On Sunday, October 30th, we will remember how the Lord worked in the Reformation!
This year, we join Christians and churches around the world to remember God’s grace during the time of the Reformation, to purify and prune the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Historically, God used a monk named Martin Luther when he nailed his 95 Theses to the church door in Wittenberg on October 31, 1517. From this event, and the Spirit’s leading of women and men in several different countries, the Lord brought about the Protestant Reformation, including Lutheran, Reformed, Presbyterian, Anglican, Congregational, Baptist, and Free Churches. Tracing our spiritual heritage back to the German and Genevan Reformation, our congregation rejoices soli Deo gloria!
Events At 9:15, all are invited to a special Adult Sunday school program entitled, “Standing Firm In Grace & Faith.”
Our covenant worship service will follow for families and all ages at 10:30 a.m., using our Reformation Sunday liturgy. The sermon will be from Ephesians 3:19 and Colossians 2:9, entitled “Solus Christus: Indwelling Fullness.”
We are pleased to invite you back Sunday evening at 7pm for our Reformation Pie Social! We will serve various kinds of pie & ice cream, and offer a special teaching program entitled “Denominations: Is the Refomration to Blame, and How to Unite.” Invite a guest and join us!
We will be using the following songs and passages from the Word of God in our corporate gathering this Lord’s Day. Please prayerfully use these resources to prepare your hearts to “come into His gates with thanksgiving and enter His courts with praise” (Psalm 100:4).
The Word of the Lord: Galatians 2:19–21 Exodus 20 Zechariah 13:1, 6–7 Psalm 61 Ephesians 3:14–21 Numbers 6:24–26
Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs: Yet Not I, But Christ In Me There Is A Fountain Filled With Blood Doxology What A Friend We Have In Jesus Gloria Patri
Means of Grace: Congregational Prayer Sermon: Ephesians 3:14 Rev. Brian J. Lund “Satisfying Supplication”
We have a wonderful opportunity to bless others as we serve in Jesus’ Name!
If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. James 2:15 – 17
This winter will – like all Iowa winters – be cold. This winter clothing/outerwear drive will be a blessing to local kids and families to get through the bitter temperatures. Zion is partnering with 5 Loaves for their outerwear drive.
From now until November 6th, please bring new or gently used clothing, such as hats & gloves, scarves & socks, winter coats, snow pants, waterproof boots, or blankets. A large collection box provided by 5 Loaves is in the narthex just outside the sanctuary. Distribution will take place Nov 8th from 4:30 – 6pm. If you need help with delivering your outerwear, please contact Pastor Brian.
Whether you help with this outerwear drive, or pursue good works at your job, in your home, or elsewhere, make sure to do so trusting in Jesus! It is only through His atoning sacrifice that our works can be accepted by God, as even our evangelical obedience is justified in Christ’s righteousness and sanctified by His Spirit. Please pray for the individuals who will receive these articles of clothing; intercede for other Christians, that God would motivate them to generously give; and request that God’s Name would be glorified in Garner through this opportunity!
Recently, our Women’s Ministry has been adding to and restructuring our leadership and ministry plans. To help the ladies of our church, they have put out a survey that would be a blessed assistance in planning for trusting Jesus in the future. Would you please take a few moments to fill it out if you haven’t already?
You can find the survey in the September newsletter. For an online option, you can fill out the survey here. Or, stop in to the church building and pick up a copy in the Narthex or from the church office. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.
May the Lord richly bless our Women’s Ministries, our church family, and you!
We will be using the following songs and passages from the Word of God in our corporate gathering this Lord’s Day. Please prayerfully use these resources to prepare your hearts to “come into His gates with thanksgiving and enter His courts with praise” (Psalm 100:4).
The Word of the Lord: Psalms 91 Micah 6:6–8 Micah 7:18–20 Proverbs 24:8–12 John 13:34–35 Numbers 6:24–26
Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs: O Church, Arise O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus Doxology More Love to Thee Gloria Patri
Means of Grace: Congregational Prayer Sermon: John 13 Rev. Dr. Ray DeLaurier “How Do We Love One Another”
We will be using the following songs and passages from the Word of God in our corporate gathering this Lord’s Day. Please prayerfully use these resources to prepare your hearts to “come into His gates with thanksgiving and enter His courts with praise” (Psalm 100:4).
The Word of the Lord: Hebrews 12:28–29 Psalm 15 John 3:13–14 Esther 4:1–17 Numbers 6:24–26
Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty How Deep the Father’s Love Because He Lives Doxology
Means of Grace: Congregational Prayer Sermon: Esther 4:1–17 Rev. Brian J. Lund “For Such A Time As This”
We will be using the following songs and passages from the Word of God in our corporate gathering this Lord’s Day. Please prayerfully use these resources to prepare your hearts to “come into His gates with thanksgiving and enter His courts with praise” (Psalm 100:4).
The Word of the Lord: I Timothy 6:14 – 16 Philippians 4:4 – 10 Esther 2:1 – 3:15 I Corinthians 11:23 – 26 Hebrews 13:20 – 21
Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs: Te Deum Be Still, My Soul Lead On O King Eternal Gloria Patri
Means of Grace: Congregational Prayer Holy Communion Sermon: Esther 2 – 3 Rev. Brian J. Lund “Visible & Hidden”
With President Biden’s announcement that college debt forgiveness plans will go into effect, many Christians are left wondering. Conservative outlets and politicians have slammed the President; liberal and Democratic voices have demanded this debt forgiveness for years. On top of this, many voices on social media and in conversation have pointed out that God calls us to forgiveness, and even uses “debts” to describe Gospel forgiveness. How should Christians think about this issue?
The Bible does not tell us which temporal laws or policies are right and wrong for this world – it has a much more important job: to reveal eternal salvation from all evil in Jesus Christ! However, God’s Word does give us wisdom to evaluate our lives to take every thought captive (II Corinthians 10:5).
Scripture is clear that debt is dangerous (Prov 11:15; 22:26). In fact, Proverbs 22:7 reminds us that it is easy for the “borrower to become a slave to the lender,” and that we are to “owe no one anything, except love…” (Romans 13:8). We see the wisdom of God’s truth when credit card interest, loan problems, and other financial issues can hurt people, marriages, and families.
Contemporary findings show that 44 million American owe $1.6 trillion in student loan debt, which is greater than credit card debt or auto loans (source). If the federal government “forgives” this debt, many estimates suggest this will add as much as $300 billion to our national debt (source: Wharton UPenn). Clearly, this is a lot of money. Is this wise?
Zion Evangelical & Reformed Church 