Allen Lunneberg

Alice worked on these roses for years.

And then these “popped up” in the front yard!

Beautiful!

I could have titled this note “No Gospel?” (question mark), or “No Gospel!” (exclamation point), or, to be more post-modern, “No Gospel ?!) (question mark / exclamation point – otherwise known in times past as an “interropang”).

No Gospel? Where? When? Why?

Is not that what we are to be all about? Yes. But the fact is that we – I – many – are hearing so-called sermons all around synod congregations that are not about the Gospel, but about all sorts of other “interesting” things, but not the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If you do not know what the Gospel of Jesus Christ is, then you will argue with me that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is not being preached in many of our parishes. Sorry. But I have heard enough complaints and have experienced enough “experiences” to know that this is true. Hard to believe that a so-called Lutheran pastor could preach much less put up with a sermon or a service not totally dedicated to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But it is true. I have heard it.

Please. the proper distinction of Law and Gospel is so fundamental as to disqualifiy anyone that does not know or understand it.

enough said.

Al Lunneberg

Received this picture today with the note, “Not sure who he looks like.” I think he’s the spitting image of his dad, David!

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Text: John 2:1-11
Date: Epiphany II + 1/17/10
Lutheran Church of the Incarnate Word, Rochester Hills, MI

The word “Epiphany” means “manifestation” or the revealing of something that is hidden. The liturgical season of Epiphany does just that, especially with its three traditional Gospel events, the Magi following the star to find the infant Jesus, then Jesus’ baptism by John in the Jordan River accompanied by the Holy Spirit in bodily form as a dove and the Voice from heaven, “You are my beloved Son,” and finally Jesus’ first mighty sign of changing water into wine at the wedding in Cana. In all of these events what will remain hidden until you, like Jesus’ disciples at the end of today’s reading, “believe in him,” is His identity as the Son of God, come in the flesh, in order to fulfill God’s Law perfectly for us and yet to go into death for us, taking all our sins with Him. All of that is in these three events. The gifts of the Magi make these things obvious to the eyes of faith—gold for a heavenly king, frankincense for the worship of God, and myrrh for his coming death. So at His baptism, the Holy Spirit is given because, in His state of humiliation, Jesus will not use any power beyond what you and I have been given to live perfectly according to God’s Law, and yet the Voice from heaven identifies Him as the unique Son of God. And now here at a wedding these themes of revealing who Jesus is and what He came to do are the important points. The rest of the Sundays after the Epiphany, then, are a thumbnail sketch of His life on the road to His holy death as the Savior of the world. (more…)

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The Worship of the Holy Church
Throughout the World
on The Baptism of Our Lord
The First Sunday after the Epiphany
January 10, 2010, 9:30 a.m.
Divine Service Setting One
+ The Service of Holy Baptism +
Candidate: Karl Davidson Lunneborg
born January 1, 2010 to David and Kelly Lunneberg

Baptismal Hymn
590 – Baptized into Your Name Most Holy

Please STAND.
The Baptismal Liturgy                                      pages 268-271

+ The Service of the Word +

Salutation and Collect of the Day                             p. 156

Please BE SEATED.
Old Testament  Isaiah 43:1-7
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Psalm 29 [NIV] setting by Henry V. Gerike
Cantor: Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness.
Congregation: REFRAIN
Ascribe to the Lord, O mighty ones, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness.
Congregation: REFRAIN
The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic. The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.
Congregation: REFRAIN
He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, Sirion like a young wild ox. The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightning. The voice of the Lord shakes the desert; the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh. The voice of the Lord twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. And in His temple all cry, “Glory.”
Congregation: REFRAIN
The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord is enthroned as King forever. The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.
Congregation: REFRAIN
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
Congregation: REFRAIN

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All Rights Reserved                       Used by permission

Epistle  Romans 6:1-11

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Please STAND.
Alleluia and Verse
Alleluia. Alleluia. You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased. Alleluia.            Mark 1:11b

Holy Gospel  Saint Luke 3:15-22                                  p. 157