Today’s post is by Linda Witte Henke, an artist specializing in the creation of liturgically purposed work for congregation, synod, and churchwide settings (www.lindahenke.com). This is the first of quarterly posts by Linda that will provide suggestions and templates for an expression of liturgical art.

When asked, most congregants would likely describe Advent as a time of “preparing for Christmas.” While this description may be technically accurate, the reality is that most people’s experience of the month of December is focused on extensive “to-do” lists that, at best, are only distantly related to the essence of Advent.

Thankfully, the lectionary texts for Advent in Year C offer stirring words and rich imagery to draw us into deeper understanding and appreciation for these precious four weeks. Advent is a time of preparing our hearts and lives for the coming of Jesus the Christ encompassing past, present, and future:

• On Advent I, Jesus speaks of “signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars” and urges us to “stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21)

• On Advent II, the voice of John the Baptist crying out in the wilderness directs us: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth.” (Luke 3)

• On Advent III, the one who is coming is heralded by John the Baptist using language that calls for us to repent the brokenness of our relationships with God and one another in order that our lives may “bear fruits worthy of repentance.” (Luke 3)

• On Advent IV, Mary lifts her voice to proclaim God’s greatness in turning our up-side-down world right-side up. (Luke 1)

This post offers a way to incorporate imagery of the season into the assembly’s worship through use of a four-panel design linked to the weekly texts. The panels may be used as stand-alone designs, one per week, or as a composite that evolves from one to four panels over the course of the four-week season.

Some possibilities for utilizing the design include:

• Creating banners, using silver markers and silver paint on blue “fadeless” paper (available by the roll in craft stores or education-supply outlets) or using silver lamé and silver organza fused or stitched/appliquéd onto blue fabric
• Using a “print on demand” service to reproduce the digital design on paper or fabric
• Incorporating the digital design in the congregation’s projected worship slides
• Including the digital design in the congregation’s print and/or electronic communications

Regardless of the way(s) in which you choose to integrate the design into your congregation’s Advent journey, the effectiveness and impact of the design’s use will be enhanced by intentional references to the design throughout the season, particularly within the context of worship. For example:

• How might it feel to lift up our heads and hands in anticipation of Jesus’ coming? (Advent I)
• How might heightened awareness of the sun, moon, and stars awaken our longing for God’s coming close to reside within and among us? (Advent II)
• How might repentance of our human brokenness pave the way for faith’s fuller fruition in us? (Advent III)
• How might Mary’s song engage our more enthusiastic participation in the in-breaking reign of God’s up-side-down order? (Advent IV)

The attached PDF includes a modest-resolution image of the complete design, as well as patterns that can be enlarged to create banners in whatever scale is right for your congregation’s space. A higher-resolution image for large-scale reproduction may be downloaded from:  https://www.dropbox.com/sh/x69s78odh0gqcks/AACdV0LxnzVn9BvvoRwgwaFya?dl=0.

Last year, at an indoor farmers market we host, I was asked with some amount of disbelief, “Wait a second—is this still a real church?” (I replied with an emphatic “yes!”) But I’ll admit that there have been more than a few Sunday mornings when I’ve arrived to worship in a sanctuary that looks more exhausted than sacred. First, I gently remind myself that I don’t always look so good, either—and I remember that in our worship, our hearing of God’s Word, our praying, and our singing, not only are we renewed to serve our community, but so is this Common Room. For that, I give extra thanks and praise.

Today’s post is by Philip A. Gardner, Pastor of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Congregation in Sandusky, Ohio. 

It was to have been “the war to end all wars,” but that was a dream that didn’t last long.

World War I began in Europe in 1914.  Two years later, President Woodrow Wilson campaigned under the slogan, “He kept us out of war.” But that was short-lived. The United States entered the conflict in 1917, at a cost of over 100,000 lives before an agreement was reached on November 11, 1918, to end hostilities. Total war deaths are estimated at between 15 and 19 million.

Be it happenstance or serendipity, the 100^th anniversary of Armistice Day, November 11, 2018, falls on a Sunday. It seems a perfect opportunity for a commemoration of those who served on all sides in one of the most brutal conflicts in human history.  It also offers an opportunity to raise up the hope of peace even as other wars continue, notably those in Syria, Yemen, and Afghanistan.

Our congregation worships at 8:00 and 10:30 am each Sunday, and I am planning a regular service at 8:00 using the appointed texts for the day (Lectionary 32). But, given the tradition of tolling bells at “the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month,” we will offer a two-part worship opportunity at 10:30, with the bell toll in between.

