“Worship and Witness” Coptic Christians, known as Copts, are the largest ethno-religious minority in Egypt, constituting roughly 10 per cent of the country’s 95 million people. Although many now identify as Arabs, Copts do not historically believe themselves to be of Arab origin, but are instead acknowledged as the remaining descendants of the civilization of […]
“Light of the World” I have especially noticed the early darkness since the time change a few weeks ago. It makes me much less excited about evening meetings. But I have also noticed the lights that began with Halloween but have continued and increased now with Christmas. Many windows are filled with decorations, houses lit […]
“A Season for Worship” How does the phrase go? “If you don’t like the weather in Wisconsin, just wait 30 minutes.” As I write, it was just this past Saturday that we had a 30 minute snow storm—in October—nearly whiteout conditions—with accumulation (at least for a few minutes). Exaggeration aside, the seasons are changing, and […]
“Our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” Above is a translation of a popular quote from Saint Augustine. It expresses a deep truth and one that is informative for me regarding addictions. As some of you will know, I recently preached a sermon that touched on the role of the Church in a […]
From “What Matters”, our Synod newsletter: We give thanks for the ministry of Rev. Bond Haldeman, Pastor at St. John Lutheran Church in Janesville, who celebrated this week the anniversary of his Ordination on August 27, 1995, ~ “We give thanks to God always for you.” – 1 Thessalonians 1:2
Straws, Sticks, and Stones Come to Him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture: “See, I […]
This Changes Everything The theme for this year’s ELCA National Youth Gathering is “This Changes Everything.” We have five young people preparing to go to Houston, Texas at the end of June. It is interesting that the organizers of this national event chose to use the demonstrative pronoun “this” without a clear antecedent. I hope […]
The Promising God [Romans 4] 13The promise that he, Abraham, would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law, that is through any action, but through the righteousness of faith or trust. 14If it is the adherents of the law, be they Jews or Judaizing Christians, who are […]
A New Course for Personal and Spiritual Growth Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, What is the Church, really? At least one answer to that question is this: The Church is the body of Christ on earth. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it” (1 Corinthians […]
My Soul Thirsts for You O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is […]