Zion Lutheran Ministries Church + School + Childcare N48W18700 Lisbon Road, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin 53051 Church (262) 781-8133 School (262) 781-7437 Childcare (262) 781-6719 Fax (262) 781-4656 www.zioninthefalls.org “Extending the Mission and Ministry of the Risen Christ to All People” Zion Pastoral Pandemic Letter # 09 -- Friday, May 8, 2020 Dear Fellow Friends of our risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ: This weekend is Easter 5 and on Sunday we will observe Mother’s Day. How many of you wish it was also “get- a-haircut-and-have-your-nails-done” weekend? I cut my own hair last week and, honestly, in a week or two I might even recognize myself in the mirror! But instead of talking about that, let’s talk about our Moms… Mother’s Day can be a complex holiday. For some of us our mothers have passed on, so this is a day of remembrance and mourning. For some of us our mother was abusive and neglectful, so this is a day of bitterness and hurt. Some of us are mothers who have lost a child or become estranged from them, so this is a day of emptiness and sorrow. Still others would love to see their children (and grandchildren!) but the COVID-19 prohibits visits, so this is a day of loneliness and unwanted quiet. And yet others (many, we pray!) will spend this day surrounded by their little children, basking a house of love. Obviously, since everybody’s situation is different, how to pastorally treat Mother’s Day is not a “One Size Fits All” proposition – at least not if the pastor focuses on the mother (or her children). This is why, today, I would like to turn your gaze away from yourselves, your moms, or your children. Instead, I ask you to look to Jesus Christ, for in Him you will find the One who is common to all our situations! Jesus is the One who has given us those bundles of joy, so Mother’s Day is a day for thanking God for our kids and asking his guidance and strength as you raise them in a Christian home. Jesus is the One who was with us in our abusive childhoods, so Mother’s Day is a day for letting Him teach us to forgive as we have been forgiven. Jesus is the One who is watching over our lost ones, giving some an eternal home and preparing others for an earthly reunion, so Mother’s Day is a day for entrusting our children into His loving arms. Likewise Jesus is the One who has taken our sainted mothers unto himself, so Mother’s day is a day for thanking God for her and for keeping her until our final day of eternal reunion. Pastor: Rev. Michael D. Pfingsten Principal: Mr. Matthew Pankow [email protected] [email protected] Childcare Director: Mrs. Ruth Hawk [email protected] A Member Congregation of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS) Page 2 So, whatever Mother’s Day means to you, or whatever memories it dredges up, let God be the center of it all! Let Him forgive us, and lead us to forgive others as we move forward from the past. Let Him take your grief and comfort your hurts as you go into the future. Let Him receive praise for the present blessings we enjoy. Let’s ask Him for guidance in how to go forward in these uncertain times! Here’s a good hymn for this weekend, from Lutheran Service Book, Hymn # 862 – “Oh, Blest the House” 1 Oh, blest the house, whate’er befall, 4 Oh, blest that house; it prospers well. Where Jesus Christ is all in all! In peace and joy the parents dwell, A home that is not wholly His— And in their children’s lives is shown How sad and poor and dark it is! How richly God can bless His own. 2 Oh, blest that house where faith is found 5 Then here will I and mine today And all in hope and love abound; A solemn promise make and say: They trust their God and serve Him still Though all the world forsake His Word, And do in all His holy will! I and my house will serve the Lord! 3 Oh, blest the parents who give heed Public domain Unto their children’s foremost need And weary not of care or cost. May none to them and heav’n be lost! Here’s the latest on what’s happening here at Zion… ZION SCHOOL Principal Matthew Pankow reports that he has very little new news. We have two more weeks of virtual classes and plans are being made for collecting the student’s books. Graduation plans are still up in the air. ZION CHILDCARE Ruth Hawk, our Childcare Director, has had cleaning crews (made up by her childcare staff) doing more deep cleaning of every room and every item in her rooms – but, again, as to when children are coming back the answer remains: “Soon.” ZION FINANCES Good news! Keith Fischer, our Treasurer, reports that we have been approved for the PPP (Payroll Protection Plan) forgivable loan. After a few more signatures are submitted the money will be released. This forgivable loan is for basically the amount to we’ve put out to pay our staff (full and part-time, working and idled) over the last two months. As always, none of us likes the thought of being reliant on the government; this is why we thank you, the members of Zion, for the way you have been so faithful in mailing in, dropping off, or going online to offer up your tithes and thank-offerings to the Lord. We THANK you for this, and ASK you to continue to do so even after this crisis has passed. Page 3 ZION CHURCH Zion continues to be open for worship services on Sundays, and we invite you to join us! SERVICES EACH WEEK ARE AT 8:00, 9:00 AND 10:00 AM, with Holy Communion being offered at each service. Hopefully … Prayerfully … soon our under-ten-in-a-room restrictions will be eased; until then we will continue to follow the law as we worship in the building. I sincerely pray that you will join us! Even if you can’t join us in person, the bulletins and announcements are available in .pdf form and can be downloaded from https://www.zioninthefalls.org/church/announcements LIVE STREAMING – TAKE THREE! Last week’s second attempt to stream our 9:00 AM service went very well! Over 30 families were watching live, and as of this morning (5/8) it has had 248 views, 151 engagements and 390 people reached! This Sunday we will again be posting the 9:00 service, and here is the link to watch on the School FB page: https://www.facebo,ok.com/zionlutheranschoolmenomoneefalls/ To help you follow along, bulletins and announcements can be downloaded from https://www.zioninthefalls.org/church/announcements I’ll make sure to properly link to all of this from our Church’s FB page, too. CONCLUSION In conclusion, let me draw your attention to the next page of this letter. Every year, the first Thursday in May is designated as a “National Day of Prayer.” In many cities there are prayer breakfasts or ceremonies. Though such gatherings are not to be this year, this doesn’t mean we can’t still pray for our nation; indeed, when has she needed our prayers more than now? Attached is a good prayer you might want to use. Written by Dr. Gregory Selz, the former Lutheran Hour Speaker, it is a fantastic model for our own devotion. Know we continue to pray for you – and ask for your prayers in return. Lift up our teachers and our students, our childcare workers and childcare families. Pray for health, safety, and an awareness of God’s great mercy even in this time of woe. If you have any questions, hear of someone in need, or know someone else you want added to this distribution list, let me know. Until next time, stay safe, stay in touch -- and rejoice! The Lord is risen! He is risen indeed! In Christ and His resurrection power, Pastor Pfingsten Rev. Michael D. Pfingsten Pastor, Zion Lutheran Ministries C: 262-993-6025 / O: 262-781-8133 [email protected] A PRAYER FOR OUR NATION The first Thursday in May is the National Day of Prayer and is often commemorated with special gatherings, speeches and, of course, prayer. This Prayer for our Nation was written by Rev. Dr. Gregory Selz, former Lutheran Hour Speaker and currently the Executive Director of Synod’s Washington DC Lobby organization “Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty” www.lcrlfreedom.org “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1-4) Dear Heavenly Father, You call us to pray for our nation daily, but today especially we pray for the healing of our country. In the midst of the suffering associated with COVID-19, we are even more aware of our mortality and our utter need for you. Vaccines, mitiga- tions, and attention to hygiene may heal for a moment, but getting our lives right with you heals for eternity.