Zion Lutheran Sioux Falls

PENTECOST SUNDAY

“What does this mean?” This question might sound familiar to anyone who has spent time studying Luther’s Small Catechism. As the catechism covers each of the Six Chief Parts, the question is asked again and again: “What does this mean?” And then explanation follows. This same question was asked by many in the crowd on the Day of Pentecost, as recorded in Acts 2. As the people hear and see these miraculous events, they are amazed and perplexed, asking one another, “What does this mean?” In the verses that follow, Peter gives explanation from the Old Testament. He proclaims that God has fulfilled His promise to “pour out His Spirit on all flesh.” The gift of the Holy Spirit has been given for all nations. As you celebrate the Day of Pentecost today, reflect on these events by asking yourself, “What does this mean—for me?”

Seventh Sunday of Easter

AS WE GATHER: I glorified You on earth, having accomplished the work that You gave me to do. Jesus prays. Jesus reveals that His greatest glory is to enter into suffering with us and for us. And not only on the cross as He did when His hour came. But also to join us in our present day suffering, to shine the glory of His death for us as we walk through this journey of life. Even now, He glorifies you in His Word. He glorifies you in His gift of eternal life, that you know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. You are glorified in Jesus. Right now. Today. And forever.

Sixth Sunday of Easter

Today is a day of overlapping identities and deep emotions. In the secular calendar, we celebrate Mother’s Day … a day of gratitude for the gift of life, nurture, and the hands that held us when we were small. In the Church’s calendar, we stand in the bright, lingering light of the Resurrection, observing the Sixth Sunday of Easter. At first glance, these two might seem to pull us in different directions. One is about domestic love and biological or adoptive bonds; the other is about the cosmic victory of Christ over the grave and the coming of the Holy Spirit. Yet, in our Gospel text from John 14, Jesus speaks a word that bridges these two worlds perfectly. He says… "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."

Fifth Sunday of Easter

The Rite of Confirmation, while not commanded in Scripture, is a special custom in the church.  Confirmation is not a “graduation” or “completion,” rather it is a day that celebrates God’s gift and work in the life of the student publicly confessing his faith. This day looks back to the promise made in Baptism and looks ahead to a whole life lived in faith. “We rejoice with thankful hearts that you have been baptized and have received the teaching of the Lord.  You have confessed the faith and have been absolved of your sins.  As you continue to hear the Lord’s Word and receive His blessed Sacrament, He who has begun this good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (LSB Agenda, p. 30).

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Our Bible Reading of the Day is 1 Samuel 8:4–9:2; 10:17–27; 11:12–15. Desiring to be like all the other nations, the elders come to Samuel asking him to appoint a king over Israel. Samuel vainly tries to warn against their plan, telling the consequences the people face. God reveals to Samuel that he will encounter the handsome Saul, whom he anoints as king over Israel. God expected His people to trust Him as their true leader. In Christ, we not only have our divine true leader, we also have the true King, who has conquered the powers of sin, death, and hell for us.