NOW LIVE on our YouTube Channel
Our Sunday School Christmas video is complete
THANK YOU Tess Carter for all the time and hard work producing it, and thanks also to the kids for participating.
December 15th is a big day for our Sunday School families … see details!
Our 4th - 6th grade Sunday School class provides an excellent foundation upon which Confirmation instruction builds in 6th grade. One hour with Jesus...9:15-10:15 Sunday mornings … time beautifully spent with the Savior of our Souls!
Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/christian-larsse... License code: AFSSQFCBXMMV8SJQ
Our Sunday School Christmas video is complete
THANK YOU Tess Carter for all the time and hard work producing it, and thanks also to the kids for participating.
December 15th is a big day for our Sunday School families … see details!
Our 4th - 6th grade Sunday School class provides an excellent foundation upon which Confirmation instruction builds in 6th grade. One hour with Jesus...9:15-10:15 Sunday mornings … time beautifully spent with the Savior of our Souls!
Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/christian-larsse... License code: AFSSQFCBXMMV8SJQ
VIDEO: Life Together Digest with the Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison
In this Life Together Digest, the Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, president of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), talks about the history of military chaplaincy in the LCMS, including Chaplain Friedrich Wilhelm Richmann, who served as chaplain to the United States Army in the Civil War, Chaplain R.C. Hohenstein, who survived the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, and Chaplain Henry Gerecke, who preached the Law and Gospel to Nazi war criminals during the Nuremburg trials. Today, our nation still needs faithful LCMS pastors to serve as chaplains. We pray the Lord of the harvest that more pastors will answer the call to LCMS military chaplaincy, administering Word and Sacrament to service members and their families. View this month’s Life Together Digest at https://mailchi.mp/lcms/life-together...
In this Life Together Digest, the Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, president of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), talks about the history of military chaplaincy in the LCMS, including Chaplain Friedrich Wilhelm Richmann, who served as chaplain to the United States Army in the Civil War, Chaplain R.C. Hohenstein, who survived the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, and Chaplain Henry Gerecke, who preached the Law and Gospel to Nazi war criminals during the Nuremburg trials. Today, our nation still needs faithful LCMS pastors to serve as chaplains. We pray the Lord of the harvest that more pastors will answer the call to LCMS military chaplaincy, administering Word and Sacrament to service members and their families. View this month’s Life Together Digest at https://mailchi.mp/lcms/life-together...
VIDEO: Sunday December 15, 2024 - Complete Service
Each service at Zion Lutheran Church (normally the first of our two Sunday services) is streamed LIVE on our YouTube channel. These streams are for Sunday’s, Wednesday’s, Lenten, Advent, and special services. The entire service is streamed from beginning-to-end. Weddings and Funerals can also be streamed, if requested in advance.
AUDIO: Announcements, Readings, Sermon & Bell Choir for Sunday December 15, 2024
This audio-only file includes all the readings from scripture, along with the sermon — and when available, the announcements, adult choir, men’s choir, and/or bell choir. Also posted along with the audio file is the text for all the scripture readings, and a link to the current bulletin, and our YouTube channel if you prefer to watch the LIVE Stream.
View the bulletin for Sunday, December 15, 2024
Archive of AUDIO “Readings & Sermons”
Archive of VIDEO “Complete Service”
Archive of Bulletins
Old Testament Reading — Zephaniah 3:14–20
Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion;
shout, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart,
O daughter of Jerusalem!
The Lord has taken away the judgments against you;
he has cleared away your enemies.
The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst;
you shall never again fear evil.
On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
“Fear not, O Zion;
let not your hands grow weak.
The Lord your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.
I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival,
so that you will no longer suffer reproach.
Behold, at that time I will deal
with all your oppressors.
And I will save the lame
and gather the outcast,
and I will change their shame into praise
and renown in all the earth.
At that time I will bring you in,
at the time when I gather you together;
for I will make you renowned and praised
among all the peoples of the earth,
when I restore your fortunes
before your eyes,” says the Lord.
Epistle Reading — Philippians 4:4–7
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the seventh chapter
The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And when the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’” In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight. And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”
When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in luxury are in kings’ courts. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written,
“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.’
I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least
in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
Merry Christmas, Pastor, Deaconess & Staff
Dear Brothers and Sisters of Zion,
Once again we begin a new church year. As we move through the season of Advent, we prepare for the celebration of the birth of Christ, our Savior. It is a joyful season, when we focus on giving to others because we have been given so much, including the forgiveness of sins and salvation.
It is the tradition of Zion to take a collection for Christmas gifts for the Pastor and Staff to show our appreciation for their efforts throughout the year. Enclosed are three envelopes in which you may contribute a free will offering toward their Christmas gifts.
