S a i n t P a u l s E p i s t l e Published Monthly by Saint Paul s Evangelical Lutheran Church,371 Wolcott Hill Road, Wethersfield, Connecticut 06109 January2007 Volume 65, Number 1 JESUS BAPTISM: GETTING SOAKED TO THE CORE The first Sunday after the Epiphany is known as the Baptism of Our Lord.It is on this Sunday that we read from one of the texts describing Jesus baptism by John.Luke describes it this way: Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened,and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased. Luke 3:21-22, NRSV Immediately, after verse 22, Luke includes a genealogy of Jesus, starting with Joseph and stretching all the way through Adam to God.And then, beginning in chapter 4 we read, Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. Luke 4:1-2a Jesus is baptized and then immediately begins 40 days of severe testing.are the two baptism and testing connected?i ll try to explore this question in a moment.but first a slight digression. As a pastor, it is not unusual for new parents, who have no association with St. Paul s Church, nor with any congregation for that matter, to ask me to baptize their child. My usual response is to explain that baptism is not some eternal life insurance policy that the parents are taking out on the child, but the means by which that child enters into a community of grace for a life of faith.while I tend to err on the side of baptizing the child and hoping the family comes to faith, I am increasingly uncomfortable with this kind of arrangement. While baptism may seem like a nice thing to do, a kind of rite of passage that feels Andrea del Verrocchio, The Baptism of Christ 1472-75 Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence good to the parents, for Jesus it was the beginning of a journey that ultimately would lead to his death and it began with a wilderness struggle for the very soul of humanity.thus baptism is more than the beginning of a relationship between God and me, it is the beginning of a kind of relationship between me and the world around me a relationship that can best be described as christlike. At least, that s the intent. For Jesus, and for you and me, baptism is not about having water merely splashed on our heads in a neat and orderly manner.it is about being soaked by grace to our very core.it is about being washed in body, mind and spirit.in his baptism, Jesus truest identity as God s beloved son is voiced from the heavens.and it is in the waters of our baptism that our deepest identity, as well as our ultimate calling, is found, too. So, back to the question of whether there is a connection between baptism and personal testing.i believe the answer must be yes. I once heard a haunting question that has stayed with me ever since, If you were accused of being Christian, would there be sufficient evidence to convict you? I think that we could ask the question in another way, If you were accused of being baptized, would Continued on next page The 64th Annual Meeting of St. Paul s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Wethersfield, Connecticut will take place on Sunday, January 28, 2007 following the late service. Please plan to attend.
Continued from previous page there be sufficient evidence to convict? For those for whom their baptism offers them a starting point in life where their deepest identity is rooted the answer can only be, Yes. For the rest of us who too often fall short in fulfilling our baptismal calling, the follow up question is equally haunting. Why not? Pastor Hugh Haffenreffer COMMENTS ON THIS MONTHS ARTWORK Andrea del Verrocchio was born in Florence in 1435. While he started out as a goldsmith, working for Giuliano Verrocchi, from whom tradition says he took his surname, by the mid 1460 s he began his work as a p a i n t e r, painting along side artists such as Sandro Botticelli. As Verrocchio s reputation grew, he attracted many artists who came to study under him in Florence.The most famous of these was the young Leonardo Da Vinci. Ve r r o c c h i o s Baptism of Christ was painted between 1472 and 1475.Measuring approximately 5 9 tall and 4 11 wide, it was an oil on wood painting. It depicts the moment when John the Baptist is baptizing Jesus in the Jordan, and the Holy Spirit is descending upon Jesus in bodily form, like a dove. Due to lack of space in this Epistle, there is not sufficient room to show more of this painting.above Jesus, but not shown here, are the hands of God releasing a dove.in John s left hand he is holding a staff topped by a cross.wrapped around the staff is a ribbon reading Ecce Agnius or Behold, the Lamb. If one were able to look to the left of Jesus, there would be two angels kneeling.the one on the left was actually painted not by Verrocchio, but by his student, Da Vinci the practice of assigning work to ones student being quite common in those days. For a better viewing of this piece, and for links to more information about this and other paintings by Verrocchio, I invite you to go to our website: www.stpaulswethersfield.org. Go to the link on the left thatreads, Pastor s Meditations. THANK YOU FOR MY GIFTS! Dear Saints in Christ, Words are not adequate to fully express my thanks to all who contributed to my very generous Christmas gift.nor can they fully convey my appreciation for those who have given me personal gifts of various sorts including the delectable kind. While your gifts are much appreciated and treasured, your generous spirit and supporting love is what I value the most.thank you for that. While I have enjoyed a few days with family all 21 of my immediate family were together on the day after Christmas it is always wonderful to be among my family in Christ. My hope and prayer for all of us is that 2007 bring us a clear sense of direction and purpose, and a renewed commitment to personal spiritual growth, and a new passion to work for justice and peace in the world around us. Again, thank you for your Christmas generosity.you are always in my thoughts and prayers. Yours in Christ, NEW MEMBERS CLASSES JANUARY 14 AND 21 At least twice a year, St. Paul s offers New Members Classes for those who wish to learn more about St. Paul s, what Lutheran s believe, or what it means to be a Christian.Our next series of classes will take place on Sundays, January 14 and 21, from 4:00 to 5:30PM. While it is our intention to receive new members on Sunday, January 28, during the 10:30 service, these classes are open to anyone who wishes to learn more.in other words, you are under no obligation to join St. Paul s in order to attend these classes. If you are interested in exploring membership at St. Paul s, or would like to attend the classes, please contact Pastor Hugh by calling the Church Office at 529-5397. Or you may email him at pastorh@stpaulswethersfield.org.of course, speaking to him in person works, too. EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN WORSHIP (ELW) HYMNAL DEDICATION After a few false starts, a final date has been chosen for the dedication of the new hymnals: Sunday, January 21, during the 10:30AM service The reasons for the delays have been several: the arrival of the hymnals were delayed by nearly 6 weeks; we were still receiving donations well into December and didn t want to miss any of them; and the team responsible for printing all the dedication labels needed adequate time to do it right. Please plan to be with us on the 21st as we begin to use our new hymnals.our hope is that they will prove to be as positive a resource as were the green hymnals (LBW s) they are replacing. 2
NEW YEAR S RESOLUTIONS As January 1st comes around, it is time not only to look back over a year with a mix of fond memories and regret, but it is traditional to look forward with a renewed sense of hope and purpose.this is where new year s resolutions come in. I recently came across a list of the Top 10 New Ye a r s Resolutions according to Pittsburgh.about.com, an online resource.when comparing lists from other sources, these are fairly representative.i have edited them slightly. 1) Spend more time with family and friends. 2) Get physically fit. 3)Tame the bulge. (I think this is implicit in #2.) 4) Quit smoking. (ditto) 5) Enjoy life more. 6) Quit drinking. (see #2) 7) Get out of debt. 8) Learn something new. 9) Help others. 10) Get organized. When I look at this list, I want to both affirm it and amend it. Spending more time with family and friends is a great goal.i can t begin to tell you how great it was to spend time with my family over Christmas.I m committed to doing more in 2007. Getting physically fit is a great idea for all of us.no matter what age we are, even if we are bedridden, some kind ofregular physical exercise holds untold benefits.and from a Christian perspective, God has given us a gift of our selves.to honor God, we should want to take as good care of our bodies as we can.losing unhealthy weight, quitting smoking and moderating or quitting drinking can be important steps toward better health, and better stewardship of our selves. In fact, all the goals listed above are laudable.but they all take time.and since time is limited there will always be 168 hours in the week to make new year s resolutions meaningful, we must make choices.we have to say no to some things in order to say yes to others. What is lacking from this list is a commitment to spiritual growth.and to grow spiritually we need to recommit ourselves to those disciplines that draw us closer to God: regular worship, personal prayer, the study of scripture, Christian fellowship, evangelism, stewardship, and service (especially advocacy for those who can t speak for themselves).these are the refining steps that can build a foundation upon which the rest of our lives can make sense, and have real purpose. When it comes to setting priorities for the use of my time something I m learning, by the way I find it helpful to ask, Is this going to make any difference in a year from now? If the answer is no, then it may be an indication that what ever I m trying to do, may simply not be worth doing.(taking out the trash, however, may seem only to hold a short term benefit, but it s still important to do.) Making time for spiritual health not only makes a difference in the short run, it makes a huge difference in the long run in a year from now, and even into eternity. So here s to making realistic and meaningful resolutions for 2007.But let s add two more: 11) Don t take ourselves too seriously, and 12) Don t forget to make room for God. Pastor Haffenreffer $160,000 $150,000 $140,000 $130,000 $120,000 $110,000 $100,000 $90,000 $80,000 $70,000 $60,000 $50,000 $40,000 $30,000 $20,000 $10,000 $0 $145,383 $140,466 St. Paul s Income Report for November 2006 We were seriously BEHIND by $4,917! With your help, we can close the gap! $158,600 Includes Regular Envelopes, Special Envelopes, Loose Plate, Sunday School, and Building Fund.
