Study of the Book of James

Throughout the month of September we will be reading in the Book of James. I encourage you to read a chapter each week. I will use sections of this letter in my sermons.

September 3 James 1: 7-27
September 10 James 2: 1-10
September 17 James 3: 1-12
September 24 James 3: 13-43

The Book of James has a lot of teaching about living your faith. It is much like Jesus Sermon on the Mount (matthew 5). It deals with the dangers of an uncontrolled tongue, snobbery, conduct unbecoming of a Christian, and trusting in things. The emphasis in this letter is about behavior. Do how you act and speak fit with what you believe? Many scholars think that James runs counter to Paul. Paul says that a person is "justified" before God not by what they do but what they believe. James says that the test of real faith is whether our behavior fits with what we say we believe. What do you think?

Chapter 1 Christians do not live in heaven or a bubble. we are not protected from the unpleasant experiences of life. We are asked to live confident that God will help us through the valleys of life and help us celebrate the high points. Why is it hard to have hope when times get tough?

Chapter 2 Playing favorites is counter to God's will. So who are you comfortable around? Uncomfortable around? Why? We are asked to be as welcoming as Jesus was? How can we use Christian hospitality in our lives? Homes? In church?

Chapter 3 The tongue is the strongest muscle in our bodies, why? How have you sought to control your tongue? How do you words reflect your faith? A wise person listens more than he speaks, has time for everything, and has little fear. Are you considered wise?

Chapter 4 What is the cause of war and conflict? Is it wrong to want things? What does it mean to be humble? For many of us modern people the devil is not real, is that true for James? What is the difference between criticism and judging? How do you know what will happen tomorrow?

First Annual Praise in the Park

Well, okay, so the First Annual Praise in the Park wasn't held in the park (due to yesterday's terrible heavy rain and high wind storms). We do pray that everyone survived the weather. We instead held it at the First Presbyterian Church. Thanks to them for allowing us use the building. Everyone had a good time, should have taken a break from yard cleanup and came over and seen our Z Team perform !! They did an excellent job (did you expect less !! ) .

people showing up (not only listening but clapping and having a good time !!! )


We even lent a hand ( Sax) to one of the Presbyterian Groups song, as always a crowd pleaser (he he he).

Our Great !!! Zion Singers !!!


group from the First Presbyterian Church
The Z team
At the end, all the groups together singing
Oh Oh, looks who's at the mic !!!

YOU should have been there !!! See YOU next year !!!

New outside pics of church

Took some pics of the church, now that the road along side is done and the parking lot behind the church has a new coating on it. You are all welcome inside too !! :)

We worked & had fun at the Boone Co Fair

thanks to all the chair helpers
everybody helped !!
taking tickets
lots of chairs to go
Jeff trying NOT to get hit by the "mud" balls
even "John" stood still long enough
lonely job
lots of chairs
yup, there is a yellow Z shirt out there !!

Well, its over, its been a long week but we all did our part and we even managed to smile through all of it. Thanks to all those that signed up and showed up. Lots of chairs to set up, lots of tickets to take and lots of people to deal with. See you all next year at the fair and of course,, next sunday at church. Again thanks for being part of the "Z" team !!!

Thanks to the hosts Gary & Kim Liedberg

Here are the "contestants" for the Game Show. (I dont think they would make it out in Hollywood )
Got a break from the sun too, while watching the "Game Show"
Pastor in the foreground (deciding what else to add to the plate).
A whole bunch of hungry people at the picnic !!
A big thank you to those of you that cooked and brought the fancy grills !!
Some of the Cooks at work ( I think)
We even had Horses at the picnic !!

I found the pictures of the "Thank You" Picnic we held on July 9th. Had quite a turn out, Thanks to all those that came and brought food and grills, along with good conversation and just good ole fashion fun !!! Again thanks to all that participated !!!! Thanks to the Hosts Kim and Gary Liedberg.

Building and Directions to us

Here is how to get to our location.... below is what it looks like when you come down Pearl Street. We are on the Northwest corner of the intersection of Sixth and Pearl streets in Belvidere, Illinois.




Please stop on in 9am sundays or 7pm thursday for service during the summer months.

See YOU soon.

The Welcome Place

Hi !! I'm Pastor Karl Otto. Senior Pastor of the Zion Lutheran Church in Belvidere, IL. Stop on in and say hi. Go to our website and follow the directions on how to get to our church. We are always open to new faces !!!

Well, as you can tell, this site is currently under construction.. so.. give it a little bit of time and we will bring to you all the "stuffs" we do at Zion Lutheran Church in Belvidere, Illinois. Yup, little ole Zion is slowly moving into the 21 century. Taking us some time to get here, but we are getting there.

So, we hope you will check back often as we work on this "Blog" to get you up to date info, etc.

also you can visit our website at http://www.belviderezion.org/

more as it happens.

God Bless you.