Click the link below to read the complete story ….
Dear Brothers and Sisters of Zion,
Once again we begin a new church year. As we move through the season of Advent, we prepare for the celebration of the birth of Christ, our Savior. It is a joyful season, when we focus on giving to others because we have been given so much, including the forgiveness of sins and salvation.
It is the tradition of Zion to take a collection for Christmas gifts for the Pastor and Staff to show our appreciation for their efforts throughout the year. Enclosed are three envelopes in which you may contribute a free will offering toward their Christmas gifts.
In the envelope marked Pastor insert either cash or a check made out to Pastor Edward Grimenstein.
In the envelope marked Deaconess insert either cash or a check made out to Joanna Lee.
In the envelope marked Staff, please insert cash only. Monies collected will be distributed between six staff members: Susie Bishop (Office Admin), Jim Oelschlager (Custodian), John Migyanko (Treasurer), Mark Killinger (Music Director), Sandra Quinlan (Lead Organist), and Doug Krantz (Asst. Organist).
You may deposit the envelopes in the large collection box in the Narthex up until Dec. 24th.
We also want to gratefully acknowledge our Preschool Staff. Zion members Tracey Harris .(Preschool Director), Kari Gresh (Asst. to the Director) and Barb Oechslein (STEM Curriculum Leader) -- together with 17 additional teachers and aides in the classrooms - diligently share Christ's love with hundreds of children each week. Their efforts are vital to Zion's mission, and they have received a Christmas gift from the operating budget of the preschool, thus are not included in the church staff collection.
On behalf of the congregation, we thank you for your generosity in donating toward the Christmas gift for Pastor, Joanna, and the Staff.
Merry Christmas,
The Board of Elders
Bob Schmidt, Mike Wallace, Roger Diederich, Tom Erbrecht, Mike Sterba, Jim Neill, Sam Gar/off, & Mike Kroeger
Zion’s Christmas Video … Coming Tomorrow - 12/15/2024
SAVE THE DATE!
Sunday December 15th following both services
It’s the “Zion Christmas Video”
ALSO: Don’t miss the Sunday School students singing during the 10:30 a.m. service.
AND THERE’S MORE: Join us for a cake reception between service at 9:15 a.m. Sunday December 15th.
SAVE THE DATE!
Sunday December 15th following both services
It’s the “Zion Christmas Video”
ALSO: Don’t miss the Sunday School students singing during the 10:30 a.m. service.
AND THERE’S MORE: Join us for a cake reception between service at 9:15 a.m. Sunday December 15th.
Zion Lutheran Church's Gingerbread Road Trip
Gingerbread House Road Trip
On Monday December 9th 2024, Zion’s Deaconess, Joanna Lee organized a FREE BUS TRIP for to see the the city of Pittsburgh's 22 Annual Gingerbread House Competition and display at the City-County Building. The Gingerbread houses will be on display from November 23, 2024 through Jan. 3, 2025 — so, depending on when you watch this video, you might still have a chance to see this great exhibit.
This beloved Pittsburgh tradition has dazzled thousands of visitors for the past two decades at both PPG Place’s Winter Garden, and the historic City-County Building. For the 22nd year, the people of Pittsburgh, the surrounding Counties, and beyond have been invited to build their own edible house for the competition. Perhaps Zion will make an entry in 2025!
Categories included non-profit in 4 age groups, School categories for Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle, High School, and Culinary School, along with 4 different children’s categories. There were also categories for professional, family, adult, City departments/authorities, and City neighborhoods.
View all the participants and categories https://getinvolved.pittsburghpa.gov/...
Gingerbread House Road Trip
On Monday December 9th 2024, Zion’s Deaconess, Joanna Lee organized a FREE BUS TRIP for to see the the city of Pittsburgh's 22 Annual Gingerbread House Competition and display at the City-County Building. The Gingerbread houses will be on display from November 23, 2024 through Jan. 3, 2025 — so, depending on when you watch this video, you might still have a chance to see this great exhibit.
This beloved Pittsburgh tradition has dazzled thousands of visitors for the past two decades at both PPG Place’s Winter Garden, and the historic City-County Building. For the 22nd year, the people of Pittsburgh, the surrounding Counties, and beyond have been invited to build their own edible house for the competition. Perhaps Zion will make an entry in 2025!
Categories included non-profit in 4 age groups, School categories for Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle, High School, and Culinary School, along with 4 different children’s categories. There were also categories for professional, family, adult, City departments/authorities, and City neighborhoods.
View all the participants and categories https://getinvolved.pittsburghpa.gov/...