This is our pastor’s article for the April 13th, 2012 edition of the Stone County Gazette. The Deforming of Christianity By Pr. Rich Futrell Recently at a Christian bookstore, I saw shelf after shelf with books on every topic and fad that has passed through modern Christianity. Books were there on how to be a […]
The Wound of Abandonment: Matthew 27:45-48
March 28, 2012 by
How many are the wounds that we have inflicted on our Savior during His Passion, His suffering and death! Together, we have pondered the wounds of betrayal, apathy, denial, and mockery. We have seen ourselves, our own lives, reflected in Judas, the sleepy three, Peter, and the soldiers. Yet of the wounds that our Lord […]
Paintings Soon to Adorn SOTHLC’s Chancel
March 27, 2012 by
On August 19th, we plan to unveil two paintings for our chancel. The paintings will be one of the Hodegetria and the other, the Pantokrator. Because these paintings were first used in the Church when Greek was still the predominant language, these paintings still have their Greek-language names. More than simply being attractive, “churchy” art, the paintings are […]
The Annunciation
March 25, 2012 by
At the dawn of time, a woman, named Eve, came forth from the man, Adam. Yet, it was through that woman, Eve, that death entered the world. Later, a Man, named Jesus, would come forth from a woman, named Mary. And through that woman, Life Himself would enter the world, all in the Person of […]
The Didache, Lesson 13: The Agape Meal
March 25, 2012 by
The Didache, after going over what brought one into the New Covenant and the spiritual disciplines for one in the New Covenant, now delves into epicenter of the New Covenant itself–the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:28). However, what we find different is the context of the Lord’s Supper: It takes place within what is called an […]
The Wound of Mockery: Matthew 27:27-31
March 21, 2012 by
They thought it was hysterical–this Galilean peasant pretending to be a king. It made them laugh. So, they decided to have some fun with His obvious delusion. The soldiers began by taking away His clothes. He had to stand there naked as they mocked Him. Then, they found a beautiful scarlet robe and put that […]
Sermons Don’t “Do” It All
March 21, 2012 by
Jesus commissioned His Apostles to preach the Gospel (Luke 24:47). The Apostle Paul told Pastor Timothy to “preach the word” (2 Timothy 4:2). And so our Lutheran churches have properly valued faithful preaching. Jesus said to those whom He had sent to preach: “Whoever hears you, hears me. Whoever rejects you, rejects me. And whoever […]
The Didache, Lesson 12: Prayer and Fasting
March 20, 2012 by
After the Didache goes over what brings someone into the New Covenant of Christ, it immediately moves into the spiritual disciplines for someone who is in the covenant: Prayer and fasting. The spiritual disciplines that Jesus’ disciples are to bring into their lives help keep the sinful nature from taking over and causing them to […]
Your Snake on the Pole: Numbers 21:4-9
March 18, 2012 by
The command to put a snake on a pole must have sounded ridiculous to some of the Israelites. Stare at a bronze snake and you’ll be healed? Who came up with that stupid idea? It must’ve just sounded silly enough that some Israelites started to look for more reasonable solutions to the snakebites. Now, one […]
The Wound of Denial: Matthew 26:69-75
March 14, 2012 by
Peter loved his Lord. Peter boldly declared to Jesus, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). This was the Peter who, after Jesus said, “One of you will betray me,” responded with, “Surely, not I Lord!” This was the Peter who later said, “Even if all fall away because of […]
