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You are here: Home / Archives for A Discussion of Liturgical Norms

As I See It: Public Health and Public Worship During COVID-19

May 14, 2020 by Frank C. Senn

By Frank C. Senn For years I wrote an opinion column for Let’s Talk at the invitation of the editorial board called “As I See It.” Even though Let’s Talk has adopted a blog format rather than an issue number format, I feel the need for another one as our states begin opening up society […]

Filed Under: A Discussion of Liturgical Norms, Communion and Community, Covid-19 Tagged With: body, hea;lth, sacrament

Is Fasting from the Reception of Holy Communion the Same as Fasting from the Eucharistic Liturgy? A Lutheran Liturgical-Sacramental Reflection on Eucharistic Praxis during COVID-19

May 12, 2020 by Maxwell E. Johnson

By Maxwell E. Johnson What will become of the centrality of the Eucharist in Lutheran worship as a result of the current pandemic?  I have been thinking about this question ever since many of our congregations moved rather quickly to Zoom and You Tube liturgies with an increased emphasis upon the oral proclamation of the […]

Filed Under: A Discussion of Liturgical Norms, Communion and Community, Covid-19

In Praise of Languages

June 7, 2016 by Wolf D. Knappe

Die Sprachen sind die Scheide darinnen das Messer des Geistes steckt. Luther (The languages are the sheath containing the sword of the Spirit) Since my retirement on January 1, 2002 I have had the privilege seldom accorded to an active pastor: I’ve been able to worship from the pew, being an active participant but not […]

Filed Under: A Discussion of Liturgical Norms

Liturgy in the Service of Evangelism

June 7, 2016 by Joyce M. Bowers

The Witness of the Worshiping Community: Liturgy and the Practice of Evangelism by Frank C. Senn, Paulist Press, New York/Mahwah, NJ, 1993. A Synopsis Compiled by Joyce M. Bowers This book has particular significance to the theme of this issue.   Although it was written a dozen years ago when the church growth movement with its […]

Filed Under: A Discussion of Liturgical Norms

The Allure of Catholicity: Latino Lutheran Ministries in the Crosshairs

June 7, 2016 by Keith Forni

My colleague from across town was being customarily succinct.  His message was tinged with a sense of urgency and concern.  “You need to pick up a copy of today’s Chicago Sun Times.”  He read me only the headline from the (August 20, 2002) front page: “Are Lutherans pretending to be Catholic to lure Hispanics?” Lutherans […]

Filed Under: A Discussion of Liturgical Norms

“With the Greatest Reverence”: Lutheran and Roman Catholic Worship

June 7, 2016 by Andrew Leahy

Our churches are falsely accused of abolishing the Mass.  Actually, the Mass is retained among us and is celebrated with the greatest reverence.  (Augsburg Confession, Article XXIV) The liturgy is about to begin.  The congregation stands as the processional cross leads the ministers down the center aisle.  People bow as the cross passes.  After the […]

Filed Under: A Discussion of Liturgical Norms

As I See It: The Need to Observe the Rubrics

June 6, 2016 by Frank C. Senn

Ritual Systems What do theatrical productions, sports games, the procedures of the U.S. Congress, and the liturgy of the church all have in common?  Answer: they are all ritual systems.  Rituals allow social groups to get certain things done, whether the goal is to stage Romeo and Juliet, score a touchdown, enact legislation, or facilitate […]

Filed Under: A Discussion of Liturgical Norms

Are There Norms for Lutheran Worship?

June 6, 2016 by Rev. Michael L. Burk, Ph.D.

Not long ago, after a visit to the Wartburg Castle, I worshiped at the church of St. George in Eisenach.  Though I don’t speak German, worship in that place on that day was more than familiar to me.  There was a rooted ness about it.  Perhaps grounded in the baptism of a child at the […]

Filed Under: A Discussion of Liturgical Norms

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As I See It: Public Health and Public Worship During COVID-19

Is Fasting from the Reception of Holy Communion the Same as Fasting from the Eucharistic Liturgy? A Lutheran Liturgical-Sacramental Reflection on Eucharistic Praxis during COVID-19

Jesus Known in the Breaking of the Bread

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the Brown Virgin (La Morenita)

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By Frank C. Senn

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Self-Care: Being Present to God and to our Bodily Selves

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By Richard O. Johnson

Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Season of Advent

By Maxwell E. Johnson