Fact Or Fiction?

January 2006 VOL. 125 NO. 1

TTHEHE VVISITISIT OF OF THE THE MMAGIAGI—— FACTFACT OROR FICTION?FICTION? Also: Language of Their Hearts A Light of One www.lcms.org/witness The utheran ITNESS WA Magazine for the laypeople of the lutheran church — missouri synod Features January 2006

THE VISIT OF THE MAGI— A MAGNET FOR FAITH FACT OR FICTION? by Uwe Siemon-Netto 6 by Paul L.Maier 12 Leveled by bombs during World War II, Is this beautiful Epiphany story just a pious tale, Dresden’s Frauenkirche today is the or do the evidence and historical context bear most important Lutheran sanctuary in it out? 6 Germany. THE LANGUAGE OF THEIR HEART by Robin R.Mueller 16 Lutheran Bible Translators make the Word of God available to people in their own language.

A LIGHT OF ONE by Sue von Fange

Richard Jesse Watson. 18 Being single in the church brings challenges to all members to build EPIPHANY AND BAPTISM connections and friendships within by David P.Scaer the body of Christ. 10 Christian beliefs and traditions vary on this sacrament. Official periodical of The Lutheran Church—Missouri 11 Synod through the Board for Communication Services, Ernest E. Garbe, chairman; Staff: David L. Strand, interim executive editor; Don SACRED TIME Folkemer, managing editor; Joe Isenhower Jr., news editor; Paula Schlueter Ross, contributing editor; John Krus, senior designer; by William Weedon Robert Sexton, marketing manager and advertising sales; Pam Burgdorf, coordinator; Carla Dubbelde, editorial manager, district 11 Why is the Church year important? editions; Karen Higgins, editorial assistant; editorial office: 1333 11 S. Kirkwood Rd., St. Louis, MO 63122-7295; (314) 965-9917, Ext. 1228. © 2006 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Reproduction of a single article or column for parish use only does not require permission of THE LUTHERAN WITNESS. Such reproductions, however, should credit THE LUTHERAN WITNESS as the source. Cover images and “Shedding Some Light” cartoons are not reproducible without permission. Also, photos credited to epartments © Publishing House Concordia sources outside the LCMS are not to be copied. D Published 11 times per year by Concordia Publishing House, 3558 S. Jefferson Ave., St. Louis, MO 63118-3968. Individual subscription $18.48 per year. Organized congregation subscriptions and district editions offered at reduced rate if submitted through Lifeline Family Counselor local churches. Standard A postage paid at St. Louis, MO. 3 26 For subscription information or address changes, by Thomas E.Engel Q & A/ e–mail: [email protected] 27 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Letters Shedding Some Light 1-888-THE LCMS (843-5267) www.lcms.org 4 e–mail: [email protected] National News From the President Member: Associated Church Press 15 28 Evangelical Press Association Gerald B. Kieschnick Notices January 2006 (ISSN: 0024-757X) Vol.125, No 1 23 Cover illustration © Illustration Works

R.J. Shay To subscribe, renew, or to give a gift subscription, Battling Alligators Page 3 call Concordia Publishing House at: 800-325-3381. Letters A ‘Point of Truth’ on Ablaze! emotion. I looked through the magazine for any information about the man pic- It’s worth noting that LCMS partner and tured but found nothing. I would be sister churches worldwide [are making] interested to know if he has been Ablaze! a global movement . . . helped and what additional support he Dr. Robert Roegner might need. St. Louis, Mo. Judy Dolginoff Carrollton, Texas We acquired that photo from Getty THANK YOU FOR HIGHLIGHTING ABLAZE! Kyrgyzstan celebrated its 10th Images and, unfortunately, the caption and the eight special Ablaze!-relat- anniversary on Oct. 1. Actually, it information provided did not include ed episodes of the Synod’s satellite- was the 10th anniversary of the the identity of either the distraught television program, “Point of Truth” medical trailer in Kazakhstan; victim or the man consoling him. One (“Taking Ablaze! around the World,” this trailer was put in place in would hope, as the picture suggested, Nov. ’05). 1995 and paved the way for the that the distressed gentleman would It probably was not clear from medical trailer to enter indeed receive some sort of meaningful the article that LCMS World Mission Kyrgyzstan in 1999. aid. Lutheran Witness readers should entered into partnership with I wish Witness readers could be gratified to know that they and fel- “Point of Truth” and provided the hear the exciting story of how the low LCMS members have contributed funding to make these eight Lord opened the central Asian $11.5 million to date for victims of episodes possible. This was for us a mission field through Kazakhstan. hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and pilot project to test “Point of Truth” It is a little-known story involving Wilma—and this says nothing about as a vehicle for reaching lay people an LCMS ham-radio-operating the substantial volunteer hours and and getting them excited about pastor, a Russian astrophysicist other in-kind services provided.—Ed. sharing their faith in Jesus Christ. (who is now an LCMS pastor), a Viewers were offered a variety of political coup, changed travel MY COMPLIMENTS TO THE LUTHERAN premiums, including the new plans, a German Lutheran congre- Witness for selecting Kathy Lawrence’s Ablaze! Bible study, “How Do You gation pleading for a pastor, the illustration “The Lord’s Blessing” (a little Start a Fire with Water?” formation of the Concordia girl praying with her doll and stuffed Satellite television has a poten- Mission Society, the University of animals) for the November cover. When tial audience far beyond the bor- Wisconsin (Madison) medical I looked at the cover, I wanted to open ders of the United States. But it’s school, Orphan Grain Train, the up the magazine and read the articles. worth noting that LCMS partner Kazakh Health Department, a U.S. The love of God and the belief in prayer and sister churches worldwide ambassador and his wife, and were reflected in the child’s eyes and already have made Ablaze! a global many more “players” and events actions. This drawing is a “Witness” to movement by joining the effort to that laid the groundwork for the the faith of the members of The share the Gospel with 100 million Lord’s work in central Asia. Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. unreached or uncommitted people It would be inspiring if this Kris Caughey by 2017. For that we can only thank story also could be published in Campbell, Neb. our gracious and loving God! The Lutheran Witness so that Rev. Dr. Robert M. Roegner more people would be aware of Spectating isn’t enough Executive Director the history of the Lord’s work in THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIMELY AND INSPIRING LCMS World Mission central Asia and Kazakhstan. article on Michael Antonovich, Los St. Louis, Mo. Jan Meyle Angeles County supervisor (“The Cross Port Washington, Wis. Getting our -stans straight in L.A. County,” October ’05). It is time Cover to cover that all Christians, not just Lutherans, THANKS TO DR. ROBERT ROEGNER AND stop being spectators and take a proac- Rev. John Mehl for recognizing the THE PHOTO ON THE COVER OF THE tive role in governing our nation. Many contributions of the Concordia October issue (a beleaguered on the left side of the political aisle are Mission Society in their letter to Hurricane Katrina victim being vehement that no Christian should hold the editor (Oct. ’05). I would, how- hugged by a volunteer) has haunted elective office. If every person who is a ever, like to correct the statement me since I first saw it. Rarely does Christian would take the time to be implying that the medical trailer in one see such an expression of raw informed and dutifully go to the polls,

