Article 7

Sermon Notes for January 29, 2012

2012-01-25T17:47:00.001-05:00

Title: “The Great Ones”

FirstThoughts: The Old Testament lessons in Epiphany dwell on the power of God’sAlmighty Word as God calls people like Samuel and Jonah to speak it. Today’s selection from Deuteronomy is aboutthe prophet Moses and the greater prophet who comes after him. Moses was not a willing vessel, at first. He came up with all manner of excuses for Godto choose someone else. He eventuallydiscovered what makes a prophet great. God says “I will put my words in his mouth.”

Outline:

I. Not exactlyCharlton Heston

II. Temple ofthe Holy Spirit

Hear more this Sunday at Bethany Lutheran Church, 8:30 & 11 AM (Sunday School for all ages in between). Also, Rev. Joseph B. Davis preaches at our World Music Worship at 12:30PM.

Sermon Notes for January 22

2012-01-18T20:36:00.000-05:00

Third Sunday in Epiphany

“My Way or the Highway”

Text:Jonah 3:1-5, 10

FirstThoughts: In this season of Epiphany, we dwell on the mystery of how theinfinite God is revealed here on earth. The Old Testament lessons dwell on the mystery of how God is revealed inthe Word. Today’s Word from Jonah isproclaimed by a man who went the wrong way. He is sent to a people who were going the wrong way. How do any of us find the right way, andwhere does that road take us? The accountof Jonah is about grace and new obedience as God guides us in the right direction.

"Jonah Repining at God's Mercy" - one of Holbein's Woodcuts (16th century)

Outline:

I. Storiesfrom the Wrong Way Café

II. “My WaysAre Not Your Ways”

How Long? Not Long!

2012-01-16T13:25:00.000-05:00

Today is the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968). This past year saw the opening of a new memorial dedicated to the clergyman and reformer who fought for the civil rights of American citizens throughout his career.

The kids have the day off school, so I thought we should learn something new about Martin Luther King Jr., together. Today's quest took me to Alabama, March 1965. A first march to the state capital was met with an police attack using tear gas and bull whips. A second march was arranged to go from Selma to the site of the attack in Birmingham and there Martin Luther King Jr. gave one of the most powerful speeches of his career. Taking a look at that speech today, what stands out for me is the Biblical reference to Jericho and his invocation of the lives lost - martyred, we Christians would say - to make the final push forward to win voting rights for African Americans in a law signed by President Johnson five months later.

A bullet may have cut his life short, but Dr. King's voice is still speaking to us today. Listen...

There is nothing wrong with marching in this sense. The Bible tells us that the mighty men of Joshua merely walked about the walled city of Jericho and the barriers to freedom came tumbling down. I like that old Negro spiritual, "Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho." In its simple, yet colorful, depiction of that great moment in biblical history, it tells us that:

Joshua fit the battle of Jericho, Joshua fit the battle of Jericho, And the walls come tumbling down. Up to the walls of Jericho they marched, spear in hand. "Go blow them ramhorns," Joshua cried,"'Cause the battle am in my hand."

These words I have given you just as they were given us by the unknown, long-dead, dark-skinned originator. Some now long-gone black bard bequeathed to posterity these words in ungrammatical form, yet with emphatic pertinence for all of us today.
The battle is in our hands. And we can answer with creative nonviolence the call to higher ground to which the new directions of our struggle summons us. The road ahead is not altogether a smooth one. ....

...My people, my people, listen. The battle is in our hands. The battle is in our hands in Mississippi and Alabama and all over the United States. I know there is a cry today in Alabama, we see it in numerous editorials: "When will Martin Luther King, SCLC, SNCC, and all of these civil rights agitators and all of the white clergymen and labor leaders and students and others get out of our community and let Alabama return to normalcy?"

But I have a message that I would like to leave with Alabama this evening. That is exactly what we don't want, and we will not allow it to happen, for we know that it was normalcy in Marion that led to the brutal murder of Jimmy Lee Jackson. It was normalcy in Birmingham that led to the murder on Sunday morning of four beautiful, unoffending, innocent girls. It was normalcy on Highway 80 that led state troopers to use tear gas and horses and billy clubs against unarmed human beings who were simply marching for justice. It was normalcy by a cafe in Selma, Alabama, that led to the brutal beating of Reverend James Reeb. ...

...I come to say to you this afternoon, however difficult the moment, however frustrating the hour, it will not be long, because "truth crushed to earth will rise again."

How long? Not long, because "no lie can live forever."
How long? Not long, because "you shall reap what you sow."
....
How long? Not long, because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.
How long? Not long, because:

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord; He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; He has loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword; His truth is marching on. He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat; He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat. O, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! Be jubilant my feet!Our God is marching on. Glory, hallelujah! Glory, hallelujah!Glory, hallelujah! Glory, hallelujah!His truth is marching on.

Martin Luther King Speech - Our God is marching on

Sermon Notes for January 15, 2012

2012-01-12T14:14:00.000-05:00

Second Sunday in Epiphany (series B)

“WhatHath God Wrought?”

Text: 1 Samuel 3:1-20

First Thoughts: In May of 1844the Samuel Morse broadcast the first telegraph message from the Supreme Courtto the B & O Railroad station in Baltimore. It was rather prophetic that Mr. Morse’s first name was Samuel – the Biblicaljudge who receives a transmission from the Divine. By embracing the power of God’s Word, none ofSamuel’s words “fall to the ground.”

Outline:

I. Words Unveiled (vs. 1-10)

II. Words Unbound (vs. 11-18)

III. WordsUpheld (vs. 19, 20)

I preach this Sunday at Bethany Lutheran Church are at 8:30 & 11 EST with Sunday School for all ages in between. World Music Worship will be a short prayer service this Sunday at 12:30, as the pastors will be traveling to Our Savior Lutheran Church in Laurel for the Ordination of Pastor J. Orlando Flahn.

Fossils and Faith

2012-01-11T18:45:00.000-05:00

If you Googled anything today, you may have noticed the unique doodle on their site. This is to honor Nicholas Steno's birthday. Nicholas (1638 - 1686) was a Danish Lutheran who converted to Catholicism. He was a scientist and clergy - someone whose biography dashes the silly notion that theology and science can never mix. Bishop Steno was a living testimony that one's faith can lead to a faithful study of God's creation.

O.K. - I'm not posting this to preach today. For more information, here is a helpful article by the Washington Post. Note that his pioneering research into geology was greatly benefited by his examination of shark's teeth and comparing them to curious rock formations that we would later recognize as fossils! Note also that the good Bishop is beautified and awaiting canonization as a saint. Lutherans do not believe in praying to saints, but if we did, I'd be tempted to invoke Bishop Steno to help us find more of these babies along the shore of the Chesapeake (my fingers are pinching the fossilized tooth of a Carcharodon Megalodon - a gigantic prehistoric shark who roamed the nearby ocean).

Sermon Notes for January 8, 2012

2012-01-07T14:32:00.001-05:00

Sunday, January 8 (EPIPHANY translated)

Thisyear, I could not pass up the opportunity to celebrate the Epiphany of ourLord. Epiphany actually falls onFriday, January 6, but this Sunday, we are translating, or moving thecelebration, so that we can observe Epiphany on a Sunday.

InIsaiah’s prophecy, the ninth chapter (which we read at Christmas), the prophetproclaims that a light will shine on those who dwell in deep darkness – a lightbrought into the world because a child is born and a son is given. In chapter 60 (read for Epiphany), we aresummoned to “Arise, shine, for your light has come!”

