Hymns for Proper 8-13 Series A

First Sunday in Apostles’ Tide
Proper 8 (Sunday on June 26—July 2)
Jeremiah 28:5–9
Romans 7:1–13
Matthew 10:34–42

Hymn of Invocation
These are the holy Ten Commands (LSB 581)

Hymn of the Day / Catechetical Hymn of the Week
Let us ever walk with Jesus (LSB 685)

Hymns for the Distribution of the Holy Communion
The Law of God is good and wise (LSB 579)
In the very midst of life (LSB 755)
"Come, follow Me," the Savior spake (LSB 688)
I walk in danger all the way (LSB 716)

Hymn of Departure
Jesus, Thy boundless love to me (LSB 683)

Alternative Hymns
A mighty fortress is our God (LSB 656)
God of the prophets, bless the prophets’ sons (LSB 682)
Lord, help us ever to retain (LSB 865)
Lord, keep us steadfast in Your Word (LSB 655)
Lord of glory, You have bought us (LSB 851)
Lord of our life and God of our salvation (LSB 659)
O God, my faithful God (LSB 696)
O God of light, Your Word, a lamp unfailing (LSB 836)
O God of mercy, God of might (LSB 852)
Our Father, by whose name (LSB 863)
The Son of God goes forth to war (LSB 661)
When I survey the wondrous cross (LSB 425)


Second Sunday in Apostles’ Tide
Proper 9 (Sunday on July 3–9)
Zechariah 9:9–12
Romans 7:14–25a
Matthew 11:25–30

Hymn of Invocation
Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord (LSB 497)

Hymn of the Day / Catechetical Hymn of the Week
Why should cross and trial grieve me (LSB 756)

Hymns for the Distribution of the Holy Communion
All glory be to God alone (LSB 948)
Jesus has come and brings pleasure eternal (LSB 533)
Shepherd of tender youth (LSB 864)
Lord, Thee I love with all my heart (LSB 708)

Hymn of Departure
O God, O Lord of heaven and earth (LSB 834)

Alternative Hymns
Awake, my soul, and with the sun (LSB 868)
Be still, my soul; the Lord is on your side (LSB 752)
Children of the heav’nly Father (LSB 725)
Comfort, comfort ye My people (LSB 347)
Eternal Father, strong to save (LSB 717)
Evening and morning (LSB 726)
Father most holy, merciful and tender (LSB 504)
How sweet the name of Jesus sounds (LSB 524)
I bind unto myself today (LSB 604)
If God Himself be for me (LSB 724)
Lord Jesus Christ, You have prepared (LSB 622)
The Law of God is good and wise (LSB 579)


Third Sunday in Apostles’ Tide
Proper 10 (Sunday on July 10–16)
Isaiah 55:10–13
Romans 8:12–17
Matthew 13:1–9, 18–23

Hymn of Invocation
All who believe and are baptized (LSB 601)

Hymn of the Day
Almighty God, Your Word is cast (LSB 577)

Hymns for the Distribution of the Holy Communion
Thy strong word did cleave the darkness (LSB 578)
Jesus, priceless treasure (LSB 743)
All praise to Thee, for Thou, O King divine (LSB 815)
May God bestow on us His grace (LSB 823)

Hymn of Departure / Catechetical Hymn of the Week
Now thank we all our God (LSB 895)

Alternative Hymns
At the name of Jesus (LSB 512)
Come, Thou Fount of ev’ry blessing (LSB 686)
Father, we thank Thee who hast planted (LSB 652)
For the fruits of His creation (LSB 894)
God’s own child, I gladly say it (LSB 594)
Lord, keep us steadfast in Your Word (LSB 655)
My soul, now praise your maker (LSB 820)
O God of light, Your Word, a lamp unfailing (LSB 836)
Open now thy gates of beauty (LSB 901)
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (LSB 790)
Preach you the Word, and plant it home (LSB 586)
Word of God, come down on earth (LSB 545)


Fourth Sunday in Apostles’ Tide
Proper 11 (Sunday on July 17–23)
Isaiah 44:6–8
Romans 8:18–27
Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43

Hymn of Invocation
To God the Holy Spirit let us pray (LSB 768)

Hymn of the Day / Catechetical Hymn of the Week
Hear us, Father, when we pray (LSB 773)

Hymns for the Distribution of the Holy Communion
Lord Jesus Christ, with us abide (LSB 585)
Rise, my soul, to watch and pray (LSB 663)
Sing praise to God, the highest good (LSB 819)
Crown Him with many crowns (LSB 525)

Hymn of Departure
Lord of our life and God of our salvation (LSB 659)

Alternative Hymns
Christ sits at God’s right hand (LSB 564)
Eternal Spirit of the living Christ (LSB 769)
Father, we thank Thee who hast planted (LSB 652)
Have no fear, little flock (LSB 735)
Holy Spirit, light divine (LSB 496)
If thou but trust in God to guide thee (LSB 750)
O Holy Spirit, enter in (LSB 913)
O little flock, fear not the foe (LSB 666)
One thing’s needful; Lord, this treasure (LSB 536)
Rise! To arms! With prayer employ you (LSB 668)
Rock of ages, cleft for me (LSB 761)
The Lord, my God, be praised (LSB 794)


Fifth Sunday in Apostles’ Tide
Proper 12 (Sunday on July 24–30)
Deuteronomy 7:6–9
Romans 8:28–39
Matthew 13:44–52

Hymn of Invocation
O God, my faithful God (LSB 696)

Hymn of the Day / Catechetical Hymn of the Week
From God can nothing move me (LSB 713)

Hymns for the Distribution of the Holy Communion
Let all mortal flesh keep silence (LSB 621)
Entrust your days and burdens (LSB 754)
Our Father, who from heav’n above (LSB 766)
Father most holy, merciful and tender (LSB 504)

Hymn of Departure
A mighty fortress is our God (LSB 656)

Alternative Hymns
All depends on our possessing (LSB 732)
All praise to Thee, for Thou, O King divine (LSB 815)
Built on the Rock the Church shall stand (LSB 645)
Church of God, elect and glorious (LSB 646)
I walk in danger all the way (LSB 716)
If God Himself be for me (LSB 724)
In Thee is gladness (LSB 818)
Lord, ‘tis not that I did choose Thee (LSB 573)
Jerusalem, O city fair and high (LSB 674)
O Jesus, King most wonderful (LSB 554)
What God ordains is always good (LSB 760)
Who trusts in God a strong abode (LSB 714)


Sixth Sunday in Apostles’ Tide
Proper 13 (Sunday on July 31—August 6)
Isaiah 55:1–5
Romans 9:1–5 (6–13)
Matthew 14:13–21

Hymn of Invocation
Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord (LSB 497)

Hymn of the Day / Catechetical Hymn of the Week
O living Bread from heaven (LSB 642)

Offertory Hymn
Feed Thy children, God most holy (LSB 774)

Hymns for the Distribution of the Holy Communion
Lord Jesus Christ, life-giving bread (LSB 625)
The gifts Christ freely gives (LSB 602)
At the Lamb’s high feast we sing (LSB 633)
In Thee is gladness (LSB 818)

Hymn of Departure
Praise the Almighty, my soul, adore Him (LSB 797)

