May 2019

St. 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.
 

• When you come to worship, remember that the most appropriate attitude is one of prayerful reflection,
• Remember too to be considerate of others around you who are also preparing for worship. Conversations can wait until later.
• There are helpful short prayers conveniently placed on page 4 in the front of the hymnal.
• It is laudable to reverence the Sacrament on entering and on leaving.
• At the close of worship, any conversations should be muted, or carried outside the worship space.

 
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

• We will be working to make alterations to  the super-frontals for  the altar. In the meantime the excess must be rolled under the bar when a super-frontal is replaced. Color remains RED for midweek, May 23rd.
• Color is WHITE all other days of May.
• Altar guild members are reminded to take a few moments when you prepare the altar to check candle wicks. Make sure they are not curled over. Also, when the teardrop oil lights are used, make sure the wick is showing.
• Next meeting is Tuesday, May 7th.

 
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