the messenger 03-2021.pdflast wednesday, february 24, we commemorat-ed st. matthias, apostle. the...
TRANSCRIPT
Volume 16 Issue 3
March 2021
The Messenger Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
2
Contact Us
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
610 N. Reserve St. Muncie, IN 47303
(765) 282-2537
Pastor Mackey
Vicar Christian
Staff
Rev. Danny Mackey
Pastor
Matthew Christian
Vicar
Kelli Bowdell
Pastor’s Secretary
Service Schedule
Divine Service – Every Sunday 8:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
Christian Education hour – Every Sunday 9:20 a.m.
Divine Service – Every Wednesday 7:00 p.m.
Confessions Study – Every Wednesday after service
Matins, Monday – Thursday 8:30 a.m.
Private Confession and Absolution – Every Wednesday
6:00 p.m. or by appointment
College Bible Study – Every Thursday 7:00 p.m.
Contents
Pg. 3-4 “Return to the Lord”
by Pastor Mackey
Pg. 4 Prayer Requests
Pg. 5-6 The Annunciation of Our Lord
By Vicar Matthew Christian
Pg. 7 Lent and Holy Week
Pg. 8 Mission Team
Pg. 9 Thank You!
Pg. 10 Births and Baptism
Pg. 11 Announcements
Pg. 12 Birthdays, Wedding and
Baptism Anniversaries
Pg. 13 Calendar
Pg. 14 Worship Anew
Cover photo: Return to the Lord, Concordia Publish-
ing House Daily Devotional
3
By Pastor Danny Mackey
“Return to the Lord”
On Ash Wednesday, as is the Church’s custom,
we heard once again a call to repent. As Luther
wrote in his first of the 95 Theses: “When our Lord
and Master Jesus Christ said, ‘Repent’ (Mt 4:17), He
willed the entire life of believers to be one of repent-
ance.” The Old Testament term for repentance is
translated “to return.” Turn from sin and return to
God. As the prophet Joel declares, “He is gracious
and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in
steadfast love” (Jl 2:13). The call to repent, therefore,
is a call to return. A call to return to the LORD.
Last Wednesday, February 24, we commemorat-
ed St. Matthias, Apostle. The apostle who was cho-
sen by prayer and the casting of lots to replace Judas
Iscariot, the betrayer (Ac 1). We heard once again
about how our heavenly Father tenderly invites us
to return to Him in prayer, just as dear children ap-
proach their dear father. We are to return to prayer,
knowing that our heavenly Father answers our
prayers for the sake of His Son, Jesus Christ.
This week we will hear about how we can return
to our God even after we’ve betrayed Him. On the
night Jesus was betrayed, He was betrayed by both
Judas Iscariot and also Simon Peter. However, only
one of them returned to our Lord Jesus, and so only
one of them received forgiveness and life. God in-
vites us to return from betrayal and to Him. Because
“He is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast
love.”
Throughout the rest of the month, we will be
called to return from false witness, return from de-
nial, and return to the kingdom of God. We will be
exhorted to gladly hear and learn God’s Word so
that we might speak and live rightly before our
“Return to the Lord your God, for He is
gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and
abounding in steadfast love.”
Joel 2:13
4
Prayer Requests
If you or someone you know would like to be added to our prayer list. You may
directly contact Diana James (765) 358-4446 or click the link Prayer Request. Please
keep these families in your prayers.
† Shut-ins: Jack Elsesser, Lee Kerkhoff, Becky Levihn, Pat Mark, Rod Phillips, and
Debby Taylor
† Health and strength: Cole Cavanaugh, Lorraine Deeg, Jack Elsesser, John Harman, J. D. Howard, Bob
Hughes, Tim Hughes, Rhonda Irven, David Kyler, Reece Mann, Sandy McMillan, Kim Oliphant, ,
Logan Scheiwe, Jim Smith, Dave Stout, Walt Todd
† Industry: Business owners, Rebecca Crowe, Tresa Wildman
† Armed Forces: Dean Bartel, Matthew Bowdell, Emily Kingsley, Gary Parks, Jr., Hayden Parsons, and
Sam Wehmueller
† Thanksgivings and praise: Birth and Baptism of Carol Ann Bowdell, daughter of Matthew and Kelli
Bowdell; Westminster Village allowing visitors; announcement of the Mack family expecting a baby in
October of 2021; the birth of Miriam Lisa Homann, daughter of Brian and Emily Homann.
neighbors and thereby give glory to our God and Fa-
ther. We will be encouraged to be bold in our witness
and to be willing to face the consequences of confess-
ing Jesus before others. And our attention will be fo-
cused on Christ’s kingdom, which is not of this world
and which will not be taken away
from those who believe in Him
with an honest and good heart.
And then we will celebrate Ho-
ly Week the very beginning of next
month. God will continue to call us
to return to Him. First, on Maundy
Thursday, when we celebrate the
Institution of the Lord’s Supper, He
will call us to return to the Table. On Good Friday,
recalling Christ’s encounter before Pontius Pilate and
His innocent suffering and death on the cross, God’s
call will be to return the truth—because Jesus Christ is
the Way, the Truth, and the Life. At the Vigil of East-
er, which is traditionally when the Church remembers
the gifts of Holy Baptism and our being joined to
Christ in the sacred waters, we will be invited to re-
turn to the Church, that is, to the communion of saints
and the assembly of believers.
Ultimately, because it proclaims our ultimate and
eternal condition, God will encourage and exhort us
to return and see. “See the place where they laid
Him,” announced the angels. “He is
not there. He has gone before you.”
Christ has indeed gone before us in
the resurrection, promising to us our
own resurrections. And we will once
again join with the Church and all
the hosts of heaven in singing our
alleluias without end.
In all of this, the LORD wants us to
return to Him and to receive from Him all that He has
to offer to us. Our Lord Jesus Christ has so many gifts
to give, so much love to show us, and such tender
words of affection to speak to us. I pray that our Len-
ten refrain from the prophet Joel becomes the refrain
for our lives as Christians: “Return to the Lord your
God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger,
and abounding in steadfast love.Ӡ
“See the place where
they laid Him,”
announced the angels.
“He is not there. He
has gone before you.”
5
And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will
conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call
his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son
of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the
throne of his father David, and he will reign over the
house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no
end.” Luke 1:30–33
The Annunciation of Our Lord commemorates
the angel Gabriel announcing to Mary that she will
conceive and give birth to the Son of God. Many as-
sume that the date of the Annunciation is placed on
March 25 to place the celebration of the conception
of Jesus nine months before our celebration of His
birth. However, that opposite is likely true. The date
for Christmas finds its origin in the March 25 date of
the Annunciation. So how did this date come to be
used for our celebration of Jesus coming in human
The Annunciation of Our Lord, March 25th By Vicar Matthew Christian
Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, Annunciation 1617-1682
6
flesh? It may seem strange to celebrate this moment
on a date that nearly always falls within the forty
days of Lent. However, the death of Christ is directly
connected to the Annunciation. Connecting the con-
ception and death of Christ follows a common prac-
tice in antiquity of linking the day of a person’s con-
ception or birth with the day of his or her death. The
Annunciation is placed on March
25 because this is the date the early
church held as the day of Christ’s
death. While this may seem bizarre
to our modern record keeping sen-
sibilities, it nevertheless shaped the
liturgical calendar and the dates we
celebrate in relation to the life of
Christ.
The Annunciation is an important day. In the Lu-
theran church, we have lost some of the significance
of this celebration. We often shy away from the focus
on Mary and her involvement in the birth of Jesus, as
this is seen to be too Roman Catholic by many. How-
ever, Mary should be honored as the mother of God
and respected by all believers. This does not mean
that we should worship or pray to her. Nor should
we lament this announcement and regard Mary as
one who was subjected to a role for which she did not
ask. Her answer to the angel’s announcement is one
of great faith and trust, “Behold, I am the servant of
the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Lk
1:38). Flowing from this is the Magnificat, Mary’s
song of praise as she rejoices in the Lord and the sal-
vation that He brings through His Son.
It’s not really about Mary at all. While Mary plays
an important role, the Annunciation is all about
Christ coming in the flesh. We see this in the creeds
we confess. Who is Jesus Christ? He is the one con-
ceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.
