Happenings

Ponderings Prior to Preaching on Trinity Sunday

Classical and Lutheran Education

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The Classical Classroom:
Theory and Praxis

Presented at the Ninth Conference of the
Consortium for Classical and Lutheran Education

THE BASICS

When: June 30 – July 2
Where: Saint Paul Lutheran High School in Concordia, Missouri
Theme: The Classical Classroom: Theory and Praxis
Cost: $100 registration fee (meals and lodging are extra)
To Register: Download the Registration Form (PDF)

PRESENTERS

Plenary Speakers: Dr. Gene Edward Veith, Mr. Andrew Kern, and Timothy Goeglein
Sectional Speakers: Dr. Steven Hein, Dr. James Tallmon, the Rev. Paul Williams, the Rev. Alexander Ring, Jackquelyn Veith and others
Banquet Speaker: Dr. E. Christian Kopff
Chaplain: The Rev. William Heine

HOUSING

On Campus: To stay on the St. Paul campus, call Rosalie at (888) 463-5127

Biltz Hall: $50 per day per room (very nice motel-style rooms)
Heilman Hall: $30 for the first night, $15 for each succeeding night (dormitory rooms)

In Town:

Best Value Inn (660) 463-2114
Days Inn (660) 463-7987
Golden Award Motel (660) 463-2135

Other hotels in nearby Sweet Springs and Higginsville

DINING

On Campus: The $40 on-campus dining package — registration deadline June 22 — includes Tuesday PM Snack, Evening Banquet; Wednesday Breakfast, AM Snack, Lunch, PM Snack, Dinner; Thursday Breakfast, AM Snack.
In Town: Restaurants include Biffle’s Smokehouse (BBQ), El Espolon (Mexican Restaurant), Topsy’s Café (Family Dining), and Country Pride, plus several fast food chain stores.

AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION

Kansas City International
   Pick-up: KCI Tuesday @ 11 am
   Drop-off: KCI Thursday @t 3 pm

CONTACT PERSON

The Rev. William C. Heine
   316 College Drive
   PO Box 514
   Concordia, MO 64020-0514
   (660) 463-0250

* Important Links for Registrants *

PDF Registration Brochure
Consortium for Classical and Lutheran Education
Saint Paul Lutheran High School
E-mail the Rev. William Heine

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In Loving Memory

May Holy Cross Newsletter Article

Near the end of May, many of us will gather flags and flowers, head out to various cemeteries, and decorate the graves of our loved ones. We’ve become participants in an observance that started as a tribute to the Union war dead. From there, we began memorializing other veterans and then extended the remembrance to all our departed family and friends.

Memory is powerful as it motivates and guides all manner of thoughts and deeds. It saddens us to remember better times yet encourages us when we recall how bad things used to be. It emboldens those seeking justice or revenge: “Remember the Alamo!” It tempers the actions of those who recollect the mistakes of bygone years: “Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it. (George Santayana)”

Memory is also selective, even fickle. We don’t remember all things equally. We remember our first dog’s name but forget where we lay phone, glasses, or keys. After 40 or more years we can picture one grade school teacher clearly while not even remembering the name of another. Most terrifying: We can lose our memories, never to gain them again! (See Remembering and Forgetting: Christians with Alzheimer’s Disease.)

So much of what we remember about people depends upon our relationships with them. Also, time usually erases the bad memories more quickly than the good. Of course, if we choose to continue a grudge, the opposite holds true — we forget the good and emphasize the bad.

Because our memories depend so much on fickle emotion and distracted minds, we may not appreciate God’s perfect memory. We pray, “Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. (Psalm 25:6)” This doesn’t mean that God could ever forget us. Whenever God “remembers,” He does so with intent to act.

