Gottesblog

Nothing brings home the division and chaos of the MO Synod's worship practices like filling in for someone else or having someone else fill in for you. Here are some things to consider, garnered from my own mistakes and troubles in this regard.

The Coptic Church has had an interesting history - and no less interesting in recent decades. In reading of Pope Shenouda III's recent death (our condolences to all the bereaved) I found out yet another interesting fact about the Copts: "His successor's name will be chosen by a blindfolded child from among three finalists chosen by community leaders -- a process that could take months." 

At right please notice a new feature - a listing of the five best read posts from the current week and the five best read of all time.

A couple CTCR items. First, I think they have done a fine job of rejecting the dissent of Dr. Matthew Becker of Valparaiso University and (oddly enough) the NWD of the LCMS. For this the CTCR should be commended with our thanks. Read it here and here. One hopes that now the way is clear for the rest of the Synod's due process to proceed and remove Dr. Becker from the Synod roster.

Specifically, I want to comment on the various options (the "may" rubrics) in the LSB rubrics for the Common Service. I will not spend much time below dealing with the various things that are not mentioned in the LSB rubrics: placement of celebrant and deacon, how to hold the hands, when to bow the head, genuflect, etc. Those things are ably dealt with in The Conduct of the Services by Piepkorn and McClean, whose rubrics are placed side-by-side with the Ordinary in Daily Divine Service Book and Daily Divine Service Book: Rubrics for Celebrant and Deacon.

Thanks to Fr. Erich Fickel for posting the content of the Liturgical Parish Life Conference Resource CD online in a zipped format. Enjoy!

What is Gottesdienst's [evil/double secret/master] agenda? What exactly are we pushing? We're glad you asked. Welcome to Agenda Week on Gottesdienst.