Why Fuss about the Efficacy of the Word? Chasubles Are Fashion Forward and Figure Flattering

This Webber-Whritenouer
photo illustrates why "copes should NEVER be worn
with chasubles."
As I said to one layman, "I have to look up copes and
other equipment when I get into this stuff."

Father Hollywood's vainglory is on display - not a hair out of place.

ELS Pastor Paul Webber made a splash in Kloha News by drawing my attention to the high crimes of David Becker, who identified Father Jay Webber as a partner with an ELCA pastor in promoting chasubles on Facebook.

ADMINS

David Jay Webber Pastor at Redeemer Lutheran Church of Scottsdale Joined about 7 years ago

Jack Whritenour Pastor at Evangelical Lutheran Church of Christ Joined about 6 years ago

This page illustrates in great detail why people who fuss over matters of indifference (adiaphora) are really quite shallow and indifferent about Biblical doctrine itself.

Like the Church Shrinkers, who divide and conquer, the high church nit-pickers cannot abide Biblical doctrine or any serious question, so they deride their imagined enemies and obsess over nothingness.

The high church fanatics are simply another manifestation of Entertainment Evangelism, easily proven by videos of them clowning around or being ultra-solemn in their elaborate costumes. What is more vain - to preach in wrinkled jeans and a baggy shirt? - or to process with dainty hands pressed together at the fingertips while making the women gasp at their fine, expensive, flowing robes and expensive accessories.

Bishop James Heiser travels to the part-time pastors of ELDONA
to tell them the latest ways they must bow, dress, bless, and dismiss.
The crosier can cost $8,000, its case a mere $400,
but this staff is probably not at that price point.

The accessories must be just right or the entire effect is spoiled. "A cope with a chasuble? That is just hideous!" - they hiss and fume. I am not sure why, but that is what I glean from this curious amalgamation of Little Sect on the Prairie (ELS) and the ELCA Rome Wannabees.

The Chief Article for them is chasubles - certainly not Justification by Faith Alone. The ELS and ELCA have that clear. They promiscuously peddle the notion that by grace the entire world has been declared righteous, forgiven, and saved. Ever since God transplanted the Stephan-Walther cancer to America, the daft followers have fallen over themselves to expand and enlarge the absurdly anti-Scriptural claims of UOJ.

ELCA and the Synodical Conference were both spawned by Halle University Pietism, so they share the same errors, no matter how the surface details vary.

• Muhlenberg (ELCA pioneer) - Halle University. 
• Martin Stephan (LCMS founder) - Halle University.
• Adolph Hoenecke (WELS theologian) - Halle University.

UOJ did not take over any group at once. The concept of universal righteousness worked its way through each group, like bad yeast, until they dominated every seat of power.

UOJ makes everything else in the Christian Faith irrelevant. "Everyone is forgiven and saved", so the people only need to be told this great truth that never appears in the Scriptures, Confessions, or even the most mediocre book among the various sects.

Thus

1. One congregation needs a cheap rock band and the defenestration of their pipe organ, and
2. Another congregation needs purple clergy shirts and a mitre for the bishop, incense, copes, chasubles, birettas, and such.

Biretta - don't leave home without one.

Lily-of-the-Valley and Shade Plants

Lily-of-the-Valley grew in shadiest spot of our house in Moline,
near the water faucet.

We were discussing shade gardening when Mrs. Ichabod suggested growing some Lily-of-the-Valley. I ordered a few and they arrived at a good time to plant and water them.

Shade gardening is so popular with some of us that a few regret moving to where there is almost no shade at all. There are many solutions to the problem of growing attractive flowers that thrive in the shade, and they are fun and easy to nurture:

1. Hostas come in 8,000 varieties and attract Hummingbirds to their flowers.
2. Calladiums provide remarkable color all summer, though they emerge from the soil rather late.
3. Rose-of-Sharon are tall, stately shrubs with attractive blooms. Our helper found a perfect one beside his house, planted by a bird. I fake-raged about the unfairness while he laughed.
4. Lily-of-the-Valley like shade and plenty of moisture. One website suggested mulching them with chopped tree-leaves for the winter. The plants and their berries are toxic.
5. Wild Strawberries not only bloom early and fruit in the shade, but they persist all summer and spread easily through birds' digestive systems. 

