Confession and Absolution, Book of Common Prayer 1662

A general Confession to be said of the whole Congregation after the Minister, all kneeling.

ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father; We have erred, and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against thy holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; And we have done those things which we ought not to have done; And there is no health in us. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare thou them, O God, who confess their faults. Restore thou those who are penitent; According to thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesu our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake; That we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, To the glory of thy holy Name. Amen.

The Absolution, or Remission of sins, to be pronounced by the Priest alone, standing; the people still kneeling.

ALMIGHTY God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who desireth not the death of a sinner, but rather that he may turn from his wickedness, and live; and hath given power, and commandment, to his Ministers, to declare and pronounce to his people, being penitent, the Absolution and Remission of their sins : He pardoneth and absolveth all them that truly repent, and unfeignedly believe his holy Gospel. Wherefore let us beseech him to grant us true repentance, and his Holy Spirit, that those things may please him, which we do at this present; and that the rest of our life hereafter may be pure, and holy; so that at the last we may come to his eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The people shall answer here, and at the end of all other prayers, Amen.

"From Depths of Woe I Cry to Thee" (Psalm 130)

130:1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord!
2 O Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my pleas for mercy!

3 If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
that you may be feared.

5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
6 my soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen for the morning,
more than watchmen for the morning.

7 O Israel, hope in the Lord!
For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
and with him is plentiful redemption.
8 And he will redeem Israel
from all his iniquities.

Jesus is the Only Answer, from the Bela Fleck Africa Sessions.

"A Little Book on Joy" goes into first reprint.

We are quite amazed. After 90 days in print "A Little Book on Joy" is all but sold out. 4000 copies. Humbled.

Thanks,

Pastor H.

A Living Prayer

You Humble Me Lord

"O Sacred Head Now Wounded"

A Favorite Luther Letter: "Christ dwells only in sinners."

To George Spenlein

Wittenberg, April 8, 1516

George Spenlein was an Augustinian friar in the monastery at Wittenberg who had recently been transferred to Memmingen. In this letter Luther is reporting on the disposal of some of Spenlein’s possessions. It gives an insight into Luther’s understanding of justification and its implication for the Christian life prior to his controversy with Rome.

Text in Latin: WA, Br 1, 35–36. The following translation, with minor changes, is by Theodore G. Tappert and is used by permission from Luther: Letters. LCC 18, 109–111. Published 1955, The Westminster Press.

To the godly and sincere Friar George Spenlein, Augustinian Eremite in the monastery at Memmingen, my dear friend in the Lord
Jesus ChristGrace and peace to you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ

My dearest Friar George: I wish you to know that I sold some of your things for two-and-a-half gulden, namely, the coat of Brussels for one gulden, the larger work of the Eisenach theologian for half a gulden, and the cowl and some other things for one gulden. Some things are left, such as the Eclogues of Baptista Mantuanus and your collections [of other literary materials]. These you must consider a loss, for we have not been able to dispose of them. The two-and-a-half gulden which you owe to the Most Reverend Father Vicar we gave him in your name. The other half gulden which you still owe him you must either try to pay or get him to cancel. I felt that the Most Reverend Father was so well disposed toward you that he would not object to doing so.

Now I should like to know whether your soul, tired of its own righteousness, is learning to be revived by and to trust in the righteousness of Christ. For in our age the temptation to presumption besets many, especially those who try with all their might to be just and good without knowing the righteousness of God, which is most bountifully and freely given us in Christ. They try to do good of themselves in order that they might stand before God clothed in their own virtues and merits. But this is impossible. While you were here, you were one who held this opinion, or rather, error. So was I, and I am still fighting against the error without having conquered it as yet.

Therefore, my dear Friar, learn Christ and him crucified. Learn to praise him and, despairing of yourself, say, “Lord Jesus, you are my righteousness, just as I am your sin. You have taken upon yourself what is mine and have given to me what is yours. You have taken upon yourself what you were not and have given to me what I was not.” Beware of aspiring to such purity that you will not wish to be looked upon as a sinner, or to be one. For Christ dwells only in sinners. On this account he descended from heaven, where he dwelt among the righteous, to dwell among sinners. Meditate on this love of his and you will see his sweet consolation. For why was it necessary for him to die if we can obtain a good conscience by our works and afflictions? Accordingly you will find peace only in him and only when you despair of yourself and your own works. Besides, you will learn from him that just as he has received you, so he has made your sins his own and has made his righteousness yours.

If you firmly believe this as you ought (and he is damned who does not believe it), receive your untaught and hitherto erring brothers, patiently help them, make their sins yours, and, if you have any goodness, let it be theirs. Thus the Apostle teaches, “Receive one another as Christ also received you to the glory of God.”And again, “Have this mind among yourselves, which you have in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, [did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped], but emptied himself,” etc. Even so, if you seem to yourself to be better than they are, do not count it as booty, as if it were yours alone, but humble yourself, forget what you are and be as one of them in order that you may help them.