A Letter About the Prayer Chain During the month of September at one of my Eucharistic Minister calls, I got a request from Pamela Vaillancourt. She wanted the congregation of St. Paul s and the readers of the Epistle to know how much the Prayer Chain means to her.she didn t feel as if she had enough energy to write a letter, so I said, I d do it.i volunteered because the Prayer Chain is one of the most important ministries we have as far as I m concerned. Prayer is essential to us as Christians.We need to let God know we understand we are helpless without his strength.we pray to rejoice, to give thanks, to plead, to repent.we pray for forgiveness, strength, for faith, for our daily bread.our petitions include those for guidance and relief from pain, loneliness and addictions.if you can think of a time when you needed help and got it, your prayers were answered. What isn t so clear to me, however, is when I pray and it seems as if God isn t listening and/or doesn t care.when I need or want something and the answer is No, - those are the times I wonder about. Now, I ve heard all the rationale for those responses. You aren t ready ; It wouldn t be good for you ; You are going to learn patience from this ; You ll be stronger. I ve heard them all, and so have you. But the truth is, if I didn t want the answer I get, I wouldn t be praying for it!i m like a little kid that wants what I want and I want it now.and when I don t get it, I ll be honest.i get angry and think I know better than God does. My desk at work has a clear plastic mat that has all kinds of things under it;family pictures, postcards, frequently used telephone numbers, two pictures of fields of lavender.there are several Bible sayings and verses that I read when I get angry or anxious or overwhelmed.however, the two pieces I read most often are two that remind me of how God answers prayers and why we ask.the long one is from a daily reflection in Christ in Our Home and the short one is from a calendar about the prayer ofjabez. I use them when I get a message on the Prayer Chain and when I m in need of personal reassurance.you can use them too when you have a question about how to pray and why we pray.thank you for all of your prayersin the past and for your continuing prayers for your church family. To sign up to be on the Prayer Chain as a participant and/or with a prayer concern, just call Jennie Dotts at563-7918.no special requirements are needed, and no concerns too big or too small. Remember there is power in prayer.we send our gratitude and requests for continuing prayers for all of us. Emily Lourigan and Pamela Vaillancourt Answered Prayers I sought the Lord, and he answered me. (v. 4) Does god hear and answer your prayers?god promises, I will hear from heaven (2 Chronicles 7:14).The psalmist of today s reading is overjoyed because the prayer has been answered.we might know friends or relatives whose prayers have been answered as well.and yet most people would probably say that their answers did not come in an audible reply from God.So how do prayers get answered? Answers to prayers may come within our devotions and meditation.answers to prayers may come in our study of Scripture.They might come during worship, in a hymn or in the sermon. But they might just as easily come outside of church in the kindness of a neighbor, the love of a child, the helpful word of a teacher, or the helping hand of a coworker.answers might come unexpectedly in a news broadcast or movie.they might even come from a friend who isn t a Christian.God has no bounds when it comes to using all that there is in our world to respond to us.will we be watching and listening?will we be reading the signs?one thing is sure, God answers prayers.(christ in our Home, vol. 52, Number 4) The Prayer of Jabez When we feel weak, rather than asking God for His strength, we try harder to be strong.we may even ask Him to make us strong.but when we do this, we rob God of an opportunity to reveal His perfect strength through our weakness.the right response is to say to God, I can t do this.but I know You can.and then everyone will know it s You, not me, who is strong.
