A Couple of Fools, a Psychopath, and the Baby Jesus Epiphany is often regarded as the filler season between Christmas and Lent. It gets shelved right alongside other neglected holidays in the Church like the Naming of Jesus and the Ascension. But Epiphany is much more than just a seasonal speed bump; if nothing else, it is full of some of the most interesting characters in the New Testament. If Epiphany has mascots, then it's probably the wise men. You know how the story goes, right? Three wise men from the East follow a star to Bethlehem. They check for directions in Jerusalem, bump into Herod, who wants them to come back and report to him. So they make their way to Bethlehem and give Jesus some wickedly expensive gifts but are warned by an angel to give Herod the slip and head home a different way. But before we get too far, let's set the record straight on some of the details about the We three kings of orient are. First of all, they were probably from Babylon (in modern-day Iraq), not the Orient. Second of all, there weren't necessarily three of them. The scriptures mention three gifts, so we assume that there were three of them, but that's not necessarily the case. Third, they weren't kings; they were magi. Magi were men who were knowledgeable about astrology and future-telling, which may explain their familiarity with the prophecies from Isaiah. So they might have been learned in these arts, but from the perspective of Matthew, they were not wise men. They were fools. How do I figure? Consider this: They may have been educated, but they were educated in the wrong things: astrology and magic. They had to follow a star to be led to Christ they couldn't figure it out themselves. When they got to the Holy Land, they had to stop and ask for directions. And to top it all off, they needed an angel to tell them that Herod was trying to pull one over on them. Do these sound like wise men? No, they were fools. But that's what makes them the ideal Epiphany mascots. They didn't know squat about the messiah, but God gave them the knowledge about Jesus. God sent the star. He authored the prophecies. He gave them the epiphany. (Epiphany: a moment of great or sudden revelation) Now King Herod stands in sharp contrast to the Magi. He ruled Judea for about thirty years, but his reign was marked with brutality and paranoia. He banished one wife, killed another, and had his brother-inlaw and two of his own sons put on trial and executed because he suspected them of conspiracy. Herod walked a fine between being shrewd and being a psychopath, willing to stop at nothing to hold onto his power. So when the Magi came from the East asking about where the king of the Jews was born, you can just imagine the conspiracy theories that must have been brewing in Herod's head.
He wasn't about to let anyone, even a newborn child, usurp his throne. So he wants a report back from the Magi so that I might also go and worship him. Not likely. When Herod heard about the newborn king, he wanted him dead. But Herod is a fool too. In his paranoia, Herod fails to understand that Jesus isn't an earthly king. He's not here to usurp Herod's throne. He's not there to lead a political revolution and restore autonomy to the Jews. As he told Pontius Pilate, my kingdom is not of this world. The Magi and Herod share this in common: they both recognize him as a king, but they are ignorant about what his kingship means. They both need divine revelation about Jesus, the newborn king. They both need an epiphany. But here is where the Magi and Herod are different: the Magi gladly receive this epiphany from the Lord. They bow down to the newborn king and worship him. Herod, however, receives no such epiphany. Instead, he sees the newborn king as a threat to his power and he seeks to destroy him. So the main characters in Epiphany are a couple of fools and a psychopath. But to the fools, God reveals Jesus as the newborn king. They are the ones who receive the true epiphany, for they come to worship Christ. And still today the Lord provides fools like us with an epiphany: the baby born in Bethlehem is the king whom we worship. Makes the season of Epiphany seem like more than just a seasonal speed bump, doesn't it? Pastor Johnson Worship this Month Second Sunday after Christmas (January 4, 2015) Luke 2:40-52 Who's the Father? Jesus is back at the temple again this week (just like He was last week), but now it's twelve years later. Jesus accompanies Mary and Joseph to Jerusalem in order to celebrate the Passover, but when it's all over, Jesus stays behind. Days later, His parents find him in the temple, to which Jesus replies, Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house? He calls the temple my father's house, meaning that Jesus' true father is the Heavenly Father. And even at the age of twelve, Jesus knows that he must be in His Father's house, doing His Father's business. The Baptism of Our Lord (January 11, 