Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Christmas Services
Great News from St Silas!!!
From the St Silas Lutheran Blog
In the Space
When you walk into St. Silas Lutheran Church, this is what you see. The space is done and we had our first Divine Service there this past Sunday. The day before this we had our first major snowfall of winter. Did that stop us from moving in? Nonsense! A couple of families actually braved the roads from Cedar Rapids simply because this was our first service in the new space. It was great to be there.
I'm glad to finally have a picture of the following:
One of the very first people I talked with upon arriving in North Liberty was Jon Rinderknecht from Atkins, IA. He wanted to know how he could help this budding congregation. I heard from a couple of people that he was fabulous at wood-working, so I asked him if he would build us a portable altar and pulpit and give his time if we paid for the materials. He agreed and has had them ready to go since this past Easter. He also built a lectern and a cross with a stand. All of it is easily disassembled because we didn't know what our situation would be, whether we would have a permanent space or whether we would be setting up and tearing down each week. We're glad to have the permanent space for one more reason now: we get to use these beautiful pieces of liturgical furniture without worrying about damaging them by moving them around. The pieces are built from walnut with spalted maple paneling. The pattern of the spalted maple on the altar quite resembles blood dripping, calling to mind the once and for all sacrifice of Jesus that we receive each Lord's Day. And to top it all off, Jon requested that we pay him absolutely nothing. He's been one of the unsung saints who has supported our congregation, and I'm glad to finally be able to see and share his work. This past Sunday the congregation stood to hear the Holy Gospel read from that lectern, heard the Word of God preached from that pulpit, and received the body and blood of Christ from that altar.
We will be having a Service of Carols and Lessons this evening to celebrate the Eve of the Nativity and Divine Service tomorrow for the Nativity of Our Lord. The space came at the perfect time, otherwise we wouldn't have been able to meet today or tomorrow. We have a bit of settling in to do, which hopefully won't take more than a month. After that point we'll be celebrating our one-year anniversary as a congregation and turn our attention to our community to bring people in to receive the Lord's gifts with us.
On January 19th we will be having a formal dedication of the building, welcome of the congregation into synod, and installation of a pastor. We'll be in touch, probably through the district, to give the specifics when we have everything ironed out.
In Christ
Pastor Andrew Richard
St. Silas Lutheran Church
www.stsilaslutheran.org
www.facebook.com/stsilaslutheran
stsilaslutheran@gmail.com
In the Space
When you walk into St. Silas Lutheran Church, this is what you see. The space is done and we had our first Divine Service there this past Sunday. The day before this we had our first major snowfall of winter. Did that stop us from moving in? Nonsense! A couple of families actually braved the roads from Cedar Rapids simply because this was our first service in the new space. It was great to be there.
I'm glad to finally have a picture of the following:
One of the very first people I talked with upon arriving in North Liberty was Jon Rinderknecht from Atkins, IA. He wanted to know how he could help this budding congregation. I heard from a couple of people that he was fabulous at wood-working, so I asked him if he would build us a portable altar and pulpit and give his time if we paid for the materials. He agreed and has had them ready to go since this past Easter. He also built a lectern and a cross with a stand. All of it is easily disassembled because we didn't know what our situation would be, whether we would have a permanent space or whether we would be setting up and tearing down each week. We're glad to have the permanent space for one more reason now: we get to use these beautiful pieces of liturgical furniture without worrying about damaging them by moving them around. The pieces are built from walnut with spalted maple paneling. The pattern of the spalted maple on the altar quite resembles blood dripping, calling to mind the once and for all sacrifice of Jesus that we receive each Lord's Day. And to top it all off, Jon requested that we pay him absolutely nothing. He's been one of the unsung saints who has supported our congregation, and I'm glad to finally be able to see and share his work. This past Sunday the congregation stood to hear the Holy Gospel read from that lectern, heard the Word of God preached from that pulpit, and received the body and blood of Christ from that altar.
