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7/1/2019 July and August 2019 St. Paul’s Evangelical-Lutheran Church
109 S. Elm, Kewanee, Illinois 61443 Newsletter Volume 31 July - August 2019 No. 7-8 Bodily Worship It is helpful and edifying to learn bodily reverence when we are at worship. Not only does it help us focus, but it also is a subtle reminder that God became flesh and has bound himself to us in his holy incarnation. The fact that we genuflect on both knees when we receive the Sacrament is a bodily way of confessing that we believe it to be Christ’s true Body and Blood. Making the sign of the cross at various times during worship is likewise a silent way of confessing that we have been redeemed by Jesus’ atonement and baptized in his name. The practice of dipping your thumb or forefinger in the waters of the font as you pass is another way of confessing your blessed Baptism. The very fact that we participate actively in the liturgy, not only by hearing, but also by singing and confessing, standing and kneeling, is a way of showing forth the fact that we have been redeemed bodily as well as in spirit. Remember: the liturgy includes your active participation. There are also some very helpful, more subtle practices that add to our reverence and attentiveness at worship. There is a slight and brief bow of the head whenever the name of Jesus is heard, whether in a reading, or in a hymn or confession or prayer, or even in the sermon. This is a subtle way of remembering the words of the Apostle about every knee bowing at the name of Jesus (Phil 2:10-11). A fuller expression of this very thing is to genuflect at the words “and was made man” during the Nicene Creed. You can see the celebrant and his assistants doing this at the altar, and you may do it yourself while in your pew. I like to recall the colorful words of Blessed Martin Luther about this practice: “The following tale is told about a coarse and brutal lout. While the words ‘And was made man’ were being sung in church, he remained standing, neither genuflecting nor removing his hat. He showed no reverence, but just stood there like a clod. All the others dropped to their knees when the Nicene Creed was prayed and chanted devoutly. Then the devil stepped up to him and hit him so hard it made his head spin. He cursed him gruesomely and said: ‘May hell consume you! If God had become an angel like me and the congregation sang: “‘God was made an angel,” I would bend not only to my knees but my whole body to the ground! And you vile human creature, you stand there like a stick or a stone. You hear that God did not become an angel but a man like you, and you just stand there like a stick of wood!’ “Whether this story is true or not, it is nevertheless in accordance with the faith. With this instructive story the holy fathers wished to admonish the youth the revere the indescribably great miracle of the incarnation; they wanted us to open our eyes wide and ponder these words well” (AE 22:105-106). -Pastor Eckardt Words of wisdom for the young The following letter was written a month ago by Pastor Andrew Preus for his parishioners at St. John’s in Guttenberg, Iowa. It is well worthy of your careful consideration. – Pastor Dear fellow Christians especially my parishioners, Here is some advice. Seek a pious spouse and pray for many pious children, those who go to church with you and confess with you the saving doctrine of Christ crucified for our sins, raised for our justification, delivered by the Spirit through baptism, preserved by the body and blood of Jesus given in bread and wine, received by faith created and nurtured by the Word of God. For you who are already married with children, teach your children to seek such things. God gives and takes away. This includes spouse and children. But above all, he promises to remain with those who love his Son and keep his Word. So don't consider any of the gifts of God to be in your control. If you receive from God these gifts of spouse and children, then you will be rich and happy. If you lose these things or are deprived of them while still clinging to the Word of Christ, then you will be blessed. I am more wealthy than I could ever have imagined, because I have a wife who has borne me five children, and she teaches them to love and trust in their Savior. And I am especially blessed, because my wife reminds me that even more than that she belongs to me and I belong to her, we belong to God who has given us so many blessings. Our children belong to him, which means that even if we lose them they are in his care. You don't need a lot of money. But if God gives it to you, use it to promote the gospel and to support other Christian families. There is no greater wealth than hearing your children confess the truth. Nothing is greater. Nothing is of greater priority. To my young parishioners: I don't care how successful you are in this life. And no one will care in the end. I care that you seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness. This means desiring to live a Christian life in everything you do, making every decision in life with the fervent prayer and priority that you and your offspring will be nurtured in the truth of Christ and his Word. Girls, unless you have been given the gift of celibacy, make it your priority to seek out a pious man who will confess the truth you have been taught to confess. Of course, God blesses single women who live in chastity, but don't be fooled. If a man wants to move in with you, telling you that he loves you, then don't believe him. If he loved you then he would love your Savior, and he would desire to be chaste against the grain of this unchaste world. Boys, unless you have been given the gift of celibacy, make it your priority to seek out a pious woman who will teach your children to confess the truth you teach to your household. Don't simply date for the sake of dating. Date a potential spouse. If you seek the kingdom of God in everything you do, then you will be happy, truly happy, not as the world gives happiness, but as God does. You will rejoice even though you mourn, be rich even though you are poor, and inherit all things from God as you receive with meekness the implanted Word that is able to save your souls. Pray for chastity and purity, not because you are shackled to some form of etiquette and decorum, not because you are under the law, but because you are free under the grace of the Spirit of Christ. He is pure. He is chaste. He loves his bride, the church, with everything he has. Pray for this truth to permeate your entire life. And you will be content. You won't strive after the wind. But you will run toward what is certain, sealed in the blood of Christ, and guaranteed by the Spirit who raised him from the dead and will give life to your mortal bodies, according to the promise of your baptism. In Christ, Pastor Preus Bible Class Tuesdays Our Tuesday Bible Class is at 4:00 p.m., in Pastor’s Study, looking at I Samuel. Always a lively discussion. Join us! Our schedule in the summer is a bit spotty as usual, since Pastor will be away some of the time. We meet the first two Tuesdays in July and August: July 2nd and July 9th, then no class on July 16th, 23rd, or 30th. Class resumes August 7th, and concludes August 14th, after which catechism resumes on Tuesdays at 5 pm. Booklet Is Now Available The booklet explaining the chancel and the symbols of the apostles is now available to those who come to worship. Each of the twelve apostles has his own shield and symbol in the Arch. They are ordered according to their ranking given in St. Matthew’s Gospel (10:2-4). The symbols are each explained in the booklet. Take one! UPDATE: July Council LAST Wednesday Due to Pastor’s schedule, the council will be meeting on Wednesday, July 31st this month, instead of the usual third Wednesday. Please make a note of it. THIS IS AN UPDATE FROM THE PRINT NEWSLETTER. Altar Guild Notes
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, Mary Hamilton, Emmy Wear, Sue Murphy, Don Murphy, Dick Melchin, DeAnne Anderson, Bea Harris, Allan Kraklow, Father Eckardt, Jim Watson and beyond our parish: Anna Rutowicz [granddaughter of Harrises] Katy Rutovicz [granddaughter of Harrises] Jodi Rutowicz [daughter 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] LeRoy Tuthill [Kevin Thompson’s father-in-law] Mark Helmkamp, who has cancer 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] Traven Wetzel [at request of Kris Harden] Eli Wetzel Eric Verplaetse [Sandra’s grandson] Jake Mahaffey Trevor Shimmin in trouble any unborn children in danger of abortion those suffering from unrest, persecution, and imprisonment in Sri Lanka, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Kenya, Sudan, Nigeria, China, Vietnam, North Korea, and elsewhere Additional areas considered places of persecution may be found at www.vomcanada.com (Voice of the Martyrs). July Ushers: Larry Campbell, Jim Hornback August Ushers: Otis Anderson, John Ricknell, Bill Thompson (Jim Hornback in reserve) July, August Anniversaries July: 7/1/1951 John and Emilie Ricknell August: 8/1/2009 Chris and Trista Dooley 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 Catechesis to Resume in August Junior catechesis is set to resume on Tuesday, August 20th, at 5 pm. Matthew Harrison Re-elected to Fourth Term The election results came in on June 26th: LCMS President Matthew Harrison, whom we nominated, was re-elected for another triennium, with just over 51.76% of the vote. The rest of the elections and business will take place at the LCMS convention in Tampa, Florida, from July 20-25. Shut ins Mary Hamilton at home; Emmy Wear at Williamsfield Home in Williamsfield; Emilie Ricknell at home; Dick Melchin at Hammond-Henry extended care in Geneseo; others are occasionally confined to home. If you need a home visit, call pastor: 309-852-2460. 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. On the Road I will be away three times during July. First, to Indiana for Joey and Emily’s wedding and a family reunion from the 12th to the 17th; next, for the LCMS national convention from the 18th to the 23rd; and finally to speak at the Bugenhagen Conference (a free conference for pastors) in Racine, Wisconsin from the 29th to the 31st. This includes Sunday the 14th , when Pastor Mike Bahr from Good Shepherd in Sherman will again be here to fill in, and Sunday the 21st, when Pastor Mattheew Synott from Trinity in Peoria will be here. The only Wednesday evening I will be away is the 17th, when midweek mass is cancelled. + Pastor St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church 109 S. Elm Street Kewanee, IL 61443 5/28/2019 June 2019 St. Paul’s Evangelical-Lutheran Church
