40 is a significant number in the Scriptures. 40

years Israel wandered in the desert. 40 days Jesus of

Nazareth fasted in the Judean wilderness. 40 days

after the Resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven.

There are many more examples throughout the

Scriptures. 40 is an important number.

Lent—from the Dutch word for “Spring”—

reflects the 40 days Jesus

prayed and fasted in the

wilderness (Mt 4:1-11; Mk

1:12-13; Lk 4:1-13). It is a

time when Christians

meditate on the God’s holy

Word, directing our

a8ention to the Cross of

Calvary, which Jesus is

steadily and inexorably

marching toward (Lk 9:51).

It is a season to inspire

repentance for our sin, so

that Christ might free us

from our past transgressions.

The Christian prepares for the celebration of Jesus’

passion and resurrection throughout Lent.

Jesus prepared for His earthly ministry and His

passion and resurrection by going into the

wilderness for 40 days. In the wilderness, Jesus

ba8led Satan with the Word. While Satan tried to

twist and pervert God’s sacred Word, Christ’s

faithfulness endured. One of the things we pray for

throughout these 40 days of Lent is that the Holy

Spirit will give us faith to cling to the eternal Word

of God. We also pray that

we—just as Jesus fixed His

mind above—will fix our

hearts and minds on God,

denying ourselves. Rather

than looking inward, we

look outward and upward,

to our heavenly Father and

the wonderful promises He

offers through His Son.

And, at last, when these 40

days of Lent have passed, we

will rejoice in the glory of

Easter. While we approach

the Cross and death of Jesus,

we ever keep before us the Resurrection. While we

face our own trials and temptations in this life, we

ever keep before us eternal life and the promised

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church

The Messenger This is the message… “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” 1Jn 1:5

March 2017 Volume 11, Issue 3

The Wages of Sin is Death Join us each week throughout Lent on Wednesday’s at 7:00 p.m. for Vespers. The Sermon series will

follow the seven deadly sins. Beginning with Glu8ony on Ash Wednesday. The sermons will be posted on

the Grace website for you to read if you miss a service.

Pre-service Lenten meals will be served on March 8, 15, 22, 29 and April 5 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the

Fellowship Hall. A free-will offering will be collected for the groups hosting the meal. Please plan to join us

for food, fellowship and Vespers.

Menus for the meals are subject to change: March 8 - Nacho bar, March 15 - Varity of Soup, March 22 -

Knot Soup, March 29 - Turkey Dinner, April 5 - Baked potato bar

Lent and Its 40 Days

Continued on pg. 2

Page 2 The Messenger

glory of God in our bodies and souls.

Let us prepare our hearts, repenting of our sins

and sorrowing over our iniquities and recognizing

our sins. Then we will be ready to hear and receive

the Savior who frees us from our sins.

Here are a few other special things about Lent.

The Imposition of Ashes

Ash Wednesday is a day that most in the world

do not understand. This is because the world denies

the sinfulness of mankind and even the mortality of

men. Yet, God’s people understand our sin and its

consequence, and so we outwardly mark our bodies

to indicate the inner condition. St. Paul writes, “For

the wages of sin is death” (Rm 6:23). In the days of

the prophets Joel and Jonah (Jl 2:12-17; Jnh 3:6; cf. Mt

11:21), the people covered themselves with ashes

and rent their clothes and mourned over their sin. In

this way, they displayed their inner sinfulness in an

outward manner.

As we go through Lent, let us also mourn over

our sins like the ancients of Israel, crying out to God

for forgiveness. We know that each and every sin is

a mortal sin, making us fit only for the fires of Hell.

That is why we, in our contrition, put on ashes. The

ashes remind us of our mortality. The ashes remind

us that because of the sin of one man, all will die—

“Dust thou art, and to dust thou shalt return” (Gn

3:19).

But we do not sorrow over sin without hope. We

know that just as one man brought death into the

world, so also one man conquered death and

promises eternal life (Rm 5:12-21). This man is the

Son of God. This man is the sinless one, the only

good person in the world who was capable of

pleasing God. And through this man, Jesus Christ,

and by His sacrifice on the Cross of Calvary, we who

are unrighteous have become the righteousness of

God. Therefore, when we are marked with ashes,

they are put on in the shape of the cross—the

instrument of our salvation!

