LCMS Open Letter on Religious Freedom

This Sunday, we plan to include a bulletin insert at Messiah with the text of the open letter and the signatories. If you wish to read it now, click here. In the video below, LCMS President Matthew Harrison introduces the letter. Read more by going to the president's page at http://www.lcms.org/president.

Nicene Creed Video

Here's the scoop on this from Cyberbrethren...

Here is a beautiful YouTube video of the reading of the Nicene Creed which dates back over a 1,000 years in the the Christian church. This recitation was done at Trinity Lutheran Church, Klein, TX during the March 4, 2012 church services by three members of Trinity as part of Lutheran Schools week. These three members, and students (former and present) are: Mr. Erich Klenk, 97 years old, confirmed in 1928, past Chairman of the congregation, charter member of the Men’s Club in 1946, and Trinity’s oldest member. Lyle Lovett, great grandson of Trinity founding father Adam Klein, confirmed in 1971, singer/songwriter, and winner of four Grammys. Erin Pali, class of 2016 and current 4th grade student of Miss Marilyn Peterson/ Erin’s Dad Brett also had Miss Petersen in 4th grade during his years at Trinity. This video was posted to YouTube by Pat Blake.

Video of Sermon for the Transfiguration of Our Lord (Feb. 19, 2012)

LCMS President comments on birth control mandate

Classic Luther film clip

Clip from the movie Luther (2003)

Cool digital painting of Luther for Reformation Day

HT: Matt Harrison

Hearing Complaints from "Some People"

Just a quick question...

LCMS president Harrison encourages support and prayer for Japan

President Harrison encourages prayer and support for Japan from VimeoLCMS on Vimeo.

Video of sermon for Epiphany 8 (February 27, 2011)

Video of sermon for Epiphany 7 (February 20, 2011)

Cell phones in church: one congregation's solution

Video of sermon for Epiphany 6 (February 13, 2011)

Video of sermon for Epiphany 5 (February 6, 2011)

Video of sermon for Epiphany 4 (January 30, 2011)

Video of sermon from Epiphany 3 (Jan. 23, 2011)

Sermons now online...here's one from January 16

Not only will I continue posting my sermon texts here, but now video of the sermons will be available online. Thanks go to videographer extraordinaire Bill Burrows for volunteering to video our services, make DVDs, and upload the sermons to YouTube. Messiah has its own page you can view by clicking here.

It's been a while since I've watched a recording of myself preaching. At least now I realize that I need to quit scratching my nose so much.  I think this day I had a wild mustache hair or something.

If we can't afford handbells, there's always this...

As performed by the the St. Luke's Bottle Band, St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Park Ridge, Illinois.

Christmas in the Trenches

Here are two videos of the song I referenced last night in my sermon.  I first heard this years ago on "The Thistle and Shamrock" radio program and fell in love with it.  The name of the artist was long forgotten, but thanks to the internet, I've rediscovered John McCutcheon and this evocative song.  The first video is a live performance, the second is a studio recording with images of soldiers from World War I and a moving tribute to our soldiers away from home today.