Historic Liturgy: Affirmations Prompted by Putdowns
Recently two friends went out of their way at the same school event to issue putdowns towards liturgical worship in the Lutheran church….
Month: December 2014
Sermon — Pr. Tony Sikora — Fulfilled for You
This morning, our infant Savior embarks upon another journey. Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head for long. Their stay in Bethlehem is short one.
Persian treasures have been laid at His feet. Gold, frankincense, and myrrh,
A Hymn on the Incarnation
1 Let praise spring from our hearts today! Our God has put His wrath away – The fullness of the deity Now dwells…
Guest Article — Misers and Miserable Sinners
BJS welcomes guest articles; here is another one from Pr. Engelbrecht. To submit your own articles, contact us. From descriptions of Dickens’…
“Depart in Peace” (Sermon on Luke 2:22-40, by Pr. Charles Henrickson)
“Depart in Peace” (Luke 2:22-40) Are you ready to go? What I mean is, are you ready to leave? No, I don’t mean…
Great Stuff — ULC – Of Woundedness, Trials, Trust and Faith
Found over on BuildULC.org: By Oliver Young – a perspective from a long-time member of University Lutheran Chapel A quick Google search…
Planting In Your Neighbor’s Field
The concept of church planting is woven into the fabric of our existence. Church planting isn’t new or creative, but simply a matter…
A Christmas Meditation on Micah 5
1 The earth is locked in darkness, Men turn to their own way, And in their futile thinking, Like sheep they go astray….
Jesus in the Lions’ Den: A Sermon for the Nativity of Our Lord
Our celebration of the Savior’s birth can become so routine that we become numb to the joy—and the horror— of it all. On…
“Watershed Moments: Jesus’ Birth and Our Own” (Sermon on John 1:1-18 and Titus 3:4-7, by Pr. Charles Henrickson)
“Watershed Moments: Jesus’ Birth and Our Own” (John 1:1-18; Titus 3:4-7) Today is Christmas Day. This is the day for celebrating the greatest…
“What Christmas Is All About: God Saving Us, in a Humble Way, to Be His People” (Sermon by Pr. Charles Henrickson)
“What Christmas Is All About: God Saving Us, in a Humble Way, to Be His People” (Luke 2:1-20; Titus 2:11-14; Isaiah 9:2-7) What…
Mark and Avoid: Tarico Says God is “Rapey”
It’s that time of the year! Not just that time when pastors see some of their members finally darken the door of the…
Christ Myth Theory: Horus? Born of a Virgin? Not!
One of the many points falsely claimed in Christ Myth Theory about the supposed dependence of Christ upon the legends of Egypt is…
Redeeming Holy Days from Pagan Lies: Christmas and Saturnalia
Did Christianity Steal the Date of Pagan Winter Solstice Celebrations? The Roman celebration discussed in this article is the multi-day festival of Saturnalia….
Sermon — Pr. Martin Noland — With God Nothing is Impossible
Text: Luke 1:26-38 Fourth Sunday in Advent; Series B When I was a doctoral student at The Union Theological Seminary in New York…
Redeeming Holy Days from Pagan Lies: Christmas and Sigillaria
Do the Nativity sets Christians use actually have their origins in the pagan Roman festival called Sigillaria? Sigillaria Macrobius in Saturnalia 1.11.46-50 discusses…
“Mary, What DID You Know?” (Sermon on Luke 1:26-38, by Pr. Charles Henrickson)
“Mary, What DID You Know?” (Luke 1:26-38) Every year several of the radio stations in St. Louis start playing nothing but Christmas music….
Sermon — Pr. Tony Sikora — The Quest for Light and Life
Christmas Eve – 12/24/2014 Sermon Text: Luke 2:1-20 Audio Text: Come back later for audio of this sermon. In the Name X of Jesus. AMEN! Beloved in the Lord, Going about darkness walking about in Death On this night of nights we gather about in this place because long ago a virgin was with child. Betrothed to her Joseph, Mary of the house and lineage of
Redeeming Holy Days from Pagan Lies: Christmas and Juvenalia
Did Christianity Steal the Date of Pagan Winter Solstice Celebrations? Juvenalia is one of those Roman festivals that is claimed as a winter…
Steadfast Media Pick of the Week — Responding to Evangelical Prooftexts
Responding to Evangelical Prooftexts The idea that “God won’t give us more than we can handle” is pretty common these days. I…
Contending for Creches and Crucifixes
Nativity crèches (mangers) are popular and acceptable at Christmas time among Christians yet resistance or misunderstanding accompanies…
Great Stuff — Creches and Crucifixes
Another great article found over on LetItStet.com: Crucifixes can scare Lutherans. Even good Lutherans. The kinds of Lutherans who like to sing…
The Church in Need – A Hard Look at Giving – Guest post by Vanessa
Thanks to Vanessa for this guest post. For more by Vanessa check out her regular blog: Bible, Beer, and Babies. No one likes…
“The Great Christmas Gift Exchange” (Sermon on Isaiah 61:1-4, 10-11, by Pr. Charles Henrickson)
“The Great Christmas Gift Exchange” (Isaiah 61:1-4, 10-11) There is a game that is played at this time of year at Christmas parties…
Sermon — Pastor Tony Sikora — Mary’s Bundle of Joy
Grace, mercy, and peace be unto you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. AMEN! Our text for this morning’s sermon is taken from St. Luke’s gospel account the 1st chapter.
Beloved in the Lord,
Carried Along by the Word
Scripture teaches that “no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man,