December 2016

Christ the Image of the Father

In the beginning, God spoke, creating the world; and the Word of God which He spoke was eternal, was God from God; and so it was that at various times and in various ways God spoke also by the prophets; which is to say, when they spoke, He continued to speak; yea, their word was the Word, Christ, who was to come.  So has the Word sounded forth from God from the beginning until finally these last days.  Now what?  Now is the time of fulfillment, when the Eternal Word which sounded forth from God’s mouth, by which God made the worlds, has become flesh.  For in the beginning God said, let Us make man in our image, that man might reflect the image of God; but now, in the end, God’s image becomes manifest in Himself.  For who is Christ?  The brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person.  So then, in the beginning God’s Word created man in the flesh; but now, in the end, God’s Word of creation becomes one with His creation, in order to restore it to glory.  And this restoration is indicated by the Apostle, who says that Christ purged our sins, and sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.  See what glory!  Man sits on the throne of God.  The Word became flesh, in order that flesh might be wedded to the eternal God.

+ Pastor Eckardt

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

The Gospel: A New Gospel Book and New Place for Its Reading

Elizabeth Peterson, friend of the congregation from Cedar Falls, Iowa (she and her husband Gerald have been here for Oktoberfest many times), has sent us a lovely gift, which we are using for the first time at our Thanksgiving Mass November 23^rd. It is a richly embroidered cover for our Gospel Book, maroon with gold crosses.

Since the elders and I have been discussing a possible change to be made in the location of the Gospel reading, I have chosen to do so as soon as we received this gift; hence, the change will be noticed beginning November 23^rd.

I plan from now to carry the Gospel book ceremoniously from the altar to a place outside the chancel rail directly beside the processional cross. On Sundays the subdeacon will hold the book.

There is a catechetical and liturgical significance to the time-honored custom that connects the Gospel with the Sacrament by having its reading from the Gospel horn (the left side as you face the alter). This custom was even more pronounced in the days when the Gospel used to be chanted, since the Gospel chant tones followed identical rules as the rules for the tones of the Words of Institution.

However, the small area of our chancel does not make it easy to read from the horn here. For some time I have been reading the Gospel directly from the Gospel horn, but it seems cramped there, and the pulpit is also a bit of an obstruction.

In the earlier days of my tenure here, I would read the Gospel from the pulpit, thus regarding the pulpit as an extension of this place; but the connection to the altar was not as clear.

The reason the left side of the chancel is called the Gospel side is that there is a liturgical movement, or shift, that can be seen as the service carries on, from right to left. In the early days of Christianity, when churches were customarily built with their altars at the east end, this movement would be a northward movement. Hence the Gospel side was meant to indicate the movement of the Gospel to the north, where, in those days, the barbarians and unschooled heathen dwelt. It was a way of saying that the Gospel was to be preached to all the world.

Today the significance of the northward movements is purely symbolic, but at least the movement from the “Epistle side” (the right side as you face the altar) to  the “Gospel side” still provides a subtle reminder that the Gospel is meant for all the world.

On occasions of greater significance, the movement is not merely to the Gospel side, but out from the Gospel side to the center aisle as well, a symbolic reminder of the Incarnation: God is with us in the Person of Jesus Christ; his Gospel is rightly read ‘among us’.

Look for this new feature of our worship: a new Gospel Book and a new location for the reading of the Holy Gospel.

A Letter of Thanks

November 21, 2016

Mrs. Elizabeth Peterson

Cedar Falls, IA

Dear Elizabeth,

            On behalf of the membership of St. Paul’s allow me to offer you our most hearty thanks for your gift of a beautiful Gospel Book cover, crafted by your own hands. We plan to begin using it, with a proper dedication, on Wednesday evening at 7 p.m.

            Such items and matters bespeak our faith well, as they show our dedication to the Gospel we have learned to love, and to our Lord Jesus Christ. You clearly share this most holy faith with the membership here, and for this we are grateful to Almighty God. May He bless all your future endeavors.

            Again, many thanks.

            Sincerely in Christ,

             + Burnell Eckardt, Pastor

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.  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.

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.

Although Christmas morning is a Sunday, the usual schedule for a Sunday morning will not be observed; only the 10 a.m. mass. will be held.

New Year’s Masses

New Year’s Eve is on Saturday this year. Time of Saturday mass is moved to 7 pm which is the usual time for New Year’s eve.

On New Year’s Day, which is a Sunday, we will hold mass at our usual time of 8:30 a.m.

First Tuesday Meetings Dec. 6

On Tuesday, December 6^th, 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 home; Emmy Wear at Williamsfield Home in Williamsfield; Emilie Ricknell at home.

Special Masses Wednesdays

St. Andrew’s Day is Wednesday, November 30^th, and will be celebrated at our 7 p.m. mass. 

St. Nicholas’ Day will be observed Wednesday, December 7^th  (transf., Dec. 6) at our 7 p.m. mass. 

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

St. Thomas’ Day is Wednesday, December 21^st, and will be celebrated at our 7 p.m. mass. 

Members are invited to make an extra effort to attend these services as part of your Advent preparation for the coming of Christmas.

December Birthdays

12/11 Kris Harden

12/13 Michael Eckardt

12/13 Lynn Woller

12/20 Peter Eckardt

12/20 Rachel Rowe

12/23 James Armstrong

December Anniversaries

12/13 Jim and Carol Watson

December Ushers

Allan Kraklow, Steve Kraklow, Tom Wells.

                       

The Bell Tolls

On the last Sunday of the year (which this year happens to be Christmas, so we will also toll on Christmas Eve), we customarily toll the bell at prayers for each member of our parish who has died during the year. We remember this year one member who fell asleep in Christ:

·         Anna Belle Baker

 

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 4^th, beginning at 9 am.  Please help!

