Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church The Messenger This is the message… “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” 1Jn 1:5

March 2016 Volume 10, Issue 3 Acknowledging of Christ’s Body In 1 Corinthians 11:17-32, St. Paul is addressing The problem was that the wealthier, social elite some abuses in the congregation surrounding the would dine rst and on beer fare, and the poorer Lord’s Supper. It appears that a number of the were disregarded, marginalized. This was contrary congregational members were coming together for to the Sacrament’s purpose: the forgiveness of sins, the Sacrament before others could arrive. “One goes which creates and sustains unity with Christ and hungry, another gets with one another. drunk.” The practice That’s why we call was shaped not by it Communion, Christ’s Word but because it’s rather by Roman communion both culture. You see, the with God Himself congregation met in and with one homes, likely the another. The larger homes of Corinthian wealthier community congregation was members. Since the using the meal to formal dining area create divisions, could only The Last Supper, ca. 1520, Andrea Solari, after Leonardo da Vinci, rejecting the Lord accommodate so many, the and His Supper. It is for this Roman host invited his friends and those he wanted reason Apostle Paul declares, “When you come to honor. Those then would dine on the best food. together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat.” Many others would have to dine elsewhere, usually St. Paul rmly establishes his teaching of the in the adjoining atrium or possibly the courtyard. Lord’s Supper in Christ’s Word, namely, the Words of Institution, which He spoke at the Last Supper Continued on pg. 2

Mid-Week Lenten Vesper Services, 7:00 p.m. Wednesdays, March 2, 9, & 16 Lenten meals, 5:30-6:30 p.m., in the Fellowship Hall Holy Week & Easter Schedule Holy Week Services begin at 7:00 p.m. Palm Sunday with Rite of Conrmation—March 20 Maundy Thursday with Holy Communion—March 24 Good Friday—March 25 Easter Vigil—March 26 Easter Sunday 6:30 a.m. Sunrise Divine Service with Holy Communion Easter Breakfast 7:30 –9:00 a.m. Divine Service with Holy Communion 10:30 a.m. —March 27 and which the celebrant speaks during the Divine major disagreements. But we must resist those forces Service. What was true then is true today. Likewise, that would have congregational members view the apostle’s admonition to receive the Sacrament in other members as lesser or inferior. It has grieved a worthy manner applies not only to the Corinthians this pastor to hear members refer to others as but also to all Christians. “For anyone who eats and worthless. Moreover, it grieves the Holy Spirit when drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks people scoff and insult and harbor hatred in their judgment on himself.” hearts for fellow members of this congregation and Discerning the body is short for “body and of Christ’s body. None should be dismissed or blood” of the Sacrament used throughout 1 disregarded, as the wealthier members were doing Corinthians 10-12, referring to Christ’s true bodily to the poorer in Corinth. presence. Indeed, as we confess in our Small Christ died for poor and rich, weak and strong, Catechism, the Sacrament is the “true body and male and female. He is the same Christ for us all. He blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and offers the same sacred food, the same bread, the wine” (Sacrament of the Altar, same forgiveness, the same I). It also recognizes that Christ life to us all. Christ grants us instituted this sacred meal for worth—for He paid the price Christians to eat and to drink of His precious blood and His and thereby receive the innocent suffering and death. forgiveness of sins. Therefore, How much did He consider one worthily receives the each and every person worth? Sacrament when they The cross answers. To deny approach the Lord’s Table in another’s worth is to reject the contrition of their sins and cross and what Christ has with trust in the words “Given accomplished it for you. and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.” “For When we judge our brothers and sisters by the the words ‘for you’ require all hearts to principles of this world—the values of Roman believe” (Sacrament of the Altar, IV). culture for the Corinthians and the values of Muncie If we acknowledge that Christ is truly present in for us—we are failing to discern, to acknowledge the Sacrament of the Altar and that we receive Christ’s body. And those who fail in this way and forgiveness of sins when we partake of it, then it is refuse to repent ought to be disciplined “so that we something for which we will never want to do may not be condemned along with the world.” without. If we don’t think the Sacrament’s a big deal And so my vision of Acknowledging of Christ’s or if we don’t hunger for it, we acknowledge neither Body would have us all on our knees before the it nor our need for it. (You can check out Luther’s Lord’s Table, discerning Christ in His body and admonition in Christian Questions with Their Answers , blood, recognizing our need and seeking forgiveness LSB 330, specically question 20). from Him, and acknowledging our fellow Christians Beside the rst discerning of Christ’s bodily with whom we are communing. And this vision is of presence in the Sacrament and the second discerning each congregational member receiving the that this Sacrament is for the forgiveness of sins, a Sacrament every week, whether he or she aends third discerning exists, namely, discerning the unity early or late service. Through the Sacrament then, of the body of Christ created through the Sacrament. our congregation will be strengthened in faith This is where we come to the third part of my vision toward God and in fervent love for one another. Oh, for Grace congregation: Acknowledging of Christ’s what a glorious sight that would be! Christ loving us Body. and we loving one another. Just as it was true in Corinth, Christians today don’t always get along—they even may have some Pastor Mackey

Page 2 The Messenger From the Gideons

Your prayers and support of The Gideons International enabled us to share more than 84.8 million copies of God’s Word in 2015. Almost 11 million of these were distributed in the USA at schools, colleges, hospitals, pris- ons, and more. Grace will host a representative from the Gid- eons on March 6 during the Sunday School hour. Please make every aempt to aend .

Stewardship Notes

Investment Fund Since this fund was established in 2007, our contributions to the fund have totaled $396,500. This gure constitutes the “principle balance” of the fund. Since that time, $90,500 has been withdrawn from gains and earnings to support budgetary needs of the church. However, the returns in the nancial markets in 2015 were negative and the market value of the fund at January 31 was $389,500, or $7,000 below the prin- ciple balance. Under a resolution of the Voters Assembly passed in 2007, withdrawals which would invade the principle balance cannot be made without approval of Grace Voters. Therefore, our monthly distribu- tion of $1,666 has been discontinued for the present. We are fortunate to have this fund and this represents an appropriate step at this time to preserve its value. Furnace/Boiler Fund We all know how vital a furnace is in the winter for our worship and fellowship. Our Furnace/Boiler fund- raising is moving forward. Thanks to all who made pledges and to all who are contributing. If you haven’t helped this fund, please consider a gift in any amounts that is right for you. Keep an eye on the thermome- ter in the back of the church! Together we are geing the heat turned up!

Page 3 The Messenger

Page 4 The Messenger Lenten Convenience Meals Mite Sunday Our LWML has designated the rst Sunday of each Meals will be served from 5:30-6:30 month as Mite Sunday. Please remember to drop p.m. on Wednesda ys during Lent your loose change in the big Mite box on Sunday, from March 2 -March 16. Menus: March 6, 2016 as you come or go from church. The March 9—Bd of Ed. - Nachos “Mighty Mites” make a huge impact for the LWML March 16—LYF - Chili and the recipients of their support. Chat N Chew Grace members and guests meet monthly to enjoy Choir Notes one another’s company at Chat N Chew. Johnny The Vocal Choir is in desperate need of sopra- Carino’s is the place to be this month on Monday, no voices. March 14 at 11:30 a.m. (Lunch expense is on your Ladies, if you can nd an hour a week to sing own.) RSVP to Virginia Lucas (765) 289-4609 by with us, we would be very appreciative. Sopranos Sunday, March 13. mostly have melody parts with the occasional har- Free For Lunch Bunch mony or descant. Computerized practice les help you learn your part. You dont need to sing loud, Join together for lunch on Tuesday, March 29 from just come and add your voice. Itll make a great ad- 12:30-1:30 p.m. at Grace Fellowship Hall. Bring a dition. Alto voices are most welcome also. Vocal friend and come with an appetite. RSVP (765) 358- Choir meets on Mondays at 7:15 p.m. See Judi Pape 4446 or [email protected]. or any choir member for more details.. TLC Our March studies will be on the 14th at 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We like to see our group grow. Please join us.

Page 5 The Messenger From the Deaconess’s Desk What About…Body Image?

What is Body Image? you his most faithful slave (Romans 5). Just as Body image is how you see yourself when you Christ’s body rose from the dead, so too your body look in a mirror or when you picture yourself with will rise from the dead. However, your body will your mind’s eye. It includes what you believe about not be scared with nail holes and a stab wound. your own appearance and how you feel about your Your body will rise whole and perfect and will re- body. main so for the rest of eternity. Isn’t body image more of a woman thing? God the Holy Spirit sancties your body in the Everyone has thoughts and feelings about their waters of Holy Baptism (Romans 6; 1 Peter 3:21). body. Signicant changes in our appearance due to The Holy Spirit, working through God’s Word in growing, aging, exercise, pregnancy, injury and ill- and with the waters of baptism, delivers forgiveness ness can cause us to think more about our bodies to you and covers your body inside and out with and experience more intense emotions about our His Jesus’ righteousness. His righteousness shaers bodies. and scaers the sin that divided you from the Fa- ther. What does Scripture say about my body? In creating your body God the Father has given God the Father created your body. He knit to- you an instrument through gether your body and soul which to love and serve with His own gracious hands your neighbor, in redeem- (Genesis 2; Psalm 139:13-16). ing your body Jesus has giv- Today He continues to sus- en you the promise of resur- tain your body with the gift rection, in sanctifying your of life. Every beat of your body the Holy Spirit has set heart and respiration of your you apart as God’s own lungs is the provision of your child. Father. Moreover, your Fa- ther uses your body to pro- Unhealthy Body Image vide for your neighbor. A distorted perception of Whether your hands plow your body can be harmful. the eld or feed the copy machine, the Lord uses Thinking that your body is completely perfect or your body to provide daily bread to your household feeling like your body is worthless are both harmful and community. perceptions. While God does promise to perfect us, Your body is fallen (Genesis 3; Romans 3). Some- He does so in the resurrection. Our only hope of times your heart jumps out of rhythm, your lungs perfection is in Christ whose power was made per- get congested, and your stomach rejects dinner. You fect in His weakness on the cross for you (2 Corin- are subject to illness, injury, and a host of other un- thians 12:1-10). Moreover, our bodies have immeas- desirable bodily conditions. Moreover, you make urable worth in Christ. Christ’s sacricial love your body a vehicle through which you sin daily makes us worthy before the Father. It’s not our ac- against your neighbor and your Lord. Likewise, tions that give us beauty before the Father but your neighbor uses his body to inflict pain and Christ’s loving action for us. suffering on you. Healthy Body Image God’s Son has redeemed your body, warts and A healthy body image is a true perception of all (Job 33:27-28; Galatians 3:13-14). He took on your your body as your body really is. A healthy body flesh to purchase you from the devil who had called image recognizes that your body needs a savior and Continued on pg. 7

The Messenger Page 6 continued from pg 6 has one in Christ. A healthy body image recognizes that while your body is riddled with sin and inrmity, your body is immeasurably valuable in the body of Christ (Mahew 18:10-14; John 15:13). God loves His creation, (your body included), so much that He sent His only son to die and rise for that creation. Continue to grow in knowledge of Christ’s grace and mercy for you. Continue to pray that you would be a good steward of all the gift Christ has given you in your body. Continue to hear how Christ poured out His body for you. Continue to receive His body and blood as you await the resurrection of your body.

writing. Dyslexia is not an indicator of low intelli- gence. These students are smart and very capable of learning. But in order to do so, they must be given assistance to identify and overcome the issues that might otherwise prevent them from achieving aca- demic success. Dyslexia is a condition that a child inherits from Devotion Fliqqeb birth and will have their whole life. But with the "For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I help of loving parents and skilled educators, dyslex- do not want to do-this I keep on doing. Now if I do ic students can overcome their disability, experienc- what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, ing academic success and success in their chosen ca- but it is sin living in me that does it. So I nd this reer. They will always have a struggle, but with law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is hard work they can flip the script on their disability. right there with me. For in my inner being I delight If you think about it, dyslexia is not unlike the condi- in Gods law; but I see another law at work in me, tion that we as Christians face when we struggle waging war against the law of my mind and making with sin. Both conditions are inherited from birth me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. and they will be something that will be frustratingly What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me faced for a lifetime. Consider Pauls words in Ro- from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to mans 7 where he bemoans his inability to do what God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our he should and to stop doing what he should not Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to do. It doesnt maer what he says or aempts, he Gods law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law always manages to nd his way back to his sin. of sin. - Romans 7:19-25 As Christians we also receive help with our sin diag- One of the most common learning disabilities that nosis. Out of His great love for us, God has given to educators face today are in the areas of reading and us His Son, Jesus Christ, to intervene on our be- language processing - most commonly known as half. His life, death, resurrection provide for us the dyslexia. Dyslexia affects a students ability to learn ability to overcome our sinful natures and to have in multiple ways including learning to speak, identi- forgiveness, restoration, and salvation. The only fying and speaking leer sounds, comprehension of difference is that while the dyslexic student must what is read, spelling, and even learning number work to earn their success, ours has been provided facts. But for all of its complexities, most people will to us as a freely given gift - undeserved and un- most readily identify dyslexia with the symptom of earned by those who receive it. flipping around leers. May we give thanks and praise to our Lord and Sav- To be fair, while this is far from the only result of ior for flipping us back. dyslexia, incorrect use of leers in where they are placed and how they are formed is one of the many Published by Christian Steward News: challenges that dyslexic students might face. I can Vol. 5 No. 1 March 2016 Dyslexia only begin to imagine the frustration that a dyslexic child will experience when it comes to reading and

Page 7 March 2016

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4 5 7 p.m. Planning Council 5:30 p.m. Convenience Meal 6-7 p.m. Confession & Abso- lution 7 p.m. Vespers

6 Fourth Sunday of Lent 7 8 9 10 11 12 8 a.m. Divine Service w/Holy Communion 6:15 p.m. Hand Bells 5:30 p.m. Convenience Meal 9:20 a.m. Christian Education Hour 7:15 p.m. Vocal Choir 6-7 p.m. Confession & Abso- 10:30 a.m. Divine Service lution 12 p.m. Jr. Confirmation 7 p.m. Vespers

13 Fifth Sunday in Lent 14 15 16 17 18 19 8 a.m. Divine Service 9:30 a.m. TLC 5:30 p.m. Convenience Meal Confession study 6:30 p.m. Card Night 4-7pm LCMS U 9:20 a.m. Christian Education Hour 11:30 a.m. Chat-n-Chew@ 6-7 p.m. Confession & Abso- Dan’s Fish Fry 10:30 a.m. Divine Service w/Holy Communion Johnny Carino’s lution 12 p.m. Jr. Confirmation 6:15 p.m. Hand Bells 7 p.m. Lenten Vespers 7:15 p.m. Vocal Choir

20 Palm Sunday 21 22 23 24 Maundy Thursday 25 Good Friday 26 Easter Vigil 8 a.m. Divine Service w/Holy Communion 6:15 p.m. Hand Bells 1 p.m. Parish Services 6-7 p.m. Confession & Abso- 7 p.m. Divine Service w/ 7 p.m. Divine Service w/ 7 p.m. Divine Service w/ 9:20 a.m. Christian Education Hour 7:15 p.m. Vocal Choir lution Holy Communion Holy Communion Holy Communion 10:30 a.m. Divine Service w/Holy Communion & The Rite of Confirmation

27 Easter Sunday/Resurrection of Our Lord 28 29 30 31 Office Hours 6:30 a.m. Divine Service w/Holy Communion 6:15 p.m. Hand Bells 12:30 p.m. Free for Lunch Monday—Friday 7: 30 a.m. Easter Breakfast 7:15 p.m. Vocal Choir Bunch 9 a.m. — 2:00 p.m. 9:20 a.m. Christian Education Hour 7 p.m. Boards of Elders, 9:30 a.m. Easter Egg Hunt Stewardship, and Ed. 10:30 a.m. Divine Service w/Holy Communion

WORSHIP ASSISTANTS FOR MARCH

Acolytes Greeters —10:30 a.m.

