“Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you” (Philippians 3:1).

To write the same things again is not problem.  What are the same things?  That Jesus is Lord and that we do well to follow Him at all times.  It sounds so simple, but then we are distracted and each go our own way.  Do not be led by your heart, that is, your feelings, but by the One who came to give you His heart.  Do not be led by the world, but by the One who created the world.  In Him alone is life.

Lord, I hear these words again and again and at times it seems as though they never sink in.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of life You give so that I may be guided by You alone.  Let me not be caught up in the tug-of-war that is constantly happening in this world, but led by You as I am lifted out of this world and fitted to stay with You forever in heaven.  Let me see this goal clearly so that I may follow it.

Lord Jesus, You have come into the world so that we may have life and have it abundantly.  Guide me Lord in order that I would hold fast to the truth You have shown through the demonstration of living the life we are to live in this world.  Keep my eyes upon You and guide me always in the truth so that I would seek to do what is pleasing in the sight of the Father, now and always.  Amen.

“Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard; because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was deficient in your service to me” (Philippians 2:29-30).

Sometimes we want the head person.  We want what we want.  A part of what the Lord does is to teach us humility.  If the Lord is taking care of it, then the Lord is taking care of it.  Why do you worry about who is doing whatever is done.  Whether it is the janitor or the pastor, are they both not a part of the team?  There is One Lord and one body, which is the church.  Give thanks for the One Lord.

Lord, You know the struggles that go on everywhere.  Lead me, O Lord, away from the way the world does things so that I may give and receive as You direct.  You know what needs to change.  You know that unless You keep us from our sinful choices, we would perish.  Complete me according to Your plan of salvation so that I may humbly walk with You now and forever.

Lord Jesus, You are the Savior.  There is no salvation apart from You.  Guide me, Lord, that I may walk now and forever in the goodness of Your love and mercy.  Help me this day to see Your hand at work.  Help me to be Your hand where needed.  In and through all things, may I be lifted into Your salvation and walk according to the Father’s will.  Complete in me all that needs to be completed.

“Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may be less concerned about you” (Philippians 2:28).

There are people who are praying for you.  There are those whom the Lord lifts up who pray for the various fellowships that they may prosper and not fall into the snares of the wicked one.  Cherish those who care for you.  Be one who cares for others.  There is only one church, just as there is only One Lord.  Give and receive as the Lord gives, so receive that You may walk in His way.

Lord, I often act as though what I think and want is all that is needed.  Guide me, O Lord, so that I may follow where You lead, go where You send me and receive whom You send to me.  This is Your church, not mine.  You are the head and we are the body.  Lead me, Lord, so that I may humbly walk behind You following wherever You bring me.  Help me to be one for whom You need to be less concerned.

Lord Jesus, You know all that is needed.  Your Word has promised that it will all work together for good.  Set me on the path You would have me walk in order that I may be obedient and live according to Your direction.  In and through all things, guide me, O Lord, in order that I may be found faithful.  Where I need to be an encouragement, help me to encourage.  Where I need to be encouraged, help me to listen.  Amen.

Lessons and Suggested Hymns,

Pentecost 2- Labor Day Weekend, Cycle B

(June 6 – September 5, 2021)

 NOTE: LBW – Lutheran Book of Worship (The Green Book)

WOV – With One Voice (The Blue Book)

ELW – Evangelical Lutheran Worship (The Cranberry Book)

LSB – Lutheran Service Book (The Maroon Book)

 There are versions of some hymns that are superior in LSB and I recommend using them if possible. Also, there are some superb hymns in LSB that aren’t available in the other hymnals. When I suggest one of the latter, I try to include an alternative from LBW or WOV. I recommend that a license and DVD of downloadable hymns from LSB be purchased if you are looking to expand your hymnody. There are, in ELW, some familiar hymns that have been drastically altered, which I try to note. ELW also has some fine hymns not available in the other hymnals, or has, interestingly, a more “traditional” translation or harmonization.

 Color for the day is indicated for each Sunday. Primary liturgical calendar taken from Sola Publishing (www.solapublishing.org), based on LSB. Also, I include the lessons from the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) found in ELW and used in some congregations. It often overlaps the Sola/LCMS calendar lectionary, but when there are differences, I will note them.

Because some of the prayers of confession, as well as offertory and post-communion prayers, provided on certain resource pages lack theological heft or linguistic elegance, I have added some seasonal prayers that you are free to cut, paste, and revise as needed. They are modified from the copyright-free Online Book of Common Prayer, or are my own creation. These are found on the following pages. The regular prayers of intercession will, as usual, be provided weekly in their own Word documents.

  

For General/Green Season Use: A Brief Order of Confession and Holy Absolution

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son+, and of the Holy Spirit: Amen.

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

Silence may be kept.

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.

Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.

 

For General/Green Season Use: The Gospel Acclamation (Spoken)

Alleluia. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life; you have the words of eternal life. Alleluia.

OR

Alleluia. Your Word, O Lord, is truth; consecrate us in the truth. Alleluia.

  

For General/Green Season Use: The Offertory Prayer

Let us pray. Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated unto you; and then use us, we pray you, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

 OR

 Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we humbly offer to you the gifts of our treasures, talents, and time. Use them to you glory, and for the benefit of all your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

  

For General/Green Season Use: The Great Thanksgiving and Proper Preface

 

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give him thanks and praise.

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. For you are the source of light and life, you made us in your image, and called us to new life in Jesus Christ our Lord; who on the first day of the week overcame death and the grave, and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who forever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:

 

For General/Green Season Use: The Eucharistic Prayer

Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself, and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all. He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world.

On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”

Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:

Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, with praise and thanksgiving. Recalling our Savior’s death, resurrection, and ascension, we pray that you would sanctify these gifts by your Holy Spirit, to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom.

All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ: By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and forever. AMEN.

 OR

And so, Father, we bring you these gifts. Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord.

