#Messiah Lutheran Church

[grits-galraisedinthesouth]

You're Going to be so Blessed!

The pastor actually did cause Trump to smile, maybe for 1st time. "Pastor James Roemke Cracks Trump"

[idylls-of-the-divine-romance]

Writers with a more historic Protestant perspective have generally translated the Greek word charis as "grace" and understood it to refer to the idea that there is a lack of human effort in salvation because God is the controlling factor. Proponents of the New Perspective argue that "favor" is a better translation, as the word refers normally to "doing a favor". In ancient societies there was the expectation that such favors be repaid, and this semi-formal system of favors acted like loans. Gift giving corresponded with the expectation of reciprocity. Therefore, it is argued that when Paul speaks of how God did us a "favor" by sending Jesus, he is saying that God took the initiative, but is not implying a lack of human effort in salvation, and is in fact implying that Christians have an obligation to repay the favor God has done for them. [...] "charis" as "favor" [does] not teach that Christians earn their way to heaven outside of the death of Christ. Forgiveness of sins through the blood of Christ is still necessary to salvation. But, that forgiveness demands effort on the part of the individual (cf. Paul in Phil. 3:12–16).

[spiritsoulandbody]

#DailyDevotion Jesus Is The Foundation Of The Church & Blessed Are Her Gates

#DailyDevotion Jesus Is The Foundation Of The Church & Blessed Are Her Gates Psalm 87 His foundation is on holy mountains. 2The LORD loves Zion's gates more than all of Jacob's dwellings. 3Wonderful things are told about you, O city of God! The psalmist is praising the city of Jerusalem. Upon these holy mountains the LORD had met with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. There, where Abraham was willing to sacrifice the child of promise the LORD has built His temple. There on those mountains the Father sacrifices His only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ for the sin of the world providing salvation for every human being and redeeming all creation. But the city in which the LORD performed all these things is only a shadow, a model of the Jerusalem which is above, God's holy Church. Her foundations are not just rocks but the Rock, our LORD Jesus Christ. The gates of this city are loved more than all the places where Jacob dwells because this is where He gathers His people. It is the city He has built and won by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Wonderful things are told of this city, the New Jerusalem as we see in the last chapters of Revelation. No light of the sun or moon is needed because God is her light. The gates are always open because there are no threats to her. A stream runs through it which waters the tree of life whose leaves are for the healing of the nations and it bears fruit every month. There we meet our God. 4“I will count Egypt and Babylon among those who acknowledge Me. There is Philistia, Tyre, and Ethiopia — each one claims that he was born there.” Egypt or Rahab and Babylon and all the nations acknowledge the LORD. The He that is born there is not the nations, but the Promised One, our LORD Jesus Christ. There on the hills outside of Jerusalem is Bethlehem where Christ was born. There in Jerusalem where Christ was crucified was Jesus made the first-born of the dead. Isaiah would prophesy that the nations would stream to her, i.e. the Church and indeed they have. The Church is the city they all acknowledge as the dwelling place of the LORD. 5But it will be said of Zion, “Every nation is born in her, and the Most High Himself will make her secure.” 6The LORD will write down in His record of the nations: "This one was born there.” 7There will be singing and dancing, for all will find their home in you. Several translations translate verse five this way, The DRB and a few others translate it more literally, “Shall not Sion say: This man and that man is born in her? and the Highest himself hath founded her.” The literal translation is better I think. Some think the psalmist is thinking of various men of valor born there. But if we are looking at the Church as Zion, are we all not born in her through the waters of baptism. So we are written down in the Lamb's book of life, or at least we know we have been written in the Lamb's book of life when we are baptized into Christ. In all the nations of the world, the LORD is making children for Himself and a nation for Himself in Zion, the city of our God, the Church. Here in the Church there will be singing and dancing on the Day of the LORD as we are all born out of our graves and ushered into the New Jerusalem, the City of our God. As it is written, like calves springing from the stall shall we be coming out of our graves with rejoicing. Heavenly Father, continual to give new birth in Your Holy City, Jerusalem, Your Church, through the waters of baptism that we might praise You even as we Your people are being praised by You. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Read the full article

[horizon-verizon]

I might be wrong, but I think that the Faith of the Seven seems to be a catholic form with protestant doctrine. Externally Catholic in terms of its rituals, clergy, and hierarchical structure. Internally Protestant in terms of its focus on personal faith, moral simplicity, and individual accountability.

Not gonna lie, I know next to nothing about "moral simplicity" when it comes to Protestantism like I have a better idea of with the rest. Still, I looked stuff up. Skip to the part abt the Faith of the Seven's way of worship if you want, but I wouldn't recommend it.

.............................................

Protestanism vs Catholicsm vs Anglicanism

Protestant doctrine (yes, most of the sects under it) consist of the beliefs that:

The Bible is the ultimate religious truth and authority. The only one you need.

All can act as "priests" for themselves, as in interpret & access the Bible to communicate directly with God.

Only or mostly by believing in Christ as the Messiah and God, can you "saved" from eternal damnation in hell. It's only through faith itself that you really need to receive that salvation, not paying people (though with some sects say that you have already been saved or damned from before you were born....Calvinism).

