News!

Lent, 2011

This year, Lent comes relatively late because Easter will not be until the last Sunday in April, Apr. 24. Since this is almost as late as Easter can possibly come, Lent will be correspondingly delayed in 2011. We will have a long Epiphany season.

Lent will begin on Ash Wednesday, March 9. On that evening, God willing, Zion will begin a series of six midweek Lenten services. These will be like the Lenten services to which we have grown accustomed. That is, they will be somewhat unlike the midweek catechetical services.

For one thing, these services will be longer. The service on Ash Wednesday will be a communion service. Then the next five will follow the Order of Vespers, and will include readings from the Passion History.

Second, the services will involve a rotation of preachers. In addition to Pastor Schurb, Pastor Larry Carlson of Salem, Forest Green and Pastor Glen Drewitz of St. John, Brunswick will be with us to preach and conduct these midweek services during Lent.

Third, the services will have a common theme, “People of the Passion.” The people are:

Mar. 9 (Ash Wed.): Nicodemus, the Silent Believer (John 3:1-2;
7:50-51; 19:39)
Mar. 16: Caiaphas, the Schemer (John 11:47-53)
Mar. 23: Judas, the Opportunist (Luke 22:1-6; John 12:4-6)
Mar. 30: Peter, the Denier (Luke 22:31-32, 61-62; John 21:17)
Apr. 6: Pontius Pilate, the Thinker (John 19:12)
Apr. 13: One of the Mob, the Follower (Matthew 27:20-23)

These were but a few of the many people who were part of Jesus’ passion, His suffering and death. What do you know about them? What if you could have been there with them? Through these Lenten series sermons, you can gain valuable insights from these people. Still more, regardless of the preacher, God’s Word of law and gospel will speak to your heart in judgment and grace. By faith you, too, will be a person of the passion!






Beginning on Sunday, March 13, Zion’s Sunday morning adult Bible class will take up a new study.
It will utilize a resource entitled Lutheranism 101.

This attractively laid-out book provides a basic guide through an overview of the Christian faith. Although
written with the uninitiated person in mind, Lutheranism 101 truly has something for everyone. It also contains sections on church history, worship, and the Christian life. This is quite appropriate, since Lutheranism is not only a way of believing, but also of belonging and becoming. The new book will serve as an outline for the class to delve into all of these aspects. As teacher, Pastor Schurb will supplement with Bible passages,
discussion, and stories.

Zion has sufficient copies of Lutheranism 101 for class members to use. Some participants may wish to
purchase their book to use as an at-home reference and guide.

If you have not been to Sunday Bible class for a while, here is a great opportunity to return. Why do you
suppose a Swedish Lutheran bishop once said, “There is no Gospel but the Lutheran Gospel”? Consider this your opportunity to find out!

Throughout February, and also on March 6, the Sunday adult Bible class will complete its study of
The Christian’s Mission. Companion audio for these sessions can be found each week on the internet at www.issuesetc.org. Before each Sunday, you can prepare by listening to the interview with Pastor Schurb from the previous Wednesday.
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