The Liturgy of Holy Communion (Part 2) - The Proper Preface

The curious observer will wonder why the first part of the liturgy of Holy Communion is called the Preface but the second part is the Proper Preface.

What’s with the “Proper”? Did the first Preface need some training in manners?

Speaking Properly

A tree can be understood to have two very basic parts: 1) The trunk/limbs part and 2) the greenery/leaves part. Similarly, the historic liturgy can be seen as having two basic components, namely “Ordinary” and “Propers.”

The Ordinary parts are those that are the same in every Divine Service, such as the Kyrie, Gloria Patri, Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Nunc Dimittis.

The Proper Parts are those that, like leaves on a tree, change depending on the specific liturgical day or season. An easy way to remember the difference is that the Propers are appropriate or proper for the day. Going back to the tree illustration, leaves change color depending upon the season, so the Propers change depending upon the season.

The major parts of the Divine Service that are Propers are the Hymns, the Collect of the Day, the Scripture readings, the Sermon, and the Proper Preface.

The proper preface then is a part of the liturgy that changes depending upon the season or occasion.

Now that we have answered the question of what the Proper is, what is the Proper Preface about? Simply put, it is a prayer of thanksgiving to God our Father for all He has done for us in Christ Jesus.

Giving Thanks at all times

After being invited to give thanks to the Lord in the Preface, the pastor now does just that by now talking to God in a prayer of thanksgiving. The opening line is addressed to the Father and expresses what we have seen throughout Scripture: the duty of God’s people to thank the Lord. 

“It is truly good, right and our joy that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God.”

In the words “it is truly good, right, and our joy” we express that what follows is always, no matter what we are facing, a good and salutary act - thanksgiving. We acknowledge that we should “at all times and in all places” joyfully and rightly give thanks to God our Father.

It is often easy to feel thankful when life is going good, when our health is strong, relationships are happy, and we experience success at work. It can be much more difficult to have this attitude of thanksgiving when we are in the valley of the shadow of death. Yet Philippians 4:4-7 encourages this very thing:

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

In the Proper Preface we are acknowledging that regardless of what we are facing in life, that it is good and right to give thanks to God.

Why is it good and right for us to give thanks to God? The second portion of the prayer answer this question.

Jesus is the Reason

This prayer follows the pattern of thanksgiving in the psalms in the Old Testament. Thanksgiving in general was offered for the gifts of God’s creation (Ps 136:4-9), His provision in their lives (Ps 67:6-7), His wondrous deeds (Ps 75:1) and for His saving acts (Ps 35:18).  Like Israel thanked the Lord for delivering them from their enemies, so we now thank God for sending His Son to save us from sin and Satan.

For by water and the Holy Spirit you have made us a new people in Jesus Christ our Lord, to show forth your glory in all the world.

Here the Church is giving thanks for God’s gracious salvific work of gathering and making for Himself a new people in Christ Jesus!

Other seasonal Propers include the following:

Advent - “because in His coming the day of our deliverance has dawned; and through Him You will make all things new, as He comes in power and triumph to judge the world.

Lent - “who overcame the assaults of the devil and gave His life as a ransom for many that with cleansed hearts we might be prepared joyfully to celebrate the resurrection feast in sincerity and truth.”

Easter - “And most especially are we bound to praise You on this day for the glorious resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ, the very Paschal Lamb, who was sacrificed for us and bore the sins of the world. By His dying He has destroyed death, and by His rising again He has restored to us everlasting life.”

Joining the Choir of Heaven

Hubert van Eyck, “Adoration of the Lamb” (detail), Ghent Altarpiece, ca. 1429

The third and final section of the Proper Preface is the transition into the Sanctus (the topic of the next blog post). Here we shift to now joining our voices with the praise of those in heaven.

Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying:

This is a powerful moment where we are remind that our worship is not simply our worship only, but it is joining with the whole Church in heaven and earth. It is the moment we begin to see the the curtains drawn back on heaven and the people of God lifting our voices to mix and mingle with those of the angels, archangels, and victorious saints.

Hebrews 12:22-24 describes that through the blood of Christ, we now enter into the heavenly Jerusalem, with the angels and saints!

“But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

St. John Chrysostom says that during Holy Communion the angels surround the pastor, and the whole sanctuary is filled with angels honoring Christ, present in the Eucharist. He adds that we, though lowly, have been deemed worthy to join the powers of Heaven in the worship of the Lord.

The liturgy is often described as the “thin place” where heaven and earth meet. It’s the mountain top where God’s people ascend and God descends to meet His people. This moment is ushering us to the summit of the Divine Service where God comes to humanity in the person and work of the incarnate, crucified, died, risen, and glorified Christ Jesus in the bread and wine.

The next blog installment will look more at this heavenly chorus of praise of the Santus.

Liturgy of Holy Communion (Part 1) - The Preface

Introduction

The Eucharistic prayer opens with a three-part dialogue that has been recited in the Church since at least the third century. This dialogue is first reported in the Eucharistic prayer of St. Hippolytus (c. A.D. 215). Now, eighteen centuries later, we continue to say the same words, uniting us with the Christians of the early Church.

The Lord’s Presence 

The opening exchange (“The Lord be with you… and also with you/spirit.”) we have heard before. It is used in the introductory rite of the start of the Divine Service just before the reading of the Scriptures. Greetings like this were used through Scripture to address those whom God called to an important but daunting missions. Isaac (Gn 26:3, 24) and Jacob (Gn 28:13-15); Moses (Ex 3:12) and Joshua (Josh 1:5, 9); Gideon (Jgs 6:12), King David (2 Sam 7:3), and the prophet Jeremiah (Her 1:6-8), and the Blessed Virgin Mary (Lk 1:28). All of theme heard this message at pivotal moments in their lives. They needed the Lord to be with them as they set out on their charge. 

Here, the greeting is fittingly repeated as we embark upon the most sacred part of the service: the eucharistic prayer. Both the pastor and the people need the Lord to be with them as they prepare to enter the mystery of Holy Communion. 

Question: Why is it important that we are reminded of God’s presence with us?  

Lifting Our Hearts

Next, the pastor says, “lift up your hearts” (Latin: literally, "Upwards hearts"). This prayer brings to mind the exhortation in Lamentations 3:41, “Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven.” What does it mean to “lift up” our hearts? 

In the Bible, the heart is the hidden center of the person from which one’s thoughts, emotions and actions originate. All intentions and commitments flow from the human heart. Therefore when you are invited each week to “lift up your hearts,” we are being summoned to give our fullest attention to what is about to unfold. This is a wake up call to set aside all other concerns and focus our minds, wills, and emotions - our hearts - on the sublimity (grandeur, beauty, excellence) of what is happening in the Eucharistic prayer.  

This summons is reminiscent of St. Paul’s words to the Colossians 3:1-2, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Just as Paul called the Colossians to seek the “things above, where Christ is,” so are we bidden to direct our entire being towards the things of heaven, for that is where Christ is. And that is where we are going in the Eucharistic prayer. 

Our Fullest Attention

St. Cyprian (d. A.D. 258), a North African Church Father, explained how this prayer draws our attention away from worldly distractions and is meant to lead us to ponder the awe-inspiring action taking place in the Eucharist prayer: 

“Moreover, when we stand praying, beloved brethren, we ought to be watchful and earnest with our whole heart, intent on our prayers. Let all carnal and worldly thoughts pass away, nor let the soul at that time think on anything but the object only of its prayer. For this reason also the priest, by way of preface before his prayer, prepares the minds of the brethren by saying, Lift up your hearts, that so upon the people's response, We lift them up unto the Lord, he may be reminded that he himself ought to think of nothing but the Lord.” 

