Demolition of the still standing east wall of the gym began Monday
morning. A huge wrecking machine grasped the top of the wall, and the
wall wobbled a bit. After a few attempts, the machine stopped and the
operator stepped out to talk with the crew. Apparently the entire wall
wanted to come down as one piece, instead of falling apart in pieces.
So it was decided that the wall would have to be strategically cut so as
to come down in pieces. As of day's end, the wall was down.
Today demolition continues. Debris from the wall will be hauled away.
Debris from inside the collapsed building can now be reached, but it
will be taken out piece by piece and stock piled in the north parking
lot in order to enable further examination by those still studying the
cause of the collapse.
Work inside the remaining facility continues as well. A crew began
yesterday chipping out the old grout in the sanctuary floor, preparing
for refinishing of that floor. Another crew began work preparing for
installation of a temporary wall, which will divide the entry way hall
in half, barring access and protecting the building from the standing
south wall of the gym. It is hoped that with this wall in place, and
with shoring up the gym wall as a precaution, the city will again grant
us use of the sanctuary for Sunday. We won't know about use of the
sanctuary until Friday. For now, including Weds evening worship, we
will be back in the old fellowship hall.
Plans are also going forward for restoration of the rest of the old part
of the building. Carpet has been ordered, and the old entry way,
pastor's study, church office, and sacristy should be put back to
pre-collapse condition soon.
[source: Pastor Anderson]
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
Heritage Lutheran Church - February 27, 2011
Pastor Anderson's summary of the service held on February 27, 2011:
We had a pretty decent attendance for a cold
winter day- 52 in early service and 75 in the later service. The order
of service was Rite 4 from the Hymnary, the Chorale Service. Hymns
included "Lord Jesus Christ Be Present Now,"Jesus Thy Boundless Love To
Me," "God's Own Child I Gladly Say It," and "In The Cross Of Christ I
Glory." Maybe it was just my imagination, but the congregation seemed to
sing out with more heart this morning. I think they were all glad to be
"home."
The sermon was on Matthew 6:31-34 - "So do not worry, saying, ‘What
shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For
the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows
that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not
worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has
enough trouble of its own."
This was an especially appropriate text for the congregation (and
preacher) at this time. How easy it is to worry about what will come.
But tomorrow belongs to God. We don't even know if we will have a
tomorrow (James 4:14). So we must leave tomorrow to God, trusting that
He will grant us the grace we need for whatever tomorrow may bring. We
cannot doubt God's good and gracious will toward us: "What, then, shall
we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against
us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how
will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"
(Romans 8:31,32) Yes, we must trust tomorrow to God. Today's problems
need our full attention. What can we do to help our neighbor today? How
can we be faithful stewards and serve God today?
We had a pretty decent attendance for a cold
winter day- 52 in early service and 75 in the later service. The order
of service was Rite 4 from the Hymnary, the Chorale Service. Hymns
included "Lord Jesus Christ Be Present Now,"Jesus Thy Boundless Love To
Me," "God's Own Child I Gladly Say It," and "In The Cross Of Christ I
Glory." Maybe it was just my imagination, but the congregation seemed to
sing out with more heart this morning. I think they were all glad to be
"home."
The sermon was on Matthew 6:31-34 - "So do not worry, saying, ‘What
shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For
the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows
that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not
worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has
enough trouble of its own."
This was an especially appropriate text for the congregation (and
preacher) at this time. How easy it is to worry about what will come.
But tomorrow belongs to God. We don't even know if we will have a
tomorrow (James 4:14). So we must leave tomorrow to God, trusting that
He will grant us the grace we need for whatever tomorrow may bring. We
cannot doubt God's good and gracious will toward us: "What, then, shall
we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against
us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how
will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"
(Romans 8:31,32) Yes, we must trust tomorrow to God. Today's problems
need our full attention. What can we do to help our neighbor today? How
can we be faithful stewards and serve God today?
Heritage Lutheran Church - Apple Valley - February 28, 2011
Pastor Anderson provided this account in a February 27, 2011 e-mail:
"For the first time since the Feb 4 collapse, the congregation was given
permission to use the sanctuary for Sunday worship. The sanctuary still
looks pretty rough. The carpet on the center aisle and chancel platform
had been removed and were still bare. The altar, lectern, and pulpit
stood stark and bare, the paraments having been taken away for cleaning
and pressing. The various potted plants from the entry way were
relocated to the sanctuary to keep them out of harms' way.
The church organ is still off-site for repair. For musical accompaniment
we had only the small electric keyboard from the kindergarten room.
Although we had permission to use the sanctuary, the new main entry way
is still off limits, so no one was permitted beyond the doorway of the
sanctuary to the entry hall. Entrance and exit were through the doors on
the altar end of the building.
Still we were happy to be back in our sanctuary. It represented a move
in the right direction. We had a pretty decent attendance for a cold
winter day- 52 in early service and 75 in the later service.
We expect that demolition will begin tomorrow, staring with the east
wall, and then removal of lumber and materials from the interior.
Congregation chairman Chan Smith will continue working with the City,
engineers, and contractors toward gaining occupancy of the other
portions of the facility.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
More snow in Minnesota
Approval was given to Heritage Lutheran by the city of Apple Valley for services to be held at the facility. The gym building is ruined and the sanctuary is still closed. The service was to be held in the large classroom, the original sanctuary.
TBH and I were unable to attend because of the newest snowstorm. I read from my iPad lectionary.
TBH and I were unable to attend because of the newest snowstorm. I read from my iPad lectionary.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Heinrich Schutz - 'Kyrie, Gott Vater in Ewigkeit'
For those of you who are aware that my church, Heritage Lutheran, has suffered severe winter damage, the good news is that we might be able to worship on Sunday in our own building.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Sunday services at 1 PM
Pastor announces that this Sunday's service will be at 1 PM at a site near Heritage. Many churches have offered the use of their buildings for us and that is gratifying. Work proceeds. I would think that we might be able to use the sanctuary some time soon.
Church Mutual has coughed up seventy-five grand to keep the operation going.
Thank the Lord for all his benefits and for the prompt receipt of insurance settlement cash.
Church Mutual has coughed up seventy-five grand to keep the operation going.
Thank the Lord for all his benefits and for the prompt receipt of insurance settlement cash.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Outdoors at Heritage Lutheran Church, Apple Valley MN
A copy of Pastor's sermon is available. Send your e-mail to: Normanteigen@gmail.com
Friday, February 4, 2011
Sunday After Roof Collapse
The St. Paul Pioneer Press is reporting that Sunday Services will be held at 10:00 AM in the church parking lot. Heritage Lutheran Church, located in Apple Valley MN, suffered a roof collapse on Friday morning, February 4th. This occurrence has been widely reported in the local media.
Good News re Church Roof Collapse
Pastor Anderson reports:
Good afternoon friends and members of Heritage:
I thought I better provide some kind of update. I realize we have been
splashed all over the news, and not all of it is accurate or helpful.
The damage to the facility appears to be isolated to the
gym/multi-purpose room. The roof collapsed and blew out the northern
wall. The southern wall is intact. The rest of the building, including
entry way, new kitchen, bathrooms, school classrooms, sanctuary are all
intact and structurally unharmed. All portions of the facility suffered
water damage from broken pipes involved in the collapse.
As of 2:00 Friday afternoon, the electrical service has been restored,
along with heat and gas. Clean up, by a contractor provided through
Church Mutual Insurance, will begin work tomorrow. It is estimated that
we can be back in the facility (minus the gym!) in about a week.
We have excellent coverage through Church Mutual Insurance. Our policy
provides for complete replacement of the downed building, together with
replacement of all damaged furnishings. Insurance will also cover clean
up costs. At this time it is best that we let the professionals handle
the clean up and repair. No member or volunteer help is needed at this
time.