Cursed is the righteousness of the man who is unwilling to assist others on the ground that they are worse than he is, and who thinks of fleeing from and forsaking those whom he ought now to be helping with patience, prayer, and example. This would be burying the Lord’s talent and not paying what is due. If you are a lily and a rose of Christ, therefore, know that you will live among thorns. Only see to it that you will not become a thorn as a result of impatience, rash judgment, or secret pride. The rule of Christ is in the midst of his enemies, as the Psalm puts it. Why, then, do you imagine that you are among friends? Pray, therefore, for whatever you lack, kneeling before the face of the Lord Jesus. He will teach you all things. Only keep your eyes fixed on what he has done for you and for all men in order that you may learn what you should do for others. If he had desired to live only among good people and to die only for his friends, for whom, I ask you, would he have died or with whom would he ever have lived? Act accordingly, my dear Friar, and pray for me. The Lord be with you.

Farewell in the Lord.

From Wittenberg, April 8, 1516

Yours,

Friar Martin Luther

Augustinian

LW 48.13

"Keep on smilin'"

The daffodils are up and I'm smiling

As an inner city pastor at Zion, Ft. Wayne, heavily involved in reviving the neighborhood, I'd spot flowers in abandoned lots. In the spring I'd dig up these abandoned daffodils and other flowers and plant them at home. In the move to St. Louis in 2001, I took quite a few bulbs with me. These flowers have always been a source of joy and thankfulness midst the most challenging of life's situations. Like Christ's own mercy, they keep coming, ever new, and always with joy.

Pastor H.

"The Word of God is oil, because it teaches us to be kind to others with cheerfulness."

15. And that wine may cheer the heart of man. Here he explains for what purpose bread is brought out from the earth. It must not be brought out in vain, just as they should not eat the grass in vain and use the plants in other necessities, but so that they might bring out the bread all the more freely, not revel in idleness. Then, when the bread has been brought out, that wine may cheer the heart of man, that he may make the face cheerful with oil, and that bread may strengthen man’s heart. In these three it is expressed how the Word of God disposes a man first to God, second, to the neighbor, third, to himself. First, the wine is the Word of God that makes the heart of man rejoice in the Lord. He did not say “flesh” of man, but “heart,” whose joy in the conscience God alone sees and man alone knows, as Ps. 32:11 says: “Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous”; and Ps. 68:3, “Let the righteous be joyful in the Lord, etc.” Thus wine cheers the heart of man, though in the meantime he nevertheless grieves and carries the cross of Christ in his body. For the heart is cheered by this wine, but the flesh is saddened, rather. Second, “that he may make the face cheerful with oil.” The Word of God is oil, because it teaches us to be kind to others with cheerfulness. Hence he aptly says, “that he may make cheerful,” as if to say, “he should be cheerful toward the outside.” Rom. 12:8 reads: “He who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.” “For God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7). Besides, by saying “face” he means that He may make the outward behavior cheerful with the oil of mercy, which is shared with others. So then, the bread having been brought forth out of the earth, He brings it about that the wine makes glad the heart of man, He brings it about that a man cheerfully bestows the oil of mercy on others, his neighbors in whatever need they may be. Thus he is now properly disposed toward God and the neighbor through the Word of God. So the Samaritan poured in oil and wine for his neighbor, so that we should do likewise (Luke 10:34). Third, “and that bread may strengthen man’s heart.” Man is weak in himself, and therefore he is strengthened by the bread, so that he can rejoice in God and have mercy on his neighbor.

Luther

On Psalm 104:15; LW 11

Bach BWV 244

duBois' "Hosanna" is Amazing

Hosanna!
Jesus Entered Jerusalem!

by Tom duBois

"Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the Highest!"

--- Matthew 21:9

"I began this painting last fall, and it has consumed me for more than a year. There were many moments of frustration, and many moments of delight as I finally was able to bring the images in my mind and heart to the canvas." --- Tom duBois, 2002

Seal - Change Gonna Come

Buenger: Founder of Organized Charity in the Missouri Synod

Was rummaging around in Synod's attic (Concordia Historical Institute) the other day, and came across this old address by Prof. Theo Buenger of Concordia St. Paul, about his Uncle Friedrich Buenger, founder of the institutional work of mercy in the LCMS (especially St. Louis Lutheran Hospital). Buenger's three-fold gift is needed more today than ever.

Pastor H.

Your program committee has asked me to speak to you about the Rev. Johan Friedrich Buenger, the founder of organized charities in our church-body. I am delighted to accept this invitation in order to bring you historical material about the work which was so dear to the heart of my sainted uncle.

There were three outstanding characteristics of his. First, a sacred enthusiasm to teach and a sustained effort to perfect himself in this; second, a far-flung and many-sided missionary endeavor; third, a heart beating warm in commiseration for the sick, destitute, and forsaken, combined with a readiness of self-sacrifice.

Lord grant us more of THAT! MH

Let 'em in...

Memorable Day in Kibera

Everyone needs one.

There really IS a better way....

ONE WAY! Or another?

It’s TIME to rock the Lutheran World

In the mid-1990s, I met a friendly African man working in the print shop at St. Louis Seminary. I was immediately drawn to his winsome personality. I was on campus doing graduate coursework for a summer session. He was in St. Louis – on leave from teaching at the seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya, in Matongo, Western Kenya. A controversy over the bible’s teaching on the sinner's justification before God had rocked the church. Scandinavian missionaries in Kenya suggested Robert Preus be invited to speak on the topic. He did so. It was Dr. Preus who suggested that Walter study in St. Louis.

Next I heard of Walter Obare, he’d been elected Bishop of his Kenyan church body sometime early in the new millennium. This rather large and fast growing church had no official ties with the LCMS. In 2003, Walter wrote to me as executive director of LCMS World Relief and Human Care, and soon I was able to visit Kenya. We began an investment in the Kenyan church and its programs of mercy for the needy. This has borne fruit beyond anything we could have hoped for or imagined.

Soon Walter had convinced his church to seek fellowship with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. That was accomplished in 2005. The relationships with the Missouri Synod have continued to grow and blossom. A few years ago, the Church of Sweden was devolving like so many liberal Lutherans, into the acceptance and promotion of homosexuality. A group of faithful Lutherans within that church asked Walter to come to ordain for them a bishop who could in turn ordain pastors who were faithful to the word of God. This was necessary because the Swedish church has for years harassed and denied ordination to young men faithful to God’s Word. Walter did so. But he soon was accused of “meddling” in the affairs of another church body. He was called on the carpet by the Lutheran World Federation leadership (the ELCA Bishop is also head of the LWF!), and even removed from the LWF theological commission.

Yet Walter did not, has not, looked back. In fact, I just received news that Walter traveled to Europe again last week. In Bavaria he received the Walther Kuenneth Prize for faithful Lutheran Confession, given by the remnant of faithful Lutherans in the Bavarian church (Sammlung um Bibel und Bekenntnis). He also traveled to Finland where he assisted in ordaining a Finnish Bishop for a group of faithful Lutherans there facing the same persecution and harassment (http://scandhouse.org/finland/home.html).

The news of a black African bishop, coming to Scandinavia (the Kenyan church was the mission plant of the Swedish church and other Scandinavian mission societies), as a missionary seeking to re-introduce the true faith to the motherland, has caught the attention of not only the Lutheran World, but also the secular press.

All this happened because ONE student from Africa was given the chance to study at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.

It’s time to rock the Lutheran world. It is time for us to shift 4 million dollars (as a start) from the total 80 or so million dollar budget of the national LCMS, to both seminaries. (In fact, with a bit more money our Canadian sister church and its seminaries could also help us rock the Lutheran world!). This will enable 100 international students per year on each of the two LCMS campuses (at about $20,000 a student). One of our seminary presidents was speaking with an ELCA seminary president recently, who complained, “The ELCA provides only 15% of our funding.” Imagine the shame in our man having to admit that the LCMS provides next to nothing for our seminaries! This is an immediate way to increase the number of students at our schools, increase the numbers of faithful Lutheran missionaries and theologians around the world, and to introduce the deaconess ministry as the option for the service of women in confessional Lutheran Churches around the world. Think of the benefits of our American students getting to know the next Walter Obare? Think of the lifelong missionary interest and knowledge of the world that will be shared! We have so much to learn from friends around the world! Think of a hundred Obares A YEAR going home to Asia, to Russia, to Eastern Europe, to India, to Indonesia, to Madagascar, to central and South America! We have a theological treasure to share with the world. As the ELCA has fallen off the cliff on the issue of sexuality and the authority of the bible (along with the host of northern and liberal Lutherans), the Lutheran world has never been more open to contact with the LCMS. These scholarships will be provided to top (mostly graduate) students from our partner churches, and from many other churches well beyond our traditional realm of cooperation. And they will be the Lutheran leaders of the future, the near future.

Our seminaries know how to deal with international students. We have the room on the campuses. The people of the Synod want the seminaries supported. We could simply put up HALF the amount ($2,000,000) and ask the good people of the Synod to match it. Given the opportunity, I’d help raise this money myself. Every one wins. In fact, once the Synod begins actually supporting the seminaries (one of the main purposes of the Synod’s existence – long since forgotten; Constitution, Article III Objectives: “Recruit and train pastors… and other professional church workers”; “to support synodical …seminaries”), the money will roll in and the program will be expanded even more. I’ve worked long enough in the Synod’s bureaucracy to know what can and can’t be done. This not only CAN be done, it must be done. It only takes the will to do so. This will be money FOR CHRIST’S MISSION IN THE WORLD well spent!

What I’m suggesting is a veritable “drop in the bucket” compared to the dollars spent by national Synod. But it will be a drop with Tsunami like waves of mercy and grace for the world!

The simplest ideas are the most profound. It’s time to rock the Lutheran World. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine…” Matthew 5:14-16

Matt Harrison

Judica

Lent 2010

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."

Churchill

Go Walter O, Go.

Finnish Lutherans Get Their Own Bishop
After Church of Finland Supports Same-sex Couples

Sacred Heart Chapel in Helsinki was filled to capacity for the consecration service.

Nine days after the Church of Finland elected a new archbishop who supports church "blessings" for same-sex couples, four Lutheran bishops from Sweden and Kenya consecrated a bishop for Finnish Confessional Lutherans. The consecration of Bishop Matti Väisänen Saturday (March 20) means that, for the first time since 2001, Confessional Lutherans can be ordained as pastors in Finland. About 450 people packed the Sacred Heart Chapel in Helsinki for the consecration.

As in other former Scandinavian state churches, the historically Lutheran Church of Finland has become increasingly liberal under political pressure in recent decades, largely abandoning its Lutheran roots. In particular, it has adopted a lower view of the authority of Scripture than held by traditional, or Confessional, Lutherans. This led to the establishment of Luther Foundation Finland in 1999. This Confessional Lutheran group considers itself within the Church of Finland, but opposes the current bishops' liberalism. Since 1999 the Luther Foundation has grown steadily and now holds worship services in 21 cities and towns in Finland.

Pastor Richard Ondicho of St. Barnabas Koinonia, Helsinki leads the procession bearing the cross, followed by Dean Juhana Pohjola bearing the bishop's staff. The Revs. Esko Murto and Kalle Väätäinen bear the mitre and cape.

In 2003 the Luther Foundation affiliated with the Mission Province then established in Sweden. Mission Province Bishop Arne Olsson was consecrated in 2005 by five Lutheran bishops led by Archbishop Walter Obare of Kenya, whose predecessors were consecrated by Swedish Bishop Bo Giertz. This gives Bishop Olsson, and thus also Bishop Matti Väisänen, the same claim to Apostolic Succession as the bishops of the Church of Sweden and the Church of Finland. Archbishop Obare returned to Scandinavia to participate in the laying on of hands for Bishop Väisänen, and will do so again next Saturday when Rev. Roland Gustafsson is consecrated as the successor to the retiring Bishop Olsson.

Luther Foundation Finland has had eight pastors ordained in Sweden by Bishop Olsson, but the movement in Finland has grown to the point that it needs its own bishop. The Finnish movement has not had enough pastors to meet all the requests to establish new congregations, or "koinonias" (worshipping fellowships) as they are often called.

"This is a natural step for us," said Rev. Juhana Pohjola, founder and Dean of the Foundation, "to have a bishop who speaks the same language as these pastors, and being able to ordain more shepherds for God's flock. Matti Väisänen shall use the Word of God to encourage all those faithful Christians, who at the present can't hear the voice of the Good Shepherd in the Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Finland."

Referring to the election of Kari Mäkinen, an outspoken supporter of blessings for same-sex partnerships, as archbishop of the Church of Finland, Pohjola said, "This indicates how leaders of the church want to blend in, to make the church identical with the surrounding culture and society. Bishop Väisänen will lead our congregations in their task: to present a Lutheran alternative. It's rallying cry is 'Let the Church be Church!'"

Archbishop Walter Obare of Kenya prays for Matti Archbishop Walter Obare of Kenya prays for Matti Väisänen as Bishops Arne Olsson (closest to the camera), Lars Artman and Göran Beijer of the Mission Province in Sweden look on. as Bishops Arne Olsson (closest to the camera), Lars Artman and Göran Beijer of the Mission Province in Sweden look on. Behind Väisänen are (from left) LFF Dean Juhana Pohjola, Rev. Kalle Väätäinen and Rev. Esko Murto

The consecration was led by Bishop Arne Olsson of the Mission Province, who told Väisänen, "You are placed among all those bishops in Christ's worldwide church who want to remain loyal to the Lord and his Word.

"Christ will not leave you, when you seek him and ask him for advice. Our Supreme Shepherd is the Savior of sinners. He is also your savior. Otherwise he would not have sent you. Never forget this. Be faithful unto the death, and he will give you the crown of life."