THE LUTHERAN WITNESS Photo courtesy of Zion Lutheran Church Naperville, Ill. we, as God’s people, could remove from office the secular humanists and replace them with godly and righteous men and women, Republican or Democrat, who will uphold our Constitution. Christians, stand up, stand up for Jesus! Richard E. Schroeder St. Charles, Mo.

“THE CROSS IN L.A. COUNTY” WAS THOUGHT- provoking and well written. Supervisor Antonovich is the kind of public ser- vant our society needs. We all benefit when practicing Christians hold influ- ential positions in government. I did, though, have reservations about Mr. Antonovich’s views on the death penalty. His stated support of capital punishment was based on the fact that Scripture doesn’t prohibit its practice. I believe in the culture of life. I believe that everyone, no matter what their sins are, can be forgiven. All souls are redeemable through Jesus Christ. However evil, there is hope to save a soul. Given the hundreds of convictions overturned since the advent of DNA testing, I wonder if a human system that is flawed should be handing out death sentences. Dozens have been exonerated from Death Row. There can be no doubt that innocent people have been falsely executed. This is never to say that convicts of serious crime should go unpunished. Life without parole is a slow-motion death sentence. Still, we must remember that the final judge, the only one that matters in eternity, will get it right. Steve Spitsnogle Lee’s Summit, Mo. We welcome letters that com- ment on articles in The Lutheran Witness. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. Send letters to “Letters,” c/o The Lutheran Witness, 1333 S. Kirkwood Road, St. Louis, MO 63122-7295; or send them via e-mail to [email protected]. Please include your name, postal address, and telephone number.

JANUARY 2006 How much time elapsed between Christ’s birth and Is this beautiful Epiphany story just a pious tale, the visit of the Magi is not known, but they do not seem to have arrived until or do the evidence and historical context bear it out? after Jesus’ presentation at the Temple in Jerusalem, 40 days after He was born. Tradition says there were by Paul L. Maier three, probably because of the three gifts they or years, biblical critics have While secular evidence from the presented. But some earlier questioned many details in the ancient world actually supports many traditions set the number F Christmas Gospels, such as the aspects of the Nativity, one objection as high as twelve, traveling Annunciation, the Roman census, the is quite formidable. It involves the with a large caravan. The names Gaspar, Melchior, Virgin Birth, the angelic announce- Magi of Epiphany and runs like this: and Balthasar don’t appear ment to the shepherds, and the infant “How could the (presumably) wise until the 6th century. massacre at Bethlehem. men, who were never in touch with

THE LUTHERAN WITNESS “The Gift to the Magi” illustration by Richard Jesse Watson. © Copyright. Prints are available. See his work at www.RichardJesseWatson.com Hebrew prophecies regarding the eventually spread across much of Running with the star as a Messianic symbol, traipse the East. As in any other profession, wrong assumption across the desert following a ‘star’ there were both good and bad magi, and then arrive in Jerusalem asking depending on whether they did The Wise Men could never have that too-perfect question in Matt. 2:2: research in the sciences or practiced been in touch with Hebrew prophe- ‘Where is he who has been born king augury, magic, and necromancy cies regarding the star as a of the Jews, for we have seen his (reading the future, or changing the Messianic symbol, the skeptics star in the East and have come to course of events, by conjuring up argue. But this premise, which is the worship him?’ It sounds as if they and consulting with the spirits of the foundation of most challenges to were in a Christmas pageant, being dead). Matthew’s reliability, happens to be coached by a Sunday-school teacher false! The critics seem to have for- behind the curtain!” gotten Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Ouch! Was the visit of the Magi Babylon who conquered Jerusalem just a pious tale after all, a device As Gentiles, the magi in 586 B.C., destroying the city and used by Matthew to make of the burning the temple. Many assume Nativity a cosmic event, using a were our representatives that in the notorious “Babylonian great star as the prime prop—a Captivity of the Jews” that followed, first-century version of Hollywood at the Nativity. all Jews were deported to Babylon arc lights? until most of them returned to their This needling challenge used to homeland under Ezra. bother me—until I found that the The safest conclusion is that the Wrong on both counts! entire argument is based on a false Magi of the Nativity were either Nebuchadnezzar took as Jewish premise. To see if we are dealing Persian or Babylonian, perhaps both, captives not the common people, with fact or fiction here, we should since Persia controlled Babylon for laborers, or farmers, but the profes- set Matthew’s claims into their his- many years. And if the astronomical sional leaders in the land, including torical context. aspects of the Nativity are empha- priests and rabbinical scholars. Nor sized—the great star and its signifi- did they all return with Ezra. Many Who were the Magi? cance—a case could be made that of the Jews fared so well during “We Three Kings of Orient are. ...” the Magi were late Babylonians, their captivity that a large Jewish So the familiar Christmas carol since astronomy reached its highest colony remained in Babylon for at begins. But already it has made three development in ancient Mesopo- least the next 1,000 years. What is mistakes in the first line! We don’t tamia. the greatest collection of Jewish know that the Magi were three in Whatever the origin of these east- writings? The Babylonian Talmud, number, they were not kings, and ern sages, their visit was of great of course, which was edited at they did not come from as far away significance for later Christianity: Babylon in A.D. 400. as the Orient, that is, the Far East. The Wise Men were pagans, not Here, then, is the point: Four The Greek of the New Testament Hebrews, and the fact that Gentile centuries earlier, magi scholars— calls them simply magoi apo ana- magi performed the same adoration especially the religious historians tolon, “magi from the East,” and the as Jewish shepherds symbolized the among them—would certainly have term magoi is usually translated as universal outreach for future Christi- had regular contact with their magicians (hence the derivation of anity. “Nations [Gentiles] shall come Jewish counterparts in the scholarly that term), wise men, or astrologers. to your light,” the prophet Isaiah had community at Babylon. Accordingly, And “the East” has variously been foretold, “and kings to the brightness they, too, would have had access to identified as any country from of your dawn” (60:3). Hebrew Scriptures involving Arabia and Babylonia to Media and And so they have. Since Gentiles Messianic prophecies and the star, Persia (both in modern Iran), but comprise the overwhelming majority including rabbinical traditions no farther east. of Christians today, the Magi were explaining Balaam’s oracle that “a The magi were an ancient priestly our representatives at the Nativity, star shall come forth out of Jacob caste among the Babylonians and and the light they saw in the baby at and a scepter shall rise out of Israel” Medo-Persians. These priest-sages, Bethlehem pierced the darkness of (Num. 24:17), Isaiah’s prophecies extremely well educated for their their paganism, just as the Light of cited earlier, and others. day, were experts in religion, history, the World can illuminate the dark- The Magi’s question to Herod in medicine, astronomy, astrology, ness of sin, ignorance, fanaticism, Jerusalem, then, was not asked out divination, and magic. Their caste and terrorism surrounding us today. of a vacuum.