Itis the light of a star that guides kings to bring “the riches of the nations”to the Christ Child. The work of thechurch today is to be that guiding light that continues to bring seekers to theKing of Kings.

Inour Epiphany worship, a short puppet play introduces us to Gabriel the camel,whose ancestors followed the Epiphany star to the Christ Child. Gabriel will help us understand the “richesof the nations” the wise men brought and in the sermon we will focus on how the“riches of the nations” are still brought to Christ today.

SermonOutline:

GIFTSFOR THE KING

Led by Star-Light

Led by Church-Light

REMINDER: We celebrate the Baptism of our Lord at 3PM, which is also the ordination and installation of Bethany's Special Mission Pastor, Joseph B. Davis. Our regular schedule of services returns this Sunday - 0830 and 11 with Sunday School for all ages in between. Join us live, or watch by webcam.

New Year's Sermon Preview

2011-12-31T09:20:00.000-05:00

NewYear’s Day 1/1/2012

Luke 2:21, 22-32 (Psalm121:8)

First Thoughts:For whatever reason, I thought of Psalm 121:8 when I thought of the Holy Family“coming in” and “going out” from the Jerusalem temple to fulfill God’scommandments. As we approach anotheryear given to us by God’s grace, we bless our God for allowing us to come inand go out from where His grace is given. Let's reflect on this as the old year goes out and a new year comes in.

Sermon Outline

“BLESSING”

In our coming in

And our going out

Now and Forevermore.

I will also be expanding these thoughts tonight at the African Watch Night service (roughly 9 - Midnight). Worship with Holy Communion at Bethany Lutheran is tomorrow at 10 AM. Join us or watch it live on our webcam.

Christmas Eve Sermon 2011

2011-12-24T22:08:00.000-05:00

“War & Peace”

Isaiah9:2-7

For to us a child isborn,

to us a son is given;

and the governmentshall be upon his shoulder,

and his name shall becalled

Wonderful Counselor,Mighty God,

Everlasting Father,Prince of Peace.

In the name ofJesus, dear Christian friends:

I was speaking to aveteran of World War II who spent one Christmas at a base camp set up at thefoothills of the Himalayas. I asked him,“So, how did you know it was Christmas?”

“Well, we hadcalendars and radio and everything!” He said, indignantly.

“No, I mean whendid it feel like Christmas for you?”

“Oh... Well, whenwe had a big feast. And we had a lot oftalented guys who put on a show for us.”

I asked if any ofthem happened to be Bing Crosby or Danny Kaye, and he laughed and said“no.” No Bob Hope, either. But, the singing and the food helped toremind everyone what time of year it was.

Brothers and sisters,when does it feel like Christmas for you?

Is it when all thegifts are wrapped? Is it when you watchyour favorite holiday special or movie? For me, it is the moment at the end of this special service when thechurch is flooded with candlelight and we all sing together “Silent Night, HolyNight.” Then it feels like Christmas forme, mostly because it is a moment when PEACE just washes over me. To me, peacefulness is Christmas – given fromthe Prince of Peace.

So, this led me toinvestigate Isaiah this year and find out more about the Wonderful Counselor,Mighty God, Everlasting Father and the PRINCE OF PEACE. But, when I started investigating this text,I discovered that these words were presented at a time when there was verylittle peace to be found.

In fact, thejourney that these words take from the time when they were first presented tothe people of God and then fulfilled in Bethlehem on this night, is a journeythat is fraught with warfare, violence and political conspiracy. So, the Biblical world that produced thewords that give me the feeling of Christmas was a bloody world with great fearand uncertainty. Starting with King Ahazin Isaiah’s day, who was not at peace. He was about to pay tribute to another nation’s king because he wasafraid of other powers that were conspiring against him. Through Isaiah, God tried to comfort KingAhaz and even gave him the sign “the Virgin shall be with child” – the child, Immanuel – God-with-us. Through Isaiah, God sent the message to thatking that these northern powers were not calling the shots. King Ahaz needed to put his trust in God, notin military alliances!

Isaiah speaks wordsof wonder in his prophecy, saying “to us, a child is born, and to us a son isgiven!” He sees a time when a greatlight will come upon “Galilee of the Nations.” That is a curious thing, as Galilee was a region that was often thefirst to be conquered and occupied by other nations when they invaded Judahfrom the north. But, centuries later, agreat light did appear in the sky to lead people to a family that came from Galilee. The young couple, Mary and Joseph, had to travel to Bethlehem fromGalilee for a census. And in Bethlehem,their firstborn came into the world. Itwas the angels who announced to nearby shepherds that this child is “thesavior, who is Christ, the Lord.” Achild is born! A Son is given! The fulfillment of Isaiah’s vision from solong ago!

But, centuries afterIsaiah, there still is no lasting peace. Jesus was born in the time of King Herod. If you will indulge me, here is a little onHerod’s reign from writer Philip Yancy:

Herod, King of the Jews, enforcedRoman rule at the local level, and in an irony of history we know Herod's namemainly because of the massacre of the innocents. I have never seen a Christmascard depicting that state-sponsored act of terror, but it too was a part ofChrist's coming. Although secular history does not refer to the atrocity, noone acquainted with the life of Herod doubts him capable. He killed twobrothers-in-law, his own wife Mariamne, and two of his own sons. Five days beforehis death he ordered the arrest of many citizens and decreed that they beexecuted on the day of his death, in order to guarantee a proper atmosphere ofmourning in the country. For such a despot, a minor extermination procedure inBethlehem posed no problem. Scarcely a day passed, in fact, without anexecution under Herod's regime. The political climate at the time of Jesus'birth resembled that of Russia in the 1930s under Stalin. Citizens could notgather in public meetings. Spies were everywhere. In Herod's mind, the commandto slaughter Bethlehem's infants was probably an act of utmost rationality, arearguard action to preserve the stability of his kingdom against a rumoredinvasion from another. _From _{The Visited Planet}_{by Philip Yancey}

Dear brothers andsisters in Christ, I dare say that it did not feel like Christmas in the daysright after Jesus was born. The HolyFamily were refugees soon after Herod began looking for the child who was born“king of the Jews.” From Ahaz to Herod, there does not seem to be the peace ofany “Silent Night, Holy Night.”

Yet, in Isaiah’swords, this child is born and this son is given to be an end to violence andcruelty. This child is meant to put anend to war. Isaiah testifies: “For theyoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor,you have broken as in the days of Midian. Indeed every boot that marches andshakes the earth and every garment dragged through blood is used as fuel forthe fire.” Midian was a great victory for God’s people under the leadership ofGideon (Judges 7:19), but this Isaiah sees more than just a militaryvictory. All the instruments of war areto be destroyed and burned. Weapons arelaid down and the righteous are to live in the care of this child who is bornand this son who is given.

This Christmas, we look around and see that we are not living in those days,yet. The nations of this world have notput down their weapons. People have notstopped fighting one another. FromVirginia to Afghanistan, soldiers’ boots are still marching. A sign of this is that there are empty tablesin some family homes. There are soldierswho are called on to sacrifice their time and be away from their families toserve their country. For them, it maynot feel like Christmas right now. Weremember that when we think of what those service men and women and theircivilian support and all those who are working right now in hospitals andpolice stations – they all sacrifice to keep us safe as we worship tonight.

