Welcome to Zion Lutheran Church

Week of April 9-15, 2018: “And There Was Nooo Doubt About It!”: John 20:20-31 A long time baseball announcer, whenever his team won, would joyously proclaim, “And there was noooooo doubt about it!” Far more so was there no doubt that Jesus had been raised from the dead. When Jesus first appeared to His disciples as a group, He first announced to these fearful ones, “Peace be with you”. He then showed them His hands and side and the disciples were overjoyed to see their Lord. But one of their number, the Apostle Thomas, was not present at the time. When the others found him and proclaimed, “We have seen the Lord”, Thomas refused to believe unless he first touched Jesus’ wounded hands and side. Jesus would appear to the disciples several days later—this time with Thomas present. He would allow the doubting disciple to touch where He had been wounded and then declared to Thomas, “Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas, now convinced, proclaimed, “My Lord and my God!”. There was noooooo doubt about it! In the verse that follows, Jesus states, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” We today, who believe in Him, are those who are so blessed. But how often do we still need to hear, as Thomas once did, His words, “Stop doubting and believe!” When we are tempted to believe that we are worthless and not specially made by God Himself, He would say, “Stop doubting and believe” and point us to Psalm 139:13-14. When we think that our sins are “too big” to be forgiven, He again would tell us, “Stop doubting and believe” and turn us to Isaiah 1:18. “Stop doubting and believe” He would say to us when we are anxiety ridden as He directs us to Philippians 4:6-7. “Stop doubting and believe” He tells us when we are tempted to doubt the truth and power of His Word. He leads us then to passages like 2 Timothy 3:16 and to John 20:30-31 which show us that there is noooooo doubt as to the divine origin of the words of Holy Scripture. These words have been given to us by the same Holy Spirit of God that Jesus, on the evening of His resurrection, breathed upon His disciples. This same Spirit will guide us into all truth (John 14:16-17, 26) and will open our minds that that we can understand the Scriptures (Luke 24:45). Once again, there is nooooo doubt about it as we celebrate and experience the victory of Jesus Christ on Easter and always.

Your Pastor  Pastor Bill Mugnolo   Hi, I’m Pastor Bill Mugnolo and I have been serving at Zion Lutherran and at our sister congregation of St Johns in Elyria since September 2017. I was born in Baltimore, Maryland and I grew up on Long Island in New York State, in Northern New Jersey, and in Atlanta, Georgia. Since my graduation from Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, I have lived in and have had an ongoing family connection to the Rochester, New York area which I consider to be my adopted hometown. I was confirmed in the Lutheran Church as an adult in 1984. I went on to seminary at Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. I was ordained on August 16, 1990 on the thirty-first anniversary of my baptism. I have served congregations in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania (1990-1998), Newark, New York (1998-2016), and Columbia Station, Ohio (2016-2017). I was joined in marriage to Sabra LeClaire of Rochester, New York on October 1, 1993. We have two daughters—, Emilia and Rebecca. I enjoy power walking, cross-country skiing, dumbbell training, travelling, and a wide variety of music. It is my great honor and privilege to serve both the Lord and you as pastor at Zion.

Wednesday and Thursday

9 A.M to 12 

440-282-8418 

Email ofcvirg@zionlorain.org

440-282-8418 Pastor Bill