Holy Week and Easter
The holiest time of year is appropriately named Holy Week. All members of St. Paul’s are encouraged to make the most of this week by attending Mass as often as you can. As you know, it is offered every day from Palm Sunday through Easter, as the nearby schedule shows. Every night from Monday through Saturday there is an opportunity to meditate on the sacred mystery of our Lord’s passion and death, and even to receive the benefits of His passion and death, namely His Body and Blood, in the Sacrament. There is no greater time or opportunity to renew your Holy Faith than now. The Passion Gospels from St. Matthew (on Palm Sunday), St. Luke (on Holy Wednesday), and St. John (on Good Friday) will be read. Holy Monday and Tuesday will focus on portions of St. John chapter 12, which also concerns events that took place during Holy Week.
March 25: Palm Sunday, 8:30 am
March 26: Holy Monday 7 pm
March 27: Holy Tuesday 7 pm
March 28: Holy Wednesday 7 pm
March 29: Maundy Thurs 7 pm
March 30: Good Friday 7 pm
March 31: Vigil of Easter 7 pm
The stripping of the altar follows mass on Maundy Thursday, a solemn rite that calls to mind the depths of sorrow and death into which our Lord descended.
On Good Friday we observe the solemn liturgy that commemorates our Lord’s suffering of crucifixion. The sacrament is celebrated on this day here, in spite of the fact that Western rite of Christendom does have a custom of communing using only reserved Elements on that day. But we believe that the reservation of Elements should only be kept for those who cannot attend, and there is no valid argument for circumventing our Lord’s command “This do” just to follow some tradition that wants to make Good Friday more stark than other times of year.
The Great Vigil of Easter is Holy Saturday, and this four-part service is the ceremonial high point of the year, during which the ending of Lent and the beginning of Easter is observed. This year we are expecting to observe the confirmation of Eric Meaker during part three.
On Easter morning we return to celebrate again, and recall the glad discovery the women made at the tomb, crying out, Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Renew your faith now; there is no better time.
+ Pastor Eckardt
Most items needed are in the janitor’s closet for the church and school to use. If you find that something is needed and not available, please contact a trustee
Regarding the kitchen and cafeteria, whoever uses it last is responsible for cleanup. When the church has a special function in the gym, it should be swept and wet-mopped each time.
The restrooms are cleaned by the school staff during the week but not on Friday night. Normally from Friday night to Sunday night the church is responsible for cleaning the kitchen and cafeteria, as well as the hallways and bathrooms. It should be dry mopped and wet-mopped on Saturday for Saturday activates and Sunday Bible study.
Head Start furnishes all paper products for the school. They are also responsible during the weekdays (excepting Friday night) and if ever they use gym for anything special. If the trustees rent the hall for any private group, that group is responsible for cleanup.
The trustees are asking volunteers to help each week and deep cleaning on first Saturday of the month. PLEASE SIGN UP FOR WEEK
We’ll put a signup sheet in the hall.
Thanks for your help
See if you can make an added effort to make it to Wednesday evening mass. The soup suppers (see the nearby article) provide a little extra incentive.
There is the Lenten fast. A marked feature of the fast is that it is voluntary, which is to say that no one imposes this on you. It is you who make the determination to abstain from certain foods, and thereby you also learn to appreciate the wisdom of St. Paul, who said already in the Epistle for Septuagesima, “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection” (I Corinthians 9:27). The reasoning goes that if it’s good enough for Paul, it should be good enough for us. The Lenten fast traditionally has meant abstention from meats and dairy products on Fridays (the day of crucifixion), or on Wednesdays and Fridays, although an older custom was to abstain from meats and dairy products throughout all of Lent (from that custom arose the blessing of the Easter Egg, and the Easter breakfast). Some choose to abstain from all sweets, desserts, and eating between meals.
In addition to the dietary fast, there is the fast of the eyes and ears, particularly noted in worship. Flowers are gone from the chancel, weddings are not scheduled, and alleluias are not sung.
Finally, private confession is an excellent Lenten discipline, and is always encouraged.
Lent is hard. Hard on the schedule, hard on the stomach, hard on the body. It’s supposed to be hard. It’s the learning of spiritual discipline, much like the physical training of an athlete.
The twenty-year mark is reached this month, so we are planning to open the time capsule after our Palm Sunday mass on March 25th, at breakfast.
Who knows what we’ll find? Letters from students to their future selves or relatives? Or children? What sort of creativity will we see? The idea was creative in the first place, so we can expect some interesting revelations.
This would be a great opportunity to invite friends people who were associated with our school that closed in 2000.
On Good Friday we observe the solemn liturgy that commemorates our Lord’s suffering of crucifixion. The sacrament is celebrated on this day here, in spite of the fact that Western rite of Christendom does have a custom of communing using only reserved Elements on that day. But we believe that the reservation of Elements should only be kept for those who cannot attend, and there is no valid argument for circumventing our Lord’s command “This do” just to follow some tradition that wants to make Good Friday more stark than other times of year.
The Great Vigil of Easter is Holy Saturday, and this four-part service is the ceremonial high point of the year, during which the ending of Lent and the beginning of Easter is observed. This year we are expecting to observe the confirmation of Eric Meaker during part three.
On Easter morning we return to celebrate again, and recall the glad discovery the women made at the tomb, crying out, Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Renew your faith now; there is no better time.
+ Pastor Eckardt
Trustees Asking for Volunteers
We need help on weekends for the cleaning of the the school area: cafeteria, hallway, and restrooms, in addition to the church. In a normal week it needs to be swept and wet-mopped as neededMost items needed are in the janitor’s closet for the church and school to use. If you find that something is needed and not available, please contact a trustee
Regarding the kitchen and cafeteria, whoever uses it last is responsible for cleanup. When the church has a special function in the gym, it should be swept and wet-mopped each time.
The restrooms are cleaned by the school staff during the week but not on Friday night. Normally from Friday night to Sunday night the church is responsible for cleaning the kitchen and cafeteria, as well as the hallways and bathrooms. It should be dry mopped and wet-mopped on Saturday for Saturday activates and Sunday Bible study.
Head Start furnishes all paper products for the school. They are also responsible during the weekdays (excepting Friday night) and if ever they use gym for anything special. If the trustees rent the hall for any private group, that group is responsible for cleanup.
The trustees are asking volunteers to help each week and deep cleaning on first Saturday of the month. PLEASE SIGN UP FOR WEEK
We’ll put a signup sheet in the hall.
Thanks for your help
Lenten Disciplines
The season of Lent began on Ash Wednesday. A number of items are worth remembering during this holy season, that you may benefit most from it.See if you can make an added effort to make it to Wednesday evening mass. The soup suppers (see the nearby article) provide a little extra incentive.
There is the Lenten fast. A marked feature of the fast is that it is voluntary, which is to say that no one imposes this on you. It is you who make the determination to abstain from certain foods, and thereby you also learn to appreciate the wisdom of St. Paul, who said already in the Epistle for Septuagesima, “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection” (I Corinthians 9:27). The reasoning goes that if it’s good enough for Paul, it should be good enough for us. The Lenten fast traditionally has meant abstention from meats and dairy products on Fridays (the day of crucifixion), or on Wednesdays and Fridays, although an older custom was to abstain from meats and dairy products throughout all of Lent (from that custom arose the blessing of the Easter Egg, and the Easter breakfast). Some choose to abstain from all sweets, desserts, and eating between meals.
In addition to the dietary fast, there is the fast of the eyes and ears, particularly noted in worship. Flowers are gone from the chancel, weddings are not scheduled, and alleluias are not sung.
Finally, private confession is an excellent Lenten discipline, and is always encouraged.
Lent is hard. Hard on the schedule, hard on the stomach, hard on the body. It’s supposed to be hard. It’s the learning of spiritual discipline, much like the physical training of an athlete.
Time Capsule to Be Opened
In March of 1998, St. Paul’s Lutheran School children sealed a number of items in a time capsule, meant to be opened twenty years later.The twenty-year mark is reached this month, so we are planning to open the time capsule after our Palm Sunday mass on March 25th, at breakfast.
Who knows what we’ll find? Letters from students to their future selves or relatives? Or children? What sort of creativity will we see? The idea was creative in the first place, so we can expect some interesting revelations.
This would be a great opportunity to invite friends people who were associated with our school that closed in 2000.
Lenten Suppers
We had our first Lenten soup supper on February 21st at 5:30 pm. They are planned for every Wednesday until Holy Week. Join your family of the faithful for this time together. Convenient time too: midweek Lenten masses are soon afterwards, at 7:00. Galatians on Tuesday
Every Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. our class on Galatians continues. It’s a small group, but always worth it.Easter Breakfast
The Easter breakfast will be held after 7:00 a.m. Sunrise mass on April 1st. Calling all volunteers! If you want to help, provide an egg dish, set tables, or otherwise donate, please speak to or contact Carol Eckardt at 853-7708. On Holy Saturday, March 31st, volunteers will be needed to set up the tables.
March Anniversary
3/19/1977 Jeff and Diana Shreck
March Ushers
Allan Kraklow, Steve Kraklow, Tom WellsFirst Tuesday Vespers, etc.
