April 2008 Newsletter Contents [Newsletter Archive]
Pastor's Article	Vicar's Article
Christian Education	Parish Notes
Portals of Prayer

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PASTOR'S ARTICLE

SURVEYS AND OBSERVATIONS

To read the stories in the media these days one would think that Christianity is on its last legs, at least, authentic Christianity. Of course, one must keep in mind that the reports are based upon "surveys" which have been known to be wrong. Back in February the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life [Pew is the family name of the wealthy Pews who have endowed this think tank, not the church furniture of the same name!], released its report which has become big news in religious circles. No doubt many denominations will read this and make changes or adjustments on what they preach and do based upon this survey. Surveys, in our opinion, are greatly unreliable.

First, the report highlights the decline of mainstream denominations in America. Just about every denomination has suffered decline. The more liberal denominations lead the decline, but surprisingly, the survey found that Roman Catholicism is hemorrhaging even though its numbers increased due to immigration, mainly Hispanic immigration. More than 10 percent of Americans have fled the Roman Catholic Church. Atheists now outnumber Episcopalians and agnostics outnumber both the Episcopalians and the Presbyterians lumped together. Our own LCMS has been losing membership as well, although not nearly at the same speed. The so-called "evangelical churches" are now said to be the new mainline American Protestanism.

What does it all mean? First, one should not discount the tremendous influence that consumerism has had on religion. We've mentioned this many times before that people treat religion like they would a retailer at the mall. If they don't find what they want at one place, they move on to another. Many denominations have tried to change and there has been a mushrooming of non-denominational churches spring up which are more in tune with the marketplace idea. It's the consumer model and churches are "selling" their product.

Follow this line of thinking and there is yet more change in the marketplace. Neo-evangelical non-denominational churches are now begetting something called the Emergent Church. Just what is the Emergent Church? That's not so easy to answer because the definition is just as slippery as what these churches are. Perhaps we could compare it to the internet. One doesn't have to go into a retailer's box store to buy something; he can purchase it over the internet and have it delivered. It's relatively private. In a sense, it is a kind of DIY, do-it-yourself idea. One shops around for the ideas that one wants and then "buys" them and puts together the religion that pleases him. He makes his own religion. One determines his own truth, something that lines up well with Post-Modernism.

What is curious about this is the word religion itself. A dictionary kind of definition will surely include something about a set of beliefs that is differentiated from the visible world. It will talk about transcendence. It will say that it includes the ritual observance of what one believes. All of this somehow makes contact with truth claims. In theological circles we like to use big words and epistemology is one of them. Epistemology is a big word that has to do with how we know something, the origin of truth, how we determine what is true, etc.

Much of American Christianity is no longer concerned with the truth as THE truth. Today, especially in the Emergent Church there are "truths," that are like the merchandise at the mall. One simply shops around for a "truth" that seems to fit him and he buys it. More and more, the "truths" that people are buying these days have no foundation in fact. Never mind that truth cannot contradict itself or it ceases to be true! Then they become lies. Many don't want to be bothered with doctrine because doctrine doesn't seem to fit their lifestyles. Doctrine is too confining for their lifestyles, and with this consumerism idea controlling the thought processes, one simply moves on to the next religious huckster to see what his product has to offer. The Emergent Church strips away nearly all doctrine for some very ill-defined concepts. As long as you say you believe in Jesus, you can be in the Emergent Church. Truth is what is true for you regardless of whether it has any grounding in objective fact.

But which Jesus are we talking about? Who is he? Wasn't that exactly the question our Lord asked his disciples:

"Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 16:13-17, ESV)

This article is not to paint gloom and doom, especially since we are still in the Easter season! Rather, it is to emphasize the truth that our Lord Jesus Christ, true God and true man in one indivisible person, accomplished the salvation of the world by his life, innocent, suffering, and death on the cross. Furthermore, he rose physically from the dead on the third day and after forty days ascended to the right hand of the Father.

