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6/24/2020 July and August 2020Our Comfort amid Riots
It is without question the devil himself who is instigating the mayhem we have been witnessing in cities across the land in recent weeks. For the devil is always the one who entices the flesh away from God, as he did in the vey beginning, when he tempted Eve in the Garden. The works of the flesh are always the devil’s own works, and his temptations are always toward the stirring up of the flesh. Recall his failed attempts to tempt Jesus himself in the wilderness: with the satisfaction of his own hunger (“Command these stones to become bread”), or with the lure of glory (“Cast yourself down from the temple, for the angels will bear you up”), or with the promise of power (If you worship me, I will give you all the kingdoms of the world and their glory”). And so the rioting we have been seeing is all in efforts to satisfy the flesh. Consider St. Paul’s list of the works of the flesh in Galatians 5: Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like.” In this list we see in particular hatred. In the rioters there is hatred on full display in all its ugliness. Then there is variance, or better, contentions, that is, discord. This is the central feature of riots. And then, wrath, or unrestrained anger, the lack of self-control. And then, strife, that is, conflict and bitter dissensions. Then, seditions, a key descriptor in this case, that is, rebellion against all authority. Envyings is in the list as well, for these rioters clearly want what others have, and are taking to violence to get it. As the days go on, it becomes clearer that there are also murders going on during this unrest, a natural part of the riotous mobs. Over half the items listed in the Apostle’s list here are directly applicable to the wild rioting on display. What we are seeing without question is the unrestrained wildfires of the flesh. This is the work of the devil. Contrast the fruit of the Spirit, which St. Paul describes next: the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. The contrast couldn’t be starker. It led me to begin to understand why Martin Luther had harsh words for rioters (see for instance his “Against the Peasants” written in 1525: www. historyguide.org/earlymod/peasants1525.html.) These people cannot be reasoned with or satisfied. What is so important to understand is that the rioters have without question hijacked what were supposed to be peaceful demonstrations that were supposed to be in support of black people. Massive support for African Americans is clearly evident in the American psyche, and that is a good thing, of course. But see how everything quickly changed! As we can all recall, the demonstrators who first came out wanted to express their long-held and laudable belief that racism is an ugly and unacceptable thing (and we all agree on that!). But little did they know that as soon as they came out in support of this cause, so did another group whose designs were entirely different (it appears to have been well coordinated). The first wave of rabble rousers infiltrated the crowds, wanting nothing other than to loot, steal, and destroy; and then, before you knew it, there followed on their heels a second wave of rioters, whose only agenda is quickly becoming painfully evident: anarchy and destruction. These are Marxist rebels whose desire is to cast off all authority and set themselves up as a new social order. They have hijacked the entire enterprise. Consider their demands: they want no government, no police, no law and order. They want to destroy statues of our founding fathers, still on the pretense of racism! And already there are calls for destroying statues and artistic depictions of Jesus! Why? Because, they say, he looks too European. This is without question a ruse. It is the devil’s lies on full display. But the blind rage of the rioters is already so out of control that they cannot be satisfied. But since it is clear that this is the devil’s work, there is also occasion for great comfort for us Christians, because we know something about the devil’s trophies. Consider the greatest of all Satan’s accomplishments. It began with the instigation of another riotous crowd, a crowd that the governor, who at the time was Pontius Pilate, could not restrain. “When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified” (St. Matthew 27:24-26). See there? The devil’s aims were met. He gained his greatest trophy: Jesus himself! Satan had tried to entice Jesus at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, but failed. Now, instead of winning Jesus over, he has him put to death. And the devil, smugly satisfied to have gained this great victory, was greeted at once with a great earthquake. Before the body of Jesus was even taken down from the cross came the rumbling—literally—of the coming utter destruction of the devil’s lair. And on the third day, at its first moment, Christ descended into hell, inserted his divine hook into hell’s great doors, and, pulling up with all the infinite might of his holy resurrection from the grave, pulled off and destroyed the gates of that infernal lair. And he whom the devil though he had defeated, took his stand upon the earth, arisen from the dead. As the hymn writer has so eloquently put it: Who is this that comes from Edom, all his raiment stained with blood? To the captive speaking freedom, bringing and bestowing good, Glorious in the garb he wears, Glorious in the spoil he bears? ‘Tis the Savior, now victorious, Trav’ling onward in his might; ‘Tis the Savior; oh, how glorious To his people is the sight! Satan conquered and the grave, Jesus now is strong to save. The devil’s great trophy chest has been smashed. So now, in our day, as he seeks to gain another, what may we Christians think about all this rioting? We ought to shrug, and say, Ah! The devil’s kingdom has already been decimated! What we are seeing now is but a faint reminder of its bygone glories. It will not succeed. It cannot succeed. Even if all earthly kingdoms crumble and fall. Even if we should die. And, as it happens, the only thing that could prevent our deaths is the return of Christ in glory! So yes, in the meantime we shall all die. The good and the evil, the peaceful and the riotous. The Christians and our enemies all. But we Christians already have the promise of life and salvation. This is our trust, our hope, our assurance now, today. No looters, rioters, or murderers can keep it from us. For here is Jesus’ promise: “the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven” (St. Matthew 10:30-32). So, in short: do not let this alarm you, dear Christian. Do not let your hearts fail from fear; for in the world you will have tribulation. Be of good cheer. Christ has overcome the world. +Pastor Eckardt This article was also posted online at Gottesblog on June 23rd. Church’s Front Doors Open Again! Beginning on Sunday, June 28th, the front doors of the church will once again be open, as we continue our move back to normalcy. The door at the ramp also remains open of course, as ever, and we will continue distancing in the pews and at the altar for the time being. This should be a welcome sight, particularly if the sun is shining! July Altar Guild and Elders to meet on June 30th, with Tuesday Vespers Due to Pastor’s schedule, as we have discussed, the First Tuesday events for July have been moved to the day before July, Tuesday, June 30th. Please make a note of it. Altar Guild Notes
July and August Birthdays July: 7/2 Dana McReynolds 7/4 Sarah Kraklow 7/5 Sandra Verplaetse 7/7 Stephen Harris 7/9 Michelle Armstrong 7/10 Otis Anderson 7/10 Dale Baker 7/13 Gayle Beauprez 7/14 Pastor Eckardt August: 8/9 Donald Kegebein 8/11 Sam Fisher 8/11 Judy Thompson 8/13 Donald Murphy 8/16 Trista Dooley 8/21 John Sovanski 8/24 Becky Russell July Ushers: Jim Hornback, Tom Wells, Steve KraklowAugust Ushers: Otis Anderson, John Ricknell, Bill Thompson, Jim Hornback. July, August Anniversaries July: 7/1/1951 John and Emilie Ricknell August: 8/1/2009 Chris and Trista Dooley Listen at Home Our website, www.stpaulskewanee.org, has easy-to-find podcasts (recordings of studies) that you can access and listen to on demand. There are podcasts of St. Paul’s on the Air, recordings of sermons, and occasional Bible classes as well. These are also sent to Facebook to make it easy to access the website from there. Have a listen, and spread the word. Our Facebook page, St. Paul's and Friends, also regularly posts live streamed (audio and visual) services you may access at any time. There is also availability at YouTube, at the Burnell Eckardt channel. Church Council The council will be meeting on Wednesday, July 15th which is the usual third Wednesday. Also on Wednesday, August 19th, as usual. Please make a note of it. Catechism Resumes in August Junior Catechism will resume on Tuesday, August 18th, at 5:00 in the afternoon. On the Road The nearby July calendar shows that I will be away for Michael and Brittany’s wedding early in July, and then on a family vacation ending on July 13th. On July 5th, our guest pastor will be Rev. Matthew Synnott from Trinity in Peoria. Pastor Synnott has been here before. The following Sunday, July 12th, we will have Dr. Kenneth Schurb as our guest. Dr. Schurb is the District’s stewardship director. He will have a special program for us during the Bible Class hour. The only Wednesday evening I will be away will be July 8th, when midweek mass is cancelled. + Pastor Instead of Oktoberfest With some sadness and nostalgia, we are not planning an Oktoberfest for this year, as it has become overwhelming to our little parish. Instead, people are being encouraged to attend the annual St. Michael Conference at Zion in Detroit on the last Monday in September. This year Pastor is the keynote speaker, and a number of Gottesdienst editors will be on hand with presentations and preaching. It might be worth thinking about. St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church 109 S. Elm Street Kewanee, IL 61443 5/27/2020 June 2020St. Paul’s Evangelical-Lutheran Church
109 S. Elm, Kewanee, Illinois 61443 Newsletter Volume 32 June 2020 No. 6 Back to Church, with Precautions in Place Thanks be to God, we have been steadily moving toward the times we have all earnestly awaited, a return to normalcy. Real normalcy, as opposed to the term “new normal” that some people like to use. We’re not there yet, but we’re moving in that direction. I have been in contact with CID President Mark Miller. He has advised me to follow the guidance of local law enforcement. I have been in contact with the Kewanee Chief of Police, and with the Henry County Sheriff. Both of them have advised me that we may proceed carefully as we loosen restrictions, though we ought not advertise our services too freely. Hopefully that day will also come soon, when we can again openly invite visitors to join us. In the meantime, we begin loosening our restrictions beginning on May 30th, the Vigil of Pentecost, and Sunday May 31st, Pentecost Sunday. The following guidelines are in place, in accordance with the CDC:
Beginning Pentecost Sunday, May 31st, our regular schedule resumes: Sunday mass at 8:30 am, and Wednesday mass at 7:00 pm. We also plan resume Bible Class again beginning Sunday at 10:00 am, but with distancing measures throughout the gym. No breakfast will be served; you may bring your own snack if you wish. Red and Tongues for Pentecost: if you wish and are able, you are encouraged to wear red this Sunday. We will also hear several languages on Pentecost. For more on this, see the back page of this newsletter. + Pastor Eckardt Our Personal Need for Christ and One Another Burnell Eckardt From Gottesblog at www.gottesdienst.org, posted on May 18th, 2020 During these difficult days of the Coronavirus and its sad consequences, we will all do well to remember that the Lord Jesus will not leave his people in a state of isolation from one another indefinitely. He will not leave or forsake us, and has promised to help us in time of need. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. He will not leave us comfortless; of this we may be sure, for he cannot lie to us. Politicians and pundits may want to talk about a “new normal” that includes routine social distancing and awareness of the dangers of personal contact, and some people may even opine that this is somehow a good thing; but we Christians know otherwise, and we long for the day when this crisis is over. For we know that we are creatures of God, who himself entered our race in his holy incarnation. The Word became flesh; he did not despise the womb of the Virgin; and in our flesh he ransomed us from death and the grave by the shedding of his sacred blood. Not only so, but this same Jesus, in this same flesh, rose from the dead on the third day, and showed himself alive to his disciples. And he said to them, “Handle me and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have.” This same Jesus is he that took little children up in his arms and blessed them; he touched the eyes of the blind to make them see; he put his fingers into the ears of the deaf to make them hear. The Good Shepherd blesses his sheep by his warm embrace. And he feeds them his own Body and Blood in the Blessed Sacrament. And since we are creatures of the Word made flesh, therefore we not only need continually to be thus receiving him, but to be with one another as well, for this is our innate need: for gathering, and togetherness, and touch, and embrace. Love bears all things, and love never ends, says the Apostle. Thus while we may have to endure a period of trouble during which we find ourselves in greater or lesser degrees of isolation from each other (pity especially the poor elderly in nursing homes!), we also know that this crisis, this dreadful state of affairs, will pass; that it must pass. And we also know, because love never ends, that one day, hopefully one day soon, we will find ourselves free again just as we once were, free to be truly together again: free to mingle with one another, free to embrace our loved ones, free to find ourselves happily among excited crowds, free to visit the sick or the lonely, free to offer a hand to the weak, or personal service to someone who may need help with groceries, or the front steps, or the opening of a door, free even to walk with friends, to shake hands with people we meet, to play, to dance, to love. That day we await with fervent hope, confidence, and prayer. For Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! Listen and Watch at Home Our website, www.stpaulskewanee.org, has easy-to-find podcasts (recordings of studies) that you can access and listen to on demand. There are podcasts of St. Paul’s on the Air, recordings of sermons, and occasional Bible classes as well. These are also sent to Facebook to make it easy to access the website from there. Have a listen, and spread the word. Our Facebook page, St. Paul's and Friends, also regularly posts live streamed (audio and visual) services you may access at any time. There is also availability at YouTube, at the Burnell Eckardt channel. June Birthdays: 6/5 Linda Rowe 6/16 Berniece Harris 6/29 Jim Watson Church Council The council will be meeting on Wednesday, June 17th the usual third Wednesday. Please make a note of it. Trinity Sunday June 7th Trinity Sunday June 7th During the early fourth century the Arian heresy was in its heyday, which denied that Jesus was the incarnate God and declared Him to be a mere creature. As Arius himself put it, “there was a time before he (Jesus) existed.” The bishops of the Church catholic saw the urgent need to confess the faith with clarity against this error, and so the Nicene Creed was crafted and modified through the course of that century. This is why the Nicene Creed says so much about the divinity of Jesus. Liturgically, there also arose a special Mass in honor of the Holy Trinity. This Mass was not originally assigned to a definite day, but was, rather a “votive Mass” the time of whose observance was open to the choice of whatever priest was celebrating it. It was not until the ninth century that various Western bishops began to promote a special feast of the Holy Trinity, usually on the Sunday after Pentecost. They used propers said to have been composed by Abbot Alcuin in 804. The popularity of this custom became especially evident in northern Europe. In 1334 if was finally received by Pope John XXII into the official calendar of the Western Church as the Feast to be held everywhere on the Sunday after Pentecost. The Preface of the Trinity which we still use today is the same one which was used by Saint Gregory the Great in the year 600: “who with Thine only begotten Son and the Holy Ghost art one God, one Lord, and in the confession of the only true God we worship the Trinity in Person and the Unity in substance, of majesty coequal. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Thy glorious name, evermore praising Thee and saying: Holy, Holy, Holy,” etc. The Feast of the Holy Trinity now belongs among the great annual festivals of Christianity. Although it is not observed with additional liturgical services outside the Mass, its celebration quickly took root in the hearts and minds of the faithful, and in all countries of Europe popular traditions are closely associated with this feast. Chief among the Trinitarian traditions is the sign of the cross, whose origin dates practically to apostolic times. In the third century, Tertullian speaks of it as an early Christian practice: In all our undertakings — when we enter a place or leave it; before we dress; before we bathe; when we take our meals; when we light the lamps in the evening; before we retire at night; when we sit down to read; before each new task — we trace the sign of the cross on our foreheads. Our observance of this Feast today is no less important than it was in the fourth century, as we find attacks on the divinity of Christ every bit as prevalent now as they did then. Resources for this article were taken from www.catholicculture.org Holy Ground and Reverence Remember the holiness of our worship space and these guidelines:
June Ushers: Allan Kraklow, Steve Kraklow, Tom Wells, Jim Hornback. Altar Guild Notes
Church Picnic Pending This year’s church picnic plans depend on the opening of parks and restrictions, as well as other considerations. As plans develop, we will advise the membership. June Anniversaries: 6/17/1967 Robert and Mary Beth Jones 6/18/1960 Sandra and John Verplaetse 6/18/1977 Fr. Burnell and Carol Eckardt 6/18/1966 Don and Sue Murphy 6/19/1977 Dana and Carol McReynolds 6/19/1966 Bill and Judy Thompson Concordia Catechetical Academy Cancelled This Year Due to Coronavirus restrictions and concerns, the annual Concordia Catechetical Academy Symposium in Sussex, Wisconsin is cancelled this year. In Our Prayers Our list of prayer intentions at mass includes the names on the lists below. To update the lists please inform pastor.in our parish: Emilie Ricknell, John Ricknell, Linda Rowe, Emmy Wear, Sue Murphy, Don Murphy, Dick Melchin,,DeAnne Anderson, Bea Harris, Allan Kraklow, Sandra VerPlaetse and beyond our parish: Anna Rutowicz [granddaughter of Harrises] Katy Rutowicz [granddaughter of Harrises] Jody Rutowicz [Harrises’ daughter] Julie Ross [Svetlana Meaker’s daughter] Elizabeth Godke, Sharon Field’s mother Brandt and Oneda Hendrickson [Ricknells’ relatives] Helen Woods [Sue Murphy’s sister] Janice Hart [Judy Thompson’s sister] Caleb Cleaver [Ricknells’ grandson] Dennis Hoag [Adam Shreck’s father-in-law] Nancy Callahan [Don Murphy’s sister] Rachel Smith [Emmy Wear’s cousin] Yvette Baker [Dale’s daughter-in-law] Warren Williams [relative of the Kemerlings] Bud Harfst [Sue Murphy’s brother] Tony Stoner [friend of the Murphys] Theresa Moore [Ricknells’ niece] Carol Grigsby [friend of Jewneel Walker] Tim Newman [Kemerling relation] Melinda Fisa [Monroe Kemerling’s granddaughter] Kathy Boeger [re Harrises] Allison Leezer [relative of the Kraklows] Christopher Lewis [nephew of the Eckardts] Sandra Eppely [relative of the Murphys] Matthew and Timothy Graveson [re Eckardts] in the military: John Eckardt Donny Appleman [at request of the Ricknells] Richard Heiden [at request of the Eckardts] Luke Van Landigan [grandson of Dick Melchin] Jaclyn Alvarez [daughter of Kris Harden] Eli Wetzel, Traven Wetzel, Shawn Wetzel Eric Verplaetse [Sandra’s grandson] Jake Mahaffey Trevor Shimmin Brett Armstrong regarding the spread of disease in trouble: any unborn children in danger of abortion those suffering from unrest, persecution, and imprisonment in Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Nigeria, India, China, Vietnam, North Korea, and elsewhere. Red for Pentecost This year we are trying a custom which for us is new, but which many churches have employed for a long time. It has been suggested to members who attend on Pentecost Sunday, May 31st, that they wear red clothing if they have it conveniently to wear. The liturgical color for Pentecost is red, and it marks the birth of the Christian Church, when tongues of fire appeared over each of the apostles as they began to speak as the Spirit gave them utterance. This custom commemorates that event. Other Tongues for Pentecost The tradition of portraying the “other tongues” of Pentecost will be kept as the opening verse of the Gospel on Pentecost will be read in eight languages. The eight languages are Greek, Latin, Swedish, Spanish, Russian, German, French, and English, in which the entire Gospel will continue. St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church 109 S. Elm Street Kewanee, IL 61443 5/7/2020 May 2020St. Paul’s Evangelical-Lutheran Church
109 S. Elm, Kewanee, Illinois 61443 Newsletter Volume 32 May 2020 No. 5 New arrangement for worship at St. Paul’s to begin Sunday, April 26th AN UPDATE APPEARS IN THIS ARTICLE Beloved, most of you are now aware of our next step toward normalization of worship here. I have been in contact with the CID president and other Illinois pastors about this plan, to be assured that it is within the government’s guidelines. This is still less than ideal, but it’s a step. As of Sunday, April 26th, we begin celebrations of the Service of the Sacrament in groups of ten or less, by invitation only. Due to the small size of our parish, I do not expect this to be too taxing on my own schedule. We will practice social distancing and employ other special instructions. Beginning Sunday, April 26th, the Service of the Sacrament is scheduled for Sundays and Wednesdays: 1) Early Service: Sunday at 8:30 a.m. 2) Late Service: Sunday at 10:30 a.m. 3) Midweek Service: Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. UPDATE: Beginning the week of Sunday, May 17th, there will be four scheduled masses during the week. The schedule varies, however. The week of May 17th is the week which includes Ascension Day, a Thursday. The week of May 24th includes the Vigil of Pentecost. The schedule for the week of May 17th is as follows: 1) Early Service: Sunday May 17th at 8:30 a.m. 2) Late Service: Sunday May 17th at 10:30 a.m. 3) First Ascension Service: Wednesday May 20th at 7:00 p.m. 4) Second Ascension Service: Thursday May 21st at 7:00 p.m. The schedule for the week of May 24th is as follows: 1) Early Service: Sunday May 24th at 8:30 a.m. 2) Late Service: Sunday May 24th at 10:30 a.m. 3) Midweek Service: Wednesday May 27th at 7:00 p.m. 4) Vigil of Pentecost Service: Saturday May 30th at 5:30 p.m. All attendance must be by invitation. Most invitations have already been sent for the next two weeks. If you do no have one but would like one, please contact me by phone or email or text to request one.No member who wants to receive the Sacrament will be denied, but there will must be some shuffling of invitations and delays as weeks draw on. IMPORTANT: PLEASE DO NOT SHOW UP WITHOUT AN INVITATION! If I have not indicated to you that you have an invitation, our compliance with government recommendations may require us to turn you away, sadly. If too many want to come at any given time, some random selections are made. If you do not get your first choice, you will have a better chance of getting preference the next week, etc. If you indicate that you would like to come on Sunday and Wednesday, invitation will depend on availability. Also, I plan to continue live streaming the 8:30 am Sunday mass, and hopefully to do the same for Wednesday night. Hopefully these temporary plans will continue to give way to better options soon, until we are all back together again. We look for the mercy of Almighty God to put an end to this extraordinary situation soon. +Pastor Eckardt Instructions upon your arrival at church (these will be posted at the church as well) If you have any symptoms of illness, please do not come. If for any reason you cannot come, please let me know as soon as you can, so that someone on standby may take your place. Please enter by the ramp. The front doors of the church will remain locked. Please maintain 6-foot distancing between families. The offering plate will be on a table by the ramp. Families or individuals: Please take your seat(s) with at least a pew between others or at least six feet from someone in the same pew. THANK YOU for your willing cooperation. We will get through this together, by the grace of God. Newsletter abridgments Due to the unusual situation of state and federal recommendations during the Coronavirus outbreak, this newsletter is abridged, mostly to make it available on time. Certain formatting matters are not in place. Committee meetings are cancelled for May; ushers are not scheduled; etc. There is no calendar provided for this month, but the following things are noted: Worship will be according to the weekly schedule on page one, until further notice (hopefully soon) May 4th is the Third Sunday after Easter May 11th is the Fourth Sunday after Easter May 18th is the Fifth Sunday after Easter May 22nd is Ascension Day May 25th is the Sixth Sunday after Easter May 31st is Pentecost Sunday May Birthdays 5/2 Sheri Kraklow 5/6 Emilie Ricknell 5/10 Bill Thompson May Anniversaries 5/17/1959 Allan and Barbra Kraklow 5/28/1982 Christine and Garry Erickson 5/28/1977 John and Charlene Sovanski In Our Prayers Our list of prayer intentions at mass includes the names on the lists below. To update the lists please inform pastor. in our parish: Emilie Ricknell, John Ricknell, Linda Rowe, Emmy Wear, Sue Murphy, Don Murphy, Dick Melchin, DeAnne Anderson, Bea Harris, Allan Kraklow, Jim Watson, Dana McReynolds, Carol McReaynolds Sandra VerPlaetse, Mary Hamilton beyond our parish: Anna Rutowicz [granddaughter of Harrises] Katy Rutowicz [granddaughter of Harrises] Jody Rutowicz [Harrises’ daughter] Julie Ross [Svetlana Meaker’s daughter] Elizabeth Godke, Sharon Field’s mother Brandt and Oneda Hendrickson [Ricknells’ relatives] Helen Woods [Sue Murphy’s sister] Janice Hart [Judy Thompson’s sister] Caleb Cleaver [Ricknells’ grandson] Dennis Hoag [Adam Shreck’s father-in-law] Sue Harris [Steve Harris’s sister-in-law] Nancy Callahan [Don Murphy’s sister] Rachel Smith [Emmy Wear’s cousin] Yvette Baker [Dale’s daughter-in-law] Warren Williams [relative of the Kemerlings] Bud Harfst [Sue Murphy’s brother] Tony Stoner [friend of the Murphys] Theresa Moore [Ricknells’ niece] Carol Grigsby [friend of Jewneel Walker] Tim Newman [Kemerling relation] Melinda Fisa [Kemerling relation] Kathy Boeger [re Harrises] Allison Leezer [relative of the Kraklows] Christopher Lewis [relative of the Eckardts] Sandra Eppely [relative of the Murhys] in the military: John Eckardt Donny Appleman [at request of the Ricknells] Richard Heiden [at request of the Eckardts] Luke Van Landigan [grandson of Dick Melchin] Jaclyn Alvarez [daughter of Kris Harden] Eli Wetzel Traven Wetzel Shawn Wetzel Eric Verplaetse [Sandra’s grandson] Jake Mahaffey Trevor Shimmin in trouble: especially regarding the spread of diseased any unborn children in danger of abortion those suffering from unrest, persecution, and imprisonment in Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Nigeria, India, China, Vietnam, North Korea, and elsewhere. St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church 109 S. Elm Street Kewanee, IL 61443 3/25/2020 April 2020The Virus Crisis and the Feast of the Resurrection of Our Lord
Our state of affairs and the whirlwind of terrible news that keeps coming to us every day has men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth (St. Luke 21:26). We hope and pray and mostly believe the worst will not come to pass, but we also recognize the pain already, as workers have been furloughed, small businesses shuttered and in some cases gone bankrupt as unemployment skyrockets. We’ll know soon enough how disastrous all this will prove to be, and chances are it will not be doomsday. But whatever the outcome, one thing we know for certain, as I have already mentioned in my phone calls to members, this has been a period of chastening from the Lord. And the Lord is good, and knows our needs. I am reminded of the words of St. Paul: “As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have receive the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father” (Romans 8:14-15). These comfort us because they tell us that we are bound to Christ through our Baptism and faith; we are united with him who is the only-begotten Son of God. How in the world dare we call God our Father, when God has only one Son? Only because of Jesus’ blessed work and invitation to come and live in his stead. Such a blessed estate, to be called sons of God! And since this is so, we know that as his suffering was itself a good thing, for it redeemed the world, and because it led to his resurrection, so our afflictions are themselves good for us, for they chasten us and bring us to our knees, which is exactly where we need to be, and because we, too, shall be glorified in him: “the sufferings of this present time are not worth to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18). This is closely tied to the resurrection of our Lord, because he is the firstfruits of our own resurrection, and his resurrection has already occurred. In his resurrection we see already what shall happen to us, the glory that shall be revealed. Thus even in affliction let us rejoice, and daily gain comfort from this blessed Gospel. All is not lost, because “we are more than conquerors through him that loved us” (Romans 8:37). + Pastor Eckardt Our temporarily suspended services At this point, as this newsletter goes to print, we are still unsure about when the resumption of our schedule will be, whether in time for Easter or not. If not, we can expect to count on a day of great celebration whenever that occurs. We will not move anything on the church calendar per se—that is, we will not be able to move the Easter propers and readings to another day—but what we may well want to do is see about scheduling our special extras for that day of return, whether lilies, music, hymns, preaching, and all the expectations that we would normally have for Easter itself. So, for example, we might find ourselves returning the second Sunday after Easter (who knows?); then that day could become our special day this year, in terms of our celebrations. As things develop, we will be able to make plans. Stay tuned. NOTE: Please remember to mail in your offerings! Your fragile congregation needs them to survive! Mail them to the church at 109 South Elm Street, Kewanee, IL 61443. The History of Images, and Our New Statue of St. Paul In the eighth century, a burning controversy flamed over the use of icons and images. Was it idolatrous to venerate these? The Seventh Ecumenical of ad 787 settled the matter, noting the difference between veneration and worship. Images are venerated to show honor to the one they depict. The iconoclasts (icon destroyers) were likely influenced by Jewish and Muslim ideas, since just prior to this debate the Muslim Caliph Yezid ordered the removal of all icons within his territory. Within the church there were always those who objected that icons were tokens of idolatry, contrary to the extension of the first commandment: “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth” (Ex. 20:6). They conveniently disregarded the very next verse that explains further: “Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them” (Ex. 20:7). St. John of Damascus (c. 676-749) successfully defended the use of icons, saying, “Icons are not idols but symbols, therefore when an Orthodox venerates an icon, he is not guilty of idolatry. He is not worshipping the symbol, but merely venerating it. Such veneration is not directed toward wood, or paint or stone, but towards the person depicted. Therefore relative honor is shown to material objects, but worship is due to God alone.” A different kind of iconoclasts appeared in the days of Martin Luther, taking from the Reformation a false cue to destroy all vestiges of the Roman Church. When Luther was hidden in the Wartburg Castle under the protection of his prince, Frederick the Wise, these radicals barged into churches, ripped corpuses off crosses, and smashed statues. On hearing of this, Luther was enraged. Frederick was keeping him hidden because his own safety was at issue ever since he had been declared an outlaw by the Emperor in 1521. He likely would have been put to death had not Frederick taken this step. But now, in the following year, heedless of his own safety, he determined it was time for him to re-emerge. Disguised as a knight, he showed up at church during the first week of Lent and began to preach against the violence of the iconoclasts and the injury they were doing to the faith of the common people. Luther explained that images are not to be worshiped, but there is no law against creating a statue or picture of something. If there were, God would never have commanded the making of the bronze serpent in the wilderness (Numbers 21:1-9). It was not until centuries later that people began to worship it and serve it with their hearts, and King Hezekiah had to destroy it (II Kings 18:4, cf AE 40:87). There is much more at issue in the church’s various times of contention against iconoclasts, however. The real “scandal” to iconoclasts is that God himself has been manifested in the flesh, and has bound himself to his creation in the Person of Jesus Christ. There is no other God than this Man, and therefore one who looked at him was looking at God in the flesh. This is the mystery of the incarnation. God has adorned his world with his own essence, clothing himself in human flesh. This truth is not only wonderful to behold; it is also too hard for some to accept. They want to think of God as being transcendent, above all things created, a spirit and therefore untouchable by the earth and its substance. The incarnation has exposed all such thinking as false and unchristian, for the Word became flesh (St. John 1:14). Therefore it is right to adorn our churches with beautiful images and objects; it is good to employ fine art and sculpture to assist us in our worship, for these things help us in implicit ways to remember that God is with us, and is forever bound to his creation. Thus the new statue of St. Paul that has finally arrived is a welcome addition to our worship. The sword he is holding is the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17), and his serene, settled stance reminds us of his instruction that he has learned the secret of contentment in whatever situation he finds himself (Philippians 4:12). The statue is also a healthy reminder of why this church was named St. Paul’s. It is, to put it in other words, “The Lutheran Church of St. Paul the Apostle.” That is, it is dedicated to his memory, for he was the great apostle to the Gentiles and writer of the great majority of New Testament epistles. His writings are the very word of God, and are therefore dear to our hearts. God used this man mightily to deliver his Gospel to us. His word did not drop down from heaven (as the Mormons falsely believe), nor was it mysteriously delivered in an extended dream to one man (as the Muslims falsely hold). Rather, “holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:21). St. Paul, to whom Jesus first appeared in a vision on the road to Damascus, was transformed from an enemy of the church to one of its strongest leaders. God used him to proclaim the truths of the Gospel: that Jesus our Lord, “being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil. 2:6-11). O thanks be to God for sending his great apostle St. Paul, whom we rightly venerate and honor with a lovely new statue. + Pastor Eckardt Holy Week and Easter Masses All scheduling of regular services is currently suspended due to the virus necessities laid upon us and the world. While this is in place, we have scheduled online streaming Matins on Sunday mornings at 8:30, and daily Vespers Monday through Thursday at 4:00 pm. Pending the return of our schedule, Mass will resume at the usual times, as well as being held daily during Holy Week: Holy Monday through Good Friday, at 7 p.m.; the Great Vigil: Saturday, April 11th, at 7 p.m.; and Easter Sunrise Mass: April 12th, at 7 a.m. (Easter breakfast following). Easter Midweek Mass: Wednesday, April 15th, at 7 p.m. Easter Lilies There’s a sign-up sheet in the back of the gym. Cost. $15.00 apiece. If we are not able to return by Easter, we may possibly have in place a plan to decorate with lilies on the day we do return. Stay tuned. Easter Hats Ladies, remember our hats tradition! Easter is the time to wear your best, and if you are able, set it off with a handsome hat! And by all means, leave them on for the Easter breakfast. Again, if our scheduling does not allow us back in time for Easter, we anticipate a later target date for these festivities. Stay tuned. April Anniversary 4/13/2002 Steve and Sheri Kraklow April Birthdays 4/3 Adam Shreck 4.14 Emmy Wear 4/19 Luke Wells 4/22 Grant Andreson 4/25 Mason Dooley Oktoberfest is Moving to Detroit After serious and careful thought, the difficult decision has been made to discontinue Oktoberfest, at least for this year 2020. The strain on the congregation has been heavy, and I determined that a reassessment was a prudent thing to do. Meanwhile Father Braden at Lutheran Church in Detroit has expressed a willingness to take it over. Their St. Michael Conference is annually held in late September, and we have been in a discussion about merging the two events, so that this year’s St. Michael Conference will also be including an Oktoberfest element. As part of this merger, I have been asked to be the keynote speaker at the St. Michael Conference. Every year I have attended that conference as a sectional speaker, so this will be a bit different. Oktoberfest has been a successful and joyous event held here for 24 years, so there is a certain sadness involved in the making of the decision, and a thankful recognition of the willing support and volunteer spirit here that has contributed mightily to the success of those years. While it remains possible that we could host Oktoberfest again in the years to come, there is nothing planned. Thanks to all our willing volunteers! -Pastor Eckardt April Ushers Grant Andresen, Jim Hornback, Steve Harris. Shut ins Emilie Ricknell at home Dick Melchin at Hammond-Henry extended care in Geneseo. Emmy Wear at Williamsfield retirement home Dale Baker, during the winter, at home Bea Harris, when unable to get out, at home First Tuesday meetings Our First Tuesday meetings are tentatively scheduled for the second Tuesday this month, April 14th. In Our Prayers Our list of prayer intentions at mass includes the names on the lists below. To update the lists please inform pastor. in our parish: Emilie Ricknell, John Ricknell, Linda Rowe, Emmy Wear, Sue Murphy, Don Murphy, Dick Melchin, DeAnne Anderson, Bea Harris, Allan Kraklow, Jim Watson, Dana McReynolds, Carol McReaynolds , Sandra VerPlaetse beyond our parish: Anna Rutowicz [granddaughter of Harrises] Katy Rutowicz [granddaughter of Harrises] Jody Rutowicz [Harrises’ daughter] Julie Ross [Svetlana Meaker’s daughter] Elizabeth Godke, Sharon Field’s mother Brandt and Oneda Hendrickson [Ricknells’ relatives] Helen Woods [Sue Murphy’s sister] Janice Hart [Judy Thompson’s sister] Caleb Cleaver [Ricknells’ grandson] Dennis Hoag [Adam Shreck’s father-in-law] Sue Harris [Steve Harris’s sister-in-law] Nancy Callahan [Don Murphy’s sister] Rachel Smith [Emmy Wear’s cousin] Yvette Baker [Dale’s daughter-in-law] Warren Williams [relative of the Kemerlings] Bud Harfst [Sue Murphy’s brother] Tony Stoner [friend of the Murphys] Theresa Moore [Ricknells’ niece] Carol Grigsby [friend of Jewneel Walker] Tim Newman [Kemerling relation] Melinda Fisa [Kemerling relation] Kathy Boeger [re Harrises] in the military: John Eckardt Donny Appleman [at request of the Ricknells] Richard Heiden [at request of the Eckardts] Luke Van Landigan [grandson of Dick Melchin] Jaclyn Alvarez [daughter of Kris Harden] Eli Wetzel Traven Wetzel Shawn Wetzel Eric Verplaetse [Sandra’s grandson] Jake Mahaffey Trevor Shimmin in trouble: especially regarding the spread of diseased any unborn children in danger of abortion those suffering from unrest, persecution, and imprisonment in Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Nigeria, India, China, Vietnam, North Korea, and elsewhere. Altar Guild Notes Pending the return to congregating.
St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church 109 S. Elm Street Kewanee, IL 61443 2/20/2020 March 2020Some Thoughts on the Lenten Fast
The season of Lent has become less noticeable in our day than it was in previous generations, which is unfortunate in many ways. While we admit that there are many historic customs that are not Biblically mandated, we also contend that this fact does not necessarily discount their use. There are very many customs whose absence has left us culturally poorer. More importantly, this is true of many Christian customs, whose use was beneficial for Christian faith and life. Lent is full of such customs. There was a time when everyone knew, to take one such custom, the importance of the Lenten fast, and people were instinctively aware it served as a kind of bodily preparation for Easter. Of course fasting is not commanded of us in Scripture, though it is assumed. Jesus fasted, and so did his disciples. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus declared, “But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; that thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly” (St. Matthew 6:17-18). Jesus did not say if you fast, but when. But why? What is the benefit of voluntarily fasting? For one thing it helps us to become aware that the spiritual nature of our faith does not discount the fact that it is also a bodily faith. Sometimes it is falsely supposed that since the faith is a spiritual thing it cannot therefore be material. But this is to forget that our bodies have been made by Almighty God, and are therefore to be respected. So we engage in worship in many bodily ways: for example we bow our heads and fold our hands when we pray, we sometimes kneel and sometimes stand. We even confess in the Apostle’s Creed that we believe in “the resurrection of the body,” because we know that at the Last Day our bodies will be wholly renewed and reunited with our souls (this is also why, incidentally, Christians bury their dead). There are many laudable bodily customs that are ways of showing appreciation to our bodies’ Maker. Fasting is one such custom. It is not only a good physical discipline, as health professionals can attest; it is a subtle self-reminder that while we live in this fallen world, we are, because we have been baptized into Christ’s church, pilgrims on our way to new heavens and a new earth. And during this pilgrimage we must be prepared to endure affliction; fasting is in fact a way of preparing. Perhaps best of all, when we fast during Lent and then break the fast at Easter, that great day with its glad season becomes all the more exciting, as we rejoice, in part by bodily feasting, in the bodily resurrection of our Lord from the dead. Our culture has drifted from its moorings, most of which were Christian customs. Now we live in a post-modern society which has largely forgotten and set aside Christianity altogether. Thus, people don’t know that we are all sinners in a sinful world; and people who don’t know this cannot possibly know the meaning of forgiveness and salvation through faith in Christ. It is important for us Christians to understand that our very lives are at odds with the trends of culture in many ways; and therefore, there are also subtle ways in which we can remind ourselves of this. One such way is the Lenten fast. +Pastor Eckardt A Scheduling checkerboardDuring March a number of scheduling conflicts will require a close look at the calendar, as there have been some necessary changes (for this month only). The reason for these changes is that Pastor plans to be out of the country from the 10th until the 21st, not returning to Kewanee until Sunday the 22nd. The following articles reflect these changes. First Tuesday meetings on March 3rd. As usual, meetings are scheduled for the first Tuesday in March, which is the 3rd: Altar Guild is at 6 pm, Vespers is at 6:45, and Elders is at 7:15. March Anniversary 3/19/1977 Jeff and Diana Shreck March Ushers Allan Kraklow, Steve Kraklow, Tom Wells, Jim Hornback To Rome with Love I guess that’s the name of a movie, but in our case it’s also an opportunity. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity has been offered to Pastor and Carol: a trip to Rome this month. Our son Michael is a financial advisor for Edward Jones, and sometimes he gets offered trips to various places around the world for a week’s vacation, on which he can take one guest. He’s taking his parents on this trip to Rome, and one of us has all expenses paid. To make the trip of greater benefit, Carol and I are leaving a few days ahead of the week in Rome. On March 10th we fly there, and plan to take a train to Florence for a few days ahead of Sunday the 15th when we’ll return to Rome to meet up with Michael for the week of the 15th. A scheduling snafu has developed since we began planning this trip. We return to Chicago on Saturday the 21st, but I didn’t notice at first that the arrival would be a bit after 10 pm, meaning that in order to make it home to celebrate Mass on the next day, I’d be driving from Chicago in the middle of the night, with jet lag, not returning to Kewanee until 3 am or so. That’s a recipe for disaster, so I have arranged for supply preaching also on Sunday the 22nd. Supply preachers are now scheduled for services here both on the 15th and the 22nd. While I am gone, if you need emergency pastoral care, you may contact Pastor Barry Long in Peoria (309-369-3573) or Pastor Steven Mueller in Geneseo (989-928-6603), either of whom will be glad to assist. +Pastor Eckardt In Our Prayers The afflicted, in our parish: Emilie Ricknell, John Ricknell, Linda Rowe, Emmy Wear, Sue Murphy, Don Murphy, Dick Melchin, DeAnne Anderson, Bea Harris, Allan Kraklow, Jim Watson, Dana McReynolds, Sandra VerPlaetse and beyond our parish: Anna Rutowicz [granddaughter of Harrises] Katy Rutowicz [granddaughter of Harrises] Jody Rutowicz [Harrises’ daughter] Julie Ross [Svetlana Meaker’s daughter] Elizabeth Godke, Sharon Field’s mother Brandt and Oneda Hendrickson [Ricknells’ relatives] Helen Woods [Sue Murphy’s sister] Janice Hart [Judy Thompson’s sister] Caleb Cleaver [Ricknells’ grandson] Dennis Hoag [Adam Shreck’s father-in-law] Sue Harris [Steve Harris’s sister-in-law] Nancy Callahan [Don Murphy’s sister] Rachel Smith [Emmy Wear’s cousin] Yvette Baker [Dale’s daughter-in-law] Warren Williams [relative of the Kemerlings] Bud Harfst [Sue Murphy’s brother] Tony Stoner [friend of the Murphys] Dylan Harden [Chris’s grandson] Theresa Moore [Ricknells’ niece] Carol Grigsby [friend of Jewneel Walker] Tim Newman [Kemerling relation] Pastor Brian Feicho in the military: John Eckardt Donny Appleman [at request of the Ricknells] Richard Heiden [at request of the Eckardts] Luke Van Landigan [grandson of Dick Melchin] Jaclyn Alvarez [daughter of Kris Harden] Eli Wetzel Traven Wetzel Shawn Wetzel Eric Verplaetse [Sandra’s grandson] Jake Mahaffey Trevor Shimmin in trouble: any unborn children in danger of abortion those suffering from unrest, persecution, disease, and imprisonment in Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Nigeria, India, China, Vietnam, North Korea, and elsewhere. Robin Sighting This year’s robin sighting contest is in the books, and the winner is Michele Keehner of Peoria, who retakes the crown she won in 2014. She reported a sighting of five robins sitting in a row at the botanical garden in Peoria. The Kraklow dynasty is broken. And the winner this year gets an all-expenses-paid trip to Hawaii! Or not. Our list of winners: 2020 Michele Keehner 2019 Steve Kraklow 2018 Steve Kraklow 2017 Barbra Kraklow 2016 Judy Thompson 2015 Carol Eckardt 2014 Michele Keehner March Birthdays: 3/1 Barbra Kraklow 3/25 Carol Eckardt Church Council March 25th, at 5:30. This is the fourth Wednesday of the month. Altar Guild Notes · The paraments color for the entire month of March is VIOLET, except · Wednesday, March 25th the Feast of the Annunciation: WHITE Next meeting is Tuesday, March 3rd. Choir rehearsals again In preparation for special music during Holy Week and Easter, choir rehearsals are starting up again, beginning Wednesday, March 4th. Check the calendar. We will skip the next two weeks, and resume Wednesday, March 25th. Tune up your voice and join in! Laetare Sunday March 22nd is Laetare Sunday, the Fourth Sunday in Lent. It is near the middle of the season, which is why it is customary to adorn the altar with roses, representing an oasis in the midst of a desert: in the midst of Lent the brightness of roses reminds us that in all our sorrows there is hope in the Lord. Judica and Passiontide March 29th is Judica Sunday, also called Passion Sunday, because it is the beginning of Passiontide, the last two weeks of Lent. The images are all veiled until Easter. Catechism Schedule There are only three remaining catechism hours left on the schedule for this season. They are Saturday, March 7th, 9 am. (No class Saturday March 14th ) (No class Saturday March 21st) Saturday, March 28th, 9 am Saturday, April 4th, 9 am The Annunciation The Annunciation is on March 25th, because that is nine months before Christmas: the celebration of the day which the angel announced to the Blessed Virgin Mary that she would be the mother of Jesus. This is the day on which he was conceived in her womb by the Holy Spirit. We will celebrate the Annunciation with Holy Mass on Wednesday, March 25th, at 7 pm. Make a special effort to come! Psalm 45 Reading: St. Luke 1.26-38 Meditation: Nine months before Christmas we observe the annunciation, when the angel hailed Mary as highly favored and blessed among women. Now the mystery of the Incarnation is most mysterious and hidden, for not only does God veil His godhead in flesh, but veils also His flesh within flesh. For Christ was conceived by the Holy Ghost in the blessed Virgin's womb, where eye has not seen, nor ear heard what God has prepared for His people. Therefore faith must rejoice this day in the unseen, in the hidden, for Christ Himself is now hidden within His mother. But true faith knows well to find God where the eye cannot see. Thus faith trusts His word even when there is nothing in the experience to verify it. So did Mary trust the angel's annunciation to her, saying simply, Be it unto me according to thy word. Let us follow the example of blessed Mary, mother of our Lord and God, and trust in His word even where we have no sight or experience; and notwithstanding such hiddenness from the eyes, believe in the true Light. + James Armstrong + Our beloved brother James Armstrong has passed into the arms of the Savior. James was baptized here at the Vigil of Easter, April 4th, 2015, and was received as a communicant member the following year, also at the Vigil of Easter, March 26th, 2016. He died at the hospital in Terre Haute, Indiana, on February 17th, after suffering a series of strokes. He leaves behind his wife Michelle (nee Thompson) and six children from a prior marriage. Plans for a memorial service in Kewanee are pending. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. R. I. P. Lent Midweek Masses When Pastor is away, Midweek Masses will be canceled, which is unfortunate because it is Lent. Midweek Masses are cancelled for March 11th and 18th. The only Midweek Lenten services to be held will be (following Ash Wednesday) on March 4th, March 25th (the Annunciation), April 1st, and the days of Holy Week. There are no Lenten suppers scheduled this year. Statue of St. Paul en Route At the time of the writing of this newsletter, we were informed that our statue of St. Paul is complete and has been scheduled to be shipped via FedEx the week of February 17th. This makes it possible that the statue will have arrived by Sunday the 23rd, or by Sunday March 1st. Upon its arrival and placement in its new location—the area where the Baptismal font used to stand, to the right of the chancel—we will be having a rite of dedication at the opening of Sunday’s Mass. We will now have symbols for all the twelve Apostles in the great arch, and the statue of St. Paul, for whom this congregation is named. This is the final piece of our renovation project begun in 2016. Thanks be to God! St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church 109 S. Elm Street Kewanee, IL 61443 1/16/2020 February 2020 St. Paul’s Evangelical-Lutheran Church
109 S. Elm, Kewanee, Illinois 61443 Newsletter Volume 32 February 2020 No. 2 CANDLEMASA coincidence of two First Class Feasts of our Lord occurs this year on February 2nd: The Transfiguration of Our Lord and the Presentation of Our Lord for Sunday. Traditionally the Transfiguration was observed in August, and there was no possibility of a coincidence of date. This changed some time ago in the traditional Lutheran sanctoral cycle when the Feast of the Transfiguration was sensibly moved to the Epiphany season as the last Sunday after Epiphany, a great instance of manifestation (epiphany) of our Lord. But now the coincidence of date becomes an issue in years such as this 2020 when two Feasts of the First Class fall on the same day and one of the Feasts must move to a weekday following. At St. Paul’s we will be observing the Presentation of Our Lord in Sunday February 2nd, and transferring The Feast of the Transfiguration on the following Wednesday, at our usual midweek mass. The Presentation of Our Lord and the Purification of Mary is also traditionally called Candlemas, due to the laudable custom of providing hand-candles to the congregants. The hand-candles are lit twice during the service. The first occasion is at the opening, just after the blessing of the church’s candles. A moment is taken to allow for the hand-candles to be lit from hand to hand, beginning with the pastor, who lights his from an altar candle. When all have lit their candles, the congregation then processes by rows to reverence the altar with candles lit, while the Nunc Dimittis is sung. The people extinguish their candles when they return to their pews, just prior to the Introit. The second occasion for lighting the hand-candles is just prior to the Preface: as before, a moment is taken while the candles are again lit from hand to hand. The candles remain lit until after the consecration of the Elements, at which point they are extinguished. Look forward to Candlemas on Sunday, February 2nd, and then to the Transfiguration on Wednesday, February 5th. A meditation on this Feast is on the back page. -Pastor TRANSFIGURATION The Transfiguration of Our Lord will be observed on Wednesday, February 5th. See page 4. A meditation on this Feast is also on the back page. Central Illinois District – Mission Story Mission Council: Rock Island Circuit The Rock Island Circuit Mission Council, also called the Hispanic Council, began in 2002 with a project. Pastors and laypeople in the Rock Island Circuit knew that Spanish-speaking Pastor Pablo Dominguez was coming to East Moline, called as a District Missionary. They also knew he would be starting Hispanic ministry in the Quad Cities from scratch. Initially, those who gathered as the mission council thought of themselves as the church council that he did not have at the time. Circuit churches sent one representative apiece to the mission council. Its meetings provided information about Pastor Dominguez’s work and sparked interest. The mission council also became a way to bring to bear and coordinate various skills that members of circuit churches wanted to contribute to the Hispanic mission: carpentry, bookkeeping, laying carpet, etc. In time, the mission council also provided financial support to the mission. The council opened its own bank account. For a while it paid various expenses such as van insurance. In 2019 the council closed its account, for Cristo Rey Lutheran Church had assumed responsibility for all the expenses which the council had been paying. And several council members were instrumental in arranging fundraising projects in circuit churches to help Cristo Rey return $10,000 of subsidy money to the Central Illinois District in 2019. Council members have enjoyed learning about Hispanic culture. Pastor Dominguez has taught them a great deal, not only about culture but also about servanthood in Christ. The Rock Island Circuit Mission Council’s role has changed over the years. Yet its commitment to Christ and to the cause of Lutheran mission outreach to Spanish-speaking residents of the Quad Cities has remained. The Lord has used its dedicated efforts in cooperation with the Central Illinois District. “I thank my God . . . because of your partnership in the Gospel” (Phil. 1:3-5). February UshersOtis Anderson, John Ricknell, Bill Thompson; Jim Hornback. February Birthdays 2/2 Mindie Fisher2/4 Joshua Kraklow2/5 Tom Wells2/17 Monroe Kemerling2/23 Carol McReynolds Shut-ins Mary Hamilton has moved to Fort Wayne. Emilie Ricknell is at home. Emmy Wear is at Williamsfield Retirement Center; Dick Melchin is at Hammond-Henry Hospital in Geneseo. Altar Guild Notes Altar color is white throughout January and on February 2nd and 5th, on which we celebrate the Presentation of our Lord and the Transfiguration of Our Lord, respectively. On February 9th, Septuagesima Sunday, the color is violet, and the color remains violet throughout February. Soup Suppers Again? Our Lenten soup suppers would begin the Wednesday after Ash Wednesday (March 4th) if we choose to have them again. There would be five on the schedule, since there is no supper scheduled for Holy Week. Pastor will be away for March 11th and 18th, however, so the will be no midweek masses on those days. Let’s discuss this informally during February. February Council MeetingThe February council meeting is scheduled for the second Wednesday of the month, a week earlier than usual. This is February 12th, at 5:30 pm. In Our Prayers Our current list of prayer intentions at mass includes the names on the lists here following. Anyone wishing to update the list by addition or subtraction, please inform the pastor.in our parish: Emilie Ricknell, John Ricknell, Linda Rowe, Emmy Wear, Sue Murphy, Don Murphy, Dick Melchin, DeAnne Anderson, Bea Harris. Allan Kraklow, Jim Watson, Dana McReynolds, Sandra VerPlaetse, and beyond our parish: Anna Rutowicz [granddaughter of Harrises] Katy Rutowicz [granddaughter of Harrises] Jody Rutowicz [Harrises’ daughter] Julie Ross [Svetlana Meaker’s daughter] Elizabeth Godke, Sharon Field’s mother Brandt and Oneda Hendrickson [Ricknells’ relatives] Helen Woods [Sue Murphy’s sister] Janice Hart [Judy Thompson’s sister] Caleb Cleaver [Ricknells’ grandson] Dennis Hoag [Adam Shreck’s father-in-law] Sue Harris [Steve Harris’s sister-in-law] Nancy Callahan [Don Murphy’s sister] Rachel Smith [Emmy Wear’s cousin] Yvette Baker [Dale’s daughter-in-law] Warren Williams [relative of the Kemerlings] Bud Harfst [Sue Murphy’s brother] Tony Stoner [friend of the Murphys] Dylan Harden [Chris’s grandson] Theresa Moore [Ricknells’ niece] Carol Grigsby [friend of Jewneel Walker] Tim Newman [Kemerling relation] Karla Perkowski [Monroe Kemerling’s daughter] Louise Tharp Melinda Fisa [Monroe Kemerling’s granddaughter] Pastor Kenneth Wegener Pastor Karl Fabrizius Pastor Brian Feicho Robert Hultman, Kewanee Care resident who has requested pastoral care in the military: John Eckardt Donny Appleman [at request of the Ricknells] Richard Heiden [at request of the Eckardts] Luke Van Landigan [grandson of Dick Melchin] Jaclyn Alvarez [daughter of Kris Harden] Eli Wetzel Traven Wetzel Shawn Wetzel Eric Verplaetse [Sandra’s grandson] Jake Mahaffey Trevor Shimmin in trouble: any unborn children in danger of abortion victims of wildfires in Australia those suffering from unrest, persecution, and imprisonment in Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Nigeria, India, China, Vietnam, North Korea, and elsewhere. Robin Sighting Contest:Who can find the first robin of spring? Call Pastor if you see and can verify one. Can anyone break the Kraklow string? This is the seventh year of the contest. Past winners: 2019: Steve Kraklow 2018: Steve Kraklow 2017: Barb Kraklow 2016: Judy Thompson 2015: Carol Eckardt 2014: Michele Keehner The robin, of course, is something we regard very highly because it is a sign of spring; and the approach of spring is also the approach of Easter; and the approach of Easter is enough to cause us abiding joy. So rejoice in the robin, O Christian! And know this: as sure a thing it is that the robin comes, even more sure is the Resurrection of our Lord. February Anniversaries None First Tuesday The first Tuesday events (altar guild, vespers, elders) will be held, God willing, on Tuesday, February 4th. Altar Guild at 6 pm; Vespers at 6:45; Elders at 7:15. All members are always encouraged to join us for First Tuesday Vespers, as you are able. THE TRANSFIGURATION The Transfiguration of Our Lord normally comes as the last Sunday after the Epiphany, just prior to pre-Lent. This year is unusual. Since February 2nd is the last Sunday after Epiphany, it presents a conflict with the Presentation of Our Lord and the Purification of Mary, which always falls on the 40th day after Christmas. The article on the first page of this newsletter explains that Feast. Traditionally the Transfiguration was observed in August, and there was no possibility of a coincidence of date. This changed some time ago in the traditional Lutheran sanctoral cycle when the Feast of the Transfiguration was sensibly moved to the Epiphany season as the last Sunday after Epiphany, a great instance of manifestation (epiphany) of our Lord. But now the coincidence of date becomes an issue in years such as this 2020 when two Feasts of the First Class fall on the same day and there is a legitimate question over which should take precedence and move the other to the following calendar day. A consensus among the editors went with the Transfiguration, but it was not a strong consensus; it was more of a shoulder-shrugging, head-scratching consensus. In addition, the editors of Gottesdienst are certainly not, nor have they ever been, in any position to make authoritative ‘rulings’ on such matters. When offering liturgical directions and advice, they tend to do so from a standpoint of traditional considerations, most of which are uniform and easy to discern as to their propriety. In this case, however, there was no traditional basis from which to draw. Therefore we have arrived at a genuine matter of adiaphora, indifferent things. Liturgical pastors are utterly free to make up their own minds on this, without damage to what is the preferred tradition, as there is no preferred tradition: two equal First Class Feasts fall on the same day. One must be transferred to the next. Which? At St. Paul’s in Kewanee, the Presentation will be observed on Sunday the second, but the Transfiguration must also be observed, so it will move to the next midweek mass, February 5th. The Transfiguration is the capstone of the observances of the Epiphany of Our Lord. Epiphany means manifestation, and the Gospels during this season all deal with various manifestations of the glory of Christ. Epiphany Day contains the coming of the wise men to Bethlehem, led by a star. The Sunday after Epiphany has the boy Jesus in Jerusalem, amazing the scholars in the temple. On the octave of Epiphany, the Baptism of our Lord recounts the opening of the heavens and the Father’s declaration that Jesus is his beloved Son, in whom he is well pleased. On the following Sunday is the wedding at Cana, at which Jesus turns water into wine, his first Galilean miracle. The following Sunday has the healing of the centurion’s servant. Other Sundays that sometimes follow during longer Epiphany seasons likewise show forth Christ’s glory. Always the last Sunday contains his glorious Transfiguration before Peter and James and John. During this unusual year this Feast will be observed the Wednesday after the 2nd of February, due to the conflict with the Presentation of our Lord and the Purification of Mary. Both are First-class Feasts of Our Lord, and worthy of extra effort on the part of the congregation to attend. A meditation on this Feast is on the back page. Ash Wednesday The first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday, is on February 26th this year. Pastor and Carol are due in Florida for her father’s 90th birthday. Pastor Matthew Synott from Trinity in Peoria will be filling in for the imposition of ashes and the Ash Wednesday service at 7 pm. There will be no Ash Wednesday morning mass this year. Meditation: The Presentation of Our Lord and the Purification of Mary, February 2 Reading: St. Luke 2.22-32 Today our Lord appeared in the temple, according to the word of the Prophet, Suddenly the Lord, whom ye seek, shall appear in his temple. This is forty days after His birth. Now forty days signifies purification, as Moses and Elijah were purified by their forty days in the wilderness, and as our Lord Christ proved his purity by his own forty days in the wilderness, and as the faithful attend with diligence to the purification of the flesh through fasting in the forty days of Lententide. So forty days are assigned for the purification of a woman who had given birth to a son, for in childbirth woman bleeds, giving a sign of death, and evidence of her need for purification. But the Blessed Virgin brings not only the turtledoves which the law prescribed, but the very Sacrifice himself, which the law foretold. Christ, who with divine and human nature is greater than two turtledoves, and who, having clean hands and a pure heart according to the words of David, is the most holy and pure sacrifice to cleanse and purify our Blessed Mother Mary (Is she not our mother, who is also the mother of Christ our Lord our Brother?) and all the people of God with her. Meditation: The Transfiguration Reading: St. Matthew 17.1-9 Consider well the transfiguration of our Lord, for there you see the true state of all flesh before God in Christ. For all flesh is grass, as the Psalmist says, and withers and decays; yet in the Incarnation, God has joined Himself to human flesh and filled human flesh with His own Godhead as the Apostle says, in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Now since this is so, what can be said of those who have received the body of Christ? Shall they not also be transfigured, as He was? Shall they not rise and live in glory with Moses and Elijah and all the company of heaven? Verily, Moses was assumed into heaven, as was Elijah; see therefore what has become of them: they dwell bodily where Christ is now ascended, in token of the assumption that all of our bodies shall receive at the Last Day. Yet that Day is not yet; therefore let us hear Him, as the voice from the cloud commanded. For He is the One of whom Moses had said, Him you shall hear, and whom Elijah portrayed with all the prophetic wonders he worked. Now the One whom Moses and the prophets foretold is come. Yet He is come not to receive glory but to exchange it; thus, when He comes down from the mount, He will suffer, that we may be glorified in Him. St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church 109 S. Elm Street Kewanee, IL 61443 1/16/2020 January 2020St. Paul’s Evangelical-Lutheran Church
109 S. Elm, Kewanee, Illinois 61443 Newsletter Volume 32 January 2020 No. 1 EPIPHANY: A DAY OF WORSHIP AND REFLECTION January 6th is Epiphany Day. This year we are planning a special event. It’s a Monday, but it’s a special Feast Day of Our Lord. So we’re scheduling Mass at 2:00 pm, and following with our annual Day of Reflection. This is a change in our original schedule. A day of reflection had been scheduled for Saturday, January 4th. This has been moved to Monday, January 6th, Epiphany Day. Members are encouraged, as you are able, to come out for Mass at 2:00 pm. Following this we will be having our annual seminar. Here is the schedule: 2:00 p.m. Mass: the eleventh day of Chistmas 3:00 p.m. – noon: Seminar (day of reflection) The nineteenth retreat in the Theological Reflection series is entitled, “THE NATIVITY OF MOSES” Why is the nativity of Moses reported in such great detail in Exodus 2? What is the significance of these details? Questions like this will all be discussed and addressed .+ Pastor Eckardt For home devotions, you may use matins or vespers, or the following short form and the appointed selections for the day, written below: 25 December: Christmas Day Psalm 110 Reading: St. Luke 2.1-14 or 2.8-14 Meditation: Christ was born at night, because He who is the light of the world, which shines in the darkness. The angels of the Lord appeared to faithful shepherds, because all faithful pastors are hearers of the angelic voice of God. But they were greatly afraid, for who can stand when He appears? Yet the angel spoke the Gospel to them: Do not be afraid! Why not? For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. For this is the day which the Lord hath made; therefore we will not fear, but rejoice and be glad in it. And the selfsame Lord, who has made the day, and whose glory shone around them, He it is, and not another, who is found wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger. See, He who for ages past was wrapped in Moses and the prophets is now wrapped in swaddling clothes. He who is the Bread of Life for us who are the sheep of His pasture lies in a manger for feed. So let all behold Him at the holy feeding place, the Christ-mass, where He will be found, and nowhere else; and so let us feed on Him, singing the Gloria like the angels from whose lips it was first heard; and hearing again their announcement of peace; for He is our Peace, who brings to all the earth the goodwill of God toward men. Hymn: TLH 94 Collect for Christmas Day: Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that the new birth of Thine only-begotten Son in the flesh may set us free, who are held in the old bondage under the yoke of sin; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen. 26 December, St. Stephen the Martyr’s Day Psalm 119.III (v17-24) Reading: Acts 6.8-15 and/or 7.54-60 Meditation: St. Stephen’s Day is observed on the second day of Christmas, for the revelation of God in the flesh is shrouded in poverty. What did the shepherds see in the poor manger? Did they not see God Himself in the flesh, and that the majesty of Christ is found hidden in His humble appearance? So also in the humility of all Christian suffering and martyrdom is the majesty of Christ hidden. For the holy saints of God were citizens of the kingdom of heaven, which is not of this world; therefore the world does not receive it. Neither did it receive St. Stephen, nor see him for who he was, as it is written, They have eyes but they see not. Rather, they gnashed at Him with their teeth. But what did Stephen himself see? He saw the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. But they did not hear his Gospel, for they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord, as it is written, Ears have they but they hear not. So they stoned him to death; but Stephen’s mind was at peace, consumed in the holy wounds of Christ, as he cried in likeness to his crucified Master, receive my spirit, and, do not charge them with this sin. For martyrdom is the most holy of experiences of Christ our incarnate Lord. Hymn: TLH 77 Collect for St. Stephen’s Day: Grant, O Lord, that in all our sufferings here upon earth for the testimony of Thy truth we may steadfastly look up to heaven and by faith behold the glory that shall be revealed; and, being filled with the Holy Ghost, may learn to love and bless our persecutors by the example of Thy first martyr, Saint Stephen, who prayed for his murderers to Thee, O blessed Jesus, who standest at the right hand of God to help all those that suffer for Thee, our only Mediator and Advocate; who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen. 27 December: St. John the Apostle and Evangelist’s Day Psalm 92 Reading: St. John 21.19-24 Meditation: Since it was the Holy Evangelist St. John who wrote that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, therefore he also calls himself the disciple whom Jesus loved. He also was the disciple who loved Jesus, for he leaned on His breast at the supper. Now in this he provides an example for faith. For those who believe that Jesus loves them will do well to lean on His breast at the Holy Supper. For the breast of Jesus is known there, where He gives Himself to His people and holds nothing back. It is most fitting to receive the Sacrament on Christmas Day, for Christmas means Christ-Mass, as the manger of Christ is surely the holy paten and chalice; and the sheep of His pasture receive the Bread of Life there. So too, there they proclaim His death till He come, which is why Jesus says, If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow me. For the Apostle knew that he would indeed abide eternally with Jesus if he had partaken in Him, and that his word was divinely inspired, for he testifies in the plural, saying, We know that His testimony is true. Surely even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written, for the works of Jesus continue to the present day, most especially at the Holy Altar. Hymn: TLH 271 Collect for St. John’s Day: Merciful Lord, we beseech Thee to cast the bright beams of Thy light upon thy Church that it, being instructed by the doctrines of Thy blessed Apostle and Evangelist Saint John, may attrain to the light of everlasting life, though Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen. 28 December, The Holy Innocents’ Day Psalm 9 Reading: St. Matthew 2.13-18 Meditation: Behold how Christ fights against evil: by humility. Herod seeks the young Child, so He flees to Egypt. Herod desires to destroy Him, so He hides until Herod is destroyed by death. And thus the word of the prophet is fulfilled: out of Egypt I called My Son. For it was in the same feeble way that Israel had been delivered from Pharaoh. They who had no weapons saw their mighty enemies swallowed up in the sea, for God’s power is made known in weakness. So Herod, like Pharaoh before him, is stricken with madness and a murderous mind, so he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem. But still he loses the battle to the poor Christ Child, whose response to this terror is to rest serenely in His mother’s lap. Yea, terror and the holy blood of the Innocents drenches the homes of the poor people, that is, of Rachel weeping for her children. But where is Christ? In Egypt, in token of the great Passover when the firstborn of all the Egyptians were once likewise slain. For Christ is our Passover, and His blood marks all His faithful, who await the Day of His Just Judgment, when the destroying angel shall vindicate them all, as He demonstrated ahead of time by the death of Herod. Hymn: TLH 273 Collect for Holy Innocents’ Day: O God, whose martyred innocents showed forth Thy praise not by speaking but by dying, mortify all vices within us that our lives may in deed confess Thy faith which our tongue uttereth; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen. First Tuesday events Our First Tuesday meetings (Altar Guild and Elders) are scheduled as usual. Tuesday, January 7th 6 pm Altar Guild; 6:45 pm First Tuesday Vespers; 7:15 pm Elders January Anniversaries None Altar Guild Notes Altar color is white throughout January. No mass on Wednesday, January 22nd. Altar Guild Meeting is on January 7th at 6 pm. No Council Meeting in January The January council meeting is unnecessary this month because of the annual voters’ assembly to be held January 5th. Annual Voters’ MeetingOur Annual Voters’ Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, January 5th, at 10:00 a.m. (in the time slot normally reserved for Bible Class). January Birthdays 1/1 Chris Erickson 1/13 James Hornback 1/15 Breann Dooley January Ushers Grant Andresen, Jim Hornback, Larry Campbell (unless Larry is scheduled to sub-deacon, in which case Steve Harris is on the schedule) Shut ins Mary Hamilton has moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana; Emmy Wear is at Williamsfield Home in Williamsfield; Emilie Ricknell is at home; Dick Melchin is at Hammond Henry Extended Care in Geneseo; Bea Harris is occasionally at home; Dale Baker is occasionally at home. Eckardt Christmas Greetings Our fam’ly keeps growing, It just doesn’t cease, Its Giver bestowing Life’s boundless increase. Another was married ‘Twas Joe in July To Emily, as we All partied, oh my! And now she is showing! A baby is due, But too soon for knowing If pink or if blue. Our number now, say we? I count twenty-two, Including that baby Who’s still in the womb. For Jesus, born for us Thus counts us in love; So come, join the chorus With angels above. God rest ye merry, this Christmas 2019 and always. The Bell Tolls On the last Sunday of the year we toll the bell at prayers for each member of our parish who has died during the year. In 2019 there was one member who fell asleep in Christ:
Our current list of prayer intentions at mass includes the names on the lists here following. Anyone wishing to update the list by addition or subtraction, please inform the pastor.in our parish: Emilie Ricknell, John Ricknell, Linda Rowe, Mary Hamilton, Emmy Wear, Sue Murphy, Don Murphy, Dick Melchin, DeAnne Anderson, Bea Harris, Allan Kraklow, Jim Watson, Dana McReynolds, Mary Beth Jones, Sandra VerPlaetse and beyond our parish: Anna Rutowicz [granddaughter of Harrises] Katy Rutovicz [granddaughter of Harrises] Julie Ross [Svetlana Meaker’s daughter] Elizabeth Godke, Sharon Field’s mother Brandt and Oneda Hendrickson [Ricknells’ relatives] Helen Woods [Sue Murphy’s sister] Janice Hart [Judy Thompson’s sister] Caleb Cleaver [Ricknells’ grandson] Dennis Hoag [Adam Shreck’s father-in-law] Sue Harris [Steve Harris’s sister-in-law] Nancy Callahan [Don Murphy’s sister] Rachel Smith [Emmy Wear’s cousin] Yvette Baker [Dale’s daughter-in-law] Warren Williams [relative of the Kemerlings] Bud Harfst [Sue Murphy’s brother] Tony Stoner [friend of the Murphys] Dylan Harden [Chris’s grandson] Theresa Moore [Ricknells’ niece] Carol Grigsby [friend of Jewneel Walker] Tim Newman [Kemerling relation] Karla Perkowski [Monroe Kemerling’s daughter] Pastor Kenneth Wegener Pastor Karl Fabrizius Pastor Brian Feicho in the military: John Eckardt Donny Appleman [at request of the Ricknells] Richard Heiden [at request of the Eckardts] Luke Van Landigan [grandson of Dick Melchin] Jaclyn Alvarez [daughter of Kris Harden] Eli Wetzel Traven Wetzel Shawn Wetzel Eric Verplaetse [Sandra’s grandson] Jake Mahaffey in trouble: any unborn children in danger of abortion those suffering from unrest, persecution, and imprisonment in Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Nigeria, India, China, Vietnam, North Korea, and elsewhere. Our Sympathies Derrick Baker’s brother Kenneth, who lived in the Chicago area, fell asleep in Jesus on December 9th. We mourn with him and his family, and find comfort in the nativity, life, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church 109 S. Elm Street Kewanee, IL 61443 11/21/2019 December 2019St. Paul’s Evangelical-Lutheran Church
109 S. Elm, Kewanee, Illinois 61443 Newsletter Volume 31 December 2019 No. 12 Preparations This time of year everyone knows that preparations are in order. For this reason we find that there is a nice comparison that can be made between the ordinary kinds of preparations people make for Christmas and the season of Advent. For in Advent, too, we prepare. Christ is coming, we know, and not merely do we think of the annual celebration of the Nativity of Our Lord; we think of the return of our Lord in glory. Advent prepares us for both, which is a traditional junction of the way that leads to Christmas and the way that leads to Christ’s return. The readings for Advent Sundays reflect this junction, though they tend by and large to emphasize the preparations that are in order for Christ’s return. St. Peter says this about that: But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (II Peter 3:10-13). The heart of that admonition is this: the Apostle asks what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness, which is a rhetorical question. It means, of course, that we ought to be careful to walk according to holiness of conduct (the KJV term “conversation” means conduct), that is, simply, in decency, kindness, brotherly love, forgiving one another in meekness. This is what is meant by godliness. It is the life of faith, which first trusts Christ’s holy promise and mercy, and then, because of this trust, bears oneself properly toward everyone on earth. And this, too, is what is meant by preparation for the coming of Christ: living this life of faith, by which we look for and hasten toward the coming of the day of God So we conduct ourselves meekly: in penitence for our sins, desiring to receive Holy Absolution, to hear the Holy Gospel, and to partake in the Holy Sacrament, and in love toward our neighbor, desiring by holiness of conduct, good things for him. Advent thus seamlessly continues the theme which had already been established toward the end of the church year. + Pastor Eckardt Christ Masses As usual, we will hold three different Christ Masses this year: the first will be on Christmas Eve at 7:00; the second will follow at Midnight; and the third will be Christmas morning at 10:00. Special Note for Altar Guild; First Tuesday Meetings Dec. 3 On Tuesday, December 3rd, Altar Guild meets as usual at 6 pm, and Elders at 7:15 pm. Between them we will hold vespers at 6:45 pm. All members invited. Altar Guild members: please make an extra effort to attend this meeting, at which we are going to review the instructions for Altar Guild duty; it is good to do this periodically. Shut ins Mary Hamilton has moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana; Emmy Wear is at Williamsfield Home in Williamsfield; Emilie Ricknell is at home; Dick Melchin is at Hammond Henry Extended Care in Geneseo; Bea Harris is occasionally at home; Dale Baker is occasionally at home. Special Masses Wednesdays Our 7 p.m. masses during Advent will be emphasizing the narratives of St. Luke 1 that are written in preparation for the nativity of our Lord reported in St. Luke 2. Come prepare for Christ’s coming at Christmas, at the End of the World, and at the Altar. On December 11th we will also have caroling and a party, as explained in a nearby article. Caroling and Party Dec. 11 We plan to go caroling on Wednesday, December 11th. Meet at the church at 5 p.m. We will visit some shut-ins, and end up at the church for Mass at 7. Afterwards all are invited to the Eckardts’ annual Christmas Party at their home. Decorating During Advent As is our custom, we decorate little by little during Advent, until finally all is complete for Christmas. This year we plan to put up the tree Saturday, November 30th! Our Website Our church’s website is www.stpaulskewanee.org, and it is very active. Twice a week there is usually a new post in the “Sermons” section, as a synopsis of the most recent sermon is given, with a link to the audio of the Gospel and sermon that you can listen to whenever you want, or share with your friends. December Anniversaries 12/13 Jim and Carol Watson December Ushers Allan Kraklow, Steve Kraklow, Tom Wells, Jim Hornback. December Birthdays 12/11 Kris Harden 12/13 Michael Eckardt 12/23 James Armstrong The Bell Tolls On the last Sunday of the year, we customarily toll the bell at prayers for each member of our parish who has died during the year. We remember this year one member who fell asleep in Christ:
Coming Up: Epiphany Seminar and Celebration, Saturday, January 4th, 2020 A day of reflection is planned for Saturday, January 6th, 2020. To open the seminar we will have mass at 9:00 in the morning. A seminar will follow. Here is the schedule: 9:00 a.m. Mass: the eleventh day of Chistmas 10:00 a.m. - noon Seminar (day of reflection): The nineteenth retreat in the Theological Reflection series is entitled, “THE NATIVITY OF MOSES” Why is the nativity of Moses reported in such great detail in Exodus 2? What is the significance of these details? Questions like this will all be discussed and addressed. Lutheranism is the Truth from Gottesblog (at the Gottesdienst website, www.gottesdienst.org) November 11, 2019. Posted by blogger Rev. Sean Daenzer. “. . . to be Lutheran and to be Christian are not in any way matters in tension. [I am] one who is a Lutheran because he is a Christian—who, if he were not a Lutheran, would not be a believer of any kind—one who sees the only logical alternative to his commitment to the Christian Lutheran faith to be Epicurianism in its most popular form: ‘Let us eat and drink and be merry, for tomorrow we are dead.’ I do not mean to say that it is more important to be a Lutheran than to be a Christian. If a Christian is properly described as one who is united with Christ by true faith in Him, then no church affiliation of any kind can be placed on a level with it, let alone on a level above it. To be a Christian, in the sense of accepting the Christian faith, is to be in the only condition in which salvation is possible. “. . . One often hears the idea, variously expressed, that it is more important to be a Christian than to be a Lutheran. . . .” The sentence, I am a Lutheran because I am a Christian, [rather,] asserts (1) that the Christian faith is clearly revealed, (2) that it can be grasped and understood, (3) that it can be accurately stated, taught, and confessed, and (4) that this has been done in traditional Lutheranism. It is a further consequence of this conviction to hold that convinced members of other denominations would think exactly the same way about their view of the Christian message—and, thinking that way, would reject my views which are specifically Lutheran. It is only for such persons—those who take seriously their own view of Christianity and that of Christians who disagree with them—that I have any real respect. The big enemy of the true Christian faith is compromise, toleration, the spirit that we all are right—as if the important thing is not to be Lutheran but to be Christian without any denominational confession whatever. “In my first paragraph I also voiced my view that Epicureanism is the only logical alternative to my Christian Lutheran faith. You may well wonder why . . . it is no idle comment; it is seriously meant. It is related between two contrasts: The one is the contrast between the Lutheran church and other churches, and the other is that between the Christian faith and all other religions. “The first contrast implies that if I believe, as I do, that the gospel or the Word of God is witnessed to purely and truly in the Lutheran Confessions, then there is no point in thinking of forsaking the Lutheran church to seek membership somewhere else. On the one hand, what is true and good in other churches can always be acknowledged as such and made use of (like the excellent Anglican prayers and other liturgical material). On the other hand, what makes any of the other churches distinctively what they are (such as papal authority in the Church of Rome) simply has to be rejected by the Lutheran—and membership in that church must likewise be rejected. For me as a convinced Lutheran, there is no acceptable alternative to Lutheranism in the various other denominations; therefore, the only logical alternative seems to be abandonment of the faith in favor of Epicureanism. “The second implies that there can be no rival of any kind to the Christian faith. God became a human being in Jesus Christ once and for all. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). Christianity is simply in a class by itself among the ‘religions’. . . . “A careful reader will probably pick up another signal from these pages [of Hamann’s book.] There is in them an undercurrent of disappointment concerning the present state of Lutheranism in the world. As the late Dr. Sasse said very often, the ecumenical movement has destroyed dogma throughout the church. World Lutheranism is in a state of disintegration, and enthusiasm for the old faith seems to be disappearing, even in those parts of Lutheranism that used to make a great deal of their loyalty to the Confessions. Much is still said in those quarters about confessional Lutheranism, but a great deal of that talk is mere talk, pious conventionalism.”
New Year’s Mass:New Year’s Eve mass is 7 pm on December 31st. In Our Prayers Our current list of prayer intentions at mass includes the names on the lists here following. Anyone wishing to update the list by addition or subtraction, please inform the pastor. in our parish: Emilie Ricknell John Ricknell Linda Rowe Mary Hamilton Emmy Wear Sue Murphy Don Murphy Dick Melchin DeAnne Anderson Bea Harris Allan Kraklow Jim Watson Dana McReynolds Mary Beth Jones and beyond our parish: Anna Rutowicz [granddaughter of Harrises] Julie Ross [Svetlana Meaker’s daughter] Elizabeth Godke, Sharon Field’s mother Brandt and Oneda Hendrickson [Ricknells’ relatives] Linda Anderson Helen Woods [Sue Murphy’s sister] Janice Hart [Judy Thompson’s sister] Caleb Cleaver [Ricknells’ grandson] Dennis Hoag [Adam Shreck’s father-in-law] Sue Harris [Steve Harris’s sister-in-law] Nancy Callahan [Don Murphy’s sister] Rachel Smith [Emmy Wear’s cousin] Yvette Baker [Dale’s daughter-in-law] Warren Williams [relative of the Kemerlings] Kenneth Baker [Derrick’s brother] Bud Harfst [Sue Murphy’s brother] Tony Stoner [friend of the Murphys] Theresa Moore Carol Grigsby [Jewneel Walker’s friend] Pastor Kenneth Wegener Pastor Kenneth Wegener Pastor Karl Fabrizius in the military: John Eckardt Donny Appleman [at request of the Ricknells] Richard Heiden [at request of the Eckardts] Luke Van Landigan [grandson of Dick Melchin] Jaclyn Alvarez [daughter of Kris Harden] Eli Wetzel [at request of Kris Harden] Traven Wetzel [at request of Kris Harden] Eric Verplaetse [Sandra’s grandson] Jake Mahaffey in trouble: any unborn children in danger of abortion those suffering from unrest, persecution, and imprisonment in Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Nigeria, India, China, Vietnam, North Korea, and elsewhere Persecution details [from www.persecution.net]: SYRIA: Christians At Risk Source(s): AINA, Middle East Concern, CBN Date: 14 November 2019 When American troops pulled out of Syria, and Turkish troops moved in to establish a "safe zone" in northeast Syria, there were understandable concerns about the safety of the people living in this area. Turkish authorities gave assurances that their forces would not persecute religious minorities, including a significant number of Christians. However, recent reports have indicated otherwise. Troops were reportedly told to not physically harm any Christians. However, that has not stopped them from driving civilians who practice Christianity out of their homes and land. Armenians and Syriac Christians in the region have been intimidated and forbidden access to their land, keeping them from harvesting their crops. As a result of the takeover, combined with bombings of towns and villages in the area, many Christians have been forced to flee. Witnesses describe it as a "soft ethnic cleansing." Along with the danger posed by invading Turkish troops, Islamic extremist groups -- including self-proclaimed ISIS terrorists -- have been emboldened. On November 11th, an Armenian Catholic priest, Hovsep Bedoyan was murdered by gunmen, along with his father. Two others in the vehicle were also injured. ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack. The terrorist group has also been responsible for some bombings that took place on the same day near a Chaldean church in Qamishli, leaving six dead. IRAN: Recent Prisoner Updates Christians in Iran face constant danger when living out their faith. This is particularly true for those who convert from Islam. For many, faith in Christ leads to torture and imprisonment. More information, including various reports, can be reviewed at our country report. Ismaeil Maghrebinejad, 65, was taken into custody on January 25th of this year on charges of propaganda against the state (note previous report). In a hearing on October 22nd, charges of apostasy were added by the judge, even though Ismaeil had been a Christian for nearly 40 years. The next court hearing is expected in two months' time. On October 31st, it was reported that Ebrahim Firouzi had been released from prison and would be facing two years of exile after a temporary leave (see this report). Ebrahim has now been sent to Sarbaz, a city that is located hundreds of kilometers south of his home and nears the border with Pakistan. Ebrahim was scheduled to arrive on November 12th to the city, where he will be learning of the conditions and restrictions enforced on him for the next two years. Five other Iranian Christians are facing sentences between five and fifteen years for "acting against national security." INDIA: House Churches Under Surveillance to Prevent Worship Police in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu have put several house churches under surveillance in an effort to prevent their use for Christian worship. House church congregations in several villages were warned to stop meeting altogether. Pastors of these small gatherings have been harassed and ordered to get permission from district officials in order to conduct prayer services. CHINA: New Regulations Bring Added Restrictions Authorities in Zhejiang province have instituted a series of new restrictions on churches, including regulations forbidding the practice of baptismal services and the use of offering collection boxes. The monitoring of attendees, types of activities, service times and locations has been given to appointed government officials to ensure all the restrictions are followed. Altar Guild Notes Altar Guild members: please make an extra effort to attend our December meeting, at which we are going to review the instructions for Altar Guild duty; it is good to do this periodically. Advent does not begin until the first weekend in December. The four Advent Sundays’ color is violet. If roses are obtained, they may be placed on the Third Sunday in Advent, December 15th. For midweek masses, the color remains violet. For Christmas Eve, the first Mass is at 7 p.m., and the color is changed to white. The three Christ Masses will be held as usual, 7 pm Christmas Eve, 12 midnight, and 10 am Christmas Day. Color is white for all three. The Sunday after Christmas is observed on Sunday morning the 29th. Color remains white. New Year’s Eve mass is held at 7 pm on the 31st. Color is white and remains white in January. No mass is scheduled for St. Stephen, St. John, of Holy Innocents (26-28 December) this year. St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church 109 S. Elm Street Kewanee, IL 61443 10/24/2019 November 2019 Volume 29 November 2019 No. 11
The Vitality of the Church It’s always tempting to assess things by their outward appearance. The old saying that you can’t judge a book by its cover arises from just such an awareness of that temptation. The temptation becomes all the clearer when outward appearances tell a very different story than the reality. And that’s especially the case when one considers the vitality of a church, or of a congregation, on the basis of external appearances; specifically, the number of people attending on a typical Sunday, the amount of offerings, the congregation’s debts, or even the condition of the building. While such things are sometimes necessary to consider, we ought not to think they are the way to assess the vitality of a congregation. Vitality has to do with how alive something or someone is. How alive are we? That’s really a spiritual question, and so the manner of arriving at an answer must be made in a different way. For, as the Apostle Paul says, “These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual” (1 Corinthians 2:14). Spiritual vitality has to do with what the Lutheran Confessions consider the marks of the church: “The Church is the congregation of saints, in which the Gospel is rightly taught and the Sacraments are rightly administered” (Augsburg Confession, VII). And where these things happen, there is the life of the church. There is the vitality of the church. And without question, by the grace of God the Gospel is rightly taught here, and the Sacraments are rightly administered here. Therefore the church is present here and its vitality is vibrant and unquestionably in evidence. The people of God are receiving the gifts of God. Rejoice in that fact, dear members. Our Lord Jesus, who has given himself into death for us and risen from the dead as the first fruits of them that sleep, has also seen fit to plant his church in this very place; and because of this, we have heard and believed the Gospel, to the saving of our souls and the greater glory of God. This is a good thing to remember when Thanksgiving is observed and celebrated. This year, Thanksgiving is on November 28th, and we will observe Thanksgiving Mass, as usual, the night before: Wednesday evening November 27th at 7 p.m. + Pastor Eckardt Oktoberfest Totals Attendance estimates: 94 Sunday night 44 Monday 9 Tuesday Income: $1170 early registrations $1337 regular registrations $ 809 Sunday night donations $ 100 Monday donations $3416 total received. Expenses: $350 speaker/preacher $104.34 room $137.82 food $104.41 paper products $732.57 total expenses (many items, including the beer, were donated) Net Oktoberfest proceeds: $2683.43 Thanks be to God for another successful festival, and thanks to all who have been working tirelessly to help our congregation, volunteering time, donations, and effort. November Ushers Otis Anderson John Ricknell, Bill Thompson, Jim Hornback November Anniversaries 11/5 Steve and Berniece Harris 11/10 Gayle and Phil Beauprez November Birthdays 11/19 Steve Kraklow 11/20 Jewneel Walker 11/30 Charlene Sovanski Shut ins Mary Hamilton has moved to Fort Wayne to live with her son John; Emmy Wear is at Williamsfield Home in Williamsfield; Emilie Ricknell is at home; Dick Melchin is at Hammond Henry extended care in Geneseo; Bea Harris is often homebound; Dale Baker is sometimes homebound. First Tuesday moved to Second Week November’s First Tuesday events are to be postponed until the second Tuesday, November 12th, because Pastor and Carol will be in Florida to visit her father the first week. Altar Guild at 6 p.m. Vespers is at 6:45, and Elders meet at 7:15. Daily Prayer As a minimum, when you rise in the morning and go to bed at night, repeat the invocation (In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen), say the Apostles’ Creed, and Say the Our Father. If you wish, you may add Luther’s morning or evening prayer. It’s a good practice to set aside some time to read your Bible every day as well, at least a chapter. You are encouraged to use your hymnal for a richer daily prayer. The order of matins (morning) or vespers (evening) is easily adoptable for personal use. The hymnal is also a good resource for a schedule of daily readings. See page 161. These readings correspond with the material in Every Day Will I Bless Thee: Meditations for the Daily Office, my book of meditations for daily use); to purchase a copy, see me. – Pastor All Saints November 1st, All Saints Day, will be observed on Wednesday, October 30th, at 7 pm. Altar Guild News The last Wednesday in October is red, to observe All Saints (which is November 1st). Then it turns to green for the all of November except for Thanksgiving, which we observe on Wednesday night, November 27th (color for Thanksgiving is white). The following Sunday (December 1st) is the first Sunday in Advent, for which the color is violet. The advent wreath must be prepared in anticipation of that. November meeting is moved to the Second Tuesday, November 12th, at 6 pm. In Our Prayers To update the list please inform the pastor. in our parish: Emilie Ricknell John Ricknell Linda Rowe Mary Hamilton Emmy Wear Sue Murphy Don Murphy Dick Melchin DeAnne Anderson Bea Harris Allan Kraklow Jim Watson Dana McReynolds Mary Beth Jones and beyond our parish: Anna Rutowicz [granddaughter of Harrises] Julie Ross [Svetlana Meaker’s daughter] Pastor Kenneth Wegener Elizabeth Godke, Sharon Field’s mother Brandt and Oneda Hendrickson [Ricknells’ relatives] Linda Anderson Helen Woods [Sue Murphy’s sister] Janice Hart [Judy Thompson’s sister] Caleb Cleaver [Ricknells’ grandson] Dennis Hoag [Adam Shreck’s father-in-law] Sue Harris [Steve Harris’s sister-in-law] Nancy Callahan [Don Murphy’s sister] Rachel Smith [Emmy Wear’s cousin] Yvette Baker [Dale’s daughter-in-law] Warren Williams [relative of the Kemerlings] Kenneth Baker [Derrick’s brother] Bud Harfst [Sue Murphy’s brother] Tony Stoner [friend of the Murphys] Dylan Harden, Chris’s grandson, bad migraines in the military: John Eckardt Donny Appleman [at request of the Ricknells] Richard Heiden [at request of the Eckardts] Luke Van Landigan [grandson of Dick Melchin] Jaclyn Alvarez [daughter of Kris Harden] Eli Wetzel [at request of Kris Harden] Traven Wetzel [at request of Kris Harden] Eric Verplaetse [Sandra’s grandson] Jake Mahaffey in trouble: any unborn children in danger of abortion those suffering from unrest, persecution, and imprisonment in Iran, Iraq, Syria, Eritrea, Sudan, Nigeria, China, Vietnam, North Korea, and elsewhere Council Meeting Date The Council meeting is set for Wednesday, November 20th, at 5:30. Pastor and Carol to Visit Her Father Current plans are for Pastor and Carol to spend part of the first week in November in Florida to visit her father who is in a skilled care home. This will mean there will be no activities scheduled between November 5th and 9th: no Tuesday class, no Wednesday mass, and no choir practice. Also, first Tuesday meetings are postponed until the second Tuesday, November 12th. Thanksgiving Worship As usual, our Thanksgiving Mass will be held on Wednesday evening prior, which this year is November 27th, at 7:00. All come! Choir! The choir begins rehearsing again: Wednesdays after mass, about 8 p.m. All singers come! Leave It Alone, You’ll Break It. A review This review of Pastor’s book (available here for $20.00) was published earlier this year in the newsletter of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Bayside, New York. A lengthier version of it is soon to be published in The American Organist. This pithy title belongs to a recently published book by one of our great Missouri Synod pastors, Rev. Dr. Burnell F. Eckardt, Jr. As clarified by the subtitle, “Liturgical Observations,” the 500+ pages therein comment on the present state of liturgy in the American church. Coming from the Lutheran perspective, Eckardt’s thoughts could well apply to many liturgical churches and Christian worship practices in general. Briefly stated, things are not good. Keeping in mind that his analysis does not apply to every congregation (definitely not to Redeemer, for example), the problems are nevertheless widespread and deep rooted. Underlying the matter are several basic principles. One is the inseparable connection of liturgy to theology. As the saying goes, lex orandi, lex credendi (the law of prayer is the law of belief). That is, as we pray, so we believe, or, further, we need to do liturgically what we say theologically. Thus, changes in the words or actions of liturgy, however small, may impact belief and faith. On current liturgical practice, Eckardt concludes that “we have arrived at liturgical chaos,” characterizing contemporary worship as “liturgical shipwreck.” How is “liturgical chaos” manifested? Pandering to the culture figures largely here: “praise teams” offering pop/rock, complete with drums, sound mixers, and amplifiers occupying the chancel; or the commercially slick “Christian rock.” (One should ask here how “praise teams” improve on the ample stock of hymns of praise found in standard Lutheran hymnals.) Closely related is the dumbing down of worship content: trading in hymnals or prayer books for user-friendly service folders, insertion of spoken directions into the liturgy (which Eckardt likens to a stewardess giving seatbelt instructions), and a living-room or coffeehouse atmosphere. For the gurus of “contemporary worship,” everything must be basic: keep it simple, remove big words, shun serious hymns, use only “upbeat” tunes. Changes enter the Christian lexicon incrementally, such as the switch from the specific term “hymn” to the generic word “song,” intended, perhaps, to sound more “relevant” to modern youth. Today, compilers of hymnals must count “singability” (read: five-note tune, third-grade English) as a criterion; by such standards, “A Mighty Fortress” would not make the cut. Given the unbreakable link between liturgy and theology, it is folly to think that worship style doesn’t matter. Liturgy cannot be a matter of taste or personal preference. Importantly, liturgy functions to create a sense of awe and the sublime, as well as to foster the dignity attached to the Gospel and the Sacrament. The church is a Holy Place where we encounter God. How to do this? Moses took off his shoes (Exodus 3:5), Peter, James, and John fell on their faces, and Isaiah’s vision of God (right, Isaiah 6:1–8, in which the seraphim cry: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory”) was not a “Kum Ba Yah” moment. Thus, the rituals of the Mass convey that something important is taking place, something that demands respect and reverence. The Anglican Breviary defines reverence as “not primarily a matter of feeling pious, but rather of taking pains.” In this regard, liturgy also tends to make people behave by banishing the pride of self-expression. Behind the Mass lie centuries of history. The Western rite goes back to A.D. 600, much of it derived from the Gregorian liturgy; the (Lutheran) Mass represents the accumulated wisdom of history. Celebrated throughout Christendom for hundreds of years, it has inspired thousands of musical settings. “Contemporary Worship,” on the other hand, seeks to change all this for the sake of freedom of worship: “[O]ut with reverence, solemnity, and formality; in with