March 7th, Altar Guild is at 6 pm, Vespers is at 6:45, and Elders is at 7:15, as usual.March Birthdays:
3/1 Barbra Kraklow3/25 Carol Eckardt
Altar Guild Notes
The paraments color for the entire month of March is VIOLET, until Maundy Thursday, March 29th, which is WHITE Next meeting is Tuesday, March 6th.Renovation Continues: Phase III Planning and First Steps
In an impromptu small steering-committee meeting on Wednesday, February 21st, some ideas for the chancel were discussed. We expect things to be moving along shortly, including ideas to present to the congregation. At the meeting, the suggestion was made to contact Murals by Jericho, a company based in Peoria that works exclusively on the renovation and restoration of church interiors. We had been in touch with them a few years ago, but nothing materialized. The proprietor, Andrew Hattermann, agreed to meet with us on Friday, February 23rd, to look things over, consider our budget, and give his input (the meeting is scheduled one day after the scheduled printing of this newsletter).The planning stage is taking time because there is so much to consider. Everything is interconnected: the walls, the ceiling, the altar, the great arch, the sound system, the pulpit, the lectern, the communion rail, the floor, and even the Baptismal font. Although not all of these items will be dealt with at once, we need direction on them all before proceeding.
As a first step, we are looking seriously at moving the communion rail, possibly in the month of March. The rail could easily be moved to below the bottom step. This is a common place for a communion rail, and it would make approach for communion much easier for some of our elderly people. In addition, it would open up the chancel for renovations.
Meanwhile, we have put up the mosaics that were given to us. The picture of St. Paul now hangs in the narthex, and the Luther seal is at the top of the ramp. Both are gifts from Elizabeth Petersen of Iowa.
Exciting times!
Shut ins
Mary Hamilton at her son’s home in Fort Wayne, IndianaJoyce Long at home
Emilie Ricknell at home
Dick Melchin at Hammond-Henry extended care in Geneseo.
Emmy Wear at Williamsfield retirement home
Robin sighting contest continues?
As of the preparation of this newsletter, there was still no eligible robin sighting.Rev. Peter Eckardt reported seeing one in Virginia on February 20th, but the robin sighting committee considered this submission and ruled it ineligible, since the contest is intended for those on the lookout for robins returning to this area. Pastor Eckardt’s Virginia sighting is given honorable mention, but meanwhile the contest continues here.
Where are those robins? By the time this newsletter is printed, the contest may be over, but maybe not. Be sure to report the first time and place you see a robin, and you could be the winner. Remember, the winner gets an all-expenses-paid 10-day cruise in the Bahamas! Or not.
In Our Prayers
The afflicted, in our parish:Emilie Ricknell, John Ricknell, Linda Rowe, Mary Hamilton, Emmy Wear, Sue Murphy, Don Murphy, Joyce Long, Steve Peart, Bea Harris, Derrick Baker, Dana McReynolds, Dick Melchin
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]
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
Dick Heiden [Carol Eckardt’s father]
Pastor Kenneth Wegener
Elizabeth Godke, Sharon Field’s mother
Kathy Hopkins
Jesse Armstrong
Michael Nelson
Brandt & Oneda Hendrickson [Ricknell relatives]
Dean Moss [Chris Erickson’s friend’s father]
Bob Laskey [friend of Monroe Kemerling]
Daniel Wallgren [our roofer, who is hospitalized]
The military, especially:
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]
Shawn Wetzel
Eric Verplaetse [Sandra’s grandson]
Jake Mahaffey
Those who are in trouble: especially
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]
Shawn Wetzel
Eric Verplaetse [Sandra’s grandson]
Jake Mahaffey
Those who are in trouble: especially
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
2) If you have not yet signed up for Easter lilies, there’s a sign up sheet at church. $15.00 is the cost.
3) Easter bonnets! Ladies, do you have your bonnet ready? Let’s have some fun.
St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church
Any unborn children in danger of abortion
Those suffering from unrest, persecution, and imprisonment in Iraq, Syria, Burma, Sudan, North Korea, and elsewhere
Easter Preparations
1) Volunteers sought to help prepare for the Easter breakfast and clean the church on Saturday, March 31st, beginning at 9 am. Carol Eckardt is in charge of the breakfast. A sign-up sheet is posted in the kitchen. This is a potluck of sorts. Everybody brings something. But sign up for something in particular, so we don’t have everyone bringing the same thing. Donations accepted too! Saturday is the big day of preparations!2) If you have not yet signed up for Easter lilies, there’s a sign up sheet at church. $15.00 is the cost.
3) Easter bonnets! Ladies, do you have your bonnet ready? Let’s have some fun.
St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church
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