December 2024 Not Just Mary’s Child Dear Friends of Zion,
My wife gave birth to our firstborn son on December 25. We didn’t expect him until later in January. But what joy filled our hearts when he was born. When we brought him home we were faced with the reality of a child in our lives and in our home. He didn’t come with directions. We needed to take care of him…bathe him, dress him, and feed him. We needed to teach him and even play with him, tasks that required us to be with him and to enjoy his presence among us.
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, an angel visited the shepherds as they watched over their flock by night. The angel said to them, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). This was not just Mary’s Child, but One who has been given to us all. He is our Child as well. And with this Child, our Savior, comes joy in the blessings that He will give to His people.
Jesus will want to spend time with us and to offer the blessings that we need. He will bathe us in the waters of baptism, teach us His Word as we hear it preached and spoken in worship. He will feed us with His true body and blood under the bread and wine in His holy Supper, and has promised to be with us always. He will clothe us in a robe of righteousness that He will provide. He will deliver us from our own bondage of sin and death and encourage us in our lives.
In the birth of Jesus we discover the Lord and God who became flesh to dwell among us. St. John wrote, “He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him. But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become the children of God” (John 1:11-12). And to all who receive Him, to all who believe in His name, there is hope, and peace, and joy.
God bless you with a very Merry Christmas!
Pastor
November 2024 Steadfast and Enduring Love
Dear Friends of Zion,
If Thanksgiving was not a federal holiday, would you observe a day of thanks? If our calendar did not have a day called “Thanksgiving”, would you celebrate a day to be grateful? I think that we do need to be reminded to give thanks to the Lord. It is easy to forget.
Once, while visiting family, everyone began to eat. My wife and I looked at each other, knowing that the prayer had been forgotten. Then my mother said, “We forgot to say grace.” As we all folded our hands, bowed our heads, I heard my uncle say, “Who will bless the food we’ve already eaten?”
Psalm 136 reminds us to give thanks. Verses 1 – 3 says,
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever. 2 Give thanks to the God of gods, for His steadfast love endures forever. 3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for His steadfast love endures forever.
These verses address God three times, reminding us to give thanks. And in every one of the 26 verses it says, “for His steadfast love endures forever.” Sometimes we do need to be reminded that God’s steadfast love endures forever. He created everything, and has redeemed us by His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. He has given us a reason to give thanks and to be grateful – not just one day a year, but always.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!”
Pastor
October 2024 The Blessings of God’s Grace Dear Friends of Zion,
In October we celebrate the “Reformation of the Christian Church.” October 31 is the date that was chosen. It was on October 31 that the German Reformer, Martin Luther, posted 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. He was hoping to establish dialogue over some of the church practices that were contrary to the doctrines of Holy Scripture as well as our faith.
Martin Luther was also concerned about the lack of knowledge about Christ and biblical teachings that were evident, not only in the church, but also in the homes. He wrote the Small Catechism so that the heads of households could teach their children. In a society that has in many ways abandoned the Christian faith, it is important for parents to take an active role in the Christian education of their children.
Our congregation has dedicated people who are willing to serve as Sunday School teachers. But they need to have children who will come and learn and discover the wonderful things that God has done for us all in Jesus Christ.
The Reformation brought people back into the blessings of God’s grace in Jesus Christ. And because of it, people today can receive the blessings of God that is offered in His Holy Word, in the waters of Holy Baptism, and the precious Body and Blood that Jesus gives to us through the elements of bread and wine in Holy Communion.
Pastor
Search
Find Us
Address
235 Pond Hill Road
Wallingford, CT 06492
(203) 269-6847
ONLINE & MOBILE GIVING Zion has a new online & mobile giving tool called Vanco Faith. You can download the FREE app from your phone’s app store.
For more information: How_to_Give_Using_Vanco_Mobile
Little Zion Preschool is a not for profit preschool that is dedicated to quality education in a warm Christian environment. Our concern is for the whole child; to extend skills in all areas of learning including physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual development. We recognize that each child is a unique creation of God. Success in kindergarten is our goal.