Another Church Father, St. Cyril of Jerusalem, made a similar point and warned believers of the seriousness of this moment:

“Lift up your hearts: for in this sublime moment the heart should be lifted up to God, and not be allowed to descend to the earth and to earthly concerns. With all possible emphasis the priest exhorts all in that hour to dismiss all cares of this life, or household anxieties, and to have their heart in heaven with the merciful God. Then you answer, We lift them up unto the Lord: assenting to it, by your avowal. But let no one come here, who could say with his mouth, We lift up our hearts unto the Lord, but in his thoughts have his mind concerned with the cares of this life.”  

Cyril goes on to acknowledge that being attentive to the Lord is something we should do always, but is difficult because we are fallen and weak. Yet if there ever is a moment to concentrate most intently and give God our fullest attention, it is now at the Eucharist prayer: “We should, indeed think of God at all times, but this is impossible because of our human frailty; but in this holy time especially our hearts should be with God.” 

Question: Why can it be difficult for us to keep our minds and hearts focused on Christ? 

Giving Thanks to God

In the last exchange the pastor says, “let us give thanks to the Lord our God.” 

As we have already expressed after each Scripture reading (“Thanks be to God”), thanksgiving is a common biblical response to God’s goodness and to His saving works in our lives. In fact, thanksgiving is (should be) the most basic posture of God’s people towards Him. 

We are reminded to give thanks to the Lord and echo the similar exhortation found in the Psalms: “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good…” (Psalm 136:1-3; see also Ps 107:8, 15, 21, 31). 

St. Paul similarly teaches that the Christian life should be marked by prayers of thanksgiving. We should be “abounding in thanksgiving” (Col 2:7), give thanks to God in all we do (Col 3:17) and “in all circumstances” (1 Thess 5:18, Phil 4:6), especially in worship. Read the following Scripture passages: 1 Cor 14:16-19; Eph 5:19-20; Col 3:16. Following this biblical tradition of offering prayers of thanksgiving, the congregation responding, “It is right to give Him thanks and praise.” 

Question: What is the point of agreeing with the prayer and saying “it is right”? How does giving thanks for all God has given and done for us change our attitude and outlook on life?

Seven reasons why the historic church use incense in worship

Why does the church use incense in places of worship?

1. Connection to Old Testament Worship
"Incense" is mentioned over 100 times in the Bible and was an integral part of worship in the Old Testament. The altar of incense in the Tabernacle (Exodus 30:1-10) and later in the Temple was used to burn incense regularly as an offering to God. Incense was an aromatic substance made of gums and spices to be burned. It was made according to a definite prescription of gum resin, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense in equal proportions, and was tempered with salt (Exod.30:34-Exod. 30:35). It could not be made for ordinary purposes (Exod.30.34-Exod.30.38; Lev.10.1-Lev.10.7). The use of incense in Christian worship can be seen as a continuation of this ancient practice. 

2. A form of worship to Christ 
The three gifts given to Christ by the Magi was gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The second two were resins both commonly used as incense. The newborn King received His first worship from gentiles by the gifts of incense!  

2. It models the worship of Heaven
The prayers of the saints are depicted as rising before God along with the smoke of the incense.

Revelation 8:3-4, "And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel."

3. Purification and Sanctification of a sacred space 
Incense is traditionally used to purify and sanctify the space in which it is burned. The sweet fragrance is a symbol of holiness and setting aside the space for God. 

4. Symbolism of our Prayers Rising to Heaven
Incense is often seen as a physical representation of prayers ascending to God. This is based on biblical imagery, particularly from Psalm 141:2, which says, "Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice."

5. The Presence of the Holy Spirit
The smoke of the incense symbolizes the Holy Spirit. Just as the smoke fills the space and is perceived by the senses, so the Holy Spirit fills the hearts and minds of the worshippers, permeating the entire environment.

6. The Presence of God
Throughout the OT the presence of God was made manifest in the form of a cloud of smoke. In 2 Chronicles 5:12-14 we have a description of when the Ark of the Covenant was brought into the Temple build by Solomon, "and all the Levitical singers, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, their sons and kinsmen, arrayed in fine linen, with cymbals, harps, and lyres, stood east of the altar with 120 priests who were trumpeters; 13 and it was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord), and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the Lord, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever,” the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, 14 so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God."

7. Symbol of Sacrifice
Incense is also associated with sacrifice. Just as incense is consumed by fire, it represents the offering of oneself to God, symbolizing the worshippers' devotion and willingness to sacrifice for their faith.

Why would Christians gather for worship on Christmas Day?

Why would Christians gather for worship on Christmas Day?

1. it’s about Jesus

   It reminds us that the day is not primarily about family — as good as family is — nor about gifts — as terrific as they are. It is about Jesus.

   Writing on this topic for the Gospel Coalition, Dr. Dustin Messer wrote the following:

   “Going to church on Christmas reminds us not only of the point of church but also of the point of Christmas. It’s easy to get distracted this time of year. The parties, the decorations, the presents: sensory overload can numb us to the occasion for the festivities.

   The accoutrements themselves are not the problem. To the contrary, if seen in the right light, the pomp of Christmas serves as a joyous pointer to the birth of Christ. The problem isn’t with the pointers but with us. I love C. S. Lewis’s illustration:

   You will have noticed that most dogs cannot understand pointing. You point to a bit of food on the floor; the dog, instead of looking at the floor, sniffs at your finger. A finger is a finger to him, and that is all. His world is all fact and no meaning.

   How often we can be like Lewis’s dog at Christmas—marveling at the new TV, savoring the homemade eggnog, and yet failing to revel in the present behind the presents: the incarnation of the Son of God. Going to church on Christmas contextualizes the season for us.”

   Christmas is about Jesus. The entire foundation of our faith is centered around the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We get two days a year to really bring home that message: Christmas and Easter. What better way to remind ourselves of that than gathering together as Christians and celebrating this beautiful truth.

   “Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness!”

2. evangelism

   It reminds the world around us - our unbelieving family, friends, and co-workers - that we believe this day is about Jesus. Where I am physically on Christmas day will say something to the people around me. What I prioritize year after year will speak volumes to the world we inhabit.

   “Go, tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born.”

3. water is thicker than blood

   It reminds us as the body of Christ that our relationship to each other is bound up in something so much bigger than common interest, language, or hobbies. Our relationship to one another is bound together in Christ Jesus. By prioritizing gathering with people not “family” by blood but family by “water” (baptism), we are declaring our highest family allegiance. 

   “Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice”

4. For the Children

   It reminds our children this day is about the gift of a Savior not the gifts under the tree. As a father of five children, more than anything else, my deepest desire for my children is to remember that Christmas is about the birth of their Savior Jesus Christ. And one way that we are seeking to disciple and form their hearts is to gather with believers to celebrate this good news. 

   “Remember Christ, our Savior was born on Christmas Day, to save us all from Satan's pow'r, when we were gone astray.”

5. a Holy Day

   It reminds us that Christmas is a “holy-day.” In recent years people have made a stink about whether we should say “Happy Holidays” instead of the potentially offensive word “Christmas.” Interestingly, “holiday” is simply another way of saying “Holy Day” and for Christians any day we observe and celebrate our Lord’s life is just that, a “holy day.” Christmas is observed as a “holy day” by gathering in the house of the Lord. 

   “This, this is Christ, the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing”

6. Joful defiance 

   It is an act of joyful defiance. Christians have historically gathered on Christmas Day because it reminds us that we have a King different than the rest of the world. We will engage in the “defiant acts” of worship and practice our spiritual oddness. By saying yes to gathering to worship king Jesus, we are saying no (at least in a very small way) to giving the things of this world our allegiance.

