Pastor's  Page

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Lent is an often misunderstood liturgical season in my opinion. It is often seen as dark and maudlin, when it is really not at all. Dark? On the contrary, the days are getting longer and the weather is getting warmer. Maudlin? While it is a season of penitence, meaning, a time for reflection on our own sinfulness that necessitated our redemption, it is also a season that prepares us for the joyful season of Easter.

I am very excited about this Lent season for several reasons:

1) I am working on a special presentation of the daily devotional discipline I use and an accompanying commentary that will go along with it to explain it all. The product will be The Daily Word for those of you who subscribe to that. Paper copies will be available to those who prefer or need a paper medium. Each day I will elaborate on the discipline with the hope that those who do not have a daily devotion discipline might find this one accessible and do-able.

2) I have worked out a sermon series for weekend worship I have entitled, “Journey with Jesus through John” that will do just that – take us on a journey with Jesus through John’s Gospel. John, not one of the synoptic Gospels, has some unique characteristics that I will be exploring for the benefit of all.

Pastor Duane A. Jesse

Sermons

Worship Notes

3) As has been our blessing in recent years, Zion will once again be participating in the Mahoning County Lutheran Cluster Lenten Midweek services. We will gather at one of our churches each Wednesday for soup and bread at 6:00 PM and then worship at 7:00 PM. Zion will host on March 11. It is a great opportunity to get to know your fellow Lutherans by dining and worshiping with them. See the Midweek Worship Schedule in Worship Notes.

4) Adult Sunday School has been going well all season long. During Lent, Carol Norman will be offering a five-week scripturally based class intended to alleviate and manage stress and tap into the power of God.

So Lent will be a busy time at Zion with several opportunities to grow in faith and love with our Lord Jesus Christ. I invite you to make this Lent an enriching experience and appropriate preparation for the celebration of Easter.

With you on the journey of faith,

Rev. Duane A, Jesse, Pastor

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