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Monthly Events
Join Pastor Johnson for Bible study each Wednesday over the lunch hour in the Hearth Room at Mt. Zion. Come when you can, leave when you need. Bring along your sandwich or salad, and enjoy great conversation and in-depth Bible study with other Mt. Zion disciples. To receive emails about this group, including their current study topics, please contact the church office at 414-258-0456 or admin@mtzionlutheran.org.
Seasonal Events
The Season of Pentecost 2008  PENTECOST, you know the word. You might know it has something to do with mighty rushing wind, tongues of fire, apostles being able to speak foreign languages and a mass baptism. It’s a story worth telling. Jesus has ascended to heaven. The disciples emboldened by Jesus’ appearances, forgiveness and blessings are in Jerusalem for the celebration of Pentecost (literally “fiftieth”) getting its name from the 50 days between it and Passover. Luke describes a mysterious and exciting scene— ”… from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind… And then this: “Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them (the disciples). All of them were filed with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.” (Acts 2:2-4) Well, well. Imagine—a message that adapted itself to different languages and cultures. Many of the folks that were there were aliens, coming from other lands looking for the opportunity to gather with others and celebrate the God of liberation. Instead of making it impossible for folks to understand the new message because they didn’t speak “the right language” or because “they aren’t from around here” the Holy Spirit adapts the message and makes it accessible to all. The upshot of this is at least two-fold. The Jesus story goes global without ethnic, religious or language qualifications and barriers, and after Peter’s ensuing sermon, Luke reports “so those who welcomed his message were baptized, and about three thousand persons were added.” (Acts 2: 41) Powerful stuff! But hey, who doesn’t want to know they are forgiven enough to live eternally? All this adds up to a feast and celebration in thanksgiving and joy and fellowship and breaking the bread and prayers and teaching and music and laughter. We will enter into the spring and summer with hope and life and warmth and love all generated by Christ whose message of life and warmth and hope and love and most of all forgiveness is reflected in us.
To help us be purveyors of said hope and love and forgiveness, we will return to the very popular and uplifting liturgy titled “Now the Feast and Celebration.” It will also mark Larry Shrode’s return to the organ loft. Using organ, piano, flute and sax, we will join our voices with all the saints. We will use our “tongues of fire” to sing of God’s quirky, mysterious, joyful and inclusive message that death is defeated and love abounds.
A Word from our Pastors
Everyone seems to have an opinion about what church is. What’s yours? Are you looking for truth? Are you looking for comfort, solace, acceptance or safety? |
Worship Schedule
Saturday Evenings
Worship 5:00 pm This service is held in our Chapel Sunday Mornings Worship 8:30 am Education for all ages from 9:45-10:45 Worship 11:00 am Both Sunday services are held in the Sanctuary Prayer Service Wednesdays at 9:00 am
Mt. Zion Community Blogs
Sunday Resources
Click here to access this Sunday's readings and prayers.
Newsletter
Click here for "Grace Notes," our monthly newsletter
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