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Home , Epiphany season, Nikolaus Selnecker, Paul Gerhardt, Simon Dach

“Blow the Trumpet in Zion” (Joel 2.15) Luther’ doesn’t just recall the shepherd’s visit; New Parish Officers He connects the Bethlehem shepherds to Jesus, the Good Shepherd: AT OUR FALL annual voters’ assembly, several new The heavenly choirs rejoice and raise parish officers were elected. Several members cur- Their voice to God in songs of praise. rently serving were also re-elected to their positions. To humble shepherds is proclaimed The officers will be formally installed into their offic- The Shepherd who the world hath framed. es during the Sunday in January. Watch for Zion Trumpet

information in the Bulletin on the date of the installa- Zion Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Detroit January/February 2015 Luther’s — and those who follow in his tion of our new officers. Please keep our officers— hymnic legacy (, , Niko- new and continuing—in your daily prayers. laus Herman, Phillip Nicolai, , to name but a few)— are of a superior caliber be- All of our boards should plan on meeting soon after How Christians Order Time cause they are true theology. They get real life. the installation of the new officers. This will allow by Father Braden each board to welcome the new officers, to provide an They proclaim the problem of sin and the reality And Jesus increased in of the solution in Christ our Savior. overview of the responsibilities and initiatives of the AS CHRISTIANS, WE order our lives differently than the fallen board, to discuss with the new officers’ their role on wisdom and stature, world that surrounds us. The world marches to time, the Christian If your holidays didn’t go as planned, if you have that board, and to plan the activities of the board in lives not for the day, but for eternity. We are a Christ-centered people. and in favor with God sadness, anger, regret, remorse, guilt, or any other the upcoming year. Fr. Braden is available to all of This applies to us not only when we are in church on Sunday morn- unpleasant feelings, look to the sturdy hymns of our boards to join them for these meetings. Our Zion and men. the Lutheran Church. They proclaim the reality of boards are: the Parish Council, the Board of Parish ing. It is true of every moment of our lives. S T . L U K E 2 : 5 2 the Savior, of peace in the midst of conflict, of God Education, the Board of Trustees, and the Board of Christians follow the Church’s time—time centered in the life and serving you forgiveness in His Son. Deacons. The officers are listed on page 5 of the work of Jesus Christ. The timelessness of the Holy Mass unites us to from the Holy Gospel for the Feast of the Trumpet.  the saints in glory, and the Lord in whose presence they dwell for eter- Let it snow? Jingle Bells? Kissing Santa? Red- Nosed Venison? Forget that nonsense. nity. So our days and months are ordered by the life of the Church. Theological Symposia For us, it is not the secular calendar that marks the passage of months Get real. Sing with Luther. Now and through- AGAIN THIS YEAR, Fr. Braden, Fr. Schultz, and and years, rather it is the calendar of the Church: the liturgical calen- out the year: dar. In This Issue

Vicar Grieser will attend the theological symposia All honor unto Christ be paid, at Concordia Theological Seminary—Fort Wayne, By the world’s counting, by the official calendar of our country, the How Christians Order Time Pure Offspring of the favored maid, P A G E S 1 - 2 January 20-23. The Thirtieth Annual Exegetical new year began on January 1. It is true that we are born, live out our With Father and With Holy Ghost, Symposium is on “The Integrity of the Scriptures: lives, and die on days numbered by this calendar. Pay dates, court Coming Up in the Church Till time in endless time be lost. Amen.  Text and Canon”; the Thirty-Eighth Annual Con- dates and doctors appointments are numbered by it. Taxes are paid Year P A G E 3

fessions Symposium is on “Culture: Friend or by it. And the saints are remembered according to it, their days of Christian Education South American Mission Work Foe?”  commemoration reminding us that we live Zion Parish Record by Father Braden Continued on page 2 P A G E 4

