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,
On God rests my salvation and my glory; mighty rock, my refuge is God.
by Dr. Lane R. Seitz This past Sunday I worshiped in one of the smaller congregations in our district. There were approximately 50 people in wor-ship. We have approximately 40 congregations in our district that average less than 50 people in worship each week. In most of those situations, the congregation is served by a
Ever wondered why a Catholic monk nailing a piece of paper to a door 493 years ago affects you today? Dr. Robert Kolb explores the impact Dr. Martin Luther’s work.
My mother, Louise Cady, was a hard-working farm wife and mother of five. She never claimed to be a noted scholar, a talented musician, or a great educational leader. But she loved God…
The Lutheran Witness receives a steady supply of letters from our readers. Although we can’t answer every letter personally, we read every one and appreciate receiving them. Each month, we normally have space to publish only four or five letters, so the competition is tough. Still, letters from readers add vitality to a magazine, and
Two phrases in the August Lutheran Witness report on the recent LCMS convention impressed me. One was by President–elect Rev. Matthew Harrison who used the phrase “guided by the Spirit of God.” The other was in the final sentence of the convention by President Gerald Kieschnick: “May our almighty God lead this church by the
In a 24-7 news cycle, one can easily suffer from a fatigue of constant communication and stories on floods, disasters, dying, and various other torments . . . including frenzied fear. The story of this “Light on a Hill” on the part of Pastor Tursic and the shining light of hope in hopelessness can be
by Dr. Jerald C. Joersz I once witnessed a Lutheran pastor baptizing a person by immersion. I didn’t know we Lutherans baptized that way. Is this a proper way to baptize? Lutherans have understood the Bible to teach that a valid Baptism must include the application of water (together with the Word), but the manner in