That sacrifice isnecessary in this dark and sinful world. Diseases, despair and death cover the earth in “thick darkness.” This is the condition of humanity and thecurse that is over all creation. Ifanyone has ever lost a family member and felt the emptiness at the time of yearwhen everyone else seems to be merry, they know…. Christmas does not alwayscome with a warm feeling. So, if it doesnot feel like Christmas and life does not look like a pleasant Christmas cardwith a Thomas Kincade snow covered cottage – then what do we do?

First, it isimportant to remember that the world has never been as peaceful as the carol“Silent Night” would lead us to believe. But, the Christ child came into this world of darkness to shine anincredible light. A different Christmas carol, tells us…

How silently, how silently, The wondrous gift is giv’n;

So God imparts to human hearts, the blessings of His heav’n

No ear may hear His coming, yet in this world of sin;

Where meeks souls will receive Him still, the dear Christenters in.

Next, we note that Isaiah’sprophecy is about a child. Isaiah keepssees visions of the lion lying down with the lamb and little childleading them; or a child named IMMANUEL, which means God with us, andhere, in chapter nine – “For unto us a child is born…”. Unto us! God gives the child to us. What aremarkable thing! The angel who spoke tothe shepherds also echoes this when he said: “for unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a child who isCHRIST the LORD.” The child prophesiedby Isaiah is born for the people.

The full extent ofwhat Isaiah preached so long ago was not realized until that child wascrucified by the violent and cruel, who mocked and laughed as the deed wasdone. It was when the wailing of Hisfollowers filled the Jerusalem streets as this Christ was lifted up on a crossin agony and torment. Then this child,who grew to be a man, announced, “IT IS FINISHED” before He died. It was a day of darkness and thick darknessthat covered the people. Darkness andfear and uncertainty lasted until the sunlight of Easter morning slowly creptover the Judean hills. Suddenly,bewildered, joyful people began to spread the news “He is Risen!” Forty Days the Risen Christ gave finalinstructions, and then left and after His leaving, the Holy Spirit came fillingthe people with courage and conviction.

It was then thatthe armies of Mighty God began to march and the reign of our Prince of Peacebegan. Ahaz and Herod – and all therulers from Virginia to Afghanistan have it so wrong and maybe we do too. Peace is not won through conquering ourenemies. Peace – lasting peace – is agift from God. It is Jesus’ sacrificeand God’s love for us given by the Holy Spirit. These are the greatest gifts of Christmas, given that come to us fromHEAVEN to EARTH - Forgiveness. Reconciliation. Love. Joy. And,true, lasting PEACE. WARNING! These gifts are too big to fit under yourChristmas tree! They need to come intoyour life.

These great giftsare from heaven, and so is the child who is born to us – the son who is givento us. Dear friends, whether or not itfeels like Christmas to you at this moment, have no doubt how great the love ofGod is to come down from heaven to earth – FOR US. That love that is born in us, dies for us andraises us to life – that love of Christ can beat back the thickest darkness ofthis world and shine it’s marvelous light in our lives.

That is theChristmas we celebrate. Nothing can stopit. In even the darkest of dark places,the light will shine.

In the history ofwarfare, World War I was among the nastiest of conflicts – this is the war thatgave us the indiscriminate mass killing of the machine gun. Yet, even here in the darkest and bleakesttime of year – from across the trenches in Europe – even here there could beChristmas carols, gifts exchanged between enemies and a day of rest andpeace. It did not last,unfortunately. But, for a moment, thePrince of Peace reigned and people defiantly beat back the darkness with theChristmas message of “peace on earth.”

That is the powerof God’s love… for us. It breaks intothis world in even the darkest of places. There will come a day when the darkness will be forever defeated. That too, is the promise of the child who wasborn and the son who was given, because that child will return again to beatall swords into plowshares. He willreturn again to fully and completely reign as the Prince of Peace. Until that day, we live in the power of Hislove, this CHRISTMAS and into the NEW YEAR. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Luther on Isaiah 9

2011-12-23T17:42:00.000-05:00

That is why Isaiah says, “To us a child is born, to us a son is given.” It is like when women [approach a baby’s cradle and] say, “Oh, a baby! What is it?” And I answer, “It’s a boy—and he’s ours!” What an incredible thing to say, that all of us should somehow be the mothers of one whom we have not carried [in our womb]!He is given to us as though he were our own son. How proud and honored we are that he is our son, that he belongs to us. But it is not enough that he is “born” to us;he is also “given” to us. What does “given” mean? He is a [pure] gift, a present. There is nothing I have to give or pay in return. Woe to the godless and ungrateful world that disdains this gift.

from Martin Luther - Sermon preached Christmas afternoon, 1531.

Preview of Christmas Day, 2011

2011-12-23T12:00:00.000-05:00

Sermonfor Christmas Day 12/25

Isaiah 52:7-10

First Thoughts:Christmas day is a time to step back from the familiar account of manger,angels and shepherds and simply dwell in the mystery of the incarnation.

One of the carols we sing is a spiritual titled “Go, Tell It On The Mountain.” It is based on OldTestament lesson today, Isaiah 52.

We may not fully understand how the fullness of God candwell in the form of a child, but all of our Christmas singing and celebrationshelp us to “Go, Tell It” to the world.

“Go,Tell It”

Tell of God’s reign (7-8)

Tell of God’s Salvation (9-10)

Christmas Eve Preview 2011

2011-12-22T12:00:00.000-05:00

Sermonfor Christmas Eve 12/24

Isaiah 9:1-7

First Thoughts:“Galilee of the Nations” is singled out in this prophecy. We hear it everyyear, but our minds go instantly to the words we understand, like “Prince ofPeace.” Less understood is the historical background – the massing of armies marching against the nation of Judah - all of them going through Galilee. That was the time of Isaiah. The time of Jesus was no less bloody with the Holy Family moving around to avoid the wrath of Herod. Today, there is still "wars and rumors of wars". For all of us, something new comes to Galilee, for “a child is born, a son is given.” God challenges His people - then and now - to put our trust in Him, no matter what the world is like around us. He will always be our Prince of Peace.

“Warand Peace”

Outline:

From Ahaz to Herod

From Virginia to Afghanistan

From heaven to earth

Feast of St. Thomas, 2011

2011-12-21T12:32:00.003-05:00

Wednesday, December 21

St. Thomas, Apostle

Although people may use the expression “Doubting Thomas” asa way to remember Thomas’ doubts about Jesus’ resurrection, few may know him asthe dedicated disciple who was willing to lay down his life for the Christ(John 11:16). Church historian,Eusebius, mentions Thomas’ mission to the Parthians. The Syrian Christians of India also keep thetradition that Thomas founded the churches there. Gnostic thinkers of the second century usedThomas’ name to write a Gospel about an overly spiritual Jesus - a teacher who seems almost entirely above the physical world. This is a bit of historic irony, since Thomaswas the person who wanted to physically touch the risen Christ before acceptingthe reality of that first Easter.

Reading: Ephesians 4:7, 11-16

Anthem – “These Things Did Thomas Count As Real” (Johnson)

Reading: John 20:24-29

More tonight at our Wednesday Evening Prayer service at Bethany Lutheran Church.

Mary

2011-12-20T15:54:00.001-05:00

This painting by El Greco is the angel Gabriel greeting Mary. Mary’s hand gestures toward herself as if she cannot believe this divinebeing is addressing her. We do not knowwhat Mary was doing at the time of the angel’s arrival. El Greco imagines her kneeling at a homealtar in prayer. Notice how the heavensare opened above her and how the smaller cherubs crowd around to witness this extraordinaryevent - the coming of God to earth. It happens through a humble maiden in Nazareth.

Hear and see more about Mary in tomorrow night's meditation at Evening Prayer at Bethany Lutheran Church, 7PM EST.

Preview - Fourth Sunday in Advent

2011-12-16T12:00:00.000-05:00

Reverend Fun - Bethlehem has really grown

Sermonfor Advent 4-B 12/18

Text: 2Samuel 7:1-11, 16

First Thoughts: Inaddition to the shepherds, the Holy Family and the angels, there is one morecharacter who is present at the first Christmas. Everything takes place in Bethlehem, the Cityof David. In Today’s Old Testamentlesson, we take a break from Isaiah and learn how “the hopes and fears of allyears” converged in that little town.

Sermon Title: “Hopesand Fears”

Outline:

PastBlessings (8-9)

FutureBlessings (10-11)

BethlehemBlessings (16)

Prince of Peace Reflections

2011-12-15T12:54:00.000-05:00

I'm assembling some items for the Christmas Eve sermon, today. This year, I will be reflecting on Isaiah 9 "He shall be called... the Prince of Peace." What does that mean in a time of war?

So, today I am looking at three items that I can easily link to and share. The first is an excerpt from a diary of a Canadian sailor in 1940, celebrating Christmas through a storm at sea.

Next, reports of the famous "Christmas Truce" in the trenches of World War I.

Finally, the speech of President Obama reflecting back on the mission in Iraq as the bases are decommissioned and the soldiers come home. This Christmas, many of our Armed Forces members will be back home for the holidays. Some of them have known anything but peace, so the message of the Prince of Peace at this time of year is so important.

Joseph

2011-12-13T19:45:00.001-05:00

Mary gave birth and they called the child “Jesus” as the angel had commanded them. I like this simple picture of the event. Here, Jesus looks like a real baby. And here are the two, exhausted parents, withjust enough adrenaline going through their system to sit there and ponder thewonder of what they have experienced through the Holy Spirit, the angel and the journey to Bethlehem. In a way, this is just a child. And in anotherway, they are gazing into the unknowable and Divine.

Meditate more on JOSEPH during Evening Prayer at Bethany Lutheran Church, Wednesday night at 7PM (EST). Come and join us or watch live.

The Parable of The Holey Shirt

2011-12-12T19:38:00.001-05:00

There once was a pastor whose favorite shirt was very worn. It had so many holes, that it embarrassed his wife to no end when he left the house wearing it. She once stuck about three fingers right into a big hole by the shoulder blade, pulled up and said, "Really?" "Every pastor should have a holey shirt," he explained. His wife was not amused.

One day, the shirt could not be found. The pastor eventually tracked it down to the bottom of the closet where the rags were kept. Even though he spent a moment mourning his loss as he looked at the pieces of his holey shirt, he came to praise his wise and beautiful wife, who helped him to understand that even though something may be ruined, it is not always necessary to trash it. There may be a way to repurpose what was once ruined in the household of faith.

Isaiah 62:2 - "...and you shall be called by a new name
that the mouth of the Lord will give."

Preview Third Sunday in Advent

2011-12-09T14:03:00.001-05:00

"A Time of Jubilee"

I'm preaching on Isaiah 64:1-11. My thoughts first take me to The Gospel of Luke, however. That is where Jesus opens the scroll of Isaiah to this Sunday's text & declares that those words were being fulfilled at that time. That is in the foreground of Isaiah's words. In the background is the custom of a jubilee observed by God's people, once every fifty years - a time set slaves free and forgive all debts. How do these events in Isaiah's future and in his past relate to the "Year of The Lord's favor?"

Psalm 2 and The "Savior of The Nations"

2011-12-07T14:34:00.001-05:00

“As for me, I have yset my King

on zZion, my a holy hill.”

I will tell of the decree:

The Lord said to me, b“You are my Son;

today I have begotten you

Psalm 2:6-7

A model of the "old city" in the foreground with"Zion" in the background

Bethany's Wednesday Word Bible Study is exploring songs from the Old Testament alongside some of our Advent hymns. Today's session was "Savior of the Nations, Come" where we looked at Psalm 2. "I have begotten you" could be taken very loosely when thinking of King David, who sat on the throne in Jerusalem. But, when thinking of David's ancestor, Jesus, we go to a different level as we ponder One "begotten of His Father before all ages...".

1. Savior ofthe nations, come,
Virgin's Son,make here Thy home!
Marvel now, Oheaven and earth,
That the Lordchose such a birth.

by Martin Luther,1483-1546

Elizabeth

2011-12-06T16:59:00.001-05:00


Philippe de Champaigne, La Visitation. Museo de Arte e Historia de Ginebra

Thebaby leaped in Elizabeth’s womb! The twocousins, Jesus and John, meet for the first time. In thispainting, the two women who meet almost make a perfect triangle with the angleof their embrace. Indeed, with God the Father above, the Son is in Mary's womb. And when Mary greets hercousin, Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit.

Hear and see more about Elizabeth at Bethany Lutheran Church during Evening Prayer this Wednesday night at 7PM EST.

Preview 2nd Sunday in Advent 2011

2011-12-03T09:30:00.000-05:00

Sermonfor Advent 2-B 12/4

Text:Isaiah 40:1-11

First Thoughts:Isaiah 40 is one of the great texts of the Bible. It begins a long section of oracles that aremeant to remind the people that they are never beyond God’s reach. One hardly expected the fulfillment of thesewords that we hear in the Gospel lesson today, when a camel hair adornedBaptist cries out for us to “Prepare the way of the Lord”!

“TheWay Is Clear”

Withforgiveness (1-2)

Withthe Sacraments (3-5)

WithGod’s Word (6-8)

With The Holy Spirit (9-11)

The Summer of 1537

2011-12-01T17:38:00.001-05:00

In the middle of what is now modern day Germany, it was hot in the summer of '37. 1537. Not because of the weather, either (which was rainy and miserable). It was because the tempers of priests, theologians and princes were high. Somehow, in this pressure cooker, the protesting reformers of the church forged a new confession that laid out the important points for a future ecumenical, free council that never came.

Here are the principal players and the stakes that they were playing for in the town of Smallcald, August of 1537. After reading, feel free to drop by the Bethany Lutheran's Pastor's Bible Class Sunday mornings at 10.

MARTIN LUTHER - was not feeling well. He had to leave the conference to rest. It was his responsibility to answer the five key questions Rome had for the Reformers. This would be the basis of a protestant defense of their faith and doctrine at a future conference - possibly in Mantua, Italy. Luther was worried that the Pope and Cardinals would "not treat of salutary doctrine, saving faith, etc., but of useless matters, such ass laws concerning meats, the length of priest's garments, exercises of monks, etc." (F. Bente. "Historical Introductions to the Book of Concord." Concordia Publishing House, 1965 pg. 48).

PRINCE JOHN FREDERICK - was not thrilled about a council. Well and good if the theologians wanted to talk, but he felt that accepting the Pope's invitation to a council would be the same as accepting papal authority over the church and the council's proceedings. The war would be lost, before it was properly fought! He wanted the conference held in Germany or some neutral territory, not Italy.

PHILIP MELANCHTHON - was the main author of the Augsburg Confession, which every theologian re-affirmed at Smallcald. He did not fully subscribe to Luther's articles because he wanted to be more conciliatory toward Rome - stating that the reformers could accept the authority of a Pope that ruled according to "human rule" not "divine rule."

How were these Smallcald Articles forged? The process took a little longer than that one, hot summer in a small, German town. They were published a year afterward and eventually found full agreement among the reformers. There were lots of disagreements, at first, but soon there was "Concordia."

We'll be learning more together in the weeks to come.

St. Andrew's Day 2011

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St. Andrew, Apostle

In as sense, Andrew is the firstChristian missionary mentioned in the Bible. In John 1:29, he begins to follow Jesus when John the Baptist proclaims“Behold, the lamb of God…” and then Andrew gets his brother, Peter. Andrew is a fisherman, along with his brotherPeter and James and John Zebedee, and is told by Jesus to be a fisher ofmen. Andrew is next mentioned when hebrings the boy with the fishes and loaves to Jesus before the feeding of amultitude. After the Gospels, we onlyhave a mention by the historian, Eusebius, of Andrew’s journey to Scythia toshare the Gospel and hints of an execution on an X-shaped cross. In later centuries, Scottish kings called onAndrew in times of crisis and used the symbol of the Saltire (X-shaped) Crossin their heraldry.

PRAYER: Almighty God, who gave such grace to your apostleAndrew that he readily obeyed the call of your Son Jesus Christ, and broughthis brother with him: Give us, who are called by your holy Word, grace tofollow him without delay, and to bring those near to us into his graciouspresence; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now andforever. Amen.

Zechariah

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Cappella tornabuoni frescoes in Florence. "Announcement of the Angel to Saint Zechariah"

In this medieval painting illustrating how the angel Gabriel came to Zechariah, the priest, yousee ordinary people gathered for worship. Their expressions are very casual. They give no indication that anything special is occurring, nor do theyanticipate that anything extraordinary would ever happen at church!

We have two ordinary people. One of themhappens to be a priest, and the other, his wife. They are in the middle of doing ordinary things. And that iswhere this extraordinary event begins.

Hear and see more this Wednesday night at Bethany Lutheran Church when we gather for Evening Prayer at 7PM (EST).

Advent 1-B 2011

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Sermonfor Advent 1-B 11/27

Text: Isaiah64:1-9

First Thoughts:Isaiah chapters 40 – 66 give us a series of very connected oracles about thefuture of Israel after the days of King Hezekiah. We get to a climax at chapters 53 &53with the suffering servant. The chaptersafterward tend to dwell more on the glory of God and the work of His Spirit.

SERMON TITLE, OUTLINE

“IDon’t Mind Waiting”

Give me patience… now!(64:1-3)

Grant me forgiveness (4-7)

Keep my faith alive (8-9)

START |> ADVENT at Bethany Lutheran Church

Presidential Proclamation -- Thanksgiving Day, 2011

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Note: Each year, this pastor likes to read the official proclamation that comes from the desk of the President of the United States, as a way to acknowledge and preserve this wonderful custom. I am very proud to be a citizen of the United States when the person who holds the highest political office calls on the nation to be humble and grateful for the blessings we receive. It is at the President's suggestion that we will, indeed, "come together" in our house of worship at 2501 Beacon Hill Road to acknowledge the great gifts we receive from the hand of our Mighty God. And we will begin with these words from our president...

THANKSGIVING DAY, 2011

- - - - - - -

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

     One of our Nation's oldest and most cherished traditions, Thanksgiving Day brings us closer to our loved ones and invites us to reflect on the blessings that enrich our lives. The observance recalls the celebration of an autumn harvest centuries ago, when the Wampanoag tribe joined the Pilgrims at Plymouth Colony to share in the fruits of a bountiful season. The feast honored the Wampanoag for generously extending their knowledge of local game and agriculture to the Pilgrims, and today we renew our gratitude to all American Indians and Alaska Natives. We take this time to remember the ways that the First Americans have enriched our Nation's heritage, from their generosity centuries ago to the everyday contributions they make to all facets of American life. As we come together with friends, family, and neighbors to celebrate, let us set aside our daily concerns and give thanks for the providence bestowed upon us.
     Though our traditions have evolved, the spirit of grace and humility at the heart of Thanksgiving has persisted through every chapter of our story. When President George Washington proclaimed our country's first Thanksgiving, he praised a generous and knowing God for shepherding our young Republic through its uncertain beginnings. Decades later, President Abraham Lincoln looked to the divine to protect those who had known the worst of civil war, and to restore the Nation "to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and union."
     In times of adversity and times of plenty, we have lifted our hearts by giving humble thanks for the blessings we have received and for those who bring meaning to our lives. Today, let us offer gratitude to our men and women in uniform for their many sacrifices, and keep in our thoughts the families who save an empty seat at the table for a loved one stationed in harm's way. And as members of our American family make do with less, let us rededicate ourselves to our friends and fellow citizens in need of a helping hand.
     As we gather in our communities and in our homes, around the table or near the hearth, we give thanks to each other and to God for the many kindnesses and comforts that grace our lives. Let us pause to recount the simple gifts that sustain us, and resolve to pay them forward in the year to come.
     NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 24, 2011, as a National Day of Thanksgiving. I encourage the people of the United States to come together    whether in our homes, places of worship, community centers, or any place of fellowship for friends and neighbors    to give thanks for all we have received in the past year, to express appreciation to those whose lives enrich our own, and to share our bounty with others.
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.

BARACK OBAMA

November Notes

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PASTOR’S PAGES

2 Corinthians 9:6-15 –The Cycle of Blessing

⁶The point isthis: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifullywill also reap bountifully. ⁷Each one must give as he has decided inhis heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.⁸And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so thathaving all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every goodwork. ⁹As it is written,

"He has distributed freely,he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever." _{Psalm 112:9}

¹⁰He who supplies seed to thesower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed forsowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. ¹¹ Youwill be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through uswill produce thanksgiving to God. ¹²For the ministry of thisservice is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is alsooverflowing in many thanksgivings to God. ¹³By their approval ofthis service, they will glorify God because of your submission flowing fromyour confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of yourcontribution for them and for all others, ¹⁴while they long for youand pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. ¹⁵Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

At the end of every November,the President of the United States issues a proclamation that normallyrequests of the people that we gather in our homes and houses of worship to bethankful for all the blessings we have been given. And each year, around this time, we do gathertogether at Bethany Lutheran to sing God’s praises and then we journey to ourhomes to eat, joke around, watch football and do those things we like to do inthe company of family and friends.

Throughout this month, let usbe comforted and challenged by God’s Word – GOD IS ABLE TO MAKE THIS GRACEABOUND IN YOU. One of the activitiessuggested by the “Consecrated Stewards” Bible Study we did last year was tonotice how grace was abounding in your life. Perhaps, take a pad of small Post It ® notes with you one day and just write down the manyblessings you think about – a smile, a hug, a safe commute to work, sun, a flower thatmakes you smile, a pet in need of attention, a glimpse of a sea bird flyingoverhead, etc., etc. This is the grace that abounds in creation – some ofthe many created blessings God gives to His creatures to enjoy. There are also numerous blessings to thinkabout when we ponder how the Holy Spirit is alive and active in our lives – workingpast our sin, bringing us together with the people of God, and connecting us tothe free forgiveness of our many sins. Thatto which the Spirit connects us is the super-abundant grace of Jesus Christ,who gave us Life Eternal and whose life flows into ours through ourBaptism.

It is the Spirit who broughtus to faith in Christ, and still supplies us with every grace we need alonglife’s way. That is why Paul writes, HEWHO SUPPLIES SEED TO THE SOWER AND BREAD FOR FOOD WILL… INCREASE THE HARVEST OFYOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Our response to Godis to direct our love and worship to Him and to love our neighbors around us,bringing them into this cycle of blessing. So, the seed, the plant, and the fruit are all because of God – flowingfrom Him into our lives, and back to Him. The sower is taking part in this process and working in the field. But, it is still God who provides the seedand causes the growth. We who are a partof the Body of Christ are a part of this miracle of life and blessing –receiving and giving God’s grace. It isthe giving that we may think of atthis time of THANKSGIVING. We givethanks because of what has first been given to us and that, in turn, drives usto a MINISTRY OF SERVICE to others. Iwonder how many of us think of our everyday lives as a “ministry”? And yet, if God inspired your getting out ofbed, your smiles to co-workers, your fixing dinner, and the prayers you spokeon behalf of others, then He has made you a servant and a witness toothers. You were blessed by Him to be ablessing to others – in big ways and in small, ordinary ways. Paul sees this cycle of blessing and declaresTHANKS BE TO GOD FOR THIS INEXPRESSIBLE GIFT.

If you have read this far,thank you for indulging my need to give God the glory and thanksgiving forallowing us to be part of this great cycle of blessing. Allow me to reward your patience with somewords of praise crafted and arranged by an acquaintance of my family, who wascalled to heavenly glory this past month. Alma Kern has written several books of poetry which are published by theLutheran Women’s Missionary League. Shelived out every word of encouragement and praise that she wrote, inspiring manyaround her. I like to think all thoseblessings she gave to others are returning a thousand-fold now, as she sees theimpact she has had on other people’s lives from heaven’s perspective and as sheadds her voice to the choirs of “angels and archangels and all the company ofheaven.”

SHARETHE BLESSING

There are some things I cannot do.

I couldn’t sing in an opera –

no matter how much I’d want to

or how hard I tried.

Other things I could do only if Iwanted to .

I could play a guitar, but I’d needinstruction

and then practice, practice, practice.

I can do whatever God tells me to do.

Jesustells me to be His witness.
He wouldn’t tell me to do the impossible.

Hedidn’t call me to be

asecret service saint!

BecauseHe chose me to be His own,

Ihave peace and joy in my heart.

Iknow if I’d die tonight,

Iwould be with Jesus forever!

Hewants me to share this blessing with others.

Someof my friends and neighbors

needto know Jesus is the way to heaven.

Icould tell them what He means to me –

ifI really wanted to.

Ijust need more courage, some instruction,

andthen practice, practice, practice.

from “You Are Precious”by Alma Kern.

Missionary League

THE bETHANY bEACON November 2011

Inviting Isaiah for Christmas

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It hit me as I read it inIsaiah 2:1 – the words that Isaiah, son of Amoz SAW. Normally, we see a vision, or see an image ora dream, but Isaiah saw the words that we are reading on the page. I still ponder that and think, “what doesthat mean?”

Reading Isaiah opens up auniverse of possibility. I feel less bound to this material world as I read themiracles of God’s actions unfold in the words given to Isaiah to see. These are words that Isaiah experienced: theImmanuel child; the exile and return of Judah; the coming of a voice in thewilderness to prepare the way of the Lord; the treasures of the nations cominginto the Holy Land.

Preaching on the OldTestament is always challenging, because we not only need to keep in mind whatthese words mean for us today, but we also need to be aware of the way peopleheard them and took them to heart when the prophet was speaking them. Because of the distance of afew thousand years, it is difficult to understand the world of God’s people way backwhen. If only we could see Isaiah’swords as he saw them!

But, whether Isaiah’s wordsare giving us a window to the past, or pointing us to the future, we know theWord he saw – the God who comes as a servant and suffers for His people – theGod who entwines His destiny with our own. This is the Word incarnate, our God who is always with us.

I’m definitely ready tostart preparing for a truly wonder-filled Christmas, with the prophet Isaiah leadingme into the marvel of it all. I hope youare too!

Check back to Article 7 for more on the prophet Isaiah during the Advent and Christmas season.

Seven Marks, part 7

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ThePossession of the Sacred Cross

Martin Luther, writing at the end of the essay "On Church and Councils" identified seven visible marks of the church on earth. We have discussed up to the seventh mark in our Adult Bible Study at Bethany Lutheran. What follows is the handout to our last class. Next in our "Concordia" series is a discussion of the Smallcald Articles.

Seventh, the holy Christianpeople are externally recognized by the holy possession of the sacred cross.They must endure every misfortune and persecution, all kinds of trials and evilfrom the devil, the world, and the flesh (as the Lord’s Prayer indicates) byinward sadness, timidity, fear, outward poverty, contempt, illness, andweakness, in order to become like their head, Christ. And the only reasonthey must suffer is that they steadfastly adhere to Christ and God’s word,enduring this for the sake of Christ, Matthew 5 [:11], “Blessed are you whenmen persecute you on my account.” They must be pious, quiet, obedient, andprepared to serve the government and everybody with life and goods, doing noone any harm. No people on earth have to endure such bitter hate; they must beaccounted worse than Jews, heathen, and Turks. In summary, they must be calledheretics, knaves, and devils, the most pernicious people on earth, to the pointwhere those who hang, drown, murder, torture, banish, and plague them to deathare rendering God a service. No one has compassion on them; they are givenmyrrh and gall to drink when they thirst. And all of this is done not becausethey are adulterers, murderers, thieves, or rogues, but because they want tohave none but Christ, and no other God. Wherever you see or hear this, youmay know that the holy Christian church is there, as Christ says in Matthew 5[:11–12], “Blessed are you when men revile you and utter all kinds of evilagainst you on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great inheaven.” This too is a holy possession whereby the Holy Spirit not only sanctifieshis people, but also blesses them.

Meanwhile, pay no heed to thepapists’ holy possessions from dead saints, from the wood of the holy cross.For these are just as often bones taken from a carrion pit as bones of saints,and just as often wood taken from gallows as wood from the holy cross. There isnothing but fraud in this. The pope thus tricks people out of their money andalienates them from Christ. Even if it were a genuine holy possession, it wouldnonetheless not sanctify anyone. But when you are condemned, cursed,reviled, slandered, and plagued because of Christ, you are sanctified. Itmortifies the old Adam and teaches him patience, humility, gentleness, praiseand thanks, and good cheer in suffering. That is what it means to be sanctifiedby the Holy Spirit and to be renewed to a new life in Christ; in that way welearn to believe in God, to trust him, to love him, and to place our hope inhim, as Romans 5 [:1–5] says, “Suffering produces hope,” etc.

These are the true seven principalparts of the great holy possession whereby the Holy Spirit effects in us adaily sanctification and vivification in Christ, according to the first tableof Moses. By this we obey it, albeit never as perfectly as Christ. But weconstantly strive to attain the goal, under his redemption or remission of sin,until we too shall one day become perfectly holy and no longer stand in need offorgiveness. Everything is directed toward that goal. I would even call theseseven parts the seven sacraments, but since that term has been misused by thepapists and is used in a different sense in Scripture, I shall let them standas the seven principal parts of Christian sanctification or the seven holypossessions of the church.

