Operation Enduring Comfort
How a New York congregation helps ‘keep the home fires burning’ and serves as an example of the work of Operation Barnabas.
Too narrow a focus
After reading the lead articles in the September issue (“Planting New Churches” and “In the Public Eye”), I reflected once again on how easy it is to have too narrow a focus even as “we” are highlighting our broadness. Here’s a case in point from each article: First, while demonstrating the diversity of new mission …
Where were the Democrats?
I just received and read the September issue of The Lutheran Witness. While there are many excellent articles, I as a Democrat and a Lutheran pastor am offended that The Lutheran Witness chose to only feature Republicans in the “[Lutherans] in the Public Eye” story. My question: Since when did our LCMS church body decide …
In the public eye
Sandy Wood’s “In the Public Eye” articles in the September issue of The Lutheran Witness have given me new hope. Too much news today tells us of problems in our government. I have stopped reading much of it, as it leaves me feeling “down.” The LCMS people you profiled are in places of employment as …
Remaining faithful
The articles in the September Lutheran Witness regarding planting new churches raise deep concerns. Nowhere in any of those articles is there any mention of closed Communion or faithfulness either to Scripture or the Lutheran Confessions. Instead of honoring our fathers and mothers in the faith by holding to true historic Lutheran worship, “blended” and …
Keeping track of the money
Regarding your September Fan into Flame story: I want to know if the $50 million figure for funds raised for Fan into Flame is clear of the cost involved. If it is, then we really have something to praise God about, if not, shouldn’t we be more transparent and let people know what the bottom …
Bringing back the hats–and respect
What fun it was to read the story of the women who decided to bring hats back to their Sunday-morning worship! And, while the story and its motivation made interesting reading, I couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if this same approach were taken to inspire all people to once again dress respectfully in …
Orphans, Widows and Giving Thanks
‘Through Christ, God has adopted us into His family. This is the greatest reason of all for us to give Him thanks “at all times and in all places” . . . .’
Maranatha! Our Lord, Come!
by Rev. William Weedon Photo of The Last Judgement frieze, Banberg, Dom St. Peter and St. Georg, by wikimedia commons Advent celebrates three comings of our Lord: historical, mystical, and final. The hymn, “Once He Came in Blessing” (LSB 333), opens a way for us to ponder these: Once He came in blessing, All our …
Shedding Some Light
Practical Advice On starting out on a gloomy day: First, realize that it is the day that is gloomy, not you. If you want to be gloomy, too, that’s your business, but it’s not mandatory. George Kottwitz Trinity Lutheran Church Edwardsville, Ill. Poor Pastor? In 1969, I was serving Trinity Lutheran Church in Alice, …
True Repentance
by Dr. William B. Knippa Every once in a while I hear our pastor say how we all sin much daily. What does he mean? What does it mean to repent of our sin? Photo by shutterstock.com I commend you for posing a question that, I suspect, many worshiping Christians ask themselves but feel hesitant …
A Second Judgment?
At death I believe that Christians, while absent from the body, are present with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8). At death unbelievers are forever lost. So judgment came at death. So how can there be any judgment at Christ’s second coming (Matt. 25:31–46; 2 Cor. 5:10)? For all human beings, physical death—which is the …