Donate your metal for the Reformation Anniversary

Over the years, Linda Rowe has been collecting metal and taking it to the junkyard where she receives cash per pound and brings it back to church.

For the year 2017 she has hopes of raising $500.00 in recognition of the 500^th anniversary of the Reformation (1517 – 2017).

So collect your scrap metal and get it to her if you can. If you have large items, talk to her and perhaps she can arrange to have Larry come and pick it up.

Let’s see if we can meet the $500 goal!

Renovation News

If you have not noticed, recently the west side of the narthex has been painted, including the staircase to the balcony. Steve Peart did this in his available time. He has been faithfully carrying out his dedication to be our Project Manager since last summer. We rejoiced at the conclusion of Phase I in October, and now are looking hopefully toward the inception of Phase II, the balcony. We anticipate this part of the project will cost us around $2500. Currently we are in a hiatus as we wait on more contributions. We must also pay our regular bills, always a challenge. At our Council meeting in November the matter was discussed, with an awareness that when springtime comes, some of our members will be less available since they will be in the field at planting time. So we are hoping, but by no means certain, that we can start in on the balcony some time during the winter months of 2017. As ever, we must continue to pray that the Lord of the Church will bless our efforts.

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.

in our parish:

Denny Schoen

Sandra Verplaetse

Emilie Ricknell

Linda Rowe

Kris Harden

Joyce Long

Mary Hamilton

Emmy Wear

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]

Nancy Popejoy [relative of Sharon Hartz]

Dave Colgron [friend of Tom Wells]

Shannon Watson [Jim’s daughter]

Noah Muske [relative of Kraklows]

Jonna Dougherty [friend of Chris Erickson, stroke]

Steve Draminski [friend of Jim Watson]

Kathy Nussear [Joyce Long’s daughter, cancer]

Ray Zarvell [friend of Steve Harris and Fr Eckardt]

Theresa Lewis [niece of Carol Eckardt]

Bud Harfst [Sue Murphy’s brother]

Matt Martain, [Ricknells’ grandson, 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]

in trouble:

especially any unborn children in danger of abortion

those suffering from unrest, persecution, and imprisonment in Iraq, India, China, North Korea, and elsewhere. (see persecution details, below)

Epiphany Seminar and Celebration: 

Thursday, January 5^th, 2016

An Epiphany day of reflection is planned for Thursday, January 5^th.  At the close of the seminar we will be observing Epiphany. Here is the schedule:

1:00 p.m. Opening mid-day prayer service

1:30 p.m. Seminar (day of reflection):

            The sixteenth retreat in the Theological Reflection series is entitled,

“THE FRIEND AT MIDNIGHT”

At this retreat, we will examine St. Luke 11, particularly Jesus’ liturgical instruction to pray and the parable of the friend at midnight. Jesus’ command, “When you pray, say Our Father,” etc., is followed immediately by the parable, which has rich sacramental overtones. Curiously, “This do” is omitted in the Lucan account of the Verba (22:19-20), quite possibly because, following the parable of the friend, Jesus had already instructed his disciples to ask, seek, and knock (11:9).

4:00 p.m. break for dinner

7:00 p.m. Epiphany Mass

7:45 p.m. Wine and Cheese reception

Mark your calendar!

Altar Guild Notes

Advent begins November 27^th. The four Advent Sundays’ color is violet.  If roses are obtained, they may be placed on the Third Sunday in Advent, December 13^th.

For midweek masses, color varies:

November 30^th: red, for St. Andrew

December 7^th: white, for St. Nicholas.

December 14^th: red, for St. Lucia.

December 21^st: red, for St. Thomas

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.

Holy Innocents Day is Wednesday evening, December 28^th: Color is red.

New Year’s Eve (Saturday) is at 7 pm; New Year’s Day (Sunday) is at the usual 8:30 time for a Sunday. Color is white.

Persecution details (from page 4):

INDIA: Christian Family Brutally Beaten

Source(s): International Christian Concern 
17 November 2016

A 60-year-old Christian man died from injuries experienced during an attack, allegedly by Hindu radicals, in the Bastar District of India's Chhattisgarh State. According to local believers, four members of the family, including a pregnant woman, were brutally beaten because they refused to denounce their Christian faith.

CHINA: Christian Magazine Editor Under Investigation

Source(s): icommittopray.com 
17 November 2016

The Chinese government has shut down a quarterly Christian magazine that encourages the faith of up to 100,000 believers and provides information on recent incidents of persecution. The underground magazine, Ai Yan (which translates as Love Feast), benefits thousands of urban underground churches, as well as rural house churches.

November 2016

WHOM TO ELECT?

That question is actually not for me to answer, and, for that matter, is not even something that is in our control. After all, one vote, or even several votes, will not make a difference. Even the hanging chad controversy in Florida that settled the closest election in U. S. history, back in 2000, was settled by 537 votes, amazingly close, but still, more than a handful. The American way is to have the freedom to vote your conscience, and so you should, mindful of your civic duty. And whether you vote Republican or Democrat, or for this candidate or that candidate, is a political decision every American is free to make.

            And as a general rule, your faith may not even come into play. You may be thinking of which policies would be best suited to our nation’s well-being.

            That said, there are some Biblical issues that relate to political questions. Chief among these is the duty of a government to protect its people, as St. Paul says: “[The government] is God’s minister to you for good . . . a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil” (Romans 13:4).