On the night he was betrayed he took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his friends, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”

After supper, he took the cup of wine, gave thanks, and said, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”

Father, we now celebrate the memorial of your Son. By means of this holy bread and cup, we proclaim his death and resurrection, until he comes again. Gather us by this Holy Communion into one body in your Son Jesus Christ. Make us a living sacrifice of praise. By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and forever. AMEN.

 

For General/Green Season Use: Post-Communion Prayer

Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

OR

Almighty and ever-living God, we thank you for feeding us with the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and for assuring us that we are living members of the Body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal kingdom. Send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

June 6: 2nd Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 5

 

Genesis 3:8-15 (The consequences of the Fall)

Psalm 130 (Out of the depths…)

2 Corinthians 4:13 – 5:1 (Outer nature wastes away, but prepares for weight of glory)

Mark 3:20-35 (How can Satan cast out Satan; who is my mother, brother, sister?)

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Opening hymn: Built on a Rock the Church Shall Stand: LBW #365, ELW #652, LSB #645

Hymn of the Day: Rise! To Arms! With Prayer Employ You: LSB #668 (Tune is “Wake, Awake, For Night is  Flying.” Words are powerful!)

     OR In Adam We Have All Been One: LBW #372, LSB #569

     OR A Mighty Fortress: LBW #229, ELW #504 (505 has dorky words, avoid)

Communion Hymn #1: Have No Fear, Little Flock: LBW #476, ELW #764, LSB #735

Communion Hymn #2: Blest Be the Tie That Binds: LBW #370, ELW #656, LSB #649

Closing Hymn: My Life Flows on In Endless Song: WOV #781, ELW #763

     OR Love Divine, All Loves Excelling: LBW #315, ELW #631, LSB #700

 

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June 13: 3rd Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 6

Ezekiel 17:22-24 (God plants cedar sprig on mountain of Israel; all may find shelter)

Psalm 1 (Blessed is the man who meditates on God’s Law day and night)

     RCL/ELW: Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15 (Praise God always; righteous flourish like palm trees)

2 Corinthians 5:1-11 (We will be further clothed, in eternal life)

            RCL/ELW: 2 Corinthians 5:6-13 (Walk by faith, not sight; all must appear before judgment seat; all done in Christ for others, not self)

Mark 4:26-34 (Parable of growing seed & mustard seed)

***********************

Opening hymn: Oh, Worship the King: LBW #548, ELW #842, LSB #804

Hymn of the Day: We Plow the Fields and Scatter: LBW #362, ELW #680 Spanish tune/ 681

     OR Preach You the Word, and Plant it Home: LSB #586

Communion Hymn #1: Great is Thy Faithfulness: WOV #771, ELW #733, LSB #809

Communion Hymn #2: Our Father, By Whose Name: LBW #357, ELW #640, LSB #863

Closing Hymn: On What Has Now Been Sown: LBW #261, ELW #550, LSB #921

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June 20: 4^th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 7, Father’s Day

 

Job 38:1-11 (God answers Job from whirlwind)

Psalm 124 (If the Lord had not been our own side, the flood would have taken us)

            RCL/ELW: Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32 (God delivered those in peril on sea; praise him!)

2 Corinthians 6:1-13 (Now is the acceptable time: accept God’s grace! Paul’s suffering)

Mark 4:35-41 (Jesus stills the storm)

 

**********************

 

Opening hymn: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation: LBW #543, ELW #858, LSB #790

Hymn of the Day: Eternal Father, Strong to Save: LBW #467, ELW #756, LSB #717

Communion Hymn #1: Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me: LBW #333, ELW #767, LSB #722

Communion Hymn #2: Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me: LBW #334, ELW #755, LSB #715

Closing Hymn: In Thee is Gladness: LBW #552, ELW #867, LSB #818

 

*******************************

 

June 27: 5^th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 8

 

Lamentations 3:22-33 (God’s steadfast love & compassion never cease)

Psalm 30 (I cried to you for help; you healed me; what profit if I go into the Pit?)

2 Corinthians 8:1-9, 13-15 (Be generous in giving to needs of the saints)

            RCL/ELW: 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 (Omits example of Macedonians)

Mark 5:21-43 (A girl restored to life; a woman with flow of blood healed)

*********************

 

Opening hymn: Great is Thy Faithfulness: WOV 771, ELW #733, LSB #809

Hymn of the Day:  I Know that My Redeemer Lives, v. 1-4: LBW #352, ELW #619, LSB #461

Communion Hymn #1: Precious Lord, Take My Hand: WOV #731, ELW #773, LSB #739

       OR How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds: LBW #345, ELW #620, LSB #524

Communion Hymn #2: Day By Day: WOV #746, ELW #790

      OR Give Me Jesus: WOV 777, ELW #770

      OR I am Trusting You, Lord Jesus: LBW #460, LSB #729

Closing Hymn: I Know that My Redeemer Lives, v. 5-8: LBW #352, ELW #619, LSB #461

 

*********************************

 

July 4: 6^th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 9; U.S. Independence Day

 

Ezekiel 2:1-5 (God’s Spirit within the prophet called to speak to rebellious people)

Psalm 123 (Have mercy; we have had enough of contempt)

2 Corinthians 12:1-10 (Paul’s visions, and the thorn in the flesh)

Mark 6:1-13 (Jesus rejected in Nazareth; the 12 are sent on mission trip)

******************

Opening hymn: Before You, Lord, We Bow: LBW #401, ELW #893, LSB #966

Hymn of the Day: Lord, You Give the Great Commission: WOV #756, ELW #579

     OR Rise Up, O Saints of God: LBW #383, ELW #669

Communion Hymn #1: O Master, Let Me Walk With You: LBW #492, ELW #818

Communion Hymn #2: Hark, the Voice of Jesus Calling: LBW #381, LSB #827

     OR Here I Am, Lord: WOV #752, ELW #574

Closing Hymn: God of Our Fathers:  LBW #567

      OR This is My Song: ELW #887 (tune is Finlandia; nice words)

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July 11: 7^th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 10

 

Amos 7:7-15 (Amos speaks of God’s judgment, and is told by king to take a hike)

Psalm 85:1-13 (Restore us, O God of our salvation; righteousness and peace have kissed)

           RCL/ELW: Psalm 85:8-13 (Eliminates wrath, plea for forgiveness)

Ephesians 1:3-14 (Spiritual blessings in Christ, who has prepared our eternal inheritance)

Mark 6:14-29 (John the Baptist loses his head)

 

********************

 

Opening hymn: Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing: LBW #499, ELW #807, LSB #686

Hymn of the Day: All Who Would Valiant Be: LBW #498 (gotta love a John Bunyan “Pilgrim’s Progress” hymn!)

     OR Faith of Our Fathers: LBW #500, ELW #812/813 (813 is the “inclusive” version, keeps old 1^st verse, adds new ones that are a tad earnest but quite good).

Communion Hymn #1:  My Lord, What a Morning: WOV #627, ELW #438, LSB #968

Communion Hymn #2: Fight the Good Fight: LBW #461, LSB #664

     OR Here is Bread: ELW #483

Closing Hymn: O Jesus, I Have Promised: LBW #503, ELW #810

******************************** 

July 18: 8^th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 11

  

Jeremiah 23:1-5 (God will replace Israel’s false shepherds; righteous branch of David)

Psalm 23 (The Lord is my shepherd)

Ephesians 2:11-22 (Joined together in Christ, he is our peace through blood of his cross)

Mark 6:30-44 (Feeding the 5000)

            RCL/ELW: Mark 6: 30-34, 53-56 (Jesus teaches [before feeding 5000] and heals [after; will get feeding miracle from John])

***********************

 

Opening hymn: The Church’s One Foundation LBW #369, ELW #654, LSB #644

     OR Church of God, Elect and Glorious: LSB #646 (Really nice. Tune is same as “Lord, You gave the great commission”)

Hymn of the Day: Word of God, Come Down on Earth: WOV #716, ELW #510, LSB #545

     OR Break Now the Bread of Life: LBW #235, ELW #515

Communion Hymn #1: Let Us Break Bread Together: LBW #212, ELW #471

Communion Hymn #2: Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us: LBW #481, ELW #789, LSB #711 (ELW and LSB use the MUCH more familiar tune, “Bradbury.” If you use LBW and don’t like the tune used there, rustle up an old SBH, it’s #524. You’re welcome.)

Closing Hymn: Praise the Lord, Rise Up Rejoicing (2^nd verse is perfect!): LBW #196, ELW #544

     OR With God as Our Friend: LBW #371 (it sings like a Swedish folk tune; words are delightful)

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July 25: 9^th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 12

Genesis 9:8-17 (God makes rainbow a sign of his covenant with Noah)

           RCL/ELW: 2 Kings 4:42-44 (Elisha feeds 100)

Psalm 136:1-9 (Give thanks to God; he is good; his steadfast love endures forever)

            RCL/ELW: Psalm 145:10-18 (All eyes look to you, you give food in due season

Ephesians 3:14-21 (Be strengthened by Spirit, rooted and grounded in Christ)

Mark 6:45-56 (Jesus walks on water, heals many in Gennesaret)

           RCL/ELW: John 6:1-21 (Feeding of 5000, walking on water)

*************************

Opening hymn: Evening and Morning: LBW #465, ELW #761, LSB #726

Hymn of the Day: Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me: LBW #333, ELW #767, LSB #722

     OR (if using RCL/ELW texts) All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly: ELW #461

     OR (ditto Break Now the Bread of Life: LBW #235, ELW #515

Communion Hymn #1: When Peace, Like a River: LBW #346, LSB #763

Communion Hymn #2: : All Creatures of Our God and King: LBW #527, v. 1-3, 6-7

     “All Creatures, Worship God Most High”- fewer verses, altered: ELW #835

Closing Hymn: God the Omnipotent: LBW #462

      OR I Bind Unto Myself Today: LBW #188, ELW #450, LSB #604

     OR I Come With Joy:  ELW #482

  ************************************

August 1: 10^th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 13

 

Exodus 16:2-15 (Israelites complain, God sends quail, manna; Moses says complaint is against God)

            RCL/ELW: Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15 (less warning)

Psalm 145:10-21 (The eyes of all look to you, you give them food in due season)

           RCL/ELW: Psalm 78:23-29 (Mortals ate bread of heaven)

Ephesians 4:1-16 (Unity of the Body of Christ, through the Spirit)

John 6:22-35 (My Father gives true bread from heaven. I am the bread of life)

 

********************

Opening hymn: Guide Me Ever/O Thou Great Redeemer: LBW #343, ELW #618, LSB #918

Hymn of the Day: At the Lamb’s High Feast: LBW #210, ELW #362, LSB #633

     OR You Satisfy the Hungry Heart: WOV #711, ELW #484, LSB #641

Communion Hymn #1: Come, Let Us Eat, for Now the Feast Is Spread: LBW #214, ELW #491, LSB #626

Communion Hymn #2: O Living Bread from Heaven: LBW #197, LSB #642

Closing Hymn:  Onward, Christian Soldiers: LBW #509, LSB #662

     OR Behold, How Pleasant: ELW #649

*********************************** 

August 8: 11^th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 14

 

1 Kings 19:1-8 (Elijah flees from Jezebel, is fed by angel, to go where God leads him)

            RCL/ELW: 1 Kings 19:4-8 (No Jezebel!)

Psalm 34:1-8 (Look to the Lord, be radiant; taste and see how gracious the Lord is)

Ephesians 4:17-5:2 (Old vs. new life; rules of that new life)

            RCL/ELW: Ephesians 4:25-5:2 (No mention of lusts, licentiousness)

John 6:35-51 (I am the bread of life; I will raise you up at the last day)

            RCL/ELW: John 6:35, 41-51 (Omits Jesus’s words about doing Father’s will)

****************

Opening hymn: Now We Join in Celebration: LBW #203, ELW #462

Hymn of the Day: Lord, Enthroned in Heav’nly Splendor: LBW #172, ELW #475, LSB #534

     OR I Am the Bread of Life: WOV #702, ELW #485

Communion Hymn #1: Where Charity and Love Prevail: LBW #126, LSB #845

Communion Hymn #2: For the Bread Which You Have Broken: LBW #200, ELW #494

     OR Eat This Bread, Drink This Cup: WOV #706, ELW #492, LSB #638

Closing Hymn:  O Living Bread from Heaven: LBW #197, ELW #542, LSB #642

     OR By Your Hand You Feed Your People: ELW #469

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August 15: 12^th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 15

OR Mary, Mother of Our Lord

 

12 Pentecost/Proper 15

Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18 (Renewal of covenant before entering Promised Land)

            RCL/ELW: Proverbs 9:1-16 (Wisdom sets feast, beckons all to eat)

Psalm 34:12-22 (Many are the afflictions of the righteous; the Lord rescues them from them all)

            RCL/ELW: Psalm 34:9-14 (fear and seek the Lord, pursue righteousness; omits verses about afflictions of righteous)

Ephesians 5:6-21 (Don’t be drunk on wine, but filled with the Spirit)

            RCL/ELW: Ephesians 5:15-20 (eliminates being subject to one another)

John 6:51-69 (My flesh is true food, my blood, true drink; Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life)

******************

Opening hymn: Father, We Praise You: LBW #267, LSB #875

     OR Father Most Holy (same tune as previous): LBW #169, ELW # 415, LSB #504

Hymn of the Day: You Are the Way; Through You Alone: LBW #464, ELW #758, LSB #526

Communion Hymn #1: Now the Silence: LBW #205, ELW #460, LSB #910

Communion Hymn #2: Thee We Adore, O Hidden Savior: LBW #199, LSB #640

     Thee We Adore, O Savior, God Most True: ELW #476 (Gerard Manley Hopkins translation)

Closing Hymn: Now Thank We All Our God: LBW #534/533, ELW #839/840, LSB #895

 

Mary, Mother of Our Lord

Isaiah 61:7-11 (I will rejoice greatly in the Lord, who has clothed me with garment of salvation, robe of righteousness, like a bride)

Psalm 45 (The princess approaches the king, dressed in glorious apparel)

Galatians 4:4-7 (Jesus born of a woman, so we may with him say Abba, Father to God

Luke 1:46-55 (The Magnificat)

 **************************

Opening Hymn: Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones: LBW #175, ELW #424, LSB #670

     OR Come, Thou Almighty King: LBW #522, ELW #408, LSB #905

Hymn of the Day: My Soul Now Magnifies the Lord: LBW #180, ELW #573, LSB #934 For the “sprightly German Dance Tune-challenged”, this can be sun to the Doxology!)

     OR My Soul Proclaims Your Greatness: WOV #730, ELW #251

Communion Hymn #1: My God, How Wonderful Thou Art: LBW #524, ELW #863,

Communion Hymn #2: Soul, Adorn Yourself With Gladness: LBW #224, ELW #488/489 (Spanish tune, words), LSB #636

Closing Hymn: Crown Him With Many Crowns: LBW #170, ELW #855, LSB #525

************************************ 

August 22: 13^th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 16

 Isaiah 29:11-19 (Wisdom of wise shall perish; poor shall obtain joy, exult in the Lord)

            RCL/ELW: Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18 (Chose your god; “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”)

Psalm 14 (Denunciation of fools who say, “There is no God”)

            RCL/ELW: Psalm 34:15-22 (Vindication of righteous, punishment of evildoers)

Ephesians 5:22-33 (Exhorts wives, husbands; marriage is symbol of Christ and Church)

            ELW: Ephesians 6:10-20 (Put on the whole armor of God)

 Mark 7:1-13 (You abandon commandment of God, hold to human tradition!)

            RCL/ELW: John 6:56-59 (The one who eats me, the living bread, will live forever)

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Opening hymn: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing: LBW #499, ELW #807, LSB #686

Hymn of the Day: Lord of Our Life and God of Our Salvation: LBW #366, ELW #766, LSB #659

     OR (if preaching on Ephesians 5) As Man and Woman We Were Made:  WOV #751

      OR (If preaching on Ephesians 5 OR 6) Beloved, God’s Chosen: ELW #648

     OR (If preaching on John) Bread of Life, Our Host and Meal: ELW #464

Communion Hymn #1: Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word: LBW #230, ELW #517, LSB #655

     OR Come with Us, O Blessed Jesus: LBW #219, ELW #501

Communion Hymn #2: LBW #263, Abide with Us, Our Savior: (LSB #919, ELW #539, Abide, O Dearest Jesus)

Closing Hymn: LBW #239, God’s Word is Our Great Heritage (LSB #582, ELW #509)

 

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August 29: 14^th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 17

 Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9 (Keep God’s command fully and diligently)

Psalm 119:129-136 (Your decrees are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them)

            RCL/ELW: Psalm 15 (Those who keep commandments may live on his holy hill)

Ephesians 6:10-20 (Put on the whole armor of God)

            RCL/ELW: James 1:17-27 (Be doers, not just hearers, of the Word)

Mark 7:14-23 (Defilement is from within, not without; evils arise in human heart)

            RCL/ELW: Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 (Jesus rebukes Pharisee’s criticism; omits a repetition)

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Opening hymn: Be Strong in the Lord in Armor of Light: LSB #665 (perfect for Ephesians text)

      OR (if didn’t use last week!) Beloved, God’s Chosen: ELW #648

      OR Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus: LBW #389, LSB #660

      OR (if not used 7/29) I Bind Unto Myself Today: LBW #188, LSB #604, ELW #450

Hymn of the Day: Your Word, O Lord, is Gentle Dew (a nice Swedish folk tune!): LBW #232

        OR O, That the Lord Would Guide My Ways: LBW #480, ELW #772, LSB #707

Communion Hymn #1: 

Communion Hymn #2:

Closing Hymn: May We Your/Thy Precepts, Lord, Fulfil: LBW #353, LSB #698

             OR Lord, Dismiss Us With Your Blessing: LBW #259, ELW #545, LSB #924

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September 5: 15^th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 18 (Labor Day Weekend)

Isaiah 35:4-7a (Promise of recompense, salvation, healing and joy)

Psalm 146 (God sets prisoners free, opens eyes of blind, lifts poor from the dust)

James 2:1-10, 14-18 (Warning against partiality; faith without works is dead)

Mark 7:24-37 (Syrophoenician woman’s faith; Jesus heals deaf man)

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Opening hymn: Hail to the Lord’s Anointed: LBW #87, ELW #311, LSB #398

                     OR Hark, the Glad Sound: LBW #35, ELW #239, LSB #349

Hymn of the Day: O Christ the Healer, We Have Come: LBW #360, ELW #620

     OR O Son of God, in Galilee: LBW #426 (Great words! This is a less familiar tune. I suggest using melody for “O God,   Our Help in Ages Past”), LSB #841 (familiar tune)

Communion Hymn #1:  Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ: WOV #754, ELW #674

Communion Hymn #2: Lord of All Hopefulness (LSB #738, ELW #765)

Closing Hymn: O God of Mercy, God of Light/Might: LBW #425, ELW #714; LSB #852

     OR O God, My Faithful God: LBW #504, ELW #806, LSB #696

 

When COVID hit last year, having an online presence (often including live streaming of our worship services) became a more common tool to help churches stay connected with their congregations.  However, many people may have discovered the hard way that we can’t just put anything we want online.  There are legal obstacles that need to be taken into account.  Chief among these is copyright.  As both an attorney for over two decades and the Media Director at Trinity Lutheran Church in Joppa, Maryland, this presented a proverbial dance that I was all too familiar with.

What is copyright?  In short, it is the protection given to content creators to make sure other people don’t take or use their content without their permission.  If you write a song, you don’t want another singer recording it and passing it off as their own.  If you make a movie, you don’t want a rival studio distributing it to theaters and making all the money off of it.  Copyright is a way of making sure that if you create something, you get to decide what to do with it.

A lot of the things we are used to having in our worship services are subject to copyright.  Do you sing music?  There are probably copyright issues.  Have you shown video clips?  Again, someone owns the copyright.  There are multiple levels of copyright.  The original composition/tune, particular arrangement, individual performance, and even the recording can all have separate levels of copyright.  So just because a hymn, for example, is in the public domain does not mean you can pull up a recording of the Westminster Children’s Choir singing it and play it on your stream.  Public domain only covers the original tune, not the arrangement, performance and recording.

So, does this mean we throw in the towel and don’t live stream anything?  Fortunately, no.  We just need to make sure we are doing it the right way.  For anything you put online, you need to make sure you have permission, and the way you get permission is by purchasing a license.

In Christian circles this means Christian Copyright Licensing International, or as they’re more commonly known, CCLI.  CCLI offers different levels of licensing depending on the needs of your church.  They have an enormous selection of Christian songs, both traditional and contemporary, in their Song Select library.  In fact, you’ll probably be hard pressed to find a Christian song that isn’t included.  One level of licensing covers things you may not even have known you need a license for.  For example, even if you aren’t live streaming, making photocopies of music to hand out to your choir or displaying copyrighted lyrics on a screen for your congregation to read are things for which you should have a license.  CCLI licenses allow you to do all of this.  Their lowest level also gives you permission to record your services to be viewed later.  If you want to live stream with your own musicians, you’ll need their Streaming License.  They even offer a Streaming Plus level that lets you use backing tracks or play the original artist’s master recordings during your service if you like.  The important thing is to look at the needs of your church, compare them to the various licensing options, and make sure you get the correct license for your needs.

There are two final caveats.  First, a CCLI license only covers songs played or sung during worship services.  It does not allow churches to make other online content with the music (i.e., podcasts, church produced music videos, etc.).  Second, it covers only the songs, not someone else’s music videos.  So, for example, you may be able to play the audio of a song over your stream, but that does not authorize you to show all the images contained in the artist’s music video for that song.  There is another layer of copyright protection for the video images.

The ramifications if you do not have an appropriate license could be severe.  First, your church could be sued for a copyright violation.  Second, whatever online platform you are using to live stream your services could revoke your ability to do so.  But most importantly, getting the proper licenses ensures that the person who put in the creative effort to make the content is getting properly compensated for their work.  If we are trying to set a Christ-centered example, then one way we can do that is to not use someone’s else’s property without their permission.

Editor’s Note: Pr. Craig Moorman is a board member of Lutheran CORE as well as a mission developer and pastor of River’s Edge Ministries (NALC-LCMC) in Mt. Airy, Maryland. This is the first in a series of articles entitled Repenting of the Sins of Our Nation. Future articles will focus on Proclaiming the Word and Stewarding the Awakening.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ —

Over the course of the past few months, I have gained a much greater appreciation for the Book of Daniel and the message of hope that it brings to the Church for the living of these historically challenging days. But on a more personal note, on this particular day as I move into my 66^th year of living, I’d like to make a b-day wish in the form of a prayerful declaration: I want to be like Daniel when I grow up! Here I am, nearly 35 years into my call, and only now am I beginning to understand the extent of what it means — and what it might mean — to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.  

In Daniel 9:3-19, we hear this well-seasoned prophet pleading and imploring Almighty God to show mercy to His people, the Israelites. He begins, “Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking Him by prayer and supplications with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession, saying, ‘O Lord, the great and terrible God, who keepest covenant and steadfast love with those who love Him and keep His commandments and ordinances; we have not listened to Thy servants …” (vv. 3, 4) Yes, I want to be more like Daniel with whatever time the Lord allows me in this precious gift of living. I want to turn and set my face continually to the Lord God. I want to seek Him earnestly, even ‘wearing’ sackcloth and ashes (in a non-Pharisaic sort-of-way) … and empty myself of self, in all humility at the footstool of His mercy seat. At this stage in my life, I desire to go deeper in my confession and repent, not on behalf of ‘their’ sins, but repent on behalf of our sins … my sins!

Throughout his seventy years in exile, Daniel remained a pliable vessel of God and continually sought out the Lord’s mercy and steadfast love on behalf of his people Israel. Again, only now am I more fully embracing this essential ‘detail’ of my call, truly bearing the priestly role. I guess some of us are just a bit more stubborn and slower in understanding what it really means to serve in the ministry of Word and Sacrament.

I’m also reminded of a letter written by one of the Apostolic Fathers, (Bishop) Ignatius of Antioch, who was eventually condemned and sent to Rome to be killed by ‘the beasts’ in the amphitheater @108 A.D. While journeying to this final resting place, Ignatius wrote letters to various churches in Asia Minor, including these words to the Church in Rome:

I am writing to all the Churches, and I give injunctions to all men, that I am dying willingly for God’s sake, if you do not hinder it. I beseech you, be not ‘an unseasonable kindness’ to me. Suffer me to be eaten by the beasts, through whom I can attain to God. I am God’s wheat, and I am ground by the teeth of wild beasts that I may be found pure bread of Christ. Rather entice the wild beasts that they may become my tomb, and leave no trace of my body, that when I fall asleep I be not burdensome to any. Then shall I be truly a disciple of Jesus Christ, when the world shall not even see my body. Beseech Christ on my behalf, that I may be found a sacrifice through these instruments. (Ignatius to the Romans, IV. 1, 2)

Bp. Ignatius of Antioch

Fascinating. I first read these words 37 years ago and am still challenged to the very core of my being, and wondering if I could ever present that ‘core of my being’ to the Lord in such a way? (cf. Romans 12:1) Ignatius continues in his words about what it means to follow Jesus Christ and be obedient in that calling, “Grant me this favour. I know what is expedient for me; now I am beginning to be a disciple.” (V. 3a)

Ignatius’ words are full of so much grace. Only “beginning to be a disciple” … This profoundly humble statement encourages me to remember, first and foremost, that as one called into ministry, I am to remain teachable and malleable. So, in light of the lives of Daniel and Ignatius — and all of the saints that have gone before us — it is with great humility that I begin this three-part article, Repenting of the Sins of the Nation. In Part I — “Accepting the Call”, you’ll quickly recognize that it’s a personal grappling — an open confession — with how I am trying to navigate through the turbulent waters of these desperate times. No doubt, this is a journey we are all needing to face, and necessarily needing to face … together. In fully accepting my call, I realize that these times require me to engage both pastorally and prophetically.

Suffer me to be eaten by the beasts, through whom I can attain to God. I am God’s wheat, and I am ground by the teeth of wild beasts that I may be found pure bread of Christ.

Bishop Ignatius of Antioch to the Romans, IV. 1, 2

There is something insidious permeating every nook and cranny of every segment of our present-day society. Have you felt it too? I believe it started with the mid-1960’s countercultural movement and it has evolved immensely over the past two decades. Some citizens of this country and much of the Western world have been more purposefully redefining new ways of living out truth, justice, compassion, love, etc., according to their own morality and rooted deeply in secular humanism, Marxism, utopistic pursuits, etc. Let’s, then, call this redefinition, a transformative awakening.

Herein, we quickly discover that these redefined core values for living clash painfully with more traditional systems of authority-governance, orthodox Judeo-Christian values, long-established interpretations of our history and the American Dream, etc. I believe the buildup of tension we are presently experiencing equates to a significant season of great shaking, shifting, and sifting in our nation and our churches. We reluctantly find ourselves at a most critical crossroads, a place of tension — this transformative awakening — where revolutionary choices will be made, new leadership will arise, causes will be defined, and life wholly changed. But we’ve been here before, this place of choosing (potentially) between life and death.

In Joshua 24, history records that Joshua “ … gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and summoned the elders, the heads, the judges, and the officers of Israel; and they presented themselves before God.” (v. 1) Then he continued speaking to the People of Israel, helping God’s People to remember who they were; and, thus, re-enter into a covenantal agreement with the Lord on that day: “Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve Him in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods which your fathers served … choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (vv. 14, 15)

Of course, this has been the story of God’s People, our story, from the beginning of time — facing many a crossroads and needing to choose between that which is life-giving or life-stealing! Darkness and Light stand juxtaposed — hoping to either take captive or captivate the souls of those most vulnerable or receptive. One entity, darkness, will coerce itself into/upon that life (*nephesh, נֶ֫פֶשׁ‎ nép̄eš = soul) and, ultimately, steal away that life (John 10:10a); and, the other, Light, will graciously extend an invitation to that life to receive the fullness of Life (John 10:10b). (*It’s interesting to note that this Hebrew word, nephesh, when combined with another Hebrew word, rûach-רוּחַ‎, meaning “spirit”, connotes a part of humanity that has no physical form, like one’s mind, will or seat of emotions, intellect, personality, etc.)

At this monumental historic crossroads, who or what will win the day and take captive or captivate the life, the corporate soul — minds, wills, intellects, and personalities — of our nation? It seems clear that this transformative awakening will, I believe, produce either death or life in our nation, depending on how it unfolds. There is much conversation these days about the woke culture, a slang term that is finding its way into the mainstream vernacular. This word, added to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary in September of 2017, states: “If you frequent social media, you may well have seen posts or tweets about current events that are tagged #staywoke … awake is often rendered as woke, as in, “I was sleeping, but now I’m woke … ‘Woke’ is increasingly used as a byword for social awareness … Stay woke became a watch word in parts of the black community for those who were self-aware, questioning the dominant paradigm and striving for something better. But stay woke and woke became part of a wider discussion in 2014, immediately following the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.”