Every day is God’s “Memorial Day.” He daily “remembers” that Jesus died to save us and forgives our sins on His behalf. Because He can never forget Christ’s all availing sacrifice, He hears and answers when you pray: “Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me ... O Lord! (Psalm 25:7)”

Yet even as He chooses to remember His children in mercy, God also chooses to forget. He says of those who believe in Him, “I will remember their sin no more. (Jeremiah 31:34)”

In response, should we not also make every day Memorial Day? Because He remembers you, shouldn’t you then “remember the deeds of the Lord (Psalm 77:11)” and thank Him for His love?

In Christ,
Pastor Snyder

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Closed Communion Note for Palm Sunday

Occasionally, when time and space allow, I write a seasonal note on our communion practices for the bulletin. Here is the one for Palm Sunday at Holy Cross:

The Lord’s Supper: The untrained eye thinks that it witnesses a triumph on Palm Sunday that becomes a tragedy on Good Friday. The eye of faith, however, sees that Palm Sunday’s “triumph” would have been a tragedy if Jesus had entered Jerusalem only to become an earthly king. Faith’s eye also recognizes the apparent “tragedy” of Golgotha as Jesus’ complete triumph over sin and devil.

Likewise, many eyes do not see the fulness of the gift received in Holy Communion, often denying the true presence of Jesus’ body and blood or doubting the very real forgiveness of sins that is ours in this meal. We desire no communicants to eat and drink to their own condemnation. Therefore, we commune only those who have been instructed in the Faith and who confess an evangelical Lutheran understanding of the Sacrament and all of Holy Scripture.

Visitors from churches not in full fellowship with us are asked to respect this Biblical teaching and refrain from partaking of the Holy Sacrament. Those desiring to join this fellowship are encouraged to talk to the pastor about instruction class.

November Fog

Here’s a shot from last Fall. I took it while standing on my front walk.

Who’d have thought that a flat panel sodium vapor lamp could illuminate such a pretty picture?

Sermon: Lent 5

Sermon Audio for 29 March AD 2009

Sermon Text: And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.”

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.”

And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?”

And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.”

Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”

And they said to him, “We are able.”

And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:32-45

Sermon Theme: The Greatest Service

Other Readings: Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 119:9-16, Hebrews 5:1-10

+  Why were the disciples “amazed” and the people “afraid”?
+  What did Jesus say in response?
+  Does the disciples’ reaction indicate that they were listening?
+  How are we like James and John?
+  How did Jesus remake us to be like Him?

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Sermon: The Annunciation

Sermon Audio for 25 March AD 2009

Sermon: Epiphany 4

Sermon Audio for 1 February AD 2009

Sermon Text: And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.

And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are — the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him.

And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee. Mark 1:21-28

Sermon Theme: The Amazing Jesus

Other Readings: Psalm 111; Deuteronomy 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

† How did Jesus astonish His hearers?

† How do our opinions get in the way of God’s facts?

† Why is it good to be “astonished” by Jesus?

† Do we have a proper sense of astonishment today? Why or why not?

† How can ongoing astonishment be restored and retained?

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Jeopardizing My Evening

Homily: Grade School Chapel

MP3 Audio of the Chapel Homily for 28 January AD 2009

Preached to the Pre-K through 8th Grade students and the faculty of St. Paul’s Lutheran School, Concordia, Missouri.

Text: To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.

Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.

Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. Psalm 51

Theme: A Clean Heart and a Right Spirit

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There She Is ... Miss (LCMS) America

Congratulations, Katie

Katie Stam, the newest Miss America is a Lutheran. Not only that, but an LCMS Lutheran. Furthermore, she’s the daughter of a church worker. Her mother, Tracy Stam, teaches 5th grade at Immanuel Lutheran School, Seymour, Indiana. During the talent segment, she sang Via Dolorosa, a song confessing Jesus Christ, His death, and His cleansing blood.

Katie received her crown and earned her prizes, including a $50,000 scholarship, on Saturday. After several days of competition in Las Vegas, retiring 2008 Miss America Kirsten Haglund crowned Katie at the conclusion of the TLC broadcast on Saturday night 24 January. There remains a further Lutheran connection: Haglund is a member of the Evangelical Covenant Church, a body that grew out of Swedish Lutheranism, Pietism, and the theology of the Great Awakening.