            This is why a government that permits abortion is not doing its first duty. Without question, abortion brutally kills helpless infants. Sometimes with saline solutions. Sometimes with forceps and scissors. While politicians debate about women’s rights, these prenatal infants are being slaughtered. That is indisputable. Abortion is something that should never have been legalized, any more than it should be legal for a man to murder his neighbor. As it is the government’s duty is to protect its people from murderous neighbors, so also is the government in duty bound to protect its children from doctors and mothers who would abort. No mother should be permitted to choose whether or not to kill her children, and that is the simple reason abortion should be illegal, as it once was. Because all fetuses are babies.

            The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is known for its strong pro-life stance, and this is commendable, especially in view of the government’s abdication of its responsibility when it comes to infants.

            So I won’t tell you how to vote, and you may have all sorts of reasons for or against this or that candidate; but one thing I will say with tears, on behalf of all the helpless victims, the bleeding, brutalized, dying infants: any politician who favors abortion will never have my vote.  And one thing is clear: though “civilized” nations may choose to rationalize a way of consenting to the “legality” of this unspeakable horror, the millions of dead infants and their murderers will surely not be forgotten or ignored at the coming of the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord.

+ Pastor Eckardt

Maintenance Day with Hot Dog Roast Planned

A special volunteers Saturday is scheduled for November 5th beginning at 9 a.m. Items requiring special annual or semi-annual maintenance attention will be addressed, so your trustees are looking for a good group of volunteers to help.

As an added incentive (and because it will be a good opportunity for members to spend time together), Pastor and Carol are hosting a hot dog roast at their home for lunch, following the morning of work. All are welcome and encouraged to come.

It would be very helpful to let Otis Anderson or Pastor know if you can commit to helping, so the determination can be made in advance which items we will have the capability of addressing.


Oktoberfest Totals

Oktoberfest totals:

Receipts         $2719.70

Expenses        $ 809.69

Net gain         $1901.01

Last year’s net gain was $2202.  

A hearty thanks to all who have been working tirelessly to help our congregation, volunteering time, donations, and effort.

Renovation news

At our October Council meeting, we determined that a temporary (and hopefully brief) suspension of the work would be prudent. We have joyfully completed Phase I and have managed to stay out of debt in doing so, holding down our costs to slightly under $20,000 (which is remarkable!).  But our contributions have been mostly tapped out; we have about $600 left in the renovation fund. 

Meanwhile our Oktoberfest gain, at $1900 (see nearby tally), brings us to $2500. This exact amount coincidentally happens to be the amount we estimate we need for Phase II: the balcony area.

However, to get to the end of Phase I it was necessary to take some of what was needed for our operating expenses, so the Council concluded that we might do harm to our current operating needs if were to rush too hastily into Phase II. We need to raise a bit more money first. As we have been blessed thus far, we pray that God continues to provide us with our needs.

Copies of books available 

(Christmas gift ideas?):

The New Testament in His Blood              $15.00

Every Day Will I Bless Thee                     $15.00

The Lutheran Propers (complete)                $22.00

November Ushers Otis Anderson,  John Ricknell, Bill Thompson

November Anniversaries

11/5 Steve and Berniece Harris

11/10 Gayle and Phil Beauprez

November Birthdays

11/13 Shannon Peart

11/19 Steve Kraklow

11/20 Jewneel Walker

11/30 Charlene Sovanski

Shut ins

Mary Hamilton at home;

Emmy Wear at Williamsfield Home in Williamsfield.

Emilie Ricknell at home

Radio Station WKEI (FM) Kewanee changes to 100.1 and gets a significant power increase

(Kewanee, IL) WKEI has expended its coverage on the FM Dial. Regional Media Virden Broadcasting, owners of WKEI announced the changes to the WKEI listening experience.

WKEI FM formally at 104.3 on the dial moved to 100.1FM by the end of the day on October 19, 2016. The move also comes with a significant power increase equal to 16 times its current level. The move is to enhance the WKEI listening experience over its multiple county coverage 24 hours a day.

This is good news for St. Paul’s, since our radio program “St. Paul’s on the Air” is heard every Sunday morning at 7:30. A boost in signal will provides more exposure to a wider listening audience.

Regional Media President and CEO Fletcher Ford said, “WKEI has been a longtime staple in the community, and we are incredibly proud to have the opportunity to improve the station.” Mr. Ford also thanks the engineering staff, and attorneys for working to make the changes possible.

WKEI was the first AM station in Illinois to simulcast on the FM dial, paving the way for many stations.

Daily Prayer

For daily prayer in the homes of members, the following helps are offered:

As a minimum, when you rise in the morning and go to bed at night, follow the catechism.  That is, repeat the invocation (In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen), say the Apostles’ Creed, and Say the Our Father.  If you wish, you may add Luther’s morning or evening prayer.

It’s a good practice to set aside some time to read your Bible every day as well, at least a chapter.

You are encouraged to use your hymnal for a richer daily prayer.  The order of matins (morning) or vespers (evening) is easily adoptable for personal use.

The hymnal is also a good resource for a schedule of daily readings.  See page 161.  These readings correspond with the material in Every Day Will I Bless Thee: Meditations for the Daily Office, my book of meditations for daily use, available at the church office (price of available books is listed on the previous page).

Altar Guild News

Notes for November:

The first Wednesday in November is red, for All Saints. Then it turns to green for the rest of the month up to Thanksgiving, which we observe on Wednesday night, November 23^rd. Color for Thanksgiving is white.  Following this service, the color is changed to violet for Advent: the First Sunday of Advent is November 27^th. Then the color turns to red for St. Andrew’s Day, is the following Wednesday, November 30^th. Following that service the color reverts to violet.

            Our November meeting will be November 1^st. at 6 pm.