*[Martin Luther and other 16th century people]* Jesus' death saved all of us already (the sign of God's grace towards us), and thus you don't have to "earn" your salvation but just stay believing Jesus died for you

Catholic doctrine says [Brittanica]:

it's a combination of good works and faith in Christ's death for sins/God (living a virtuous life, seeking forgiveness for sins, indulgences)

the original sin (Adam and Eve and the snake), is a hereditary and universal moral defect of human beings that makes them incapable of achieving their destiny and "even incapable of basic decency", or forever in danger of moral failure, needing God's grace (which is in the form of Jesus' sacrifice)...thus a strict adherence to authority

And maybe you'd then be describing something closer to the English Anglican church...but without the head of such being the monarch in Westeros, since the Head of the High Septon. Anglicanism is a current "attempt" at both versions of Christianity:

[Wiki] "The Book of Common��Prayer (BCP) is the name given to a number of related prayer books used in the Anglican Communion."

[Brittanica] "In form they deal briefly with the doctrines accepted by Roman Catholics and Protestants alike and more fully with points of controversy. The articles on the sacraments reflect a Calvinist tone, while other parts intimate Lutheran or Catholic positions. They are often studiously ambiguous, however, because the Elizabethan government wished to make the national church as inclusive of different viewpoints as possible."

[Brittanica, post 1888] "Anglicans attempt to balance the clerical point of view with forms of authority that include the laity. Even bishops are rarely able to function without the advice and consent of other clergy and laity"

[Brittanica, post 1888] "It [The Anglican Communion] respects the authority of the state but does not submit to it, and it equally respects the freedom of the individual. The Anglican Communion does not seek to evade the challenges of the world or to live a life separate from it. Basing its doctrines on the Bible, the Anglican Communion allows a remarkable latitude of interpretation by both clergy and laity."

[Anglican Communion, post 1888] "An important caveat is about this question is that if you ask three Anglicans about doctrine you’ll get five different answers! Anglicanism’s greatest strength - its willingness to tolerate a wide variety in Anglican faith and lifestyle - is also the thing that provokes the most debate among its practitioners."

[Anglican Communion, post 1888 ] "The Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed are used very regularly in Anglican worship, the Athanasian Creed is used in worship less often, but is considered to set out the classic understanding of key Christian doctrines about the nature of God and the person of Jesus Christ."

The Catholic Church and many Protestant denominations accept both the Apostle and Nicene Creeds; the latter, just not the indulgence part. IDK abt Anglican indulgences, if that's a thing, but I'd assume not. It matter s because apparently, recitations of the Apostles' Creed requires monetary or "plenary" indulgences 7 the recitation of what the Nicene Creed/hail Mary/Sunday prayers gives requires one to attend mass in church or go to an oratory where you give to the indulgence.

.............................................

Faith of the Seven Worship

[AWoIaF.Westeros]

The Faith has a number of holy books. The most important one is The Seven-Pointed Star, which contains the Maiden’s Book. The Seven-Pointed Star tells, among others, about the history of the Faith. Septons who cannot read or write memorize prayers, rituals, and ceremonies, and are able to recite long passages from The Seven-Pointed Star.

But there's really no deep lore on their faith and what defines faith in the same way as Christianity bc there is no "Messiah", or savior figure who specifically dies for humanity's egregious sins in its mythology or cosmology.

All you seem to do is go the the Sept to pray, listen to recitations of the book, listen or join in singing hymns, and believe in the Seven. But neither does it have that "flexibility" or toleration of a variety of its own faith or respecting an individual's or a clergyman's freedom of "interpretation", which Anglicanism really strives for, not doctrinally.

If you're thinking of show!Catelyn, she's a Seven worshipper in a old-gods based lands and had to conform or adapt herself to the people's customs and ways of thinking while also holding to her own faith in some way, finding compromises...she's not really a rule we could go by for the actual doctrine of the Seven and if she's doing "personal faith", that's again bec she's more or less alone there.

Even still, sufficient worship of the Seven, as I mentioned but didn't emphasize, MUST take place in the sept like how worship MUST take place in Catholic churches. But then again, I have never heard of worshippers having to pay indulgences or something like that in order to receive blessings or be able to stand/sit and hear any sort of "creed" or prayer. And then again, there's a heavy implication of one needing faith validated by going to church and respecting authority and being tested in one's faithfulness through mortal/corporal means or denial that really edges it out towards Catholiscm...so...

[pastortomsteers]

The Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Christ the Saviour Lutheran Church, Toronto

Pastor Tom Steers

September 22, 2024

Divine Service III – Pages 184-202

Lutheran Service Book

OUR OPENING HYMN:  904  “Blessed Jesus, at Your Word”

                                                                                                                               The Invocation                           Page 184  

Confession and Absolution     Page 184-185

The Introit

Psalm 37:5-7 (antiphon v. 4)  

4 Delight yourself in the Lord,     and he will give you the desires of your heart.                                                                                           5 Commit your way to the Lord;     trust in him, and he will act. 6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,     and your justice as the noonday.                                                                                     7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;     fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,     over the man who carries out evil devices!

Glory Be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and will be forever. Amen.

4 Delight yourself in the Lord,     and he will give you the desires of your heart.                                                                                          

 

The Kyrie  (Lord Have Mercy)                                                    

Lord have mercy upon us.

Christ have mercy upon us.

Lord have mercy upon us.

 

Pastor: The Lord be with you.

Congregation: And with thy Spirit.   

