The council meeting in June was a busy one.
We heard a financial report from Brett Burkey on how Zion is weathering these unprecedented times. We approved documents from (and applauded the hard work by) the Call Committee and the Transition Team. You will see more evidence of much of this faithful labor in this issue of The Voice, and in the coming days and weeks, as the work of ministry that is Zion Lutheran Church continues.
In spite of the full agenda of that June council meeting — or, perhaps, because of it — I found my heart filled with gratitude for Zion. I know that many of you have been forced to adjust your ministries and your work and your worship life. You have shown a patience and a resilience that witnesses to the many ways God has gifted this congregation.
In these days of Zoom worship, we have begun the tradition of “blessing the gifts” of the congregation. In some ways this is not new. We frequently have asked God to bless our offerings in the Sunday morning liturgy. Now, though we are expanding that notion to ask God to bless our financial contributions, as well as our offerings of service and creativity and kindness and patience and love of neighbor lived out in so many new and familiar ways.
As our concluding prayer at the June council meeting, we gathered our thoughts and prayers around the final stanza of ELW hymn #579, “Lord, You Give the Great Commission.” I offer that stanza here as well, as a celebration of our baptismal call both to discern and to use the gifts with which the Holy Spirit empowers us ...
Lord, you bless with words assuring: “I am with you to the end.”
Faith and hope and love restoring, may we serve as you intend
And, amid the cares that claim us, hold in mind eternity:
With the Spirit’s gifts empower us for the work of ministry.
Amen. Amen. May it be so.
Blessings to you all!
Pastor Shari