6th Nicholas Otwinowski 6th Holly Bryant 13 th Macy Brammer 13 th Lori Foist 20 th Ruthie Hughes 20 th John & Judy Pape 24 th Bryce Monroe 27 th Brian & Kathryn Ludwig 25 th Nicholas Otwinowski 26 th R. Hughes, B. Monroe, N. Otwinowski 27 th Kyle Price Ushers Camera Operator

6th Eric McCoy 6:30 Brian Saparnis 13 th Glenn Branscome 8:00 Brian Saparnis 20 th Shea Hill 10:30 Ma Monroe & Alan Hokenson 27 th Devon Hill Holy Week: 7:00 p.m. John Harman & Jack Elsesser

Altar Guild Anniversarys

Linda Cook, Ch 7th Jim & Judy McCoy Pam Addison 12 th Linda & Robert Barnet 30 h Lois Forrest O’Bryant Reta Heinkel Mary Painter

Birthdays Assisting Elder

2nd Macy Brammer 6th Bill Walker Angela Rose 13 th John Harman & Dave Price 3rd Nicholas Price 20 th 8:00 a.m. Bill James Dawn Smith

8th Cathy Branscome 10:30a.m. John Harman & Dave Price Emily Parker 24 th Maundy Thursday—Bill James 12 th Henry Miller 25 th Friday — Rob Myers 14 th Laura Shaeffer 26 th Easter of Vigil—John Harman Carrie Hill th 27 th Sunrise Easter —Bill Walker & Bill James 15 Elizabeth Masson th 17 Larry Koss Easter —Dave Price & Dave Heinkel th 19 Jacob Logan st 21 Darren Hindsley th 25 Noah Barnet Jill Boyd Glenn Branscome th 27 Danica Foist th 29 Alan Hokenson st 31 Deli Jackson

GRACE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH

610 N Reserve St Muncie, IN 47303 Church Office: 765-282-2537 Deaconess Office: 765-282-1302 Fax: 765-284-2096 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.gracemuncielcms.com

By Grace through Faith

March 20 – John 12:12-33 “Palms & Grain Kernels” by Rev. William Mueller, Suburban Bethlehem Lutheran Church~Fort Wayne, IN The Palm Sunday crowd cheered at the entrance of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem just five days before He would be March 6 – 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 “Faith in What or cast out of the city to be crucified on a cross. The crowd Whom?” waves palm branches in the air as a sign of glory and by Rev. Dr. Thomas R. Ahlersmeyer, Holy Cross Lutheran honor to Jesus. Later that day Jesus talked about casting Church, Fort Wayne, IN kernels of grain into the ground. What do these two Reconciliation is a beautiful word that describes the uni- seemingly insignificant items – palm branches and grain versal and sacrificial love of Jesus Christ. Reconciliation kernels – have to do with our Palm Sunday celebration normally is a two-way street; with our great God, He does and our faith? Each remind us about His eternal love for all the work. NOTHING about us – even our faith – us! makes reconciliation a reality. Reconciliation happens be- March 27 – 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 “Firstfruits” cause of what Jesus Christ has done. by Rev. Paul E. Shoemaker, Emanuel Lutheran March 13 – Isaiah 43:16-21 “The God of New Things” Church~New Haven, IN by Rev. Dr. Walter A. Maier III, Concordia Theological On Easter morning our Lord Jesus rose from the dead in Seminary~Fort Wayne, IN victory over sin, death and the power of the devil. He is Do you long for the “good old days”? Appreciate the past, the firstfruit. We, also, shall rise from the dead in glorious but don’t be weighed down by nostalgia. Recognize how victory to live with Jesus forever. Just as He has been God is acting for your benefit now, and how he will so act raised from the dead so we too shall rise. We shall follow in the future. For He is the God of new things. Him to be with Him where He is.!