Concordia Lutheran Church (LCMS): Jackson, TN

02/18/2026

May Christ’s blessings be upon you at the beginning of this Lenten season. If you’re in Jackson or the surrounding area, we invite you to join us tonight for Ash Wednesday service at 7 p.m. where you will hear about Christ and how He has overturned the great curse of sin for us. This service offers you a fitting start to the Lenten season, as it teaches through the Word of Christ the right relationship between penitence over sin and faith in the saving Gospel.

Lutheran Liturgical Practices During Lent

"Each year, the Christian church embarks on a forty-day journey leading up to Easter, known as the season of Lent. When discussing Lenten liturgical practices of Lutherans, I believe one can distinguish three different categories into which each practice can be placed: Visual, Historical/Traditional, and Emotional/Spiritual. It can be debated; however, that some of the practices fall into multiple categories—and rightfully so.

The first visual component is that of the color purple that adorns the Lord’s house in various manners throughout the season of Lent. The dye to make purple was very difficult to source in ancient times, thus attributed to royalty, and adorned the Christ only once—as He was mocked and ridiculed as the “King of the Jews” prior to His gruesome crucifixion. This deep hue has come to represent solemnity, penitence, and prayer as God’s people meditate on the agony His Son willingly endured. Twice in the Lenten season, on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, the Lord’s house may be adorned with the color black which represents the absence of light and the curse of sin and darkness which fell over creation that only the death of the perfect Son of God could abolish.

The second visual component is that of the sign of the cross applied upon the repentant Christian’s forehead during the imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday. Typically utilizing ash created by the burning of palms from the previous Palm Sunday, this symbolic rite is a reminder of the sign of the cross that was placed on us in our Baptisms, our mortality (“Remember: you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”), and the filth of our sin that has been washed clean by the blood of Jesus.

A historical/traditional component of the Lenten season is the omission of the word “Alleluia” from the liturgy and hymnody as well as an omission of the Hymn of Praise. “Alleluia”—a Hebrew word meaning “Praise the Lord”—returns full-voice in the glorious celebration of Easter morning..."

https://resources.lcms.org/history/lutheran-liturgical-practices-during-lent/

02/01/2026

We will begin live-streaming at 10 a.m.!

01/25/2026

We will attempt a livestream at 10 am.

01/02/2026

Join us this Sunday for our Divine Service on this, The Epiphany of Our Lord Observed. You may find it interesting to know that the Hymn of the Day, as the chief hymn in the service, often welcomes special musical treatment in its presentation and helps impress on the hearts and minds of all the intimate connection between the Word heard in the appointed Scripture lessons and the sermon. Our Hymn of the Day is "O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright", written by Philipp Nicolai and later translated from German to English by Catherine Winkworth.
More about the author: Philipp Nicolai (b. Mengeringhausen, Waldeck, Germany, 1556; d. Hamburg, Germany, 1608) lived an eventful life–he fled from the Spanish army, sparred with Roman Catholic and Calvinist opponents, and ministered to plague-stricken congregations. Educated at Wittenberg University, he was ordained a Lutheran pastor in 1583 in the city of Herdecke. However, he soon fell out of favor with the Roman Catholic town council, and when Spanish troops arrived to reestablish Roman dominance, Nicolai fled. In 1588, he became chief pastor at Altwildungen and court preacher to Countess Argaretha of Waldeck. During that time, Nicolai battled with Calvinists, who disagreed with him about the theology of the real presence of Christ in the Lord's Supper. These doctrinal controversies were renewed when he served the church in Unna, Westphalia. During his time as a pastor there, the plague struck twice, and Nicolai wrote both "How Bright Appears the Morning Star" and "Wake, Awake." Nicolai's last years were spent as Pastor of St. Katherine's Church in Hamburg.
More about the translator: Catherine Winkworth (b. Holborn, London, England, 1827; d. Monnetier, Savoy, France, 1878) is well known for her English translations of German hymns; her translations were polished and yet remained close to the original. Educated initially by her mother, she lived with relatives in Dresden, Germany, in 1845, where she acquired her knowledge of the German language and developed an interest in German hymnody. After residing near Manchester until 1862, she moved to Clifton, near Bristol. A pioneer in promoting women's rights, Winkworth put much of her energy into the encouragement of higher education for women. She translated a large number of German hymn texts from hymnals owned by a friend, Baron Bunsen. Though often altered, these translations continue to be used in many modern hymnals. Her work was published in two series of Lyra Germanica (1855, 1858) and in The Chorale Book for England (1863), which included the appropriate German tune with each text as provided by Sterndale Bennett and Otto Goldschmidt. Winkworth also translated biographies of German Christians who promoted ministries to the poor and sick and compiled a handbook of biographies of German hymn authors, Christian Singers of Germany (1869).
Here's a quality recording of this timeless classic from our friends at St Paul Lutheran Church, Austin TX:

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

11/14/2025

The Hymn of the Day for our Divine Service on November 16, 2025, the Twenty-second Sunday after Trinity, is "Chief of Sinners Though I Be" (LSB 611), by William McComb. He was born in Coleraine, County Londonderry, Ireland, in 1793, and was for several years a bookseller in Belfast. He published The Dirge of O'Neill, 1816; The School of the Sabbath, 1822; and The Voice of a Year, 1848. These, together with smaller pieces, were collected and published as The Poetical Works of William M'Comb, 1864. A powerful piece on Confession and Absolution, the lyrics are considered a tribute to the Scriptures of Romans 5:8-11, 1 John 4:10;, Hebrews 4:15-16, and Ephesians 3:17-18.
Here is a great rendition of this lovely hymn from Richard Bicknase:

Link to Short that could be used as a piano-only accompaniment loop:https://youtube.com/shorts/FTk-aFvZ3N4Lutheran Service Book 611"Chief of Sinners Though I...

11/07/2025

The Hymn of the Day for our Divine Service on November 9th, the twenty-first Sunday after Trinity, is "From Depths of Woe I Cry to Thee" by Martin Luther.
Luther wrote this profound hymn in 1523 while he was revising the Latin Mass. He even enclosed it as an example in a letter to court chaplain George Spalatin, encouraging him to compose more German hymns based on the Psalms.
​This hymn quickly took on immense significance, used at moments of both profound sorrow and great fear: Just two years after its composition, it was sung at the funeral of Elector Frederick the Wise in 1525, and later at the funeral of his successor, Elector John the Steadfast, in 1532.
​ When Luther was forced to wait at Coburg during the Diet of Augsburg in 1530—worried about the proceedings—he reportedly gathered his servants and declared, "Come, let us, despite the devil, sing Aus tiefer Not schrei’ ich zu dir and thereby praise and glorify God."
​ When Luther died in 1546, this powerful hymn was sung again as his body lay in state at the Church of Our Dear Lady in Halle during the funeral procession to Wittenberg.
​The text of "From Depths of Woe I Cry to Thee" powerfully traces a journey from the anguish of sin to the certainty of Christ's forgiveness. It begins in the depths of despair—a reflection of Luther's own agony over his sinfulness—and emphatically teaches the core Reformation truth: we can do nothing to earn God's forgiveness; His mercy is a free gift.
​The final stanza culminates in a declaration of trust that God's grace is greater than our sins and that He will ultimately redeem His people.
​The hymn's powerful fourth stanza is a personal favorite for many, capturing the theme of waiting for the Lord in a way that echoes Psalm 130:5-6: "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning..." It offers a timeless reminder that as God's children, we wait in certain hope, knowing He will not forsake us.
Here's a very nice version from Richard Bicknase, with piano accompaniment:

Link to Short that could be used as a piano-only accompaniment loop:https://www.youtube.com/shorts/cpgWfwx85zoLutheran Service Book 607"From Depths of Woe I ...

10/31/2025

For our Divine Service this Sunday, the Hymn of the Day is “For All the Saints" (LSB #677). It was written by William Walsham How (1823–1897), a beloved figure in the Church of England. Born in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England, How studied at Wadham College, Oxford, and at Durham University before being ordained in 1847.

Throughout his ministry, he served several congregations with humility and compassion, eventually becoming Suffragan Bishop of East London in 1879 and Bishop of Wakefield in 1888. Affectionately known as both “the poor man’s bishop” and “the children’s bishop”, How was widely admired for his tireless work among the destitute in London’s slums and the factory workers of West Yorkshire.

A thoughtful theologian, he engaged deeply with the issues of his day—writing on the controversies surrounding the Oxford Movement and exploring the relationship between biblical creation and evolutionary theory. He also contributed to church music as joint editor of Psalms and Hymns (1854) and Church Hymns (1871).

While serving as rector in Whittington, How wrote more than sixty hymns, many especially for children. His Poems and Hymns were later published in 1886. Among all his works, “For All the Saints” remains one of the most enduring and beloved - an anthem of faith, perseverance, and the communion of saints across time and eternity.

Here's a great video of this iconic hymn, from Concordia Publishing House:

Provided to YouTube by Concordia Publishing HouseFor All the Saints Who from Their Labors Rest · Concordia Publishing HouseHymns for All Saints: Adoration, P...

08/29/2025

For this week's Divine Service, our Hymn of the Day is "Oh, How Great is Your Compassion", #559, written by Johann Olearius in 1671 and later translated by August Crull.

Crull’s place in the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is significant; he was the first major German-to-English translator of hymns for the Synod. The first English hymnal he published was the Hymn Book for the Use of Evangelical Lutheran Schools and Congregations (1879).
In total, Crull presented a collection of 400 hymns to the first convention of the General English Evangelical Lutheran Conference of Missouri and Other States (later called the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) in 1888. Sixteen of Crull’s translations appear in the Lutheran Service Book.
Crull retired in 1915 and, after struggling with depression and mental illness, died eight years later, in 1923. Lutheran Service Book: Companion to the Hymns, Volume 2 includes this anecdote of Crull, written by Professor Otto F. Hattstaedt:
"In the hours of darkness, when his mind failed him, when he thought he had no faith, God had a loving eye on His servant, did not permit him to despair of His mercy, and finally released him of all earthly trials and tribulations by a peaceful death. No doubt we shall meet him again in glory, in the Heavenly Mansions."

Here is a great recording of this timeless hymn, from our friends at St John Lutheran Church in Hubbard IA:

Hymn 559 from The Lutheran Service Book - Oh, How Great Is Your Compassion .The complete service can be watched by following this linkhttps://www.youtube.com...

05/23/2025

For our Divine Service this Sunday, the Sixth Sunday of Easter (Rogate), the hymn of the day is rich in history and of great significance to the church. Here's a comprehensive overview of the hymn "Our Father, Who from Heaven Above," found as hymn 766 in the Lutheran Service Book (LSB):

📜 Historical Background

"Our Father, Who from Heaven Above" is a paraphrase of the Lord's Prayer, originally penned in German as "Vater unser im Himmelreich" by Martin Luther in 1538. Luther crafted this hymn to provide a musical and meditative means for the faithful to understand and internalize the petitions of the Lord's Prayer. Each stanza corresponds to a specific petition, making it a catechetical tool as well as a devotional piece. The hymn was first published in 1539 in Valentin Schumann's hymnal, "Geistliche Lieder." ([Wikipedia][1], [Wikipedia][2], [Hymnary][3])

✍️ Authorship and Translation

**Author**: Martin Luther (1483–1546), the seminal figure of the Protestant Reformation, who emphasized congregational singing and doctrinal teaching through hymns.

**Translator**: The version in LSB 766 features translations by F. Samuel Janzow (1913–2001), a professor of English at Concordia University Chicago. His translations of stanzas 2–5 and 7 were completed in 1980, aiming to preserve Luther's original theological depth and poetic structure. ([Hymnary][3], [Hymnary][4])

🎶 Musical Composition

**Tune**: VATER UNSER

**Composer**: The melody is attributed to Martin Luther, though it was possibly adapted from an earlier tune. This melody was first associated with the hymn in the 1539 publication mentioned above. ([Hymnary][3], [Wikipedia][2])

The tune "VATER UNSER" has been utilized by numerous composers over the centuries, including Johann Sebastian Bach, who incorporated it into his chorale preludes. ([Wikipedia][1])

📖 Structure and Theological Significance

The hymn comprises nine stanzas:

1. An introductory stanza emphasizing sincere prayer.([PraiseCharts][5])

2–8. Each stanza corresponds to one of the seven petitions of the Lord's Prayer, elaborating on their meanings.([Wikipedia][1])

9. A concluding "Amen" stanza, affirming faith in God's promises.

This structure mirrors Luther's approach in his Small Catechism, where he provided explanations for each petition of the Lord's Prayer. By setting these teachings to music, Luther made them more accessible and memorable for the laity. ([Wikipedia][1])

🎵 Musical Legacy

Beyond its liturgical use, "Our Father, Who from Heaven Above" has inspired various musical settings:

* **Johann Sebastian Bach** included the melody in his "Orgelbüchlein" (Little Organ Book), creating a chorale prelude based on the hymn. ([Wikipedia][6])

**Dieterich Buxtehude** composed two chorale preludes on this hymn, showcasing its adaptability and enduring appeal. ([Wikipedia][1])

📚 Fun Facts

* The hymn is considered one of Luther's finest, with some hymnologists ranking it above his more famous "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God." ([LOGIA][7])

* Its inclusion in the LSB as hymn 766 places it within the "Prayer" section, highlighting its role in teaching and reinforcing the practice of prayer among congregants.

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For those interested in exploring this hymn further, the **Lutheran Service Book: Companion to the Hymns - 2 Volume Set** provides in-depth commentary and historical context.

03/14/2025

Apparently some of our members have received messages requesting gift cards from me (Rev Rudsenske). This is a scam. Please report the number and spread the word.

I will never request money or gift cards from any individual. For more information on how to identify and avoid being scammed, please refer to this article from the FTC:

We’re seeing a new spin on gift card scams. This time, scammers are pretending to be a pastor, rabbi, priest, imam, or bishop.