The hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” is called the Battle Hymn of the Reformation. Written by Martin Luther, it has been called “the greatest hymn of the greatest man in the greatest period of Germany history.”
It is time to come back to church. I know that this might be a controversial statement, because in our congregation the opinions about the virus and the risks associated are all across the board- just as they are anywhere else. I’m not writing to convince you of anything regarding COVID-19. Instead, I am writing this to encourage you. I’m writing to remind you of the promises God has made to you in His Word, promises that cannot fail. And I’m writing to remind you of the blessings and responsibilities that are ours as members of the Body of Christ.
Mrs. Karen Merseth has recorded some piano mini-concerts for you to enjoy this Holy Week.
Here’s a nice article from our synod’s blog page about evangelism in our newly online-enhanced relationships. God’s gospel can flourish in any environment!
https://els.org/2020/04/02/rare-opportunities-for-reaching-out/
Is it realistic these on-demand days for churches to expect people to show up at a certain place at a certain time?
The scene is so familiar. Parents, children, the Divine Service, and all the “accessories” that come along for the ride—the children’s bulletins, the scraps of “scribble paper,” the Cheerios, and the crayons. Each week, we parents go to great lengths to keep our children occupied during the worship hour. We know how our children, especially the younger ones, can become when they are bored or ignored, and we really don’t want to see that in public.
But is there something beyond merely keeping our children occupied for the time being? Is there some way to move in the Divine Service “beyond Cheerios and crayons”?
So far in the divine worship service the congregation has been the primary speakers, opening their lips in prayer and praise. At this point the congregation falls silent and our Lord himself speaks to us. We open our ears and hearts to his life giving words spoken through the Lessons.
The hymn “The Day of Resurrection” is one of the oldest hymns in our hymnary—written more than a thousand years ago by Saint John of Damascus. At the Easter Eve midnight service it is customary in Eastern Orthodox churches for worshipers to carry unlighted candles which are lighted on signal while this hymn is sung.
The Salutation marks a new and different part of the divine service. The Collect is a brief but significant prayer related to the theme for the day, preparing the way for the reading of the lessons.
The hymn "How Lovely Shines the Morning Star" (hymn #167 in our Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary) is one of the monuments of Lutheran hymns and is called the Queen of Chorales. It was used so extensively at weddings, that the idea really became common that if this hymn were not sung at the wedding, the persons were not properly married.