It's Reformation Sunday again! I love the history and tradition surrounding this day. For a taste of the excitement and history of today check out this new twist on the tune "Supercalifragilistic-expialidocious".
The Reformation Polka
by Robert Gebel
When I was just ein junger Mann I studied canon law;
While Erfurt was a challenge, it was just to please my Pa.
Then came the storm, the lightning struck, I called upon Saint Anne,
I shaved my head, I took my vows, an Augustinian! Oh...
Chorus:
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation
Speak your mind against them and face excommunication!
Nail your theses to the door, let's start a Reformation!
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation!
When Tetzel came near Wittenberg, St. Peter's profits soared,
I wrote a little notice for the All Saints' Bull'tin board:
"You cannot purchase merits, for we're justified by grace!
Here's 95 more reasons, Brother Tetzel, in your face!" Oh...
Chorus
They loved my tracts, adored my wit, all were exempleror;
The Pope, however, hauled me up before the Emperor.
"Are these your books? Do you recant?" King Charles did demand,
"I will not change my Diet, Sir, God help me here I stand!" Oh...
Chorus
Duke Frederick took the Wise approach, responding to my words,
By knighting "George" as hostage in the Kingdom of the Birds.
Use Brother Martin's model if the languages you seek,
Stay locked inside a castle with your Hebrew and your Greek! Oh...
Chorus
Let's raise our steins and Concord Books while gathered in this place,
And spread the word that 'catholic' is spelled with lower case;
The Word remains unfettered when the Spirit gets his chance,
So come on, Katy, drop your lute, and join us in our dance! Oh...
Now that you have a little history of the day I feel better. Now on to a personal reflection.
Today Aaron and I sang with the choir at both services. Because I wanted to sit with Matt, and because I haven’t spent much time with Katelynn lately I choose not to sit in the choir loft. I had the honor to hold 6 year-old Katelynn during worship. I held her when we sat and I held her when we stood. The magic came when the congregation sang the Kyrie. When the congregation sang Katelynn belted...
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia.
Worthy is Christ the Lamb who was slain,
whose blood set us free to be people of God.
Power, riches and wisdom and strength
and honor and blessing and glory are his.
Sing with all the people of God,
join in the hymn of all creation.
Blessing, honor and glory,
glory and might be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.
For the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign.
Alleluia, alleluia.
While we sang the words took on new meaning. These words have been sung for generations and will continue to be sung long after this generation passes away. The faith that Katelynn expressed today rekindled my faith. We joined in the hymn of all creation. We joined in the hymn of creation that is past, present and to come. My hope is that Katelynn will sing these words thousands of times in her lifetime. My prayer is that she and all our children know the power of Almighty Fortress that is our God.
10.28.2007
And We're Back
Aaron and I are back in Ohio getting ready to begin the second half of the fall semester. I’m relieved to be done with one course and following the choir concert this Friday I’ll be done with two classes. My week will have 8 extra hours!
I’m quite excited for the concert on Friday, if you’re in Columbus you should check it out at Trinity at 8p. Over 60 voices in the seminary choir will be joined with soloists and chamber orchestra to perform Haydn’s Paukenmesse or Mass in Time of War. Yes, this is a shameless plug.
The journey to the upper Midwest and Great Plains was rejuvenating. I wish I could say restful, but driving over 2,300 miles and sleeping in 7 different places in 8 nights is hardly a restful week. Highlights of the week include Parry and Melissa’s wedding and meeting baby Ava (see pictures in blogs below). And of course it was great to reconnect with family and friends in the region. We drove home yesterday so that we could be back for Reformation worship today. For the first time I felt like I was leaving home to go home. It sounds weird, but I now realize I have the privilege of many homes. South Dakota feels like home, Minnesota friends feel like home and Ohio feels like home. I am blessed.
I’m quite excited for the concert on Friday, if you’re in Columbus you should check it out at Trinity at 8p. Over 60 voices in the seminary choir will be joined with soloists and chamber orchestra to perform Haydn’s Paukenmesse or Mass in Time of War. Yes, this is a shameless plug.
The journey to the upper Midwest and Great Plains was rejuvenating. I wish I could say restful, but driving over 2,300 miles and sleeping in 7 different places in 8 nights is hardly a restful week. Highlights of the week include Parry and Melissa’s wedding and meeting baby Ava (see pictures in blogs below). And of course it was great to reconnect with family and friends in the region. We drove home yesterday so that we could be back for Reformation worship today. For the first time I felt like I was leaving home to go home. It sounds weird, but I now realize I have the privilege of many homes. South Dakota feels like home, Minnesota friends feel like home and Ohio feels like home. I am blessed.
10.25.2007
Ava
During Fall Break Aaron and I made a stop in Fremont, Nebraska to meet Ava Joyce. We also got to hang out with her mom and dad, but she stole the show:)
10.17.2007
Midterms and Such
Preparations are underway to leave Ohio in 29 hours. Destinations: Jackson, MN, Sioux Falls, SD, Delmont, SD, Fremont, NE and St. Paul, MN. After a crazy week of midterms we’re planning an all night drive across the Midwest for Parry and Melissa’s wedding, to meet Ava and see family and friends sprinkled throughout the upper Midwest and Great Plains.
In preparation for the journey we’re headed to Grandma Miller’s to do laundry and fill up on the best Chinese food ever, China Bell. Who would guess that the best Chinese food would come from a suburb in Columbus, Ohio? Don’t ask questions, just enjoy. In a conversation with Mom yesterday she said, “you haven’t seen Grandma since she got back from Georgia. She says you better see her before you leave you because haven’t seen her in almost two weeks!” Mom didn't need to lay the guilt we were already excited for an evening with Grandma.
The truth is I can’t wait to get out of here. I love being back home, but it’s time for a road trip (almost 2 months in one place, yuck!). I figure we’ll be in the car about 40 hours over break. That’s quite literally a full-time job, ahh! Well, doing two weeks worth of laundry tonight will be quite the undertaking too. The joys of seminary life are almost too much sometimes.
In preparation for the journey we’re headed to Grandma Miller’s to do laundry and fill up on the best Chinese food ever, China Bell. Who would guess that the best Chinese food would come from a suburb in Columbus, Ohio? Don’t ask questions, just enjoy. In a conversation with Mom yesterday she said, “you haven’t seen Grandma since she got back from Georgia. She says you better see her before you leave you because haven’t seen her in almost two weeks!” Mom didn't need to lay the guilt we were already excited for an evening with Grandma.
The truth is I can’t wait to get out of here. I love being back home, but it’s time for a road trip (almost 2 months in one place, yuck!). I figure we’ll be in the car about 40 hours over break. That’s quite literally a full-time job, ahh! Well, doing two weeks worth of laundry tonight will be quite the undertaking too. The joys of seminary life are almost too much sometimes.
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