Mary is included in this line, but it
is about Christ’s conception. The
Annunciation is about what is be-
ing announced. The Son of God has
come in human flesh. Salvation
comes through Christ. Throughout
this time of preparation that we ob-
serve during Lent, Christ’s death
and resurrection are the focal point
at the culmination of God’s redemption of His people.
All of this was certain, already, before the birth of Je-
sus. Shrouded in the womb of Mary, God Himself
dwelled among His people. His death was already
certain. Salvation was already certain. The Annuncia-
tion may seem a strange celebration amidst the som-
ber days of Lent. But the announcement of Jesus, who
would save His people from their sins, is connected
directly to sacrificial death of our Savior. “And the
Lord God will give to him the throne of his father Da-
vid, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Lk 1:32–
33).†
“Behold, I am the
servant of the Lord; let
it be to me according
to Your word”
Luke 1:38
7
Throughout the 40 days of Lent, we will hear the call to “Return to the
Lord.” Because of our sin, we are constantly called to turn away from wrong
we do and to return to our God and Lord. Also, because of the struggles this
past year and because of our neglecting care for our souls, God tenderly in-
vites us to return to Him. In Christ, He promises to forgive our wrongdoings
and to renew our souls.
During this Lent and Holy Week, hear how the call to “Return to the
Lord” is practically applied to us. Hear how Christ paves the way for us to
turn away from sin and to repent. Hear how we continually can come back to
One who is “gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast
love” (Joel 2:13).
Ash Wednesday, February 17:
A Call to Return
Mt 6:1-16, 16-21
St. Matthias, Apostle, February 24:
Return to Prayer
Mt 11:25-30
Midweek 2, March 3:
Return from Betrayal
Jn 18:1-11
Midweek 3, March 10:
Return from False Witness
Mt 26:57-68
Midweek 4, March 17:
Return from Denial
Lk 22:54-62
Midweek 5, March 24:
Return to the Kingdom of God
Jn 18:28-38
Holy Thursday, April 1:
Return to the Table
Mk 14:12-26
Good Friday, April 2:
Return to the Truth
Jn 19:1-16
Easter Vigil, April 3:
Return to the Church
Jn 19:28-37
Easter Sunday, April 4:
Return and See
Mt 28:1-10
Lent and Holy Week 2021
February 17—April 4
Lord
to the
Return
Grace Evangelical
Lutheran Church
Muncie, Indiana
This Lent We Are Called to Return to the Lord
All services (excepting Easter Sunday) will be at 7 p.m.
Easter Sunday services will be at 6:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Ash Wednesday will also have the Imposition of Ashes and a service of prayer at 12:15 p.m.
8
MOST Mission Trip Valentine Fundraiser
The Valentine Fundraiser was a success. The Mission team filled
30 orders of the Fancy apples as well as 30 orders of the Valentine
cookies. With the help of the Thrivent Action Team and LCMS-U
to purchase the supplies and donating profits from the cookies,
they were able to raise over $500. This brings their total money
raised for the trip to Belize over $1800. There will be other fund-
raising done in the upcoming months. We thank all those that
helped with making the cookies and apples, and those who donat-
ed or purchased the valentine goodies.
9
Thank you! We received a beautiful thank you card in the mail from
Becky Levihn. In it she wrote:
Dear Friends in Christ,
Thank you so much for all the love and kindness
you all give me. I really appreciate it and love you all
too. Thank you so much for your cards, visits, and
sharing your baked goods, treats with me. I pray that
God watch over us and keep us in His protection.
Love, Becky
Thank you from Kelli Bowdell:
Dear members of Grace,
Thank you all for the love and prayers you continue to show my family. A special thank you to
Robyn Clamme, Sherri Clamme, Pastor, and Vicar for taking care of my office work while I was home on
maternity leave. I did not have to even think about work but was able to focus completely on Carol and
my family. While I enjoy getting to spend time with my children and seeing how much the boys love
their little sister, I am so excited to be coming back to work as I have missed it so much.
Pictured Left: John,
Lawrence, and Carol
Ann Bowdell.
