The image of a baby in a basket floating in river reeds is an evocative one, as is the image of the hard-toiling service of the Israelites under Egyptian rule.  How might these images be embodied?  Perhaps by large rocks and tall reeds surrounding the worship table.  What words might you write on the rocks that represent whatever oppression those who gather for worship live with?  Racism?  Economic injustice? Sexism?  Environmental destruction?  Fearful resentment?

For what new life does your community yearn?  What image might you place amongst the reeds that might represent the new life the gathered community seeks?  How might you help the members of your congregation move into a space that acknowledges what is real in their world?

Readings for 21st  Sunday of Ordinary Time
Exodus 1:8-2:10                                             Psalms 124
Romans 12:1-8                                                    Matthew 16:13-20

Ecumenical Prayer Calendar
The peoples of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania

Prayer for the week
God of liberation and freedom, we thank you for the people we have known whose courage reminds us that your compassion is present and at work in our world.  Following their lead, may we resist systems and practices of domination, conforming only to the spirit of your justice.  Amen.

This week’s reading from Genesis 45:1-15 is a well-known one –a story of forgiveness and redemption.  After a lifetime of betrayal, abandonment, restriction, and isolation, Joseph chooses, very intentionally, the ways of forgiveness and grace.  This story is an opportunity to explore how we are more imprisoned by our choices, especially our choices of heart and mind, than our physical realities.  Joseph chooses forgiveness over resentment, positivity over negativity, family ties over isolation, and hope over dismay.

What symbol might represent hope and renewal to your community?  Perhaps it is a clear jar of water, a potted plant, a photograph of the community together in worship or a jar of precious oil.  Where might God be calling you, individually and as a church, to take a more active role in opening doors within relationships?

Readings for 20th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Genesis 45:1-15                                             Psalms 133
Romans 11:1-2, 29-32                                    Matthew 15: (10-20), 21-28

Ecumenical Prayer Calendar
The peoples of  The Pacific islands:  Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Western Samoa and the French Overseas Territories of New Caledonia (Kanaky) and French Polynesia (Tahiti)

Prayer for the week
Holy One, you called this world into existence, forging a unity of life from the very beginning.  The divisions and brokenness we have created are met by the irrevocable power of your mercy and grace.  You show us the way of forgiveness with the gentle blessing of your love.  Amen.

The church will re-open for services beginning Aug. 16. 

. This re-opening will only apply for worship services. We would ask that masks, social distancing, and hand sanitizer be employed for the service. What this essentially does is allow another option for worship. Those of us who want to be back in the sanctuary, even in an altered way, can enjoy being back for worship in person, while those who wish to remain at home will still be able to take part in the service in a virtual way. Thank you to everyone who offered their prayers and helpful input concerning this difficult decision.

This week’s scriptures contain stories of both dreaming and fear – great possibilities and great loss – and of all the dynamics that dance between these two extremes.  The gathered community will be invited to consider how we enable good dreams to come to fruition or allow our fears to get in the way of this happening.  We will move between the accounts of betrayal and abandonment in our Hebrew text and rescue and renewal in the New Testament.

Many will identify with the feelings of resentment and jealousy embodied in Joseph’s brothers.   We all have known the destructive power of such feelings – to our spirits, to our relationships, and our world.  This week offers an opportunity to identify some of the ways these are active in our world.

Readings for 19th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Genesis 37:1-4, 12.28                                    Psalms 105:1-6, 16-22, 45
Romans 10:5-15                                                   Matthew 14:22-33

Ecumenical Prayer Calendar
The peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand & Australia

Prayer for the week
Liberating God, we raise our voice with thanksgiving and praise for the presence of your spirit that is continually at work among saints and sinners, bringing into being the hope of your love and justice for all creation.  Amen.

Zion participates in several mission opportunities throughout each month. Here are the ways you can make a difference during the upcoming weeks.

• Aug 9 –Heifer International Collection

Zion collected 80 lbs of food for the Food Pantry in Aug.

Jacob wrestled all night, at the end of which he asks for a blessing.  Worship, learning, and serving will invite people to consider the possibility that their struggles can become vehicles for God’s blessings.

Worship will invite worshipers to consider what it means to see each other, ourselves and our God “face to face.”  You might collect images of faces – hopefully, faces within your congregations, but also faces of people in your community, and in the world. 

With knowledge that we can often encounter God “face to face” during and after a time of struggle. 

Readings for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Genesis 32:22-31                                           Psalm 17:1-7, 15
Romans 9:1-5                                                      Matthew 14:13-21

 Ecumenical Prayer Calendar
The peoples of Canada & United States of America

Prayer for the week
Holy One, we long to be in relationship with one another, with our world, with you and all that exists.  We sense our very humanity depends on the depth of these relationships.  Yet, too often we feel estranged, cut off form that which is most vital.  Lead us to an awakening of all that might yet be possible for us and for our world.  Amen.