July Worship Schedule

Sunday, July 5 (and Monday, July 6 at Marysville)
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Mark 6:1-13
Pastor Judy preaching

Sunday, July 12 (and Monday, July 13 at Marysville)
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
Mark 6:14-29
Pastor Judy preaching

Sunday, July 19 (and Monday, July 20 at Marysville)
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
Pastor Chris preaching

Sunday, July 26 (and Monday, July 27 at Marysville)
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
John 6:1-21
Pastor Judy preaching

June Worship Schedule

Monday June 1 at Marysville
‘A Very Merry Unbirthday’
John 7:37-39
Pastor Winzig preaching

Sunday June 7 (and Monday June 8 at Marysville)
The Holy Trinity / First Sunday after Pentecost
John 3:1-17
Pastor Chris Preaching

Sunday June 14 (and Monday June 15 at Marysville)
Second Sunday after Pentecost
Mark 4:26-34
Pastor Chris Preaching

Sunday June 21 (and Monday June 22 at Marysville)
Third Sunday After Pentecost
Mark 4:35-41
Pastor Judy Preaching

Sunday June 28 (and Monday June 29 at Marysville)
Fourth Sunday After Pentecost
Mark 5:21-43
Pastor Chris Preaching

Wear Red for Pentecost

PentecostMay 31 is the Feast of Pentecost, celebrating the coming of the Holy Spirit to the followers of Jesus. Red is the color of the day as it represents the fire of God’s Spirit. Please remember to wear red to worship next Sunday. Let’s see if we can have a sea of red (or red tones) fill the sanctuary!

The ELCA has some great information about the meaning and use of liturgical colors on their website.

May Worship Schedule

May 3:  ‘God: Protector and Provider’
John 10: 11-18
Pastor Hagen preaching

May 10:  ‘Bearing Godly Fruit’
John 15: 1-8
Pastor Hagen preaching

May 17:  ‘Just How New A Song?”
John 15:9-17
Pastor Winzig preaching

May 24: ‘One and Many’
John 17:20-26
Pastor Mortvedt preaching

May 31 (and Monday, June 1 at Marysville): ‘A Very Merry Unbirthday’
John 7:37-39
Pastor Winzig preaching

Pastor Mortvedt Preaching May 24

The Rev. Bob Mortvedt will be recognized on May 24th for 45 years of ordained ministry. He was ordained on May 27, 1965 upon graduation from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary.

The congregations he served are:

  • St. James Lutheran Church, Redding CA
  • Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Simi Valley CA
  • Reformation Lutheran Church, Westminster CA
  • St. Johns Lutheran Church, Beatrice NE
  • Fridhem Lutheran Church, Funk NE
  • Upon retirement in 1999, he and Becky moved to Buffalo.

In retirement he served four congregations as interim pastor, taught seventeen 10-week Bible studies at Zion, and presided at occasional weddings and funerals. Bob’s free time is spent reading about 350 books a year.

Pastor Bob will be preaching at all worship services at Zion on May 24th.

What is the Brief Order for Healing?

The Brief Order for Healing may be used in a variety of circumstances in the church’s ministry of care. Those who sense the need for God’s healing in any aspect of their lives may receive the gifts of prayer and of the laying on of hands. This sign, first given in baptism, tell us again that we are sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked forever with the cross of Christ, who is health and salvation for the whole world.

In its ministry of healing, the church does not replace the gifts of God that come through the scientific community, nor does it promise a cure. The church offers and celebrates gifts such as these: God’s presence with strength and comfort in time of suffering, God’s promise of wholeness and peace, and God’s love embodied in the community of faith.

Zion’s Maundy Thursday worship services on April 9 at Noon and 6:30pm will include the Brief Order for Healing.

