This Side of the Pulpit » Entries tagged with "liturgy"
It used to be Awesome, but now I Want…
A few weeks ago I changed my schedule to having Mondays off instead of Fridays. There are some good benefits to it: it makes the work week feel longer for some reason; Fridays are great days to get things done here at the office, where it is nice and quiet; people who need things usually wait until Tuesday or Wednesday to ask me, and with this schedule I have an extra week day to help them. But I can already tell that the charm will wear off eventually. It will soon enough be like all things. Starting out a joy, then becoming something enjoyable, soon enough it becomes worn and comfortable, then the flaws appear and something new begins to hearken. That fancy new phone? That brand new car? That cute new blouse? That adorable … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
Must Read on Worship
My friend and colleague Mason Beecroft apparently gave the most controversial presentation at the recent LCMS Theological Convocation on Worship. Doesn’t surprise me. He’s a great guy (this is not a non-sequitur). So what did he say? What was the problem? His conclusion was nothing radical. Every congregation ought to use the LSB, i.e., the hymnal and liturgy from the most recent service book published. But the how and the why is what rubbed many the wrong way. He is sacramental. He is pre-modern. He believes what the Lord says in a way that frustrates the neo-literalist, historical-grammatical fundamentalists, evangelical practicalists in our midst. Ignore that last sentence if you don’t know what it means. But do read what Pr. Beecroft posted today. Here’s an excerpt: [So who decides?] This question was pervasive at the LCMS … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
It’s Not the Liturgy’s Fault
It happened again Sunday. At the late service I felt bored during the liturgy. Yes, I remember back on that side of the nave it can happen frequently. But in the last (almost) nine years since I’ve been in the chancel it happens much less, at least for me. But this Sunday again it struck me during the Kyrie, and went all the way through the Gloria in Excelsis. It felt rote. It was rote. It felt dull. What one does at times like these is critical. Some pastors take this ennui and run with it, thinking they must liven things up, that they must make some big changes, mix in some new and some peppier sounds. Do jazz hands. Well, maybe not jazz hands, but something along those lines. This is what … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
The Family Altar Revisited
Some time ago I wrote a brief introduction to making a family altar and having family devotions. It was a popular post. But posting and doing are different animals. Personally, our family altar and devotion time has been lacking–for a little longer than I’d care to think about. It’s not an unusual problem for families. It’s hard to make new habits and easy to fall into old routines. As St. Gregory the Great (“A man with a lot of g’s,” as Olivia said) wrote, “While we do not possess [spiritual delights] we regard them with dislike and aversion; but once we partake of them we begin to desire them, and the more we partake of them, the more do we hunger for them.” (PL 76, Sermon 36) Having personal devotions if you’re … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
Are References to Viagra Appropriate in a Devotion?
Pr. Rossow reports some sad news of the quality of the opening devotion at the Northern Illinois Convention, including sexual innuendos: The opening devotion of the Northern Illinois District (NID) convention included a couple of off-color references. When he was called on it, the presenter confessed the error before the whole convention and was given forgiveness by the District President. The whole thing was really weird. In the end, I think it illustrates all too poignantly how the new way of doing church promoted by President Kieschnick and many other leaders of the synod, has brought the world into the church. (Read the rest here) The opening worship at our Convention was LSB setting III. Chanted. Well, most of it chanted. Pr. Nehrenz (elected 2nd VP at the convention) did not chant … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
The 100 Songs: Wax on the Slippery Slope
The Commission on Worship of the LCMS has released a list of 100 “contemporary songs” that LCMS congregations can use for “contemporary worship” if they so desire. This list was created in response to the last Convention’s resolution “[t]o Provide Guidance and Direction for Use of Diverse/Contemporary Worship Resources.” Strangely, this caveat is included in the their press release: The songs listed in the chart have not been subjected to the same in-depth process that selected hymns receive before being included in a synodically approved hymnal. The rapidly changing scene of Christian contemporary music requires constant attention to evaluate emerging songs in a timely manner. Why not? Making the excuse that the “contemporary scene” moves too fast to evaluate these songs is bogus. They’ve had a year and half to look at 100 songs. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Uncategorized
What Is Worship?
I have been struggling to define “worship” to myself and my congregation for some time now. As usual, someone else has defined this much better than I can: Fr. Stephen Freeman at his blog Glory to God for All Things. Some Lutherans may take umbrage with a few points he makes, especially emphasizing the “exchange” in the Eucharist (of giving our bread), but I don’t find anything wrong with this point. Truly the bread and wine are our gifts and, unlike Roman Catholics, the Orthodox teach with us that our “sacrifice” in the Eucharist is not the body of Christ, but more the bread that we offer for God’s use. Here’s the essay: It is not uncommon for visitors and members alike to comment on the length of an Orthodox liturgy. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Uncategorized
Epiphany House Blessings
It is an ancient custom for pastors to bless the homes of his parishioners during the Epiphany season. Lutherans didn’t do that for many years, but the tradition is coming back into vogue of late. How Is it Done?Call your pastor and make an appointment. He will come to your house and begin blessing every room with the word of God and with prayer. If he and you are more “high church,” you may ask him to use incense during the blessing. Since every room should be blessed, make sure each is ready for him. Do not think that it has to be perfectly clean!!! I promise you, your pastor has seen sights that would make you faint. Pick up what you can and must, and leave the rest. His vow is … Read entire article »
Filed under: Uncategorized
Feasts, Sundays and Commemorations: What I Do
There is a long-standing problem within Lutheranism in how to celebrate festivals. Lutheran Service Book added a number of feast days, divided between “Feasts and Festivals” and “Commemorations.” And while this is a good thing, it made a difficult decision worse: there is the note that only certain “Feasts” are observed when they fall on a Sunday–these are Eve of the Circumcision of Jesus; Circumcision of Jesus; Purification of Mary and Presentation of Our Lord; the Annunciation of Jesus; the Visitation; Nativity of St. John the Baptist; St. Michael and All Angels; and All Saint’s Day. These are all privileged, then, over every other Sunday. In all other circumstances, the Proper Sunday is privileged. Right? What this leaves the liturgically-minded pastor with is a number of feasts and commemorations that will … Read entire article »
Filed under: Uncategorized
The Secret Eucharistic Prayer
Lutherans do not pray the sacrificial language of the Eucharistic Prayer, and never really have. The Reformers rejected the inclusion of the Verba within prayer for the fact that they understood the Eucharist as God’s gift to us, rather than the priest’s or the people’s offering. In other words, they understood that the Verba (the “words of institution”) are proclamation to us, not prayer to God. This is the simple version, admittedly. But consider any Lutheran liturgy (save some from the ELCA of late), and you will find that the verba are not included within prayer. The LCMS, seeking to be faithful to the Lutheran Confessions, have always rejected this. For example, Lutheran Service Book Setting One has an expanded “Prayer of Thanksgiving” following the Sanctus which immediately precedes the Verba. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Uncategorized
Books!
Networked Blogs
Recent Comments
- Julia Harrington on Brown Shoes and No Connections
"Haha, Hall Hall. :)…" - Mark Lehenbauer on Trying New Stuff on the Blog
"Aah. Took several minutes to get from FB to the blog.…" - Mark Lehenbauer on Trying New Stuff on the Blog
"So, if I comment here on the blog it will show up on FB?…" - Carl Vehse on The Horror! The Horror!
"Dixie, you are right. Scientific study that backs up the claim that alcohol and…" - Dixie on The Horror! The Horror!
"...The potential for spread of infection during this religious ritual does ex…"