2015) Mark 1:4-11 One of Us Last week, Jesus confessed our Heavenly Father to be His Father. This week, the tables are turned, and the Father confesses Jesus as His Son. As Jesus is being baptized, the heavens open, the Spirit descends, and the Father speaks. You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased. After all, unlike disobedient Israel, this Son will do the will of the Father, and honor him all the way to Calvary. Yet the baptism of Jesus still has a puzzling side to it. Why did he do it? John's baptism was a baptism of repentance, but Jesus didn't have any sins to repent of the Father was well pleased with Him. So why does Jesus receive the baptism of sinners? Simple: it's because Jesus comes to be one with sinners. Even though he was sinless, he was born just like the rest of us sinners. He was baptized just like the rest of us sinners. He was tempted like the rest of us sinners. And He suffered and died the way we sinners should have. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
Epiphany 2 (January 18, 2015) John 1:43-51 You Will See Greater Things After Jesus calls Philip to follow Him, Philip goes and gets a cynical Nathaniel, and the two of them go to see Jesus. But when they meet Him, Jesus talks to Nathaniel like he knows him. You can imagine the skeptical tone in Nathaniel's voice with one eyebrow raised, How do you know me? When you were still under the fig tree, I saw you. Whereas today, Jesus' NSA-style response might send us into a paranoid episode, but when Nathaniel hears it, he know that this is the Son of God the King of Israel. But this little exercise of Jesus' omniscience is small potatoes compared to the miracle that he's preparing for. You will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man. Heaven is opened, because Jesus ushers in the reign of heaven. Every demon expelled and every sin forgiven and every word spoken is heaven breaking into our age. And most of all, Nathan would see heaven opened as Jesus became the bridge between God and man there on the cross. Heaven is opened by the blood of Jesus. Epiphany 3 (January 25, 2014) Mark 1:14-20 Follow Me The disciples were not self-starters. They didn't hear about Jesus' reputation and go looking for Him. The initiative belonged to Jesus. He found them. He called them. He made them fishers of men. The disciples could no longer be the masters of their own destinies (which was never true to begin with). When Jesus called them, he called them to be under His authority, and no one else's. This is how it works with us and every disciple. Following Jesus wasn't our idea. We were called. Now Jesus is our master. Our lives never did belong to us, so it's infinitely better that they would belong to Him. After all, we cannot lose what no longer belongs to us. Next Compassion Circle Meeting: Monday January 5 th at 1:00 PM. The Compassion Circle will be doing a Sandwich Project. All are welcome! Quilting Dates for January: 8 th, 13 th, and 29 th beginning at 9:00 AM. Please come when you can during the day to help and chat over a cup of coffee and lunch. Have you taken down your Christmas Decorations and the house looks a little bare? Join the Women of Faith on Saturday, January 17 th at 9:30 AM to learn how to fold and make snowflakes and stars that can be used as decorations all winter! Presenters will be Ann Milbrath and Meg Duin (Beth Schoolman s Mother). Please join us for coffee, treats and fellowship!
Youth Group Event: This January, the GOC Youth Group will be joining St. John's for a mini Higher Things Retreat -- which includes a sleep over! Time and Date: Saturday, January 24th beginning at noon to Sunday, January 25th approximately 10:15 am. This will be a great way to get a Higher Things experience; especially if you are unable to make it to the July trip to Grand Rapids. RSVP to Julie Anderson 612-791-0163, or julesanders@live.com. Youth Pasta Dinner! Sunday, February 8 th at 5:00 PM is the date for the Youth Pasta Dinner. Celebrate Valentine s Day a week early and bring your sweetie to a fun Italian dinner! More details to follow, but be sure to place this fun event on your calendar! Missions Who: YOU! What: Missionfest 2015 When: April 18th Time: TBD (watch announcements for a time change) Where: Glory of Christ, 4040 Hwy 101 N, Plymouth, MN Why: Fun, Fellowship and FUNDRAISING for our missions This year our focus will be on our new role in Mexico. Bid, relax, and enjoy great food, beverage, and fun. On Sunday, January 18 th, Reverend Dan McMiller and his son, Tyler McMiller, of LCMS Missions, will be preaching and presenting during the Bible Study hour. Rev. McMiller will be speaking on a project to work with the Lutheran Synod of Mexico, along with Lutheran Hour Ministries, and Luther Academy, to Reaffirm the Lutheran Synod of Mexico s desire to practice, teach, and proclaim their Lutheran Heritage as taught by Confessional Lutherans. Please plan to join us!
