Welcome to Zion Lutheran Church

Week of July 9-15, 2018: “So, What Is Your ‘Thorn’?” … 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

The Apostle Paul was a very gifted man. He possessed great Biblical knowledge, writing ability, and mechanical skills as a tentmaker. He had the extra-ordinary gifts of being able to heal, work miracles, and cast out demons. He was also given the gift of seeing visions of heaven itself (2 Corinthians 12:2-5).

But so that Paul wouldn’t become boastful about all this, the Lord allowed him to experience what the Apostle would call a “thorn in his flesh”. In some way, whether physical or otherwise, Paul was afflicted in an especially painful way. Although, on three occasions, Paul begged that God would remove the thorn from him, the Lord said, “My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness.” The thorn’s continual presence caused Paul to see that any power for him to do anything of good could only come from the Lord.

We, too, are like Paul. We, too, have been given our share of gifts from God. Several decades ago, Bible Studies that were presented under the theme of “Spiritual Gifts Inventory” posed the question, “So, what is your gift?” But today, I would also pose the question, “So, what is your ‘thorn’?”

Perhaps your thorn has been a chronic illness or disability that you’ve had to deal with—something that might even progress the older that you get. Maybe your thorn has had to do with being a caretaker to someone who is ill or disabled. Maybe your thorn has involved either living or working in an environment that is hostile towards believers in Christ. Your thorn might be some temptation that you continually struggle against, or a fault that you cannot overcome (Romans 7:15). Maybe your thorn has to do with the pain that comes from a difficult or broken relationship.

Like Paul before you, you may well have begged God to take the thorn away from you—and, at times, He grants that very prayer. But so often His answer to you is, “My grace is sufficient, my power is made perfect in weakness.” Like Paul, may you see God’s power made perfect through your weakness—a power that was shown in its greatest way as His Son, Jesus Christ, bore in His flesh, the “thorns” that were the crown, nails, and spear of His cross—the “thorns” that He bore, for you

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