JANUARY 2006 Too far-fetched? Bethlehem for literary purposes. Of The star motif, however, twinkles all the Gospel writers, so they claim, throughout Hebrew history and In responding to this evidence, critics sometimes object, “You’re Matthew is the one who loves the makes no sudden debut at really reaching here, Maier! The sensational effect: the earthquake on Bethlehem. The six-pointed Star of surrounding Gentile cultures of the Good Friday, the tearing of the tem- David has symbolized the Chosen time wouldn’t have been interested ple curtain, saints walking out of People from Old Testament times to in the Hebrew Scriptures or Jewish opened tombs (27:51 ff.), another today’s Israeli flag. The five-pointed traditions.” Oh, but they would earthquake at the Resurrection Star of Solomon shows up in stone indeed! (28:2), and, earlier, the Nativity star. at the archaeological excavations at One familiar example should Matthew, then, goes for the extraor- Capernaum, as does its six-pointed suffice. Ptolemy II (“Philadelphus”), dinary, the supernatural, the cosmic. counterpart. the Hellenistic king of neighboring Egypt, was establishing the greatest collection of scrolls in the world: the great library at Alexandria. In 283 B.C., he wrote the high priest in Jerusalem, asking him to send Jewish scholars to Alexandria in order to translate the Hebrew The Star: Scriptures into Greek. Eleazar, the high priest at the time, gladly com- plied, sending 70 scholars, who were What might it have been? accorded a warm and colorful recep- tion in Alexandria. cientists and Bible scholars have offered explanations for They were given a beautiful island the “Star of Bethlehem.” The “Star” could have been a retreat in the harbor of Alexandria in Smiracle sign, a miracle star, Jesus Himself, an angel, a which to do their translation. The supernova, a comet, or a conjunction of planets. result was the famous Septuagint In order to use science to test these possibilities, they must that rendered Hebrew Scriptures be testable. Astronomical records were kept 2,000 years ago, into Greek—the very version of the so we can look back for sightings of a supernova, comet, or Old Testament used so often by the conjunction of planets. But the appearance of a miracle sign, a earliest church. miracle star, Jesus, or an angel cannot be tested—or discount- Yes, pagans were interested in ed, for that matter. Hebrew writings and Jewish culture. Where does this leave us? The Magi probably came from Persia (modern-day Iran) all An invented star? the way to Bethlehem. Why would they do this? One possibili- Finally, skeptics argue that ty is that God used the Magi’s fascination with the heavens to Matthew “created” the Star of draw them to Jesus.

THE LUTHERAN WITNESS Getty Images Finally, 130 years after the first Bar-Kokhbah, which means “Son of linked directly to the Messiah in Christmas, Rabbi Akiba, the greatest the Star.” Jewish tradition. No, Matthew did sage of his day, put a Jewish rebel (The rebel, however, proved to not invent the star of Bethlehem. on the back of a white horse and led be a falling star, since the Bar- Whether or not the star was a super- him through the streets of Jerusalem, Kokhbah revolt of A.D. 132 was put natural phenomenon or a natural crying, “Bow down! The Messiah down by the Romans with utter astral event is discussed in the side- has come! The Messiah has come!” devastation, after which Jews were bar story. And the people did. The name of excluded from Jerusalem, which So often, skeptical critics are the rebel? Simeon Bar-Cosiba. Yet was renamed for the emperor prone to shoot from the hip rather than evaluate all the surviving evi- the rabbi, on the basis of Num. Hadrian’s family, Aelia Capitolina.) dence. And there may have been 24:17, had changed his name to Here again, the star symbol was more evidence. If he had had the time, incentive, and opportunity, Matthew might have written an entire book on how the Magi were alerted to the Nativity. But he had a Jupiter, which ancient Jewish astrologers called the “King’s far more important story to tell: the Star” (God), and Saturn, which they called the “Star of the great good news of how God Messiah,” came together in the constellation Pisces three times revealed His Son not just to Jewish between 7 and 6 B.C. Those same astrologers assigned a coun- people, but to all of humanity every- try to each of the Zodiac constellations, with Pisces, the sign of where. What began as the light from the fish, representing Judea, or the “House of the Hebrews.” a single star has now illuminated the It was certainly noteworthy when the “God” and “Messiah” entire globe through the One who planets rose in the eastern sky (the east signifying birth) and said, “I am the light of the world. settled in Pisces, the “House of the Hebrews.” The Jewish Whoever follows me will never walk astrologers, whose thinking may have been known to the in darkness, but will have the light gentile Magi (see main story), had predicted that the Messiah of life” (John 8:12). would arrive when Jupiter and Saturn conjoined in Pisces. This prediction would have been highly significant to the Magi—it would have alerted them to the birth of Jesus. Even though this possibility can be tested with computer programs and has a certain logic to it, it remains only an inter- esting idea. How the Star of Bethlehem, the Star of Epiphany Dr. Paul L. Maier is actually happened remains a mystery. That it did happen professor of ancient remains a blessing. history at Western Michigan University — Dr. Dale Trapp and second vice Chairman of the Department of Natural Sciences president of The Concordia University, St. Paul, Minn. Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod.

JANUARY 2006 EEPIPHANYPIPHANY ANDAND BBAPTISMAPTISM Christian beliefs and traditions vary on this sacrament. by David P.Scaer piphany means “manifestation”—as in the manifestation of the glory of Jesus. One of the first events we celebrate in this regard in the Epiphany E season is the Baptism of our Lord. Although Luther saw Baptism’s institution in Jesus’ command to baptize, he placed its origin in John’s baptizing of Jesus, reported in all four Gospels. Matthew calls John “the Baptist.” Just as Jesus was declared God’s Son at His Baptism, so we are declared God’s children at ours. Nearly all Christians baptize, but for different reasons. Classical Calvinist churches like the Reformed and Presbyterian baptize infants. But they teach that Baptism, though commanded by God, does not give the Holy Spirit but merely symbolizes His work. Because babies and young children are not deemed capable of believing or having faith, Baptists delay Baptism until the children have reached an age of greater maturity. Roman Catholics, while believing that Baptism gives forgiveness of sins to infants, also believe that Baptism is not all sufficient in this regard. Sins committed later in life must be forgiven in confirmation, penance, the Eucharist, and extreme unction. An infant’s lack of faith at Baptism is compensated for by the church’s faith. Most church bodies, Lutheran among them, do not re-baptize people who already have been baptized in another church. Baptists are the one exception because they insist on immersion and do not recognize infant Baptism. Lutherans believe that death to sin and birth to life take place in Baptism. We believe that what Baptism symbolizes actually happens. We are in the minority of Christendom that believes in infant faith, so infant Baptism is our ideal. We are baptized only once, but every day by faith we relive our Baptism by dying to sin and being reborn as God’s children. Dr. David P. Scaer is professor Baptism sets the boundaries in which our of systematic theology faith lives. at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind.

THE LUTHERAN WITNESS SACRED TIME Why is the Church year important? AD VENT by William Weedon C HR IS TM “ hat’s up with this observing of A S days and seasons and times? W Didn’t Jesus set us free ALL SAINTS‘ DAy, NOV. 1 from all that?” REFORMATION, OCT. 31 Other Christians sometimes ask Lutherans to explain why E CHRISTMAS Eve, DEC. 24 P

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THE HOLY TRINITY various aspects of our Lord’s coming among us. PENTECOST OF DAY Season after season, feast after feast, the Word of God unfolds the richness of what God has accomplished for What about this season? In Epiphany, the Church us in our Lord Jesus Christ. It’s because that gift is so remembers and gives thanks that our Lord came to us big and so wonderful, that trying to remember and in the flesh to fulfill the promise to Abraham that the celebrate it all at one time is impossible. Because none Promised One would bring blessing to all the families of of what our Lord did for us is unimportant, each feast, the earth. Epiphany rejoices that the light that shines in festival, and season reveals something vital about the Jesus Christ is a light for all—that none are excluded life God gives us in Christ. and all are wel- Think of the Church year, then, like picking up a dia- comed. He is mond and turning it this way and that, so that the light indeed “a light reflects through its various facets. The diamond always to lighten the remains the same: our Lord Jesus Christ, our Jewel Gentiles,” as old Rev. William Weedon is pastor of St. Paul beyond price! And the Light remains the same: the Word Simeon sang in Lutheran Church, of God. Yet, as the year progresses, the Word reflects the temple, hold- Hamel, Ill. differing facets of the salvation He has brought us. ing the Child.

Artwork from Growing in Christ™ Sunday School Curriculum, © Concordia Publishing House JANUARY 2006 ne of the wonderful hymns for Epiphany came to mind when A MAGNET O I approached the once solidly Lutheran city of Dresden. Here, during 56 years of Nazi and Communist tyran- nies, four-fifths of the population FOR turned their backs on their forebearers’ faith. Yet today, glistening in the sun, the largest and most beautiful baroque church ever built for Protestant worship towers once again over this Saxon FAITH capital after it had been destroyed in allied air raids in 1945 at the very end of World War II. Leveled by bombs I stared at this 300-foot sandstone edifice—once lovingly called during World War II, Dickmadam or Fat Lady by previous generations of Dresdners— and Dresden’s Frauenkirche thought of the people huddled in the today is the most ugly Socialist housing estates surrounding it. Then I remembered the tune I important Lutheran learned in Sunday school: All ye Gentile lands awake! sanctuary in Germany. Thou, O Salem, rise and shine! See the day spring o’er you break Heralding a morn divine, Telling, God hath called to mind Those who long in darkness pined. On Reformation Sunday this past fall, the Frauenkirche, or Church of Our Lady, was re-consecrated in a splendid service watched by millions around the world on television. First, the toll of its eight bells sent shivers down many a spine. Heaviest among them is the 4,000-pound Peace Bell named for Isaiah (“swords to plowshares,” Is. 2:4). Loudspeakers carried the roar of the Frauenkirche’s new 4,873-pipe organ to more than 60,000 visitors jamming the surrounding streets. Bands of 450 trombones intoned some of Luther- anism’s most stirring chorales. While a procession of bishops, pastors, and statesmen entered the sanctuary, choirs and congregants belted out one of Christendom’s most beloved hymns: Now thank we all our God, With heart and hands and voices, Who wondrous things has done, In whom the world rejoices.

THE LUTHERAN WITNESS Getty Images No anthem could have been more fitting. It was written in 1636 in Eilenburg, another Saxon town, under circumstances comparable to Dresden’s torment caused by Allied bombs that incinerated thousand of people, and made the Frauen- kirche’s unique 12,000-ton dome implode. The Rev. Martin Rinkart wrote the hymn’s lyrics. He was Eilen-burg’s last surviving pastor at the height of the Thirty-Year War (1618–48). Besieged by Swedish soldiers, this town was packed with refugees — as was Dresden three centuries later by throngs of mainly women and People crowd into the Frauenkirche in children who fled here before the Dresden on Oct. 30, 2005. Before them advancing Soviet Army. In Eilenburg, is the pulpit, behind it the baptismal famine and the plague had decimat- font, and the altar behind it, thus pre- ed the population, forcing Rinkart to senting the Word and the Sacraments. The altar leaves a deep impression, not conduct up to 50 funerals every day. only because of its rich artistic decora- Still he penned his famous lines tions and figures, but also its spiritual that seemed foolhardy given the depth. Almost two thousand fragments situation in which they were writ- of the 18th-century altar were rescued ten—foolhardy just like the determi- from the rubble, including a figure of Jesus kneeling in Gethsemane. nation of individuals to rebuild this sanctuary that had dominated the Dresden cityscape since the 18th meaning of the word “miracle,” a century. miracle did actually occur. Large and This project created much contro- small donations from 600,000 bene- versy, particularly within the state- factors, including New York’s related Lutheran Church of Saxony. German-born cell biologist Günter Was it right, some asked, to splash Blobel (who bequeathed almost his $170 million on the resurrection of entire Nobel prize of nearly $1 mil- such a monumental structure when lion) and Britain’s royal family, cov- there were plenty of other sanctuar- ered most of the reconstruction cost. ies about—and most were scantily By 2004, the Frauenkirche was back attended? Should this money not in the heart of Dresden where it had mementos of the war. rather be spent on daycare centers stood since the 18th century. On the other hand, Burger and low-cost housing? Should not Burger describes his task of plan- became a leader in the spiritual the 777,000 cubic feet of rubble ning and executing its reconstruc- kingdom. As the sanctuary grew to which the church had been tion as the crowning of his career— heavenward, he conducted worship reduced—with remnants of the a “one in ten million job.” A fervent services for the masons, many of statue of an angel mournfully Lutheran, he found himself operat- whom had given up the Christian watching over the pile—be pre- ing simultaneously in the two realms faith long ago. With tears in their served for all times as a powerful of which all Christians are citizens. eyes, they sang hymns they had caveat against war? On the one hand, there were learned in their childhood. In the end, the Saxon synod voted worldly tasks such as directing his Ask Burger which part of the to “heal this gaping wound in Dres- workmen to salvage from the rubble rebuilt Frauenkirche has the greatest den’s heart,” as church architect more than 8,500 pieces of sandstone pastoral significance in a “post- Ehrhard Burger said in an interview. of which 3,800 eventually were re- Christian” era with its many seekers, And so in a city where, according to used. Blackened by the air raid’s and he will point not to its soaring, Rev. Stefan Schwarzenberg, most flames, they now stand out in the brilliantly painted copula, not even people no longer even know the church’s brilliant new facade as dark to the magnificent organ built in the

Top photo by John MacDougall/AFP/Getty Images. JANUARY 2006 Bottom photo by Arnd Wiegmann/AFP/Getty Images ing, an ideal starting point for pas- to conduct brief prayer services toral ponderings. every hour on the hour,” suggested Evangelization emerges as the Rev. Albrecht Immanuel Herzog who major charge of this amazing edi- heads a Lutheran mission society fice that has already lured 500,000 based in Neuendettelsau, Bavaria. tourists from all corners of the “I stand ready to recruit 10 retired world to Dresden last year and will pastors for this task.” doubtless attract even more in the These ministers would have plen- years to come. There were several ty of other chores, too. They could, adult Baptisms even before the for example, explain the reason why Frauen-kirche’s inauguration. Now the key components of the church’s the time seems ripe to turn it into chancel are ordered the way they a major magnet for mission, said are. Squarely facing the congrega- Klaus Kaden, superintendent tion is the elaborate pulpit, behind it (regional bishop) of Pirna, a neigh- the baptismal font, still behind it the boring city. altar designed—in Luther’s words— Kaden told me: “Something is to “entice the faithful to come to the going on here. People have come Lord’s Supper.” Thus the two pillars to realize that there’s more to life of the Christian worship, Word and than money and success. Hence the Sacrament, are on the same trajec- surge of applicants for parochial tory here. This is Lutheran theology schools in Eastern Germany.” cast in architecture, just as Johann Schwarzenberg confirmed this: Sebastian Bach’s cantatas are “More and more middle- and high- Lutheran theology put to music. Anneliese Schiller, 99-year-old school students opt for religious Beyond that, the Frauenkirche resident of Dresden, displays her instruction instead of alternative will teach tourists one essential long-awaited joy for the rebuilt courses in ethics. And many girls Christian message, the message of Frauenkirche Cathedral—the from second- and third-generation conciliation. There stands in its “Miracle of Dresden” as the atheist families display an amazing crypt a haunting cross, a gift from Dresdners have called it—prior to the Reformation service on curiosity about the Christian faith. Coventry Cathedral in England. It Oct. 31, 2005. The spectacular, “With a massive [Martin] Luther was made from nails from the ruins baroque Lutheran church, built in monument standing guard outside of the original cathedral that had 1726–1743, has become a symbol the church, this would be the been destroyed in a German air raid. for Germans of the suffering of perfect place to tell seekers the Even more spectacular is the war and the peace of reconciliation. The reconstruction took more Lutheran message—that Christians $660,000 gilded cross crowning the than 10 years. are justified before God by grace Dresden church. It is a donation by through faith, and that Christ is the Britain’s Dresden trust and was only mediator between man and fashioned by London goldsmith spirit of Gottfried Silbermann, God,” Kaden said. “But there aren’t Adam Smith, following faithfully the whose instruments have graced enough people in this church quali- designs by his 18th-century German Saxon churches, including this one fied to do that.” forefather, Johann Georg Schmidt. before it burned, ever since the 18th Two pastors are assigned to the Adam Smith’s father was one of century. Frauenkirche. They will conduct the bomber pilots whose deadly No, said Burger, it’s the charred two worship services daily and two cargo had destroyed Dresden, once altarpiece found under the rubble full liturgies every Sunday, though Germany’s most beautiful city, on that is of the greatest relevance to by themselves they will not be able February 13, 1945. the perplexed in search of transcen- to cope with the masses of tourists. dence. It shows Jesus kneeling in “What this sanctuary Gethsemane, agonizing over his needs is the perma- impending passion, pleading with nent presence of min- Dr. Uwe Siemon-Netto, a native of the Father to “let this cup pass from isters, clearly identifi- Saxony, is a scholar in residence at me” (Matt. 26:39). This, the archi- able by their clerical Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and tect reported, attracts strangers to collars, willing to hear director of the Concordia Center a faith they no longer know, directs confessions, give for Religion and the Media at them to a God sharing man’s suffer- pastoral counsel, and Concordia College at Bronxville, N.Y.