Drawing Closer to Christ through Fasting

In his Small Catechism, Luther writes, “Fasting

and bodily preparation are certainly fine outward

training.” We usually skip over these words, going

right to a person being worthy to receive Christ

because of faith in Him. But should we jump over

them that quickly? Is there something that fasting

and bodily preparation can teach us?

People all the world over have the practice of

giving up something for Lent. This is an excellent

practice, being a form of fasting. It can draw us

closer to Christ, so that our lives be8er reflect His.

However, simply giving up something does no

good. I might give up eating watermelon—

something I wouldn’t do anyway. No, rather, we

may give up something that has importance to us,

something difficult to live without.

Traditionally, the practitioner gave up dairy,

eggs, and meat for each of the 40 days of Lent. The

fast does not include Sundays, which are in Lent but

not of Lent—much like Jesus’ disciples are in the

world but not of the world (Jn 17:11,16)—freeing the

practitioner to partake of those foods on Sundays,

which are feast days.

This type of fasting serves to remind us of what

Jesus gave up for us by becoming flesh. Every time

you want to do that particular thing, or eat that

particular food, say to yourself, “Jesus gave up so

much more for me. He gave His very life on the

cross so that I might have eternal life with Him.”

What might you deny yourself during Lent?

Likewise, a Christian may decide to adopt a

more rigorous fast. This is the 40-day Christian diet.

It, of course, would not leave out food altogether,

but it would deprive the body in much the same

way Jesus’ body was deprived for 40 days in the

Continued on pg. 3

Page 3 The Messenger

wilderness (Mt 4:1-11; Mk 1:12-14; Lk 4:1-13). This

can serve to draw one closer to Christ, to experience

more acutely what He had undergone (cf. 1Pt 4:13).

As well, it should be accompanied study of God’s

Word, with meditation, and with prayer.

Whatever your practice may be this Lententide,

may it be one that focuses on what Christ Jesus has

done for you in His crucifixion.

From Our Lutheran

Confessions

[Our teachers] have always

taught that Christians are to

bear the cross [Mt 16:24] by

enduring afflictions. This is

genuine and sincere subduing

of the flesh [1Pt 2:11], to be

crucified with Christ through

various afflictions.

Furthermore, they teach that

every Christian ought to train

and subdue himself with

bodily restraints, or bodily

exercises and labors. Then

neither over-indulgence nor

laziness may tempt him to sin.

But they do not teach that we

may merit grace or make

satisfaction for sins by such

exercises. Such outward discipline ought to be

taught at all times, not only on a few set days. Christ

commands, “Watch yourselves lest your hearts be

weighed down with dissipation and

drunkenness” (Lk 21:34). Also in Ma8hew 17:21,

“This kind never comes out except by prayer and

fasting.” Paul also says, “I discipline my body and

keep it under control” (1Co 9:27). Here he clearly

shows that he was keeping his body under control,

not to merit forgiveness of sins by that discipline,

but to keep his body in subjection and prepared for

spiritual things, for carrying out the duties of his

calling (The Augsburg Confession, XXVI:31-38)

under grace—we do.” [Gilbert Meilaender,

“Reclaiming the Quest for Holiness,” Lutheran

Quarterly 13 (Winter 1999): 486.]

We are called to holiness—and that includes

how we live our lives. When we were confirmed, we

promised “to hear the Word of God and receive the

Lord’s Supper faithfully”; we also promised “to live

according to the Word of God” (LSB 273). In order

to meet these promises, we need to establish good

habits, that is, a Christian discipline. As Brother

Meilaender simply puts it, “we are also the person

shaped by what… we do.” God’s grace most

certainly is at work in us. And Lent is a season the

Church has traditionally used to establish and re-

establish pious habits to make

us more like Christ.

If the Christian fails to

establish a pious habit of

coming to church regularly

(weekly), he could cultivate

the bad and harmful habit of

neglecting the means of grace

(hearing the Word, receiving

absolution, partaking of the

Lord’s Supper). Without the

consistent and steady feeding

of the faith, the Christian

would end up spiritually

malnourished. Faith could die.

Salvation could be lost. All

because the Christian failed to

be, well, Christian.

What does it mean to be

Christian? What does it mean to be human? The

answer is one in the same, embodied in the Son of

God: Jesus, our Lord. We were created to be fully

human, bearing the image of God, that is, like Christ

according to His human nature so that we too might

be the children of the Father. And that is what we

are!

So, this Lent, let us be drawn unto Christ in His

divinely appointed means, establishing for the first

time or maybe re-establishing a good Christian

habit. Let us Christians live as Christians.

In Christ,

Pastor Mackey

Relay for Life 2017

The Delaware County Relay For Life event will be Friday June 9, 2017, 4pm - 1 am at the Delaware

County Fairgrounds.

Our team will have this years first fundraiser on March 29 for the Lenten meal prior to the Lenten

Evening Vespers. We will be serving turkey and all the trimmings. Please plan to come and support this

fundraising effort.

More details will be forthcoming on how YOU can become involved.

Page 4 The Messenger

USYA / LCMS U Fish Fry

All You Can Eat - Fish, Chicken Strips, Sides, and Desserts

Saturday, March 25

4:00—7:00 p.m. @ Grace Lutheran Church

Adults (13+) $12 Children (6-12) $6

Live Stream of the NCAA Tournament

Cash or Check (No IOU’s)

Please make checks payable to Grace Lutheran Church, with Fish Fry in the memo box.

Tickets may be purchased in advance after services on Sunday and Wednesday during Lent, from Board

members (Janet Walker, Linda Cook, Larry Clinger, or Christine Krenzke) during the week, or at the door the

day of the dinner. Tickets are also available for Grace members to sell to the public, contact Janet Walker

(765) 744-2657 for this option, or for questions regarding the event.

Page 5 The Messenger

From the Deaconess’s Desk

Even though I was sick as a skunk – seriously,

ask Deaconess about how ill I looked on the drive

up – I have fond memories of my time at the LCMS

U Liberty conference in Washington, D.C. Trips

with my friends in campus ministry continue to be

some of the most rewarding adventures I take,

thanks to their fellowship opportunities and the

knowledge passed on by the excellent speakers. We

got to our hotel late at night – and Deaconess

Mitchell only took one wrong turn! Granted, it cost

us a half hour of travel – but we were eager to greet

our friends from across the country. After

registration and a meal at a cool local pizza joint,

some of us stayed up for the late night vigil service,

while others went to bed to get some rest for the

day ahead.

The next day was the first day of the conference,

and it had the most speakers. We got to hear from

individuals like Sco8 Barefoot, who leads a ministry

that reaches out to those struggling with same-sex

a8raction; Molly and Mark Hemingway, who

discussed the challenges young Christians might

face in vocations that are growing more secular;

Tim Goeglein, Vice President of Media Relations at

Focus on the Family, and somebody who, having

served as an advisor in the Bush White House,

could speak at length as to the challenges and

opportunities the LCMS and its youth will consider

in the near future.

On the second day, we had some free time to

explore our nationʹs capital. I personally got to see

the North American Holocaust Memorial Museum

and the National Air and Space Museum. One of

the fun parts of the journey was ge8ing to discuss

our adventures with the friends we met on the way;

knowing that there are fellow believers willing to

support you all across the country is a humbling

blessing indeed.

On the last day, we enjoyed chapel at a local

Maryland church, followed by a meal of

international cuisine prepared by congregation

members who were recent immigrants, and who

now ran refugee ministries and charities through

their church. On the drive back, I felt rejuvenated –

and not just because the Dayquil had done its work.

Gathering with believers from across the nation and

learning about our religious liberties was a joy, and

having gone to the conference, my fellow students

and I felt be8er prepared to take advantage of, and

perhaps protect, these rights.

LCMS U Liberty Conference Reflection By Andrew Wurdeman

TLC Our March study will be on the 13th at 9:30 a.m.

in the library. Please join us.

Mite Sunday Our LWML has designated the first Sunday of

each month as Mite Sunday. Please remember to

drop your loose change in the big Mite box on

Sunday, March 1 as you come or go from church.

The “Mighty Mites” make a huge impact for the

LWML and the recipients of their support.

Altar Flowers There are still a few open dates for donating

altar flowers this spring. Please see the chart on the

bulletin board in the office hallway for details.

Chat N Chew Grace members and guests meet monthly to

enjoy one another’s company at Chat N Chew. We

will meet on March 13 at Fizolis. We gather at 11:30

a.m. (Lunch expense is on your own.) RSVP to

Jessica in the office (765) 282-2537 by Sunday, March

12.

Fish Fry The USYA is hosting Dan’s Fish Fry March 25,

from 4:00 -7:00p.m. A large turn out would be

fantastic! Please invite your family, friends, and

neighbors. See the article on page 4 for more

information on ticket sales. Volunteer opportunities

are posted on the back table in the Sanctuary.

Ladies Aid Rummage Sale The Ladies Aid Spring Rummage Sale will be held

on Tuesday, April 4 from 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. and

Wednesday, April 5 from 8:30 - 11:00 a.m. Rummage

may be brought to the church from Sunday, March

19 until Sunday, April 2 at 1:00 p.m. Please place

your donations in the room marked for rummage in

the Sunday School hallway. No computers, please.

Sorting will be on Sunday, April 2 after second

service and on Monday, April 3 starting at 9:30

am. Contact Diana James to volunteer your time or

with questions in regard to donations at

yzbdjames9@aol.com or (765) 358-4446.

Easter Lilies Order envelopes for Easter lily plants are on the

back table in the Sanctuary. The cost to purchase a

plant is $10 or you can simply make a donation to

help defray plant costs.

Elders’ Easter Breakfast Please plan for your family to join us for Easter

breakfast on April 16 at Grace. The menu will be

posted in the near future. Breakfast will be served

between services from 7:30a.m - 9:00 a.m. A free will

offering will be collected. BSU Students, please just

come hungry and bring a friend.

Free For Lunch Bunch Due to scheduling conflicts, Lunch Bunch will

not be held in March.

Announcements

Page 6 The Messenger

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WORSHIP ASSISTANTS FOR MARCH

5th

12th

19th

26th

Holly Bryant

Lori Foist

John & Judi Pape

Brian & Kathryn Ludwig

Linda Cook

Cathy Branscome

Reta Heinkel

Mary Painter

Assisting Elder Ushers

8:00 a.m. Jack Elsesser

10:30 a.m. Marvin Addison & John Harman

8:00 a.m. Andrew Leach

10:30 a.m. Ma8 Monroe & Alan Hokenson

Camera Operator

5th

12th

19th

26th

Shea Hill

Devon Hill

Eric McCoy

Glenn Branscome

Birthdays Anniversarys

3/2

3/3

3/8

3/11

3/12

3/14

3/17

3/19

3/22

3/25

3/27

3/29

Macy Brammer

Nicholas Price

Kyle Price

Dawn Smith

Cathy Branscome

Henry Miller

Laura Shaeffer

Carrie Hill

Larry Koss

Jacob Logan

Darren Hindsley

Noah Barnet

Jill Boyd

Glenn Branscome

Danica Foist

Dan Barnet

Alan Hokenson

3/7

3/30

Jim & Judy McCoy

Forrest & Lois O’Bryant

Greeters Altar Guild

610 N Reserve St

Muncie, IN 47303

Church Office: 765-282-2537

Deaconess Office: 765-282-1302

Fax: 765-284-2096

E-mail: gracelutheran2@sbcglobal.net

Website: www.gracemuncielcms.com

GRACE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH

By Grace through Faith

The Messenger

March 5 “You Rule!” - Ro 5:17

by Rev. Dr. Thomas R. Ahlersmeyer, Holy Cross

Lutheran Church ~ Fort Wayne, IN

You rule! That’s right, you REIGN in life

through Jesus Christ. The problem comes when we

REIN in Jesus, that is, when we try to rule on our

terms. However, God be praised that He offers us

His “abundant provision of grace” and “the gift of

righteousness.” Through Jesus Christ, you rule!

March 12 “Forward in Faith” - Ge 12:1-4a; He 11:8

by Rev. Dr. Walter A. Maier III, Concordia Theo-

logical Seminary ~ Fort Wayne, IN

We don’t know what the future holds, and that

can cause uncertainty and fear. What is needed is

faith, the same faith that Abraham had. This is faith

that moves forward in victory.

March 19 “Come Away…to the Well” Jn 4:13-14

by Rev. James L. Elsner, Prince of Peace Lutheran

Church ~ Stroh, IN

Even though good, clean, fresh water is a good

thirst-quencher, we try to improve it as a sports

drink or a soft drink. But, what’s quenching your

“spiritual” thirst?

March 26 “Wash the Mud!” - Jn 9:1-7, 13-17. 34-39

by Rev. William Mueller, Suburban Bethlehem Lu-

theran Church ~ Fort Wayne, IN

A blind man meets the Lord and receives an in-

vitation to wash the mud – wash the mud and be

healed. Jesus also does the same with us. Wash the

mud and be cleansed of spiritual blindness.

Sunday, March 12, Daylight Saving Time begins. Spring ahead!