Palm Sunday April 2, 2023
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Palm Sunday ~ April 2, 2023
Light in The Darkness
It was early morning of the first day of the week. As Mary Magdalene arrived at the tomb of Jesus, it
is still dark. This is the darkness at the beginning of time. This is the darkness that covered Egypt
before the Exodus. This is the darkness into which Judas slipped on his mission of betrayal.
Shadows and darkness stand in Scripture for sin and evil, the oppressive weight of fear, the burden of
hopelessness.
Mary Magdalene had been liberated by the love, the words and the kindness of Jesus. The demons
that had haunted her had been cast out by the Lord. She was healed; she had a new life; she lives in
the Light of Jesus Christ. She witnessed His crucifixion. Now, in the pre-dawn darkness, she went to
the tomb. There was a great earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled
back the stone and sat upon it. The tomb was empty. Then she saw the risen Christ Himself!
All the events of Holy Week lead us to the brilliance of the Light – Jesus Christ, risen, victorious, the
Light of the world and the Light of our lives. The darkness of sin and death still pervade the world.
All the events of today’s world are proof that the darkness of sin surrounds us. Whether it’s mass
shootings, crime and violence, the war in Ukraine, and more, are all signposts of sin’s darkness. In
our own personal lives, we face the sins of thought, word and deed that occur daily. But all that
oppresses us – the pain, disappointment, problems, issues – can no longer weigh us down. Because of
sin, the world is chaotic and inhospitable. In Jesus God has restored the peace we long for.
In the opening words of John’s Gospel, these words stand out: “In Him [Christ] was life and the life
was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (1: 5).
All the darkness of today’s culture; all the darkness that tries to engulf our faith; all the darkness that
oppresses us – people of faith – cannot overcome the Light – the risen Christ.
We enter St. Paul’s sanctuary; it is a holy place where the Word of God is proclaimed and the Holy
Sacraments are administered. The Light of the world – Jesus – speaks to us. The Light of the world
– Jesus – feeds us with His true body and blood. The Light of the world – Jesus – enlightens our
daily lives. We go forth in peace, having our faith strengthened and our daily lives enriched.
As Martin Luther said so eloquently: “The blessing after being freed from sin, Satan and death, is
that we are in the company of angels and have become partakers of eternal life, because Christ is
risen!
Rev. Richard S. Radtke
Pastor Emeritus
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School 1126 S. Barr Street, Fort Wayne, IN 260-423-2496 www.stpaulsfw.orgHoly Week Worship Schedule: Our Giving For March 26
Palm Sunday, April 2 Budget Envelopes $24,173.50
9:30 a.m. Divine Service CLHS $40.00
Maundy Thursday, April 6 Missions/Lutheran $29.73
12:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. with Holy Communion Plate Offerings $422.00
Good Friday, April 7 Seasonal Envelopes $580.00
12:00-3:00 p.m. Tre Ore School Income $4,737.03
7:00 p.m. Tenebrae Total Income $29,982.26
Easter Flowers $48.21
Holy Saturday, April 8
Gathering In Christ $2,184.57
7:00 p.m. Easter Vigil
Total of All Donations $32,215.04
Easter Sunday, April 9
8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m. Divine Service Attendance for Last Week
Wednesday, March 22 ~ 6:30 p.m. 101
Bible Study Opportunities Sunday, March 26 ~ 9:30 a.m. 268
Wednesday, March 29 ~ Noon 24
Early Bible Study—Sunday 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 29 ~ 6:30 p.m. 144
Dr. Quill wraps up this class on the amazing work of
the International Lutheran Council. There will be no Serving This Week and Next
Bible Study on Easter Sunday, April 9. Class Sunday, April 2 ~
resumes April 16 with Dr. Todd Peperkorn teaching on Altar Guild: Cindy Irie, Lynn Wehrenberg,
“The Image of the Cross in the Church’s Art and Rose Davis, and Dorthy Evertts
Architecture”. Meet in the Nerger Room. Elder: Dan Wietfeldt
Ushers: Dave Evans, Dan Ernst, Ethan Ernst,
Sunday School & Youth Bible Study—10:45 a.m.
John Mader, Davis Dean, Dave Geller, Dave Vandre,
Youth, ages 2 through high school, meet in the Nerger
Room before heading off to your classrooms.
Dean Doerffler
Bible Class: Joy: Fully Lutheran—10:45 a.m. Sunday, April 9 ~
True joy is found where Jesus promises to be. Join Altar Guild: Jan Leffel, Mark Swearingen, Gloria
Pastor Hoem as he unpacks what it means to have joy Nash, Rene Wiley, Lynn Wehrenberg, Barb Doerffler,
in the midst of challenging times. Meet in the Nerger Bonnie Doerffler
Room immediately following the Divine Service. Elder: Ethan Ernst
8:00 a.m. Ushers: Dan Wietfeldt, Tyler Germann,
Adult Instruction Class—Sunday 10:45 a.m. Adrianna Germann, Joshuwa Richman, Dale
Pastor Cage continues this class on the chief teachings Doerffler, Dean Doerffler
of the Christian Faith. Meet in the Founders Room.
10:00 a.m. Ushers: Dave Evans, Tony Lardydell, Mike
Wednesday Morning Bible Study Hawk, Chris Hawk, Dave Hawk, Kurt Gutman
Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Robinson leads our morning Bible
study on the book of Psalms. Join us Wednesdays at Altar/Chancel Flowers
7:00 a.m. at the Indiana District Office across the street. The Altar flowers have been given to the glory of God by
Sara Craig, in memory of Donald Ayres.
Wednesday Afternoon Bible Study
Class will resume next week, April 12. Meet in the The Chancel flowers have been given to the glory of God
Nerger Room at 2:00 p.m. as Pastor Cage leads the by Sharon Davis, in memory of David Davis.
study on “Joseph in Genesis”.ANNOUNCEMENTS: Easter Breakfast is Back Next Sunday, April 9, Easter Breakfast will be served in the Nerger Room between the two services. A special thank-you to the Youth Group for serving breakfast! Golden Heirs April Event April 14, 10 a.m.: Sweetwater Sound, 5501 Hwy 30 and Kroemer Rd. Lunch will be through the lunch line at Sweetwater. RSVP via email by April 3 to radcar1969@comcast.net. Meet at church at 9:30 for ride share. Easter Monday—Church Office Closed The church office will reopen on Tuesday, April 11, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For those of you who ordered flowers, you may pick them up on Sunday after the 10:00 a.m. service or on Tuesday. St. Paul’s Teaching Positions For 2023-2024 We are sad to announce that our Pre-K director, Stephanie Mueller, has accepted a Call to Emmanuel -St. Michael. We are thankful for her dedication to the students of St. Paul’s and we wish her God’s richest blessings. St. Paul’s Call Committee (St. Paul’s Board of Elementary Education) continues to seek qualified licensed teacher candidates for consideration for Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 5th Grade. Any interested candidate should submit his/ her resume to Pastor Joe Hoem at the following address: jhoem@stpaulsfw.org. If you would like to refer a candidate for consideration, send the candidate’s name (and any available contact information) to the same email above or contact the school office at 260-424-0049. Order Altar/Chancel Flowers Flowers are available for ordering on the following dates: April 9, 16, 23, and 30, and throughout 2023. Please sign up on the date of your choice in honor of an occasion or in memory of a loved one. Instructions for ordering are on the Altar Guild book located on the counter in the hallway near the elevator. If you have any questions, call Lynn Wehrenberg at 260-755-8532. April 2–Palm Sunday Every tongue must and shall confess Jesus and not ourselves as Lord over death and life (Philippians 2:11). When offered gall to accelerate His own dying, the Savior declined, even in His terminal condition (Matthew 27:34). We also may commend ourselves and our neighbors into the Heavenly Father’s loving hands as days draw to their ends.
