Lenten Traditions

Every year, many of us go through the tradition to "give up" something during Lent. Some people choose to give up chocolate, while some people choose to give up meat. There is no right or wrong answer as to what to give up, but it is generally expected you give up something with some meaning as a form of personal sacrifice. There are a large variety of things one can choose to give up for Lent, but do you know what the liturgy at church "gives up?"

Details: Published: 27 February 2021 27 February 2021; Last Updated: 27 February 2021 27 February 2021; Hits: 20 20

The Lenten Season 2021

The Lenten season is the fourth season in the church year (after Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany). It begins with Ash Wednesday and is the oldest season of the church year. The original period of Lent seems to have been 40 hours. It was spent in fasting and contemplation on the sufferings of Christ. Later it became 30 days, then 36, and finally, in the reign of Charlemagne (about 800 A.D.), 40 days. Lent originally had one purpose — to prepare candidates for Baptism. For hundreds of years, the Baptism itself took place late Saturday evening or early Sunday morning before the dawn of Resurrection Day, during an all-night vigil.

While certain things may have changed, observing Lent as a time of contemplation, repentance and faith has not. Plan now to join us each week, beginning February 17, 2021 for our journey to the cross and empty tomb.

Details: Published: 20 February 2021 20 February 2021; Last Updated: 20 February 2021 20 February 2021; Hits: 57 57

The Psalmody

Here is some more insight into the liturgy elements that Pacific Hills does every weekend!

The Psalmody is the singing/recitation of the Psalm text from biblical verses, similar to a Gregorian chant line. The use of the Psalmody dates back to biblical times, but was not as formal as it is currently. The Psalmody used to be sung strictly between the clergy and the choir. During the reformation, the Lutherans believed that the Psalmody should involve more than just the clergy and choir. They pushed to have it further involve the congregation, which is currently done here at Pacific Hills!

Details: Published: 25 January 2021 25 January 2021; Last Updated: 25 January 2021 25 January 2021; Hits: 259 259

Sanctity of Life Month 2021

January is regarded as Sanctity of Life Month and January 24, 2021 will be observed as Sanctity of Life Sunday. Our Lutherans for Life theme will be, “From Invisible to Indispensable,” based on 1 Corinthians 12:22. “On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable...”

This year we are once again partnering with Essential Pregnancy Services of Omaha in our effort to make a difference in the lives of at-risk mothers and their unborn and newly born children. As such, you are encouraged to support our Yahweh fund, which will then directly support the ministry of EPS.

The Essential Pregnancy Services “Glow” Banquet is scheduled for Sun- day, March 21, 2021. This year, due to COVID, the event will be a virtual event. This year you are invited to invite a small number of friends to your home in support of EPS. Your voice, your donation and your personal invitation to family and friends will go a long way in making a difference to inspire young mothers to choose the gift of life.

You can look for updated information by going to www.friendsofeps.org

Details: Published: 23 January 2021 23 January 2021; Last Updated: 23 January 2021 23 January 2021; Hits: 170 170

Happy New Year 2021

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’ Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ
Galatians 4:4-7

Since an old year is about to disappear forever and a new year is about to begin, it is appropriate that we consider together what God has to tell us about time. Time is part of the created world. Time is measured by created things. The earth rotates on its axis and a day has gone by. The world revolves around the sun and a year has gone by. Sometimes we measure time by significant events. Isaiah’s vision recorded in Isaiah chapter six is dated by the death of King Uzziah. We often date events by the birth of children. The things of this world and our life in this world cannot even be considered except in terms of time.

Details: Published: 01 January 2021 01 January 2021; Last Updated: 01 January 2021 01 January 2021; Hits: 281 281

The Star of Bethlehem

As 2020 ends, the solar system has decided to provide us with a cosmic Christmas miracle that has not been witnessed in nearly 800 years. On Dec. 21 (aka the December solstice), Jupiter and Saturn will align so closely in the night sky that they will almost appear to collide from our vantage point here on Earth, creating a radiant point of light often referred to as the “Star of Bethlehem” or the “Christmas Star.” You would have to go all the way back to just before dawn on March 4, 1226, to see a closer alignment between these objects visible in the night sky.

Details: Published: 20 December 2020 20 December 2020; Last Updated: 20 December 2020 20 December 2020; Hits: 272 272

St. Nicholas Day is December 6th

Did you know that St. Nicholas, the man who is behind Santa Claus in Western culture, dates to the third century? Every December 6 is remembered as St. Nicholas Day in cities all over the world, with the largest celebrations taking place in Europe. Images of St. Nicholas vary considerably, but none of them look much like the red-cheeked, white-bearded old man seen everywhere in our society today.

