1. Art and Diseño

February 2015
The Penitential Psalms
Lent is a season of repentance. As Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent, “the placing of
ashes on the forehead is a sign of penitence and a reminder of human mortality” (Treasury of Daily
Prayer, CPH, 2008, p. 10).
The resource Lutheran Worship: History and Practice says that Lent “is a time for the discipline
of learning and growing in the faith, for repentance and prayer, even for fasting to practice self-control
and to heighten one’s awareness of Christ.” It goes on to say, “Weekday services in Lent should focus
on the deepening of faith, refreshment for the spirit and on the striving for the obedience of discipleship.
It is a good time to use the special order for corporate confession and to offer members opportunity for
individual confession” (Lutheran Worship: History and Practice, CPH, 1993, pp. 166-7).
By the sixth century A.D., seven psalms had been designated at the Penitential Psalms (Psalms 6,
32, 38, 51, 102, 130, and 143). Naturally, they proved helpful for use especially in the penitential
season of Lent. One church tradition that came about was for these seven psalms to be recited after the
hour of Lauds on the Fridays in Lent (AE 14:ix). Because of their importance, Luther wrote a
commentary on these seven psalms in 1517, at the beginning of the Reformation, and he revised and
rereleased it in 1525. An editor to Luther’s Works adds, “It is of some importance to note that the
exposition of the penitential psalms in its original edition of 1517, was the first book which Luther
himself prepared for publication” (AE 14:ix).
In our Midweek Lenten Services we plan to make use of the penitential psalms as the basis for
the sermon meditations.
The following is the Midweek Service schedule:
The Penitential Psalms
Ash Wed., Feb. 18 – Psalm 51
Wed., Feb. 25 –
Psalm 6
Wed., Mar. 4 –
Psalm 32
Wed., Mar. 11 –
Psalm 38
Wed., Mar. 18 –
Psalm 102
Wed., Mar. 25 –
Psalm 130
All services are at 7:00 p.m. There will be a meal provided each Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.
– Pastor Young
Growing In Christ Sunday School
February 2015
Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany – February 1, 2015
Jesus and the Little Children Mark 10:13-16
[Jesus said,] “Let the children come to Me . . . for to such belongs the kingdom of God.” Mark 10:14
The Sunday School lesson for this week focuses on the story of “Jesus and the Little Children.” In our
sin, we are like small children: helpless, dependent, and needy. So Jesus came to bestow His love and
eternal gifts upon us. Parents could discuss, “How did Jesus show His compassion on these little
children? How does Jesus shower His compassion on us?”
Key Point Jesus came to us, who because of sin are like children – helpless, dependent, and needy – to
bestow His love and eternal gifts upon us.
Law In my sinful foolishness, I look for the things of this world to satisfy and save me. I prize selfsufficiency, and I believe I can take care of myself.
Gospel God knows that I am like a helpless child who can do nothing to save myself; in His love, He
provides all that I need for this body and life, working salvation for me through His Son.
Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany – February 8, 2015
Jesus Heals a Man Who Is Paralyzed Mark 10:13-16
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.” Matthew 28:18
“Jesus Heals a Man Who Is Paralyzed” is the
lesson for Sunday School today. The miracle of
healing the paralytic confirms that Jesus, the Son
of Man, has authority on earth to forgive sins and
it confirms what the Son of Man chiefly came to
do: deliver us and all believers from sin, death,
and the power of the devil. Consider discussing,
“In addition to healing the paralyzed man, what
else does Jesus tell him? How has Jesus healed us
from our sickness of sin?”
Key Point The miracle of healing the paralyzed
man confirmed that Jesus, the Son of Man, has
authority on earth to forgive sins and to deliver
all believers from death and the power of the
devil.
Law In my sin, I desire all the wrong things,
things that lead to my destruction, and I demand
that God give them to me.
Gospel Christ knows what I need – forgiveness,
life, and salvation – and He bestows it without
my having even to ask.
