Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
14205 Ida Street
Omaha, Nebraska 68142
Rev. Lance D. Berndt and Rev. Philip Hale
Church Office (402) 493-1744
Worship Services
Saturday 6:00 PM
Sunday 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM
Sunday School 9:15 AM and Bible Study 9:30 AM
Welcome To Zion Lutheran Church
The Mission of Zion Lutheran Church is to reach out to the community as we embrace our fellow members, building on the strength of our heritage in the true Word of God. To this end, Zion's members see themselves as loving Christians called by God to serve Him according to His purpose.
You have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. Heb. 12:22-23
- Details
- Published: 07 August 2014
- Last Updated: 27 April 2017
Why Belong to a Church?
Dear Fellow Redeemed:
There is something that frequently weighs heavily on pastors and elders as they strive to care for the spiritual well-being of the people God has entrusted to us and who call our congregation their church home. It stems from the seeming avoidance, reluctance or refusal of many members to make regular worship a high priority in their lives. In response, let’s answer the question, “Why belong to a church?”
The Bible verses you could consider would be:
“So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Romans 12:5
“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household.” Ephesians 2:19
Back to the question that is asked often: “Why belong to a church?” Certainly the primary, most critical reason to belong to a church (and to worship frequently) is so you can receive God’s gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation that He delivers to us in Word and Sacrament alone. But here’s an additional good reason: To help you find and fulfill your vocation! Think about it this way: What good is a keyboard without the computer? What good are countless things, unless they are connected to certain other things? You can discover your vocations as Christian, family member, citizen, and worker – only through a relationship with Christ and others! Listen again to Romans 12:4-5:
- Details
- Published: 21 June 2015
- Last Updated: 23 May 2017
Reformation 2017: What’s at Stake? The Same Thing as Always
This article written by John Preus, was originally published on the LCMS Blog website (https://blogs.lcms.org) on April 26, 2017.
What’s at stake in the 500th year of the Lutheran Reformation? The same thing as always: The Gospel. It’s attacked everywhere. But if we lose Christ, we lose everything. That’s why we risk everything to defend the doctrine of justification by grace alone through faith in Christ alone.
How is this battle fought? On what front do we find the false doctrine of works-righteousness seeking to replace the doctrine of salvation freely offered in the obedience of Christ? Where does this error first begin to creep into the Christian mind and congregation?
- Details
- Published: 20 May 2017
- Last Updated: 20 May 2017
Lynne Eifert Farewell
We thank God for Lynne Eifert and her serving as Zion's organist for many years! Lynne will be leaving Omaha soon, and we wish her many blessings for years to come. Join us for a card shower for Lynne on June 11th in the Lakeview Room between services (around 9:15 AM).
- Details
- Published: 19 May 2017
- Last Updated: 20 May 2017
Pastor's Pen 05/16/2017
Jesus led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him. (Luke 24)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The Day of Ascension! Is it time to say goodbye to Jesus? Is Christ going away? Jesus at a great distance is depressing.
Thanks be to God that Christ’s Ascension is NOT GOOD BYE! 40 days after Christ rose from the dead, He ascended into heaven. Jesus’ Ascension to the Right Hand of God the Father is NOT Christ’s location. Seated at the Right Hand is Christ’s position of power. He raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. He put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1)
- Details
- Published: 17 May 2017
- Last Updated: 17 May 2017
Vacation Bible School 2017
Vacation Bible School is June 4 - 8
Join us (Sunday through Thursday) from 6:00 to 8:00pm. Registration is open for children age 2 (with a parent) and ages 3-6th grade (2016-2017 school year). A free family dinner will be served each night stating at 5:00pm. Come along with us as we sing fun songs, do crazy crafts, eat yummy snacks, play awesome games, and more. Plus, you’ll learn all about Jesus our Savior and how He is at work through us! Can’t wait to see you there!
Sign up for Zion's VBS or see more information about this year's VBS at Zion!
- Details
- Published: 02 May 2017
- Last Updated: 20 May 2017
Education and Christianity
A Message from Pastor Hale
People tend to have strong view points on education. When it comes to the well-being and future of our children, we are rightly concerned. But sometimes zeal can be without knowledge. Some basic distinctions are helpful.
First, and above all, we are free in Christ. There is no moral requirement God makes about education. James Dobson recently made it virtually a sin to leave children in a public school. However, Dobson, while strong on moral issues, is theologically weak when it comes to faith and the essence of Christianity: justification in Christ. Fear-mongering is rarely useful or correct. The Christian should not be driven by fear, but by the will of God, revealed in Scripture. The Christian can dispassionately judge all things, because he is not under judgment.
Some people make education to be everything. It determines the child's future and is the sole source of instruction. That should not be the case, but sadly is often true. Rather, what happens at home should be paramount and it should support what happens at church. The first years of a child's life are critical, and those are not regulated by a curriculum, but by parents or caretakers who must discipline.
- Details
- Published: 29 April 2017
- Last Updated: 29 April 2017
Ascension Day Worship
Ascension Day Worship at Zion Lutheran Church is Thursday, May 25, @ 7:00pm
You are invited to a joint Ascension Day Service here at Zion. The guest preacher will be Pastor Jon Sollberger of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Louisville, NE. The Lord's Supper will be offered at this service recognizing our Lord's ascension to fill all things, which occurred forty days after His resurrection from the dead.
- Details
- Published: 27 April 2017
- Last Updated: 27 April 2017
Who Was Martin Luther? Part 3
This is part three of a series written by Rev. Donavon Riley that orginally appeared on the HIgher Things - Dare To be Lutheran website.
Martin Luther, like most people during the sixteenth century, lived during a time of both earthly and spiritual insecurity. Frequent wars, plagues, peasant revolts, and famine meant people had to struggle to secure daily bread. And, at the same time that they were worried about sustenance, the church taught that sins could be atoned for by praying to the saints, making pilgrimages, worshipping holy relics, and the like.
The world Luther grew up in was an apocalyptic time. Death could overcome a person at any moment. The Grim Reaper, Four Horsemen, and other end times figures were popular in literature, art, and music. Images of fire and brimstone occupied the church's imagination, too. Jesus wasn't pictured as a merciful shepherd or suffering servant, but as a judge seated on a rainbow throne, a two-edged sword coming out one side of his mouth and a lily the other. They symbolized judgment and mercy, death and resurrection. This meant that the primary question on Christian's minds was: "What must I do to avoid the sword and receive the lily?"
- Details
- Published: 22 April 2017
- Last Updated: 23 April 2017
LCMS Military Chaplains Needed More Than Ever
Who better to deliver the Gospel to our nation’s troops on the front lines of conflict — while also caring for their families — than an LCMS chaplain?
Could that chaplain be you or someone you know?
As our nation approaches three decades of constant armed conflict in the Middle East and elsewhere, our troops need LCMS chaplains more than ever.
From Word and Sacrament ministry to suicide prevention to advising commanders on ethical issues, you could deliver God’s Word to those in need in these tumultuous times
Visit lcms.org/ministry-to-the-armed-forces for more information.
- Details
- Published: 21 April 2017
- Last Updated: 21 April 2017
More Articles ...
Zion Calendar