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Lenten Windows

by Rev. Dr. Greg Wismar While many of the seasons of the Church Year have names that relate to the religious nature of the time being observed, the season of Lent does not. The word Lent comes from the Old English word lengthen, which referred to the spring of the year, the time in which
Shedding Some Light

This Ad’s All WetMy wife, Louise, and I were sitting in our living room. She was watching TV, and I was paying little attention to anything when she suddenly said, “Would you like a water mattress?” I asked, “Why would you ask such a silly question as that?” She replied, “Well, that furniture company just
Our Lord’s Gifts

by Rev. Matthew Zickler Our culture is a culture of consumerism. We do not need to look any further than television commercials, maga- zines and webpages to see the obsession we have with our stuff. No matter where we look, we are barraged with advertisements for stuff. Even the secular world understands this. The comedian
Q and A

by Rev. Dr. Jerald C. Joersz  Q: Do the Lutheran churches have an opinion concerning the Masonic Lodge and other similar organizations? A: Lutheran churches in the United States in varying degrees and at various points in their history have taken positions opposing lodge membership (particularly the Masonic Lodge), although some have relaxed or even removed their
Learning Is the Bridge

How can we encourage religious literacy in our homes, schools and neighborhoods? Find out how to cultivate your curiosity about God and His work on your behalf. by Rev. Travis J. Scholl I am convinced by Stephen Prothero’s thesisstated most notably in his book Religious Literacy that we live in a society that is religiously illiterate
Special Occasions

by Rev. Dr. Greg Wismar Many events in the worship life of every congregation happen on a regular basis. Each year, it can be expected that Christmas, Easter, Pentecost and the other major festivals will be celebrated as they occur on the annual Church Year calendar. The weeks from the First Sunday in Advent to
Shedding Some Light

404 ErrorAfter the Divine Service ended on New Year’s Day, I greeted the four-year-old great-granddaughter of a member of my congregation. “I have a purse,” she told me. I responded, “That’s wonderful. All I have is a wallet and a couple of pockets.” She then observed, “Yeah, but you’re wearing a dress!” Rev. Philip HouserPapillion,
A message of repentance

I wholeheartedly agree with President Harrison’s point that we need Advent and its message of repentance (December 2011). Rev. Karl A. FrinckeFort Wayne, Ind.   Read More Letters to the Editor Send letters to Letters, c/o The Lutheran Witness, 1333 S. Kirkwood Road, St. Louis, MO 63122-7295; or send them via e-mail to Lutheran.Witness@LCMS.org.

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