 

Gloria in Excelsis (Glory to God in the Highest)  Page 197

                                                          

Our Collect Prayer:  O God, whose strength is made perfect in weakness, grant us humility and childlike faith that we may please You in both will and deed; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

Our Bibe Readings:

Old Testament Reading     Jeremiah 11: 18-20

Psalm 54 (antiphon v. 4) 

Epistle Reading                    Philippians 2: 1-8

Gospel Reading                   Mark 9: 30-37 

THE APOSTLES’ CREED    Page 192

HYMN OF THE DAY:  851   “Lord of Glory, You Have Brought Us”

                                                                                                                               THE SERMON  --

Jesus, God in human flesh, is on a journey with His disciples.

He’s preparing them for His crucifixion, and resurrection.

He’s also readying them for their service to Him, and others, after His ascension to heaven.

But they don’t understand.

And they’re afraid to ask.

They’ve received the raw, full-strength Gospel, but are concerned with earthly things.

At this point they want a worldly, political Messiah.

Someone who will help them wave goodbye to the Romans and create an ‘earthly’ paradise.

But Jesus is instructing them on the reconciliation of God with man through His payment for sin on the cross.

What Martin Luther called the glorious exchange – our sins for Christ’s righteousness. 

The disciples’ response?

They argue about which one of them is the greatest while walking along with the Saviour of the world.

They were jockeying for positions of importance in God's Kingdom as they saw it. 

We can shake our heads, because it is so human.

We could even be tempted to look down on them if it weren’t for the fact that, at times, we’re guilty of the same mistake.

The temptation to see worldly power and influence as taking a front seat to God’s Word is always with us.

The ego of the fallen Adam still lives within us, and we can be misled to see our ‘merits, abilities, good works,’ as the means, the way, by which we will be given a ticket to heaven.

But that trip has already been paid for.

It came at a cost we could never afford.

In this world, believers are still forgiven sinners.

The Apostle Paul said it clearly:

21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it — 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. 

For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, received by faith.

This Gospel passage goes to the heart of the Christian faith.

Because Lutheran theologians have written from the time of the Reformation five hundred years ago until today that there are only two religions in the world.

A false one in which you save yourself by obedience to the Law and good works.

And the true faith, Christianity, in which we are saved by God’s grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

That’s the one Jesus is preparing His disciples to spread, and for us to believe and witness to today.

Jesus asks the disciples what they’ve been arguing about.

Embarrassed they keep silent.

But Christ knew exactly what the debate was about, and the spiritual problem behind it.

Jesus nailed this point home by taking a child in His arms and saying, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”

He’s telling them that it is not about their abilities, their accomplishments but about receiving.

Receiving His Word.

Receiving spiritual children -- all those who will believe by the Word Christ gives the Apostles, and the Church.

Receiving faith in their Saviour, not relying on or bragging about personal spiritual accomplishments.

Receiving faith in the sinless, only Son of God who paid for their sins, and ours.

Salvation is a gift.

And for a gift to be a gift, it has only to be received.

It can’t be paid for, because then its wages earned.

A price we could never afford was paid for us by the One who still bears the marks of the atonement – the crucified and risen Christ.

Simply put: Jesus is the Saviour, not us.

There are false denominations today who teach that you must save yourself, in whole, or part.

They teach that Baptism is your good work and decision, not as the Bible teaches that it is God’s good work in you.

They falsely teach that the Lord’s Supper is a mere human ceremony, when both Christ and the Apostle Paul make crystal clear it is the true body and blood in the bread and wine, given for you.

These denominations will teach that faith itself is a ‘human decision,’ and accomplishment to be proud of.

Yet the Apostle Paul writes in Holy Scripture:

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Paul makes clear, it is our neighbour who needs our good deeds, not God.

These good works are evidence of a faith the Holy Spirit has worked in us through God’s means of grace – His Word, and the Sacraments Christ initiated and commanded – Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

That is what Lutheran worship is about.

Receiving the gifts of God: Word and Sacrament.

Receiving the forgiveness Christ gave His Church to announce in the absolution.

Receiving grace and eternal life.

Today Jesus sits down and calls to us.

He teaches about service, and love.                  

He’ll give us another example from the cross on Good Friday.

Unlike the disciples at the point in our Gospel passage, we know Christ died for our sins. 

We know He rose from the dead for our justification. 

God came down to this earth to serve us, and human beings beat Him, whipped Him, and hung Him on a cross. 

Nevertheless, Jesus served us perfectly. 

He deserved service from us, but He served us, with His life. 

Although He deserved to be first, He made Himself last for our sake

When the final day comes, Jesus will serve you with a new, holy body that will rise from the dead, just as He rose, and that will live together with Him in heaven.

To the crucified and risen Saviour of the world, be all glory, praise, and honour.

Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH                         

SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT              Page 194 

Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy)                           Page 195

The Lord’s Prayer

The Word of Our Lord (Instituting the Lord’s Supper)

Agnus Dei  (Lamb of God)                            Hymn 962

The Distribution

Nunc Dimittis (The Song of Simeon)          Page 19

Post-Communion Collect (Right-hand column)    Page 201

CLOSING HYMN:   664   “Fight the Good Fight”

[anarchotolkienist]

A Swedish Christian Identity church has been founded, it seems (although their theology isn't worked out enough as far as I can tell, they are some variety of Gnostics, believe that Christ was not Jewish (and by that reckoning he can't be of David's seed, and therefore not the Messiah - although I guess they would deny that David and Moses were Jewish too) and believe that the Swedes are the chosen people (???) and are explicitly committed to ethno-nationalism. They describe themselves as 'evangelical Lutheran' but, uhhh, fairly sure Lutheran theology, or indeed the evangelium, is pretty clear on the status of Christ as Jewish. A rather important part.