We will be having a Service of Carols and Lessons this evening to celebrate the Eve of the Nativity and Divine Service tomorrow for the Nativity of Our Lord. The space came at the perfect time, otherwise we wouldn't have been able to meet today or tomorrow. We have a bit of settling in to do, which hopefully won't take more than a month. After that point we'll be celebrating our one-year anniversary as a congregation and turn our attention to our community to bring people in to receive the Lord's gifts with us.
On January 19th we will be having a formal dedication of the building, welcome of the congregation into synod, and installation of a pastor. We'll be in touch, probably through the district, to give the specifics when we have everything ironed out.
In Christ
Pastor Andrew Richard
St. Silas Lutheran Church
www.stsilaslutheran.org
www.facebook.com/stsilaslutheran
stsilaslutheran@gmail.com
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
An excellent article, reprinted below, on the O Antiphons and hymn "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" posted by Pastor Joseph Abrahamson at Steadfast Lutherans. Today starts the last seven days before Christmas.
The “O Antiphons”
The hymn “O, Come, O, Come, Emmanuel” (TLH 62; LW 31; CW 32; ; ELH 110; LSB 357) is a rendition of the medieval “O Antiphons” also called the “Greater Antiphons.” An Antiphon is a selection of Scripture and prayer chanted responsively by the officiant and assembly. The purpose of the Antiphon is to set the focus for the reading selected for that particular day of the Church year.
The O Antiphons were to be sung during Vespers one on each day seven days before the feast of the Nativity of Christ: that is, from December 17th through the 23rd. Each Antiphon focuses on a Scriptural title for Christ as He is named in Biblical prophecy and a petition to Christ to come fulfilling the promise made through that title and prophecy.
The Messianic prophecies in Isaiah form the heart of the seven antiphons, which draw particularly on Isaiah 11.
The traditional order of the seven antiphons is
(1) Sapientia: “O Wisdom” Isaiah 11:2-3,
(2) Adonai: “O Lord of Might” Isaiah 11:4-5,
(3) Radix Jesse: “O Root/Branch/Rod of Jesse” Isaiah 11:1 and 10,
(4) Clavis David: “O Key of David” Isaiah 22:22,
(5) Oriens: “O Dayspring” Isaiah 9:2,
(6) Rex Gentium: “O Desire of Nations/King of Gentiles” Isaiah 2:4; 9:6; 11:10-12,
(7) Emmanuel: “O Emmanuel” Isaiah 7:14.
When one takes first letters of the titles for Christ in the antiphons and reads them from right to left they form a Latin acrostic “Ero Cras” which means “I will be (with you) tomorrow” or “I will come tomorrow”–a thematically appropriate mnemonic.
The basic progression of themes can be understood this way: The framer of the Universe (Wisdom) Who gave the Law (Adonai) promised through David’s throne (Radix Jesse) to set free the captives of sin (Clavis David) and bring the Light of salvation to dawn (Oriens) not only on His chosen people but all nations (Rex Gentium) and dwell with us as one of us eternally (Emmanuel).
The basic petition through all the verses is an echo of the closing two passages of Scripture looking forward to the consummation of all things:
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”
Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
The Latin text that forms the basis for the hymn dates back at least to manuscripts from the 11th century. Based on their use in an Old English poem called “The Christ” by Cynewulf the antiphons probably date from the 8th century or earlier. Amalarius of Metz (780-850) a student of Alquin wrote that the antiphon “O Key of David” was used for Alquin’s funeral in 804 (in Thurston, p. 622).
The order of the antiphons was rearranged for the hymn “O, Come, O, Come, Emmanuel” as we see in LW 31, ELH 110, and LSB 357 by placing the 7th antiphon first. Indeed, TLH 62 (followed by Christian Worship 23) included only four verses of the original in the order 7354. The Norwegian Synod’s Lutheran Hymnary included five verses in the order 73542. This puzzling arrangement and choice of verses came about because of the choices of the man who translated them into English.
The translator for the most widely accepted English versions of the antiphons was John Mason Neale in his 1859 Hymns Ancient and Modern where he translated only five antiphons in the order 73542 (Hymn 47, p. 67). He had previously translated these same verses in his 1851 Medieval Hymns and Sequences with the words “Draw nigh, draw nigh, Emmanuel” (p. 171-172). By Neale’s time he transcribed the use of the plainsong melody called Veni Emmanuel. The Norwegian Synod’s Lutheran Hymnary used the tune St. Petersburg by Dmytri Borniansky.
