BAPTISMS FOR NOVEMBER:  

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 November in previous years:

Nicole A. L. W.               Tammy S.

Ryan J. F.                      Jaxon S.

Allaiya T. F. M. B            Alyssa R. A.

Michael J. T.                  Trinity R. I. P.

Kayleigh A. D. A.           Dominic R. C.

Lauren A. A.                  Cash S. D. C.

Caitlyn E. K.                  Cammy C.

Jason W. S.                   Jericho R. W.

Ramona A. C.

IN OUR PRAYERS:  

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

Phyllis A. - Concordia Place   

Laura G. - Red River Place, Selkirk  

Doreen S. - Luther Home  

Alfred T. - Red River Place, Selkirk   

Melita T. - Luther Home   

Alice V. - Middlechurch Home   

PASTOR LYNNE VACATION DATES:

Pastor Lynne is on vacation from November 2nd-16th. On those Sundays (Nov. 8 & 15), links will be posted on the St. Luke’s Zion Facebook page so that you can join other congregations for online worship.

For any pastoral emergencies, you can contact Pastor Erik Parker (204-997-8063) or

Pastor Jeremy Langner (204-995-2350).

We will have our own online service again on Sunday, November 22nd.

SLZ ANNUAL SOUP & PIE LUNCHEON:

1ST Sunday in Advent – November 29, 2020

A response to COVID

If you have a small group to gather…

or maybe on your own…

warm up a pot of soup…

enjoy a meal in a virtual way.

We have enjoyed this luncheon for many years.

Let’s keep it going especially in this time of COVID.

Questions or comments call or text

Beverley Holmes (204-586-4911) or Pastor Lynne

ST. LUKE’S ZION 2020 CHRISTMAS SPECIAL:

   Undoubtedly we can all agree that the greatest challenge of 2020 has been the inability to partake in fellowship! Fellowship with extended family, friends and of course our family in Christ.

   Galations 5:22 says it best “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness” our Spirit longs to share in the fellowship with others, to share in each other’s Joy, to be able to spread the Peace and Love of Christ with others. For many of us we have found new ways to connect, new ways to reach out to our community members and continue to share in the ministry of Christ. Ultimately, as we approach the end of this year many festivities and traditions that we look forward to will not be the same.

    With this in mind we would like to put together a special Christmas video that all members of our congregation can participate in some way and will be uploaded for viewing on Sunday December 20th at 7:00 pm with the hopes that everyone will be able to watch the video at the same time sharing in fellowship together from the warmth of their homes. Enabling us to see those we have been longing to see for some time now, sharing together in a special Christmas story “Follow that Star” as well as joining in Christmas carols and listening to special Christmas messages.

Ways you can participate in this special video:

- Singing a Christmas Carol   - Reading a part of the story “Follow that Star”   - You and your family together sending a brief best wishes video message for the holidays, etc.   - A still photo of you and/or your family with the message you would like to share with everyone.

   If you would like to sing a Christmas song, or read from a script, please let Joanne Johnson know by November 10th so that we can coordinate songs and provide the script parts.

Things to remember when videoing:

- Background For example: you and/or your family singing or speaking by a Christmas tree or a fireplace, etc.

- Lighting Be sure to have ample lighting but not direct lighting from a window as will create glare or darkness in the video.

- Speaking Be sure to speak loudly and clearly for the video recording.

All videos and still photos with your message should be emailed to jeffjoanne1973@gmail.com or text to 204- 295-5076 by no later than November 25th,2020.

   If you have any questions or need help in videoing, you can contact Joanne at 204- 295-5076 or email joanne.johnson@adm.com

We hope everyone can participate in this special St. Luke’s Zion Christmas Special. May the love and peace of Christ be with you always!

Sincerely, Joanne Johnson, Council Chairperson

SLZ LUM LUNCH - OCTOBER 18, 2020:

Many thanks to the eight ladies who came to fill lunch bags on October 17th, as well as to all those who contributed financially or otherwise.  Your support is appreciated for this Lutheran Urban project that has been going strong in our congregation for many years.  115 lunches were given out at the Urban that day.  Thank you!

LUM:

October 2020 News from your Ministry Manager

Thank you so much to everyone who participated and donated to our annual Urban fundraiser the October 3, 2020 Ride for Refuge, a national fundraiser for charities and non-profits working with the vulnerable and disadvantaged. Thank you to the five teams for the Urban: Gloria Dei, First Lutheran, St. Mark’s in Motion, Abundant Life, and the Urban Board & Friends team!! This was an exciting year and besides walking or riding there were lots of Freestyle options (Pastor Michael cleaned the sanctuary at First Lutheran to raise money for the Urban!!!)! Donations are still possible to Urban teams online until October 31, 2020 on the Ride for Refuge website: https://rideforrefuge.org/charity/theurban

Thank you so much to the team members and supporters of the Epiphany Lutheran Church “Going the Distance” fundraiser for the Urban! It was awesome!!

Canadian Lutheran World Relief donated over 130 handmade quilts to the Urban and warmed so many hearts and bodies! CLWR also sent us school kits, hygiene kits, and small stuffed animals (saving the stuffies for the children’s Christmas bags).

During this pandemic time, we are continuing to provide physical and spiritual nourishment in the best way we can in the present circumstances.

Until Further Notice: the Urban is continuing the suspension of all regular programming (sit-down community meals, coffee hours, sharing circles, men’s group, worship services, etc.) in the lower level of Lutheran Church of the Cross, due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation. So many ask if we’ll be open downstairs soon but we have to keep everyone as safe as possible.

