1st Sunday in Lent – Temptation

Jesus Speaks about a change/movement in the Old Testament

Jesus Speaks!!! Honestly, this isn’t something new, but what if I told you Jesus spoke in the Old Testament long before He rend the heavens and came down to us. What did he say? What is our response? What does Chuck E. Cheese, Back to the Future, Superman, and the Wizard of Oz have to do with all this? Only one way to find out…

Recaps of Winter Quarter

I’ve been really busy this past quarter with learning Hebrew and Greek Readings. On top of that my job position changed which caused havoc with my schedule. It took until the last couple of weeks of the quarter before I got back to some sort of steady routine. Nevertheless, expect a few blog posts coming in the coming days. I won’t be doing a week in and out blog as things just get too busy. Then again who knows I may up and solidify my schedule and make room for Sunday blog posts again.

Short summary is Greek Readings was great. All the struggles in the Fall quarter really paid off. Hebrew was painful, but I have a deeper appreciation for the language. It really does open up Old Testament that is lost in the English translation. I passed my Hebrew qualifiers and I’m a full fledge seminarian now. Woohoo!!!

Lectionary At Lunch

Seminary has a group of guys who get together as two Prof’s guide seminarians through the Old Testament and New Testament lessons for the upcoming week. It meets during lunch on Wednesdays.  One of the prof’s who leads the class is Gibbs so I’ll be seeing him the majority of my day on Tuesday and Wednesday. How is that possible? Well, I have him for Greek 3 hours a day and then on Tuesday and Wednesday I will have him for Geek Club (Tuesday) and Lectionary at Lunch (Wednesday). Why go?

“The more you know, the more you know.” -Gibbs

Here is the announcement on the Lectionary at Lunch. For those of you interested, but aren’t on campus and really want to get a greater understanding of the readings for the week.

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Join Us For Lectionary At Lunch!

 

For (literally) decades, Lectionary at Lunch has provided insight and help for preachers, on campus and now through iTunes U; you can be part of that tradition!  Join us on Wednesdays, from 11:35 to 12:25, in the Buenger Room, 3rd floor above the cafeteria line.  Two profs guide the way through the OT and Gospel lesson for 10 days hence.  It’s free, and it’s good–it’s Lectionary at Lunch! 

 

Dr. Gibbs (9/16/2009)

ELCE – New Testament and Content -part 3

Well, first and foremost I want to thank God and all who lifted up prayers for my brain to be a sponge throughout these past couple of weeks.  We took our exams today. The first time I took the ELCE online I couldn’t finish the test due to internet issues. Second time I took it I missed passing by a few questions. That really bummed me out.  However, it provided me the opportunity to spend time with family and our church before we all departed for seminary.

I know you’re thinking, Eric get to it. Well, we got the exam and I flew through the exam. 100 questions on the exam and I finished in 17 minutes or so.  I sat there and reviewed my answers to verify I didn’t miss any pages. Thought about reviewing my answers and realized last time I did that I didn’t pass as I doubted my answers. So,  I got up and turned it in. At which time I immediately became one of those people. You know the folks that are quick test takers and freaks the rest of the class out as to how fast I completed the test. LOL

After turning it in I went to the bathroom while it was being checked.  Wandered in the hallway for a while. Messed around with a piano in a different room. Now you’re reading this thinking, “stop stalling and you’re crazy” and “what are the results”. Okay, I kept you in suspense long enough.

I walked back in the class and Rev. Matt Hoehner was grading another test.  He handed my exam to me so that I could review the ones I had gotten wrong. Now, I’m freaking out since he handed it to me upside down. As I reached the door to walk up and review the wrong answers… I turned over the exam revealing a 92%. Meaning I missed a total of 8 questions. Yes, now onto the next class: Greek.

Someone remind me to kick Matt when I see him next and then thank him for a job well done. His teaching on the New Testament, Overall view of the Big Picture of the Bible, and especially the practical application.  I suspect most of the instructors focus on just the material without giving hints on how this applies to us in the ministry.

