Special Edition: Virginia Tech
"When aimless violence takes those we love,
When random death strikes childhood's promise down,
When wrenching loss becomes our daily bread,
We know, O God, you leave us not alone."
(LSB #764:1)
It's hard to put into words just what took place at Virginia Tech University on April 16, 2007. It is simply unexplainable, and yet it is somehow becoming all too familiar. We can not help but reflect and ponder such questions as: How could this happen? Why did this happen?
We are blessed to live in a truly free society in which we have incredible access to nearly anything and everything. Yet we feel trapped by the horror of what has taken place. Rest assurred that the greatest freedom that we have is one that can never be taken away by either tempest or gunmen, tornado or terrorist - and that is the freedom from sin, death, and the devil secured by our risen Savior Jesus Christ.
With heavy hearts, we put before you this online collection of resources associated with the Virgina Tech Massacre. There are surely other resources out there. Please contact us if there is something that you think would also be helpful. We hope that these various texts will help provide comfort to those who are suffering or in despair as a result of the Virigina Tech shootings or by the cares that happen to all of us in this fallen world.
Rev. Marcus T. Zill
Higher Things, Christ on Campus Executive
zill@higherthings.org
Gracious Father in heaven, You know the shock and sorrow that have resulted following the deaths of 33 students and faculty at Virginia Tech. We are helpless before the evil that afflicts us and therefore cry out to You for comfort, shelter, and protection. Mercifully embrace the frightened in Your love, empower the weak with Your strength, restrain the wicked by Your might, and preserve and comfort the righteous in Your grace, giving us Your peace and turning tragedy to triumph, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
by Rev. Eric Andrae
The following sermon was preached at a Compline Service on the campus at Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA by Rev. Eric Andrae. Rev. Eric Andrae is the campus pastor at First Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, serving students at the University of Pittsburgh, Duquense, Carnegie-Mellon, and others. He is a member of the Christ on Campus Team.
by Edward Shillito
The following poem was written by Edward Shillito soon after World War I. He found comfort in the fact that Jesus was able to show his disciples the scars of his crucifixion. It is also fitting as we reflect on the comfort that we have in Christ's scars in lieu of the tragic events at Virginia Tech. It was suggested by Rev. Mark Schroeder, the ELCA pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lexington, VA, who serves students at Washington & Lee and the Virginia Military Institute.
by Rev. Dr. Scott R. Murray
Rev. Dr. Scott R. Murray is the Senior Pastor at Memorial Lutheran Church and School in Houston, TX. The following was sent by Pastor Murray to his "Memorial Moment' e-mail list and is reprinted here with his permisssion. Sign up to receive other similar
"Memorial Moments"(daily devotions) by Pastor Murray.
by Bishop John Chrysostom
The following text is from an easter sermon of Bishop John Chrysostom in the Fourth Century. Chrysostom was known for his preaching and his name (Chrysostom) literally means "Golden-mouthed." This sermon is often preached at Easter Vigils and is a vivid reminder of the victory that is ours over sin, death and the power of the devil through Jesus Christ our ressurrected Lord.
by Rev. Marcus T. Zill
The following sermon based on St. John 10:11-16 was preached on April 22, 2007, Misericordias Domini (The Third Sunday of Easter) at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church & Campus Center in Laramie, WY. St. Andrew's is a Christ on Campus Chapter, serving the students at the University of Wyoming and the Wyoming Technical Institute. Pastor Zill is the Christ on Campus Executive of Higher Things.
by Rev. Richard Heinz
The Rev. Richard A. Heinz is the Senior Pastor of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church and School in Lanesville, IN. He is also the new Editor-in-chief of the myHT project, formerly known as B.A.M.B.I. This article was originally posted on the myHT blog and is reprinted here with his permission.
by Vicar Mark Preus
The following hymn text was submitted by Vicar Mark Preus, presently serving a campus ministry vicarage at Trinity Lutheran Church in Norman, OK. Vicar Preus will be returning this summer to Concordia Theological Seminary for his Semi IV year. Trinity Lutheran Church is a Christ on Champus Chapter and serves students at the University of Oklahoma.
