Easter – Comes early this year, April 1st. No joke. It is also April Fool’s Day. Some think that God is a joke. Boy are they in for a surprise some day. Jesus gave us a mission to spread the Good News that there is new life after death and we are to get out this Good News! That is our purpose at Historic Zion – to know Jesus and make Jesus known!
Wednesday Lenten Supper and Services – Remember the movie “Guess Who Is Coming to Dinner?” It is a classic! Jesus is coming to dinner each and every Wednesday at 6pm and invites YOU to dine with Him in spirit and some of His special friends. Afterwards He invites YOU to hear a special message on how to be A Good Samaritan. On March 7th Jesus will dine with Gale and Pattie Vaughn and company and teach you how to be AGS by Honoring the Poor. On March 14th Jesus will dine with Gail and Pastor and company and share with you how to be AGS by Tending to God’s Creation. One March 21th Jesus will dine with Connie and Mel Sieler and will discuss with you how to be an AGS by Loving the Forsaken. His purpose in guiding YOU to be A Good Samaritan is simply to help You to live out Christ’s love in world-changing ways, right now, right where YOU live.
March 21th will bring to the Historical Church on Memorial Hwy a special spiritual treat as Walt Ruhl, Whiteford Supervisor, along with some of his choral friends called The Good Company, under the direction of Karen Biskay, will musically enhance the sanctuary of our church. Martin Luther once said Christian music, next to the Word, is the dearest way to get closer to God.
“Why is this night different from all other nights?” This 4,000-year-old question is the most repeated question of all time. It is the question a little boy asks of his father. The father’s answer marks the beginning of the Passover. On Thursday, March 29th at 6 pm we will enact the historical Jewish Passover which started the Exodus of the Jews out of slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land. Thank you, Women of Zion, in assisting on this time-honored meal. A sign – up sheet is in the church for you to attend this sacred meal or you can call the church office at 734 856 2921 to attend. Every time you look at our church altar, our German wood-carved altar, you are reminded of Jesus honoring this historical meal!
Maundy Thursday will then be celebrated by remembering the earth-shattering and Satan defeating event of the Last Super instituted by Christ for the forgiveness of our sins – forever! One final event took place that night. The event was the washing of His disciple’s feet. This act of humility by our Savior will also be included to strengthen our mind and spirit to understand the little boy’s question: “Why is this night different from all other nights?”
Good Friday, March 30th, will be observed with a solemn reflection of the sacrificial death of our best friend and Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Remember HIM by joining with other friends of Jesus at our 7:00 pm worship service. This worship service will conclude our spiritual March Madness!
Holy Week – Words of Faith. During this week beginning on Palm Sunday, March 25, a special devotion will be written and sent out by email to ponder during these special holy days. If you have not already received Words of Faith drop me an email at tjrdet@aol.com or give me a call at 734 856 1078 and I will send you a hard copy in the mail.
Easter – The Day Which Changed Eternity will start with a sunrise worship service at 7 am. Our friends Jim Pretarus and Steven Searle will guide us on this Day of Days early worship event and our Zion Choir will musically bless our 10 am worship. “ Easter is awesome! No event can compare. No championship can match its impact. No event is bigger. Easter changes destiny. It replaces death with life. It is an Epiphany and a Resurrection all in one.” From our Lenten Devotional booklet Day 11. Invite a friend to join you to either or both of these Day of Days worship services.
Easter Brunch is a tradition of Historic Zion as long as the members can remember! In between our two worship services on the Day of Days Dwight and Mary Jo Gilliland will oversee the griddle for the Pancakes and meats while Wolfgang and Lynn Drescher will add bake goods from their German cookbook to make this special day a culinary delight! Remember to bring the kids for the Easter Egg hunt during this time as well!
The Devotional Booklet is a blessed means to Know Jesus – Let Jesus Be Know. Please use them during the days of March Madness to strengthen your faith and pass them on to neighbors and friends. Some pass them on to servers when going to their diners for supper. Some give a copy to their hairdresser. Just recently a shut-in member asked for two copies to give to blessed ones who bring to them Meals on Wheels.
Know Jesus – Let Jesus Be Known. Can you help this Biblical mandate from our Lord in the Great Command of Matthew 28? We are asking people to put up yard signs by their front yard to promote Easter! If you can donate $10, we will get a sign to promote the Day of Days! What a wonderful way to make Jesus smile and let others know about your Christian faith and spirit. We also would love for you to sign up and beautify our church by purchasing an Easter Lilly for $10. You may call the church to order both your yard sign and Easter Lilly. Please do so by March 18th.
Pastor Terry Rebert – Historic Zion Lutheran Church in Ottawa Lake, Michigan serving our community since 1861 in the name of our risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!!!
