November 2017

Reformation Quincentennial 

We didn’t plan it this way, but as it happened, a number of things coalesced just as we came to the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, which is October 31st, 2017. Five hundred years ago that day, Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, and that event set in motion the great Reformation that lives and thrives here at St. Paul’s and other confessional Lutheran Churches like this one, to this very day. 

As it happens, our restoration project has just reached the completion of Phase II as well, so as we look toward the planning of Phase III (the chancel) we may consider our entire project, in a way, to be a commemoration of this Reformation anniversary. Further details on our renovation are in this newsletter. Our own church’s restoration may in truth be seen as an emblem of the Reformation: we are reminded of the great Old Testament reformations under kings Hezekiah and Josiah, which were initiated by the cleansing of the temple. So have we been cleansing our church, as a fruit of our faith in the grace and unmerited mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

In addition, Oktoberfest has become our parish’s biggest social and theological event of the year, and this provides us with a fine opportunity to observe this quincentennial just as the month of October begins. As part of the celebration, we will emphasize the Reformation at our Sunday choral vespers on the 8th, again at our Oktoberfest Sung mass on the 9th, and yet again at low mass the next day. The entire event will be peppered with observances of the Reformation. See the separate article on the next page for more details. 

Then again on Reformation Sunday, October 29th, we will have another great Feast Day of observance, as we normally do. And finally, this year only, a fifth Reformation mass will be held on Tuesday evening, October 31st, the day of the Reformation. The Kewanee Halloween schedule is to have children trick-or-treating from 5 until 7, so a 7 p.m. time for this event should not interfere. 

Here is your schedule for St. Paul’s’ observances of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. 

Sunday, October 10th, 5 pm: Choral Vespers, with special guest preacher Rev. Mark Miller, President of the Central Illinois District of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. 

Monday, October 11th, 9 am: Oktoberfest/Reformation mass. 

Monday, October 11th, 3 pm: Reformation Vespers 

Tuesday, October 12th, 9 am: Oktoberefest/Reformation low mass. 

Tuesday, October 12th, 3 pm: Reformation Vespers 

Sunday, October 29th: 8:30 am: Reformation Sunday mass 

Tuesday, October 31st: 7:00 pm: Reformation Day mass. 

It’s time to celebrate the Reformation! + Pastor Eckardt 

Twenty-Second Oktoberfest! 

October 8-10, 2017 (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday) 

The Twenty-Second Annual Oktoberfest! and Gottesdienst Central will be observing the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, and hosting Rev. William Weedon, LCMS Director of Worship, and Chaplain at the International Center in St. Louis. 

His topic will be “Reformation and Liturgy: The Eruption of Evangelical Joy in the Heart of the Divine Service” 

The event begins Sunday the 8th with Choral Vespers at 5 p.m. Following the service is our annual bratwurst banquet. When everyone has had their fill of brats and beer, Chaplain Weedon will give a synopsis of his Monday seminar. Following the banquet is the after-the-party party, at Father Eckardt’s home, where a gaggle of the editors of Gottesdienst is usually milling about. On Monday, October 9th, the day begins with a Votive Reformation Mass at 9 a.m. Following Mass and a continental breakfast, Chaplain Weedon will hold forth for the rest of the day, in two sessions running until about 2:45, followed by Vespers. On Tuesday, October 10th, the conference will continue in the same format, with a special presentation and discussion of the new Gottesdienst film: 

The Form of the Divine Service: An instructional video for Lutheran pastors and seminarians 

with Father Eckardt, pastor at St. Paul’s, holding forth. The Tuesday sessions will be framed by morning low Mass (spoken Divine Service) and Vespers. 

REGISTRATION: MEMBERS OF ST. PAUL’S GO FREE. For others, $50 per person, $70 per couple, students $25 — includes Sunday banquet and Monday brunch; no charge for children with parents. 

Ladies’ Night Out 

What began last month informally is now becoming official, at least for the time being. A few ladies (Carol, Char, and Jan) went out for dinner together, and because they had such a good time they decided to try scheduling a Ladies’ Night Out once a month for any lady of the congregation who wanted to join in. We’re looking at the third Thursday of the month, which this month would mean October 19th. Time and restaurant are to be determined. Watch your bulletin for details. 

