New Years Comes Early for Christians

Psalm 33:11 - "But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations."

     God has been faithful to Zion Lutheran Church through 99 years. In one year from Reformation Sunday just celebrated in October, we will be honored to celebrate God's faithfulness from generation to generation. We all recognize that the church year seems to be out of sync with the regular calendar. Have you ever wondered what gives?

     It is really pretty complex. The early church sought to work conversion of people through changing culture. We know that Jesus was probably born in the spring, because that is the time when the shepherds were out with their flocks in the field and that's where they were when Jesus was born. But the church pegged the celebration date at December 25, a time of celebration in the pagan culture. The early church wanted to use the culture to help people be comfortable with Jesus' birth and celebration.

     In some ways, this is just like Zion. We know that Swedish people met in late December in 1905 to form our church, but it wasn't until mid-year 1906 that all the legal paperwork was done and the church was a done deal. So what is Zion's starting date? Do we peg it in 1897 when Lutherans would meet in Silverhill every once in a while when a pastor was down here from Thorsby? Do we peg it in December 1905 when an agreement was discussed to have a pastor six times a year in Silverhill? Do we peg it in June 1906 when the County Clerk got the final paperwork? Your Church Council decided that the church officially started in 1905 at that December meeting. But when do you celebrate? The Council decided that we will celebrate in 2005 on the Lutheran Day of Celebration, Reformation Sunday. The year is right, but the actual date? You decide.

     Now, back to calendar issues. Advent has to do with getting ready for Christmas. You can see that the church needed to put Advent before Christmas, but what about the rest of the church year? Well, the church year consists of Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and Trinity (also called Pentecost) and twelve festival days. These seasons and days recycle each Christian calendar because they celebrate the life of our Lord and Savior, the Person we seek to honor with our calendar.

     So, the seasons reflect the life of Jesus with preparation for his birth in Advent, His birth in Christmas, the journey of the Wise Men in Epiphany, preparation for Jesus' passion and death in Lent and Holy Week, His resurrection in Easter, His ascension into Heaven, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Pentecost, and the risen Christ in our lives in Trinity Season.

     Advent begins with the four weeks of getting ready for the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem on Christmas Day. When we have our “Hanging of the Greens Sunday” early in Advent we literally prepare for the Son of God coming to earth to live as a person among regular people. The color of Advent is purple (or blue, in the new liturgical color scheme). After our celebration in one year, we will prepare for our second hundred years, and isn't it appropriate by beginning with Advent?

     We will have 2004 mid-week Advent Services during this preparation period where we will recall how God readied the world for the coming of the Savior, the Promised One, the One who took on human form because of the plan of salvation, developed in heaven before God lay the foundation for the world.

     As we begin our 100 year celebration, really kicking off with the chronological year in 2005, let's remember Jesus Christ and Advent and getting ready. But let us remember God's faithfulness with hope for this 100th year. Pray that God would work through our congregation to raise up the Name of Jesus here in Baldwin County in this 100th year a-coming.

     Elizabeth Masters went to be with the Lord this week.  The Oct. 31 Sunday morning service will incorporate a remembrance of Miss Elizabeth.  A number of her family will have traveled some distance to be with us and will leave for home soon after.  Following our Sunday service will be a coffee and cake fellowship time where you may talk to family members present.  Elizabeth's remains will travel to her home state of Pennsylvania for interment, so there will be no formal funeral in Alabama.  The family has requested that memorials be sent to Zion Lutheran Church.

     Former Zion Council President Clayton Weaver recently went to be with the Lord. Funeral services were held Saturday October 23 in Mobile. Pray for his wife Jody that the Holy Spirit would minister to her and the Weaver family during this time of bereavement.

     Bob and the Lord stood by to observe a baseball game. The Lord's team was playing Satan's team. The Lord's team was at bat, the score was tied zero to zero, and it was the bottom of the 9th inning with two outs.

     They continued to watch as a batter stepped up to the plate whose name was Love. Love swung at the first pitch and hit a single, because Love never fails.

     The next batter was named Faith, who also got a single because Faith works with Love.

     The next batter up was named Godly Wisdom. Satan wound up and threw the first pitch. Godly Wisdom looked it over and let it pass:  Ball one. Three more pitches and Godly Wisdom walked, because Godly Wisdom never swings at what Satan throws.  The bases were loaded.

     The Lord then turned to Bob and told him He was now going to bring in His star player. Up to the plate stepped Grace.  Bob said, "He sure doesn't look like much!"

     Satan's whole team relaxed when they saw Grace. Thinking he had won the game, Satan wound up and fired his first pitch. To the shock of everyone, Grace hit the ball harder than anyone had ever seen.  But Satan was not worried; his center fielder let very few get by. He went up for the ball, but it went right through his glove, hit him on the head and sent him crashing on the ground; then it continued over the fence for a home run!

     The Lord's team won.  The Lord then asked Bob if he knew why Love, Faith, and Godly Wisdom could get on base but could not win the game. Bob answered that he did not know why.

     The Lord explained, "If your love, faith and wisdom had won the game you would think you had done it by yourself.   Love, faith and wisdom will get you on base, but only My Grace can get you home.

     ~Author Unknown~

     Sometime between Frances and Ivan, a friend asked this question: Is God mad at us Floridians or what? My answer at the time was "what"--in other words, it's just weather, not the wrath of a vengeful God. My answer today, though, would be a different one: It was more than just weather; it was an opportunity to discover more about ourselves than maybe we wanted to know. Did we face the storms with fear or with faith? Were we concerned only about ourselves, or did we truly care about our neighbors' welfare? And just how willing were we to share whatever we had with those who needed it? As long as we refuse to wallow in self-condemnation, reflecting on questions like that can bring us closer to becoming the person we've wanted to be all along.

--From the Website
"Life After Frances:
Post-Hurricane Reflections from a Weary Floridian"
by Marcia Ford

     Here are 10 reasons why someone who has personal faith in Jesus Christ should vote -- a remarkable opportunity not to be neglected:

1. Voting is an opportunity to concretely express conscience.
2. Voting is an opportunity for a single citizen to have a voice in principle, policy and practice.
3. Voting is a way to promote civilization.
4. Voting is the denial of totalitarianism.
5. Voting is a way to put the spotlight on the major moral issues of the day.
6. Voting is a way of identifying with the community you live in, and to seek the betterment of your community.
7. Voting is a way to reinforce values of good governance.
8. Voting is an affirmation that you believe God has ordained government, lest we be subject to utter chaos (see Romans 13).
9. Voting is an opportunity to make a positive choice, instead of just complaining.
10. Voting is an affirmation of the equality of people in the eyes of God.