Evangelism Committee appropriate?

Maybe we need to make this prayer a part of the Evangelism Committee.

For the Lost: There are so many who do not know You, Lord, both far and near. Through pastors, missionaries, and faithful Christians, touch the hearts of the lost and the empty. Send the Holy Spirit to work godly faith that accepts You as the only Savior from sin. Fill me with an urgency for these lost ones, sharing the Word and supporting with prayers and offerings the witness work You have given me to do. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
--Concordia Publishing House ( ). Portals of Prayer: January - March (Kindle Locations 1732-1735).  . Kindle Edition.


Along with this hymn:

copyright © 2000 Rev. Richard Jordan, used by permission

"O Christ, Our True and Only Light"  tlh-512
By Johann Heermann, 1585-1647

1. O Christ, our true and only Light,
Enlighten those who sit in night;
Let those afar now hear Thy voice
And in Thy fold with us rejoice.

2. Fill with the radiance of Thy grace
The souls now lost in error's maze
And all whom in their secret minds
Some dark delusion haunts and blinds.

3. Oh, gently call those gone astray
That they may find the saving way!
Let every conscience sore opprest
In Thee find peace and heavenly rest.

4. Oh, make the deaf to hear Thy Word
And teach the dumb to speak, dear Lord,
Who dare not yet the faith avow,
Though secretly they hold it now.

5. Shine on the darkened and the cold,
Recall the wanderers to Thy fold,
Unite all those who walk apart,
Confirm the weak and doubting heart,

6. So they with us may evermore
Such grace with wondering thanks adore
And endless praise to Thee be given
By all Thy Church in earth and heaven.

Hymn #512
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Luke 1:79
Author: Johann Heermann, 1630
Translated by: Catherine Winkworth, 1858, alt.
Titled: "O Jesu Christe, wahres Licht"
Tune: "O Jesu Christ, mein's"
1st Published in: Nuernbergisches Gesangbuch, 1676

 

On the Date of the Eve of the Celebration of Christ's Birth

I enjoy discussions of "how things came to be the way they are today."  It is fun to ponder and reflect on the possibilities.  Sometimes it even can suggest ways to behave for the future.

Paul McCain, in his CyberBrethren blog, recently posted "Why Christmas is on December 25." This December 22 posting is at http://cyberbrethren.com/2012/12/22/why-christmas-is-on-december-25

In it, he references Gene Edward Veith's posting "Christmas was NOT based on the Roman Juvenalia." He discusses some programming on the History Channel, and that posting of located here http://www.geneveith.com/2012/12/24/christmas-was-not-based-on-the-roman-juvenalia/

Both the blogs refer to an article in Biblical History Daily, "How December 25 Became Christmas," located here http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-topics/new-testament/how-december-25-became-christmas/#location1

I enjoyed reading these immensely.  I commend them for your reading pleasure, education, and encouragement.  Christmas Blessings to you…

What is this "Advent" thing?

Advent Greetings from LCMS President Harrison

Not every Christian denomination celebrates Advent, or marks out a calendar that is not quite in step with the rest of the world.

We do.  It's not mandatory, but it is a good way to do things.

For starters, marking a "Church Year" that is different than what is going on in our society CAN remind Christians that we don't entirely belong here.  We are also citizens of…

… Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly[a] of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.-Hebrews 12:22-25

Second, it creates the opportunity to be familiar with the whole Bible in context.  It's way too easy to pick three favorite stories and not go any farther.  The planned readings that are set in conjunction with that "Church Year" bring the ground panorama of God at work in the lives of His People to our attention.

Third, it helps with teaching.

Fourth, it can be a lot of fun.

Reading Weekend Ahead

:-) I am Excited and delighted.  If I can finish all my goals for the weekend, I've promised myself a "Reading Weekend." Well, at least a "Reading Sunday."

It started with an e-mail from Jayne Schaefer, Managing Editor of "The Life of the World." Apparently, Dr. Grime, one of my professors (Liturgics) at CTSFW.EDU noticed that I Expressed eagerness about a book that was only a "paper and ink" format.  They arranged for me to get a copy in a format that I can use!

So…  What book is this?  It is mentioned on the "Witness, Mercy, Life Together" blog, "Two Wars We Must Not Lose" by Mr. Bill Hecht.

Mr. Hecht tackles more radical forms of Secularism and Islam.  It also looks like he gives approaches to talk to people who are caught up in these worldviews.  Lots of references to check…  500-some-odd pages…

This is not "Fun With Dick and Jane"!

Anyhow, if I finish reading this book this weekend, I will abstract it here…

Thank You, Pastor McCain! "When You Do Not Go to Church"

Sometimes my inbox contains treasures!  On this extraordinarily beautiful, Texas Thanksgiving Morning I found a wonderful short article.  Pastor Paul McCain, son of my classmate, Deaconess Mccain, joined me in my discussion of why people want to be in church, whether they know it or not.

…  "Each Sunday is a gathering of the family – and when a beloved family member doesn’t show up for the family gathering and meal at Christmas or Easter or Thanksgiving, there’s a hole, a gap, a pain that everyone feels. We’re all the less for that person not being with us to revel in the celebration of that day. Their absence diminishes the joy of the family…"

See the whole article here.

So…  The discussion.  I am still a little bit shy when it comes to talking to people about church attendance.  I know what a life line being in church has been for me.  Regular hearing of God's Word, receiving forgiveness on my tongue and in my ears in the Sacrament, and encouragement from God's People helped me through a depression that I never sought help for in any other way.  (I didn't really think it, or I, was worth that kind of effort.) Sermons, bible classes, Communion, and Christian friends helped me when I was well on my way to losing my faith.  They sometimes challenged me to think things through again.  They sometimes made me angry or frustrated, they often invited me to try and do things, they listened. The gifts that God gives through church are so important to me that I almost cannot talk about it.

Enter Real Life.  I have a cluster of cherished friends and a few beloved family members who see "going to church" as a major waste of time.  They feel it is like a third grade English class, the direction of learned it by now - after all, it is only ONE book.

So…  I firmly stuck both feet in my mouth and talked about it.  I listened.  I talked some more.  In some cases, I have been talking a couple of months.  In some cases, several years.  In three cases, over a decade.

I have tried "Law." Verses like Hebrews 10:24-25 (And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.) became part of my repertoire.

Granted, I knew that polishing a pew with your seat isn't the point.  I just know that God's Word is powerful and active, working changes in heart and life.  In church, God's Word is directly delivered in the preaching, teaching, and sacraments.  I want to be there when good things are handed out.

That isn't a sufficient reason…

I have tried "Gospel."  When Jesus said that HE would be president when "two or three" of us gather in His Name, that sounds like the most jaw-dropping celebration on the planet.

That doesn't seem to be a sufficient reason…

I don't know, any more.  At this point, if I bring up the subject anymore, I will drive these people that I Care so much about.  I think I will just shut up until THEY bring the topic up again.  Yes, I will continue praying and reading and learning…  But nobody gave me the role of the Holy Spirit.  Maybe the best thing to do is to rest and let HIM work.

Higher Things Advent & Christmas REFLECTIONS

Dear Reflections readers,

O Come, O Come, Immanuel

Higher Things announces the 2012-13 Advent and Christmas Reflections. These daily devotions take us through the season of Advent as we wait in eager expectation of the coming of Christ and the celebration of His birth at Christmas and for the days following the festival of His nativity.

Reflections can be downloaded in the following formats:

Printable Booklet (PDF)
"In Line" PDF
Nook and other readers (ePub format)
Kindle (Please note that depending on your device, you may have to manually sync the file to your Kindle)

Thanks for your support of Higher Things!

In Christ,
Pastor Mark Buetow
buetowmt@higherthings.org
HT Media Services