Pres. Harrison on the Southern Storms

Friday with Fisk

Greek Tuesday

In case you haven't heard by now . . .

Easter Divine Service at ULC a couple of days ago - evidently, this is not "missional" enough and the chapel needs to be sold

the "Campus Ministry Property Task Force" of the Minnesota South (MNS) District of the LC-MS unveiled a plan last week, the keystone of which is to sell the two campus properties it owns at the University of Minnesota (ULC) and Mankato State University (CLC).  The plan was unveiled on Holy Tuesday, which brought back for many of us the horrific memories we have of the events which took place on Holy Tuesday a few years back, in 2008, when "Issues, Etc." was suddenly canceled and its host, Pr. Todd Wilken, and producer, Mr. Jeff Schwarz, were both terminated, and the archives of the show were suddenly taken down from the KFUO website, as if it never existed - all done "in the dark" and without explanation to our church body.  I still remember the creepiness I felt that day, and the utter shame I felt to belong to a church body that would act in this fashion, and during Holy Week, no less.  And now, this move by the MNS District has brought back that feeling of creepiness and shame.  Sad.

One of the lessons I've learned from both of these tragic and sad Holy Tuesday events is that "missional leaders" (whatever the heck they are!) must not be all that in to Holy Week, which is supposed to be the most important week in the Church Year for Christians.  I assume that the members of this Task Force identify themselves as "missional leaders," since the Mission Statement of the MNS District is:  "Developing missional leaders in congregations and schools," and it would seem odd, indeed, to appoint members to this Task Force who were not "missional leaders" themselves. 

A few other things I have learned about "missional leaders" from these events is that a) Open and Transparent Communication = Obfuscation and Confidentiality; b) Word and Sacrament Ministry is ineffective and must be replaced with better, more relevant "mission" strategies; c) Confessional Lutheran theology must give way to Americanized, "Evangelical" theology; d) The modus operandi is that the end justifies the means, and the best way to justify the means to the end they desire is to make it seem like it's all about finances, even when anyone with a calculator and an elementary school-level education in math can see otherwise; e) The Office of the Holy Ministry is replaced by the assertion that "everyone is a 'minister.'"  And much else.

Anyway, this year's "Holy Tuesday Treachery" was quickly brought to light by Pr. David Kind and those involved in the virtually self-supportive University Lutheran Chapel (ULC), where confessional, faithful, Lutheran theology is put into practice (which, evidently, is the opposite of "missional"), and where a vibrant congregation of God's children faithfully gather around His Holy Word and Sacraments (which, evidently, is also the opposite of "missional").  I am thankful that Pr. Kind not only refused to comply with the request to keep this matter confidential, but also rebuffed DP Seitz's appeal to 1 Cor. 14 to make the case that "good order" required continued confidentiality by pointing out to him that "good order" never means doing things under the cover of darkness.  Amen to that, brother!

You can read all about the goings on in this matter at the Save the ULC page on the ULC website, where all the pertinent documents are posted for your perusal and study.  I encourage everyone to raise their voices in opposition to the actions proposed by the secret Task Force of the MSN District.

You can read what others are saying about this here, here, and here.  You can also join the "Save the ULC" Facebook page here.   

Best. Conspiracy. Ever.

I still think "Paul's Baptism Oopsie" is the best Lutheran Satire episode, but this one gives that one a run for its money. Enjoy!  ("Shut your pie-hole, fisherman!" - hilarious!:)

The Origin of the Easter Sunrise Service

We've Crossed the Rubicon

An OUTSTANDING POST by one of my favorite pastors, Pr. David Reed, over at his blog, which begins with these words:

The baptism of a Christian brings life where there was only death before. Baptism is resurrection. Baptism is Easter. Baptism is our entrance into the very kingdom of heaven.

It gets better from there - full of Gospel Goodness!  Read the rest here.  And, while you're over there, be sure to check out the last couple months' worth of excellent posts, all of which are wonderfully written, thoroughly Christ-centered, and dripping with the Blood of the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world.  

Great to have . . .

the whole family together for Easter (and to have Brendan and Brianna with us, too!): 

The Fast Is Over! Let Us Feast! - Part 3

What a beautiful Feast of the Resurrection of Our Lord this morning!  Sarah and our wonderful choir kicked things off with the Call to Worship:  "Christians to the Paschal Victim" (LSB 460).  Then the Easter Proclamation, shouted with great joy, followed by the Processional Hymn "Jesus Christ Is Risen Today" (LSB 457).  To hear a packed house belting out the liturgy and hymnody is always such a treat.  After the Confession and Absolution, Kyrie, This Is the Feast, and Collect of the Day, we heard the faithful confession of Job:  "I know my Redeemer lives . . . in my flesh I shall see God!"  Then, the Anthem, "He's Risen, He's Risen" (LSB 480), with our children singing stanzas 2 and 4.  Then, St. Paul told us about the mystery, when we shall all be changed in the twinkling of an eye and our perishable and mortal bodies will put on the imperishable and immortal (1 Cor. 15:51-57).  Then, the Gospel Procession during the Alleluia and Verse and St. John's account of Mary Magdalene's encounter with our Risen Lord, and her Easter Proclamation to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord" (John 20:1-18).  Then, we confessed our faith in the words of the Nicene Creed (nice to have that back after confessing the Apostles' Creed throughout Lent).  Then, the Hymn of the Day - "Christ Jesus Lay in Death's Strong Bands" (LSB 458) - beautiful!  Then, the sermon (listen below), and after the sermon, the Choral Response - "Alleluia, Christ Is Risen."  Then, the Prayers and Offering, during which Roger treated us to "The Angel Cried."  Then came the Lamb's High Feast, as we partook of His very Body and Blood in the Holy Eucharist (Distribution Hymns:  "At the Lamb's High Feast We Sing" (LSB 633); "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" (LSB 460); "Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain" (LSB 487); "Make Songs of Joy" (LSB 484).  And, finally, the Recessional Hymn, "Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds" (LSB 465).

Great Divine Service.  The Lord is GOOD!  And . . . He IS RISEN!  He IS RISEN INDEED!

The Sermon:

The Fast Is Over! Let Us Feast! - Part 2

A few pics of our sanctuary adorned for the Paschal Feast, with our beautiful new Paschal Candle front and center:

The Fast Is Over! Let Us Feast!

Some pics from our Easter Breakfast (yeah, I know, I should have taken pics before we dug in, but, hey, at least I remembered to take some :):

Abby enjoying her first Easter - what a smile!

Benjamin looking pretty dapper!

Mabel is pretty in pink for her first Easter!

Easter Matins

A small group at Matins this morning, but a most joyous way to begin this glorious Easter day nonetheless!  After speaking Matins all week, it was pure joy to sing it this morning.  St. John Chrysostom, a.k.a. "Golden Mouth," served as our preacher this morning.  Here is the Responsory (Easter) and the Homily (Propers used are listed below):


Psalm:  Ps. 139:1-2a, 8, 10; antiphon:  Ps. 139:18b, 5b, 6
Office Hymn:  LSB 475 "Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing"
Old Testament Reading:  Isaiah 25:6-9
New Testament Reading:  1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Easter Blessing from our President

Easter Vigil Joys

New fire.  New Paschal Candle.  Processing into the darkened nave by candlelight.  Roger singing the Exsultet as beautifully as it can be sung (worth the price of admission right there - oh, wait, this Feast is FREE!).  The Creation.  Thy Strong Word.  The Flood.  Israel's Deliverance through the Red Sea.  The Song of Moses and Israel.  The Fiery Furnace.  All You Works of God, Bless the Lord.  The Remembrance of Holy Baptism and Renewal of Vows AND the Holy Baptism of Savannah and Farrah.  The Resurrection Litany.  The Easter Proclamation in concert with all the lights being turned on.  This is the Feast.  Mark 16:1-8 - "HE IS NOT HERE!  HE IS RISEN!"  The Homily.  Holy, Holy, Holy.  The Verba.  Our Lord's Body and Blood.  Our Paschal Lamb, That Sets Us Free.  And after, an absolutely WONDERFUL Champagne Reception with the most delicious stuffed mushrooms and meatballs and sandwiches and veggies and desserts and a chocolate tower with fruit.   

Yep, overflowing joys - gotta LOVE the Vigil!  The only bummer is that I didn't take a single picture of the the awesome spread at the Reception. :(  I told myself all day not to forget to do that and, lo and behold, I did.  I guess I was just too excited to get out there and enjoy the festivities with my dear brothers and sisters in Christ.  I did, however, remember to have some pics taken of our newly Baptized members, Savannah and Farrah, and their family:

 

 The Homily:

Looking forward to Matins, Breakfast, and the Feast of Our Lord's Glorious Resurrection in the morning.  Better get to bed . . .

A Couple More Pics . . .

of our sanctuary adorned with our new black paraments, this time with chalice veil and a ready-for-Mass credence table:

Holy Saturday Divine Service

Introit:  Ps. 88:1, 6-7, 9b; antiphon: Ps. 88:3

My soul is full of troubles,

     and my life draws near to Sheol.

O Lord, God of my salvation;

     I cry out day and night before you.

You have put me in the depths of the pit,

     in the regions dark and deep.

Your wrath lies heavy upon me,

     and you overwhelm me with all your waves.

Every day I call upon you, O Lord;

     I spread out my hands to you.

My soul is full of troubles,

     and my life draws near to Sheol.

Collect of the Day:

O God, creator of heaven and earth, grant that as the crucified body of Your dear Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, so we may await with Him the coming of the third day, and rise with Him to newness of life, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Old Testament Reading:  Daniel 6:1-24

Gradual:  Heb. 9:12a, c, 15a; Ps. 111:9a

[Christ] entered once for all into the holy places, by means of his own blood,

     thus securing an eternal redemption.

Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant,

     so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance.

He sent redemption to his people;

     he has commanded his covenant forever.

Epistle:  1 Peter 4:1-8

Holy Gospel:  Matthew 27:57-66

The Homily:

Holy Saturday Matins

Audio of Matins this morning (Propers used are posted below - Note: The Opening Versicles and beginning of the Venite are missing, because the idiot in charge of the recorder forgot to press the button before we began - and, yes, I am that idiot! :)

Psalm:  Psalm 16 (antiphon: v. 10)
Office Hymn: LSB 564 "Christ Sits at God's Right Hand" (stanza 2)
Readings:  Lamentations 5:1-22; Hebrews 7:1-22
Responsory:

P  Our Shepherd, the source of the water of life, has died.  The sun was darkened when He passed away.

C  Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name.

P  He has destroyed the barricades of hell and overthrown the  sovereignty of the devil.

C  Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name.

P  But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

C  Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name.

The Writing (Instruction) is from Ephraim Syrus (see today's Writing in Treasury of Daily Prayer)

New Black Paraments

Thanks to an anonymous donation from a generous member, we now have a beautiful black superfrontal with matching chalice veil and bookmark to adorn our sanctuary for Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.  Here are a few pics (I'll get one with the chalice veil before our Holy Saturday Divine Service tomorrow morning):

Good Friday Tenebrae

A beautiful ending to our Good Friday observance this evening!  We began with Matins this morning, moved on to Divine Service at Noon, then our Brief Devotion at the Sacred Hour at 3:00 p.m., and capped it off with Tenebrae this evening.  So much Gospel goodness packed into one very special Day; almost wish it didn't have to come to an end.  But, of course, then we wouldn't be able to move on to the immense joys of the Vigil and Festival of the Resurrection of Our Lord.  So looking forward to those Services!  And, we're blessed this year to have two Baptisms during the Vigil tomorrow night, so onward we go . . .

The Good Friday Tenebrae Homily

(Based largely on a homily by one of my favorite preachers, Pr. William Weedon) 

Devotion at the Sacred Hour

Here is audio of the short devotion we held at 3:00 p.m. this afternoon - the hour our Lord Jesus Christ gave up His spirit.  The batteries in my digital voice recorder went dead just as we were finishing our devotion, so the Kyrie at the end is not included.  Below the audio is the text of the devotion (sorry for the formatting issues, but it'll just have to do).

Devotion at the Sacred Hour

P     In the name of the Father and of the T  Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C     Amen.

P     The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the 27th chapter.

C     Glory to You, O Lord. 

P  “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, ‘This man is calling Elijah.’  And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink.  But the others said, ‘Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.’  And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.” (Matt. 27:45-50)

P This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C Praise to You, O Christ.

P Our Father who art in heaven,

C      hallowed by Thy name,

     Thy kingdom come,

     Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven;

     give us this day our daily bread;

     and forgive us our trespasses

          as we forgive those who trespass against us;

     and lead us not into temptation,

     but deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory

     forever and ever.  Amen.

P Lord Jesus Christ, You became Incarnate to die on the Cross for our sins.  Therefore, with the angel Gabriel, we proclaim:

C Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.  Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.  Amen.

P Holy Spirit, You have gifted us with the faith to confess:

C 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 descended 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 T everlasting.  Amen.

P Blessed Lord Jesus Christ, at this hour You hung upon the cross, stretching out Your loving arms to embrace the world in Your death.  Grant that all people of the earth may look to you and see their salvation; for Your mercy’s sake,

C hear our prayer. 

P Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,

C have mercy on me, a sinner.

P Lord Jesus Christ, Eternal Word of the Father,

C have mercy on me, a sinner.

P Lord Jesus Christ, the Word through Whom all things were made,

C have mercy on me, a sinner.

P Lord Jesus Christ, foretold by the prophets in signs and words,

C have mercy on me, a sinner.

P Lord Jesus Christ, in the fullness of time conceived by the Holy Spirit,

C have mercy on me, a sinner.

P Lord Jesus Christ, born of the Holy Virgin Mary,

C have mercy on me, a sinner.

P Lord Jesus Christ, hymned by the angels,

C have mercy on me, a sinner.

P Lord Jesus Christ, adored by the shepherds,

C have mercy on me, a sinner.

P Lord Jesus Christ, worshipped by the Magi from the east,

C have mercy on me, a sinner.

P Lord Jesus Christ, held by St. Simeon,

C have mercy on me, a sinner.

P Lord Jesus Christ, praised by St. Anna,

C have mercy on me, a sinner.

P Lord Jesus Christ, obedient to Your parents,

C have mercy on me, a sinner.

P Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to a sinner’s Baptism,

C have mercy on me, a sinner.

P Lord Jesus Christ, fasting in the wilderness,

C have mercy on me, a sinner.

P Lord Jesus Christ, driving out demons,

C have mercy on me, a sinner.

P Lord Jesus Christ, cleansing the lepers,

C have mercy on me, a sinner.

P Lord Jesus Christ, giving sight to the blind and hearing to the deaf,

C have mercy on me, a sinner.

P Lord Jesus Christ, teaching the precepts of the Kingdom,

C have mercy on me, a sinner.

P Lord Jesus Christ, raising the dead,

C have mercy on me, a sinner.

P Lord Jesus Christ, walking on water and changing water into wine,

C have mercy on me, a sinner.

P Lord Jesus Christ, praised by the little children,

C have mercy on me, a sinner.

P Lord Jesus Christ, riding into Your city as the Sacrifice appointed,

C have mercy on me, a sinner.

P Lord Jesus Christ, giving Your Body and Blood as Food and Drink,

C have mercy on me, a sinner.

P Lord Jesus Christ, praying in the Garden,

C have mercy on me, a sinner.

P Lord Jesus Christ, bound and mocked,

C have mercy on me, a sinner.

P Lord Jesus Christ, stripped and beaten,

C have mercy on me, a sinner.

P Lord Jesus Christ, innocently condemned to death,

C have mercy on me, a sinner.

P Lord Jesus Christ, opening Your hands upon the Cross to embrace the world,

C have mercy on me, a sinner.

P Lord Jesus Christ, knowing the loneliness of our exile and our sin,

C have mercy on me, a sinner.

P Lord Jesus Christ, trampling down death by death,

C have mercy on me, a sinner.

P Lord Jesus Christ, pouring forth water and blood to save the world,

C have mercy on me, a sinner.

P Lord Jesus Christ, sanctifying our graves by lying in the tomb,

C have mercy on me, a sinner.

P Lord Jesus Christ, harrowing hell and releasing the prisoners,

C have mercy on me, a sinner.

P Lord Jesus Christ, rising in victory over death and corruption,

C have mercy on me, a sinner.

P Lord Jesus Christ, appearing to the disciples in the broken bread,

C have mercy on me, a sinner.

P Lord Jesus Christ, ascending in triumph,

C have mercy on me, a sinner.

P Lord Jesus Christ, seated at the right hand of the Father,

C have mercy on me, a sinner.

P Lord Jesus Christ, High Priest who ever lives to intercede for us,

C have mercy on me, a sinner.

P Lord Jesus Christ, coming on the clouds of glory to renew all things,

C have mercy on me, a sinner.

P Lord Jesus Christ, dread Judge at the Last Day,

C have mercy on me, a sinner.

P Lord Jesus Christ, Eternal Light of the Everlasting Kingdom to come,

C have mercy on me, a sinner.

P Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,

C have mercy on me, a sinner.

P Eternal Father in heaven, we praise You for the gift of Your Son, who accomplished the salvation of the world by His Holy, Innocent, Bitter Sufferings and Death on the Cross.  Bless our devotion at this Sacred Hour.  For the sake of Your Son’s Sorrowful Passion,

C have mercy on us and on the whole world.

