March 17, 2020

Dear Members and Friends of Zion Lutheran Church,

Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

As we have followed the news and guidelines from our leaders, health officials, and other church bodies the council executive committee and I have decided it is time for us cancel all services and programs at Zion. This is a difficult step that takes away from us a great comfort and consolation during trying times like these. Please join us in praying for wisdom for our leaders and a quick end to this health crisis.

The congregation will suspend our worship and programmatic gatherings and the office will be closed.

In order to continue to foster worship and spiritual life we are going to offer the following services and suggestions:

Sunday Mornings: Reverend Lyn and I will be livestreaming a morning prayer service with a sermon. You can watch it live by going to the St. Anne’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/stannestockton/ at 10:00am and the service will play. We will post the service on the Zion Facebook page to watch as you want later in the day.

Daily: Every morning I will send out an email to the congregation with daily morning and evening devotions for you to do by yourself or as a family. 

Education: This is also a good time to read. As we cannot, for now, continue our Being Lutheran class I am recommending the following books on the topic that you can order from online sellers:
§ Martin Luther’s Basic Theological Writings by Timothy F. Lull (well-done anthology of writings by Martin Luther if you have never read him before w/ great introductions)
§ Lutheran Questions, Lutheran Answers: Exploring Christian Faith by Martin Marty
§ The Lutheran Handbook: A Field Guide to Church Stuff, Everyday Stuff, and the Bible by Kristofer Skrade and James Satter
§ Short Catechism by Martin Luther (we just gave these out so it could be time to read and study)
§ God in America (a great 6-part documentary you can watch for free on PBS.org)

An online Christian education class is being planned. Please check out the virtual section of our webpage for details to come.

Offering income during a time like this is a concern. If you are able, please mail your offerings to the church office.

Please don’t forget – phones work. Call and connect and encourage with one another! Let’s share our stories with each other and let’s take special care to connect with those most vulnerable and lonely. Please make sure you share church news with those who have no or limited digital access and/or no how.

Please check the Zion Facebook page, website, and your email for additional information as this situation continues to change and we do not know when we will be able to gather to again. Remember you are loved! Blessing to you all.

Peace, Pastor Ryan