Martin Luther, the Great German reformer of the church, once designed a seal that he intended to represent his theology. It has been referred to as the “Luther Rose.” We have it in our church. There is stained glass version in the round window in the foyer. There is another one in my office that someone made out of wood and painted. Here is an example of it:
Luther explained the meaning of that seal. In a letter he wrote,
“First, there is a black cross in a heart that remains its natural color. This is to remind me that it is faith in the Crucified One that saves us. Anyone who believes from the heart will be justified (Romans 10:10). It is a black cross, which mortifies and causes pain, but it leaves the heart its natural color. It doesn’t destroy nature, that is to say, it does not kill us but keeps us alive, for the just shall live by faith in the Crucified One (Romans 1:17). The heart should stand in the middle of a white rose. This is to show that faith gives joy, comfort, and peace—it puts the believer into a white, joyous rose. Faith does not give peace and joy like the world gives (John 14:27). This is why the rose must be white, not red. White is the color of the spirits and angels (cf. Matthew 28:3; John 20:12). This rose should stand in a sky-blue field, symbolizing that a joyful spirit and faith is a beginning of heavenly, future joy, which begins now, but is grasped in hope, not yet fully revealed. Around the field of blue is a golden ring to symbolize that blessedness in heaven lasts forever and has no end. Heavenly blessedness is exquisite, beyond all joy and better than any possessions, just as gold is the most valuable and precious metal.”
Every time we look at that seal, we can be reminded of Luther’s theology. We can see the great teachings of the Bible expressed as a picture. And as someone once said, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” The Luther Rose indeed is a picture that is worth more than a thousand words.
Pastor
September 2026 – Shining the Light of Christ into Our World
Dear Friends of Zion, There’s an old saying, “Use it, or lose it.” A couch potato can understand this in time. So can a person who is in the hospital or recovering from an injury. I was once on crutches for a week, due to stitches in the bottom of my foot. By the end of the week my right leg was weaker. I had lost in that short period of time some muscle tone. I had to work to get the strength back.
Can it also apply with our faith? And what about our biblical knowledge? St. Peter wrote, “You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:17-18). There is a danger to those who are not growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. One can be led astray by adopting attitudes and behavior that are contrary to our faith.
St. Paul wrote, “[God our Savior] desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). Jesus said, “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3). When we are in the Word, it helps us know more about God and His work of salvation in Jesus Christ. It also reveals a lot about the world we live in and the dangers and temptations we do face. Being in the Word can help us understand ourselves and how much we need our Lord Jesus Christ in our lives.
Psalm 119:105 states, “[God’s] word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” We can surely use that light in this world today. May the Light of Christ always shine in your heart and mind.
Pastor
Summer 2026 – Seeking God’s Grace, Offered Through Jesus
Dear Friends of Zion, Not everyone enjoys the summer. But there are some who do. Perhaps they enjoy spending them outdoors enjoying nature and seeing and hearing the birds. It is interesting that Jesus once referred to nature as a way of teaching people spiritual truths. In His sermon on the mount Jesus was teaching people about God’s care for us, that we should not worry about what to eat and drink, or be anxious about what we should wear. He directed His hearers to look at nature.
Jesus said, “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” Jesus also said, “And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” (Matthew 6:26-29).
“Look at the birds of the air,” and “consider the lilies of the filed,” and what can we learn? God takes care of us. Or, as Martin Luther wrote in his Small Catechism, “He richly and daily provides me with all that I need to support this body and life.” Therefore, “do not be anxious about your life.” Have faith and trust in the Lord. King Solomon wrote, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).
There is something more important than food and clothing and receiving the basic necessities of life. Our relationship with God is far more important. At the conclusion of these verses about not worrying, Jesus says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).
What does Jesus teach about what we really need: “Seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” Seek God’s grace as He offers it through Jesus and through God’s Word and Sacraments. “And all these things will be added to you.”