Alternative Hymns
"As surely as I live," God said (LSB 614)
Father, we thank Thee who hast planted (LSB 652)
Guide me, O Thou great Redeemer (LSB 918)
Hope of the world, Thou Christ of great compassion (LSB 690)
Jesus, priceless treasure (LSB 743)
Lord, ‘tis not that I did choose Thee (LSB 573)
Now thank we all our God (LSB 895)
Now that the daylight fills the sky (LSB 870)
Shepherd of tender youth (LSB 864)
Soul, adorn yourself with gladness (LSB 636)
The King of love my shepherd is (LSB 709)
Water, blood, and Spirit crying (LSB 597)

Hymns for June Festivals

St. Barnabas, Apostle (11 June)
Isaiah 42:5–12
Acts 11:19–30; 13:1–3
Mark 6:7–13

Processional Hymn
By all Your saints in warfare (LSB 518)

Hymn of the Day
Where charity and love prevail (LSB 845)

Hymns for the Distribution of the Holy Communion
Wide open stand the gates (LSB 639)
Jesus, Thy boundless love to me (LSB 683)
Lord of our life and God of our salvation (LSB 659)

Processional Out
Lift high the cross (LSB 837)

Alternative Hymns
Creator of the stars of night (LSB 351)
God has spoken by His prophets (LSB 583)
God of the prophets, bless the prophets’ sons (LSB 682)
Hail to the Lord’s anointed (LSB 398)
Hark the glad sound (LSB 349)
New songs of celebration render (LSB 792)
O God of light, Your Word, a lamp unfailing (LSB 836)
O Holy Spirit, enter in (LSB 913)
Send, O Lord, Your Holy Spirit (LSB 681)
We are called to stand together (LSB 828)


The Nativity of St. John the Baptist (24 June)
Isaiah 40:1–5
Acts 13:13–26
Luke 1:57–80

Processional Hymn
To Jordan came the Christ, our Lord (LSB 406)

Hymn of the Day
When all the world was cursed (LSB 346)

Offertory Hymn
Sing praise to the God of Israel (LSB 936)

Hymns for the Distribution of the Holy Communion
O Savior, rend the heavens wide (LSB 355)
Hark! A thrilling voice is sounding (LSB 345)
O Christ, our true and only light (LSB 839)

Processional Out
O blessed Light, O Trinity [evening] (LSB 890)

Alternative Hymns
By all Your saints in warfare (LSB 518)
Comfort, comfort ye My people (LSB 347)
God’s own child, I gladly say it (LSB 594)
Hail to the Lord’s anointed (LSB 398)
Hark the glad sound (LSB 349)
Jesus, once with sinners numbered (LSB 404)
On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry (LSB 344)
Salvation unto us has come (LSB 555)
The death of Jesus Christ, our Lord (LSB 634)
Word of God, come down on earth (LSB 545)


St. Peter and St. Paul, Apostles (29 June)
Acts 15:1–12 (13–21)
Galatians 2:1–10
Matthew 16:13–19

Processional Hymn
I bind unto myself today (LSB 604)

Hymn of the Day
Lord Jesus Christ, the Church’s head (LSB 647)

Offertory Hymn
Ye watchers and ye holy ones (LSB 670)

Hymns for the Distribution of the Holy Communion
My song is love unknown (LSB 430)
O God, our help in ages past (LSB 733)
From God can nothing move me (LSB 713)
With high delight let us unite (LSB 483)

Processional Out
Holy God, we praise Thy name (LSB 940)

Alternative Hymns
Alleluia! Let praises ring (LSB 822)
"As surely as I live," God said (LSB 614)
Behold a host, arrayed in white (LSB 676)
Built on the Rock the Church shall stand (LSB 645)
By all Your saints in warfare (LSB 518)
Chief of sinners though I be (LSB 611)
Christ is made the sure foundation (LSB 909)
Dear Christians, one and all, rejoice (LSB 556)
I know my faith is founded (LSB 587)
If God Himself be for me (LSB 724)
Jesus, Thy boundless love to me (LSB 683)
Lord Jesus Christ, with us abide (LSB 585)
May God bestow on us His grace (LSB 823)
O Christ, our true and only light (LSB 839)
The Church’s one foundation (LSB 644)
Why should cross and trial grieve me (LSB 756)

Oh, Jesus Christ! How Bright and Fair

Wie schön ists doch, Herr Jesu Christ, by Paul Gerhardt
translated by John Kelly; modestly altered by Matthew Carver (2008)

1. Oh, Jesus Christ! How bright and fair
The marriage of Your children where
Your blessings rich attend them!
What gracious gifts You here bestow,
What streams from Heaven ever flow
In blessings which You send them,
Grant, they
True stay
To You ever
Lord! Leave never
These two, vowing,
With one heart before You bowing.

2. When man and wife are married well,
And peacefully before You dwell,
In faithfulness united,
The streams of bliss will strongly flow
And we Your children here below
Like angels be delighted;
No rain,
No pain,
Can destroy it
Or annoy it—
What You've given
To the pair that hopes in Heaven.

3. To man and wife, O, grant your grace
And in this holy, blessed place
And from Your throne in Heaven
With loving arms protect them, Lord,
And daily keep them in Your ward
And nightly angels send them.
Though we
Must be
Hither, thither
Roaming ever
Till You give us
Pious homes and thus relieve us.

4. The man is like a mighty tree
Whose branches spread so fair and free;
The wife a vine life-bearing
She yields her fruit in holy love
And blest by grace from God above
The family she is rearing.
Gemstone
Man's crown!
Husband's treasure!
House's pleasure!
Jew'l of honor!
On his throne God smiles upon her.

5. O wife! the Lord has chosen you
That from your womb shall life anew
Increase the Church and build it
This wondrous work forever mounts,
The mighty word His lips pronounce:
What here you see, shall yield it
Handsome
Shall come,
Sons and daughters
To the waters
Of Salvation
Finding grace and good vocation.

6. Be of good cheer, for this decree
Is not a human father's plea:
Our Heav'nly Father gave it,
Who loves us through the coming days
And who, when grief upon us weighs,
Will give us strength to brave it;
Blest end
He'll send,
As we're doing
And pursuing,
Or conceiving,
Wise and happy children giving.

7. A time will come—it cannot fail
For all within this tearful vale—
When tears we will be shedding;
To him who bears it patiently
By God's grace shall his sorrow be
Turned into joy outspreading.
Heart ill
Be still,
Here revealing
Hope and healing,
Christ shall ever
Banish care and soon deliver.

8. Come here then, O Redeemer blest!
In trials guide, in pain give rest,
In anxious times relieving!
To You we will ascribe the praise,
Our hearts and voices we will raise
In songs of loud thanksgiving,
Till we
Shall be
With You dwelling
And fulfilling
Your will ever,
And our song shall falter never.

Big Blue Eyes and a Heart of Gold

The amazing whirlwind of the past two days has finally stopped spinning. I've been wound up like a top, myself, but now I am completely spent. I knew that I'd be tired at the end of this day, but I had no idea just how exhausted I would be. It's a good thing I have a couple of months to rest up before Zachary's wedding in August. In the meantime, all the people who have wondered whether I dropped off the face of the earth can watch for me to reemerge from the thick fog of the past month and resume my normal routine.

The four weeks that have flown by since I returned from Siberia are too much of a blur for me to remember most of what has happened, so I won't even try at this point. I've got several blogs in my brain that I may or may not eventually post; the world can wait with bated breath for those, if it likes (or not). For the time being, it'll be all I can do to recall the last forty-eight hours before they slip into the past like a dream that has come and gone. Actually the first six hours of those forty-eight were easy enough, since I was sleeping then; now I'll pick it up from there.

I got up at 4:30 a.m. on Friday. Or, rather, I started the process of dragging myself out of bed around that point. I think it was closer to 5:00 a.m. when I finally managed to get that far. Then everything commenced moving considerably quicker. I left the house with Frederick and Gerhardt shortly after 6:00 a.m. in order to pick up Anna and transport her to Fort Wayne in a timely fashion to begin working on the wedding cake (a simple but elegant masterpiece). That early itinerary made for a great arrangement, as it gave me several constructive things to do with myself and my time, whereas I would otherwise have been a basket case all day. I spent several hours with my two littlest boys and, as it happily turned out, also with my biggest boy, Zach, who had already arrived from Texas. We boys had brunch together, then kicked around the seminary campus until it was time for me to take my Beanie Belle out for lunch.

We ate at Smokey Bones, which may not be formal dining, but it is good food in a comfortable atmosphere. I was delighted to learn that it survives in Fort Wayne, because our family was pretty disappointed when the Smokey Bones restaurants in both Bloomington and Mishawaka closed this past year. I took DoRena to the one in Bloomington on more than one occasion while she was going to school there, and it was at the Smokey Bones in Mishwaka that LaRena and I told the children we were expecting baby number nine, who turned out to be Gerhardt. Now I can add the special memory of taking my eldest daughter out for lunch at Smokey Bones in Fort Wayne on the day before her wedding. I was amazed, again, at how lovely and happy and grown up she is, and every breath I have taken these past two days has been a prayer of thanksgiving.

After lunch DoRena took me by the wonderful little house that she and Sam were able to find, which is now all ready to welcome them back from their honeymoon. It's perfect for the two of them, and also has a fantastic backyard, which DoRena's younger siblings will no doubt enjoy on visits to Fort Wayne. We'll have to make such visits some kind of routine in the coming years.

By that point in the day, LaRena and the rest of our children were at the seminary, and the rehearsal only a couple hours away. DoRena went on with her list of errands, while I did my best to help get the family situated in the guest dormitory. Once that was more or less accomplished, LaRena could get busy on her big task — the flowers — and I could return to working on my sermon in earnest. Thankfully, we had our own big boys and several other young friends on hand to assist in caring for our littlest people, so we parents of the bride could give our full attentions to serving our firstborn "baby girl." It is such an odd thing to reflect upon her growing up years, and how she used to be our little person, but now she is a competent and capable adult establishing a household of her own. I took Oly'anna out for breakfast on her eighth birthday earlier this week, and I was powerfully reminded of my once-upon-a-time little DoRena. Big blue eyes and a heart of gold, that's my Beanie!

I've never been so nervous about preaching as I have been in this case. I've been telling myself all week that it's really no different than preaching any other time; my task remains to proclaim the Word of God, the Law and the Gospel, unto repentant faith in Christ. Yet, my feelings and emotions have been particularly resistent to logic, and nervous I have been. By last night and this morning, I really felt as though I were going to unravel with anxiousness. It wasn't fear, but I suppose a fervent desire to preach "the perfect sermon." Of course, that's not the right way to look at it, and I do know better. I reminded myself, as I would have counseled anyone else in a similar situation, that it is simply a matter of preaching the Gospel, the Word of Christ; there's no adding to that, nor any improving upon it. When it came down to it, despite my anxiety, I was resolved to stand up and speak the Word of God to my daughter and to leave it at that. I was still more nervous than I should have been, but less tied up in knots about it than I was.

But I've gotten ahead of myself. The rehearsal was both interesting and helpful. Pastor Petersen did a nice job of it, and I was appreciative of his guidance. It was a little odd being involved in a wedding that I wasn't officiating, but I have focused on being the father of the bride and doing those things that I was specifically given to do. In any case, I am very grateful for the good pastor that DoRena and Sam have at Redeemer in Fort Wayne. Thus, it has been no problem for me to defer the plans and preparations for the wedding to him. A lot of people have assumed (I've lost track of how many people have commented today) that I must have been the one to plan the wedding service. I guess I'll take such assumptions as a compliment, but I really can't take any credit. Sam and DoRena worked everything out with Pastor Petersen, and that was just as it should be. I was glad to be asked for my opinion on a few incidentals, but I am a big believer in respecting office and vocation, and the fact is that I had no God-given office or vocation to plan this wedding. As the father of the bride, it happens that I am also a called and ordained servant of the Word, which allowed me the special honor and privilege of preaching today; in its own way, though, that was no different than Sam's Dad making the beautiful prie-dieux that was used in the wedding and will serve in Sam and DoRena's home.

Anyway, the rehearsal was well done and helpful. Not everything in the service was quite the way that I would have chosen to do it, but that's okay. Nothing violated my conscience, and, if anything had seemed problematic, I was given every opportunity to speak my piece. The end result was stunningly beautiful, appropriate and reverent, and I have only gratitude for that. I especially appreciated the words that Pastor Petersen offered at the beginning of the rehearsal, in which he pointed out that Sam and DoRena wanted to begin their life together in this way, as a confession of their faith in Christ, and as a forthright testimony to the primacy of His love. Pastor Petersen asked everyone present to honor and respect those intentions, and, so far as I could tell, everyone certainly did. There could be no denying that Christ and His Gospel were the clear focus of the wedding. I know for a fact that my Beanie would not have wanted it to be any other way; just one of those things for which I am most profoundly thankful as a father.

The rehearsal dinner was perfect, featuring Jimmy Johns subs (a favorite treat that DoRena introduced to me in Bloomington over the past few years). Unfortunately, I was pretty restless to keep working on my sermon, which made it difficult for me to relax and enjoy the evening. I left relatively early and found my way to Ruby Tuesday for the next few hours. Normally, I would have had a margarita, but I stuck with ice tea last night. I really just needed to concentrate and focus my thoughts. Gradually, everything that has been chasing circles in my head for the past week or more settled into place, and I was able to write out an entire sermon (not that I would end up preaching from a manuscript, but it was helpful to have it in writing).

Family and friends were arriving throughout the afternoon on Friday and late into the evening, but I barely got to see or talk to any of them. That was the most frustrating and disappointing thing about this weekend. I guess it is to be expected, but it has driven me crazy to have people here from all over the country, and yet to have no time with them. Thankfully, LaRena's side of the family is spending the next few days with us, so there will be opportunity to visit with them at least. And we happily have Zachary home for the next two weeks, which is outstanding. But it broke my heart to see other loved ones so briefly, and then to say goodbye.

