24th Sunday After Pentecost/
Thankoffering Sunday
INTRODUCTION TO THE DAY
Every gathering for worship has elements of thanksgiving. When we are nourished with God’s bounty in Holy Communion, when we partake of the Word of Jesus that gives life to the World, and even when two or three of us simply join our hearts in prayer to make our requests known to God, we do so “with Thanksgiving.” Let us give thanks to the Lord, who is good and whose mercy endures forever.
Jeremiah’s promise of the execution of “justice and righteousness in the land” finds ironic fulfillment in the execution of Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews. It appears so utterly contradictory that the king should be crucified with the criminal. This victory appears for all the World as ignominious defeat. Yet through the gate of death our Lord opens the door to paradise.
FIRST READING: Jeremiah 23: 1-6
Today’s reading builds on the common ancient Near Eastern metaphor of the king as shepherd. Judah’s unjust rulers have caused their people, their “flock,” to be scattered. Nevertheless, the Lord will raise up a new and righteous shepherd who will rule a restored Judah.
PSALM 46
SECOND READING: Colossians 1: 11-20
An early Christian hymn praises the mystery of the political, personal, and mystical Christ, the one who was present at creation and is eternally reigning with God.
GOSPEL: Luke 23: 32-43
Amid scoffing and slander from those who sarcastically call him Messiah and King, Jesus reals that to be Messiah and King is to give one’s life for others. Here he uses his power to welcome a despised sinner to paradise but puts his own death into God’s hands.
Announcements!
GOOD SAMARITAN FOOD PANTRY
If you still want to make a donation to the ministry of providing for the Thanksgiving boxes, please make that donation with your regular offering and be sure to mark it so that Tim knows where it needs to go. Carol Mahon has already ordered what we need. Thank you, Carol, for all that you do for us.
Remember the 3 Ps. Pray, Participate, and Pay.
REVERSE ADVENT CALENDAR
Carol also introduced the idea of the Reverse Advent Calendar. Instead of opening a door on a calendar, each day you add a food item to a box. On Christmas Eve you donate the box to the food pantry. It is a great day of giving during this coming advent season. The list of donations are on the table by the door. If you need a box let Carol know and she will help you procure one. Maybe we can come up with something similar for Lent.
ADVENT MIDWEEK SERVICES
For those of us who wish to worship on Wednesday evenings during Advent, there are opportunities in our neighboring churches:
- Resurrection Lutheran, Hilliard, 6 p.m. light supper, service at 6:45 (thereabout).
- St. John’s, London, soup supper at 6 p.m., service at 7 p.m.
- St. Paul’s, New Rome, potluck supper at 6 p.m., service at 7 p.m.
Please keep these services in mind as you plan your holiday calendar. Happy Holidays.
HAPPY NEW YEAR. NEW CHURCH YEAR BEGINS.
We will be celebrating another New Church Year on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, when we celebrate the First Sunday of Advent. This will be a special day for us. We will celebrate the approaching birth of our Lord every Sunday for the four weeks before Christmas. Christmas Eve is on Tuesday this year. We will be gathering here at the church for our traditional Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. Please mark your calendars for these special days before Christmas.
POINSETTIAS FOR CHRISTMAS EVE
Once again this year we will be getting poinsettias for the Altar for Christmas Eve. This year we are again getting red blooms and they will be $12 per pot for 8.5” pots. Please take a moment to stop by the bulletin board behind the office door and sign up for one (or more). Place your money in an envelope and put it in an offering plate. We appreciate your help in making our Altar even more festive for this special night.
COMING TO A LOMO NEAR YOU
The last LOMO event coming to the Lutheran Outdoor Ministry Camps is:
- Christmas Bazaar December 14 Lutheran Memorial Camp
A NEW NEIGHBOR CALLS
We recently received a notice from the Mechanicsburg Christian Fellowship Church. Since we do not carol anymore, we might want to consider going for a walk in Mechanicsburg. I will wait for you at the finish line.
The Christmas Walk (Presented in Mechanicsburg). This 60-minute tour takes you through the significant events surrounding the reason we celebrate Christmas, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
- What: A great event for individual Families, Youth Groups, Small Groups, Church Groups (it makes a great outing). A walking tour, approximately ¼ mile in total walking distance, with numerous stops and places to sit. Free Refreshments at the end! It is FREE!
- When: Friday, Dec. 6, and Saturday, Dec. 7, 6 to 8 p.m.
- How: Please reserve your FREE seats to help us prepare for the event. Walk-ins are definitely welcome, but seats are limited, please use www.itickets.com (search Christmas Walk). Tours start every 15 minutes (6, 6:15, 6:30, 6:45, 7, 7:15, 7:30, 7:45, 8), please arrive just a bit early. This event happens regardless of weather conditions
- Where: GPS Address: 1 S. Main St., Mechanicsburg, 43044. Tours start from the Simple Comforts Coffee Shop.
5TH SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29TH
December 29th, we will be going to First English again to serve breakfast. We will also stay after breakfast to worship with their congregation and celebrate the Eucharist. We will not be having worship here at Zion that Sunday. Please mark your calendars so that you do not come to church here.
PRAYERS
Please keep these people in your prayers: Esther Mae Baker, Pastor Larry Baker, Al Bausch, Dortha Feddern, Norma Hicks, Wesley and JoAnn Porter, and George Wendel. Please remember all of our shut-ins and sick. (Also, pray for the families and caretakers of those on the prayer list.)
THE BREAKFAST BUNCH
“The Breakfast Bunch” meets the first Saturday of every month at Der Dutchman in Plain City, at 8:30 a.m. “Come one, Come all” for a great breakfast, fellowship and more!
SIGN-UPS
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.