That brings us to the meaning of our Lord's Ascension, which we shall celebrate as a congregation on Thursday, 01 May, at 7:00 PM. When our Lord ascended wonderful things happened:

". . . that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church," (Ephesians 1:20-22, ESV)

It is the work of God the Holy Spirit to convince the world of sin and to create faith in Christ. It isn't that the Holy Spirit is sleeping on the job! It is that our old evil foe has redoubled his efforts at pulling people away from the truth that is in Christ Jesus. It may very well be that he is succeeding mightily in America as the numbers seem to indicate, but that does not mean that he is succeeding everywhere. Quite the contrary, Christianity is spreading rapidly in Africa. There are more Lutherans in Africa than there are in the United States. Surprised? You shouldn't be! There are more Lutherans in Indonesia than there are in the LCMS. Surprised? You shouldn't be!

Luther once said that the Gospel is like a Platzregen, a thundershower. God showers his blessings on a particular place and then moves on to bring his thundershower somewhere else. When the blessings are despised, God moves on and brings them to people who thirst for his Gospel. So, Christianity is not on the decrease world-wide. And even if it were, there is no reason to abandon the truth for the lies of our old enemy. The truth still matters.

Pastor Meyer

VICAR'S ARTICLE

NICODEMUS

¹Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. ²He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him." (John 3:1-2)

When the Gospel writers want to emphasize something important, it is recorded several times. Nicodemus is only included in John's gospel, and briefly at that. Deep within these minor Biblical players, however, are lessons and virtues which we can and should embody in our own lives. One of the greatest things about Nicodemus is that he's also pretty dense. Isn't that just like you or me? He actually gets to talk with Jesus face to face and he doesn't add anything to the conversation. Upon further study, you may see yourself as a Nicodemus. If this should happen, don't be alarmed. There's a bit of Nicodemus in all of us.

Nicodemus, a Pharisee, begins the conversation with ignorance, and we can see right away that he doesn't understand the full gravity of the situation. "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him" (John 3:2). Nicodemus is already showing himself to be a different kind of Pharisee with this comment. Jesus, however, being the Great Teacher, challenges what Nicodemus thinks he knows with His first comment. "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again" (John 3:3). Huh? Nicodemus has every right to be flustered by this seeming attempt to skirt around the real issue. Can you see the danger of reading the Scriptures without the influence of the Holy Spirit? One cannot interpret the Bible, much as Nicodemus cannot interpret the words of Jesus, without help. Lutherans use such tools as Luther's Small and Large Catechisms, which are a concise review of all that is necessary for salvation, taken directly from the Bible. If we can understand what is written in the Catechism, then we are one step closer to knowing the overall message of salvation in the Scriptures. Nicodemus, the ordinary guy that he was, had no Catechetical knowledge, and his ignorance is apparent.

"How can a man be born when he is old," he asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" (John 3:4). Here Nicodemus makes a rather unintelligible comment about what is and what is not possible with God. The Greek word that Jesus used which has been interpreted "born again" also means "born from above". If Nicodemus had realized this, he might have known that this is a different kind of birth from the first one he had as a baby. This is the birth that Christians experience in the waters of baptism, in which we actually die with Christ and are raised to new life through the water and Word. So far, Nicodemus seems more like an inhibitor of faith than a hero, but that's what makes these Biblical heroes so special. God makes great things happen through them despite their shortcomings.

So what kind of birth is Christ talking about? Many Christians want to apply human reason to this statement and say that Christ wants us to start living our lives like Christians, doing the works of a person who's been saved. This is a fine thought at first glance, but shouldn't something happen to us before we start doing good works? When does faith enter the equation?

Here we begin to see the difference between good works and faith. Being "born again" or "born from above" is not something we can do ourselves. It's a gift of the Holy Spirit given through the miracle of Baptism which produces faith in Jesus Christ. Nicodemus is a pious man, and as a Pharisee he lives according to the law, but the law won't merit him salvation. Salvation comes from nowhere else than Christ, which is the next thing Jesus explains to Nicodemus. In a rather lengthy illumination of His comment, Jesus gives Nicodemus the basics of eternal life. This is one of the greatest passages in the entire Bible, and it includes a summary of the New Testament in one verse. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

There it is. Nicodemus knows all that he needs to know, so what'll he do with this knowledge? Should he be ashamed to spread this message? No! Note these words of Christ which are recorded in the gospels of Luke and Mark: "If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels" (Luke 9:16). This Message is to be spread. We don't want to see anyone in danger of hell, but that's exactly what the future holds for those who reject and jeer at the saving Gospel message of Jesus Christ. Share the message, and don't be discouraged about how it's received. The Holy Spirit knows who will and who won't accept this message, and He'll work how He must.

