He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” – Matthew 28:6
Here’s
another question for you. Are you a “grave half empty” person?
I
doubt if this metaphor is every going to become quite as popular, but this is
why I ask: As Believers we know the story of our crucified and risen Savior.
This week we will remember Jesus’ suffering and death as the price for our sins
on Good Friday, and rejoice in and proclaim our Lord’s glorious triumph over
death on Easter Sunday morning. We know in our head what it all means: eternity
with our Lord in heaven! A perfect rest in him! Ultimate joy forever and ever!
Yet
on Monday, we go back to our daily tasks, our jobs, our
“real life”. We may tend to forget the Easter joy and weigh ourselves down with
the daily burdens of life that God would so gladly carry for us, if we would
simply ask and trust. In fact, sometimes we even glory in our misery, and would
rather have something to complain about than to remember the complete joy that
is ours. It’s as if Jesus grave were only “half empty”.
But
it isn’t. The angel said, “He is NOT here. He is risen!”
That joyous good news should be in our thoughts and on our lips every day of
our lives, not just Easter Sunday! What a great reason for daily joy and
celebration!
Back
to the cups: For believers in Christ, what does that COMPLETELY empty grave
mean? Our cup is never “half-full”. Simply considering our salvation alone, our
cup of life is full to the brim. Do I have financial worries? I’m still going to heaven! Is their illness in the family? Or death?
Heaven remains our home! Is there trouble in my home, or at work, or in the community?
Jesus is still my loving Savior, and my
dearest friend, and he holds me in his hand!
Will there still be sorrow in my life at times? Of course. But the problems of my daily life are nothing compared to the joy won for me by mySavior. No matter what comes, I always have a reason to rejoice.
But
our Lord doesn’t stop there! He continues to give us blessings far over and
above what we deserve. God’s daily blessings overflow in even troubled lives,
if we would only look for them. He also daily gives us the opportunity to be
comforted by his Word, and through contacts with fellow believers.
Is
Jesus’ grave half empty? No way. He is risen! So we too will rise!
Cup
half empty? On the contrary. It continues to overflow!
Thank you Lord, for Easter joy. Please help us to
carry it with us throughout the entire year, and throughout our lives.
God
bless your celebration of Easter,
Principal Schneck J
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This Friday, April 2nd, is early dismissal. Classes dismiss at 11:00 a.m.
Zion
Lutheran School will be on Spring Break April 5th to 9th.
School classes will resume Monday, April 12th. Enjoy your holiday!
YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN US AT ZION FOR HOLY WEEK WORSHIP!
Palm Sunday Worship Sunday, March 28th – 8:30 and 10:30 a.m.
Maundy Thursday Worship Thursday, April 1st – 7:00 p.m.
Good Friday Worship Friday, April 2nd – 1:00 and 7:00 p.m.
Easter Sunday Worship Sunday, April 4th – 8:30 and 10:30 a.m.
Chapel Service
School families are invited to join us for our morning school chapel service this week Wednesday, March 31st at 8:05 a.m. Parents, family and friends are welcome! Parents attending chapel are asked to park in the circle drive (Cole Road entrance) and enter through door “D”.
Congratulations, Zion Warrior Basketball Teams, on a
great year.
Special thanks to B Team coaches Hanna Liechty and Grace Horn, and A Team coach Steve Sordahl, as well as Athletic Director Mr. Nielsen for keeping it all together! Players, please bring your CLEANED uniforms back to school by this Friday!
2021-2022 School Enrollment
Letters were sent home several
weeks ago with 2021-22 enrollment information. In order to aid in our planning,
we ask that all families planning to enroll for the fall begin their
registration process. School families should have received an email invitation
from TADS last week to register for the new school year. If you have any questions, please contact Mr.
Schneck.
We are holding an open
house for potential new student families this Tuesday, March 30th from
5:30 to 7 p.m. If you know of any family or friends who may be
interested in our school program, please share our information with them, or
invite them to visit our website. If they are willing, you can also give their
contact information to Mr. Schneck and we will reach out to them. If
possible please share the invitation attached to this newsletter. Extras copies
are available on the ministry table by the pastor’s offices.
·
Tuesday, March 30th –
Zion Lutheran School Open House
5:30-7:30 p.m.
·
Wednesday, March 31st
–
School
Chapel Service 8:05 a.m.
Hot Lunch – Arby’s
·
Thursday, April 1st –
Heart Heroes Challenge 2-3 p.m.
Maundy
Thursday Worship Service at Zion 7 p.m.
·
Friday, April 2nd –
EARLY
DISMISSAL 11:00 a.m.
Maundy
Thursday Worship Service at Zion 1:00
p.m. and 7 p.m.
·
Sunday, March 28th –
Easter Festival Worship
Services at Zion
8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
SPRING BREAK – NO SCHOOL
CLASSES
APRIL 5th TO 9th
(Classes resume April 12th)
Coming Up in April…