MY JANUARY TRIP to Colombia has been post- Lutheran Witness Subscriptions poned as Fr. Mario Marín, who serves the mission con- Standing Notices P A G E 5 ANYONE INTERESTED IN subscribing to the Lu- gregation in Medillín, is going to be spending some theran Witness magazine for 2015 may do so by plac- Parish Anniversaries time in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I spoke with Fr. Ma- ing $9.72 in an envelope marked “Lutheran Witness” Singing in the New Year rín recently, and we are hoping to visit him this com- with their name and address in the offering plate or P A G E 6 ing summer. mail it to the parish office. The last date to subscribe Get Real; Sing With Luther I have tentatively agreed to teach a course in Vene- or renew your subscription will be January 18. The P A G E 7 zuela after , probably in late May or early June. Lutheran Witness is the official magazine of the Lu- Parish Announcements I’m scheduled to teach Ecclesiology, the doctrine of the theran Church—Missouri Synod.  P A G E 8 Church, on the east side of the country, probably in the city of San Félix. I taught there three years ago. It is Enclosure: my hope to take Vicar Grieser with me when I go. As January/February 2015 more information becomes available, I’ll keep you Calendar  posted. Our Lord with Simeon and Anna in His Presentation in the Temple

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Luther’s Christmass hymns are so excellent be- now in this world. But this time, and its counting, great feasts of the church year was , along Get Real; cause they connect the miracle of the Christmass will end. with Easter and . Epiphany was originally a story — the Incarnation of God — with the Chris- Sing With Luther by Father Schultz tian life. They are memorable, not because they celebration of the Baptism of our Lord. Since the For the Christian, the new year began not on the are whimsical or silly, but because they are strong fourth century, Epiphany has come to be understood January 1, but rather with the First Sunday in , WE’RE IN THE Twelve Days of Christ- and deep. as we entered anew the hearing the ac- as a celebration of the manifestation of the Lord Christ mass now, and thankfully radio stations count of the triumphal entry of our Lord Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, marked by the reading of the Gospel and retail stores have long stopped play- We’ve recently sung two of Luther’s into the City of Peace. of the Magi visiting the Lord, gifts of gold, frankin- ing the wearisome tirade of “holiday hits.” hymns at Mass: “From Heaven Above to

cense and myrrh in hand. Gentiles too bow down and Earth I Come” (#85) is the chief for The months of January and February are rich liturgi- About the only song played in popular worship Him. He is Lord of all. The twelve days of Christmass Midnight; “All Praise to Thee, venues with value is “Hark! The Herald cal months. As we enjoy the season of Christmass, the Christmass draw to an end on January 5. Eternal God” (#80) for Christmass Day. Angels Sing” —if they get to stanza two: twelve days following the Feast of the Nativity of Our “From Heaven Above” was originally for Lord, we gather for Holy Mass every day at Zion. Epiphany is January 6. On Epiphany, the great “Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see, Hail, Luther’s children, sung at home as a min- Christ is the center of faith and life. He is the center of feasts and seasons of the liturgical year are announced the Incarnate Deity.” iature Christmass pageant around 1535. “All our worship. On January 1, we celebrate the Feast of during Mass. After the reading of the Holy Gospel, The world’s holiday ditties, as well as many Praise To Thee” was a German hymn sung in re- the Circumcision of the pastor addresses the congregation saying “Dearly Protestant songs, completely miss the mark. sponse to the sequence “Grates nunc omnes” on Our Lord. We do so beloved, as we have recently rejoiced over the birth of Christmass Day, to which Luther added addition- Our Lord Jesus Christ, now through the mercy of God The reason for this is simple. The world is lost. al stanzas. on the eighth day

