A blog of the Evangelical Lutheran Liturgy
As I prepared these past weeks for this talk there repeatedly came to mind some words of T. S. Eliot in his poem, “Little Gidding,” words which have become very important to me as one who has returned to the church of his Baptism after far too long a sojourn in another part of Christendom.
Read MoreSometimes Gottesdienst gets criticized for complaining too much and too quickly, and not leaving enough leeway for district officials to handle trouble spots that pop up in the Missouri Synod. And we’re certainly willing to take constructive criticism, since we know how fallible we are, and that we sometimes can get things wrong, or make mistakes, and that we certainly have the capacity to be unfair. It’s always a good thing to be circumspect.
Read MoreWhere ballet is able to bring fairy tales to life, this Liturgy of the Gospel brings the real Life of God from heaven down to earth in the Word and Flesh of Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son. And where ballroom dancing celebrates the couple in the midst of the crowd, the Liturgy embodies and enlivens the Church as the Bride of Christ and celebrates that Holy Communion with Him in holy faith and holy love.
Read MoreI praise you because you hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you. But if any one is inclined to be contentious, we have no other practice, nor have the churches of God. (1 Corinthians 11:2, 16)
Read MoreHere is a Gottesworthy article by Pastor Sean Rippy, “In Defense of Historical Worship - From a Former Advocate of Contemporary Worship.”
Well worth the read!
Read MoreOne of the candidates for synod president released his four-point campaign platform. One of his planks is that we need to “Improve Law Gospel Preaching.”
Read MoreIn our churches Mass is celebrated every Sunday and on other festivals when the sacrament is offered to those who wish for it after they have been examined and absolved. We keep traditional liturgical forms, such as the order of the lessons, prayers, vestments, etc.
~ Apology 24:1 (Tappert Translation)
Read MoreMy Dear Wormwood,
I just ran across this post of a meme (above) by a Missouri Synod pastor - and our Father Below is most pleased!
Pastors, you can either conduct church services, or you can be entertainers. If you try to combine them, you will fail at both.
Read More