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. 

in our parish: 

Denny Schoen , Sandra Verplaetse,  Emilie Ricknell, Linda Rowe, Don Murphy, Sue Murphy, Steve Harris, Kris Harden, Joyce Long, Mary Hamilton, Emmy Wear 

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] 

Nancy Popejoy [relative of Sharon Hartz] 

Dave Colgron [friend of Tom Wells] 

Shannon Watson [Jim’s daughter] 

Noah Muske [relative of Kraklows] 

Jonna Dougherty [friend of Chris Erickson, stroke] 

Steve Draminski [friend of Jim Watson] 

Kathy Nussear [Joyce Long’s daughter, cancer] 

Ray Zarvell [friend of Steve Harris and Fr Eckardt] 

Theresa Lewis [niece of Carol Eckardt] 

Brock Tumbleson 

Karla Kemerling 

in the milistary 

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] 

in trouble 

any unborn children in danger of abortion 

those suffering from unrest, persecution, and imprisonment in Pakistan, Algeria, Iran, North Korea, and elsewhere

Why?

A Layman’s Guide to the Liturgy

Excerpts from Pastor’s book published in 2005, originally printed in this newsletter

Why is Christian worship liturgical?

            Liturgical worship is worship according to a set and traditional format drawn from the Sacred Scriptures. The words of the Holy Liturgy are words which have been handed down to us through generations of Christianity. While there are variations in those forms and in which words of liturgy are used where, the basis of Christian liturgy is consistently the use of a standard structure drawn from the wells of Sacred Scripture.

            This is, first of all, a safeguard against false worship. For where the Word of God is wanting, there the devil rushes in with his lies. If the structure of Christian worship were left to the whim of the preacher or anyone else, then it would only be a matter of time before those whims would turn away from the sound words of Scripture, since there is nothing good in our flesh. Everything depends on the Word of God. Therefore it is right that our worship be continuously staid upon a sound structure which upholds the Word.

            Secondly, liturgical worship is, simply put, using God’s own words to speak to God. God gives us His Word, and we speak it back to Him. This is liturgical worship. The Psalms, which have always had a prominent place in the worship of Christians, are both words of God and words of prayer. He gives us the very words with which to pray to Him. Liturgical worship is the employment of these words. We pray using the words He has given us to pray, and in this way we rejoice in them.

            Third, liturgical worship is giving honor where honor is due. The Church of all times has worshiped in this manner. When we do the same we show our respect for the Christian tradition of all times, and we worship indeed with angels and archangels and all the company of heaven. X

Why do we worship on Sunday?

            Actually, in apostolic times, the Church was at prayer together daily, according to Acts 2: They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship: the breaking of the bread and the prayers. Even so, they reserved Sunday for the high feast, inasmuch as they recognized Sunday, the first day of the week, as the day when Christ arose from the dead. The Sabbath had been Saturday, of course, but this was fulfilled when Christ rested in the tomb on Holy Saturday. This is why the Apostle declares that Sabbaths are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. So therefore Sunday became the Church’s “high” day of worship, since Christ Himself not only arose on Sunday, but made His subsequent resurrected appearances also on Sundays throughout the forty days leading to His ascension. Then came Pentecost, the fiftieth day from Easter, also a Sunday. So it was Christ Himself who shifted the thinking of His people toward Sunday as the chief of days. Moreover, since, according to St. Luke’s Gospel, He was recognized by the Emmaus disciples (on Sunday) in the breaking of the bread, and that phrase is repeated in Acts (see above), so it was fitting that Sunday be also the chief day on which the Holy Sacrament was offered to the people.

            So it was, throughout the ages, that Holy Christendom, whether or not they assembled also on other days of the week, would always assemble every Sunday (which, biblically, begins on Saturday night), in order especially to receive the Holy Sacrament in the Mass. Therefore the orders of Matins and Vespers, as well as other non-Communion services, were really never intended as replacements for the Mass on Sunday morning. Rather, they were used either on weekdays or as pre-sacramental services. But Sunday was reserved especially for high worship, that is, for the reception of the Holy Supper. X

First Tuesday

November’s First Tuesday events will be held on November 1^st. Altar Guild at 6 p.m. Vespers is at 6:45, and Elders meet at 7:15.

Pastor Scheduled for Surgery

I am scheduled for out-patient surgery on my left hand on Monday, November 7^th, to correct the deformity caused by Dupuytren’s Contracture. The bend in my ring-finger has made typing, piano playing, and simple functions increasingly more difficult, but the anticipate result will be that I will be able to regain full use of my hand when it is healed.

The surgery will probably render my use of my left hand quite limited for the next few days, so tentatively I am planning to keep Q & A on the schedule for Tuesday, but for Wednesday, November 9^th we may have to cancel services. Hopefully I will be fully able to serve as celebrant by Saturday.

-          Pastor

Thanksgiving Worship

As usual, our Thanksgiving Mass will be held on Wednesday evening prior, at 7:00.  All members are encouraged to come.

All Saints

November 1^st, All Saints Day, falls on a Tuesday this year. The next day, November 2^nd, is All Souls Day, or the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed. Since at St. Paul’s we are accustomed to having midweek mass only on Wednesdays, the Feast of All Saints will be observed on the 2^nd in place of All Souls. Both are First Class, but All Souls is technically not a First Class feast  and so has lower rank.

October 2016

Moving Day

 As this newsletter goes to press we are moving the pews back into the church, in time for Saturday evening mass on September 24^th.

We have been working feverishly to get to this point. Bob Harrison, our plasterer/painter, has completed the plaster repair in the nave (if you count the wall at the front as part of the chancel: this will be completed at a later date), and all the painting and gold striping has been completed in the places which required the pews to be removed, so they can be returned to the church.

The project has come to a milestone, the finishing touches on what we are now referring to as 

Phase I: the Nave.

