Sounding the Alarm

The following is something I wrote as part of the Great Thanksgiving for our Holy Communion liturgy. Themes from the Luke 13:1-9 and Ezekiel 33:7-20 can be found here.

REPENT, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand!

It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, oh God, King of the universe. You sent Jesus to die and rise for our sins and thus You have promised us eternal life through faith in him. May we speak boldly; sounding the alarm; the Good News, that Your Kingdom is at hand. You have called us to repent; to turn from our sinful ways, that Your holy name would be glorified. Oh God, Creator and Redeemer, You are worthy of all praise and worship. May we not hide behind our righteousness, but live in and through that righteousness that others would run to You. And so, because You are awesome and glorious, we join with the Church on earth and the hosts of heaven in signing Your unending praise…

The beauty of a liturgical Church

I want to share a quick joke with you that I heard at my conference pastor’s meeting this past Thursday.  I am usually not one to leave jokes here but I got a kick out of this one:

A pastor was leading worship one Sunday morning when his microphone cut out.  The pastor then promptly said, “There is a problem with this microphone” and the congregation responded “and also with you“.

Or how about that Lutheran joke (that may of you Lutherans have heard before):  You know that you are a Lutheran if when watching Star Wars you hear someone say, “The force be with you” and you respond, “and also with you“.

Ahhhhh…the joys of a liturgical Church 🙂

-edh-