Reflections on the Trinity in Our Worship Services
“In the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
Our worship services typically begin with our calling upon the name of our God in the “Invocation.”
Articles
Joy to the World, The Spirit’s Come
(Text: Pastor Bruce Naumann; sung to the tune of TLH #87; see devotion, The Holy Spirit’s Christmas)
1.
Joy to the world, the Spirit’s come!
Thus we receive our Lord.
His pow’rful Word prepares Him room,
For His great gifts outpoured,
For His great gifts outpoured,
For His, for His great gifts outpoured.
IMMANUEL — GOD WITH US
(written after graduation 2012) Recently we enjoyed one of the highlights of each year—the closing concert of our CLC’s Immanuel Lutheran High School, College, and Seminary in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Messiah Lutheran Church in Eau…
WHAT ABOUT FASTING?
When was the last time you fasted? Have you ever fasted? In Old Testament times fasting—abstaining from food for a specified time—was a common religious practice. Even though there was no direct command from God…
A True Christian Love Song
What Wondrous Love Is This—Words: Attributed to Alexander Means. This hymn is often sung during the Lenten season throughout the Church of the Lutheran Confession and the world. It’s found in our Worship Supplement 2000 hymnal (#723), and the melody with its haunting modal or “mountain minor” character surely enhances its
powerful words (verses 1 and 4 are listed below). This timeless Amercan folk hymn expresses God’s agape love and makes a “sweet” meditation on Christ’s wonderful love (st. 1) which brought about our salvation—to which believers respond with praise now
The Lord’s Prayer An Antidote for Anxiety
The author C. S. Lewis once said that he did not care to read newspapers. He felt that accounts of what was happening far from home distracted him from what was happening close to home.…
Draw Comfort from Your Lord’s Unbreakable Promises!
“Change and decay in all around I see.” So wrote Henry Lyte in his well-known hymn “Abide with Me” (TLH #552:2).
“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you” (Isaiah 54:10, NIV)
An Epiphany Psalm
God be merciful to us and bless us, And cause His face to shine upon us, Selah That Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations. Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You. Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy! For You shall judge the people righteously,
Jesus Manifests His Glory
Although Jesus usually hid His divine Sonship, in this episode Jesus revealed His divine power and glory as the Son of God.
Understanding Life to Value It!
The contrast was stark.
The underlying message was startling.
Two newspaper headlines, one on either side of the fold, told two very different stories.