Atop the Scaffolding

Cathedral scaffolding

Today, our local newspaper (the online version) posted this video of the renovation at St. Patrick Cathedral in Norwich, CT (Climb to the Ceiling of St. Patrick's in Norwich), the church where my daughter sings in the Diocesan Choir.  The platform that the artists are using to walk around is atop the entire scaffolding, a portion of which is pictured here.  It amazes me how much the upper part of the scaffolding looks like a room (see photo gallery).  The cathedral will be absolutely beautiful when the work is finished.

Related web articles:
Symbolism at Heart of St. Patrick's Redo
A Photo Gallery:  Renovations at Cathedral of St. Patrick

Related articles on A Struggling Believer:
Scaffolding Everywhere, Rebuilding the Church

Gloria Laus: Christ the King

On Sunday, my daughter sang part of this as the call to worship at our LCMS Lutheran Church.  For more on the history of the chant and the lyrics in English, visit this post on Scarlet Letters.

A Liturgical Resource: Epiphany

Notes from Ordering Our Days in His Peace:  An Introduction to the Christian Church Year
by H. R. Curtis.
-------------------------
Once again:  the Church year has three major seasons:  Christmas, Easter and the Time of the Church (also known as Ordinary Time).  Each season of the year focuses on a single part of the salvation story.  Christmas shares with us the story of how God the Father sent Jesus the Son into the world to be born and to live our humanity (only perfectly, of course).  Christmas ends with the onset of Easter, the season that shares the story of what Jesus did for us by dying on the cross and rising again from the dead.  The Time of the Church shares the tale of the Holy Spirit and His work among us in and through Word and Sacrament.  The Church employs various liturgical tools to help in the telling of this story of God and His love for us.

THE TIME OF CHRISTMAS --- The Epiphany of Our Lord

Celebrated on January 6th, Epiphany is both a feast day and a season.  It is the revealing of Christ to the world.  This is the day when the Magi, wise men who were Gentiles, came to worship the Lord Jesus, showing that, now, everyone on earth had access to God through the new temple, Christ.  Gentiles (non-Israelites) who, during the time of the Old Testament, had no access to the temple to worship God because they were not considered His children, would now be blessed, fulfilling the promise made to Abraham:

...and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. --- Genesis 12:3 (ESV)

As a season, Epiphany is also that time of the Church year when Christ is revealed more and more as the Son of God:  at His Baptism, Jesus is identified as the Christ and the Holy Spirit descends upon Him;  He overcomes the temptations of Satan before the start of active ministry;  and He performs miracles that increasingly demonstrate His power over nature, demons, etc.  Whether feast day or season, Epiphany is a time of revealing.

Liturgical colors during Epiphany:  white and green

On the Feast of the Epiphany, the color of the altar vestments is white, again representing purity, light, divinity, eternity, and joy.  It is the color that points to Christ.  It is the color that is used for the Church feast days of Jesus.

The color for the season of Epiphany, the Sundays following January 6th, is green because they are actually a small step into Ordinary Time, that part of the Church year containing no special observances like we have during Advent and Christmas.  During the season of Epiphany, we focus on how Christ grew "in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man."  The Gospel readings teach about Jesus' miracles, especially those that involve healing to illustrate how Christ came to make all things new.  Green is a color that is associated with growth and newness of life.

Liturgical music during Epiphany:  nothing of note

Special observances during Epiphany:  Baptism of Our Lord and the Presentation of the Lord

On the first Sunday after Epiphany, we recall the baptism of Christ by John the Baptist in the Jordan River.  As Jesus was without sin, why in the world was this necessary?  It is part and parcel of the perfect Christ experiencing our humanity.  To quote from the book (page 18):

Jesus is baptized into our sins so that our Baptism might be into His death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins.

Forty days after the Feast of the Nativity (Christmas Day), some Lutherans observe the Purification of Mary and the Presentation of Our Lord.  These days are actually recognized together, and both are considered feast days of Jesus, therefore their liturgical color is white.  So, after recognizing the season of Epiphany as a small step into Ordinary Time with a change to the color green, this day is actually a small step back into the Time of Christmas whose liturgical color is white.  Kind of odd, I admit, but the liturgical calendar should be thought of as a guideline, not a set of hard-and-fast rules.

Note:  in my experience, Lutherans do not actively observe either the Purification of Mary or the Presentation of the Lord.

Worship events during Epiphany:  evening worship on the Feast of the Epiphany

Is Jesus a Hypocrite?