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
October 2026 – “Heavenly Blessedness”
Dear Friends of Zion,
Martin Luther, the Great German reformer of the church, once designed a seal that he intended to represent his theology. It has been referred to as the “Luther Rose.” We have it in our church. There is stained glass version in the round window in the foyer. There is another one in my office that someone made out of wood and painted. Here is an example of it:
Luther explained the meaning of that seal. In a letter he wrote,
“First, there is a black cross in a heart that remains its natural color. This is to remind me that it is faith in the Crucified One that saves us. Anyone who believes from the heart will be justified (Romans 10:10). It is a black cross, which mortifies and causes pain, but it leaves the heart its natural color. It doesn’t destroy nature, that is to say, it does not kill us but keeps us alive, for the just shall live by faith in the Crucified One (Romans 1:17). The heart should stand in the middle of a white rose. This is to show that faith gives joy, comfort, and peace—it puts the believer into a white, joyous rose. Faith does not give peace and joy like the world gives (John 14:27). This is why the rose must be white, not red. White is the color of the spirits and angels (cf. Matthew 28:3; John 20:12). This rose should stand in a sky-blue field, symbolizing that a joyful spirit and faith is a beginning of heavenly, future joy, which begins now, but is grasped in hope, not yet fully revealed. Around the field of blue is a golden ring to symbolize that blessedness in heaven lasts forever and has no end. Heavenly blessedness is exquisite, beyond all joy and better than any possessions, just as gold is the most valuable and precious metal.”
Every time we look at that seal, we can be reminded of Luther’s theology. We can see the great teachings of the Bible expressed as a picture. And as someone once said, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” The Luther Rose indeed is a picture that is worth more than a thousand words.
Pastor
September 2026 – Shining the Light of Christ into Our World
Dear Friends of Zion,
There’s an old saying, “Use it, or lose it.” A couch potato can understand this in time. So can a person who is in the hospital or recovering from an injury. I was once on crutches for a week, due to stitches in the bottom of my foot. By the end of the week my right leg was weaker. I had lost in that short period of time some muscle tone. I had to work to get the strength back.
Can it also apply with our faith? And what about our biblical knowledge? St. Peter wrote, “You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:17-18). There is a danger to those who are not growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. One can be led astray by adopting attitudes and behavior that are contrary to our faith.
St. Paul wrote, “[God our Savior] desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). Jesus said, “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3). When we are in the Word, it helps us know more about God and His work of salvation in Jesus Christ. It also reveals a lot about the world we live in and the dangers and temptations we do face. Being in the Word can help us understand ourselves and how much we need our Lord Jesus Christ in our lives.
Psalm 119:105 states, “[God’s] word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” We can surely use that light in this world today. May the Light of Christ always shine in your heart and mind.
Pastor
Summer 2026 – Seeking God’s Grace, Offered Through Jesus
Dear Friends of Zion,
Not everyone enjoys the summer. But there are some who do. Perhaps they enjoy spending them outdoors enjoying nature and seeing and hearing the birds. It is interesting that Jesus once referred to nature as a way of teaching people spiritual truths. In His sermon on the mount Jesus was teaching people about God’s care for us, that we should not worry about what to eat and drink, or be anxious about what we should wear. He directed His hearers to look at nature.
Jesus said, “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” Jesus also said, “And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” (Matthew 6:26-29).
“Look at the birds of the air,” and “consider the lilies of the filed,” and what can we learn? God takes care of us. Or, as Martin Luther wrote in his Small Catechism, “He richly and daily provides me with all that I need to support this body and life.” Therefore, “do not be anxious about your life.” Have faith and trust in the Lord. King Solomon wrote, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).
There is something more important than food and clothing and receiving the basic necessities of life. Our relationship with God is far more important. At the conclusion of these verses about not worrying, Jesus says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).
What does Jesus teach about what we really need: “Seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” Seek God’s grace as He offers it through Jesus and through God’s Word and Sacraments. “And all these things will be added to you.”
Pastor
Search
Find Us
Address
235 Pond Hill Road
Wallingford, CT 06492
(203) 269-6847
Directions and map
Join Us For Worship
5:00 pm Saturday
10:30 am Sunday beginning 9/13
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
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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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