This Side of the Pulpit » Entries tagged with "worship"
Unionism and Worship
Why is it that the LCMS seems more concerned with “joint worship” and “serial prayer” with other ministers than with the forms of worship? I mean, some congregations’ worship is identical to worship at any number of protestant churches down the street from them and there are no “rules” or CTCR statements regarding this. What sends a bigger message of false unity? My saying a prayer next to a Methodist at some community event or … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
Hymns, Part II: The Advent Version
I love Advent hymns. Probably more than Christmas carols and hymns. Definitely more than Lenten hymns. Easter hymns would give them a run for their money, however. I’m not sure why I love them so much. Perhaps because they are not overused and overdone like Christmas carols are. Perhaps they evoke the Christmas spirit without evoking muzak, Elvis and Kenny G versions heard at stuffy shopping malls. Maybe they are just pretty. But, to toot the same … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
Pious Positions?
Heads held high, watching the sign of the cross being made over them, other heads bowed down, daring not to look, knowing the sign will be a blessing. There are a few looking aimlessly, left or right, but I don’t worry about those. I look left and right and up and down when I pray sometimes. We don’t judge pious stances and positions. Some are tired and sit. Some have open eyes, others close them tightly. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
The Sign of the Cross
Making the sign of the cross over yourself is an ancient practice. Sure, some do it in a superstitious way…or at least seem to. But maybe we shouldn’t judge. Rev. Todd Peperkorn writes, Making the sign of the cross is catholic, but not simply in the Roman Catholic sense. It has been practiced by Christians almost since the time of our Lord’s resurrection from the dead. It has probably been around as a Christian practice as long as folding one’s hands to pray or saying before meal prayers. So in terms of its historic practice, Christians have been making the sign of the cross as long as there have been crosses. Read more of his post here. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
Mysteria
We sing with angels and archangels, with apostles and evangelists, with saints and “all the company of heaven.” We do not sing for ourselves and our own enjoyment, but we don’t sing for others either. We sing for God, with the saints and angels, with the faithful living with the Lord, with all of God’s Kingdom, awaiting the coming age. The materialists of this age cannot conceive of this. They know only stuff. They are the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
All the Liturgy’s a Stage
Pastor Eric Brown thinks we’re all just acting up there in the chancel…and we have understudies. Ok, not really. But he does point out that when you worship with the liturgy (the real liturgy, not your made-up ones), worship doesn’t depend on the man at all, but the office and the body present. And others can, when necessary, “stand in” for the office. His post is here. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
A Call to Worship?
I grew up in the LCMS. From day one, I’ve worshiped at Lutheran Churches, spending just a few years in the Evangelical Lutheran Synod. Lots of us have. But how many of you ever saw a “Call to Worship” in the hymnal. Nor did any of those worship services begin with a “Call to Worship.” But many of the “Creative Worship” services that float around the LCMS these days have one of these at the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
More than We Desire or Deserve
Almighty and everlasting God, who art always more ready to hear than we are to pray, and art wont to give more than we desire or deserve: Pour down upon us the abundance of thy mercy; forgiving us those things whereof our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things which we are not worthy to ask, but through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord. Amen. Collect for the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
Singing ‘This is My Body’
One of my members recently stated that his favorite part of the Divine Service was the chanted Words of Institution. It was a surprising comment, since it is my gut feeling that chanting these words is probably the most divisive thing we can do as Lutherans. Or Christians. I know, I know. It sounds strange, but some people do not like liturgical chant. It sounds “too Catholic” for some. Or too “magical” or “mystical” or too fancy. What is most funny is that the congregation does it all the time when they sing any portions of the liturgy. So it seems some people don’t object to chanting–just the pastor or liturgist chanting. What does chant do? Why chant? Chant is done for one practical reason: words carry better when sung than when … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
Jesus, Priceless Treasure
As I said on Sunday, I think this, coupled with the tune “Jesu, Meine Freude” is probably the antithesis of entertainment-driven, contemporary worship, “praise songs” so popular today. Jesus, priceless Treasure, Source of purest pleasure, Truest Friend to me. Ah, how long in anguish Shall my spirit languish, Yearning, Lord, for Thee? Thou art mine, O Lamb divine! I will suffer naught to hide Thee, Naught I ask beside Thee. In Thine arms I rest me; Foes who would molest me Cannot reach me here. Though the earth be shaking, Every heart be quaking, Jesus calms my fear. Lightnings flash and thunders crash; Yet, though sin and hell assail me, Jesus will not fail me. Satan, I defy thee; Death, I now decry thee; Fear, I bid thee cease. World, thou shalt not harm me Nor thy threats alarm me While I sing of peace. God’s great power guards every hour; Earth and all its depths … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
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