Principal's Corner
I LEARNED SOMETHING!
Happy New Year! 2024 will be a blessed time together where we all continue to learn and grow together as a community of believers. Speaking of learning, I recently read a book on Dr. Martin Luther (1483-1546) titled: Martin Luther: The Man Who Rediscovered God and Changed the World by Eric Metaxas (@2017).
Despite having grown up in the Lutheran Church since birth, I gained knowledge from the book I never knew before. I learned that the famous Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (whom our Holiday in January honors) was actually named for Dr. Martin Luther the protestant reformer who changed Europe and the world in the 1500’s through his desire to have open debate regarding God’s Word, The Bible and ultimately siding with a view of The Bible that was different from the Roman Catholic Church. This hence led into the birth of our modern idea of freedom.
The same Dr. Martin Luther that my Christian denomination is named for, ‘Lutheran’, is also connected to the National Holiday in January named for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Interesting, but how did this honoring someone by changing your name to theirs come about? Author Eric Metaxas drew me into his book on Martin Luther in the preface to the book (attached excerpt) when he shared that Baptist Pastor Michael King traveled to a conference in Germany in 1934 and during his time was so moved by what he learned about who Dr. Martin Luther was and the profound impact his life and works had on not just the Christian Faith, but on people in terms of how they think about freedom and democracy. Pastor Michael King formally changed his name to Martin Luther King, and changed the name of his young namesake son from Michael King Jr. to Martin Luther King, Jr. Yes, the MLK that is honored by our January holiday. If you are up for the challenge, check out this fascinating historical biography on Martin Luther. If you read this book, I’d love to hear what you think. It is always fun to learn new things – isn’t that what we are all about? Let’s hope so! Blessings & Happy New Year.
Please consider volunteering in the garden. Click on image to volunteer. Once into signup, you can select grade and shift. Thank You!
Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0445A8AE28AAFA7-garden3#/
Pastor's Corner
Dear Red Hill Lutheran School Families,
I hope you had a wonderful and blessed Christmas and New Year! I echo the words of Saint Paul in his letter to the church in Philippi:
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel… (Philippians 1.3-4).
On behalf of the members and leadership of Red Hill Lutheran Church, we are thankful for your partnership in our ministry through Red Hill Lutheran School! As we begin a new year, please know that we are here to support and equip you and your family to follow Jesus as His disciples. You are always welcome to join us (if you do not have a church home) for any opportunity and ministry we offer!
Beginning in January, we enter into the church season of Epiphany. The term “epiphany” comes from the Greek word ἐπιφάνεια (epiphania) which means “appearance” or “manifestation.” In early church history, the feast of Epiphany originally celebrated the birth of Jesus. However, as the church established December 25th as the day to celebrate Jesus’ birth, Epiphany was designated as the day/season that focuses on the manifestation of Jesus as the Son of God, the Savior of the world. In Eastern Christianity, Epiphany was appointed as the day to celebrate the baptism of Jesus. In the Western churches, Epiphany became the day to celebrate the manifestation of Jesus through three great, Biblical events: The visit of the Magi, the baptism of Jesus, and the marriage feast in Cana, where Jesus turned water into wine.
The season of Epiphany is a time to celebrate the manifestation of Jesus Christ who is the fulfillment of God’s promises; both to His people, Israel, as well as to the world. Because the glory of God has been manifested in and through Jesus, we are called as His disciples to manifest His glory by growing in faith and living out that faith in the day-to-day events and relationships in our lives. In the words of the classic hymn, Epiphany points towards the promise and hope that…
As with gladness men of old did the guiding star behold;
As with joy they hailed its light, leading onward, beaming bright;
So, most gracious Lord, may we ever more be led by thee
(“As With Gladness Men of Old.” Lutheran Book of Worship: #82).
Beginning on Sunday, January 7th , we are changing our Sunday morning worship schedule. Our two worship services are: 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. Classical worship and 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. Contemporary worship. In the middle of the two worship services we now offer: “Disciple U” from 9:15 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. “Disciple U” are Bible studies/groups for all ages. In addition to our Children’s Ministry, we are offering two adult classes:
“Bystander: John and the Rabbi From Nazareth” (A Study in the Gospel of John).
Leader: Pastor Seth Britton.
Location: Christian Life Center (CLC).
“Making Your Home a Place of Family Worship.”
Leaders: Jason and Mindy Harney.
Location: Christian Life Center (CLC).
This change is the result of our mission to be a community of worship and deep study of God’s Word! We hope that this new Sunday schedule will both facilitate Christian education classes for all ages, as well as encourage the presence of our children in the worship services so we can deepen the love of worship for our kids! Nursery care (Infant through 4 years old) will be offered throughout the morning.
Also, beginning January 7th , we began a new message series entitled, “Bystander: John and the Rabbi From Nazareth.” Through this series, we will explore the nature and content of the Gospel of John, following John’s narrative structure of the seven signs (miracles) of Jesus. As a bystander of Jesus’ mission and ministry, John’s overall purpose of writing his gospel is described at the end of his gospel…:
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20.30-31)
The purpose and goal for this message series in the Gospel of John will echo John himself: “…that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20.31)
Again, you are welcome to join us for this message series and any worship service, class, and/or event we offer! If there is anything we can be praying about for you or support you in any way, please do not hesitate to call upon us!
May God bless you and keep you and your loved ones safe and healthy in 2024!
In Christ,
Pastor Seth
Red Hill Lutheran Church and School
Email: rhlsoffice@redhillschool.org
Website: www.redhillschool.org
Location: 13200 Red Hill Avenue, Tustin, CA, USA
Phone: 714-544-3132
