Zion Lutheran Church, Deerfield

08/28/2026

Say it ain’t so, Jesus!

Welcome to this week’s Message Moment. Hi, I’m Pastor Joe from Zion Lutheran Church, and I want to give you a brief preview of what we’ll be talking about in this Sunday’s message.

Jesus tells his disciples that he is going to Jerusalem, where he must suffer and die and then, on the third day, be raised.

It’s a good thing Peter is there to straighten Jesus out and show him the path the Messiah is supposed to follow!

Peter has his own idea of what the Messiah should be, and suffering and death certainly aren’t part of that plan.

But Jesus shows us another way…a way of emptying himself, giving up power and privilege, and ultimately giving his very life for the sake of the world.

So come and hear how Jesus calls us to let go of our need for control, and our fear of losing what makes us comfortable and discover the life that comes when we follow the way of the cross.

08/27/2026

👋 New to Zion? Curious about who we are?

We’d love to introduce ourselves! ❤️

Visit our new website and take a moment to watch Pastor Joe’s Welcome Video. He shares a little about Zion, who we are as a church family, and what you can expect when you walk through our doors.

Whether you’re looking for a church home, thinking about coming back to church, or simply wondering what Zion is all about — you are welcome here. Just as you are. ⛪️

https://www.ziondeerfield.org/

We invite you to experience the warmth of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. Whether you are seeking spiritual growth, community support, or a place to serve, our doors are open to everyone.

08/21/2026

So, who is Jesus to you? And does it really matter?

Welcome to this week’s Message Moment. Hi, I’m Pastor Joe from Zion Lutheran Church. I wanted to give you a brief preview of what we’ll be talking about in my message this Sunday.

In our reading this weekend, Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?”

Some answer that people think he is John the Baptist. Others say he is one of the prophets of old who has come back to preach to them.

But then Jesus asks a much more personal question: “But who do you say that I am?”

Peter’s answer is critical—not only to the disciples’ understanding of Jesus, but to ours as well. Because who Jesus is changes everything about how we understand our faith and how we live our lives.

In our country today, there is so much religious judgment, political division, and social and economic tension. With all that noise and division around us, it can become difficult to hear Jesus’ question at all.

But the question still matters.

Who do you say Jesus is?

Your answer can shape the decisions you make, the way you live your life, the way you treat others, and the way you see the world.

So, who is Jesus to you?

Maybe it’s a question worth asking again.

Come join us this Sunday as we explore why your answer truly matters.

08/14/2026

Welcome to Friday’s Message Moment. Hi, I’m Pastor Joe from Zion Lutheran Church and I want to give you a brief preview of this Sunday’s message.

What’s it like to be an outsider?

In the first century, it was rare for a man to speak to, much less help, a woman in public. And Jews generally had little interaction with non-Jews. Yet in our Gospel passage, we meet a Canaanite woman, someone considered an outsider, and part of a people with a long history of hostility with Israel.

She’s a mom whose daughter is very sick, and she is desperate for help. We can all understand the fear and worry that comes when a child is sick, injured, or struggling with a special need. Can you imagine the desperation this mother must have felt?

She comes to Jesus and asks for help, but his response is shocking and, at first, even troubling. Yet this woman isn’t going to be deterred. She continues to believe in Jesus and in his ability to heal her daughter.

Join us this Sunday at 9:30am to hear how this remarkable story unfolds and what this outsider’s persistence and faith might have to teach those of us who think we’re already insiders.

08/12/2026

Wonderful news for our Lake County community! ❤️

Zion Lutheran Church celebrates this important milestone with PADS Lake County and everyone who helped make this a reality. Providing families with a safe, welcoming place to call home is a beautiful example of what can happen when a community comes together to care for its neighbors.

Congratulations to PADS Lake County on this incredible achievement! 🏡❤️🙏

Families staying in the permanent residential shelter can prepare some meals, eat in a communal dining room, get employment counseling and even appropriate clothing for a job interview.

08/12/2026

🚗 Calling all car enthusiasts! 🚗

Zion Lutheran Church in Deerfield, IL is hosting our 2nd Annual Car Show on Sunday, September 27 from Noon–4 PM!

Classic • Custom • Muscle • Antique • Modern — ALL makes & models are welcome!

🏆 Crowd Favorite Award
🎶 Live music
🍔 Food & beverages
🎈 Activities for kids
❤️ Benefiting the West Deerfield Township Food Pantry & Zion outreach ministries

$10 to enter your car | $5 admission + one non-perishable food item

📍 Zion Lutheran Church
10 Deerfield Road, Deerfield, IL

Car registration deadline: September 21 — limited spots available!

Come show off your ride and help us support our community! 🚘❤️

08/07/2026

Hi, I’m Pastor Joe from Zion Lutheran Church.

I’d like to share a little about this Sunday’s message.

Would you get out of a boat in the middle of a storm?

I have to admit, I love a good thunderstorm. When I was growing up, we had a glass-enclosed porch, and during summer storms I would sit out there watching the lightning flash across the sky while listening to the thunder, the wind, and the rain. There was something peaceful and awe-inspiring about it.

I also have to admit that I’ve never experienced a hurricane, a tornado, or a storm out on the open sea—and I hope I never do.

But in this Sunday’s Gospel, the disciples find themselves caught in a fierce storm while they’re out on the Sea of Galilee. Yet this story isn’t just about a storm on the water. It’s also about the storms we face in our own lives—the moments when fear, uncertainty, or doubt threaten to overwhelm us.

In the middle of that storm, Jesus comes to His disciples, and Peter does something extraordinary. At Jesus’ invitation, he steps out of the boat and walks toward Him.

What gave Peter the courage to take that first step? And what can his experience teach us about trusting Jesus when life feels uncertain?

I invite you to join us this Sunday as we discover what it means to keep our eyes on Christ, even when the winds are raging around us.

Until then, may God bless you, keep you safe, and give you peace. Have a wonderful weekend, and I’ll see you on Sunday.

08/03/2026

🎉 We’re Live! 🎉

We are excited to announce that Zion Lutheran Church’s brand-new website is now live!

Visit us at 🌐 ziondeerfield.org

Whether you’re a longtime member, a neighbor, or someone looking for a church home, our new website is a great place to learn more about Zion.

There you’ll find:
✝️ Worship information
📅 Upcoming events
🤝 Ministries & outreach opportunities
📰 Church news and announcements
💙 Ways to connect with our church family

Our prayer is that this new website will help us continue Growing in Faith to Share Christ’s Love while making it easier for everyone to stay connected and discover all that God is doing at Zion.

Take a look, explore the site, and let us know what you think!

We’d love it if you’d like, comment, and share this post so others in our community can discover Zion as well.

🌐 ziondeerfield.org

All are welcome. ❤️