Meeting planned for Tues., Jan. 16, at 7:30PM.If you are a member of this committee, please plan to attend this meeting in January.We are going to look at our new ELW worship books and the new liturgies available to us.also needed are updates and suggestions from each team for the coming year. Assisting Ministers, Communion Assistants, Choir, Lectors, Acolytes, Ushers, Altar Guild, Eucharistic Ministry, Nursery If you are involved in any of these, Please set aside Jan 16, and plan to attend our meeting. Winnie Sawrun Worship and Music Chair ***************************************************************************** FELLOWSHIP HOUR Many thanks to all the teams who so graciously set aside time to help with the coffee hour on Sunday mornings.a second thank you to all who will be serving in 2007.We can always add new members in this area.if you can help, please call Winnie Sawrun 529-7588. Anew schedule will be available soon.again, thank you.winnie ***************************************************************************** JANUARY BIRTHDAYS 3 Richard Kratzer 14 Grace Durkin 4 Emil Bengtson 15 Dan Gellner Jane Matteson Les Lourigan 6 David Bayek 22 Margaret Midge Carlson 7 Jean Frame 25 Stephanie Lohmann 8 Lorraine Cogswell Steve Harz 9 Kevin Kratzer 28 Dave Leibenguth 10 Gigi Carson 31 Emily Lourigan 11 Steven Bengtson Dan Hube
ST. PAUL S MEMBERS IN SERVICE FOR JANUARY ACOLYTES: Linda Anderson, Coordinator, 659-4094 Jan 7 - Jamie Piscitello 14 - Amanda Piscitello 21 - Roxanne DeBlois 28 - Jay Viola Feb 4 - Katie Grottke ALTAR GUILD: Linda Anderson,Coordinator, 659-4094 Jan 7 - Carol Farley, Debbie Howe 14 - Patty Bengtson, Bernice Noeker 21 - Helen Peterson, Mary Susla 28 - Judy Lundin, Mary Procyk Feb 4 - Jennie Dotts, Betty Lamo ASSISTING MINISTERS: Kathy Coyle, Coordinator, 529-5983 Jan 7 Kathie Daly, 8AM, Jerry Vaillancourt10:30AM 14 - Mark Bierbaum 8AM, Mary Procyk 10:30AM 21 - Sallyann Wolf 8AM, Mike Coyle 10:30AM 28 - Emily Lourigan 8AM, Kathy Coyle 10:30AM Feb 4 - Patty Bengtson 8AM, Jim Newmark 10:30AM COMMUNION ASSISTANTS: Sue Agne, Coordinator, 563-0776 Jan 7 Art Bruce 14 - Mike Coyle 21 - Sallyann Wolf, 28 - Sue Agne Feb 4 Kathie Daly EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS: Kathy Coyle, Coordinator, 529-5983 Month of January: Joan Kratzer, Barbara Bonds FELLOWSHIP HOUR HOSTS: Winnie Sawrun, Coordinator, 529-7588 Jan 7 - Grace And Robert Durkin 14 - Debbie and George Howe 21 - Sandra and Ken Schultz 28 - Linda, Kyla & Kaitlin Anderson Feb 4 - FINANCE: Mary Procyk, Coordinator, 257-4793 Jan 7 Art Bruce 14 - Mike Coyle 21 - Mary Procyk 28 - Lillian Doerschler Feb 4 - Helen Peterson LECTORS: Lillian Doerschler, Coordinator, 529-1939 Jan 7 - Sallyann Wolf 14 - Mary Procyk 21 - Vicki Anderson 28 - Joan Kratzer Feb 4 - Lillian Doerschler NURSERY: Ann French, Coordinator, 529-3245 Jan 7 - Russ Correll, Kim Ruppar 14 - Josh and Amanda Viola 21 - Russ Correll, Kyla Anderson 28 - Margaret and Erica DeBlois Feb 4 - Crystal Brozynski, Roxie DeBlois USHERS: Penrose Wolf, Coordinator, 8:00AM (529-9537) Louise Lostocco, Coordinator, 10:30AM (529-3079) Month of Jan - Carole Hughes 8:00AM Dave Bayek, Bob Bowman 10:30AM
Epistle Saint Paul s SAINT PAUL S EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH 371 Wolcott Hill Road Wethersfield, CT 06109 www.stpaulswethersfield.org RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Non-Profit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID HARTFORD, CT Permit No. 3654 Time Sensitive Material Please do not delay delivery SAINT PAUL S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH CHURCH SCHEDULE Worship:.......... 8:00 & 10:30 a.m. Sunday Church School:...... 9:00 a.m. Adult Study Class:.......... 9:15 a.m. OFFICERS AND STAFF Rev. Hugh R. B. Haffenreffer, Pastor...Office: (860) 529-5397 Cell Pnone: (860) 966-7360 pastorh@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 Office Secretary...Marianne Doolittle REMINDERS: Jan21 Dedication of ELW hymnals, 10:30AM 28 Annual Meeting, 11:45 AM January 2007