[mask131]

Green spring: The Easter Bunny

THE EASTER BUNNY

Category: Easter folklore

When people think of Easter, they usually consider that there are two sides to the celebration – the religious Easter, about the resurrection of Jesus Christ in Christian religion, and the secular Easter, which is all about finding chocolate eggs. But it might surprise you to learn that the Easter eggs – and the Easter bunny – are not as “cut-off” from the religious celebrations as one might think…

You see, the very tradition of the Easter eggs comes from a Christian custom of sharing eggs dyed red – dyed red to symbolize the blood shed during the crucifixion of Jesus, the death of the Messiah, but eggs to symbolize the resurrection of the Christ upon Easter day. While in most of the “Western world”, the religiousness of the eggs kind of disappeared – as they became plastic eggs and chocolate eggs hunted down by children in gardens and parks, they kept all of their religiousness in Eastern Christianity (Orthodox Christianity), where they are still blessed by a priest. In fact, the very reason the Easter eggs are chocolate eggs now was cause of the practice of Lent – forty days of fasting before Easter during which Christians were forbidden to eat rich foods, such as meat, eggs or sweets. Since Lent ended with Easter, people started to create chocolate eggs to have the pleasure to eat back two of the forbidden “Lent foods” (eggs and chocolate) at once. And similarly, it might surprise you, the Easter Bunny started out as a religious figure…

The Easter Bunny first appeared as the “Easter Hare” among the Lutherans of Germany in the second half of the 17th century – he was a moral figure very similar to what Santa Claus was for Christmas, that is to say that the Easter Hare was supposed to watch over and decide which children were naughty and which children were nice during Eastertide (the Easter season). Nice children would then receive gifts from the Easter Hare – colored eggs, candies and/or toys. The Easter Hare was especially supposed to place the eggs in special nets children had to make in their bonnets, caps or hats on Easter Eve. It was truly a figure of Protestant moralism, the same way Saint Nicholas was tied to Catholic morals for children. It was in the 18th century that the tradition left Germany: as German Protestants arrived in the USA, they brought over with them the “Osterhase”, Easter Hare, which quickly became there the “Easter Rabbit” or “Easter Bunny” – a magical rabbit supposed to hid decorated eggs and/or chocolate eggs in gardens, houses and parks on Easter Eve, eggs that children had then to hunt down and collect on Easter Day.

As you know, nowadays the Easter Bunny is a fully secular creature, part of a “modern folklore” and not being tied to religion anymore. He is a secular symbol of the holiday, especially used by toy-makers and chocolate-makers, who love to distribute Easter Rabbit dolls and chocolate statues on Easter day. Due to this secular nature, there are also many local and regional variations of the creature: for example in Australia, where rabbits are considered a dangerous pest, the mascot of Easter is rather the Easter Bilby – named after an endangered species in an effort to raise awareness and gather funds for the protection of this little marsupial. While the Easter Bunny imposed itself in American-influenced and English-speaking regions, the Germanic countries still hold on to their Easter Hare. And in French-speaking countries (plus Italy) there is a very different custom… The ones supposed to bring the Easter eggs are actually the “Easter bells”. Like, church bells. I’ll explain: in Catholicism it is strictly forbidden to ring the church bells during the “Holy Week” that precedes Easter, to honor the death of Christ. As a result, a legend/story arose, told to children – the story claims that the reason the bells do not ring is because they are gone, they (yes, they are sentient) went on their way to Rome, on a pilgrimage to be blessed by the Pope himself! And they only return to their rightful place on Easter – but not without bringing back eggs they drop in gardens everywhere… This is why in France, Belgium and Italy there is a custom of saying “The Easter bells brought you some eggs!”, “The bells are back from Rome”, or to sell chocolate-bells. But, and as a Frenchman I can attest, this very Christian-focused custom becomes less and less practiced in France, where laicism and the American influence pushed forward the widespread use of the Easter Rabbit instead of the Easter Bells.

You might wonder why a hare out of all was originally chosen for this holiday – and why even the hare was tied to the eggs. Unlike what many people will want you to believe, people “back in the days” did not think that rabbits or hares could lay eggs, no… But the hare had a specific religious connotation which explains why the Lutherans associated it with the “egg of resurrection” of the Christ. You see, it was believed that hares were hermaphrodite creatures, that could reproduce all on their own, without need of a partner. As such, they were considered to be able to reproduce without “losing their virginity”… You see where I’m coming with that? Hares became, especially in northern medieval Europe, a symbol for the Virgin Mary. And thus, the hare (symbolizing Mary) brings the egg (symbolizing Jesus)…

What is also fascinating with the Easter Bunny is that, unlike Santa Claus which has a very precise “canon”, the Easter Bunny doesn’t have any truly settled image in popular culture. Everyone depicts him differently. For some he speaks, for others he doesn’t. For some he is white, for other he is brown – when not blue. For some he is anthropomorphized, dressed with human clothes ; for others he just looks like a regular good old rabbit… There is absolutely no specifically formed image. Everybody pictures a different rabbit in their own head. Though, with the success of Easter Bunny-centered movies this last decade, such as the “Hop” movie or the “Rise of the Guardians” one, things might change in the future… Who knows?

- - - - - -

Since I won’t be able to make much Green Spring post this month, I made an additional one just for Easter. A bit late, I know, but hey, we do as we can.

