Have you ever wondered what exactly makes a person a Christian? You could give all kinds of answers to this question. Many Christians point to their baptism, while others could emphasize the role of faith or belief, and still others may place importance on living in the way Jesus has shown us. What’s at the […]
Read NewsletterEye on Zion
A Quarterly Newsletter for the People of Zion Lutheran Church
Seeking: Honest Questions for a Deeper Faith (February, March, April)
There is a movement within American Christianity that identifies “seekers” as people who are new to church or to the Christian faith. These churches pay special attention to every aspect of their ministry to make sure they are welcoming to those unfamiliar with church. They make sure their messaging and communication don’t have words […]
Read NewsletterA Geography of Christmas (November, December, January)
I have always loved maps. As a kid I would stare at two-dimensional maps and imagine myself exploring new worlds.
Read NewsletterRe:Boot (August, September, October
This time of year is often a time of renewal, especially for children, faculty, and staff who are returning to schools. Even for those who haven’t been in a classroom for many years, the rhythms of life as we transition from summer into fall schedules invite reinvention and renewal, or at least getting into a […]
Read NewsletterSurprise: May, June, July 2022
I can only imagine being with the women coming to Jesus’ tomb, finding the stone that had sealed it shut rolled away and the tomb empty. I can only imagine being in a locked room, and suddenly Jesus (who they all saw crucified) is standing there with them, inviting them to touch him. I can […]
Read NewsletterFull to the Brim: An Expansive Lent (February-April 2022)
When I was younger, I couldn’t help but think of Lent as that period of days associated most notably with an emphasis of having to give something up. I dreaded the decision—would it be chocolate, soda pop, pizza, or maybe even fried foods? I would contemplate carefully what I thought I might be able to […]
Read NewsletterClose to Home Nov, Dec, January
Dear Friends in Christ, It is difficult for me to believe that I am writing about Advent and Christmas already, but time seems to be moving at different rhythms in a world fraught with as much anxiety and change as we have experienced over the last two years. Our theme for this Advent season is […]
Read NewsletterGreater Than- AugSepOct 2021
In our world today, we can often feel overwhelmed by the many forces at work all around us. Examples include the ever-present coronavirus and the daily implications it has for our lives. We wonder when this will end. As summer continues, we sense that natural disasters are on the rise—fires in the west, scorching heat, […]
Read NewsletterReturn, Rebuild, Renew-MayJunJul 2021
It has been over a year since our lives were turned upside down overnight with the coronavirus pandemic. In many ways the last year has been a time of exile for many of us. We have been separated from our loved ones, our routines, our patterns, our regular lives. We were snatched away from the […]
Read NewsletterRooted- Grounded- Growing-FebMarApr 2021
As we begin a new year, we look with hope for what this coming year will bring. For much of 2020, we all have been staying close to home and many times in our homes to keep us and others safe in the midst of the pandemic. As we look to 2021 and the rollout […]
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