A view from the balcony

Every day at 10:00 a.m., the building pauses for chapel. A beautiful, two-story, glass walled chapel with a black onyx altar from India, a Zimmer pipe organ, a balcony, and seating for about 200+ people is the place where employees and guests of the LCMS International Center spend about twenty minutes each day worshipping God. A gentle voice on the intercom reminds the building inhabitants that chapel is starting, and the many staff and visitors stop what they are doing and go to the second-floor chapel which looks out onto the busy I-44 freeway that flows east and west through St. Louis.

The Zimmer pipe organ

Over the last couple of months here at the IC, we have enjoyed a refreshing change in our chapel schedule. On Mondays, we follow the order of Matins, and a pastor from the Executive Office preaches. For several months now they have been preaching through Paul’s Letter to the Galatians. This week Rev. Ray Hartwig, Secretary of Synod, preached on Galatians 2:11–14. He spoke of the hypocrisy that frustrated Paul and how precious the Gospel message is, encouraging us that nothing should ever defile the grace-filled Gospel message of Christ. Next Monday, Rev. Matt Harrison will preach, picking up where Rev. Hartwig left off.

On Tuesday mornings, a pastor from the staff preaches on one of the appointed readings from the previous Sunday, and we follow the order of Responsive Prayer 2 from Lutheran Service Book.

Rev. Weedon

On Wednesdays, Rev. William Weedon of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Hamel, IL, has been preaching a wonderful, question-and-answer format sermon series through the Small Catechism. He began in January by leading us through the Ten Commandments. This week he is finishing up the Apostles’ Creed. Next week he will begin taking us through the Lord’s Prayer.

On Thursday’s we follow the order of Daily Prayer: Morning from Lutheran Service Book, with a pastor from the staff preaching on one of the appointed readings from the previous Sunday.

Entering the chapel

I describe Friday as “open mic Friday,” and we include a variety of styles, formats and music to fill our chapel with worship. Last Friday, for instance, a “string band” (made up of guitar, mandolin, tambourine, and other instruments), led us through the order of Matins, a psalm, and a hymn for the Annunciation of our Lord. It was wonderful to hear “The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came” on these instruments! On most days, through, one of our small band of organists and pianists leads chapel attendees in liturgy and song on the organ or piano.

A view from the black onyx altar

I thank all the pastors and musicians who have given their time and effort to provide such  excellent worship services here at the International Center. Even though, on occasion, we break mid-meeting for chapel, it is always refreshing and truly a blessing to be able to hear God’s Word each day. If you are ever in St. Louis at 10:00 a.m., Monday through Friday, please be sure to stop by and join us for chapel. You will be glad you did.

- Barb Below