This morning began early, though not as early as yesterday. I got up at 7:00 a.m., showered and dressed, and made my way to Panera for a few hours of further sermon review. I debated back and forth all week, as to whether I should preach from a manuscript or from an outline; I was still undecided as of this morning, so I was reviewing my sermon from both sides of that dilemma. Pastor Grobien encouraged me to preach from my outline, and I'm very glad that I did take that approach; at the same time, I'm also pleased to have a proper manuscript to share with Sam and DoRena (and anyone else who may be interested).

By 10:00 a.m. I needed to be getting myself ready for the wedding, and helping to get the rest of my family ready for the wedding. From that point on the passage of time seemed to accelerate. Pictures began for me (with the other pastors) shortly after 11:00 a.m. Photography altogether continued pretty much up until 12:30 p.m. The wedding was scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. Pastor Petersen and I went to check on DoRena a few minutes ahead of time, and she was "still ready," as she put it. She's always been well-organized and efficient, but I've never seen her more ready or better prepared for anything than she was for this day and this wedding. She is a poised and confident young woman, but genuinely humble, unpretentious, easy-going, and charmingly feminine. All of that shone brightly in her today. She was eager and excited, to be sure, but calmer and more relaxed than I was at that point. In fact, I think it was her steady demeanor, more than anything else, that finally put my own heart and mind at ease. Everything fell into place as I walked her and Naomi across the seminary plaza to the narthex of the chapel.

When I asked DoRena, then, whether she preferred me to preach from my manuscript or from an outline (as I was intending at that point), she simply replied that it was up to me, and that she was sure it would be fine either way. It's seems a very simple thing, but she also said that she had confidence in my preaching, and it was especially that little comment, spoken from her heart, that carried me through (not discounting the work of the Holy Spirit, to be sure, but I believe my daughter's confidence and reassurance were surely among the ways in which the Spirit sustained me in this particular circumstance). As far as I could tell, up until that point, pretty much everyone was expecting me to get choked up and emotional during the sermon. People kept asking me if I was okay, and whether I was holding up alright, and then consoling me, as though I were dreading my daughter's wedding. I know that all these folks meant well, but most of them did not seem to understand that my chief concern was not with my emotions but with the faithful preaching of the Word of God. Pastor Grobien knew what I was after, because he knows me pretty well; which is why I solicited his advice on how to approach my preaching, whether from a manuscript or an outline. But somehow I think it was DoRena who understood her Daddy best of all, and she trusted me to preach the Word of God. When she made her little comment just before the wedding, it dawned on me that she and Sam hadn't asked me to preach because I'm her father, but because they counted on me to speak Jesus to them. Sure enough, that's what I had been aiming at all along, but knowing that DoRena trusted me to do just that was such a precious reminder to me as I walked her to the chapel.

The wedding began, probably a few minutes late (I have no idea, because I took off my watch and paid no attention to the time), and it was positively regal. The music was gorgeous. The ceremony was reverent. The occasion was magnificent: the Feast of the Visitation of Our Lord, on which day, twelve years ago, I was ordained to the Office of the Holy Ministry. How better to celebrate than by giving my daughter in marriage to a fine young man aspiring to that same Holy Office? Walking my Beanie Belle down the aisle was awesome, in the fullest and least trivial sense of that much abused adjective. The wedding gown she borrowed from her dear friend Emily became her beautifully. Seeing her so composed and smiling with that marvelous smile of hers beneath the veil was breathtaking, but it also helped me to relax and to enjoy the privilege of giving such a daughter away. This is one of those rare defining moments of fatherhood. I wore Pastor Petersen's cope, the appropriate liturgical vestment for my office in the Service, and I was very glad for that added solemnity to accompany the bride down the aisle. Everything veritably shouted the Christological significance of holy marriage.

When asked who gave this woman to this man, I answered clearly and correctly, "Her mother and I" (which, during the rehearsal, I had managed to confuse). I lifted her veil and gave DoRena a kiss before placing her hand into Sam's and entrusting her to him. From that point onward, they were together, soon to be seated with their attendants like the kings and queens of Narnia in the high back sedalias on the lectern side of the chancel. The Service of the Word proceeded smoothly and comfortably according to its usual fashion; and then my own bride, LaRena, was squeezing my hand as I got up from my seat with her in the front pew to ascend the pulpit and preach.

The thing I remember most vividly from our wedding, now almost twenty-three years ago, is my Dad preaching to us. It has therefore seemed such a poignant thing for me to be given that same profound privilege today. One of my young parishioners, Sarah, told me that she's never heard me sound more confident than I did in my preaching today, but the truth of the matter is that I was still feeling more nervous than I ever have before in the pulpit. Nevertheless, I did know what I wanted to say, and I was resolved to say it for my daughter and her groom, and for all those people (whether married or not) who had come to celebrate their wedding with us. So that must be where the confidence came from; it wasn't from myself, but from the Word of the Lord that I was given to speak. It was a bit odd preaching across that big chancel to Sam and DoRena on the opposite side from the pulpit. At first, I tried turning back and forth between them and the rest of the congregation, but I finally settled into looking at the two of them. That would have been more difficult if I had attempted to preach from my manuscript. As it was, I only looked at my outline once. As I had predicted more than once ahead of time, the sermon was completed only in the preaching of it; everything else up until then was preparation.

My son tells me that someone timed the sermon at 30 minutes. I guess I'm not too surprised, though I would not have guessed that it ended up that long. At that, it comprised a third of the entire Service. I suppose it was being timed because of the bets that were placed as to how long it would take before I got choked up, but nobody ended up winning that wager. I am grateful for the many positive comments on my sermon, but it is mainly a relief to have fulfilled my office faithfully. Apparently there were some pastors in the congregation who were disappointed that I didn't say anything new. We shall have to wait for their daughters to be married for the proclamation of brilliant insights. For my part, I was glad to say what I know to be true.

It was immediately following my sermon that we sang the magnificent Gerhardt wedding hymn, "Oh Jesus Christ! How Bright and Fair," which was one of the true highlights of the day for me. Having fulfilled my preaching responsibility, I was fully able to revel in that glorious confession of the faith. In addition to the profound theology of the words, in which DoRena also took the greatest delight, she and I both enjoyed the subtle nod to her brothers, Gerhardt and Nicholai, who are named for the writer of the hymn (Paul Gerhardt) and the composer of the grand chorale tune for which it was written (Philipp Nicolai). Sam's best man, James, made some beautiful comments concerning Gerhardt and his hymn at the reception later in the day, for which I was very appreciative. I should also say, while I am thinking of it, that Sam and DoRena were surely blessed with a most outstanding best man and matron of honor in James and Naomi.

Gerhardt's powerful hymn led us directly to the wedding rite itself at the center of the Service. It was simple and relatively brief in the midst of so much grandeur, but powerfully moving in its traditional simplicity. I know that LaRena and I were caught up in that moment with rapt attention, and few things in my life have been so poignant as hearing the words spoken to and by our daughter. She and Sam both spoke their vows and solemn pledges with the same clarity and confidence that marked their demeanor throughout the day. The "Amen" that we all spoke together at the end of the rite was one that resounded from the very depths of my heart.

We moved swiftly and smoothly into the eucharistic rite and the Holy Communion. Nothing else so demonstrated the convictions of the bride and groom than that celebration. Their union to each other is one that finds its place within the "Communion of Saints" in the Body of Christ. To have the Sacrament of the Altar at a wedding (or, better to say, to have a wedding at the Divine Service) presents a pastoral challenge, but Sam and DoRena worked carefully with Pastor Petersen to ensure that all was done responsibly and appropriately. Of course it is a heartache that a number of our family members (on all sides) and many of our friends do not share with us the same confession of the faith, which also prevents us from communing together. However, Sam and DoRena were eager to confess their faith in this way, and above all to be strengthened and sustained in the faith by the Body and Blood of Christ, together with His Bride, the Church. I am proud of them for proceeding in the conscientious way they did, even as I was especially grateful to receive the Sacrament for the forgiveness of my sins and the strengthening of my faith unto the life everlasting.

The wedding reception afterwards was a lovely celebration of the joyous occasion. Everything seemed just right, so far as I could tell, and I think that for most everyone it was comfortable, relaxing and enjoyable. The live music by our longtime friend and fellow Emmausite, Dave Seyboldt, was both classy and fun. The food was perfect, including the cake, adorned with decorated strawberries (dressed up as little brides and grooms; too cute!). The toast was great fun, too, though my hand was shaking so badly with excitement and adrenaline, I thought I was going to spill my champagne. I hope my toast made sense (Zachary told me that he got it, and presumably DoRena did, too, if nobody else). I remarked that Beanie's theme song as a baby was "I Can't Get No Satisfaction" by the Rolling Stones. She was, I am sorry to say, a sometimes disagreeable child. But, I said, it now seems clear to me that she was simply waiting her whole life for Sam to come along, and what I see in her now is nothing but joy and the sweetest contentment. "You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need." So, there you go, James referred to my hero Paul Gerhardt in his toast, while I resorted to the immortal wisdom of Mick Jagger. Still, I know my daughter rather well, and she always has had a rock and roll heart. At least I didn't quote the Rolling Stones in my sermon.

Apart from the toast, I spent most of the reception keeping track of my children, making sure that none of them were falling into the fountains on the seminary plaza (or into the artificial lake, even if it was the place where Sam proposed to DoRena on the Fourth of July last year), and changing diapers as duty called. Poor Frederick ended up having to wear little Gerhardt's pants, but I suppose neither he nor anyone else noticed. I did manage to miss the cutting of the cake, as it happened at one of the many points when I was tracking down the ever elusive Justinian. I'm glad that I took a moment to peek into my little nephew Logan's car seat, where he was sleeping exactly like a baby, as I would otherwise have missed my first chance ever to see the little guy. I was able to share brief snatches of conversation with a few of our friends, but the most of my interaction with guests had come in the receiving line as they came out of the chapel. One by one, dear friends said goodbye and took their leave, and I suppose that is my one regret. It seems that is simply the way that it goes. There were family and friends spending the night in Fort Wayne, but there was no practical way for us to enjoy their company and fellowship, as we desperately needed to get our tired selves and our children back to South Bend for the night.

The Kodak moment came (and me without a camera) when we bid the bride and groom farewell. LaRena and I kissed our daughter and hugged our new son-in-law and sent them on their married way. It was a grand scene, worthy of a movie (I'm not biased, no, not at all). The two of them descended the long stairs from the upper to the lower plaza, flanked on both sides by so many loved ones showering them with flower petals, and then they walked hand-in-hand off into the sunset (well, the sun would set eventually in that general direction). I doubt that riding off on a horse could have made it any more romantic or beautiful. From this proud papa to the two of them, cheers, and all of my love. Here's to the beginning of a marvelous adventure.

The Visitation of Christ and His Bride

We cannot help but rejoice in the presence of the Bridegroom. We cannot help but marvel and rejoice at the beauty of the Bride. For Christ the Lord is here (in the flesh) in remembrance of His mercy. And His Church is gloriously adorned with His righteousness, which is by grace, by His Word and Holy Spirit.

It is most appropriate that you (Sam & DoRena) are married on this festival day (the Visitation). For in St. Mary we behold an icon of the Church, and therefore an example of what it shall mean for you, DoRena, to be a faithful wife. Even as St. Mary, with the entire Church, submits in faith and hope to Christ her Lord.

What, then, does such godly faithfulness look like? Not pride, but humility. Not doubt and fear, but trust. Not complaint and criticism, but thanksgiving. Not anxiety and dread, but patient perseverance. All of this by faith in Christ, your Savior.

And for all of that, it is chiefly in hearing the Word and receiving the gracious gifts and blessings of the Lord your God that you live as a bride: from your pastor in the Church, and from your husband in the home. And that, for now, precisely under the Cross.

It is a paradox, but not a contradiction; a great mystery, which is by faith and not by sight. Today you wear it well, dear daughter, but it remains a hidden reality.

The revelation of the Mystery, and the resolution of the paradox, are in the Incarnation and the Cross of Christ (God in the flesh, in suffering).

Get your bearings and take your cues from Him, Sam. He’s your primary example. But He is also far more than an example; for He is your own Savior and Head, your God and Lord.

The Lord has done great things for you, and He has given you His holy Name — as you give your name to DoRena in marriage. All the more reason for you to deal gently and compassionately with her, your wife, as the Lord Jesus Christ deals with you in love.

That’s not just beautiful poetry — though there will be beauty and poetry in your life together. Nor is this simply theological rhetoric for its own sake. But this is to be the steady pattern of your life, day by day by day, in faith, hope and love.

Theology is nowhere more practical, nor more profound, than it is in marriage. Not because you theologize it, but because it is the Word and work of God, embodied and personal. Already in the creation of Adam & Eve (male and female, the man and the woman for each other), the Word was becoming flesh. And so also now in you (Sam & DoRena).

This creative Word and work of God is a communication and a communion. It is a relationship of love — to love, and to be loved — by the way and means of the Word. The speaking of that Word is definitive and decisive to all of creation; so also in holy marriage.

Talk to each other. That’s not just good advice or pop psychology, but essential to the Love for which God has created you and for which He now gives you to each other. Speak as you are spoken to, by and with the Word of God; as you also live by faith in that Word which God the Father speaks to you by His Son. Because it is the Word of Christ the Crucified, it is a Word of the Cross, wherein God is hidden in humility.

Love that Word of God above all else; trust it, and cling to it, even though appearance and experience seem to contradict and destroy it. Times of great joy, like today, are like little miracles along the way (anticipating the Resurrection). But there is the Cross, too, which first of all reveals the glory of God in Christ.

As the Word of God reveals the divine glory of the Cross, so is the Word that you speak to each other one of humility. Make yourself small, in order to serve your beloved — as the almighty and eternal Son of the Living God does not spurn the womb but makes of it His Temple, in order to give life to us all.

In all your words and actions, therefore, speak with compassion and care; with attentiveness to every need; with patience for every ill, every weakness, every burden; with forgiveness for each and every wrong; and with self-sacrificing service.

You should each so do and speak for the other. But, Sam, it is especially important for you to serve your bride in this way; because Christ is the Savior of His Bride, the Church.

In truth, you are free to do all this in confidence, because the Lord your God does all of this for you. In Him there is no selfishness or self-interest, but a loving desire to give and to share Himself. For His mercy is upon generation after generation of those who fear Him.

In that, your love for each other (in Christ) may give birth to children (as God so wills). And then, the most important thing you shall ever do for them is to bring them to God by the catechesis of His Word. Not only by teaching them the Bible and the Catechism (which you should most certainly do), but also by loving, serving, and forgiving them in Jesus’ Name and for His sake. So shall the Spirit of the Lord rest upon them.

But whether the Lord grants you children or not, whether early or late, whether few or many, your love for each other (in Christ) is to manifest itself in hospitality for others. The "little church" of your home and family is to welcome the stranger, shelter the homeless, feed the hungry, clothe and care for the forsaken.

It is not the two of you "against the world," no matter if it feels like that sometimes; but the two of you are bound together in love for the life of the world. Not by grand crusades and self-important "causes," but by your simple and straightforward offices and stations in life according to the Ten Commandments. Do what you are given to do.

The Cross of Christ and His Resurrection tell you the truth — concerning your marriage and your life, concerning each other and all your neighbors: Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, but the humble will be exalted in and with Christ.

Do not become cynical or bitter. Repent of such despair as often as it enters in; it is the devil’s wicked lie. Fear the Lord, and do not be afraid of anything else. Fulfill your vocations in the confidence of Christ; they are not meaningless or pointless. Rejoice together, and weep together, but do so either way in hope. And pray without ceasing.

Your real life, your marriage and family are rooted and centered in the Church: the Bride of Christ, the Mother of God’s children. In the Apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the Breaking of the Bread, and in the prayers — that is where and how you live by faith and in love.

And that is where you learn the real measure and magnitude of marriage, both its profound meaning and the way in which it points beyond itself to the Marriage Feast of the Lamb in His Kingdom, which has no end (which even death shall not bring to an end).

The world gets it wrong on both counts: it idolizes marriage, on the one hand, and despises it on the other. Do not fall into either trap.

Your marriage, under the Cross, is a confession of the Word of God and a proclamation of the Gospel of Christ. Live accordingly (in faith and love). And just so, recognize that your marriage to each other, here in time, even unto death, shall finally give way to the heavenly and eternal Bridegroom of all Christians.

Indeed, already here and now, in the womb of His Church on earth, that great and glorious Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, visits you in the flesh (with the Body and Blood conceived and born of the Blessed Virgin Mary and crucified under Pontius Pilate). Here He is hidden in humility, yet living and active, gracious and life-giving.

As the Father gives you to Him, and gives His own Name to you; and as the Holy Spirit joins you to Him, so are you one flesh and blood with God, the Lord.

So does He remember you in mercy and fill you with good things and bless you unto all generations. It is for that, above all, that we magnify the Lord and rejoice in our Savior today. For He has done great things for you and for us all, and mighty deeds with His outstretched arms. All that He has spoken to you shall be fulfilled, and we too shall call you blessed.

In the Name + of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

First Communion Redux: Catechetical Prerequisite or Pervasive Context

It was twenty-eight years ago on this date, the 25th of May, that I underwent the Lutheran rite of confirmation and received my First Communion: at Grace Lutheran Church in Wood River, Nebraska, from my pastor, my father, the Reverend Don Richard Stuckwisch, Sr. Now, on this day in the Year of Our Lord 2008, it has been the occasion of my son Justinian’s First Communion, together with another of my young Emmaus catechumens. Both of them are six years old and have been in formal catechesis classes with me, their pastor, since the beginning of this academic year. They have each been examined and absolved with the Law and the Gospel, and they will continue in formal catechesis with me, God-willing, for another five or six years. It is in such things that I rejoice, both as a pastor and a father.

This past fall, upon the examination and First Communion of another six-year-old, I blogged about my thoughts on catechesis and admittance to the Holy Communion, and that prompted the most vigorous discussion I have yet had in this forum. There were multiple and lengthy exchanges, both here and elsewhere, which continued for the better part of a week or more. I found it very interesting and helpful, and I would like to think that it was so for others, too. Whether it made any difference in anyone else’s thinking or practice, I have no way of knowing. Life has continued, and I have been consumed by the responsibilities of my vocations at home and at church. Prominent among those activities, however, is the actual task of pastoral catechesis and the administration of the Sacrament; which means that, with or without discussions of the topic (whether on blogs or over beer), I have continued to think carefully about the criteria and protocol for admission to the Holy Communion.

I have focused especially, and most concretely, upon the extent and the content of catechesis that may (or may not) be necessary prior to First Communion. How much and what kind of catechesis must take place before a catechumen may become a communicant? How is that to be measured? I’ve been increasingly concerned with these particular questions for several years now. In 2004, there were a number of articles and overtures opposing the "Rite of First Communion" in the proposed LSB Agenda. One of the arguments made against the prospect of First Communion prior to Confirmation was that any would-be communicant should already know (and be able to confess) everything there is to know about the Christian faith and life; and that such knowledge (and confession) was basically not possible prior to or apart from the "traditional" process culminating in eighth-grade confirmation. It should be clear enough that I completely and categorically disagree with the latter proposition. The initial argument is more compelling, but what does it mean or imply? I agree that every communicant should know and confess the Christian faith (and live the Christian life, which belongs to confession). But is this not precisely what it means to be a Christian at all? Is this not precisely what we expect and ask of each and every baptismal candidate? We have not wrestled seriously enough with that.

If what is meant by knowledge is a degree or quantity of intellect and academic achievement, and if confession is reduced and restricted to a particular sort of performance, then I have to disagree. On the one hand, one never knows "enough," and one should never stop learning, as though he (or she) already knew everything there is to know about the Christian faith and life. Yet, on the other hand, the tiniest baptized infant already believes and confesses the Lord Jesus Christ, His Father and the Holy Spirit, and the one, holy, catholic and apostolic faith. They nothing lack if they are Christ’s, and He is theirs forever. He Himself holds up infants and little children as the paradigm, not the exception.

So, back to the questions at hand. I’ve operated with the Six Chief Parts as the basic foundation for catechesis in the Christian faith and life, and as the functional pre-requisite for participation in the Holy Communion. I’ve done so on the basis of the Large Catechism and the historic precedent and practice of the Lutheran Church. And I have no doubts as to the fundamental importance and benefits of those key texts: the Ten Commandments, the Creed, the Our Father, and the three evangelical Sacraments of Holy Baptism, Holy Absolution, and the Holy Communion. Of these, the first three are clearly central, a succinct teaching and confession of the Law and the Gospel and faith in Christ Jesus, the Son of God. It is likewise clear that catechesis in the means of grace should accompany their administration. These Six Chief Parts are not simply (nor primarily) a minimum quantity of information, but a definitive pattern of faith and life and prayer. That is the basis on which I have operated, and I believe that to be sound.

But where do we find this particular measure of catechesis in the Holy Scriptures? How exactly is it to be connected to the process of admission to the Holy Communion? How thoroughly are the Six Chief Parts to be known? And what does it mean, what does it look like or sound like, for someone to "know" these things?

