Lord,
for though you were angry with me,
your anger turned away,
that you might comfort me. 
“Behold, God is my salvation;
I will trust, and will not be afraid;
for the Lord God is my strength and my song,
and he has become my salvation.” 

With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day: 
“Give thanks to the Lord,
call upon his name,
make known his deeds among the peoples,
proclaim that his name is exalted.
“Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously;
let this be made known in all the earth.
Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion,
for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.” 

Epistle Reading -- 2 Corinthians 5:16–21 
From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 

The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the fifteenth chapter. 
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear [Jesus]. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” 

So he told them this parable: . . . 

“There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. 

“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. 

“Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’” 

Faith Bell Choir -- In the Cross of Christ I Glory (8 am) 

Vacation Bible School 2025 – July 7th - 11th

Vacation Bible School 
Zion Lutheran Church, Bridgeville, PA 
July 7-11, 2025 – 9:00-11:30 
Ages: 4 years old (prior to 9/1/25) through 4th grade 

FREE! 😊😊 
At “Epic Australian Adventure” Vacation Bible School, kids will learn how Jesus calls, leads, teaches, saves, and sends us to share the Good News with others through five exciting Old & New Testament stories that trace God’s epic plan of salvation. Jesus is our Savior and faithful guide, who shows us the right way to go and guides us on the path of truth that leads to eternal life. 

Program Details 

• VBS kids will be organized into either early childhood or elementary crews. Each crew will have 6-10 children per crew and two crew leaders. 

• We'll enjoy Bible stories, crafts, games, snacks and lively music as we celebrate God’s gifts. 

Registration Details (DEADLINE 6/8) 

• Complete the online REGISTRATION FORM (one per each child in a family) no later than Sunday, June 8th. 

• VBS is FREE … no fees to attend! 

• In order to ensure the best VBS experience for all children, the number of “crews” is limited, so be sure to register early to reserve your spot. 

Visit Zion’s website at www.zlcb.org/VBS for important information. Questions??? Contact Deaconess Joanna Lee, VBS Asst. Director at 412-221-4776 ext. 204 or deaconess@zlcb.org, OR Susie Bishop, Reg. Coordinator, at 412-221-4776, ext. 203 or secretary@zlcb.org. 

Download a PDF of the above information

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Vacation Bible School 2025 is Monday July 7th through Friday July 11th from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 

We hope you can join us in the Australian outback! Volunteers are needed.

Volunteer Opportunities:
There are lots of opportunities to help in hands-on roles with kids, and with behind-the-scenes tasks!  Volunteer all five days, or less to fit your schedule. 
Use the VOLUNTEER NOW button below to help

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Preview video of this years VBS theme!

Bulletin: Sunday March 30, 2025 + This Week at Zion

View the bulletin for Sunday, March 30, 2025
Archive of AUDIO “Readings & Sermons”
Archive of VIDEO “Complete Service”
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THIS WEEK AT ZION

Saturday March 29
10:00 a.m. - Pittsburgh Circuit Forum

Sunday March 30
8:00 a.m. — Worship Service with Communion
9:15 a.m. — Adult/Teen Bible Study & Sunday School
10:30 a.m. — Worship Service with Communion
(The 8:00 a.m. service streamed on our YouTube channel)

Monday March 31
6:00 p.m. - Confirmation
6:00 p.m. - Grace Bell Choir Practice
7:00 p.m. - Confirmation

Tuesday April 1
6:15 p.m. - Faith Bell Choir
7:15 p.m. - Adult Choir

Wednesday April 2
Midweek Lenten Services - Week 4
2:00 p.m. - Mid-Week Lenten Worship Service
7:00 p.m. - Mid-Week Lenten Worship Service
(Service streamed on our YouTube channel)

Thursday April 3
6:00 p.m. - Adult Confirmation/Member Class (Additional Details)
7:00 p.m. - Elder’s Meeting

Friday April 4
7:00 p.m. - Women’s Ministry Bunco Night (Additional Details)

Saturday April 5
10:00 a.m. - Pittsburgh Circuit Forum

Sunday April 6
8:00 a.m. — Worship Service with Communion
9:15 a.m. — Adult/Teen Bible Study & Sunday School
10:30 a.m. — Worship Service with Communion
(The 8:00 a.m. service streamed on our YouTube channel)

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CLICK THE UPCOMING EVENTS GRAPHIC to go directly to our UPCOMING EVENTS page

His is the Victory

Lutherans carry LCMS banners as the group passes the U.S. Supreme Court at the March for Life in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 24. (LCMS/Roy S. Askins)

‘His is the victory’ … Lutherans confess Christ at March for Life 
By Stacey Eising, February 24, 2025 

On Jan. 24, LCMS Lutherans joined tens of thousands of other pro-life marchers at the 52nd annual March for Life in Washington, D.C.