The Transfiguration of Our Lord – February
15, 2015
The Transfiguration Mark 9:2-10
A voice came out of the cloud, “This is My beloved Son;
listen to Him.” Mark 9:7
On this Transfiguration Sunday, the Sunday
School students have studied the story of “The
Transfiguration.” In the Transfiguration, we see
Jesus as the pure and holy Son of God, whose
perfect righteousness is given to us through God’s
Word and Sacraments. Parents could ask, “What
Elders and Altar Guild Note
Concerning Flags
A question was raised with the Elders about
why there is no display of flags in the chancel or
nave. Redeemer is committed to the best
worship practice. As such, The Altar Guild
Manual says,
A word must also be said about flags. Many
Lutheran churches display flags in the
chancel or nave, but this practice must be
discouraged. The national flag is a symbol of
the state whose values and purposes are
different from, and sometimes incompatible
with, those of the church. The “Christian
flag” is a piece of redundant and distracting
symbolism, since the focus in the church is
on the altar and cross in the chancel.
Moreover, these flags serve no liturgical
function but were introduced into churches
for political reasons. If congregations insist
on having them, they should be displayed in
the narthex or fellowship hall (Altar Guild
Manual, CPH, 1996, pp. 45-46).
In consultation with Redeemer’s Altar Guild
a number of years ago, flags were placed in the
fellowship hall.
did Jesus reveal to His disciples about Himself in the Transfiguration? What does God’s Word reveal to
us about Jesus?”
Key Point The transfiguration of God’s Son, Jesus, foreshadows our adoption by grace. United with
Him by Baptism, we have been made to share in His death and resurrection and are purified and
transformed from sin-filled children of Adam to Christ-filled children of God.
Law I am a sin-filled offspring of Adam and bear his sinful image and likeness.
Gospel The Son of God became a man to make a child of God. He restores me to the image and
likeness of God, filling me with Himself.
First Sunday in Lent – February 22, 2015
Jesus Heals Jairus’s Daughter Mark 5:21-24, 35-43
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
The story “Jesus Heals Jairus’s Daughter” serves as the focus of Sunday School today. Just as Jesus by
Word and touch raised the dead girl to life, so by His Word and Sacraments, He kills and buries death
and raises us to eternal life. Questions for discussion include, “How did Jesus heal this little girl? How
does Jesus heal us from the sickness of sin?”
Key Point Just as Jesus, by Word and touch, raised the dead girl to life, so by His divine Word,
Baptism, and Supper, He kills and buries and raises us to life eternal.
Law I have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; therefore, I deserve death, the required price for
sin.
Gospel Jesus, the God-man, is life. The killer of death and the giver of life, He gives me life eternal
through His Word and Sacraments.
Second Sunday in Lent – March 1, 2015
Jesus Calms a Storm Mark 4:35-41
You, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth. Psalm 71:5
Today the Sunday School students study the account “Jesus Calms a Storm.” Just as Jesus calmed the
storm with His Word for the frightened disciples, so He calms and ends the storm of sin and death by
taking our sin upon Himself and dying in our place so we may live eternally. Consider discussing,
“What did Jesus do to calm the storm? How does Jesus calm the storms in our life?”
Key Point Just as Jesus calmed the storm with His Word for the frightened disciples, so He calms and
ends the storm of sin and its certain death by taking our sin on Himself and dying in our place so we
may live eternally.
Law Sin causes me to fear and doubt that God cares for or loves me. My fears suffocate faith and lead
me to despair and hopelessness.
Gospel God’s Son, who suffered and died for me, is the proof that God cares for me and will never
leave me nor forsake me.
Donors continue providing LSB, catechisms for military
By Roger Drinnon
http://blogs.lcms.org/2014/donors-continue
United States military personnel serving at home and abroad continue to receive
donated worship and study resources, thanks to a Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod chaplain and the generosity of dozens of LCMS members and congregations.
In addition to copies of Luther’s Small Catechism and Lutheran Service Book
eagerly received by service members who were deployed to the Middle East earlier
this year, worship and study resources also are being given to troops stationed at
stateside military bases.
For an earlier Reporter Online story about deployed service members receiving
donated worship and study resources, go to http://blogs.lcms.org/2014/scattering-seed.
“I continue to receive and distribute hard-bound copies of [Luther’s Small
Catechism] with our folks assigned to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JB-MDL),
said Air Force Chaplain (Maj.) Jim Buckman, now a chaplain for the New Jersey Air
National Guard’s 108th Air Refueling Wing.
JB-MDL is a New Jersey base where members of all the military branches train
and serve together. Buckman said he expected to give away more than 200 copies of
the catechism at a December event there.
