Practicing Christian freedom
In the first installment of "Free in Christ," you learn how two congregations offer adult Bible classes to their members. The approaches are different, but the goals and outcomes are…
Back to the basics: Baptism
December 3-9: The institution A very special day Can you remember the day of your baptism? Those who were baptized as infants may remember seeing pictures and hearing stories about…
Opening doors in Advent and beyond
I grew up with Advent calendars. You know, the kind that are printed on thick stock paper and have little doors that, when opened, reveal a lamb or a shepherd…
Thankful saints
November can be a cruel month. For people who live in the northern climes of our country, November is the bridge from the colorful landscape of fall to the cold…
Back to the basics: The Lord’s Supper
October 29-November 4: The institution Lord's Supper: A blessed and important meal The night when Jesus first instituted the Lord’s Supper was packed with drama. With his disciples, Jesus celebrated…
Back to the basics: Keys and confession
October 1-7: The use of the keys What is the use of the keys? The use of the keys is that special power and right which Christ gave to his…
Pastor and wife appreciation month
Praise Martin Luther? No, praise the Lord! Praise the Lord for what he accomplished through reformers like Martin Luther. In our praise to the Lord, it is common and appropriate…
Back to the basics: The Lord’s Prayer
September 3-9: Overview and the address of the Lord's Prayer Address: Our Father in heaven. 239. What is prayer? Psalm 19:14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation…
Remembering a rite
Imagine a Lutheran pastor beginning a baptism service by blowing three times under the child’s eyes and then commanding the unclean spirit in the child to depart and make room…