Letters On The Page

Low Church? High Church? Whose Church? I’ve been rather bemused by the recent flurry of online discussion and debate in response to a recent YouTube video entitled, “Low Church Missouri,” from one of the professors at our St. Louis Seminary, Rev. Dr. Joel Biermann. It’s no surprise that the topic of worship practices and styles would garner such attention, as that has persistently been the case to varying degrees for the past three or four decades. What is equal parts amusing and frustrating in the present conversation is the way in which the terms are being used and understood, and the sort of misleading dichotomy that is consequently perceived. Dr. Biermann is absolutely entitled to his own observations and opinions, and I can certainly resonate with his nostalgic recollections of the past. My own childhood and young adult experience was largely similar to the sort of worship practices he remembers and describes. And I frankly track with some of his statements expressing a desire for...

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 16)   Isaiah 51:1-6   Romans 11:33-12:8  Matthew 16:13-20 “Blessed are you” O Lord, let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, my rock and my redeemer. Amen. Two Sundays ago, we reflected on Matthew 14, where Jesus walks on water and Peter does too, until he takes his focus away from Jesus. When Jesus takes hold of Peter and pulls him up, Jesus scolds Peter, “ O you of little faith, why did you doubt? ” Today, we have the privilege of witnessing Jesus praise Peter with rich words. Jesus declares, “ Blessed are you !” The word “bless” and its cognates “blessed and blessing” occur regularly in the Bible. In fact, the word is used already in Genesis 1 on the fifth and sixth days of creation week. God blesses his creation to be fruitful and multiply.  In the 2009 Lutheran Study Bible, page 842, there is a helpful threefold definition of the word bless. When God blesses his creation on the ...

 Pr. Jordan B. Cooper is a Lutheran Pastor and Professor at American Lutheran Theological Seminary of the Association of American Lutheran Churches. This is a most helpful Lutheran approach to spiritual disciplines of prayer.

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost Isaiah 56:1, 6-8  Romans 11:1-2a, 13-15, 28-32  Matthew 15:21-20 O Lord, let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, my Rock and my Redeemer. Amen. In Genesis 32, the Patriarch Jacob, grandson of Abraham, son of Isaac, is in the process of leaving Laban and returning home. He will shortly confront the reality of his broken relationship with his twin brother Esau. Jacob is afraid. He sends his family ahead of him bearing gifts for Esau. He hopes that Esau will have mercy upon him for his family’s sake. He is alone. In the dark of night, a stranger comes. Jacob and the stranger get into an hours long wrestling match. The fight is a draw. No one is a clear winner, except that Jacob had a hold on the stranger and will not let go. As daylight breaks, the stranger demands, “ Let me go, for the day has broken .” But Jacob says, “ I will not let you go unless you bless me. ” Jacob was true to his word. He did not let go...

The Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost   Job 38:4-18   Romans 10:5-17   Matthew 14:22-33 O Lord, let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, my rock and my redeemer. Amen. In the state of Indiana, public school has either started or is about to begin a new school year. It’s been a while since I or our son was in school, but I imagine some things have not changed. Before school, parents, teachers, and students meet one another. Questions are asked and answer. Then, on the first day of class there is a statement about expectations, stated goals for learning, sometimes called projected outcomes. One class period turns to another, then time passes by and before we know it, progress reports are issued. Students and interested parties learn the progress of learning and striving toward the desired goals and outcomes. Most of us are both relieved and happy when progress is observed and applauded.  All of this came to mind as I reflected up...

Pentecost 10 (Proper 13)   Isaiah 55:1-5   Romans 9:1-5   Matthew 14:13-21 O Lord, let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, my rock and my redeemer. Amen. The feeding of the five thousand is found in all four of the gospels. (Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17, John 6:1-14) Because the Holy Spirit allows the authors of the gospels to record their unique observations and memories, we are blessed with additional details that provide a richer, fuller picture of this miraculous event. For example, from the gospel of John we learn that because of what the people are hearing, seeing, and experiencing with Jesus, some are already wondering out loud if Jesus is indeed the prophet of God that Moses spoke of. In Deuteronomy 18:15-18, Moses declared “ The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers - it is to him you shall listen – just as you desired of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the as...