Zion Lutheran Sioux Falls Unknown

The parables of our Lord convey the mysteries of the kingdom of God to those who are “able to hear it,” that is, “to his own disciples,” who are catechized to fear, love and trust in Him by faith (Mark 4:33–34). He scatters “seed on the ground,” which “sprouts and grows” unto life, even as “he sleeps and rises” (Mark 4:26–27). “On the mountain height of Israel,” He plants a young and tender twig, and it becomes “a noble cedar.” Indeed, His own cross becomes the Tree of Life, under which “ever...

Blood is thicker than water. Sometimes this phrase is used to show that family ties are stronger than the ones you make among friends. While earthly family relationships are important, in today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches that our relationships to God and His family of faith are of even greater importance. We have been made brothers and sisters in Christ through a different, more precious blood—the blood of Jesus shed for us on the cross. Relationships made possible through His blood last for all...

“Sing aloud to God our strength; shout for joy to the God of Jacob!” (Psalm 81:1). God ordained the Sabbath for the benefit of His people, as a source of refreshment and of joy. The Sabbath Day is the culmination of the week and gives meaning to all of the other days. With joy we gather for worship on the Lord’s Day. He is here! We have much to celebrate!

Today the Church celebrates Trinity Sunday. It is a day to bask in the wonder of knowing the triune God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - who has been revealed to us in the Scriptures. While we often think about the three persons of the Trinity having their own areas of expertise (the Father creates, the Son redeems, the Spirit sanctifies), the Readings for today focus on how the three persons of the Trinity work together in every task. In the Old Testament Reading from Genesis, we see all thr...

“What does this mean?” This question might sound familiar to anyone who has spent time studying Luther’s Small Catechism. This same question was asked by many in the crowd on the Day of Pentecost, as recorded in Acts 2. As the people hear and see these miraculous events, they are amazed and perplexed, asking one another, “What does this mean?” In the verses that follow, Peter gives an explanation from the Old Testament. He proclaims that God has fulfilled His promise to “pour out His Spirit o...

The second Sunday in May is set aside as a day to honor one of God's greatest gifts to humankind, Mothers. Mother's Day was first celebrated at a service in Philadelphia in 1907. The day was the idea of Anna Jarvis, a schoolteacher in Philadelphia. This is certainly not a religious holiday, but it is a day that draws our attention to one of God's greatest blessings. It is good that we remember the influence our mothers had as we were growing up. To those mothers who are raising young children...