Ways to Learn in August


Come to Tuesday morning weekly Bible Study at 10:30 a.m. in the Pastor's Office when we will use a study called "Daily Discipleship" to learn more about the Gospel for the next Sunday. Pick up study material in Narthex, find "Daily Discipleship"  on the ELCA web site, or ask Pastor Blenkush. You can use the material on your own or with your family as well.

Adult Study: The Ten Commandments - Attention Adults! Looking for a refresher course on the Ten Commandments? This is a great opportunity for Sunday School teachers, Confirmation teachers, Mentors and Parents who have kids in Sunday school and Confirmation! Come join this 5-week series that makes use of video series with Dr. James Nestingen, Church History professor at Luther Seminary in St. Paul. Dr. Nestingen brings a combination of great stories, good theology and humor to this study. The study will begin on Thursday September 16th and run 5 weeks (9/16, 9/23, 9/30, 10/7 & 10/14 or 21. Sign up in the narthex or outside Pastor's Study.

Synod Hearing on Draft Social Statement: September 21st at 7 p.m. in the Parish Hall at First Lutheran Church in Duluth gives members an opportunity to comment on the text of the ELCA Draft Social Statement on Genetics. This hearing is a vital part in the development of this social statement. Representatives of  both Synod and the Genetics Task Force will be present to listen to all member feedback. Visit the ELCA site or call the synod office at 218-724-4424 with questions. 


The Word of God - Pass It On Initiative - What better place to find the Word of God than in the House of God! If you look in the pew rack in front of you, you may notice a Bible. The Bibles currently in the pew rack are a gift given by Pastor Stephen Blenkush in memory of his father Rev. Dallas Blenkush. It is also part of a new initiative to both encourage worshipers to make use of the Bible during worship but also to provide Bibles to those who are in need of God's Word. So, if you are in need of a Bible, take it home. If you know someone in need of a Bible, pass it along. If you would like to participate in this ongoing initiative, contact either Pastor Blenkush or the church office.

♦    Read Through the Bible in One Year: Update - Have you ever considered an effort to read the entire Bible in one year? Starting September 1st a weekly and monthly reading chart will be posted in the newsletter and the Sunday bulletin to help you accomplish the goal of reading the Bible in a year from Genesis to Revelation.  How to get the most out of this reading adventure: Find your Bible of choice. Pick any of the many and varied translations. Set aside a particular time: morning, over lunch, mid afternoon, after supper, before bed. Develop a routine, a discipline—that’s what disciples do! Feel free to invite your other family members to join you. Maybe even read out loud if that is appropriate. For some of you, journaling might be helpful. Invite others to get on board. See the newsletter and bulletin for the current reading assignment. 
 

 
The Wired Word Bible Study - The Wired Word Bible Study is a weekly topical Bible study delivered to you by email. Each week the editors of the Wired Word explore the news stories that impact our lives and provide both biblical insight and opportunities for small group discussion or independent and personal reflection.  For a sample of this weeks Wired Word, check out the bulletin board in the entry, or contact Pastor Blenkush so you can be added to the weekly emailing.

 Camp Onomia Update   (www.camponomia.org)
A Retreat for Seniors: September 19-23: The week includes Bible study, fellowship, housing and great meals, Kathio State Park Interpretive Center, Mille Lacs driving tour, relaxation, and renewal. Bible study for the week - a study of Psalms - will be led by Pastor Jack Drier, a retired pastor who formerly served St. Luke's Lutheran Church in St. Paul. You can have a bonus night if you come up after the Quilt Auction, you can stay Saturday night - September 18th - for free! It's a great time of the year with the leaves changing and a great time for fellowship and relaxation. Fill out a form and send it to Camp Onomia. The cost is $150. For more information, call  the Camp Onomia office at 320-532-3767 or email .     

Read the Bible daily - one of the marks of discipleship is reading scripture every day. Make it easy - get a Daily Scripture reading in your email from Zion Online. Sign up and chose to receive a Scripture passage, a Psalm, or a Psalm you can sing to a familiar hymn melody every day in your email.

Pick up a current copy of - The Lutheran magazine, The Lutheran Digest, the daily devotional Portals of Prayer, and the children's daily devotional Davey and Goliath - all available in the bay window of the Narthex.

Zion's Library - You may have known that the Zion Library has many great books to read but did you know that it also has many good movies to entertain you? The library now has the heartwarming movies of the Love Comes Softly Series (Love Comes Softly, Love’s Enduring Promise, Loves Long Journey, and Loves Abiding Joy) on DVD. Stop by the library today and pick up some enjoyable books and movies.

 Grow in Faith with Via de Cristo -  Via de Cristo – Cursillo - Via de Cristo is Spanish phrase meaning “Way of Christ.” Via de Cristo is highly structured three-day weekend retreat designed to strength and renew the faith of Christian people and bring them to a new awareness of living in God’s grace. It is combined effort of lay people and clergy toward the renewal of the church.  If you would like to learn more about via de Cristo, please contact Pastor Blenkush. Check the monthly calendar for date and place of the next  Cursillo gathering at Zion or Trinity.  Anyone who would like to learn more about this faith renewing and strengthening group is invited to come.

+ June 17-20 (men) & June 24-27 (women)  @ Lord of Life Lutheran in Maple Grove

♦   Click here for more information about an upcoming weekend. Also visit Lutheran Via de Cristo.

Lutheran Marriage Encounter -  Say "I Love You" with a Lutheran Marriage Encounter weekend. Get away from the everyday demands of the world so the two of you can really focus on each other. You'll spend two nights in a comfortable hotel and enjoy five delicious meals from Friday at 7 pm to Sunday at 5 pm. Four presenting couples, including a Lutheran clergy couple, give a series of presentations followed by questions the couples discuss in the privacy of their hotel room. There is no counseling and no group sharing. No one tries to change who you are. It's great for couples who already have a good marriage and want to enrich their relationship, but it also does wonders for those marriages that have lost their luster through years of child rearing and work obligations.  For more information, contact Dick & Judy Dehnel at 952-432-3105, Pete & Phyllis McMahon at 763-561-1575 or visit   www.godlovesmarriage.org