By Sharon Michalski
Greater Wausau Christian Services went to Zion Lutheran Church on Sunday, July 14, 2024 to attend and sponsor their Bible Study Fellowship hour they have between services. It is a well-attended study led by the pastors of Zion Lutheran Church. Greater Wausau Christian Services provided an assortment of brownies, lemon bars, and fruit.
On this Sunday, the Bible study was led by Pastor Gjerde. He remembered quite clearly the historical connection between Greater Wausau Christian Services and Zion Lutheran Church.
There is a strong attachment between Zion and GWCS. Back in 1980, GWCS was created as a joint effort between Zion Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran Church to provide our area with spiritual care that would go beyond the congregations. They wanted to create an orderly and non-competitive way to care for our elderly population and the incarcerated. They felt this was a way to care for the whole community.
Joint work between churches was more common back then, as compared to the current day. By continuing to support GWCS now, churches demonstrate the unending value of congregations working together.
Pastor Gjerde emphasized that, “Service to our elderly is undervalued. Many assume the elderly are all set spiritually – but sometimes they are not. Pastoral care needs to be extended to them. They are dear to God and the church. Their life is not easy, and they are facing their mortality. They have questions. They face loneliness, doubt, and fear.”
He continued, “These things are also true for the incarcerated. Isolated individuals also need hope, a foundation, and to know of the Creator’s Love. God may look like he is distant to them, but he is in fact close to doing something very good in their life. It is faith that helps them see the difference.”
“The world doesn’t recognize the hidden ways in which faith works, but it does bear fruit. It does not make the news, but every day someone hears the Good News because of GWCS spreading the gospel.”
We were delighted with our time spent with this special congregation! Thank you, Zion Lutheran Church, for sharing your Bible Study Fellowship hour with us!
Interested in volunteering with GWCS? Contact us!
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