To Dust You Shall Return

by Rev. Jared Melius A new practice in Lutheranism that has become popular quickly is the Service of the Imposition of Ashes conducted on Ash Wednesday. The sign of the cross is smeared upon the forehead while the words of Gen. 3:19 are repeated: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” […]

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Shedding Some Light

As time goes by During a recent shut-in call to members residing in the Alzheimer wing, I struck up a conversation with the recreation director, who was entertaining a group of residents, reading stories and telling jokes. After sharing an Ole and Lena joke of my own, I told the director that I had recently

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A Welcome Addition

by Rev. Dr. Greg Wismar Many people keep names and address lists either electronically or in more conventional ways, such as on file cards or in some kind of notebook. These lists constantly change as new people are added to the circle of one’s relationships or old friends are rediscovered as time passes. The Calendar

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What Is Sin?

by Rev. Herbert C. Mueller Is sin really that big of a deal? Is it just a little screw-up, or is it intentional rebellion against God? That’s just plain wrong!” we say. Though different people may have different measures, nearly everyone will instinctively find that some actions do not measure up. Even those who say,

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Sin Against the Holy Spirit?

by Rev. Dr. Jerald C. Joersz Q. Why is the sin against the Holy Spirit rarely mentioned today in our church? Is that because we fear disturbing people and driving them away to other churches? A. It is difficult to know whether less is said or taught about this sin today than in years past.

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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

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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

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Informative and inspiring

Kudos to Dr. Albert Collver for his lucid exposition of our present emphasis on Witness, Mercy, Life Together. This theme promises to provide a strong framework, to fire our hopes and to sustain us in our efforts. Compliments are due, also, for the new look that the Witness is sporting. The first impression made is

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To help their souls

It was with joy that I read the “10 Minutes with Rev. Glenn F. Merritt.” As a member of his former congregation in Hamilton, Mont., it was good to catch up on what he has been doing since he left, knowing that [he is] working . . . in a part of the world where

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