Lily-of-the-Valley Christian Legend - According to Wiki

Christian legend

The flower is also known as Our Lady's tears or Mary's tears from Christian legends that it sprang from the weeping of the Virgin Mary during the crucifixion of Jesus. Other etiologies have its coming into being from Eve's tears after she was driven with Adam from the Garden of Eden^[26] or from the blood shed by Saint Leonard of Noblac during his battles with a dragon.^{[citation needed]}

The name "lily of the valley" is used in some English translations of the Bible in Song of Songs 2:1, but the Hebrew phrase "shoshannat-ha-amaqim" in the original text (literally "lily of the valleys") does not refer to this plant. It is possible, though, that the biblical phrase may have had something to do with the origin or development of the modern plant-name.

It is a symbol of humility in religious painting. Lily of the valley is considered the sign of Christ's second coming. The power of men to envision a better world was also attributed to the lily of the valley.

---

Nothing is wasted in Creation -
favorite berries volunteer from where birds perch.

Usually I research first and plant later, but not this time. I had some rainwater for soaking them - always a good idea when growing things have been on a truck for days. They only needed a stab in the soft soil under the Crepe Myrtle and they were installed. A couple were planted in the deepest shade of the maple tree. Everything was watered several days in a row, to settle the soil and make sure the surrounding soil did not draw water from the fragile plants.

Instead of bulbs, Lilies-of-the-Valley grow pips on their underground stems. That means they can be divided and spread. They can grow together into a large mass that eventually discourages healthy plants and flowers. I remember ours at home in Moline, when my mother got out the pitch-fork to dig half of them up and replanted them. A rectangular area was eventually all grown in, not weedy or barren. We kept the garden hose there, and no one worried about smashing or harming the tough little plant.

Calladiums delight everyone with their color.

Rose-of-Sharon can become a tall, woody shrub.

 Hostas have twin virtues -
thriving and spreading in the shade,
flower stalks that attract Hummingbirds.

Nothing is wasted

A comment on the fragments gathered up after the Feeding of the Multitude echoes in all Creation gardening - "Nothing is wasted."

A bare patch of soil never lasts. Weeds or hardy herbs take over, hold the soil in place, and slowly improve the earth beneath and feed the soil creatures. Weeds will provide down for birds' nests, seeds for food.

Favorite foods for  birds - berries and seeds -  will be planted where those birds perch, so by eating they create new sources for themselves and pollinating insects.

The shadiest patch of ground offers an environment just right for plants that need shade to thrive, and the sunniest will support the sun and heat loving plants.

The soil is poor? Some herbs need poor soil.

The soil is dry? The Chaste Tree does not like watering.

Ignored by many casual onlookers, the plants above ground - from the trees to the lowliest wild flowers - shower the soil with debris: 

• flower petals, 
• leaves, 
• dead insects, 
• manure from the animals living among them.

The ocean of life in the soil, starting with bacteria and fungi, digest and recycle this debris to build a better home for themselves while feeding plant roots and millions of microbes and animals. Together they improve the soil by increasing the usable nutrition available in the root zone, where all plants feed.

 The tiny Borage flower is Bee Bread,
but it also increases the numbers of beneficial insects to its neighborhood.
Feeding insects, it drops seed to feed even more, always blooming and helping
itself and others.

Liz Eaton and ELCA Declare the Reformation Officially Dead. WELS-ELS-LCMS Leaders Cheer and Swap UOJ Essays with Her

 "That's our girl! - Liz Eaton!"

REFORMATION

US Lutherans approve document recognizing agreement with Catholic Church

By Emily McFarlan Miller  | August 15, 2016

SHARETWEET EMAILPRINTMORE

(RNS) Nearly 500 years after Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the Castle Church door, the largest Lutheran denomination in the U.S. has approved a declaration recognizing “there are no longer church-dividing issues” on many points with the Roman Catholic Church.

