The Church Year

In the Lutheran church we follow the church year and the colors on the altar change. Each Sunday has a name. Here are the major seasons of the church year: (from http://www.lcms.org/)

THE TIME OF CHRISTMAS
Advent Season
First Sunday in Advent
Second Sunday in Advent
Third Sunday in Advent
Fourth Sunday in Advent
Christmas Season
The Nativity of Our Lord
Christmas Eve
Christmas Midnight
Christmas Dawn
Christmas Day
First Sunday after Christmas
Second Sunday after Christmas

Epiphany Season
The Epiphany of Our Lord
First Sunday after the Epiphany The Baptism of Our Lord
Second Sunday after the Epiphany
Third Sunday after the Epiphany
Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany

Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany
Eighth Sunday after the Epiphany
Last Sunday after the Epiphany The Transfiguration of Our Lord

THE TIME OF EASTER
Pre-Lent Season Septuagesima
Sexagesima
Quinquagesima
Lenten Season
Ash Wednesday
First Sunday in Lent
Second Sunday in Lent
Third Sunday in Lent
Fourth Sunday in Lent
Fifth Sunday in Lent
Holy Week
Palm Sunday/Passion Sunday
Monday in Holy Week
Tuesday in Holy Week
Wednesday in Holy Week
Holy Thursday
Good Friday
Holy Saturday
Easter Season
The Resurrection of Our Lord
Easter Vigil
Easter Dawn
Easter Day
Easter Evening/Monday
Easter Tuesday
Second Sunday of Easter
Third Sunday of Easter
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Fifth Sunday of Easter
Sixth Sunday of Easter
The Ascension of Our Lord
Seventh Sunday of Easter

Pentecost
Pentecost Eve
Day of Pentecost
Pentecost Evening/Monday
Pentecost Tuesday

THE TIME OF THE CHURCH
The Season of the Holy Trinity

The Holy Trinity
First through the Twenty-sixth Sunday after Trinity
Last Sunday of the Church Year

Advent

I'm a Lutheran, therefore I celebrate Advent. I discovered last year that many Christians don't know what Advent is. I thought everyone celebrated Advent.

From the LCMS website: (http://www.lcms.org/)

Q. Why does the church year begin at Advent, what is the history of Advent, and what is the history behind the Advent candles and wreath?

A. The word "advent" is from the Latin word for "coming," and as such, describes the "coming" of our Lord Jesus Christ into the flesh. Advent begins the church year because the church year begins where Jesus' earthly life began--in the Old Testament prophecies of his incarnation.

After Advent comes Christmas, which is about his birth; then Epiphany, about his miracles and ministry; then Lent, about his Calvary-bound mission; then Easter, about his resurrection and the sending of the apostles; and then Ascension (40 days after Easter) and Pentecost, with the sending of the Holy Spirit.

The first half of the church year (approximately December through June) highlights the *life* of Christ. The second half (approximately June through November) highlights the *teachings* of Christ. The parables and miracles play a big part here. That's "the church year in a nutshell," and it should help reveal how Advent fits into "the big picture."

Advent specifically focuses on Christ's "coming," but Christ's coming manifests itself among us in three ways--past, present, and future. The readings which highlight Christ's coming in the past focus on the Old Testament prophecies of his incarnation at Bethlehem. The readings which highlight Christ's coming in the future focus on his "second coming" on the Last Day at the end of time. And the readings which highlight Christ's coming in the present focus on his ministry among us through Word and Sacrament today.

The traditional use of Advent candles (sometimes held in a wreath) originated in eastern Germany even prior to the Reformation. As this tradition came down to us by the beginning of this century, it involved three purple candles and one pink candle.

The purple candles matched the purple paraments on the altar (purple for the royalty of the coming King).

The pink candle was the third candle to be lit (not the fourth) on Gaudate Sunday, the Third Sunday of Advent. "Gaudate" means "Rejoice!" in Latin, and is the first word of the traditional Introit for that day (TLH, p. 54) which is taken from Philippians 4:4. ("Rejoice! . . . the Lord is near"). Hence a "pink" candle was used to signify "rejoicing." Some also included a white "Christ candle" in the middle to be lit during the 12 days of Christmas (December 25-January 5).

