During Bible Study, Pastor discussed following articles highlighting the results of recent surveys of religious life. Below are the links to those resources.Gottesdienst - The Journal on Lutheran Liturgy: "Rebellion in the Pew, or a Stone in the Shoe?"Issues, Etc.: Recent Religious Surveys and Lutheran Beliefs- Lyman Stone, 3/5/25 (0641)Lyman Stone's Substack: Are Lutherans Growing? Shrinking? Lib...

   Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. Around the world many Christians are already planning what they want to give up during the “forty days” leading up to Easter. For good reason Lent is considered the most “penitential” season of the church year. St. Paul wrote, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).”  Even the words used to impose the ashes, from the curse ...

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 ...