The later service will open with a time of remembrance. Interwoven with Scripture and song will be snippets of the history of the war. Canadian Anthony Hutchcroft has written and performed a marvelous setting for the poem “In Flanders Fields,” having produced a video available on YouTube with dancing choreographed and directed by his wife Lee Kwidzinski. We’ll show the video as part of the war commemoration. Our congregation has also contacted our local American Legion Auxiliary to secure small paper poppies for all who attend.  While in the United States poppies have been more associated with Memorial Day in May, our British and Canadian friends have employed them on and around November 11, which, for them, is called “Remembrance Day.”

Our carillon will offer the sound of a tolling bell for a minute at 11:00 am (done at local time,) joining in a “Bells of Peace” nationwide observance.  See https://www.worldwar1centennial.org/546-events/bell-tolling/bells-of-peace/4558-bells-of-peace-concept.html for more information.

Then, indeed, we will turn to peace, using the texts suggested for “Peace” (Evangelical Lutheran Worship, p. 63). We have ordered copies of “World Peace Prayer” by Marty Haugen and Satish Kumar, intending to include it as either a choral or congregational piece.  Likely the single meditation/sermon will take place in the second half hour.  We will likely close with “This is my song.” (ELW 887). A peal of bell sounds from our carillon would be a fitting conclusion as candles are extinguished.

Additional resources for Veteran’s Day are available from the ELCA website. There will also be an interfaith observance on Sunday, November 11 at 10:00 am, at the Washington National Cathedral.  I’m told that the service will be streamed on the Internet, and will likely be available via recording.

Options are many, but the observance seems worthy of our attention as God’s people, particularly as we lift up the One who is our Prince of Peace, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Today’s post is by Talitha Duckworth. Tali is a member of New Joy Lutheran Church in Westfield, Indiana, and is entering her sophomore year of high school. 

LSM stands for Lutheran Summer Music and it is an extraordinary ministry that I was able to be a part of this past summer. This month-long summer camp was an eye-opening faith experience that I will remember for years. While I was there, I built friendships that will last a lifetime.

I have so many favorite parts of LSM that I would not be able to choose just one. Worship was one highlight. I loved morning and evening prayer every day as it was a calm and optimistic way of starting and ending the day. I also very much enjoyed Sunday eucharist. I was on the Worship Team, so every Sunday I would participate in worship leadership (communion server or assisting minister).

At LSM, a good part of each day is spent in music rehearsals. I was involved in band, orchestra, jazz band and a brass quintet. Each rehearsal was about an hour long; this could sometimes be tiring as I was a  trumpet player. But due to this intense rehearsal schedule, I was able to build my endurance and become a better trumpet player.

I think the coolest part of LSM was it being held at the amazing Valparaiso University chapel. Saying this as a pastor’s kid might be slightly biased, but it was amazing how the space would resonate after the organ played a massive chord or how the sun would be reaching through the stained glass on Sunday mornings. It was a beautiful sight. I had the pleasure of being the assisting minister on the final Sunday, an experience I will always remember. Standing in front of hundreds of people reading prayers and distributing communion gave me a feeling of joy I will never forget.

Both my experience in band and the beauty of the chapel combined in another amazing memory I had: playing Lincolnshire Posy, a piece for wind band by Percy Grainger. Playing this piece moved me and empowered me. If you have not heard this piece, go listen to it after you read this because the second movement gives you chills when it is played just right. I had the privilege of playing the trumpet solo in that movement and playing it in the chapel made it even more special. You could hear the chords ring for what felt like minutes after the release. I had this same feeling when in orchestra we played the final movement from the Firebird Suite by Igor Stravinsky. The final chords were so epic; it seemed that they would ring forever, giving this sensation at the end of the piece that was extraordinary.

I am glad for this opportunity to share a bit about this amazing experience. You can learn more at lsmacademy.org.

Photos: Tali Duckworth. Above Right:Serving as Assisting Minister for Worship. Above Left:Quintet Performance. Below:With other worship leaders at the Chapel of the Resurrection on the campus of Valparaiso University. 

From July 23-26, 2018, the “Hearts, Hands, Voices” event was held on the campus of Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana. This continuing education event was a joint venture between the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians (ALCM) and the ELCA. Two attendees of this event, one a first-time attendee from North Dakota and the other, a long-time member of ALCM from Pennsylvania, share with us how these days were formative for their music ministry.

Chad Svenby serves as Director of Worship and Music Ministry at Lutheran Church of the Cross in West Fargo, ND

The Hearts, Hands, Voices event was the first ALCM event I have attended. I came away from the week re-energized for the work that I do as a worship and music director. I enjoyed the opportunity to connect with other music leaders about the role and importance of music in worship, as well as our shared challenges and successes.

The group learning sessions were very informative and helpful. My church offers contemporary worship services so I found the inclusion of sessions related to presenting music in that type of setting to be a great addition. Throughout the event, participants were given access to a wide variety of materials and resources related to music leadership and worship planning. There were several that were of interest to me, such as the Musicians Guide to Evangelical Lutheran Worship, that I will be acquiring and using in my own planning.

I appreciated that this conference was tied in to the last week of the Lutheran Summer Music program that took place at Valparaiso University during the month of July. It was a joy to see so many of the next generation of music leaders developing and sharing their talents. A highlight of the week was the hymn festival on Wednesday evening, an inspirational and moving event. The performances reaffirmed in me the power and beauty of music and the impact it can have on the worship experience of an individual or congregation.

I left this event feeling invigorated and proud of the work I and others do as music leaders. I was challenged to develop new ideas and improve upon how music is presented to the members of my congregation. And I left feeling blessed that I am able to share the power and beauty of music with others.

Karen Eddinger serves as Minister of Music at Trinity Lutheran Church in Reading, Pennsylvania.

Another conference?  Having served churches as a Minister of Music for more than forty years, what could this event offer other than a break from the day-to-day routine of church work and an opportunity to meet or reconnect with colleagues? From my first step into the Chapel of Resurrection at Valparaiso University, the answer was that this was going to be an exceptional experience. The concurrent programming of this ALCM event with the last week of the Lutheran Summer Music program united the hearts, hands, and voices of several generations of musicians. From the opening Eucharist, through Morning Prayer, Night Prayer, and the hymn festival, these LSM students lifted our worship to new heights as we together praised God through the gift of music.

Group learning sessions both affirmed what was already known and reminded us of what was once learned but perhaps forgotten over the years. Growth happened when we were stretched beyond our comfort zones. How hard is it to play a shaker? In a robust 6/8 tempo, much harder than it looks!  How humbling to be a “trained” musician who just can’t do it! Paperless music (singing without printed scores) is a perfectionist’s nightmare! But from my struggle came the startling insight of how congregational members may feel when asked to sing something new. (For more about the practice of singing “paperlessly,” visit Music That Makes Community).

One of the greatest treasures of such an event was meeting fellow worship leaders. Sharing with one another our varied styles of worship, creative juices begin to flow; a breath is taken, spirits are renewed, and excitement is generated as we make plans for the coming year.  Another conference? Yes, please!

Today’s post is by Chad Hershberger, Executive Director of Camp Mount Luther in Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania.

Sitting along a lakeshore, enjoying the quiet breeze of summer, kids intently listen to a pastor talking about the reach of God’s love through Jesus Christ. The pastor tells them that sharing God’s love will reach far, just like ripples when a stone is thrown into a body of water. Those words are not just spoken. After being told about how God’s love extends beyond our reach, the kids throw a stone into the lake and watch as their ripples extend to the edges of the shore. The message of God’s word comes alive as they commune with their Creator in this place set apart.

Camp worship has been happening all over the country this summer in 126 Lutheran Outdoor Ministry sites. I am blessed to serve one of them and got to throw my own stone into our lake recently as part of this all-camp worship service. I’ve been around my camp since I was nine years old and for me, camp worship is where God really comes alive and God’s presence is truly felt as I’m surrounded by the beauty of creation.

When we gather together at camp as the people of God and invoke God’s presence, we are an extension of congregational worship. We show campers the connections between camp worship and their home church’s worship. Our staff who plans worship are taught the basic shape of Lutheran liturgy. What I think is a little different at camp is that campers are encouraged to be actively engaged. We don’t treat worship as a spectator sport! It is participatory and God’s message comes alive, through our singing, our moving around doing motions, and when throwing rocks into a lake.

You may think from my description that worship at camp is always loud which is not the case! One of my favorite worship services is what we call “field worship.” Campers and staff sit in our field, usually in the dark, looking up at the sky and listening to music and scripture as they spend some time reflecting on God and engaging in silent prayer. My favorite field worship is when Psalm 23 is recited as we lay in the field and listen to soft piano music. Hearing the words “lying down in green pastures” while actually lying down in a green pasture is powerful. Field worship gives campers and staff time to enjoy creation and experience worship in a different way. Even in the silence, God hears our cries of thanksgiving and praise.

It has been my experience that a camp worship service can be very powerful. But as I write this, describing these worship experiences, I recall the words of one of my predecessors here at Mount Luther. Early in my tenure as director, I sat in the kitchen of Don and Betty Mincemoyer who served here in the 1960s. They related the camp mission to their staff in this way: “Every thought a prayer; every action a worship experience.” Having the chance to give expression to what the whole creation yearns to do—praising God from whom all blessings flow—is what we continually do every day as we swim, make crafts, eat meals, hike, and play games. Camp is a place where we continually make our thoughts a prayer and our actions a worship experience. And because of that worship, both on our lakeshores and in other spots of God’s creation, lives are changed as Jesus Christ is encountered in new and exciting ways.