THE LUTHERAN WITNESS Photo by Norbert Millauer/AFP/Getty Images THE LANGUAGE OF THEIR HEART Lutheran Bible Translators make the Word of God available to people in their own language.

by Robin R. Mueller translators, literacy teachers, and mis- Clarity—explains Gillam. “Does it sionary-support personnel working in properly reflect the true meaning of the f you’re able to read this article, 19 countries to translate 56 languages. original Greek and Hebrew? Are the you’re one of the blessed people in “Faith comes from hearing the structure and grammar well-done, and I the world who can read the entire message and the message is heard does it have credibility among its target Bible—even different versions of it. through the word of Christ” (Rom. audience? Is the message clear?” Others have just the New 10:17). But many hear God’s message Achieving those goals is “an intri- Testament. Still others have only por- via the dominant languages of 18th- cate, time-consuming process, ground- tions—more than one book, but less and 19th-century colonialism— ed in language learning and cultural than a whole Testament. English, French, or Spanish. immersion, and subject to layers of “Of the 6,912 languages in the “Linguistic imperialism—people intensive review,” explains Jim Maxey, world, one third have something of believing that another’s language is a Lutheran layperson who facilitated God’s Word, and two-thirds have noth- better because it’s written and they’re the Vuté New Testament translation in ing,” says Dr. Marshall Gillam, the forced to learn it to earn money or get Cameroon for 12 years. Translations executive director of Lutheran Bible a job—distances people from God,” usually take 10 or 15 years to complete. Translators (LBT). “That means about explains Rev. Walter De Moss, LBT’s LBT, like other members of the 450 million souls have nothing.” director of Program Ministries and a International Forum of Bible Agencies LBT has brought “something” of former LCMS missionary in Ghana worldwide, requires its translators to God’s Word to seven million people and Togo. take intensive linguistics training. via 22 New Testament translations in “The Moba people in Togo were “The most important work occurs Papua New Guinea, Sierra Leone, surprised that God spoke their lan- in the first two years, when you live Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire, Botswana, guage; they thought He spoke only among the people and build relation- Nigeria, Cameroon, Mexico, Ecuador, French. They learned He wanted to ships,” explains Maxey. “Translators Guatemala, and Brazil. speak to them directly and intimately. want to jump right into the task, but Founded in 1964 by Rev. Morris If He values their language and culture, the results would not have the depth or Watkins, an LCMS church planter and He must value them!” quality without first gaining the peo- leadership trainer, and his wife, Lois, a Value derives from the ABCs of ple’s trust, who then take ownership.” literacy teacher, LBT today has 82 translation—Accuracy, Beauty, and After analyzing the language, gram-

THE LUTHERAN WITNESS mar, and daily use, the translator/lin- go to English school.” composes songs. That process helps guist develops a writing system, tests it One year later, Mabel graduated with literacy and shares the Gospel.” among the people, and, with the com- from Klao Literacy School, “read flu- Musicians often come to faith munity, seeks out potential translators. ently from the Klao New Testament by meditating on Scripture. In the First, the translator exegetically and had become an active Bible class Themne language in Sierra Leone, studies the biblical text. Then the team teacher. Today she is teaching many “the musical team took the tips and drafted the first translation, revised it women how to read and write Klao. techniques they learned and carried and typed it into a computer. The print- Many have come to the Lord!” on, setting up a Scripture song associa- out was read to Vuté people of all ages, Non-print translation trends include tion to continue composing songs for faith backgrounds, and dialects. orality and vernacular media. “Orality,” the church!” says Larsen excitedly. Questions judging comprehension the oral tradition, means storytelling LBT, an independent organization, prompted further revisions. “For and performance. “In New Testament and LCMS World Missions “have always instance,” says Maxey, “Baptism was times and before the Gutenberg print- been mutually supportive,” says De translated to mean ‘the bath of God.’” ing press, most people were illiterate Moss. When LCMS World Mission faced Next, a United Bible Societies and God’s Word was communicated by budget cuts, the translation work of translation consultant (in this case, voice,” explains Maxey. Chuck and Karen Tessaro in Nigeria the Cameroon Bible Society) continued by transitioning their reviewed the text through a work to LBT. “back translation” from the Many LCMS missionaries and Vuté language into French. executives have worked with or After further revisions, the directly for LBT. Rev. Robert local Bible Society publishes Roegner, executive director of the text. LCMS World Mission, is a former LBT deliberately works LBT executive director. where Lutheran churches are LBT missionaries gather their established, “so the church can own support. Individuals, congre- follow—through with distribu- gations, and groups support mis- tion and use,” explains Maxey. sionary families, a country and/or Meanwhile, specialists in special projects. literacy and literature develop- Volunteer Congregational ment are training local teach- Representatives promote LBT’s ers to help people read the mission in nearly 650 congrega- Bible in their “heart language.” tions. The Lutheran Women’s Alvina Federwitz, an LBT Missionary League, at local, dis- Local people make an audio recording of Scripture literacy specialist in several trict, and national levels, has verses in the African Gola language using their West African countries for 32 indigenous musical instruments. given more than $2 million to LBT years, is currently facilitating projects during the past 20 years. literature development and Scripture “Paul’s letters were read publicly, Speaking for millions, a Tawaia use in 16 languages. and faith comes by hearing. Bible pastor in Papua New Guinea “Once the people approve a writing scholars have discovered that readers poignantly expressed what it’s like system, a team develops pre-primers mimicked Greek oratory, using dramat- to read God’s Word easily in your and primers,” she explains. “Oral stories ic gestures, facial expressions, and mother tongue: “I have been like are reduced to writing as early books.” vocal intonations.” Jacob, digging big wells to get a little One of Federwitz’s most rewarding “Vernacular media” includes dubbed refreshment. Now I’m living beside a experiences occurred at a workshop in videos, Scripture on cassette tapes, crystal-clear stream, and the water is Liberia in 2001. “We were recording photo books, plays, and Scripture and so refreshing.” traditional stories that taught moral story songs using traditional music values in the culture and then relating (ethnomusicology). those stories to Scripture,” she Kedra Larsen, LBT’s ethnomuiscolo- recounts. gist, travels extensively, conducting Robin R. Mueller “One of the best storytellers, an workshops with local musicians. “We is a freelance elderly woman named Mabel, use the people’s instruments, melodies, writer for various announced she was going to learn to and rhythms,” she says. Lutheran, non- read and write her own language, as “We print Scripture word for word profit, and corpo- rate groups. she had never had the opportunity to on large paper, and the musical team

Photos courtesy of Alvina Federwitz JANUARY 2006 In nearly every congregation, there are single adults from all categories of life. Some find the church single-adult ministry group helpful in meeting their needs for Christian fellowship, friendship, being challenged in their Christian life, and finding opportunities to serve. Too many, however, find their church less than helpful in meeting those needs. THE LUTHERAN WITNESS Being single in the church brings challenges to all members to build connections and friendships within the body of Christ. by Sue von Fange