I must tell you about the happiness that will stem after His birth, as Life without Christ as the center and foun- Luther’s third Christmass hymn is “Now Scripture teaches us from the Resurrection of that same Lord and Sav- dation is empty. So the world has manufac- Praise We Christ, the Holy One.” Written for that on the eighth ior…” He then announces the dates of the moveable tured a winter holiday to cope with the seem- 1523, Luther translates the Latin day He was circum- feasts of the upcoming liturgical year. ingly meaningless activities of life and darkest hymn “A solis ortus cardine” by the sixth- cised (St. Luke 2.21). days of the year (in the northern hemisphere). century bishop Coelius Sedulius. This Latin The Epiphany season varies in length based on the hymn was sung at the Divine Office of Lauds Closely associated with the Feast of the Circumci- . The last Sunday of Epiphany is the The winter holiday is based on fanciful fa- bles of cookie-eating, home-invading gift giv- on Christmass Day. sion is the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus. The same Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord, which is also Scripture verse that teaches us that Our Lord was cir- determined by counting backwards from Easter. This ers and mounds of snow leaping to life. Its Luther doesn’t just reminisce on the Christ- about elves and fairies and shiny things. Its about cumcised on the eighth day continues “…His Name is true even in the event that Easter is so early it af- mass narrative; He points out atonement. God forced smiles, façades, and tolerance. was called Jesus, the Name given by the angel before fords only one Sunday after Epiphany. But regardless became man to save men:

of the length of the Epiphany season, Epiphany does He was conceived in the womb.” The historic rubrics Although everyone knows its fake, people go He who Himself all things did make Vouchsafe detail that if a Sunday falls between January 2 and 5, not give way to directly. The three weeks of the along with this delusion, hoping that some good- A servant’s form vouchsafed to take means to give a the Holy Name of Jesus is observed on that day. If no Septuagesima season precede and will or charity or something positive must result. That He as man mankind might win gift, fulfilling a provide a bridge between Epiphany and Lent. promise. Sunday occurs, the Holy Name of Jesus is observed on Walking in a winter wonderland? All I want for And save His creatures from their sin.

January 2. This year January 4 is a Sunday. Christmas is you? Silver Bells? Roasting Chest- February 2 is the Feast of the Presentation of our Luther doesn’t just acknowledge Mary’s virgin While many modern liturgical calendars combine Lord Jesus Christ and the Purification of the Blessed nuts? pregnancy; He proclaims the fulfilled prophesy: the Feasts of the Circumcision and Name of Jesus, Virgin Mary (also called “Candlemass”). Before this Get real. Sing with Luther. The noble mother bore a Son,— there is good reason to observe them separately, as is Mass begins we bless the candles to be used through- The world can’t handle the sin, sickness, and sor- For so did Gabriel’s promise run— the tradition of the Church. The Circumcision places out the year, and then we hear St. Simeon proclaim row that is brought about by the devil, the world, Whom John confessed and leaped with joy the sinless, Holy Infant under the Law, and draws the that our Lord Jesus Christ is “…a light to lighten the and our sinful flesh. The world tries to hide these Ere yet the mother knew her Boy. first Blood of the Messiah. While related, this is quite Gentiles, and the Glory of Thy people Israel.” things. The world tries to pretend everything is OK. Luther doesn’t just wonder over the Baby in the distinct from the giving of the Name Jesus, from the What a rich liturgical calendar we enjoy! It brings Christians sing differently. This is the “new manger; He acclaims the miracle of the Creator Hebrew “he saves.” He is the new and better Joshua us Christ day after day, week after week, season after (derived from the same Hebrew word), our Savior, song” the Psalmist writes about (Psalms 96, 98). becoming a creature: season, with Holy Easter as the central focus of the Though we are afflicted by the world’s tribula- who has come to lead us into the true Promised Land, Upon a manger filled with hay liturgical year. Christ crucified and risen is the center tions, we have hope in the truth of God’s Word. not in Palestine, but in heaven. The fullness of the In poverty content He lay; of our faith and lives. He is the center of, and reason That is, in Jesus. Jesus is the Word made flesh (St. theological distinction between the two feasts is best With milk was fed the Lord of all, for, our worship. Join us often at Zion as we receive John 1.14). In Him, we face life confidently. enjoyed by observing them separately. His saving gifts, and return to Him our thanksgiving Who feeds the ravens when they call.

For centuries, one of the most important of the three and praise.  Continued on page 8 2 7

Birthday Anniversaries Singing in the New Year by Vicar Grieser January The Zion Trumpet is the infor- 2 Alexandria Atkins IT IS NOW the New Year, but not for the Church. For the Church, the New Year mational and educational news- 2 Natalie Balaska began with the Feast of St. Andrew, or as happened this year, the First Sunday in Epiphany of Our Lord January 6 letter of Zion Evangelical- 8 Nancy Gramzow Advent on November 30. Lutheran Church. It communi- FOLLOWING THE TWELVE days of Christmass, the church cele- 10 Bernadine Cross We in the Church militant always seem to be at odds with the outside world. Our cates the news of Zion and in- 18 Elijah Edwards Christmass is not like their Christmass. Our Christmass is about the Son of God structs members in various as- brates the Epiphany of Our Lord, 23 Anna Dalton coming in the flesh to bare our sin and be our Savior. Their Christmass is without pects of the Christian Faith. the day the visit of the Magi is com- 23 Judith Donnell Christ, without the Mass. The world’s Christmass is about shiny objects. memorated and beginning the sea- 23 Richard Schultz The Trumpet is published six son of focus on Christ as the light to 25 Rose Atkins Neither is their Easter like our Easter. At Easter we celebrate the glorious resurrec- times each year. It is free for tion of Jesus Christ from the dead. They use Easter as an excuse to have colored the world. 28 Lorraine Copas members of Zion. Non- eggs and chocolate bunnies. Epiphany is a major feast of Christ members are invited to contrib- February In the same way, our new year is not like their new year. Our new year starts with ute toward the production and in the liturgical year. Mark your 5 Paul Snoes cries of “Hosanna to the Son of David”, as we eagerly await the return of our God mailing of the Trumpet. calendars now to join us for the 6 Michael Edwards and Savior. The world fills their new year with champagne and solemn pledges Epiphany Mass on Tuesday, Janu- 13 Julie Snoes Zion Evangelical-Lutheran which are never kept, which they call “New Year Resolutions.” ary 6 at 9:30am & 7pm. 

15 Eric Russell Church is a parish of the one, 21 Michael Quinkert Yet, in the Church we do recognize that we live in this world. Thus, we pray for holy catholic and apostolic 21 Silas Gray the world and commemorate the new year with them. The new year falls on the Church and is affiliated with the Baptism of Our Lord January 13 23 Ruthalee Brown same day as the Circumcision of our Lord, nevertheless it is given a place in The English district of the Lutheran 28 Gladys Cline Lutheran Hymnal. On page 57, there is a special for New Year’s Day found Church—Missouri Synod. IN HOLY BAPTISM, we receive the forgiveness of sins and are after the (or prayers) for the Feast of the Circumcision. There is also a small made a member of God’s family—children of Our Father in heav- Baptism Anniversaries selection of hymns written specifically for the new year. en. St. Matthew 3.13-17 records Jesus’ baptism. Not only is there a place in our hymnals for New Year’s Day, but many of our Zion Evangelical- January Jesus—as true God—is already 11 Jennifer Gramzow hymn writers, including the blessed reformer Dr. , make mention of Lutheran Church a member of God’s family. Je- 17 Janet Schulz the new year in their Christmass hymns. In his final stanza of “From Heaven Above www.ZionDetroit.org 20 Alexandria Atkins to Earth I Come” Luther writes, “Glory to God in highest heaven, who unto us His 4305 Military Avenue sus—as true God—is without sin. 25 Rose Atkins Son has given. While angels sing with pious mirth, a glad new year to all the earth.” Detroit, MI 48210-2451 Why would Jesus be baptized?

29 Victoria Murdock Christian Keimann also finishes his famous Christmass hymn “Oh Rejoice Ye Chris- PARISH OFFICE Jesus is baptized “to fulfill all tians Loudly” with a prayer, “Grant all Christians far and near Holy peace, a glad righteousness.” Jesus is baptized February New Year.” Telephone 313.894.7450 for you. In the water of the Jor- Chandra Gray In the case of both hymns, the remembrance of the new year and asking for con- Facsimile dan, the sin of the world is placed 3 Lynn Scott tinued blessings flows from Christ our Lord. Our Lord Jesus Christ has come in the 5 Jessica Chavez 313.894.7871 on Jesus. In the water of your flesh and rescued us from all of our sins by His death and resurrection from the [email protected] 14 Richard Schulz grave. It is from the cross that not only new year’s blessings, but all blessings, flow. baptism, Jesus’ righteousness is

THE REV. FR. MARK P. BRADEN, placed on you. Marriage Anniversaries So it is that the Church remembers this day. We pray for all people around the Pastor world, but especially for those who are of the household of faith. This new year’s [email protected] Our Lord’s baptism is commemorated each year on the of February day and as you begin the new year, if you are searching for something to help order Mobile Telephone the Epiphany. Join us for Holy Mass in honor of Our Lord’s bap- 14 your thoughts, or for something to sing or pray with your family, I can think of no 313.404.1883 tism on Tuesday, January 13, at 9:30am. This year, on the Baptism Roderick & Dana Atkins better hymn than “Now Let us Come before Him” (#122) it is written by Paul Ger- Home Telephone of Our Lord, Zion will host the Pastors’ meeting of Metro Detroit hardt, one of the fathers of Lutheran hymnody. In this hymn, Gerhardt gently in- 313.429.9252 north and south circuits of the English District of the Lutheran structs us how to pray and reminds us of the great blessings which our Lord be- THE REV. FR. GARY W. SCHULTZ, Church—Missouri Synod.  stows on us daily. Therefore, let us welcome in the New Year cheerfully with the Kantor rest of the world, but always keep our eyes fixed on our dear Lord Jesus Christ, [email protected] while we sing, ““Glory to God in highest heaven, who unto us His Son has given. SEM. WINSTON P.A. GRIESER, While angels sing with pious mirth, a glad new year to all the earth.”  Vicar [email protected]

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HOLY MASS is celebrated every Sunday and by Father Braden Christian Ethics at Concordia Christian Education at Zion Septuagesima Wednesday at 10am, and on major feasts as an- Each member should earnestly endeavor to regularly Ann Arbor by Father Braden nounced.

attend Christian education. If another time would IT IS THE history of the Lutheran church to ob- be better for you, please suggest it to Fr. Braden. serve the three weeks before Lent with a season THE DIVINE OFFICE is prayed in the Chapel of CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY—ANN ARBOR has known as Septuagesima (sometimes called “Pre- the Holy Incarnation in the Rectory. MATINS: invited me to teach again this spring. The semes- Sunday Adult Study Daily at 8:45am (except when there is a morn- 11:30am | Undercroft Lent”). This tradition is continued in conservative ter starts in late January. I’ll be teaching a course ing Mass); VESPERS: Tuesday/Thursday at Study of the book of Hosea; Coffee is provided; Lutheran parishes today. The name “Gesimas” has on Christian Ethics to pre-seminary and church 6:30pm. Thanks to those who bring refreshments. its origin in Latin ordinal numbers. work students. I’ve enjoyed reading six textbooks Wednesday Adult Study COMMUNICANTS are baptized Christians who on ethics in preparation for the class. Although ecclesiastical 10:45am | Undercroft have been instructed in and publicly confess the math never works out ex- Study of ’s “Ministry, Word, and Sacra- Evangelical-Lutheran Faith. If you desire to A few months ago, I had the oppor- actly like modern math, ments;” Upcoming Topics: Invocation of Saints, Mar- commune at Zion, please visit with the Pastor tunity to attend a lecture in the Lan- riage, the Last Judgment, the Church. Often the group generally the seventieth day before approaching the Altar.

sing area by Dr. Gil Meilander, a goes out to lunch following the study. before the Feast of the Res- PRIVATE CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION is medical ethicist, author, and an Eng- urrection of our Lord Jesus Sunday School available on Saturday morning or by appoint- Christ falls during the week lish District Pastor, on medical and 11:30am | Activities Building ment. “end of life” ethics. His presentation These classes are for ages three—grade six, Bible-story of “Septuagesima,” the sixti- PASTORAL CONSULTATION based on the Holy was excellent, and I’ve recommend- based with activities to reinforce the lesson. eth day during the week of “,” and the fifti- Scriptures is available by appointment. ed his book for the class. Youth Catechesis eth day during the week of THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY BAPTISM is for in- Saturday | 10am | Rectory I’ll also be using a book by Dr. Richard fants and adults, and may be arranged by con- For grades three-eight, this class prepares students in “.”

Eyer. Dr. Eyer is a LCMS Pastor, a medi- the basics of the Christian Faith through Luther’s Small tacting the Pastor. Easter is the most im- cal ethicist, who has served as a parish Catechism to prepare for First Communion. COUPLES DESIRING HOLY MARRIAGE should portant Feast of the year, as pastor, hospital chaplain, and professor Adult Catechesis it is the center of our Chris- contact the Pastor before finalizing the wedding at Concordia University Wisconsin. New Day/Time TBD | Rectory tian hope. So it is by the date. Bible instruction in Holy Marriage is re-

In February, this group will begin a new day and time. “Gesimas” that the Church quired. All marriages are conducted by the Many of our Zion families have had to, Watch the bulletin for information. The study is of Pastor according to Zion’s usual order. counts down the days until “Quadrigesima,” the for- or will in the future, deal with difficult medical Koehler’s annotated Small Catechism. tieth day before the Resurrection of our Lord. Our NEW MEMBERS are received by baptism, confir- and “end of life” ethical issues. As Christians, we Men’s Group name for “Quadrigesima” is “Ash Wednesday”. The mation, transfer or profession of faith. Instruc- approach these situations differently than does the 1 Thursday a month | 7pm | Church & Rectory liturgical color for the Septuagesima and Lent sea- tion in Luther’s Small Catechism and Private fallen world. I look forward to sharing my re- Studying the Solid Declaration of the . Absolution are required for all new members. sons is violet (The Lutheran Liturgy, 426). search into the field of Christian ethics with the Women’s Group Visit with the Pastor for further details. This year Easter is April 5. Actually counting sev- congregation at Zion as the opportunity arises.  2 Saturdays a month | 1pm | Rectory enty days on the calendar backwards from Easter THE SICK AND HOMEBOUND are visited regular- won’t get you to Septuagesima, which is February 1. ly by the Pastor. Please contact the Parish Of- fice if you know of any parishioner in need of That’s because the Sundays of Lent are counted as pastoral visitation. The Zion Parish Record Sundays “in Lent,” but not “of Lent.” Even if the For November & December 2014 altar is vested in violet and the Alleluias are omit- PARISH ORGANIZATIONS Adult Choir, Altar ted, every Sunday is a commemoration of Easter. Guild, Children’s Choir, Jubilate Deo Women’s Additions None Choir, St. Seraphim Prayer Guild, Society of St.

February 1 is Septuagesima Sunday this year. The Samuel (Altar Boys), Usher Club, Zion Endow- Removals Gesimas are one of the best times of the year to ap- Transfer ment Board. preciate the beautiful marble work on Zion’s altar. Leslie Braden — to Redford—Detroit (November 20, 2014) DEACONS William Gramzow III, Thomas During the three weeks of Septuagesima, Zion’s al- Habitz Jr., Eric Russell; TRUSTEES Gregory Released by Request tar is vested with a lace frontal and two violet pen- Gramzow, Paul Snoes, Kevin Wiedelman; Terry and Erica Grabel (December 9, 2014) dants, but most of the altar is visible. The only other BOARD OF PARISH EDUCATION Shirley Cross, time the intricate marble work on Zion’s altar is visi- Membership 211 Members Robert Kelly III, Pamela Ruffin; OFFICERS OF ble during the Divine Service is on , THE VOTERS Thomas Habitz, Jr. (chairman), Ja- when the altar is not vested.  son Balaska (vice-chairman), Kristi Russell (secretary), Jessica Chavez (financial secretary) 4 5