The Magazine

Gospel: One Word Is Worth a Thousand Pictures

by Rev. Terence Groth The old saying proposes: “One picture is worth a thousand words.” True enough. At the same time, some words of Scripture are so rich that it may take a thousand “pictures” to display their richness and depth. The word Gospel, the shorthand term for Scripture’s teaching of what God has done

Those Who Labor Among You

What a blessing it is when those who labor among us and those among whom that labor is accomplished live and work peacefully among one another.

So, this is sainthood?

I read with interest “So, This Is Sainthood?” (Searching Scripture, August). August 29, the beheading (martyrdom) of St. John the Baptist, is Sept. 11 on the Julian calendar. My paternal grandmother’s family is from the Carpathian Mountain region of present-day Slovakia, where that calendar is still used for liturgical dates. This date (Gregorian, Aug. 29/Julian,

Be joyful! Celebrate life!

I am responding to the September letter-writer who took issue with the bathing-suit ad in the June/July issue of The Lutheran Witness. In that ad, four elderly women in bathing suits are enjoying the water. I am disappointed that the letter-writer failed to see the significance of such joy. As an employee of a major

God’s design for marriage

Christopher Mitchell’s article, “God’s Design for Marriage” (August), was very good and a much-needed perspective of God’s will for our married lives. However, Dr. Mitchell misquoted when he wrote that “one holy catholic and apostolic church” comes from the Apostles’ Creed. It is, as Dr. Mitchell would agree, from the Nicene Creed. Thank you, Dr.

The ‘Genius’ of Luther’s Thinking

The ancient Romans called the spirit that guides something and gives it its character a “genius.” [Luther’s] view of God and human beings served as the “genius” for his thinking.

Preventing child abuse

“What about the Children” in the August issue reminded me that a few years ago one of our congregation members, Baker Kittelson, in cooperation with Director of Christian Education Bob Brantsch, was instrumental in forming a Prevention of Abuse of Children (PAC) Committee, which resulted in a policy manual for our congregation. I would invite

A New Era

Our Synod is engaging 21st-century mission with an international force.

A wrong note!

Your article in the August issue on inspiring children to make music in the church was well done for the most part. I saw the DVD that was produced by the Commission on Worship and have only positive things to say about it. However, I take issue with you bringing into the article the “decline”

Helping Blind People See Jesus

Over the past 85 years, The LCMS’ ministry to blind and visually impaired people has evolved from simply producing materials to training blind missionaries.

Simple gifts

“Shedding Some Light” in the August issue reminds us of the importance of a nativity set in our home at Christmas. Does your church give gifts to the poor at Christmas—toys, food, or clothing? Why not purchase an inexpensive nativity set at a craft store or dollar store and add it to the family’s gifts?

Recharging with Grace

Grace Place Lutheran Retreats offer church workers and their spouses an opportunity to recharge spiritually, physically, and emotionally.

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