The concept of giving each candle a name, i.e., Prophecy, Bethlehem, Shepherd and Angel, etc., is a relatively novel phenomenon and probably originates with certain entrepreneurial publishers seeking to sell Advent candles and devotional booklets.

There are many beautiful customs and traditions surrounding Advent, as well as a load of history concerning its development.

This is a website with lots of great 'stuff':

http://www.teachingmom.com/features/adventday1.html

Ask Yourself....

I'm taking a course called Crossways. http://www.crossways.org/ It's a 2 year overview of the Bible. We just completed Exodus and Leviticus which deals quite a bit with the law-codes of the Jewish people. The law-codes are often misunderstood by people today. The law-codes can be categorized in 3 ways:

• The Ceremonial law which Jesus fulfilled.
• The Civil law which doesn't govern the children of God since Christ
• The Moral Law which is the 10 Commandments. The Moral Law appears in Jesus' teachings in expanded ways. The Moral Law is written in the hearts of men. Luther tells us that the Moral Law has 3 purposes -- to curb our sinful behavior, to act as mirror that shows us our sin, to guide our behavior.

There is a wonderful quote in the book that a person can ask themselves everytime they do something.

"If everyone were to do what I plan to do, or to live as I choose to live, what would happen to the human race? If the answer is that it would harm or destroy the human race, no person has a right to perform that action or pursue that lifestyle."

A Chinese proverb states, "When a butterfly flaps its wings in China, it affects the weather patterns around the planet."

Bible Studying

Bible Studying

Now that I am not a homeschooling mom I have time to pursue a few things that I love. First, I'm co-leading 2 Bible studies and participating in a third one. Some weeks I feel like I've bitten off more than I can chew...but I chew well and I'm blessed in the midst of my being overwhelmed at times.

I've participated in plenty of studies over the years. Sometimes they were produced by the Lutheran church and other times they were not. While I enjoyed all the various studies -- I think there is danger for a Lutheran to be involved in non-Lutheran Bible studies. It seems that any Bible study will be driven by doctrine even those produced by non-denominational publishing houses. For a Lutheran, most doctrine will be in disagreement in some way with what we believe.

I'm currently leading a study on Daniel for the God's Word for Today series. I am grateful for the leader notes which help me to teach with proper understanding. Daniel is particularly open to lots of interesting interpretation which would not be in a agreement with the LCMS. I believe that is important to teach correctly. As a layperson I'm limited in my knowledge and need leader notes

I'm participating in an overview of the Bible called Crossways. Although it is written by a Lutheran (ELCA) pastor, correction is still needed as there are Bible interpretation problems (historical-critical). The fortunate part of the Crossways class is that a well-trained staff person is leading it and is capable of making corrections. He has the leader notes PLUS the knowledge.

Sanctifi-who????

Sanctifi-who????

Sanctification is not exactly a common everyday word. I remember hearing it when I was growing up, but no one clearly defined it for me. Guess they assumed I knew what it meant or perhaps they didn't know what it meant either! That's unfortunate as it's an essential part of doctrine.

The dictionary defines it in this way:

(http://www.thefreedictionary.com/sanctification)
1. To set apart for sacred use; consecrate.
2. To make holy; purify.
3. To give religious sanction to, as with an oath or vow: sanctify a marriage.
4. To give social or moral sanction to.
5. To make productive of holiness or spiritual blessing.

As a theological category, sanctification defines the Christian life lived as a result of justification (see "Justification"). While justification and sanctification must be distinguished and not confused, they can never be divided. While justification is a completed work in Christ, sanctification is progressive. (from the Dictionary of Theological Terms by Don Matzat)

The various denominations have different definitions. I'm interested in the Lutheran understanding.

From the Good News Magazine: (the complete chart can be read at http://www.mtio.com/articles/bissar10.htm)

Sanctification is that act of God WITHIN the sinner which God works with the new man in a lifelong process of restoration.

