Upload
others
View
0
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
1
Adeo sanctum — in manibus
non est et mentibus haeret
May, 2017
A PUBLICATION OF ASCENSION LUTHERAN CHURCH
3801 Oakwood Avenue | Huntsvil le , AL 35810
Page 1 Updates Page 2 From the Southwest Corner Page 4 The Elder’s Thoughts Page 5 This ‘n That Page 7 LWML Page 9 Stewardship Page 10 Kids’ Corner Page 11 DCM Thoughts Page 12 CDC News Page 13 Sabol’s Saga Page 14 May Birthdays Page 14 Missional Outreach Page 15 May Calendar
In This Issue. . .
Coming Soon. . .Our New Vicar
The Youth group is going to be UCANDU’ing it,
again, this year, in Chicago, IL. In addition to cookie
support, there are also stock options that you can
purchase to support the group financially. There are
five youth and three adults attending the trip. More
information in “This ‘n That.”
reflections
Our Prayers in April included:
Audrey Hartwig;
Dan Smith
John Ansorge
Felicia Clardy
Kathy Pool
Don Akins
Kristen King
Bob Smith
Sarah Graves
Baptisms of Brooklynn Symborski, Emma Yates, Atlas
Gilliam and Coen Smith
Seminarian graduates and vicars for 2017
May 3 - LCMS Free Webinar: https://calendar.lcms.org/
event/webinar-dealing-with-stress/
2
From the Southwest Corner Pastor Bernard Ansorge
(Preface to my Reflections from the Southwest
Corner for May, 2017… I am about to write some
observations I recall after I was admitted briefly into
the hospital on Ash Wednesday. If you think I am
repeating what was previously published in the April
Reflections, you might believe you are correct. You
are, in that several paragraphs of memories about
that night were published over my signature back
then, but with the disclaimer that I had not actually
written them myself; they were a digest of what Judy
remembered after I had told her what happened that
night and afterward. Now, that’s out of the way. Here
are my current words.)
PRIVILEGED The first thing I want to reflect as
April slides into May is how privileged I feel to be
writing yet another of these essays from the
Southwest Corner. All my life, I’ve assumed that
tomorrow will always come and that the day of my
inevitable demise will always be beyond the
boundary of what I anticipate for today.
But then came my “episode” of March 1, in the
middle of my Ash Wednesday sermon when I went
“blank” and was not able to formulate words for the
thoughts that I wanted to say. Days later came a new
realization that just one breath, one heartbeat, divides
temporal life from life eternal. Now, I certainly do
not want a repeat of that
episode…ever, but am I able to
prevent something like that
from happening again? Not at
all!
PREVENTION After a
complete battery of tests - all of
which revealed completely
normal results - one doctor
inquired of me, “Why are you
here?” I wanted him to tell me.
Reflections May, 2017
He concluded I must have suffered a TIA.
That’s a transient ischemic attack. Some
people explain it’s a mini-stroke, but that’s
not the case. It’s not a stroke at all, in that it
leaves no measurable effects of disabilities,
though it may momentarily manifest stroke-
like behaviors, like my inability to use words
for a few moments. A TIA may come and
go; some folks say they have had them
numerous times, but a doctor friend of mine
simply described it as a wake-up call.
After a follow-up visit to my own doctor, I
am now taking one baby aspirin, two blood
pressure units, and a pill to regulate
cholesterol every day, all for prevention to
keep a possible stroke away. I know I’m in
God’s hands.
RELYING ON
OTHERS In the
meantime, life has
continued, for
which I thank my
God and Savior,
thanking Him also
for the help others
provide. God is stretching me to rely on
others. That reliance began in the ER on Ash
Wednesday, when I realized a large number
of Ascension friends had come there to keep
vigil. Seeing them and realizing they came
out of love was much appreciated and
humbling. They cared for Philip by allaying
his fears and carrying him home; they took
care of informing my other children of the
goings on; they kept the Ascension candles
burning that night and in the days afterwards.
Our Elders arranged for much welcomed
pulpit assistance for Holy Week and have
been very helpful in personal ways.