The Glory of Christ Sunday School Staff would like to thank all of the Sunday school children, their parents and the teachers for all of their hard work to make our Sunday school Christmas program such a success! Sunday school resumes at its regular time each Sunday in January. Thank You! Rehearsals for Adult Choir will resume on Wednesday, January 7, 2015, at 7:30 p.m. New voices are welcome! We will sing for the Sunday service already on Jan. 11th, so hope to see you on the 7th! Note: NO Choir rehearsal on Wednesday January 28 th. Hand Bell Choir Rehearsals will also resume on Wednesday, January 7, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. The Bells are also playing at the next Sunday s Divine Service on January 11 th so see you at rehearsal on the 7 th! Note: NO Hand Bell Choir rehearsal on Wednesday January 28 th. General News & Updates Have children between 0-18 years? Don't always feel prepared for service or miss parts of the sermon? COME TO MOM'S GROUP! Each Wednesday from 4:00-5:15 we have a short devotion for the kids, and then study the 3 upcoming readings. It's a great way to prepare for service and get some extra insight even if you do hear the entire sermon. If you have school-aged kids, we conveniently meet during the Children's Choir (4:30-5:00) and Children's Chimes (5:00-5:30) times. Small children get fun-filled babysitting from our very own Josh Christian. Since each week studies the upcoming texts, you won't miss anything if you can only come periodically. Hope to see there! Joint Elders and Church Council meeting will be on Tuesday January 13 th at 6:30. We will meet in the Fellowship Hall to discuss Glory of Christ s Constitution and go over plans for 2015. 2015 Offering Envelopes are ready and on the table in the Narthex. Please pick yours up before year end. Can t find your box of envelopes? Please let Brenda know. Thank You. Year End Tithing Statements and Time and Talent sheets will be ready by the middle of January.
St. John's Lutheran Church & School gives thanks to God for the 30-year ministry of Rev. Steven Briel at their congregation. He was installed on January 6, 1984 and has faithfully taught God's Word to young and old, confessed and defended Lutheran doctrine, and served in leadership positions around the Synod--currently as the chairman of the Board of National Mission. Circuit pastors and friends of St. John s Lutheran Church are invited to help celebrate Rev. Briel's work among us at the Divine Service held on the Feast of the Epiphany (Tuesday, January 6-7:00 pm). The Rev. John Fehrmann will preach and refreshments will be served following the service. Please join us in taking down Christmas Decorations! Saturday, January 10 th at 9:00 we will need assistance in taking down the church Christmas decorations. This usually takes about 1 ½ hours. Many hands make light work! Thank You! SAVE THE DATE! Sunday, January 11 th Janet Preus is hosting an Epiphany Party at her home from 4:00 to 10:00. More details to follow but place this fun event on your calendar! In preparation for 2015, if anyone has a new address, email or updated contact information, please let Brenda know. Also, a few have expressed that they were not getting emails from the church email so Brenda set up a separate church email group from her personal laptop. If you are now getting emails twice, please let Brenda know so she can update the emailing groups. Thank You!! Scientific Evidence for The Fall Genesis 1-11 provides God s eyewitness account of four events that shaped the world the way we see it today: Six-Day Creation, Adam s Fall, Noah s Flood, and Tower of Babel. There is today much scientific evidence for each of these events. The secular world is attacking each of these events, even though clear evidence must be ignored. Many Christian churches have compromised on such topics as old earth, and as a result, Christians don t believe some or all of the Bible anymore. We are blessed to have a pastor and be in a Synod that recognizes the authority of Scripture. Even though we are personally sure of the accuracy of the Bible, it is good to have some facts to discuss with scoffers. This is why I have given talks on Scientific Evidence for Young Earth and Scientific Evidence for Noah s Flood, so that you might have facts to offer when you are confronted. As parents and grandparents, it is our duty to attempt to counteract the cultural pressures facing following generations. Save the date, February 15, 2015. I will give a talk on Scientific Evidence for The Fall for an hour after Bible Study. A light lunch will first be served. Carl Hartness Wondering what to do with the lava lamp you received that also doubles as a back massager? Passed by an ugly Christmas sweater for 1/2 off this week? It's time to put your favorite Christmas "treasures" to good use--think no further than Pastor and Susan's "Christmas in July" party. The date is forthcoming but the planning should begin NOW. Back by popular demand will be the "White Elephant Gift Exchange" and "Most Festively Dressed" contest. Leave your July calendar empty! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!
