LCMS’ “Lutheran Witness”
Lutheran Witness: December 2024
The December issue of The Lutheran Witness explores the family — what we can learn from the Holy Family, how the church can act like a family especially during the Christmas season, how to address difficult family situations, how the church can welcome singles, and more.
Lutheran Witness: December 2024
The December issue of The Lutheran Witness explores the family — what we can learn from the Holy Family, how the church can act like a family especially during the Christmas season, how to address difficult family situations, how the church can welcome singles, and more.
From the President: Christ Heals the Conscience Torn by Abortion
From the Editor: A Family Community
Features:
The Family of the Last Adam: The church is a family; how can we operate like one? — Christopher Nuttelman
The Gift of the Holy Family: How God set one family apart for our salvation — Roy S. Askins
A Walk Through Advent: Preparing for Christmas worship as a family — Leonard Payton
‘The Solitary in a Home’: How the church can serve singles, and how singles can serve the church — Adriane Heins
Honoring Sinful Parents: Keeping the Fourth Commandment like our Lord — Daniel Grimmer
Departments:
Snippets: News from around the LCMS and the world
Walking Together: Congregational spotlight on Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Warrensburg, Mo.
Worship: Music in the Home
Searching Scripture: A Worldwide Community (1 Peter 5:8–14)
Bulletin: Sunday December 22, 2024
Download/view the latest bulletin. It’s filled with our hymns, the order of service, all the readings from scripture, prayer requests for family & friends, service participants, communion statement, about our worship, the schedule of events for this coming weeks, along with announcements, news updates, happenings, and more!
View the bulletin for Sunday, December 22, 2024
Archive of AUDIO “Readings & Sermons”
Archive of VIDEO “Complete Service”
Archive of Bulletins
THIS WEEK AT ZION
Saturday December 21
No Events Scheduled
Sunday December 22
4th Sunday in Advent
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 December 23
No Event’s Scheduled
Tuesday December 24
CHRISTMAS EVE
2:00 p.m. - Afternoon Worship (prelude music begins at 1:30 p.m.)
7:00 p.m. - Candlelight Worship (prelude music begins at 6:00 p.m.)
(Either the 2:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. service streamed on our YouTube channel)
Wednesday December 25
CHRISTMAS DAY
10:00 a.m. - Christmas Day Worship Service with Communion
(The 10:00 a.m. service streamed on our YouTube channel)
Thursday December 26
No Events Scheduled
Friday December 27
No Events Scheduled
Saturday December 28
No Events Scheduled
Sunday December 29
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)
CLICK THE UPCOMING EVENTS GRAPHIC to go directly to our UPCOMING EVENTS page
2024 Concordia Christmas Video
Please enjoy this year's Christmas video featuring residents and staff counting down the days until Christmas!
Please enjoy this year's Christmas video featuring residents and staff counting down the days until Christmas!
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
Three Opportunities for Christmas Worship
There will be three opportunities for Christmas worship at Zion:
Christmas Eve (Tuesday 12/24) service at 2:00 p.m.
Christmas Eve (Tuesday 12/24) service at 7:00 p.m.
Christmas Day (Wednesday 12/25) service at 10: a.m.
A Prelude of special Christmas music …
Will be played prior to the start of each Christmas Eve Worship Service. The afternoon prelude will begin at 1:30 pm; evening prelude at 6:00 p.m. Come early to enjoy the beautiful sounds of this holy season!
New Year’s Eve (Tuesday 12/31) services at 2:00 & 7:00 p.m.
There will be three opportunities for Christmas worship at Zion:
Christmas Eve (Tuesday 12/24) service at 2:00 p.m.
Christmas Eve (Tuesday 12/24) service at 7:00 p.m.
Christmas Day (Wednesday 12/25) service at 10: a.m.
A Prelude of special Christmas music …
Will be played prior to the start of each Christmas Eve Worship Service. The afternoon prelude will begin at 1:30 pm; evening prelude at 6:00 p.m. Come early to enjoy the beautiful sounds of this holy season!
New Year’s Eve (Tuesday 12/31) services at 2:00 & 7:00 p.m.
VIDEO: Wednesday December 18, 2024 - Complete Service
Each service at Zion Lutheran Church (normally the first of our two services) is streamed LIVE on our YouTube channel. This includes 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.
View the Bulletin for Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Advent Worship Service: 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
During Advent, there will be no Wednesday Bible Study, it will resume Wednesday January 8, 2025
All are welcome, bring a friend, neighbor or relative
Visit our YouTube channel — Click the red “subscribe” box, and then click on the “bell” next to that box to receive Live Streaming notifications. You must be logged into YouTube to activate these features.
Archive of AUDIO “Readings & Sermons”
Archive of VIDEO “Complete Service”
Archive of BULLETINS
Make Church Part of Your Weekend Plans
Share the “Good News” with friend and Family
Zion Lutheran Church, Bridgeville, PA
Sunday Services at 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Bible Study and Children’s Sunday School at 9:15 a.m.
MISSION STATEMENT:
Zion equips, educates, and encourages believers in Christ, sending them into the world to share the Gospel.
Share the “Good News” with Friend and Family
Zion Lutheran Church, Bridgeville, PA
Sunday Services at 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Bible Study and Children’s Sunday School at 9:15 a.m.
MISSION STATEMENT:
Zion equips, educates, and encourages believers in Christ, sending them into the world to share the Gospel.