The nave is the section of the church where the people sit; it is sometimes incorrectly referred to as the sanctuary. Actually the sanctuary is that part of the church at and above the front steps, where the chancel is, including the altar and its attending furniture. The nave is the name for the largest part of the church, the place to which the pews have been returned, where we have been painting, over the last few months. 

The term ‘nave’ is related to the term ‘navy’ and pertains to ships. The church is thereby likened, by a traditional and venerable illustration, to a ship crossing the sea, at which Jesus is at the helm.

Our volunteers and members have been working tirelessly and have given sacrificially not only in terms of offerings, but of time: cleaning, dusting, vacuuming, mopping, buffing; moving scaffolding, painting, cleaning up after our hired plasterer; and now on moving day, loading the pews back onto flatbed trailers to move them around to the front doors of the church and carry them back into their places, which have been carefully marked.

The willingness of volunteers who have come forward in large numbers, has paid off in spades, and is a mighty contribution that is keeping our costs down. Most importantly, we are back! The progress made thus far is nothing short of remarkable, especially considering the size of this congregation.

RE-DEDICATION OCTOBER 9TH

As Phase I comes to its conclusion, we will be planning a re-dedication ceremony as part of our Sunday morning worship, on October 9^th.

-          Pastor Eckardt

For more on our project, see "Project Phases Defined," below.

Twenty-first Oktoberfest!

Oktoberfest:

October 9-11, 2016 (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday)

The Twenty-first Annual Oktoberfest! and Gottesdienst Central will be hosting the Rev. Benjamin Mayes, PhD, Assistant Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana. His topic will be 

“The Call and the Ministry according to Johann Gerhard”


Johann Gerhard has been called the “Arch-theologian of Lutheranism,” and was the most influential of seventeenth-century Lutheran theologians. He decisively influenced Protestant theologians to study the evangelical (i.e., Gospel-centered) character of pre-Reformation Christianity. Gerhard has been an area of particular interest for Dr. Mayes, who served until this fall as an editor of professional and academic books at Concordia Publishing House (CPH) in St. Louis. In particular he served as general editor for Gerhard’s Theological Commonplaces. Dr. Mayes still serves CPH as managing editor and co-general editor of Luther’s Works: American Edition.

The event begins Sunday the 9th with Vespers at 5 p.m. Following the service is our annual bratwurst banquet. When everyone has had their fill of brats and beer, Dr. Mayes will give a synopsis of his Monday seminar. Following the banquet is the after-the-party party, at Pastor Eckardt’s home.

On Monday, October 10th, Mass is at 9:00 a.m., with Rev. Fr. Michael Frese from Redeemer in Fort Wayne, Indiana, as our special guest preacher. Following Mass and a continental breakfast, Dr. Mayes will hold forth for the rest of the day, in two sessions running until about 2:45, followed by Vespers. 

On Tuesday, the conference will continue in the same format, with discussion of liturgical and theological ramifications of decisions made at this summer’s triannual convention of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, with Fr. Eckardt.

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

Oktoberfest Desserts Needed

Can you provide a dessert for Oktoberfest? Pleae let Judy know, and be prepared to bring it on Saturday or Sunday (the 8^th or 9^th).

October Ushers:

Steve Peart, Grant Andresen, Larry Campbell

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 Robert Jones

10/24 Corey Peart

10/28 Carmen Sovanski

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:

Denny Schoen

Sandra Verplaetse

Emilie Ricknell

Linda Rowe

Don Murphy

Sue Murphy

Steve Harris

Kris Harden

Joyce Long

Mary Hamilton

Emmy Wear

and also:

Anna Rutowicz [granddaughter of Harrises]

Julie Ross [Svetlana Meaker’s daughter]

Jill Matchett [at request of Diana Shreck]

Lorene Foglesong [at request of the Kraklows]

Maria Thorndike [at request of the Murphys]

Annie Eastman [at request of Svetlana Meaker]

Emily Corzine [Sarah’s sister]

Nancy Popejoy [relative of Sharon Hartz]

Dave Colgron [friend of Tom Wells]

Shannon Watson [Jim’s daughter]

Maxine Bitting [relative of Thompsons]

Noah Muske [relative of Kraklows]

Jonna Dougherty [friend of Chris Erickson, stroke]

Steve Draminski [friend of Jim Watson]

Kathy Nussear [Joyce Long’s daughter, cancer]

Ray Zarvell [friend of Steve Harris and Fr Eckardt]

Theresa Lewis [niece of Carol Eckardt]

in the milistary

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]

in trouble:

any unborn children in danger of abortion

those suffering from unrest, persecution, and imprisonment in Pakistan, Algeria, Iran, North Korea, and elsewhere.

  

Persecution details:

PAKISTAN: Swift Response Saves Community from Bomb Attack. Source(s): Morning Star News

15 September 2016

Christians in northwest Pakistan narrowly escaped with their lives after security forces foiled a suicide bomb plot against them. Security guard Samuel Masih opened his community's main gate to four Taliban bombers -- and died in a hail of bullets. Two other guards were injured, as were two soldiers and a policeman.

However, the swift response of Samuel's colleagues meant that a greater tragedy was averted. One of the suicide bombers was killed after igniting his bomb, but thankfully there were no other casualties as a result of the blast. Security officials intervened by killing the three other suicide bombers.

IRAN: Update on Christian Convert Seeking Asylum

Source(s): Stundin (Icelandic news outlet)

15 September 2016

As mentioned in a previous report, Morteza Songolzadeh, an Iranian Christian who could face execution if he returns to Iran, has been living in Iceland in hopes of obtaining asylum. According to European Union law, he may soon be sent to France (the country to which he initially fled), then from there to Iran, unless immediate intervention takes place.

ALGERIA: Court Reduces Length of Prison Term

Source(s): Middle East Concern

15 September 2016

We have received some encouraging news regarding our Algerian brother, Slimane Bouhafs, whose case was featured in a previous Persecution & Prayer Alert report. Slimane's original five-year jail sentence was recently reduced to three years in a verdict announced on September 6th. However, as the appeal court has still upheld his conviction for "blasphemy," he would very much appreciate our continued prayers.

Slimane was arrested after posting a Facebook comment about Jesus overcoming "the darkness of Islam." (More details on his case may be found here.) His legal team is now planning to appeal to the supreme court. Pray that Slimane and his family, as well as his church, will experience God's peace and compassion in new ways during the appeal process.

Project Phases Defined

Moving Day (see headline) brings the first part of our renovation project near to its close. As the finishing touches are completed, we look forward to a re-dedication ceremony for our nave during Sunday morning worship, on October 9th. 

The entire project has been evolving as it has progressed. We embarked on this project early in 2016, not quite knowing how it would proceed, but making adjustments as we went along, until now we have, quite remarkably, come to the conclusion of the first phase of the project: the Nave.

Here is a possible scenario for the future, and it is really very tentative and certainly not necessarily in this order:

Phase One: the Nave. COMPLETED

Phase Two: the Balcony.

Phase Three: the Chancel.

Phase Four: flooring.

Phase Five: air conditioning.

Phase Six: extras (new baptismal font, statue of St. Paul, other?)

We are in the midst of discussions concerning what will come next, but as this newsletter goes to press we are leaning toward moving next to the next area of greatest need, which would be the Balcony. This part will involve taking special care to protect our organ as we repair plaster in places almost directly over its console, and in near to the delicate pipes. 

Indeed at press time the pipes are already badly out of tune, made so by our necessity of covering them with plastic to protect them. Had we not done that, we could have had a more serious problem on our hands. Communications with our regular organ tuner are underway right now, and we are hopeful of getting the organ ready at the latest in time for Oktoberfest.

The repairs to the balcony will require some careful scaffold building to allow access to the ceiling above the organ console and exposed pipes.

Meanwhile there is a twofold benefit to proceeding slowly at this point.

In the first place we need to raise more funds. Currently we have come very close to spending everything we have taken in, but due to our tremendous savings that step has been a large one.

In the second place making the chancel phase three (rather than phase two) gives us additional time to consider how it will look. One possibility is finding an available altarpiece such as the one that used to be in St. Paul’s. Perhaps there is one somewhere that is sitting unused, available for the asking. If so, once again our able volunteers might be able to get it. It is really quite difficult to tell just how things may proceed, but one thing is certain: the project is an exciting thing to see, and worthy of our continual prayers. As the Lord blesses, so we shall be blessed.

GoFundMe Campaign Continues

An online fund raising campaign for our renovation effort began in August. Here is a recent update:

Major cleaning day. I counted 16 volunteers who worked hard mopping, dusting, vacuuming, picking up. Also taking down and moving scaffolding. Great turnout, great job, everyone. Next week some more painting, and one week from today is moving day; the pews go back! So exciting to be part of this mighty little parish!

Altar Guild News

Notes for October:

           

There are five Sundays this month.  The first four are green, and the fifth (Oct. 30^th) is Reformation Sunday, so the color is red.

There are four Wednesdays in October:

(Wednesday September 30 we will observe the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels, so the color is white.)

Wednesday October 5 is green.

Wednesday October 12 is green

Wednesday October 19 is red, observing St. Luke the Evangelist

Wednesday October 26 is red, observing SS Simon and Jude.

September 2016

Why We Are Doing It

           

Enormous efforts are being expended to get out church remodeled. Replastering, repainting, moving scaffolding around, setting up volunteers, moving pews, raising funds, giving funds, spending funds, etc. This is especially noteworthy considering the small size of our parish.

No doubt the question comes up from time to time: why are we doing all this? What’s the point?

The question has an answer that is worthy of remembering: we do this because we want to give our very best to our sacred space, from which the Gifts of God are so graciously given to us.

Our dedication to this project says something about where our heart is, it seems to me.

We believe in sacred space, because we believe in the Incarnation. God became flesh, has come down from heaven and become incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, he has adorned our earthly life with his divine Presence and mercy. This matters to us, and changes the way we think about life.

So, in the first place, we attend to the preaching of his Word and the administration of the Blessed Sacrament. In the second place, we seek to adorn this preaching and administration with a dignified use of the liturgy, as well as by dressing our minister and his assistants in sacred garments. We also dress ourselves fittingly for attendance at worship. We remember, when we enter the worship space, to behave reverently.

And, according to the same line of thought, we do what we can to keep our worship space itself looking decent. For a very long time we were obliged to put up with a lovely worship space that grew more and more needful of repair. Now at last we have embarked on the repairs, hopeful, prayerful, and looking forward to the completion of a worthy project by the grace of God.

We do it because, in short, it is the right thing to do, and we pray, as ever, that God will bless, for Christ’s sake.

+ Pastor Eckardt

Pews Going Back Soon

At this point we are optimistic that the project will be at the point at which we can put our team of volunteers back together to return the pews to the church, and move back there for worship. Mid-September is our target. This is good news, since Oktoberfest is right around the corner. Be ready for a call for volunteers!

Oktoberfest!

The Twenty-first Annual Oktoberfest! and Gottesdienst Central will be hosting the Rev. Benjamin Mayes, PhD, Assistant Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana. His topic will be 
“The Call and the Ministry according to Johann Gerhard”

Johann Gerhard has been called the “Arch-theologian of Lutheranism,” and was the most influential of seventeenth-century Lutheran theologians. He decisively influenced Protestant theologians to study the evangelical (i.e., Gospel-centered) character of pre-Reformation Christianity. Gerhard has been an area of particular interest for Dr. Mayes, who served until this fall as an editor of professional and academic books at Concordia Publishing House (CPH) in St. Louis. In particular he served as general editor for Gerhard’s Theological Commonplaces. Dr. Mayes still serves CPH as managing editor and co-general editor of Luther’s Works: American Edition.

The event begins Sunday the 9th with Vespers at 5 p.m. Following the service is our annual bratwurst banquet. When everyone has had their fill of brats and beer, Dr. Mayes will give a synopsis of his Monday seminar. Following the banquet is the after-the-party party, at Pastor Eckardt’s home.

On Monday, October 10th, Mass is at 9:00 a.m., with Rev. Fr. Michael Frese from Redeemer in Fort Wayne, Indiana, as our special guest preacher. Following Mass and a continental breakfast, Dr. Mayes will hold forth for the rest of the day, in two sessions running until about 2:45, followed by Vespers. 

On Tuesday, the conference will continue in the same format, with discussion of liturgical and theological ramifications of decisions made at this summer’s triannual convention of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, with Fr. Eckardt.

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

Pastor to Preach 50^th Anniversary Service at Holy Trinity in Walnut

Pastor Eckardt has been honored to be the preacher for the 50^th anniversary celebration on Sunday morning, September 25^th, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Walnut, where Rev. David Menet is the pastor. Pastor Menet has occasionally brought members to our Easter Vigil, and has used Pastor’s materials for his members over the past ten years.

In order to enable Pastor to be present at Holy Trinity, supply pastor Rev. Michael Bahr will again be serving here on September 25^th. Holy Trinity will be covering the expense of this pulpit supply.

The members of St. Paul’s are invited to the celebration at Walnut, which opens with Divine Service at 10 a.m., followed immediately by a luncheon banquet. Pastor will be traveling on from Walnut from the luncheon to the annual St. Michael Conference in Detroit, for which see below.

Pastor to Speak in Detroit

Every year Zion Church in Detroit holds its St. Michael conference on the last Monday of September, and Pastor Eckardt is always one of the speakers at the conference. This year’s conference will center on the holiness of time and space in the Divine Service. Keynote speaker. Rev. Dr. Joel Elowsky, a professor from our St. Louis seminary, provides this summary of his presentation:

"The Fathers of the Church did not "do" church. They lived it. They lived what they believed and believed what they lived. . . . From the earliest days the practice of the liturgy revolved around the two foci of Baptism and the Lord's Supper. The resultant life of prayer which the liturgy expressed drew from the unity the Fathers saw between the Old and New Testaments brought together by the cross and crucifixion, authored by the One divine Author who gave His life for the world. As such, the Fathers viewed the liturgy as sacred space, sacred time, sacred act honoring with sacred words and sacred music the Author and Perfector  of their faith and life."

For information on this conference consult Pastor.

GoFundMe Campaign Begun

An online fund raising campaign for our renovation effort began in August. Here is the description:

St. Paul's Lutheran Church is a traditional, liturgical, historical congregation, a place where, as the saying goes, "you know you've been to church."  We are truly a blessed family of believers who care for each other as we rejoice together in the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. But we are small, and until now that has kept us from addressing the need for repairs and paint for our beloved, historic (1903) church’s ceiling. What has changed? We are still, as ever, a fragile congregation, whose funds, in spite of all our best efforts, are never quite able to keep up; a congregation that sometimes receives unexpected gifts just in the nick of time, it would seem.

We must now step forward in faith, because our poor building can no longer wait.

And as far as finances are concerned, two things have also emerged. First is the news that trustees and some members of the congregation met with a man, Mr. Bob Harrison, a drywall and plaster refinisher, who stated that the plaster in the nave is reparable, and that this work could be done in short, affordable steps, provided that we can set up our own scaffolding and planking, and do as much of the unspecialized work as we can, including especially cleanup; but possibly also even some painting. This is a breakthrough: the breaking of the project into steps prevents us from thinking it to be overwhelming and undoable. We can take as long as we need.

Secondly, the membership is now exhibiting a unified sense of urgency and purpose.  We are committed to the task of being a beacon of the Gospel in this place, and so we step forward in faith and with grit and determination, praying for our Lord’s continued blessing on us as we proceed.

We want to make our historic place of worship worthy of its name again, and a fit place to honor our Lord Jesus with worship and praise. If we can meet our goal, we have no doubt this house of worship can become one of the most beautiful of its (neo-Gothic) kind, We hope to restore this building in such a way that it complements our joyous worship and praise. We want the dignity of our building to say we are here approaching unto the dignity and beauty of the Gospel we confess, and our profession of faith in the mercy of God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Join us as we step forward in faith and love (and if you can, by all means, join us for worship if you ever happen to be anywhere near us when we gather for worship). We will certainly be thankful for your support, not only toward you, but toward our gracious God whose provision is always abundant.

Altar Guild News

Sundays during September, the color is green.

Wednesdays are varied:

September 7^th is green.

September 14^th is red (Holy Cross Day)

September 21^st is red (St. Matthew)

September 28^th is white (observance of Michaelmas) Color reverts to Green for the first Sunday in October

September Birthdays

9/1 John Ricknell

9/10 Jan Schoen         

9/15 Chuck Russell

9/17 Mary Beth Jones

9/18 DeAnne Anderson

9/19 Jaclyn Kraklow

9/19 Jamie Kraklow   

9/28 Allan Kraklow

September Anniversaries

9/18/1976 Tom and Sue Ann Wells

9/24/1977 Dennis and Janice Schoen

September Ushers: Allan Kraklow, Steve Kraklow, Tom Wells.

Shut ins

Mary Hamilton at home; Emmy Wear at Williamsfield Home in Williamsfield.

Choir Rehearsals

Regular choir rehearsals resume Wednesday evening, September 7^th, as we prepare for Oktoberfest.  We’ll have some new music, and, as always, have lots of fun.

Our Web Site’s Description of Us

Here’s a bit of our web site’s information about St. Paul’s:

Who are we?

We are a Lutheran (Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) parish of Christian people who rejoice in our salvation, and in having the Word of God among us.   When we hear the Gospel our hearts rejoice and are glad. We sing, and our choir sings, and our liturgy expresses our unspeakable gladness in the solemn dignity that befits holy joy.   The Lord Jesus Christ here lavishes us with His eternal gifts and mercy. The Master serves the servants, and this wondrous mystery delights and humbles us in His presence.    We welcome you to share this joy with us. 

What do we believe?

According to the Sacred Scriptures, and in the unity of the one, holy apostolic, Christian, catholic (universal) faith, we believe, teach and confess that the one true God is the Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Ghost—who, created and sustains all things in heaven and on earth.  

Our faith is simply expressed in the catechism, and in the great Creeds of the Church, which state clearly that since the fall of Adam, all men are born with sin, and this condemns and brings eternal death upon those not born again through Baptism and the Holy Ghost.  

The Son of God, Christ our Lord, bore the curse of the law and paid for all our sins.  Through Him alone we obtain forgiveness of sins through faith, are freed from death and all the punishments of sin, and are saved eternally.  He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.   Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Holy Triune God, is true God and true man, and therefore our Redeemer and Lord.  Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the express image of the Father, as He said, “I and the Father are one.” Christ assumed His human nature in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He truly suffered, was crucified, dead, and buried, that He might reconcile the Father unto us by this sacrifice. Christ also descended into hell, and truly rose again the third day; afterward He ascended into heaven that He might sit on the right hand of the Father, and forever reign and have dominion over all creatures, and sanctify them that believe in Him, by sending the Holy Ghost into their hearts. The same Christ shall openly come again to judge the quick (the living) and the dead.

The Holy Ghost, whom Christ sent, creates and sustains the Holy Christian Church on earth by the Gospel.

What do we regard as our greatest treasure?

Christ Jesus our Lord is our greatest treasure, revealed to us by the Holy Ghost in the Gospel.  The eternal truths of the Holy Gospel are therefore our very life and salvation, and we regard the preaching of the Gospel and its attendant Sacraments as our highest need and joy.

What are the Sacraments?

Baptism, the Lord's Supper, and Absolution, which is the Sacrament of Repentance, are truly Sacraments. For these rites have God's command and the promise of grace.

Where do we find these truths?

We have learned of our gracious Lord and Master Jesus Christ by the proclamation of His Word, and faithful teaching of the Sacred Scriptures. The Bible is the only true norm according to which all teachers and teachings are to be judged.  Since it is the Word of God, no human being's writings dare be put on a par with it, but everything must be subjected to it.  We know that the Scriptures will not lie to us.

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:

Denny Schoen, Sandra Verplaetse, Emilie Ricknell, Linda Rowe, Don Murphy, Sue Murphy, Kris Harden, Joyce Long, Mary Hamilton, Emmy Wear

      and also:

Anna Rutowicz [granddaughter of Harrises]

Julie Ross [Svetlana Meaker’s daughter]

Jill Matchett [at request of Diana Shreck]

Lorene Foglesong [at request of the Kraklows]

Cathy Van Wassenhove [re Sandra Verplaetse]

Maria Thorndike [at request of the Murphys]

Annie Eastman [at request of Svetlana Meaker]

Emily Corzine [Sarah’s sister]

Nancy Popejoy [relative of Sharon Hartz]

John Molburg [friend of Sandra Verplaetse]

Dave Colgron [friend of Tom Wells]

Shannon Watson [Jim’s daughter]

Maxine Bitting [relative of Thompsons]

Noah Muske [relative of Kraklows]

Jonna Dougherty [friend of Chris Erickson, stroke]

Steve Draminski [friend of Jim Watson]

Kathy Nussear [Joyce Long’s daughter, cancer]

Ray Zarvell [friend of Steve Harris and Fr Eckardt]

Theresa Lewis [niece of Carol Eckardt]

Pastor Kenneth Wegener 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]

  in trouble

any unborn children in danger of abortion

those suffering from unrest, persecution, and imprisonment in Yemen, Iran, North Korea, and elsewhere.
Details on Persecution:

YEMEN: Christian Witness in the Midst of Civil War

Source(s): The Voice of the Martyrs USA, The New York Times

18 August 2016

The civil war in Yemen has created a humanitarian crisis, leaving the Christian minority vulnerable to increased persecution by various militant groups. A mission is delivering food and water supplies to a small community of Christian families who have no source of income. Nearby Muslim families are witnessing the love and unity that's taking place among these believers.

Since the war began in early 2015, tens of thousands of people have been killed or injured, and millions displaced from their homes. Compounding the severity of the situation, the coalition's bombing campaign has been "among the deadliest and most indiscriminate in the region's recent history," according to a report by The New York Times.

IRAN: Christians Arrested at Engagement Event

Source(s): Middle East Concern, Mohabat News

18 August 2016

The families of three Azerbaijani Christian men, who have been detained for almost two months in Iran, recently appealed for help. Eldar Gurbanov, Yusif Farhadov, and Bahram Nasibov were arrested on June 24th at an engagement party in Tehran. No charges have been filed against them, nor have they been allowed access to a lawyer.