Dear Glory of Christ Member, Our Annual Congregational meeting was held Sunday, December 7 th with approximately seventy people in attendance. A $602,542.00 budget was approved. Our officers are chosen by placing the candidates names for each position in a Bible and then drawing to determine who will serve. The Elders are nominated by the pastor with approval given by the voters. Our new Officers and Elders for 2015 are: President Treasurer First Year Council Dennis Karius Jesse Huber Jeremy Eickhoff, Mike Lind, Cheryl McCreary and Eric Peterson Second Year Council: Dan Gruenhagen, Mari Houck and Kevin Skau. (Ryan Marshall was elected to the Elders, so the 2015 Council will choose a candidate from the remaining 2015 nominees to serve his remaining one year term). First Year Elders Second Year Elders Third Year Elders Roger Hargreaves, Ryan Marshall, Todd Schoolman and Curt Woolfolk Garry Mccreary and Dennis Neumann Josh Christian and Peter Krenzke A special thank you to the retiring officers: Council Members Lori Beck, Philippe DeBlois, Gary Peterson and Elders Mark Swenson (Head Elder), Bill Anderson, Bruce Paradis and Ben Rolf. The December Council Meeting was held on December 9 th. Three items were approved: 1. The 2015 housing allowance for Pastor Johnson and Pastor Fehrmann. 2. Authorization to allow Dennis Karius to act as second signature on our checking account. 3. Acceptance of Ryan Marshall s resignation to allow him to serve as Elder. Jesse Huber, our Treasurer, reported the November offerings gave us a positive $13,300.00 year to date. He expects the year to end favorably. Thank you everyone for your generous support of our church and missions. Yours in Christ, Bob Strom President 2014
Serving this Month Serving Sunday January 4, 2015 Coffee: Gary & Mary Peterson Acolyte: Will Brolsma Elders: Josh Christian & Ryan Marshall Ushers: Rory Olson & Cory Olson Altar Guild: Jan Diemand & Julie Anderson Offering Counters: David & Naomi Teske Bread Baker: Charlotte Smith Bread Deliverer: Craig Smith Serving Sunday January 11, 2015 Coffee: Mark & Karen Swenson Acolyte: Bri Dorweiler Processional:??? Elders: Josh Christian & Ryan Marshall Ushers: Jerry Malo & Brian Malo Altar Guild: Beth Schoolman & Lisa Gallmeyer Offering Counters: Tim Lavanger & Russ McBroom Bread Baker: Sandi Edenborg Bread Deliverer: Beth Schoolman Serving Sunday January 18, 2015 Coffee: Pauline Hemingway & Kaylene Steig Acolyte: Chris Corey Elders: Josh Christian & Ryan Marshall Ushers: Bruce Larson & Jesse Huber Altar Guild: Kevin & Suzy Skau Offering Counters: Barbie Gruenhagen & Mike Miller Bread Baker: Susan Johnson Bread Deliverer: Carl Hartness Serving Sunday January 25, 2015 Coffee: Ann Milbrath & Linda Corey Acolyte: Chris Corey Elders: Josh Christian & Ryan Marshall Ushers: Ryan Koosman & Paul Koosman Altar Guild: Jill Larson & Gayle McGriff Offering Counters: Bob & Arlene Strom Bread Baker: Janis Kimmel Bread Deliverer: Janis Kimmel
s & Anniversaries January 3 rd Janel Koosman Jim & Amy Durand Anniversary January 6 th Robbie Zitzlsperger Marv Bimberg January 7 th Philippe & Sarah deblois Anniversary January 8 th Tom Richards Rhonda Berry Ezra deblois January 9 th Sharla Woolfolk Chris Corey January 11 th Ella Merkle January 13 th Kate Marshall January 14 th Max Gruenhagen January 15 th Curt & Sharla Woolfolk Anniversary January 17 th Rory Olson Cory Olson Michelle Nelson Jesse & Darcie Mathwig Anniversary January 18 th Hanna Mans January 20 th Heather Knea January 22 nd Ryan Koosman January 30 th Amy Durand
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