Dear Friends in Christ,

 

I'm saddened by the events in Charlottesville over the weekend. As a participant in the Fairfax County Clergy and Leadership Council I share its August 14 press release.

 

Clinging to the Cross of Christ,

+ Pastor Albert

 

The Fairfax County Clergy and Leadership Council is horrified by the three deaths and the numerous people injured as a result of the acts of violence committed in the streets of Charlottesville Virginia on August 12, 2017.  On that day, the actions displayed by the white supremacists, neo-Nazis and anti-Semites were an abomination and do not represent the respect the vast majority of Virginians have for all people . We grieve with the family and friends of the counter-protester and two State Police troopers who died and the many who were injured during the protest.  It is more important than ever that we actively support community efforts to strengthen community acceptance and respect for all regardless of their race, religion, creed or nationality.  The Council stands firm in its commitment to work for a community of inclusion, dignity and peace. 

 

Contact:

Fairfax County Clergy and Leadership Council Executive Committee

NCSInterfaith@fairfaxcounty.gov

LutherFacts

As the Turkish threat to Europe receded, Martin Luther's influence on the unfolding Reformation continued to expand. His efforts can be tracked in a variety of interesting but often forgotten ways. One that usually escapes our attention is how Luther helped shape the languages of Scandinavia. In 1540-41, the new Swedish king Gustav Vasa authorized the translation of the first Swedish-language bible. The new bible was based directly on Luther's 1526 German bible. In Sweden, Denmark, and Norway, the translators—usually individuals personally known to Luther—framed their efforts on the structure and grammar of the German version. In Sweden, for example, the new bible laid the basis for the Swedish language. "It established a uniform spelling of words," notes one source, "particularly the infinitive ending -a instead of the more Danish-sounding -e, and defined the use of the vowels å, ä and ö," among other linguistic innovations. The Gustav Vasa Bible remained the official translation of the Swedish Lutheran state church until 1917. In this turn of events, one can see the profound way Martin Luther shaped not only the Reformation but the rise of Scandinavian languages and culture.

REFORMATION REVERBERATIONS
In July, I attended the biennial conference of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians (ALCM) in Minneapolis with my wife Janet. "Rise, Remember Well the Future" was the theme, from Susan Palo Cherwien's hymn, "Rise, O Church, like Christ Arisen" (see ELW #548, stanza 3: " ... the future God has called us to receive"). As you might expect from the title, although this year marks the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, the emphasis was not on that historic event but on the future of the Church and its continuing reformation, or re-forming. We did not even sing "A Mighty Fortress," nor did we hear it until the Closing Eucharist, when the organist of the Castle Church in Wittenberg (she's an American) included an arrangement of it as the prelude. Also, we sang no John Ylvisaker ("Borning Cry"), who died this spring and was named in the thanksgiving for the faithful departed. Also remembered was Gerhard Cartford (see ELW index), who died in 2016, a leader in introducing Latino texts and tunes to the Lutheran church. In browsing online for Cartford's obituary, I found that one of his colleagues who left a written tribute was Phil Anderson, also now departed, who frequently assisted in our Spanish services here at St. Mark's. He and Gay, as his peers knew him, studied and worked together in Mexico, Argentina, and Colombia. Gay's funeral took place in Central Lutheran Church, where we were gathered for our closing service. Despite these and other unexpected omissions during the week, there were many wonderfully exciting events that time will not permit me to relate. But I would like to tell you about one.
 
On the third night of the conference, we sang Evening Prayer with the Benedictine monks of St. John's Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota, a place deeply committed to liturgical renewal and ecumenism. Aside from the warm, convivial, and engaging welcome we received from the monks, I was moved by the service itself, which was led by the Abbot (head of the monastery) and a female Lutheran pastor, standing side by side, in their respective cowl and alb. Portions of our Lutheran-Roman Catholic Statement on Unity were read alternately by these two worship leaders throughout the service.
 
The brothers were ahead of their time when they built the abbey church. It is a starkly modern space, mostly of poured concrete, seating 2000 to accommodate the University and surrounding community, and it had very lively acoustics. There was not an image to be seen, not even the figure of Christ on the cross. The people bring the color and life to the worship, they told us. Built prior to Vatican II (1963), the chancel was designed with the altar in the center, away from any wall. You may recall, until Vatican II mandated it, our altars were against the wall with the pastor's back to the congregation. The floor plan of the church is in the shape of a bell (like our hand bells). The clapper is the narthex, which contains the baptismal font, the place where the people enter and make the gathered church ring and reverberate. I found my senses heightened during this worship. When we spoke the responses to the prayers—"Lord, hear our prayer”—it sounded like thunder rolling and drifting away. A baby cooed from the back, and the sound drifted like a sweet note through the vast nave; soon thereafter we sang Psalm 8, "Your majesty is praised above the heavens on the lips of children and of babes." The monks opened the service singing a hymn to the tune Veni redemptor gentium, on which Brother Martin (Luther), an Augustinian monk and priest, based three of his hymn tunes:  "Savior of the Nations, Come" (#263); "Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word" (#517); and "Grant Peace, We Pray, in Mercy Lord" (#784). We sang "Lord, Keep Us Steadfast" together with the brothers and shook the rafters. Even before the service began, as two of our buses were delayed (Collegeville is an hour and a quarter south of Minneapolis), we spontaneously broke into song:  "Amazing Grace," "How Great Thou Art," "Beautiful Savior," a cappella, in parts. Brother David, a St. Olaf grad, stood to lead us. The service was followed by a lively, light-hearted, and enlightening discussion on church unity with the conference M.C. (another female Lutheran pastor) and Father Michael Joncas ("On Eagle's Wings").
 
The singing was glorious throughout the week. The National Lutheran Choir, the organists and other instrumentalists, the preachers, the presenters, workshop leaders, and speakers filled me up. One cannot quite take it all in, nor is it possible to hold on to every morsel, but I was amply fed and came away feeling inspired to continue my duties at St. Mark's with renewed energy and to work as best I can to lead the people's song, which is what we church musicians (aka "cantors") are called to do. Thank you, St. Mark's, for this opportunity.
 
I will gladly share other details of the conference with interested persons. Janet, too, will be happy to relate her experience from a different vantage, that of an organist's wife.
 
Chris Michaelsen, Organist/Accompanist

Don't Forget to the Lock the Doors!

When you need to unlock a church door make sure you lock it when you leave. Ushers should lock the ADA door by the kitchen and the door by the playground after the 9:00 AM service in August.The only doors that should be unlocked after the 9:00 AM service are all the doors in the narthex. Thank you!

Children’s Church

Children’s Church adult volunteers are needed! Volunteers are scheduled to help one Sunday (the same Sunday) each month. This year we will meet beginning September 10th at the 10:00 AM service. The lesson is based on the Gospel for the week, and we use a website for our lesson plans to help us teach the “good news” in a kid- friendly way. The children’s service includes prayer, singing, crafts, and games. If you are interested in helping with this ministry, please contact Cathy Snider or call 703-455-5395

  PROPERTY COMMITTEE NOTICE
The Property Committee is in the process of cleaning the two rooms near the Fellowship Hall:  
- the Blue Conference (Room #120), its closet, and all items in the cabinets on the West wall
  and 
- the Library (Room #122) and its closet

ALL church committees, individuals, and outside organizations who use these rooms are requested to do the following:

• Inspect these rooms for any items that may belong to them. 
  
• Items found must be neatly packaged and identified as to who has responsibility for them with contact information.
  
• Any clothing must be clean and hung in an orderly manner on the clothing rack located on the North wall of room #120.  
  

On September 1, 2017, any items not identified will be disposed of.

Thanks for your help in keeping the areas in these two rooms clean and in order.

All Lutheran Women Retreat

“Important Stories and Pointless People”

This is a two-night Lutheran women’s retreat open to ALL women. Join us at the Fredericksburg Hospitality House in Fredericksburg, VA, October 13-15, 2017. (Breakfasts are included as part of the room registration.)

The theme will revolve around important Biblical stories as told by Biblical Storytellers throughout the event and retreat sessions led by Pastor Brett Davis from Muhlenberg Lutheran Church in Harrisonburg, VA. Pastor Brett’s sessions will draw from Dan Erlander’s book Tales of the Pointless People.

There will be opportunities for fellowship, prayer, worship, and music.

Registration deadline:  September 8, 2017

Questions? Please email alwretreat2015@gmail.com with any questions.

www.facebook.com/AllLutheranWomensRetreat

Register at http://alwretreat.wixsite.com/alwr/registration-form or there are forms in the narthex.

Come learn together about some things you may not know about planning for college. This is not just for high school youth but for families with youth of all ages who plan on sending their children to college. Refreshments will be available.