Peace Between Christian and Muslim?

Tuesday after Advent 1
December 1, 2009

The Lord be with you

Muslim terrorists have certainly been in the news lately. We all know the terrible events of 9/11 that sparked our involvement in Afghanistan. Those who know history also know that Islam was born in war, first to unify the Arabian Peninsula, and then conquests across the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, and deep into Asia. The wars and counter wars make for captivating reading, but it can cause us to miss something important in the history of Islam … its strong tradition of peace.

People getting along really doesn’t make the headlines often, but I remember one remarkable time it did in my lifetime. Anwar Sadat (Muslim), Menachem Begin (Jewish), and Jimmy Carter (Christian) clasped hands together in a peace accord. Yes Sadat was assassinated by a Muslim, and Begin was assassinated by a Jew, and Carter failed to be re-elected, but we did see three men from three different faith traditions coming together for the sake of peace.

I remember reading about a New York mosque emptying out into the streets after the 9/11 attacks chanting “Death to the Taliban!” Clearly they did not support the violent actions undertaken by the murderers that hijacked the airplanes.

Still, I have heard from time to time people say, “Why don’t the important people in Islam speak out against the violence?” Well … many have.

On October 13, 2007 no less than 138 Muslim leaders from around the world, “representing all denominations and schools of thought” in Islam, issued A Common Word Between Us and You. “It extensively quotes the Qur’an and the Bible to show that both Islam and Christianity teach love for God and love for one’s neighbor. The document focuses on beliefs held in common. It also encourages peaceful and harmonious relationships between Muslims and Christians, since together these faiths incorporate ‘well over half of the world’s population. Without peace and justice between these two religious communities, there can be no meaningful peace in the world.’” (LOGIA, A Journal of Lutheran Theology, volume XVIII, # 4, page 23)

Just because a person is a Muslim does not automatically make them a terrorist. If we are to make progress in our relationship with Muslims it seems wise to find common ground. At least for many, that common ground can be love for God and for our neighbor.

A link to A Common Word Between Us and You, along with reactions to it from Jewish, Christian, and Islamic groups, can be found by clicking the document name in this paragraph.

Blessings in Christ
Pastor John Rickert

Advent Services

Commemoration of St. Andrew, Apostle
November 30, 2009

The Lord be with you

Lamb of God Lutheran (LCMS) will again have Wednesday Advent services. As is our custom, we will have an half-hour service starting at 12:15 PM, for those who either do not drive well at night or desire to attend on their lunch break. During this service the liturgy is spoken and we sing only one hymn. The evening service begins at 7:00 PM, has three hymns, and the liturgy is mostly sung. For the evening service we will be using Evening Prayer, beginning on page 243 of the Lutheran Service Book. For the 12:15 service we will be using Responsive Prayer 1 (AKA Suffrages), beginning on page 282 of the Lutheran Service Book.

This year the evening services will be preceded by a Soup Supper, which begins at 6:00 PM. Following the evening service the choir will have a rehearsal.

The theme for this year’s homilies is “An Advent God – An Advent People.” The homily for the first Wednesday in Advent is titled “Coming Ones” and is based on Genesis 12:1-4.

Blessings in Christ

Women's Bible Fellowship Christmas Party

The ladies of Lamb of God Lutheran Church (LCMS) Women’s Bible Fellowship will be having their Christmas party this year at the Sahara Mediterranean Grill (8161 Warren Abernathy Highway (Hwy 29)) Thursday, December 10, at 6:30 PM. After the meal they will go to a member's home for a gift exchange and desert.

St. Andrew

Commemoration of St. Andrew, Apostle
November 30, 2009

The Lord be with you

St. Andrew is commemorated on November 30. The brother of Simon Peter, he was born in the Galilean village of Bethsaida. Originally a disciple of St. John the Baptist, Andrew then became the first of Jesus’ disciples (John 1:35-40). His name regularly appears in the Gospels near the top of the lists of the Twelve. It was he who first introduced his brother Simon to Jesus (John 1:41-42). He was, in a real sense, the first home missionary, as well as the first foreign missionary (John 12:20-22). Tradition says Andrew was martyred by crucifixion on a cross in the form of an X. In 357 AD, his body is said to have been taken to the Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople and later removed to the cathedral of Amalfi in Italy. Centuries later, Andrew became the patron saint of Scotland. St. Andrew’s Day determines the beginning of the Western Church Year, since the First Sunday in Advent is always the Sunday nearest to St. Andrew’s Day.

Blessings in Christ

Questions Anyone?

The Last Day of the Church Year
November 28, 2009

The Lord be with you

In a comment on an earlier post I was asked if there was any place on this blog to submit questions. I said there is no such designated local, but that a question could be submitted as a comment on any post. If the question does not relate to the post, then I’d just create a separate post.

To no great surprise, I received two questions that did not relate to the post. They were; 1) How can you be angry and not sin; and 2) How do you honor an estranged parent? I will deal with these questions in two future posts, however I would like everyone to know that they can submit a question in the same fashion. I’ll get to them as time and inspiration permit.

Blessings in Christ

Commemoration of Noah

Saturday after the Last Sunday in the Church Year
November 28, 2009

The Lord be with you

Tomorrow is the First Sunday in Advent. It is also the Commemoration of Noah in the Church Calendar used in the LCMS. As I tend to be busy on Sundays, I thought I’d post information about Noah today.

Noah, the son of Lamech (Genesis 5:30), was instructed by God to build an ark in which his family would find security from the destructive waters of a devastating flood that God warned would come. Noah built the ark, and the rains descended. The entire earth was flooded, destroying “every living thing that was on the face of the ground, man and animals” (Genesis 7:23). After the flood waters subsided, the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. When Noah determined it was safe and God confirmed it, Noah, his family, and all the animals disembarked. Then Noah built an altar and offered a sacrifice of thanksgiving to God for having saved his family from destruction. A rainbow in the sky was declared by God to be a sign of His promise that never again would a similar flood destroy the entire earth (Genesis 8:20-22; 9:8-17). Noah is remembered and honored for his obedience, believing that God would do what He said He would.

The image is a recreation of Noah’s Ark in Holland.

Blessings in Christ

Cub Campout

Tuesday after the Last Sunday of the Church Year
November 24, 2009

The Lord be with you

November 6-7, 2009 the Cubs of Pack 1031 (the pack of Lamb of God Lutheran, LCMS) went on a camping trip with the boys of Pack 53 in Gaffney. The boys who made it had a great time. Below is a collage from the camp out.

Blessings in Christ,
Pastor (Pack Committee Chair) John Rickert