A blog of the Evangelical Lutheran Liturgy
It is often said that when the pope catches a cold, the Lutherans sneeze.
Most of these Romanizations are within the realm of Vatican II liturgical adiaphora, such as receiving communion in the hand while standing and going through a continuous reception line, the passing of the peace, the three-year lectionary, the freestanding altar, etc.
Read MoreThe account of the death and resurrection of Lazarus reaches its pinnacle today in the daily lectionary of the Treasury of Daily Prayer.
Read MoreWe Christians are confessors, and confessors are those who speak. We need to confess and speak with clarity. We need to make it clear that we don’t believe as the world believes.
Read MoreLink to Service for June 2, 2024
Read MoreExcommunication is done so infrequently in our churches that it is possible for faithful leaders to bungle the process horribly, not through any malice, but simply for lack of experience and established procedure. Thus, I invite discussion on the following theses in order to promote the proper care of souls and to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Read MoreA word was coined in 1975 that has gotten a lot of traction as of late: “Lawfare.” It is a portmanteau of the words “Law” and “warfare.” Lawfare is a weaponized use of the law (in the civil sense) that turns the legal process itself into punishment.
Read MoreThe delightful and erudite Reverend Father Charles McClean gives a brilliant address on the history of the Society of St. James - which worked in the early to mid 20th century to restore liturgical and eucharistic piety back to an American Lutheran context decimated by various cultural forces that left our churches ceremonially impoverished.
Read MoreAfter two generations of failing to bring in the youth by being like the other denominations, perhaps it is time for the “whatever it takes” element in our synod to try something truly contemporary and new—something that they have hitherto been unwilling to do: practice reverent and historic worship.
Read MoreGuest posters should probably fear to go where Frs Eckardt and Beane have trod, but perhaps they would consider this a friendly amendment.
Read More“Confessional” churches receive more converts than “Missional” churches, and “Traditional” churches receive more converts than “Contemporary” services.
Read MoreLast night, on May 4, 2024, the Greek Orthodox patriarch went into the Church of the Holy Sepulcher (on Eastern Holy Saturday) and emerged with a candle that he claims was lit by the annual miracle of the Holy Fire. And this has been going on for centuries. There are many Christians around the world who believe this is a recurring miracle.
Read MoreThis article was published in the St. Paul’s (Kewanee) Newsletter for May. My retirement from the parish is set for June 9th.
Read MoreInstead of the Packers or Iron Man, you should incorporate the apostles or King David. Instead of cracking jokes, you should be treading on demons. Instead of seeing yourself as a stand up comedian, you should see yourself as a messenger tasked with urgent news: the oracles of God centered on the cross and the blood of the Lord in whose stead you stand.
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