by Adriane Dorr It’s happened. Already stores are playing Christmas carols and plying you with promises of perfect presents. What happened to Thanksgiving? What happened to Advent? What happened to waiting? Not to worry. The Church does not operate like the world. The Church, in fact, thrives on waiting. It is unhurried, deliberate, thoughtful. So
“Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy Word: For mine eyes have
seen Thy salvation, which Thou has prepared before the face of all people: a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel”
(Luke 2:29–32 KJV)
The September article on Pastor Chehab was truly inspirational. It had special meaning for me, whose primary call for my ministry in India (1954–78) was to share the Gospel with Muslims. Luther T. Engelbrecht Seattle, Wash. Read More Letters to the Editor Send letters to “Letters,” c/o The Lutheran Witness, 1333 S. Kirkwood Road,
by Dr. Jerald C. Joersz Many Christian people I know say they have made a decision in their life to follow Christ. Why do Lutherans hesitate to say that people can decide to accept or receive Christ? Photo © iStockphoto.com You are correct in suggesting that Lutherans are uncomfortable with this type of language to
Dr. Jerald C. Joersz is right that the Sacred Scriptures do not specifically tell us whether pastors should commune themselves or not (Q & A September). Our official doctrine and practice, however, come from the Book of Concord of 1580: “The mass should be a communion, at which the priest and others receive the sacrament
by Theresa Shaltanis One of my sisters is planning a family reunion for Thanksgiving, and it’s turning out to be a real problem. She has chosen to invite our brother’s ex-wife but not our brother! My sister is a faithful Christian woman, but her decision is making it difficult for all of us, and we
Dr. Joersz’s response to the question about the pastor’s self-communion is slightly misleading. He claims that “The Altar Book . . . allows a pastor’s self-communion.” That is not completely false, but it is terribly inaccurate. The Altar Book allows the opposite thing. It allows a layman to distribute the body and blood of Christ
Splish Splash A six-year-old girl was baptized in our Sunday service, and our pastor seemed to use an especially adequate amount of water. As he patted her forehead and bangs dry with the cross-embroidered hanky, she proclaimed petulantly, “I already had my bath.” Lorna BeallLebanon, Mo. Say What? Our five-year-old grandson has taken an
Dr. Joersz had an opportunity to offer support to a pastor who was just doing what the LSB Altar Book directed him to do. He was being faithful. Instead, the Q & A gave the members of his congregation support for criticizing their pastor. Thomas M. Winger, Acting President Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary St. Catharines,
by Rev. Steven B. Borst Ilustration © iStockphoto.com Advent is possibly the most misunderstood season in the church year. Let’s face it: we tend to take our cues on how to prepare for Christmas more from Macy’s than from the manger. Could it be that the Church has largely forgotten the purpose of Advent? Most
I thought Dr. Joersz gave a very helpful reply in a recent answer to the question of a pastor communing himself in a worship service. The practice is an adiaphoron, i.e., it’s neither forbidden nor commanded in Scripture. An example by itself does not establish doctrine or church practice, but still it bears some weight
In your September issue, Dr. Joersz opines, “The practice of asking a lay assistant to commune the pastor during the Communion has become widespread and is considered the preferred option.” Augsburg Confession, Art. XIV, rightly teaches “No one should . . . administer the Sacraments unless he be regularly called.” Webster defines administer as “To