The “Declaration on the Way” was approved 931-9 by the 2016 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Churchwide Assembly held last week at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton called the declaration “historic” in a statement released by the denomination following the Wednesday (Aug. 10) vote.

“Though we have not yet arrived, we have claimed that we are, in fact, on the way to unity. … This ‘Declaration on the Way’ helps us to realize more fully our unity in Christ with our Catholic partners, but it also serves to embolden our commitment to unity with all Christians,” Eaton said.

The declaration comes as the Lutheran and Catholic churches prepare to kick off a year of celebrations to mark the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.

Luther had touched off the Reformation on Oct. 31, 1517, when he nailed the 95 theses to the church door in Wittenberg, Germany. That document included 95 statements he wanted to debate within the Catholic Church.

Most notably, the “Declaration on the Way” includes 32 “Statements of Agreement” where Lutherans and Catholics no longer have church-dividing differences on issues of church, ministry and the Eucharist. Those statements previously had been affirmed by the U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs.

It also lists remaining differences between the two churches and next steps on addressing them.

Eaton pointed to past agreements reached by the ELCA and Catholic Church, as well, including 1999’s “Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification.”

Last November, Pope Francis sparked controversy when he seemed to suggest a Lutheran could receive Communion in the Catholic Church, saying “life is greater than explanations and interpretations.” The pontiff  is scheduled to visit Sweden on Oct. 31 to preside at a joint service with Lutherans.

And the Vatican and the Lutheran World Federation released a joint document in 2013 titled “From Conflict to Communion” that focused on the progress made in Lutheran-Catholic dialogue in the past 50 years, rather than centuries of conflict.

The ELCA is one of the 10 largest Protestant denominations in the U.S. with more than 3.7 million members across the 50 states and the Caribbean region.

How Is That Possible? Recovering the Chasuble? Seems So Improbable!

David Becker did the impossible - getting me to read about chasubles.

First, I caught the angry letter from Paul Webber, Jay Webber's son, denouncing Becker for writing about his father's interest in this Facebook page -

Recovering the Chasuble Among Lutheran Pastors - Public Group

• Members 317
• Admins 2

David Jay Webber Pastor at Redeemer Lutheran Church of Scottsdale Joined about 7 years ago

Jack Whritenour Pastor at Evangelical Lutheran Church of Christ Joined about 6 years ago

Jay Webber, perpetual peddler of UOJ, is an administrator of the page. So is an ELCA pastor (maybe previously ELCA pastor) Jack Whitenour (sic). His name is Jack Writenour on Facebook and later in the Becker article.

Is Your Chasuble-Wearing Pastor Married to a Man? 
Christian News, September 26, 2016 issue
From David Becker Wed, Sep 7, 2016 at 9:29 pm

In reviewing what I have written about the "Recovering the Chasuble Among Lutheran Pastors" Facebook page, I accurately reported that Pastor David Jay Webber of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod and Jack Whitenour (sic) are the administrators of the web site.

I reported that Whritenour was with the ELCA but he is no longer listed as on the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America web site.

I accurately reported that same-sex married ELCA clergy have participated in "Recovering the Chasuble." ELCA Bishop R. Guy Erwin, married to a man, featured his chasuble on "Recovering the Chasuble." The photo is still there.

My view is that this is unacceptable. The chasuble did nothing for R. Guy Erwin or for anyone who saw the photo. The chasuble actually harmed R. Guy in that it presented him as a Christian while God's Word says that he is in a state where he will not inherit the kingdom of God. There is much promotion of ELCA and the Episcopal Church on "Recovering the Chasuble," two groups where fundamental doctrines are frequently denied, and where unrepentant homosexuality is common. Both have female bishops/pastors.
There are photos of women wearing chasubles on the "Recovering the Chasuble" Facebook page. Keep in mind that "Recovering the Chasuble" is not a neutral site. It advocates for an agenda, speaking of "the devastation of Pietism."

