Pastor's  Page

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

On the afternoon of Tuesday, April 16, Kaari Wentz came into my office to tell me that Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris was burning.  I quickly went to the internet to see for myself.  It's not that I didn't believe her, it's just that it is Notre Dame Cathedral!  I've never been there to see it, but I learned about it in 6th grade world history class and again in French class in high school.  It is truly one of those structure that may reside in Paris, but it belongs to the world.

You've all heard the story.  The church is nearly 850 years old and has been standing as a sentinel to the Christian faith all that time.  Now, days later, after French President Macron declared that it would be rebuilt and within five years, I have heard reports that the timbers that were used to shape the roof are irreplaceable because we simply do not let trees live that long anymore.  The engineer in me wonders what architects and engineers will come up with.

And as amazing as that will be to watch over the next several years, almost immediately commitments of money started to pour in.  At this writing, more than $100 million.
I've never been to Europe, but I've always heard that their big beautiful soaring cathedrals and churches were statements about the well-being of the community.  Communities would compete to outdo each other with bigger and more ornate churches!

But I've also hear that today these massive structures are nearly empty on Sundays.  Though almost all Anglo-Europeans consider themselves Christian, it is the rare few who actually attend church.

I wonder if the Notre Dame Cathedral will bring about revival of sorts?  I hope so.  I have to be honest with you, the global response to this disaster inspires me.

Pastor Duane A. Jesse

Sermons

Worship Notes

Let's be clear, Notre Dame Cathedral is a building built by human beings and nothing built by human beings can be eternal.  But I presume there is a worshiping community there as well, and it will endure even if the building cannot.
This is what inspires me and gives me hope.  Notre Dame Cathedral may have been severely damaged, but the church will prevail and maybe even stronger than it ever was before.  The millions committed to it are a testimony to it.

We at Zion have our own issues.  I met with a contractor to discuss the deteriorating columns that hold up the back canopy, and he took the liberty of walking around the building showing me several other issues with the building that need attention.  Nothing that money, lots of money can't fix!

Sometimes I wonder if our big beautiful buildings please God, or if they are a waste of resources.  I quickly shake it off.  That discernment should have happened years ago.  Now we have this big old building and good stewardship in my mind, means maintain it.

In the months ahead the Give Table will be discussing a campaign to reduce the debt and prepare for necessary replacement of other features of the building.  Pray for your church and its good stewardship as we try to discern the will of God here and now, and well into our future.
But remember we are Easter people!  We worship a God who was dead and in the grave.  But then, up from the grave he arose!

Easter blessings,
Pr. Duane A. Jesse, Pastor

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