Unfortunately, the word woke became enmeshed with the Black Lives Matter organization and other radical, leftist organizations (i.e., Antifa, etc.) and is now being exploited to bring societal change through radical and often violent means. Its agenda is not life-giving, and its understanding of resolving injustice and racial tension is polar-opposite from that of a traditional, orthodox theology/ideology, where genuine reconciliation can be found. An even greater concern is that this form of bringing about a transformative awakening has infiltrated every segment of our society, including the government on all levels.

Our nation does not need a transformative awakening that is bent on dismantling and even destroying all that has existed for 245 years; it needs, instead, one that transforms the hearts and minds of her citizens with the Gospel of Jesus Christ through another Great Awakening. In fact, we need another awakening that would dwarf our country’s first two Great Awakenings in the 18^th and 19^th centuries. And with any Great Awakening, there should be a deliberate and long season of listening to the heart of God through passionate, intercessory prayer on behalf of the nation.

Again, I’m hearkening back to Daniel’s approach in continually (throughout the entire twelve chapters of the Book of Daniel) resolving (1:8) to confess and repent, seek out His mercies, pray, and give praise to the Lord for His sovereign goodness. Only then will we able to faithfully and effectively call the nation to repentance and graciously challenge her citizenry, beginning with us/me, to turn back to God, specifically in Jesus Christ. But, will I be part of it? Will we, as Lutherans, be part of it?

In Part II — “Speaking the Word”, I’ll be addressing how we are witnessing the rise and intensification of darkness; but I will also lift up the eschatological reality that during this same season of dread (cf. Matthew 24), the brightness of the Light will shine brighter through the grace of the Holy Spirit. So, we must hold on to such a Hope. In the meantime, and in the midst of it all, should we not be carefully weighing the cost and calling of entering into this reality? Everything is on the line. Again, what or who will take captive or captivate the soul of this nation, at this hour? If the Church remains oblivious of such a ‘harvest’ (cf. Matthew 9:35-38), then surely the devil and his minions will expediently pounce upon these ‘little ones’ and drag them into the pit of despair and darkness. Or we could rise to the occasion and be the Church — here and now, for such a time as this — and reap a harvest of souls who could be ushered into the transformative awakening of a life claimed by Jesus Christ! Amen?

Our nation does not need a transformative awakening that is bent on dismantling and even destroying all that has existed for 245 years; it needs, instead, one that transforms the hearts and minds of her citizens with the Gospel of Jesus Christ through another Great Awakening.

This is what I’ve been intensely struggling with, especially these past few months. In a nutshell, here’s my angst and concern in the form of a question: “Will I or will I not find the courage to accept the call to step into this place of mess, that chaotic void, and engage those who are desperately seeking truth, justice, compassion, love, etc. and point back to the cross, etc.” At the same time, I find myself crying out, “Lord, show me how to lead at this hour … beginning with my own family!” A simple question and plea, but wow, so difficult and complex at the same time. As leaders in the Church, we should be thriving now; but, to the contrary, it seems that many of us have been struggling and agonizing over how we should respond to this day and age. It is time, Brothers and Sisters, to reclaim who we are as “the children of the Kingdom of Light” (cf. 1 John 1:5-2:6 and Ephesians 5:8), and to remember that we have already been given all that we need to fully accept our call … and enter into the arena. (cf. Ephesians 6:10-20)

No doubt, many of you are familiar with one of the most widely quoted speeches of Theodore Roosevelt’s career; here’s an excerpt from that speech given on April 23, 1910:

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

Theodore Roosevelt

Only by God’s grace will we be able to enter the arena of our culture. But enter we can and must. Certainly, there will be Jonah moments … fleeing from the Lord … experiencing mighty tempests … being tossed out of the boat … being swallowed by a whale … anger and regrets … but, in the end, I encourage us to assume the posture of another prophet, Daniel, and remain resolved and humble before the Lord (Daniel 1:8). Until next time, stay the course …

In Christ’s love,

K. Craig Moorman

Lutheran CORE wants to be of support and assistance to orthodox, confessional congregations in every way that we can.  Three of the ways in which we are seeking to do that are through a catalog of sermon resources, Clergy Connect, and Congregations in Transition.

I have spoken with lay leaders of congregations that are either too small or too remote to be able to find and call a pastor.  Other congregations are in the process of calling a pastor, and at this point do not have an interim.  Some of these congregations have a pastor who is available to come, preach, and preside at communion once or twice a month.  Many times it is a retired pastor, or a chaplain in a nearby care facility, who is able to help out.  I have spoken with some pastors who travel a great distance in order to provide care for the people of God.  Because of the distance, some of these pastors will preach and lead worship one Sunday a month, and then write and send sermons which a lay leader in the congregation can deliver on the other Sundays of the month.  There are many different kinds of situations, and many different kinds of arrangements that have been made.  We want to thank all of the lay leaders of congregations who “step up to the plate” and all the pastors, including retired pastors, who help meet the need.

We are also very grateful to Cathy Ammlung, NALC pastor and former secretary of the board of Lutheran CORE.  Cathy has a special passion and heart for smaller and/or more remote congregations and congregations that do not have a pastor.  She has begun the process of compiling a resource bank of sermons that lay leaders could use on the Sundays when their congregation does not have a pastor.  She describes her concept and vision in an article in the March issue of CORE Voice.  A link to that article can be found here.

Many thanks to all those who have already responded and sent Cathy one or more of their sermons.  If you have not already done so, please consider sending her one or more of your sermons which can be added to this resource bank.  Sermons will be organized by topic, Scripture passage, and Sunday of the church year.   Please email her your “best sermons” at cammlung@gmail.com. 

Another resource I want to lift up is Clergy Connect.  A link to this page on our website can be found here.

Many congregations have reported how difficult it is to find an orthodox, confessional, Great Commission minded pastor.   An anticipated increase in the number of retirements of pastors post-COVID, and the decrease in the number of seminary enrollees, will make and have made this situation even more severe.

We invite you to post your position on our website.  If you check out the page you will see the kind of information that other congregations have provided.  Congregational search committees are asked to submit church name, location, description of the position and the congregation, and contact information.  Vacancies can be emailed to lcorewebmail@gmail.com.   

Third, if you have a pastoral vacancy, please also consider our Congregations in Transition ministry initiative.  We have a group of (mostly) retired Lutheran pastors who have been trained to be transition coaches.  They are able and available to help congregations whose pastors have retired or resigned, or soon will be retiring or resigning, maintain stability and momentum in regards to the congregation’s vital ministries during the transition process.  For more information check out our Transitions page or contact lcorewebmail@gmail.com. 

Lutheran CORE continues to provide monthly video reviews of books of interest and importance.  Many thanks to Ken Coughlan, media director and director of international programs for Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church and Christian School (NALC) in Joppa, Maryland, for doing this month’s video review.  His review is about the book, Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions, by Greg Koukl.    

Ken Coughlan describes this as “a unique book that fills a gap for many pastors and laypeople alike.”  He further writes, “The book is less about the ‘what’ and more about the ‘how.’  In other words, people know the Great Commission tells us to take the gospel to the ends of the earth, but they often feel held back by nagging questions like ‘How do I begin the conversation,’ ‘What do I do if they ask me something and I don’t know the answer,’ or ‘Shouldn’t I get some seminary classes under my belt before I go out there?’”

In this review, Ken Coughlan summarizes some of the unique contributions Koukl provides in giving Christians a game plan to talk to non-believers in a respectful manner that honors Christ and reassures us that we can and should share our faith in Jesus with the world.

This review, as well as six others, have been posted on our YouTube channel.  A link to the channel can be found here.  Many thanks to those who have made the reviews.    

Our plan is to publish a new video book review during the first week of every month.  Many of the books that are being and will be reviewed are described in the List of Confessional Resources on the Seminarians page of our website.  That list can be found here.

When you look at a video review for the first time, please click on the Subscribe button.  As enough people do that, it will eventually help us to get a channel name that will include our organization’s name.  

Not too far from our home – in the Sonoran Desert outside Phoenix – is the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center.  This wonderful facility cares for many desert animals that have been injured or orphaned.  The goal is always to be able to return them to the wild.  But that is not always possible, so for some animals this place becomes their permanent home.  Some animals are brought there by people who naively thought that a mountain lion cub would make a great pet.  But mountain lion cubs always grow up, and people come to realize that something they thought would be safe has become a threat.

I thought of people who mistakenly believe that they could tame a mountain lion cub when I read the April 16 letter from ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton addressing racial justice.  A link to her letter can be found here.  In her call for reform to “any institutionally racist system” she essentially endorses Black Lives Matter.  She encourages people to join Campaign Zero, which she describes as “a 10-point policy platform created by the #BlackLivesMatter movement to address and improve relationships between local law enforcement and the communities in which they serve.”  She also urges people to learn more about ELCA resources at elca.org/blacklivesmatter. 

I was relieved to read on the ELCA website that “the ELCA churchwide organization does not provide financial support to this chapter-based organization.”  I have been deeply disturbed to read about some other organizations and businesses that do contribute financially to Black Lives Matter.  It also seemed very reasonable to read on the ELCA website, “This movement does not seek to elevate Black lives above others.  Rather, the movement seeks to help people recognize that Black lives matter no less than other lives.”

The ELCA website is correct when it says, “Scripture tells us that each person is created in the image of God. . . . All of us have integrity and value.”  There is absolutely no question.  Racism does exist, and racism is wrong.  The First Readings for Easter Sunday and May 9 have both come from the account in Acts 10 when God clearly directed Peter to go to the house of Cornelius.  In the First Reading for Easter Peter said, “I truly understand that God shows no partiality.” (verse 34) In the First Reading for May 9 “the circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.” (verse 45) Peter said, “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” (verse 47) If God has included them, how could we exclude them?

But for at least three reasons the ELCA’s endorsing and embracing the Black Lives Matter movement reminds me of people who think that a mountain lion cub would be safe.

First, the page on the ELCA website does not address the fact that at least two of the three original founders of Black Lives Matter are self-avowed, trained Marxist organizers.  Marxism has led to political systems that have enslaved people and that have been severely hostile to the Christian faith.

Second, while the full embrace of the LGBTQIA+ agenda is very strong within the ELCA, I am not aware of any official action taken by the ELCA to affirm that full agenda.  A document recently approved by the ELCA Church Council, “Definitions and Guidelines for Discipline,” includes the sentence, “This church’s understanding of human sexuality is stated in its authorized social teachings.” (page 8) The most recent of these social teachings is the social statement, “Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust,” which was approved by the 2009 Churchwide Assembly.  Actions taken by that assembly provided for the blessing of and ordination of persons in publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same sex relationships.  They did not embrace the full LGBTQIA+ agenda.  In contrast, Black Lives Matter has said, “We foster a queer-affirming network.  When we gather, we do so with the intention of freeing ourselves from the tight grip of heteronormative thinking.”  It is interesting that the page that contains that wording from Black Lives Matter appears to no longer exist.

Third, what Black Lives Matter used to call its “Full Manifesto” also is on a page that appears to no longer exist.  One of the most disturbing sentences in the “Full Manifesto” reads as follows – “We disrupt the western-prescribed nuclear family structure requirement by supporting each other as extended families and ‘villages’ that collectively care for one another, especially our children.”  Every orthodox Christian parent should be horrified over a statement like that, which advocates for the state’s taking over the raising of children.  Every Christian parent needs to do everything they can to keep from losing the ability to influence the faith formation of their children.  To me it is interesting – and I believe significant – that some of the statements from Black Lives Matter that have caused the greatest alarm are on website pages that appear to no longer exist.  If you can find them, please let me know.  Has the Black Lives Matter movement modified and/or softened its position?  I doubt it.  I believe they are just downplaying it.  They want people like the ELCA to believe that there is nothing to fear.  What Black Lives Matter advocates for, every reasonable person should be in favor of.  Mountain lion cubs will stay mountain lion cubs