The Descent Into Hell

The lesson in  yesterday's Bible Class was the Descent Into Hell.  Halfway through the class one man said that he could understand the point.  He could relate to the descent into hell.  He had traveled from St. Paul to Lambeau Field for a Vikings-Packers game and that was a descent into hell.

Te Deum Laudamus

De Profundis

Spanish organ music on a mild winter morning - January 28, 2011

Gottlieb Naser

Music of the French Baroque

And, finally, Johan Sebastian Bach

Cool Pachelbel does the musical theme of the day, 'Wie schon'

Buxtehude -'Wie schon'

Wochenlied Epiphanias

Johann Kuhnau #2

Kuhnau - 'Wie schon' #1

"People Always Assume God Is Filthy Rich"

I picked up a copy of The Onion when I was in downtown Minneapolis yesterday.  This story caught my attention and I wanted to share it with the readers of Lutheran Colportage.  This is a joke.

Report:  Majority of Money Donated At Church Doesn't Make It To God

ONION RELIGION BUREAU

WASHINGTON - A shocking report released Monday by the Internal Revenue Service revealed that more than 65 percent of the money donated at churches across the world never reaches God.  "Unfortunately, almost half of all collections go toward administrative expenses such as management, utilities, and clerical costs," said Virginia Raeburn, a spokesman for the Lord Almighty, adding that another 25 percent of heavenly funding is needed just to cover payroll for angelic hierarchy.  "People always assume God is filthy rich, but they'd be surprised to learn His net worth is only around $8 million - and most of that is tied up in real estate. "  According to Raeburn, God currently has enough money to live comfortably throughout all eternity, but He may be forced to shutter a number of under-performing religions.

[source:  The Onion, January 13, 2011, Vol. 47  Issue 62]

Epiphanias

Bach and the Epiphany

Epiphany Collect

Lord God, heavenly Father, You have given us the light of Your holy Word, the guiding star that leads us to the Christchild:  Send, we beseech You, Your Holy Spirit into our hearts, that we may receive this light and make use of it for our salvation, and that we, like the wise men, when they were seeking the star, may not be afraid because of any hardship or peril, but put all our trust in Your only-begotten Son as our only Savior, devote our earthly possessions to the advancement of Your kingdom, and in all things serve Him, Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one true God, SAECULA  SAECULORUM.  Amen.  [from Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary]

organ music of Louis-Nicolal Clerambault

Praetorius - 'Von Himmel Hoch'

Praetorius - 'Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ'

Praetorius cont'd - In dulci jubilo

Praetorius-'Wie schon leuchtet der morgenstern'

more Praetorius

Christmas Vespers - Praetorius