LETTING OTHERS IN Because life is
short, and seems to be shorter than we think,
I am learning to be more open with others
about important things such as faith, love and
hope and asking them for their help. As I
write, a song is playing on Philip’s radio,
3
Reflections May, 2017
“We all need somebody
to lean on.” That sounds
so logical; yet it is
difficult to admit, given
our ingrained need to do
things by ourselves. We
a l l h a v e f a l l e n ;
sometimes we need help
to get back up, no matter
what the issue. If we look
around, some are always standing by to fill in our
gap and make us able again. When we reach out to
them, they will give us a hand-up.
So… Special thanks to Rev. Mark Kuehnert for
preaching on the Maundy Thursday Miracles. A
huge thank-you also for Seminarian Alex Sabol
and his wonderful sermons on Easter Sunday, plus
his help on Good Friday and the Easter Vigil. Did
you know that in the space of 8 days, I conducted
four infant baptisms? May God bless each of these
babies with saving faith and a life-long trust in His
grace.
OUR NEW VICAR Seminarian Colin Ford has been
assigned to Ascension for a year of service as our vicar.
Colin is from Trinity Lutheran Church of Traverse City,
Michigan, and attends Concordia Theological Seminary
in Fort Wayne. He is single and anxious to join our min-
istry here. He likes to preach and wants our vicarage to
help him improve those skills and learn how to become
a good pastor. Prior to entering the seminary, he gradu-
ated from Concordia University in Mequon, Wisconsin.
Colin is expects to arrive in Huntsville during the July/
August time.
God be with us all and bless us.
Love you all,
Pastor Bernie
New Addresses Joshua and Suzy Brakhage 2 Founder's Way, Unit A St. Louis, Mo 63105
Josh and Suzy will be moving on May 5. Tom and Annette Duckworth 1231 Lucy Grade Road Dothan, AL 36301
Tom and Annette are currently living at the above address. Bruce and Janel (and family) will be moving to Phoenix, AZ, and are currently looking for a new house at the time of this newsletter. Shall we all have a “Cry Party” soon?
4
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only
Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but
have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the
world to condemn the world, but to save the world
through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned,
but whoever does not believe stands condemned already
because they have not believed in the name of God’s one
and only Son. John 3:16-18
The KFUO-AM radio program, “Cross Defense,” is
an ongoing study of Francis Pieper’s Christliche
Dogmatik, or Christian Dogmatics, a defense of the
Christian faith based on the premise that Scripture
alone is our foundation. This book, and also this radio
program, assert that there are only two religions: (1)
Christianity, a belief system based on the Gospel, the
good news of salvation that Christ has procured for
us through His perfect life, His atoning death and His
resurrection and (2) all other belief systems, all of
which are works-based, all of which rely upon our
being good enough and doing enough good works in
this lifetime to merit an afterlife reward.
Many people, including some who call themselves
Christians, believe that all religions are similar and
that there are few differences between them. They
believe that, at their core, all religions are based on a
belief in a God who, for those individuals who strive
to do the will of God, rewards their good works and
good lives with a pleasing afterlife. They believe that
Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and all other religions
are just different flavors of the same thing. This
belief that all religions are the same is typified in an
article I read recently in which the author was
flabbergasted that there were Christians at a refugee
camp who had the audacity to try to convert Muslims
to Christianity.
The truth is, they are close to right; Islam, Buddhism
From the Elder Rick Hilst There Are Only Two Religions
and all the other non-Christian religions are just
different flavors of the same thing. All non-Christian
religions teach a path of self-righteousness in which
attainment of heaven (or whatever goal) is based
purely on the good works and proper living of the
individual. All non-Christian religions, all of which
are condemned in John 3:18, share this perspective,
share this belief that what happens after death
depends on how and what one does in this life.