Speaking of the Easter Bunny, there is something else I should mention: the Eostre theory. Now… As I said, the Easter Rabbit originally was a German figure, a German invention. Well, the Germans have a specific thing with the Easter holiday thanks to the 19th century folklorists, who decided, and tried to prove, that the German celebrations of Easter, were actually tied to the ancient pagan celebrations of a Germanic goddess known as “Eostre” or “Ostara”, a divinity of springtime and the dawn, whose festival got replaced by the Christian Easter. The very name “Eostre” had supposedly turned into “Eastre”, then “Easter”. This theory was notably made EXTREMELY popular by the Brothers Grimm (if you only know them for their fairytales, you should learn that they also studied a lot Germanic paganism, German gods and the German religion as a whole). [To be precise, Eostre was thought to have been originally a Saxon goddess, whose existence and worship then spread to ancient England, thus making her an Anglo-Saxon goddess, and explaining the supposed similarities between the “pagan Easters” of both Germany and England]

In this theory and interpretation, people perceived the “invention” of the Easter Hare as not an “invention”, but a resurgence and return of an ancient pagan symbol – they theorized that the hare was the sacred animal, or animal companion, of Eostre. But despite this very enthusiastic theory, nowadays experts agree that there is no actual substance tying the Easter Bunny/Hare or even the Easter Eggs to the ancient goddess Ostara – and many people even doubt the true existence of Ostara in the first place, with many elements and attributes seemingly being made up.

A bit more Easter eggs trivia for the road: the first chocolate eggs of Easter were invented in France, at the royal court of king Louis XIV, in 1725 to be exact, at Versailles, created by filling empty eggshells with molten chocolate (the first hollow chocolate egg was created in England in 1875). Beyond the red (which was the original dye color for the Easter eggs, reflection of Christ’s blood), the other most popular color for the eggs in the “olden days” was green, to symbolize the renewed foliage and reborn nature of this springtime celebration – the same spring ambiance of Easter also led to the custom of painting leaves over the eggs. The opening of Easter eggs in Christianity is supposed to symbolize the opening of the tomb of the Christ, only to find that it is empty (since he resurrected after being entombed). Between the primitive “let’s dye chicken eggs red” and the modern “plastic eggs filled with candies”, there was a whole tradition of carving Easter eggs out of wood, or making them out of porcelain, and the most famous example of these artificial eggs is without a doubt the Fabergé eggs – a series of wonderful, jeweled Easter eggs made out of precious materials with exquisite decorations, created by the Fabergé jewelry for the two last Russian Tsars… Beyond the traditional “egg hunt” of Easter, found in a lot of countries nowadays, England and Germany have a lot of other Easter games involving eggs – such as the “egg dance” (dancing around eggs on the floor without cracking them), “egg taping” (two people fight by taping each other’s hard boiled egg until one cracks) and the “egg rolling” (an egg race where eggs are throw by the side of a hill, rolling from the top to the bottom).

And finally, the tradition of sharing red eggs ended up creating folk-legends tying this custom to the Biblical times (these legends are found among Orthodox folk-Christianity, again Easter is a VERY BIG deal among Eastern Christians). One of those stories claims that Mary Magdalene had brought boiled eggs in a basket to the other women who went to the tomb of the Christ – and that the eggs turned bright red when the women discovered that the corpse was gone. Another story rather claims that Mary Magdalene, in her effort to spread the news that Jesus was resurrected, went to the emperor of Rome (which one? We don’t know) to tell him “Christ has risen!” (a very common sentence that Orthodox Christians typically pronounce at the blessing or opening of Easter eggs). The emperor mocked her by pointing at an egg and saying “The Christ has no more risen than this egg is red!”, and lo and behold! The egg turned red…

EDIT: @skyprowler pointed out to me that the “blessing of the eggs/blessing of the food” isn’t an exclusively Orthodox rite - it actually is a shared ritual between Western and Eastern Christianity - and while it was never something big in France (at least to my knowledge), it is still very strong today in Germany, Poland, Finland and Slovakia (in fact, skyprowler suggested that it might have been a Central/Eastern European rite that survived in the canon of the Orthodox Church, while kept existing only regionally in the Catholic Church)

[a-mag-a-day]

I don’t know why, but Trail Rations has always been one of my favorite episodes. It’s one of the few that, even when I was first listening, I came back to.

I think the horror of this one plays into the fear of being powerless and desperate. It feels like a combo Flesh and Spiral statement, two of my favorite fears. The man also could have been an avatar of the Stranger considering how often they talk about how weird and square his teeth are. More of the intertwining of entities.

(Note: I talk about Christianity next. I am not Christian. Please tell me if I overstepped.)

I notice that both Tom Han (Haan?) and Eustace Wick mention Christianity. Tom in episode 72 talks about the early Christians being persecuted for false accusations of cannibalism, and how Christians both “honor and disregard the body” and that that’s why he isn’t Christian.

In this statement, it seems that Wick twists an old Lutheran grace into something that truly “honors the body”. By replacing the Lord in the grace with meat and flesh, the new grace worships the flesh as what grants nourishment. Horatio Wick, possibly related to Eustace Wick, is noted to have had a falling out with the church regarding the Sacrament of Eucharist. The Sacrament of Eucharist, as described by Our Lady of Good Voyage, is “…the sacrament by which Catholics receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ… in receiving the Eucharist, we are nourished by the Lord”. That means that the Wicks probably are related. This warping of Christian/religious ideology seems pretty thematically appropriate for the Flesh considering their general themes of body horror (the warping of the body via Jared the Boneturner, it’s in the name) and just.. warping things in general. This worship of the Flesh as what gives on salvation, life, nourishment, and how it’s presented is really cool to me.

