"Bruda Iz"

From Claus Harms 95 Theses - 1817

92. Die evangelisch-katholische Kirche ist eine herrliche Kirche. Sie haelt und bildet sich... am Sakrament. 

93. Die evangelische-reformirte Kirche is eine herrliche Kirche. Sie haelt und bildet sich ...am Worte Gottes. 

94. Herrlicher als beide ist die evangelische-lutherische Kirche. Sie haelt und bildet sich ...am Sakrament wie am Worte Gottes.

A Great Lutheran Read

George Nielsen wrote this wonderful book on Johann Kilian (1811-1874), faithful Wendish Lutheran who suffered greatly in opposing the Prussian Union. He immigrated to Texas with 500 Wends and began confessional Lutheranism in Texas. Nielsen is a super author. The book is very readable, very accurate, and treats the theological issues with fidelity and clarity. Kilian is not well enough known in confessional Lutheran circles today. I've nearly finished translating a terrific sermon he preached (1848) for the dedication of an independent Lutheran church building in Klitten, Prussia. The congregation exists as a member of The Independent Evangelical Lutheran Church in Germany, to this day. Buy the book HERE.

Matt H. 

Luther on Thanksgiving

When an older monk in a monastery presented a younger monk with a gift as small as a trimmed quill, the younger monks were trained to day "God be praised for all his gifts." That was a good practice because it trained the young men to express their gratitude for every good gift they received either from God or from people. Even though they may not always have been truly grateful, it was still a good practice to say the words. Psalm 116:12-13 says: "What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord." In other words, God has been good to me and, therefore, I shall glorify, praise, and thank him. Our Lord God responds by saying, "Yes, my dear child that is all I expect of you."

Luther

Fourteenth Sunday After Trinity on Luke 17:11-19

House Postils II.425-26

Harrison on "The God Whisperers"

The 'God Whisperers" interview was a hoot....

Click HERE.

Matt H

LCMS World Relief and Human Care Sunday

Baltic Bishops Speak a Clear Word on Sexuality

MESSAGE FROM THE MEETING OF THE BALTIC LUTHERAN BISHOPS

The leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Estonia, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia
and Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lithuania met in Tallinn on the 3rd and 4th of November, 2009
to strengthen the long experience of unity of the Lutheran churches in the Baltic countries and to
pray for the fellowship among Christians of the whole world, recognizing that in our time the ties
among and within Christian communities in many places are put to the test. Bishops also discussed
tasks and responsibilities of their churches looking for better ways of co-operation in the future.
Christian faith means living with Christ and serving one another.

Especially at times of the economic difficulties when so many people have lost their external
foothold and inner peace, we invite our compatriots to expand their appreciation of their Christian
roots and to utilize all the spiritual wealth that is revealed in the Holy Scripture and offered to
everyone who turns to God and puts their trust on Christ. The present crisis in the world economy is
a fruit of a long term failure to act accordingly the principles which God has laid in the foundations
of His creation. Consumerism and individualism of the modern society have taken their toll. To
look for solution only by means of mending economy would mean to repeat the same mistake. A
spiritual renewal must come first, a renewed sense of balance between rights and obligations,
communion empathy, solidarity, and mutual support. We believe that the most convincing inner
motivation for that change is found in an encounter of a person with the living Christ. To facilitate
that encounter by word and deed is the first and foremost calling of the Christian church. Jesus
Christ said: “Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.”
(Matt.28:19-20)

The Christian community as a part of the society is not separated from issues related to the natural
and human environment both locally and globally. Justice in the society and life quality of the
people or protection of our Baltic Sea against the state negligence and corporate exploitation are
some of the critical examples of this area of concern. As communities gathered around the Word of
God and the keepers of Christian ethos our churches must address the spiritual root-causes of the
contemporary problems. The churches must remember that the main instrument entrusted to them
by God is His word – the law and the gospel - and the service to the neighbour in charity.

We also invite our political powers to realize more clearly the spiritual dimension of the human life
and the good fruits of a positive co-operation between state, municipalities, schools and the church.
Teaching and implementing Christian principles strenghthen the family as well as the whole
community. Liberty of conscience and freedom of speech belong to the values of society defining
religious life not only as a private but also as a public social right which has to be fostered.
Religious education and religious studies form an inseparable part of this right.

At the present time a common witness of churches is vitally important, therefore we express our
deepest concern about modern tendencies that weaken the fellowship among Christians and cause
divisions in and among churches. The recent decisions made by some member churches of the
Lutheran World Federation to approve of religious matrimony for couples of the same gender and
to equate such conjugal life with marriage or to ordain non celibate homosexual persons for pastoral
or episcopal office epitomize these tendencies that are tearing apart fellowhip among Christians. We
affirm that the marriage is the conjugal life between a man and a woman and that a homosexual
activity is incompatible with the discipleship of Christ. We believe that in following the modern
trends, churches are departing from the apostolic doctrine of human sexuality and marriage. We see
the Lutheran communion and eccumenical efforts endangered by such decisions and actions
because they lead to a situation where the Lutheran churches, members of the Lutheran World
Federation are not able to fully recognize each others ecclesiastical offices, to exchange the
ministries and to participate together in preaching the Word and celebrating the sacraments.