109 S. Elm, Kewanee, Illinois 61443 Newsletter Volume 31 June 2019 No. 6 New Font Coming, and a Traditional Custom Introduced As reported in a May bulletin, the trustees of Zion Lutheran Church in Peoria, which closed in January of this year, chose to donate their Baptismal font, some linens, and their eternal flame stand to us. The linens and the eternal flame stand are already in use. We expect the font to be delivered soon, as we are currently making arrangements to get it here. Pictured nearby, it’s solid marble and weighs at least 250 lbs. We certainly wouldn’t want to damage it in transport. The timing is appropriate, since we are entering the month of June and our annual observance of Pentecost. The birth of the Holy Christian Church is bound to the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, which is why the vigil of Pentecost contains prayers pertaining to the font and the waters of Baptism. We will be observing the vigil of Pentecost on Saturday, June 8th, at 7:00 pm. It is also fitting that a laudable and traditional Christian custom be introduced here at this time, as an option for our members to use as a fitting baptismal remembrance. The practice of dipping one’s fingertips into the waters of the font and making the sign of the cross with the wetted fingers is a very helpful bodily gesture by which we recall that, as St. Paul reminds us, we are washed, we are sanctified, we are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God (I Corinthians 6:11). Sometimes the font is placed at the entrance to a church, as is the case at the Fort Wayne seminary, and people entering for worship or exiting can take advantage of this custom as they pass the font. In our case, the font is placed near the altar rail. This will enable communicants to dip their fingers and make the sign on their foreheads as they approach for Holy Communion. This is in fact the way in which the people of Zion in Peoria would approach the altar. Ushers or altar guild members will be needing to ensure that the font is supplied with fresh water prior to mass, and the water should be drained afterwards. We recall that the practice of making the sign of the cross is in the catechism, as we are there instructed to do it in the morning, in the evening, and before eating. The right hand is used. The index and tall fingers are customarily raised to the forehead, then to the right shoulder, and then to the left, as the invocation is said: “In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit,” although of course, the sign of the cross is made silently as one approaches the altar. Do not be afraid of somehow doing it wrong, however; do not be afraid of doing it at all. Be pleased to remember hereby that you have been redeemed and washed by Christ the Crucified. + Pastor Eckardt Pentecost Sunday June 9th On Pentecost Sunday, which this year falls on June 9th, we will again hear the opening verse of the Gospel read, in accordance with the tradition of portraying the “other tongues” of Pentecost, in eight languages. The eight languages, in order, are Latin, Greek, Swedish, Spanish, Russian, German, French, and English, in which the entire Gospel will continue. This annual Pentecost custom, whose origins can be found in Acts 2 (where the Gospel was proclaimed in all the languages of the people who had made the pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the feast), does two things. First, it reminds us that this is meant for all the world to hear. “All nations” are to be baptized, according to Jesus’ command (St. Matthew 28), and therefore Christian missionary activity has sought to bring the Gospel to all peoples ever since. Secondly, this multilingual reading gives us a sense of what it would have been like to be present on that Pentecost day in the room where the Apostles were assembled. You would have heard preaching in many different languages, most of them unknown to you, until your own language was spoken. This in turn provides a reminder that we ourselves have been brought to this Christian faith by the Holy Spirit’s activity of preaching the Gospel around the world. The Gospel is words, God’s words to us about His Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Its proclamation is by the grace of God, our hearing is by the grace of God, and our confessing of it is also by the grace of God. The Church of Jesus Christ exists by the grace of God alone. Her activity consists—by grace—in the preaching, hearing, and confessing of this grace. So the Apostle St. Paul declares, “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:19). The “us” in that sentence is the bearers of the apostolic ministry, for he goes on to say, “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20). The “you” in that sentence is the hearers of the apostolic preaching. How else, then, are the hearers to be reconciled, except by believing the word of preaching which they hear? And in believing, they learn to confess this faith: “For He says, ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you’” (2 Corinthians 6:2). That is, God heard them pray, sing, and speak the faith: he heard them confess what they believe. Therefore in the spirit of Pentecost, let us make bold to assert our faith together, that we too may gain confidence and strength needed for the evil day. This happens when we in our day steadfastly attend to the preaching, hearing, and confessing of the Gospel, in worship. Here at St. Paul’s, by grace the Gospel is preached, heard, and confessed. Here the Holy Spirit is actively building His Church. Here Pentecost continues. Here is where we all need to be. The Resurrection of Christ Evidently there is still plenty of nonsense being preached in unsuspecting churches these days, mimicking the horrendous lies and propaganda from the “History” Channel of late. I refer to the notion that Jesus’ bones may have been found somewhere, and that even if it were true it would not affect our faith. This is utterly demonic. The shout from Christian people during Eastertide that Christ “is risen indeed! Alleluia!” cannot be dismissed as idle chatter. Nor do we mean to say that the resurrection of Jesus is somehow only a glow of warmth or love in our hearts. No, dear Christians, it is a proclamation and confession that Jesus bodily rose from the dead, and was seen standing on earth by more than 500 brethren, as St. Paul declared to the church in Corinth. Let no one deceive you on this. When we say he is risen, we mean it, and our faith depends on it, and therefore it is not possible that someone might find his bones somewhere. Trinity Sunday June 16th 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 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 on 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 Bible Class Tuesdays Our Tuesday Bible Class at 5:00 p.m. in Pastor’s Study, looking at I Samuel. Always a lively discussion. Join us! Booklet Nearly Ready A booklet explaining the chancel and the symbols of the apostles is almost complete, to be available to those who come to worship. Each of the twelve apostles has his own shield and symbol in the Arch. They are ordered according to their ranking given in St. Matthew’s Gospel (10:2-4). The symbols are each each explained in the booklet. June Birthdays: 6/5 Linda Rowe 6/15 Jill Powers 6/16 Berniece Harris 6/29 Jim Watson Council SECOND Wednesday Due to Pastor’s schedule, the council will be meeting on Wednesday, June 12th this month, instead of the usual third Wednesday. Please make a note of it. June Ushers: Allan Kraklow, Steve Kraklow, Tom Wells, Jim Hornback as needed Holy Ground and Reverence Remember the holiness of our worship space and these guidelines:
Altar Guild Notes
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, Mary Hamilton, Emmy Wear, Sue Murphy, Don Murphy, Dick Melchin, DeAnne Anderson, Bea Harris, Allan Kraklow, Father Eckardt, Jim Watson and also: Anna Rutowicz [granddaughter of Harrises] Katy Rutovicz [granddaughter of Harrises] Jodi Rutowicz [daughter 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] LeRoy Tuthill [Kevin Thompson’s father-in-law] 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] Traven Wetzel [at request of Kris Harden] Eli Wetzel Eric Verplaetse [Sandra’s grandson] Jake Mahaffey Trevor Shimmin in trouble: any unborn children in danger of abortion those suffering from unrest, persecution, and imprisonment in Sri Lanka, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Kenya, Sudan, Nigeria, China, Vietnam, North Korea, and elsewhere Additional areas considered places of persecution may be found at www.vomcanada.com (Voice of the Martyrs). Church Picnic June 30th We are planning to hold this year’s church picnic at Northeast Park in Kewanee this year, as we have done in years past. Sunday afternoon, as soon as you can after church, head over to the park where we will be planning a cookout, a time for fun and conversation, and a good summer day in the sun. Join your church family. 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 June 19-21 Pastor and Carol plan to be in Wisconsin as usual for the CCA in the Milwaukee area from June 19-21. No Wednesday activities that week. 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. 4/27/2019 May 2019St. Paul’s Evangelical-Lutheran Church 109 S. Elm, Kewanee, Illinois 61443 Newsletter Volume 31 May 2019 No. 5 We Did It! Thanks Be to God! We now have what we had long desired and thought we could never get. Somehow, by considerable sweat-labor, by finding inexpensive ways to do things, by donations of time and materials, by outside donations of cash to supplant what we were meagerly able to do ourselves, and by plenty of prayer, we did it. And it was done at probably one tenth what it would have cost to pay a contractor. We wanted our church to look traditional again. Majestic, even. One thing we had already done was accenting, by different color paint, the architectural ribs supported by capitals, leading through the nave to the altar. This brings out the meaning of the altar as the portal between heaven and earth. If you stand in the back, you can see this effect. The transformation is stunning. And it’s remarkable, considering what a small parish we are, having worked in fits and starts, somehow managing to get by as this mammoth project challenged us. The church is now restored. There are a few details still to be taken care of: soon we will be burying our new microphone wires, and we still have to finish the trim between the chancel tiles and the carpet. In addition, we are possibly going to be getting a new marble baptismal font, if negotiations with a newly closed church in Peoria prove successful. This remains to be seen. We also hope at some point to find a statue of the Apostle St. Paul which would stand in the area where we used to have the font. The fact that we do not, after all, need to replace the carpet throughout the nave, as it cleaned up very nicely, will likely be a savings of over $10,000. St. Paul’s is the home of Gottesdienst, and the host of Oktoberfest in the autumn of every year. The restoration was successful, and the building’s own majesty is radiantly evident. It now appears that we will be having our rededication ceremony as part of our Oktoberfest gala this year. The many guests that are already part of that celebration will add to the festive atmosphere. Gottesdiensters will be invited to come and see our completed project for themselves. Save the date for this year’s Oktoberfest, October 13-15. Meanwhile, let us add to our joy of Eastertide this year, as the little fragile flock in Kewanee, breathtakingly exclaiming, This is none other but the house of God. This is the gate of heaven. Thanks be to God!. + Pastor Eckardt Before:  After:  Items to Note In these before and after pictures we can see not only the spectacular effect of having the Apostles’ shields restored, but also the stone floor for the chancel and the color scheme of light-to-dark in the chancel. Additionally, we note that there are two new capitals in the chancel atop the piers on either side of the altar. These required considerable and painstaking work by the firm of Jerry Frese, friend of the congregation. The entire chancel ceiling is now clearly seen as supported by its piers and their capitals. They charged us less than one fourth the actual cost. The ceiling itself has become the canopy, replacing the modern canopy that had been put up in 1962. Holy Ground Now that we have moved back to the church, t’s a good time to be reminded of the holiness of our worship space. Here are a few guidelines to help.
A Booklet Being Prepared A booklet explaining the chancel and the symbols of the apostles is in the making and will soon be available to those who come to worship. The following explanations will be included in the booklet, with accompanying symbols not included here. Each of the twelve apostles has his own shield and symbol in the Arch. They are ordered according to their ranking given in St. Matthew’s Gospel (10:2-4). 1. St. Peter’s symbol is at the highest position on the left side. The brothers Peter and Andrew are at the very top of the arch. Peter’s symbol is the inverted cross, which is the instrument of his death, and the crossed keys, for he was given the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven (St. Matthew 16:18). 2. St. Andrew’s symbol is at the highest on the right side. The brothers Peter and Andrew are at the very top of the arch. Andrew’s symbol is the X-shaped cross, which is the instrument of his death, and two fish, indicative of the fact that he was a fisherman (St. Matthew 4:18). 3. The symbol of St. James the Greater, brother of John, is to the left of Peter’s symbol on the left side, that is, fifth from the left. James travelled as far as Spain, where he is revered as Santiago. The staff signifies his lengthy journey, and the scallop shell, native to Galicia (Spain), has long symbolized the completion of a pilgrimage there. The sword is the instrument of his death under King Herod, when he returned to Jerusalem (Acts 12:2). 4. St. John’s symbol is to the right of Andrew’s on the right side, that is, fifth from the right. Since he was the brother of James, his symbol appears parallel to it on the other side. It is a chalice with a snake, for he was nearly martyred by the poisoning of a chalice from which he drank. He was the only Apostle to survive martyrdom. 5. St. Philip’s symbol is to the left of St. James the Greater on the left side, that is, fourth from the left. His symbol is a basket, a reminder that Jesus asked him about the feeding of the 5,000 and he was troubled about it (St. John 6:5-7), and the instruments of his death: a Tau cross and a spear. 6. The symbol of St. Bartholomew, also known as Nathaniel, appears to the right of Andrew on the right side, that is, fourth from the right. His symbol is an open Bible, for he was a preacher of the Gospel, and a knife, which was the instrument of his death. 7. The symbol of St. Thomas is third from the left. The spear and arrows are the instruments of his death, and the carpenter’s square signifies the tradition that he traveled to India and erected a church there. 8. St. Matthew’s symbol is third from the right. The three money bags remind us that he had been a tax collector (St. Matthew 9:9) until his conversion to serving the Triune God. The halberd is the instrument of his death. 9. The symbol of St. James the Less is second from the left. Stones and the saw were the instruments of his death. 10. The symbol of St. Thaddeus, also named Jude, is second from the right. The traditional instruments associated with his death are the club, the spear, and the cross. 11. The symbol of St. Simon, sometimes called Simon the Zealot, is farthest to the left, or first on the left side. His symbol includes a saw and halberd, instruments of his death, and an oar, signifying his seafaring missionary journey to Persia by waterways. because of his zeal about the Mosaic law, 12. St. Matthias’s symbol is farthest to the right. He was the Apostle chosen to replace Judas (Acts 1:15-26). His symbol is the lance, the instrument of his death, and a Bible, for he was faithful to Christ and His word as Judas should have been. Thanks Be to God for Sacrificial Giving and Volunteering The members of this parish have always been dedicated to sacrificial giving of contributions and volunteering of time, for which we are bound to give thanks to Almighty God. This dedication is a marvel, and it has enabled us, by God’s grace, to continue to be a vibrant and healthy congregation, even undertaking a renovation project. Thanks be to God! May Ushers Otis Anderson, John Ricknell, Bill Thompson. Jim Hornback serves in reserve, wherever needed. Rogation Days May 27-29 An old tradition places special days of prayer on the calendar in the week leading up to Ascension Day. The Sunday of that week is called “Rogate,” which means, “Pray.” Monday through Wednesday are called Rogation Days. Here at the church there will be an opportunity to pray the litany on Tuesday the 28th at noon. Ascension Day is May 30th Unfortunately we will have no Ascension Mass this year, as Pastor has a scheduled appointment at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Here follows a devotion that may be used on Ascension Day. It may be used on its own or in connection with Matins, page 32 in the hymnal. The Ascension of Our Lord Psalm 110 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath. He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries. He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head. Glory be to the Father and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen. Reading: Mark 16.14-20 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. Meditation: Here we see two grand events at once: the sending forth of Jesus’ disciples, and His ascension to the right hand of God. At the very point at which Jesus sends His first ministers to preach the Gospel, He also ascends to the right hand of Power. What else can this mean than that the power and kingdom of God are present and active in their preaching of the Gospel? So learn to see the ascended Christ standing together with the faithful Christian pastor preaching the Holy Gospel, for the two are meant to be seen as one. And when you pray Thy kingdom come, remember that the glorious coming of the kingdom must follow upon the preaching of the Gospel. For as we say in our baptismal Creed, it is from the right hand of the Father that Christ shall come to judge the quick and the dead. But the right hand of the Father is where He now sits, and where He must be remembered as sitting, when and where the Gospel is preached. Let His ascension thus become visible to faith whenever His faithful pastors preach His word. New Bible Class Tuesdays Beginning Tuesday, May 14th, a new Bible Class is to be held at 5:00 p.m. in Pastor’s Study. We will be looking at I Samuel. Always a lively discussion. Join us! Rest in Peace Joyce Long Joyce Long died on March 30th and her funeral was held on Monday, April 8th at Rux Funeral Home. We were unable to honor her request for a church funeral, though we came very close. Resquiescat in pace. 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 Altar Guild Notes
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, Mary Hamilton, Emmy Wear, Sue Murphy, Don Murphy, Dick Melchin, DeAnne Anderson, Bea Harris, Allan Kraklow, Father Eckardt, Jim Watson and also: Anna Rutowicz [granddaughter of Harrises] Katy Rutovicz [granddaughter of Harrises] Jodi Rutowicz [daughter 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] LeRoy Tuthill [Kevin Thompson’s father-in-law] 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] Traven Wetzel [at request of Kris Harden] Eli Wetzel Eric Verplaetse [Sandra’s grandson] Jake Mahaffey Trevor Shimmin in trouble: any unborn children in danger of abortion those suffering from unrest, persecution, and imprisonment in Sri Lanka, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Kenya, Sudan, Nigeria, China, Vietnam, North Korea, and elsewhere Persecution details NEGOMBO, Sri Lanka (FOX News) – On Easter Sunday, 43-year-old Anusha Kumari was left childless and a widow when suicide bombers launched a coordinated attack on churches and luxury hotels in Sri Lanka. More than 350 people were killed in the near-simultaneous bombings. About a third of the victims were celebrating Easter Mass at St. Sebastian's Church in Negombo. Kumari lost her daughter, son, husband, sister-in-law and two nieces. They were buried three days later on some vacant land near the stricken church that has quickly become a cemetery for some of the bombing victims. Sri Lanka's president has asked for the resignations of the defense secretary and national police chief after acknowledging that some intelligence units were aware of threats to churches before the Easter bombings. Additional areas considered places of persecution may be found at www.vomcanada.com (Voice of the Martyrs). St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church 109 S. Elm Street Kewanee, IL 61443 3/28/2019 April 2019St. Paul’s Evangelical-Lutheran Church
109 S. Elm, Kewanee, Illinois 61443 Newsletter Volume 31 April 2019 No. 4 Lent and the Crucifix This article was also submitted for publication in the Kewanee Star Courier for Friday, March 29th, 2019. The most widely used and recognized symbol in all of Christian history is the crucifix. During Lententide the crucifix takes on added significance, as we meditate more directly on what Christ accomplished there and what it means. It says to the Christian that the atonement that reconciles the world to God has been accomplished; it shows us the payment of infinite value that Christ made for the sin of the world. This was the payment necessary to cover our debt of sin to God. When we look upon the crucifix we see how great that debt was, and how dreadful a thing our sin is, as the hymnist says, “Ye who think of sin but lightly, nor suppose the evil great, here may view its nature rightly, here its guilt may estimate.” But the holy crucifix declares that Christ, and Christ alone, is the reason his Father, notwithstanding the enormity of our sin, looks upon us with favor and delight. Atonement has been accomplished hereby! The crucifix also shows us the depths of the love of God, that this love surpasses all understanding, for here we see that Christ gave everything for us and has not held anything back from us that he has not given. And Christ is the Image of the Father; he is the Father’s other Self; therefore his self-offering is God’s offering, because he is God. Behold what love the Holy Triune God has for his creation in this tremendous Sacrifice. So then, the crucifix also teaches us Christians to show love to our neighbors, and to be kind to one another; and it teaches us to be willing to endure hardship for Christ’s sake. The crucifix encourages and says, Take up your cross and follow him who took up his cross for you. There are many helpful Lenten exercises of devotion: reading and hearing the Passion histories of Christ; listening to and singing sacred Lenten music; taking extra time for worship (at St. Paul’s we see increased attendance at our midweek masses; and when Holy Week comes we also offer Divine Services every night from Monday through Saturday at 7 pm). And here’s another most helpful Lenten exercise: simply gaze in silent meditation on the holy crucifix and ponder in your heart all the things that it means. + Pastor Eckardt Race against Time to Get Back into the Church for Easter Our renovation project had targeted Easter as our deadline to get back into the church for worship. We had moved into the gym in November of 2018 to complete the chancel and flooring, and now the deadline is near. It’s going to be close, but we remain hopeful. Here’s a portion of our updated website page: “What remained [after the painting of the nave was completed] was for the chancel and the flooring to be completed. Since much of what we do is through volunteer labor, and since some of our volunteers are in the fields as farmers, we got back to the project soon after Oktoberfest, October 7-9, 2018. “Meanwhile twelve shields were purchased, on which Sharon Hartz painted the symbols of the twelve apostles. These shields were mounted in the Great Arch, which is the archway that is suspended over the chancel steps. This was to approximate what once graced the walls of this church many years ago. “By February of 2019 the chancel painting was completed and the shields mounted. The entire project was finished down to the floor. Our artistic committee agreed upon tiling for our chancel floor, and by mid-March, the tiling was begun. While Bob Harrison got assistance from Tom Wells and Steve Kraklow, Pastor was busily mounting the new speaker system. It's a rush to the finish line, as we are madly working to get back into the church in time for Easter. Some parts of the project will still remain to be finished, but they can be done after we have returned to our beautiful building.” If we can finish the flooring and the sound system, we can put the furniture back and clean up our mess in time to move back to the church. The project won’t quite be finished, but as the details are being worked on, it will surely be a great relief and joy to be back in our house of God. Soon, very soon! UPDATE; VOLUNTEERS NEEDED The flooring is moving well toward its completion, and may be finished by the middle of the first week in April. Then we will need a few days to move the furniture back in place. The likelihood of being back in the church is high, sometime between Judica Sunday, April 7th, and the middle of Holy Week, April 18th. The project will not be complete, as there will be details that need to be taken care of, but enough will have been accomplished for us to be back. What this means is that we need volunteers now for cleanup. The church needs a workover: vacuuming, dusting, picking up. We had a good crew to do this after the nave was finished in the fall of 2016 when we had removed the pews; we need the same kind of work again now. People do not need to come in at the same time, although perhaps Saturdays work best for the most people. Volunteers should start in the choir loft and work their way forward. The cleaning of the pews has already begun with dusting. (Note: to help with the pews, contact Carol Eckardt.) Look to the need for dusting, vacuuming, removal of trash, picking up of tools and miscellaneous, and details that will prepare the nave for our return. + Pastor Eckardt Africa Trip Cancelled A sudden shakeup in the leadership of the International Lutheran Council has resulted in the loss of their promised funding for my trip to teach for two weeks in Nigeria this May. Although there are other avenues available to me to raise the funds, and the Nigerians’ need is great, I have elected to cancel my trip. There are too many factors weighing against it at this time. I assured the Nigerians that I would plan to make myself available in the future, but not this spring. It turns out that much is required of me here as our church project winds down, and my schedule would have been tasked heavily in preparation for the two courses I was to teach. Adding the need to come up with funding was too great. Fr. Charles Wokoma, the Academic Dean of the seminary for the Lutheran Church of Nigeria, had requested that I teach two intensive courses. The congregation gave its hearty approval for this mission, for which I am grateful, and I hope to fulfill the pledge in the not-too-distant future. + Pastor Eckardt Holy Week and Easter Masses Holy Monday through Good Friday, at 7 p.m. Great Vigil: Saturday, April 20th, at 7 p.m. Easter Sunrise Mass: April 21st, at 7 a.m. (Easter breakfast following) Easter Midweek Mass: Wednesday, April 24th, at 7 p.m. April Ushers Grant Andresen, Jim Hornback Larry Campbell (or Steve Harris if Larry Campbell is subdeacon). If Grant is also unavailable, others might be called on to fill in. Congratulations Elizabeth Dooley Elizabeth Dooley is scheduled to receive her first communion at the Vigil of Easter, April 20th. Congratulations, Elizabeth! Easter Lilies There’s a sign-up sheet in the back of the gym. Cost. $15.00 apiece 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. April Birthdays 4/3 Adam Shreck 4.14 Emmy Wear 4/19 Luke Wells 4/22 Grant Andreson 4/25 Mason Dooley A Thank-you Note from the Cleavers St. Paul Members – I cannot thank you all enough for your very generous gift, and of course all of the prayers. It means so very much to us to have all of you thinking and praying for us during this time Thanks again so very much. Love and prayers – Josh Connie, Caleb, Evan & Cameron Shut ins Mary Hamilton at home Joyce Long at home 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, often unable to get out, at home In Our Prayers in our parish: Emilie Ricknell John Ricknell Linda Rowe Mary Hamilton Emmy Wear Sue Murphy Don Murphy Joyce Long Dick Melchin DeAnne Anderson Bea Harris Allan Kraklow Father Eckardt Jim Watson and also: Anna Rutowicz [granddaughter of Harrises] Katie Rutovicz [granddaughter of Harrises] Jodi Rutowicz [daughter 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] Shawn Golden [Jim Watson’s son-in-law] Sue Harris [Steve Harris’s sister-in-law] Nancy Callahan [Don Murphy’s sister] Pastor Peter Eckardt LeRoy Tuthill [Kevin Thompson’s father-in-law] Helen Eckardt Berkman, cancer [Fr. Eckardt’s sister] 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] Traven Wetzel [at request of Kris Harden] Eli Wetzel Eric Verplaetse [Sandra’s grandson] Jake Mahaffey Trevor Shimmin in trouble: especially any unborn children in danger of abortion those suffering from unrest, persecution, and imprisonment in Iran, Iraq, Syria, Kenya, Sudan, Nigeria, China, Vietnam, North Korea, and elsewhere First Tuesday meetings Since Pastor is not going to Nigeria, our First Tuesday meetings are returning to the normal schedule. In April: Tuesday the 2nd. Altar Guild Notes Our April meeting is scheduled for April 2nd
When we move back to the church, the white frontal will no longer be needed, as the altar itself has been painted white. Always check supplies. When wine supply gets low (when the second to the last bottle is opened), please inform Pastor. When the supply of hosts gets low (when the last sleeve is opened), please inform Judy. Easter Breakfast Preparations First, we need volunteers to help with preparations on Holy Saturday, April 20th, beginning at 9 am. Second, we need people to fill out the sign-up sheet that’s posted in the kitchen. This is going to be a potluck of sorts. Everybody brings something. But sign up for something in particular, so we don’t have everyone bringing the same thing. Third, please let us know if you are coming! Fill out the form in a bulletin. Choir rehearsals In preparation for special music during Holy Week and Easter, choir is scheduled for April 3, 10, and possibly 17. The Lighter Side Seen in an Easter church bulletin: “During the offering, the ladies of the congregation may come forward and lay their eggs on the altar.” St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church 109 S. Elm Street Kewanee, IL 61443 2/21/2019 March 2019 Ash Wednesday and Lent109 S. Elm, Kewanee, Illinois 61443
Newsletter Volume 31 March 2019 No. 3 The season of Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday, has for centuries been a season of emphasis on fasting, penitence, and preparation for the celebration of Easter. The definition of the fast has changed over the years. There was a time not so long ago—and there still is in some parts of Christendom—in which the fast involved a putting aside of all meat, dairy products, and eggs. It was out of this tradition that the Easter egg arose, for the coloring of eggs was a celebration of the ending of the fast. The custom of fasting is quite biblical. If Moses, Elijah, and Jesus himself fasted, certainly it must be a good practice. Indeed, on Ash Wednesday we hear Jesus saying, When ye fast, be not as the hypocrites, etc. So Luther’s Small Catechism declares, “Fasting and other bodily preparation is indeed a fine outward training.” Therefore we conclude that fasting is a good thing, though the particulars or degree of the fast is a matter left to Christian liberty. The purpose of the fast is disciplinary; as the Apostle says in the Epistle for Septuagesima Sunday (which serves as a preparatory explanation, two and a half weeks prior to Lent): “I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway (I Co. 9:27).” The fast is the opposite of self-indulgence or self-gratification. The heaping up of pleasures is a dangerous thing for the Christian, and self-indulgence is certainly not desired behavior; therefore the fast is a means of training the body to be content with less than it desires. The span of the fast is forty days, like the forty days in which Jesus fasted in the wilderness. By Jesus’ forty-day fast the word of Sacred Scriptures was fulfilled, saying that Moses was with the LORD on Mount Sinai forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread nor drink water. So also, to the same Mount Sinai (which is also called Horeb), Elijah came, when he had eaten and drunk, and he went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights. So these two were seen with Jesus on his mountain, the mount of Transfiguration, just before his suffering in Jerusalem. How fitting, then, that for the first Sunday in Lent, the Gospel centers on Jesus’ forty days in the wilderness, the first part of his ministry, in deep humiliation. The Church also observes a liturgical fast during Lent, even as Israel fasted forty years in the wilderness. This is why the color for Lent is the penitential violet. Alleluias are not heard during Lent, and there is less music (fasting of the ears); flowers are absent, and, during the last two weeks of Lent, statutes, images, and crosses in the churches are veiled (fasting of the eyes). No weddings are traditionally permitted during Lent, as feasting would be in principle contrary to the fast. As the season moves on toward Easter, the fast becomes deeper in stages. The traditional season of pre-Lent merely hints at the fast to come; then Lent itself begins; then come the last two weeks of Lent, called Passiontide, during which no Glorias are sung at all (canticles and psalms are sung without them); and within that span comes Holy Week, and finally within Holy Week the Triduum Sacram, that is, the Sacred Three Days: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. Yet in the midst of our fast we still have joy, which is always right for Christians. Thus even the fourth Sunday in Lent—in the midst of Lent—is called Laetare, which means “rejoice.” For we always expect and know the joys of Easter and eternal feasting in the life of the world to come. +Pastor Eckardt Ash Wednesday As usual, Mass will be offered twice on Ash Wednesday, at 7 am and 7 pm, with the imposition of ashes immediately prior.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 town twice during the month: first, for doctor’s appointments at Mayo Clinic on March 4th and 5th; second, for a trip to the east coast from March 13th to the 19th. The following articles reflect these changes. Lent Midweek Masses Usually when Pastor is away, Midweek Masses are simply cancelled. But since we will be in Lent, when more members make it a point to attend for midweek, the elders approved moving one of the Midweek Masses from March 13th to March 12th, a Tuesday. It will be preceded by a Lenten Supper. Make sure your calendar is clear: No Mass on Wednesday, March 13th; instead, Mass on Tuesday, March 12th. Same time, 7 pm. Lenten Suppers We will begin our Lenten soup suppers during the first full week of Lent. They will be held on Wednesday evenings except for the first one. Since Pastor and Carol are planning a trip out east beginning on March 13th, the midweek service and supper are moved to Tuesday the 12th. In the following weeks we will be having suppers as usual on Wednesdays: March 20th and 27th, and April 3rd and 10th. There will be no supper on Ash Wednesday or during Holy week. Hence a total of five suppers, all on Wednesdays except the first, on Tuesday March 12th. All suppers begin at 5:30 p.m. Lenten masses follow, at 7:00. This gives roughly one hour for fasting before mass. First Tuesday meetings moved to March 26th. Since Pastor will not be back in town in time to make first Tuesday meetings on the 2nd, and since the following two Tuesdays are also unavailable, the Altar Guild and Elders’ meetings are scheduled for March 26th. As it happens, this should work out well, since the weather did not permit our February meetings until February 19th anyhow; and we will also not have to have the April meetings until after Easter, on April 23rd. March 7th, Altar Guild is at 6 pm, Vespers is at 6:45, and Elders is at 7:15, as usual. Catechism Schedule The weather has wreaked havoc on our catechism schedule this year, so we can’t afford to lose any more times. The class talked it over on February 19th, and the following changes were agreed upon. Tuesday, February 26th, 5 pm as usual Thursday, March 7th, 5 pm; no class on Tuesday the 5th because Pastor will be away. No class the week of March 10-17. Thursday, March 21st, 5 pm; no class on Tuesday the 19th because Pastor will be away. (This change was added after class discussion; please note) Tuesday, March 26th, 5 pm as usual Tuesday, April 2nd, 5 pm as usual Tuesday, April 9th, 5 pm as usual. Last class. Saturday, April 20th, 7 pm Great Vigil of Easter: Elizabeth Dooley first communion March Anniversary 3/19/1977 Jeff and Diana Shreck March Ushers Allan Kraklow, Steve Kraklow, Tom Wells March Birthdays: 3/1 Barbra Kraklow 3/25 Carol Eckardt Church Council Council meets Wednesday, March 20th, at 4:30 pm, to accommodate the Lenten Supper at 5:30. Altar Guild Notes · The paraments color for the entire month of March is VIOLET, except · Wednesday, March 20th when we will observe St. Joseph’s Day: WHITE, and · Wednesday, March 27th when we will observe the Annunciation: WHITE Next meeting is not until Tuesday, March 26th. Shut ins Mary Hamilton at her son’s home in Fort Wayne, Indiana Joyce Long at home Emilie Ricknell at home Dick Melchin at Hammond-Henry extended care in Geneseo. Emmy Wear at Williamsfield retirement home Dale Baker has been at home during the winter St. Joseph’s Day and the Annunciation Our midweek services during Lent will include observances of St. Joseph, Guardian of Our Lord, on March 20th, and the Annunciation, on March 27th. These important feast days are moved to Wednesday from the 19th and the 25th respectively, to coincide with midweek mass. Pastor’s Travel Plans Pastor has doctor appointments at Mayo Clinic on March 1 and 2, and plans to be in the D.C. area from March 13-19. Pastor Jeff Anderson from Bethel in Morton will be filling in on the 17th. In Our Prayers The afflicted, in our parish: Emilie Ricknell, John Ricknell, Linda Rowe, Mary Hamilton, Emmy Wear, Sue Murphy, Don Murphy, Joyce Long, Dick Melchin, DeAnne Anderson, Bea Harris, Allan Kraklow, Father Eckardt, Jim Watson and also: Anna Rutowicz [granddaughter of Harrises] Katy Rutovicz [granddaughter of Harrises] Jodi Rutowicz [daughter of Harrises] Julie Ross [Svetlana Meaker’s daughter] Pastor Kenneth Wegener Elizabeth Godke, Sharon Field’s mother Jesse Armstrong Brandt and Oneda Hendrickson [Ricknells’ relatives] Linda Anderson Helen Woods [Sue Murphy’s sister] Janice Hart [Judy Thompson’s sister] Ken Hart [Judy Thompson’s brother-in-law] Caleb Cleaver [Ricknells’ grandson] Dennis Hoag [Adam Shreck’s father-in-law] Shawn Golden [Jim Watson’s son-in-law] Angela Golden [Jim Watson’s daughter] Kenneth Hampton [Don Murphy’s son-in-law] Sue Harris [Steve Harris’s sister-in-law] Nancy Callahan [Don Murphy’s sister] Pastor Peter Eckardt 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] Traven Wetzel [at request of Kris Harden] Shawn Wetzel Eli Wetzel Eric Verplaetse [Sandra’s grandson] Jake Mahaffey Trevor Shimmin in trouble: any unborn children in danger of abortion those suffering from unrest, persecution, and imprisonment in Iran, Iraq, Syria, Kenya, Sudan, Nigeria, China, Vietnam, North Korea, and elsewhere Voters Approve Pastor’s Mission Trip to Nigeria In a special voters’ assembly meeting held February 17th, the congregation unanimously agreed to send Pastor to the seminary in Nigeria to teach an intensive two-week course of study in early May. The costs of the trip are covered, except that St. Paul’s will need to cover the cost of guest preachers for the first three Sundays of the month. Sharing Pastor in this way provides the congregation to have a personal involvement with this important mission work. Renovation Continues: Looking Toward Returning to Worship in the Church We have been steadily making progress toward completion of the chancel of the church, phase III of our renovation. The walls and ceiling have been repaired and repainted, now featuring a lustrous dark blue canopy built into the architecture of the church. A smattering of stars can be seen in the ceiling/canopy, suggesting the canopy of heaven. Sharon Hartz recently completed the delicate painting on the back wall of the Holy Spirit descending like a dove. This is rich in symbolism, as it is essentially a declaration that the Holy Spirit is operating in this place where the Gospel is proclaimed and the Sacraments are administered. Here is where the Church of Jesus Christ is found, created and sustained by the Spirit through these means of grace. Soon the shields symbolizing the twelve apostles will be mounted in the great arch that frames the entire chancel. This declares, similarly, that the Apostles’ doctrine, the Holy Scriptures they wrote, is centered in Jesus’ death and resurrection (seen in the crucifix and the risen Christ), and is preached here. Also, by this Apostolic Doctrine, the Sacrament of the Altar delivers to us Christ’s true Body and Blood, the very elements of his crucifixion for us. The flooring is yet to be determined: when the chancel carpet is pulled back, we will be able to see what we have to work with and proceed from there. The flooring plan does not include carpet in the chancel but a hard surface yet to be determined. This implies an important and subtle feature of our belief in the real presence of Christ’s Body and Blood. If there should ever be a spill—something we take the utmost pains to prevent—we would be able to clean it appropriately and with reverence. In addition, a hard floor in the chancel will bespeak a majestic holy place, and will be a restoration of what was formerly seen in all churches of the Reformation, We will look to replacing the carpet in aisles of the nave, back, and balcony after we have returned to the church. Our target date of Easter remains in view, and we are still on schedule. Two new pillars framing the wall behind the altar will be going up soon, with new capitals on top of them. Exciting times! Choir rehearsals again In preparation for special music during Holy Week and Easter, choir rehearsals are starting up again, beginning Ash Wednesday, March 6th. Check the calendar. We will skip next week, and then begin in earnest every week until Holy Week. Tune up your voice and join in! St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church 109 S. Elm Street Kewanee, IL 61443 1/26/2019 February 2019 Pastor Requested in AfricaA request has come from Fr. Charles Wokoma, the Academic Dean of the seminary for the Lutheran Church of Nigeria, for me to teach two intensive courses to seminarians there during the month of May. The details have yet to be worked out, but the intensive classes would require me to be absent for three Sundays during May, probably the first three.
I me ntioned this first at Bible Class on January 20th. The approval and encouragement of the congregation is important to me, for a number of reasons. The only expense to this congregation would be paying for guest pastors during those three Sundays, because this trip is being funded by the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. But since there is a cost to you, it requires your approval. Secondly, I am your pastor, and my vocation is to serve you. My time away would be in essence your sending of me to do this. I would be serving in a missionary capacity and should have your blessing to do that. Third, and most importantly, this is an opportunity for you to have ownership in my work for this seminary that teaches between 80 to 100 seminarians annually. The Lutheran Church of Nigeria has recently been making great strides in returning to a solid confessional, sacramental, and liturgical foundation. Fr. Wokoma has been bold and faithful in the face of constant challenges to him because of his confession, as he guides the seminary, seeing that the men become pastors who are as solid and faithful as the best of our confessional young pastors in the Missouri Synod, theologically and liturgically, with full liturgical vestments. The courses I have been asked to teach are in Medieval History and Christian Worship, in addition to a regimen of daily preaching. I met with Fr. Wokoma at Fort Wayne in January, and he introduced me to Bishop Christian Ekong of Nigeria. Both men are eager to have me there. I also met briefly with Rev. Albert Collver, assistant to LCMS President Harrison, who gave his approval for the funding of my trip. The church is impoverished and in constant need of American help. St. Paul’s can look for ways to direct mission dollars or goods their way. I plan to make a request for permission to do this at the Elders’ meeting this month, and I anticipate the congregation will need to hold a special meeting to provide formal approval for this. + Pastor Eckardt Renovation News As you may be aware, we are looking toward the conclusion of our renovation undertaking. Bob Harrison has been hard at work, as has Sharon Hartz. Bob is almost finished with the painting, and Sharon’s work on the shields is complete and they are ready to mount. She is also preparing the dove for the back wall. Meanwhile our custom-made capitals are nearing completion: two of them, to sit atop two new pillars framing the altar on either side of the back wall. We are looking toward the installation of a new sound system. A consultant from West Music in Moline has already made a modest proposal that we believe is quite doable. The floor must be laid, either using stone or hardwood. As soon as these steps are complete, and the furniture replaced, we can move back into the church, perhaps even before every detail is finished. At this point we are hoping to be back in church by Easter at the latest; hopefully much sooner. Our constant prayer is that Almighty God would establish the work or our hands, toward his glory, toward the edification of his people, and toward doing what we can to burnish this church as a place where the grace of God in Christ shines forth as a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of his people Israel. + Pastor Eckardt February UshersOtis Anderson, John Ricknell, Bill Thompson; Jim Hornback in Reserve. February Birthdays 2/2 Mindie Fisher2/4 Joshua Kraklow2/5 Tom Wells2/17 Monroe Kemerling2/23 Carol McReynolds 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, Joyce Long, Dick Melchin, DeAnne Anderson, Bea Harris, Allan Kraklow, Father Eckardt, who is having tests and also: Anna Rutowicz [granddaughter of Harrises] Katy Rutovicz [granddaughter of Harrises] Jodi Rutowicz [daughter of Harrises] Julie Ross [Svetlana Meaker’s daughter] Pam Helmkamp Pastor Kenneth Wegener Elizabeth Godke, Sharon Field’s mother Jesse Armstrong Brandt and Oneda Hendrickson [Ricknells’ relatives] Linda Anderson Teresa Robertson [Carol Eckardt’s niece] Sarah Corzine Helen Woods [Sue Murphy’s sister] Janice Hart [Judy Thompson’s sister] Ken Hart [Judy Thompson’s brother-in-law] Caleb Cleaver [Ricknells’ grandson] Dennis Hoag [Adam Shreck’s father-in-law] Greyson Dana Gilbert [McReynolds] Shawn Golden [Jim Watson’s son-in-law] Angela Golden [Jim Watson’s daughter] Kenneth Hampton [Don Murphy’s son-in-law] Sue Harris [Steve Harris’s sister-in-law] Nancy Callahan [Don Murphy’s sister] 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] Traven Wetzel [at request of Kris Harden] Shawn Wetzel Eli 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, Kenya, Sudan, Nigeria, China, Vietnam, North Korea, and elsewhere (for details, see back page) Robin Sighting Contest Already Over: Steve Kraklow Defends His CrownSteve Kraklow has already reported a robin sighting in Peoria on January 22nd. He was there for a Bob Seger concert and says he saw them in the parking lot. A photograph verifies his record-setting find. Never in the entire history of our contest (six years) has a robin been spotted this early. And this year’s prize for the first sighting has been set at $10,000 per week for life, tax free! Or not. So Steve Kraklow is a very rich man. Or not. In any case he is now the winner for two years in a row, also a first. Last year was a photo finish. He reported a sighting on February 27th at 1:30 pm, and Diana Shreck came in a close second, reporting a sighting a just few hours later. In 2017 it was Barbra Kraklow, who, as you may know, is Steve’s mother. So we are witnessing the emergence of a Kraklow Robin Dynasty, or KRD for short. Other members of St. Paul’s will need to step up their game in 2020. In 2016 the winner was Judy Thompson In 2015, Carol Eckardt In 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. New Organ Arrangements as Ryan Van Wassenhove moves on On Sunday, January 27th, we are bidding bon voyage to Ryan Van Wassenhove, who has been our organist for eight years. He is moving to the Quad Cities for the continuation of his college education, and has taken a position as organist there as well. We wish him well and thank him for his many years of faithful service to us here. He has informed us of his availability to play for special occasions that do not occur on Sundays, so we hope to see him from time to time. Our temporary plan for accompaniment going forward includes having Pastor play the organ for Prelude, Opening Hymn, Hymn of the Day, and Closing Hymn. This will involve a few moments of waiting here and there as he gets seated, as well as a cappella singing of other parts of the mass, and distribution hymns, with assistance from Diana Shreck on the violin. Shut-ins Mary Hamilton is at home. Emilie Ricknell is at home; Joyce Long 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 until February 17th, which is Septuagesima Sunday, when it turns to violet, and remains violet throughout February. Soup Suppers Again? Our Lenten soup suppers would begin the Wednesday after Ash Wednesday (March 13th) if we choose to have them again. There would be five on the schedule, since there is no supper scheduled for Holy Week. Let’s discuss this informally during February. Candlemas February 2nd is Groundhog’s Day, which is actually “Candlemas.” We will observe it on Wednesday, January 30th, at our usual 7 pm time. The legend of the groundhog’s fear of his shadow probably comes from the fact that candles were lit on that day in the churches as tokens of Christ “a Light to lighten the Gentiles.” The candles were lit because the day was from antiquity called Candlemas, the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord and the Purification of Mary, which comes 40 days after Christmas. This commemorates the day on which the Blessed Virgin came for purification after she gave birth, and to present the Christ Child, according to the law of Moses. The priest Simeon then took Him up in his arms and declared Him “a Light to lighten the Gentiles.” At the Feast of Candlemas, therefore, everyone participates in a procession of candles, and will also relight the candle during the Mass, from the Preface through the Consecration, a visually moving way of signifying the high point of the service. Since Candlemas falls on a Saturday this year, we will observe it on Wednesday night, to give more people the opportunity to attend.February Council MeetingThe February council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 20th, at 5:30 pm. February Anniversaries None First Tuesday The first Tuesday events (altar guild, vespers, elders) will be held, God willing, on Tuesday, February 5th. 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. 2019 Sabre Goes to Rev. Douglas SpittelThe Gottesdienst Sabre of Boldness was awarded to Rev. Fr. Douglas Spittel of First Trinity Lutheran Church, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was recognized for his selfless dedication to the faith and your strong influence toward reverent and confessional worship in the city of Pittsburgh over several decades, effectively holding to the historic liturgy while fostering several outreach ministries including the establishment of the Lutheran Center for the Blind, a Hispanic mission, campus ministry, homeless ministry, and deaf ministry; he has been deeply involved with outreach in the city of Pittsburgh, and also over the years in the Eastern District (in which his congregation formerly held membership) a vocal supporter of historic Lutheran liturgical practice and the confessions. Persecution news: VIETNAM: CHRISTIANS REPEATEDLY BEATEN AND ARRESTED Source(s): International Christian Concern, Christian Post Date: 17 January 2019 For many years, Christians living in the highlands of Vietnam have faced persecution and harassment from both government agents and fellow citizens. In this communist country, where Christianity is considered a threat to the regime, Hmong Christians face frequent discrimination – to the point of imprisonment and torture. In the village of Phá Lóm, a group of 33 Protestant believers have experienced ongoing harassment from authorities during recent months. According to their pastor, Hoang Van Pa, they have been told to renounce their faith or suffer the consequences. When the believers refused, the raids took place repeatedly. In addition, four of the believers were arrested and beaten. UNITED STATES: COVINGTON HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AT PRO-LIFE RALLY SMEARED OVER FALSE REPORT Covington (Kentucky) Catholic High School student Nick Sandmann and his classmates have been attacked by everyone from respected journalists to celebrities, over a video from the National Right-to-Life rally in Washington, D.C. in January, that gave some critics an inaccurate impression that the teens were harassing a Native American man, Nathan Phillips, following the pro-life demonstration. The outrage was swift and harsh -- the Kentucky school was even closed due to safety concerns. But a full viewing subsequently showed that this was a false narrative; it can be seen that the students were the ones who were accosted and yelled at before Phillips and other Native American activists approached them. Another group – the so-called Black Hebrew Israelites – were heard shouting abuse at the students for wearing “Make America Great Again” hats. The shocking vitriol directed at the MAGA hat-wearing teens, at a Right-to-Life rally, from a Catholic school, before video evidence showed they were innocent of instigating the confrontation, has shown a disturbing willingness among a great many public commentators to demonize even children, as long as they are seen as conservative Christians. St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church 109 S. Elm Street Kewanee, IL 61443 11/19/2018 December 2018 Renovation Phase III Underway
We began to worship in the gym last in early November as planned, and although we might be ready to move back into the church for Christmas, we know that’s ambitious. But Phase III of our project has begun. The scaffolding is up in the chancel, and repairing and repainting of plaster on walls and ceiling is underway. This is an exciting time in the history of our church. Since our gym is now a multipurpose room, we are asking worshipers to remember this when they enter for mass. When you enter the gym for worship you will note the reserved Elements are placed on a ledge behind the altar, with a sanctuary light burning beside them. Please treat the room as a worship area during this time. Remember that congregants are preparing for worship in prayer and meditation; if you must speak, please do so in muted tones. The elements will be carried out at the close. If there is a postlude, please wait unto it is finished, at which point, the room reverts to its former use. This is less than ideal, of course, but in view of the planning and work that is underway, we expect that this temporary situation will be well worth it. The place of repose for the reserved elements is temporarily a tabernacle in the narthex, far from the workplace activity. The color scheme for the chancel has been decided. The canopy ceiling will be a very dark blue called loyal blue, simulating the canopy of a dark sky. We plan to place small white stars here and there within the canopy. The walls of the canopy will be a tan tone roughly midway between the darker tone of the pillars and the divine white of the nave ceiling. This color is called interactive cream. On the back wall above the cross, midway between the top of the cross and the point, will be a white dove highlighted in gold, symbol of the Holy Spirit. The style of this dove is different from the dove that currently is seen higher up, in the balcony. The stripes of gold accenting the walls of the nave will continue throughout the chancel and its canopy. We also plan to build two new pillars on either side of the back wall, to replace the pillars that had been removed in the 1960s. Atop these pillars will be new capitals, like those atop all the other pillars. The baseboard will be replaced with a baseboard more closely matching the baseboard seen throughout the nave. We hope to put up twelve shields in the great arch, with symbols of the Twelve Apostles on them. We will test this look with a template before the final installation, to ensure that it looks good. The color of the arch will be the same light blue (called Vast Sky) leading up from the floor to the arch. The floor of the chancel will not be carpeted. A hard material, probably slate, is to be installed. We plan meanwhile to have a new carpet in the nave. We hope and expect the members to bear with us and a little inconvenience for a number of weeks, eagerly anticipating a beautifully finished chancel. We plan to have a grand dedication when all is ready, thanking Almighty God for his bounty toward us. + Pastor Eckardt The chancel and its color scheme: On each shield in the Great Arch is a symbol of one of the 12 Apostles. Each symbol is different, each being the symbol of a particular apostle. The background of the shields is to be blue, symbolizing all the world to whom the Apostles went. White is the color of purity, and is used to convey the death or person of the Apostle, glorified by the grace of God. Gold is the brilliant color signifying the Apostolic Office, and the great effect of the Gospel the Apostles preached. The dove to be painted on the back wall symbolizes the descending Holy Spirit. Christian Freedom concerning the Difference between the Liturgical and Secular Customs of Advent The season of Advent is unquestionably one of preparation. Secularly, there are lots of things which need to be made ready for the great family gatherings at Christmas. Liturgically, the preparations are of a different nature altogether. Thus it happens that we are of necessity bound, as it were, to two different worlds during December. (cont. next page) (from prev. page) As Advent comes prior to Christmas it has been understood since its first appearance in the church calendars as a period of penitential preparation for the great Feast of the Nativity of our Lord. As Easter has its Lenten fast, so Christmas (which is of later origin liturgically) ought to have its fast as well. The fast of Advent is not as profound as Lent, even as the period of preparation is not as long. (Interestingly, some historians do see evidence that there was once a seven week season of Advent, and a look at the historic propers for the last three weeks of the Trinity season seems to bear this out. It can readily be seen that the overall theme for all seven Sundays before Christmas—those of Advent and those of the end of the church year—is the same, that of the return of Christ in glory.) The Advent season is not as profound a season of penitence, liturgically speaking, as Lent, due primarily to the fact that Easter is an older feast than Christmas, and that Christmas remains second in order of liturgical significance to Easter. This is coincidentally a bit helpful when it comes to our points of contact with popular culture. Inasmuch as fasting is something freely entered, and not by constraint, it is of course a matter of Christian freedom. Yet we do not wish to diminish hereby its importance. Most people do not even know that Advent is historically a season of fasting, although less profound than Lent. The Advent fast is part of the penitential preparations we enter for the coming of Christ—most especially for His coming in glory at the last Day. But what are we to do, when liturgically we are called to fast, but culturally we are expected—and may even have a strong desire—to participate in one of the remaining notably Christian vestiges of societal norms without damaging consciences which have us wondering whether we are doing something wrong by engaging in Christmas activities before Christmas? Our culture is inundated with Christmas customs which, secularly speaking, place the ‘celebrations’ of Christmas throughout the season of Advent, a phenomenon quite unlike the season predating Easter. Some like to insist that Christians should have nothing whatever to do with cultural phenomena which are at odds with our liturgical tradition, and so to shun all Christmas celebrations until Christmas Eve is upon us, rather as if we had to reenact the very life of Ebenezer Scrooge, suddenly changing at Christmas. We prefer, on the contrary, to make careful distinctions. If certain cultural phenomena are not harmful to the Faith, we have no objections. Certainly we ought not cry Bah, humbug! at the decorations of shopping centers during Advent, or Christmas decorations at our homes prior to December 25th.. Yes, it is very worldly. So is the Incarnation, I recall: God became flesh. And as far as the customs surrounding Santa Claus, we will do well to consider that the feast day of St. Nicholas—who was known among other things for the giving of gifts—happens to be December 6. It is when we speak of what happens during Mass that we prefer to make certain restrictions. These liturgical restrictions are not made to condemn, but to help our true Advent preparations, which after all are not merely looking forward to Christmas, but to the coming of Christ in glory. The only proper preparation for this is Christian penitence, sorrow for sin, confession of sin, and reception of Holy Absolution. Therefore it is laudable to require that the season liturgically ought to be a penitential season (hence the purple color). No Christmas carols are sung at Mass until Christmas itself, even as we also omit certain other parts of the liturgy. But it is not necessary on the other hand to refrain from singing Christmas carols at secular or social gatherings until Christmas; Christians are and ought to be free in such matters. + Pastor Eckardt Caroling and Party Dec. 12 We plan to go caroling on Wednesday, December 12th. 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. 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. New Year’s Mass:New Year’s Eve mass is 7 pm. First Tuesday Meetings Dec. 4 On Tuesday, December 5th, 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. Shut ins Mary Hamilton at home; Emmy Wear at Williamsfield Home in Williamsfield; Emilie Ricknell at home; Dick Melchin at Hammond Henry Extended Care in Geneseo; Bea Harris at home; Joyce Long at home. Special Masses Wednesdays St. Andrew’s Day (November 30th) will be celebrated at our 7 p.m. mass on Wednesday the 28th of November. St. Nicholas’ Day (December 6th ) will be celebrated at our 7 p.m. mass on Wednesday December 5th. St. Lucia’s Day (December 13th ) will be celebrated at our 7 p.m. mass on Wednesday December 12th. St. Thomas’ Day (December 21st) will be celebrated at our 7 p.m. mass on Wednesday the 19th. St. Stephen’s Day is December 26th, the day after Christmas; since it is on a Wednesday, we will observe it at our midweek mass. Members are invited to make an extra effort to attend these services as part of your Advent preparation for the coming of Christ at Christmas, at the End of the World, and at the Altar. Decorating During Advent As is our custom, we decorate little by little during Advent, until finally all is complete for Christmas. This year, due to our renovation, we will be decorating the gym where our worship is being held. Since there is a chance we will have the church ready for Christmas, we may be moving the decorations there. Help put up the tree Saturday, Dec. 1st! December Anniversary 12/13 Jim and Carol Watson December Ushers Allan Kraklow, Steve Kraklow, Tom Wells, Jim Hornback in reserve. 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 5th, 2019 A day of reflection is planned for Epiphany Day, Saturday, January 6th, 2018. 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 twelfth day of Chistmas 10:00 a.m. - noon Seminar (day of reflection): The eighteenth retreat in the Theological Reflection series is entitled, “THE OTHER EMMAUS DISCIPLE” Who is the other disciple on the Emmaus Road (St. Luke 24)? Only one of them is named: Cleopas. There has been a long debate over the other’s identity. This seminar lays out an argument he must be Peter. But does the Evangelist’s report seem ambiguous? This will all be discussed and addressed. 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, Joyce Long, Dick Melchin , DeAnne Anderson , Bea Harris, Allan Kraklow and also: Anna Rutowicz [granddaughter of Harrises] Katy Rutovicz [granddaughter of Harrises] Jodi Rutowicz [daughter of Harrises] Julie Ross [Svetlana Meaker’s daughter] Pam Helmkamp Dick Heiden [Carol Eckardt’s father] Pastor Kenneth Wegener Elizabeth Godke, Sharon Field’s mother Jesse Armstrong Brandt and Oneda Hendrickson [Ricknells’ relatives] Linda Anderson Teresa Robertson [Carol Eckardt’s niece] Sarah Corzine Helen Woods [Sue Murphy’s sister] Janice Hart [Judy Thompson’s sister] Ken Hart [Judy Thompson’s brother-in-law] Caleb Cleaver [Ricknells’ grandson] Dennis Hoag, [Adam Shreck’s father-in-law] Greyson Dana Gilbert [McReynolds] Shawn Golden [Jim Watson’s son-in-law, heart trouble] 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] Traven Wetzel [at request of Kris Harden] Eli Wetzel [at request of Kris Harden] Eric Verplaetse [Sandra’s grandson] Jake Mahaffey in trouble: any unborn children in danger of abortion; victims of California wildfires; those suffering from unrest, persecution, and imprisonment in Sri Lanka, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Kenya, Sudan, Nigeria, China, Vietnam, North Korea, and elsewhere Altar Guild Notes 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 16th. For midweek masses, the color varies: November 28th: red, for St. Andrew December 5th: white, for St. Nicholas. December 12th: red, for St. Lucia. December 19st: red, for St. Thomas For Christmas Eve, the first Mass is at 7 p.m., and the color is 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. St. Stephen’s Day is Wednesday evening, December 27th: Color is red. The Sunday after Christmas is observed on Sunday morning the 30th. Color is white. New Year’s Eve mass is held at 7 pm on the 31st. Color is white, and remains white in January. St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church 109 S. Elm Street Kewanee, IL 61443 10/30/2018 November 2018Justification by Faith
According to Martin Luther and the 16th century reformers with him, the article on which the Christian Church stands or falls is justification by faith. This is also a hallmark of the Reformation. The major article in the Augsburg Confession, which is the chief document in the Lutheran Confessions, is Article IV, On Justification. It reads as follows: “Our Churches teach that we cannot obtain forgiveness of sin and righteousness before God through our merit, work, or satisfactions, but that we receive forgiveness of sin and become righteous before God out of grace for Christ‘s sake through faith when we believe that Christ has suffered for us and that for his sake our sin is forgiven and righteousness and eternal life are given to us. For God will regard and reckon this faith as righteousness in his sight, as St. Paul says in Romans 3 and 4.” It should be understood without question that our salvation does not depend upon anything that we do, because it depends upon everything that Christ has done. To deny that a sinner is justified before God only by faith in Christ is to deny Christ himself, for whoever denies this is saying that justification happens some other way. What other way? By works? By love? By merit? Any of these put forward as that by which we are justified obscures the works and merit of Christ. He who denies justification by faith is saying that Christ did not need to atone for the sin of the world by his sacrificial death. The Reformation—which is really all about justification—has been observed annually since sometime in the 17th century, and it is right that we do it, because it was a watershed time in the history of Christianity. The Church had veered off course in such a dreadful manner that a reformation was long overdue, and God saw fit to order it so in the early 1500s. But it isn’t just nostalgia or mere history that we celebrate. It’s the heart of what we believe. It’s the article on which the Church—the Christian Church on Earth--stands or falls: that we receive forgiveness of sin and become righteous before God out of grace for Christ‘s sake through faith when we believe that Christ has suffered for us and that for his sake our sin is forgiven and righteousness and eternal life are given to us. + Pastor Eckardt Oktoberfest Total receipts have not yet been tallied, but we have hearts of thanks to God for another successful festival, and thanks to all who have been working tirelessly to help our congregation, volunteering time, donations, and effort. Renovation news Phase Three of our renovation (the Chancel) began when we moved the altar rail below the steps and removed the canopy. As previously reported, now that Oktoberfest is over, we are looking toward completion of the chancel. Currently we are waiting for our key volunteers, who are farming, to finish their harvesting work, likely by some time in November. Our plaster and paint man, Bob Harrison, is ready. When we begin, we expect to remove of all the chancel furniture and set up scaffolding, while moving our worship to the gym for several weeks, as we did for the work we did on the nave in 2016. The organ was tuned just before Oktoberfest, but our tuner has indicated that he needs to fix some areas, which will involve his return some time soon. As previously reported, we are looking to have the chancel walls be the color of the nave ceiling, accented by the tan color of the pillars. A dove symbolizing the Holy Spirit will be painted on the wall above the cross (rather than in the ceiling as now). The ceiling is to be a dark blue hue, intended to bring out the fact that the ceiling itself is an architectural canopy over the altar. Twelve shields with the symbols of the Apostles are to be placed up in the great arch (above the chancel steps). Sharon Hartz has drawn some sample shields with color considerations, and they have temporarily been taped on the walls of the doorway between the church and the school for viewing. Of course we need to keep raising money, and figuring out how to do all this as inexpensively as possible. As we have been blessed thus far, we pray that God continues to provide us with our needs. November Ushers Otis Anderson John Ricknell, Bill Thompson November Anniversaries 11/5 Steve and Berniece Harris 11/10 Gayle and Phil Beauprez November Birthdays 11/13 Shannon Peart 11/19 Steve Kraklow 11/20 Jewneel Walker 11/30 Charlene Sovanski Shut ins Mary Hamilton at home; Emmy Wear at Williamsfield Home in Williamsfield; Emilie Ricknell at home; Joyce Long at home; Dick Melchin at Hammond Henry extended care in Geneseo; Bea Harris, often homebound. Daily Prayer For daily prayer in the homes of members, the following helps are offered: As a minimum, when you rise in the morning and go to bed at night, follow the catechism. That is, 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 Gottesdienst news Since August, the editorial staff at Gotttesdienst has been hard at work. This quarterly Journal of the Lutheran Liturgy, currently finishing in its 26th year of publication, is owned by St. Paul’s, and is headquartered right here. The financial part of the enterprise is entirely separate, but your pastor is editor-in-chief, and several members of St. Paul’s volunteer with mailings. The journal is widely known and influential in Missouri Synod circles. Ten pastors make up the editorial team, and four new online bloggers, also pastors, have recently been added. Every time another issue comes out, free copies are available in the narthex. The editors have recently begun to make some rather massive expansion efforts. For over two decades we made our presence known primarily by means of this print journal, but when the Internet came of age, we began to realize that we would need to keep up or go the way of so many other print periodicals and newspapers. Finally, in August of this year, we had an editorial board meeting at a retreat center in Racine, Wisconsin. We had come together with some definite items in mind. First is our new blogging traffic and format. Earlier this year, thanks to the able help of our new website designer Sarah Ludwig Rausch, we had reformatted the entire website and brought the blog under its umbrella. Now we have begun some serious blogging. We have taken on four new Gottesbloggers, whose opening posts have been brilliant. The editors of Gottesdienst welcomed these four Gottesbloggers: Rev. John Bussman, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Cullman, Ala.; Rev. Sean Daenzer, Peace Lutheran Church, Barney, ND and Trinity Lutheran Church, Great Bend, ND; Rev. Anthony Dodgers, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Charlotte, IA; and Rev. Stephen Preus, Trinity Lutheran Church, Vinton, IA. Within the first month of their blogging and ours, our new blog posts have suddenly gone viral in the Lutheran world, with 12,000 readers of whom nearly 9,000 reacted in some way. Since then we have been blogging close to every day, and our posts usually reach over 1000 readers apiece. Second, we’ve also added a new feature called The Gottesdienst Crowd, a Podcast that comes out every Wednesday for on-demand listening, hosted by Rev. Jason Braaten. He interviews one or two of the rest of us, and sometimes we even have a debate. These too have reached about a thousand listeners apiece. All of this is free for the readers and listeners, but subscribers have responded with generous donations that have contributed mightily to making this possible. Check it all out at www.gottesdienst.org. 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 rest of the month except for Thanksgiving, which we observe on Wednesday night, November 21st (color for Thanksgiving is white), and the following Wednesday night, November 28th on which will observe St. Andrew’s Day (color for St. Andrew’s is red). Following St. Andrew’s the color changes to violet for Advent, which begins the first weekend in December. November meeting is November 6th, at 6 pm. All Saints November 1st, All Saints Day, will be observed on Wednesday, October 31st, at 7 pm. First Tuesday November’s First Tuesday events will be held on November 6th. Altar Guild at 6 p.m. Vespers is at 6:45, and Elders meet at 7:15. Copies of Pastor’s new book available (Christmas gift ideas?): Leave It Alone. You’ll Break It. Liturgical Observations $20.00 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 Joyce Long Dick Melchin DeAnne Anderson Bea Harris Allan Kraklow and also: Anna Rutowicz [granddaughter of Harrises] Katy Rutovicz [granddaughter of Harrises] Jodi Rutowicz [daughter of Harrises] Julie Ross [Svetlana Meaker’s daughter] Bud Harfst [Sue Murphy’s brother] Harold Woods [Sue Murphy’s brother-in-law] Pam Helmkamp Dick Heiden [Carol Eckardt’s father] Pastor Kenneth Wegener Elizabeth Godke, Sharon Field’s mother Jesse Armstrong Brandt and Oneda Hendrickson [Ricknells’ relatives] Linda Anderson Teresa Robertson [Carol Eckardt’s niece] Sarah Corzine Helen Woods [Sue Murphy’s sister] Janice Hart [Judy Thompson’s sister] Ken Hart [Judy Thompson’s brother-in-law] Caleb Cleaver [Ricknells’ grandson] Dennis Hoag, Adam Shreck’s father-in-law, who had a heart transplant. 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] Traven 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 Sri Lanka, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Kenya, Sudan, Nigeria, China, Vietnam, North Korea, and elsewhere Persecution details on the back page Council Meeting Date The Council meeting is set for Wednesday, November 21st, at 5:30. Thanksgiving Worship As usual, our Thanksgiving Mass will be held on Wednesday evening prior, which this year is November 21nd, at 7:00. All members are encouraged to come. St. Andrew’s Day November 28th we will be observing St. Andrew’s Day (Wednesday evening at 7 pm.), though St. Andrew’s Day itself is on November 30th. Choir! The choir has begun rehearsing again: Wednesdays after mass, about 8 p.m. All singers come! Persecution Details From prayer list above SRI LANKA: Violence Against Christians Source(s): Morning Star News, Release International Date: 25 October 2018 The church in Sri Lanka has been facing increasing violence and discrimination in the past year. Contributing to the problem has been a recent rise in Hindu extremism taking root alongside the long-time Buddhist aggression. IRAN: Rapid Growth Despite Intense Persecution Source(s): VOMC Date: 25 October 2018 Iranian Christians are witnessing one of the fastest growing underground church movements in the world. Yet, along with this exponential growth are the fires of intense persecution. Any form of evangelism committed by Christians is considered illegal and, therefore, can even lead to the death penalty. Faith in Christ results in serious consequences and converts from Islam face arbitrary arrest and detention. In addition, they are often forced to divulge information on other Christians. KENYA: Two Teachers Killed in Bombing Source(s): VOMC Date: 18 October 2018 Two Christian teachers in Kenya were killed when al Shabaab militants threw an explosive device at the house in which they were living. The two victims were staying in a home specifically for non-local teachers of the Arabia Boys Secondary School located in Mandera County near the border with Somalia. VIETNAM: Church Faces Shutdown Order Source(s): VOMC Date: 18 October 2018 As believers met for worship on the morning of October 7th in Cuor Dang Commune, Daklak Province, local authorities entered the home where they were meeting, demanding that they stop all religious activities. Those present refused to leave, saying that any action would have to wait until after they were finished. Because the home was crowded, the officials were forced to wait outside. NIGERIA: Aid Worker Killed; Leah "Slave for Life" Source(s): VOMC Date: 18 October 2018 "Islamic State West Africa Province" (ISWAP), the Boko Haram faction currently holding 15-year-old Leah Sharibu, has released a statement claiming to have executed a second Red Cross aid worker during the past month. In the statement, the group claimed that Hauwa Leman, along with Saifura Ahmed (who was killed in September), were apostates because they joined the Red Cross. St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church 109 S. Elm Street Kewanee, IL 61443 |
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May 2019
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