Only Christianity stands out as different; only
Christianity portrays us as fallen individuals, born in
sin, at our
core, evil, and
unable to do
a n y t h i n g
good and, by
n a t u r e ,
enemies of
God. Only
Christ ianity
defines us as
s p i r i t u a l l y
d e a d ,
deserving of eternal damnation, completely incapable
of helping ourselves and, therefore, in desperate need
of a Savior. Only Christianity defines salvation as
something done for us and given to us as a totally
unmerited gift. Only Christianity defines God as a
loving Father, as a Son who humbled Himself and
became man and died for us on a cross, a symbol of
torture, shame and humiliation, and as a Holy Spirit
who literally indwells those who believe in Him.
Only Christianity asserts that Heaven is attained by
God’s grace, via Christ’s sacrificial death, through
our faith, a gift from God, and not through our good
works.
The Bible teaches that we are saved by God’s grace,
God’s undeserved love and
kindness for us, exemplified by
Christ’s atoning death on the
cross. Just as salvation is a gift
of God’s grace and mercy, so
faith is also a gift from God,
something for which we have no
Reflections May, 2017
5
THIS ‘N THAT
role and get no credit. We were spiritually dead and
totally incapable of contributing to our salvation
when the Holy Spirit breathed life into us (for many
of us this happened at our baptism). Therefore, we
are saved by God’s grace, by Jesus’ atoning death,
through faith, which also comes from God as a gift
via the Holy Spirit. In other words, everything
about our salvation is the result of God’s work and
none of it is the result of our actions. This
completely differentiates Christianity from all other
religions, all of which put the onus of salvation on
us, on our works, on our living a good life.
Anyone who believes that Christianity is like other
religions has no understanding of what Christianity
truly is. Christianity is anti all other religions and,
therefore, there really are only two religions: (1)
Christianity, a faith-based belief in the works that
God has done for us that leads to the narrow gate to
Heaven, and (2) all other religions, all of which are
Reflections May, 2017
(our) works-based and all which lead down the wide path
to the wide gate to eternal damnation.
Thanks to those who
volunteered their time
Saturday, April 22nd to help
build a ramp for CASA, in
spite of the weather. It was
a most unusual build. First, we worked in the pouring
rain, and secondly, about three quarters
of the way to being finished, the elderly
woman decided she didn’t like the ramp
going into her lawn and demanded that
it be taken down. This was a first in the
history of CASA ramp building. So,
not only did we build most of a ramp,
we also had to disassemble an almost
built ramp. What a morning!
The May closing program and
graduation of the Preschool
children at the CDC will be held
May 18 in our Sanctuary at 6:30
PM. Everyone is invited to attend.
More information will be forthcoming. Check the
websites!
6
VBS - The registration form shown on
the preceding page for the 2017
Vacation Bible School program gives
the time and dates for this year’s VBS.
Make sure to read the DCM’s page to
learn of the many ways you can serve
in this ministry.
UKANDU - The Ascension Youth
Group is planning their 3rd Annual
Mission Trip to Chicago. While there
will be more information to come, here
is a big item that allows everyone
involved the ability to go!
THE MEN’S PRAYER BREAKFAST
continues to be well attended, but more
are always welcome. It is never too
late to join us. We are finishing the 4
part series on the study of Islam this
Saturday, April 29th, at 8:30. We enjoy
breakfast and fellowship, short study,
and end with prayers. All men are
invited to attend. We will begin a new
topic of study in May. Stay tuned for
more information on the next topic.
C o n t a c t B r u c e S k r a b a n e k
at [email protected] or 25
6-929-2917 if you have any questions.
THE CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL is
wrapping up their mission project of
purchasing honeybees and equipment
for two families in Guatemala. We are
almost to our goal of $60. Thanks to
all who support our mission project
and bring in weekly offerings. We
voted last Sunday that
our next mission
project will be a piglet
for a woman in Nepal.
She can raise piglets
into hogs and support
her family with the income. Watch for
our new bulletin board and progress on
our poster in the hallway by the
preschool classroom in the coming
weeks.