   “Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King.”

7. The Word made Flesh 

   It is about celebrating “the Word made flesh.” Christmas is the day Christ, the Son of God, was born into the world. God coming into our midst is something we describe as “the incarnation,” that is the “enfleshing” of God, or God taking on “flesh.” It’s one of the great mysteries of the Christian faith. One of the most significant ways we meditate and celibrate this reality is by sharing together in Holy Communion where we receive the true Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. The meaning of “Christmas” is in fact “Christ-Mass.” The phrase “Mass” (also known as Holy Communion, the Eucharist, or the Lord’s Supper) has as it’s focus the marvelous and loving act of God coming into our world as Immanuel.

   “O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.”

With eager anticipation, I look forward to gathering with my brothers and sisters in Christ on Christmas Day to rejoice in the birth our Lord!

The Two Comings of Christ - Cyril of Jerusalem

We preach not one advent only of Christ, but a second also, far more glorious than the former. For the former gave a view of His patience; but the latter brings with it the crown of a divine kingdom. For all things, for the most part, are twofold in our Lord Jesus Christ…. In His former advent, He was wrapped in swaddling clothes in the manger; in His second, He covers Himself with light as with a garment. In His first coming, He endured the Cross, despising shame (Hebrews 12:2); in His second, He comes attended by a host of Angels, receiving glory. We rest not then upon His first advent only, but look also for His second. And as at His first coming we said, Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord , so will we repeat the same at His second coming; that when with Angels we meet our Master, we may worship Him and say, Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord. The Savior comes, not to be judged again, but to judge them who judged Him; He who before held His peace when judged , shall remind the transgressors who did those daring deeds at the Cross, and shall say, These things have you done, and I kept silence. Then, He came because of a divine dispensation, teaching men with persuasion; but this time they will of necessity have Him for their King, even though they wish it not.

Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lecture 15

St. Lucia Day

On December 13th we remember Lucia (also commonly Lucy) who was an early Christian martyr (310 a.d.). As legend has it, Lucia would travel into the catacombs where persecuted Christians were hiding, with candles on her head to free up her hands for the food she carried to them. Rather than marrying she used her dowry to help those in need. She was brutally martyred under Diocletian and remember on December 13th.

St. Lucia Day became particularly popular in Sweden, and is celebrated by having the oldest daughter in the family wear a crown of candles and deliver saffron buns and gingersnaps to her parents first thing in the morning on December 13th. We love to deliver these to friends and neighbors later in the day as well!

Books

A great children’s picture book biography to read on this day: Lucia: Saint of Light

Tidbits

One of the victims of the great persecution under the Roman emperor Diocletian, Lucia met her death at Syracuse on the island of Sicily in the year A.D. 304, because of her Christian faith. Known for her charity, “Santa Lucia” (as she is called in Italy) gave away her dowry and remained a virgin until her execution by the sword. The name Lucia means “light,” and, because of that, festivals of light commemorating her became popular throughout Europe, especially in the Scandinavian countries. There her feast day corresponds with the time of year when there is the least amount of daylight. (Collect and Intro from The Treasury of Daily Prayer, Concordia Publishing House)

 In medieval Europe before the Gregorian reform of the calendar, St. Lucy’s Day was the shortest day of the year and this day was celebrated especially in Scandinavia where it marked the tunring from the long cold nights to the increase in daylight.  Swedish communites, including many in America, still have special festivities for this day.  In private homes one of the young girls of the household, dressed in white and wearing a crown of lighted candles, awakens the family in the morning and offers them cakes and coffee from a tray. (from Festivals and Commemorations by Rev. Philip Pfatteicher)

Podcast Interview 

Here is an interview on Issues, Etc. (you can find that interview here) with Dr. Joel Elowsky, Professor at Concordia Seminary/St. Louis.  

Light in the Darkness

Lucia brought the light of of Christ (Matthew 5:16) into each place she went. The powers of darkness thought they had blown out that light by killing her, but they were wrong as we remember her today. As another Christian (Tertullian) once said, “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church." In Christ, we too can bring light, His light, into the dark places, even in our bodies which are temples of the Holy Spirit. As the apostle John said, “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1: 4-5)

St. Lucia is also a great example of a Christian willing to undergo tremendiously torture and finally death for the Lord Jesus Christ. What a story of inspiration to share with our daughters!

Collect of the Day:

O Almighty God, by whose grace and power Your holy servant Lucia triumphed over suffering and remain ever faithful unto death, grant us, who now remember her with thanksgiving, to be so true in our witness to You in this world that we may receive with her new eyes without tears and the crown of light and life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Here are two of our favorite recipes for this day:

Saffron Buns

INGREDIENTS

• 3/4 cup milk

• 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads

• 1 teaspoon plus 1/4 cup sugar

• One 1/4-ounce packet active dry yeast

• 3 1/2 to 4 cups all purpose flour

• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

• 1/4 cup butter, softened

• 1/4 cup of sour cream

• 2 large eggs

• Raisins

• 1 egg, beaten

1. In a small pot, heat the milk, saffron, and 1 teaspoon of sugar together until the milk is steamy. Remove from heat and let cool until about 115°.

2. Sprinkle the yeast over the milk and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.

3. Whisk together 3 1/2 cups of the flour, remaining 1/4 cup of sugar, salt.

4. Make a well in the center of the flour and add the yeast milk saffron mixture, the eggs, the butter, and the sour cream. Mix the ingredients until well incorporated.

5. Use a dough hook on a stand mixer (or mix by hand) on low speed. Slowly add additional flour, a tablespoon at a time, kneading to incorporate after each addition. Do this until the dough is still a little sticky to the touch, but does not completely stick to your hands when you handle it.

6. Shape the dough into a ball and place in a large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap. (Note at this point you can refrigerate overnight and bake in the morning.)

7. Let sit in a warm place for 1 to 2 hours, until the dough has doubled in size. 

8. When the dough has doubled in size, gently press it down and knead it a couple of times. Break off a piece and form it into a ball about 2 inches wide. Roll the ball out into a snake, about 14 inches long.

9. Then curl the ends in opposite directions, forming an "S" with spirals at each end. Place on a lined baking sheet and repeat with the rest of the dough.

10. Cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm spot until the dough shapes double, 30 minutes to an hour.

11. Preheat oven to 400°F. Using a pastry brush, brush some beaten egg over the tops and sides of the uncooked buns. Place raisins in the centers of the "S" spirals.

12. Place in the oven and bake at 400°F for about 10 to 11 minutes (turning halfway through cooking to ensure even browning), until the buns are golden brown.

13. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before eating.

Gingersnaps

INGREDIENTS

• 3/4 cup butter

• 1 cup white sugar

• 1 egg

• 1/4 cup molasses

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tablespoon ground ginger

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 2 teaspoons baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 cup white sugar for decoration

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2. In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and 1 cup white sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg and molasses until well blended. Combine the flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda and salt; stir into the molasses mixture to form a dough. Roll dough into 1 inch balls and roll the balls in the remaining sugar. Place cookies 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.

3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Blogs for ideas

• https://jerusalemgreer.com/2020/12/12/last-minute-saint-lucia-day-celebrations/

• https://www.asceticlifeofmotherhood.com/blog/stluciadayguide

• https://faithandfabricdesign.com/2019/11/celebrating-celebrate-saint-lucy-feast-day.html

• https://equippingcatholicfamilies.com/2014/12/feast-day-fun-st-lucy/

• https://www.littlewaychapel.com/blog/st-lucy-lesson

The Feast of All Saints

Today is the Feast of All Saints, a beautiful feast day where we lovingly remember martyrs and saints who faithfully served the Lord and are now in His glorious presence.