All Holy week and Easter services are listed at http://www.zionbuffalo.org/Easter

April Worship Schedule

April 1: “Justice: Forgiveness Complete”
Romans 3:21-26
Pastor Judy preaching

April 5: Palm Sunday
Mark 14:1 – 15:47 or Mark 15:1-39
Pastor Judy preaching

April 9: Maundy Thursday
John 13:1-17, 31b-35
Pastor Chris preaching

April 10: Good Friday
John 18:1-19:42

April 12: Easter Sunday
Luke 24:13-49
Pastor Chris preaching

April 19: Second Sunday of Easter
John 20:19-31
Pastor Judy preaching

April 26: Third Sunday of Easter
Luke 24:36b-48
Pastor Judy preaching

March Worship Schedule

March 1: First Sunday in Lent
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
Pastor Hagen preaching

Wednesday March 4: “The Giving God: Foundation of Forgiveness”
Psalm 85
Pastor Winzig preaching

March 8: Second Sunday in Lent
Mark 8:31-38
Pastor Hagen preaching

Wednesday March 11: “Prying Loose the Log: Forgiving Oneself”
Matthew 7:1-5
Pastor Winzig preaching

March 15: Third Sunday in Lent
John 2:13-22
Pastor Hagen preaching

Wednesday March 18: “Betrayal: Forgiving Judas”
Matthew 26:14-16, 36-49
Pastor Winzig preaching

March 22: Fourth Sunday in Lent
John 3:14-21
Pastor Winzig preaching

Wednesday March 25: “Revenge: Forgoing Forgiveness”
Romans 12:14-21
Pastor Hagen preaching

March 29: Fifth Sunday in Lent
John 12:20-33
Pastor Hagen preaching

Homebound Communion Visitors

Did you know that each first Sunday of the month Zion members visit those who are homebound to bring communion after worship? These visits serve as a way to “carry the worship service” out of Zion‟s doors and into the homes of some of our members who cannot get to church on Sunday mornings. We thank those who have served or continue to serve each month as visitors: Cindy Bonde, Howard Burgdorf, Jill Hanson, Carol Krause, Sam Monson, Carol Nusbaum, Kathy Swanson.

A training session for all who are interested in becoming homebound communion visitors will be held in April. Interested? Call the church office or contact Pastor Judy or Sherilyn Burgdorf.

February Worship Schedule

February 1:Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
Mark 1:21-28
Pastor Winzig preaching

February 8: Fifth Sunday After Epiphany
Mark 1:29-39
Pastor Hagen preaching

February 15: Sixth Sunday after Epiphany
Mark 1:40-45
Pastor Hagen preaching

February 22: Transfiguration of Our Lord
Mark 9:2-9
Pastor Winzig preaching

Wednesday February 25: Ash Wednesday
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
Pastor Hagen preaching

Christmas Worship Services

Christmas Eve Worship
Wednesday, December 24 at 3pm, 5pm, and 11pm

The 3pm and 5pm services will include a special time for the children to come forward to see Jesus’ birthday cake up close, and hear a special message. Nursery care provided at both services.

The 11pm service is a candlelight service with Zion Christmas Choir.

Christmas Day Worship
Thursday, December 25 at 10am

Service includes Holy Communion.

PS: Young musicians who are interested in providing special music at any of the services on December 28 should contact Sherilyn in the office for details.

Young Musicians

Young musicians who are interested in providing special music at any of the services on December 28 should contact Sherilyn in the office for details.

Advent Readers

If your family would be willing to participate in the Advent reading at a worship service, please contact Sherilyn in the office for details.

Advent Resources

The season of Advent begins on November 30. During this advent time of preparing for Christ’s coming at Christmas please pick up some of the resources provided by the Zion Worship and Music Committee. Devotional books for individuals and for families with children are available, as well as key fob advent tags. Advent resources are available at the information desk in the narthex.

Celebrate Music at Zion

Joyful noises happen each week at Zion as musicians meet to rehearse and serve as music leaders each Sunday and Wednesday. We are thankful to have over 10 musical groups that rehearse weekly to provide a large variety of music for our worship services. There are numerous people who give of their time and instrumental talents to be hymn/song leaders at worship, Wednesday night confirmation, weddings, funerals, and special church events.

Take time this fall to give thanks for the many music ministers. Meet them before or after worship and give a well-deserved thank you for their year’s commitment. They will all be seen, heard, and recognized this fall at Sunday morning worship services. If you’d like to add your voice or instrumental talents to the groups you are welcomed warmly! See the website for details.

Look for our musicians on the following Sundays. Read the rest of this entry »

What is Sanctuary Sunday?

On the 4th Sunday of each month something exciting will be happening at Zion– the Sunday School classrooms will be empty and the church pews will be full for Sanctuary Sunday!

Sanctuary Sunday is a time for families to come to church as a family. Sunday School will not be in session this day so that families can worship together. All services for the day will be focused around community, children and building and strengthening the relationships with which God has blessed us.

Come on September 28th for the first Sanctuary Sunday, experience our church family in a new and powerful way, learn more about what Jesus meant when he said “Love one another as I have loved you!” and support the children in kindergarten and third grade as they receive their bibles.

Sanctuary Sunday

Come to Church as a Family!

On the 4th Sunday of each month something exciting will be happening at church – the Sunday School classrooms will be empty and the church pews will be full!  This year our Sunday school program will include a Sanctuary Sunday.

Sanctuary Sunday; a time for families to come to church as a family.  Sunday School  will not be in session this day in favor of spending time together in church.  Worship services for the day will be built specifically around the focus of community, children and building and strengthening the relationships with which God has blessed us.  Opportunities to learn as we worship and to experience our church family in a new and powerful way are what Sanctuary Sunday is all about.

Don’t miss the opportunity to come and learn more about what Jesus meant when he said, “Love one another as I have loved you!”  Sanctuary Sunday series begins on the 4th Sunday of September!

Usher Sign-Up

Can you help Usher on Sundays?  We are looking for additional volunteers (men, women, confirmation students, parent/child) to help usher during the 8:30 and 10:30 services.

Please stop at the information desk on Sunday and select any month of the year that may work into your schedule. If you are unable to help for an entire month, maybe you could indicate a couple of dates within that month you would be able to help serve.

Confirmation Students will have a separate form in the office  to fill out the day you usher so we can make sure you get your service hours.  Students who will be beginning confirmation in the fall may also volunteer and start receiving service credits now.  Any questions, please contact the church office.

Worship at Marysville Country Church begins June 2

Marysville SignDuring June, July & August services are held at the Marysville Church, on County Road 9 between Buffalo and Waverly, each Monday evening at 7pm.

The Swedesburg (AKA Marysville) Church was organized by Pastor Nelson in February 1873. The same pastors served the Swedesburg and Carlslund (later know as Zion) congregations until Swedesburg disbanded in 1950 and the members joined Zion. In 1973 the building was restored to celebrate the centennial of Swedesburg and Monday evening summer services commenced at that time.

Read the rest of this entry »

Hear Rachel Kurtz on June 22

Rachel Kurtz ConcertRachel Kurtz will be at Zion on Sunday, June 22, participating in worship services in the morning, and in concert at 1pm.

“Rachel Kurtz is a fulltime singer/songwriter originally from Cokato, MN. She travels the country singing about faith, life, love and the freedom we have in Jesus. She enjoys traveling and meeting people from all around the world and hearing their stories. Rachel has been involved with youth ministry for the past 9 years. She loves to encourage students with her stories and also see and affirm their gifts. Rachel sings in a variety of venues, from coffee shops to colleges, pubs to house parties, youth weekends to churches. Rachel has also sung in both ELCA and LCMS national gatherings, synod events and has had the pleasure of singing in India and West Africa. Rachel hopes to continue traveling the world singing for the Lord. “

The afternoon concert will be free and open to the public. You can learn more about Rachel or check out her CDs at rachelkurtz.com.