We call upon our Lutheran sisters and brothers to unity and co-operation based upon the foundation
of Holy Scripture and loyalty to the Lutheran confessions. Contemporary challenges demand a
firm stand based upon timeless truths and values. The common understanding of the Gospel by
churches is a treasure we cannot afford to lose and it needs to be passed on to the current and future
generations. Our mission is to be faithful in that which we have received, God’s mercy. We are to
serve our Lord and our neighbours thus until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of
the Son of God (Eph. 4:13)



Archbishop of Riga Janis Vanags
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia


Bishop of Daugavpils Einars Alpe
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia


Bishop of Liepaja Pavils Bruvers
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia


Bishop Mindaugas Sabutis
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lithuania


Archbishop Andres Põder
Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church


Archbishop emeritus Kuno Pajula
Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church


Bishop Einar Soone
Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church

Issues Etc. Interview on My New Book: At Home in the House of My Fathers

Click HERE.

New Mercy Hymn by Starke

Fight, Work, Pray!
I completed this text requested by a deaconess at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne for a hymn based on Luther's meditation and writing on the relationship between the Lord's Supper and works of mercy and care for our fellow human beings. ("Fight, Work, Pray!" is a pamphlet published by LCMS World Relief and Human Care with a preface by the Executive Director, Rev. Matthew C. Harrison. The pamphlet reprints from Luther's Works, Vol. 35: "The Blessed Sacrament of the Holy and True Body of Christ, and the Brotherhoods" [1519] ). The hymn text seeks to highlight aspects and benefits of the Sacrament empowering us to serve as Christ to the world today. The meter, 3 4 9 3 4 6, matches the deeply moving tune by Amanda Husberg, CHILDREN OF PEACE.

1. Fight, work, pray!
Precious indeed
Are all the masses huddled in need.
Christ sends us
Out with His love,
For the life of the world.

2. "Flesh and blood
Given and shed
Once on the cross so you may be fed;
I in you,
You now in Me
For the life of the world."

3. Mystery!
How can it be?
Saint bound to saint in true unity!
One in Christ,
One as His Church
For the life of the world.

4. Strengthen us,
Lord, as we live:
Pardoning others as You forgive.
Bless our faith
Active in love
For the life of the world.

5. I, Your guest,
Frail though I be,
Yet here Your life I taste and I see,
As You give
Heavenly gifts
For the life of the world.

6. All my debt
You, Lord, have paid
When on the cross atonement You made.
Faith receives
All You have done
For the life of the world.

7. What can I
Render to You?
True thanks and praise in all that I do;
Fear, love, trust,
Serve and obey,
For the life of the world.

8. Mercy known,
Mercy received,
Mercy now lived by all who believe.
We are Christ's
Body and voice
For the life of the world!
Posted by Stephen P. Starke at 9:44 PM 0 comments
Labels: Society, The Lord's Supper, Vocation

Johann Kilian Sermon

Now we commit to God's free grace and efficiency [sic], how he may work in the hearts of men by his word and by his sacraments. We want no magnificence of dominion, no succession of the bishops, no radiance of the clergy, no auricular confession, no secret orders, no pious fraternities, no monasteries, no private conventicles, no intercession of the deceased saints, no letters of indulgence, no pilgrimages, no camp meetings, no ecstasies, no noise,no artificial excitation nor any like invention of man, we want only the word and sacraments pure and unmixed according to the commandments of Christ, numerous assemblies of attentive and sacramentally united hearers on the Sundays and holy days, a decent and pleasing meeting house and a becoming behaviour of the whole congregation, that we may enlarge the blessings of this country and that our posterity may continue in the Christian faith. That's our intention. That's our desire, that's our endeavor.

Johann Kilian, Serbin Texas
English Sermon, 1859

All which I say "AMEN!"
Matt H.

Harrison Speaking in Southern California on Mercy and Lutheranism

Had a marvelous time speaking of mercy and the sweep of Lutheranism, in Southern California.

A podcast interview on "The God Whisperers" may be found HERE.

LCMS World Relief at Ft. Hood

11-13: Message from Fort Hood - We Are Here to Make God Real for Each Other

November 13, 2009

Rev. Carlos Hernandez shares his reflections after three days of meetings and assessment following the fatal shooting spree in Fort Hood, Texas.


