Question of the Day, Monday, February 1, 2021

The Question of the Day helps prepare you for next Sunday’s focus text in worship. These questions are posted here each day offering an opportunity for discussion. (Just click in the title of this post and you will be taken to the discussion window.) Try it out for a week and see how Jesus will use your time of pondering upon God’s word to deepen your faith.

Today’s question is: How do you react to unexpected guests when you are sick?

This week’s text for the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany: Mark 1:29-39 (NRSV)

29As soon as [Jesus and the disciples] left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. 31He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

          32That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. 33And the whole city was gathered around the door. 34And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

          35In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. 36And Simon and his companions hunted for him. 37When they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is searching for you.” 38He answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.” 39And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.

Question of the Day, Saturday, January 30, 2021

The Question of the Day helps prepare you for next Sunday’s focus text in worship. These questions are posted here each day offering an opportunity for discussion. (Just click in the title of this post and you will be taken to the discussion window.) Try it out for a week and see how Jesus will use your time of pondering upon God’s word to deepen your faith.

Today’s question is: Word of mouth is powerful. What kind of word of mouth needs to shared about Jesus today?

This week’s text for the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany: Mark 1:21-28 (NRSV)

21Jesus and his disciples went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught.22They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, 24and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” 25But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

Question of the Day, Friday, January 29, 2021

The Question of the Day helps prepare you for next Sunday’s focus text in worship. These questions are posted here each day offering an opportunity for discussion. (Just click in the title of this post and you will be taken to the discussion window.) Try it out for a week and see how Jesus will use your time of pondering upon God’s word to deepen your faith.

Today’s question is: Usually “new things,” (change), is scary. Why did the people seem to be excited about this “new thing”?

This week’s text for the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany: Mark 1:21-28 (NRSV)

21Jesus and his disciples went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught.22They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, 24and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” 25But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

Question of the Day, Thursday, January 28, 2021

The Question of the Day helps prepare you for next Sunday’s focus text in worship. These questions are posted here each day offering an opportunity for discussion. (Just click in the title of this post and you will be taken to the discussion window.) Try it out for a week and see how Jesus will use your time of pondering upon God’s word to deepen your faith.

Today’s question is: Calling Jesus the Holy One of God was heresy. Casting out a demon on the Sabbath was considered work and was against the religious law. Why did the people not complain about it?

This week’s text for the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany: Mark 1:21-28 (NRSV)

21Jesus and his disciples went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught.22They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, 24and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” 25But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

Question of the Day, Wednesday, January 27, 2021

The Question of the Day helps prepare you for next Sunday’s focus text in worship. These questions are posted here each day offering an opportunity for discussion. (Just click in the title of this post and you will be taken to the discussion window.) Try it out for a week and see how Jesus will use your time of pondering upon God’s word to deepen your faith.

Today’s question is: Why would unclean spirits recognize Jesus for who he really was?

This week’s text for the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany: Mark 1:21-28 (NRSV)

21Jesus and his disciples went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught.22They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, 24and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” 25But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

Question of the Day, Tuesday, January 26, 2021

The Question of the Day helps prepare you for next Sunday’s focus text in worship. These questions are posted here each day offering an opportunity for discussion. (Just click in the title of this post and you will be taken to the discussion window.) Try it out for a week and see how Jesus will use your time of pondering upon God’s word to deepen your faith.

Today’s question is: What made Jesus’ teaching different from the authorities of the day?

This week’s text for the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany: Mark 1:21-28 (NRSV)

21Jesus and his disciples went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught.22They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, 24and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” 25But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

Distribution of Holy Communion on Sunday, February 7, 2021

You are invited and encouraged by Zion Lutheran Church to sign up for “Distribution of Holy Communion” on Sunday, February 7, 2021 from 10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (with the last group entering at 12:00 p.m.).

To view the online sign-up sheet and to reserve your element setting, please follow the link below. Or you may call Zion’s office (715-735-7898) and ask for assistance in reserving your element setting.

TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE STAYS HEALTHY AND SAFE PLEASE CAREFULLY READ THE PROTOCOLS FOR DISTRIBUTION OF HOLY COMMUNION THAT ARE BELOW.

Distribution will be “No Contact”. We have 5 tables for each time slot with a maximum of 4 people per table from the same household. Tables can be filled with an individual, a couple or family groups. If your family/household has more than four members, please sign up for more than one table. When signing up you will be required to answer “Which do you need? Wine, grape juice, bread, gluten free or a chair?”. It is of utmost importance that you inform us of what you need (wine, bread, grape juice, gluten-free wafers or a chair). (Chairs have been added so that we can control one time use only.)

You will not be able to sign up unless you include your answer in the space provided.

Please do not come if:

  • You have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
  • You have been in contact with someone who has been tested but has not yet received their COVID-19 test result.
  • You have tested positive for COVID-19.
  • You are waiting for your COVID-19 test result.
  • You are not feeling well.

When arriving for Holy Communion:

  • Please arrive 5 minutes prior to your reserved element setting time (we will have chairs available for those who need one).
  • Social distancing and masks are required (masks, of course, will be removed during the consumption of the elements).
  • The service will last about 5 minutes.
  • While waiting for your turn, please be sure to practice physical distancing by keeping yourself at least 6 feet away from other members of Zion (the exception being members of your immediate household).
  • An usher will greet you at the main entrance and will guide your entry.
  • Exit will be out the north (office hallway) door.
  • All doors will be open for no contact entrance and exiting.
  • Windows will be open and exhaust fans will be on for optimum ventilation.
  • All tables will be sanitized before/after each table is prepared for the next group.
  • Chairs will be one time use only.
  • Blessing of our young members who have not received First Communion instruction will be done from a distance of no less than 6 feet.

If at any time you feel this procedure exceeds your comfort level for safety, but you still wish to receive Holy Communion, please contact Pastor Keith. Obviously, safety for all is our primary concern. Patience and graciousness are always welcome as we continue to experiment with this new form of worship. As always, if you have any questions, suggestions, or concerns please send an email to: zion@newbc.rr.com or call Zion’s office.

Peace to all!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904054AABAB29A5FB6-distribution15