2010 Convention of the LCMS

In general, I keep my denomination's state of being off of my blog. The blog is to expound on the positive aspects of Lutheranism and not to dwell on conflict, politics, etc.

That being said, if you are interested in my opinions on the 2010 Convention Workbook for the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, you can check out my facebook page.

Another benefit to this is that Iggy's facebook friends automatically receive updates to their wall.

When requesting facebook friendship, please add a note to the effect of "I read your blog," so I have some idea as to why you are sending the request.

Easter III (or IV): More Settings of Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.



He makes me lie down in green pastures.



He leads me beside still waters.



He restores my soul.



He leads me in the paths of righteousness
for His name sake.



Even though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,



for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff,
they comfort me.



You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;



You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.



Surely goodness and mercy
shall follow me
all the days of my life,



and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Bonse Aba with Psalm 23

Easter III (or IV): Good Shepherd Sunday

The Sunday of the Resurrection marks only the beginning of the Easter Season. The Church has to calendars to go by, one that repeats every year and one that repeats every three years.

On the one-year calendar, Good Shepherd Sunday is the 3rd Sunday of Easter. On the three-year calendar, Good Shepherd Sunday is the 4th Sunday of Easter. Note to the next lectionary comittee, one reason we have a lectionary is so that the church celebrates the same themes on the same day. That's hard when some of us get the Good Shepherd on Easter 3 and the rest on Easter 4.

The readings and psalmody should always include Psalm 23 and John 10.

~~~~~



The Lord's my Shepherd, I'll not want;
He makes me down to lie
In pastures green He leadeth me
The quiet waters by.



My soul He doth restore again
And me to walk doth make
Within the paths of righteousness
E'en for His own name sake.



Yea, though I walk in death's dark vale,
Yet will I fear no ill;
For Thou art with me, and Thy rod
And staff me comfort still.



My table Thou hast furnished
In presence of my foes;
My head Thou dost with oil anoint
and my cup overflows.



Goodness and mercy all my days
Will surely follow me;
And in God's house forever more
My dwelling place shall be.

Update from All for Hymn

It's a busy Easter Season for me.  New posts will resume around April 25 or so.  For now, here's a little something to enjoy...

Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied
Sing to the Lord a new Song
Hugo Distler

Off Topic: Chicago by Newsreel, 1948

This is Chicago,
Queen of the Great Lakes
and
Wonder City of the Midwest...

Editor's note: If I wasn't doing a music blog, I might be doing a blog about Chicago.

Easter 2: Doubting Thomas

The Easter Season is seven weeks long, beginning with Easter Sunday.

The Great Vigil of Easter marks the end of Lent and Holy Week and ushers in the Easter Season.

In the historic lectionary, the Second Sunday of Easter relates the account of "Doubting Thomas." But why this day? Because the Scriptures tell us that this event happened on the Eighth Day, which would be the Sunday after the Resurrection.

The ancient hymn that retells the account of Doubting Thomas is O Filii et Filiae, or "O Sons and Daughters."

The Church is still exploding with joy on this Sunday, and this hymn features three Alleluias as a refrain.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
O filii et filiae,
Rex caelestis, Rex gloriae
Morte surrexit hodie.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
O sons and daughters,
The King of Heaven, The King of Glory
is risen from the dead today.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Here is the metered translation found in most Lutheran hymnals. Poetic license has been taken with the translation of the first verse. See above for the literal translation. The three Alleluias are to be sung at the beginning and at the end of the hymn. Depending on the arrangement, they may be sung between each verse.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

O sons and daughters of the King,
Whom heavenly hosts in glory sing,
Today the grave has lost its sting!
Alleluia

That Easter morn, at break of day,
The faithful women went their way
To seek the tomb where Jesus lay.
Alleluia!



An angel clad in white they see,
Who sit and speaks unto the three,
"Your Lord will go to Galilee."
Alleluia!

That night the apostles met in fear;
Among them came their master dear
And said, "MY peace be with you here."
Alleluia!



When Thomas first the tidings heard
That they had seen the risen Lord,
He doubted the disciples’ word.
Alleluia!

"My pierced side, O Thomas, see,
And look upon my hands, my feet;
Not faithless but believing be."
Alleluia!



No longer Thomas then denied;
He saw the feet, the hands, the side;
"You are my Lord and God!" he cried.
Alleluia!

How blest are they who have not seen
And yet whose faith has constant been,
For they eternal life shall win.
Alleluia!



On this most holy day of days
Be laud and jubilee and praise:
To God your hearts and voice raise.
Alleluia!

Special thanks to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Hamil, Illinois, and the Chapel of St. Timothy the Learner, which is the LCMS campus ministry at Western Illinois University.

Off Topic: 24 Hour On-line Bible Study!

Over at www.issuesetc.org, you will find a 24 hour Bible Study beginning next Wednesday at 5:00 PM ET and running through Thursday at 5:00 PM ET.

They will spend two hours on different book of the Bible, for a total of 12 books in all! As always, this will be archived on their on-demand page.