In addition to these sevenprincipal parts there are other outward signs that identify the Christianchurch, namely, those signs whereby the Holy Spirit sanctifies us accordingto the second table of Moses; when he assists us in sincerely honoring ourfather and mother, and conversely, when he helps them to raise their childrenin a Christian way and to lead honorable lives; when we faithfully serve ourprinces and lords and are obedient and subject to them, and conversely, whenthey love their subjects and protect and guard them; also when we bear no one agrudge, entertain no anger, hatred, envy, or vengefulness toward our neighbors,but gladly forgive them, lend to them, help them, and counsel them; when we arenot lewd, not drunkards, not proud, arrogant, overbearing, but chaste,self-controlled, sober, friendly, kind, gentle, and humble; when we do notsteal, rob, are not usurious, greedy, do not overcharge, but are mild, kind,content, charitable; when we are not false, mendacious, perjurers, buttruthful, trustworthy, and do whatever else is taught in these commandments—allof which St. Paul teaches abundantly in more than one place. We need theDecalogue not only to apprise us of our lawful obligations, but we also need itto discern how far the Holy Spirit has advanced us in his work ofsanctification and by how much we still fall short of the goal, lest webecome secure and imagine that we have now done all that is required. Thuswe must constantly grow in sanctification and always become new creatures inChrist. This means “grow” and “do so more and more” [II Pet. 3:18].

However, these signs cannot beregarded as being as reliable as those noted before since some heathen toopractice these works and indeed at times appear holier than Christians; yettheir actions do not issue from the heart purely and simply, for the sake ofGod, but they search for some other end because they lack a real faith in and atrue knowledge of God. But here is the Holy Spirit, who sanctifies the heartand produces these fruits from “an honest and good heart,” as Christ says inthe parable recorded in Matthew 13 [Luke 8:15]. Since the first table isgreater and must be a holier possession, I have summarized everything in thesecond table. Otherwise, I could have divided it too into seven holypossessions or seven principal parts, according to the seven commandments.

Now we know for certain what,where, and who the holy Christian church is, that is, the holy Christian peopleof God; and we are quite certain that it cannot fail us. Everything else mayfail and surely does, as we shall hear in part. Men should be selected fromthis people to form a council; that might be a council ruled by the HolySpirit. Thus Lyra, too, writes that the church is not to be assessed by thehigh or spiritual vocations in it, but by the people who truly believe.⁴¹⁸I am surprised that he was not burned at the stake for these words, for denyingthat popes, cardinals, bishops, and prelates compose the church; this amountsto abominable heresy, intolerable and offensive to the holy Roman church. Moreabout this elsewhere.⁴¹⁹

418 Nicholasof Lyra (1270–1340), a Franciscan theologian and famous interpreter of theBible. Luther frequently quotes him, as does Melanchthon, who quoted thisstatement of Lyra’s in the Apology of the Augsburg Confession, Arts.VII, VIII. Tappert (ed.), Book of Concord, p. 172. The quotation Luthercites is found in Comments on Matthew XVI (Annotationes in Matth. XVI).See WA 50, 644, n. a. Five volumes of Lyra’s works were publishedin 1471–1472 in Rome. O.D.C.C. p. 957.

⁴¹⁹Cf.The Smalcald Articles, Art. IV. Tappert (ed.), Book of Concord,pp. 298–301.

^{^[1]}

^{^[1]}Luther,M. (1999, c1966). Vol. 41: Luther's works, vol. 41 : Church andMinistry III (J. J. Pelikan, H. C. Oswald & H. T. Lehmann, Ed.).Luther's Works. Philadelphia: Fortress Press. (emphasis my own)

Seven Marks, part 6

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Sixth, the holy Christian people are externallyrecognized by prayer, public praise, and thanksgiving to God. Where you seeand hear the Lord’s Prayer prayed and taught; or psalms or other spiritualsongs sung, in accordance with the word of God and the true faith; also thecreed, the Ten Commandments, and the catechism used in public, you may restassured that a holy Christian people of God are present. For prayer, too, isone of the precious holy possessions whereby everything is sanctified, as St.Paul says [I Tim. 4:5]. The psalms too are nothing but prayers in which wepraise, thank, and glorify God. The creed and the Ten Commandments are alsoGod’s word and belong to the holy possession, whereby the Holy Spiritsanctifies the holy people of Christ. However, we are now speaking of prayersand songs which are intelligible and from which we can learn and by means ofwhich we can mend our ways. The clamor of monks and nuns and priests is notprayer, nor is it praise to God; for they do not understand it, nor do theylearn anything from it; they do it like a donkey, only for the sake of thebelly and not at all in quest of any reform or sanctification or of the will ofGod.

^{^[1]}Luther,M. (1999, c1966). Vol. 41: Luther's works, vol. 41 : Church andMinistry III (J. J. Pelikan, H. C. Oswald & H. T. Lehmann, Ed.). Luther'sWorks (Vol. 41, Page 3-179). Philadelphia:Fortress Press. (emphasis my own)

Our sixth class based on this short section of Martin Luther's essay "On Councils and The Church" was about the sixth visible mark of the Church on earth, which is public worship. When Luther writes that prayer is a means by which we are sanctified, he means to identify the work of the Holy Spirit to set God's people apart and make them holy in this action.

The last part of the paragraph is difficult to understand without knowing that in Luther's day, people would say parts of the mass just to themselves, believing that it was beneficial to others, even if those others did not understand what was going on (actually, that belief is still is carried on in some circles, today...).

Today, lots of different groups of Christians express their preference for how they like to worship - the result is a wide variety of choices and little uniformity from one church to the next. We discussed what we thought were the advantages and the disadvantages of this.

Stewardship Sunday 2011 Preview

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Woodcut from Historiae celebriores Veteris Testamenti Iconibus representatae. 1712.
This file found on web at http://www.textweek.com/art/parables.htm

StewardshipSunday

As the church year draws to a close, our assignedScripture lessons focus on the coming judgment and Christian preparation forthe day when our Lord returns to this earth. Much of this teaching focuses on the wise use of the time, talents andtreasure that we have been given as a gift from God. Christian Stewardship is the body of Biblicalteaching on how every blessing we have is a gift of God that needs to be put touse for His Kingdom before the day the King returns.

FIRST THOUGHTS

I think that the hearer of today's Gospel lesson will encounter the most important word right in the first verse (verse 14) - paradidome - "to give over" or "to grant" or "to entrust." The lord entrusted his wealth to three servants. What they had was not theirs. They were still free to make the decisions they did, but they were managers, not lords. And there would come a day of accounting.

I mean for the sermon title to be a bit shocking and attention-grabbing. While we are covered by God's grace, we still live our lives in preparation for the Almighty Audit. The way we manage God's blessings in this life does matter. Maybe we need a shock every now and then to let go of what we think is ours, and to acknowledge that we are managers, not owners of all the blessings we possess. Now is the time for wise investments. Now is the day to fall on God's grace and let His Spirit take control. Now, not when...

