December 2022

St. Paul’s  Evangelical-Lutheran Church
109 S. Elm, Kewanee, Illinois 61443
Newsletter
Volume 34                                   December 2022                                            No. 12
 
The Body of the Christian, Honored by the Incarnation, and as Temple of the Holy Spirit
          

One outstanding feature of the Christian faith is its emphasis on the reality of the physical universe. When we speak of spiritual life, the life of faith and the new creation, we are not saying that this spiritual life is opposed to the physical life. Often this is misunderstood even by Christian people, who suppose that at death we are freed from the material world, to live in eternity freed from all things material. This is a misunderstanding.
 
When St. Paul says that there is a natural body and there is a spiritual body (I Cor. 15:44), he does not mean to say that material things are in themselves opposed to spiritual things. On the contrary, this is his way of contrasting the sinful flesh we inherited from Adam with the spiritual Man who is Christ Himself. “The second man is the Lord from heaven” (I Cor. 15:47). The very fact that God became flesh, in the Person of Jesus Christ, means that the physical realm has been wedded to the eternal God. This is the joy of Christmas.
 
The Man Jesus Christ is our eternal God, and there is no other. When we observe and celebrate Christmas, we are rejoicing over the marvelous fact that God has so come to us, wedding His eternal, divine nature inseparably to a human, bodily nature, and that for all eternity. See how He has honored our physical being, then, and why it is important for us to confess the resurrection of the body in our Creed. It is our own bodies that shall be raised from the dead on the Last Day, and we shall be complete and perfect, body and soul.
 
And even now, we Christians consider our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit, as St. Paul also says:
 
Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. (I Corinthians 9:8-20)
 
To glorify God, according to the Apostle, is not merely to pray, give thanks, worship, and live uprightly; it is also to glorify God in your body.
 
Therefore it is important for us to be mindful of how we treat our bodies, as temples of the Holy Spirit, being bound bodily to Christ, most especially in the Holy Supper, His Body and Blood.
 
Our flesh is therefore not something we ought to treat poorly or dishonorably. This is why we must abstain from sexual immorality, as the Apostle says. It is an affront to the body that God has given us. This is also why when we worship, we do so with bodily attention as well as bringing our minds to attention. We bow the head, bend the knee, stand reverently, and so forth.
 
This is why we ought even to be careful about making alterations to the body God gave us. Of course if we should become deformed in some way we may want to restore what has become deformed if we have opportunity, but we should take care, lest we begin to cross a line; if we should, say, dye our hair some color that is wildly unnatural, as has become the custom among certain young people, or be overly given to excess in piercings, jewelry, and the like. All things in moderation, as they say.
 
In addition to these things we see how faithful people treated the bodies of their loved ones who died with respect. Christian burial is itself a confession of the resurrection of the body, that is, with an awareness that this body shall rise again. While burial may be a bit more expensive than cremation, there are many things for which we Christian people are willing to spend our money to enrich our faith and the faith of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Cremation is not a Christian custom, and anyone who tells you that it is does not know the history of the Christian Church. Cremation came to popularity by pagan customs that deny the importance of the body.
 
In short, our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and as such, it is laudable for us to treat them as such, in accord with our most holy faith.
 
+ Pastor Eckardt

Ushers:
Jim Hornback, Steve Kraklow, Tom Wells 

First Tuesday Dec. 6
 
On Tuesday, December 6th, First Tuesday Vespers will be held at 6:45 pm, and Elders will follow at 7:15 pm. All members invited and encouraged to come 0to vespers. The Sunday Epistle is normally read and preached on.
Two Christ Masses
 
There are two Christ Masses at St. Paul’s. The first is on Christmas Eve at 7:00, and the second is on Christmas morning at 10:00. Although Christmas Day is on a Sunday, this schedule overrides the regular Sunday schedule, so Sunday mass on Christmas Day is not at the usual 9:00 time, but one hour later. There is no Bible Class on Christmas Day.
 
Choir Rehearsals Again
 
Choir rehearsals are scheduled in preparation for Christmas, and as we did last year, we will be scheduling these rehearsals at 5:30 pm on Wednesdays, except on December 14th, when we intend to go caroling (see below). Choir members, please put these Wednesdays in December on your calendar: November 30th, December 7th, and December 21st, before rather than after midweek mass. This should make traveling easier for out-of-towners
 
Caroling and Party Dec. 14th
 
We plan to go caroling on Wednesday, December 15th. 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.
 
 
Shut ins
 
Emmy Wear is at Williamsfield Retirement Center, 112 IL-180, Williamsfield, IL 61489; and Jewneel Walker is at Kewanee Care, 144 South Junior Ave, Kewanee, IL 61443. Grant Andreson is at Friendship Manor, 1209 21st Ave, Rock Island, IL 61201.
 
Grant Andreson called and said he appreciated the card we sent him in November (it was passed around at Sunday Bible class, and people signed it).
 
 
Cookie Walk Sunday Dec. 11th
 
Bring a batch of cookies to Bible Class on the 12th of December, and prepare to exchange for others.  Cookie walk after church! Bible class follows.
 
 
 
 
 
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. This year there were four deaths at St. Paul’s. At the prayer of the church, the bell will toll once for each of our dear members who fell asleep in Jesus.

• Dick Melchin
• Allan Kraklow
• Emilie Ricknell
• Dale Baker

 
December Anniversaries
none
 
December Birthdays
12/11 Kris Harden
12/13 Michael Eckardt
​
Special Masses Wednesdays 
Our 7 p.m. Wednesday masses during Advent will each observe a special day in the church’s year.
 
Wednesday masses during Advent:

• November 30th St. Andrew’s Day

 

• December 7th St. Nicholas, observed (the actual day is December 6th)

 

• December 14th St. Lucia, observed (the actual day is December 13th)

 

• December 21st (St. Thomas, Apostle)

 
On December 14th we will also have caroling and a party, as explained in a nearby article.
 
Another special mass will occur on Wednesday December 28th, which is Holy Innocents Day. Our midweek mass will observe that feast.
 
Decorating During Advent
 
As is our custom, we decorate little by little during Advent, until finally all is complete for Christmas. This year we plan to put up the Advent wreath on Saturday, November 26th, for Advent I. Then on Saturday, December 3rd we will put up the Christmas tree (extra volunteers are sought for this), for Advent II. On Saturday, December 10th we will put up any remaining decorations needed, for Advent III, except that the array of poinsettias will not be set out until Christmas Eve.
 
Advent III (Sunday, December 11th) is also called “Gaudete” or Joy Sunday, set in the midst of Advent. Roses are customarily set in place if available, and the rose (pink) candle on the wreath is lit.
 
If you can, please put Saturday December 3rd on your calendar to help with the tree. It’s an opportunity for gathering with your fellow members for a little project.
 
 
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:
Don and Sue Murphy, Linda Rowe, Sharon Hartz, John Sovanski, Sandra VerPlaetse, Bea Harris, Grant Andreson, Jewneel Walker, and Emmy Wear, Kris Harden, Jim Watson
            and beyond our parish:
Jude Clapper,
Anna, Katy, and Jody Rutowicz [Harris relations]
Julie Ross [Svetlana Meaker’s daughter]
Elizabeth Godke [Sharon Field’s mother]
Oneida Hendrickson [Ricknell relative]
Janice Hart [Judy Thompson’s sister]
Caleb Cleaver [Ricknells’ grandson]
Tim Newman [Shreck relation]
Theresa Moore [Ricknells’ niece]
Kathy Boeger [re Harrises]
Allison Leezer [relative of the Kraklows]
Everly Stoner
Marvin Brown
Shannon Watson [Jim’s daughter]
Yvette Baker [Dale Baker’s daughter-in-law]
Karen Parker
Richard Heiden [Carol Eckardt’s father]
Jeff Lewis, Carol Eckardt’s brother in law
Pastor Jacob Sutton, and Pastor Justin Kane
in the military:
John Eckardt
Donny Appleman [at request of the Ricknells]
Richard Heiden [at request of the Eckardts]
Eli Wetzel, Traven Wetzel
Eric Verplaetse [Sandra’s grandson]
Jake Mahaffey, Trevor Shimmin, Shad Draminski
James and Ann Lee Armstrong
Marcus Prentice [son of Felicia Baker]
in trouble:
any unborn children in danger of abortion
Debra Reeves’s children Rae Beth and Drew Wayne
those suffering from unrest, persecution, and imprisonment in Venezuela, Iran, Pakistan, India, China, North Korea, and elsewhere.
 
Church Council
 
As usual, the Church Council will meet the third Wednesday in the month, which is December 21st, 5:30.
Church Council
 
As usual, the Church Council will meet the third Wednesday in the month, which is December 21st, 5:30.
 
New Year’s Mass 
New Year’s Eve mass is 7 pm on December 31st. We observe the Circumcision and Name of Jesus (January 1st).
 
Since New Year’s Day is a Sunday, we will also observe the Feast that Day. The difference in emphasis will be noted by two different sermons.
 
Altar Guild Notes 
Advent begins the last Sunday in November. The four Advent Sundays’ color is violet.  If roses are obtained, they may be placed for the Third Sunday in Advent, December 4th.
For midweek masses, the color changes each week: November 30th is red for St. Andrew (who was martyred); December 7th is white for St. Nicholas (who was not martyred); December 14th is red for St. Lucia (who was martyred); and December 21st is also red, for St. Thomas (who was martyred).
For Christmas Eve, the first Mass is at 7 p.m., and the color is changed to white. There is no Midnight Mass. On Christmas Day there is a 10 am mass, even though it is a Sunday.  Color is white for both.
Holy Innocents Day will be celebrated on the Wednesday after Christmas, December 28th. For New Year’s Eve (at 7:00 p.m.) and New Year’s Day (at 10:00 am, even though it is a Sunday) the color is white. The color remains white in January.
 
Poinsettias 
There is a signup sheet in the narthex for poinsettias for Christmas. Help adorn our chancel with poinsettias by purchasing one for $18.00. You may then bring it home after Christmas Day (or anytime until Epiphany.
 
 
Some Saints’ Days for which We Are Not Having Masses This Year
 
 
Saint Stephen, December 26th
Psalm 119:17-24 with Gloria Patri
Reading: Acts 6:8-15 and 7:54-60
Hymn and meditation, see nearby.
 
Saint John, December 27th
Psalm 92 with Gloria Patri
Reading: I John 1:1 – 2:2
Hymn and meditation, see nearby.
 
Holy Innocents is on Wednesday, December 28th. We will be holding mass at the usual times on that day.
 

Hymn:  From All Thy Saints in Warfare (TLP 350)
From all Thy saints in warfare for all Thy saints at rest
To Thee, O Blessed Jesus, all praises be addressed
For Thou hast won the battle that they might conq’ers be
Their crowns od living glory are lit with rays from Thee
 
[insert appropriate stanza]
 
Then praise to God the Father and praise to God the Son
And to the Holy Spirit Eternal Three in One
Till all the ransomed number fall down before the throne
And honor, praise, and glory ascribe to God alone.
 
St. Stephen, Protomartyr
Praise for the first of martyrs, who saw Thee ready stand.
To aid in midst of torments, to plead at God’s right hand.
Share we with him, if summoned, by death our Lord to own
On earth the faithful witness, in heaven the martyr’s crown.

St. John, Apostle and Evangelist
Praise for the loved disciple, exiled on Patmos’ shore;
Praise for the faithful record he to Thy Godhead bore,
Praise for the mystic vision  through him to us revealed.
May we, in patience waiting, with Thine elect be sealed.
 
St. Paul’s Receives Business Award 
Our friends at Abilities Plus, whom we hired to clean the church twice a month, have awarded their annual business award to us, in recognition of the special relationship we have developed with them. The award was received by Tom and Sue Ann Wells at a banquet held in Annawan in October. The award is a handsome glass trophy we have at the church. This event and award ceremony were  reported in the Geneseo Republic.
 
 
 

 
 
St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church
   109 S. Elm Street
   Kewanee, IL 61443