The tone of this year’s march, the third since Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, was somber, coming after repeated political losses for the pro-life cause in recent years. But in the wake of the first post-Roe pro-life victories at the polls in November, it was also hopeful. U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance appeared in person at the pre-march rally, his first public appearance since taking the vicepresidential oath of office a few days earlier.

“As you all know, the event theme this year is ‘Life: Why We March,’ and there are obvious answers to the implicit question it poses. We march to protect the unborn. We march to proclaim and live out the sacred truth that every single child is a miracle and a gift from God,” said Vance in his address. “It is a joy and a blessing to fight for the unborn, to work for the unborn, and to march for life,” said Vance.

Despite the changes in administration and the political losses and victories of recent years, the LCMS participants gathered in much the same spirit as they do every year: prayerfully, repentantly, to confess the truth of God’s Word about the sanctity of life, and the life He has for all in Christ. Lutherans carry LCMS banners as the group passes the U.S. Supreme Court at the March for Life in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 24. (LCMS/Roy S. Askins) Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison followed Vance on the rally stage, to give a short address and closing prayer.

“Why do we march? Because the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, cleanses us from all our sins. Why do we march? Because many consciences in America have died, and we believe in resurrections, and we say, ‘Lazarus, come out,’” said Harrison from the stage.

This year, for the first time, the LCMS group was joined by a representative from the leadership of all 35 LCMS districts, including 22 district presidents.

“I’ve been to the national March for Life more than 20 times,” said the Rev. Christopher Esget, LCMS fifth vice-president and pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Alexandria, Va. “My first few years I saw it as a political statement. … I now see it as a confession that every life is valuable and a gift from God. … We’re testifying in the public square that there is something greater than politics — we’re setting the matter before God and peacefully ‘lifting high the cross,’ so to speak, to call the world to Jesus, in whom is life.”

Prior to the march, the LCMS group gathered, as usual, for the Divine Service at Immanuel. The Rev. Michael Mohr, LCMS Central Illinois District president, preached.

“Your place in God’s right-hand kingdom, robed in the perfect righteousness of Christ … frees your voice and your hands to labor — not for your own sake, but for the neighbor, in that good confession of whose they are: blood-bought, purchased, won, beloved. And for those who receive this Good News by faith — restored, justified, eternally alive. We are called to fight the good fight of the faith. … This fight is the battle won by our Lord Jesus Christ over sin, death and the power of the devil. His you are. His is the battle, and His is the victory.”

After the service and a brunch, the LCMS group traveled by buses to the march. With hymn verses and prayers printed on the backs of their signs, the group spent the march in prayer and singing.

Kerri Elizabeth Robinson, a high school senior and Immanuel member who played violin during the service, has joined in the march for several years.

“It’s equal parts joyful and solemn,” said Robinson. “It’s a lot of silence and reflection to think about the loss of life and the evil and the hurt that’s been done. And it’s also a lot of joy, in that God will do His will ultimately. … He’s going to come back, He’s going to purify the world, and every knee will bow. And so, looking forward to that, we can sing songs of joy, and also songs of mourning to remember those we’ve lost and those we will see again.” ...

Read the entire article online at www.reporter.lcms.org

Women’s Ministry: Upcoming Events

April 26th
Pittsburgh Zone Rally - St. John’s Millvale

May 15th
Zion Ladies’ Dinner - Location TBD

June 26-29
LWML Convention - Omaha, NE

September 19-21
District Fall Retreat - Campl Lutherlyn

Check your inbox for additional information on these upcoming events

Easter Sunday Breakfast at Zion!

Join us for the Zion Easter Breakfast!
Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025
Join us in the Fellowship Hall in between services

Where do you fit:
Volunteers are needed to make egg casseroles (recipe & pan provided), help with set up, help with clean up, and help to serve.

RSVP on the sign up at the back of the church, or eMail: meganpasquini@hotmail.com

Ladies Bunco Night - Friday, April 4th

Ladies Bunco Night
Save the Date:
Friday, April 4, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.
Bring an appetizer or dessert to share!
RSVP to Tracey Harris at tharris@zlcb.org by Wednesday, April 2nd!

So what’s Bunco?
Bunco is a dice game with twelve or more players, divided into groups of four, trying to score points while taking turns rolling three dice in a series of six rounds. A bunco is achieved when a person rolls three-of-a-kind and all three numbers match the round number which is decided at the beginning of the round. Video of how Bunco is played — view below
No experience necessary!