We gather for a Worship Service on this Sunday, August 27th, 2023, 13th Sunday after Pentecost in person at the Chapel (2700 W 14th Street) and via the Zoom platform (online and by phone) at 11:00 a.m.

To join us at the Chapel, buzz Zion Church (Bob Bucklew) from the Directory at the front of the 2700 Building on the campus of San Sofia apartments or enter from the accessible ramp from the rear parking lot. When you arrive, call Bob at 216-375-5323 to open the parking lot gate.

The Sunday Bulletin is attached in PDF format. You may use it to follow along with the service on Zoom or you may use it as a devotional during the week.

Zion’s Administrative Assistant, Beverly Wurm

Beverly will be keeping some limited Office Hours at church/home. The days and hours are:
Monday – 9am – 1pm
Wednesday – 10am – 2pm
Thursday – 9am – 1pm
Beverly can be reached at: [email protected] or by phone at: 216-273-7561 (church) or 216-310-6810 (mobile).

Our new website address is: zionchurchtremont.org
Check out our website and Facebook for updates

The Scripture Readings for Sunday, August 27th, 2023 are:

First Reading: Isaiah 51:1-6

In verses 1-3, the prophet calls the people to look back to their beginnings – to look back to their own beginning as a people, the culture and faith that shaped them. To look to the ancestors, and their story of faith. To look back, and see where God has been faithful, and God will be faithful again to the people coming out of exile in Babylon. In verses 4-6, the prophet turns to God’s voice, calling the people to listen to God’s teaching and justice. God’s deliverance is near for all people. In a glimpse of the future, the prophet declares that the division of heaven and earth will pass, along with the people, but God’s salvation will endure forever.

Psalm Response: Psalm 138:1-8

Psalm 138 is a song of thanksgiving and praise to God for God’s deliverance. Attributed to King David, the psalmist thanks God for answering their prayer. The psalmist calls all the rulers of the earth to praise God. In an echo of Psalm 23, the psalmist knows that even among their enemies, God is present with the singer and will deliver them, for God’s steadfast love endures forever. God will fulfill the psalmist’s intended purpose, however God sees fit.

Second Reading: Romans 12:1-8

The Epistle reading continues its series in Romans this season with these verses in chapter 12. The apostle Paul changes gears in this part of the letter, having successfully argued that Jews and Gentiles are one in Christ, that oneness in Christ means believers live life anew. The believer’s very life is a living sacrifice, a witness to God’s work in the world. Though each person is different with different gifts and abilities, all gifts, all members are necessary as the body of Christ.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 16: 13-20

Jesus questions the disciples about who they think he is in this reading from Matthew 16. He first asks the disciples who people say theChosen One is, and they respond with the various answers: John the Baptizer, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the other prophets. Peter responded with “You are the Messiah, the Firstborn of the Living God.” Jesus is delighted that Peter understands this and what has been revealed by God to him, and that the church will be built on that foundation—that Jesus is the Christ. However, Jesus ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. It seemed important in Matthew and Mark’s account that believers discern this for themselves.

The Sermon/Reflection is “Who Do You Say Jesus Is?” by the Rev. Scott Rosenstein based on the Gospel Reading of Matthew 16:13-20.

Please join the Zion Church community to give thanks to God this Sunday, in-person in the Chapel, or via Zoom!

Pastor Scott Rosenstein
216-273-7561 – church
216-577-1514 – mobile

Bulletin Cover Image:
“Matthew 16: Who Do You Say I Am?”
Collage – Artist Unknown
Posted on the blog:
A Kingdom Year – Reading N. T. Wright’s “The Kingdom New Testament”
by Jason Knight, 2012
https://kingdomnewtestament.wordpress.com/