What is All Saints' Day?

Originally All Saints' Day was a day set aside to remember the martyrs of the early church, who had given their lives for their faith in Christ. Today we remember not only these martyrs, but all the faithful who have died in Christ, encompassing the faithful in the Bible, the early church, the more recent past, and even friends or family members who are now in heaven. What Memorial Day is to America, All Saints’ Day is to the Church, a day of remembrance and thankfulness.

Every Sunday we confess that we believe in “the communion of saints” which is to say a spiritual union of all of the members of the Church. This communion includes the living, the Church Militant, and those who have died in the faith of Christ—the Church Triumphant. We are knit together with the saints in the mystical body of Christ. Saint Paul says in his letter to the congregations in Corinthian, “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.” (1 Cor. 10:16-17).

What is a Saint?

All who are in Christ are saints (1 Cor. 1:2). The word “saint" is derived from a Greek verb (hagiazo) whose basic meaning is “to set apart, " “sanctify,” or “make holy." This title doesn't just belong to a select few Christians but to each and every person who has been forgiven and made holy in Christ Jesus.

Why celebrate All Saints' Day?

All Saints' Day is a great opportunity to reflect on God's faithfulness, to thank Him for the example of faithful believers, and to be inspired by this example. This could be a great time to share with your kids about a faithful grandparent or mentor who God used to draw you closer to Him. You might want to read the story of a faithful saint from the Bible, or a biography of a missionary or early church figure. As we retell the story of the faithful Christians who have gone before, we give our children (and ourselves) a vision for what God could do through us, and our hearts are drawn in faith and praise to Him for His work throughout the ages in ordinary individuals just like us.

How can we celebrate All Saints' Day?

Here are a few ideas to choose from for celebrating this day with your family:

1) Attend a service at a church that celebrates the Feast of All Saints. At Trinity this Sunday we will celebrate this joyous occasion.

2) Read and discuss a passage of Scripture that talks about the saints throughout time, such as: Revelation 7:2-17; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12.

3) Read a biography about a famous Christian from history. Here are a few of our favorites:

Trial and Triumph: Stories from Church History by Richard Hannula

Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland by Tomie DePaola

Martin Luther: A Man Who Changed the World by Paul Maier

The Simonetta Carr biographies

Missionary biographies

4) Share about the life of a faithful Christian you knew personally who is now in heaven, and take a moment to thank God as a family for this saint.

5) Host a party where the kids dress up like their favorite saint and tell their stories.

6) Visit the resting place of a love one who died in Christ and give thanks to God for their life. This is a good time to teach your children about the hope of the resurrection!

7) Pray with your family the Collect for All Saints (we will also pray this on Sunday)

Almighty and everlasting God, You knit together Your faithful people of all times and places into one holy communion, the mystical body of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Grant us so to follow Your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living that, together with them, we may come to the unspeakable joys You have prepared for those who love You; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Let's take some time this November 1st to thank God for the faithful that make up the body of Christ; in heaven and on earth, famous or little known, and to be encouraged to trust in His faithfulness to help us and our children run the race He has for us!

A few hymns for this day:

Notable Lutheran Artist

There have been several famous Lutheran artists throughout history. Here are four notable ones:

Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472-1553): Lucas Cranach was a German painter and printmaker who was a close associate of Martin Luther. He is known for his portraits of Luther and other figures of the Protestant Reformation. He also created numerous religious paintings and woodcuts with Lutheran themes. Here is a introduction to his life and work.

Martin and Katarina Luther, portrait by Lucas Cranach the Elder

Altarpiece in the Weimar parish church St. Peter and Paul

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Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528): Albrecht Dürer was a renowned German painter, printmaker, and mathematician. While he was not exclusively a Lutheran artist, he lived during the time of the Reformation and produced works that reflected his Lutheran faith. Learn more about him and his work here.

The Resurrection, from "The Large Passion"

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Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750): Bach, a famous composer and musician, was a devout Lutheran. Much of his music, including his choral and organ compositions, was composed for Lutheran church services. Listen to Bach’s beautiful setting of the Lutheran Mass here.

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Caspar David Friedrich (1774-1840): Friedrich was a German Romantic landscape painter, and his works often contain religious and spiritual themes. He was influenced by Lutheran pietism and his faith is evident in many of his paintings.

The Wanderer

Cross and Cathedral in the Mountains, 1812

The Triumph of the Holy Cross

“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Cor. 1:18)

The Church has some peculiar observances. One such “feast” occurs every year on September 14: Holy Cross Day. This day is observed in both East and West where it is known as “the exaltation of the cross” and “the triumph of the cross.”

Celebrating the saving work of Christ in His conception, birth, baptism, transfiguration, death, resurrection, and ascension, along with remembering the Patriarchs and Saints, has long been the custom of the church calendar. But what about inanimate objects — a crossbeam of wood and its vertical support?

The focus of this feast day is not on the instrument of the crucifixion per se but rather the person mounted to it and the event known as the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth.

It is the crucified Christ that renders the crucifix (or, simply, “the cross”) meaningful and significant. While Good Friday is dedicated to the Passion of Christ and the crucifixion, Holy Cross feast day draws into sustained focus the instrument of salvation and the throne of our God and King, Jesus of Nazareth.

Lutheran Pastor John Bombaro commenting on this day says,

“Our forefathers dedicated Holy Cross Day to jolt the Church into remembrance that Christianity is not principally about ethics. It was the cross on the hill rather than the Sermon on the Mount that produced the impact of Christianity upon the world. Let the world not forget it, nor especially the Church.”

Notwithstanding the sanitizing efforts by many, the cross cannot be marginalized within, let alone eliminated from, biblical Christian faith. The identity and relevance of Christianity are both irrevocably tied up with the crucified Christ.

The Cross — because of what it represents — is the most potent and universal symbol of the Christian faith. It has inspired both liturgical and private devotions: for example, the Sign of the Cross, which is an invocation of the Holy Trinity; a processional cross as the centering piece to the Divine Service; the “little” Sign of the Cross on head, lips and heart at the reading of the Gospel; or praying the Stations (or Way) of the Cross during the Lenten season.

The Proper Preface for this Feast Day highlights the cross in this way:

It is truly good, right and our joy that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who accomplished the salvation of mankind by the tree of the cross that, where death arose, there life also might rise again and that the serpent who overcame by the tree of the garden might likewise by the tree of the cross be overcome.

The Christian faith, then, is not first and foremost about ideas or concepts, a philosophy of ethics, or a way of life, even though it may give rise to them. At its heart lies an event in human history, an event in which God was engaged in the most intimate endeavor between the Creator and the creature, between life and death, through the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The cross, on which our Savior was crucified, marks the beginning of the end for sin, death, and the devil.

On the feast of the Holy Cross day we celebrate Jesus’ saving work on the cross, remembering that only God can turn a symbol of torture and death into a symbol of victory and triumph. Let us join our hearts and minds to proclaim with all the Church to know nothing, “…except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2:2)

Things to Do:

• Study different symbols and types of crosses, history and/or significance. Then have an art project creating your own crosses.

• Pray the Stations of the Cross. Point out particularly the phrase repeated at each station:
  We adore You, O Christ, and praise You,
  Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

• Make sure that crucifixes are displayed prominently throughout your home. Point out the crucifix in every room even to the smallest ones.

