Advent Lutheran Church

09/14/2022

+ Holy Cross Day +

14 September

“The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.” - Psalm 98:2

One of the earliest annual celebrations of the Church, Holy Cross Day traditionally commemorated the discovery of the original cross of Jesus on September 14, 320, in Jerusalem. The cross was found by Helena, mother of Roman Emperor Constantine the Great. In conjunction with the dedication of a basilica at the site of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, the festival day was made official by order of Constantine in AD 335. A devout Christian, Helena had helped locate and authenticate many sites related to the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus throughout biblical lands. Holy Cross Day has remained popular in both Eastern and Western Christianity. Many Lutheran parishes have chosen to use “Holy Cross” as the name of their congregation. - Treasury of Daily Prayer

Merciful God, Your Son, Jesus Christ, was lifted high upon the cross that He might bear the sins of the world and draw all people to Himself. Grant that we who glory in His death for our redemption may faithfully heed His call to bear the cross and follow Him, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Sing, my tongue, the glorious battle;
Sing the ending of the fray.
Now above the cross, the trophy,
Sound the loud triumphant lay:
Tell how Christ, the world's redeemer,
As a victim won the day.

LSB 454:1

Bottom panel of the altarpiece, St. Mary's Church, Wittenberg by Lucas Cranach the Elder (1547)

02/17/2021

On this day the Church commemorates the birth of Philipp Melanchthon, Confessor (1497-1560). Melanchthon was a brilliant humanist scholar and student of the classics. He was appointed to teach at the University of Wittenberg in 1518, where he taught alongside Martin Luther. Melanchthon taught the classics, but also began teaching theology and Scripture at Luther’s urging. When Emperor Charles V called and official meeting between the representatives of Lutheranism and Roman Catholicism in April 1530, Melanchthon was assigned the duty of chief Lutheran representative since Luther was under papal excommunication and imperial ban. For this meeting, he wrote the Augsburg Confession, one of the founding documents of the Lutheran Confessions. It was presented by the German princes on June 25, 1530, “as the defining document of Lutheranism within Christendom.” Melanchthon is especially remembered for the writing of the Augsburg Confession, but he also wrote the Apology to the Augsburg Confession in response to the Roman Catholic response to the Augsburg Confession. He died on April 19, 1560.



Let us pray: “Almighty God, we praise You for the service of Philipp Melanchthon to the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church in the renewal of its life in fidelity to Your Word and promise. Raise up in these gray and latter days faithful teachers and pastors, inspired by Your Spirit, whose voices will give strength to Your Church and proclaim the ongoing reality of Your kingdom; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.” Amen.



Description adapted from and prayer quoted from: “Treasury of Daily Prayer,” 1214-1215.



Image: “Philipp Melanchthon” by Lucas Cranach the Elder. Public Domain.

02/13/2021

God's mercy in Christ is [our] only hope to be saved. Not without death, but despite it, through it, and from it.

10/28/2020

A Universe from Nothing:  Why There Is Something Rather than Nothing by lawrence m. . . . .

10/17/2020

It’s a pretty common practice to say routinely the collect for the previous Sunday every day, whether at matins or vespers, or at mass, or in one’s personal prayers.

10/07/2020

Today the Church commemorates Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, Pastor. Pastor Muhlenberg moved from Germany to the American colonies in 1742, at the age of 31. There, he worked tirelessly to establish many Lutheran congregations, eventually helping to found the first Lutheran Synod in North America, the Ministerium of Pennsylvania. Muhlenberg was a liturgist and church musician, as well, and guided the formation of the first American Lutheran liturgy in 1748. He died in 1787.



Let us pray: "Lord Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd of Your people, we give You thanks for Your servant Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, who was faithful in the care and nurture of the flock entrusted to his care. So they may follow his example and the teaching of his holy life, give strength to pastors today who shepherd Your flock so that, by Your grace, Your people may grow into the fullness of life intended for them in paradise; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.” Amen



Prayer quoted from and description adapted from “Treasury of Daily Prayer,” pg. 791.



Image: “Portrait of Henry Melchior Muhlenberg,” Preservation Society of Newport County. Public Domain.

04/07/2020

I am writing to you to offer a confession and to share a request, both of which are related to the recent practice, in some of our churches, of offering “virtual communion,” during this time when we are unable to meet in person. Before sharing my confession and request, allow me to open my heart...

04/07/2020