The association of religion and the Flesh is pretty interesting to me bc I can’t quite understand where it really came from??. I mean, Tom’s ritual was literally held at a gnostic temple. It feels like an important theme, the twisting of religion through the powers. Reminds me of the Desolation using a crown of kindling, which Eugene mentions was a twisting of Christian imagery (specifically of the crown of thorns) as well as how they refer to Agnes as a Messiah. Don’t quite know what it means.

The “how did this letter in a cave in the US end up in Jonah’s collection, the UK” I feel is more of the world building for Jonah. Did he hire someone to get it? Was it the Eye? It’s another one of those questions that I’m not sure if it was addressed or not. I personally think that Jonah capital-s Saw it and copied it down himself.

Oh that theory about Jonah is a very interesting one! Maybe it was one of his earlier Archivists...

[cyberthingpuppy]

Ghoad the father church Candace marie hughes illuminati church Candace marie hughes the Roman Catholic Church Vatican on paid Catholic Church the Baptist Church the Methodist Church the Lutheran Church the episcopal Church the Presbyterian Church the ladder day saints church Jesus Christ of latter day saints church Jehovah witness church kingdom hall embassy division Catholic Church schools on paid Mary mosques Messiah jails saitan synagogues Lucifer penitentiaries Satan prizons Joseph temples Eve museums Adam beaches Egypt oceans by Candace Marie Hughes must return to Candace Marie Hughes and in Candace Marie Hughes and chapels by Candace Marie Hughes paid and on Candace Marie Hughes and ghoad the father and earth and paid. On. Paid. Mail KIY KEY card dh to Candace Marie Hughes. On. Paid. Remove kover. Paid. Remove cover. Paid. VVoiced paid on. On. Paid. Parked. Paid.

[bllsbailey]

Donald Trump Makes Powerful Appearance at First Night of Republican National Convention

Two days after being shot, sporting a bandage on his ear, former President Donald Trump made a dramatic appearance at the first night of the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Entering the Fiserv Forum to the accompaniment of “God Bless The U.S.A.” performed live by Lee Greenwood, President Trump luxuriated in thunderous applause before taking a seat with family and in between his Vice President nominee JD Vance and Congressman Byron Donalds, who had pundit Tucker Carlson on his immediate right.

President Trump listened and applauded a series of speakers, known and unknown. The best was a smooth speech by media personality Amber Rose that detailed her transformation, encouraged by her military veteran father, from believing Trump was a racist to wholeheartedly supporting him.

International Brotherhood of Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien brought the house down when, referring to the assassination attempt on President Trump, “He has proven to be one tough SOB.” O’Brien brought the fire throughout his overly long message, both praising and criticizing the GOP as he outlined a growing willingness for Republicans and Teamsters to work together.

Rev. James Roemke from Messiah Lutheran Church in Kenosha, Wisconsin, brought the house down again, this time with laughter when, before offering a prayer, he kindly mimicked Trump’s “you’re going to get tired of winning” live by swapping out “being blessed” for “winning.”

The outpouring of love for President Trump clearly moved and invigorated him as he smiled throughout the speeches and the numerous rounds of thunderous applause and chants on his behalf. Although he did not speak, Trump’s presence filled the arena, leaving no doubt that he is in full command of the Republican Party.

[seetangus]

Hiya again, Seetang!

That interview was very entertaining! Like I understand a little bit of where he came from with certain things he said, but it was for sure a rollercoaster from beginning to end!

When you touched on sacral music, I started looking into it, and realize how nice it is! Like Bach’s B Minor Mass is beautiful (I’m not Catholic ((Team Protestant here!)), but it made me want to be just because of how well-composed it is). Also, Hendel’s “Messiah” is lovely as well. I’m definitely going to look into more.

I just realized that we’ve been talking on and off for over a year now! So happy year long friendship! (Virtual anniversary gift: 🎁) It’s be so nice being able to talk with you. You do brighten up my day when I see you respond or post anything really!

Things are going alright on my end. Hope all is well with you!

- 🌹

Hello! Wow! Has it really already been a year? Somehow it doesn't feel like that at all, but that's a good sign lmao

🎁🦚 Have this present and a peacock because he looks nice.

Now! It makes me very happy to hear that you enjoy Bach's sacral music! Also he was (just like me hehe) a Lutheran Protestant, not Catholic - Catholics play his music often though since the contents are most of the time purely biblical and thus don't contradict any church-specific teachings. I personally find that nice as it opens some field of dialogue between the churches, at least here in Germany. But it really cannot be mentioned enough how beautiful it is :))

And it's nice to hear you are well. I'm a bit (a lot) stressed currently, but otherwise I'm fine. :)

Also this is a random question but did you watch the Superbowl? I'm just curious because it's such a big event even over here there were news reports on it lmao

I hope you have a wonderful day!

- Seetang

[msclaritea]

RNS) — More than 100 chaplains signed a letter urging local Texas school boards to vote against putting chaplains in public schools, calling efforts to enlist religious counselors in public classrooms “harmful” to students and families.

The letter comes just days before a bill allowing public schools to hire school chaplains becomes law in Texas, the first state in the country to pass such a measure. The legislation, which had been pushed by activists associated with Christian nationalism, gives the state’s nearly 1,200 school boards until March 1 of next year to vote on whether to employ chaplains.

