Welcome to Zion Lutheran Church

Ninth Sunday After Pentecost

INTRODUCTION TO THE DAY

In today’s first reading God invites all who are hungry or thirsty to receive food and drink without cost. Jesus feeds the hungry multitude and reveals the abundance of God. At the Eucharistic table we remember all who are hungry or poor in our World today. As we share the bread of life, we are sent forth to give ourselves away as bread for the hungry.

FIRST READING: Isaiah 55: 1-5

God invites Israel to a great feast at which both food and drink are free. God also promises to make an everlasting covenant with all the people, with promises that previously had been limited to the line of kings. As David was a witness to the nations, these nations shall now acknowledge the ways in which God has glorified Israel.

PSALM: Psalm 145: 8-21

SECOND READING: Romans 9: 1-5

These words celebrate the depth of God’s actions for us. Through the death of Christ for us and the activity of the Spirit praying for us, we are fused to God’s love poured out in Jesus Christ. Nothing, not even death itself, is able to separate us from such incredible divine love.

GOSPEL: Matthew 14: 13-21

Announcements!

ELCA ADVOCACY UPDATE

Make a customized Public Comment to HUD to challenge gender and LGBTQIA+ discrimination through the ELCA Action Center!

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has proposed a new rule that could decrease shelter access and increase the risk of homelessness for transgender and non-binary people in our communities. The proposed rule is now open to public comments, allowing people of faith, service providers, and concerned advocates the chance to offer their perspectives on the issue through September 22.

HUD’s proposed change would weaken existing protections under the 2016 issued ”Equal Access Rule,” allowing sex-segregated shelters to consider someone’s biological sex — rather than their self-identification — in making placement choices and how they accommodate people seeking shelter. Currently, the unrevised Equal Access Rule requires housing and shelter facilities to ensure equal access to benefits, services and accommodation for individuals based on their gender identity without intrusive and harmful questioning or government ID requirements.

The proposed change comes at an already challenging time for those of us struggling with homelessness. According to the Alliance to End Homelessness (Alliance) and HUD Point-in-Time data, homelessness among gender minorities has been increasing rapidly in the last several years, and recent economic turbulence isn’t likely making the situation better. “Since 2016,” according to the Alliance report, “homelessness among transgender people increased 88% overall, with unsheltered homelessness among trans people increasing 113%.” Adding additional barriers to shelters and housing services could potentially worsen these trends, and wear on the tired hope and trust of individuals in the good faith of service providers.

The ELCA in numerous social teaching documents and statements has affirmed that denying services based on sexuality, gender or any other form of discrimination brings us far short of God’s vision and our own goals of living together as one just society. The ELCA social statement Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust (2009) affirms that, “Hate crimes and violence against those who are regarded as sexually different sometimes have been perpetrated publicly in the name of Christ. Not only must such behaviors be denounced, but this church must work toward greater understanding of sexual orientation and gender identity.” In a press statement highlighting the rule, HUD cited religious beliefs as a driver of the proposed change, making it even more critical for Lutheran voices to speak against the discrimination of our LGBTQIA+ siblings, naming that denying safe shelter is not compatible with our faith.

Write and customize a unique public comment to HUD through the ELCA Action Center, and share with other advocates concerned with this issue by September 22.

PRAYERS

Please keep these people in your prayers: Al Bausch, Dortha Feddern, Michael Koch, Wesley and JoAnne Porter, and all those who are suffering from COVID-19. Please remember all of our shut ins and sick. (Also, pray for the families and caretakers of those on the prayer list.)

FUNDS FOR ZION

Please check the bulletin board behind the office door for all of the sign-up sheets for this year. Communion, birthday Sundays, and Worship Assistants/helpers. Thank you so much!

You can also remember special occasions or special people by contributing money that would normally be used for altar flowers. Instead the donation goes to our local food pantry.

Changes for the congregation:

Please attend Sunday worship services only if you are feeling well.

All members are asked to take their temperatures prior to leaving their homes. If over 100, we are asking that person to remain safely at home for the safety and health of themselves and others.

All members and guests will be required to wear a mask.

Masks must be worn throughout the services.

Please also bring hand sanitizer for yourself to use as you may come in contact with chairs, bulletins, etc.

Cleaning each week before and after each service will be increased greatly. That includes the restrooms. We ask that the actual “men’s” and “women’s” restrooms are not used. Rather, use the facility on the left across from the men’s room only should the need occur (cleaning is addressed later).

Changes within the Sunday service itself:

Both the front and back doors will be propped open to avoid repeated contact with door handles for those in attendance. The sanctuary door will also remain open.

Seating within the sanctuary will be different. In accordance with the present social distancing guidelines, we will maintain 6 feet of separation between seats. (Note: Household members who reside in the same home will not be required to be 6 feet apart. But, the household group will be required to be 6 feet from others.)

Bulletins used to follow the service and hymns will be placed on each seat prior to the service by the setup team (discussed later).

Our hymns will bring about two changes.

* We will still use our masks during the hymns.

* All hymns will be limited to 3 verses each.

Due to the social distancing guidelines, there will not be a worship assistant at the front (with Jon). Volunteer readers will read standing from their seat to avoid any common spacing issues we may encounter.

Preaching by Jon (or alternate when necessary) will be done only in the altar and pulpit area. A mask will not be required for the person presiding given the distance involved. As the service progresses, though, hymns being sung, walking in and out of the sanctuary, etc. the mask must be worn.

Alter accoutrements will be minimized to two candles, one small parament on the alter and the processional cross in the back.

Sharing of the peace will not be with handshakes and hugs (unless direct family within the same household). As we share the peace, it will be in body language only, bows, nods, smiles (even under a mask we can still smile), along with “God’s peace” or “Peace be with you” only.

Communion will be different. We will use pre-packaged wafers and cups (grape juice) to avoid close contact with one another. These cups will either be placed at each chair prior to the service or on the table as you enter the sanctuary by the setup team. They are to be thrown away when leaving.

The offering plate will not be passed around or walked around by Tim. The setup team will instead have the plate on the table as you enter the sanctuary.

After the service, we will not have coffee or any snacks being offered. We do understand that fellowship is still a very important part of worshiping, so there will be tables in the lobby configured in a square that will allow for social conversation while maintaining social distancing (masks still required).