Earlier this year, when Buckman was deployed to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar,
thousands of donated Synod worship and study resources and some hymnals made
their way into the hands of U.S. military personnel serving in combat zones
throughout the Middle East and Southwest Asia.
Buckman distributed them while he was deployed, with help from Deaconess
Carolyn Brinkley, coordinator for the military project at Concordia Theological
Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind.; Nancy Rowley, assistant to the director of the LCMS
Ministry to the Armed Forces; and Navy Chaplain (Cmdr.) Mike Moreno of the
Synod’s Operation Barnabas ministry.
Buckman recently was able to reunite with some of the troops he was deployed
with who received the donated worship resources.
“I attended and helped lead a 90-day reunion brief with many of the troops
deployed with me — it was great to catch up,” said Buckman. “They and their
families were very thankful for the support they received in care packages and
catechisms. We have all gone our separate ways, but they took [the donated worship]
gifts with them, and these gifts will always be meaningful.”
Buckman said LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces also helped him send a box of
25 catechisms to Fort Hood, Texas, where another chaplain expressed the need for
them as soldiers were preparing to deploy overseas.
Buckman said he wants Synod members to know how much he and all the troops
appreciate the worship and study resources being donated.
“I just want to thank everyone again for the support they provide,” he said. “You
are a blessing to the troops and to the ministry of this LCMS chaplain. And I
encourage everyone to continue to provide all of our chaplains with an abundance of
hard-bound copies of [the catechism] and LSB.”
Roger Drinnon ([email protected]) is manager of Editorial Services for LCMS Communications. This
article originally appeared in The Reporter, the Official LC-MS newspaper.
Birthdays in February
2/1 Luke Spinelli &
Elliana Graham
2/2 Cassidy Grams
2/3 David Gant
2/6 Patricio Alvarez
2/12 Kim & Ben
Mountjoy
2/13 Betty Tiesler
2/14 Pauline Ellendorff
2/19 Corbin Cottrell
2/24 Daniel Tiesler
2/26 Zachariah Weaver
Baptismal Birthdays in
February
2/12 Cheryl Guengerich
2/14 Sarah Travaglio
2/15 Alan Dopp
2/17 Luke Spinelli
2/24 Alm Suedekum
2/27 Joanna Chinnappan
Wedding
Anniversaries in
February
2/13 Jim & Marta
Weaver 27 Yrs
For the Month of February
Ushers: Frank Hedrick, Matt Irwin, Kenneth Priest, Robert
Gouge, & Garrett Suedekum
Altar Care: Marta & Hannah Weaver
Sunday, January 25
Third Sunday
after the Epiphany
/ The Conversion
of St. Peter
Education Hour 9:15 AM
Divine Service 10:30 AM
Jonah 3:1-5, 10; Psalm 62;
1 Corinthians 7:29-31 (32-35); Mark 1:14-20
Nursery: Tom & Janey Tiesler, Kelley Mast,
Denise McBride
Voters’ Assembly
LWML Mite Collection
On this day we give thanks for:
Birthday of
Rob Gregory
Monday, January 26
8 AA
On this day we give
thanks for:
Baptismal Birthday of
Naomi Spinelli
St. Titus,
Pastor and Confessor
Thursday, January 29
Tuesday, January 27
6:30 Sanctuary
Renovation Committee
On this day we give
thanks for:
Birthday of
Tyler Zenk
Baptismal Birthday of
Anna Hedrick
Friday, January 30
On this day we give
thanks for:
Birthday of
Alm Suedekum
Baptismal Birthday of
Logan Schendel
Wednesday, January 28
7 Choir
On this day we give
thanks for:
Birthdays of
George Olson &
Lois Silsbee
Saturday, January 31
Sunday, February 1
Monday, February 2
8 AA
Tuesday, February 3
Wednesday, February 4
7 Choir
Fourth Sunday
after the Epiphany
Education Hour 9:15 AM
Divine Service 10:30 AM
Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Psalm 111;
1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Mark 1:21-28
Nursery: Sean & Jina Pendel, Cheri Irwin,
Matt Irwin
Refreshments: Andrew & Christine Whelchel,
Sean & Jina Pendel
Door Offering for those preparing for
professional Church work
On this day we give thanks for:
Birthdays of
Luke Spinelli & Elliana Graham
On this day we give
thanks for:
Birthday of
Cassidy Grams
On this day we give
thanks for:
Birthday of
David Gant
Purification of Mary and
Presentation of Our Lord
Thursday, February 5
Friday, February 6
On this day we give
thanks for:
Birthday of
Patricio Alvarez
Saturday, February 7
6-8 Sweet Heart Dinner
Sunday, February 8
Monday, February 9
8 AA
Tuesday, February 10
7 LWML
Wednesday, February 11
10 Bible Study
4 Confirmation Yr 1
5:30 Confirmation Yr 2
5:45 Luther’s Works
Reading Group
7 Choir
Thursday, February 12
Friday, February 13
Saturday, February 14
Fifth Sunday after
the Epiphany
Education Hour 9:15 AM
Divine Service 10:30 AM
Isaiah 40:21-31; Psalm 147:1-11;
1 Corinthians 9:16-27; Mark 1:29-39
Nursery: Tom & Janey Tiesler, Michael &
Heidi Graham
Refreshments: Kenneth & Sara Priest, James
& Frances Sanders
Sunday School Teachers’ Meeting
On this day we give
thanks for:
Birthdays of
Kim & Ben Mountjoy
Baptismal Birthday of
Cheryl Guengerich
On this day we give
thanks for:
Birthday of
Betty Tiesler
Wedding Anniversary of
Jim & Marta Weaver
On this day we give
thanks for:
Birthday of
Pauline Ellendorff
Baptismal Birthday of
Sarah Travaglio
Sunday, February 15
Monday, February 16
8 AA
The
Transfiguration of
Our Lord
On this day we give
thanks for:
Baptismal Birthday of
Luke Spinelli
Education Hour 9:15 AM
Divine Service 10:30 AM
2 Kings 2:1-12 or Exodus 34:29-35;
Psalm 50:1-6;
2 Corinthians 3:12-13 (14-18); 4:1-6;
Mark 9:2-9
Nursery: Amanda Carver, Anna Hedrick,
Mark & Angela Grones
Refreshments: Rev. Philip & Amy Young, Alan
& Linda Dopp
On this day we give thanks for:
Baptismal Birthday of
Alan Dopp
Tuesday, February 17
6:30 Council
Thursday, February 19
On this day we give
thanks for:
Birthday of
Corbin Cottrell
Friday, February 20
Wednesday, February 18
Ash Wednesday
10 Bible Study
4 Confirmation Yr 1
5 Confirmation Yr 2
6 Supper
7 Divine Service with
Imposition of Ashes
8 Choir
Saturday, February 21
8:30 Men’s Breakfast
5:30 Bunco
Sunday, February 22
Monday, February 23
8 AA
Tuesday, February 24
First Sunday
in Lent
On this day we give
thanks for:
Birthday of
Daniel Tiesler
Baptismal Birthday of
Alm Suedekum
Education Hour 9:15 AM
Divine Service 10:30 AM
Genesis 22:1-18; Psalm 25:1-13 (14-19);
James 1:12-18; Mark 1:9-15
Nursery: Shawn & Amanda Houser, Sarah
Cottrell, Kelley Mast
Refreshments: Robert & Debra Gouge, Mitch
& Becca Reilly
LWML Mite Collection
Wednesday, February 25
10 Bible Study
4 Confirmation Yr 1
5 Confirmation Yr 2
6 Supper
7 Lenten Service
8 Choir
St. Matthias,
Apostle
Thursday, February 26
On this day we give
thanks for:
Birthday of
Zachariah Weaver
Friday, February 27
On this day we give
thanks for:
Baptismal Birthday of
Joanna Chinnappan
Saturday, February 28
Letter to the saints of Redeemer
Evangelical Lutheran Church,
Dear Pastor Young & Redeemer
Congregation,
Melissa and I feel beyond blessed that you
have adopted us! Thank you so very much
for the unexpected monetary gift. It was a
complete answer to our prayers in more ways
than one. Thank you also for your spiritual
support of prayer. God continues to show
blessings in our life and you all are one of
them! Please know that we are praying for
your ministry as well. We hope to visit
sometime in the future and get to know you
all better. May God continue to bless you!
Thank you again from the bottom of our
hearts!
