The 2025 Zoar Lutheran Church Advent Devotional is available now! Pick up a copy after Worship Service, from the church office, or download a copy here.
Have you ever heard a whisper?
A Christmas Message from our new Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry
Sunday Morning Adult Forum
Lend Your Voice to the Holy Conversation!
Are you hungry for meaningful conversation about things that matter – like how to find spiritual sustenance for yourself and how to strengthen and support the mission and ministry of Christ’s church in these challenging times? If you are feeling this hunger, or if you’re curious, we hope you’ll join us in the coming weeks for some heartfelt and thoughtful conversation at our Sunday morning Adult Forum. Centered in prayer and guided by the ever-present Holy Spirit, we’ll dare to engage the hard questions, as we seek to grow in wisdom and in our stewardship of God’s gifts.
Here’s a tentative schedule:
December 7 Chapter 5: “How Does Our Congregation’s Budget Align with the Mission?”
(NO CLASS Dec. 14, 21, 28, and Jan. 4)
January 11 Part 2: What Might God Be Calling Us to Do? – Chapter 6: “Property”
NOTE: It’s not necessary for you to have the book in order to participate, but if there’s enough interest in purchasing the book, our office manager, David Tate, can order some copies from either Fortress Press or Cokesbury. Of course, you’re always welcome to purchase your own copy.
The Adult Forum meets in the Kindness Room from 9:15-10 am on Sundays. We hope you’ll join us!
Every Sunday — 9:15 am
in the Kindness Room
You’re invited to join Zoar’s Thursday morning Bible Study group as we begin a new, four-week study related to Advent on November 13th. The recently published study guide (2025), is authored by the Rev. Dr. Matthew Skinner, who is on the faculty of Luther Seminary in St. Paul. Our group has thoroughly enjoyed Professor Skinner’s studies in the past, so we’re excited to engage with his new book!
Here's a brief description of the study from the website of Cokesbury publishers:
Dec. 4: Chapter 2 -– “The Voice of John the Baptist: Preparing the Way of the Lord”
Dec. 11: Chapter 3 – “The Voices of Mary, Zechariah, and the Gospel of John:
Clarifying New Discoveries with Old Insights”
Dec. 18: Chapter 4 – “The Voices of Angels and Prophets: Revealing the Messiah” and Afterword – “Life After Advent”
Dec. 25: NO CLASS – But you’re invited to attend our Christmas Day worship service at 10:30 am. Merry Christmas!
Jan 1: NO CLASS - Happy New Year!
Paperback copies of Voices of Advent are available in the church office, or you can visit Cokesbury’s website to purchase a copy either in paperback or as an e-book: www.cokesbury.com.
We will begin the New Year with Intern Pastor Katie leading the Thursday morning zoom Bible Study using Randy and Edith Woodley’s book, Journey to Eloheh: How Indigenous Values Lead Us to Harmony and Well-Being.
For six weeks, we’ll explore the ten values of the Harmony Way- values that span indigenous cultures throughout time and geography- that can lead to well-being and a Creator-centered life. The ten values are: harmony, respect, accountability, history, humor, authenticity, equality, friendship, generosity, and balance. Rev. Dr. Randy and Edith Woodley own and operate Eloheh Farms outside of Newberg, OR.
The tentative schedule for January and February:
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Jan. 1 - NO CLASS - Happy New Year
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Jan. 8 - Chapter 1: A Distorted Reality: How False Binaries Came to Be and Chapter 2: A Failed Experiment: How the West Was Lost (pages 13-44)
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Jan. 15 - Chapter 7: Seeking Peace and Chapter 8: Respect: Honoring the Sacred (pages 123-158)
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Jan. 22 - Chapter 9: Accountability: Remembering That We Are All Related and Chapter 10: History: Looking Forward by Looking Back (pages 159-184)
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Jan. 29 - Chapter 11: Humor: Laughing at Ourselves and Chapter 12: Authenticity: Speaking from Your Heart (pages 185-202)
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Feb. 5 - Chapter 13: Equality: Listening to Everyone and Chapter 14: Community: Increasing Friendships (pages 203-224)
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Feb. 12 - Chapter 15: Balance: Working Hard and Resting Well and Chapter 16: Generosity: Sharing What You Have (pages 225-248)
Books are in and can be purchased for $22 in the Zoar office. It is also available through the Canby Public Library: https://lincc.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/lincc/search/detailnonmodal/ent:$002f$002fSD_ILS$002f0$002fSD_ILS:1179609/one?qu=journey+to+eloheh
Thursday Morning Bible Study
Ladies Bible Study
Thursday Evenings @ 7pm via Zoom
We have simple rules: (1) No Homework (2) Sessions are usually self-contained, don’t worry if you miss a week or two – you are not behind (3) Show up as much or as little as you want.
Even if it’s only once a month or less we would still love to have you check us out.
P.S. You are welcome to pour a glass of wine (or whatever), sit back, relax, and enjoy the fellowship.
If you would like to be added to the mailing list, please email JoAnn or contact David in the church office @ 503.266.4061.
Exploring the Nicene Creed
This year, Christians around the world can learn, listen and reflect on the Council of Nicaea, which met 1,700 years ago. In Living Lutheran’s first issue since its return to print this year, H. Ashley Hall takes a new look at the Nicene Creed and the fundamental effect it has had on the Christian faith.
“Exploring the Nicene Creed in greater detail, we get to the heart of basic Christian teaching: Who was Jesus of Nazareth, and what does he mean for our life together?”
Read more and subscribe to the print version of Living Lutheran.