Advent Lutheran Church - Mentor, OH - Pastor's Corner

Advent Season (4 weeks) Christmas Season (12 Days), Epiphany Season (January 6th, lasting for 6-7 Sundays)

Since this newsletter covers two months and three seasons in the Liturgical year, my article will highlight and share some of the themes and plans for our worship/spiritual life together.   There are three distinct seasons of the CHURCH year, (which is a regular cycle follows the life of Christ, our Salvation History and what it means to be a disciple of Christ).   Advent 1 begins the new church year... the year of St. Luke (in the 3 year Lectionary series)!

The season of Advent has changed liturgically over the past three hymnals (SBH, LBW and ELW).   The Season of Advent is four weeks (in direct contrast to what "secular" society dictates that Christmas begins in Sept and ends on December 25th).   The SBH (Service Book and Hymnal) had the old liturgical year with named Sundays, usually in Latin.   The season of Advent was understood as a penitential season, with purple being the color of the four week liturgical season.   The advent wreath’s four candles were three purple and one pink.   The LBW (Lutheran Book of Worship) rediscovered, to differentiate Advent from Lent (Lent being a penitential seasons) the color of blue for Advent.   This coming from the Scandinavian Tradition.   Blue is the color of Hope.   The LBW had two options for Advent: Purple or Blue; the ELW (Evangelical Lutheran Worship) only has blue.   The advent wreath therefore corresponds to the liturgical color of the season.   There are a variety of names of each of the four candles.   It is dependent upon what the appointed lessons, prayer of the day and the sermons themes chosen by the pastor to bring to the people of God during the Advent season.   Key aspects of Advent include... preparation, hope, waiting, anticipation, expectation... vs. instant gratification... four days ago, which is the constant tension between the two.   The challenge of Advent is to take a fresh approach each year focusing on the basics.    This, in light of the pressures of secular society we experience during this season.   Advent and Christmas are spiritual matters!

The use of a so called "Christ Candle" is not part of the historical origins or purpose of the Advent Wreath.   The "Christ Candle" is not to be confused with the Paschal Candle (The Candle of the Resurrected Christ).   This is also why another candle, other than the Paschal Candle, is used at Evening Prayer.

Actually, the so called "Christ Candle" is mainly driven by the candle-making companies, whose primary interest is in making money vs. the theological, homiletical and liturgical practices of the Christian church, which are the basic foundations of why we do the things we do in the church!   I was astounded recently to discover a NEW variation with NO historical / theological /or liturgical foundations... three blue candles and one pink?   Just when you think you have seen everything!

This year the Prayers of the Day, The Lessons, Hymns, and the Liturgical Arts, etc., will focus on the introduction of the first phrase of each of the Prayer of the Day...

Stir Up your power, Lord Christ, and come.
Stir Up our hearts, Lord God, to prepare the way of your only Son.
Stir Up the wills of your faithful people Lord God, and open our ears.
Stir Up your power, Lord Jesus, and come.

Advent is a season that challenges us.   We want to fastforward (we have a tendency to do that during Lent, by passing the fact that our Lord's body hung on the cross for three longs hours) and not wait, and anticipate with an expectant hope.    Advent is a season of tension between already and not yet!

Advent is a time of preparation.   We are preparing for the "coming" of Christ.   We observe three "comings" of Christ: His first coming in a humble birth (nativity), his second coming to reign (parousia), and his weekly (daily) real presence in the word and supper (sacrament).   Already, and not yet, are two significant dynamics of the Advent season.

You could say that Advent is a "wait and slow down" reflective season, in order to prepare our hearts, lives, time and mission, in what the Birth of Christ really means for us and all of humanity!

What is coming?   Who is coming?   What does God have to say to us BEFORE we celebrate the Incarnational Event... THE most precious ultimate life-giving gift... here on earth and eternally... having daily implications 365 days a year for disciples of our Lord?   Epiphany (the 12th Day of Christmas), is Wednesday, January 6th!   We will celebrate the Epiphany (the manifestation of God), with worship at 7:30 PM, preceded by a congregational potluck at 5:30PM!   Let us continue to gather to celebrate the Incarnational Event!