I pretty much came home and scared Linda into thinking I hadn’t passed and then informed her how well I had done.  Well, maybe we can celebrate our 11th anniversary now. LOL

I PASSED !!!

I know I know….

I’ve been slacking as of late. Well, not really.  I’ve been taking a two week intensive course on the New Testament: Overview and Content.  Roughly, 3hrs from August 10-21 (Monday through Friday).

New Testament Content and History This course is designed to assist the student in gaining the basic understanding of the content and history of the New Testament which is prerequisite for the study of theology at the Seminary level.

Source: http://www.csl.edu/Img/academics/sscatalog2009_REV032009.pdf

Here is a run down on the material covered.

Aug 10: Overview of the Bible

Aug 11:  Matthew, Mark

Aug 12: Luke, Acts

Aug 13: Romans, 1&2 Corinthians, Galatians, James

Aug 14: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Practice Test

Aug 17: 1&2 Thessalonians, 1&2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon

Aug 18: Hebrews, 1&2 Peter, Jude

Aug 19: John, Epistles of John (1,2, & 3 John)

Aug 20: Revelation, Review

Aug 21: Exam

Needless to say, I’ve been reading and doing a ton of review.

We’ve been using the ESV translation primarily with some comparisons from the NIV.

Immanuel Lutheran (LCMS), St. Charles, MO

We decided to head off to a more traditional service this weekend. My in-laws Rod and Carol Held were in town so they were in for a treat.  This trip served two purposes; 1) visiting another church in the area and 2) worship with Concordia, Ann Arbor Almuni.  In this case it was Jennifer Brauer. What a blessing it was to see her again instead of just Facebook tag. All the churches have been within 30-45 minutes from the apartment. Seems the trips are longer due to construction on a major freeway.

We should up a tad bit later than we wanted, but there was Jennifer awaiting our arrival. Greeted with a hug and a smile. Who knew that would be the last one the rest of the service. Service was straight out of the LSB’s Divine Service Setting One. Oh the memories felt good to experience a traditional service again.  However, before service started we had some work as congregation to conduct. If you haven’t guessed it yet another baptism. If I sound like it is a bad thing, please erase that from your mind. I’m ecstatic about the fact we have now witnessed four baptisms in four weeks at four different churches.  Today was the baptism of 3 young children/infants. Warms my heart to see the youth being brought to be washed of their sins.

We sat in the balcony behind the guy who was recording the service. I would suggest if you’re looking for an old fashioned sanctuary complete with stain glassed windows and altar that looks like something out of an old Catholic church. This definitely the place to visit. I was simply giddy when Rev. Allen Schade disappeared to the right and came out of an opening in the wall where the pulpit is located. His message “A Feast of Wisdom” was based off Proverbs 9:1-10.  Just what my spirit needed this morning. We also were present to witness the Confirmation of 6+ families into the church. Growing the church the proper way and following the Great Commission as it was intended.

Yes, Communion.  Funny thought is Rod got lost in the service. Down right hilarious to me. He too was astounded by the surroundings of the church. Very impressive. I might drive back on a off day to take pictures to share what we saw.  All in all a wonderful service, except for the people in the service weren’t very welcoming. To make matters worse, their was entirely too much staring. Luckily, I was later told others have experienced the same type of treatment. It’s unfortunate that type of mentality has existed for such a long time.

In spite of the lack of welcoming atmosphere I would still attend service there again. I can’t explain it, but there is just something about the surroundings and the manner the Word was preached.  It doesn’t hurt seeing Jennifer Brauer again. Jennifer not to worry we will get together soon.

One more note one of our fellow Concordia-MI alumni Bill Ondracka was installed as a Vicar at the 8 am service. Congrats Vicar Ondracka.

Here is the contact information for church:

Immanuel Lutheran (LCMS)

115 S. 6th Street

St. Charles, MO 63301

(636) 946-2656

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