Welcome to Zion Lutheran Church

Week of February 11-17, 2019: “Fire, Smoke, and Fish” … Isaiah 6:1-8, Luke 5:1-11

Fire, smoke, and fish… if you put these three together you just might get a tasty meal out of it. But in Isaiah 6:1-8 and Luke 5:1-11—two readings for the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany--fire, smoke, and fish point us to the dramatic calls of two of the great saints of old—the Prophet Isaiah and the Apostle Peter. What these two experienced teaches us a number of things about our own callings in Christ.

First, both men were already “walking with the Lord” when God called them into a deeper walk of faith and into greater service to Him. While you too may be firm in your faith, could the Lord, at this time, be calling out to you to walk with Him in a deeper way? Secondly, both men were called in a way that certainly got their attention—Isaiah, amidst fire and smoke in the temple; Peter, through a miraculous catch of fish.

While we might not be called in such a dramatic way, the Lord may well have His way of getting our attention. He may allow us to feel a certain restlessness which drives us to our knees in prayer seeking what He would have us do next. He might also use serious illness, loss, and even personal failure in order to get our attention. Then again, He might also make use of an act of healing or deliverance.

Thirdly, both Isaiah and Peter realized their own profound sense of sinfulness amidst seeing the power and glory of the Lord (Isaiah 6:5, Luke 5:8). We too are meant to see that, apart from His mercy, we cannot bear to stand before a Holy God. But our God is merciful to us—just as He was to Isaiah when the angel touched his lips with the burning coal (Isaiah 6:6-7) and as He was to Peter when He simply said, “Do not be afraid.”

Finally, having called us and forgiven us, the Lord sends us out to serve others as soon as He can. To Isaiah, the Lord said “Whom shall I send and who will go for Us?” To this, the prophet willingly responded, “Here am I! Send me.” (Isaiah 6:8). To Peter, Jesus said, “From now on you will be fishers of men” (Luke 5:10). So too are we sent—whether close to home (Luke 8:38-39) or far away.

Fire, smoke, and fish: when it comes to what we might eat, it could prove to be tasty. But when it comes to the things of God, as Isaiah and Peter experienced, its all about “taste and see that the Lord is good!” (Psalm 34:8)!

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 pastor.mugnolo@yahoo.com

440-282-8418 Pastor Bill