Week of March 16-22, 2020: “To Be at Peace” … Romans 5:1-2

Perhaps the biggest news story since the 9/11 attacks is taking place right now in the worldwide coronavirus pandemic. There have been event cancellations, travel bans, and stock market downturns. There are all manner of sanitary precautions that are being taken to check the spread of this disease. At both St. John and at Zion there are such precautions now in place for our gatherings together for worship, Bible Study, and other events.

But even amidst worldwide concern and even panic, there will be limits as to the overall impact of the coronavirus. Let’s just say that 330,000 people in the United States were to die from this virus—an exceedingly high amount. This would still just be 1/10th of one percent of our total population. By comparison, I would like for you to consider the actual impact of another “virus” in the world.

This virus has been in our world now for thousands of years. All but one person who has ever lived has been infected by it. It impacts our entire lives and is at the root of all other diseases—including the coronavirus. Even with treatment, it has a 100% fatality rate and even could have consequences beyond this present life. And yet the vast majority of the world’s people are ignorant of this virus, its effects, and they don’t even want to have to deal with it!

This all pervasive, worldwide virus is, of course, sin. Thankfully, it does have a cure in the only one that was without it—Our Lord Jesus Christ. To trust in Him means to have peace with God and eternal life where the presence of the sin virus will be unknown (Romans 5:1-2). To have Christ also means to be at peace even amidst the coronavirus scare knowing that Our Lord works out all things together for good for those who know Him and are called according to His purpose (John 14:27, Romans 8:28).

It is my hope and prayer that this present crisis leads many to see their greatest “viral condition” and find their only hope and cure in Christ. May we, who are in Him, all be at peace during these turbulent times.

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