Reflections May, 2017
7
LWML Betty Fischer President
Reflections May, 2017
“For I was hungry and you gave Me food, I was
thirsty and you gave Me drink, I was a stranger
and you welcomed Me, I was naked and you
clothed Me, I was sick and you visited Me, I was in
prison and you came to Me. Then the righteous
will answer Him, saying, “Lord, when did we see
You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You
drink? And when did we see You a stranger and
welcome You, or naked and clothe you? And when
did we see You sick or in prison and visit You? And
the King will answer them, “Truly, I say to you, as
you did it to one of the least of these My brothers,
you did it to Me.” Matthew 25:35-41
Back in November 2015 when I first began writing
LWML articles for Reflections, I pledged to
answer the question, “How does LWML spend the
mites that I give?” Since then, each month, a
“spotlight” was placed on a grant that had been
selected by the Gulf States District LWML and the
national LWML. I also included the missions that
Ascension LWML selected and supported. All the
Gulf States District LWML grants have been in the
“spotlight.” The following “spotlight” on a
national LWML grant will be the last covered for
the biennial of 2015-2017. New grants will be
selected at the national convention in June, 2017. I
hope the “spotlights” and other shared information
have provided insight as to how mites have been
used to further spread the Gospel of our Lord and
to help others who need our help.
The national LWML provided a grant of $25,000
to the Rosa Young Academies-Rosa Young
Projects Initiative to provide children with a safe
environment for education and spiritual growth; an
opportunity to worship together and grow in the
Word of God; witness to one another of God’s
love, mercy, and grace; participate in positive, life-
changing spiritual and character building programs;
receive healthy nutritious meals and learn healthy
eating habits; and be counseled in learning healthy life
skills. The academies will provide a positive life
change in rural, urban, and inner-city communities
inspiring children to embrace church careers.
The 2015-2017 missions goal of $2 million was met
and exceeded by $97, 904.23 as of March 31! Yes, a
total of $2,097,904.23 was collected--that’s a lot of
mites! Thanks be to God! A message from Patti
Ross, President, LWML:
Praise God for His Faithfulness!
Lutheran Women in Mission across the United States
have united in the common desire to share the Gospel
of Jesus Christ throughout the world. As of March 31,
2017, our Mission Goal for 2015–2017 has been met!
Praise God for His faithfulness and the determination
of faithful women to raise over $2 million for mission
grants! ….Many thanks to all who shared their
blessings with others through LWML mission grants.
Please take a moment to thank our Lord with words
from our Lutheran Service Book.
Thank the Lord and sing His praise; Tell everyone
what He has done.
Let everyone who seeks the Lord rejoice and proudly
bear His name.
He recalls His promises and leads His people forth in
joy with shouts of thanksgiving.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Special thanks go to all the members of Ascension
LWML who have contributed and worked tirelessly to
support all the missions of LWML.
8
OUR MISSION
Time is running out……… Come to our Diamond
Dazzle Celebration at the 37th Biennial Convention
June 22-25, 2017, in Albuquerque, New Mexico!
Just a few more 75th Anniversary milestones!
Caring Ministry established, and program’s first
video (“I Feel So Alone”) was produced in
1989. (The goal was to help LWML
members minister top people facing AIDS,
chemical dependency, alcoholism, child
abuse, abortion, and other serious problems.)
Members provided 10,000 convention bears for
distribution to children affected by the 9/11
terrorist attack in New York in 2001.
Devotional booklet, “In His Service”, published
in 1999 with a camouflage cover for military
personnel; requested in large quantities
beginning in 2002 by chaplains in Iraq.
Teen LWML program created in 2005.
News and upcoming events from Ascension LWML…
Alex Garber, one of our Concordia Seminary students and Roberta Willenberg’s grandson, received his call in late April to Eastpointe, MI. May God’s blessings be on Alex as he goes forth in his ministry. A new LWML President, Secretary, and Christian Life Chairperson will be elected at the May 13 meeting which starts at 10 AM. Come and join us!
Ascension LWML will have a Bake Sale on Friday, June 2 at the CDC from 6:30 AM to 1:00 PM and on Sunday, June 4 in the church Narthex immediately following the 8:00 AM service. All proceeds will help support the 2019 National LWML Convention in Mobile, AL. Mark your calendars for the Bake Sale now—we will have lots of homemade goodies!
