Trinity Lutheran Church

From the Pastor
David Nehrenz

Dear Fellow Redeemed in the Light of Jesus Christ,

This month we are in both the season of Epiphany and Lent.

The Transfiguration of our Lord - The Shining of Jesus in bright Light on the mountain. God's Beloved Son who shines and is transfigured in glory on the high mountain, is also the true Man. We celebrate this on Sunday Feb. 19th with both 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Services of Holy Communion.

The Epiphany theme is found in the amazing hymn "Songs of Thankfulness and Praise" LSB 394. The last verse summarizes our waiting for his last great epiphany when Jesus returns in glory:

Grant us grace to see Thee, Lord,
Present in Thy holy Word-
Grace to imitate Thee now
And be pure, as pure art Thou;
That we might become like Thee
At Thy great epiphany
And may praise Thee, ever blest,
God in man made manifest.

Then the 40 Days of Lent begin. Join us on Ash Wednesday Feb. 22nd at 7:30 p.m. for a service of Corporate Confession and Absolution, the Imposition of the Ashes, Lenten Liturgy and Service of Holy Communion.

Two of the six Wednesday Lenten Vespers Service are this month (Wed. Feb. 22nd and Feb. 29th) with the theme: "O Christ You Walked the Road." The services begin at 7:30 p.m. and at 6:30 p.m. there will be a Soup and Salad Supper provided by various members of our church and its boards.

The first verse of LSB 424 sets the tone for the whole season of Lent:

O Christ, You walked the road
Our wand'ring feet must go.
You faced with us temptation's pow'r
And fought our ancient foe.

We will again distribute the Lutheran Hour Ministries Lenten Devotional booklet entitled, "Jesus Christ: Man on a Mission."

Also, a special fellowship event happens this month:

The Annual Birthday Bash! - Sunday Feb. 19th at 12:00 noon
Planned by the Fellowship Committee and the Church Secretary Jackie Mullen. Bring a main dish and salad and/or dessert to share.

During this Epiphany and Lent season, may the Light of Jesus Christ shine brightly into our lives as we reflect His glory into a dark world so others also may "walk in the light of the Lord!"

In our King and our Suffering Servant Jesus,
Pastor Nehrenz

From the Vicar
Bill Willenbrock

Greeting in the Lord!

This month I want to talk to you about Polycarp. No, I am not talking about a great day out on the lake fishing. I am talking about Saint Polycarp who the Church remembers on the 23rd day of this month. When we think of February we of course think of Saint Valentine, but allow me to show you why Polycarp should garner more of your attention in the days ahead.

Polycarp is said to have been a disciple to John the Apostle, the writer of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John; as well as Revelation and the Gospel which bears his name. He was probably one of the first life-long Christians, likely being baptized as an infant. Later, he became the Bishop of his hometown of Smyrna which is in modern day Turkey. After many years of serving as Bishop, Christians in his region came under persecution. On the twenty third of February, in the year of our Lord one-fifty-six, Polycarp was executed for the crime of not burning incense in worship to the Emperor. When the governing authorities urged him to recant, so to spare himself from execution, Polycarp replied, "Eighty-six years I have served Him, and He never did me any wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?"

Unlike St. Valentine, who we know VERY little about (perhaps there could have been as many as three people by that name), we know so much about the faithful St. Polycarp. Our Lord says in Revelation chapter two, "Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life." By God's grace and Spirit, may he keep all of us faithful unto death like Saint Polycarp. If you want to know more about Saint Polycarp I encourage you to read The Martyrdom of Saint Polycarp, it's a short document and it can be found for free on several internet sites.

(...Campus Ministry News...)

Vicar Bill Willenbrock