From Scripture:

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Philippians 2:12-3

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Philippians 3:12

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.

Colossians 3:2-5

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age....

Titus 2:11-12

Believing God -- Reflections

Beth Moore Bible studies are very popular at many churches. In fact in past years I did some of her studies. She is a very engaging presenter and touches the hearts of many women. I think that is why she is so popular at churches , even Lutheran churches.

However for a Lutheran her theology is 180 degrees in the opposite direction. It's subtle. I did the study Believing God about 3 or 4 years ago and even wore the blue wristband for the entire study. This morning I went back to look through the study and in particular to note what I had highlighted. I was surprised at what I read:

From the workbook Believing God

Page 10:

"This faith-action refers to the exercise of belief that leads to salvation. Every Christian heard the Gospel message at some point and chose to believe and receive it. Because we exercised this faith-action, we immediately became Christ's" [Jesus saves objectively and it's outside of me.]

"Our glorious faith walk began with an act of faith that brought us into relationship with Jesus Christ as our Savior, but it doesn't end there." [The Holy Spirit creates faith, not me.]

Page 18:

"That means the more we believe God, the more we are likely to see and experience His intervening power." [Justification is instanteous and I am a sinner and saint at the same time. Daily I remember my baptism when the Holy Spirit created faith and washed me white as snow. ]

Page 19:

"Faith is the primary means by which we place our hand in the outstretched hand of God and join Him." [God reaches out and grabs me.]
Page 41:

"Without a doubt, the foremost fundamental of faith is believing that God is who He says He is. It is foundational to all other areas of faith." [The fundamental truth is that God sent His Son, Jesus Christ to died on the cross for my sins and then He rose to defeat death so that I can have eternal life in heaven with the Father.]

Page 75:

"Faith means believing that blessing never fails to follow obedience, no matter the sacrifice." [Really????]

Page 116:

"Scripture tells us if Christ's words dwell in us, we can use our mouths to speak or pray over situations, and the Holy Spirit will often bring powerful results." [Christ is in me and you can't split the Trinity as this implies. Is this implying that my words have power or that there is a Wordless Spirit?]

The Book of Concord

I discovered the Book of Concord about 4 years ago after being a Lutheran for half a century. I vaguely remember hearing The Augsburg Confession somewhere in the past, but my pastors over the years never talked about it, nor did my Sunday School teachers, nor my confirmation teachers, nor my parents.

Finally....the pastor at my church talked about it. My husband bought the Red copy of it. Now I know what it is and how essential it is to a proper understanding of being Lutheran. And I discovered it's not that hard to read.

So exactly what is the Book of Concord????? Go to http://www.bookofconcord.org/ and you can read the book for yourself.

From http://www.bookofconcord.org/ website:

"The Book of Concord contains documents which Christians from the fourth to the 16th century A.D. explained what they believed and taught on the basis of the Holy Scriptures. It includes, first, the three creeds which originated in the ancient church, the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed. It contains, secondly, the Reformation writings known as the Augsburg Confession, the Apology of the Augsburg Confession, the Smalcald Articles, the Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope, Luther's Small and Large Catechisms, and the Formula of Concord.

The Catechisms and the Smalcald Articles came from the pen of Martin Luther; the Augsburg Confession, its Apology, and the Treatise were written by Luther's co-worker, the scholarly Phillip Melanchthon; the Formula of Concord was given its final form chiefly by Jacob Andreae, Martin Chemnitz, and Nickolaus Selnecker. "

Thanksgiving Day Proclamation

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving

"The National Thanksgiving Proclamations

National Thanksgiving Proclamations proclaim thanks for God’s providence in the events of the nation and, as President Washington explained in his Thanksgiving Proclamation, "for the many signal favors of Almighty God" in the lives of the people.

As congress recognized the importance of Thanksgiving observance, President George Washington issued a national Thanksgiving Proclamation in 1789. He wrote, "Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be—That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks—for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country...for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed...and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions—to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually...To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us—and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best."

In 1789 Washington designated a national thanksgiving holiday for the newly ratified Constitution, specifically so that the people may thank God for "affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness" and for having "been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed... "

The first official Thanksgiving Proclamation made in America was issued by the Continental Congress in 1777. Six national Proclamations of Thanksgiving were issued in the first thirty years after the founding of the United States of America as an independent federation of States. President George Washington issued two, President John Adams issued two, President Thomas Jefferson made none and President James Madison issued two. After 1815 there were no more Thanksgiving Proclamations until the Presidency of Lincoln, who made two during the Civil War.

President Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a Federal holiday as a "prayerful day of Thanksgiving" on the last Thursday in November. Since then every U.S. President has always made an official Thanksgiving Proclamation on behalf of the nation. President Franklin D. Roosevelt set the date for Thanksgiving to the fourth Thursday of November in 1939 (approved by Congress in 1941)."

Thanksgiving at the Whitehouse: http://www.whitehouse.gov/holiday/thanksgiving/2007/

The Proclamation for 2007: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/11/20071115-5.html

The Sunday AWE Returned to Church

This morning at church our pastor was finishing a 6 week series on worship. Last week's topic was "Awe" as in Wow vs Awe.

Just as the Worship Team began to sing the opening song, there was a noise in the sound system and the microphones were gone. In an auditorium that has over 1000 seats that's a problem. Pastor's comment after trying to pray with a microphone that was not behaving properly was perfect. He calmly said this is most appropriate after last week's message. It will be AWE today. And indeed there was AWE and a makeshift microphone setup. And mostly importantly we heard that God gives to us and we had Holy Communion.

Thankfulness in the Word

God's Word is filled with thankfulness. There are so many beloved verses.

Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.

1 Chronicles 29:13

I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.

Psalm 7:17

I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.

Psalm 69:30

We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks, for your Name is near; men tell of your wonderful deeds.

Psalm 75:1

Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.

Psalm 136:26

The Four Freedoms

This week is Thanksgiving Week. It's a unique American Holiday that celebrates the blessings we have in the United States. Last year in our homeschool I learned about Norman Rockwell and his famous paintings called The Four Freedoms. I was initially drawn to the painting called Freedom from Want -- it reminds me of Thanksgiving. Actually there are 4 paintings:

Freedom of Speech
Freedom of Religion
Freedom from Want
Freedom from Fear

The Four Freedoms were goals that President Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke in the State of the Union Address in 1942. It is often referred to as the Four Freedoms speech. Roosevelt listed four points as fundamental freedoms humans "everywhere in the world":

Freedom of speech and expression
Freedom of every person to worship God in his own way
Freedom from want
Freedom from fear

Norman Rockwell painted the series in 1943, during World War II. He completed the series in seven months. The Saturday Evening Post published them in 1943. As Thanksgiving approaches there is so much to be thankful for. I am incredibly blessed to be an American.

AWE

My pastor preached a message at church last weekend that resonated with me in a profound way. The message was based on Acts 2:42-47.

The Fellowship of the Believers

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

The title of his message was " Awe." Pastor's message talked about what often happens in church and described it as being WOW. That's not Women of Wittenberg, but rather WOW as in the music was great or the pastor had a good message or I really got something out the service. He described WOW as entertain me; give me what I want; make it big; MAN-ufacture it; something's going on around me; and we add.

He contrasted that with AWE. AWE means change me (redemption); give me what I need; GOD-breathed; something's happening TO and IN me; God adds.

Which brings me to The Fire and the Staff, Lutheran Theology in Practice. (http://www.cph.org/cphstore/product.asp?part_no=155060).


For the last 3 months I have been thinking about buying this book, but hesitated as it didn't fit into the budget. But today I got it. I spent 2 hours sipping coffee at the local Panera's as I skimmed through the book. It dealt directly with the issue at hand for me -- WOW vs AWE.