There are two other important and exciting events with our brothers and sisters in Christ at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.   They will be joining us at Saturday, Evening Prayer at 6:00 PM on January 9, preceded by a JOINT potluck at 5:00 PM Pastor Kelley will be preaching, St. Andrew’s Deacon will be assisting and I will be presiding.

On Sunday, January 31st at 7:30 PM Advent Lutheran is invited to join St. Andrews for Candlemass Evensong with a reception following.   Our Choir and St. Andrew’s choir will be participating.   Further information is contained in this newsletter.    I encourage you to read the article that explains Candlemass.

Our Worship life during the Season of Advent, Christmastide (12 days), and Epiphany has been carefully and intentionally planned is full of visuals in order to build up and STIR UP our anticipation levels.   It is hoped that you will remain open in being receptive to what God is saying to us during this time in the church year.

It is hope that we all have open hearts and minds as we come together as brothers and sisters in Christ, during these important seasons of life in the church year.

In Christ,
Pastor Phil Kunder
(December 2009/January 2010)

LENT

Beloved People of God…

I pray that you are finding your Lenten Disciplines rewarding and challenging.   Over 100 copies of "A Handbook for the Discipline of Lent" have been picked by you; and about the same amount of copies of the brief discourse on the Triduum (The Three Days).   More are available in the narthex.

It is my sincere hope that many of the members of the congregation will afford themselves this spiritual experience, in an effort to enrich your faith/life journey.   In doing so, these experiences address two of the Natural Church Development growth areas for Advent Lutheran Church (Lutheran Identity and Passionate Spirituality).

I hope the inclusion in last month’s Candle of feedback from other lay people from previous congregations that I have served, move you to attend... and at least be open and try it.   The resources were provided to assist you as much as possible to have a meaningful experience, especially if you have never experienced it before.   If you have any questions about anything related to Lent, Holy Week, and the Triduum, please do not hesitate to ask.

Due to scheduling conflicts, the previously announced class Triduum 101, is cancelled.   However, I will attempt to have a "Triduum Moment" during Adult Ed class (Our study of the Gospel of St. Luke on Sunday mornings).

On March 21st at the 9am Liturgy, three young people of our congregation will Affirm their Baptismal Faith (Confirmation).   This rite of the church usually does not happen during the season of Lent (the color of the season remains purple on this day).   Due to a variety of reasons, one of which is the current state of the Call Process, the date of Affirmation/Confirmation was moved up.   The basic bottom line of Affirmation/Confirmation is for young people (and adults) to Affirm their Baptismal Covenant and to become more responsible and active in the mission of the church and of Advent Lutheran Church.   It is NOT a "graduation" from or even into church, (a word and some local practices perpetuate).   It is ALL related to the Sacrament of Baptism and the living out of our faith 24/7/365.

As is my pastoral practice, I involve the parents, siblings, Godparents, Grandparents in the Rite of Affirmation/Confirmation.   We look forward to this day!

In Christ,
Pastor Phil
(March 2010)

LENT 2010

On Tuesday, February 16th we will gather for another fellowship opportunity, for Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras) Pancake Dinner.   It’s a day to indulge in eating, before taking up the Spiritual disciplines of Lent.

Ash Wednesday Liturgy begins the penitential season of intentional reflection upon the Passion of our Lord.   Lent is a season of simplicity; a need to embrace an austere, contemplative tone in our gatherings, in order for us to have a focused spiritual experience.

Our Mid-week Lenten worship will be a series entitled: “The Body of Christ”.    Week by week God’s people, who are the Body of Christ in God’s world today, are invited to meditate thoughtfully on the human body with which our Lord first brought God’s saving love to the world.   We will meditate on:

+ The Feet of Christ…to lead the way
+ The Hands of Christ…to help and heal
+ The Mouth of Christ…to speak God’s Word
+ The Ears of Christ…to hear our prayers
+ The Eyes of Christ…to see our needs
+ The Heart of Christ…beating with love

On Sunday’s during Lent, I will be preaching on the Seven Last Words of Christ spoken from the cross.   Let us be attentive to what Christ is saying to us in these words.

Lent, Holy Week, the Three days are THE most important time in the church year and in a Christians faith life/journey.   It is the most meaningful for me as a person of faith and as a pastor for almost 25 years!    I have always put my heart and soul in the liturgies of the church during Lent, Holy Week and Easter.

In the narthex on Sunday, January 31st you will find two very important resources for your faith journey this Lenten Season.   One resource is a very helpful booklet for you to use in understanding and "practicing" the Disciplines of Lent.   It is entitled A Handbook for The Discipline of Lent.   The other resource is a relatively brief explanation (worship guide) of the Triduum (or as the ELW states the Three Days — Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Vigil).    ONE Liturgy over a three day period.   It is best experienced by attending all of the three days.   It is the most detailed and intentional liturgy of the church.   Everything seen, heard and sensed is a sermon: All the liturgical actions are a sermon.

I will be offering a class on the Triduum for at least 2 Sundays February 28th & March 7th, during the Educational Hour.   Look for more forthcoming details in the Sunday Bulletins!

I have also included in this newsletter feedback from people who have experienced the Three Days (also known as the Paschal Triduum), to assist those who have never experienced the Three Days.   It is hoped that this and the additional resources and Adult Education Hour will enrich your worship and spiritual experiences.

I offer the following feedback from members of previous congregations that I have served, after they experienced all of the Three Days (Triduum):

Adult Male----On Maundy Thursday, after you washed our feet, I thought I had experienced the true meaning of what sacrifices Jesus had done for us.   Then, came the stripping of the altar and the darkening of the church during the singing of Psalm 23.   This symbolism of death and mourning brought back memories of the night I said good-bye to my father.

Adult Female---I found the foot washing on Maundy Thursday to be a particularly moving experience.   Sometimes when new practices are demonstrated it shines a new light on the story we’re so familiar with and how Jesus made so many sacrifices for us.

Youth----I discovered that the washing of the feet on Maundy Thursday was very touching to me because it reminded me that Jesus washed his twelve disciples’ feet at the last supper.

Adult Female----My spiritual experience of the Triduum this year was enhanced in many ways over the past.   The write-ups provided in both the handbook for Lenten discipline and the "Everything you wanted to know about the Triduum and glad you asked…", provided me back round information on what the Triduum was about and what one might expect.

The Absolution on Maundy Thursday had a special spiritual sense as we have been discussing the painting The Return of the Prodigal Son in bible study.   When your hands were placed upon my head I felt God’s forgiveness like never before.    Following this with the exchange of peace left me feeling free and cleansed.   Speaking of being cleansed, the washing of the feet also remains in my heart and mind.   Honored to be asked, I was reminded that I am a servant of God and must be mindful to do the work of God, each and every day of my life.

Good Friday was always a scary service to me as a child, and is now to Miranda.   The retelling of the crucifixion in the R.C. church was always done with the parishioners playing the part of the Jews yelling "Crucify him" and "Free Barabbas".   I was not comfortable saying those words, but now have come to understand why we must do so and face the fact that we are sinful beings.   The solemnity and minimalist way in which it was done helped me to embrace the service.

My favorite service of the entire year has come to be the Easter Vigil.   This year’s service clearly leads the pack!   The music alone is enough to bring me to tears as I felt the Holy Spirit all around us.   The Service of Readings was especially alluring with the various readers partaking in the stories.   The theatrics that were incorporated into the change from darkness to light was fantastic!    Baptisms rarely fail to help me feel the Holy Spirit.   The Baptism of an adult and at the Easter Vigil did so ever more.   (Almost like the change from dark to light.)

I was extremely fulfilled in a spiritual sense by this year’s Triduum.   I thank you for the time and effort you put in not only in preparing for the services, but also for the printed handouts.   I learned and understood more this year than every before.    I look forward to enhancing my understanding and growing closer to my Lord in the years ahead.

Adult Female (Sr. Citizen)----It is hard to express in words my feelings about the Triduum Services.   I can only say I was deeply moved by the experience.   I also know that I would have felt the same way had I not participated in the readings during the Easter Vigil.

On Sunday, February 14th at both Liturgies, there will be an opportunity for this community of faith to support those who desire to affirm their marriage vows.   It will take place following the Hymn of the day.   A special "reception" will be held.   I look forward to any questions you might have as we journey together with our Lord during this holy season.

In Christ,
Pastor Phil Kunder

(February 2010)