The Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Took with Him Peter and James and His Brother John and Led Them up a High Mountain, by Themselves
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Volume 83, No. 3 - March 2, 2014 The Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. ...Suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” Matthew 17:1-2, 5 Page 2 Former Presiding Bishop Rev. Mark Hanson is our guest speaker at St. Matthew’s Day of Grace, Sunday, March 30 On Sunday, March 30, members of St. Matthew’s and the Greater Milwaukee Synod will welcome The Rev. Mark Hanson, former presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, as the Day of Grace speaker. He will preach at the morning worship services, and speak during the adult education hour and at an afternoon presentation. As its third presiding Bishop, Rev. Hanson represented the 10,000 congregations of the ELCA to other religious and civil leaders throughout the world during his twelve years in office. He guided the church through difficult times and offered a vision of hope. At the October, 2013 National Assembly of the ELCA, he said, “Yes, we can trust the Holy Spirit, who is at work through this church as we are deeply rooted in Christ and always being made new.” A champion of ecumenical relationships and justice, especially for those most vulnerable, Rev. Hanson has earned wide respect among the world’s religious leaders. His roots are Midwestern, though. Born in Minneapolis, he attended Augsburg College, Union Theological Seminary in New York, Luther Seminary in St. Paul, and Harvard Divinity School. He returned to Minnesota to serve three parishes in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area before he was elected Bishop of the St. Paul Area Synod. In 2001 he was elected Presiding Bishop of the ELCA, where he served two terms. The Rev. Mark S. Hanson We are privileged to welcome this man of faith, wisdom, ELCA presiding bishop from 2001 to 2013 passion, and experience in celebrating our Day of Grace. St. Matthew’s Mission Statement Called to fulfill the Great Commission, St. Matthew’s Welcomes all to faith in Jesus Christ, Nurtures our faith journey, Equips us to serve others, and Sends us into the world to make a difference in Jesus’ name. The Voice of St. Matthew’s The newsletter of St. Matthew’s Ev. Lutheran Church Christopher Manke and Margaret Schoewe Pastors 1615 Wauwatosa Avenue, Wauwatosa, WI 53213 414-774-0441 fax 414-774-0989 E-mail: [email protected] Visit our website: www.StMattsLutheran.org Sunday worship at 7:30, 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. USPS 662-800 -- Published Monthly - Twice monthly in March, July, October and December by St. Matthew’s Don and Judy Buskirk, (left and right) stand with Roc Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1615 Wauwatosa Ave., Whitesell (center), who gave a very interesting presentation Wauwatosa, WI 53213 (phone 774-0441) Periodicals to the Saints group in February. Roc was a long-time postage paid at Milwaukee, WI. POSTMASTER: Send concierge at the Pfister Hotel, and had many stories address changes to: The Voice of St. Matthew’s, St. of guests who stayed there, many of them famous. His Matthew’s Ev. Lutheran Church, 1615 Wauwatosa Avenue, presentation was well-received by those who came. Wauwatosa, WI 53213 Submit articles to the church office in care of Sonja Mohr, Newsletter Editor, or [email protected] Page 3 2 Upcoming Events you won’t want to miss March 16th, 8:30 & 11:00 Services New Creation Choir Musical Bones: The Story of Hope: Discover how Ezekiel brings hope to a weary people On Sunday, March 16, at the 8:30 and 11:00 services the New Creation choir invites the St. Matthew’s family to learn about the prophet Ezekiel and how he helped the Israelites experience hope. Ezekiel lived nearly 600 years before Jesus came to earth. He was God’s prophet among thousands of Jewish captives taken from Judah to Babylon, before the destruction of Jerusalem. These were very dark and difficult days for the people of God. But through some amazing visions, God gave Ezekiel a message of hope to share with those discouraged and enslaved exiles. Ezekiel denotes a couple different meanings - God is strong, God strengthens or God makes hard. These namesakes explain a significant amount about Ezekiel because of the calling, anointing, and purpose God had for Ezekiel. Ezekiel needed the Lord’s strength throughout all his endeavors. Ezekiel was a man of deep faith and great imagination. Many of his insights came in the form of visions, and many of his messages were expressed in vivid symbolic actions. Ezekiel emphasized the need for inner renewal of the heart and spirit. He also proclaimed his hope for the renewal of the life of the nation. Back by popular demand! Fish Sticks High Energy Comedy Night at St. Matthew’s! Get your tickets NOW! Proceeds toward Youth Mission Trip Good news for your funny bone! Fish Sticks is returning to St. Matthew’s. They were last here in 2009, and it was a fantastic family night. You will want to be here for it… It’s a lot of fun! Date: Friday, March 28 Time: Show is at 7 p.m. with a dessert to follow Cost: Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children under 12; $30 = Family max Location: St. Matthew’s Sanctuary Invite friends and family members to enjoy an evening with ”Fish Sticks,” a Christian comedy act. Last time we had a fabulous turnout, many purchasing tickets at the door. It is helpful to purchase tickets in advance or to call for reservations. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the summer’s youth mission trip to Washington, D.C. Child care will be provided, although the show is family friendly. Check out the comedy website: www.fishstickscomedy.com. Plan to make this a part of your inside family winter fun! Tickets are now on sale on Sunday mornings; or call the church office to reserve yours. Page 4 The Transfiguration of our Lord “And he was transfigured before them...” What is The Transfiguration of Christ and when is it celebrated? The Feast of the Transfiguration, which for ELCA Lutherans falls on the last Sunday of Epiphany, before Ash Wednesday, (this year on Sunday, March 2) commemorates what many consider to be the highest point of Jesus’ earthly life, when he was “transfigured” by a brilliant white light at the top of a mountain and proclaimed to be the well-loved Son of God from a heavenly voice. The Origins of the Feast The Feast of the Transfiguration is said to have been founded by Saint Gregory the Illuminator, sometime in the early third century, AD. It is said that the Feast took the place of an earlier pagan ritual known as “roseflame,” as Christ’s transfiguration was also similar to a flaming rose. The Feast was relatively slow to be adopted by the majority of churches, though most took up the practice by the 15th century. The Story of the Transfiguration According to the Gospels of Luke (9:28- 36), Mark (9:1-8), and Matthew (17:1-6), the Transfiguration occurred when Jesus traveled to the top of a mountain to pray with three of the Apostles, Peter, John, and James. Upon reaching the summit, Jesus was transfigured, his entire body being filled with a shining white light, as though his person were filled with clear fire. Moments later, the prophets Elijah and Moses appeared to either side of Jesus, and began to speak with him of his burden and impending death. Then, a blazing cloud appeared overhead, and a voice spoke from heaven, saying that Jesus was his beloved son, in whom he was well pleased. After the event was over, Jesus asked the three Apostles to keep the occurrence a secret until the Son of Man rose from the dead. Interpretations of the transfiguration Generally speaking, the primary significance of the Transfiguration exists in the light which shines from Jesus’ body on the mountaintop, which is typically held to be a sign of his internal divinity fully manifesting itself in the material world. It is also the second time that he is called a beloved son by a heavenly voice, the first being when he is baptized by John. As a result of these events, the Transfiguration is considered the turning point between Jesus’ prophetic ministry and priestly (or divine) ministry. In effect, Jesus, standing between the Law and the Prophet became the fulfillment of both in the eyes of God as evidenced by the commendation of the voice from the clouds. For Christians around the world, the Transfiguration remains an important observance. It is a chance to reflect upon the glorious divinity of Christ made manifest in the material world. Page 5 Pastoral Call Update St. Matthew’s Meal Ministry Expands Are we any closer to having an beyond St. Matthew’s additional pastor at St. Matthew’s? Moves most of food transport and distribution to We have been blessed by the help and energy of Our Redeemer’s larger space Pastor Fran Odden, who led the MET process for us As many of you know and that many of you have nearly two years ago now. Pastor Fran has been doing supported and participated in, St. Matthew’s Meal ministry much of our preliminary research on candidates, and continues to grow.