Second Sunday in Advent (Populus Zion)

Collect of the Day

Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of Your only-begotten Son, that by His coming we may be enabled to serve You with pure minds; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

Hymn of the Day:  LSB 333 "Once He Came in Blessing"
 

Once He came in blessing,

All our sins redressing;

Came in likeness lowly,

Son of God most holy;

Bore the cross to save us;

Hope and freedom gave us.

Now He gently leads us;

With Himself He feeds us

Precious food from heaven,

Pledge of peace here given,

Manna that will nourish

Souls that they may flourish.

Soon will come that hour

When with mighty power

Christ will come in splendor

And will judgment render,

With the faithful sharing

Joy beyond comparing.

Come, then, O Lord Jesus,

From our sins release us.

Keep our hearts believing,

That we, grace receiving,

Ever may confess You

Till in heav'n we bless You. 

In case you haven't heard yet . . .

Higher Things is pleased to announce that it has been granted Recognized Service Organization (RSO) status by The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. As an RSO, Higher Things is officially recognized as an organization whose mission, ministry and programs are consistent with the confessional standards of the LCMS and in harmony with the programs of the Synod while retaining its independence and self-governance. We believe that RSO status will enhance Higher Things' ability to serve the youth of our Synod with the fullness of our liturgical and confessional heritage.

We would like to thank the Synod's Board for District and Congregational Services and its chairman David Bruns for their hard work and support. We are also greatly appreciative to Rev. Herbert C. Mueller for his sponsorship and support.

We look forward to yet greater opportunities to assist parents, congregations and pastors in cultivating and promoting a Lutheran identity among youth through conferences, retreats, publications and the internet. Dare to be Lutheran!

Higher Things Board of Directors
www.higherthings.org

I'm geeked about . . .

winning the Issues, Etc. Bundle Pack this week for best vote during Soundbite of the Week.  Was a little under the weather the last couple of days, so I spent a lot of time behind the computer getting some much needed work done, and was also able to listen to IE live the last couple of days, which is something I don't get to do as often as I'd like.  Usually, I'll listen to the previous day's broadcast later at night, as I'm winding down from a long day (so glad the folks at IE love their on demand listeners).  Anyway, I played Soundbite of the Week yesterday by sending in my vote via email and was thrilled to hear Pr. Wilken announce my vote as the winner - very cool!  Can't wait to receive my "I Have Issues" t-shirt and other goodies!  You can listen to the segment here:

Where are the Liturgical Nazis?

I hear about them all the time, these Liturgical Nazis.  Where are they?  Who are they?  They sound like a downright mean bunch of dudes.  It is said that they demand full compliance to every jot and tittle of their preferred liturgical rubrics and rites.  They are described as those who have absolutely no love for the lost and, thus, no desire to share the Gospel with anyone beyond their own immediate circles.  They are referred to as crass legalists, who have no sense whatsoever of the freedom of the Gospel.  From what I've heard, they are so adamant about their liturgical ideology that they claim that anyone who does anything differently from them is blaspheming the Lord.  Evidently, for these rogues, it is their way or the highway - period!  There's even stories about them which suggest that if the Celebrant does not hold his fingers in the proper liturgical manner, they do not believe a valid Mass has been held.  These are obviously some seriously misguided and disturbed guys.

But, where are they?  Who are they?  As much as these Liturgical Nazis are mentioned in conversations around the blogosphere, one would think that they would be easily identifiable.  But, try as I might, I cannot seem to locate any of them.  I'm beginning to wonder if they even exist.  I mean, I know lots of faithful, confessional Lutheran pastors who take the liturgy seriously, but not a one who belongs to the ranks of these Liturical Nazis.

Could it be that this is nothing more than a myth?  Maybe it's simply propaganda put out by those who have no use for the liturgy and detest those who take it seriously.  I'm sure there have been cases where pastors have taken their liturgicality (I think I just coined a new term) too seriously and have made bad decisions as a result.  I'm also sure there have been cases where pastors have introduced new (usually, old, but new to the congregation) liturgical practices too quickly and without a healthy dose of catechesis or explanation.  But, those who are wont to use "Liturgical Nazi" are not talking about this or that bad example of pastoral care.  They use it in a way that suggests that there is a whole group of these Liturgical Nazis running rampant in our synod.  Funny, they can't ever seem to pin one down.  When asked to point these Liturgical Nazis out, they won't (probably because they can't).  Instead, they'll just go on assuring all of us that they exist and that they're bad news for our synod.