Messages from Pastor Bob
December 2024 Not Just Mary’s Child
Dear Friends of Zion,
My wife gave birth to our firstborn son on December 25. We didn’t expect him until later in January. But what joy filled our hearts when he was born. When we brought him home we were faced with the reality of a child in our lives and in our home. He didn’t come with directions. We needed to take care of him…bathe him, dress him, and feed him. We needed to teach him and even play with him, tasks that required us to be with him and to enjoy his presence among us.
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, an angel visited the shepherds as they watched over their flock by night. The angel said to them, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). This was not just Mary’s Child, but One who has been given to us all. He is our Child as well. And with this Child, our Savior, comes joy in the blessings that He will give to His people.
Jesus will want to spend time with us and to offer the blessings that we need. He will bathe us in the waters of baptism, teach us His Word as we hear it preached and spoken in worship. He will feed us with His true body and blood under the bread and wine in His holy Supper, and has promised to be with us always. He will clothe us in a robe of righteousness that He will provide. He will deliver us from our own bondage of sin and death and encourage us in our lives.
In the birth of Jesus we discover the Lord and God who became flesh to dwell among us. St. John wrote, “He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him. But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become the children of God” (John 1:11-12). And to all who receive Him, to all who believe in His name, there is hope, and peace, and joy.
God bless you with a very Merry Christmas!
Pastor
November 2024 Steadfast and Enduring Love
Dear Friends of Zion,
If Thanksgiving was not a federal holiday, would you observe a day of thanks? If our calendar did not have a day called “Thanksgiving”, would you celebrate a day to be grateful? I think that we do need to be reminded to give thanks to the Lord. It is easy to forget.
Once, while visiting family, everyone began to eat. My wife and I looked at each other, knowing that the prayer had been forgotten. Then my mother said, “We forgot to say grace.” As we all folded our hands, bowed our heads, I heard my uncle say, “Who will bless the food we’ve already eaten?”
Psalm 136 reminds us to give thanks. Verses 1 – 3 says,
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good,
for His steadfast love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods,
for His steadfast love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for His steadfast love endures forever.
These verses address God three times, reminding us to give thanks. And in every one of the 26 verses it says, “for His steadfast love endures forever.” Sometimes we do need to be reminded that God’s steadfast love endures forever. He created everything, and has redeemed us by His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. He has given us a reason to give thanks and to be grateful – not just one day a year, but always.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!”
Pastor
October 2024 The Blessings of God’s Grace
Dear Friends of Zion,
In October we celebrate the “Reformation of the Christian Church.” October 31 is the date that was chosen. It was on October 31 that the German Reformer, Martin Luther, posted 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. He was hoping to establish dialogue over some of the church practices that were contrary to the doctrines of Holy Scripture as well as our faith.
Martin Luther was also concerned about the lack of knowledge about Christ and biblical teachings that were evident, not only in the church, but also in the homes. He wrote the Small Catechism so that the heads of households could teach their children. In a society that has in many ways abandoned the Christian faith, it is important for parents to take an active role in the Christian education of their children.
Our congregation has dedicated people who are willing to serve as Sunday School teachers. But they need to have children who will come and learn and discover the wonderful things that God has done for us all in Jesus Christ.
The Reformation brought people back into the blessings of God’s grace in Jesus Christ. And because of it, people today can receive the blessings of God that is offered in His Holy Word, in the waters of Holy Baptism, and the precious Body and Blood that Jesus gives to us through the elements of bread and wine in Holy Communion.
Pastor
Search
Find Us
Address
235 Pond Hill Road
Wallingford, CT 06492
(203) 269-6847
Directions and map
Join Us For Worship
4:00 pm Saturday NEW TIME
10:30 am Sunday
ONLINE & MOBILE GIVING
Zion has a new online & mobile giving tool called Vanco Faith. You can download the FREE app from your phone’s app store.
For more information: How_to_Give_Using_Vanco_Mobile
CLICK HERE to donate using this secure link
Memorial Donation Form
Little Zion Preschool
Little Zion Preschool is a not for profit preschool that is dedicated to quality education in a warm Christian environment. Our concern is for the whole child; to extend skills in all areas of learning including physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual development. We recognize that each child is a unique creation of God. Success in kindergarten is our goal.
Visit Little Zion Preschool website
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