We say farewell to Annette Duckworth, who has moved to Dothan, AL, with her husband, Tom. We are so thankful for Annette’s devoted service to LWML. She was always quick to volunteer whenever help was needed and did a superb job as secretary for many years. We all enjoyed her beautiful decorations at LWML events. We will miss her and pray that God will bless her and Tom as they settle into their new home. And, as the LWML year draws to a close this month, LWML will take a short summer break before the next meeting on August 12 at 10 AM. in the Sunken Room! Have a wonderful summer!
Annette Duckworth’s new address: 1231 Lucy Grade Road Dothan, AL 36301
9
“It is more blessed to give than to receive,” said St.
Paul, quoting our Lord (Acts 20:35). How can this
be?
Jesus and His disciples withdrew to a mountain by
the shore of the Sea of Galilee. The crowds
followed them, for the Lord had just showered
upon them the gift of His teaching, the gift of His
Word. But the day was waning; the sun was
setting, and it was getting late. Looking upon the
crowds, Jesus had compassion on them and asked,
“Where are we to buy bread, so that these people
may eat” (John 6:5)? Philip said that two hundred
denarii (a day’s wages for two hundred men) could
not buy enough bread for each of them to get a
little.
But Andrew, Peter’s brother, brought a young boy
forward, who had five barley loaves and two small
fish. “But,” Andrew asked, “what are they for so
many” (John 6:9). Jesus replied, “Have the people
sit down” (John 6:10).
Then Jesus, the Son of God, gave them a second
gift, a gift from what only He could give—a gift
from above. He took the bread and the fish, gave
thanks, blessed them, and distributed them to the
crowd. Then came the miracle. As these five
loaves and two fish were given out, they
multiplied. He fed the hungry crowd until they
were all full. And twelve baskets full were left
over.
But Jesus was not the only one who gave that day.
There is one person who also gave from what he
had. It was the boy with the five loaves and the
two fish. All the others, including the boy,
received the gift of a miraculous feast. And they
would look back on it with wonder. But the boy,
when he would look back on it, would look back
and remember not just what he received. He
would look back with wonder and delight when
the Son of God made his gift into something
miraculous. For it is more blessed to give than to
receive.
This our Lord does for each of us. He presses our
gifts, no matter how big or how small, into His
service and works wonders with them. He
provides through what we give: water for baptism,
bread and wine for the Lord’s Supper, a man
called and sent for the preaching of the Gospel
and Absolution. He provides a building in which
we can gather as His children, lights so that we
might not gather in darkness. He provides funds
for the care of the poor and struggling, for
missionaries who preach and teach beyond our
borders. He makes Christians, disciples of our
Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ in our midst by
bringing them to faith and nurturing them in that
faith. He takes our gifts and turns them into
something miraculous.
Indeed, it is more blessed to give than to receive.
Thus we give. We give of what we have. And the
Lord works His wonders.
Stewardship
Glen Huling
Reflections May, 2017
10
Kids’ Corner
11
OUR MISSION
DCM
Thoughts
What a wondrous world the Lord has given
us! When I look around and see all He has
created, I wonder how anyone can say that
they don’t believe God exists. How could all
this come into being without a Creator? How
could everything take place in its right time
without the continued presence and direction
of His loving hand?
As I have experienced my first spring in
Alabama, I am so thankful that God is in
control and all things happen in their due
season. The trees and grass went from brown
to vibrant shades of green. Plants have
b l o s s om ed
out and let
f o r t h
d e l i c a t e
fragrances,
(except for
the Bradford
pear trees – I
don’t like
their smell.)
I have a
couple nests
on my back
porch which
have mama
birds sitting,
waiting for
their young to hatch, and new life to take
place. None of these things had to have a
person in charge to make it happen. There are
no committees planning the events, no CEO’s
or Board of Directors. The President doesn’t
dictate when such things are to happen. It
happens in the Lord’s time.