We will have to decide what to do for this Sunday, and where we might
operate out school for the coming week.
Stay tuned for more info!
-Pastor Anderson
Good afternoon friends and members of Heritage:
I thought I better provide some kind of update. I realize we have been
splashed all over the news, and not all of it is accurate or helpful.
The damage to the facility appears to be isolated to the
gym/multi-purpose room. The roof collapsed and blew out the northern
wall. The southern wall is intact. The rest of the building, including
entry way, new kitchen, bathrooms, school classrooms, sanctuary are all
intact and structurally unharmed. All portions of the facility suffered
water damage from broken pipes involved in the collapse.
As of 2:00 Friday afternoon, the electrical service has been restored,
along with heat and gas. Clean up, by a contractor provided through
Church Mutual Insurance, will begin work tomorrow. It is estimated that
we can be back in the facility (minus the gym!) in about a week.
We have excellent coverage through Church Mutual Insurance. Our policy
provides for complete replacement of the downed building, together with
replacement of all damaged furnishings. Insurance will also cover clean
up costs. At this time it is best that we let the professionals handle
the clean up and repair. No member or volunteer help is needed at this
time.
We will have to decide what to do for this Sunday, and where we might
operate out school for the coming week.
Stay tuned for more info!
-Pastor Anderson
Winter Takes A Toll
Received this alarming e-mail in the middle of the night from Pastor Anderson. We have been members of Heritage since last September. Heritage Lutheran Church is in Apple Valley MN.
At about 12:45 this morning Heritage suffered a major disaster. The
roof of the new gym collapsed, taking with it the north wall of the new
structure. As a result of the collapse, the fire sprinkler system
engaged, flooding the gym area. The sprinklers did not go off in the
sanctuary, classrooms, or other areas of the church. However, water
from the gym has flooded the floors in adjacent areas, including the
sanctuary.
At this time the Apple Valley Fire chief has declared the entire
building off-limits. No one should enter the building for any reason
without authorization. Power, gas, and water have been cut.
Heritage school and the church office are closed for Friday and all
other activities are canceled until further notice. At this point I do
not know what we will do for Sunday.
By the grace and mercy of God, no one was present in the building and no
one has been injured. Please include Heritage in your prayers this
morning.
-Pastor Anderson
At about 12:45 this morning Heritage suffered a major disaster. The
roof of the new gym collapsed, taking with it the north wall of the new
structure. As a result of the collapse, the fire sprinkler system
engaged, flooding the gym area. The sprinklers did not go off in the
sanctuary, classrooms, or other areas of the church. However, water
from the gym has flooded the floors in adjacent areas, including the
sanctuary.
At this time the Apple Valley Fire chief has declared the entire
building off-limits. No one should enter the building for any reason
without authorization. Power, gas, and water have been cut.
Heritage school and the church office are closed for Friday and all
other activities are canceled until further notice. At this point I do
not know what we will do for Sunday.
By the grace and mercy of God, no one was present in the building and no
one has been injured. Please include Heritage in your prayers this
morning.
-Pastor Anderson
Monday, January 31, 2011
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.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
"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.
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]
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]
Friday, January 14, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
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]
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Det kimer nu til julefest (see ELH #143)
v. 9 Come, Jesus, glorious heavnl'y Guest,
Keep Thine own Christmas in our breast;
Then David's harp-string, hushed so long.
Shall swell our jubilee of song.
Dejlig er den himmel bla (see ELH #120)
v. 6 As a star, God's holy Word
Leads us to our King and Lord;
Brightly from its sacred pages
Shall this light throughout the ages
Shine upon our path of life.
Christmas book - 'The Book of Genesis'
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Her Kommer Dine Arme Sma
see Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary, #144. Text by H.A. Brorson, 1694-1764; translated by H.R.K. Spaeth, 1845-1925.
Observing Christmas With Bach
"Weihnachtsoratorium" Cantata No. 1 (Am ersten Weihanchtsfeiertage) BWV246 for choir, soloists, 2 trumpets, timpani, 2 transverse flutes, 2 oboes, 2 oboe d'amore, strings, and basso continuo
No 1. Coro: "Jauchzet, frohlocket!"
Performed by Concentus Musicus Wien & the Arnold Schoenberg Chor
Featuring Christine Schafer, soprano
Bernarda Fink, alto
Werner Gura, tenor
Gerald Finley, bass
Christian Gerthaher, bass
Directed by Nicholas Harnoncourt
*Recorded in 2007
**The Christmas Oratorio (German: Weihnachtsoratorium) BWV 248, is an oratorio by Johann Sebastian Bach intended for performance in church during the Christmas season. It was written for the Christmas season of 1734 incorporating music from earlier compositions, including three secular cantatas written during 1733 and 1734 and a now lost church cantata, BWV 248a. The date is confirmed in Bach's autograph manuscript. The next performance was not until 17 December 1857 by the Sing-Akademie zu Berlin under Eduard Grell. The Christmas Oratorio is a particularly sophisticated example of the parody technique. The author of the text is unknown, although a likely collaborator was Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander).
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Discussion of Bach's Cantata #132
For a detailed analysis of Bach's Cantata #132, see the link:
http://www.bach-cantatas.com/BWV132-D.htm
http://www.bach-cantatas.com/BWV132-D.htm
#132 Bereitet die Wege, bereitet die Bahn!
Bereitet die Wege, bereitet die Bahn!
1. Aria S
Oboe, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo
Bereitet die Wege, bereitet die Bahn!
Bereitet die Wege
Und machet die Stege
Im Glauben und Leben
Dem Höchsten ganz eben,
Messias kömmt an!
Make ready the pathways
And make ev'ry byway
In faith and in living
Now smooth for the Highest,
Messiah shall come!
2. Recitativo T
Continuo
Willst du dich Gottes Kind und Christi Bruder nennen,
So müssen Herz und Mund den Heiland frei bekennen.
Ja, Mensch, dein ganzes Leben
Muss von dem Glauben Zeugnis geben!
Soll Christi Wort und Lehre
Auch durch dein Blut versiegelt sein,
So gib dich willig drein!
Denn dieses ist der Christen Kron und Ehre.
Indes, mein Herz, bereite
Noch heute
Dem Herrn die Glaubensbahn
Und räume weg die Hügel und die Höhen,
Die ihm entgegen stehen!
Wälz ab die schweren Sündensteine,
Nimm deinen Heiland an,
Dass er mit dir im Glauben sich vereine!
If thou wouldst call thyself God's child and Christ's own brother,
Then freely thy heart and mouth the Savior must acknowledge.
Yes, man, thy life entirely
Must by its faith give constant witness!
If Christ's own word and teaching
E'en through thy blood is to be sealed,
Thyself then willing give!
Because this is the Christian's crown and glory.
Meanwhile, my heart, make ready,
Today yet,
To God the way of faith
And clear away the high hills and the mountains
Which in the path oppose him!
Roll back the heavy stones of error,
Receive thy Savior now,
That he with thee in faith may be united!
3. Aria B
Violoncello, Continuo
Wer bist du? Frage dein Gewissen,
Da wirst du sonder Heuchelei,
Ob du, o Mensch, falsch oder treu,
Dein rechtes Urteil hören müssen.
Wer bist du? Frage das Gesetze,
Das wird dir sagen, wer du bist,
Ein Kind des Zorns in Satans Netze,
Ein falsch und heuchlerischer Christ.
Who art thou? Question thine own conscience,
Thou shalt without hypocrisy,
If thou, O man, art false or true,
Thy proper judgment have to hear now.
Who art thou? Question the commandment
Which will then tell thee who thou art,
A child of wrath in Satan's clutches,
A Christian false and hypocrite.
4. Recitativo A
Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo
Ich will, mein Gott, dir frei heraus bekennen,
Ich habe dich bisher nicht recht bekannt.
Ob Mund und Lippen gleich dich Herrn und Vater nennen,
Hat sich mein Herz doch von dir abgewandt.
Ich habe dich verleugnet mit dem Leben!
Wie kannst du mir ein gutes Zeugnis geben?
Als, Jesu, mich dein Geist und Wasserbad
Gereiniget von meiner Missetat,
Hab ich dir zwar stets feste Treu versprochen;
Ach! aber ach! der Taufbund ist gebrochen.
Die Untreu reuet mich!
Ach Gott, erbarme dich,
Ach hilf, dass ich mit unverwandter Treue
Den Gnadenbund im Glauben stets erneue!
I will, my God, to thee make free confession, I have not thee till now in truth confessed.
Although my mouth and lips have named thee Lord and Father,
My heart no less hath from thee turned away.
I have thee disavowed within my living!
How canst thou then for me good witness offer?
When, Jesus, me thy Spirit's waters bathed
And made me clean of all my sinful deeds,
I did in truth swear constant faith unto thee;
Ah! Ah, alas! Baptism's bond is broken.
I rue my faithlessness!
Ah God, be merciful,
Ah, help that I with loyalty unswerving
The bond of grace through faith renew forever!
5. Aria A
Violino solo, Continuo
Christi Glieder, ach bedenket,
Was der Heiland euch geschenket
Durch der Taufe reines Bad!
Bei der Blut- und Wasserquelle
Werden eure Kleider helle,
Die befleckt von Missetat.
Christus gab zum neuen Kleide
Roten Purpur, weiße Seide,
Diese sind der Christen Staat.
Christ's own members, ah, consider
What the Savior you hath granted
Through baptism's cleansing bath!(2)
By this spring of blood and water
Are your garments all made radiant
Which were stained by sinful deeds.
Christ then gave as your new raiment
Crimson purple, silken whiteness,(3)
These now are the Christians' dress.
6. Choral
Instrumentierung nicht überliefert
Ertöt uns durch deine Güte;
Erweck uns durch deine Gnad;
Den alten Menschen kränke,
Dass der neu' leben mag
Wohl hie auf dieser Erden,
Den Sinn und Begehrden
Und G'danken habn zu dir.
Us mortify through thy kindness,
Arouse us through thy dear grace;
The ancient man make weaker,
So that the new may live
E'en here while on earth dwelling,
His mind and ev'ry yearning,
His thoughts inclined to thee.
1. Aria S
Oboe, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo
Bereitet die Wege, bereitet die Bahn!
Bereitet die Wege
Und machet die Stege
Im Glauben und Leben
Dem Höchsten ganz eben,
Messias kömmt an!
Make ready the pathways
And make ev'ry byway
In faith and in living
Now smooth for the Highest,
Messiah shall come!
2. Recitativo T
Continuo
Willst du dich Gottes Kind und Christi Bruder nennen,
So müssen Herz und Mund den Heiland frei bekennen.
Ja, Mensch, dein ganzes Leben
Muss von dem Glauben Zeugnis geben!
Soll Christi Wort und Lehre
Auch durch dein Blut versiegelt sein,
So gib dich willig drein!
Denn dieses ist der Christen Kron und Ehre.
Indes, mein Herz, bereite
Noch heute
Dem Herrn die Glaubensbahn
Und räume weg die Hügel und die Höhen,
Die ihm entgegen stehen!
Wälz ab die schweren Sündensteine,
Nimm deinen Heiland an,
Dass er mit dir im Glauben sich vereine!
If thou wouldst call thyself God's child and Christ's own brother,
Then freely thy heart and mouth the Savior must acknowledge.
Yes, man, thy life entirely
Must by its faith give constant witness!
If Christ's own word and teaching
E'en through thy blood is to be sealed,
Thyself then willing give!
Because this is the Christian's crown and glory.
Meanwhile, my heart, make ready,
Today yet,
To God the way of faith
And clear away the high hills and the mountains
Which in the path oppose him!
Roll back the heavy stones of error,
Receive thy Savior now,
That he with thee in faith may be united!
3. Aria B
Violoncello, Continuo
Wer bist du? Frage dein Gewissen,
Da wirst du sonder Heuchelei,
Ob du, o Mensch, falsch oder treu,
Dein rechtes Urteil hören müssen.
Wer bist du? Frage das Gesetze,
Das wird dir sagen, wer du bist,
Ein Kind des Zorns in Satans Netze,
Ein falsch und heuchlerischer Christ.
Who art thou? Question thine own conscience,
Thou shalt without hypocrisy,
If thou, O man, art false or true,
Thy proper judgment have to hear now.
Who art thou? Question the commandment
Which will then tell thee who thou art,
A child of wrath in Satan's clutches,
A Christian false and hypocrite.
4. Recitativo A
Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo
Ich will, mein Gott, dir frei heraus bekennen,
Ich habe dich bisher nicht recht bekannt.
Ob Mund und Lippen gleich dich Herrn und Vater nennen,
Hat sich mein Herz doch von dir abgewandt.
Ich habe dich verleugnet mit dem Leben!
Wie kannst du mir ein gutes Zeugnis geben?
Als, Jesu, mich dein Geist und Wasserbad
Gereiniget von meiner Missetat,
Hab ich dir zwar stets feste Treu versprochen;
Ach! aber ach! der Taufbund ist gebrochen.
Die Untreu reuet mich!
Ach Gott, erbarme dich,
Ach hilf, dass ich mit unverwandter Treue
Den Gnadenbund im Glauben stets erneue!
I will, my God, to thee make free confession, I have not thee till now in truth confessed.
Although my mouth and lips have named thee Lord and Father,
My heart no less hath from thee turned away.
I have thee disavowed within my living!
How canst thou then for me good witness offer?
When, Jesus, me thy Spirit's waters bathed
And made me clean of all my sinful deeds,
I did in truth swear constant faith unto thee;
Ah! Ah, alas! Baptism's bond is broken.
I rue my faithlessness!
Ah God, be merciful,
Ah, help that I with loyalty unswerving
The bond of grace through faith renew forever!
5. Aria A
Violino solo, Continuo
Christi Glieder, ach bedenket,
Was der Heiland euch geschenket
Durch der Taufe reines Bad!
Bei der Blut- und Wasserquelle
Werden eure Kleider helle,
Die befleckt von Missetat.
Christus gab zum neuen Kleide
Roten Purpur, weiße Seide,
Diese sind der Christen Staat.
Christ's own members, ah, consider
What the Savior you hath granted
Through baptism's cleansing bath!(2)
By this spring of blood and water
Are your garments all made radiant
Which were stained by sinful deeds.
Christ then gave as your new raiment
Crimson purple, silken whiteness,(3)
These now are the Christians' dress.
6. Choral
Instrumentierung nicht überliefert
Ertöt uns durch deine Güte;
Erweck uns durch deine Gnad;
Den alten Menschen kränke,
Dass der neu' leben mag
Wohl hie auf dieser Erden,
Den Sinn und Begehrden
Und G'danken habn zu dir.
Us mortify through thy kindness,
Arouse us through thy dear grace;
The ancient man make weaker,
So that the new may live
E'en here while on earth dwelling,
His mind and ev'ry yearning,
His thoughts inclined to thee.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
My View of Military Chaplains
One of my friends is a participant in a blog where the discussion of late has been on the chaplaincy. I wrote the following to this friend. I thought that the readers of Lutheran Colportage might find these ideas to be of interest.
First of all, if you don't mind my saying so, you do not have to apologize for your lack of education. You are very well educated and you express your thoughts very well. No more apologizing, ----. You are a theologian.
Secondly, the chaplains vary from personality to personality. I worked for two Southern Baptists when I was at Fort Benning. I gained a very healthy respect for these officers and for their denomination.
I had very good experiences with LC-MS chaplains at Fort Campbell and Fort Benning. The head chaplain at Fort Benning was a Missouri Synod officer and he arranged with the Catholic Chief of Chaplains for me to get a very good job in Viet-Nam.
In Viet-Nam I worked for an ELCA guy. Very nice guy. I have communicated with him.
I only worked for one Catholic. He was a bad officer and a bad man. He mistreated the enlisted men and stole money from unsuspecting civilians.
Third, I remember a 1990 Concordia St. Paul gathering where I was with my Dad at a 60th anniversary reunion. I remember one of the old men of the class of 1930 explaining to me that he was a chaplain in a medical unit in Europe in 1945. His job was to minister to those men who had been wounded in combat and were very close to death. This man was in the right place to add comfort to those who were about to die.
Fourth, the military chaplaincy has some very definite secular benefits. It is important for a military unit to reflect, as much as possible, the values of the larger society, i.e. the society that sends men into the military. The military has butchers, bakers, finance officers, mail clerks, mechanics, carpenters, recreation facilities, and it might as well have churches, too.
Fifth, the quality of chaplains, and officers, and enlisted men, varies greatly. There are lousy company clerks and poorly motivated cooks. So, too, some chaplains don't do their work very well. I seem to recall my brother, a retired Air Force officer, telling me once about the need to visit an Air Force family that suffered a loss. My brother, as I recall, said that a chaplain who was with him on the call, was a wimp and couldn't face up to the challenge of telling the family about their loss.
Sixth, there are Two Kingdoms that Lutherans are a part of. When I was a soldier I was in the control of the U.S. Army while I was also a member of the UNA SANCTA ECCLESIA. I did all that I could for those good Southern Baptists but I never participated in their worship services. I am not an altar-call kind of guy. I went to Missouri Synod church services at Fort Benning on Tuesday night where I received sustenance for my soul.
Seventh, I feel that the whole issue of fellowship and unionism is too widely applied for my liking. I have never felt bound by what many in the ELS feel are the determinative factors on the issue. As I have traveled through life I have been motivated to seek out the Word.
As I posted in my Lutheran Colportage blog yesterday, Article VII of the AC is the determinative factor. Strict descriptions of what is proper and what is improper often fail the test of distinguishing between the letter and the spirit.
So, that's what I think.
Don't apologize, ----. You know more about theology than many of those morons on ----- -------.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Article VII-Augsburg Confession - A Template for Lutheran Unity
Attention is being given among various blogging sites for an understanding of any rationale for Lutheran unity. As a public service Lutheran Colportage presents this essential document of the Lutheran faith (source: Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary, p. 10).
Article VII, The Church
"We teach that one holy Church is to continue forever. The Church is the congregation of saints. in which the Gospel is rightly taught and the sacraments rightly administered. And concerning the true unity of the Church, it is enough to agree concerning the doctrine of the Gospel and the administration of the sacraments. Nor is it necessary that human tradition, rites, or ceremonies, instituted by men, should be the same everywhere. As St. Paul says, 'One faith, one baptism, one god and Father of all.' etc. [Eph. 4:5,6]"
Article VII, The Church
"We teach that one holy Church is to continue forever. The Church is the congregation of saints. in which the Gospel is rightly taught and the sacraments rightly administered. And concerning the true unity of the Church, it is enough to agree concerning the doctrine of the Gospel and the administration of the sacraments. Nor is it necessary that human tradition, rites, or ceremonies, instituted by men, should be the same everywhere. As St. Paul says, 'One faith, one baptism, one god and Father of all.' etc. [Eph. 4:5,6]"
Monday, December 6, 2010
Thursday, December 2, 2010
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