IN
YOUR PRAYERS: Pray this week for; Those who are recovering from
surgery, hospitalization, or sudden illnesses (Alice) and for those being
treated for long term health issues or mobility issues (Orville, Connie,
Bernice, Lavonne, Lorna, Melton, Millie, Ruth, Marlene, Norby, Wyona, Lucille,
Bernita, Eldora*, Darlene, Harvey, Marvin, Susan, Myron, Brandon* Sharon), all residents
of facilities being shut down and kept from family members. *=non member
Keep on doing this. When Jesus said, “Do
this”, in giving the Lord’s Supper, He used a verb form which
means, “Keep on doing this”, or, “Do it again and again!”. As we keep on doing
what He has here commanded us to do, we also want to keep on witnessing to the
truth of His Word. For this reason, the churches of the Lutheran
Church-Missouri Synod promise to follow the historical Biblical practice of
closed communion. Guests who desire to commune are
kindly asked to speak with the Pastor before partaking, or cross their arms
across the chest at the rail to receive a blessing
MENTOR/MENTEE group will be meeting on Sunday, March 22 with Dustin and
Daniel hosting.
The MELCHER
/ DEWALD SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE has begun accepting applications for its
2020 awards. Eligible applicants are members of St. Paul Lutheran Church who
are either high school seniors or college students. Anyone who desires an
application may pick one up from the bulletin board at church or contact Joan
Dreessen or Karen Pidde. Completed forms may be returned to Joan or Karen on or
before April 12, 2020.
WHAT IS THE JOYFUL RESPONSE
PROGRAM?
St. Paul Lutheran has been set up to accept bank transfers as a new option to
writing checks or cash for offering donations. You may set up your
automatic donation in any amount and any time frame you choose (weekly,
monthly, twice monthly, every other month, yearly). The offering would
then be automatically deducted from your bank account and transferred
electronically to the Church account. Forms are available in the Fellowship
Hall and on the bulletin board. Please return the form to one of the
Finance Officers: Penny Saarie, Vicky Huber, Joni Knittel, or Treasuer
Sharon Pfeiffer. Please contact Penny Saarie 351-7848 with any questions.
COVID 19. With the lock down of the
health facilities in town, I wanted to let you know what steps that are taken
here at St. Paul Lutheran when handling the elements of the Lord's Supper to
reduce transmission of pathogens (like the flu) and for those with gluten
intolerance. Note that His body and blood (which gives you life) is never
bad for you, but we do take precautions with the bread and wine (which
remains). These steps are on the back of the bulletin insert this morning. As
far as other things you can do to reduce catching the flu or other communicable
diseases, see advice from health officials, but I pray this gives you comfort
so you may not fear the blessed life-giving Sacrament of the Altar. These are
our practices year round, not just during the flu season or pandemics. We are
staying abreast of the situation and if we need to make changes due to the
Covid 19, we'll keep you updated, but for now...fear not,
for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen
you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.(Isaiah
41:10) - Pastor
Handling of the elements of the
Lord's Supper:
When preparing the bread and wine
before services, the Elders wash their hands beforehand (and use sterile gloves
when handling the reduced gluten wafers which are placed in a separate
container). The Pastor washes his hands before services and uses a hand
sanitizer before the Sacrament of the Altar. After consecration, only the
Pastor handles the elements directly.
You may notice that when I take a
host from the Paten, I pause. This is to look and see if you are receiving it
by mouth, or by hand. When receiving the host in the hand, I ask that you place
one hand in the other, palm up, and fingers flat and closed (St. Tertullian
says; like a throne) so I know your intention. Once I place the host in your
hand, move your hand to your mouth to receive it (without touching it with your
fingers). When receiving the host on the tongue, please lean the head back
slightly, open the mouth, and put the tongue out far enough so I may lay it on
the tongue without fumbling.
With the blood, the elders hold
the tray with the individual cups by the tray sides and you remove the
cup from the tray (unless you request the pastor to do it for you). Try to
touch only one please. The pastor handles the chalice. Before consecration, I
have cleaned the entire rim of the chalice with a purificator cloth dipped with
wine. During distribution, The chalice is wiped with a dry purificator cloth
after someone drinks and rotated to a new spot on the chalice for the next
person. I can pour, or you can assist by grabbing the bottom of the chalice and
helping tip it. Once the table has been dismissed, I again, clean around the
entire rim of the chalice with the first purificator cloth. It is suggested
that those with gluten issues should use the gold/silver lined chalice, as the
rim is never touched with bare hands and is therefore more likely to be uncontaminated
by contact with gluten (unlike the small plastic individual cups that are
literally handled by touching the rim).- Pastor
What is the Sacrament of the
Altar? It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which we
Christians are commanded by the Word of Christ to eat and drink...for on this
account He bids me eat and drink, that it may be my own and benefit me, as a
pure pledge and token, yea, the very same treasure that is appointed for
me against my sins, death, and every calamity. (LC, Sacrament of the
Altar, 8, 20, emphasis mine).