I’m a big believer in memorization, but is memorization equivalent to, or even necessary for, the knowledge and faith of the Six Chief Parts? Certainly, it is possible to memorize something without comprehending it (if that is what knowledge is supposed to mean). It is also quite possible to know and practice something without having it memorized (though a functional memorization will occur with time). Memorization is certainly a fine outward (and inward) training, but that person is truly worthy and well-prepared who has faith in the Words of Christ.

Should it really be the case that each communicant must be capable of confessing the faith with an identical level and sort of competence? Of course, such a thing is preposterous and impossible, but it seems to me that we, as a church collectively in recent centuries, have striven and contrived for precisely that. It doesn’t work. Not only that, but it simultaneously makes admission to the Sacrament a human achievement, and yet reduces catechesis (and discipleship) to a short-lived self-contained program, akin to the factory line of the public school system.

I’ve heard it said that pastors who advocate and practice "early" Communion are really just trying to avoid the hard work of catechesis. Perhaps that has been true in some cases, but as a generalization it is patently false nonsense. To the contrary, it is those pastors who withhold and deny catechesis (and First Communion) until fifth or sixth or seventh or eighth grade — and who then conclude that process of catechesis upon the man-made rite of confirmation, as though it were all said and done — who neglect and short-change the pastoral responsibility and ongoing pastoral care of catechesis.

In my experience and observation, a greater emphasis on catechesis goes hand-in-hand with an earlier admittance to the Holy Communion. As for my own proclivities and pastoral practice, I’m not in favor of less catechesis, but far more. It ought to start earlier than it typically has — much, much earlier — and it ought to continue far longer — until death. It ought to involve the active participation of both parents and pastor, as much as possible along the way. And it ought to be a way of life for the entire congregation, no matter how young or old.

The key, in my opinion, is to focus on the character, the content and continuation of the catechesis, and less so on the confession of the catechumen, as far as a basis for First Communion is concerned. That is not to undermine the importance of confessing the faith, nor is it in any way to suggest or advocate open communion (far from it). It is rather to point out that both faith and confession are dependent upon the preaching and teaching of the Word of Christ; and that, where such catechesis is faithfully happening, then, apart from a denial or rejection of the faith, those who are baptized and being catechized should be communed.

Actually, communing the disciples of Jesus is an important aspect of ongoing catechesis and regular pastoral care; not something that comes only "after the fact," as though there should ever be such an "after." In this life, until death, a pastor should never stop catechizing, and a disciple is always being catechized. Such things are definitive to the pastoral office and the vocation of Christian discipleship.

When it comes to the theology and practice of the Lord’s Supper, I have found it best and most helpful to proceed on the basis of the institution narratives and the Verba Testamenti Christi (the "Words of Institution"). The Lord Jesus gives His body and His blood to His disciples, to eat and to drink for the forgiveness of sins. Elsewhere He tells us quite clearly how such disciples are made: by the way and the means of Holy Baptism and the teaching (catechesis) of His Word.

Therefore, the criteria for admission to the Holy Communion are Baptism and catechesis with the Word of Jesus. That has been the true measure for "First Communion" among Lutherans all along: not age or grade level, but catechesis of the baptized. The big decisive question, though, so far as I have been able to discern, is whether this catechesis should be understood as a pre-requisite to First Communion, or as an ongoing context of pastoral care in which every Holy Communion (of every communicant) occurs. It certainly has functioned as the former (as a pre-requisite), but it seems increasingly clear to me that it must (also? or instead?) be the latter, that is, an ongoing context.

To be a disciple of Jesus — and thus to be a Christian and a communicant — is to be a lifelong follower of this Lord, a lifelong student of this Teacher, a lifelong apprentice of this true Master. One does not graduate from discipleship, but is and remains a disciple in the hearing and learning and following of the Word of Christ. A disciple of Jesus never does become greater than his Lord and Master, but continues to be catechized by Him, to receive His gracious gifts and to live alone by these.

Yet, while discipleship is never mastered or completed in this lifetime, it belongs already even to the little ones and infants who believe in Jesus by His Word and Holy Spirit. Indeed, it belongs especially to these believing babes and children, who are counted among the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. While it is true that we are to grow and mature in our faith and knowledge and life, it is also the case that such growth occurs through repentance, which is to say that we are humbled in order to be exalted. To say it another way, we are daily catechized to become as little children, who come to God as our dear Father.

It’s not only discipleship in general that begins and continues with, and depends upon, the ongoing catechesis of Christ’s Word; but, just as it is to such disciples that Christ Jesus gives His body and blood, so is the entire administration of the Holy Communion set within the context of catechesis, that is, the preaching and teaching of Christ the Crucified. The Apostles and the apostolic Church are to administer the Sacrament "in the remembrance" of Jesus, which I believe has far more to do with the Ministry of the Gospel than with the knowledge or attitude of the communicants. In other words, the "do this" refers to the administration of the Holy Communion, not to the eating and drinking. And doing this "in the remembrance" of Jesus is parallel to Holy Baptism (and Holy Absolution) "in the Name of Jesus," though with an added emphasis on the preaching and teaching of the Gospel. Thus, St. Paul declares, "as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes." Dr. Luther translated and interpreted that passage as an imperative, referring to the necessity of preaching the Gospel in connection with the Holy Communion. I agree (though I also believe that both the proclamation and the remembrance of Jesus extend from the Ministry of the Gospel to the confession and eucharistic sacrifice of the entire congregation).

So, what is my point? It is that each and every Holy Communion is administered with the catechesis of the Word of Christ, and that all of the disciples of Jesus are brought to a worthy reception of that Sacrament (in faith and with thanksgiving) by that ongoing catechesis. In this respect, while it is not identical to the administration of Holy Baptism, it is certainly parallel and similar to the stewardship of that sacred Mystery.

Holy Baptism is also administered with catechesis, and the baptismal candidate is brought to the reception of the that Sacrament by and with catechesis: before, during, and after the washing of water with the Word and Spirit of God. It is precisely in that Sacrament of Holy Baptism, in connection with Christian catechesis, that disciples are made; and, again, it is to such disciples that Jesus gives His body and His blood.

Now, as such catechesis of the Word of Christ creates and nurtures faith in the heart, so does the disciple of Christ Jesus confess Him and His Gospel before the world with his lips and his life. Where there is a persistently false confession, whether in speaking or in living, or a stubborn refusal to confess, then such a person must be called to repentance, put under discipline as needs may be, and excommunicated if necessary. Yet, each disciple of Christ Jesus confesses Him with the abilities and within the limitations of his (or her) finite being and particular station in life. Thus, a four-year-old disciple should not be expected to confess in the same way or manner as a fourteen-year-old or a forty-year-old; nor should a mentally challenged disciple be expected to confess as intellectually and eloquently as a college graduate or a seminary professor. A housewife confesses differently within her vocation than a fireman within his, and gradeschool students confess differently within their vocation than a grocery store manager does in his calling and position.

In truth, the littlest and youngest and simplest disciples of Jesus will confess as they are catechized. They will believe and confess as they have heard and been taught by the Word of Christ, their Lord. Which is to say, again, that the burden of responsibility falls especially upon the parents and the pastor to catechize, according to their respective God-given vocations, and not upon the abilities and achievements of the catechumen.