God willing, on each of the next seven days of Advent, December 17 through 23 we will post each of the O Antiphons with their Scriptural sources. We hope this will be of value to your families in your devotional preparations for the Nativity of Christ.
Resources:
Anglicans Online A reflection on the O Antiphons.
Burgert, Edward (1921) The Dependence of Part I of Cynewulf’s Christ Upon the Antiphonary. J. D. Milans and Sons, Washington, DC.
[Discussion on the O Antiphons in Cynewulf's poem "Christ" in greater detail is found in pp. 55-66. Incidentally, for fans of J.R.R. Tolkien this poem of Cynewulf not only describes the O Antiphons, but lines 104-5, contain these word:
"Eala earendel, engla beorhtast,
ofer middangeard monnum sended,"
"Hail Earendel brightest of angels
Above Middle-earth sent unto men."
]
Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary Handbook (Online Draft edition) Hymns starting MNO.
Dahle, John Library of Christian Hymns hymn 172 of the Lutheran Hymnary (1913).
Gree, Everard (1885) “On the words O Sapientia in the Calendar.” Archaeologia, Society of Antiquaries of London: volume 49:219-242.
Henry, H. (1911). “O Antiphons”. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Retrieved December 5, 2013 from New Advent: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11173b.htm
Polack, W.G [compiler] (1942) Handbook to The Lutheran Hymnal CPH, St. Louis, p. 50.
Staley, Vernon (1907) The Liturgical Year: An Explanation of the Origin, History & Significance of the Festival Days & Fasting Days of the English Church. A.R. Mowbray, London.
[Staley's history of the development of Advent begins on p. 64, treating the The O Antiphons on pp. 70-71. The O Antiphons are listed with Scripture references in Appendix A, p. 219-20.]
The Hymns and Carols of Christmas: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.
Thurston, Herbert (1905) “The Great Antiphons, Heralds of Christmas.” The Month: A Catholic Magazine, Longman, Greens and Co, London. vol 106:616-631.
[This article has some very good historical research on the early development of Advent and the O Antiphons]
The “O Antiphons”
The hymn “O, Come, O, Come, Emmanuel” (TLH 62; LW 31; CW 32; ; ELH 110; LSB 357) is a rendition of the medieval “O Antiphons” also called the “Greater Antiphons.” An Antiphon is a selection of Scripture and prayer chanted responsively by the officiant and assembly. The purpose of the Antiphon is to set the focus for the reading selected for that particular day of the Church year.
The O Antiphons were to be sung during Vespers one on each day seven days before the feast of the Nativity of Christ: that is, from December 17th through the 23rd. Each Antiphon focuses on a Scriptural title for Christ as He is named in Biblical prophecy and a petition to Christ to come fulfilling the promise made through that title and prophecy.
The Messianic prophecies in Isaiah form the heart of the seven antiphons, which draw particularly on Isaiah 11.
The traditional order of the seven antiphons is
(1) Sapientia: “O Wisdom” Isaiah 11:2-3,
(2) Adonai: “O Lord of Might” Isaiah 11:4-5,
(3) Radix Jesse: “O Root/Branch/Rod of Jesse” Isaiah 11:1 and 10,
(4) Clavis David: “O Key of David” Isaiah 22:22,
(5) Oriens: “O Dayspring” Isaiah 9:2,
(6) Rex Gentium: “O Desire of Nations/King of Gentiles” Isaiah 2:4; 9:6; 11:10-12,
(7) Emmanuel: “O Emmanuel” Isaiah 7:14.
When one takes first letters of the titles for Christ in the antiphons and reads them from right to left they form a Latin acrostic “Ero Cras” which means “I will be (with you) tomorrow” or “I will come tomorrow”–a thematically appropriate mnemonic.
The basic progression of themes can be understood this way: The framer of the Universe (Wisdom) Who gave the Law (Adonai) promised through David’s throne (Radix Jesse) to set free the captives of sin (Clavis David) and bring the Light of salvation to dawn (Oriens) not only on His chosen people but all nations (Rex Gentium) and dwell with us as one of us eternally (Emmanuel).
The basic petition through all the verses is an echo of the closing two passages of Scripture looking forward to the consummation of all things:
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”
Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
The Latin text that forms the basis for the hymn dates back at least to manuscripts from the 11th century. Based on their use in an Old English poem called “The Christ” by Cynewulf the antiphons probably date from the 8th century or earlier. Amalarius of Metz (780-850) a student of Alquin wrote that the antiphon “O Key of David” was used for Alquin’s funeral in 804 (in Thurston, p. 622).
The order of the antiphons was rearranged for the hymn “O, Come, O, Come, Emmanuel” as we see in LW 31, ELH 110, and LSB 357 by placing the 7th antiphon first. Indeed, TLH 62 (followed by Christian Worship 23) included only four verses of the original in the order 7354. The Norwegian Synod’s Lutheran Hymnary included five verses in the order 73542. This puzzling arrangement and choice of verses came about because of the choices of the man who translated them into English.
The translator for the most widely accepted English versions of the antiphons was John Mason Neale in his 1859 Hymns Ancient and Modern where he translated only five antiphons in the order 73542 (Hymn 47, p. 67). He had previously translated these same verses in his 1851 Medieval Hymns and Sequences with the words “Draw nigh, draw nigh, Emmanuel” (p. 171-172). By Neale’s time he transcribed the use of the plainsong melody called Veni Emmanuel. The Norwegian Synod’s Lutheran Hymnary used the tune St. Petersburg by Dmytri Borniansky.
God willing, on each of the next seven days of Advent, December 17 through 23 we will post each of the O Antiphons with their Scriptural sources. We hope this will be of value to your families in your devotional preparations for the Nativity of Christ.
Resources:
Anglicans Online A reflection on the O Antiphons.
Burgert, Edward (1921) The Dependence of Part I of Cynewulf’s Christ Upon the Antiphonary. J. D. Milans and Sons, Washington, DC.
[Discussion on the O Antiphons in Cynewulf's poem "Christ" in greater detail is found in pp. 55-66. Incidentally, for fans of J.R.R. Tolkien this poem of Cynewulf not only describes the O Antiphons, but lines 104-5, contain these word:
"Eala earendel, engla beorhtast,
ofer middangeard monnum sended,"
"Hail Earendel brightest of angels
Above Middle-earth sent unto men."
]
Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary Handbook (Online Draft edition) Hymns starting MNO.
Dahle, John Library of Christian Hymns hymn 172 of the Lutheran Hymnary (1913).
Gree, Everard (1885) “On the words O Sapientia in the Calendar.” Archaeologia, Society of Antiquaries of London: volume 49:219-242.
Henry, H. (1911). “O Antiphons”. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Retrieved December 5, 2013 from New Advent: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11173b.htm
Polack, W.G [compiler] (1942) Handbook to The Lutheran Hymnal CPH, St. Louis, p. 50.
Staley, Vernon (1907) The Liturgical Year: An Explanation of the Origin, History & Significance of the Festival Days & Fasting Days of the English Church. A.R. Mowbray, London.
[Staley's history of the development of Advent begins on p. 64, treating the The O Antiphons on pp. 70-71. The O Antiphons are listed with Scripture references in Appendix A, p. 219-20.]
The Hymns and Carols of Christmas: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.
Thurston, Herbert (1905) “The Great Antiphons, Heralds of Christmas.” The Month: A Catholic Magazine, Longman, Greens and Co, London. vol 106:616-631.
[This article has some very good historical research on the early development of Advent and the O Antiphons]
St Silas Lutheran Church: New Space and Called Pastor
Great News from St Silas Lutheran Church
The following is from St Silas Lutheran Church's blog:
When I moved to North Liberty I was called as Assistant Pastor to St. Paul's Lutheran Chapel in Iowa City for the purpose of planting an LCMS congregation in North Liberty. When I accepted that call the new mission congregation didn't have a name or members or a location, and if it was on me to make those things come about we still wouldn't have any of them. But thanks be to God! Just under a year and a half after being ordained and installed at St. Paul's the saints of St. Silas Lutheran Church in North Liberty, IA have called me to be their pastor. After prayerfully considering this call (for over a year) I accepted and St. Silas now has their first pastor. When I say, "As a called and ordained servant of Christ" that word "called" means a little more now to the congregation because Christ has called me through them.