April 2023
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
2 Palm Sunday 3 4 5 6 Maundy Thursday 7 Good Friday 8
SPRING BREAK SPRING BREAK SPRING BREAK SPRING BREAK SPRING BREAK
8:30am - Bible Study 7am - Bible Study IN
9:30am - Divine Service District Office Noon & 7pm— Noon-3pm Tre Ore 7pm—Easter Vigil
10:45am - SCRIP Sales NO CHAPEL Maundy Thursday 7pm—Tenebrae
10:45am - Bible Study 9-10am - SCRIP Sales Services w/ Holy
& Sunday School 7:30pm - Choir Practice Communion
9 Easter 10 11 12 13 14 15
NO SCHOOL School Resumes 7am - Bible Study IN 5:30—Elders Mtg
8:00 & 10:00 a.m. District Office 7pm—Council Mtg
Easter Services CHURCH OFFICE 8:45am - School Chapel
CLOSED 9-10am - SCRIP Sales
No Bible Study or 2pm - Bible Study
Sunday School NO DIVINE SERVICE
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
8:30am - Bible Study 3pm—Youth 7am - Bible Study IN 6pm—BOEE
9:30am - Divine Service Handbell Choir District Office
10:45am - SCRIP Sales 8:45am - School Chapel
10:45am - Bible Study 4pm—Adult 9-10am - SCRIP Sales
& Sunday School Handbell Choir 2pm - Bible Study
6:30pm - Divine Service
7:30pm - Choir Practice
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
8:30am - Bible Study 3pm—Youth St. Mark, Evangelist 7am - Bible Study IN
9:30am - Divine Service Handbell Choir District Office
10:45am - SCRIP Sales 8:45am - School Chapel
10:45am - Bible Study 4pm—Adult 9-10am - SCRIP Sales
& Sunday School Handbell Choir 2pm - Bible Study
6:30pm - Divine Service
7:30pm - Choir Practice
30
8:30am - Bible Study
9:30am - Divine Service
10:45am - SCRIP Sales
10:45am - Bible Study
& Sunday SchoolSt. Paul's Students and Their Families: Our Homebound Members:
Olivia, Warner, A'Veyah, Ava, Avielle Neva Aldridge
For Stephanie Mueller, our Pre-K Director, who has Joan Badders
accepted a Call to Emmanuel-St. Michael.
Marilyn Berning
For Those Who Mourn: Myra Carrier
For the family of Buzz Doerffler, who has been given the Mary Ann Cordes
gift of eternal life. Carolyn Falkenstern
Comfort, Health, and Recovery: Phoebe Fett
Davis Dean Rodney Hall
Marlowe Hecht Leah Maier
Kelly Kochensparger Beverly Maxfield
John Mader Lois Meyer
Rev. Warren Messmann Ernestine Morrison
Carolyn Moore
Esther Pinnow
Jasper Stuck
Leona Puff
Ongoing Chronic Concerns: Carolyn Reincke
Susan Balsamo-Furniss Judith Rekeweg
Harris Beck Walter Schroeder
Doug Doehrmann
Dorothy Taylor
Steve Hackman
Amy Hamer Eileen Weber
Dennis Harmeyer Mary Weick
Lonni Helmchen Anna Witte
Thomas Hoem
John Huitt Serving in the Armed Forces:
Juanita Jefferson Abigail Dunno
Karen Johnson KiVuan Edwards
Mark Knoblauch
Cierra Germann
Mary Knoblauch
Brian Hamer
Jodi Kreiger
Linda Leimer Zachary Harmeyer
Sandy Macon Jarrell Harris
Joan Messmann Jasmine Jackson
Mary Mundt Austin Kerr
Larry & Louela Murphy Courtney Linnemeier
Barbara Nelson Sharia Macon
Stephen Pollock
Jamara Moore
Ron Rastl
Janice Schmidt Brandon Screeton
Andrew Scholes John Sheaffer Jr.
Wanda Schweyer Ryan Sheaffer
Fred Scott Brandon Skalicky
Michelle Scott
Rev. Ralph Sielaff
Sam Suarez
Ron and Sharon Williams
* Pray for these saints throughout the week.
Please submit prayer requests by calling the church office at 260.423.2496 ext. 310You can also read
