The
“Gesima” Season
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Septuagesima (meaning “about 70 days”)—Grace is undeserved.
The collect for this Sunday implores God to graciously hear us,
who are justly punished for our sin, so that we may be delivered by His
goodness. The goodness of God is emphasized in the parable of the vineyard
workers in the day’s Gospel, Matthew 20:1-16. All the laborers receive the
reward because of the goodness of the landowner and not because of their own
labor or merit. We prepare for Easter by remembering what is good, Christ, who
has borne the heat and burden of the day for us so that we might have that
goodness for free.
Sexagesima (meaning “about 60 days”)—Grace is passively
received.
In the collect for this Sunday we pray that God would see that
we put not our trust in anything that we do and that He would mercifully defend
us by His power. The parable of the sower is read from Luke 8:4-15. The seed of
God’s Word is passively received. It transforms bad soil into good and bestows
noble hearts upon sinful men. We pray that this would happen also to and for
us.
Quinquagesima (meaning “about 50 days”) —Grace is not easily
understood.
On the Sunday before Ash Wednesday we hear in the Gospel, Luke
18:31-34, Jesus predicts His passion, death, and resurrection. We also hear
that the disciples “understood none of these things” and “this saying was hid
from them, and they did not grasp what was said (34).” We pray that God would
be gracious and patient with us and grant faith and understanding to us despite
our many sins.
The three Gesima Sundays take on the character of Lent, but
mildly. The “Alleluias” and Greater Gloria are dropped. This grace-focused
season provides a gradual progression and gentle easing into the more intense
ceremonies and denials of Lent and Passiontide.
Candlemas
The
Feast of Candlemas is set on
February 2nd, which is a Monday. To accommodate more members, we
will be observing it on Wednesday, February 4th.
When
Jesus was presented in the temple, the priest Simeon also came in and declared,
in the words of the Nunc Dimittis,
Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace according to Thy
word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation which Thou hast prepared before the
face of all people, a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of
Thy people Israel.
This declaration of the Christ Child as a
Light is the reason for the ceremonial use of candles at this Mass. The use of these lights in connection with
the Blessed Sacrament emphasizes the analogy of Simeon’s jubilation on
receiving the Child with our own reception of Christ at the altar. This connection is made at every Mass, of
course, in our own recitation of the Nunc Dimittis. At Candlemas, the connection is highlighted
because the Gospel appointed for the day is this very Gospel.
The
name of this Feast, Candlemas, also subtly provides a link to the Feast
from which it springs, that great feast of forty days earlier, namely Christmas.
+ Pastor Eckardt
Ash
Wednesday February 18th
On Ash Wednesday, February 18th,
the will be two opportunities to come to Mass, at 7 a.m. and again at 7 p.m.
Different readings and sermons will be heard, if anyone wishes to come to both.
The rite of imposition of ashes precedes the Mass.
February
Anniversaries
none
Lent
The season of Lent is a season of emphasis on penitence, in preparation
for of Easter. Its span is forty days,
like the forty days in which Jesus fasted in the wilderness, in fulfillment of
the fast of Moses and Elijah on Mount
Horeb
The Apostles themselves left the specific manner of observance to
Christian liberty, saying, Let each be convinced in his own mind. Leaving aside the question of what things one
should fast from (whether sweets, or meats, or milk products, etc.), what is
clear is that the custom of fasting itself 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. Luther’s Small
Catechism also declares, “Fasting and other bodily preparation is indeed a fine
outward training.” Therefore we conclude
two things: first, that fasting is a good thing, and second, that it is a
matter left to Christian liberty.
Liturgically the Church fasts during Lent (as Israel fasted
forty years in the wilderness). The color is penitential violet. Alleluias are not sung, and there is less
music; flowers are absent, and weddings are not to be scheduled.
During the last two weeks of Lent, statutes, images, and crosses in
the churches are veiled, and no Glorias are sung at all, except in the Gloria
in Excelsis on Maundy Thursday.
In the midst of this penitential mood there is joy, at Laetare, the
fourth Sunday in Lent( ‘rejoice’). The entire penitential season is not to be
sad, but joyful. For true joy of heart,
born of the suffering and resurrection of Christ, transcends all parts of
Christian life, even the deepest of sorrows, as we confess with David that
weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Thus the forty days of Lent is followed by a
contrastingly festive forty-day season from Easter until Ascension Day, the
time period during which Jesus appeared to his disciples.
Robin
sighting?
The first-robin-of-spring sighting contest is on.
Tell Pastor the date on which you see one, on your honor. Last
year’s winner was Michele Keehner.
Gloom,
Depression, Woe
Though certainly of no major concern to fans of the Chicago Bears,
and likely even to the sheer delight of some of them, Pastor has been in a Serious Football Funk ever since the
Green Bay Packers lost to the Seattle Seahawks in the N.F.C. Championship game
January 18th. Pundits have
reported that his team, with a 12 point lead, having just intercepted the ball
and therefore on offense, with some three minutes left on the clock, had a
98.2% chance of winning the game. What must be repeated often these days is
that it is only a game. It is only a game. It is only a game. Right.
*sigh*
St. Matthias’ Day
We will be observing St. Matthias’ Day (February 24th) one
day late, with Holy Mass on Wednesday the 25th at the regular 7 p.m.
time.
First Tuesday
Vespers, etc.
February 3rd, Altar
Guild is at 6 pm, Vespers is at 6:45, and Elders is at 7:15, as usual.
February
Ushers
Otis Anderson, John Ricknell, Bill
Thompson, David Ricknell
Council
Meeting
As usual, the council is
scheduled to meet on the third Wednesday, which is February 18th, at
5:30 pm.
