Zion Evangelical & Reformed Church

Advent 2024: Let Earth Receive Her King!

Posted on November 29, 2024 by blund

Isaac Watts wrote the lyrics to “Joy to the World” nearly 300 years ago, striking the page with his marks: “Joy to the world, the Lord is come / Let earth receive her King!” Taking his cue from Psalm 98, Watts wrote to show the coming of Christ brings joy:

Psalm 98:2–4
The LORD has made known his salvation;
he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.
He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness
to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God.

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises!

Each Lord’s Day in Advent we will consider the first and second comings of Christ, how the babe Jesus of Nazareth is King over all, and what that means for you and me today. Our worship service has a slightly different order and feel during Advent as well. Read about the liturgy here.

Events

Here are some of the events that our Advent season brings. Please be sure to get these on the calendar!

Date	Event
December 1^st	Advent Party Meet at the church at 3 PM for caroling, decorating, Christmas carols, and a light supper. Fun for the whole family!
December 7^th	Women’s Fellowship Christmas Brunch Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m., for a hosted brunch and program. Invite your friends and get your tickets!
December 8^th	Zion Christmas Cantata Join us Sunday evening for a special Zion tradition, and stay after the beautiful music for refreshments and fellowship. Begins at 7p.m.
December 24^th	Christmas Eve Service The prelude begins at 5:30 p.m., and you won’t want to miss hearing our youth recount the meaning of the Christmas story!
December 25^th	Christmas Day Service Festival of Lessons & Carols service begins at 9a.m. with Holy Communion.

Other events, like the College Parsonage Party, Youth Sledding, Jr. & Sr. High Christmas party, etc., will be announced as weather permits.

Find all the other details on the Advent page.

Posted in article | Tagged Advent, advent 2024 | Leave a comment

Which Interpretation Is Right?

Posted on October 17, 2024 by blund

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)

Do you ever struggle with interpreting the Bible? Do you wonder if you are understanding God’s Word the right way, or if a different denomination or philosophy gets it right and you are wrong? How can we interpret the Bible the right way?

We regularly promote Ligonier Ministries, from the late R.C. Sproul. Several of Pastor Brian’s former professors teach there also. Pastor Derek Thomas gives us a terrific introduction in knowing the interpretation of God’s Word. This begins us in the study of hermeneutics, the science of interpretation.

Listen and follow along as Dr. Thomas explains God’s Word, which itself explains how to explain God’s Word!

Posted in Media, resources | Tagged Bible study, Reformed theology | Leave a comment

Preparing for Worship Oct 13

Posted on October 10, 2024 by blund

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 Chronicles 29:10–13
Exodus 20
Exodus 34:5–7
Romans 15:16–25
Numbers 6:24–26

Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs:
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
Ps 51: Your Unfailing Love
Doxology
Jesus Shall Reign
O Church Arise
Gloria Patri

Means of Grace:
Congregational Prayer
Sermon: Romans 15:16–25
“God’s Mission At Zion”

Lord’s Day Activities
Men’s Breakfast at 8:00 am
Sunday School at 9:15 am
Worship at 10:30 am
Youth Missions Meeting at 11:45 am
Mom/Daughter Bible Study at 3:00 pm
Ladies Bible Study at 7:00 pm

Posted in resources | Tagged Preparing for Worship | Leave a comment

New Study for Moms & Daughters!

Posted on October 8, 2024 by blund

Moms, looking for a way to connect more deeply with elementary and pre-teen daughters? Consider God’s faithfulness to Mary, and to us!

Posted in resources | Tagged Bible study, mother, women | Leave a comment

Romans 1 Clarity In A Confused World

Posted on September 29, 2024 by blund

God Made All of Me

Christopher Yuan’s story:

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Preparing for Worship Sept 29

Posted on September 26, 2024 by blund

The Word of the Lord:
I Chronicles 16:28–31
Psalm 32:1–5
Isaiah 1:18
Romans 1:21–32
Numbers 6:24–26

Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs:
Our God Reigns
Ps 32: Blessed Is the One
Doxology
Knowing You, Jesus
Gloria Patri

Means of Grace:
Congregational Prayer
Sermon: Romans 1:26–27
Rev. Brian J. Lund “Strange Exchange”

Lord’s Day Activities
Sunday School at 9:15 am
Worship at 10:30 am
Search Committee at 2:00 pm
Youth Progressive Dinner at 5:00 pm
Ladies Bible Study at 7:00 pm

Posted in resources | Tagged Preparing for Worship | Leave a comment

New Ladies Study: Timothy & Titus

Posted on September 24, 2024 by blund

Our Ladies’ Bible study is beginning a new study! Starting Sept 29th, 2024 the Sunday evening Bible study will be looking at the letters of Timothy & Titus. Interested? Join us at 7pm on Sunday evenings, or contact the office for details.

Timothy & Titus Study guide

Timothy & Titus (provided)

As Titus 2 reminds us:

Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled… Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. (3 – 8)

These words remind us of the importance of the pastoral epistles for women’s ministry, as well as the great role ladies have in the Body of Christ.

See you at Bible study!

Posted in ministry, news | Tagged Bible study, women | Leave a comment

Move Out Week 39

Posted on September 23, 2024 by blund

From the email “Jesus Is the Strength of Our Heart“:

Scripture Reading Week 39

Hebrews 1-4; Numbers 25-28; II Chronicles 6-10; Psalms 114-116; Proverbs 26-27; Obadiah; Acts 1-2

Heidelberg Catechism Lord’s Day 39

Q. #104
What does God require
in the fifth commandment?
A.
That I show all honour, love, and faithfulness
to my father and mother
and to all those in authority over me,
submit myself with due obedience
to their good instruction and discipline, 1
and also have patience with their weaknesses
and shortcomings, 2
since it is God’s will
to govern us by their hand. 3

1.Ex 21:17; Prov 1:8; 4:1; Rom 13:1, 2; Eph 5:21, 22; 6:1-9; Col 3:18-4:1.
2.Prov 20:20; 23:22; 1 Pet 2:18.
3.Mt 22:21, Rom 13:1-8; Eph 6:1-9; Col 3:18-21.