From Pastor's Desk:
Last Month I discussed the visit of the magi within its cultural contexts, I want to do the same today with the death of the Holy Innocents. That is when King Herod ordered the death of the children in Bethlehem. Some historians don’t think this event ever took place. One reason is that there is no mention of it outside of the account in Matthew. Another reason, is that seems so evil that it is hard to believe.
But when you study the life of King Herod it’s easy to believe he was capable of such cruelty. There are many events that are recorded outside of the Bible that showcase this cruelty. For one thing, he had two of his own Sons were strangled to death by his orders. He even had his wife Mariamne killed because he became suspicious of her.
There is one account of Herod that has ghostly parallels with the ordered death of children in Bethlehem. One of the last Herod gave towards the end of his life was to command his troops to arrest thousands of notable people from across the country and sequester them in Jericho. Then to have them executed. The purpose of this was that this was supposed to happen around his death, so that there would be mourning at his death. He knew few would mourn his death, but he wanted people to be mourning at his death. Even though this was ordered, it was not followed after his death. So, if Herod was prepared to kill nobles and famous people in the region, he was certainly willing to kill some infants in a small lower-class town.
People often wonder why Matthew included such an account. We certainly see examples of equal brutality, even today. Russian torturing of captured Ukraine solders in the last year comes to mind. How do people retain their faith under such conditions? One answer is that even in the midst of the Christmas story we have parallel story that reminds us of the cross. Matthew presents a picture of evil that reminds us that the world needs to be redeemed. It also explains the world that God send his vulnerable Son into. Jesus and John had to deal with Herod’s Sons in their own lives. If the Gospel can flourish in a region that produces the slaughter of the innocents and the cross, it can flourish anywhere. From this awareness the readers of the Gospels can take heart in any age.
[Some of the notes were taken from Kenneth E. Bailey’s Book: Jesus through Middle Eastern Eyes. IVP Academic. 2007; Pages 56-58.]
Ash Wednesday and Lenten Services
Ash Wednesday Service – February 22nd – 7:00 pm at St. Peter
Ash Wednesday Service – February 23rd – 7:00 pm at St. Paul
Wednesday Lenten Services – 7:00 pm at St. Peter
Thursday Lenten Services – 7:00 pm at St. Paul
This year’s Lenten series is: Lamb of God Pure and Holy
Lutheran Hour Sunday
St Peter is observing Lutheran Hour Sunday on Sunday, February 5, 2023. Literature and gift envelopes will be inserted in the church bulletins. For those interested in sponsoring a local Lutheran Hour radio program the envelopes with the information are located on the narthex bulletin board. Thank you in advance for supporting this mission.
For over 100 years Lutheran Hour Ministries has been committed to sharing the Gospel with those who need to hear it. Today, LHM energizes, equips, and engages Christians to share the Gospel throughout North America and around the globe. We are able to offer many free or low-cost resources because people like you have already joined our mission. Lear more about how you can get involved at lhm.org/discoverlhm.
Greetings from Preschool!
We are off to a great school year and the children have been busy learning about Winter as well as spreading Kindness in the classroom! For February, our students will be creating Valentine’s Candy Grams to be delivered to area shut-ins and Healthcare workers at Mercy Hospital and the Filling Home of Napoleon. We are also now enrolling for the 2023-24 School year! Our Spring Open house will be held on March 7 from 5 - 7 pm. Anyone interested in enrolling at the Preschool can talk to a Preschool Committee member or call the Church/Preschool to schedule a tour during the hours of 8 am – 1 pm. We look forward to what is to come the rest of the school year!
Save the Date:
April 1, 2023 4:30 – 6 pm Easter Storytime and Egg Hunt Community Event
April 28, 2023 5:30 - 7 pm Parent Workshop and Dinner (volunteers needed for childcare, please inquire within)
Mrs. Arce