Anyhow, the news is especially interesting in our household since the Snyder part of my family hails from that part of Indiana. Great-grandpa George Schneider pulled a G. T. T., Americanizing our name along the way. (The jury remains out as to whether or not the change possibly related to the relocation of some of his Indiana neighbors’ cattle.) I don’t have the family tree in front of me, but I know that I’m kin to many of the Schneider, Peters — originally Peterschlingmann(!) — and related households in Vallonia, Brownstown, Seymour, and the rest of Jackson County.

By the way, if Seymour sounds familiar, that might be because John Mellencamp hails from there. He also grew up Lutheran but I have no idea if he remains part of the church. Maybe he can put together a little ditty about Katie and her crown from the front porch of his little pink house. Meanwhile, someone needs to amend The Lutherans Song, adding 2009 to “’89 and 1992’s Miss America.”

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Sermon: Epiphany 3

MP3 Audio of the Sermon for 25 January AD 2009

Like a Cow Staring at a New Gate ...

... or an Emeritus Professor at a Statue of Saint Paul*

As part of its Day of Reflection, Saint Paul Lutheran High School, Concordia, Missouri honored the Reverend Doctor Horace Hummel, a 1945 graduate of St. Paul’s College, with its Apostle Paul Award. This award was bestowed in honor of Dr. Hummel’s years of distinguished service to the Church. Hummel preached and taught in a number of places and spent two decades as a professor of Old Testament at Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis. He wrote a number of scholarly works, including an excellent introduction to the Old Testament, The Word Becoming Flesh.

Dr. Hummel intimidated many students but those who persisted in their studies under him saw great reward in their understanding of the Hebrew language and the theology and structure of the Old Testament. I must admit that after hearing “horror stories” about his expectations for his students, I hoped to avoid him.

However, the sem’s alphabetical lottery put me in the last group to register for my first OT class and Dr. Hummel was the only prof with openings for my requisite course. After finishing that initial quarter under him, I was in the first group to register for the next term and could choose my teacher. By that time, HH had me hooked and I chose him as my first option. Today, I had opportunity to talk with him as a beloved colleague and then to join those assembled at the evening’s banquet in a standing ovation for this scholar and teacher par excellence. Of course, our thanks also went out to his wife Ruth for her support of her husband through the years.

After our eating and drinking, SPLHS Headmaster Paul Mehl introduced Doctor Hummel, who approached the microphone to respond to his introduction and reflect upon his years as a theologian:

He soon warmed to the task and began punctuating his unique verbal delivery with classic gestures:

Finally, he received a statue of Saint Paul from Pastor Mehl as a physical token of the Church’s gratitude:

The Day of Reflection is held on or close to the commemoration of the Conversion of Saint Paul (25 January). This year’s opening service was led by the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Schurb of Zion Lutheran, Moberly, Missouri. Following the day’s theme “Educating for Vocation,” the morning presenter was Pastor Brent Kuhlman of Murdock, Nebraska and the afternoon session was led by Pastor Mark Sell of Friends of Mercy. Jim Dahlke, pastor of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Ernestville, Missouri and SPLHS religion instructor, conducted the closing service.

*For those unfamiliar with Dr. Hummel, he fully appropriated and frequently cited this remark attributed to Martin Luther. You could almost guarantee that it would pop up at least once in any course he taught. And since he grew up in Nebraska farm country, you can bet that HH knew whereof he spoke and always used it in context.

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Sermon: Epiphany 2

MP3 Audio of the Sermon for 18 January AD 2009

Note: Day also observed as Life Sunday.

Sermon: The Baptism of Our Lord

MP3 Audio of the Sermon for 11 January AD 2009

Epiphany Hymn

I wrote this hymn a few years ago and am reposting it for anyone who might like to use in in a worship setting or for private devotions. I cannot imagine many circumstances where I wouldn’t grant permission for its use as long as the copyright information and authorship are noted and the lyrics remain unchanged.

