The Church’s Song Goes On
Some organists have a habit of writing in their sheet music the date the piece was used in a worship service. I am not one of those organists. As I practiced for Sunday worship today (Saturday) I was sight reading some Advent preludes by Michael Burkhardt. The book was familiar and well worn from my [...]
St. Olaf Christmas Festival
One of my Christmas season traditions (OK. . . it is technically an Advent tradition) is to listen to the St. Olaf Christmas Festival. While I haven’t actually been to Northfield, MN, Minnesota Public Radio will be broadcasting the concert live on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009 at 3:30 PM (Central Time). You can learn more [...]
LSB 334: O, Lord, How Shall I Meet You
NOTE: The following blog post was previously published on 11/30/08, but it is timely given that Advent is fast approaching and your congregation may be singing LSB 334 this coming Sunday. Some of you may have already discovered this, but I’ll pass it along for those that don’t know. The stanza numbering for O, Lord, [...]
LSB Lectionary Summaries
The beginning of the new Church Year is quickly upon us. In preparation for this, the LCMS Commission on Worship appears to be initiating a weekly series of lectionary summaries on both the one-year and three-year LSB lectionaries for use in the parish. Take a look. These Lectionary Summaries are designed to be included in [...]
Soaked, Scrubbed, & Washed in Christ’s Blood
When your pastor says “Amen” at the close of his sermon, are you soaked in Christ’s blood? Rev. Steven Cholak wrote a blog post for Concordia TheoBLOGical Seminary in April 2008 about pastors soaking their flock with Christ’s blood as they preach Christ and the forgiveness of sins. It is a short essay I reread [...]
Singing With All the Saints
During the Divine Service you probably hear your pastor say or chant these words: “Therefore with angels and archangels and all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising you and saying . . . “ Have the import of those words sunk in? What follows, the Sanctus, is not [...]
+ Paul Manz + A Retrospective
I remember the first time I heard of Paul Manz. My organ mentor was passing the torch, so to speak, and she passed along her sheet music to me. Included in that collection were my introductions to Burkhardt, Behnke, and of course Paul Manz. Of all the books, the several Concordia Manz editions were the [...]
The Lutheran Study Bible: ESV++
After much anticipation, my copy of The Lutheran Study Bible arrived about two weeks ago and I’ve spent some time getting to know it. The ESV has been my translation of choice since CPH released their hardback ESV Reference Bible a few years ago and I have appreciated the readable and rhythmic translation. When I [...]
A Case for Hymnody
Pastor Peters at Pastoral Meanderings makes a compelling case for the use of the church’s vast wealth of hymnody: This treasury helps teach the faith to each generation. In many cases hymns (or what we sing) are remembered far longer by the people in the pews than the pastor’s sermon (and I don’t mean any [...]
Gregorian Chant in Worship
When most people think of Gregorian chant they likely think of Roman Catholics or cloistered monks (with their cowl) chanting in a dimly lit church. This past Monday on Issues, Etc. Dr. Ben Mayes provided an interesting discussion on the history of Gregorian chant and its relevance to today’s Reformation Christians as part of our [...]
Kantor’s Reading List- Circ de Soleil -- From Church to Circus Pastor Peters
- Can We Still Call Ourselves the Church of J. S. Bach? Pastor Peters
- Pastoral Care Done by the Laity; Lay Work Done by the Pastor Pastor Peters
- Your Church May Not Be a Church If . . . Paul T. McCain
- What Makes Lutheran Worship Lutheran? Stephen R. Johnson
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