• Gift your wife/daughters/granddaughters a crucifix neckless. A crucifix is also an appropriate gift for your husband/sons/grandsons.

• Practice making the Sign of the Cross with your children.

• Make a dessert in the form of a cross, or decorated with a cross.

• Sing a hymn on the theme of the cross: Life High the Cross, The Old Rugged Cross, Oh the Power of the Cross, etc.

• Read the various Scripture passages that speak of the role of the cross in Christ’s work of redemption: Numbers 21:4-9, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, John 3:13-17, John 12:20-32.

Bring them here to me

“BRING THEM HERE TO ME” - JESUS

The Holy Gospel of Matthew 14:13-21

Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” 17 They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” 18 And he said, “Bring them here to me.” 19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. 21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

This gospel reading is a beautiful picture of our Lord's heart towards us in so many levels:

1. Our Lord responds to the needs of the crowds pressing upon him with compassion.

This word compassion denotes an inward experience and feeling, that is, deep within himself he felt for the needs of the crowd and longed to help them. Jesus will use this same word in the parable of the prodigal son to describe God's love for us, "So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him" (Luke 15:20).

Did you know that our Lord Jesus has compassion for you? He has compassion for YOU! He has compassion for you in each area that you struggle with guilt, grief, fear, and insecurity. He deeply feels for you in each of those areas. But he doesn't only feel, he acts. And that brings us to the second picture of His love towards us.

2. Our Lord is moved by His compassion to bring healing and sustenance into our lives.

He brought healing not simply in a generic way, but specifically by touching each of them individually, this was always his way. This is still His way. Jesus died the cross for the whole world but applies that forgiveness to us individually and personally as His Word is proclaimed to us and the waters of baptism are poured upon us. Jesus is there, speaking to us and washing us. The healing Jesus brings is more than just physical healing in this lifetime, it is spiritual healing for both this life and the next. It is the restoration of our humanity in Him.

We see our Lord's compassion as He not only heals them, but as they begin to hunger He miraculously feeds them! This harkens us back to God miraculously feeding the children of Israel in the wilderness with food from heaven (Manna) and meat from the sky (quail). Our Lord continues to feed His children with a heavenly food (John 6) in the Holy Communion of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus. The same power that Jesus exercised to multiply the fives loaves and two fish, is the same power He makes Himself present in each gathering of believers around the globe at the altar. And this gift brings us to a third act of compassion and love. 

3. Our Lord's healing and sustenance brings a deep and abiding satisfaction.

The meal is multiplied by Jesus, given to the disciples, distributed to the people, extra is collected after, and in all this, they were satisfied. They ate until they needed no more. What a beautiful picture! This same satisfaction is what our Lord bestows to us in Holy Communion. He gives us just enough to satisfy us for this time. And then He does it all again next week, and again the week after, again the week after that, all the way until he returns.

4. Our Lord invites us to bring our small contributions to Him so that He can use them how He sees fit for His kingdom. 

Jesus didn't ask for the richest person to donate, or the most gifted cook to step up, or the hardest worker; he simply said "bring them [what you have] to me." Jesus took these small portions for a single person and by His power multiplied them. We often can feel as if what we have doesn't amount to much. Our time seems to small, our energy too  little, and our resources too thin. But Jesus isn't asking for us to do the miracle, He's asking us to give what we have to Him and let Him decide what He wants to do with it.

I invite you to give to Jesus what you have. Give Him your exhausted parenting, your broken relationships, your thin finances, your feeble prayers, and distracted listening. He can take those small efforts and use them in your life and the lives of those around you in ways you could never imagine. 

This is who our Lord Jesus is. This is what our Lord Jesus does.

He has compassion on you, He heals you by freely forgiving you your sins, He feed you in the Holy Eucharist, He satisfies you spiritually and emotionally in Himself, and He multiplies our little.  

A Holy Week Reading Plan

A nice devotional practice for Holy Week is reading the events of Holy Week on the days they occurred. The following is a chronological reading suggested by esv.org with minor tweaks.

Palm Sunday: Matthew 21:1-11, 17; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12-18, 20-36.

Holy Monday: Matthew 21:18-19, 12-13; Mark 11:12-17, 19; Luke 19:45-46

Holy Tuesday: Matthew 21:20-25:46; Mark 11:20-21; 11:27-12:44; 13:1-37; Luke 20:1-21:4; 21:4-36

Holy Wednesday: Matthew 26:3-5; Mark 14:1-2; Luke 22:1-2

Maundy Thursday: Matthew 26:17-46; Mark 14:12-26, 32-42; Luke 22:7-46; John 13:1-17:26; 1 Cor 11:23-25

Good Friday: Matthew 26:47-27:61; Mark 15:43-15:47; Luke 22:47-23:54; John 18:2-24; 18:28-19:42

Holy Saturday: Matthew 27:62-66; Luke 23:56

Easter: Matthew 28:1-20; Mark 16:1-20; Luke 24:1-53; John 20:1-21:25; 1 Cor 15:5

Celebrating the Resurrection

Celebrating comes naturally to us; just think back to the Christmas season, and all the time you spent preparing special foods, selecting and wrapping gifts, listening to festive seasonal music, gathering with loved ones, and maybe attending parties, concerts and worship services dedicated to the season of Christmas.

Christmas is worth celebrating. And Easter is even MORE worth celebrating! The resurrection of Christ, the defeat of death and the devil; this event is the centerpoint celebration of our faith.

So how can we approach Easter with preparation, so that we can celebrate well? 

Plan ahead for your Easter morning/day celebrations.

1) Set the scene. 

-Gather (or purchase) your Easter decor, perhaps a "He is Risen" piece of art. Check out Hobby Lobby or Etsy for some great options! Set it out right before you go to bed the night before Easter morning.

-A couple of days before Easter, purchase some beautiful spring flowers. Hide them in your garage and pull them out to place around the house the night before so they are ready for Easter morning.

-Turn on some celebratory music as soon as the sun rises on Sunday. Waiting for Easter morning to play resurrection songs adds to the anticipation! Here is a suggested playlist.

2) Add some fun and feasting.

-Everyone loves Easter baskets, even adults! Create simple Easter baskets for the loved ones in your life, and include some Christ-centered items, such as large chocolate crosses (purchase at Hobby Lobby or on Amazon), a Scripture coloring book, or a book to encourage the recipient in their faith. For kids, we love the Tales that Tell the Truth series, Baby Believer Primer board books, and missionary/heroes of the faith biographies!

-Choose some special foods to make ahead or the morning of Easter. Hot cross buns are a traditional choice, though you could also make these for Good Friday!

-Think about something unique to you and your family that you'd like to include that will help add to the celebration of the day. Cascarones, anyone? :) 

3) Incorporate optional experiential activities leading up to Easter, especially if you have kids at your house! Some ideas:

Resurrection garden. We will be making these at our Stations of the Cross at Trinity this year! 

Resurrection Eggs

Empty tomb marshmallow rolls activity

Countdown to Easter

Wishing you a season full of celebrating the resurrection of our Savior!

What is an Advent Wreath?

What is an Advent Wreath?

Many churches and families prominently display an evergreen wreath with four candles throughout the Advent Season.

It is traditionally made of some type or mixture of evergreens (fir, spruce, juniper, holly, etc.), symbolizing the continuation of life in the middle of the cold and dark winter (in the northerly latitudes, at least).

Advent wreaths traditionally include three purple/blue candles and one pink/rose-colored candle, which are arranged evenly around the wreath.

Only one candle is lit during the first week, two in the second week, three (the pink one) in the third week, and all four during the fourth week of Advent; the gradually increasing light symbolizes the approach of Christmas, the birth of Jesus, the light of the world.