Struggling and vulnerable single people and families (in the same numbers as pre-pandemic times when we were open downstairs) are continuing to come to the Urban - but now for bagged lunches 4x/week distributed outside.

· Mid-week devotionals and Sunday devotionals, emailed to me from Pastor Barry Bence, are tucked into lunch bags.

· Fellowship is still happening on the sidewalk & church parking lot although conversations will become brief when it’s winter.

· We have changed our pre-pandemic emergency food bags to an equitable “one food item” per person once a week (two items if a family) on a chosen random day each week during the distribution of bagged lunches.

Mandatory Masks as of September 2, 2020: Masks (cloth or disposable) are now mandatory for everyone entering the church property (sidewalk and parking lot) to pick up bagged lunches. We provide a disposable mask if needed. The Urban enforces 2 m social distancing on the church grounds of Lutheran Church of the Cross during bagged lunch distribution.

Bagged Lunches (sandwich, dessert, juice box, etc.) to take home are given outside the door in place of sit-down meals at our four regularly scheduled weekly mealtimes (Wednesday men’s lunches, Wednesday and Thursday suppers, and Sunday lunches). This schedule is posted on the north side door of Lutheran Church of the Cross. Our meal teams are happy to help us in this way and we are so very grateful for this. Our website calendar shows available dates for meal teams. Fellowship is happening in the parking lot as long as weather permits!

We have so much gratitude for our volunteers and the meal teams; for the pantry donations, for the prayers; and for all those who donate financial support toward our operating expenses.

Our website will be updated this month with photos from “Ride for Refuge” and “Going the Distance” (www.theurban.ca).

Please keep our vulnerable Lutheran Urban Ministry community in your prayers.

Please contact me: rhonda@theurban.ca for additional information, or to have your meal team added to the calendar.

Kind regards, Rhonda Gorham, Ministry Manager, Lutheran Urban Ministry

We welcome all because God welcomes all, regardless of age, ability, health, ethnicity, gender identity, language, sexual orientation, life circumstances, marital status, race, or anything else which sometimes divides us. We welcome diversity and uniqueness. Our unity is in Christ, whose grace is freely given to all. All are welcome. The Lutheran Urban Ministry Corp. is a member of Reconciling Works – Lutherans for Full Participation www.reconcilingworks.org

THANK YOU SLZ BAND:

A HUGE thank you goes out to the Band!!!

What a great addition to our Worship Music!!!

Thank You to Pastor Lynne, Craig, Chris, Thera, Madison and Faith 

Your musical talents have brought so much joy to many people before COVID and during. 

Did you know…The Band had their first practice August 9, 2018, and their first performance during worship was September 9th, 2018.

YOUTH:

All Saints Sunday Youth video  (November 1st)

The Youth Groups have put together a video in remembrance of loved ones who have passed away. The video will be available to view on November 1st on the SLZ facebook page.

SUNDAY SCHOOL:

We are continuing our weekly lessons through Google Classroom. We will keep you informed of updates as they come up. We miss our time with you on Sunday mornings and look forward to when we can gather again. God Bless You All

OPTIONS FOR OFFERINGS DURING COVID:

1. Sign up for PAR.  This is an automatic debit on the 20th of each month.  It costs 50 cents a month.

2. Give through the MNO synod website mnosyod.org).  However, Canada Helps receives 4% of each donation.

3. E-transfers are now available by contacting Sharon Appler.

4. Send in the mail.

5. Drop them off at the church.  Thank you!

MNO SYNOD:

COVID-19 Updates  
The Government of Manitoba has developed a  more detailed set of guides for various gatherings--including faith-based gatherings.  Rather than  continuing to update the synod guidelines, we recommend these to you as you consider the needs  in your context.  We are available to help you and your congregation translate these guides to your  specific situation.

Update regarding the code orange restrictions for   Winnipeg Metropolitan Region (effective 10/19).

The Eastern Synod has developed a very helpful "Checklist for the Safe Resumption of In-Person Worship" that may be helpful to you.

All SAINTS DAY – NOVEMBER 1ST

Source: Sundaysandseasons.com

On All Saints Sunday we remember those who have died for the faith and those who have died in the faith. We also recognize this day all the baptized. We are sinners. Remember that the next time you look in the mirror. We are saints, as well. Remember that too. We are sinners in our own right and saints by virtue of Christ’s death and resurrection for us. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus speaks his blessings on all his saints. Today, as every Sunday, we saints on earth join the saints in heaven in singing God’s praises. We join them at the meal as well, keeping in mind that what we receive here is but an appetizer from the heavenly banquet table.

People we are remembering this year:

Sheldon Bardarson, Gary Bennett, Noel Berard, Sam Burch, Brian Burkett, Wendy Collett, Gordon Crofts, Margaret Driver, Bernice Finnsson, Peter Friesen, Sheila Gieg, Donna Govereau, Rev. Dr. Egil Grislis, John Hemmerling, Emma Herman, Joan & Jack Jonques, Irene Kapac, Penny Kasper, Andy Klapprat, Dorothy Leonhardt, Bill Marcinkowski, Anna McDonald, Rod Peppler, Natalie Ruff, Ernie Schreyer, Paul Schwab, Norman Singbeil, Jim & Marion Smith, Orland Smith, Anne Streilein, Bill Thomas, Larry Vilk, and Vera Wiesner.