“ o one really knows me and loves me for who gles in the church should be able to and want to relate I am.” ... “No one cares.” ... “We have church to people who are married and have children. But N committees, but people aren’t committed to there’s not an expectation that married people should one another.” ... “I don’t have any real friends.” ... “I’m relate to singles. having a problem, and I feel so alone.” ... “Does anyone I recently talked with a young couple without chil- care?” ... “I’ve been so depressed lately.” dren. Their question was, “Where can we find friends at Since this is an article about singles in the church, church?” They recognized that once they had children, you might think that those quotes are from people who there would be many connections for friendships. are single, but they aren’t. They’re from people who are Churches spend a lot of time and energy providing married but who are expe- programs and riencing a lack of signifi- Widows and widowers often feel neglected by their church friends resources to build cant faith relationships in whose company they once enjoyed with their spouses. This is strong marriages and their church. It’s easy to one ministry need that many congregations struggle to meet. families, and rightfully make assumptions based so. Statistics show, on a label—in this case: however, that one- “single.” third of church mem- At times, we all tend bers are single. And to think that by labeling many Christian sin- someone we’re excused gles feel left outside from relating to them the church, because because they don’t fit into they see it as a family the same category as we place where they do. Yet, there’s a basic don’t fit in. human hunger for relation- Some churches ships. We were created for attempt to meet this them, and there can be a need by forming a painful loneliness when “singles group,” yet we’re excluded, or perceive singles don’t necessar- that we are. ily have any more in A number of years ago, I common with each was talking with a couple other than they do between services, when another couple interrupted our with married couples in the church. Consider the conversation to invite them over for cards. That may or diverse reasons for singleness: may not seem rude to you, but I felt lonely and left out • Widows and widowers of all ages find themselves at that moment. I wouldn’t have if they had found suddenly outside the social network they once another time to extend the invitation. enjoyed with their spouses. Once a former pastor told me, “People find you hard to relate to because you’re not married.” I was labeled • Never-married people in their 50s have very different and excluded in the very church I was called to serve! perspectives from those in their 20s. Some hope to Since there wasn’t anything I could do about my marital marry; others have chosen to remain single. status, I felt diminished and powerless to find friends in • Divorced people of various ages also have differing that place, even though making friends hadn’t been an needs. I know a woman who had been abused in her issue for me at other locations. marriage and reached a point where she courageously It struck me that there was an expectation that sin- filed for divorce. Today, she is using what she learned

Photo by Digital Stock JANUARY 2006 as a ministry to other women in abusive relationships. • Men and women whose spouses are in a nursing home are “single” in their daily living and in their church involvement. • Some church members are “spiritually single”—married, but whose spouses aren’t Christian or don’t attend church. Each category of singleness represents members who want and need to be called into relationships within the body of Christ, but who may feel isolated and unsure about where to connect in the local church. While singles groups may help some, I believe we need to form and live out a vision that goes beyond programs. 1 Peter 2:9–12 speaks to our identity: “Now you are a chosen race, a royal priest- hood, a people belonging to God. ... Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God.” Each of us belongs to God, and we are His people together. We are brothers and sisters in Christ. We Though some single adults have never married, many are single again as a result of separation, divorce, or death of a spouse. Single parents have many additional are family! In fact, God has pressures and often struggle just to make ends meet or find time to socialize with arranged the parts of His body just other members of their congregation. as He wants them to be (1 Cor.

TO BEORNOT TO BE —MARRIED

“ t is good for a man not to I’m intrigued that the largest changed at any time and for various marry ... I wish that all men Christian church body in the world, reasons, very easily. The important I were as I am”—single, that is! the Roman Catholic Church, insists thing I like to keep in mind is that Who wrote this—a Hollywood that its leaders be single. On the being single doesn’t keep me from star, perhaps? A 20-something fel- other hand, the largest Protestant being loved or sharing love. low who doesn’t believe in the group (Lutheran) almost expects I rejoice that I serve a wonderful institution of marriage? Someone its leaders to be married. congregation here in Austin that who has been burned in a previous Single or married? It’s not the really doesn’t seem to mind relationship? Although you proba- first question I ask myself each day. whether I’m single or married. bly haven’t heard this sentiment It’s not how I define myself; God — Rev. Kevin Westergren used as a sermon text lately, it hap- already has done that in my Associate Pastor pens to come from good ol’ St. Paul Baptism. Truth be told, all of us Redeemer Lutheran Church, in 1 Corinthians 7. could find our marital status Austin, Texas

THE LUTHERAN WITNESS Photo by Stockbyte ® 12:18). Each of us is integral to God’s plan, and He I weep for those in a difficult or abusive relationship. intends that we serve one another in love. That’s how I’ve also learned that in healthy marriages each His love is revealed in our lives. spouse needs friends of his or her own. People become We’re in the Epiphany season. The term epiphany friends because they share interests and core values, means “to show,” “to make known,” or “to reveal.” not necessarily because of their marital status. I see the The Magi who brought gifts to the infant Jesus were the first Gentiles to acknowledge Jesus as “King,” and so were the first to “show” or “reveal” Jesus to a wider world as the incarnate Christ. It was one of the first tangible indications that Jesus came for all peo- THE GIFT OF ple, all nations, all races, and that the work of God in the world would not be limited to a few. SINGLENESS Each of us, whether married or single, is called to ifts. They are wonderful things, given make Jesus known through our words and deeds. in love and received with anticipation. More than that, each of us is Christ’s living presence G Well, usually they are. There is one gift as the Holy Spirit works in our hearts and lives. of God that often is not wanted, or that some Jesus lived here as a single adult. Would He be would prefer to trade for a better gift. welcomed and embraced in your church? I’m speaking of the gift of being single. When we focus on our differences in marital status, I have a wonderful life. I am a single parenthood, age, or a host of other qualifications, the woman whose days are packed with responsi- church is simply a collection of individuals, none of bilities, obligations, people I care about, and whom really fits anywhere. When we focus on our the independence to make choices on how similarities, we discover we’re all God’s loved and I use my time and spend my heart. I have the forgiven children with our daily needs and struggles, freedom to “adopt” others to create my own and our desire to grow in knowing and reflecting circle of family, to love people with an unen- Christ in the midst of life’s struggles. Community is cumbered heart, to invest my time in causes to be found, and Christ builds it, wherever we’re and ministry. willing to invest in another person and share life My singleness is a treasure, a gift from God. honestly. Then we know, whether we’re single or not, Sadly, though, it’s also something that our we’re not alone. God speaks a word of grace and American culture tends to look down on. instruction to us through one another as we use our Many people seem to think that going through gifts to serve others and work alongside others. life unmarried is a sign of some inadequacy or Some singles are overwhelmed and overloaded a troubled inner life. It isn’t. Singleness is a with work and responsibilities. They have no one precious gift of the Maker—an intimate walk with whom to share the load and little energy to with the Savior as your partner and co-deci- reach out. They need people to reach out to them sion maker. The service I perform in my life and lend a helping hand. and ministry is done in a different way because I recently read about an assortment of people who of this gift. I am able to bless others in immeas- want to build relationships and focus on their min- urable ways because of it. istries, both in the church and in their workplaces. Did I ask for this gift? Did I ask to be single? They forge a united group through joint projects, No. But aren’t the best presents those that are progressive dinners, and socials. They use as good unexpected? Do I embrace my singleness as what some thought might divide them: their diversity. good and precious? Yes. Will God ask me to I wonder if we can build these kinds of groups in trade in this gift for a spouse someday? Maybe. congregations, groups where diversity is celebrated He is the best giver of gifts, and His timing and everyone belongs. What if each of us found at always is perfect. Using those gifts for all they least one friendship that focuses on helping one are worth can be more rewarding than we can another to know God’s grace, live out God’s high imagine. calling, and develop and use the gifts the Spirit has poured into our lives? — Heidi Fingerlin Many of my best friends are married. I’ve learned Director of Christian Education much from them about the commitment it takes to Redeemer Lutheran Church, have a healthy marriage and raise a family. I marvel Austin, Texas. at those who have found the grace to do it well, and

