Lutheran Essentials meets in the undercroft of the church on Wednesday evenings at 7pm. You can reach the undercroft by going around to the back parking lot of the church and descending the staircase to the kitchen. Knock on the door if it is closed and some one will let you in. You can also join us remotely via our livestream. Our current study is on “Ceremony and Celebration” by Paul H. D. Lang. We are handing out copies of the book for free as well as copies of the Book of Concord and the Lutheran Service Book.
We will open class with Psalm 130 and our catechism lesson will be on the First Article of the Apostle’s Creed. We will read Chapter XV: The Ceremonial of the Order of Marriage, The Order for the Ordination of a Minister, and The Order for the Burial of the Dead (pg. 144-153). We will first talk about Marriage and the ceremonies attendant to this blessed event. We will then discuss Ordination and how a pastor is installed in his office. We will then read about Funerals and how a Christian is to be buried. We will then sing the hymn “Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart” (LSB 708).
Next we will read Chapter XVI: The Ceremonies of the Church Year Part I. The Christmas Section (pg. 154-166). We will discuss the Church Year in general in terms of its general character and value. We will then talk about the seasons of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany, as well as the festivals of the Presentation, Annunciation, and Visitation of our Lord. We will close with the hymn “What Child is This” (LSB 370).
As always new people are always welcome to this study at any point during the class. Please talk to the Pastor, Elders or Paul Edmon if you have any questions.
