Lutheran Worship

Saying for the Day: We should so fear and love God, so that we do not despise his Word or the preaching of it, but gladly hear and learn it. Martin Luther.

For the last few Sundays I have been writing about worship in general. Today I want to say a little about Lutheran worship.

Lutheran worship is not centered in people.
It is and has been since the beginning centered in the Word of God.
In the small catechism Luther wrote that keeping the Sabbath Holy had to do with hearing and learning God’s word.

We come as the family of God to hear and receive a Word from the Father. The question we come with is “ Does God have a Word for me today?” .

In the service three Scripture passages are read and part of a Psalm. Over a three year cycle all of the important biblical themes are lifted up and a good part of the Bible is read.

But God comes to us not only in the Word read but also in the Word preached. During the week the Pastor has lived with the texts, prayed over the texts, studied the texts, and he or she comes prepared to share with us what God has said to him or her in that study. The Holy Spirit takes that Word and quickens it to us ( makes it come alive).

In addition to the Word read and the Word preached Lutherans believe that we meet the Word made flesh in the miracle of Holy Communion. Here in the Bread and Wine the very Christ who died for us comes now to us . Here we are forgiven, renewed, made alive.

Because of the Word we are free to praise God, to sing hymns, to offer ourselves to Him. But Lutheran Worship always begins in the Word.

#### News from Pigeon Falls-The little town in my basement where the trains still run, dragons fly, and life is back to normal. It is Sunday in Pigeon Falls. In all the churches this morning prayers of thanks that the battle with the ACLU is over will be offered. Pastor Joan will be preaching on the Advent texts. The congregation is called to get ready for the coming Christ. In today’s texts we see Jesus at the darkest of times and we are reminded that in the end Jesus wins. He will carry us through our dark times as well.
Over coffee people commented that it was a pretty heavy sermon for the holiday period. But old Herman Holmes said that a long time ago he heard a preacher say “ I took a look at the end of the book and Jesus wins” and those words have carried him through all the rough spots in his life. The trip is easier if you know where your going.
There was a bit of excitement at the Lutheran service as one of the candles exploded . It looks like somebody had drilled a hole and put a firecracker in the candle. When the candle burned down that far it exploded. Tommy UK was the acolyte this morning but he says he didn’t see any firecracker when he lit the candles.
Brian Johnson who comes to church from second shift at the mine and usually sleeps through most of the service woke up when the candle went off. He seemed to think they were under terrorist attack. He jumped up and if his wife hadn’t grabbed his arm he would have run down the aisle.
Mrs. Jerome Smythe said “ In all my years of going to this Church we have never had anything like this happen. What is the world coming to?”
Tommy UK said he would ask around and try to find out if some kid did it. It might have been one of the other Confirmands.
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Today's Link-Andrew M. Greeley Homilies- Some stories by a great writer on the Advent texts.
A very good day today though breathing was a bit difficult. Got to church this morning. It was great to be back after missing last Sunday because of the snow. The Choir did a Christmas Cantata which was great. Just another way the Word is presented. In the afternoon I worked on the layout and Betty wrapped Christmas gifts and watched the Packers win. I told you it was a good day. Now I need a breathing treatment.
GBYA