Rev. Carlos Hernandez, far right, of LCMS World Relief and Human Care meets with Rev. Bernie Schey of Trinity Lutheran in Copperas Cove, Texas, far left, and with Nancy Ingenloff and her husband. Nancy is a prekindergarten teacher at Grace Lutheran School and leads the Family Readiness Group (FRG) assisting families of soldiers injured or killed Nov. 6 during the Fort Hood shooting.
Fort Hood, Texas – It's been a long week. Intense might be an understatement. We attended two memorial ceremonies, one on Tuesday where President Obama spoke and the other yesterday, which was a memorial ceremony for the four soldiers killed from 20th Engineer Battalion, for which Grace Lutheran School's prekindergarten teacher, Nancy Ingenloff, is providing a Family Readiness Group (FRG) ministry. We were invited to this ceremony as special guests when the battalion commander, Lt. Col. Andrysiak was made aware of the $5,000 grant from LCMS World Relief and Human Care to Grace Lutheran Church to assist with the unexpected additional work of the FRG. Nancy said that the commander was 'shocked' and wanted to meet and thank these "generous people."

At the reception after the memorial, I had the opportunity to share with the commander and his wife about the work of LCMS World Relief and Human Care. He was particularly interested in our traumatic stress workshops thinking that maybe some of the soldiers might also want to work through post-traumatic stress disorder in a congregational setting.

Probably the most intense moments of the week were during the memorial ceremonies when "roll call" began and the deceased are called – three times – and there is no answer. The silence was a powerful and poignant reminder that precious lives were senselessly silenced. As Chaplain Richard Turner said, "It puts a lump in your throat."

I am still stunned with how God puts us in the right place at the right time. This is certainly the case with Nancy. How opportune for us to have her, a member at Grace Lutheran Church, the LCMS base congregation, in charge of such a vital ministry to families and extended families through the FRG, and for us at LCMS World Relief and Human Care to be able to be a part of this outreach to the families and extended families of the four soldiers killed from the 20th Engineer Battalion, as well as the families of those wounded.

A good portion of the week, however, was spent offering prayer, support, and encouragement to our four congregations serving the Fort Hood community. In order to anchor my work in a congregation, I spent most of my time with Rev. Bernie Schey, shadowing him in his work related to the Fort Hood shootings, as members of his congregation were affected. I also met with his elders to explain our work in times of disasters and the ensuing post traumatic stress. I was also grateful to Rev. Schey and his wife, Ingeborg, for being my hosts.

We completed our pastoral visits with the four congregations that minister to the spiritual needs of the Fort Hood army base community, meeting also with Rev. Robert Wagner of Immanuel Lutheran in Copperas Cove and with Nancy Henninger, the business manager at Immanuel Lutheran in Temple. Their pastor was on vacation, but during his absence the congregation wasted no time responding to the plight of families affected by the shootings on base by collecting $1,000 that Nancy said they would either send to Grace to further assist the FRG ministry, or to LCMS World Relief and Human Care.

We spent time with Rev. Andrew Green earlier in the week as we tried to facilitate the details of the grant, but later in the week, he caught a bad cold and could not attend the memorial ceremony with us for the fallen soldiers of the 20th Engineer Battalion.

Though we were not able to spend time with our LCMS chaplains, we did spend time with Chaplain Dann Ettner and his wife. Ettner encouraged us not to forget the North Fort Hood community of reservists who he reported felt "neglected." So our assessment continues.

The work has just begun. We know that recovery is a long term process. But we are blessed to be here in the early aftermath of this tragedy. We are here on behalf of LCMS World Relief and Human Care and our many supporters in the church at large. As Chaplain Alcivar said in his meditation at the memorial ceremony for the soldiers from the 20th Engineer Battalion, "We are to make God real for each other in our grief."

Pastor Hernandez serves as director of Districts and Congregations for LCMS World Relief and Human Care. He may be reached at 314-956-2005 or by e-mail at carlos.hernandez@lcms.org.

Enjoyed speaking of Mercy in the Saginaw Valley

I had the great pleasure of addressing over 200 LWML ladies in the Saginaw Valley last weekend. Also preached three times and conducted a bible class on mercy and LCMS World Relief and Human Care. It was a pleasure to be in this famous location of LCMS Lutheranism. Just near Frankenmuth, we traveled through the old location of LCMS mission to the Ojibway. Having spent a year as a missionary to Ojibway/Cree people in Ontario, brought memories of those days, and thoughts of the faithfulness of Missionary Baierlein to these people in Michigan.

Matt H.

World Relief and Human Care at Ft. Hood

Rev. Carlos Hernandez of LCMS World Relief and Human Care is on site at Ft. Hood, and we've provided an initial grant for our LCMS friends there to assist families traumatized with travel and other expenses where needed. I'm proud to work with Carlos and all our staff.

May the Lord have mercy on all who have been so horribly affected by this cowardly and murderous act.

Matt H.

F.C.D. Wyneken - How Can the Synod Remain United?

A Reading from Friedrich Wyneken on Spiritual Priesthood and Office of the Ministry