The original saint was a Greek born in the late third century, around 280 A.D. He became bishop of Myra, a small Roman town in modern Turkey. Nicholas was neither fat nor jolly but developed a reputation as a fiery, wiry, and defiant defender of church doctrine during the Great Persecution in 303, when Bibles were burned, and priests were made to renounce Christianity or face execution.

Details: Published: 05 December 2020 05 December 2020; Last Updated: 05 December 2020 05 December 2020; Hits: 142 142

Rake & Run 2020

Pacific Hills Lutheran Church held it's annual Rake & Run this past Sunday 11/22/2020. It was a beautiful fall afternoon to help our neighbors with their yardwork. This year's event had a small but mighty group of workers. We found and helped our neighbors who had recently moved into the neighborhood. Thank you to everyone that helped!

Details: Published: 23 November 2020 23 November 2020; Last Updated: 23 November 2020 23 November 2020; Hits: 99 99

Online Streaming and Copyright

The organ at Pacific Hill Lutheran Church

Change, change, change! That seems to be the routine of this year! One of the big changes Pacific Hills has gone through is adding the option for online streaming of the services! This is a wonderful benefit for those home-bound and a great opportunity for outreach! What does this new option mean for music?

One of the biggest concerns with music is copyright. One small mistake can cost a fortune. So, what are some of the rules we need to consider? Well firstly, copyright only lasts 70 years. In the grand scheme, this is a short time period; however, that is a large chunk of most of our lives. To further complicate it, a copyright can be renewed on a piece music if a new arrangement or addition is made, but only for that arrangement/addition, the original will be out of copyright – but then you have to find one that is still available for purchase or print!

Details: Published: 25 October 2020 25 October 2020; Last Updated: 25 October 2020 25 October 2020; Hits: 132 132

Rally Day 2020

Pacific Hills Lutheran Church will hold its annual Rally Day on Sunday, September 13, 2020, during the Sunday School Hour, 9:00 – 10:00 am. We’ll kick off fall programming and educational programs, share faith milestones, and enjoy an outside, socially-distanced breakfast.

If you or your children are not regularly in the Word, now is the time to rededicate yourself and your family. Get your kids involved with our online Sunday school. Join us for Sunday morning adult Bible study, or a study throughout the week. More info below.

Details: Published: 30 August 2020 30 August 2020; Last Updated: 30 August 2020 30 August 2020; Hits: 396 396

Naboth’s Vineyard

Drawing by Michelle Steen

ome time later there was an incident involving a vineyard belonging to Naboth the Jezreelite. The vineyard was in Jezreel, close to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. ² Ahab said to Naboth, “Let me have your vineyard to use for a vegetable garden, since it is close to my palace. In exchange I will give you a better vineyard or, if you prefer, I will pay you whatever it is worth.” ³ But Naboth replied, “The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my ancestors.” ⁴ So Ahab went home, sullen and angry because Naboth the Jezreelite had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my ancestors.” He lay on his bed sulking and refused to eat. ⁵ His wife Jezebel came in and asked him, “Why are you so sullen? Why won’t you eat?” ⁶ He answered her, “Because I said to Naboth the Jezreelite, ‘Sell me your vineyard; or if you prefer, I will give you another vineyard in its place.’ But he said, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’” ⁷ Jezebel his wife said, “Is this how you act as king over Israel? Get up and eat! Cheer up. I’ll get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.” ⁸ So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name, placed his seal on them, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city with him. ⁹ In those letters she wrote: “Proclaim a day of fasting and seat Naboth in a prominent place among the people. ¹⁰ But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them bring charges that he has cursed both God and the king. Then take him out and stone him to death.” ¹¹ So the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city did as Jezebel directed in the letters she had written to them. ¹² They proclaimed a fast and seated Naboth in a prominent place among the people. ¹³ Then two scoundrels came and sat opposite him and brought charges against Naboth before the people, saying, “Naboth has cursed both God and the king.” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death. ¹⁴ Then they sent word to Jezebel: “Naboth has been stoned to death.” ¹⁵ As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab, “Get up and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite that he refused to sell you. He is no longer alive, but dead.” ¹⁶ When Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he got up and went down to take possession of Naboth’s vineyard.

- 1 Kings 21:1-16

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