casual, comfort, and familiar. Out with majesty; in with warmth. Out with vestments; in with jeans,” etc. Not to be discounted, liturgy serves as the glue that holds the church body together. That is, the historic liturgy, more than organizational structures or official authorities, identifies a Christian community. Eckardt shows that, from as early as the first century, a uniform liturgy, carried out at stated times and in proper order, was considered necessary. The search for variety, novelty, and “relevance” has no place there. Indeed, variety and “diversity” (to use the current lingo) is already richly present in the Mass by the combination of the constant (the Ordinary) with the changing (the Proper, such as the Introit). The historic liturgy, the author says, is the key to the church’s survival, rather than “church growth” and other such programs. Fearlessly, Eckardt takes on the “language police,” who have been busy for decades enforcing bad grammar for the sake of social engineering. Unfortunately, liturgical language has not escaped the ravages of such linguistic crimes. The feminist movement launched a “full frontal assault” on the word “man,” meaning “mankind,” with collateral damage on the masculine pronouns (he, him, etc.), not to mention nouns like “father” and “son.” This is a slippery slope: not long after the “fixing” of numerous hymns and liturgical texts, “femspeak” began to infect the creeds, even in Lutheranism. So, there are Lutheran hymnals that quietly omit the word “men” in the phrase “who for us men and our salvation.” Hardly a harmless edit—for dropping the word “men” transforms the entire meaning. By itself, the phrase “who for us” could denote nothing more than “for us in this room.” Going down the path of gender neutrality has even led to God being a female (goddess?). Thankfully the LCMS resisted the temptation to give in to such wanton tinkering, although the clinical “for us humans” was apparently once proposed to replace “men” in the Nicene Creed. Noting that ecclesiastical authorities were “hellbent” on removing, once and for all, the English of the King James Bible from our liturgical vocabulary, Eckardt characterizes the achievement of this goal as a tragic loss. The argument that the language of the KJV and related liturgical texts was “outdated” for modern use does not hold up, for, in fact, this language has been archaic for over 300 years. It long provided, in beautiful poetic form, a unique idiom reserved for addressing and speaking of God. Interestingly, it remains the best-selling version of the English Bible. (I would add that without the once-universal English-language Bible, people brought up on a “diversity” of translations are much less likely to memorize Scripture, as study and public readings no longer reinforce a single version.) So, how did we get to the state of “liturgical chaos”? Pastor Eckardt says it happened through abuse of “adiaphora” (things neither commanded nor forbidden), a concept mentioned in several places in the Lutheran Confessions. Article X of the Formula of Concord explains that “adiaphora” refers to ceremonies or usages introduced into the church in the interest of good order and general welfare. Such usages may be changed according to circumstances and what may be edifying to the church. In making changes, however, all frivolity and offenses are to be avoided. For the contemporary-worship crowd, “adiaphora” provided a loophole that quickly progressed to total freedom. Style of worship, then, became utterly indifferent. Finally gained was “freedom from liturgy.” From there it was a short leap to “liturgical chaos.” Jane Schatkin Hettrick Director of Parish Music Redeemer Lutheran Church, Bayside, New York St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church 109 S. Elm Street Kewanee, IL 61443 9/24/2019 October 2019Volume 31 October 2019 No. 10
Twenty-Fourth Oktoberfest! The Twenty-fourth Annual Oktoberfest! and Gottesdienst Central is set for October 13th – 15th, and this year’s special choral vespers will be celebrating the rededication of our completed chancel. Vespers will be held Sunday evening the 13th, to kick off the annual Oktoberfest event. Oktoberfest will also be hosting the Rev. Dr. James Bushur, who is the Carl and Erna Weinrich Associate Professor of New Testament and Early Church Studies. at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He specializes in Patristics and is a member of the North American Patristics Society. His topic will be “The Sermon in the Early Church” The event begins Sunday the 13th with Choral Vespers at 5 p.m. Following the service is our annual bratwurst banquet. At which Dr. Bushur will give a synopsis of his Monday seminar. Following the banquet is the after-the-party party, at Father Eckardt’s home, where a gaggle of the editors of Gottesdienst is milling about. On Monday, October 14th, the day begins with Mass at 9 a.m. Following Mass and a continental breakfast, Dr. Bushur will hold forth for the rest of the day, in two sessions running until about 2:45, followed by Vespers. On Tuesday, October 15th, the conference will continue in the same format, with Father Eckardt holding forth on the theme, ““Preaching: the Voice of the Holy Spirit.” The Tuesday session will be shorter, framed by morning low Mass (spoken Divine Service) and Mid-day prayers. REGISTRATION: MEMBERS OF ST. PAUL’S AND PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN KEWANEE GO FREE. For others, $50 per person, $70 per couple, students $25 — includes Sunday banquet and Monday brunch; no charge for children with parents. Register here. Renovation News Most members are aware that we have virtually completed our three year project of renovating our church, and that we are rededicating the chancel on Sunday evening October 13th at 5:00 pm with choral vespers, as Oktoberfest begins. The tally of our planning phases now look like this: Phase One: the Nave. COMPLETED Phase Two: the Balcony. COMPLETED Phase Three: air conditioning. COMPLETED Phase Four: the Chancel. COMPLETED Phase Five: the floor. COMPLETED The only outstanding item here is the completion of the trim between the chancel floor and the carpeting, and we may have it also completed in time for the rededication. Phase Six: extras We have a new baptismal font We are still hoping to get a statue of St. Paul. Thanks be to God for his mercy to this small parish, enabling us to complete this three-year project! Oktoberfest Desserts Needed Can you provide a dessert for Oktoberfest? Please bring your dessert on Sunday afternoon, October 13th, in the morning or between 3 pm and 4:30. Oktoberfest help wanted We need volunteers. Please help! Oktoberfest is October 13th – 15th. Especially on Saturday morning October 13th, but also for cleanup crews on Sunday after the banquet, Monday the 14th after the afternoon session (about 3:30), and Tuesday the 15th when it is over (about 12:30). October Ushers Grant Andresen, Larry Campbell (Steve Harris if Larry is subdeacon), Jim Hornback October Birthdays 10/1 Richard Melchin 10/1 Sue Murphy 10/2 Diana Shreck 10/3 Matthew Fisher 10/9 Mary Hamilton 10/24 Eric Meaker 10/28 Carmen Sovanski 10/29 Svetlana Meaker 10/30 Sharon Hartz October Anniversaries 10/4 Linda and Larry Rowe 10/23 Otis and Deanne Anderson Invite a friend! NOTICE, for the elders and anyone interested: in the narthex are some general “Dear friend of St. Paul’s” letters to take, if you know of anyone who might be interested in visiting, whether a former member, a visitor, a family member, etc. Instructions: 1) take one of the plastic bags; 2) include in it one of the letters, a newsletter, and a bulletin. You’ll have a ready-made packet to give to a friend. Altar Guild News Notes for October: The first three Sundays of October are green, and the fourth (Oct. 27th) is Reformation Sunday, so the color is red. Oktoberfest has mass on Monday the 14th and Tuesday the 15th. Color remains green. Vespers Sunday the 13th and Monday the 14th. Midday prayers Monday and Tuesday the 14th and 15th. Wednesdays are green except the the 30th, (observing All Saints), which is red. Shut ins Mary Hamilton at home; Emmy Wear at Williamsfield Home in Williamsfield; Emilie Ricknell at home; Bea Harris, often homebound. On Stewardship This letter also went out separately to the membership in late September. Dear members of St. Paul’s, The matter of giving and stewardship is easily mishandled. People sometimes say they no longer attend their churches because “all they ever talk about is money,” and their churches seem more interested in fleecing than in feeding Jesus’ sheep. That’s probably unfair, since delinquent members can hardly know what’s going on if they’re not attending; but there may be some truth there as well. Leaders get frustrated when the offerings don’t match the needs. We, too, get frustrated sometimes; your council members routinely struggle with shrinking bank balances and deficit spending; but we remain thankful and humbled by the fact that you, our members, tend to be exemplary in your dedication to volunteering yourselves and your offerings. Our renovation is mostly complete, and the chancel rededication is set for Sunday, October 13th, at Oktoberfest choral vespers. Meanwhile you continue to give sacrificially; and that, I am convinced, is both because you understand that this is something you should do, and that you love your parish and want to see it prosper. Both reasons are legitimate: First, yes, of course sacrificial giving is something you should do. For as Christ sacrificed himself for us and held nothing back from us that he has not given us, it is right that we should follow him in heart and mind, and so appreciate the importance of sacrifice. Dedication to Christ is really the first commandment: you shall have no other Gods. And I am glad that you already know that. Second, you do love your parish and want to see it prosper. This is a fruit of faith, which knows that it is only the grace of God that keeps this congregation in the first place. But sometimes you worry about it, too. But your worry ought not become despair; indeed you may aside with a confidence that in all things your Lord will never forsake you, as the hymnist reminds us: O little flock, fear not the Foe Who madly seeks your overthrow; Dread not his rage and power. What tho’ your courage sometimes faiths, His seeming triumph o’er God’s saints Lasts but a little hour. Sincerely in Christ, + Pastor Eckardt “We thank God without ceasing, because, when you received the word of God . . . you received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually works also in you that believe” (I Thess. 2:13). St. Paul’s on the Air Going Off WKEI This Month Our radio program which has been running well over ten years will be airing its final radio broadcast on Sunday, September 29th. We still have many podcasts available at our website. You are encouraged to check them out: on-demand listening to a great number of programs at www.stpaulskewanee.org THE BREAKING OF THE NETS This article appeared in this newsletter 24 years ago, in September of 1995 When Simon Peter at Jesus' command launched out into the deep, and let down the nets for a draught, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes, and their net brake (Luke 5.6). This account has been used by St. Augustine and other early church fathers to illustrate the condition of the Church on earth. She struggles amid turmoil as she continues Christ's mission command to his disciples to be fishers of men. The breaking of the nets illustrates the strife and turmoil she experiences in this life, as the hymnist puts it: Tho’ with a scornful wonder men see her sore oppressed; By schisms rent asunder, by heresies distressed; Yet saints their watch are keeping, Their cry goes up, "how long?" And soon the night of weeping shall be the morn of song. So the Church experiences and endures strife and conflict in the course of her earthly life, until the Lord shall return in glory for His beloved Bride. Among the struggles in our day there is an alarming trend seen in our midst, which shows up in various places and ways throughout the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. The trend, simply put, is to disregard the Word of God and its power and grace. At every turn one sees evidence of a desire on the part of some to dismiss the power of the Word and the Holy Sacraments and instead to turn to earthly marketing techniques, sales strategies, and advertising gimmicks and ploys, in hopes of increasing the numbers and revenues of the churches. At the Great Commission Convocation in Minneapolis last fall, for instance, participants were urged to adopt new and contemporary worship forms, forms clearly designed to entertain rather than to edify; while the traditional, liturgical ingredients in Lutheran worship were practically ignored. It is easy to find worship services whose design and intent is aimed at appealing to the unbeliever who might be visiting. This may sound laudable on the surface, until one considers the logic at work here: in order to be appealing to the unbeliever, one must in fact offer the ingredients of unbelief! On the contrary, only the Word of God can convert the unbeliever to the faith. We must, therefore, simply believe the power of the Word to do that, and get our own earthly machinations out of the way. As the Church struggles with all her controversies and trials, one can always see the wringing of hands. Especially in these times one can see this, with all the turmoil at the Fort Wayne seminary, the alarming intensification Synod-wide of attempts to eradicate traditional, liturgical, sacramental worship, and grievous efforts everywhere to remove all the elements of traditional, liturgical Lutheranism and replace them with the trappings of an entertainment mentality. So now we, who struggle to maintain an insistence upon the power of the Word, now begin ourselves to wonder at the power of the Word, or to think that the health of the Church depends on our plans and strategy. Thus in a bitter twist of irony, we ourselves begin to forget that the Church lives only by the Holy Gospel and the precious Sacraments. Not surprisingly, though, for if even the holy Sarah laughed at the promise of Isaac, should we expect ourselves to be above such folly? What we need above all in these perilous and dark times is, simply, to remember the promise. Indeed Sarah, for her advanced age, deemed performance of God's promise impossible, but God in his mercy performed it all the same. For her, the promise was ultimately a Christological one of course, as the line came through Isaac the son of promise; and for us as well it is Christological, since it is Christ's own Church against whom He has promised that the gates of hell shall not prevail. So let us not grow weary over the breaking of the nets, though at all levels the nets are indeed breaking, and we can easily find disruption and strife. Recall that the draught of fish was taken to shore, to the astonishment of all (Luke 5.9); so likewise the Church through all her struggles shall, according to the promise, finally reach the shores of eternal beatitude and blessing in the heavenly mansions. As Luther said it, "You may trust the Scriptures; they will not lie to you." Pastor Eckardt + In Our Prayers Our current list of prayer intentions at mass includes the names on the lists here following. To update the list please inform the pastor. in our parish: Emilie Ricknell John Ricknell Linda Rowe Mary Hamilton Emmy Wear Sue Murphy Don Murphy Dick Melchin DeAnne Anderson Bea Harris Allan Kraklow Jim Watson Dana McReynolds Mary Beth Jones Jim Hornback and beyond our parish: Anna Rutowicz [granddaughter of Harrises] Julie Ross [Svetlana Meaker’s daughter] Pastor Kenneth Wegener Elizabeth Godke, Sharon Field’s mother Brandt and Oneda Hendrickson [Ricknells’ relatives] Linda Anderson Helen Woods [Sue Murphy’s sister] Janice Hart [Judy Thompson’s sister] Caleb Cleaver [Ricknells’ grandson] Dennis Hoag [Adam Shreck’s father-in-law] Sue Harris [Steve Harris’s sister-in-law] Nancy Callahan [Don Murphy’s sister] Mark Helmkamp Rachel Smith [Emmy Wear’s cousin] Yvette Baker [Dale’s daughter-in-law] Warren Williams [relative of the Kemerlings] Kenneth Baker [Derrick’s brother] Bud Harfst [Sue Murphy’s brother] Tony Stoner [friend of the Murphys] Dylan Harden, Chris’s grandson, bad migraines in the military: John Eckardt Donny Appleman [at request of the Ricknells] Richard Heiden [at request of the Eckardts] Luke Van Landigan [grandson of Dick Melchin] Jaclyn Alvarez [daughter of Kris Harden] Eli Wetzel [at request of Kris Harden] Shawn Wetzel Eric Verplaetse [Sandra’s grandson] Jake Mahaffey in trouble: any unborn children in danger of abortion those suffering from unrest, persecution, and imprisonment in Iran, Iraq, Syria, Eritrea, Sudan, Nigeria, China, Vietnam, North Korea, and elsewhere Pastor to Preach at Reformation Festival in Racine The Racine, Wisconsin circuit has asked pastor to be their guest preacher for their annual Reformation Festival this year, at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 27th. He will be returning the next day. Council to Meet One Week Later than Usual: October 23rd Due to Oktoberfest and the cleanup schedule afterwards, we are moving the monthly council meeting to the fourth Wednesday in October, which is October 23rd, at 5:30 the usual time. Special volunteers sought for Saturday mornings September 28th and October 6th We’re looking to make the church extra clean and prepared for our Oktoberfest and chancel dedication. Anyone who has extra time please help! St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church 109 S. Elm Street Kewanee, IL 61443 |
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