BAPTISMS FOR JANUARY:  

Inspired by the congregational pledge made in the service of Holy Baptism (see page 228, EvLW), we will be including names of those baptized at St. Luke's Zion in our monthly newsletters. 

We hope this will be a reminder to lift them up in prayer, wherever they may be in their faith-walk. 

The following were baptized in the month of January in previous years: 

David A. C.                          

Mercedes R. W.

Destiny R. M.           

Mary B. M.

Sara A. M.

Elizabeth S. M.

Alison L. W.

Charlee J. P. C.    

Elle A. N.  

Kate E. M. 

Garrett J. H.        

IN OUR PRAYERS: 

Please remember in your prayers our shut-ins in long term care:                            

Phyllis A. - Concordia Place  

Claire D. - Fred Douglas Lodge

Dorothy H. - Luther Home 

Anne M. - Concordia Place

Alfred T. - Red River Place, Selkirk  

Melita T. - Luther Home

Ollie Z. - Fred Douglas Lodge

PRAYER FOR OUR FAMILY LIFE in 2024:

Lord, we pray for all family members: father, mother, husband, wife, brothers and sisters. We pray for each one to be blessed with Your love and providence that they may be part of a family of unity, peace and well being.

May there be love in the family which will overlook all shortcomings. Let there be compassion which will see one another in mercy. And may there be forgiveness and acceptance in the times of failure and disappointments.

For those who are without faith, we pray that You open a door of opportunity for one to reach them with Your Good News. Convert their unbelief to embrace You, Lord Jesus Christ, with their hearts. Amen

WEEKLY BIBLE CONVERSATIONS:

Bible Conversations resume on January 3rd and are held each Wednesday at noon.

Bring a bagged lunch – coffee & tea provided.

We are currently doing an interactive Bible study based on ‘The Chosen’.

All are Welcome.

SLZ SUNDAY SCHOOL:

Regular classes will resume on January 7, 2024

The Sunday School will be sharing their Christmas message in January. Pot-Luck Luncheon to follow – we invite you all to bring a dish to share.

Date to be announced.

CONFIRMATION:

Confirmation classes will resume on Tuesdy’s at 6:30 p.m. starting on January 9th at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 600 Cambridge Street.

YOUTH:

Prairie Fire Youth Service

Sunday January 14th at Messiah Lutheran - 3:00 p.m. meet for ride / Event: 4-6 p.m.

Supper at Boston Pizza after / pick-up 8:00 p.m.

Cost: TBA

WinterQuest - Sat., Feb. 10 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Starbuck, from 9:30-5:00 p.m.

EXCITING SLZ JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN 2024:

All Training is provided – references not required

*Readers:

*Communion assistants: 

- 2 communion assistants each week

*Counters: every Sunday we need 2 people to count

If you are available please sign-up on the sheet on the table or let Joanne Janzen know either by text, email, phone call or in person.

We appreciate all those who have volunteered up to this point. Thank You

WEEKLY FELLOWSHIP VOLUNTEERS:

There is a sign-up located on the bulletin board for those of you who wish to sign-up to make coffee, tea, bring baking etc.  Thank You for those who have already signed up.

Jesus, Moses, and an old man go golfing

The first one to tee off is Moses. He smashes the ball and it is heading right for the water hazard before the green. Moses raises his club, the water parts, and the ball makes it to the green.

Jesus gets up to swing, cranks it out, and it is headed for the water hazard. Jesus closes his eyes and prays. The ball skips across the water and lands on the green two feet from the hole.

The old man’s turn comes and he drives the ball. The ball looks like it is going to drop directly into the water. A fish jumps from the water hazard swallowing the ball, as an eagle drops from the sky, grabbing the fish. As the eagle flies over the green, a bolt of lightning strikes the eagle, making it drop the fish. As the fish hits the green, it spits out the ball and the ball falls into the hole, making a hole in one. Jesus looks at Moses and says, “I really think I’m leaving Dad at home next time!”     

LUTHERAN URBAN MINISTRY:

December 2023 News from your Ministry Manager – Merry Christmas!

Our Urban community comprises people from all walks of life, situations and circumstances: - those with children at home, seniors and single people who struggle with food and housing insecurity - and worries; - Grandmas and/or Grandpas who often take over child care responsibilities; - some living in group homes and rooming houses; - always one or two who are unhoused chronically or temporarily; - always one or two who are couch surfing at the home of a friend or relative; - seniors and people who live alone - experiencing loneliness and seeking fellowship, spiritual care, and the connection of conversation through both listening to others and feeling heard; and - some who attend live just down the street and across the back lane.

“Managing Stress” was the topic in our Mental Wellness Sharing Circles in the first week of December with facilitators from the Canadian Mental Health Association Manitoba/Winnipeg. These are taking place the 1st week of each month on Wednesdays at our Men’s Lunch/Sharing Circle and our Women’s Sharing Circle, and also at our Thursday Co-ed Sharing Circles – from September 2023 to April 2024. Good information and terrific discussions in all three circles. The topic for the first week of January is “Self Esteem and Self Compassion”. Mental wellness topics are applicable for people of all walks of life. Also, great conversations and topics in the other circles during the month including how is your week going; our human heart; what’s on your mind; Christmas; memories; life anecdotes.

To our MNO Congregation Members and Clergy: A wonderful opportunity to have fellowship with our Urban Community - please drop by anytime to our:

Sunday Worship Service: door opens at 1:00 p.m. with coffee/tea. Worship service 1:30 – 2:15 p.m.

