March

March 2020

  

March 01          Lent 1 - Divine Service Setting #1

9 am Matthew 4:1-11 Who is this man going to the cross?

                        “I am the Son of God”

March 04  Mid-week Lenten Service #2 – Vespers

7 pm Jesus I will Ponder Now – John 18:15 

                        “Yet, O Lord, not thus alone make me see Thy Passion.”

March 08          Lent 2 – Prayer & Preaching

9 am John 3:1-17 Who is this man going to the cross?

      “I am the Son of Man”

March 11          Mid-week Lenten Service #3 – Vespers

7 pm Jesus I will Ponder Now – John 18:15-27 – 

                       “Peter gave it scarce a thought”

March 15          Lent 3 - Divine Service Setting #2

9 am John 4:5-26 Who is this man going to the cross?

       “I am the water of Life”

March 18          Mid-week Lenten Service #4 – Vespers

7 pm Jesus I will Ponder Now – John 19:5 – 

                      “Jesu, who for me didst die, Livest now forever”

March 22          Lent 4 –Matins

9 am John 9:1-41 Who is this man going to the cross?

                       “I am the Light of the World”

March 25         Mid-week Lenten Service #5 – Vespers

7 pm Jesus I will Ponder Now – John 19:23-27 –

                       “He of everything took heed In His hour of dying.”

March 29         Lent 5 - Divine Service Setting #3

9 am John 11:17-45 Who is this man going to the cross?

                      “I am the Resurrection”

During this month of March we enter the season of Lent, a forty day pilgrimage with Jesus. When Lent begins depends upon the date of Easter. In 325 the church decided that Easter would fall on the first Sunday after the full moon which occurs on or after March 21. 

Two sermon series will be offered this year. We will focus on Jesus’ words as we ask the question, “Who is this man going to the cross?” It is Jesus, the son of God, the son of man, the water of life, the light of the world, the resurrection and the life. 

On Wednesday evening we will gather to meditate on four hymn verses under the theme Jesus I will Ponder Now. Each verse will be sung and serve as the text for our mid-week reflection.

Our students at Wyneken will gather for worship at St. John, Bingen on Wednesday afternoon beginning at 1 pm from March 4- April 1. Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday services at Wyneken will be held in the morning with the imposition of Ashes on Ash Wednesday February 26 and individual absolution on Maundy Thursday, April 12.   Those who are not able to attend our evening mid-week services are cordially invited to worship with our students.  This year we will focus on some of the Apostles’ Creed.

To aid our Lenten journey a devotional based on the hymns of the church will be offered each day from Transfiguration Sunday through Easter Tuesday. Paper copies are available in the gathering area of the church. They can be accessed electronically on our parish web site and FacebookTM page. 

The season of Lent is an important discipline in the life of our congregation and in the lives of the families of our parish. The Alleluias we sing on Sunday are gone. The hymns are reflective, often sung in a minor key. The services have been planned for a purpose. They allow us to contemplate and focus on Christ’s amazing grace and love.  Lent is a time for us to be more introspective.  We meditate upon our need and the Savior’s solution.

The cross was always Jesus’ aim. The cross was not an accident. Jesus was not a victim of circumstances. He knew what was coming and he went on to meet it head-on. To walk into suffering and death in the full knowledge of what will happen is the ultimate test of courage. Jesus’ going was voluntary because he was convinced the cross was the Father’s will for the salvation of the world. Beyond the defeat of death was the assurance of the Resurrection. 

As you observe this season –focusing on Christ’s cross in preparation for the Resurrection – may this be a time of training through repentance and growth in faith.

Images copyright © Ed Riojas Higher Things

March

The season of Lent is upon us once again.  On Sunday, March 3, we will gather to celebrate the Lord’s glorious Transfiguration.

The climax of Epiphany is no doubt the Transfiguration, while the climax of Lent is found at Mt. Calvary. Both involve mountains.  What happened on Mt. Calvary was decided on another mountain, Mt. Hermon. Between the two peaks is the valley of Lent. Jesus comes down the mountain of Mt. Hermon, the place of His glorious Transfiguration and begins His journey "up to Jerusalem," to Mt. Calvary.

What all this means for us, living in the year of our Lord 2019 - We worship a living Christ who is the embodiment of the One and eternal God. Yet, He was despised and rejected.  We uphold the living Christ who, although men rejected Him; He bore our sins in His body that we, being dead to sin might live unto Him in righteousness.

To guide us along our Lenten journey we will offer once again a parish devotional based on the Psalms. From Transfiguration Sunday through Easter Tuesday a daily devotion will be offered through the Parish Web site and on our congregation’s facebook page. Print editions will also be available at the entrance of church. 

Our weekly mid-week Lenten service will focus on Jesus’ Seven words from the cross; culminating on Good Friday when Jesus cried from that cross, “Father, into Your hands I commend my spirit.”  An evening meal will be offered throughout Lent beginning at 6 pm in the Parish Hall. 

Our students at Wyneken will gather for worship at St. John, Bingen on Wednesday afternoon beginning at 1 pm from March 13- April 10. Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday services at Wyneken will be held in the morning with the imposition of Ashes on Ash Wednesday and individual absolution on Maundy Thursday.   Those who are not able to attend our evening mid-week services are cordially invited to worship with our students.  This year we will focus on some of the Penitential Palms from the Old Testament.

We live in a world in which many folk fail to understand what the cross of Christ really means. The cross of Christ is more than just simple jewelry. The cross is more than a good luck charm. It is the place where the Son of Man was suspended between earth and heaven. 

St. Paul tells us "I determine to know nothing among you except for Jesus Christ and Him crucified" As we review what the Lord has done in our midst may Jesus Christ be praised; may we lift up the cross of Christ as a banner for all to see. 

Jesus followed the will of the Father every single moment. Jesus came into this world "to fulfill all righteousness". We point people to Christ, who has fulfilled all of God's requirements.  He has done all things well. To this day, we proclaim a Changing Christ to a changing world. This has been our mission for the past 181 years. By God's good and gracious will may we continue to lift high His banner proclaiming and pointing people to Christ; our strength and our redeemer.

-Godspeed during your Lenten journey!

March

While channel surfing the other night, hoping to find something interesting to watch as I was waiting for a show to come on a thought occurred to me. Our American culture has become inundated with all manners of advertisements; selling items and products from workout programs, to health and vitality products. They address such topics as health and fitness, finances, parenting, and relationships.  All the while they bait you, with promises which guarantee success, and wealth.

Health. Happiness. Prosperity. These are the by-words of our time.   The claims and promises marketers cover make vast and excited claims; as if by following certain steps our lives will become secure, family problems will disappear, our bodies will do what we want, and we will live happily ever after. Life will become a fairy tale ending. Or so they say.

Life is not always lived as advertised.  Our loved ones die. Our bodies wear out. Time rolls on. Indeed, our own station in life changes and in one sense, everything is in flux. 

        

How then do we make sense of such things, and where do we find God in the midst of this life? We find Him in brokenness, sorrow and vulnerability. Yes, God is present. Even in our suffering.

God reveals Himself in weakness and has promised to help us in the same helplessness.  Isaiah reminds us there is no appearance of greatness in the One who comes to save the world. “He had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.” (Isaiah 53:2)

Isaiah describes not only how Christ had nothing which appeared to be great but also how He will be rejected and be acquainted not with power and might but with grief. “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” (Isaiah 53:3).

Christ, who is true God, sets aside His power and might to become man in order to win salvation for you. Isaiah speaks of this Savior: “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4–5).

 In the stripes of Christ we are healed. Christ brings us peace in times of suffering. Here is how we see God. The Father made Himself clear to us in His son Jesus. It was not in power, but in this lowliness described by Isaiah that Christ came. Man would not have chosen for God to work this way. However, God chose to work this way for man.

Now we are in Lent where we reflect upon the suffering and passion of Jesus. By these events, God arranges and directs our lives so that we recognize our true home. The Lord wants us to know that our true home is not here on earth with its false promises of a better life now.

Beware of false and misleading advertising. Your Lord will not abandon you. He will never leave or forsake you. Throughout your life, your Savior reminds you of your true home. He wants you to look forward in confidence to that blessed day - the day of resurrection. 

March

March 1 Ash Wednesday – Special Order of Service with the Imposition of Ashes
Jesus said, “I AM the light of the world

March 5 Lent 1 The Temptation of Jesus
Matthew 4:1–11 “Whose words do you hear?”

March 8 Mid-week Lenten Service #2
Jesus said, “I AM the gate”

March 12 Lent 2
John 3:1-17 “The Father Loves you!”

March 15 Mid-week Lenten Service #3
Jesus said, “I AM the Good Shepherd”

March 19 Lent 3
John 4:5-26 “Jesus leads us to know the gifts of God”

March 22 Mid-week Lenten Service #4
Jesus said, “I AM the vine”

March 26 Lent 4
John 9:1-41 “The paradox of Christ’s coming into this world.”

March 29 Mid-week Lenten Service #5
Jesus said, “I AM the way

Looking ahead, we continue our Lenten journey in April listening to the words of Jesus…

April 6 Mid-week Lenten Service #6
Jesus said, “I AM the Resurrection”

April 13 Maundy Thursday
Jesus said, “I AM the bread of life”

April 14 Good Friday
Jesus is asked, “Are you the Christ?” and He said, “I AM”

April 17 Easter Dawn
“Tell them I AM has sent you”

Easter Festival
Jesus said, “Before Abraham was, I AM”

Our Lenten expedition is upon us once again. We will travel with Jesus from the mountain top experience of the Transfiguration, through the valley of Lent, only to ascend the mountain of Calvary. The journey begins with Ash Wednesday as we will listen to Jesus clear words as He will explain to us clearly His mission. He will say, “I AM the light of the world.” Satan will attempt to divert that light with his temptations. Yet where you and I stumble and fall Jesus will stand up to temptation. As we walk with Him He will bear our sin, carrying them to the cross.

The season of Lent is an important discipline in the life of our congregation and in the lives of the families of our parish. The Alleluias we sing on Sunday are gone. The hymns are reflective, often sung in a minor key. The services have been planned for a purpose. They allow us to contemplate and focus on Christ’s amazing grace and love.  Lent is a time for us to be more introspective.  We meditate upon our need and the Savior’s solution.

To help us along this journey several devotional guides will be offered to our Friedheim family. Meditations on selected psalms will be offered each day from Transfiguration Sunday through Easter Tuesday. When applicable, an appropriate link to the Catechism will be added. These brief meditations will be made available in print and are linked to our parish web site. They will be made available daily on our parish fasebook page. (Like us if you haven’t already done so) 

For families with children, a devotional guide “Together in His Footsteps” will be offered. This resource is designed for families with weekly activities during the season of Lent.    Fun and enriching activities, family-centered reflections and prayers remind children and adults of the importance of deepening their spiritual life during Lent. Well-known author Michelle Van Loon will engage and encourage us to put our faith into action, fostering a habit that can last a lifetime. My wife and I are personal friends with this author. I pray you will enjoy this work. 

On Sunday mornings we will be begin a discussion of the book “Broken, Seven Rules a Christian

needs to break as often as possible.”  This book examines seven of the most common spiritual traditions and how they use speculation, mysticism, and moralism to break Christianity. Author Jonathan Fisk calls them the seven ''counterfeit Christian rules that every Christian ought to break as often as possible.''

