The Lutheran Witness receives a steady supply of letters from our readers. Although we can’t answer every letter personally, we read every one and appreciate receiving them. Each month, we normally have space to publish only four or five letters, so the competition is tough. Still, letters from readers add vitality to a magazine, and
Two phrases in the August Lutheran Witness report on the recent LCMS convention impressed me. One was by President–elect Rev. Matthew Harrison who used the phrase “guided by the Spirit of God.” The other was in the final sentence of the convention by President Gerald Kieschnick: “May our almighty God lead this church by the
In a 24-7 news cycle, one can easily suffer from a fatigue of constant communication and stories on floods, disasters, dying, and various other torments . . . including frenzied fear. The story of this “Light on a Hill” on the part of Pastor Tursic and the shining light of hope in hopelessness can be
by Dr. Jerald C. Joersz I once witnessed a Lutheran pastor baptizing a person by immersion. I didn’t know we Lutherans baptized that way. Is this a proper way to baptize? Lutherans have understood the Bible to teach that a valid Baptism must include the application of water (together with the Word), but the manner in
by Rev. Steven B. Borst In the year 1517, on the evening before All Saints, the Castle Church in Wittenberg was prepared for the festival services to be held the next day. Inside the church, 19,000 relics were laid out to be adored by the arriving throng of worshipers. Outside the church doors, however, a
Allow this penitential season to add to the approach of Christmas. Wait with us in eager anticipation of the fulfillment of God’s promise to send a Savior.
The greatest eras in the history of the Church have all begun with repentance. Those times when the Gospel of free forgiveness by faith in Jesus Christ has shone brightest in missionary witness and expansion—in a burning desire to care for the weak and needy with Christ’s own mercy, and in zealous and creative endeavors in church life and organization—have all begun with the preaching of repentance.
by Rev. Tim Pauls Ah, confirmation–a defining mark of Lutheran congregations. It’s supposed to be a good thing, the pastor preparing youth for communicant membership. Too often, though, it’s seen only as a necessary rite of passage to endure rather than a blessing to enjoy. For some reason, teenagers just don’t seem to enjoy memorizing
by Sandy Wood From Chicago to Ghana and in between, a ministry carrying Christ’s love and a cushioned place to sleep is spreading to homeless people through Lutheran congregations and beyond. Each sleeping mat is approximately 3 feet by 6 feet, contains between 500 and 700 plastic bags, and takes approximately 35 hours to make.
What does Labor Day have to do with you anyway? Veith teaches a crash course on how you as a Lutheran live in the world, exercise your faith, and find meaning in what you do.
by Paula Schlueter Ross It’s been five years since the Aug. 29, 2005, landfall of Hurricane Katrina. And today–even with five years of restoration efforts involving millions of dollars and untold hours of volunteer labor–the parts of New Orleans that were damaged are still only “26 to 60 percent recovered,” according to Rev. Kurtis Schultz,
Insanity has been defined as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.