P By the Holy, Sinless Life He lived in our place,

C clothe us with His Holiness and Righteousness.

P By the water which gushed forth from His side on the Cross,

C fill our Baptismal fonts and cleanse us from all sin.

P By the Body He gave and the Blood He shed on the Cross,

C feed us with forgiveness and strengthen our faith.

P By His constant intercession at Your right hand,

C protect us from all harm and lead us to eternal life.

P For the sake of His Sorrowful Passion,

C have mercy on us and on the whole world.

Brief silence for personal meditation on Christ’s Passion

P We implore You, O Father, that Your abundant blessing may be upon Your people who have held the Passion and Death of Your Son in devout remembrance, that we may receive Your pardon and the gift of Your comfort, and may increase in faith and take hold of eternal salvation; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. 

C Amen.

P For the sake of His Sorrowful Passion,

C have mercy on us and on the whole world.

C Lord, have mercy.  Christ, have mercy.  Lord, have mercy.

Amen.  Amen.  Amen.

You may remain as long as you like to prayerfully meditate upon our Lord’s Holy and Sorrowful Passion.  When you depart, please do so in silence.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Good Friday Divine Service

Audio of Good Friday Noon Service:

(Note:  The opening liturgy is not included; the audio picks up at the Homilies on Christ's Seven Words and runs for the rest of the Service.  Note #2:  The Homilies on Christ's Seven Words are based largely upon those written and preached by the late Rev. Fr. Kenneth Korby)

O Sacred Head Now Wounded

Good Friday Matins

Audio from Matins this morning (Propers used are listed below):

Psalm:  Psalm 31 (antiphon: v. 1)
Office Hymn: LSB 798 "The God of Abraham Praise" (stanza 4)
Readings:  Lamentations 4:1-22; Hebrews 6:1-20
Responsory:

P    He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.

C    He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

P    He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth.

C    He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

P    He poured out His soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors.

C    He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

The Writing (Instruction) is from Athanasius of Alexandria (see today's Writing in Treasury of Daily Prayer)

Holy (Maundy) Thursday Divine Service - Evening

What an absolutely beautiful Holy (Maundy) Thursday Divine Service tonight!  We began by Processing in to "O Dearest Jesus, What Law Hast Thou Broken" (stanzas 1-5; we sang stanzas 6-10 as the first Distribution Hymn and stanzas 11-15 as the Closing Hymn).  Then, we had Corporate Confession and Absolution wherein the penitents came and knelt at the altar to be absolved individually and by name.  We continued with the Introit, Kyrie, and Gloria.  Always great to resurrect the Gloria on Holy Thursday!  Then, the Salutation and Collect of the Day (same as at Noon - one of my favorite collects of the year) and onto the Readings from God's Holy Word, beginning with the Old Testament Reading (Exodus 24:3-11 - verse 11b "they beheld God, and ate and drank" is a sermon all in itself), then the Gradual (Ps. 111:4-5; Isaiah 52:15), the Epistle (1 Corinthians 11:23-32 - must to discern the Body!), the Lenten Verse (from DS 1, the Order we followed this evening), and finally the Holy Gospel (John 13:1-15, 34-35).  We confessed our faith in the words of the Apostles' Creed (we use that throughout Lent; the Nicene returns at Easter), and sang the Hymn of the Day ("O Lord, We Praise Thee" - man, I love that hymn!).  Then, the Sermon (I concentrated this year on Jesus' response to St. Peter:  "If I do not wash you, you have no share with Me").  After the Sermon, we prepared ourselves for the reception of our Lord's Body and Blood in the Sacrament by running through Dr. Luther's "Christian Questions with Their Answers."  Then, the Prayer of the Church and Service of the Sacrament (is it me, or is the Proper Preface for Holy Week the best in the Church Year?  Gonna miss it when we put it to rest after Holy Saturday Divine Service).  Then, the Nunc Dimittis, Post-Communion Collect, and Closing Hymn.  No Benediction.  We'll not hear the Benediction until the conclusion of the Easter Vigil.  Then, the dramatic conclusion to the Service with the Stripping of the Altar while Psalm 22 is read and eerie music is heard in the background - always a very moving ceremony!

As I said, absolutely beautiful!  The Lord is good!  It's our looooooongest Divine Service of the year, but one of the most special at the same time.  Love it!  Now, onto Good Friday . . .

The Homily: