Disaster was averted! The wedding party was a blast and then they ran out of wine! Can you imagine the talk of the small town of Cana? But Jesus is there. A word to the side with the servants and suddenly the pots used for ritual washing are now overflowing with the best wine ever! And Jesus doesn’t even tell anyone He did it. His disciples saw it and believe in Him. The bride and groom didn’t know and their celebration was saved. In fact, the groom even looks like a hero for having saved the best wine until last! The Epiphany season is all about Jesus showing WHO He is and WHAT He does. In this instance we see He is the Divine Son of God through whom all things—like wine!— are made. Yet we also see Him as the loving Savior. He is the One who doesn’t let a wedding party turn into a social disaster. And there’s a reason for it: Our Lord’s first miracle, at a wedding, reminds us that He has come to rescue us, His beloved Bride, the Church, to be His own. A wedding celebration is often used by Jesus to make a point. And the point is that the kingdom of God is like a party! It’s a celebration! Because Jesus is our heavenly Bridegroom! That’s this week, the Second Sunday after the Epiphany.

WHERE IS PASTOR?
Susan and I will be in Florida over the weekend. Some good friends pitched in to help us take a little getaway before my impending surgery. The timing was just right after I exited my Covid exile! (The trip was planned before Covid!) Thanks to the Reverend Dr. Allan Buss, President of the Northern Illinois District who is filling in this weekend in my absence. He’ll be teaching Bible Class at 8am as well as leading worship and preaching for our regular Sunday service. Thanks, President Buss!

Please NOTE: there is no Learning the Faith this week after worship.

PRAYERS FOR PETER POLLACK
Please pray that Peter continues to improve enough to be accepted by the transplant team. You can continue to send cards and letters of encouragement to him and Robin here:
Lutheran General Hospital MICU
Attn: Peter Pollack, Room 12
1775 Dempster Street
Park Ridge, IL 60068

MASKS IN WORSHIP
We are currently wearing our masks during worship. At this time there is no restriction on capacity or seating arrangements. Please consider the well-being of your neighbor most especially by staying home if you have any symptoms of illness. As always, you can get in touch with me to request a visit if you can’t be in church. Thank you for your patience and understanding and love of neighbor in all of this!

LIVE STREAM INFORMATION
You can watch live and find recorded services at the links below:
We stream live on our FACEBOOK PAGE HERE.
Our videos are also live and recorded on YOUTUBE HERE.

Jesus’ disciples were witnesses of His first miracle at this wedding. St. John writes that this was the first “sign” Jesus did. Why “sign?” Because signs point to things. And this sign points to Jesus being the beloved Bridegroom of the Church, the One who’s Word creates and makes new and gives new life. Water going to wine reminds us that we have gone from the waters of our baptism to the cup of Christ’s blood at His altar. We are the church, the bride of Christ! Let’s celebrate those gifts with one another in the Divine Service!

In Christ,
Pastor Buetow

LWML Mites
Donations this Sunday