The Manhattan Declaration

This is a vitally important document. I cannot urge all of you strongly enough to read this declaration, sign it and then share it. We as Christians cannot remain silent. We need to join with our brothers and sisters in our faith who lived in previous centuries and battled against other, earlier evils.



Speaking out against such as this is part of our vocation as Christians.



This document deals with the critical issues of our age; life, marriage, freedom of conscience. The three issues dealt with here are the ones that will define us, I believe, as Christians.



Follow the link below the Pelican. Go, read, sign.

Odessa's 130th Anniversary

This past July the town that we live in celebrated 130 years since its founding. There were games for the adults, dances for both young and old, activities for the small children and a dinner for all the classes that had graduated from the old Odessa high school. There was even a parade that Saturday.

As the pastor in the town, I was asked to help with more things, but I only ended up being able to help with two duties. On the Sunday night of that late July weekend, a former pastor's son hosted a dinner party for those who wanted to see him again and hear about his recently published book. I assisted at the end with the liturgy for a Vespers service.

The other duty that I was able to accept was to give the prayer at that dinner for all the graduating classes on Friday night. My prayer also helped to kick off the entire celebration. After the fact, I thought I had done a good job of speaking slowly (I have a bad habit of going to fast) and being loud enough for all to hear me. Later, a member at one of the churches that I serve, who had been in attendance, told me that he thought it sounded reminiscent of the Rev. Billy Graham.

I don't know if I agree with him on that assessment. I kind of think that he was giving me a boost of confidence and it was his way of telling me, "Job well done." Either way, it worked. It helped my self-confidence for such things and it let me know that I had done a good job.

Below is the text of that prayer:

"Almighty God, heavenly Father, graciously regard those who have been set in authority among us, especially the President and Congress, that they may be guided by Your Spirit, wise in counsel. Under them we pray our country may be protected from violence discord and confusion, even from pride and arrogance. O Lord God of hosts, stretch forth Your almighty arm to strengthen and protect those who serve in the armed forces of our nation. Support them in this time of war and bring them safely home to us. Heavenly Father, we give You most humble and hearty thanks for all Your goodness and lovingkindness to us and to our town of Odessa these last 130 years. And almighty God, You have always blessed the earth to make it fruitful bringing forth in abundance whatever is needed for the support of our lives. We ask You for seasonable weather this weekend both for the crops ripening in the fields but also for the anniversary festivities. O Christ, the Lord of hill and plain, watch over and protect all those traveling for this weekend’s celebration. Protect us all during this joyous occasion and the fun we will be having. Finally, Lord God of all, we pray You will bless this food before us to the nourishment of our bodies. In Jesus’ Name. Amen."

Ember Days

The Ember Days comprise the Wednesday, Friday and Saturday of the week following the first Sunday of Lent (the Sunday following Ash Wednesday, in the Spring); the week between Pentecost (fifty days after Easter) and Trinity Sunday; the week following the Feast of the Holy Cross (September 14); and the week following the Commemoration of St. Lucia (December 13).

Traditionally, these were four in number and roughly coincided with the four seasons. In the Lutheran church, these days were marked with preaching on the Catechism and the praying of the Litany.

In my own life, I have tended to simply add the Litany in to my daily devotion. It does not take long to pray and it is wonderful and timeless in its language.

HT: Pr. Weedon and the Treasury of Daily Prayer, p. 21 for making me aware of these special days

A Day in the Life

Today was another day in my life as a Pastor.

I had on the schedule to head out to the country church I serve and sit for my Office Hour for that church. So, I went up there and had just started browsing a new book that came in the mail today, when a member arrived. He did not have anything to talk to me about. Instead, he wanted to drop off some of the produce from his garden this year. So, outside I went to transfer that from his car to my car.

While we did that, another car arrived and headed off around the church for the cemetery. After adding the vegetables to my car, I walked off to see who it was that had arrived. When I walked down there I ran into a daughter of that church who now attends a different church a ways away, but still comes to the cemetery to visit the graves of her family. So, we talked for a while. After all that, I had used up most of the time I was scheduled to be there.

After I left, I went off to an area church to visit with one of the pastors about some up coming events.

Finally, I went to pick up some sweet corn that a member of a different church had offered to share with us. When I arrived, I ended up helping in a tiny way to herd cattle back into the pasture (Read: I stood in the road and called/motioned to the animals which way to go.). Then, when I arrived at the house, I collected two large pails full to the brim with corn. Not quite what I expected to be doing this afternoon!

If you would like to see photos go here.