God has the most interesting timing, especially to have this show up during Holy Week.

Earlier this evening, while browsing around my Facebook page, I noticed this post:

Ever get tired being the strong, silent type?  Always going the extra mile for others but getting nothing in return, then acting like it's no big deal.  What bigger type of hypocrite is there?

Wow.  By this definition, Jesus would be the greatest hypocrite of all!  A silent lamb led to the slaughter, going the extra mile for sinners, getting nothing in return, and then "acting like it's no big deal" by forgiving those for whom he died, those whose sin nailed Him to the cross.

And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." --- Luke 23:34

Within five minutes of reading the aforementioned Facebook post, I read this status (see below).  The husband of a college friend shared it.  He is a two-time cancer survivor who lost part of his tongue, which makes eating and drinking more difficult for him than for most people.

This morning I thought maybe I could put that little piece of bread they give you at communion in my mouth.  Mistake.  Stayed up front and played the rest of the service [he is a musician] so no water and by the end of the service, I had a soggy lump in my mouth I just couldn't swallow.  Made me reflect a bit on that situation.  Do I get frustrated with how hard it is to eat?  You bet.  Do I get angry or discouraged?  Heck no.  I view it like most things in my life.  The parameters within which I operate are given to me and simply are.  They are neutral.  It's totally up to me how I deal with it.  I can be angry and bitter that it takes so much effort just to eat.  Or I can rejoice in the fact that I can eat and am able to get the sustenance I need, or anything between.  But it is my choice.  I CHOOSE to focus on how thankful I am that I am able to eat rather than CHOOSE to become bitter and angry that it is more difficult for me than most people.

Just as this gentleman reflected on his situation, I am trying to process that "hypocrite" statement.  When, in faith, we love and serve our neighbor (as we are commanded by God to do), when we go the extra mile for others, we are supposed to do it expecting nothing in return.  If then, after serving and expecting nothing, we truly act as if it is no big deal (and think the same thing), we aren't hypocrites.  We are, in faith, choosing an attitude of love toward others and an attitude of thankfulness toward God for the opportunity to serve Him by serving our neighbor.  We have, in faith, demonstrated the love of God in Christ to another human being.  How can that be hypocritical?

A Liturgical Resource: The Nativity of Our Lord

Notes from Ordering Our Days in His Peace:  An Introduction to the Christian Church Year
by H. R. Curtis.
--------------------
To review:  the Church year has three major seasons:  Christmas, Easter, and the Time of the Church (also known as Ordinary Time).  Each season of the year focuses on a single part of the salvation story.  Christmas shares with us the story of how God the Father sent Jesus the Son into the world to be born and to live our humanity (only perfectly, of course).  Christmas ends with the onset of Easter, the season that shares the story of what Jesus did for us by dying on the cross and rising again from the dead.  The Time of the Church shares the tale of the Holy Spirit and His work among us in and through Word and Sacrament.  The Church employs various liturgical tools to help in the telling of this story of God and His love for us.

THE TIME OF CHRISTMAS --- The Nativity of Our Lord

The season of hope, Advent, ends with the fulfillment of that hope, the birth of our Savior and King, Jesus Christ.  Note that God did not send a prophet or an angel on Christmas morning to redeem us from our sins.  No, He sent His only Son.  So, on this day, we celebrate the Feast of the Nativity.

Liturgical colors during The Nativity of Our Lord:  white

The color of purity, light, divinity, eternity, and joy.

Liturgical music during The Nativity of Our Lord:  the "Gloria in Excelsis" is reinstated

Now that Jesus has returned, so has our hymn of praise.  So, with the angels, we sing:

Glory be to God on high;  and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.
We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee,
   we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee, for thy great glory.
O Lord God, heavenly king, God the Father Almighty.
O Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.
O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
   that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us.
Thou that takest away the sin of the world, receive our prayer.
Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us.
For thou only art only;  thou only art the Lord.
Thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost,
   art most high in the glory of God the Father.  Amen.

Special observances during The Nativity of Our Lord:  the Twelve Days of Christmas

Because the birth of Christ, Our Savior and King, is too great a celebration for just one day, the Church spreads it out over twelve days beginning on December 25 and ending on January 5.  Each day has a unique focus:*

December 25:  Feast of the Nativity
December 26:  St. Stephen Day
December 27:  St. John, the Apostle and Evangelist
December 28:  Holy Innocents and Martyrs Day
December 29:  St. Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury
December 30:  Feast of the Holy Family
December 31:  Feast of Saint Sylvester
January 1:  Circumcision and Naming of Jesus
January 2:  Octave Day of St. Stephen
January 3:  Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus
January 4:  Octave Day of Holy Innocents
January 5:  Twelfth Night

In my experience, Lutherans do not actively observe each day of the Twelve Days of Christmas.  They focus on the days pertaining to Christ and the Holy Family, as opposed to the days pertaining to martyrs of the faith (with the exception of Holy Innocents Day).

*Information pertaining to the specific emphases of each day of the Twelve Days of Christmas was taken from Wikipedia, not from Ordering Our Days in His Peace.

Worship events during The Nativity of Our Lord:  midnight and morning services

Since the announcement of the birth of Christ is recorded in Scripture as coming first to the shepherds as they watched their flocks by night, many Lutheran churches celebrate the arrival of Christ with a Divine Worship Service at midnight;  others hold service on Christmas morning.  Some churches do both.

A Liturgical Resource: Advent

Notes from Ordering Our Days in His Peace:  An Introduction to the Christian Church Year
by H. R. Curtis
---------------------------
It is universally accepted amongst Christians that God created the universe, and that the universe he created includes time.

Then God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and for years... --- Genesis 1:14

Time helps us make sense of our lives:  minutes and hours order our days, weeks and months order our years, and years mark the passage of a lifetime.  We are, in fact, born into a time-based existence, born one day and living until we die.

Time helps us make sense of God's story, too.  God created a home for humanity, set them on a course of history and broke into that history in the person of Jesus Christ, that part of the Godhead who will return one day to complete the story at the end of time.  Relating this story, the story of Christ and what He did for humanity, is the purpose of the Church.  Telling and re-telling the story of salvation in a time-based manner, helps it make better sense.  A liturgical calendar keeps the story on track for us chronologically.

The Church year has three major seasons:  Christmas, Easter, and the Time of the Church (also known as Ordinary Time).  Each section of the year focuses on a single part of the salvation story.  Christmas shares with us the story of how God the Father sent Jesus the Son into the world to be born and to live our humanity (perfectly, of course).  Christmas ends with the onset of Easter, the season that shares the story of what Jesus did for us by dying on the cross and rising again from the dead.  The Time of the Church shares the tale of the Holy Spirit and His work among us in and through Word and Sacrament.  The Church employs various liturgical tools to help in the telling of this story of God and His love for us.

THE TIME OF CHRISTMAS --- Advent

This season, the first of the liturgical year, begins with Advent, a Latin term that means "coming into."  Jesus, the hope of humanity, is coming into the world to save us from the power of sin and death.  During this part of the Church year, we prepare to receive our future Savior.  That preparation includes repentance for our sins, the sins that make the birth of Christ necessary.

Liturgical colors during Advent:  violet

The color of repentance and the color of royalty for our coming King.

Liturgical music during Advent:  omit the "Gloria in Excelsis"

Normally, during our worship service, we sing these words:

Glory be to God on high;  and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.
We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee,
   we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee, for thy great glory.
O Lord God, heavenly king, God the Father Almighty.
O Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.
O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
   that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us.
Thou that takest away the sin of the world, receive our prayer.
Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us.
For thou only are holy;  thou only art the Lord.
Thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost,
   art most high in the glory of God the Father.  Amen.

Because this is the song that Scripture tells us the angels sang at Jesus' birth and because we are waiting for Christ to be born, we withhold this song of praise until Christmas morning.

Special observances or tools during Advent:  the Advent wreath

Advent wreaths have four candles, one for each week in the season leading up to Christmas.  Each Sunday, a candle is lighted, one being added each week, increasing the anticipation of the arrival of our King.  We also look forward to the day when Christ will come again.

Special events during Advent:  midweek worship services

A Liturgical Resource: Introduction

One of my favorite gifts this past Christmas was a book from Concordia Publishing House titled Ordering Our Days in His Peace:  An Introduction to the Christian Church Year by H. R. Curtis.  The dedication just inside just inside the front cover reads:

For the children God has given (and, in accordance with His wishes, will give) to my wife and me, that they may always cherish being a part of God's story.