Men’s Lunch/Sharing Circle every Wednesday - Downstairs at Noon Please stop by at 12:00 p.m. Noon (ring the doorbell) for lunch and great fellowship and conversation!

Women’s Sharing Circle every Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. (until 3:30 p.m.) Please arrive at 2:00 p.m. (ring the doorbell) for coffee/tea/dessert and great fellowship and conversation! Women’s Drop-in every Wednesday from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. Please drop in (ring the doorbell) for coffee/tea/cookies and visiting together! Kids & grandkids welcome to come with you and we have colouring and arts and crafts to keep them busy.

Co-ed Sharing Circle every Thursday at 4:30 p.m. (please arrive at 4:30 p.m.) Please stop by at 4:30 (ring the doorbell) for great fellowship and conversation! And coffee/tea/dessert.

- Rhonda Gorham, Ministry Manager,

  Lutheran Urban Ministry Corp.

Canadian Lutheran World Relief's (CLWR)

Gifts from the Heart catalogue is available now! Bring a smile to your loves one this Christmas season with a meaningful gift that shares hope with someone in need. New gifts in this year's catalogue include school meals in Nicaragua and clean water at women's centres. Watch your mailboxes and inboxes for your copy, or visit CLWR's website when you click here!

Opportunities Within the ELCIC:

The Presbyterian Church in Canada: Employment Opportunity
The Assembly Council of The Presbyterian Church in Canada is looking for a qualified candidate to fill in the position of Intercultural Liaison. This position is a General Secretary level appointment of the General Assembly on nomination of the Assembly Council. This position is a five-year appointment and is open to all qualified individuals within the Reformed faith tradition. Interested applicants are to submit their resumes and cover letters by January 15, 2024. For a full description of this position, please click here.

Anglican Church of Canada: Program Associate and Program Coordinator Positions for Indigenous Ministries
Our full communion partner the Anglican Church of Canada has several job openings that you may be interested in. These include: Program Associate, Indigenous Ministries and Coordinator, Indigenous Ministries. For a full description on these job openings and to know how to apply, please click here. Deadline for applications is on January 14, 2024.

Coping with Loss Workbook: Healing Grief & Loss

“If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together, keep me in your heart, I’ll stay there forever.”  WINNIE THE POOH

Grief Workbook PDF for Download

(copy link into browser)

https://mindremakeproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/COPING-WITH-LOSS-Final.pdf

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." (Matthew 5:4)

Epiphany:

The word Epiphany comes from the Greek word ‘epiphaneia’ which means manifestation, and refers to the manifestation of Jesus to the world. The celebration of Epiphany can be traced back to the Eastern Church in the 4th century, where it was originally celebrated as the birth and baptism of Jesus. It wasn’t until the 5th century that the Western Church began to celebrate the visit of the Magi on this day.

For many Christians, Epiphany is a time to reflect on the manifestation of Christ and his divinity. It is also a time to consider the importance of the Magi’s visit and the symbolic gifts they brought to the infant Jesus: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These gifts are believed to represent Jesus’ kingship, divinity, and death, respectively.

The significance of Epiphany extends beyond the visit of the Magi, however. In some traditions, it is also a time to remember Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist and the manifestation of the Holy Trinity. In many cultures, Epiphany is a time of celebration and feasting, with various traditional dishes and customs marking the occasion.

Over time, Epiphany has taken on different meanings and traditions in various parts of the world. In some cultures, it’s celebrated as a day of gift-giving, while in others, it’s a time for feasting and singing. Despite these regional differences, the holiday’s core message of divine revelation and manifestation remains the same.

Today, Epiphany is observed by millions of Christians worldwide as a time to reflect on the significance of Christ’s revelation to the world and to renew their faith in the divine plan. Whether it’s through prayer, service, or fellowship, the spirit of Epiphany continues to inspire believers around the globe.

In Spain, Epiphany is celebrated with the parade of the Three Wise Men, or the “Cabalgata de Reyes Magos,” where the three kings ride through the streets on camels and throw candy to children.

In Mexico, families celebrate with a traditional sweet bread called “Rosca de Reyes” or “King’s Cake” which contains a hidden baby Jesus figure.

The King Cake has a rich history, dating back to medieval France, and has evolved over time to become an important symbol of Epiphany celebrations in many parts of the world. Today, it is a delicious and fun way to commemorate the arrival of the Magi and the manifestation of Christ’s divinity to the world.

In Ethiopia, Epiphany is celebrated on January 19th  and is known as “Timket,” which is a three-day celebration featuring colorful processions, singing, and dancing.

In Russia, the holiday is known as “Baptism of the Lord” and is celebrated with a dip in the icy waters, symbolizing the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River.

In Poland, Epiphany is celebrated with the custom of chalking the doors, where people write the initials of the Three Wise Men and the current year above the entrance to their homes to bring blessings for the new year.

In Greece, Epiphany is celebrated with the Blessing of the Waters, where a priest throws a cross into the water, and young men dive in to retrieve it, symbolizing the baptism of Jesus.

In France, people eat a special cake called the galette des rois,

In Portugal, where children go caroling door to door with a star and a collection box.

In some parts of Germany, people burn incense to drive away evil spirits on Epiphany Eve,

Regardless of how it’s celebrated, Epiphany is a time for reflection, renewal, and the celebration of the manifestation of Christ to the world.