Published Monthly by S aint Paul s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 371 Wolcott Hill R oad, Wethersfield, Connecticut 06109

Transcription

1 S a i n t P a u l s E p i s t l e Published Monthly by S aint Paul s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 371 Wolcott Hill R oad, Wethersfield, Connecticut January 2008 Volume 66, Number 1 BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD Throughout the Old and New Testaments there is an image that holds important and powerful symbolic value: that of the sacrificial lamb. Perhaps rooted in a pre-biblical religious impulse to find a way to appease the gods through offering sacrifices, the sacrificial lamb is first found in the story of Cain and Abel (where Abel s offering of a lamb is regarded favorably by God, whereas the offering of grain by Cain is not.) Noah, immediately following the flood, offers a sacrificed lamb upon his newly built altar. A sacrificed lamb is at the heart of the story of Israel s exodus from Egypt and continues to be a integral part of the religious rituals that are centered in the Temple in Jerusalem. The prophet Isaiah uses the sacrificed lamb as a symbol of the Suffering Servant who suffers on our behalf and was like a lamb that is led to the slaughter. (Isaiah 53:7) With these examples serving as its background, the New Testament, starting with John the Baptist, begins to see Jesus not only as the Good Shepherd, but as the Lamb of God as well. The Baptist exclaims in John 1:29, referring to Jesus and his future self-sacrifice, Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! John s Gospel goes out of its way to portray Jesus as the Lamb of God by having his crucifixion (thus his sacrifice) take place on the day of preparation (John 19:31), that is, the day immediately prior to Passover when the lambs were slaughtered in preparation for Passover. For John, Jesus is the new Paschal Lamb. And in the book of Revelation, the description of Jesus as the Lamb who was slain is found throughout. We live in a day when ritual animal sacrifices seem cruel and inhumane. Thus it can be difficult for us to relate to Jesus as the Lamb of God who, through his self-sacrifice, took away our sin. Yet this is precisely what our Lamb of God window is trying to tell us. The cross held by one leg points to his death by crucifixion. An innocent and spotless lamb is sacrificed through crucifixion so that we who are neither innocent nor spotless (sinwise) might live. Christ s life is given for you and me. This happy exchange, as Luther called it, is the Good News that forms the central core of our Christian faith. I imagine it is hard for some to accept or relate to this ancient symbol. Yet just because it has ancient roots doesn t minimize its truth: as John puts it, For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. (3:16) Let us behold the lamb of God! And let us give thanks! Pastor Hugh Haffenreffer OFFICIAL NOTICE: The 65th Annual Meeting of St. Paul s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Wethersfield, Connecticut will take place on Sunday, January 27, 2008 following the late service. Please plan to attend.

2 WE SAY THANKS TO BRIAN BECKWITH! Dear People of Saint Paul s, With our Annual Meeting coming up at the end of January (on Sunday the 27th), we, as a council will be saying good-bye to Brian Beckwith in his role as our President. Brian will have served 2 full terms on council, much of that time as our President. Under Brian s leadership we have made a number of important improvements to our facility, most notably with our replacement of the boiler, and more recently as we have begun the repair and refurbishing of the stained glass windows. More than this, Brian has been a constant source of support and inspiration to those who have had the privilege to serve with him. His no-nonsense and can-do attitude has been a real gift to us all. We are pleased that Brian has agreed to continue to serve on Parish Administration specifically in the area of Property. It is unlikely that Brian will be able to be with us on January 27th, as he will likely be in Brazil on a work project. As soon as he has returned we will find a time to formally thank him for his good work and leadership. Until then, Thank You Brian! St. Paul s Council SUNDAY CHURCH SCHOOL S STAR OF LOVE CHRISTMAS PAGEANT WAS A SUCCESS! Thanks to all who helped make this year s Christmas Pageant such a great success. Thanks also for your flexibility! You easily moved the date due to the snow storm and gave it your very best. As Rosie said on Christmas Eve, When you give from your heart, you give the best gift! You gave from your heart and we all received a wonderful Christmas gift. Even the angels were among us! Thanks! Pastor Hugh 2