Pictured above: Becky Levihn
10
Carol Ann Bowdell, daughter of Matthew and Kelli Bowdell was born
at 1:39 p.m. on January 28. She weighed 8 lbs 9 oz and measured 21 inch-
es long. Carol Ann is a fourth generation to be raised here at Grace. Many
of you were here when Matthew, her father, was born and watched him
grow-up in the Church. We are excited to see all three Bowdell children
grow in their faith and love in Christ here at Grace.
On Sunday February 7th, during service with our members Carol Ann
was baptized. Pastor Mackey officiated the baptism with Vicar Christian
assisting. Pastor and Brenda Mackey stood with Carol as her sponsors and
friends and family sat and rejoiced as she became a child of God.
Carol Ann Bowdell
Pictured above: Carol Koss with
Great Grand daughter and namesake
Carol Ann Bowdell on her Baptism
Pictured Right: Vicar Christian,
Brenda and Pastor Mackey, Carol,
Kelli, and Matthew Bowdell
Miriam Lisa Jane Homann
Miriam Lisa Homann, daughter
of Brian and Emily Homann was
born at 12:31 p.m. on February 25.
She weighed 5 lbs 12 oz and meas-
ured 18.5 inches long. The
Homann family live in Fort
Wayne as Brian finishes up his
fourth year at seminary. Brian
served as Vicar here previously in
2019-2020. We can not wait to see
where Brian will be serving and
hope it is close. We loved watch-
ing Alayna grow and develop her
first year and know she is going to
love having a little sister. Congrat-
ulations to the Homann family!
We miss you here at Grace!
Pictured above: Emily, Brian, and Miriam
Lisa Jane Homann on February 25, 2021 Pictured above: Big sister, Alayna and baby
Miriam Homann on February 26, 2021
Pictured left: Carol Ann
Bowdell
11
Pantry Needs
We are in need of: paper products, bar soap,
dish soap, cereal, boxed potatoes, peanut butter,
jelly, pancake mix, syrup, Jell-O, pork and beans,
canned veggies, canned fruit, spaghetti, and pasta
sauce. Thank you for all your donations.
Eyeglasses Collection
The Mission Board, in conjunction with our
Mission Team going to Guatemala would like to
collect used prescription eyeglasses to give to
MOST for their eyeglasses mission trips. There will
be a box at the back of the sanctuary for the purpose
of collecting eyeglasses. These eyeglasses and
sunglasses may help a third-world-country adult to
secure a job or a child to succeed in school. When
they come for testing and fitting, they will hear the
Gospel while they are there.
You may put used adult or children glasses and
sunglasses in the boxes. All prescription glasses are
acceptable. MOST requests that they not be broken.
The collection will continue to run through the
mission team trip next year.
Grace Crafters
Grace Crafters will resume meeting for the
month of February on Monday March 8 and
Monday, March 22 at 1:30 p.m. If you enjoy crafting
or want to learn some of the talents our ladies of
Grace have, come join them in the Parish Hall.
Pastoral Care
During these strange times you still need
pastoral care and our pastor wants to make sure
you are taken care of. If you would like to schedule
a phone call, home visit, through the window chat,
or even a porch visit, he will gladly facilitate what
fits your needs. Contact the office in order to
schedule these.
Mighty Mites
Thank you for bringing your mites to church. In
2020, we collected $350.77 to contribute to the
LWML. Many of us have not been accumulating
coins during this unusual year, so this is truly a
great contribution. If you are not bringing coins you
might want to drop a $1 bill into the mite box when
you come to church. All contributions are greatly
appreciated.
Altar Flower Chart
The Altar Flower chart is ready to be filled in. If
you would like to purchase the altar flowers to
celebrate, in honor of something, or just to beautify
our altar any Sunday, please select the Sunday that
you would like to purchase write your name and
what we are celebrating. If you will not be attending
church in person soon, feel free to call Joan
Anderson at (765) 730-6099 or Kelli in the church
office at (765) 282-2537, and we will be happy to put
your name on the chart. If you would like to
purchase the flowers but donate them to the shut-
ins instead of taking them home, please put a “X”
where indicated on the chart in order to do so. The
flowers are $15 for one bundle or $30 for both. If
you would prefer only to purchase one bouquet,
please put a “1” beside your name on the line;
otherwise, it will be for both.
Mission Sunday
Sunday April 25th will be our Mission Sunday
with a guest Speaker and dinner. More information
about this will be in the April Newsletter and
upcoming bulletins.
Announcements
12
Birthdays
3/2 Macy Brammer
3/3 Kyle Price
Nicholas Price
Dawn Smith
3/5 Tresa Wildman
3/8 Cathy Branscome
3/11 Henry Miller
3/12 Laura Shaeffer
3/14 Carrie Hill
3/19 Darren Hindsley
3/22 Noah Barnet
3/25 Jill Boyd
Glenn Branscome
Danica Foist
3/27 Daniel Barnet
3/29 Alan Hokenson
3/31 Tegan Hidy
Baptism Anniversaries
3/1 Bill James
Ann Ludwig
Joe Melo
3/7 Jordyn Hughes
3/10 Boston Parks
3/11 Brett Stedman
3/15 Dave Heinkel
3/16 Cindy Arnold
3/21 Sarah Crone
Carol Koss
3/28 Nicholas Price
3/30 Brad Brammer
Wedding Anniversaries
3/7 Jim and Judy McCoy, celebrating 62 years
3/30 Harold and Lois O’Bryant, celebrating 25 years
3/31 Eli and Leah Coleman, celebrating 9 years
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9
13
Su
n
Mo
n
Tu
es
Wed
T
hu
rs
Fri
S
at
1
8:30
a.m
. Mat
ins
6:15
p.m
. Han
db
ells
7:10
p.m
. Ch
oir
2
8:30
a.m
. Mat
ins
3
8:30
a.m
. Mat
ins
6:00
p.m
. Pri
vat
e C
on
fess
ion
7:00
p.m
. Mid
wee
k L
ente
n S
vc
Co
nfe
ssio
ns
Stu
dy
4 8:30
a.m
. Mat
ins
7:00
p.m
. Bib
le
Stu
dy
-LC
MS
U
5 6
7 T
hird
Su
nda
y in
Len
t O
culi
8:00
a.m
. Div
ine
Ser
vic
e
9:20
a.m
. Su
nd
ay S
cho
ol
10:3
0 a.
m. D
ivin
e S
erv
ice
Co
nfi
rmat
ion
Cla
ss
8 8:30
a.m
. Mat
ins
1:30
p.m
. Gra
ce C
raft
ers
6:15
p.m
. Han
db
ells
7:10
.p.m
. Ch
oir
9 8:30
a.m
. Mat
ins
7:00
p.m
.
Pla
nn
ing
Co
un
cil
10
8:30
a.m
. Mat
ins
6:00
p.m
. Pri
vat
e C
on
fess
ion
7:00
p.m
. Mid
wee
k L
ente
n S
vc
Co
nfe
ssio
ns
Stu
dy
11
8:30
a.m
. Mat
ins
9:00
a.m
.
Co
nst
itu
tio
n
Co
mm
ittee
7:00
p.m
. Bib
le
Stu
dy
-LC
MS
U
12
13
14 F
ourt
h S
un
day
in L
ent
Lae
tare
8:00
a.m
. Div
ine
Ser
vic
e
9:20
a.m
. Su
nd
ay S
cho
ol
10:3
0 a.
m. D
ivin
e S
erv
ice
Co
nfi
rmat
ion
Cla
ss
15
8:30
a.m
. Mat
ins
6:15
p.m
. Han
db
ells
7:10
p.m
. Ch
oir
16
9:00
a.m
. Jo
int
Win
kel
at
St.
Joh
ns,
Per
u I
N
17
8:30
a.m
. Mat
ins
6:00
p.m
. Pri
vat
e C
on
fess
ion
7:00
p.m
. Mid
wee
k L
ente
n S
vc
Co
nfe
ssio
ns
Stu
dy
18
Co
nfe
ssio
ns
Stu
dy
at
St.