I sure would like to meet one someday, though.  I think it would be fascinating to sit down and talk with one.  Perhaps, someday, those who are so adamant about their existence will finally identify a real, live Liturgical Nazi for us.  Until then, I'm inclined to believe that I'll have a better shot at seeing this in my lifetime:

or this:

   

Two-Year Reading of the Day

Today's Reading (Week 1 - Saturday):  Genesis 11:1-12:9

Two-Year Reading of the Day

Today's Reading (Week 1 - Friday):  Genesis 9:1-10:32

It's Called Christmas With a Capital "C"

I'm thinking about using the song in the video below as the Hymn of the Day this Sunday.  What do you think? :) 

Seriously, the whole "Merry Christmas" vs. "Happy Holidays" thing is annoying, but it's not gonna change, and it's not worth getting all worked up over, especially when the sad reality is that you will not see many of those who do get worked up over it in church for Christ-MASS. 

I remember talking to a friend about this a few years ago.  She was so upset that her small town was ordered to remove the Nativity Scene from in front of their city hall.  She went on and on about how terrible it is that the world has hi-jacked Christmas and does its very best to get the "Christ" out of the "Holidays."  She ranted and raved for about 10 minutes on the phone about this.  When she gave me an opening, I asked, "So, when does your church hold Services on Christmas?"  She said, "You know, I'm not sure.  I haven't been there in a while."  I replied, "Exactly."  There was a healthy pause on the phone as she digested that, and when it finally clicked, she came back with, "Ooooh, I hate you!" (she doesn't really hate me, she just hated that I pointed out her hypocrisy).  This led into a nice discussion, which even resulted in her attending Church that Christmas.

Anyway, here's the video (HT: Sharyn G.) - it's got a good beat and you can dance to it - enjoy!
 

Two-Year Reading of the Day

Today's Reading (Week 1 - Thursday):  Genesis 6:9-8:22

Death Sentence Sermon

Seeing as how I haven't had a chance to offer thoughts or notes on the daily readings from the TLSB Two-Year Plan yet, I thought I would link to this excellent post by Pastor David Reed, a brother in my circuit for whom I have a great deal of respect and admiration, which focuses on the first Gospel promise in Scripture (Gen. 3:15 - part of our reading from yesterday), and wonderfully explains how the "the first Advent sermon was a death sentence" - Great Stuff! 

How's that for an awkward, run-on sentence?  I feel a bit like St. Paul right now (let the reader understand) - :)

Two-Year Reading of the Day

Today's Reading (Week 1 - Wednesday):  Genesis 4:1-6:8

The "Worship Wars" Are Over!

Pop that cork on the champagne!  Get out the streamers!  Take the message to the streets!  O Happy Day, the "Worship Wars" are over!

Don't believe me, click here to read the recently released "Jesus First" article written by David Luecke.  He contends that the unanimous adoption by the LCMS Council of Presidents (COP) of their "Theses on Worship" is proof that the "Worship Wars" are over.  I guess what he's trying to say is that since the COP has put out a few theses, the whole synod must now magically be in agreement on worship.

What Luecke really means to suggest is that the "Jesus First" side of our synod has been victorious in their endeavor to legitimize methabapticostal forms and styles of worship in our synod, and that anyone who would fight against this is engaging in an exercise of futility.  "The 'Worship Wars' are over, and WE WON," is what Luecke is really saying.

This reminds me of the first Iraq war in the early 90s, when Saddam Hussein would go on the radio and declare to his nation, and to the world, that his armies were severely defeating the infidels from America, even while thousands of his troops were laying down their weapons and surrendering daily.  

So, maybe we should keep the champagne on ice and put the streamers away for the time being.  The "Worship Wars" are far from over.  As long as there is a contingent in our synod that believes that we Lutherans can "worship" like methabapticostals and somehow retain our Lutheran identity, the fight will rage on.  Who, exactly, has waived the white flag of surrender, anyway?  If anything, this declaration of victory by "Jesus First" will only serve to rally the troops on the other side and cause an escalation in the ongoing "War."

But, let them dream their dreams . . .  

Two-Year Reading of the Day

Today's Reading (Week 1 - Tuesday):  Genesis 3:1-24

Two-Year Reading of the Day

Today's Reading (Week 1 - Monday):  Gen. 1:1-2:24

A better pic . . .

of our beautiful, new, purple superfrontal:

TLSB Two-Year Bible Reading Plan

As we begin this new Church Year, I have invited my parish to join me in following the Two-Year Reading Plan found in The Lutheran Study Bible (p. lix).  It has been a few years since I have deliberately read through the entire Bible from beginning to end, so I am looking forward to doing so.  I'll continue to use the daily lectionary found in Treasury of Daily Prayer, but will add the TLSB Two-Year Plan to my daily devotions.  One of the features I really like about this Plan is that it is a Monday-Saturday Plan, leaving Sundays dedicated to meditation upon the readings heard in the Divine Service.  Also, being a Two-Year Plan, as opposed to the many One-Year Plans out there (which are good, too), the daily readings are shorter and will enable those who follow this Plan to spend a little time exploring the excellent notes in TLSB.  Anyway, feel free to join us, if you wish.  I'll try to post a link to the readings here daily, along with a few thoughts (or, TLSB notes).