April 2018

St. Paul’s Evangelical-Lutheran Church

109 S. Elm, Kewanee, Illinois 61443

Newsletter

Volume 30                                   April 2018                                         No. 4

               

The Resurrection of Him Who Was Not Bound to Die

The Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ is the new life of believers in Jesus; and this is the mystery of His Passion and Resurrection, which you ought well to know and to carry out in act. For not without a cause did Life come to death. Not without a cause did the Fountain of life, whence we drink in order that we may live, drink His cup which He was not bound to drink. For death was not Christ’s due portion. As to the question whence death has come, let us look to our origin. Sin is death’s parent. Had there been no sin, no one would have died. The first man received God’s law, that is, God’s commandment, on condition, that if he kept it he should live, if he violated it he should die. By not believing that he would die, he did what caused him to die; and found that to have been true which the Giver of the law had affirmed. Thence came death, thence man became mortal, thence came labour, thence misery, thence the second death after the first, that is, after temporal death, death everlasting. This tradition of death, this law of destruction, binds every man who is born, except that one Man who became Man that man should not perish. For He came bound by no law of death; therefore He is called in the Psalm, “Free among the dead;” whom in all purity a Virgin conceived; whom she as a Virgin bore, and remained a Virgin; who lived without sin, who did not die because of sin; sharing in our penalty, not in our offence. Death is the penalty of offence; our Lord Jesus Christ came to die, did not come to sin; by sharing in our penalty without our offence, He annulled both our offence and penalty. What penalty? That which was due to us after this life. So He was crucified, that on the Cross He might show the dying-out of our old man; and He rose, that in His own life He might show our new life.

–St. Augustine of Hippo (a.d. 354-430), Sermon ccxxxi.

Holy Week and Easter Masses

Holy Monday through Good Friday, at 7 p.m.

Great Vigil: Saturday, March 31^st, at 7 p.m.

Easter Sunrise Mass: April 1^st, at 7 a.m. (Easter breakfast following)

Easter Midweek Mass: Wednesday, April 4^th, at 7 p.m.

Time Capsule Opening Scheduled for Palm Sunday

According to the schedule, we are opening the time capsule on Palm Sunday, March 25^th.

As reported in the March newsletter, 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. It was the sixth grade class that did this (one of whose students was a certain Peter Eckardt), whose teacher at the time was Larry Marshall.

We tried to contact Mr. Marshall the other day to let him know about this. He and his wife Elizabeth currently live in Edgar, Wisconsin. He has been disabled since 2001, and he is on dialysis, waiting for a kidney transplant.

The twenty-year mark was reached in March, so the time capsule is to be opened after our Palm Sunday mass on March 25^th, 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.

April Ushers

Steve Peart, Grant Andresen, Larry Campbell (or Steve Harris if Larry Campbell is subdeacon)

Welcome, Derrick Baker

Most everyone already knows Derrick Baker, who has been attending regularly for nearly a year. Derrick moved from Chicago, where he has been a longtime member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Chicago. He is of course missed there, which is the kind of heartache we have experienced here whenever faithful members have had to move away from Kewanee. But we have been glad to have Derrick as a faithful and regular attendee here.

We have just been informed that a letter of transfer is en route, enabling him to become an official member on the rolls here. We anticipate receiving him by transfer at the Easter Vigil on March 31^st. Welcome, Derrick!

Congratulations, Eric Meaker

Our Easter Vigil will be even more special this year due to the fact that Eric Meaker is due to be confirmed.

Eric had his public examination on Palm Sunday. This honorable young man has been an acolyte and server here at St. Paul’s for many years. Congratulations, Eric!

New Web Site

We have a newly designed web site that we hope will increase awareness of our parish in the community. The address is the same: www.stpaulskewanee.org. It is easy to link to recordings of our radio show, and sermons. Spread the word!

April Anniversaries

4/13/2002      Steve and Sheri Kraklow

April Birthdays

4/3      Adam Shreck

4.14     Emmy Wear

4/19    Luke Wells

4/22    Grant Andreson

4/25    Mason Dooley

Steve Kraklow Wins Robin Contest

It seems the robins came in a flock this year, all at once, judging from the reported sightings that came in from a number of people during the fourth week of February, just like last year. The results are in, and the winner of this year’s contest, by a hair, is Steve Kraklow, who reports having seen several of them on February 27th at 1:30 p.m. Diana Shreck reported a sighting a few hours later.

Here’s the trophy list:

    2018 – Steve Kraklow, February 27th

2017 – Barb Kraklow, February 21^st

2016 – Judy Thompson, January 23^rd

2015 – Carol Eckardt

    2014 – Michele Keehner

Shut ins

Mary Hamilton at her son’s home in Fort Wayne, Indiana

Joyce Long at home

Emilie Ricknell at  home

Dick Melchin at Hammond-Henry extended care in Geneseo.

Emmy Wear at Williamsfield retirement home

Altar Guild Notes

·         Paraments WHITE for the Easter Vigil and all the rest of April Sundays and Wednesdays except:

·         Parament color is RED for April 25^th, St. Mark’s Day

At our March meeting, we noted the importance of always checking supplies. When wine supply gets low (when the second to the last bottle is opened), please inform Pastor, who picks up six bottles at a time in Moline or Peoria. When the supply of hosts gets low (when the last sleeve is opened), please inform Judy, who orders them from Religious Supply in Davenport.

Our April meeting is scheduled for April 3^rd.  

Recruiting for Catechesis

Catechesis concluded on March 17^th; we now look forward toward the recruitment of new members. Do you know someone? A family member or co-worker, perhaps? The schedule is flexible for any adult who has interest. The best way to pick up new members is by personal invitation coming from you! That is, our members are our best resources when it comes to bringing new members in. Be sure to pick up a tract or two from the rack in the hallway to have available.

Church Remodeling Phase III Still in Planning

Two things are currently in the works the our third part of our remodeling project, which is the chancel area.

First is the planning for the look of the chancel. Recently a mock-up was passed around at Bible class, a photoshopped picture of our chancel with a traditional Lutheran altar and reredos in place. The cost of such a choice would still be a matter of negotiation and consideration. The mock-up has been put up on the bulletin board in the hallway, in case you haven’t seen it. 

Meanwhile we are still waiting on Andrew Hatterman, of Murals by Jericho in Peoria, who has been considering some ideas for us and has promised to get back to us soon.

Any direction we choose to go would of course be subject to voters’ approval.

The second matter, on which we hope to have action very soon, is the placing of new light bulbs in the chancel ceiling. For years, many of these lights have been burned out. There are eight floodlights in two series of four, all eight of which are burned out; and there are two single floodlights nearer the altar which are still working. There are also the lights in the canopy directly over the altar. We would like to replace these lights with LED lights which expend far less energy and heat, and are longer lasting. We’ve been working with a company in Galesburg that has been trying to refit the fixtures.

The Lighter Side

Typo in a church bulletin: “Christ is Resin! Older, conservative, Lutheran congregation.”

In Our Prayers

Our list of prayer intentions at mass includes the names on the lists below.  To update the lists please inform pastor.

    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, Dick Melchin, DeAnne Anderson

    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]

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]

Bob Laskey [friend of Monroe Kemerling]

Daniel Wallgren [our roofer]

    in 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

    in trouble: especially

St. Paul Lutheran Church in Chicago

any unborn children in danger of abortion

those suffering from unrest, persecution, and imprisonment in Pakistan, Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, North Korea, and elsewhere

Some persecution details (from www.vomcanada.com)

PAKISTAN: Family Attacked for Building Church Wall

15 March 2018

Five members of a Christian family in northeast Pakistan were attacked and injured as they helped to build a wall around their church on Sunday, March 4th. As church members were inside praying, George Masih, 70, was overseeing the construction of the building project which took place in the village of Yousufwala.

Twenty men, armed with clubs and axes, approached and began beating George and others at the site. His two sons, Babar and William, daughter Nasreen, and daughter-in-law Jamila were also injured. The attackers demanded that the construction stop, claiming the land belongs to them. It is believed the perpetrators were linked to a local landlord.

EGYPT: Renewed Hope After Beheadings

15 March 2018

February 15th marked the third anniversary of the public beheading of 21 Christians on the coast of Libya. In the weeks leading up to that fateful day, ISIS captors had reportedly tortured the men who had travelled hundreds of miles to find work in order to support their families. When the men refused to deny Jesus Christ, the militants beheaded them and posted a video of the execution.

In honour of the 20 Egyptians and one Ghanaian who were killed, a new Coptic church was dedicated last month in Upper Egypt --The Church of the Libyan Martyrs. Built in an area that is 70 percent Muslim, opposition to the construction was harsh. Yet the building was completed with the support of the Egyptian government.

Special Feast Days in April

In addition to Easter and the Sundays of Eastertide, there are two special Feasts in April.

First is the Annunciation, transferred to Wednesday in the week after the Easter Octave because its usual date is March 25^th which is Palm Sunday this year.

Second is St. Mark, April 24^th, which we will observe the following day, Wednesday the 25^th.

St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church

   109 S. Elm Street

   Kewanee, IL 61443

March 2018

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

April 1: Easter Sunrise 7 am

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

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 needed

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

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 Wells

First 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 Kraklow
3/25 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, Indiana
Joyce 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

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

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

109 S. Elm Street
Kewanee, IL 61443

February 2018

Important Events coming Up

There are several special days on the calendar in the coming weeks. Make a note of them, and take advantage of the opportunity to worship and to enjoy he company of your church family.

Septuagesima (Pre-lent)

This season includes the three Sundays prior to Lent. January 28 is Septuagesima Sunday this year, February 4 is Sexagesima Sunday, and February 11 is Quinquagesima Sunday. These names mean seventieth, sixtieth, and fiftieth, respectively, and indicate the anticipation of Easter by as many days, approximated on the Sunday that falls nearest to the seventieth, sixtieth, or fiftieth day before Easter.

Wednesday, January 31: Candlemas (observed)

February 2nd is Ground-hog’s Day, which is actually “Candlemas.” The legend of the groundhog’s fear of his shadow comes from the fact that candles were lit on that day in the churches as tokens of Christ “a Light to lighten the Gentiles.” The candles were lit because the day was from antiquity called Candlemas, the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord and the Purification of Mary, which comes 40 days after Christmas. This commemorates the day on which the Blessed Virgin came for purification after she gave birth, and to present the Christ Child, according to the law of Moses. The priest Simeon then took Him up in his arms and declared Him “a Light to lighten the Gentiles.” At the Feast of Candlemas, therefore, everyone holds a candle, which is lighted during the Mass, from the Preface through the Consecration, a visually moving way of signifying the high point of the service.

Since Candlemas falls on a Friday this year, we will observe it on Wednesday night, to give more people the opportunity to attend.

Ash Wednesday, February 14:

On this first day of Lent, we will celebrate Mass twice, both at 7 a.m. and at 7 p.m. On both occasions we will observe the imposition of ashes, to mark the first day of this holy season of fasting and prayer.

You may note that this is also Valentine’s Day this year. If you’re in the habit of celebrating Valentine’s Day, a fitting and helpful way to do so without taking away from Ash Wednesday would be to observe it early, say on Tuesday the 13th or the previous weekend.

Lenten Midweek Masses

On the following Wednesdays throughout Lent, we will be paying special attention to Lenten themes, and in addition we are planning soup suppers again, to provide members with an opportunity to visit. Details below.

+ Pastor Eckardt

Renovation News

We are still in the planning stage for the next phase of our renovation, and this will be the most important part of the project. There are many things to consider, and it would be best if we could have a plan in place for all of these things before we begin this phase. Do we want a new altar? What do we want on the wall behind it? Must the canopy go? What about the old speaker? Can we put the apostles’ shields back up in the Great Arch, as we once had them many years ago? Or would that be too ambitious? What about the pulpit and lectern? Where should the communion rail go? Do we put the font in the center? What about the floor? Can we find a statue of St. Paul? There are more questions than these, but it should be clear that this is a rather massive planning stage. It’s not like the first two phases when all we really needed to decide on was a color scheme, and that was hard enough!

Meanwhile, we don’t want to put things off too long, or the momentum dies, and people might start getting discouraged. So we need to press on.


We can learn from what has happened thus far, however. We have more of an idea how much things cost, and how surprisingly inexpensively we were able to do some things. But how much we can raise will still figure in to what we are able to do.

We went with the neo-Gothic theme in which the church was built, and everyone has been pleased thus far.

Our constant prayer is that Almighty God would establish the work or our hands, toward his glory, toward the edification of his people, and toward doing what we can to burnish this church as a place where the grace of God in Christ shines forth as a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of his people Israel.

+ Pastor Eckardt

Shrove Tuesday February 13th 

On Shrove Tuesday, Pastor will make a special point of being available all afternoon (until 5 pm when Galatians study begins) for confession, on this day traditionally intended for this use to prepare for Lent. 

Lent

The season of Lent is a season of emphasis on penitence, in preparation for of Easter. Its span is forty days, like the forty days in which Jesus fasted in the wilderness, in fulfillment of the fast of Moses and Elijah on Mount Horeb.

The Apostles themselves left the specific manner of observance to Christian liberty, saying, “Let each be convinced in his own mind.” Leaving aside the question of what things one should fast from (whether sweets, or meats, or milk products, etc.), what is clear is that the custom of fasting itself is quite biblical. If Moses, Elijah, and Jesus himself fasted, certainly it must be a good practice. Indeed, on Ash Wednesday we hear Jesus saying, When ye fast (not if ye fast!), be not as the hypocrites, etc. Luther’s Small Catechism also declares, “Fasting and other bodily preparation is indeed a fine outward training.” Therefore, we conclude two things: first, that fasting is a good thing, and second, that it is a matter left to Christian liberty.

Liturgically the Church fasts during Lent (as Israel fasted forty years in the wilderness). The color is penitential violet. Alleluias are not sung, and there is less music; flowers are absent, and weddings are not to be scheduled.

During the last two weeks of Lent, statutes, images, and crosses in the churches are veiled, and no Glorias are sung at all, except in the Gloria in Excelsis on Maundy Thursday.

In the midst of this penitential mood there is joy, at Laetare, the fourth Sunday in Lent ( ‘rejoice’). The entire penitential season is not to be sad, but joyful. For true joy of heart, born of the suffering and resurrection of Christ, transcends all parts of Christian life, even the deepest of sorrows, as we confess with David that weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Thus the forty days of Lent is followed by a contrastingly festive forty-day season from Easter until Ascension Day.

February Ushers

Otis Anderson, John Ricknell, Bill Thompson

February Birthdays

2/2 Mindie Fisher
2/4 Joshua Kraklow
2/5 Tom Wells
2/17 Monroe Kemerling
2/23 Carol McReynolds

February Anniversaries

None

First Tuesday Events Moved This Month

Pastor and Carol will be in Florida for a few days in early February, so the first Tuesday events (altar guild, vespers, elders) are moved to the second Tuesday, February 13th.

Shut-ins

Mary Hamilton is currently with her son in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Emilie Ricknell is at home; Joyce Long is at home; Emmy Wear is at Williamsfield Retirement Center; Dick Melchin is at Hammond-Henry Hospital in Geneseo recovering from cancer surgery.

Altar Guild Notes

Altar color is white until January 28th, Septuagesima Sunday, when it turns to violet. On Wednesday, January 31st, we will observe Candlemas, the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord and the Purification of Mary. Color is white for that day, then reverts to violet.

Color is violet throughout February.

Since Saturday evening masses are no longer being held, the Wednesday crew will need to set up for Sunday, and the weekend crew will only have Sunday duties.

No mass on Wednesday, February 7th. On February 14th (Ash Wednesday), Mass in the morning and again in the evening, at 7:00.

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:
Emilie Ricknell, John Ricknell, Linda Rowe, Mary Hamilton, Emmy Wear, DeAnne Anderson, Dale Baker, 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 and Oneda Hendrickson [John Ricknell’s relatives]
Dean Moss [Chris Erickson’s friend’s father, cancer]
Bob Laskey [friend of Monroe Kemerling]

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]
Shawn Wetzel
Eric Verplaetse [Sandra’s grandson]
Jake Mahaffev

in trouble, especially:

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.

and our own church

HOW CHRISTIANS SHOULD BE TAUGHT TO CONFESS

From the Catechism:

What is Confession?

Confession has two parts. First, that we confess our sins, and second, that we receive absolution, that is, forgiveness, from the pastor as from God Himself, not doubting, but firmly believing that by it our sins are forgiven before God in heaven.

What sins should we confess?

Before God we should plead guilty of all sins, even those we are not aware of, as we do in the Lord’s Prayer; but before the pastor we should confess only those sins which we know and feel in our hearts.

Which are these?

Consider your place in life according to the Ten Commandments: Are you a father, mother, son, daughter, husband, wife, or worker? Have you been disobedient, unfaithful, or lazy? Have you been hot-tempered, rude, or quarrelsome? Have you hurt someone by your words or deeds? Have you stolen, been negligent, wasted anything, or done any harm?

Soup Suppers Again

Our Lenten soup suppers are being scheduled again, beginning on Wednesday, February 21st. There is no supper scheduled for Ash Wednesday. Suppers are also scheduled for February 28th, March 7th, March 14th, and March 21st. There is no supper scheduled for Holy Week.

We have two volunteers already to provide the supper; there are five weeks in all, so three more are needed.

The crowd is generally small, so be careful not to overdo it.

Council Meeting Cancelled

The February council meeting is cancelled for February because key council members will be away.

Robin Sighting Contest

No robins have been sighted yet. Contact Pastor if you see one, and you might win. The first to see a robin wins an all-expenses-paid 10-day cruise in the Bahamas, or not.

Last year’s winner was Barbra Kraklow.
In 2016 it was Judy Thompson
In 2015, Carol Eckardt
In 2014, Michele Keehner

The robin, of course, is something we regard very highly because it is a sign of spring; and the approach of spring is also the approach of Easter; and the approach of Easter is enough to cause us abiding joy. So rejoice in the robin, o Christian! And report the date and the place of your first sighting to Pastor, and we’ll announce the winner.

2018 Sabre Goes to Rev. John Hill

This year the Sabre of Boldness, an annual award for Christian courage given by the editors of Gottesdienst went to the Reverend John Hill, President of the Wyoming District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The editors of Gottesdienst announced this on Thursday, January 18th. The video of the event is available at www.gottesdienst.com.

President Hill has been Wyoming District President since 2015. He is recognized as a model of steadfast adherence to confessional standards, especially for his efforts and leadership in his district that called the St. Louis seminary to account for its publication of an article in the Concordia Journal last year virtually promoting Darwinian evolution. The consequent broadside against him was uncalled for and unfortunate, implying that he and his district were wrong to respond to the article to this public error with a public defense of the faith. Although the writer of the article has since retracted his position, there has been no public retraction of the unfair accusations against President Hill. But his devout dedication has nevertheless been solid and marked by careful churchmanship. In receiving the award for him, Revs. Mark and Christian Preus, who reside in his district, referred to him as one of the humblest men they have ever known.

The choice was a most difficult one to make, and the editors noted that there were ample reasons why either of the other two nominees might just as easily have been chosen. The other two nominees were Rev. Fr. Richard "Charles" Wokoma and Rev. Johannes Nieminen.

Fr. Wokoma is the Academic Dean of the seminary for the Lutheran Church of Nigeria and is responsible for the bulk of the teaching to between 80 to 100 seminarians annually. The Lutheran Church of Nigeria has recently been making great strides in returning the LCN to a solid confessional, sacramental, and liturgical foundation. Fr. Wokoma has been bold and faithful in the face of constant potential threats against him because of his confession, guiding the students as both a teacher and mentor. The men become pastors who are as solid and faithful as the best of our confessional young pastors in the Missouri Synod, theologically and liturgically, with full liturgical vestments. This church, moreover, is impoverished church and in need of our help. The South Wisconsin District of the LCMS has been raising funds to support them, and Gottesdienst will be pleased to add our plea to potential donors on their behalf. More information on this is available here.

Rev. Johannes Nieminen is the pastor of Zion and Trinity Lutheran Churches in Melville, Saskatchewan. He has demonstrated steadfast faithfulness over several years, and has been constant in seeking to conform his practice to biblical norms in the various aspects of his ministry. Over the first several years of his ministry he has shown an unbending allegiance to confessional standards in his preaching, writing, and practice that has been pastoral and dedicated.

In addition to this year's recipient and nominees, the editors also wished to express a special word of acknowledgment for a lifetime of faithful labor in Christ to Rev. Fr. Charles Evanson. Fr. Evanson is well-known for his critical and sacrificial efforts toward making Redeemer Lutheran Church of Fort Wayne the confessional and liturgical standard-bearer it is today. Fr. Evanson served as pastor there from 1975 until 2000, . From 2000 until 2015 he then served with diligence and faithfulness overseas, mostly as seminary instructor for the Lutheran Church in Lithuania. A fitting tribute to him was written in 2015 by Concordia Theological Seminary President Lawrence Rast (available here). Fr. Evanson now suffers from A.L.S. and is living in Florida., for their steadfastness in the face of possible deportations, beatings, and threats of death for conversion to Christianity as over a thousand members of the congregation have come from Persia and other Muslim lands to the joy of knowing and being baptized into Christ.

St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church
109 S. Elm Street
Kewanee, IL 61443

January 2018

Saturday Evening masses discontinued

Careful deliberations by the Board of Elders, with my input and approval, have yielded the decision that it is time to discontinue Saturday evening services, due to low attendance.

People who attend on Saturday nights are being encouraged to come on Sunday mornings, and if that is not possible, to come on Wednesday evenings at 7:00. Some people who might find mornings more difficult should find the Wednesday masses a welcome alternative.

Saturday evening services have a long history here, dating to before my arrival in 1995. At that time, the service was Evening Prayer. It soon changed, together with the Sunday morning schedule, so that it would always be a Divine Service, that is, a Mass, at which Holy Communion is offered.

The Saturday masses were curtailed a bit some years afterwards, in that they were cancelled whenever I was away. In addition, there were several weekends a year in which remnants of the old “Unity” services were retained. The Unity services were so named because on a few weekends in the year there was only one weekend service offered, and everyone was encouraged to attend, to express our unity as a congregation.

As a result, Saturday masses were never held on the day before Palm Sunday, the last Saturday in June, or the last Saturday of the year. To that list were soon added the Saturdays of Oktoberfest and after Thanksgiving.

The primary reason for the poor attendance on Saturdays seems to have been the gradual loss in membership the congregation has seen over the past 15 years. While new members have joined, many faithful families have had to move out of town because they had to follow employment opportunities. Kewanee itself has been in a population decline. If that decline should be reversed, or if for some reason it should become reasonable to revisit the idea of Saturday masses in the future, we can always do that.

Meanwhile, our Sunday morning worship remains vibrant and healthy, and we are hopeful that the loss of Saturday masses will not have an adverse effect on attendance at all.

The final Saturday mass was held on December 16th. The schedule was already without a Saturday mass on the 30th, according to long tradition, and the 23rd is the day before Christmas Eve, and worship opportunities abound. Therefore, the Saturday change is already effective: Saturday evening masses are now discontinued.

Special thanks to Dick Melchin are in order. Every Saturday, virtually without fail, he would be on hand to open the church, turn on the lights, and be the usher. He was faithful in this duty for decades, Saturday after Saturday one could expect to find him ready to welcome worshipers. His service to the church has proved invaluable. + Pastor Eckardt

The Eckardt Family Christmas Greeting:

Click here

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.

Plans are up in the air for after the seminar. Perhaps we all have lunch together.

Annual Voters’ Meeting

Our Annual Voters’ Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, January 7rd, at 10:00 a.m. (in the time slot normally reserved for Bible Class).
2018 Envelopes

The offering envelopes are in your mailboxes.

January Birthdays

1/1 Chris Erickson
1/4 Lucille Kemerling
1/13 James Hornback
1/15 Breann Dooley

January Ushers

Steve Peart, Grant Andresen, Larry Campbell (unless Larry is scheduled to sub-deacon, in which case Steve Harris is on the schedule)

The Bell Tolls

On the last Sunday of 2017, we will 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

Shut-ins

Mary Hamilton has again moved to be with her son in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Emilie Ricknell is at home; Joyce Long is at home; Dale Baker is at home; Emmy Wear at Williamsfield Retirement Center; Derrick Baker is at VA Rehab Center in Des Moines, Iowa.

January Anniversaries 

None

First Tuesday meetings

Our First Tuesday meetings will be held January 2nd, beginning with Altar Guild at 6 pm, Vespers at 6:45, and Elders at 7:15. Anyone is welcome to join us for vespers.

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:

Emilie Ricknell
John Ricknell
Linda Rowe
Mary Hamilton
Emmy Wear
DeAnne Anderson
Dale Baker
Sue Murphy
Don Murphy
Joyce Long
Steve Peart
Bea Harris
Derrick Baker
Dick Melchin
Dana McReynolds

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 and Oneda Hendrickson [John Ricknell’s relatives]
Dean Moss [Chris Erickson’s friend’s father, cancer]
Wilber Kruger [Mindie Fisher’s father]

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]
Shawn Wetzel
Eric Verplaetse [Sandra’s grandson]
Jake Mahaffev

in trouble, especially:

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.

and our own church

Altar Guild Notes

Altar color is white until January 28th, Septuagesima Sunday, when it turns to violet. On Wednesday, January 31st, we will observe Candlemas, the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord and the Purification of Mary. Color is white for that day, then reverts to violet.

Since Saturday evening masses are no longer being held, the Wednesday crew will need to set up for Sunday, and the weekend crew will only have Sunday duties.

No mass on Wednesday, January 17th.

Pastor Presenting Sectional Paper at Symposium

I have been selected to present again at the Concordia Theological Seminary symposium during the third week in January on the topic “Ye Shall know that I am the LORD,” which is the same topic as that which is planned for our Epiphany seminar. See the story on the previous page. - Pastor

Alms for the Needy

Please remember those less fortunate during this season. The alms box is in the back of the church, and the offerings will be distributed during the holidays.

Council Meeting Cancelled

The January council meeting is unnecessary this month because of the annual voters’ assembly to be held January 7th.

Baptism of our Lord

The Baptism of our Lord is January 13th. This year we will observe it the Wednesday before, on January 10th, at the 7 pm time set for our regular Wednesday mass.

St. Paul’s Feast of Title January 24th

On Wednesday, January 24th, we will celebrate the Conversion of St. Paul. Since this congregation is named for this saint, the day is for us a “Feast of Title,” a First Class Feast. At 7 p.m., our usual Wednesday time.

Renovation News

We are still in the planning stage for the renovation of our church. We hope to have some proposals for a renovation of the chancel, the beginning of Stage III, soon.

Copies of Gottesdienst

Copies of the 100th issue of Gottesdienst, a special anniversary issue, are available in the narthex.

Candlemas observed Jan. 31

We will observe Candlemas, the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord and the Purification of Mary, on Wednesday, January 31 at our regular Midweek Mass. The actual day is February 2nd.


St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church
109 S. Elm Street
Kewanee, IL 61443