Because they are seven myths that have infiltrated the churches in our age, seven teachings taught as if they were doctrine, but which are nothing more than the traditions of men.   Fisk shows how, under the cross of Jesus, you will find that your mind, heart, and hands, your reason, emotions, and sense of mercy, are the very things that our Lord has redeemed. In the resurrection of Jesus, in His fulfillment of the Law, in the essence of His Gospel, in the pure Word of God, you will find the truth. Pr. Fisk confirmed my niece and nephew when he served at Bethany Lutheran Church in Naperville, IL

May the Lord bless our journey through Lent 2017. May the Savior walk with you as your travel with Him. 

March

March 2                Mid-week Lent #4 - “Thy will be done”

March 6                4^th Sunday in Lent – “God Receives Sinners”

March 9                Mid-week Lent #5 - “Give us this day our daily bread”

March 13             5^th Sunday in Lent -“A Forecast of the Future”

March 15             Mid-week Lent #6 - “And forgive us our trespasses”

“March 20           Palm Sunday -“The Nature of God’s Love”

March 24             M. Thursday - “Lead us not into temptation”

March 25             G. Friday - “But Deliver us from evil”

March 27             Easter Sunrise –“Alleluia Christ is risen!”

March 27             Easter Festival Service - “For Thine is the Kingdom”

During this season of Lent, we have set our focus on the Lord’s Prayer. The Lord’s Prayer invites us not to retreat from the world in fear and pain, to anaesthetize or indulge ourselves.  The Lord’s Prayer invites us to join the struggle to see justice and peace prevail. Thus, we pray, “Thy will be done Lord.” 

The Lord’s Prayer teaches us to live with just enough.  It teaches us not to want more.  It teaches contentment, the most subversive virtue of them all. Thus, we pray, “Give us this day our daily bread”.  This is not a prayer for more.  This is a prayer only for what we need.   The world encourages us to spend money in pursuit of happiness.  This petition restrains our greed. 

The Lord’s Prayer teaches me to live with my imperfections and the imperfections of others.  There is a way to deal with the rubbish in our lives. Thus, we pray, “Forgive us our sins”. A consumer culture holds before us the image of perfection.  We cannot be happy until we look like this person, live like that one.  Each image is a lie. The Lord’s Prayer acknowledges human imperfection and sin, daily.  The Lord’s Prayer offers a pathway to forgiveness, daily. The way of forgiveness cannot be bought.  It is a gift.  Grace.  Grace subverts the whole culture of advertising.

The Lord’s Prayer offers a way of reconciliation. Thus, we pray, “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.”  We are not meant to feud or live in hostility or rivalry.  We are meant to forgive and be forgiven, to be reconciled to each other.  That reconciliation happens without expensive presents, without going into debt, without credit.  People are not made happy by more things.  The greatest happiness comes from relationships.  The key to great relationships is reconciliation and forgiveness. 

The Lord’s Prayer builds resilience in the human spirit.  When you say this prayer each day, you are prepared for the bad days. Thus, we pray, “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” 

When we say this prayer we remind ourselves that we are not living in a Disney fairy tale, a saccharine creation of film makers where every story has a happy ending. 

We are living in a real world of cancer and violence and difficulty, where we are tested, where bad things happen for no clear reason.  We live in that world confident in God’s love and goodness and help even in the midst of the most challenging moments of our lives.  Faith is for the deep valleys as much as the green pastures.  We may not have the answers but we know that God dwells with us and in us. 

The Lord’s Prayer tells us how the story ends, how this life is to be lived and lived well.  Thus, we conclude the Lord’s Prayer by saying, “For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and for ever.  Amen”. The prayer returns as it begins to the praise and glory of the living God.  Our hearts return to their origin and source, the one who created us.

As we journey with the Savior through His trial, passion, vicious death and glorious resurrection pray this prayer often. Focus on the Savior, for it is His prayer. Pray in confidence knowing that each petition is heard by Him and He answers each request according to His perfect will.