Since the rose candle is not lit until the Third Sunday of Advent, it is best to start on the First Sunday of Advent lighting the purple candle located directly opposite the pink one, and then to continue clockwise around the wreath in the following weeks. Thus, one could go in the following orders: 1-right, 2-front, 3-left (rose), 4-back; or 1-front right, 2-front left, 3-back left (rose), and 4-back right.

Families can gather around the wreath daily for some brief Advent prayers and readings, especially at the time of the evening meal, lighting the appropriate number of candles for each week.

Many Christians assign specific symbolism to each of the candles:
1) The Prophet's Candle, symbolizing Hope;
2) The Bethlehem Candle, symbolizing Faith;
3) The Shepherd's Candle, symbolizing Joy;
4) The Angel's Candle, symbolizing Peace.

Most churches and families add a fifth candle (white) in the middle of the wreath for Christmas Eve or Day; others continue using the same wreath throughout the Christmas Season, replacing the colored Advent candles with fresh candles that are white or gold, symbolizing the arrival of Christ, the light of the world.

In many churches, a large wreath is blessed at the beginning of the first liturgy on the First Sunday of Advent. Families can also use a smaller Advent wreath in their homes, which they themselves can bless using the following adoption from the Sunday blessing:

Blessing of the Advent Wreath 

Beloved in the Lord, as we begin the season of Advent, let this wreath remind us that Jesus Christ came to conquer the darkness of sin and to lead us into the light of His glorious kingdom. As the prophet Isaiah says, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.”   Isa 9:2

Our help is in the name of the Lord, 

who made heaven and earth. 

The Lord be with you. 

And also with you. 

Let us pray. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, the true light who comes into the world to enlighten all people, bless us as we light the candles of this wreath in preparation for Your coming, and enkindle in our hearts the fire of Your love that we may receive You with joy and gladness and evermore remain steadfast in the faith; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen. (Lutheran Service Book)

More more Advent traditions, check out this blog post.

How to Plant a Church in Six (not so) Easy Steps

Church plant meeting in dance studio

How to Plant a Church in Six (not so) Easy Steps

Our culture today is infatuated with “Life hacks” and “3 Easy Step” methods to achieve desired goals. While I’m all for working smart, I’m not a fan of promising quick and easy fixes to complex challenges. Rather than presenting Christianity as following the easy to travel Yellow Brick Road to the desired location, the Bible uses the imagery of a painful journey through the wilderness. Yes, it is marked by God’s miraculous deliverance through water and provision of bread from heaven, but it is also marked by mundane walking, frustrating leaders, terrifying enemies, and blazing hot days. I say all this with both the Christian life in view, as well as church planting.

I’ve heard it said that “church planting has been overcomplicated” and “it really is as simple as x, y, z.” While there may be some truth to these statements, it vastly underestimates the spiritual battle and cosmic war church planting is. There are no quick fixes, easy steps, or life-hacks to starting new churches. But there are best practices, wisdom, relying on the Holy Spirit, the community of faith, lots of hard work, prayer, and most importantly abiding in Christ. The following six steps are what I believe to be essential for any church plant, planter, or planting congregation.

1.  Answer the Why?

The most important question we need to answer in any major endeavor is “why we are doing it?” Why do I want to attend college? Why do I want to get married? Why do I want this job? Or far more importantly, why do I need Jesus? The why question helps us begin discerning through all the possible unhealthy motivations and return to Christ’s call.

So why plant a church? Most fundamentally, Christ says that He will build his church and He commissioned us to be instruments of that work by going and making disciples by baptizing and teaching. This is why we plant churches, to carry out the work of King Jesus in redeeming the world and making for Himself a new people awaiting His return. All other motivations are superficial and rooted in vainglory.

What is your why? What is your congregations why?

2. Build a Team

Kingdom work is never to be done alone but always in partnership with the body of Christ. From the first step of discerning one’s call to plant it should be done in prayer with those around you - spouse, spiritual mentors, and trusted friends. Who are those people you can invite into this work? Building a team of advisors, prayer warriors, financial partners, and ministry co-laborers is fundamental to the work of establishing a new gospel outpost of goodness and beauty. Building a team is done by asking the Holy Spirit to bring the right people, humbling yourself to rely upon the people God has placed in your life, and listening to their council. Who’s your team?

3. Take time to prepare

Jesus exhorts us to count the cost of following him (Luke 14:25-33). Taking time to learn, grow, research, and prepare is counting the cost. For many individuals and congregations who feel called to start a new church, this time of preparation is often excruciatingly slow and difficult. In an eagerness to see a new congregation started, the premature birth of a church brings with it immaturity and dysfunction. The season of preparation, like the nine months a mother waits, should be filled with reading books, learning from experienced mothers, praying for your child, practicing healthy rhythms before the baby comes, surrounding yourself with a support team, and walking alongside others who have given birth to a child. To skip this season of preparation is perhaps the most common cause of church plant failures.

4. Clearly define what you are planting.

While this is a big part of preparation, it is worthy of its own point. Starting a new church isn’t like following instructions for a model plane or car, there are no manuals that can be followed with pre-cut pieces. Each and every church is unique to its context and unique because of the people a part of it. With that said, as biblical based and historically rooted Christians (Lutherans), we are not starting with a blank white board and filling it up with what we think the church should look like. There are non-negotiable for us, specifically our theology and how that theology is lived out. While this may seem like an unimportant step, assuming we know, and those on our ministry team know, what the local congregation is to look and feel like is a dangerous assumption. The reality is, each person part of a new church start brings assumptions to the table, both spoken and unspoken. Clearly defining what the church is (ecclesiology) and how it will be present in a specific community (missiology) are the two most important building blocks every plant needs to discuss. If we assume these, the church will take on a form and belief that merely reflects the culture around it or the background of the strongest/loudest members of the initial group. Our theology should very clearly inform the culture of every new church start.

5. Build relationship and invite people to Jesus and His Church

Once all the hard work of answering the why, building a team, preparing, and knowing what you are planting has been done, now we finally get to what people most often think about when we talk about church planting - reaching people for Jesus. Reaching people for Jesus always starts simply: two humans interacting, speaking of Jesus and His work through words and actions, and the Holy Spirit bringing new life. Church planting is a highly intensive people-work. It requires lots of face to face time and lots of shoulder to shoulder time. Paul uses the language of “laboring among” and “laboring in the midst of” when talking about church planting. It’s thoroughly immersive. As we build these relationships, live among them, and with them, then we give witness to Jesus and His church. We share the good news and invite them to enter into Christ’s Church. There is a move, from outside the Church, to inside the Church. I’m not speaking of a church building here but theologically and spiritually. We are planting kingdom outpost of truth, goodness, and beauty and it is into that we invite people. Places where the Spirit is transforming lives, the gospel is infused in all we do, the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is nourishing as a foretaste of the kingdom to come, and we seek to live as co-heirs to that kingdom not yet fully here. We are not merely offering the forgiveness of sin, we are offering a whole new life in Christ and His Church.

6. Abide in Christ

Ministry, any kind of ministry, is fraught with dangers. Soul sucking, Satan devouring, and body draining landmines. There is a constant danger of thinking we are the Savior and being crushed by a burden we cannot carry, falling prey to discouragement and despair when things don’t look as we hoped, boiling over with frustration, and there is a constant danger of our soul becoming thin and shadowy because we spend all our energy trying to feed others and never take the time to feed our own souls. Sound despairing? It should. Our flesh and the devil are real enemies that are ever present who would like nothing better for all the above to happen to us. But thanks be to God we are not called to carry out this work in our own strength, thanks be to God we are invited to come to Christ whose burden is lite, thanks be to God who invites us to abide in Christ, and hear our Father’s voice who says time and time again that in Christ we are His beloved sons and daughters. Returning to and abiding in Christ must be our constant state. It is here alone that we find out true identity and strength for the work He calls us to. Thanks be to God!

