| Pastor Biermann's updated Glimpses Message for June 15 and introducation for the new Sunday Bible class.
The third Sunday in June is almost upon us: according to long custom and US law since 1972, the June 18, 2017 is Father's Day. For most fathers, it doesn't seem particularly surprising or even significant that it took until 1972 for their day to achieve national holiday status. Frankly, it's not unexpected that mothers got their day almost 60 years earlier. Mother's take precedence, and that's fine with most fathers. Besides, at the time, it was men who were establishing the holidays, and from the standpoint of simple politics, it's much easier to vote for a holiday honoring someone else. While I'm inclined to concur with the politicians and let Father's Day arrive without much fanfare or preparation; this year, at least, I'm going to violate the wisdom that argues against a father promoting Father's Day. This year, I want everyone to celebrate Father's Day with me, by joining me for the first study of a new Sunday Bible Class. Last week, I Peter was completed. This week, we launch into a fresh topic: The Lord's Prayer as explained and taught by Martin Luther in his Large Catechism. I can think of no better way to spend part of Father's Day than by studying the prayer that the church has long called the pater noster, "The Our Father". Luther's Large Catechism treatment of "The Our Father," the Lord's Prayer, is remarkable. He understands the depth and the power of the prayer; and he applies it to the lives of real and ordinary Christian people in ways that are sometimes startling, and always uncannily relevant for a man writing five centuries ago. I am very eager to dive into this study with all of you for so many reasons. This is the great prayer of the Christian church, given to us by Christ himself. It is the prayer that unites all believers in Christ. This is the 500th anniversary year of the beginning of the Reformation, so spending some time with Luther will be entirely appropriate. And, finally, the insights into your Christian life that you will gain in this study will be important. I'll see you on Sunday in worship...and then in Bible class, ready to learn more about "The Our Father" and of course, our Father. |