The consecration sermon was preached by Kenyan Archbishop Walter Obare, who admonished the new bishop, "You are here and now a servant of God. Do not seek authority from men - secular or ecclesiastical rulers. "You must be a faithful servant of no one other than your King and Savior Jesus Christ.

"The Great Commission ends with a promise: 'I will be with you, all the days unto the end of ages.' This is his promise, and he can not lie. You must work in a world which is becoming pagan again. Your strength may be insufficient to lead the small church you are called to lead - but remember what the Lord said � He is the one who promises you to be with you until the end of ages."

"It was a great celebration and feast for God's people! Hundreds after hundreds coming up to the altar and the Communion after the consecration." — Dr. Bengt Birgersson, Secretary of the Mision Province

Pastor Esko Murto, theological secretary of the Foundation, noted, "Lutherans in Finland face two very clear and distinct alternatives: the apostolic and catholic, confessional Lutheran life in the Mission Province, or the increasingly apostate, degenerating established church. Lord have mercy!"

The 75 year old Väisänen, who studied at the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod's Concordia Theological Seminary in 1961-63, served as a parish pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland from 1963 to 1966, then as General Secretary of the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission from 1967 until he retired in 1995. From 1985 to 1995 he was the editor of 'Vie Sanoma' ('Spread the News'), a missiological journal. He has also published articles in numerous magazines, journals and books.

Väisänen is the author of 20 books in Finnish on a number of aspects of the Christian faith, most recently two books on baptism, 'Pyhä kaste Raamatussa' and 'Pyhä kaste kirkossa' (Holy Baptism in the Bible and Holy Baptism in the Church) and a commentary on Romans. He has also completed a ThD (Helsinki University) on the baptismal theology of Uuras Saarnivaara. Dr. Väisänen had been endorsed by a national convention of the Luther Foundation Finland. For many years, he has acted as a de facto bishop for Luther Foundation Finland, charged with the installation of pastors and other officers.

Newly consecrated Bishop Matti Väisänen with eight Luther Foundation Finland pastors. Five of the nine men, including Bishop Väisänen, have studied at Concordia Theological Seminary. Three of these have been guests at Scandinavia House.

In addressing the congregation, referring to 2 Corinthians 5:14, the newly consecrated bishop remarked, "'The love of Christ compells us.' Christ loves us and binds us together with the word of Truth. By allowing us to experience love within and persecution without, Christ makes us grow closer to each other and closer to his Word.

"Many in Finland are waiting for us to break apart from internal disputes and animosity," he continued, "they want to see us fail in our task of building a Mission Province. But if we remain in the Apostolic Word, we remain in the triune God, we remain united and the world will believe our witness."

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For further information contact info @ scandhouse.org

Pro-Life Groups Blast Executive Order Deal Between Stupak, Barack Obama

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
March 20, 2010

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Leading pro-life organizations are unanimous in their condemnation of the a deal between Rep. Bart Stupak and President Barack Obama to exchange an executive order for votes from pro-life Democrats backing the pro-abortion Senate health care bill.

Family Research Council president Tony Perkins was clear in his opposition and said what many pro-life groups are thinking, that there could be consequences at the ballot box.

"Those few pro-life Democrats that would place the fate of the unborn in the hands of the President, will be placing their own political fate in those same hands secured only by a promise that runs counter to everything he has said and done," he told LifeNews.com.

He confirmed "there is no way that an executive order will protect the unborn or prevent the greatest expansion of elective abortion since Roe v. Wade.

"Pro-life lawmakers would be making a serious mistake to trust those who have repeatedly attempted to mislead the American people into believing that abortion is not in the bill," he added.

FRC and other pro-life groups point to legal rulings during the Bush administration in the 1980s that make the executive order a failed solution to the abortion funding in the bill.

Court rulings in cases such as Commerce of U.S. v Reich and Hamdan v. Rumsfeld make it very clear that such an executive order likely wouldn't survive, Perkins contends.

National Right to Life issued a statement to LifeNews.com agreeing.

"The executive order promised by President Obama was issued for political effect. It changes nothing," NRLC said. "It does not correct any of the serious pro-abortion provisions in the bill. The president cannot amend a bill by issuing an order, and the federal courts will enforce what the law says."

"The order does nothing at all to mitigate the other abortion-related problems described in the NRLC letter, dealing with bill provisions that create dangerous regulatory mandate authorities, revise Indian health programs, and create pools of directly appropriated funds that are not covered by existing restrictions on funding of abortion," it adds. "Nor can the order correct the omission from the pending legislation of the necessary conscience-protection language that had been included in House-passed health care legislation last November (the "Weldon language")."

Richard Doerflinger of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops previously condemned the executive order idea.

"The statutory mandate construed by the courts would override any executive order or regulation. This is the unanimous view of our legal advisors and of the experts we have consulted on abortion jurisprudence. Only a change in the law enacted by Congress, not an executive order, can begin to address this very serious problem in the legislation," he explained.

National Right to Life also weighed in on the legal issue surrounding the order.

“If the bill is signed into law, these statutory requirements and defects are not subject to correction or nullification by the chief executive or his appointees, whether by Executive Order, regulation, or otherwise," the pro-life group said.

House Republican Leader John Boehner agreed with the analysis.

"Democratic leaders are working up an executive order on the matter for the President to sign and claiming it will override the very legislation they are trying to enact," he said.

"This plan is a welcome admission from the President and Speaker that the bill will, in fact, fund abortion procedures with tax dollars. But rather than fixing this fatally-flawed bill, this scheme is simply an attempt by Democratic leaders to provide political cover for wavering Democrats who profess to be pro-life," he added.

Other problems include Obama perhaps going back on his word.

"The President could also lift such an executive order at any time with a stroke of a pen. During the campaign, President Obama promised he would treat abortion as a basic health care mandate for both taxpayers and private health insurers to subsidize. He told Planned Parenthood that 'reproductive care' would be at the 'center' of his health care plan," Perkins said.

"And after only three days in office, he lifted the Mexico City Policy which prohibited taxpayer funds from going to foreign non-governmental organizations that promote and perform abortions," he noted.

Officials with Americans United for Life and the Susan B. Anthony List have also commented saying they oppose the executive order and say it will not work to prevent abortion funding.

Charmaine Yoest, the president of AUL, added: "“This deal to pass the largest expansion of abortion since Roe v. Wade is a tragedy for America. We believe that Mr. Stupak’s choice to succumb to the intense pressure of the last week has resulted in his endorsement of a charade that does not even begin to address the anti-life provisions in this legislation. The American people do not support taxpayer funding of abortion and Speaker Pelosi and the President have undermined representative democracy by working to pass this legislation with this unprecedented contortion of the legislative process.”

Other pro-life advocacy groups have also responded to the Stupak-Obama deal:

Penny Nance, Concerned Women for America CEO: “This is not a new scenario. Bill Clinton strong-armed moderate Democrats in 1993, and 34 of them are rumored to be working at 7-11 today. As the people’s representatives, Members of Congress have one job and that is to represent the interests and views of their constituents consistent with the higher law. Poll after poll has been taken and it is clear, no matter how well the President explains his plan, the American people have rejected it. I am sorry. I know it hurts his feelings, but wake up. You all work for us, the voters, and we do the hiring and firing. He can’t save you.”

Rep. Joe Pitts, a top pro-life Republican in Congress: "From a pro-life perspective, I find absolutely no comfort in this executive order. This puts the fate of the unborn in the hands of the most pro-abortion president in history. This is a career-defining vote on the life issue. Any member of either party who votes for this bill will never again be able to claim they have always stood for the most important and fundamental of all human rights."

Kristan Hawkins, Students for Life of America: “I am extremely disappointed to hear that Con. Stupak and other Democrats who call themselves ‘pro-life’ have caved to a promise President Obama made to them. Why would he trust him when in his first week as President one of his first actions was to fund abortions overseas with tax-payer dollars. Legal scholars agree that an Executive Order will not be strong enough to prevent tax-payer money from funding abortions in the new healthcare take over. Further, Con. Stupak and his other Democrats with them have sold out millions of Americans with disabilities and expensive-to-treat diseases. Make no mistake about it: healthcare rationing will take place with those who need it most and now the 72% of Americans who disagree with tax-payer funded abortions will pay for the slaughter of innocent life.”

Lila Rose, Live Action: “We are dismayed that Congressman Stupak has made a backroom deal with pro-abortion forces. Stupak and his colleagues have appointed President Obama to do their job for them, making the President the sole guardian of pro-life integrity in the health care plan. The chickens have elected the fox to guard the henhouse. It is absurd to trust that Obama, the most pro-abortion president in our history, will stop taxes from paying for abortions. We can only imagine the foul pressures brought upon Congressman Stupak by Obama’s Administration and Pelosi’s Majority. If this bill is not stopped, the consequences of Stupak’s deal with pro-abortion forces will lead to the deaths of countless more defenseless, unborn Americans. With this bill, the IRS will be Planned Parenthood’s cashier as Americans are forced to fund this horrific human rights abuse.”

Bradley Mattes, Life Issues Institute: "Bart Stupak and other so-called pro-life Democrats in the House have sold out America’s unborn babies on a promise made by the most pro-abortion president in our nation’s history."

Brian Burch, CatholicVote.org: “The decision by Rep. Stupak to accept an Executive Order to solve the abortion issues in the health care legislation is unconscionable. The Executive Order fix is a band-aid solution that fails to solve the fundamental problems in this bill, and can be repealed at any time, for any reason, by the President or future presidents. The Order is likely to be challenged by pro-abortion groups, and could be struck down by the courts."

Day Gardner, National Black Pro-Life Union: “It’s amazing that after saying over and over that there was no tax payer funding for abortion in the 2700 page monster—he issued an order about tax payer funding in abortion. President Obama lied…again. And Rep. Bart Stupak is just another member of Congress who promised so much, yet delivered so little."

03-22: Chile Assessment Team Reports Situation “Far Worse Than Imagined,” Donations Urgently Needed

The Chilean government set up 6-foot by 8-foot wooden homes for earthquake refugees in Constitución, Chile. LCMS World Relief and Human Care, in partnership with the Confessional Lutheran Church of Chile are ministering to the people and offering food and electricity assistance.

“This event in Chile is far worse than ever imagined,” said Rev. Glenn Merritt, director of Disaster Response with LCMS World Relief and Human Care, who arrived in Chile March 19 with WR-HC's Rev. Carlos Hernandez to assess earthquake damages with the Confessional Lutheran Church of Chile (IELCHI).

The death toll has reached 800 in Chile since the Feb. 27 earthquake and tsunami, and an estimated 500,000 homes were destroyed. Earlier this month, former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet reported that rebuilding could take up to three years and cost as much as $30 billion.

In the coastal town of Constitución, near the epicenter, four tsunami waves, one reaching 30-feet, washed away the first 6-8 blocks of beachfront property. Merritt said military divers searched Monday for more than 300 people still missing – many who were attending a party on an island peninsula as the waves hit.

Upwards of 2,500 displaced Chileans are living in six-by-eight-foot wooden structures at one government-run refugee camp in the coastal city. In the weeks following the earthquake, IELCHI pastors have gone door-to-door in these camps, assessing how people are doing and identifying what aid is needed.

“There is no water, no sanitation, no power, and not adequate food,” said Merritt of one emergency camp in Constitución. LCMS World Relief and Human Care, in partnership with the IELCHI, will explore beginning a feeding program at the camp and providing limited electrical services to each structure. Refugee families who do not qualify for government assistance are filling out grant applications with the IELCHI. The church will provide grants as it is able.

With fewer than 10 professional church workers, the IELCHI's man-power is stretched thin. Merritt says the IELCHI's pastors and church members are bringing vital assistance as quickly as they can and asked that the LCMS keep them in prayer. “It's an opportunity for the church to be present,” said Merritt, “but unless we have the resources to actually assist the people, it makes it very, very difficult.”

“The earthquake in Chile is one of those events which just breaks our hearts. The effects are horrible and the need profound, but because it fell just after Haiti, and the death toll was far, far smaller, the assumption is that the need is insignificant by comparison. And because the event was quickly eclipsed in the news cycle, the giving has been completely overshadowed by Haiti. But the Lord's timing is His and His alone. And He knows well how to bring blessings out of the worst crosses. That I don't doubt for a moment,” said Rev. Matthew Harrison, executive director of WR-HC.

To date, LCMS donors have generously given $23,768 for Chile earthquake response efforts, but Merritt urges donors to continue to share their financial gifts. “Materials are readily available in Chile, what we don't have are the dollars to get the materials that are needed to assist these people,” said Merritt. “And right now the resources we have for responding to the earthquake in Chile are rather limited.”

To make a gift, click on the Give Now button below, call toll-free 888-930-4438, or mail donations marked "Chile Earthquake Relief" to LCMS World Relief and Human Care, P.O. Box 66861, St. Louis, MO 63166-6861.

On behalf of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, LCMS World Relief and Human Care (the mercy arm of the LCMS) will work cooperatively with LCMS World Mission (the mission sending arm of the LCMS), LCMS congregations and districts, and U.S. and international partners to provide immediate and long-term relief for the people of Chile and the Confessional Lutheran Church of the Chile (Iglesia Luterana Confesional de Chile).

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Any funds not needed for this relief effort will be used for other disaster purposes as determined by LCMS World Relief and Human Care. Your gift is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Thanks CPH!

Introit for Judica, Lent 5

"You've got to be very careful if you don't know where you are going because you might not get there."

Yogi Berra

Hmmmm.... Teddy Roosevelt once more on going to church

Appears T.R. after a term and a half, was quite a bit better theologian. The following is taken from "Theodore Roosevelt as I Knew Him" by Ferdinand Igelhart. Say's Teddy below: “After a week on perplexing problems and in heated contests it does so rest my soul to come into the house of the Lord and worship and to sing and mean it, the 'Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty,' and to know that He is my Father, and takes me up into His life and plans, and to commune personally with Christ who died for me.” He still doesn't speak of the delivery of the forgiveness of sins (for which Bente took him to task), but he does mention Christ's death. T.R. attended "Grace Reformed Church" on 15th Street in D.C. (pictured).

