by Rev. Steven B. Borst Ilustration © iStockphoto.com Advent is possibly the most misunderstood season in the church year. Let’s face it: we tend to take our cues on how to prepare for Christmas more from Macy’s than from the manger. Could it be that the Church has largely forgotten the purpose of Advent? Most
In Scripture, we read what Jesus said to His disciples when they had argued among themselves about their importance. “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:27–28).
In this month’s letter, President Harrison continues his series of three articles on the “Witness, Mercy, Life Together” emphasis for the Church and the world. To find out more about these themes, check out: www.lcms.org/emphasis.
by Dr. Jeffrey A. Gibbs The question is raised by all kinds of people: seminary students, devout church members, confirmation students, and perhaps every single Christian at one time or another. And the question is, “What is the best translation of the Bible?” We have, after all, the KJV, NKJV, RSV, NRSV, NIV, NIVI, JB,
In your September issue, Dr. Joersz opines, “The practice of asking a lay assistant to commune the pastor during the Communion has become widespread and is considered the preferred option.” Augsburg Confession, Art. XIV, rightly teaches “No one should . . . administer the Sacraments unless he be regularly called.” Webster defines administer as “To
by Adriane Dorr It’s happened. Already stores are playing Christmas carols and plying you with promises of perfect presents. What happened to Thanksgiving? What happened to Advent? What happened to waiting? Not to worry. The Church does not operate like the world. The Church, in fact, thrives on waiting. It is unhurried, deliberate, thoughtful. So
The Q & A in September provides a good discussion starter on this historic, yet often misunderstood, practice. I partake of the Sacrament first, so that I, freshly strengthened by it, can thus offer it to the gentleman who assists me in the chancel. He and I both, in turn, again having been strengthened ourselves,
Your recent Q & A on “Who Communes the Pastor” gives with one hand yet takes back with the other. The response rightly noted that Luther and those who came after him approved of the practice of the pastor’s “self-communion” in the Divine Service while at the same time condemned the “private mass.” However, the
What has been written on page 23 of the September Issue of The Lutheran Witness contains an improper question and a wrong answer to the improper question. As to the answer given, Luther and Chemnitz are quoted as stating that he practice of a pastor communing himself within the Divine Service of a congregation is
I devoutly hope that the Canadian church visited by Donna Holmquist (Letters, September) was not a Lutheran Church. How inappropriate for a musical accompanist to interrupt music that should properly set a godly atmosphere for worship with a secular love song of the World War II era. Instead of “Stormy Weather,” far better had this
Have you ever wondered what God’s will is for your life? Kurt Senske reminds you of your Baptism and your self-worth in our Lord, Jesus Christ.
In all the years I have been privileged to read The Lutheran Witness, rarely have I had the honor to read a finer essay than Dr. Gene Edward Veith’s “In Praise of Work” (September). The beauty of Veith’s little essay is what he says so simply and elegantly: That there is equal dignity and worth