The Wise Men Traveled works with several other L M (Long Meter) tunes. However, I wrote it with this particular melody in mind. The only downside is that When Christ’s Appearing Was Made Known, an Epiphany hymn in Lutheran Worship, uses the same music. Other hymns in various hymnals, including On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry, are also set to Puer Nobis.

The Wise Men Traveled from Afar
L M
Text by Walter P. Snyder, 1957–
St. Matthew 2:1–12
Suggested tune: Puer Nobis Nascitur

The Wise Men traveled from afar
To worship Him who, by a star,
Was shown to be the Royal Son —
King David’s Heir, Anointed One.
A Child they found in Bethlehem,
By Holy Ghost conceived, yet man:
The Father’s Son in flesh and blood
Was fully man and fully God.
Their incense honored Deity
And gold was gift to royalty;
While myrrh foreshadowed death and grave
As sinful men He came to save.
Yet tomb was not His final end;
He rose — our Wisdom, Savior, Friend.
The Morning Star still beams His light
And scatters Satan’s gloomy night.
Salvation, pardon, life, and health —
Richness beyond all earthly wealth —
Through Word and water, body, blood,
Christ gives these gifts of highest good.
To God the Father and the Son,
With Holy Spirit ever One,
Be honor, glory, hymns of praise
By men and angels ever raised.

Sermon: Christmas 2

MP3 Audio of the Sermon for 4 January AD 2009

Sermon Text: And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him.

After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.”

And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them.

And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. Luke 2:40-52

Sermon Theme: Right Place, Right Time

Other Readings: Psalm 119:97-104; 1 Kings 3:4-15; Ephesians 1:3-14

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Sermon: The Circumcision and Name of Jesus

MP3 Audio of the Sermon for 1 January AD 2009

Sermon: The Nativity of Our Lord

MP3 Audio of the Sermon for 25 December AD 2008

Sermon Text: And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:7

and

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. Isaiah 9:2-7

Sermon Theme: Heaven in the Manger

Readings: Psalm 98; Isaiah 62:10-12; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:1-20

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Sermon: Advent 4

MP3 Audio of the Sermon for 21 December AD 2008

Sermon Text: In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.”

And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:26-38

Sermon Theme: Let It Be

Other Readings: Psalm 89:1-5, 19-29; 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16; Romans 16:25-27

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Singing Saints: Silent Night

The SPLHS Singing Saints conclude their 2008 Christmas Concert with a candle light performance of Silent Night. Choir under the direction of William Gasau, recorded at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Concordia, Missouri.

Silent Night

1. Silent night! Holy night! All is calm, all is bright,
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child. Infant, so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace.

2. Silent night! Holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight;
Glories stream from heaven afar, Heavenly hosts sing, Alleluia.
Christ, the Savior, is born! Christ, the Savior, is born!

3. Silent night! Holy night! Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth. Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.

SPLHS Concert Band

The Concert Band of Saint Paul Lutheran High School performing a medley of Christmas songs during their home concert in December 2008. Band directed by William Gasau, recorded at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Concordia, Missouri.

Singing Saints: Hallelujah Chorus

The Singing Saints of Saint Paul Lutheran High School perform Handel’s Messiah at their 2008 Christmas Concert. Choir under the direction of William Gasau, recorded at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Concordia, Missouri.

Sermon: Advent 3 Midweek

MP3 Audio of the Sermon for 17 December AD 2008

Sermon Text: The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God.

Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.”

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; in the haunt of jackals, where they lie down, the grass shall become reeds and rushes. And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there.

And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Isaiah 35:1-10

Sermon Theme: How Has He Saved Us?