Sunday I also had the pleasure of announcing after the service: "This will be our last Sunday in this space! Next Sunday go to the storefront. Don't come here." And there was clapping and cheering. The contractor is on track to have an occupancy permit for us by this Thursday December 19th, giving us a couple days to move things over from the North Liberty Living Center and get ready for our first service in our new space on The Fourth Sunday in Advent, December 22nd. Then on Christmas Eve we'll have a Service of Carols and Lessons and on Christmas Day Divine Service. This transition in space comes at a great time as we enter into the second most joyous season of the Church Year.
Christ has shown that he truly is the one who builds his Church (Mathew 16:18), the one who speaks into the darkness and creates something out of nothing. Christmas Day when we hear the reading from John 1 we will be rejoicing and giving thanks to God that "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
In Christ
Pastor Andrew Richard
St. Silas Lutheran Church
www.stsilaslutheran.org
www.facebook.com/stsilaslutheran
stsilaslutheran@gmail.com
The following is from St Silas Lutheran Church's blog:
When I moved to North Liberty I was called as Assistant Pastor to St. Paul's Lutheran Chapel in Iowa City for the purpose of planting an LCMS congregation in North Liberty. When I accepted that call the new mission congregation didn't have a name or members or a location, and if it was on me to make those things come about we still wouldn't have any of them. But thanks be to God! Just under a year and a half after being ordained and installed at St. Paul's the saints of St. Silas Lutheran Church in North Liberty, IA have called me to be their pastor. After prayerfully considering this call (for over a year) I accepted and St. Silas now has their first pastor. When I say, "As a called and ordained servant of Christ" that word "called" means a little more now to the congregation because Christ has called me through them.
Sunday I also had the pleasure of announcing after the service: "This will be our last Sunday in this space! Next Sunday go to the storefront. Don't come here." And there was clapping and cheering. The contractor is on track to have an occupancy permit for us by this Thursday December 19th, giving us a couple days to move things over from the North Liberty Living Center and get ready for our first service in our new space on The Fourth Sunday in Advent, December 22nd. Then on Christmas Eve we'll have a Service of Carols and Lessons and on Christmas Day Divine Service. This transition in space comes at a great time as we enter into the second most joyous season of the Church Year.
Christ has shown that he truly is the one who builds his Church (Mathew 16:18), the one who speaks into the darkness and creates something out of nothing. Christmas Day when we hear the reading from John 1 we will be rejoicing and giving thanks to God that "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
In Christ
Pastor Andrew Richard
St. Silas Lutheran Church
www.stsilaslutheran.org
www.facebook.com/stsilaslutheran
stsilaslutheran@gmail.com
Monday, December 16, 2013
Lutheran Radio?
Did you know the LCMS has a Radio Station? Yes, it is called KFUO. Programing on KFUO has improved dramatically. Young Adults you might want check out these programs:
His Time
Cross Matters
Issues Etc
Here is a promo video for Cross Edges
"His Time" 7-9AM is a devotional and current events program
"Cross Edges" The new program at 2:04PM varies from day to day.
– CROSS DEFENSE – (Mondays@2:04 p.m.)
Interviews of some of the best authors of Christian books–newly released books, old classics–nothing but talk about books you’ll want to read and give as gifts. Hosted by Rod Zwonitzer.
- ISSUES ETC
Christ-Centered Cross-Focused talk radio. This weeks line up is: CHRIST-CENTERED, CROSS-FOCUSED TALK RADIO…You can listen to Lutheran experts teaching on topics like: The Book “Jesus Feminist,” Advent Hymnody, The Third Use of the Law, Adam & Eve, Daniel the Prophet & the Three Young Men and more. Issues, Etc. is a radio talk show hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken and produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL. You can listen to what you want when you want at www.issuesetc.org.
His Time
Cross Matters
Issues Etc
Here is a promo video for Cross Edges
"His Time" 7-9AM is a devotional and current events program
"Cross Edges" The new program at 2:04PM varies from day to day.
– CROSS DEFENSE – (Mondays@2:04 p.m.)
This is a program of Christian Apologetics which strives to answer the hard questions that skeptics may ask concerning the Christian faith. Hosted by Rod Zwonitzer.
– CONCORD MATTERS – (Tuesdays@2:04 p.m.)
Join in this round table discussion on the Lutheran Confessions. The hosts will revolve, they are (in order) Rod Zwonitzer, Craig Donofrio, Charlie Henrickson, and Joshua Scheer.
– CULTURE AND CHRISTIANITY (Wednesdays@2:04 p.m.)
Look into the vocations and the lives of today’s top musicians, artists, chefs and more. This show deals with the Christian’s place in modern culture as they interact with it in their service to God and neighbors. Hosted by Lori Lewis.
– GOD WHISPERERS (Thursdays@2:04 p.m.)
This is an offbeat program that discusses the everyday life of Christians with humor and intelligence. Check out past podcasts atwww.godwhisperers.org Hosted by Craig Donofrio and Bill Cwirla.
– BOOKTALK (Fridays@2:04 p.m.)Interviews of some of the best authors of Christian books–newly released books, old classics–nothing but talk about books you’ll want to read and give as gifts. Hosted by Rod Zwonitzer.
- ISSUES ETC
Christ-Centered Cross-Focused talk radio. This weeks line up is: CHRIST-CENTERED, CROSS-FOCUSED TALK RADIO…You can listen to Lutheran experts teaching on topics like: The Book “Jesus Feminist,” Advent Hymnody, The Third Use of the Law, Adam & Eve, Daniel the Prophet & the Three Young Men and more. Issues, Etc. is a radio talk show hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken and produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL. You can listen to what you want when you want at www.issuesetc.org.
Monday, December 9, 2013
Advent Service - Wednesday, December 11
Series: Joseph a Man for Our Time
7:30PM Wednesday, December 11 - Joseph: Real Guardian
When the Christmas story is told, we often hear about Mary and Jesus. Joseph is the forgotten man. This week we will see how a real guardian acts in real life difficult circumstances.
Newsletter article about the whole series:
“Mind the Gap” were words Tami and I heard often on our recent anniversary trip to the United Kingdom -- meaning watch your step as you enter a subway, boat or elevator. Just this month, I heard of another “gap” that needs to be “minded” in the United Kingdom -- the gender gap in churches. “The UK’s official religion [Anglicanism] is dwindling at a record speed, with the decline of the Church "approaching rock bottom," experts warn. While Christian congregations age, most British mosques are bringing more and more young people on board. Public mosque services attract thousands of British Muslims, but when you check out a church, there are hardly a dozen participants at Sunday morning worship…” (RT News)
When you look at many religious services (and we visited some) in the UK the churches are mostly empty and those there are mainly older women. Yet look at pictures of Mosques in the UK and you see them full -- full of young males. It is happening in America as well, we just aren’t as far down the path. “In America, among evangelical churches, 57 percent of members are women and, among mainline Protestant churches, 66 percent are women, according to a 1998 book American Evangelicalism (University of Chicago Press).”
Some call what is happening the “feminization of the church.” Where Islam challenges young men to live up to a higher standard, Christianity is often softening its message to try to attract people. Contemporary Christian songs often are like love songs to Jesus, which for men are hard to sing. Islam is challenging men to be men. The American Christian message is becoming more and more feminine.
What the American church and society needs are good male role models of what the Christian life is all about. There is no greater male role model than Joseph the guardian of Jesus. This Advent we will be looking at Joseph: Real Man, Guardian and Father -- A Man for Our Time. When the Christmas story is told, we often hear about Mary and Jesus. Joseph is the forgotten man. This year we will hear about this important man of the Bible. This series will be great for young men and fathers. Make sure to invite the young men and fathers that you know. But, it won’t only be for young men and fathers. Women will find much that they can gain from the series as well. This series will be on Wednesday Nights at 7:30PM in December leading up to Christmas.
December 4 - Joseph: Real Man
December 11 - Joseph: Real Guardian
December 18 - Joseph: Real Father
According to an oft-quoted statistic, when a mother comes her family follows 34 percent of the time, but when a father comes his family follows 93 percent of the time. Men are vital to the family and society. We all need to “mind the gap” by reaching out to the young men and fathers in our church and community and giving them the wonderful God given message of the importance of the role men play in the family and society.
7:30PM Wednesday, December 11 - Joseph: Real Guardian
When the Christmas story is told, we often hear about Mary and Jesus. Joseph is the forgotten man. This week we will see how a real guardian acts in real life difficult circumstances.
Newsletter article about the whole series:
“Mind the Gap” were words Tami and I heard often on our recent anniversary trip to the United Kingdom -- meaning watch your step as you enter a subway, boat or elevator. Just this month, I heard of another “gap” that needs to be “minded” in the United Kingdom -- the gender gap in churches. “The UK’s official religion [Anglicanism] is dwindling at a record speed, with the decline of the Church "approaching rock bottom," experts warn. While Christian congregations age, most British mosques are bringing more and more young people on board. Public mosque services attract thousands of British Muslims, but when you check out a church, there are hardly a dozen participants at Sunday morning worship…” (RT News)
When you look at many religious services (and we visited some) in the UK the churches are mostly empty and those there are mainly older women. Yet look at pictures of Mosques in the UK and you see them full -- full of young males. It is happening in America as well, we just aren’t as far down the path. “In America, among evangelical churches, 57 percent of members are women and, among mainline Protestant churches, 66 percent are women, according to a 1998 book American Evangelicalism (University of Chicago Press).”
Some call what is happening the “feminization of the church.” Where Islam challenges young men to live up to a higher standard, Christianity is often softening its message to try to attract people. Contemporary Christian songs often are like love songs to Jesus, which for men are hard to sing. Islam is challenging men to be men. The American Christian message is becoming more and more feminine.
What the American church and society needs are good male role models of what the Christian life is all about. There is no greater male role model than Joseph the guardian of Jesus. This Advent we will be looking at Joseph: Real Man, Guardian and Father -- A Man for Our Time. When the Christmas story is told, we often hear about Mary and Jesus. Joseph is the forgotten man. This year we will hear about this important man of the Bible. This series will be great for young men and fathers. Make sure to invite the young men and fathers that you know. But, it won’t only be for young men and fathers. Women will find much that they can gain from the series as well. This series will be on Wednesday Nights at 7:30PM in December leading up to Christmas.
December 4 - Joseph: Real Man
December 11 - Joseph: Real Guardian
December 18 - Joseph: Real Father
According to an oft-quoted statistic, when a mother comes her family follows 34 percent of the time, but when a father comes his family follows 93 percent of the time. Men are vital to the family and society. We all need to “mind the gap” by reaching out to the young men and fathers in our church and community and giving them the wonderful God given message of the importance of the role men play in the family and society.
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Thanksgiving Dinner and Thrivent Builds Presentation
The first Sunday in November we had our second annual Thanksgiving Dinner sponsored by the Mary Martha LWML. As you can see it was well attended. In addition, Darrel, Marlene, Russ, Sharlene, and Jeri presented on their Thrivent Builds trip. Here are some pictures of the event.
Saturday, December 7, 2013
LWML Christmas Party Pictures
Grace Lutheran has two wonderful LWML groups - Ladies Aid (day) and Mary Martha (night). They both celebrated the Christmas season this past week in their meetings.
Mary Martha ladies decorated the church for Christmas season. One tree was decorated with crismons and lights and the other a sin tree is dark with red apples. The sides of the church are decorated with evergreen and blue banners with the verses of O Come, O Come, Immanuel on them.
Ladies Aid after their party.
Mary Martha ladies decorated the church for Christmas season. One tree was decorated with crismons and lights and the other a sin tree is dark with red apples. The sides of the church are decorated with evergreen and blue banners with the verses of O Come, O Come, Immanuel on them.
Ladies Aid after their party.
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