Patristic Quote of the Day

How many masters has he who has forsaken the One! But let us not forsake Him. Who would forsake Him Whom they follow bound with chains indeed, but chains of love, which set free and do not bind, those chains in which they who are bound boast.—St. Ambrose of Milan, Letter 63:96

What is it

That is so utterly calming about a lazy Saturday afternoon, with a fire in the fireplace, the grandchildren in the house napping (not at the same time, of course), and a couple of kids stretched out and snoozing? Oh, and a hound dog lapping up the extra attention like it was just like what the Dr. ordered? 

Old Lutheran Quote of the Day

Therefore, that person of the Trinity through whom human nature was created in the first place and through whom it was sustained after the Fall, lest it be reduced to nothingness, was sent by the Father to restore and redeem it in order that He might be the Remaker of what He had been the Maker.—Martin Chemnitz, Two Natures, p. 44.

Patristic Quote of the Day

And at last when His sufferings were completed, as though completed and made perfect Himself, He gave health to all, He bore the sin of all.—St. Ambrose of Milan, Letter 63:47

The Poetic Soul of the Slovak

I did my vicarage with Slovaks and learned about a gentle kind of of Lutheranism that doesn't have the Teutonic combativeness about it. There was something so joyful, pious and rich in this way of being Lutheran; I fell in love with it at once!

This week I had two Slovak joys: We sang Čas Radosti in chapel on Monday (and David even showed me the difference between the ACTUAL Slovak and the Czech version I had learned on vicarage) AND I opened my mail to find a feast of poetry celebrating the Incarnation from dear Pr. Harvey Mozolak. "Our God is a poet" Franzmann once said. And I think the Slovak Lutherans totally get that. It's not just that the heretics compel us to put into words what cannot be put into words (Hilary), but that the Gospel itself compels us to put into words that Word beyond all words. The good news must be noised abroad, aloud, and put into poetry.

And just when you thought Epiphany couldn't get any better...

...Divine Service at St. Paul's and for the first time in I don't know how long, I got to worship with and receive the Sacrament with our three children (unfortunately, missing Meaghan and Lydia, Sawyer and Annabelle). Holding Flynn, singing harmony next to Lauren, the sweet smell of the incense floating aloft, Cindi and David's fine rendition of "Zion hears the Watchmen" (Buxtehude), Pastor's sermon, the gift once again of the Savior's body and blood...yes, a very good Epiphany.

Old Lutheran Quote of the Day

The exhortation is that we diligently learn and study the Word and grow in its understanding, so that we may be filled with the light of this glory. Those who regard this light as a treasure hold all glory of the flesh to be nothing. This is what we see in the martyrs. By comparison with the Word they spurned all things.—Luther on the OT Reading for the Feast of Epiphany, Isaiah 60:1ff.

Patristic Quote of the Day

Jesus goes up out of the water...for with Himself He carries up the world...and sees heaven open, which Adam had shut against himself and all his posterity.—Gregory of Nazianzus, reading from Treasury for today.

Epiphany Service

What a glorious Epiphany service this morning at the International Center, a Eucharist sponsored by Trinity Lutheran Church of Worden, IL. As Pastor Curtis could not be present this morning, I presided and preached in his stead, with Vice-President Mueller assisting. We sang Divine Service, Setting Three. The Entrance Hymn consisted of stanzas one and two of O Morning Star; the Hymn of the Day of the next two stanzas, and the Concluding Hymn was the final stanzas. I chanted the Gospel reading, and in the middle of the reading, the choir sang a lovely setting of "Lo, the star." Henry Gerike on the organ with Cara on the trumpet for O Morning Star; then Henry Gerike on piano and Erin on flute and Anna on violin. The chapel choir, though smaller in number than usual, did a very fine job indeed. Celebrated ad orientem, facing that lovely crucifix. It was wonderful to welcome in Epiphany with such overflowing joy.

And lo

the star which they had seen in the east went before them...

Blessed Epiphany, people loved by God!

I Remember

It like it was yesterday. My father, Stuart, died this morning some 36 years ago. I sat with him some in the morning while mom and the others had breakfast. I remember he reached out his hand. I didn't take it. I think I knew he was saying goodbye and I didn't know how to deal with that. I did read him some Scripture and I'm glad of that, but not taking that hand will be one of the lasting regrets of my life. The snow began to fall. He had wanted to see snow again, and he got to. When the others came up, I went to the livingroom and lost myself in the piano for a while. I was working on the two part inventions in D minor and in Bb major. Joe came to call me in if I wanted to say goodbye. And so he passed, surrounded by his wife and all his children. The breathing just finally stopped and he was gone. 

I think of the loss of time with him over the intervening years, but above all the very great sadness that my children never got to know their grandfather, or he them. Cindi and I had begun to date the previous winter, though we'd been friends since the seventh grade. She sang "Amazing Grace" at his graveside funeral in Richardsville. He'd have like that a lot. He enjoyed hearing her sing. And then we all went back to Uncle Edgar's home for the wake. 

Daddy, you are still remembered and loved, and one day may God grant me to take that hand in my own.

Patristic Quote of the Day

Do not trust in riches; for all such things are left here, faith alone will accompany you. And righteousness indeed will go with you if faith has led the way.—St. Ambrose of Milan, Letter 63:87

Old Lutheran Quote of the Day

We must not look at our sins and disgraceful acts, but we ought to get out of ourselves, away from our sins and our presumption, and go to Christ Himself, to the Lamb of God that bears the sins of the world (John 1:29); to Him we should rise, on Him we should look.—Luther, on Isaiah 38.

Patristic Quote of the Day

For where peace is, there is Christ, for Christ is Peace; and where righteousness is, there is Christ, for Christ is Righteousness.—Ambrose of Milan, Letter 63:4

Weedon Family News 2015

On the tenth day of Christmas...the Weedons finally sat down to write their Christmas newsletter! 

The year in review: Grandchildren are now at five, though Henry David (David and Meaghan's next little one) is still hiding in the womb. Joshua Flynn was born to Lauren and Dean back in June. Sawyer is always busy and active and chattering away; Annabelle knows no fear and boldly goes wherever her whimsy fancies; Lydia is a tad more timid but like those two filled with laughter and joy. Flynn is a wonderfully happy little baby whose smile will melt your heart. Before our eyes we see what the Lord meant: "Of such is the kingdom...."

Cindi keeps busy with working for White Mountain Financial, sitting for Lydia a day or two each week, and running the household. She still loves cooking, entertaining, playing pinochle and Liverpool, singing with choir and the Collinsville Chorale, crocheting and working out. She survived a horrible car crash (rear ended and narrowly escaped being pushed into oncoming traffic). It took months to heal up and still she feels the spot on her face where it slammed into the window. Bill finished up a book for CPH (due to be published this Spring—Celebrating the Saints: the Feasts, Festivals and Commemorations of Lutheran Service Book), keeps up with his daily radio gig (Thy Strong Word) with help from his dear friend Randy Asburry, and still does the chaplaincy at the LCMS headquarters and serves as Director of Worship. He also has been regularly playing organ for neighboring parish and then occasionally for St. Paul's and often at the International Center. He's found he enjoys assisting worship with music quite a bit. Aside from Cindi's accident, it was a year of good health for which we bless God!

The year included a cruise to the Caribbean with dear friends, John and Karen Klinger and Carlo and Stephanie Van Ulft. Lots of pinochle! We decided Barbados was just perfect and we'd happily take over the centuries old Anglican Church there and make it Lutheran! If only it weren't so far from the children and grandchildren....

Bekah has been dating a thoroughly delightful young man, Andy. His father is a Wisconsin Synod Lutheran pastor. She even spent Thanksgiving with his family this year. We've enjoyed getting to know him. She is still a nanny and does some homeschooling with the children she nannies.

Summer brought lots of pool time, biking time, gatherings with friends and family. A bit of anxiety for Aunt Sandy, as she was hospitalized for a very long time this summer. She's doing well now, thanks be to God! In the fall, Cindi took a few days out in North Carolina with the Herberts. Bill was suitably jealous. She assures him she gave the kiddos lots of kisses and hugs from their "pa." 