3 Dear St. Paul s Family, Thank you for all the expressions of sympathy upon the loss of our mother, Helen Ruppar. Mother was truly special to us all. We have many wonderful memories & her great love to cherish every day. Thank you for everything you have done for us during a difficult time. J A N U A R Y Love, Alice, Allan, Kenneth, Donald, Walter, Warren Ruppar & families. Outreach Fair 2008 The Outreach Committee and this years honorary Outreach Fair Chairpersons: Carol Farley, Debbie Viola and Bill Fischer would like to take this opportunity and send-out an open invitation to the congregation for volunteers. Any congregant who feels the calling to volunteer for this years Fair (November 2008) will be most appreciated. Volunteers are needed to: Be on the Outreach Fair Committee Be a leader of a booth (first point of contact for the booth) Helper for a booth (all day or 1-2 hours on Fair day) Set up booth(s) Break down booth(s) Cleanup Using your talents to donate items to the fair If you do not feel the calling to be a volunteer or do not 3 Rebecca Malinguaggio 3 Dick Kratzer 4 Emil Bengtson 4 Jane Matteson 6 Dave Bayek 7 Jean Frame 8 Lorraine Cogswell 9 Kevin Kratzer 11 Steven Bengtson To Members of St. Paul s: The bronze sculpture, Christ s Example washing the feet of others, has a prominent place on the mantle in our living room. It will be a constant reminder, to us, to serve others. It will bring fond memories of all of you. MANY THANKS for this lovely gift, for your kind words and for the love and support shown to us for many years. God bless all you sisters & brothers. We love you and miss you! Peace, Love & Prayers, Sallyann & Penrose have the time available to help-out you can also assist this committee by recommending organizations to who we may donate some of the proceeds from the Fair (100% of the money raised will go to charity but it will have to be dispersed evenly amongst the orga - nizations that the Outreach Committee deems accept - able according to their recommended guidelines, as does any money that is given to charity via the Outreach Committee here at St. Paul s). In the past two years both the Outreach Fair and the Church Fair have been well attended and a great resource for St. Paul s Church to help those in need. Please give prayerful consideration in supporting our continued efforts of being shaped by Christ s love for service in the world. If you would like to sign up or need more information please contact the Outreach Committee. Thank you in advance for your consideration. The Outreach Committee 11 Dan Hube 14 Grace Durkin 15 Dan Gellner 15 Les Lourigan 22 Midge Carlson 25 Steph Lohmann 28 David Leibenguth 31 Emily Lourigan Please note: If we have inadvertently left anyone off the birthday list, please let Janet know in the office. We try to include anyone who wishes to be listed. 3

4 ST. PAUL S MEMBERS IN SERVICE FOR January 2008 ACOLYTES: Linda Anderson, Coordinator, Jan 6 - Josh Marzano 13 - Kaitlin Anderson 20 - Jamie Piscitello 27 - Gretchen Schultz ALTAR GUILD: Linda Anderson, Coordinator, Jan 6 - Mary Procyk & Linda Anderson 13 - Anne French & Winnie Sawrun 20 - Jennie Dotts & Betty Lamo 27 - Anne Baledes & Elaine Strecker ASSISTING MINISTERS: Kathy Coyle, Coordinator, Jan 6 - Mike Coyle - 8:00 Mary Procyk - 10: Jerry Vaillancourt - 8:00 Bill Fischer - 10: Mike Coyle - 8:00 - Bill Fischer - 10: Emily Lourigan - 8:00 - Kathie Daly - 10:30 COMMUNION ASSISTANTS: Sue Agne, Coordinator, Jan 6 - Patty Bengtson 13 - Kathie Daly 20 - Mike Coyle 27 - Mary Procyk EUCHARISTIC MINISTER: Kathy Coyle, Coordinator, Jan - Lourigan/Speno FELLOWSHIP HOUR HOSTS: Winnie Sawrun, Coordinator, Jan 6 - Pam Speno, Carol Farley 13 - Danielle & Serge DeBlois 20 - Margaret DeBlois & Carol Farley 27 - Lillian Doerschler & Winnie Sawrun FINANCE: Mary Procyk, Coordinator, Jan 6 - Cindy Seip 13 - Bob Bowman 20 - Russ Correll 27 - George Howe LECTORS: Lillian Doerschler, Coordinator, Jan 6 - Jeanette Serafine 13 - David Bayek 20 - Joan Kratzer 27 - Lillian Doerschler NURSERY: Ann French, Coordinator, Jan 6 - Steph Heinzmann, Angela Mihalick, Grace Durkin 13 - Russ Correll 20 - Kate & AnnMarie Grottke 27 - Margaret & Roxy DeBlois USHERS: Brian Beckwith, Coordinator, 8AM, Louise Lostocco, Coordinator, 10:30AM, January Susan McDonald - 8:00 Bob Bowman, Dave Bayek - 10:30 TAPING MINISTRY: Crystal Brozynski, Coordinator, Jan- 4

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6 Saint Paul s Epistle SAINT PAUL S EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH 371 Wolcott Hill Road Wethersfield, CT RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED SAINT PAUL S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH WORSHIP SCHEDULE 8:00 and 10:30AM Sunday Church School 9:00AM OFFICERS AND STAFF Rev. Hugh R. B. Haffenreffer, Pastor...Office: (860) Cell Phone: (860) pastorh@stpaulswethersfield.org Office Manager...Janet Vasel: secretary@stpaulswethersfield.org Council President...Brian Beckwith Treasurer...Russell Correll Financial Sect y...mary Procyk Minister of Music...Melissa Cheyney Superintendent of Sunday Church School...Alice Ruppar REMINDERS: Annual Meeting: Sunday, January 27, at 12 Noon! January 2008