~ Pastor Matt Ballmann

(Initially written for and distributed by the AFLC Home Missions Newsletter on 9/9/22)

Lenten Worship as a "Bright Sadness" - A reflection from Great Lent: Journey to Pascha by Alexander Schmemann

In his short book, "Great Lent: Journey to Pascha, Alexander Schmemann reminds us of the purpose of the season of Lent,

"The purpose of Lent is to force on us a few formal obligations, but to "soften" our heart so that it may open itself to the realities of the spirit, to experience the hidden "thirst and hunger" for communion with God."

He goes on to describe this 40 day season as one of "bright sadness." Sadness in that everyone walking into a Lenten service will notice that the particular ethos of the Scriptures, songs, addition to specific prayers, or absence of specific prayers (for example the Gloria Patri and Allululias) all carry a quiet sadness and focus on Christ's suffering. And yet, there is a brightness in that it all is in preparation for the coming resurrection celebration on Easter. All the services during this Lenten season are shaped by this bright sadness.

"This lenten "atmosphere," this unique "state of mind," is brought about mainly by means of worship, by the various changes introduced during that season into the liturgical life." He then describes the powerful influences these atmospheres begin to make upon us:

“But then we begin to realize that this very length and monotony are needed if we are to experience the secret and at first unnoticeable "action" of the service in us. Little by little we begin to understand, or rather to feel, that this sadness is indeed "bright," that a mysterious transformation is about to take place in us. It is as if we were reaching a place to which the noises and the fuss of life, of the street, of all that which usually fills our days and even nights, have no access—a place where they have no power. All that which seemed so tremendously important to us as to fill our mind, that state of anxiety which has virtually become our second nature, disappear somewhere and we begin to feel free, light and happy. It is not the noisy and superficial happiness which comes and goes twenty times a day and is so fragile and fugitive; it is a deep happiness which comes not from a single and particular reason but from our soul having, in the words of Dostoevsky, touched "another world." And that which it has touched is made up of light and peace and joy, of an inexpressible trust. We understand then why the services had to be long and seemingly monotonous. We understand that it is simply impossible to pass from our normal state of mind made up almost entirely of fuss, rush, and care, into this new one without first "quieting down," without restoring in ourselves a measure of inner stability. This is why those who think of church services only in terms of "obligations," who always inquire about the required minimum ("How often must we go to church?" "How often must we pray?") can never under- stand the true nature of worship which is to take us into a different world—that of God's Presence!—but to take us there slowly because our fallen nature has lost the ability to accede there naturally.

Thus, as we experience this mysterious liberation, as we become "light and peaceful," the monotony and the sadness of the service acquire a new significance, they are transfigured. An inner beauty illumines them like an early ray of the sun which, while it is still dark in the valley, begins to lighten up the top of the mountain. This light and secret joy come from the long alleluias, from the entire "tonality" of lenten worship. What at first appeared as monotony now is revealed as peace; what sounded like sadness is now experienced as the very first movements of the soul recovering its lost depth. This is what the first verse of the lenten alleluia proclaims every morning: "My soul has desired Thee in the night, O God, before dawn, for Thy judgments are a light upon the earth!"

"Sad brightness": the sadness of my exile, of the waste I have made of my life; the brightness of God's presence and forgiveness, the joy of the recovered desire for God, the peace of the recovered home. Such is the climate of lenten worship; such is its first and general impact on my soul.”

The Spiritual Pilgrimage of Lent

Your invitation to The Spiritual Pilgrimage of Lent

What is Lent? 

Lent is a season of the historic church year passed down from the earliest days of the church and observed from Ash Wednesday to Easter. It is 40 days in length not counting Sundays which are considered min-Easter celebrations. Because Lent lasts for 40 days it recalls Christ’s fasting during his temptation/testing in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). Lent is a penitential season that is marked by the stripping away of those things which compete for our allegiance to Jesus.

Like a pilgrimage where one encounters places they don’t normally tread, so Lent takes us on a spiritual pilgrimage through our own wilderness right up to the foot of the cross on Good Friday and into the glorious empty garden tomb of Easter morning. By saying yes to Lent you say yes to an unexpected, challenging, and rewarding pilgrimage in which you come to know yourself and Christ’s love for you more deeply.

why should I consider entering into the spiritual pilgrimage of Lent? 

It should be noted that there is no biblical mandate to observe Lent, nor does observing it earn us "browny points" with God. In Christ we are fully accepted and forgiven and nothing we do can cause God to love us more - Praise God! So why practice Lent? Lent is a physical and spiritual rhythm that helps us be conformed to the image of Christ. How so?

1) Observing Lent reminds us of our deep need for a Savior.

2) Observing Lent reminds us of the frailty and shortness of life and helps us reprioritize our lives (loves, desires, thoughts, actions, etc)

3) Lent prepares are heart for the celebration of Easter. If you want to grow in Christlikeness and experience spiritual renewal, Lent is for you.

How can I observe Lent this year? 

There is no rule or law that you must follow to observe Lent, however, there are some time tested biblical practices we can learn from. 

1) Gather with other believers in observing this Holy Season.

Join us at Trinity (or any congregation that follows the historic church calendar) for the special services and activities of the season. At Trinity we will be focusing on the theme of Lent on Sundays, as well as special mid-week events such at an Ash Wednesday Service, Vespers service, Stations of the Cross, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday. We also will be coming together for mercy ministry projects throughout the season.

What the Super Bowl is to NFL fans, the final three days of Lent (“Paschal Triduum”) are to Christians. It is THE central three days that shook the universe. What happened in these three days that is so important? It marks the time that the God-Man willingly laid down His life for the sins of the world and not only paid the price for those sins but also conquered death by rising again! We mark these days with one service over three days that begins on Maundy Thursday where we remember where Christ instituted Holy Communion the the Church, continues into Good Friday where we remember Christ’s once and for all sacrifice for the sins of the world, and Holy Saturday where we celebrate the Easter Vigil/the conquering of death through resurrection. Let me invite, invest yourself fully in these three days. There is no more important activity than taking a few hours over these three days to reflect and meditate upon the Lord Jesus’ salvific work on your behalf. I strongly encourage you to make this a priority for you and your family.

2) The three historic practices:

Pick-up one of our Lenten guides on Sunday which will help guide you through the following three spiritual disciplines during the season. Here is also a helpful family Lenten guide.

Fasting - Fasting is the practice of giving up something perfectly good for the purpose of feeling it's lack in our lives. Fasting is never easy but always a huge spiritual blessing. Fasting can come in many forms but the type most mentioned in Scripture is fasting from food in order to dedicate ourselves to a season of prayer and repentance. Consider fasting from a single type of food (sweets, coke, alcohol, etc), a single meal every week, or maybe even a whole day every week (Friday's are traditional to remind us of Christ's betrayal on that day). It's common to fast (or partial fast) during holy week on Maundy- Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. Other types of fasting include technology, tv, sports, music, etc. Pretty much anything can be fasted from. If this is your first time to observe Lent I encourage you to start easy and keep it simple. 

Prayer - Prayer is pouring our heart out before God and listening to Him speak to us through His Word. Let's be honest, prayer is hard. It requires discipline to set the time aside and to not just pray for ourselves. Lent is a season we put a special focus on prayer in confessing our sins, asking God to change our hearts, praying for others, and the needs in the world. I encourage you to commit to finding a silent place to pray for 5-10 minutes every day. Set a timer and pray. 

