One of the Sundays I was on vacation in July, my family and I attended an AFLC service. The other Sunday we attended one outside of the AFLC. Both services were good. The sermons were good. The liturgy was good. They were different, but also similar in many ways. There are some traditions we keep… Read More ›
Christian hymnody takes us through a wide range of emotions. There are joyful hymns. There are contemplative hymns. There are triumphant hymns. There are peaceful hymns. And there are mournful hymns. During the season of Lent, we get more of the contemplative and mournful hymns. But they’re not devoid of joy. They might not sound… Read More ›
The word “Sabbath” means “rest.” In the Old Testament, it was the last day of the week, on which the Lord commanded the people of Israel to do no work, but to remember that he created all things (Ex. 20:9-11) and he delivered them from Egypt (Deut. 5:12-15). The Sabbath is not just about ceasing… Read More ›
I really enjoy our church’s hymnody. Someone might say, “Well, yeah. You get to pick them.” And I suppose that’s part of it. I rarely pick hymns I don’t like. But I think the bigger part of it is that in order to pick them, I have to read them ahead of time. This gives… Read More ›
I have a drill. Actually, I have six drills … I think. Two of them do not work. I won’t say what brand they are. What do my drills do, at least the ones that work? They drill holes. They drive screws. Occasionally they do a few other things. I also have at least five… Read More ›
Ash Wednesday is right around the corner (February 17). On this day we remember that we are dying, and, not only that, but we are dying because we are sinners. This is something we should remember and confess every single day. We are dying. And the reason is that we are sinners. This is something… Read More ›
What now? After ten weeks of meeting online for services, we’ve opened our doors for in-person services again. June 28 is “The Fifth Sunday of Reopening.” It’s been refreshing for me to see faces of Trinity again. Of course, many are still watching at home via the live stream, and that’s good. Our intention in… Read More ›
I’ve been thinking of doing a sermon series on pandemics in light of the Ten Commandments. I don’t do many sermon series. Aside from Lenten services, I think I have only done one series for Sunday mornings. Otherwise I’ve stuck to the lectionary readings. But, occasionally, something comes up that needs direct attention. Our current… Read More ›
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. (Acts 2:42) One of the primary things we do as a congregation is pray for one another. And it’s not simply one another whom we pray for, but for those around us too. We pray for… Read More ›
Occasionally I would like to use this space to give you a little book review of something in our library or tell you about something I’ve been reading. This month I commend to you a little book published for the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation. It’s called 12 Reformation Hymns by… Read More ›