Bully!

Matt H.

Having an important matter to take up with President Roosevelt, I went down to Washington Saturday afternoon, June the 9th, 1906. In communicating with Mr. Loeb, the President's able secretary, with reference to an appointment on Monday, I said to him:

"Will the President attend church Sunday morning?"

The secretary answered: "I presume so; he nearly always does. Let me see now, there may be doubt about his attending the service. He turned his ankle and the sprain is pretty severe; it may prevent his going to church. You know which one he attends, do you not? The Grace German Reformed Church on 15th and O Streets, N. W. If you have no appointment of your own to preach in the city, it might be well to worship at the President's church. If he should be able to get there I am sure he would be glad to see you.

"

I was on hand seasonably.

At three minutes to eleven an usher said: "He is always here by this time; he is not coming today." "Yes, he is, all the same," answered another. "There he comes yonder, and he is walking to beat the band."

Sure enough, there he was, the robust man in pepper and salt suit made in business fashion, wearing a stove-pipe hat, throwing his arms and pushing and pulling his wounded leg with a perceptible limp at a rapid gait.

Buttoning up my Sunday coat nicely, I said to myself, "I will fool him," and started down the street, keeping my eyes away from him, thinking I could get past him without recognition. But no, when I had gotten about twenty feet away from him, he cried out: "My dear Dr. Iglehart, what are you doing here in Washington? "Where are you going to preach? I am on my way to my church, but I will follow you anywhere to hear you preach." I said: "I do not preach anywhere this morning." "What brought you down?" "You," I answered. "I have come down on purpose to see you." "That was lovely in you to do that. I do not know any one in America I would rather see this day than you. Just turn around and go back with me to church and after the service we will walk back to the White House. Tomorrow I have appointments with admirals, generals, Congressmen, Senators, etc., and we will be to ourselves, and we will have a bully visit together."

On entering the church two surprises met me — first, the smallness of the audience room, having capacity for not more than five or six hundred; and second, the appearance of the congregation, having so few evidences of wealth or social pretense. The surprise in neither instance was a disappointment, for the audience room was new and neat and beautiful, and the congregation was of the common people with their intelligence and worth, the foundation of the best things in church and state.

The ritual service, which was almost as elaborate as that of the Episcopal Church, was participated in scrupulously by the President, who stood, sat and responded at the proper time. He joined heartily in the singing, which was led by a presenter and organist without a choir. He was the best listener I saw in the house. The weather was intensely hot, the mercury at ninety-five, and he kept a large palm leaf fan in his right hand going to the limit of its capacity every moment of the service. The pastor of the church, the Rev. Dr. Schenek, was not in his pulpit, and the secretary of the Missionary Society occupied his place and preached a most excellent sermon. It was children's day and the minister preached on "The Home." It was clear, discriminating, sound, timely, pungent and inspiring. Just as he was concluding his sermon the President put his hand into his trousers pocket as though he were fishing for change for the collection soon to follow. When the plate came to his pew he took out his pocketbook, apparently as full as it could hold, and dropped a bill upon it which I took to be five dollars.

After the benediction had been pronounced the audience remained standing till the President and the Secret Service men had left the house. No two- thousand-dollar carriage with spanking team nor five- thousand-dollar automobile awaited him at the door. These would have, been an annoyance to him there, so full of life he was and so fond of exercise.

I commenced to tell him something and he halted me and said : "Let me say something first and then you can go on with your story." He said: "The services this morning were enjoyable. The sermon was good, and I agreed with him in the points he made that the home is the chief foundation stone of the republic and the hope of the church. The 'Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty' is one of the grandest of hymns; that went off splendidly. After a week on perplexing problems and in heated contests it does so rest my soul to come into the house of the Lord and worship and to sing and mean it, the 'Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty,' and to know that He is my Father, and takes me up into His life and plans, and to commune personally with Christ who died for me. I am sure I get a wisdom not my own and a superhuman strength in fighting the moral evils I am called to confront. The other two hymns, while full of good theology and tender sentiment, did not create as much warmth or enthusiasm. Lusty singing is a great help in church worship."

Then, pausing, he said: "Go on now with your story!"

"I will when you have answered a question I will ask you," I replied.

"What is it?" he inquired.

"It is this," I said. "Why did you select this little church with its plain people, so inconspicuous

and uninfluential comparatively?"

He answered me with not a little feeling: "When I first came to Washington I did not know

there was any Dutch Reformed church here, and went with my wife to the Episcopal church. But on becoming President I learned that there was a little obscure red brick building tucked away on the back of a lot, and I immediately selected that as my church. The fine new building has since been erected. I take sentimental satisfaction in worshiping in the church of my fathers.