Winter thus far has been unseasonably mild, but we did have a monsoon right after Christmas. From St. Stephen's Day through Holy Innocents, we ended up with, yes, 10 inches of rain. A battle to keep it out of the basement. We think we fought that battle and won. Time will tell.

Meanwhile, the joys of Christmas roll on. This morning, for the Second Sunday after Christmas we sang the beautiful hymn of Paul Gerhardt: "Come, Your Hearts and Voices Raising."

Christ from heav'n came descending

And in love our race befriending;

In our need His help extending,

Saved us from the wily foe. 

Jacob's star in all its splendor

Beams with comfort sweet and tender,

Forcing Satan to surrender,

Breaking all the pow'rs of hell.

May that comfort sweet and tender be yours this entire year. We love you all. The door is ever open. Come and see us!

Bill and Cindi

P.S. Isn't this the greatest pic? Our four grandchildren (Sawyer, Annabelle, Lydia, Flynn on pillow) enjoying a tea party. Meaghan's idea and photography.

The end of a monster vacation

I had saved up a lot of vacation time this year and ended up taking it all. So I was basically off from the evening of December 11 through today, January 3. I told Cindi that it was definitely too much. I need to space it better. I loved the extra time for workouts and lazy mornings together, drinking our coffee and planning the rest of the day, but I definitely began itching for doing work after a week or two. I did not open the work computer, though, the entire vacation; I tried to avoid a lot of email and electronic communication (not always possible); and forced myself to do other things. Although I've not deactivated my FB (I've done that in the past), I did decide to pull it off my devices. Yes, it's great to keep up with family. No, I don't need to get worked up over arguments in a forum that simply doesn't work well for discussion. Also yanked several sensational news sources from my browser and even my link to ALPB forum. I want to start the new year as best I can with a whole lot LESS so called "social media" and a whole lot more time with family and friends. I'm not making any new year's resolutions, but I am going to give it a shot.

So I hope to do a bit more writing on Ye olde Blog. 

Here are some of the photos from the holy days (they were wonderful, as always, at St. Paul's):

Black-eyed Peas for New Year!

Pictures from the kids for Christmas, hung by David.

The Monsoon

Well, it started on St. Stephen's Day and it lasted until the sunset of Holy Innocents: a rain like I don't ever remember experiencing in my life. Cindi tells me all told in those three days we topped 10 inches of rain. We battled water in the basement. We had a power loss. We wet-vacced more than I care to remember. Buckets dumped. Dehumidifier dumped. A week ago we had our sump replaced, thanks be to God! It (and the battery backup) got us through this mess. We've got two fans running nonstop and the dehumidifier still going, hoping to stave off any infestation of mold or mildew. I've doused the carpet in Lysol. Whew. The cortisol level equals about three rounds of sprints, I'd say. Not exactly the peaceful vacation I had planned, but what is, is.

The Nativity Feast, 2015

The beauty of the Midnight Divine Service, the overflowing joy of the Christmas Day Divine Liturgy! Aside from the high points of the Scripture readings, the sermons, the partaking of the most holy Eucharist, also rejoiced in...

...a touch of Praetorius...Carlo's organ feats...John's trumpet...Sweet smell of incense wafting aloft...Choir singing so joyously Mary's Lullaby, Tollite Hostia, and He is Born the Divine Christ Child...All the stanzas of "From Heaven Above"...Luther's incomparable "We Praise You, Jesus, At Your Birth"...The reading of the Kalends at the start of the Divine Service...The place rocking with "Now Sing We" as the procession exited the Church.

A few visuals:

Merry Christmas!

...God is man, man to deliver / And His Son / Now is one / With our blood forever.

Eve of St. Nicholas' Day

In my old German Bible from CPH, the day of Nicholas the Bishop is provided with an epistle from 2 Corinthians 1:7–9. The Gospel is Luke 12:35–40. The beautiful prayer in Treasury asks that as God bestowed upon His servant Nicholas of Myra the perpetual gift of charity, so He may give His church grace to deal in love and generosity with children and all who are poor and distressed and to plead the cause of those who have no helper. This beautiful ikon of the saint was a gift many years ago from the Jeff Schwarz family: