February

 

February 2021

February 07        Epiphany 5 – Divine Service Setting #3 Lutheran Service Book pg, 184

“When life gets you down the LORD God is still in control” - Job 7:1-7 & Mark 1:29-31

February 14        The Transfiguration of our Lord – Divine Service Setting 3 shortened Lutheran Service Book pg. 184 “Worship at its best” - Mark 9:2-9

The month of February is a month of transition. Transition means change; and with change comes some alterations to our habits and routines. We come to the end of the Epiphany season with a man named Job. Job shows the problem; the predicament of being a fallen soul living in a fallen world co-existing with fallen neighbors, family members and friends. Job’s plight drives home the reality that we live in a broken world outside of Eden.

The Gospel presents Christ as the great physician. Job stops at the point of hopelessness - With Christ we go beyond suffering to the solution of that suffering; namely that He is our substitute; the one who suffered for us, on our behalf, that we might find restoration, hope and eventually life.

At the heart of the gospel is a double transfer. Your sin is reassigned to Jesus. His righteousness is given to you. As your substitute He even knows what you’re going through no matter what it might be. He was tempted in every way possible. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin. – Hebrews 4:15 In this two-fold transaction; your sin goes to Jesus while His righteousness comes to you. And you are free; free from sin, free to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.

As we shift from Epiphany to Lent we will find ourselves with Peter, James and John who witness Jesus’ glorious transfiguration. Moses and Elijah appear before Jesus as they speak of the Savior’s coming arrest, trial, passion and resurrection. Moses and Elijah, those two great prophets of the Old Testament bear witness to Jesus.  After His resurrection Jesus will remind the Emmaus disciples in Luke 24, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms… And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was written in all the Scriptures about Himself.”

Transition can often be difficult. We’ve witnessed much of it this past year. People are yearning to get back to normal; whatever that might be. Honestly, who remembers what “normal” actually was? Yet Jesus remains constant, ever present, frankly; He never changes.  In all transitions and changes - look to Jesus. His guidance will sustain you.  

[1]

As we begin the pilgrimage to the cross and empty tomb through the season a Lent we will be offering numerous devotional resources the help you along this journey. In addition to daily reflections based on the Propers of the week a daily devotional entitled “These Forty Days” will be offered this year. These Forty Days is a simple guide for the reading of Scripture.  These Forty Days includes reflections and prayers for each day and is available for your personal growth. A large segment of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount will be included in this year’s series. Churches and individuals around the world are using similar reading guides during the season of Lent. We invite you to join us.

Copies will be available in the Church’s gathering area and will be posted daily on the parish Facebook_TM page. For those who have given the church office your e-mail contact we will send you the above material daily.

Additionally we will focus on two sermon series during the season of Lent. In our Mid-week Service we will focus on some of the individuals who were present during Christ’s crucifixion. This series is entitled “Characters of the Crucifixion.” On Sunday Morning we will present the series “The message of the Cross” as we focus on the Gospel lesson for each Sunday. Godspeed as you join us during this Lenten journey.

Characters of the Crucifixion

Wednesday Evening Series

 

February 17     Peter:  "I Found Hope after Failure" – John 18:12-27

February 24     Annas: "I Can't Believe that Jesus Is Lord!" - John 18:12-14

The Message of the Cross

 Homilies based on the Gospels

Sunday Morning Series

February 21     The message of the cross leads to the testing of faith –Mark 1:9-15

February 28     The message of the cross involves suffering – Mark 8:31-38

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[1] Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts "The Crucifixion" © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use

February

We are now in the midst of Epiphany. Among the principal themes of the season are: the revelation of Christ to all nations, and Christ as the light of the world. 

The colors of the season are white (a color associated with the festivals of Christ suggesting gladness, joy and light for the day of Epiphany), used the first week after the Epiphany when the Baptism of our Lord is celebrated, and the last week of the season of Epiphany when the Transfiguration of our Lord is celebrated. 

Green is used in the season of Epiphany beginning with the second week after the Epiphany until the week before the Transfiguration of our Lord is celebrated. The color green, reminiscent of living plants suggests spiritual growth.

Although we are in the midst of winter slowly, gradually, bit by bit, little by little the days are getting longer. Epiphany is the season of light. Light shows and reveals. The light burns that all might see the truth and the way to God. This is an excellent time to tell the good news of Jesus the light of the world, and the spreading of the light of Christ in a dark world. Christ is the light. Christians reflect that light in this world.

The light of Christ knows no end. It goes to the ends of the earth. Jesus is the light to enlighten the Gentiles. This light of Christ not only shines on you but through your witness the light and love of Jesus is lived out in the lives of those who bear His name. During the Epiphany season  we see the light of God in Jesus.

Throughout this season the light of God’s glory is seen increasingly in Jesus until the Transfiguration when his clothes and face are as bright as the sun. Light, to be light, must give, expend, and finally die to self. At the end of the Epiphany season we see the light of Christ at its brightest, but it burns itself out on the cross, only to be re-kindled on Easter. 

February

We are now in the Epiphany season, which this year will last longer than Lent (six weeks) or Easter (seven weeks) Epiphany is either long (up to nine weeks) or short (as little as four weeks) depending when Easter falls. The church calendar recognizes the season of Epiphany from January 6 until the last Sunday before Ash Wednesday, which is celebrated as the Transfiguration of our Lord.  In the season of Epiphany Jesus shows, reveals, manifests His glory through His words and actions. By His words, He reveals a message of hope and salvation. By His deeds, He shows His compassion and love.

The gospel stories of this season describe various events that manifest the divinity of Jesus. The coming of the Magi is celebrated on the Epiphany. The Baptism of our Lord is observed on the Sunday after Epiphany. The gospels for the other Sundays of the Epiphany season describe the wedding at Cana, the calling of the disciples, and various miracles and teachings of Jesus. The Last Sunday after the Epiphany is always devoted to the Transfiguration. Jesus' identity as the Son of God is dramatically revealed in the Transfiguration gospel, as well as the gospel of the baptism of Christ.

Observing Jesus’ works and words call us to respond in faith, which says, “You are the Christ, the Son of God.” Upon receiving this gift of faith we now respond in that same saving faith by sharing with others the hope that we have in Christ. Faith receives and then distributes. Do not keep this message to yourself. Share it with others. Let them in. Invite them. Tell everyone what He has done.

 Image of Luther’s Seal © Higher Things

February

The first commandment is so critical. To follow it, we must fear, love, and trust in God above all things, which includes our own self. More information does not equal being more informed.  

In this age of "information overload," everyone seems to think we are more informed nowadays, what with 24-hour news, social media, and real time communication. However, what we are missing is perhaps just how controlled that information now has become. The news is much more biased, and computer algorithms are swayed, such that, the information each of us receives is only that which someone else has decided we should receive. For instance, when you do a "Google" search, the results you see are based on algorithms set by you own personal internet usage. What you see is based on your own biases and perceptions. Not everyone has the same search results show up. Not everyone sees the same advertisements, or the same posts, or the same "news." You could say we are actually being manipulated by our own habits. Now that's a scary thought. And it's being played out, right in front of us, all on a daily basis!  

Adam's temptation was to doubt the Father's promises and to become his own "God." He was tempted to question, "did God say?" and was promised, "you shall not die...for God know that in the day you eat of it...you will be...like God..." (Genesis 3:1-4) 

As the Substitute for all the sons of men, Jesus is driven by the Spirit “into the wilderness” to be “tempted by Satan” (Mark 1:12–13), in order to endure and defeat all temptation. We are tempted by our own desire, which conceives and “gives birth to sin.” (James 1:14–15). But this blessed Man, Christ Jesus, remained “steadfast under trial,” and He has received “the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12). His faithfulness. His victory.  His life. Are now given to us by His grace in the Gospel.

February 2017

Feb 5 Epiphany 5 Divine Service Setting # 3

Matthew 5:13–20 “The Righteousness of Christ”

Feb 12 Epiphany 6 Divine Service Setting #3 without Communion

Matthew 5:21–37 “Christ Sets Life before Us so that We Can Walk in His Ways”

Feb 19 Epiphany 7 Divine Service Setting #4

Matthew 5:38–48 “No Limits in Love”

Feb 26 Transfiguration of our Lord Matins

Matthew 17:1-9 “The Glory of God found in Jesus”

The birthday of Mission occurred on the day of Pentecost circa AD 30 in the city of Jerusalem. On February 25, 1838, Zion-Friedheim Lutheran Church was chartered to be a House of Peace, a Haven of Hope for those who suffer and a Harbor of Light in this sin-darkened world. As followers of Jesus, we are Christ’s ambassadors – commissioned by Him who has reconciled the world to Himself to be salt and light.  

2017 will mark our 179^th year of mission and ministry here in Adams County. As we look at our Mission, we are a 21^st Century Parish with a 1^st Century Faith. Our Vision, taken from Acts 2:42, is to be one in Doctrine, Fellowship, Sacramental living and Prayer.

Ø  “The Apostles Doctrine” Being one in unity and faith. Basing our lives on God’s Holy Word as He speaks clearly to us through that Word.

Ø  “Fellowship” Being one in the Lord Jesus Christ. Experiencing true joy in Christ. Living at peace with each other and enjoying one another.

Ø  “The Breaking of Bread” Sacramental living. Experiencing daily the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation as Christ comes to us in and through the Sacraments.

Ø  “Prayer” Upholding one another. Taking our needs, burdens, joys and sorrows to the throne room of grace. Being thankful as the Savior answers each petition.

During this month of February, as we focus on the words of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, we discover His revelation of Himself to a world, which needs Him so desperately. Not only is He the only Son from heaven. He is the one who entered our world to grant us His life.

Christ asks us is to live according to His will. But always in light of those rewards, that He has already give you and that He is still anxious to bestow on you today. The Christian life must always be a grateful response to what the Father has done for us in the redemptive work of Christ Jesus. Not rules to live by.

All this He has done for you so that you may enter this world as His witnesses. Through the waters of baptism, each of us are called by the Lord to become agents of the Gospel, the presence of Jesus Christ in the world. Wherever it is God calls you to serve, Jesus simply says, “Let your light so shine before men.” – Matthew 5:16

February

Feb 7                     Transfiguration of our Lord -“The Vision of God” - Divine Service Setting #1

Feb. 10                 Ash Wednesday – Our Father Who art in Heaven

Feb 14           1^st Sun. in Lent –“A Good Confession”- Divine Service Setting #3 without Communion

Feb. 17                 Mid-week Lent #2 – Hallowed be Thy Name

Feb. 21                 2^nd Sun. in Lent –“Facing Up To Your Enemies”- Divine Service Setting #2

Feb. 24                                 Mid-week Lent #3 – Thy Kingdom Come

Feb. 28                 3^rd Sun. in Lent -“A Life of Repentance”- Matins

During the month of February, we turn our sights toward Jerusalem – the place called Zion in the Old Testament, the place of temple, the place of God’s presence, the place of Jesus’ arrest, trial, death, and resurrection. Throughout the season of Lent we will focus on the great prayer Jesus has taught us, ”The Lord’s prayer.”  A daily devotion focusing on the petitions has been written for each day during Lent. It will be available on the church web site, on the church’s facebook page and in print.

The readings, which are listed for each day, come to us from Luther’s Small Catechism. It would be beneficial for you to review each section and Petition of the Catechism along with the additional Scriptural Passages for each petition found in the Catechism. As time permits, a review of the Large Catechism might also prove beneficial.  Along with the reading this year you will find a brief commentary taken from The Lutheran Study Bible. This brief explanation will set the tone for each daily devotion, giving the theological significance to each passage.

There are only sixty-three words in the Lord’s Prayer.  It takes less than a minute to say them. Yet these words shape our identity, give purpose to our lives, check our greed, remind us of our imperfections, offer a way of reconciliation, build resilience in our spirits and call us to live to the glory of our Creator.

Life is to be lived to God’s praise and glory, not to satisfy our own small desires.  We are beings with a higher calling and a greater purpose. Thus, we are urged to pray this powerful yet simple prayer.

This prayer gives to those who pray it an identity and a place in the world and a countercultural community. Thus, we pray, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name”.  It opposes the illusion that we are random specks of matter floating through space and time.  It opposes the idea that our lives do not matter.  It opposes the myth of fragmented humanity.

We are created and loved. Called into friendship with God who is our father and into community with our fellow human beings who are therefore our sisters and brothers.  Only someone who has found this new identity can stand against the advertising culture, which night and day seduces us to define who we are by what we spend.

This prayer gives us the courage to live in an imperfect world. Thus, we pray, “Your kingdom come.  Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Our Lord bids us to pray with for ourselves and with each other. As we focus on these petitions may the Lord direct our work and life together who has called us into this community of which we refer as our Friedheim Family.

The Lord bless and direct your Lenten pilgrimage.

O Lord God, You led Your ancient people through the wilderness and brought them to the Promised Land. Guide the people of Your Church that following our Savior we may walk through the wilderness of this world toward the glory of the world to come; - Collect for the 1^st Sunday in Lent.