Shut ins
Mary Hamilton at home; Anna Baker at home; Dale Baker at home; Emmy Wear
at Williamsfield.
Altar Guild Notes
Parament color is VIOLET throughout February, except for two Wednesdays.
·
Wednesday the 4th, we will be
observing Candlemas. For that day the color is WHITE.
·
Wednesday the 25th, we will observe
St. Matthias’ Day. For that day the color is RED.
Septuagesima, the beginning of pre-Lent (February 1st this
year), is also when we revert to the use of oil lamps instead of tapers.
Next meeting is Tuesday, February 3rd.
February
Birthdays
2/2 Mindie Fisher
2/4 Joshua Kraklow
2/5 Tom Wells
2/17 Monroe
2/23 Carol McReynolds
Private Confession and Shrove Tuesday
Private Confession is always
available to anyone between 6 and 6:30 pm on these Wednesdays (and also, as
always, by appointment). Pastor is usually available as well on Saturdays, from
about 4 pm until Mass.
On
Shrove Tuesday, February 17th, Pastor will make a special point of
being available all afternoon for confession, on this day traditionally
intended for this use in preparation for Lent.
From
the Catechism:
Confession
HOW
CHRISTIANS SHOULD BE TAUGHT TO CONFESS
What is Confession?
Confession
has two parts. First, that we confess our sins, and second, that we receive
absolution, that is, forgiveness, from the pastor as from God Himself, not
doubting, but firmly believing that by it our sins are forgiven before God in
heaven.
What sins should we confess?
Before
God we should plead guilty of all sins, even those we are not aware of, as we
do in the Lord’s Prayer; but before the pastor we should confess only those
sins which we know and feel in our hearts.
Which are these?
Consider
your place in life according to the Ten Commandments: Are you a father, mother,
son, daughter, husband, wife, or worker? Have you been disobedient, unfaithful,
or lazy? Have you been hot-tempered, rude, or quarrelsome? Have you hurt
someone by your words or deeds? Have you stolen, been negligent, wasted
anything, or done any harm?
In Our Prayers
In
addition to our shut-ins, 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.
Sick or infirm:
in our parish:
Sarah Corzine, Jean Russell, Emilie
Ricknell, Linda Rowe, John Sovanski, Ann Baker, Dale Baker and our shut-ins.
And also:
Anna Rutowicz [re Harrises]
Julie Ross [Svetlana Meaker’s daughter, cancer]
Caleb Cleaver [re Ricknells]
Madison Lindsay [re Andersons
Jill Matchett [re Shrecks]
Barb Fornoff [re Russells]
Lorene Foglesong [re Kraklows]
Corbin Gonzales [re Russells]
David Wexell [re Verplaetses]
Cathy Van Wassenhove [re Verplaetses]
Carl Hepner [re Kraklow]
Duane Kraklow [brother of Allan]
Emily Corzine [sister of Sarah]
Shelly DeBord [re Watsons]
Lois Hopkins [re Kemerlings]
Liam Hampton [re Murphys]
Anthony Strand [re Murphys]
Troy Kelly [re Murphys]
Cindy Davenport [re Kemerlings]
Ben Brown [re Eckardts]
Pastors Don Chambers [Manito]
Glenn
Niemann [Pekin
in the military:
John Eckardt
Donny Appleman [re Ricknells]
Thomas Kim [re Shrecks]
Michael and Katherine Creech [re Murphys]
Richard Heiden [re Eckardts]
Carter Wills [re Thompsons]
Luke Van Landigan [grandson of Dick Melchin]
Jaclyn Alvarez [daughter of Kris Harden]
in trouble:
any unborn children in danger
of abortion, and
those suffering persecution
in Iraq , Iran , Sudan ,
Nigeria , North Korea , Vietnam ,
India , Pakistan
Persecution details
Two pastors were brutally attacked by five men near their
Bible college on the afternoon of January 18th. Pastor Nguyen Hong Quang and his
associate pastor were assaulted with bricks and rocks and, after collapsing to
the ground, were kicked relentlessly. Both men were taken to the emergency
department of the hospital. Pastor Quang sustained broken ribs, as well as
facial wounds, including a broken nose and injuries to his teeth and jaw. He
was later transferred to a local hospital for further treatment and
observation. Thankfully, VOM Australia has provided the necessary funds to
cover his treatment costs. At last report, no arrests have yet been made. Pastor
Quang and his Bible college have been targeted multiple times within recent
years. In an attack that took place just this past November, nearly 300
assailants threw stones and other objects at the school building.
On December 28th, ten Christian workers and three young
girls (under the age of six) were arrested in the central region of India
On November 28th, two Christian sisters (ages 14 and 16)
were attacked in a village located within the Jaranwala district after they
went out into the field to use the washroom. The girls' family alleges that
three males assaulted the sisters repeatedly overnight, and that they have
since been threatened by the perpetrators with warnings not to press charges.
They also claim that the police have obstructed attempts to gather medical
evidence. Ministry partners of VOMC's sister mission in the United Kingdom
Elsewhere in Punjab , a
14-year-old girl was abducted on November 26th in Thatha Gondal. It is believed
that she has been forcibly converted to Islam and married to her kidnapper.
Local Christians and Muslims have been involved in negotiations to return the girl
to her family.
Meanwhile, a pregnant mother of four from Rana Town
Sources: VOM Australia , VOM USA
Lenten Suppers?
There
are no definite plans as yet for midweek Lenten soup suppers, but if they
materialize as usual, the pattern has been to have supper at 5 pm on
Wednesdays, and the first of these would be on February 25th, one
week after Ash Wednesday. Any announcements about this will be in the bulletin.
Volunteers would of course be needed to take Wednesdays; this can be discussed
at Sunday Bible class.
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