Dear sisters and brothers in Christ, On Monday evening a grand jury in Ferguson, MO declined to indict officer Darren Wilson for fatally shooting Michael Brown. Subsequently, in the days that have followed since then, there have been protests, mostly peaceful but some deplorably violent, across the nation. For many, […]
Pastor’s Page
9/11/14 Memorial Service – The Rahway Fire DepartmentFor some, the question of a generation was, “Where were you when Pearl Harbor was attacked?” For others, the question is, “Where were you when President Kennedy was assassinated?” For us, today, for this generation, our question is, “Where were you on 9/11?”
Remarks by Pastor Pernini Given at the 9/11 Memorial Service ...
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, Psalm 71:6 says, “Upon you I have leaned from my birth; it was you who took me from my mother’s womb.” On May 24 Kathryn and I had a beautiful baby girl who we named Tillie Ruth Irwin-Pernini. And as the Psalmist said in […]
A Child in Perpetuity and Mother Church
Footwashing in the Old Testament and Extra-Biblical Sources Footwashing occurs frequently in the Old Testament. Generally, there are at least three situations where footwashing is observed: cultic settings, domestic settings for hygiene and comfort, and domestic settings devoted to hospitality.
Footwashing in the Old and New Testament, the Graeco Roman ...
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ, Perhaps the greatest and most splendid opportunity about being a follower of Jesus is the freedom that God’s grace through Christ affords each of us. What I mean by this is that when we ponder the depths of Christ’s love for us, that […]
“Love God, love your neighbor, tell the world,” a theological ...
“O come, O come, Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.” Advent is as much a time of waiting for the glorious light of Christ’s birth […]
O Come, O Come Emmanuel – Pastor’s Visitor Article – ...
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ, On November 3, 2013 I will be “Installed” as your pastor. I have found myself reflecting on what it means to be “Installed” as the pastor of Zion Lutheran Church. Bishop Bartholomew will ask some challenging and pointed questions at the Installation […]
Pastor Pernini’s Reflection on the “Installation Rite” ~ Visitor Article, ...
Each year in the month of October Protestants all over the world celebrate Reformation Day. On October 31, 1517 Martin Luther posted his Ninety-Five Theses on the door of the All Saints Church in Wittenburg. October 31, 1517 is traditionally considered the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. We will be […]
Pastor’s Visitor Article: October
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! It has been my honor and pleasure serving the Lord with all of you throughout my first month as Zion’s pastor! The Apostle Paul said, “Welcome one another, therefore, […]