"Unfortunately, what many think of as 'old Lutheran' is really the black robe of the Pietists borrowed from the Calvinists." Criticisms of the so-called pietists may be warranted in some limited cases, but "Recovering the Chasuble" presents those who oppose chasubles as the big dummies who don't understand anything about genuine Lutheranism.

The chasuble wearer may or may not be married to a man. Pastor Paul Webber complains that "Mr. Becker slanders my father, Rev. David Jay Webber, implying that his being an administrator of a facebook group devoted to liturgical vestments is something for which he will, someday, have to give answer to Christ."

How is it slander to say that Pastor David J. W. will have to answer to Christ for how he administers that page? We will all appear before the Lord on judgment day. Pastors/teachers will be judged more strictly. A shockingly bad statement by Paul Webber that compounded the sins. It may be possible to advocate for chasubles in an acceptable way, but the "Recovering the Chasuble Among Lutheran Pastors" Facebook page does not come close to doing that. It is a very shameful and Satanic web site as it currently stands in my opinion.

Paul Webber - ELS Pastor, Jay's son

December 7, 2015

It looks like the person who heads up this organization wears a nice chasuble. Plus, this is an ELCA congregation, so it must count!

YOUTUBE.COM

Published on Nov 14, 2013

A journey in image and song into the spirit of the purple church. Featuring herchurch folk group Vocal Divine singing "Our Mother" Words by Miriam Therese Winter, Music by Pamela Parker, from the cd "HER Sacred Songs." Photos by Alice Heimsoth and Stacy Boorn. Images captured at herchurch in San Francisco.

You Tube Comments

 

Anna Ostara2 years ago

So healing! I sing this version when I pray Goddess rosary now! <3

 3  

 

noah93942 years ago

Actually God is a guy so it should be our Father. Thank You.

 3  

 

Collis Nelson2 years ago

God is not a man. God is beyond gender and it is appropriate to refer to God as any respectful pronoun.

 3  

 

Bradley Singer11 months ago (edited)

+Collis Nelson "God is not a man." Yeah, ok, so long as you throw out the Bible, the historic Christian Church, the existence of Jesus, and, you know, the 154 times Jesus called God "Father" in the Gospels alone. Not only that, by writing this "prayer" you're editing something that came out of the mouth of Christ Himself. God tells you how to pray to Him and worship Him, and you decide He's not being "gender inclusive" and change His own words. Yep, smells like heresy to me.

Christ Sophia Mass at HerChurch - Once the Mother Church of the West for the Augustana Synod

Paul Webber

October 27, 2015

I stumbled across this gem today. At least it looks like it will keep you warm.

***

GJ - But dad Webber got an STM from an ELCA-based online seminary that trains, ordains, and commissions women pastors.

Another Martin Chemnitz Press Book Is Moving to Amazon-Kindle. Introduction to the Christian Faith: Jesus Priceless Treasure.Slight Name Change

Yesterday I went through the Word file, page by page, twice, to improve Introduction to the Christian Faith for publishing through Amazon printed books and Kindle e-books.

I switched the title around because the first words of the title are featured in links, which indicates the intent of the book.

Going through the book again made me aware that Introduction to the Christian Faith is more of a basic learning tool for Lutherans who want a textbook on Lutheran doctrine, based on the ministry and teaching of Jesus the Savior - rather than the infallible lives and publications of various synodical saints.

The book could be used for a new members class or studied for the purpose of apologetics - "be ready to give a reason for the hope within you." The quotations are KJV, Luther, and Book of Concord.

Anyone who wants to check out the content can open this Jesus Priceless Treaure PDF, which can be downloaded and shared with anyone - free - no need to ask permission. I use DropBox for these free public links.

Budget

$120 - Proofing Editor.
$100 - Finishing Editor (who now has the file).
$100 - Promotional Copies.

$320 - Total


Next Books -

1. The Lost Dutchman's Goldmine will be finished next. DV - end of September.
2. Creation Gardening will be completed after The Lost Dutchman's Goldmine.
3. Jesus Lord of Creation is being proofed.