Pet
ers,
IN
7:00
p.m
. Bib
le
Stu
dy
-LC
MS
U
19 S
t. J
osep
h,
Gu
ardi
an o
f
Jesu
s
20
21 F
ifth
Su
nda
y in
Len
t Ju
dica
8:00
a.m
. Div
ine
Ser
vic
e
9:20
a.m
. Su
nd
ay S
cho
ol
10:3
0 a.
m. D
ivin
e S
erv
ice
Co
nfi
rmat
ion
Cla
ss
22
8:30
a.m
. Mat
ins
1:30
p.m
. Gra
ce C
raft
ers
6:15
p.m
. Han
db
ells
7:10
p.m
. Ch
oir
23
8:30
a.m
. Mat
ins
24
8:30
a.m
. Mat
ins
6:00
p.m
. Pri
vat
e C
on
fess
ion
7:00
p.m
. Mid
wee
k L
ente
n S
vc
Co
nfe
ssio
ns
Stu
dy
25 A
nn
un
ciat
ion
of O
ur
Lor
d
8:30
a.m
. Mat
ins
9:00
a.m
.
Co
nst
itu
tio
n
Co
mm
ittee
7:00
p.m
. Bib
le
Stu
dy
-LC
MS
U
26
27
28 P
alm
Su
nda
y
8:00
a.m
. Div
ine
Ser
vic
e
9:20
a.m
. Su
nd
ay S
cho
ol
10:3
0 a.
m. D
ivin
e S
erv
ice
Co
nfi
rmat
ion
Cla
ss
29
8:30
a.m
. Mat
ins
6:15
p.m
. Han
db
ells
7:00
p.m
. Eld
ers
mee
tin
g
7:10
p.m
. Ch
oir
30
8:30
a.m
. Mat
ins
31
8:30
a.m
. Mat
ins
6:00
p.m
. Pri
vat
e C
on
fess
ion
7:00
p.m
. Mid
wee
k L
ente
n S
vc
Co
nfe
ssio
ns
Stu
dy
O
ffice
Ho
urs
Mo
nd
ay -
Th
urs
day
9 a
.m. -
3 p
.m.
Fri
day
9 a
.m. -
12
p.m
.
Mar
ch 2
021
14
GRACE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
610 N Reserve St
Muncie, IN 47303
Church Office: 765-282-2537
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.gracemuncielcms.com
By Grace through Faith
Weekly Scripture Readings & Sermon Summaries - March 2021
March 7 – Third Sunday in Lent
Ps 19; 1Co 1:18-31; Jn 2:13-22
“The Power of the Cross” - Sermon Text: 1Co 1:18
Rev. Thomas Eggold
The cross destroys our excuses and is the end of
our sin. And as we dis to sin, the cross is the begin-
ning of faith that saves.
March 14 – Fourth Sunday in Lent
Ps 107:1-9; Nu 21:4-9; Jn 3:14-21
“Look on Jesus” - Sermon Text: Jn 3:14
Rev. Shayne Jonker
“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,
so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes
in Him would have eternal life.” Jesus foretells His own
death on the cross and its benefits. He is the serpent
on the wood, lifted up for the life of the world. All
who look on Him through the eyes of faith have eter-
nal life.
March 21 – Fifth Sunday in Lent
Ps 119:9-16; Jer 31:31-34; Mk 10:35-45
“What God doesn’t remember”- Sermon Text: Jer
31:34b
Rev. Paul Shoemaker
We love to remember stories about fun times, joy-
ous occasions. God also remembers how we are His
beloved children, forgiven because of Jesus’ sacrifi-
cial death and glorious resurrection. The prophet Jer-
emiah reminds us that God chooses to not remember
our sins.
March 28 – Palm Sunday
Ps 118:19-29; Zec 9:9-12; Mk 15:1-47
“Crucify the King” - Sermon Text: Mk 15:6-20
Rev. William Mueller
Palm Sunday brings such a day of emotion: the
triumphal entry, rejoicing crowd, the humble King-
all this will be poured into the anguish of Good Fri-
day. Yet what was Jesus’ driving theme behind all of
this? Why does Scripture give us such detail? It’s be-
cause He has done this for us!