What is more, as we should expect on the basis of our theology, and as I have consistently observed in the families of my congregation over the past decade, the younger catechumens who are already communing from an earlier age and throughout their years of formal catechesis classes are strengthened and supported and sustained in their faith and faithfulness by that Holy Sacrament. The result, as I have already indicated, is not less catechesis, but far more catechesis; not only through the point of "confirmation," but continuing well beyond that point throughout the Christian life.

So my working hypothesis and contention is, that the Holy Communion should be administered, not on the basis of a theoretically "completed" catechetical pre-requisite, but within the pervasive context of ongoing pastoral catechesis, which takes place in a variety of ways, before, during and after First Communion. This catechesis and the Holy Communion are integral and vital aspects of pastoral care, which ought also to include church discipline and the regular exercise of the Office of the Keys (binding and loosing). But these latter comments introduce larger topics in need of further discussion.

Another related topic is that communicants are to be examined and absolved, as our Confessions state. This is most certainly true. However, this examination belongs to the practice of Individual Confession and Absolution, and to the realm of pastoral care, and should not be equated with a public recitation of the synodical explanation of the Catechism. Likewise, to be examined and absolved is not a once-in-a-lifetime critical event, but an ongoing aspect of the Christian faith and life, a regular return to the significance of Holy Baptism. With that, it should be noted that the baptismal rite is itself an examination and absolution of the candidate. As mentioned above, we need to take seriously the teaching and confession of our baptismal practice. Another topic for another day.

Let me also state, unequivocally and unambiguously, that I am not in favor of open communion, but advocate and follow the historic practice of closed communion. In fact, that is closely tied to my emphasis on the connection between catechesis and the administration of the Holy Communion. Lutheran altars are for Lutheran communicants, as Lutheran pulpits are for Lutheran preachers, because the preaching and the communing belong together. Those who submit themselves to a different preaching, or who refuse to submit themselves to any preaching, should not presume to present themselves at the altar for the Holy Communion.

Don't Worry About Food and Drink

You have one Lord, one faith, one Baptism, one God and Father who loves you. Your Father knows your needs and well provides them. He feeds and clothes you, shelters and protects you. In a thousand different ways, He daily and richly gives you the bread that you need for this body and life — even without your prayer.

Do not worry, then.

When you worry about tomorrow; when you work yourself to death, attempting to make a life for yourself; when you neglect the people God has given you to love, in order to make money and get things; when you covet what God has given to your neighbor — in any and all of these ways, you serve another lord and master; you worship another god; and you forsake the life that is by faith, in exchange for the death which is the wage of your sin.

Repent of such idolatry and unbelief. Trust the Lord, the one true God, who has revealed Himself and given Himself to you in Christ Jesus. And do not worry.

God has given His own Son to die for you. Do you suppose that He will withhold any good thing from you? In Christ, God has taken you to be His own dear child. Will He not care for you, in love, far better and more than any earthly father or mother even can.

He feeds you; He has, and He will. He will not let you starve. He clothes you, too; He will not let you go naked. With such food and clothing, be content. What more do you need?

If there is far more that you want, take care that you do not make a god of that desire. If your heart aches and burns for that which is not God, for that which He has not given you, repent — and return with all your heart, soul, mind and strength to the Lord alone. Fear, love and trust in Him above all else.

The birds trust Him, even the young ravens which do cry. They were not created in His Image, nor redeemed by the Son of God in their own nature. In truth, they have been given a different vocation altogether than you are; though they do share the curse and consequences of your sin. Yet, they go about their lives without worry, and your Father in heaven feeds them.

He clothes the grass, too, which is here today and gone tomorrow. It does not work, but lives and blossoms by the grace and providence of God.

Now, then, you are worth far more than the birds. For consider the price that God has paid for you: His own dear Son, His holy and precious blood, His innocent suffering and death. Unlike the grass that whithers and fades, you are created and redeemed and sanctified, in body and soul, for the Resurrection and the life everlasting. So, if God cares for birds and flowers, as He does, then He surely cares for you much more.

But what does this mean for you? These Words and promises of Christ Jesus are precious and beautiful — but do they ring hollow? Do they sometimes seem to be an empty lie?

There are Christians in this world without enough to eat or drink, without adequate clothing to wear. There are Christians who are sick and in prison. There are Christians who actually do starve or freeze to death; others who are persecuted and martyred for their faith. And like the birds and flowers, too, Christians die eventually, whether from disease or "old age," whether from violence or neglect or atrophy.

Meanwhile, the grass may be here and gone, yet the grass has for now been clothed more gloriously than even Solomon. Shall you compete with that? Are you dressed better than a king?

And while the birds of the air may not sow, nor reap, nor gather into barns, God has given them their own vocations, which they perform according to His will. So has He also called you to work within your own station in life. If you will not work, then should you eat? (By the same token, if you see your neighbor hungry or naked, do not ask or wonder why God is not doing anything to help, but feed and clothe your neighbor in God's Name, as your brothers feed and clothe you.)

See, the "much more" with which your God and Father clothes you and feeds you is of another kind and quality entirely. To be sure, He does feed and clothe your body for a time in this world (and that by His grace and mercy alone). But sooner or later, your time on earth comes to an end; and even now, the ways and means by which the Lord provides for you may be more or less than your neighbor, more or less than the birds of the air or the grass of the field.

Look not only at nature, but all the more so and especially at the beloved and well-pleasing Son of God. What then shall you say? For He has hungered and thirsted, and He has hung naked on the Cross. He has suffered and died in your place.

Right there in His Passion, in His Crucifixion, is His Kingdom and His Righteousness. There He has entered the fiery furnace of your sin and death and damnation. He was planted like a seed into the ground, in order to be harvested in the Resurrection and gathered to the Father’s barn in the Ascension. So that you might die and rise and live with Him.

Thus it is by and with and from His Cross that God the Father clothes and feeds you with Christ.

In your Holy Baptism, He has clothed you with the beautiful and perfect righteousness of Christ (crucified and raised to newness of life), more glorious by far than Solomon or any earthly king; more than any grass of flower of the field.

Do not worry about what you will wear tomorrow, but seek to return to the white wedding gown of your Baptism each and every day. Thus are you clothed and not found naked.

So, too, does God your Father feed you with the Bread of Life, the Body of Christ, which is real food for body and soul, for life everlasting. And He gives you to drink from the Cup of Salvation, the overflowing Chalice which is the New Testament in Christ’s Blood, poured out for you for the forgiveness of all your sins.

Do not worry about tomorrow, but eat this day your daily Bread. Be satisfied, and live. You don’t know what tomorrow will hold, or if there will even be a tomorrow here on earth. But you do know what forever holds for you in Christ, because He is already putting it into your ears, into your heart, into your hands and mouth and body, by His Word of the Gospel.

Your body may suffer here, and it will die and decay; but your body will yet be raised and live, all glorious and flawless and healthy and perfect.

Here now set before you is the down payment on that life, the surety of the heavenly Kingdom, the foretaste of the blessed Feast to come: Take and eat. Drink of it, all of you. This is the Body and Blood of Christ, which is given and poured out for you, dear Christian. He or she who eats this Bread and drinks this Cup will live forever. And you shall not want for anything at all.

In the Name + of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.