St. Paul Lutheran

Wapello, Iowa

An Experiment in Youth Ministry

Posted by Pastor Hinkle on July 15, 2010

Our congregation has recently undertaken an experiment in youth ministry. We have adopted BSA Venture Crew 007 and “married” it to our youth group. The two groups share leadership, some members, and many activities.

Both groups were rather small and combining them for many activities enables us to get around the “Sarah can’t make it” problems that prove so challenging for groups of 5 or 6 kids. The youth group will still do some things, such as district retreats, without the crew and the crew will still engage in some activities that are only open to scouts.

Our goal is a remarkable youth ministry that is both uncompromisingly Lutheran and a lot of fun.

We recently posted pictures of our second joint activity on our Facebook page. Click to see the pictures of our trip to Lost Island Water Park.

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Summer Schedule Begins June 6

Posted by Pastor Hinkle on June 5, 2010

Beginning June 6th our worship service will start at 9:00 AM. Sunday school and Bible class pause for the summer. We will return to the regular schedule after Labor Day.

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Services for Holy Week and Easter

Posted by Pastor Hinkle on March 31, 2010

Holy Thursday 7:00 pm
Good Friday 7:00 pm
Easter Breakfast 8:45 am
Easter Service 10:00 am

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Paraments for Passion Sunday and Holy Week

Posted by Pastor Hinkle on March 31, 2010

For years most Lutheran congregations used only purple for Lent and Holy Week. That began to change in 1981 when two new colors were introduced with the revised lectionary: blue for Advent and scarlet for Passion Sunday and Holy Week.

Thanks to a generous donation in memory of Harold Hain, we recently acquired a set of scarlet paraments and dedicated them this past Sunday.

This is a picture of the superfrontal. The lamb with a gash in its side is a traditional symbol of Christ who is the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” The lamb is standing on a palm branch as a reminder of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. The lamb appears sad, because he knows he will soon die for the sins of the people. The black bars and blood-red cross are also reminders of Christ’s death.

The pulpit is adorned with this antependium. The lamp is a traditional symbol for the Word of God. The leafy branch a symbol of new life.

These exquisitely embroidered paraments were made for us by the Gaspard company.

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What are Lenten Vespers?

Posted by Pastor Hinkle on February 28, 2010

In the Lutheran church, Vespers is the traditional service for afternoon and evening prayer. It consists of selected Psalms and hymns, a scripture reading, a brief sermon, the Magnificate, and various prayers. Often, much of the service is sung. It usually lasts between a half hour and 45 minutes depending upon the length of the sermon.

It is customary for Lutheran congregations to meet on Wednesday evenings during the season of Lent to reflect upon Christ’s passion. Generally penitential Psalms are used and the lesson is drawn from a roughly chronological account of Christ’s last supper, arrest, and crucifixion that has been assembled from the four Gospels. This year at St. Paul’s the sermons are focusing on the seven things Christ said from the cross:

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