The letter was organized by the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty and Interfaith Alliance as well as local advocacy group Texas Impact.

The chaplains who signed the letter, released Tuesday (Aug. 22), bemoaned the lack of standards for potential school chaplains aside from background checks, contrasting it with the extensive training required for health care and military chaplains. 

“Because of our training and experience, we know that chaplains are not a replacement for school counselors or safety measures in our public schools, and we urge you to reject this flawed policy option: It is harmful to our public schools and the students and families they serve,” the letter read.

While chaplains who operate in multi-faith environments are generally barred from proselytizing, the Texas bill, SB 763, outlined no such condition, leaving each school district to answer the question on its own.

“There is no requirement in this law that the chaplains refrain from proselytizing while at schools or that they serve students from different religious backgrounds,” reads the letter.

Signers of the letter are members of an array of Christian denominations, including the Presbyterian Church (USA), United Methodist Church, Disciples of Christ and Seventh-day Adventist. Some are part of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Several other signers identified as Jewish, Buddhist or Unitarian Universalist.

“Texas Impact’s member faith traditions recognize the unique value of chaplains in some of life’s most challenging situations, and that’s why they insist on rigorous training and oversight of chaplains under their commission,” the Rev. Franz Schemmel, Texas Impact board president and pastor at Messiah Lutheran Church in Weatherford, said in a press release.

Last month, another letter sent to school boards by the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Texas, Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the Freedom From Religion Foundation raised similar concerns about the bill, which they called unconstitutional.

Besides leading to “religious proselytization and coercion of students,” the July letter charged, chaplains “are generally affiliated with specific religious denominations and traditions. In deciding which chaplains to hire or accept as volunteers, schools will inherently give preference to particular denominations, violating the ‘clearest command’ of the Establishment Clause: ‘(O)ne religious denomination cannot be officially preferred over another.’”

Texas state Rep. James Talarico speaks on the floor of the Texas House of Representatives on May 24, 2021, in Austin, Texas. Submitted photo

As SB 763 made its way through the Texas Legislature in May, state Rep. James Talarico, a Presbyterian-minister-in-training, repeatedly challenged the bill and linked it to Christian nationalism. He also expressed concern about the bill’s champions: the National School Chaplain Association, an arm of a Christian missionary organization that has previously expressed a desire to convert students and school officials to Christianity.

Julie Pickren, a member of the NSCA’s board who was elected to the Texas State Board of Education last November, appeared in a video on social media, since deleted, in which she celebrated the idea of chaplains proselytizing to school children.

“There are children who need chaplains. For the pastors in here, you already know: We have a whole generation of children that have never stepped foot one day inside of a church,” Pickren said in the video.

Protect children. Keep religion and religious figures out of schools.

[cimafam]

Cima Home Service 2023

Below is our most up-to-date schedule of partner visits while we are in the United States in the summer of 2023.  We hope we will be able to see you!  All of our available Sundays are currently filled.  However, if you would like to hear about how God is shaking things up on the other side of the world, reach out to us (John.Cima@lcms.org) to schedule a mid-week visit. Check back here for further updates!

LAST UPDATE: June 15

May 21 AM - Holy Cross Lutheran Church - Los Gatos, CA (J.P. only)

May 23 PM- Peace Lutheran Church - Philomath, OR (J.P. only)

May 24 AM - Peace Lutheran Church - Salem, OR (J.P. only)

May 25 AM - Trinity Lutheran Church - Oregon City, OR (J.P. only)

May 25 PM - Gaarde Christian School - Tigard, OR (J.P. only)

May 28 AM - St. John Lutheran Church - Canon City, CO (J.P. only)

May 28 PM - Hope Lutheran Church - Westcliff, CO (J.P. only)

May 30 AM - St. John Lutheran Church - Clarinda, IA (J.P. only)

May 31 - Grace Lutheran Church - Norfolk, NE (J.P. only)

June 1 PM - Faith Lutheran Church - Council Bluffs, IA (J.P. only)

June 2 AM - Messiah Lutheran Church - Lincoln, NE (J.P. only)

June 3 PM - Mission Central - Mapleton, IA (J.P. and Aimee)

June 4 AM - Trinity Lutheran Church - Des Moines, IA (J.P. and Aimee)

June 7 - LCMS International Center - St. Louis, MO (J.P. and Aimee)

June 11 AM - Redeemer Lutheran Church - Richmond, VA (whole family)

June 17 PM - Trinity Lutheran Church (Ashland campus) - Ashland, VA (whole family

June 18 AM- Trinity Lutheran Church - Richmond, VA (whole family)

June 25 AM- Prince of Peace Lutheran Church - Virginia Beach, VA (whole family)

July 9 AM- Good Shepherd Lutheran Church - Roanoke, VA (whole family)

July 16 AM - St. John Lutheran Church - York, PA (whole family)

July 23 AM - King of Glory Lutheran Church - Williamsburg, VA (whole family)

July 29 PM Resurrection Lutheran Church - Cary, NC (whole family)

July 30 AM Resurrection Lutheran Church - Cary, NC (whole family)

[spiritsoulandbody]

#DailyDevotion The Church, Christ's Bride Is Glorious

#DailyDevotion The Church, Christ's Bride Is Glorious Psalm 45 9Among Your noble women are kings' daughters; The queen in gold from Ophir will take her place at Your right hand. As Jesus is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, so too His bride, the Church take her place at Jesus' right hand. Jesus in Revelation 4 speaks to us, “21“Be victorious, and I will have you sit with Me on My throne, as I have won the victory and have sat down with My Father on His throne.” We are meant to rule with Christ over creation. 10Listen, daughter, look, and turn your ear to me: Forget your people and your father's home. 11The King longs for your beauty — He's your Lord — bow down to Him. So here, we as the Church and members of it are called to renounce this world and its age. We are not to cling to it, nor should we cling to anything or anyone in it. Jesus in the Gospels told us to hate father, mother, son, and daughter. He calls us even to hate our own life. When we do this we will find a much greater possession, Jesus Christ and His life. Jesus also promises more of all these things in the world to come where He reigns. Jesus Christ, the King, our LORD, He longs for us. So much so that He suffers all, even death, to win us over to Himself. He pours out His blood to make atonement for our sins so we may be cleansed by it and be acceptable to be in His and the Father's sight. Since He is our LORD, we should bow down before Him. Let us indeed bow ourselves down before Him so He may exalt us at the proper time. 12The people of Tyre, the richest of the people, want to win your favor with a gift. At the resurrection, the Church is no longer despised nor are her children. The wealth of the nations comes to us. We shall have the glory that Christ Jesus bestows upon us. 13In her rooms the King's daughter is altogether wonderful; her dress is interwoven with gold. The righteousness of Christ covers us. He has removed our guilt and shame. We now are renewed in His light. As such we are altogether wonderful. The Church is more glorious than any model in Vogue. We are more wonderful than any queen at any coronation. 14In her many-colored robes she is led to the King; the virgins, her friends, following her, are brought to You. 15With joy and delight they are brought in and come into the King's palace. 16Your sons will take the place Your ancestors had, and You will make them rulers all over the earth. 17I will cause Your name to be remembered by all the people of the coming ages; and that is why the nations will praise You forever and ever. So we, the Church, are led to our LORD Jesus Christ. Individually we are the virgins, friends and sons. We are made rulers all over the earth. In verse 17, we hearken back to our LORD Jesus Christ. We, His Church, cause His name to be remembered by all the people now and in the coming ages. We cause the nations to praise Jesus Christ, God's Son, forever and ever. Heavenly Father, eye has not seen nor ear has heard what you have planned for us in the age to come but by Your prophets You have given us clues comparing it to things of this world. Give us faith to believe this and increase our faith in Jesus Christ, Your Son our LORD so we may see and hear it ourselves on the day of His revelation. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.   Read the full article

[pipelinelaserraygun]

The MORE of an impact you have in bringing others to accepting ✝️🛐 Jesus Christ as Savior and Messiah, that's when you'll begin to notice an ⏰ uptick in antagonism, oppression, and censorships your way, delivered by 👺 demonic operatives.

When you're NOT making a difference in this world, to Evangelize, there's NO need to expend resources: 👿 satan THEN doesn't place 🎯 a bullseye on your Forehead. WHY bother?

MUST 👁️👁️ SEE‼️

Holy 🇺🇸 REVIVAL 🧹 swept across America, through a FLAWED servant.

Lonnie Frisbee was *relatable to a target demographic that relic ⛪ churches could NOT penetrate.

John Ruttkay was there. He was a roommate, and Friend.

Lonnie had 🧳🛄 BAGGAGE. UNIQUE was Lonnie, as well. Impossible to duplicate.

Church personnel became resentful of how the Lord seemed to INCREASE the efforts of a 💔 broken vessel, over Ministry work of others.

Takeaway: Evangelism ISN'T "One Size Fits All".

Is it WORSE to have dared reach for the Heavens, or NEVER to have dared at all?

Referenced up 🔝: The 👅🎨 Renaissance of "glossolalia".

🆓 BOOK 📚 PREVIEWS❣️ Referenced up 🔝: Which NEXT-gen Charismatics will take the baton relay?

Referenced up 🔝: Harald 🗝️ was handpicked for a KEY assignment, like Lonnie was.

[pastortomsteers]

The Bible Study –

Our readings for Tuesday, June 4 are Ecclesiastes 12:1-14 & John 11:1-16.

The Preacher of Ecclesiastes, Solomon, urges us to remember the Creator in our youth.

A fitting end to this book of wisdom.

How many young people today are never brought to God’s Church, never taught the Bible at home, never hear of their Saviour from those responsible for their care.

The afflictions of age beset those who attain it. But the same God who determines the limits of life in this sin broken world has offered new life in and through Jesus Christ.

Believe the Good News.

Everything the Preacher has considered and wrote about bring him back to God and His Word in these final verses.

All is not vanity when Christian believers, forgiven sinners, are restored in Heaven.

In our Gospel passage, Lazarus lies ill in Bethany. This is the brother of Martha and Mary, and friend of Jesus.

The sisters send word to Christ, but He replies, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

Jesus loved the sisters and Lazarus. He delays not out of lack of concern, but so that all may know He is the promised Messiah.

The disciples warn Jesus that returning to Bethany, only two miles from Jerusalem, is dangerous. The religious authorities had tried to stone Him.

Jesus will travel back, not only to raise Lazarus from the sleep of death, but to complete the mission of salvation God the Father gave Him.

Out of love for us, our Lord will go on to the cross.

The resurrected Son of God will one day raise believers to eternal life.

Pastor Tom Steers

Christ the Saviour Lutheran Church, Toronto