Other Readings: Psalm 111; Ephesians 2:1-22; Matthew 11:1-19

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Homily: Candle Light Celebration

MP3 Audio of the Homily from Candle Light Celebration on 14 December 2008

I preached this message during the Candle Light Celebration at Holy Cross. Each year, the Singing Saints choir from Saint Paul Lutheran High School in Concordia bring their Christmas music to help celebrate our Savior's birth.

Sermon Text: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it....

The true Light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:1-5, 9-14

Theme: Celebrating His Birth, Celebrating Ours

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Sermon: Advent 3

MP3 Audio of the Sermon for 14 December AD 2008

Sermon Text: There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

(Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing. John 1:6-8, 19-28

Sermon Theme: His Name Was Grace

Other Readings: Psalm 126; Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

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Sermon: Advent 2 Midweek

MP3 Audio of the Sermon for 10 December AD 2008

Sermon Text: The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it, and many peoples shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.”

For out of Zion shall go the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord. Isaiah 2:1-5

Sermon Theme: For What Has He Come?

Other Readings: Psalm 2; 1 Peter 1:3-12; Matthew 24:36-51

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Sermon: Advent 2

MP3 Audio of the Sermon for 7 December AD 2008

Sermon Text: The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’”

John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” Mark 1:1-8

Sermon Theme: The Beginning of the Gospel

Other Readings: Psalm 85; Isaiah 40:1-11; 2 Peter 3:8-14

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Sermon: Advent 1 — Good Shepherd Home

MP3 Audio of the Sermon for 4 December AD 2008

Preached at Lutheran Good Shepherd Home of Concordia, Missouri.

Sermon Text: Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence — as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil — to make your name known to your adversaries, and that the nations might tremble at your presence! When you did awesome things that we did not look for, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence.

From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him. You meet him who joyfully works righteousness, those who remember you in your ways.

Behold, you were angry, and we sinned; in our sins we have been a long time, and shall we be saved? We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. There is no one who calls upon your name, who rouses himself to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have made us melt in the hand of our iniquities.

But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. Be not so terribly angry, O Lord, and remember not iniquity forever. Behold, please look, we are all your people. Isaiah 64:1-9

Sermon Theme: Seeing the Unseen God

Other Readings: Psalm 80:1-7; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 11:1-10

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Sermon: Advent 1 Midweek

MP3 Audio of the Sermon for 3 December AD 2008

Sermon Text: There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins.

The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples — of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious. Isaiah 11:1-10

Sermon Theme: Who Lies in the Manger?

Other Readings: Psalm 8; Romans 1:1-6; John 1:1-18

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Happenings

Contributors

06 June 2009

Ponderings Prior to Preaching on Trinity Sunday

01 May 2009

Classical and Lutheran Education

24 April 2009

In Loving Memory

04 April 2009

Closed Communion Note for Palm Sunday

November Fog

29 March 2009

Sermon: Lent 5

25 March 2009

Sermon: The Annunciation

01 February 2009

Sermon: Epiphany 4

28 January 2009

Jeopardizing My Evening

Homily: Grade School Chapel

25 January 2009

There She Is ... Miss (LCMS) America

Sermon: Epiphany 3

24 January 2009

Like a Cow Staring at a New Gate ...

18 January 2009

Sermon: Epiphany 2

11 January 2009

Sermon: The Baptism of Our Lord

04 January 2009

Epiphany Hymn

Sermon: Christmas 2

01 January 2009

Sermon: The Circumcision and Name of Jesus

25 December 2008

Sermon: The Nativity of Our Lord

21 December 2008

Sermon: Advent 4

19 December 2008

Singing Saints: Silent Night

SPLHS Concert Band

Singing Saints: Hallelujah Chorus

17 December 2008

Sermon: Advent 3 Midweek

14 December 2008

Homily: Candle Light Celebration

Sermon: Advent 3

10 December 2008

Sermon: Advent 2 Midweek

07 December 2008

Sermon: Advent 2

04 December 2008

Sermon: Advent 1 — Good Shepherd Home

03 December 2008

Sermon: Advent 1 Midweek