Oct 26 and 3 Lutheran Hymnwriters

Today, October 26, Lutherans around the world celebrate 3 of three favourite hymnwriters: Philipp Nicolai, Johann Heermann, and Paul Gerhardt. All 3 were German Lutheran pastors. A popular Advent hymn by Philipp Nicolai is “Wake, Awake, For Night Is Flying.” A familiar Lenten-Good Friday hymn based on Isaiah 53 by Johann Heermann is “Ah, Holy Jesus.” My favourite all-time traditional hymn was written by Paul Gerhardt, “A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth,” a Lenten hymn based on Isaiah 53. You can learn and read more about these hymnwriters by clicking on their names and their hymns. Once you’ve clicked on a hymn, you can listen to the tune and sing along by clicking on Midi.

Prayer: O God of majesty, whom saints and angels delight delight to worship: Thank you for pouring out your Spirit on your servants Philipp Nicolai, Johann Heermann and Paul Gerhardt who, with the gifts of music, enliven our praises and proclaim your word with power. Through this ministry you have given us new awareness of your beauty and grace, and join our voices with all the choirs of heaven, both now and forever; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. [ Prayer slightly edited from: Evangelical Lutheran Worship, p. 74 ].

Aaronic Benediction

This is an inspirational rendition of the Priestly/Aaronic Benediction in Hebrew.

Quotes on forgiveness

The stupid neither forgive nor forget; the naïve forgive and forget; the wise forgive but do not forget. –Thomas S. Szasz

With Christ’s prayer of forgiveness from the cross the universal religion of revenge is overcome and the universal law of retaliation is annulled. –Jűrgen Moltmann

Forgiveness is the economy of the heart…Forgiveness saves expense of anger, the cost of hatred, and waste of spirits. –Hannah More

Forgiveness is choosing to love. It is the first skill of self-giving love. –Mohandas K. Gandhi

The idea is to rescue myself from the role of a victim. That I have a choice left. Though I can’t change what has happened, I can choose how to react. And I don’t want to spend the rest of my life being bitter and locked up. –Tori Amos

 

Blessed Thanksgiving

Douglas John Hall's essay in Christian Century

Canadian theologian, Douglas John Hall, who taught theology at McGill University in Montreal, has written an essay on "How my mind has changed," in the Christian Century. Hall, I've often thought, is more of a Lutheran than a devoted United Church member. Why he did not become a Lutheran is difficult to understand, given his insights into and gravitation to Martin Luther and his theologia Crucis [theology of the cross]. Hall is still very counterculture when it comes to the modus operandi of mainline North American denominations. He believes that the majority of North American denominations have missed Jesus' teachings on the "small things" [e.g. his saying on salt and yeast] and their value are paradigmatic for an ecclesiology of the cross in our present day context. You can read his essay here. 

Christian aid agencies suspended from Somalia

According to Ecumenical News International, three Christian Aid agencies have been suspended from Somalia by an Islamic militant group, Al Shabaab. In spite of all three groups insisting that they have not engaged in proselytising, they have been falsely accused of it and are now suspended from Somalia. Jesus said, "You shall know them by their fruit." I think that applies to both those within the Christian faith and those outside of it. Eventually one hopes and prays that the truth will set free those who are enslaved by corrupt and evil tyrants. May God help and have mercy on the people of Somalia who will face further adverse consequences from this oppressive suspension. You can read the article here.

Weird Church Bulletin Announcements

Over the years, I've come across some rather weird and eccentric church bulletin announcements. Recently my wife had some time off and visited a parish, which I won't name, and discovered this announcement:

Health Ministry Notice - "Comfort Boxes"

If you are feeling ill during the service and need a quiet place to rest or wait for an ambulance, a Comfort Box is located in the vestments closet in the Vestry. There is also a Comfort Box located in the entryway to the Parish Hall.

I'm left scratching my head as to what this announcement is actually communicating. First question, which may seem rather ignorant, but here goes: What's a Comfort Box? Second question: Does the announcement imply that Worship Services are bad for your health? I know that Worship Services can be dangerous in that they convict us of sin and work repentance and motivate us to a deeper, risky faith active in love, which leads to a cruciform lifestyle. However, I also believe that Worship Services are good for your health and bestow countless measures of hope, and joy, peace, goodwill, and love to those who attend often. Dear readers, what do you think? I'd appreciate it if you'd leave a comment.