Now I seriously doubt that, at age 51, my husband and I will be adding to our immediate family, but I do volunteer with a homeschool group, the children from which I sometimes think of as "my kids."  It was for them, and for my own enlightenment, that I put the aforementioned book on my wish list at all.  Being Lutheran, and living (as I do) with a church musician, I have experienced the ordering of my days, as Mr. Curtis puts it, since I was a small child.  Sadly, most of the "Bible church" and Reformed Christians I know don't seem to understand a lot about the liturgical calendar or about the enriched perspective it can bring to life in a hectic culture.  Generally speaking, these folks tend to associate the tradition of following the liturgical calendar with the Catholic Church and, therefore, eschew any involvement with it, oftentimes counting it as non-Biblical or idolatrous.  True on the first count, but many teaching tools that are used in the Church, such as a catechism, are extra-Biblical.  As for idolatrous...well, for me, that is a matter of individual faith and focus.  For one Christian, following the liturgical calendar may become a stumbling block;  for another, it may provide an ordering principle that will help deepen relationships with God and other believers.

So, for those who are interested, I will be posting my notes from Ordering Our Days in His Peace.  Watch for them over the next few days.

Scaffolding Everywhere, Rebuilding the Church

This evening, my daughter had her first solo in a concert at St. Patrick Cathedral in Norwich, CT.  She sings in the Diocesan Choir there, and has for almost six years, so the opportunity to perform alone, even if it was only for eight measures, was much appreciated.  Anyway, when I arrived for the concert, I found this:

Scaffolding in St. Patrick Cathedral

Katherine the Great had warned me that the sanctuary was "full" of scaffolding, and I believed her, but I certainly couldn't imagine what "full" meant.  Well, all I can say is...wow!

After speaking to some of the parishioners at St. Patrick, I was given to understand that all the scaffolding was to support the work of restoring the murals that once graced the ceiling of the church, as seen in this postcard from 1909.

Postcard of St. Patrick Cathedral

According to one concertgoer that I met, the artwork disappeared during the tenure of Pope Paul VI (1963-1978).  The official renovation brochure put out by the diocese merely states that "over the years" the murals were painted over.  No explanation was given me as to why this eradication occurred, but it did, and now it is being undone.

I must admit, not being Catholic and not being a parishioner at St. Patrick, when I first heard that this painting was going to be done and when I first saw the paint tests, I thought it might be a gigantic waste of money to restore the cathedral, money that could be better spent on ministry and outreach.  Then again, the Israelites applied a lot of artistic skill and wealth to the wilderness tabernacle because it was the house of God (see Exodus, Chapters 25-30), so who am I to question the bishop and his plans for the local cathedral?

The ceiling and its murals should be finished by the middle of summer, if not sooner, just in time for the Diamond Jubilee Mass at the end of July 2013.  For now, this is the only glimpse I could get of the actual artwork that, when finished, will depict the life of Christ.

A sneak peek of a mural in St. Patrick Cathedral

To see/read a complete brochure on the cathedral renovation, click here.
To read an article about the Life of Christ murals and to see a rendering of them, click here.

The New Pope and His Effect

The Delivery of the Keys
by Pietro Perugino

Yesterday was an important day in the history of the Church.  The College of Cardinals, meeting in secret conclave, elected the 266th pope, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina, forevermore known to the world as Francis I.  Like the name he chose, his selection represents many firsts:  he is the first Holy Father from South America;  he is the first Jesuit to be elected to the papacy;  he is the first pope in the modern era to be elected after a papal resignation;  and he is the first man to fill the "shoes of the fisherman" who will have a Twitter account from the beginning of his service as head of the Catholic Church.

By many accounts over the past day, Pope Francis I is a humble man who eschews, as often as possible, all the trappings of his high office in the church.  It is reported that, while Cardinal and Archbishop of Buenos Aires, he rejected use of an official limousine and an official residence, opting instead to ride the bus and live in a modest apartment near his parishioners.  It is said that he has personally washed the feet of the faithful during Holy Thursday Mass and that he regularly visits the slums and shantytowns fo Buenos Aires.  It is also reported that he enjoys cooking his own food, drinking a local Argentinean drink known as "mate," and watching soccer.

As the mother of a Protestant who often sings in the Catholic Church (and who sometimes attends Mass as a result), it will be interesting to see if the humility and service of the new Holy Father will trickle down to the parish level.  While Pope Benedict XVI was in charge of the Church, our local Catholics saw changes in their Missal and the type of music that was used at Mass, a return to an older style of worship and the use of more Latin chant.  One of the parishes a few miles east of us even held a Tridentine Reguiem Mass on All Soul's Day.  Since Pope Francis I appears to have a hands-on approach in the practice of his faith, I am curious if the local parish priests will begin to focus on and encourage outreach to the hurting populations in southeastern Connecticut, such as th ehomeless and those affected by unemployment and hunger.

So, as I waited for the results of the Papal Conclave, now I will wait to see what happens to the Catholic Church as she lives and serves under new leadership.

Also of interest:
Slideshow of Pope Francis I
Trading In the Bus for a Butler:  The New Pope's New Lifestyle

Related articles:
The Conclave Meets Soon
The Papal Selection Process

The Papal Selection Process

The Conclave Meets Soon

It was announced on Friday (3/8/2013) that the College of Cardinals would be sequestered in conclave on Tuesday, marking the start of the papal selection process.  Being a Lutheran whose daughter sings in the diocesan choir at a cathedral fifteen minutes from home and performs cantor duties for a local Catholic congregation, I have some interest in keeping up with the current happenings in the Church against which I am supposedly "protesting."  Plus, I just find the whole procedure rather fascinating.

This will be the third time in my life that I have witnessed a conclave, or rather waited for the results of a conclave.  No one but the cardinals themselves is privileged to view the actual selection process.  My first experience was in 1978 with Pope John Paul I.  Sadly, he only lived a month (33 days to be exact).  So, after the fifteen-year tenure of Pope Paul VI (1963-1978), the Church was almost immediately thrown into yet another mourning period and yet another conclave, the result being the selection of Pope John Paul II, a man who became the second longest serving pope in history (and my second time to witness the choosing of a pope).  Due to the sudden demise of Pope John Paul I and the calling of a second conclave so shortly after the first, 1978 is known as the "year of three popes" --- Paul VI, John Paul I, and John Paul II.  In fact, it may be the only year in history since the 16th century to hold such a distinction.

As always, there is speculation about who should be chosen to fill the "shoes of the fisherman."  I have no opinion there.  I figure the Holy Spirit is well suited to the business of selecting the next man to lead the largest church on the planet.  I will be watching for the white smoke, though.  It promises to be an exciting week.  Preliminary meetings will continue on Monday, March 11, 2013.  After that, the wait begins.  Will you be watching?

Also of interest:  Catholics Create 'Virtual Conclave' For New Pope

CORRECTION:  This will actually be the fourth papal conclave that I have witnessed.  Pope John Paul I and Pope John Paul II were in 1978, and Pope Benedict XVI was in 2005.

Why Strip the Altar?

A repost from Gooseberry Lane, 2006.  Hopefully, this will be of help to those who may be either attending or planning Holy Week worship services.
---------------------------

Last night, my daughter and I attended our first Maundy Thursday service at our new church. That seems rather odd as we have been worshiping there for almost a year but, for some reason, Maundy Thursday 2006 was spent elsewhere. Anyway, what I found interesting was this explanation of “stripping the altar” that was included in the service bulletin and read aloud by the pastor at the end of worship. I have been a Lutheran all my life and, frankly, cannot recall ever hearing an explanation of why this activity is included in the Maundy Thursday service. I very much appreciated this information and have decided to share it with you here.

Stripping of the altar (removing all ornaments, linens, and paraments) is an ancient custom of the Church done on Maundy Thursday. It is symbolic of the humiliation of Jesus at the hands of the soldiers.

After the Last Supper, less that 24 hours remained in the earthly life of our Lord. Events moved rapidly: prayer in Gethsemane, betrayal by Judas, arrest, mock trial, painful beating, the trudge to Golgotha and execution.

As His life was stripped from Him, so we strip our altar of the signs of life to symbolize His purposeful, redemptive suffering and death for us. Plants are new life springing forth. In the passion and suffering of Christ, human life ebbs from Him. In recognition of this we remove the palms from our altar.

PALMS ARE REMOVED.

Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness.” The events of Golgotha snuffed out the human life of Jesus, the Light of the world. As even creation was dark when He suffered, so we extinguish our candles and remove them.

CANDLES ARE EXTINGUISHED AND REMOVED.

Our offerings represent one way of serving God and others. They reflect Gods greatest offering to the world and to us in sending His Son, Jesus, in human form. As the offered body of Jesus was removed from sight in burial, so we remove our offerings.

OFFERINGS ARE REMOVED.

The missal stand holds our worship books that guide our worship life together as we sing praises to God. As Jesus suffers, joyous songs are not heard. As these sounds of joy are removed from our lips, we remove the missal stand.

MISSAL STAND AND SERVICE BOOK ARE REMOVED.

Jesus’ offered Body and His shed Blood have been give to us in, with, and under the form of bread and wine in this Holy Mystery. As He was removed from us in the grave, so we remove the elements and vessels of this Sacrament.

COMMUNION VESSELS ARE REMOVED.

Our altar is in the form of a table. It is here where our Lord Jesus serves us as both host and meal at His banquet feast. The coverings and paraments are made of fine linen; material appropriate for feasting with our King. As our King’s body was stripped in crucifixion, so our altar is stripped of its coverings.

ALTAR PARAMENTS ARE REMOVED.

The Paschal Candle is carried from the baptismal font to the rear of the sanctuary where it is extinguished. There is no benediction or postlude at the end of this service, which indicates that the service has not concluded. [Our worship continues on Good Friday.]

My Faith Timeline

Ocean House Chapel, Watch Hill, RI

Yesterday at lunch, after our noon mid-week Lenten service, the guest pastor shared with us the story of how he came to be in the service of Christ.  He went to college to be a sports coach but couldn't get a job.  His friends who were cops encouraged him to join the police force.  He did and served as a law enforcement officer for twenty years.  Retiring from that position, he worked for the Department of Transportation.  After fifteen years as a transportation official, he heard the call to become a pastor.

Now, I don't know about other people, but I like it when my pastors have had "other lives."  It seems to give them a different perspective on faith than those who have come to the pastoral field straight out of the college-seminary track, a different skill set.  That said, I must admit that my current pastor, who to my knowledge followed the traditional college-seminary-clergy track, has a great bead on life, maybe because he is the father of five talented children, the husband of a gifted wife, and is himself a talented singer/performer.  To illustrate:  one son is an actor who recently had a walk-on extra part in an episode of "The Big Bang Theory;"  Mrs. Pastor just published her second book;  and, just about the time we joined the congregation, Pastor portrayed Jesus in a local production of "Godspell."

All this discussion got me thinking about my own faith timeline:

1962  Baptized in the American Lutheran Church
1975  Confirmed in the American Lutheran Church
1982  Participated in Navigators while at college;  attended an LCMS campus chapel
1985  Married a Catholic in the American Lutheran Church
1985-1990  Stayed away from church.  Not sure why.

1990-2005  Member of an ELCA congregation
While at this church, I taught Sunday School using The Divine Drama.  I also explored New Age Spirituality while my husband was a thyroid cancer patient.  When my daughter was three years old, we started attending Bible Study Fellowship together and continued until she was six.  When she was older, I volunteered occasionally with a local Awana program.

2006-2009  Transferred to an LCMS congregation
During this time, I taught Sunday School for a couple of years.

2009-2011  Attended a PCA church with my daughter while she explored Calvinism
2012  Returned to my LCMS congregation

Now that I am back home, so to speak, and my daughter is learning to be a church organist, I spend a lot of time in area Lutheran churches other than my own.  I also visit churches of other denominations if their congregations are in need of a substitute organist.

So, what is your faith timeline?  Where has your faith journey taken you thus far?

A Midweek Lenten Service

This week, we had a second midweek Lenten service at my church.  Since many of my friends attend churches that don't experience this type of worship, I thought I would post the service from this past Wednesday (2/27/2013).  Like the New Year's Eve service, this one was written by my pastor.  His introduction, As We Gather, summarizes the theme of the service.
---------------------------
AS WE GATHER
"The day of the Lord" is a phrase that Amos uses three times within the three verses of Amos 5:18-20.  This day is much like the "day of Jezreel" (Hosea 1:11), "the Day of Midian" (Isaiah 9:4), "the day of Egypt" (Ezekiel 30:9), and "the day of Jerusalem" (Psalm 137:7).  All of these refer to military action;  hence "the day of the Lord" is another way to say "the battle of the Lord."  From events narrated in, e.g., Exodus 14 and Joshua 6-8, Israel was quite certain of what would happen on the Lord's day.  It was a day when He would appear to defeat the nations' enemies.  Amos, however, turns these expectations on their head when he announces that most certainly God will come to defeat His enemies.  The shock, now, is that His enemy has become Israel!  Our only refuge from this day of darkness is to trust in Christ, our Redeemer, who is our Light and our Salvation.

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
We had a guest pastor this week, Reverend Jonathan Liebich, from Christ Lutheran Church in Hebron, CT.  He has visited every Lenten season for the past six years and always brings an updated family photo to share with the congregation.  You see, he missed his first scheduled visit with us six Lenten seasons back because he was at the hospital awaiting the birth of his oldest son.  Pastor Jonathan and his boy celebrated his birthday this morning with donuts (candles added, of course).

INVOCATION (from selected verses in Psalm 27)
Pastor:  Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear;  though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.
Congregation:  The Lord is my light and my salvation;  whom shall I fear?

Pastor:  One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after:  that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.
Congregation:  The Lord is my light and my salvation;  whom shall I fear?

Pastor:  For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble;  he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;  he will lift me high upon a rock.
Congregation:  The Lord is my light and my salvation;  whom shall I fear?

Pastor:  Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;  be gracious to me and answer me!
Congregation:  The Lord is my light and my salvation;  whom shall I fear?

HYMN:  "Rise, My Soul, To Watch and Pray"

CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION (based upon Amos 5:21-24)
Pastor:  Almighty Father, apart from humble repentance you hate and despise our worship and take no delight in our solemn assemblies.
Congregation:  You want justice to roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

Pastor:  When we give our offerings in a perfunctory and lukewarm manner you do not accept them;  and you do not look with favor upon our half-hearted worship.
Congregation:  You want justice to roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

Pastor:  When you hear our shallow singing and duplistic praises, you say, "Take away from me the noise of your songs;  to the melody of your harps I will not listen."
Congregation:  You want justice to roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

Pastor:  Merciful Father, we are guilty of having the outward form of godliness, but inside we harbor pettiness and vindictiveness.  We confess it, renounce it, and disown it, trusting that you will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every stain of evil.  We place our hope in Christ's atoning blood.

(A brief time for personal confession and meditation)

Pastor:  By the command of our Lord Jesus Christ, I, a called and ordained servant of Christ, forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Congregation:  Amen.

FIRST LESSON:  Amos 5:18-24

Pastor:  O Lord, have mercy on us.
Congregation:  Thanks by to God.

GOSPEL LESSON:  John 12:27-36

Pastor:  O Lord, have mercy on us.
Congregation:  Thanks by to God.

APOSTLE'S CREED
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He ascended into Hell.
The third day He rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Christian Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.  Amen.

HYMN:  "Renew Me, O Eternal Light"

SERMON:  "This is the Night the Lord Has Made"  (Amos 5:18)

OFFERING

PRAYERS
Pastor:  Heavenly Father, we pray for your Holy Christian Church, scattered throughout the world, that you will empower all the baptized to cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light for if we walk in the light, as you are in the light, 
Congregation:  We have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

Pastor:  Father, we pray for all pastors and teachers of the Gospel, that their lights would shine brightly as their lives testify to the truth they teach for if we walk in the light, as you are in the light,
Congregation:  We have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

Pastor:  Lord, empower our nation's leaders to be instruments of justice and righteousness, so that your Church may live in peace and tranquility as it lifts high the cross and proclaims the love of Christ, for as we walk in the light, as you are in the light,
Congregation:  We have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

Pastor:  Tender Father, shower your compassion upon all who walk in darkness and in the valley of the shadow of death.  Heal the sick, comfort those who mourn, and bind up the brokenhearted.  Use us to restore all that is dark, for if we walk in the light as you are in the light,
Congregation:  We have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

Pastor:  O God, give us grace to follow Jesus, the Light of the world, and in following him keep us steadfast and immovable, always abounding in your work, for if we walk in the light, as you are in the light,
Congregation:  We have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

LORD'S PRAYER

BLESSING

CLOSING HYMN:  "I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light"

For Whom Does the Church Exist?

Calvary Church, Stonington, CT

Yesterday afternoon, while talking to a Christian homeschooling parent about whether our struggling support group should remain exclusive (i.e., admit only those who agree with a statement of faith) or whether we should make it more accessible to all homeschoolers, I encountered this, which is not a direct quote:

Would you let unbelievers into your church where they can influence others with their non-Christian ideas?

As a practicing Lutheran, I was so astonished by this question, I could not think of a response.  Why?  Because one of the strategies for evangelism in my denomination is to bring people to church where they can hear the Word of God preached and taught.  An even better situation:  someone willingly enters the church because they are seeking God.  In this latter case, no one had to do any work to get them there;  they arrived on their own.  Why, then, would I turn them away, or prevent them from entering in the first place?  At that point, they are fair game for the unfettered teaching and preaching of the Word because, forgive the analogy, like prey in a spider web, they trapped themselves.

