Reader 1: He was called “the world’s greatest living human being.” By the age of 30 he was recognized as a brilliant theologian and acclaimed as an organ virtuoso and interpreter of Bach. But the real greatness of Albert Schweitzer did not lie in any of those accomplishments but rather in his decision to give up those promising careers and become a medical doctor in the jungles of Africa. In 1875,...
Reader 1: In the early part of the fourth century it suddenly became a lot less dangerous to be a Christian. Constantine was made Roman Emperor and in 311 he issued an Edict of Toleration. Christians would no longer be persecuted for their faith. Conflict with the empire had ended, so Christians were now much freer to fight among themselves! There is both cynicism and truth in that statement. The ...
Reader 1: In 1992, North, Central and South Americans celebrated the 500th anniversary of Columbus’ “discovery” of America. Of course, we have been reminded that it can’t really be called a “discovery” when there were people already living here who knew this land existed all the time! So what’s a better word? “Exploration?” Perhaps most fitting is the word “conquest.” After 1492, as the Spaniards ...
Reader 1: The year is 1869. A group of Lutheran pastors and laypersons had come together for a convention in Reading, Pennsylvania. A 77-year-old man, his long white hair curling up at the ends, rises to speak to the assembly. He argues passionately for the Lutheran church to resume its missionary work in India. The speaker is John Christian Frederick Heyer, who 27 years earlier had been Americans...
Reader 1: In the Pacific Ocean of southeastern Asia lies the country known as Indonesia. You may remember some of the Indonesian islands from your geography class back in grade school: Borneo, Java, Sumatra. It is on the island of Sumatra, specifically the northern part, where the Batak people live. For centuries the Bataks lived in isolation from the world; not too many foreigners wanted to penet...
Dag Hammarskjold Date: September 18 The Entrance Rite The Prelude The Opening Plainsong (Solo Voice): “Grant Peace, We Pray, In Mercy, Lord.” Hymn: “God The Omnipotent” The Greeting: P: Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord be with you. C: And also with you. The Theme Of The Day Reader 1: Dag Hammarskjold died ________ years ago today -- September 18, 1961....
