ADULT BIBLE CLASS (ABC)
THEOLOGY OF THE CROSS

Dr. Suzanne Hequet is presenting a series of free classes on Reformation events of 1518 at Jehovah Lutheran Church, 1566 Thomas in St. Paul, where she is a member. Classes follow the 10:15 a.m. worship services on Sunday.

Dr. Hequet, a church historian at Concordia University in St. Paul, will focus on Martin Luther's concept known as theology of the cross to connote the 500th anniversary of Luther's presentation of the idea to his brother monks in 1518. Luther’s trial later that same year before the Roman Catholic papal legate, Cardinal Cajetan, will also be covered.

Classes are open to all.

CENTURIES-OLD BOOK TURNS UP AT CSP

A foundational Lutheran book found in Concordia University-St. Paul Special Collections earlier this year has been verified as authentic by faculty member Dr. Suzanne Hequet.

The book, a Concordia or Book of Concord, was printed in Dresden, Germany in 1581, according to Dr. Hequet, a church historian and member of Jehovah Lutheran Church, 1566 Thomas in St. Paul. It is among the last in a series of three printings of the work published in Dresden in 1579, 1580 and 1581.

The Book of Concord, collected confessions of Protestant theologians and leaders during the Reformation, was published fifty years after the imperial diet of Augsburg in 1530, where followers of Martin Luther formally presented their beliefs in the document known as the Augsburg Confession. The Book of Concord states what they believed then and what Lutherans continue to accept today.

The book found at Concordia University in St. Paul is noteworthy because it includes the names of more than 8,000 pastors, teachers and civic leaders who were willing to attest their support for Protestantism, even though such an affirmation might mean a death sentence in those years.

This edition is also significant, says Dr. Hequet, because it includes margin notes and handwritten provenance that traces ownership of the book from an original signer, Johann Hunnenberger, down to the gifting of the book to Concordia University, perhaps at the institution's founding in 1893. Dr. Hequet, who teaches church history at Concordia, will continue to study the volume with other scholars at Concordia and elsewhere.

FOOD DONATIONS, WINTER CLOTHING NEEDED

Jehovah Lutheran Church, 1566 Thomas, is gathering donations for Keystone food shelves and winter clothing for refugees and recently released prisoners. Staple, nonperishable grocery items are sent on to Keystone Community Services, which operates food shelves in St. Paul and Roseville. Paper grocery bags in good condition are welcome as well.

The congregation is also gathering winter clothes, bedding and kitchenware for refugees from Congo, which is enduring years of violent insurrection. CEEDS, the Center for Employment and Education Development Services, maintains an office at the church to help Congolese refugees.

CEEDS accepts money donations as well. Checks can be made out to CEEDS and left at the church office or mailed to the church, 1566 Thomas, St. Paul MM 55104. Contacts include Pastor Justin Byakweli, 651-230-8957, justin.byakweli@ceedsusa.org; or church member Shirley Dorow, dorow@csp.edu.

The congregation also partners with CrossingHome, an organization that helps former prisoners adjust to living on their own. The group has an office at Jehovah Lutheran, where members are helping gather dishes, cooking pans, small appliances, flatware and furniture for released prisoners. Jim Seemann (651-276-8047 or seemann@csp.edu). Seemann is a congregation member and liaison with Crossing Home.

Items for any of the groups can be left at the church's Donation Center, indoors to the left of the entry at 1566 Thomas in St. Paul. Tax vouchers are available. Drop off items before or after worship at 10:15 a.m. Sundays, call the church at 651-644-1421 to set up another time, or contact one of the group's representatives listed above.

EDNA REASONER MEMORIAL PAINTING DEDICATED

A painting commissioned by the family of Edna Reasoner will be dedicated Sunday, Sept. 9, at Jehovah Lutheran Church, 1566 Thomas in St. Paul, after worship at 10:15 a.m.

Reasoner, who died in 2015 at age 98, became a member of the church in 1931 and was a regular library volunteer at Central Lutheran School.

The Reasoner family provided a memorial gift to the congregation to be used for an original work of art for the church building. Keith Williams, longtime chair of the department of art and art history at Concordia University-St. Paul, was commissioned to do the painting, which will hang in the entry to the church's Drews Chapel.

The theme of the painting is Christian education, "which Edna Reasoner valued a great deal" explains artist Williams in an email. "The scene is a slightly abstract or surreal church library setting in which a diverse group of people respond to the teachings of Jesus in different ways.

"Edna is depicted in the scene, but as one of many. She is not the feature of the painting, as she understood it is the Word of God that is of key importance."

PRISON MINISTRY FREE COURSE BEGINS SEPT. 11

A free noncredit course on prison ministry will meet at Concordia University in St. Paul from 7-9 p.m. for six consecutive Tuesdays beginning Sept. 11.

"Introduction to Correctional Ministry," led by Jehovah Lutheran Church member Jim Seemann, will examine strategies to help the incarcerated find reconciliation and redemption in the context of the Christian Gospel. Pastors, missionaries and former prisoners will be guest speakers.

Classes meet in Luther Hall classroom 111. Sign up by contacting Seemann at seemann@csp.edu. Online learning is also available, and course credit for a fee.

WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY FOCUS:
"ALL THINGS NEW"

A women's Bible study on 2 Corinthians begins will meet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12, and selected Wednesdays thereafter in the lounge at Jehovah Lutheran Church, 1566 Thomas Avenue, St. Paul.

Sessions are free. Refreshments are provided. All are welcome.

The basis for the sessions will be "All Things New" by Christian author Kelly Minter. According to promotional material, the book and eight-part DVD explore issues including "opening wide your heart in the midst of hurtful relationships" and "what it means to embrace the lost and lonely as ministers of the new covenant."

The group will also meet at the church at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 26; Oct. 3, 10 and 24; Nov. 7 and 28; and Dec. 12.

CHURCH MEMBER PENS YOUTHFUL ADVENTURE

David Bailey of Roseville, a longtime member at Jehovah Lutheran Church, is the author of "Barley Corn John," published earlier this year (Page Publishing Inc., 2018, 241 pages, $17).

Fiction with a tinge of memoir, it outlines the exploits of its namesake character. Set in St. Paul and points north, it reflects author Bailey's youth, when he lived near the State Fair grounds and University of Minnesota agriculture campus. The book's promotional language touts its "dreamy humor and youthful adventure."

Bailey, a retired insurance agent who turns 80 in September, was also a commissioned U.S. Army infantry officer and is a licensed pilot.

The book is available by asking for it on a print-on-demand basis at bookstores; or from www.pagepublishing.com and other websites.

HOUSEHOLD ITEMS NEEDED FOR EX-PRISONERS

Gently used household items are needed for recently released prisoners served by Crossing Home, an organization that helps released prison inmates adjust to living on their own.

Jehovah Lutheran Church at 1566 Thomas in St. Paul is helping gather dishes, cooking pans, small appliances, flatware and furniture on behalf of Crossing Home, which has an office at the church.

Bring items to the church's Donation Center indoors to the left at the Thomas Street entry before or after worship at 10:15 a.m. Sundays. To set another dropoff time, contact the church at 651-644-1421 or jehovahlutheran@msn.com; or contact Jim Seemann (651-276-8047 or seemann@csp.edu).

Seemann is a congregation member and liaison with Crossing HOME. Contact him especially for guidance about donating larger furniture. More about Crossing HOME is at crossinghome.org

Church Youth

Sunday-school kids helped collect food-shelf items.