Abide in My Word

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

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.

Monday, April 25, 2011

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.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

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: