December 2017

Christ the Firstborn over All Creation

In calling our Lord Jesus Christ firstborn over all creation (Colossians 1:15), the Apostle does not mean to say that He is Himself a creature, but that He is the Creator, ever blessed, of all creatures. This is why it is added that by Him all things were created. To say He is firstborn is not to say that there was ever a time when He was not, but to say, rather, that He is eternally and perpetually the firstborn and only-begotten from the bosom of the Father, above all angels. Therefore He is also firstborn from the grave, the head of the body springing forth from the earth’s womb, because He is the eternally begotten Son. And as every son bears the image of his father, so does He, in a more excellent way, for He is the image of the invisible God. See, Adam was made in the image of God, but Christ is the image of God; therefore Adam was made in Christ. When the invisible God created Adam, He declared by this creation how He himself would one day appear, in the fullness of time. No one has seen the Father at any time, but the image of the Father we see in Jesus, for He, the Firstborn over all creation, is His image and icon. Behold the Lord Jesus and you behold the One in whom all fullness dwells, that is, all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.

+ Pastor Eckardt

Taken from Every Day Will I Bless Thee: Meditations for the Daily Office, Meditation for Wednesday of Advent I

Advent for the church 

Advent for the church is a time of penitential preparation for the coming of Christ (that’s why the color is violet). It’s helpful to remember this as we also prepare our households for Christmas. Unlike the commercial and secular world, the Church’s celebration of Christmas begins with Christmas, and runs the twelve days of Christmas, until Epiphany. This year, Advent is as short as it can be: the fourth Sunday of Advent is also the day of Christmas Eve. But in another way, the penitential preparations have already begun, since the last three Sundays of the church year also deal with this theme. In some places and eras there was actually an extension of Advent from all the Sundays after November 11th until Christmas. This was called St. Martin’s Advent, since November 11th is the Feast of St. Martin of Tours (for whom Martin Luther was named, as this was the day of his Baptism).

The finest way to prepare for the coming of Christ is by contrition and confession. Private confession is always available. Pastor is usually at church on Wednesdays at 6 pm and on Saturdays at 4:30 pm. Or you may make an appointment to see him: 852-2460.

Caroling and Party Dec. 13

We plan to go caroling on Wednesday, December 13th. 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 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. Each will have different propers, hymn schedule, readings, and sermon. Attend as many as you wish.

Christmas Eve is on Sunday, which is the fourth Sunday in Advent until sundown.
No mass the Saturday before New Year’s

As usual, there is no mass scheduled for the last Saturday in the year.

New Year’s Mass

New Year’s Eve is on Sunday this year. Time of New Year’s mass is 7 pm.

First Tuesday Meetings Dec. 5

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 Kewanee Care rehabilitation wing; Emmy Wear at Williamsfield Home in Williamsfield; Emilie Ricknell at home; Dale Baker at home; Joyce Long at home.

Special Masses Wednesdays

St. Andrew’s Day (November 30th) and will be celebrated at our 7 p.m. mass on Wednesday the 29th of November.

St. Nicholas’ Day is Wednesday, December 7th and will be celebrated at our 7 p.m. mass.

St. Lucia’s Day is Wednesday, December 13th, and will be celebrated at our 7 p.m. mass.

St. Thomas’ Day (December 21st) will be celebrated at our 7 p.m. mass on Wednesday the 20th.

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.

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 three members who fell asleep in Christ:


· Lucille Kemerling

· Dennis Schoen

· Tony Fisher

Decorating During Advent

As is our custom, we decorate the church little by little during Advent, until finally all is complete for Christmas. The day on which volunteers are needed help put up the tree is Saturday, December 2nd, beginning at 9 am. Please help!

Renovation News

Now that our nave (Phase I) the balcony (Phase II), and the large front walls on either side of the chancel, with their alpha and omega, have been completed, we are in a planning stage as we look to the renovation of the chancel. Sharon Hartz has been preparing a blueprint template on which we can sketch ideas and considerations.

Meanwhile the church received a new roof, and the basement and its restrooms have just been painted and fixed up. We hope to have some ideas mapped out by some time this winter, so that we can proceed with the difficult Phase III, the chancel.

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:

Sandra Verplaetse, Emilie Ricknell, John Ricknell, Linda Rowe, Mary Hamilton, Emmy Wear, DeAnne Anderson, Dale Baker, Sue Murphy, Don Murphy, Carol Watson, Joyce Long, Steve Peart, Bea Harris, and Derrick Baker

and also:

Anna Rutowicz [granddaughter of Harrises]

Jodi Rutowicz [daughter of Harrises]

Julie Ross [Svetlana Meaker’s daughter]

Jill Matchett [at request of Diana Shreck]

Annie Eastman [at request of Svetlana Meaker]

Dave Colgron [friend of Tom Wells]

Shannon Watson [Jim’s daughter]

Steve Draminski [friend of Jim Watson]

Kathy Nussear [Joyce Long’s daughter, cancer]

Bud Harfst [Sue Murphy’s brother]

Harold Woods [Sue Murphy’s brother-in-law]

Pam Helmkamp

Steve King [Diana Shreck’s friend, who has cancer]

Dick Heiden [Carol Eckardt’s father]

Pastor Kenneth Wegener

Elizabeth Godke, Sharon Field’s mother

Kathy Hopkins

Jesse Armstrong, James’s father who has cancer

In the military:

John Eckardt

Donny Appleman [at request of the Ricknells]

Thomas Kim [at request of the Shrecks]

Michael Creech [at request of the Murphys]

Katherine Creech [at request of the Murphys]

Richard Heiden [at request of the Eckardts]

Carter Wills [grandson of the Thompsons]

Luke Van Landigan [grandson of Dick Melchin]

Jaclyn Alvarez [daughter of Kris Harden]

Traven Wetzel [at request of Kris Harden]

Eric Verplaetse [Sandra’s grandson]

Jake Mahaffey

In trouble:

The people of Iraq and Iran who have suffered from an earthquake

The people of Southerland Springs, Texas, who were victimized by mass murder at a church

The people of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Chicago

Any unborn children in danger of abortion

Those suffering from unrest, persecution, and imprisonment in Iraq, Syria, Burma, Sudan, North Korea, and elsewhere

December Anniversaries

12/13 Jim and Carol Watson

December Ushers

Allan Kraklow, Steve Kraklow, Tom Wells.

December Birthdays

12/11 Kris Harden

12/13 Michael Eckardt

12/13 Lynn Woller

12/20 Rachel Rowe

12/23 James Armstrong

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 17th.

For midweek masses, the color varies:

November 29th: red, for St. Andrew

December 6th: white, for St. Nicholas.

December 13th: red, for St. Lucia.

December 20st: red, for St. Thomas

The fourth Sunday in Advent is December 24th. In the morning we are still in Advent (violet), but 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. John’s Day is Wednesday evening, December 27th: Color is white.

The Sunday after Christmas is observed on Sunday morning the 31st, and New Year’s Eve mass is held at 7 pm the same day. Color is white for both, and remains white into January.

Coming Up:

Epiphany Seminar and Celebration, Saturday, January 6th, 2018

An Epiphany day of reflection is planned for Epiphany Day, Saturday, January 6th, 2018. To open the seminar we will have Epiphany mass at 9:00 in the morning. A seminar will follow. Here is the schedule:

9:00 a.m. Epiphany Mass

10:00 a.m. - noon Seminar (day of reflection):

The seventeenth retreat in the Theological Reflection series is entitled,

“YE Shall know that I am the Lord” 

The eschatological nature of the name of god, of his sabbaths, and of his judgment”

This seminar will explore two aspects of Old Testament imagery, namely the revelation of the Lord’s mercy to his people, and of his subsequent wrath upon them when they reject him. On the one hand we note his abundant kindness to Israel, seen especially in their deliverance from Egypt, and on the other, we note his visitation of fury upon them when they become apostate, seen especially in their deportation to Babylon. A combination of these views with a view toward the final Day of Judgment (that is, eschatologically) is critical to a proper understanding of the Old Testament, against the false view that the wrath of God in the Old Testament is opposed by the love of the Savior in the New. The final judgment of which the Lord Jesus speaks is consistent with the fulfillment of the revelation announced in Ezekiel and elsewhere: ye shall know that I am the Lord.

The lighter side

Why is Christmas just like another day at the office?
You do all the work and the fat guy with the suit gets all the credit!



What nationality is Santa Claus?
North Polish.



What do you call someone who doesn’t believe in Father Christmas?
A rebel without a Claus.



What do you get when you cross a snowman with a vampire?
Frostbite.



How much did Santa pay for his sleigh?
Nothing, it was on the house.



What kind of music do elves like best?
“Wrap” music!



What’s a good holiday tip?
Never catch snowflakes with your tongue until all the birds have gone south for the winter.



What do you call Frosty the Snowman in May?
A puddle



Why are elves so depressed?
Because they have low elf esteem.



What do you call people who are afraid of Santa Claus?
Claustrophobic



What do you call Santa’s helpers?
Subordinate Clauses.



What does dyslexic Rudolph want for Christmas?
A pony sleigh station!