This conversation with Christ in the darkness is the most we see of Nicodemus in all of Scripture. The story of one minor Pharisee is one of the most telling and convincing arguments for baptism and faith in Christ. Nicodemus, however, doesn't appear to be affected, so what happens to this curious man?

Four chapters later, the Pharisees are tired of Jesus and His ministry. He's destroying their reputations as law abiding and holy men, and telling people that He's God! Just when they're about to sentence Him to death without trial, Nicodemus steps in and makes a convincing argument. "Does our law condemn anyone without first hearing him to find out what he is doing" (John 7:51). The Pharisees are left with only two options: give Christ a fair chance to speak His part, or break one of the laws that form the very foundation of their entire existence as men of the law. If Nicodemus had simply stepped in and said "I love Christ, He's my Savior, don't speak in such a way about Him," he probably would've been laughed out of the meeting or much worse. But Nicodemus, under the auspicious eye of the law, sets up a legal barrier between Jesus and certain harm.

This is a great lesson of how we can use our own particular talents to make a case for Christ as well. What are your talents? Maybe you're an office worker with great organizational skills, or perhaps an artist with incredible creativity. No matter what your talents and gifts, these can be used in your own service as baptized Christians. So is this it for Nicodemus, or will we see him again? Has he really changed or is he just being fair to a Man who treated him with respect and kindness?

To see the final act of Nicodemus, we must go all the way to the end of Christ's ministry, even after He's died with the sins of the world on his back. Joseph of Arimathea, better known as the man who helped Christ to carry the cross of His crucifixion, has asked for the body of Christ so that he may properly bury it. "He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds" (John 19:39). Why so much? The New American Commentary sheds some light on the historical significance of this amount. "It was truly an immense amount of spice. Indeed, it was enough spice to bury a king royally" (Borchert 281). Nicodemus has finally come to see Christ as the true King-a king whose kingdom isn't of this world, but in heaven. Nicodemus wants to be one of those who can faithfully serve under Christ for all eternity, and although he and Joseph are still serving Christ in secret, they're doing a great deed for the Kingdom of God.

Service can come in many varieties. Some are going to be pastors, whose entire life is dedicated to maintaining a faithful calling in preaching the Word and administering the Sacraments. Others can serve Christ by sharing His Gospel message with neighbors, friends, and families. There's no maximum or minimum effort when it comes to faithfully serving Christ, but it's the effort of all the 'ordinary' people that makes the difference. We must never think that we can't make a difference, for that's up to the Holy Spirit. If only the most devout and truly dedicated were worthy of the Kingdom of God, we wouldn't have ever heard the story of Nicodemus.

Vicar Heath Trampe

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

[Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, Article VIII, Person of Christ]
2. We believe, teach, and confess that there are now in this one, inseparable person of Christ two distinct natures, the divine, from eternity, and the human, which was assumed into the union of the person of God's Son in time. These two natures can never more be separated nor mixed together with each other, nor can one be transformed into the other. Rather, each remains in its own nature and essence within the person of Christ for all eternity. 3. We also believe, teach, and confess that as these two natures remain unmixed in their nature and essence and never cease to exist, each therefore also retains its natural, essential characteristics and will not lay them aside ever in all eternity, nor will the essential characteristics of either nature ever become the essential characteristics of the other.¹

¹Robert Kolb, Timothy J. Wengert and Charles P. Arand, The Book of Concord : The Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. 617 (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2000).

LIBRARY NEWS
There is a new book in the library. Women Pastors? The ordination of Women in Biblical Lutheran Perspective. This is a collection of essays edited by Mathew C. Harrison and John J. Pless.

The following is a quotation from the preface "The essays in this volume will strengthen Lutheran pastor and laity worldwide in their confession of the truth of the Holy Scripture as it speaks to this issue."

"A variety of issues emerge ------ while not every conceivable dimension of the problem of women's ordination is covered in the essays assembled herein, the wide variety of authors do address many of them"

The format of the book makes it easy to pick essays of interest and read them.

I want to clear up the confusion of the prices of the Follow and Do books in last month's Esprit. There are six books in hard cover and six books in paperback. The hard cover books are $6.99 each or the whole set for $33.99. The set of six paperback books is $9.99. Each set covers all six chief parts of the catechism.

Dorothy Senff

PARISH NOTES

02 April	Wednesday, 7:00 AM				Office of Matins
06 April	3rd Sunday of Easter, 10:30 AM			Divine Service
09 April	Wednesday, 7:00 AM				Office of Matins
13 April	4th Sunday of Easter, 10:30 AM			Divine Service
16 April	Wednesday, 7:00 AM				Office of Matins
20 April	5th Sunday of Easter, 10:30 AM			Divine Service
23 April	Wednesday, 7:00 AM				Office of Matins
27 April	6th Sunday of Easter, 10:30 AM			Divine Service
30 April	Wednesday, 7:00 AM				Office of Matins
01 May		The Ascension of Our Lord, Thursday, 7:00 PM		Divine Service

NOTES for the DIVINE SERVICE in EXILE
During the nine weeks we shall spend conducting the Divine Service in the Parish Center there are some suggestions for our time in "exile." If Israel could worship in tents in the wilderness for 40 years, surely 9 weeks in a heated/air-conditioned facility shouldn't seem so bad! You will discover that the ambiance is simply not the same. Since any movement will be more apparent, we ask that you keep movement to a minimum.

First. since the restrooms are conveniently located, we ask that you take care of those tasks prior to the DS. Besides many people seeing you enter the restrooms, there is also concern that the normal sounds associated with restroom use will be able to be heard by the worshiping congregation. We request that such distractions be kept to a minimum. The drinking fountain shall remain unplugged during the DS because it makes a somewhat loud noise.

Second, the distribution of the Sacrament of the Altar will be greatly affected. There is no rail so kneeling is pretty much out of the question. In addition, there is no line to show you where to line up. For that reason we shall most likely use a continuous line where communicants stop at Pastor for the host and then move on to Vicar for the chalice. You will be directed to approach via the center aisle and to return via the side aisles as we do in the sanctuary. This will allow us to operate a bit more smoothly.

Third, we ask that you not congregate before and after the DS at the pinch point of the Parish Center, that is, at the corner where you enter the large room. Move out into the entry ways or to the center of the room to visit. Leave a pathway for people to get in and out. We ask you to be considerate of others during this time.

Fourth, the organ is located in the rear of our "sanctuary." It will be much louder in the rear due to the fact that the sound will not carry very well with a low ceiling with sound absorbing tiles. Thus, the organ sounds will be noticeably louder in the rear pews. Move forward accordingly.

There will be discomfort for all of us during this time. The situation is not optimum and you will surely find some things that are troublesome. Keep in mind that this is temporary until we are able to use our newly renovated beautiful sanctuary again. Look forward to that time! Look for ways to help out because we'll need your help and cooperation.

CONFESSION and ABSOLUTION in EXILE
Since our sanctuary will be unavailable for Private Confession and Absolution during the renovation, Pastor will hear private confessions in the nursery in the Parish Center. The room will be set up to facilitate this. Penitents will enter via the rear Parish Center door and go to the main room. A waiting bench will be set up. Private Confession will take place in the first section of the nursery. Penitents will enter and leave via the same door. This will be in effect for the April dates [05 and 17 April, 03 & 15 May]. There is no Saturday confession during June, July, and August. We hope to be back in the sanctuary for the 19 June date.

150TH ANNIVERSARY RESTORATION and RENOVATION PROJECT
On Sunday, 10 February, the Congregational Assembly approved the sanctuary renovation proposal submitted by Potente Studios. Work will begin the week immediately after Easter. In the meantime we will be soliciting pledges in order to underwrite this project which is to be completed in time to celebrate Immanuel's 150th anniversary on 29 June. Please respond generously!

Work to be done - The project includes the following: • Wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling scaffolding
• Patching of all cracked plaster
• Application of fiberglass mats on all walls and ceilings to be painted
• Complete re-painting and re-gilding, lengthening of streamers around oculus
• Cleaning of interior of stained glass windows
• Cleaning, touch-up and varnishing of all woodwork
• Cleaning and varnishing of painting on the reredos
• Replacement of organ grill cloth on the back wall
• Installation of vinyl wall covering below the chair rail
• Covering wood paneling in the narthex with vinyl wall covering
• Re-painting of backs of pews
• Replacement of amber colored glass in hanging fixtures with flashed white glass to improve lighting
• Replacement of 3 sets of double doors (interior doors to east and west exits, center aisle entrance to nave from narthex) and 2 single doors (side entrances to nave from narthex)
• Modification of baptismal font including a wider bowl of copper and pump for (gently)moving water
• Installation of 8 floor receptacles wired on five 20-amp circuits in nave
• Installation of 4 receptacles in the wall separating the nave from the narthex
• Installation of two ceiling-mounted sets of track lighting in the choir loft, to the right and the left of the organ
• Removal of all carpeting in the nave and on stairs to loft; installation of underlayment and porcelain tile in narthex, under pews and in chancel; carpeting of all walkways in nave and stairs to choir loft
• Organ rental for duration of time services are held in the Parish Center

Work to commence the week of March 31st (pews are scheduled to be moved on the Friday after Easter), with work to be completed in time for 150th Anniversary celebration on June 29th.

BOARD OF EDUCATION
The preschool equipment sale is over and was a complete success. Through the hard work of numerous members the sale accomplished two very important things - we have cleared both floor and storage space and raised some money for budgetary purposes.

Vicar and Aunnee Trampe are busy planning VBS which will be held June 16 thru June 20 from 900am until 1130am. Please give them all the support you can by volunteering, donating or most importantly praying.

Vicar emails about 30 area college students each week inviting them to his 5:00pm Sunday study group which has recently been studying cults.

Our Sunday school mission project for January, February and March called "Project Wittenberg" which is a plan to reestablish a Lutheran presence in the town of Wittenberg, Germany, will continue for April, May and June.

YPI is looking into a St. Louis area youth gathering called "Higher Learning" to be held July 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Upcoming dates - Next BofE meeting April 08

God's blessings
Chuck Lux, Deacon Board of Education

COUNCIL of DEACONS REPORT for MARCH 2008
The Council of Deacons has been busy with necessary follow-up work on the renovation project since the project proposal was passed unanimously by the Congregational Assembly on February 10th. The loan application papers were submitted and we have now secured a loan commitment from Thrivent Financial. The good news is that the final proposal and loan commitment came in at around a thousand dollars less than what had been approved as a limit by the Congregational Assembly. All necessary legwork and documentation is now being taken care of for the official closing, which will likely be sometime in early April, and contractors have received their downpayments for materials.

A tentative work date has been set for moving of the pews from the sanctuary into the Parish Center on Friday, March 28, the carpet is scheduled to be removed on Monday, the 31st, and Potente Studios are scheduled to begin erecting scaffolding in the middle of that week.

The Council wishes to extend a special thanks to Immanuel member Kristin Schulz, who has very kindly volunteered to help provided guidance with our upcoming pledge drive to pay for the renovation and reduce Immanuel's current debt load. Kristin has had experience working with a much larger pledge campaign at her former parish in Wheaton, Illinois, and is providing the Council with invaluable material and advice in getting the pledge drive underway.

Because this month's meeting of the Council will take place on March 22nd, i.e., after the deadline for this issue of the Esprit, a report on the March meeting will appear in next month's newsletter.

Ron Dunbar, Chairman, Council of Deacons

PROPERTY AND GROUNDS BOARD
The Property and Grounds Board met on 11 March 2008 to review active and new projects.

Both stoves in the kitchen have been replaced.
A new microwave oven was purchased for the kitchen.
Project to light the steeple has been postponed until the Church renovation is completed.
A platform to accommodate musical instruments was built on the west side of the choir loft; carpeting will be done during the renovation.
The area behind the last partition in the parish center will be used to store items during renovation.
Darryl is getting approval for use of prison inmates to help move the pews, sliding dividers and other jobs.
A layout for pew alignment in the parish center is being completed.
Boxes and storage of organ pipes during renovation has been arranged.
Samples of new pew footers are being completed. Sale of old footers as a commemorative fund raiser was discussed.
Pastor has an individual who will fund kneelers for the pews. We would do the installation.
Rich Bucy discussed new property insurance quote. Existing cost is $14,322, new quote is $8,120. Coverage is slightly less with few extra small deductibles. Motion was made to accept the new quote. All were in favor.
An individual has come forth to pay for darkening of the church sign lettering. Motion was made and passed.
Some tiles on southwest corner of the roof are loose. Darryl will contact Dave Brentlinger to fix.
Parking lot violations by apartment renters was discussed. A letter will be sent to landlord and occupants asking them not to park in our lot or be towed away.
Workday was scheduled for Saturday, 15 Mar. 2008.

Jim Senff, Deacon of Board of Property & Grounds

FROM OUR DISTRICT OFFICE
Katrina Relief
The Indiana District is once again coordinating relief efforts in areas devastated by Katrina. We are looking for circuits to adopt each of the four houses to be built in 2008 and to provide volunteers to go to Biloxi to help with the building. The District will pay for building materials and room and board for volunteers. It typically takes four weeks for volunteers of 8-10 per group to complete one of these houses.

Following are some of the 2007 Highlights:

o Sponsored 4 homes in East Biloxi
o Contributed $100,000 in Indiana District funds to pay for rebuilding materials.
o Provided $17,800 in Room and Board expenses for Indiana District volunteers.
o Approximately 178 volunteers from the District assisted the rebuilding efforts.
o Completed all 4 District sponsored homes in Biloxi.

If you are interested in volunteering at Biloxi, please see the materials posted on the bulletin board in the Parish Center.

EXPELLED
Ben Stein, well-known columnist and a host of other things, has an interesting movie trailer on a movie coming out this spring. It's entitled Expelled, and it is about the debate, or lack thereof, on intelligent design and the right to question the Darwinian dogma that surrounds the scientific community. To determine if you have interest in seeing this movie, watch the trailer[s] by logging on to: http://www.expelledthemovie.com/video.php They are quite entertaining!

THRIVENT REMINDER
The next Thrivent meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 3, 2008 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 6:30pm. The Vigo County Chapter will assist the Indiana Blood Center's mobile unit at the blood drive on April 21st at Trinity.
Chapter meetings are held the first Thursday of each month at Trinity Lutheran, 25th and Ohio. Meetings begin at 6:30pm. Immanuel has been allotted $1300 to use either by matching funds for a fundraiser or cost of materials at a work project. See Helen Goecker if you have any questions.

Vigo County Chapter Leaders:
President- Michael Konnert
Vice President- Jesse Hile
Records Director- Andrew Allmand
Financial Director- Timothy Reardon
Immanuel's Coordinators- Helen Goecker, Dotty Bilyeu, Kris Bilyeu

TABLE TALK

Martin Luther used to sit around the dinner table and talk for hours with his friends about all kinds of topics, some of them merely reflections on what was happening in their society. In Luther's Works, American Edition, this is called "Table Talk," from the German Tischreden, which can be translated as "after dinner talk." In that spirit we include this monthly column.

"God bless you" seems to be an automatic comment when someone sneezes. A few months ago Vicar asked me what I thought about it because he and his wife were having a discussion about how necessary it is, particularly when someone sneezes more than once. Is it necessary to say after each time? I suggested that it isn't necessary to say at all. Recently, the subject came up in Dear Abby, where she [we think it is her daughter who writes this] said that the comment arose from Medieval times when people believed that a person's spirit left the body when a person sneezed. She's essentially correct. Saying it is based on superstition, but there is a biblical basis for such a thought. A person's life is connected to breath, " . . . the Lord God formed man of the dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature" [Gen. 2.7]. But the thought that a person's soul left him when he sneezed IS a superstition. So what to do about "God bless you" . . . We suppose that asking God to bless someone is OK, but is that "prayer" conveyed today? Maybe the Germans have it right after all. They say, "Gesundheit," that is, "health, well-being." However, my German lexicon connects it to "God bless you," so we might be back at square one. Why say anything at all? And what does one say in return after receiving the "blessing?" "And you, too?"

SMILES
Headlines from 2029:
85-year $75.8 billion study: Diet and Exercise is the key to weight loss.

Average weight of Americans drops to 250 lbs.

IRS sets lowest tax rate at 75 percent.