In Ecclesiastes 3, it says there is a season and time for
everything. That is so comforting. No matter what
humankind does, God is still in control. Nothing is out of
His realm. Nothing is going to happen “behind His back.”
God doesn’t declare that all trees shall bloom at 6:28 AM
on March 20, (when spring officially began this spring.)
Trees bloom when it is the right time within the framework
the Lord has set forth. The “right time” is different in each
place and God knows when that is.
As I look toward the month of May, I anticipate the birth of
my first grandchild. Everyone has their schedule of when
they want the baby to come. I
don’t want him to be born
while I am in New York for a
family wedding. His mom
would prefer that he would
wait until after the school term
is finished. They would like for
him to be born before
Memorial day weekend. His
parents are hosting a family
reunion for Suzy’s mom’s 70th
birthday that weekend, and
they would like the family to
meet Graham (the name they
have chosen for him).
Graham’s birthday will happen when God decides it is
time. Only the Lord knows the day and time of Graham’s
debut into his earthly parent’s arms – he is already in their
hearts.
The Lord’s timing is perfect! Praise be to God!
In the Lord’s service,
Carla Jo
12
There were many families from the CDC who came
to the Easter Egg Hunt. We hid close to 2000 eggs.
Thank you to all who helped fill them and make it a
fun time for the children involved.
There is a lot of activity at
the CDC during the month
of May. We have teacher
appreciation the first week
of the month. Our staff
strives to positively affect
the lives of the children
they interact with daily.
Please take the time to let
t h e m k n o w w e
acknowledge the work
they are doing with the
young people God has
placed in their care.
Our Spring program is set for Thursday, May 18,
beginning at 6:30 PM. The first part of the evening
will feature the children in classes Toddler 1 through
Preschool singing songs, and reciting verses, telling
about how great our Lord is. Then each of the classes
will have a song or verse by themselves. Finally, we
will finish with our preschool graduation class.
We are expanding our age range for the summer.
Prior to the past two years where “Summer Kamp”
has been sponsored by the church, the preschool
opened its program
to include children
through second
grade. We are going
back to this practice.
During the summer
months, we will take
children ages six weeks through second grade. The
Reflections May, 2017
CDC News
Carla Jo
Brakhage
theme for the children will be “Fruits of the
Spirit” from a “Veggie Tale” perspective. Each
week we will emphasize a different attribute of
Galatians 5:22-23. Our resident handy men have
also reconstructed our garden area in the
playground so we can grow some actual
vegetables. If you know of any families who
would be interested in our summer program,
please give them my phone number; 256-536-
5245, or e-mail address; [email protected],
and I will provide them with more information.
We are still asking for funds to purchase a six-
seater stroller to ease transportation issues with
our Toddler 1 class. The cost of such a stroller is
anywhere between $700.00 and $1,400.00
depending on the type of stroller selected. We
currently have $250.00 to use for this purpose. If
you would like to contribute to this fund, it
would be greatly appreciated. Please let Carla Jo
or one of the Board of Education members
know.
Mighty Fortress Vacation Bible school is
scheduled for next month, June 11 through 15.
We are still in need of
w o r k e r s . In t h i s
n e w s l e t t e r i s a
registration form. Please
fill it out for your
children/ grandchildren
and put it in Carla Jo’s
mailbox.
13
Greetings and welcome to my ongoing series
investigating historical events of the 30 Years’ War
and the Reformation. This month’s article will build
somewhat on last
month’s article. Last
month, I introduced the
French Wars of Religion.
This month, I would like
to discuss a very
significant event that
took place during these
w a r s , t h e S t .
Bartholomew’s Day Massacre.
The two sides involved in these wars were the Roman
Catholics and the Huguenots, who were protestant
Calvinists. These wars began in 1562 and lasted on
and off until 1629. There was not much time that was
peaceful during those times, but the peace that did
occur was strenuous with neither side trusting the
other.
At the time of the massacre, the king was but a child
and his mother, Catherine de’ Medici, was the one
who was in charge and pulling the strings. She came
from a family that had a long history of influence and
presence within the Catholic Church - not to mention
that the nation of France had been a great supporter
and influence on the Catholic Church even, at one
point, being the center of the Holy Roman Empire.
This event centers around
the marriage of the king’s
sister, Margaret, to Henry
III of Navarre, a prominent
Huguenot and the future
king of France. This
wedding attracted many of
the Huguenot nobility to
Reflections May, 2017
Sabol’s
Saga
Seminarian
Alex Sabol
Paris, a largely Catholic city. Prior to this event,
the Peace of Saint-Germain was signed in 1570
to put an end to the French Wars of Religion, for
the time being. However, many Catholics were
upset with this treaty, especially with the fact
that the king had invited members of the
Protestant nobility, such as Admiral Gaspard de
Coligny, to the court.
The Queen Mother, Catherine de Medici, felt as
though this wedding would provide a perfect
opportunity to put an end to many of the
protestant leaders. The
evening before the massacre
began, there was an
assassination attempt on
Admiral de Coligny, the de
fac to leader of the
Huguenots. However, the
attempt failed and he was
s e r i o u s l y w o u n d e d .
Concerned by the attempt, protestants burst into
the queen’s chamber while she was eating
dinner, demanding justice. This raised fears of
just what the Huguenots would do in response as
Coligny’s brother-in-law was heading an army
of 4,000 camped just outside the city, even
though there was no indication that he was going
to attack.
At some point on August 23, 1572, Catherine de
Medici went to speak to the king regarding their
situation and the decision was made to eliminate
the Huguenot leaders that remained in the city.
Shortly after this decision was made, the local
authorities were summoned and ordered to close
the city gates and arm the citizenry in order to
quell any protestant uprising that may occur. The
king’s personal Swiss Guards were given the
task of killing the protestant elites. At some point
during the night, the bells of the church of Saint-
Germain l’Auxerrois began to ring for Matins,
and thus
t h e
massacre
began.
14
Reflections May, 2017
They first went after Admiral Coligny, still
suffering from the assassination attempt made on
him just days earlier. The tension that had been
created by the uneasy peace now exploded and
citizens all over the city of Paris began hunting
down protestants to kill them. Despite the
attempts of the king, the massacre lasted for 3
days. It also spread from Paris to the other
provinces of France where, in some cases, the
massacre lasted for weeks.
The Huguenots suffered heavy losses, including
many of their political, financial, and military
leaders. It
is difficult
to
measure
just how
m a n y
p e o p l e
w e r e
killed, so
estimates
r a n g e
from 5,000 to 30,000, with either number being
entirely possible. It is an important event
because it shows us that at this time, it wasn’t
just Lutherans and Catholics that were at odds,
but there were other protestant factions that were
involved and suffered from the effects of the
religious wars that took hold of Europe during
the 16th and 17th centuries.
I hope you enjoyed this month’s saga. - Alex
Toni Hypes 05/02
Anna Peebles 05/03
Crissi Patterson 05/03
Steven Jensen 05/05
Philip Fraley 05/05
Alex Sabol 05/08
Debbie Fraley 05/09
Hawley Cheney 05/09
Kathy Kiehl 05/13
Janet Smith 05/14
Kirsten Salem 05/18
Rick Hilst 05/19
Missional Outreach Visits
May 3, 17, 31 - Group visits at HHR at 10:00 AM
May 9, 23 - Group visits at Regency at 1:00 PM
Introduction (Ascension & Purpose of Visit) – Pastor
1st Song
2nd Song
First Reading – Old Testament
3rd Song
4th Song
Second Reading – New Testament
5th Song
6th Song
Third Reading – Gospel
7th Song
Benediction Song
One-on-One Visits (30 to 60 minutes)
Jonathan Stoddart 05/19
Andrew Langefeld 05/20
Jean Shaver 05/20
Patrick Hurst 05/21
Lukas Meyerhoff 05/22
Jessica Moon 05/26
Shepherd’s Staff is
temporarily “on
vacation” and is
unavailable for
information. If your
birthday is missing,
that’s why.
15
May 2017