On this day in 1540, Robert Barnes was burned at the stake for his adherence to the teachings of Martin Luther. Here is a note of commemoration from Paul T. McCain’s blog: Today we commemorate Robert Barnes, Confessor and Martyr. Here is a brief bio from The LCMS Commission on Worship: Remembered as a devoted [...]

Here is a hymn for today from poet and hymnist Simon Dach, who was born on this day in 1605 at Memel, Prussia (d. April 15 1659). Through Jesus’ blood and meritI am at peace with God;What, then, can daunt my spirit,However dark my road?My courage shall not fail me,For God is on my side;Though [...]

Here is a the handout from Bob and Cathy Mattson, for the Ninth Sunday in Pentecost. Pentecost 9 (.doc) Pentecost 9 (.pdf) 09_pentecost 9th Sunday

Here is a hymn for today from Johann Mentzer, who was born on this day in 1658 near Rothenburg, Silesia (d. February 24 1743). O that I had a thousand voicesAnd with a thousand tongues could tellOf Him in Whom the earth rejoicesWho all things wisely does and well!My grateful heart would then be freeTo [...]

On this day in 1516 Martin Luther preached for the first time about indulgences. The topic has by no means lapsed in relevance for Christians today, as they have regained relevance under the current pope. The following statement on indulgences was presented by John Paul II at a general audience in 1999: GENERAL AUDIENCE Wednesday, [...]

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Here is a hymn for today from Albert Knapp, who was born on this day in 1798 at Tübingen, Württemberg (d. June 18, 1864). O Father, Thou Who hast created allIn wisest love, we pray,Look on this babe, who at Thy gracious callIs entering on life’s way;Bend o’er him in Thy tenderness,Thine image on his [...]

As the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has drifted away from the Christian and Lutheran traditions under the leadership of Mark Hanson, several people have attempted with open letters to persuade him and inform others of various tragic courses of action the denomination has taken in its brief history, with the hope that there might [...]

Lutherans For Life and LCMS World Relief and Human Care are encouraging Lutherans to join a free webcast discussion about the health care reform legislation under consideration by Congress, as it pertains to abortion. During the 70-minute program, broadcast live at 9 p.m. EST July 23, congressmen and nationally-known leaders including Tony Perkins of the [...]

Here is a hymn for today from Caspar Füger, who died on this day in 1617 at Dresden, Germany (b. ca. 1561). We Christians may rejoice todayWhen Christ was born to comfort and to save us.Who thus believes no longer grieves,For none are lost who grasp the hope He gave us. Oh, wondrous joy that [...]

Here is a hymn for today, from Louis Fitzgerald Benson, who was born on this day in 1855 (d. 1930). O Christ, who didst our tasks fulfill,Didst share the hopes of youth,Our Savior and our Brother still,Now lead us into truth. The call is Thine: be Thou the Way,And Thine the hearts that guide;Let wisdom [...]

Gary Jepsen, pastor of Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Puyallup, WA, has provided this short essay, “A Layman’s Guide to the Use of Reason: Insights into what Luther Saw as the Proper Role for Reason in Christian Deliberation,” to give the average person some tools for understanding the proper role for reason in the faith, life, [...]

Episcopalians, Lutherans Taking Action on Sexuality Topics 09-154-MRC CHICAGO (ELCA) — The 2009 General Convention of the Episcopal Church took a series of actions on the topic of human sexuality July 8-17 in Anaheim, Calif. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will also make decisions on matters concerning the topic at its 2009 Churchwide [...]

by Paul T. McCain / CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 Over the weekend a friend noted he is observing the anniversary of his ordination and said that he wishes he felt just as optimistic and idealistic as he did on the day he was ordained. I offered a couple of platitudes and words of encouragement, but felt [...]

Here is the handout, from Bob and Cathy Mattson, for the Eighth Sunday in Pentecost. Eighth Sunday in Pentecost (.doc) Eighth Sunday in Pentecost (.pdf) 09 Pentecost 8th Sunday

Here is a sermon for today from the French reformer John Calvin (1509-1564), who arrived in Geneva on this day in 1539. With the help of William Farel (1489-1565) Calvin transformed Geneva into a center of Reformed Christianity, and a theocracy. Freedom from the Bondage of the Law Tell me, ye that desire to be [...]

On this day in 1933 a Concordat between the German government and Roman Catholic Church was concluded. Cardinal Faulhaber, who helped to negotiate the Concordat with Adolf Hitler, assessed its importance in a sermon delivered in 1937: At a time when the heads of the major nations in the world faced the new Germany with [...]

Here is a hymn for today from Jacob Fabricius, who was born on this day in 1593 (d. 1654). Fear not, O little flock, the foeWho madly seeks your overthrow;Dread not his rage and power;What though your courage sometimes faints?His seeming triumph o’er God’s saintsLasts but a little hour. Fear not, be strong! your cause [...]

On this day in 1692, in the Massachusetts Colony of Salem, five women were convicted and hanged for witchcraft: Sarah Good, Sarah Wildes, Elizabeth Howe, Rebecca Nourse and Susannah Martin (in the preceding month, Bridget Bishop had become the first Salem resident executed for witchcraft). The Salem witch trials were a series of hearings before [...]

The 2009 St. Michael Liturgical Conference will be held at Zion Evangelical Lutheran church of Detroit, Michigan, on Monday, September 28, 2009, with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. The conference will focus on the Triduum Sacrum. The keynote presentation, “The Triduum Sacrum and the Paschal Catechumenate” will be given by the Rev. Dr. Kent Burreson, [...]

On this day in 1870, the Roman dogma on papal infallibility was defined by the First Vatican Council. It is defined as follows, in chapter 4 of the Fourth Session of the council: Therefore, faithfully adhering to the tradition received from the beginning of the christian faith, to the glory of God our saviour, for [...]

Here is a hymn from the author and playwright Laurence Housman, who was born this day in 1865 (d. 20 February 1959). O Christ, our joy, to Whom is giv’nA throne o’er all the thrones of Heav’n,In Thee, Whose hand all things obey,The world’s vain pleasures pass away. So, suppliants here, we seek to winThy [...]

He will be our Guide even to the end. (Psalm 48:14) Here is a hymn from Georg Neumark, who died on this day in 1681 (b. March 16 1621). If you will only let God guide you,And hope in Him through all your ways,Whatever comes, He’ll stand beside you,To bear you through the evil days;Who [...]

Here is the handout, from Bob & Cathy Mattson, for the Seventh Sunday in Pentecost. PENTECOST 7 (.doc) PENTECOST 7 (.pdf) 09 Pentecost 7th Sunday

Here is a fabulous analysis of the recent use of the term “heresy” by Katherine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church (USA), from Albert Mohler: Several years ago, Methodist theologian Thomas C. Oden announced a most unusual quest: “I am earnestly looking for some church milieu wherein the sober issue of heresy can [...]

It was on this day in 1505 when twenty-one year-old Martin Luther presented himself to and entered the monastery of the Augustinian Eremites in Erfurt, Germany. It would be 16 years before he would publish his treatise On Monastic Vows, in which he claims such vows as he had taken to become a monk run [...]