#14 Reformation and the Luther Rose

WHERE I WENT AND WHY:

It is Reformation Sunday so I HAD to go to a Lutheran Church.  I can always use a little Luther and Bach (Think A Might Fortress!). To stretch myself I went to Ascension Lutheran on Morehead St.  For my readers who are not Lutheran, Lutherans feel there is a big difference between LCMS and ELCA Lutherans.  LCMS, or Missouri Synod Lutherans are generally a little more conservative than ELCA Lutherans and many came from Scandinavian vs. German backgrounds (though that isn't always the case).  I grew up in the ELCA.  Ascension is LCMS.  I have often admired the church on the corner of Morehead and Kenilworth, and know of their deaf ministry and soup kitchen.

WHAT TO KNOW IF YOU WANT TO GO: 

 At the corner of Kenilworth and Morehead, I had no problems parking in their lot.  They have a nice portal on their website:  "New Here" which gives you good information about parking, the nursery, an overview of the service, etc.  Dress was "church casual."

REFLECTIONS ON WORSHIP

MOOD:

The mood was welcoming though no one asked my name.  I spoke briefly about Halloween with a young family behind me and gave my card to the pastor.  I found 2 Luther roses in their stained glass windows, and when I turned around, there is a beautiful traditional one which floods the sanctuary in the back.  

MUSIC:

The Minister of Music was equally competent on the pipe organ and grand piano.  His prelude quieted the congregation and set a reverent and celebratory mood.  The service was very traditional, but there were a few surprises.  It had been a long time since I had sung the liturgical settings which included This is the Feast and the Agnus Dei, and Sanctus.  Psalm 46 and was sung to a Latin American tune, though to me the melody sounded slightly Jewish.  It was beautiful.  We sang both A Mighty Fortress and God's Word is Our Great Heritage both to the same wonderful tune by Bach.  During the verse of A Mighty Fortress which starts with "Tho hordes of devils fill the land.." the organist slipped into a minor key.  Though it fit the words, it made it hard to sing, which I guess was the point. Then to my surprise we also sang an Amy Grant song, Thy Word!  

MESSAGE:

Rev. Roger Reckling

The service actually began with a children's sermon entitled, "Trick or Treat".  The devil tries to trick us into thinking we don't need God, or that if we just go to church we will go to Heaven.  While Jesus gives us the ultimate treat of Heaven and grace.

The sermon was based on Revelation 14:6-7, the text used at Martin Luther's funeral.  "You are an Angel, The Gospel is Yours to Proclaim"  by Rev. Johann Burgenhagen, Luther's fellow pastor and friend. Using this text, he proclaimed that Lutherans can proclaim the good news of God to a World in Fear.  Though Lutherans no longer feared God, but celebrated grace, they did fear that the Gospel could be lost to the masses in just one generation.  Therefore the pastor exhorted us to set a good example, especially to our grandchildren!  Even if they do not go to church with us, but by being here, we are setting a good example to them.

OUTREACH AND REFLECTIONS

• I wanted a traditional Reformation service, and I got one.  The music was beautiful, though the accompanist often overshadowed the choir and congregation.  The message gave me a good "shot" of Lutheranism and it felt "right" to see the acolytes in red on Reformation.
  
• Besides the usual retreats and meetings, the  announcements included a LCMS Homeschoolers event with another church in Kannapolis.
• Though the congregation was entirely white, they host an African Immigrant Worship Service weekly at noon and the congregation was invited to a Harvest Home event with African-American congregations. 

A LITTLE LUTHERAN HUMOR:

BULLETIN: