The LCMS
In Search of St. Patrick

by John Murphy Ball St. Patrick’s Day has little liturgical significance. Outside of Ireland, it isn’t even a national holiday–I don’t know anyone who gets the day off. However, if there was ever a man who deserved to have a day named in his honor, it is Patrick. He was a Christian hero of incredible
Mission and ministry

The article by Albert Collver III on the threefold emphasis of the church (Jan ’11) was very insightful. The imagery is rich and the rationale is solid. However, I was disappointed by the omission of another vital component of the church’s emphasis. Didache or “teaching” was not mentioned anywhere in the article. The church’s role
When Through Fiery Trials

The story, from Daniel chapter 3, of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and the burning fiery furnace is not included in the Scripture readings appointed to be read on any Sunday of the Church Year. As a result, it seldom serves as a text for sermons. Most of us are familiar with the story either from Sunday School lessons or from our personal devotional readings. But it is a story that is most appropriate for each of us.
In Memoriam

It was good to see the “In Memoriam” included in the monthly Lutheran Witness with a bit of detail. Now we see only birth and death dates— like cold tombstones. How many of our not-computer-savvy are going to quickly go online to check out greater details on the death of a pastor or teacher? How
The Only Nametag We Really Need

by Rev. Ken Lampe A dog was sitting in a railway station inside a large crate. Obviously he was supposed to be sent somewhere, but no one put the crate on any of the trains. Finally, one passenger said to a clerk, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a sadder dog. What’s the problem?” The
In the Midst of Earthly Life

“In the midst of life we are in death.” Supposedly whispered in Latin by a medieval monk after he saw a workman fall to his death, the timeless and eternal truth of those words also hits home via a Martin Luther hymn based on them. Rev. William Weedon considers their relevance to ashes placed on our foreheads just last Wednesday (March 9) and also reflects on the March 11 Japan earthquake and tsunami.
To the Reader

by Adriane Dorr Sin is a sticky subject. Whispering sweet, deadly nothings in our ears, the devil, the world and our sinful natures tempt us to believe that sin isn’t wrong, that it can’t hurt us, that God doesn’t really care if we break His commandments. “Did God actually say . . . ?” they
Be angry, but Do Not Sin!

Is anger inherently sinful? Rev. Allen Schenk takes a look at this topic, discussing how it can help us settle disagreements and why God gives us the grace to forgive those with whom we’re angry.