JANUARY 2006 busyness of people’s lives and, at times, hesitate to everyone’s gifts are used to bless one another. Consider initiate time with someone I’d like to get to know. Yet, the rewards that come with friendships, not just with generally, I’m richly rewarded when I do, because the people who are like you, but also with people who are desire for friendship is a mutual one. As I invest in unlike you. friendships, I’m inevitably drawn into family life— I have friends I consider my extended family every- where I’ve lived. The members of a church make up one body; by Sue von Fange is minister for outreach God’s design, that body is diverse. God encourages and assimilation at Trinity Lutheran interdependency so that everyone’s needs are met and Church, Clinton Township, Mich.

DATING AFTER 55 omeone once told me, “Every adult is a junior-high kid with S wrinkles.” If that is true (and so far, from my own observations, I’d have to say it’s a pretty fair assessment), then whether one is 15 or 55, the longing for love, romance, intimacy, passion, and connection is crucial to life. Dating after 55 might seem peculiar because we think we have outgrown those desires—or at least we think we should have outgrown them. But passion for intimacy and connection does not cease when one reaches a “respectable age.” In fact, the passion for intimacy and connection is God-given. Dating after 55 is a reminder that all of us are made in God’s image and, with that in mind, we recall His words: “It is not good for the man to be alone.” The only thing not good in the Garden of Eden, the only thing that God did not like about Adam, was his aloneness. He provided the remedy in creating Eve and giving her to Adam. These passions that drive us to be with other people, to ask others out on “dates,” to connect, are really signs of a deeper, human longing for love that is most fully realized in the Passion of Christ. Christ’s love for us shows a profound kind—the most profound kind—of sacrificial So go ahead and date. Go ahead and be open to your love that finds expression in the witness of the church, passion, your desire for connection. Maybe your passion in the benevolent acts of the Christian community, and for intimacy can be a reminder of God’s passion in Christ even in the self-giving love we show to those we care for all of us. about—or want to care about—most deeply. — Dr. Bryan Salminen

THE LUTHERAN WITNESS Photo by DigitalVision™ fromthe PRESIDENT NEW BEGINNINGS The fact is that we all need new hy do people make New beginnings—every day. That’s WYear’s resolutions? because we all are guilty of a lot One study found that the most more than eating too much. Each popular resolutions are to spend one of us is infected with the dis- more time with family and friends; ease called sin, and we are guilty of to get fit; to lose weight; to quit sin against God every day of our smoking; and to get more enjoyment earthly lives. out of life. God our Father is constantly At the same time, a survey of giving us the new beginnings we so 12,000 people, taken a couple of sorely need. For the sake of His years ago, found that three in 10 Son Jesus Christ, He continually said they don’t keep their resolu- forgives us all our sins. By His tions even into February. Only about grace, our slate is clean, and not 20 percent said they last six months. only on the first day of the year. So why do they bother with reso- This is why Christmas, just past, Christ reconciled us to himself lutions in the first place? A logical is such a joyful time for us. It was and gave us the ministry of recon- answer is that for many people, a for us that God sent His Son, the ciliation; that is, in Christ God was new year represents a new begin- Christ Child, God incarnate, God reconciling the world to himself, ning. Between feeling guilty about made flesh—living among us, fulfill- not counting their trespasses eating too much over the holidays ing the Law for us, redeeming us against them, and entrusting to us and a sense of optimistic hope that from sin by His perfect life and the message of reconciliation. this time will be different—that innocent death on the cross. And Therefore, we are ambassadors this time resolutions will be kept— thereby, He gives us the peace that for Christ, God making his appeal the tradition continues for making passes all understanding. through us. We implore you on these annual commitments. For Christians, the Good News behalf of Christ, be reconciled to that we are at peace God” (2 Cor. 5:17–20 ESV). with God through our Dear brothers and sisters in Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, many people in the world Christ moves and moti- today are longing for the peace vates us to commend that is available only through faith our hands and lips in in Christ. I encourage you to think service to God. And so specifically, to be alert constantly, in our daily lives—in for what might be considered our various vocations “divine appointments” with people or callings, our profes- to whom God may be leading sions, our work, our you—people to whom you can worship, our conversa- reflect Christ’s light and Christ’s tion, our service, our love in your life. witness—we are privi- God’s blessings to you as you leged to impart and share your Christ-centered joy and radiate the joy that we peace with others. Among all of have to the people your New Year’s resolutions, what around us. could be greater than that? The apostle Paul tells us, “Therefore, if Jerry Kieschnick anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The Lives TransformedRev. Randomthrough NameChrist, is in Time ... for Eternity! The idea of making a new beginning in the New old has passed away; pastor of Holy Cross Year may explain why people make such resolutions John 3:16–17 behold, the new has Lutheran Church, as to get fit or lose weight. Through the forgiveness Anytown, USA of our sins in Jesus Christ, God constantly gives us come. All this is from e-mail: [email protected] the new beginning we really need. God, who through Web page: www.lcms.org/president

Getty Images; President Kieschnick photo by Strauss-Peyton JANUARY 2006