I love to read about theology (new development in the last few years) and Pastor Preus says I am a theologian because I am reading this 350+ page book on theology. In the beginning of the book is a short story about an old Norwegian woman (that could be me!) who loves to read her Bible and study books on Lutheran theology. She was asked why she does this and her reply was "Lebre er Liv" which means "Doctrine is life."

Happy Birthday Martin Luther

German reformer Martin Luther was born in Eisleben, Germany on November 10, 1483!

"Our faith is an astounding thing—astounding that I should believe him to be the Son of God who is suspended on the cross, whom I have never seen, with whom I have never become acquainted."

http://www.educ.msu.edu/homepages/laurence/reformation/Luther/Luther.htm

Worship

What is Worship?

I have attended church for as long as I can remember. I always went and it didn't feel right if Sunday morning didn't include church. I maintain that even more strongly today. For a variety of reasons I am on a quest to better understand what worship is. Since Lutheran is my church of choice, it is Lutheran worship I read about.

Worship is not as the dictionary defines it. For many worship means coming together with other Christians to sing praises to God and thank him for what He has done in our lives. In other words it's in one direction and that is the worshiper gives to God. There are numerous verses in the Bible which talk about our responding to God with praises, but that's not the primary 'thing' that occurs when you come to worship in a Lutheran church.

Worship in a Lutheran church is God GIVING the gift of forgiveness of sins and eternal life through the means He has set up. The means are Word and Sacrament. Within the worship service, called the Divine Service in some Lutheran congregations, are many places where God GIVES. And there is a place for the children of God to respond with thanks and praise.

Here's a wonderful 2 hour interview about The Myths of Worship:

Myths About Worship Part 1
Myths About Worship Part 2

On Being Lutheran

I am proud to be a Lutheran. I was blessed to be born into a Lutheran family, but it's only in recent years that I have understood what it means to be Lutheran in this evangelical society and often secular society we live in. I have had many stops along the way that have helped me in more fully understanding what it is I believe. I'm grateful to the people who believe(d) differently than me as they unknowningly spurred me on as we have engaged in lively email discussions. Sometimes the discussions go wrong, but I grow nevertheless!

Thanks to the Internet pastors who encourage me, preach to me, and teach me. I listen to them on the Internet. (Update: I can't listen to my favorite Lutheran radio show anymore because it was unexpectedly cancelled on Holy Tuesday!)

http://augsburg1530.wordpress.com/(Why did they cancel Issues Etc?????)

http://www.kfuoam.org/ (Used to be Lutheran radio at its best -- streams live on the Internet. You can still listen to Law and Gospel with Pastor Baker.

http://wittenbergmedia.org/ (Archives of Issues Etc programs)

http://www.whitehorseinn.org/ (4 Reformation pastors from different denominations)

The bloggers:

http://cyberbrethren.typepad.com/
http://www.extremetheology.com/
http://weedon.blogspot.com/
http://www.geneveith.com/

Summer 2008 Update: I can listen to all kinds of Lutheran radio now! Issues Etc has returned in a new and improved format. In addition I have now have Lutheran Public Radio. Check out this wonderful list for your listening pleasure:

http://www.piratechristianradio.com/
http://www.issuesetc.org/
http://www.fightingforthefaith.com/
http://www.godwhisperers.com/


Another new development is Brothers of John the Steadfast.

http://www.steadfastlutherans.org/


Now that I have an ipod, I can listen to Christ-centered, cross-focused 'radio' all day long.

WOW

WOW

The Women of Wittenberg

Desiring to learn about and help others understand Lutheran doctrine in this mixed up Christian world we live in.

Away We Go

Well....it's been 8 months and I have done nothing with this blog. Quite a bit has happened in that time.

First, Alex has returned to school and now attends Our Shepherd Lutheran School. It's been the right thing to do for him. Homeschooling was a great adventure and I'm glad we did it for 2 years. That has allowed me to return to active Bible study at church. I'm thrilled about that.

Second, I'm finding that I want to know more about what it means to be a Lutheran and have my eyes clearly focused on the Triune God -- Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

So my prayer is that my blogging this time will be to the Glory of God.