Which brings me to my question:  for whom does the church exist?  Is it only for those of us who already profess faith in Christ?  Or is it for believer and unbeliever alike, the believer to teach and witness and the unbeliever to learn and come to faith?  The former implies that the church is the body of believers and the Church is exclusively for those people, which makes me wonder about the importance of the Great Commission.  The latter, on the other hand, recognizes that the church is the body of believers and the Church has the job of evangelizing both within it's walls and without.

Can someone please explain this to me?!  I thought church and Church were about loving God and loving your neighbor.

The Epiphany Story: Read the Bible

On this day, according to the liturgical calendar, the Christian Church commemorates the visit of the wise men to the Christ Child.  Some, like Lutherans, call the day Epiphany;  others, like the Orthodox Church, celebrate Christmas.  Whichever label you use, the fact is that the account of this call on Jesus' household by the magi is recorded only once in Scripture, in the Gospel of Matthew:

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?  For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him."  When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.  Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.  They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea;  for this is what has been written by the prophet:

'And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah;
For out of you shall come forth a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel.'"

Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared.  And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the Child;  and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him."  After hearing the king, they went their way;  and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was.  When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.  After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother, and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him.  Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.
--- Matthew 2:1-12 (NASB)

Looking closely at these words, we learn the following about the magi and their trip:

- they arrive after the birth of Christ in Bethlehem;
- they arrive during the reign of King Herod;
- they hail from the East;
- they go to Jerusalem;
- the purpose of their journey is to find and worship the Child who was born King of the Jews;
- they find their way to Jerusalem by following a star;
- their mission (to find the Christ Child) troubles Herod and all Jerusalem;
- Herod consults the chief priests and scribes about the Messiah's prophesied birthplace;
- Herod secretly consults with the magi to determine the time frame for the Messiah's birth;
- Herod dispatches the magi to search for the Christ Child;
- Herod asks the magi to report back to him per the location of the Christ Child;
- the magi continue on their way, following the star until they find Jesus and His family;
- Jesus and His mother, Mary, are residing in a house;
- upon locating the Christ Child, the magi worship Him and present Him with gifts;
- the magi present gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh;
- the magi are warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, prompting their departure home.

Now let's compare this information with what I gleaned from an article in the Latino Voices section of the Huffington Post, an article that came to my attention yesterday through the Facebook posting of a friend.  Quoting from the aforementioned source:

According to the Gospel of Matthew, the men found the divine child by following the North Star across the desert for twelve days to Bethlehem.  Melchoir, Caspar, and Balthazar --- representing Europe, Arabia, and Africa respectively --- traveled by horse, camel, and elephant in order to present baby Jesus with three symbolic gifts.

It should be clear from reading the above passage of Scripture that errors were made in the HuffPo article:

- the North Star is nowhere mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew;
- the length of the journey taken by the magi is not mentioned in the Gospel reading;
- crossing the desert, especially in twelve days, goes unmentioned;
- the number of wise men is not given;
- the ethnicity or nationality of the wise men is not mentioned;
- Scripture is silent on the types of animals that were used to travel to Jerusalem an Bethlehem.

The only remotely correct information in the above-quoted paragraph was the reference to the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh being symbolic.  This is true.

GOLD.  Commonly understood to be a gift fit for a king.  It is a symbol of kingship on earth.  Gold can
also symbolize virtue.

FRANKINCENSE.  A perfume spice often considered symbolic of divinity or deity.  Frankincense can also represent incense that is burned as an offering to God, or prayer.

MYRRH.  Used as anointing or embalming oil, myrrh is symbolic of mortality and death.  It can also represent suffering and sacrifice.

Let's face it, much of what we actually know about the visit of the wise men is tradition, narratives that have been around so long the average layperson rarely remembers where the tales came from or if they are factually true.  They make great teaching tools for children and make for beautiful holiday rituals.  These "stories," if you will, perform these functions so well because they stick to what I like to call the "plausibly miraculous."  They aren't so far-fetched as to be comical, yet they clearly communicate the miracle of God in sending His Son to live among us and in leading the wise men to greet our Lord and Savior.  They also don't use modern-day references, like the North Star, or patently false information, like elephants as a mode of transportation, and attribute these things to an easily verifiable Gospel story.

2013 Epiphany lesson:  if you plan to tell the story of the magi to your children, keep it simple.  Don't embellish.  Stick with the real Gospel of Matthew and allow their imaginations to fill in the blanks.  There will be plenty of time, as they grow to adulthood, to discuss the inconsistencies with tradition.  For now, just enjoy reading the Bible with your kids.