Airline Safety Made Easy

Here is a perfectly easy and inexpensive solution to terrorism in the skies and airline safey--NO CLOTHES!

Everybody on a commercial airliner MUST fly naked. In addition, all prostheses must be left in a locker at he departing airport and all travelers must take one of those pre-colonoscopy cocktails to evacuate any possible ballistic balloons.

Easy-peasy.

Can I be the airline safety czar now?

BTW, I see where our president is referring to the Islamic terrorist airline bomber as an "extremist."

Funny, isn't that the very same thing he calls pro-life, second amendment advocate, tax cut favoring conservatives?

Depart in Peace

Dear baptized heirs of God the Father and His kingdom,

Depart in Peace!

Funny way to start a sermon, eh?

To listen to the rest of this sermon preached for the First Sunday after Christmas at Trinity Lutheran Church of Layton, Utah click on this link. The audio includes the Hymn of the Day, "In HIs Temple Now Behold Him." The sermon begins at the 2:01 mark.

The Lord is indeed letting you depart in peace--for you, like Simeon, have seen the salvation of the Lord.

Have a blessed week and life as His Christmas children.

Welcome to Bethlehem! A Christmas Eve Divine Service

Dear Sinner,

Welcome to Bethlehem!

Click on this link to hear the audio recording of our 2009 Christmas Eve celebration of Emmanuel, "God with Us," in the Divine Service. If you would just like to listen to the sermon, it begins at the 29:45 mark.

Rejoice and be at peace as God's forgiven and beloved child in the house of the Lord.

Sometimes Ya Just Gotta Laugh . . .

. . and ya gotta love Dos Equis cerveza. Muy bueno!

. . . and ya gotta go to the link and read the post about the Max Hall interview. Hilarious!

Here's a little context for the uninitiated.

Sometimes Ya Just Gotta Laugh

I'm dwivin in my caw,
I tuwn on the wadio . . .

Elmer Fudd does Bwuce Spwingsteen babeeeee!!!!!

Among You Stands One You Know

Dear people of the God who is coming--indeed is already here,

Among you stands one you know--Jesus the Christ, the very Son and Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

If you would like to hear this sermon preached at Trinity Lutheran Church in Layton, Utah for Rorate Coeli, the Fourth Sunday in Advent, click here.

The audio includes the Hymn of the Day, "Let the Earth Now Praise the Lord." The sermon begins at the 2:23 mark.

Come, Lord Jesus!

Sometimes Ya Just Gotta Laugh

Pretty well sums it up.

Rejoice! in the Deeds of Christ

Dear fellow forgiven sinners,

Today's Gospel reading and sermon from Matthew 11 speaks to every Christian
who has ever gotten disgusted with the people at church. What Christian,
what pastor, hasn't had some variation of the following thought or
conversation?

"I'm not going to church anymore. A church should have better people. The
people there aren't very nice to me. They don't appreciate me, all they want
is my money. They're all a bunch of lazy hypocrites."

Yeah, so!? What else is new? Rejoice! and be forbearing because the Lord IS
at hand being forbearing of you, not holding your sin against you like you
hold it against others.

Rejoice! in the deeds of your Savior, Jesus Christ.

If you would like to hear the sermon preached at Trinity Lutheran Church in Layton, Utah for Gaudete, the Third Sunday in Advent, click here.

Come, Lord Jesus!

Rev. Kurt Hering, Pastor
Trinity Lutheran Church
Layton, Utah

"You Don't Know What You've Got 'Til It's Gone"

The Swiss understand the importance of and reason behind the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. I wonder why U.S. citizens don't?



I guess it'll take a couple more 9/11s or confiscation by socialist tyrants to slap sense into our citizenry.

Would Joni Mitchell approve this message? :^)

Your Redemption Is Near

Dearly beloved of God, our Father,

Your redemption is near.

If you would like to hear the sermon preached at Trinity Lutheran Church in Layton, Utah for Populus Zion, the Second Sunday in Advent, click here.

Come, Lord Jesus!

Rev. Kurt Hering, Pastor
Trinity Lutheran Church
Layton, Utah

Coming Humble

Greetings dear children of God!

If you would like to hear the sermon preached at Trinity Lutheran Church in Layton, Utah for Ad Te Lavavi, the First Sunday in Advent, click here.

The audio includes the last two stanzas of the Hymn of the Day, "O Lord, How Shall I Meet You." The sermon begins at the 1:30 mark.

Come, Lord Jesus!

Rev. Kurt Hering, Pastor
Trinity Lutheran Church
Layton, Utah

Stay Awake!

Greetings dear Baptized!

If you would like to hear the sermon preached at Trinity Lutheran Church in Layton, Utah for the Last Sunday of the Church Year, click here.


Stay awake, and have a blessed Thanksgiving in Christ.

The Gospel Must Be Proclaimed

Greetings dear brothers and sisters in Christ!

If you would like to hear the sermon preached at Trinity Lutheran Church in Layton, Utah for the 24th Sunday after Pentecost, click here.

Fear not, the Gospel of Christ must be proclaimed and will prevail.

Sometimes Ya Just Gotta Laugh

This guy is definitely my new hero!

Berlin Wall Irony

Obama Snubs Berlin Wall Ceremonies
http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,655632,00.html

Russian president, Medvedev, to Celebrate Wall Anniversary in Berlin
http://english.pravda.ru/world/europe/06-11-2009/110342-berlin_wall-0

As the LORD Your God Lives!

Greetings dear people of God!

If you would like to hear the sermon preached at Trinity Lutheran Church in Layton, Utah for the 23rd Sunday after Pentecost, click here. As the LORD Your God Lives!

The audio inlcudes the last verse of "I Know That My Redeemer Lives," our Hymn of the Day. The sermon begins at the 0:42 mark.

As the LORD your God lives, have a blessed week as His fogiven child.

Hummingbird Helmet

Okay, this about the coolest thing I have ever seen! I gotta get me one. :^)

You Are Saints

Greetings you saints of God!

If you would like to hear the sermon preached at Trinity Lutheran Church in Layton, Utah for the Feast of Saints, click here:
http://lcmssermons.com/images/aut52/CY2009/AllSaints.2009.mp3



Have a blessed week as God's beloved and forgiven children.

A Repentant Remnant Always Remains

Grace and peace to you of the repentant remnant!

If you would like to hear the sermon preached at Trinity Lutheran Church in Layton, Utah for the Feast of the Reformation, click here:
http://lcmssermons.com/images/aut52/CY2009/Reformation2009AFaithfulRemnantAlwaysRemains.mp3

Have a blessed week abiding in the Lord and His forgiveness.

REFORMATION & REPENTANCE

On October 31, 1517, the Rev. Dr. Martinus Luther nailed 95 Theses to the doors of the Wittenberg Church to initiate debate regarding the indulgences being marketed at the order of the pope by a German Dominican friar named Johann Tetzel. The selling of those indulgences distressed Luther because he saw it as misinforming lay people about crucial aspects of God’s plan for redeeming sinners and giving them eternal life.

Yet, contrary to the popular belief and practice of the Lutheran Church since coming to the shores of the Americas, the Reformation was most definitely not about jettisoning all things “Catholic.” In fact, according to Article XI of The Augsburg Confession, “Our churches teach that private Absolution should be retained in the churches, although listing all sins is not necessary for Confession. For, according to the Psalm, ‘Who can discern his errors?’ (Psalm 19:12)”

Furthermore, in his Large Catechism Exhortation to Confession, Dr. Luther goes so far as to instruct the pastors, preachers, and heads of household tasked with the teaching of the One True Faith: “When I urge you to go to Confession, I am doing nothing else than urging you to be a Christian. If I have brought you to the point of being a Christian, I have thereby also brought you to Confession.

This should really come as no surprise to Lutherans, though such is too often the case. Because the Reformation began with these words from Thesis 1 of the 95:
“Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, when He said [‘Do penance.’], willed that the whole life of believers should be repentance.”

After all, this is what our Baptism is all about as we have learned and confessed in our Catechism training:
What does such baptizing with water signify? It signifies that the old Adam in us should, by daily contrition and repentance, be drowned and die with all sins and evil lusts, and, again, a new man daily come forth and arise; who shall live before God in righteousness and purity forever.
Where is this written? St. Paul says Romans, chapter 6: We are buried with Christ by Baptism into death, that, like as He was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Truly, “When [your pastor teaches and preaches] you to go to Confession, he is doing nothing else than urging you to be a Christian.” For in confessing your sins and receiving the absolution of our Lord, your personal relationship with Jesus is established and maintained by the power of the Holy Spirit according to the Father’s will.

And that, dear Baptized, is the kingdom of heaven come to earth for you!

God bless us as we continue the Lutheran Reformation in the 21st Century--and grant that we may ever remain not only the church of our grandfathers, but also the church of Luther and the litany of church fathers that stretches all the way back to Abraham, and even Adam; and gathers with us at the altar whenever we celebrate the Divine Service.

Reformation and All Saints at Trinity

The Lutheran Reformation marks a renewal in the Church of emphasis on God’s Word and Sacraments as means of grace by which the Holy Spirit forgive our sins, creates and sustains faith in Christ, and gives us eternal life with God the Father now and forever.

All Saints’ Day in the Lutheran Church is not only a commemoration and celebration of the lives of those officially bearing the title and who have died in the faith. It is a feast celebrating the sainthood of every baptized believer in Christ and member of His holy Christian Church past. Present, and future.

In this year of our Lord, 2009, Reformation Sunday, October 25, and All Saints’ Day, November 1 mark significant events in the life of Trinity Lutheran Church of Layton, Utah in addition to their designation as feast days in the life of all Lutheran Christians. How appropriate it is that Trinity Lutheran Church of Layton, Utah would be reforming, in a sense, as an assembly of saints at a new location in this eventful time of the church calendar.

This coming Sunday, October 25, in addition to celebrating the Reformation, the people of Trinity will be holding their final worship service at the property on Golden Avenue. And a week later on All Saints’ Day, Sunday, November 1 they will hold the first Divine Service in the new sanctuary at their new location on Fort Lane Boulevard.

Missouri Synod Lutherans first gathered for worship in Layton at the City Hall, and a little later at Community Hall in what is now Layton Commons Park, back in 1945 because of the difficulty gas rationing posed to travel to the nearest established congregation—St. Paul, Ogden. From this humble beginning, Trinity Lutheran Church was incorporated on All Saints Day, 1948 under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Harold Brauer with charter members Arthur Krueger, Victor and Lillian Frank, Conrad and Clara Loe, William and Nellie Loe, Walter Sommer, Dale and Arlene Phililips, and Fritz and Ellen Aarfor.

The people of Trinity purchased land on Golden Ave., across the street from the current location, in 1954 and dedicated a converted army barracks as its original worship facility in March of 1955. The members of Trinity completed construction of the current building at 385 W. Golden Ave. and began worship there in November of 1964.

As the families and membership of Trinity grew through the 1970s and 80s, the congregation found themselves in need of more space. They expanded the facilities in 1971 to meet their worship, and business and social meeting needs . Then in 1988 added an education wing to accommodate a growing Sunday School and desire to open a Lutheran elementary school.

Trinity Lutheran Preschool opened for students of the congregation and local community in the fall of 1980, and added Kindergarten classes in 1993.

Today, the people of Trinity Lutheran Church find themselves in a struggle to maintain their distinctive, Lutheran, Law and Gospel teaching and practice of the Christian faith. In a world of uncertainty and ambiguity, Trinity Lutheran Church exists to bring the Good News of salvation and eternal life through the suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. In our current climate of financial distress and spiritual potpourri this collection of forgiven sinners and baptized saints of God called Trinity has found it necessary to sell the property of their beloved church home in order to continue its ministry to the congregation and it surrounding communities.

Please remember us in your prayers and consider joining us on this Sunday for our Reformation worship service and disposition of the Golden Avenue property, and Sunday, November 1, for our All Saints Day worship service marking the opening of Trinity Lutheran Church’s new worship and education facility.

Trinity Lutheran Church will continue to celebrate the Divine Service every Sunday morning at 10 a.m. with Bible study prior to the service at 9. Trinity Lutheran Preschool will continue to hold classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays for 3 year-olds and Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for 4 year-olds from 9 a.m. to Noon. We still have openings in the 4 year-old class and would like to open a Kindergarten class in the fall of 2010. Please call 801.544.5770 and ask for Pastor Hering regarding church information, or Mrs. Hering regarding preschool and kindergarten information.

By the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, we pray this move from 385 West Golden Avenue to 74 North Fort Lane in Layton will provide a sanctuary for the gathering of God’s beloved people around the Word and Sacraments of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, for years and generations to come.

Peace Be to This House

Grace and peace to you, brothers in Christ!

If you would like to hear the sermon preached at Trinity Lutheran Church in Layton, Utah for the Feast of St. Luke, Evangelist, click here:
"Peace Be to This House"

The Peace of God that surpasses all understanding keep your hearts andminds in Christ Jesus.

You Lack One Thing

Dear brothers in Christ!

If you would like to hear the sermon preached at Trinity Lutheran Church in Layton, Utah for the 19th Sunday after Pentecost, click here:
"You Lack One Thing"

The audio includes the Hymn of the Day, "Jesus, Priceless Treasure." The sermon begins at the 5:10 mark.

God grant you and yours the One thing that you lack.

What God Has Joined Together

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

If you would like to hear the sermon preached at Trinity Lutheran Church in Layton, Utah for the 18TH Sunday after Pentecost, click here:
Pentecost18B.2009.WhatGodHasJoinedTogether.ed.mp3

Have a blessed week in the Lord.

Little Childrenof Heaven [Belated Post

Welcome to heaven, dear Little Children of God!

If you would like to hear the sermon preached at Trinity Lutheran Church in Layton, Utah for the 16TH Sunday after Pentecost, click here:
Pentecost16.2009.LittleChildrenofHeaven.mp3

Have a blessed week living in the love and care of your Father in heaven.

Faith at Work

Greetings dear people of Trinity!

If you would like to hear the sermon preached at Trinity Lutheran Church in Layton, Utah for the 17TH Sunday after Pentecost, click here:
Pentecost17B.2009.FaithatWork.mp3

For a brief bio of James click on his graphic.

Have a blessed week living in the life and works of faith.

Lifted Up to New Life

Greetings dear people of God!

If you would like to hear the sermon preached at Trinity Lutheran Church in Layton, Utah for the 15TH Sunday after Pentecost, click here. Lifted Up to New Life.

Have a blessed week living the new life in the body of Christ.

Look for Good Preaching and Reward It

According to the Word of God proclaimed by His apostle, Paul, good preaching is to be rewarded. "Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine." 1 Timothy 5:17

Rewarding good preaching while marking and avoiding the opposite is perhaps the most important and effective thing the layman can do to combat false teaching and practice in their congregation and synod.

The sainted Lutheran professor, Dr. Harold Buls gleaned a list of 24 preaching proverbs during his lifetiome of service to the Church. Some Homiletical Maxims
Collected by Prof. Harry Buls and found in his exegetical notes.

Among them, the following struck me as having been discarded and set ABLAZE! with the rest of our grandfather's baggage. Laymen would do well to take note of and action on them.

2. Nothing keeps people with the church as does good preaching.
[While this is absolutely true in terms of the invisible church, it no longer seems true in terms of the visible church. It seems most people are looking for everything but. I.e. the preaching and teaching is great but we are looking for a bigger youth group, more activities, livelier music, etc.]

4. Preach the Word. Keep at it whether convenient or not. 2 Timothy 4:2.
[This has become a good way for an LCMS pastor to get fired.]

7. Avoid generic sermons.
[CG, Purpose Driven, Willow Creek etc. seem to thrive on just that--even amongst "Lutherans." We must mark and avoid them.]

11. If you can't preach repentance, you can preach nothing.
[What's repentance got to do with saving the lost?]

18. Fifty years ago the composer of these Notes heard the sainted Dr. Theodore Engelder preach on the theme: "We Need Repent of our Shabby Repentance." It still lingers in the writer's memory. Good sermons stick.
[Perhaps now we need to repent of shabby, repentance free sermons.]

20. God's law can only curb outburst of sin, show man his sin and guide the Christian in godly living. It cannot make people better, more spiritual or more godly. Only the Gospel can and does do that.
[CG, Purpose Driven, Willow Creek etc. do just the opposite--even amongst "Lutherans." We must mark and avoid them.]

21. Never waste peoples' time with sermons which neither warn nor comfort.
[There is a lot of wasted time on Sundays around the LCMS. Don't waste yours and encourage preachers who do neither.]

22. When our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ said: "Repent ye" He meant that the whole life of the Christian should be one of repentance. (First of the 95 Theses in 1517)
[Note that growth and success are notmentioned. Why is that? And why can't we take the hint?]

An Army of One

Greetings to you, the Church Militant of Christ!

If you would like to hear, "An Army of One," the sermon preached at Trinity Lutheran Church in Layton, Utah for the 13TH Sunday after Pentecost, click here:
http://lcmssermons.com/images/aut52/CY2009/Pentecost13.AnArmyofOne.mp3

The audio recording begins with the Hymn of the Day, "By Grace I'm Saved," LSB #860. The sermon starts at the 4:`15 mark.

Have a blessed week marching together as the redeemed of Christ's Church militant.

The Aborted Legacy of Ted Kennedy

Listening to daytime conservative talk radio this morning for the first time since the election last November, I was reminded both of why I stopped listening and why I used to be a daily listener.

After about 5 minutes I was reminded that my frustration and blood pressure levels were heightened by my listening. But since I was out walking the dog I continued listening and was glad I did. It seems one misses a lot of interesting information that is conveniently omitted in the daily newspaper, radio, and television news reports.

Here is a letter written by Senator Ted Kennedy that I would have missed had I not tuned in this morning. It is in response to a constituent during the nascent years of the abortion rights movement.

Edward M. Kennedy
Massachusetts

United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

August 3, 1971

Mr. Thomas E. Dennelly
34 Baker Hill Road
Great Neck, New York 11023

Dear Mr. Dennelly:

I appreciate your letter containing your views on abortion. There are many moral and legal aspects arising from this complex issue which is gaining the acceptance of large numbers of women faced with unwanted pregnancies, while disturbing the consciences of a great many other Americans.

Opponents maintain that abortion is wrong from every theological, moral and medical aspect. Proponents are firmly convinced that the woman, alone, has the right to decide.

While the deep concern of a woman bearing an unwanted child merits consideration and sympathy, it is my personal feeling that the legalization of abortion on demand is not in accordance with the value which our civilization places on human life. Wanted or unwanted, I believe that human life, even at its earliest stages, has certain right which must be recognized - the right to be born, the right to love, the right to grow old.

On the question of the individual's freedom of choice there are easily available birth control methods and information which women may employ to prevent or postpone pregnancy. But once life has begun, no matter at what stage of growth, it is my belief that termination should not be decided merely by desire.

I share the confidence of those who feel that America is willing to care for its unwanted as well as wanted children, protecting particularly those who cannot protect themselves. I also share the opinions of those who do not accept abortion as a response to our society's problems - an inadequate welfare system, unsatisfactory job training programs, and insufficient financial support for all its citizens.

When history looks back on this era it should recognize this generation as one which cared about human beings enough to halt the practice of war, to provide a decent living for every family, and to fulfill its responsibility to its children from the moment of conception.

Sincerely,
Edward M. Kennedy

Since the generation of which he wrote and who controlled his vote fell a tad short, perhaps we can be the generation to bring this baby full term.

Thy will be done, Lord. Please deliver us from this evil.

The Mystery of Marriage

Greetings dear members of the Bride of Christ!

If you would like to hear the sermon, "The Mystery of Marriage," preached at Trinity Lutheran Church in Layton, Utah today, click on the following link:
http://lcmssermons.com/images/aut52/CY2009/PENTECOST12B.2009.TheMysteryofMarriage.mp3

The audio recording includes the last two verses of the Hymn of the Day, "Gracious Savior, Grant Your Blessing," LSB #860. The sermon begins at the 2:05 mark.

Have a blessed week as the beloved bride of Christ.

The Holy One of God

Greetings dear holy ones of God!

if you would like to hear the sermon preached at Trinity Lutheran Church in Layton, Utah for the 11TH Sunday after Pentecost, click here. The Holy One of God

The audio recording includes the singing of the Hymn of the Day, "O God, My Faithful God," LSB #696. The sermon begins at the 3:58 mark.

Have a blessed week living as as a holy one of The Holy One of God--Jesus Christ our Lord.

Membership Matters--As Does What We Teach or Don't Teach

The following paragraphs quoted from an article by Paul Proctor should resonate with anyone familiar with what is going on in the LCMS. For our exercise, wherever you read the word, "church," think "synod."


The author may need a little Lutheran education in re the Church, but what he writes is dead on given a proper understanding of Church as not only a gathering of the elect, but the gathering of the elect around Christ and His means of grace for the salvation of souls.

ARE YOU A CHURCH WORSHIPPER?

By Paul Proctor
August 11, 2009
NewsWithViews.com

"Well, another Leadership Summit has come and gone at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois – a yearly conference led by its senior pastor and Willow Creek Association’s Chairman of the Board, Bill Hybels. . . .

". . . There are a lot of misguided Christians today who have a misplaced faith and hope in their church. This makes them easy targets for church growth consultants who know all too well how to play on the egos, ambitions and insecurities of both laymen and staff wanting their church to be bigger and better than the one across town.

"When we covet the 'success' of others, we make ourselves vulnerable to smooth-talking opportunists who will gladly step in and exploit our weaknesses and shortcomings upon invitation. The result is that we end up depending on them and their programs, techniques, strategies and surveys instead of God and His Word. . . .

". . . The church growth movement, you see, worships a two-headed god called 'Results' and 'Relationships' where nothing gets in the way of either – even God’s Word. It was first encountered in the Garden of Eden. . . .

". . . why should you and I rest our hope in a local church – especially in the compromised, corrupt and declining state that many of them now find themselves? . . .

". . . . What I am saying is that we need to stop putting our hope and faith in people and their self-exalting, self-justifying, self-serving organizations and institutions, local or otherwise. It’s time to start reading, learning, obeying and proclaiming God’s Word – all of it – instead of snappy slogans, corny clichés, vain visions and the silly strategies of men. . . .

". . . Today, many trained facilitators in leadership positions have infiltrated the church and convinced gullible and covetous Christians that if they rely on market principles and surveys, they’ll get the Results they’re after – which may or may not have anything to do with the Word and Will of God."

To read the entire article, click here: http://www.newswithviews.com/PaulProctor/proctor186.htm

Does all of this sound all too sadly familiar? If so, why? When will we have had enough? And why did congregations and pastors who consider themselves to be Lutheran ever buy into this chicanery in the first place?

Oddly enough, a former U.S. president, Herbert Hoover, may give us a clue. He once wrote, "Every collectivist revolution rides in on a Trojan horse of ‘emergency’. It was the tactic of Lenin, Hitler, and Mussolini. . . . And ‘emergency’ became the justification of the subsequent steps. This technique of creating emergency is the greatest achievement that demagoguery attains."

Why have LCMS congregations and pastors taken a dive into Willow Creek? The Trojan horse of souls being lost every time a facilitator snaps his fingers in front of a gathering of guilt -ridden, unsatisfied Lutherans desirous of growing their church like the local "Christian Life Center" packing them in just down the road a piece. That and some sort of ecumenically enlightened disdain for the very confession that makes them Lutheran--like the explanation of the Third Article of the Creed in Luther's Small Catechism.

But here I may be jumping to an unwarranted conclusion based upon an unkind construction. In order to disdain something, you have to have some idea of what it is. How many of those who have jumped into Willow Creek have taken the time to plumb the depths of the Small Catechism and examine the riches of the rest of our Lutheran Confessions? Don’t you think it rather a panic to abandon the ship of things Lutheran to float down some upstart polluted, though popular waterway before even cracking the surface of that which has been keeping believers with Jesus Christ in the one true faith for almost 600 years—indeed even since the time of the apostles?

In the vast landscape of the LC-MS, what is much, if any different than what Luther found previous to his authorship of the Small Catechism? Read Luther’s Preface to his Small Catechism. Then you tell me.

Perhaps if we listen to our namesake, and more importantly to the one true faith he handed down to us, we might find what has really never been missing at all among true Lutherans—our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit He has sent to baptize, preach, teach, and commune souls in the forgiveness of sins that is the only way we have been given to save the lost.

The Will of the Father

Greetings dear Children of God the Father!

If you would like to hear the sermon preached at Trinity Lutheran Church in Layton, Utah for the 10TH Sunday after Pentecost, go to http://lcmssermons.com/images/aut52/CY2009/Pentecost10B.TheWilloftheFather.mp3

The audio recording includes the singing of the Hymn of the Day, "Lord, Enthroned in Heavenly Splendor," LSB #534. The sermon begins at the 3:00 mark.

Thanks and credit to Rev. Jon Bischof, pastor of St. Matthew in Corning, Arkansas for his treatment of the unbelieving hearers, which I adapted and used in implication #2 of the sermon.

God grant that we believe and help us all in our unbelief.

Manna & Forgiveness--What Is It?

Greetings dear Baptized in Christ!

If you would like to hear the sermon preached at Trinity Lutheran Church in Layton, Utah for the 9TH Sunday after Pentecost, "Manna & Forgiveness--What Is It?" click here.

Thanks and credit to Rev. Chad Kendall, pastor of Trinity in Lowell, Indiana for the bulk of this sermon that I adapted and expanded for use here at Trinity, Layton.

God grant that we receive our daily bread from heaven by faith with true thanksgiving.

Rev. Kurt Hering, Pastor
Trinity Lutheran Church
Layton, Utah

Media Messiah Massage

When is the last time you heard or read about the U.S. death toll in Iraq?

Amazing, now that the media has their Messiah in place they find no need to report the "facts." Now as the honeymoon with their beloved (who just happens to be escalating the war in Afghanistan) continues, death tolls of "militants" will not be published. [See L.A. Times article below.]

Now to be sure, it is the military officials who are setting the policy. But where is the outrage from the media for what would be considered censorship if practiced under the previous administration? And again, where are the daily reports of U.S. soldier fatalities?

Furthermore, notice how the comparison is to our "experience in Vietnam" rather than Iraq. Why is that? Could it be because such a comparison would make the difference between how the media reported on the casualties of "Bush's" war with how it is now reporting on President Obama's withdrawal from Iraq and escalation in Afghanistan?

U.S. Stops Giving Militant Death Tolls in Afghanistan
The military alters its policy as part of a new focus in the war.
By Julian E. Barnes
July 24, 2009

Reporting from Kabul, Afghanistan -- U.S. military officials in Afghanistan have halted the practice of releasing the number of militants killed in fighting with American-led forces as part of an overall strategy shift that emphasizes concern for the local civilian population's well-being rather than hunting insurgent groups.

The decision has triggered a quiet but fierce debate among military officers comparing the current situation with the U.S. experience in Vietnam, when military officials exaggerated body counts and used them as a measure of success.

Christ Feeds His People

Greetings dear people of God!

If you would like to hear the sermon preached at Trinity Lutheran Church in Layton, Utah for the 7TH Sunday after Pentecost, "Christ Feeds His People," click here.


The audio begins with the second verse of the Hymn of the Day, "The Church’s One Foundation."

The sermon begins at the 2:47 mark.

God grant that we are always satisfied with the good food He gives us.

Sometimes Ya Just Gotta Laugh!

"Coyotes are people too."

After first asking the obvious question, "Why?"-- that was my wife's sarcastically smarmy observation when I read the last line of this article from this morning's Davis Standard Examiner to her.


A Coyote Cure? / Millville facility seeks nonlethal way to control the varmints
MIKE STARK
The Associated Press

MILLVILLE -- Coyotes are often unwelcome guests, whether they're prowling city parks, stalking the prairies or roaming the modern American suburb. Usually they forage for food, snarf down a rodent or two and disappear into the night.

Each year, government agents shoot, trap and poison about 90,000 of the ones suspected of killing livestock or causing other problems. But they're still trying to figure out how to turn the less troublesome coyotes back from neighborhoods and ranches -- without killing them.

. . . Ultimately, the solution to keeping coyotes out of trouble will be a complicated one, Shivik said. Sometimes it will require a mix of lethal and nonlethal methods that change over time. Landowners and wildlife managers will have to be flexible but, in the end, coyotes and people should be able to get along.

"We're trying to help coyotes as much as people."

The question bears repeating.

"Why?"

Good grief!

Missouri Synod Jeopardy

I'll take "Female Pastors" for $500, C.F.

And the answer is: "The first woman to to exercise the role of pastor."

"Who is Eve."

"Correct." Pick again.

"Female Pastors" for $1000.

And the answer is: "Banishment from the Garden and the curse of death."

"What was the result of Eve's taking on the role of pastor?"

Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!

That is absolutley right! We have a new Jeopardy champion!

And I do mean Jeopardy.

Don't Lose Your Head

Greetings dear Baptized!

If you would like to hear the sermon preached at Trinity Lutheran Church in Layton, Utah for the 6TH Sunday after Pentecost, "Don't Lose Your Head," click here.
The audio begins with the confession of the Nicene Creed, and includes the Hymn of the Day, "Lord Jesus Christ, the Church's Head."

The sermon begins at the 8:50 mark.

God grant that we never lose our True Head, though the world and even our peers take our own.

The Answer Is Lutheran Preaching

Throughout the LCMS it seems the teeth have been taken out of our preaching. For at least a couple of generations now many pastors have been taught, shamed really, by the practical, seeker sensitive teachers and leaders among us to become a bunch of Cheshire Cats in the pulpit--to soft soap the Law and soft sell the Gospel lest they offend anyone and thus consign a seeker to the abyss of hell.

That simply can’t and won’t happen. God will lose nary a one of those whose names are written in His book of Life. Furthermore, it is precisely the bold preaching of Law that sears the sinful flesh and Gospel that salves the contrite soul that works salvation. It is not a preacher’s business to flatter, amuse, or market people into heaven. It is their call to proclaim the Word for what it is and let the Holy Spirit condemn or console according to God’s perfect discernment and heart for what the sinner truly needs.

Pastors are not called and sent to be salesmen of salvation, public relations consultants for Christ, or corporate builders of His Church. Christ does not need or want that—thank you very much. Salvation is not for sale. Christ’s image doesn’t need sprucing or spicing up. The Holy Spirit is a capable builder of Christ’s Church.

Furthermore, we seem to be suffering from a sort of Lutheran reductionism that manifests itself in a rejection of anything that smells slightly Catholic and a desire to embrace virtually anything and everything for the sake of “growing the church.” The truth is that Lutherans and their Confessions not only reject and condemn the papism and works righteousness of the Roman Catholic Church, but they also reject and condemn the pietism and works righteousness of the Protestants. The problem with Roman Catholicism is not that they name someone Pope. It is the power that they vest in him, and only him and his authorized agents. A papacy exists wherever the discipline of the office of the keys and calling of pastors is taken out of the hands of the congregations and controlled by a hierarchy—whether it be of popes and bishops in Rome, or presidents and executives in other Districts. Neither is Roman Catholicism the only place where you will find monks. Monks are created wherever the people of God are shamed, cajoled, or persuaded into believing that it is not enough for the Baptized Christian to simply live his life and exercise his vocation in faith as the child of God He is, according to the Ten Commandments, and instead must do something special in order to glorify God and win souls for Christ.

If we would only study and listen to Luther, and actually put his teaching into practice instead of listening to and practicing the teaching of Warren and Hybels, we might have a chance of being Lutheran once again. Let the numbers come or not based upon our faithful preaching, hearing, and living of the Word of God for the forgiveness of sins.

With these things in mind, I invite you to listen to my recording of Martin Luther’s treatment of Matthew 6:33-34 from Christ’s Sermon on the Mount.
I am convinced that the preaching, hearing, and living of this one sermon of Martin Luther--or at least more sermons like it in every pulpit and at every convention--would do more to right our Synod and Church than the passage of any resolution or election of any political leader. Politics is necessary and even good when practiced among righteous men within its proper realm. But how do we get righteous men? It is by the bold, no-holds-barred preaching of God’s Word in all its truth and purity—teaching everything He has commanded, leaving out not one jot or tittle.

Hear the Word of our Lord as preached through His humble servant, the Rev. Dr. Martinus Luther:
http://www.lcmssermons.com/images/aut52/CY2009/SeekYeFirst.LutheronMatthew6.33t34.mp3


* The text of this sermon can be found in Luther’s Works, CPH American Edition, Volume

Familiarity Breeds

Greetings my dear family in Christ!

If you would like to hear the sermon preached at Trinity Lutheran Church in Layton, Utah for the 5TH Sunday after Pentecost, "Familiarity Breeds," click here. Then click on the MP3 link provided.

The audio begins in the middle of the Hymn of the Day, "Preach You the Word."

The sermon begins at the 1:30 mark, and the audio continues through the Benediction.

God grant that we become more familiar with Him and His kingdom day by day.

The Saving Touch of Christ

Greetings in the name of our ever present God-in-the-Flesh, Jesus Christ Our Lord!

If you would like to hear, "The Healing Touch of Christ," the sermon
preached at Trinity Lutheran Church in Layton, Utah for the 4TH Sunday after
Pentecost, click here.

Then click on the mp3 link provided.

The audio begins with the Hymn of the Day, "In the Very Midst of Life." The sermon begins at the 4:40 mark.

Thank God for the continued loving touch of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Peace! Be Still!

Greetings in the name of the head of the Church, even Jesus Christ Our Lord!

If you would like to hear the sermon preached at Trinity Lutheran Church in Layton, Utah for the 3RD Sunday after Pentecost, click here to go to LCMSSermons.com.
http://lcmssermons.com/index.php?sn=1343
Then click on the mp3 link provided.

The audio begins with the Hymn of the Day, "Evening and Morning." The sermon begins at the 3:25 mark.

Have a blessed and still week living in the peace of our Lord.

How Does Thy Garden Grow?

Greetings in the name of the head of the Church, even Jesus Christ Our Lord!

If you would like to hear the sermon preached at Trinity Lutheran Church in Layton, Utah for the 2ND Sunday after Pentecost, click on the title of this post or go to this link:
http://lcmssermons.com/index.php?sn=1339

The audio begins with the Hymn of the Day, "O God, O Lord of Heaven and Earth." The sermon begins at the 3:55 mark.

Have a blessed week living in the Garden of The Lord.

Rev. Kurt Hering, Pastor
Trinity Lutheran Church
Layton, Utah

What's the Answer, Missouri?

For those who are convinced the election of a confessionally solid man like Matt Harrison is the answer to Missouri’s problems, there remains the issue of whether the LC-MS has the stomach for a purge (pun intended) of the false teaching and practice with which it is infested, no matter who the president might be.

Confronted with this issue, one layman asks. “What, then, is the answer? Are confessionals to continue to be under attack and subversion by those for whom doctrinally sound, confessional, liturgical Lutheranism is to be disdained and derided? The forces who wish to abandon our polity and doctrine for the sake of lusting after growth and power will not cease. They seek to worship Christ with the precepts of men and that is not what the faithful are to do.“

I would submit that, if such is the case, Paul's exhortation to the faithful at Corinth seems to apply insofar as being joined with specific areas of unbelief--which is what false teaching and practice amounts to. To wit:

O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open.

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“ I will dwell in them
And walk among them.
I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.”

Therefore

“ Come out from among them
And be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you.”
“ I will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My sons and daughters,
Says the LORD Almighty.”--1 Corinthians 6:11-18 [Emphases are mine.]

Like the Corinthians, we Missourians are restricted by our own affection for Missouri. We consider it ours to have and to hold and to wrest back from those who have taken it captive. But it is the faithful confession and practice of God's Word that we have been given to have and to hold, not the Missouri Synod.

The truth is, regardless of whom we elect as president of the LC-MS, we cannot force recalcitrant members of Missouri into compliance with doctrinely sound, confessional, liturgical Lutheranism and removing them is something which requires the initiative and cooperation of our elected leaders. Even the “good” ones are reluctant, at best, to undertake such a painful and costly procedure.

So, “What, then, is the answer?”

I think we all know. However we may have become so used to living with the problem that we prefer not to endure the pain of the cure.

The HOLY TRINITY

Greetings in the name of the Holy Trinity-Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!
If you would like to hear the sermon preached at Trinity Lutheran Church in Layton, Utah for Holy Trinity Sunday, click here:
TheHolyTrinity.2009.mp3

The audio begins with the Epistle lesson, and includes the singing of the Hymn of the Day, "Holy, Holy, Holy." The sermon begins at the 8:14 mark.

Have a blessed week in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

What's Happening at Trinity, Layton

Greetings in the name of our Crucified, Risen, and Ascended Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ!

Following my signature is an article that ran in today's Standard Examiner regarding Layton Grace Presbyterian's effort to purchase our Trinity Lutheran Church property on Golden Ave. in Layton, Utah.

My understanding is that they will be meeting a week from Sunday or so to assess the progress of their fund raising efforts.

Meanwhile, our property committee continues to investigate rental properties to which we can move if/when the sale funds. We currently are considering properties just south of the Clearfield Municipal building in the Towne Square Shopping Center; just north of the Layton Hills Mall and across the street from the America West Credit Union on Hill Field Road; and just North of the Golds Gym building in Layton on Fort Lane.

For now our preschool continues to take registrations and make plans for the 2009-2010 school year, and we continue to assemble here at 385 W. Golden Ave. for the Divine Service every Sunday at 10 am with Bible Study preceding at 9. Also Wed. Vespers services at 7pm.

Please stay tuned for updates and keep this in your prayers so that our faithful Lutheran practice of the faith may continue here in the high desert wilderness.

Your appreciative servant of the Word,
Rev. Kurt Hering, Pastor
Trinity Lutheran Church
Layton, Utah

Layton's Grace Presbyterian Church seeks its own chapel
Standard-Examiner staff
LAYTON - Grace Presbyterian Church of Utah has been active in Layton
for more than 10 years. According to a recent news release, the church has
met in several different locations but has not had a home of its own. The
congregation is now embarking on a fundraising campaign to purchase a
permanent meeting facility.

The property, near I-15 south of Hill Field Road, is owned by Trinity
Lutheran Church, which has agreed to sell it provided Grace can raise the
necessary funds by July 14, the news release states.

Grace Church of Utah serves the Northern Wasatch front, including
airmen and civilians stationed at nearby Hill Air Force base. The
congregation of Grace believes it is important to have a physical, as well
as a spiritual, presence in the community, the release states.

To reach this goal, Grace Presbyterian Church of Utah is attempting to
raise $425,000, mostly through pledges from current and former members,
and also is approaching donors from outside Northern Utah to help the church
minister to an area that has historically had relatively few evangelical
congregations. According to the release, the congregation hopes to be
celebrating the dedication of its church building this fall. Grace Pres
byterian Church of Utah is a member of the Presbyterian Church in America.

The Spirit of Hearing

Greetings in the name of our Crucified, Risen, and Ascended Lord, Jesus Christ!

Today we celebrate the disciples' reception of the gift promised by their Rabbi on the Day of Pentecost.

If you would like to hear "The Spirit of Hearing," the sermon preached at
Trinity Lutheran Church in Layton, Utah on this holy day of Pentecost, go to:
PentecostB.The SpiritofHearing.mp3

The audio begins with the Scripture lessons, continues with the singing of the Hymn of the Day, and concludes with the Offertory. The sermon begins at the 14:40 mark.

Have a blessed week in the Spirit of hearing that has been given to you.

Ascended for You!

Greetings in the name of our Crucified, Risen, and Ascended Lord, Jesus Christ!,

If you would like to hear "Ascended for You," the sermon preached at
Trinity Lutheran Church in Layton, Utah this past Sunday for the transferred Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord, go to:
Ascension2009.AscendedforYou.mp3

The audio begins with the singing of the Hymn of the Day. The sermon begins at the 3:50 mark.

Have a blessed week as you live in and with the asended Christ at the right hand of the Father.