A daily walk with our Shepherd
Parents enjoy tucking their children into bed when they are little. Children love to be tucked in—most of the time. A bedtime routine comes with the tucking in. When my…
This is the body of Christ
As we meet in worship, we find in fuller measure what it is in Christ we share. I might have mistaken the man in the pew ahead of me for…
Synod convention shorts
Here are some quick updates on what happened at this year’s synod convention: Approval of the synod’s ministry financial plan for the upcoming biennium of 2021–23. “WELS is financially strong,” says…
The lectionary: A path for public worship
The church year and the lectionary aid our worship of Jesus. “What am I going to talk about in worship on Sunday?” In 21 years of planning congregational worship, I have…
President’s message: Thoughts about the new hymnal
After years of careful development, our synod now has a new hymnal. Someone may well ask the question, “Why a new hymnal? What is wrong with the one that we’re…
Parent conversations: How can families use the hymnal in their worship life at home?
True confession: I’m not much of a singer or musician. Yet I enjoy belting out a great hymn of praise, and it makes my heart soar when I hear my…
Christian Worship on campus
Just as the hymnal is a key resource in a congregation, it also is important in the lives of students at Martin Luther College (MLC), New Ulm, Minn., the synod’s…
A hymn for all ages
It is not too often that a third-grade boy is impressed by a hymn as long and deep as “Behold a Host, Arrayed in White” (Christian Worship 550). My Lutheran…
The liturgy: Patterns of praise
Our patterns of worship praise our gracious Lord and build up one another for life’s journey. It’s Sunday morning. What are we going to do? Most of us will say,…