Oktoberfest Desserts Needed 

Can you provide a dessert for Oktoberfest? Please let Carol know, and be prepared to bring it on Saturday or Sunday (the 9th or 10th). 

October Ushers: 

Steve Peart, Grant Andresen, Larry Campbell (Steve Harris if Larry is subdeacon); Jim Hornback in reserve 

October Anniversaries 

10/4 Linda and Larry Rowe 

10/23 Otis and Deanne Anderson 

October Birthdays 

10/1 Richard Melchin 

10/1 Sue Murphy 

10/2 Diana Shreck 

10/3 Matthew Fisher 

10/9 Mary Hamilton 

10/20 Ed Woller 

10/24 Eric Meaker 

10/24 Robert Jones 

10/24 Corey Peart 

10/28 Carmen Sovanski 

10/29 Svetlana Meaker 

10/30 Sharon Hartz

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: 

Tony Fisher 

Sandra Verplaetse 

Emilie Ricknell 

John Ricknell 

Linda Rowe 

Mary Hamilton 

Emmy Wear 

Bea Harris 

DeAnne Anderson 

Joyce Long 

Dale Baker 

Sue Murphy 

Don Murphy 

Carol Watson 

and also: 

Anna Rutowicz [granddaughter of Harrises] 

Jodi Rutowicz [daughter of Harrises] 

Julia 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] 

Pastor Kenneth Wegener 

Janice Hart [Judy Thompson’s sister] 

Karen Jump [Chuck Russell’s friend who has cancer] 

Pam Helmkamp 

Steve King [Diana Shreck’s friend, 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] 

in trouble: 

The victims of Hurricanes in Texas and Florida 

The people of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Chicago 

any unborn children in danger of abortion 

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

Project Phases Defined 

Our entire renovation project has been moving along steadily, by the grace of God. We embarked on this project early in 2016, not quite knowing how it would proceed, but making adjustments as we went along. Here’s where we stand today, with a tentative scenario for the future: 

Phase One: the Nave. COMPLETED 

Phase Two: the Balcony. COMPLETED 

Phase Three: the Chancel. PLANNING. 

Phase Four: flooring. 

Phase Five: extras (new baptismal font, statue of St. Paul, others?) 

Phase Six (optional): air conditioning. 

As we finish the Alpha and Omega on the two front panels, we come to an important planning stage. Before we begin work on the chancel, we will need to plan it in its entirety. Our aim is to restore; though it is unlikely the original look of the chancel will be achieved (and perhaps is not entirely desirable anyway), we are aiming to arrive at an attractive work in Renaissance/neo-Gothic style, with ornate features that highlight the central significance of the altar itself, because of the Blessed Sacrament upon which it is consecrated and from which it is distributed. As the planning moves forward, the congregation will be invited to see and approve, and hopefully arrive at a consensus. Such input was most recently welcomed when the design of the Alpha and Omega was being prepared, and the result is (as of this writing) likely to be pleasing to all. 

The organ pipes are nearly all restored, though some repairs are still underway, by the people at the Casavant company. 

Meanwhile we continue to raise funds in faith; many helpful contributions were made, for which we are also thankful. May Almighty God continue to bless us as we move forward in faith. 

Altar Guild News 

Notes for October: 

There are five Sundays this month. The first four are green, and the fifth (Oct. 29th) is Reformation Sunday, so the color is red. 

Oktoberfest’s theme is Reformation, so the color changes to red after mass on the 10th, and remains red through Tuesday the 12th. 

There are four Wednesdays in October. All are green except the 18th (St. Luke) which is red. 

Shut ins 

Mary Hamilton at home; Emmy Wear at Williamsfield Home in Williamsfield; Emilie Ricknell at home; Dale Baker at home; Joyce Long at home. 

Saturday Mass cancelled the day before Oktoberfest 

Due to the need for many preparations, and the additional opportunities that will be presenting themselves for worship at Oktoberfest, the Saturday evening Mass on October 9th will be cancelled. 

Special Choir rehearsal scheduled 

A special choir rehearsal in preparation for Oktoberfest is scheduled for Saturday, October 9th. The time is very tentatively set for 3 pm; this will be kept or altered depending on when choir members are available. 

St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church 

109 S. Elm Street

Kewanee, IL 61443