Though I often finish the first draft of my sermons on Fridays, I usually work on the sermons through Saturday evening and even into Sunday morning. But this week I'm done earlier than usual. Tomorrow's sermon is available today, over at my sermons blog, The Lutheran Zephyr: Sermons (which, if you're interested, has its ownContinue reading “Tomorrow’s Sermon, Today”
Category Archives: Liturgy
Vom Himmel Hoch
Vom Himmel Hoch is my favorite Christmas hymn (and the only hymn I refer to by tune name, for some reason). I was in the church choir growing up – I was the bass section for three years – and we sang this hymn on Christmas Eve, variously alternating verses between soloist, choir a capella,Continue reading “Vom Himmel Hoch”
Advent: Blue or Purple?
Reposted from my congregation's December newsletter, The Steeple Light What is the “proper” color of Advent – blue or purple? Purple was the long-standing color used by Lutheran congregations, as well as other liturgical churches, through most of the 20th century. The purple of Advent and of Lent served two purposes – emphasizing the royaltyContinue reading “Advent: Blue or Purple?”
What I Wear to Work
There's a great old Dilbert comic strip where the boss threatens to institute a "casual Friday" policy, requiring fashion-challenged engineers to wear something other than a white shirt, tie, and pocket protector to work. When it comes to traditional "business" or "business casual" attire, I feel much like Dilbert and Wally feel aboutContinue reading “What I Wear to Work”
All Saints Confusion
(The following is a heavily edited and updated version of a similiar post from three years ago, All Saints, All Souls, and the Return of Christ.) I find myself a bit confused by the festival of All Saints in our Lutheran practice. On this day we remember our loved ones who have died in theContinue reading “All Saints Confusion”
The Lutheran Zephyr 