Almsgiving/Generosity - During this season we also place a special focus on those in need. We recognize there are many forms of need - emotional, spiritual, physical, etc). I would encourage you and your family to identify a need in our area - it could be a family, individual, ministry, etc - that you can give a special financial gift to. Who do you rub shoulders with that you know has need right now? It might be a few people or just one. Ask the Lord to place someone in your path and on your heart. Discuss it and prayer about it as a family.

Is Lent supposed to be hard? 

Yep. In the same way that Christ fasted and was tempted in the wilderness before his ministry, so we too enter into a difficult season of self-denial. Self-denial pulls back the layers on what makes us tick, where we find comfort, how we respond to hardship, and forces us to rest in Jesus. It doesn't always feel spiritual but it will produce spiritual fruit as we ask the Spirit to work in our hearts and minds. God uses difficult season to purify us, Lent is such a season. Think of it like Marine bootcamp. Bootcamp is not an indefinite season but rather a short season to refine, equip, and purify the recruits. 

An Invitation

The season of Lent is a gracious invitation offered to you. On Ash Wednesday our church hears the following invitation into this holy season:

Dear brothers and sisters of our Lord Jesus Christ, on this day the Church begins a holy season of prayerful and penitential reflection. Our attention is especially directed to the holy sufferings and death of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

From ancient times the season of Lent has been kept as a time of special devotion, self-denial, and humble repentance born of a faithful heart that dwells confidently on His Word and draws from it life and hope. 

I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent: by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and alms-giving; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word.

Let us pray that our dear Father in heaven, for the sake of His beloved Son and in the power of His Holy Spirit, might richly bless this Lententide for us so that we may come to Easter with glad hearts and keep the feast in sincerity and truth.

How’s Your Thanks Giving Going?

How’s your thanks giving going?  No, not your preparation for the holiday.  I mean your practice of being (or not being) a thankful person. In Ephesians 5:20 we read,  

“Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Our extended family has formed a tradition during November where every family member (almost 40 of us ages 3 -96) posts a picture, on an assigned day, of one thing that they are thankful for.  So far this year, the items have included animals, books, food, driveways, furniture and trees.  What a great thing to pause for a moment and thank God for the simple good things that God brings into our lives.

But our thanksgiving is to go much deeper than just an appreciation for the simple good things that God brings into our lives.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” ~ 1 Timothy 5:18 

We’re encouraged to be thankful not just for those things that we enjoy but for those difficult and trying things that are a part of our lives as well.  Things that, right now, may be bringing pain, frustration, sadness or confusion. Have you ever stopped to ask why are we to be thankful in all things? 

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” ~ 1 Chronicles 16:34

In this verse (and because we may be thickheaded, it’s repeated 6 more times in the Old Testament) God gives us 3 deeper reasons to be thankful.

1. Give thanks because God is good.

This phrase is contained in several places in scripture and while what follows may mention some of God’s good benefits to us, it starts with the simple but profound encouragement to be thankful for God’s character of goodness.  He is by nature good.  Give thanks for that!  Everything that he does is good, not just the benefits that we appreciate.  Be thankful that His only motivation toward us is goodness and faithful love.  God never does anything “bad’ to us.  He may discipline us for bad things that we have done or may allow us to endure the negative consequences of our actions but even those are things are ultimately “good” for us too.  

There’s a lot more that we could say about this but let me just make a few observations about God and his goodness

• God is the source of all good in the world.

James 1:17,  “Every good and perfect endowment and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”

Psalm 145:9 “The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.”

• God does only good things for His people

Ps 84:11, “No good thing does God withhold for those who walk uprightly.”

• In everything God works for good toward those who love Him.

Romans 8:28,  “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

• He gives good things to those who ask Him.

Matt 7:11,  “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”

• His discipline is a manifestation of His love and is for our good

Hebrews 12:10  “For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.”

In His goodness, God is merciful toward those in distress, He offers grace to toward those who deserve only punishment and He is patient toward those who continue to sin. 

But there’s a bit more to this verse that adds weight to our confidence in God’s goodness.  Here’s 2 more reasons to be thankful. 

2. Give thanks because God is always good.

The Hebrew word used here is “hesedh“, a steadfast and faithful love; lovingkindness that is loyal and full of mercy.  

3. Give thanks because God’s love endures forever.

He is eternal and His love will always be present for us and always endure.  It does not change.

Understanding and embracing the truth of God’s goodness will bring great comfort to all areas of our life.  

Ps 73:25-26, “Whom have I in heaven but you?
    And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever,”

Since God Himself is the ultimate good that we seek, let me suggest 2 applications. 

1. Let the truth that God is good be the lens that you look through to help you understand, accept and respond rightly to any current hard circumstances that you are walking though right now.

2. Let God’s goodness be an attribute that you imitate. Be like God and strive to do good to all men.

Galatians 6:10, So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to whose who are of the household of faith. 

About the Author:

Rollie and his wife Sandi are children of God, parents of three adult children, and members of Trinity San Antonio Church.

How to Teach Your Kids to Pray

Prayer is speaking to God and providing Him the space to speak to us through His Word and by His Holy Spirit. In prayer we share our concerns, joys, and thanksgiving with Him and allow Him to convict, guide, and encourage us.

Prayer is not complicated, but it can be difficult. I believe this is true for everyone but it can be especially true of parents with young kids that wake up at the break of dawn and have boundless energy until they are put to bed at night. How is anyone to find time to pray when you have Sonic the Hedgehog in your house?

A lot of helpful advice could be given here but I want to focus on one simple principle - pray with your children. That’s right. While personal time to pray is important, don’t miss the opportunity to pray with your children. Not only does this help you grow in your prayer life, but it also is teaching your kids how to pray. Here are some ideas of times you can stop to pray:

• Before breakfast (take 30 seconds to pray in public and at home)

• In the car on the way to school or work or running errands

• At lunch

• When you pull into your driveway take 60 seconds to thank God for the day and help you invest in your family this evening.

• At dinner

• Before bed

• Anytime!

Now you might be thinking, “I’ve tried that and it’s just too challenging. They don’t focus and I have to get on them every 15 seconds to stop pushing and pinching each other.” I get it. I really do. Here is a secret that has really helped our family prayer times - make use of written prayers.

But aren’t written prayers less spiritual? Some might feel as if written prayers are less spiritual than free form praying, but here is the truth, while they can be prayed in a mindless and rote way, they don’t have to be. In fact this applies to anything in life we do on a repetitive basis. Just because we sometimes fall into reading the Bible mindlessly doesn’t mean we stop reading the Bible altogether. Rather, it means we seek to read it with engaged hearts and minds, asking the Holy Spirit to enflame our hearts with His love. The same goes for written prayers.

Below are four written prayers that you can print and pray together as a family. At first you’ll have to read it but eventually your whole family (even the youngest!) will know them by heart. We don’t do the same prayer every single night but like to mix them up. So a few nights a week we’ll do the Lord’s Prayer and a few nights the Evening prayer. We almost always include extemporaneous prayers as well, I like to give each child a chance to pray using their own words.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Morning Prayer

In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.

Evening Prayer

In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have graciously kept me this day; and I pray that You would forgive me all my sins where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.

Prayer Before a Meal

In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Lord God, heavenly Father, bless us and these Your gifts which we receive from Your bountiful goodness, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

I encourage every family to pick up the Lutheran Prayer Book which has written prayers for morning and evening of every day.