SERMON: “It’s Too Late!” from Matthew 25:14-30

I. …forwise investments

II. …forself-pity

All Saints Sunday Preview

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AllSaints Sunday

In the earliest liturgies of the church , there hasbeen the acknowledgement that when we commune at the Lord’s altar, the Lordcomes near to us and we are drawn near to the Lamb of God and “all the companyof heaven” that sings around His throne. Already in the 3^rd century there were mentions of a day tocommemorate those who had died because of their Christian testimony, thusgiving their lives for the faith. Thiscommemoration was celebrated at different times in different locations untilthe ninth century when there came instructions from Pope Gregory IV tocelebrate this day all around the Holy Roman Empire. Today, the first Sunday in November is a dayset aside to commemorate All Saints who were faithful witnesses here on earthand now dwell in heavenly glory. November2 is All Souls Day, a celebration of allthe baptized and our calling to be a sacred people set apart by God to do Hiswork here on earth. We combine both celebrations this Sunday at Bethany Lutheran.

SERMON: “What Kind of Love?” from 1 John 3:1-3

I. Lovethat calls us

II. Lovethat purifies us

Seven Marks, part 5

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Martin Luther before defying both Church and State at the Diet of Worms

There is a continuing discussion at Bethany Lutheran Church in our Sunday Adult Bible Study, based on Martin Luther's essay "On Councils and The Church" and the end of that essay where Luther identifies seven visible marks of the Christian Church on earth.

Earlier in “On Councils and TheChurch”, Luther expounds the virtues and tasks of the larger and smaller“church” in this neat paragraph:

But in this empire of the churchthe rule is, “The word of our God will stand for ever” [Isa. 40:8]. One has tolive according to it and refrain from creating new or different words of Godand from establishing new and different articles of faith. That is why pastorsand schoolteachers are the lowly, but daily, permanent, eternal judges whoanathematize without interruption, that is, fend off the devil and his raging.A council, being a great judge, must make old, great rascals pious or killthem, but it cannot produce any others. A pastor and a schoolteacher deal withsmall, young rascals and constantly train new people to become bishops andcouncils, whenever it is necessary. A council prunes the large limbs from thetree or extirpates evil trees. But a pastor and a schoolteacher plant andcultivate young trees and useful shrubs in the garden. Oh, they have a preciousoffice and task, and they are the church’s richest jewels; they preserve thechurch. Therefore all the lords should do their part to preserve pastors andschools. For if indeed we cannot have councils, the parishes and schools, smallthough they are, are eternal and useful councils.

Back to the Seven Marks section of this paper…

…Fifth, the church is recognized externally by the fact that itconsecrates or calls ministers, or has offices that it is to administer.There must be bishops, pastors, or preachers, who publicly and privately give,administer, and use the aforementioned four things or holy possessions inbehalf of and in the name of the church, or rather by reason of theirinstitution by Christ, as St. Paul states in Ephesians 4 [:8], “He receivedgifts among men …”³⁹⁸—his gifts were that some should be apostles,some prophets, some evangelists, some teachers and governors, etc. The peopleas a whole cannot do these things, but must entrust or have them entrusted toone person. Otherwise, what would happen if everyone wanted to speak oradminister, and no one wanted to give way to the other? It must be entrusted toone person, and he alone should be allowed to preach, to baptize, to absolve,and to administer the sacraments. The others should be content with thisarrangement and agree to it. Wherever you see this done, be assured that God’speople, the holy Christian people, are present.

…Here the pope will object throughhis loudmouths and brawlers of the devil, saying, “St. Paul does not speak onlyof pastors and preachers, but also of apostles, evangelists, prophets, andother high spiritual vocations; that is why there must be higher vocations inthe church than those of pastors and preachers. What, Sir Luther, do you haveto say now?” What do I have to say now? This is what I have to say: if theythemselves would become apostles, evangelists, prophets, or would show me atleast one among them—oh, what nonsense I am talking!—who is worth as much as aschoolboy or who is as well versed in Holy Scripture and in Christian doctrineas a seven-year-old girl, I shall declare myself caught. Now I know for certainthat an apostle, an evangelist, a prophet knows more, or indeed as much, as aseven-year-old girl. (I am speaking about Holy Scripture and about faith.) ForI thoroughly believe, more firmly than I believe in God, that they areacquainted with more human doctrine, and also with more villainy, because theyare proving it before my very eyes by the things they are doing, and so theyare apostles, evangelists, and prophets just as little as they are the church;that is to say, they are the devil’s apostles, evangelists, and prophets. Thetrue apostles, evangelists, and prophets preach God’s word, not against God’sword.

…Now, if the apostles,evangelists, and prophets are no longer living, others must have replaced themand will replace them until the end of the world, for the church shall lastuntil the end of the world [Matt. 28:20]. Apostles, evangelists, and prophetsmust therefore remain, no matter what their name, to promote God’s word andwork. The pope and his followers, who persecute God’s word while admitting thatit is true, must be very poor apostles, evangelists, and prophets, just likethe devil and his angels. But why do I keep coming back to these shameful,filthy folk of the pope? Let them go again, and bid them not to return, or etc.

Just as was said earlier about theother four parts of the great, divine, holy possession by which the holy churchis sanctified, that you need not care who or how those from whom you receive itare, so again you should not ask who and how he is who gives it to you or hasthe office. For all of it is given, not to him who has the office, but to himwho is to receive it through this office, except that he can receive ittogether with you if he so desires. Let him be what he will. Because he is inoffice and is tolerated by the assembly, you put up with him too. His personwill make God’s word and sacraments neither worse nor better for you. What hesays or does is not his, but Christ, your Lord, and the Holy Spirit say and doeverything, in so far as he adheres to correct doctrine and practice. Thechurch, of course, cannot and should not tolerate open vices; but you yourselfbe content and tolerant, since you, an individual, cannot be the whole assemblyor the Christian holy people.

At this point Luther dives back into the issue of clergy celibacy,going into more of the church’s history than other confessional writings have. The next two and a half pages of his treatisecould probably be summed up nicely in the phrase:

“These blockheads do not have the same idea of chastity thatthe fathers had…”

And, in conclusion…

…Therefore do not worry (as wassaid) about the papists’ talk concerning the personal qualifications for anecclesiastical office, for these asses do not understand St. Paul’s words, nordo they know what St. Paul’slanguage calls a sacrament. He says [Eph. 5:31–32] that Christ and the churchare a sacrament, that is, Christ and the church are one body, as husband andwife are, and that this is a great mystery, to be apprehended by faith. It isnot visible or tangible; therefore it is a sacrament, that is, somethingsecret, a mystery, invisible, hidden. But since not only virginal but alsowidowed people entering matrimony are one body, every marriage is a figure orsymbol of this great sacrament or mystery in Christ and the church. St. Paul speaks ofneither virgins nor widows; he speaks of marriage, in which husband and wifeare one body. Now wherever you find these offices or officers, you may beassured that the holy Christian people are there; for the church cannot bewithout these bishops, pastors, preachers, priests; and conversely, they cannotbe without the church. Both must be together.

The class discussion we had focused on the subject of "Accountability" and how clergy work with the lay people of the church. What system of accountability is the most effective? What system does our church and other churches use? What was the issue in Luther's day? What accountability issues arise in the church today?

^{^[1]}Luther, M. (1999, c1966). Vol.41: Luther's works, vol. 41 : Church and Ministry III (J. J.Pelikan, H. C. Oswald & H. T. Lehmann, Ed.). Luther's Works (Vol. 41, Page3-179). Philadelphia: Fortress Press. (any emphasis, my own)