Last month, we began Epiphany singing of how our Lord’s miracles revealed Him to the world and identified Him as its savior.   “Manifested by the star to the sages from afar; in Thy birth in Bethlehem; Manifest in Jordan’s stream, Prophet, Priest and King supreme; and at Cana wedding guest, God in man made manifest; manifest in power divine, changing water into wine, manifest in making whole, pal...

     “And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” (Matt....

     This month begins the new church year with the season of Advent. The first Sunday in Advent is called Ad Te Levavi. This title comes from Psalm 25 which is the antiphon of the introit, “To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul. O My God in You I trust; let me not be put to shame.” The gradual, also from Psalm 25, helps establish the reverent, penitential focus of the season, when we remember, “None ...

     At the end of this month we will celebrate the Last Sunday of the church year and acknowledge the quickly approaching return of Christ, when we sing, “The day is surely drawing near, when Jesus, God’s anointed, in all His power shall appear as judge whom God appointed. Then fright shall banish idle mirth, and flames on flames shall ravage earth as Scripture long has warned us.” These are sobe...

     This month we will celebrate the anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation. Unfortunately, for the past 500 years, both Roman Catholics and Protestants have often accused us of worshipping a man. The Scriptures clearly states that we are to follow no one but God. To call ourselves “Lutheran,” shows that we believe that the teaching of the Lutheran church best fulfills the admonition to preach C...