In Christ’s Love,
Peter & Melissa
The text above was received by Redeemer in
thanksgiving for our adoption of seminarian
Peter Adelsen and his wife Melissa. Peter is a
second-year student at Concordia Seminary,
St. Louis, Missouri. Melissa is the daughter of
Rev. Kenneth & Stacy Shaw of Trinity
Lutheran in Gallatin, Tennessee. Please pray
for Peter & Melissa, that God might preserve
them in their confession of faith, use them
mightily in the proclamation of the Gospel of
Jesus Christ, and for mutual comfort and
support in their marriage. What a great joy it
is to be considered worthy to “Bear one
another’s burdens,” (Galatians 6:2a)!
Bible Interpretation 101
(continued from January 2015)
by Thomas Egger
The Bible can be a daunting book. You probably wouldn’t want
to drop one on your
toe, and with names like Zerubbabel, places like Bethjeshimoth,
and terms like propitiation, just reading the Bible out loud can be
a challenge. Yet our Lord desires more for us than a mere
mouthing of Scripture. He desires that we hear, understand, and
believe.
For the Sunday School teacher, every lesson presents the need
to interpret the Bible, to understand it in order to effectively teach
it to others. As you read and prepare to teach a biblical text, these
guiding principles will help you see God’s message.
Dr. Thomas J. Egger is
assistant professor of
exegetical theology.
Central College, Pella,
Iowa (B.A. 1993);
Concordia Seminary, St.
Louis, Missouri (M.Div.
1997); pastor, Zion, Storm
Lake, Iowa (2000-05);
guest instructor,
Concordia Lutheran
Seminary, Edmonton,
Alberta, Canada (1999);
assistant professor,
Concordia Seminary, St.
Louis, Missouri, since
2005; academic advisor
for Sem I students since
2010.
3. Testament interprets Testament.
The entire Old Testament precedes the birth of Christ, some of it
by more than 1,000 years. Yet our Lord Jesus can still say, “The
Scriptures . . . bear witness about Me” (John 5:39). Even Old Testament passages are all
about Jesus. We look at the pictures and shadows of God’s saving plans which the Old
Testament provides (animals killed as sacrifice for sin, the temple as “God with us,” the
high priest, the anointed king, and so forth), and we cannot help but see Jesus.
The favorite Old Testament story of David and Goliath, for example, should be more to
us than an example of faith and courage we should imitate. In light of Christ, we see
young David, recently anointed by Samuel, as the one uniquely anointed by the Spirit of
God to rescue Israel, God’s chosen people. We see in Goliath’s death the power and will
of God to save His people. This is a story about David, but it is also a story about Jesus.
Jesus is the ultimate anointed King (Messiah) who singlehandedly faces our fierce
enemies (sin, death, the devil, and hell) and wins the victory for God’s people.
The central message of the story, then, is not merely about what I should do: be strong
in faith. The story does not hold out to me the carrot of “hero status” to be had for the
price of courageous faith. The hero to whom the story ultimately points is not me, but
Christ! The story’s theme is this: the triune God is a God who mercifully rescues His
people through His Messiah. He has a millennia-long track record with this. Now, in
Christ, He has rescued us forever. He is a God worthy of our trust.
Just as the Old Testament should be read in light of the New, so also many New
Testament passages are understood only against the backdrop of the Old. The angel
Gabriel says that God will give to Mary’s Son “the throne of His father David” (Luke 1:32).
But who is David, what throne, and what does the angel mean “of His kingdom there will
be no end”? Here we need to understand God’s Old Testament promise to King David
that one of his descendants would rule over God’s people forever and finally bring about
righteousness (2 Samuel 7:12–13; see also Isaiah 9:6–7).
What does it mean that Jesus is the true vine, the Bridegroom, the Lamb of God, the
Messiah, the prophet like Moses? What does it mean when Jesus walks on water, feeds
the five thousand, drives out demons, and gives sight to the blind? Why would Jesus say
that He had to “go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests
and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised” (Matthew 16:21)? What “cup”
is Jesus referring to when He pleads with the Father to “let this cup pass from Me”
(Matthew 26:39)? The Old Testament provides crucial background for all these New
Testament statements.
This article is reprinted from the Spring 2008 issue of Teachers Interaction, a quarterly magazine designed for Sunday
School teachers. It is included as a teacher training article included in the Growing In Christ material for the Winter 2014-15
Quarter.
Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church
800 Bellevue Road
Nashville, TN 37221
(615) 646-3150
www.redeemernashville.org
[email protected]