The Great Christmas Wars
The Great Christmas Wars are not a new phenomenon, and they are not just an American phenomenon.
Lutheran Witness: December 2008
December. It’s hard to believe that we are approaching the end of one calendar year and the beginning of another. That with Advent upon us, we have embarked on another journey of faith through the church year.
Late delivery, phony notes
Regarding editor’s glitches in the September issue of The Lutheran Witness: Page 2 promoted an online presentation by CPH to be held Sept. 11, but we didn’t receive the Witness until after that date. Also, Page 17 used an illustration that I presume was meant to represent music, but several of the “notes” aren’t notes. …
Encouraging young musicians
I was happy to read the August story about encouraging young musicians to help with worship in their congregations (“Music to the Ears: Inspiring Children to Enrich Worship”). We have done that in our parish for many years. However, I was disappointed that the article did not mention the Lutheran Summer Music program, which encourages …
Katrina revisited
We returned Aug. 9 from New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, where we saw firsthand the ongoing effects of Hurricane Katrina (“Revisiting Katrina,” September). We stayed at Camp Biloxi and met some of the most wonderful, generous, selfless people you can imagine. Many came with the intention of helping out three or four weeks and …
Addressing divorce
The stories about “God’s Design for Marriage” in your August issue were of interest, but as a divorced Christian, I am concerned that the issue of divorce was not addressed. Almost 50 percent of all marriages, including Christian ones, end in divorce. There is so little constructive information about how to survive a divorce and …
What joy!
Susan Senechal’s September Lifeline story, “Dancing with Joy,” is a wonderful commentary on cheerful giving. It should be sent to all Lutheran congregations in the U.S. as a stewardship flyer. I would love to see the author’s description of joyful dancing in my church. Janice Sievert Wilson, N.Y. Read More Letters to the Editor …
Plowing through the muck
“Much Ado about Nothing” (September) is an inspiring example of how Prof. Paul Maier plows through the mire and muck of much of the spiritual junk food of our day. We are on the same team. In fact, his story reminds me of how his father, the world-renowned Lutheran Hour speaker, Dr. Walter Maier, hit …
The Three R’s
Praise God for Dr. James Lamb and his dedication to life! (“Life Issues: Renewing the Three R’s,” September). His simple three R’s formula to renew our church’s commitment to life issues is one that can be implemented by every one of us. I agree wholeheartedly with Dr. Lamb that our churches are responsible for raising …
Our best-kept secret
I had to let you know the Mission Central article on Gary Thies (September) arrived just as our church was planning a bus trip to Mission Central in Mapleton, Iowa. I didn’t know what to expect, since I had never heard Gary Thies or toured Mission Central. So the story gave me some insight into …
Blessed to Be a Blessing
As we approach the Thanksgiving season, I thank God for the blessing of being an American citizen and a member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Thanksgiving Cornucopia
by Rev. Terence Groth Many of our homes feature a cornucopia as part of our traditional Thanksgiving decorations. The curved goat’s horn overflowing with fruit and ears of grain serves as both a celebration of our abundance and an encouragement to thank God for it. Likewise, as the Scriptures speak of thanksgiving they overflow with …