THE LATEST NEWS
New Christmas Cards with Art by Edward Riojas are Now Available!
Since the debut of our first Christmas cards almost one year ago, we have been pleased and humbled by the fantastic response to cards which combine beautiful, unique works of art with a clear confession of our Savior’s birth.
This year we are thrilled to offer two new Christmas cards with artwork by Edward Riojas, an artist whose work is also included in The Brotherhood Prayer Book and on several of our greeting cards and book covers. His sacred work can also be found in private collections and sanctuaries throughout the U.S. and Canada and in numerous Lutheran publications.
The first card, Adoremus, features a seven foot tall oil painting on wood originally created as an entry for ArtPrize 2012. There is much symbolism in the details: the lily, which is a symbol of the Virgin Mary; the carpenter’s tool next to the lantern with a single burning light, representing Christ as the Light of the world; the eight-pointed Bethlehem star which announces Christ’s birth but also alludes to His death by its cross shape; the crown of thorns that literally hangs over Jesus’ head; and the inn with smoke intentionally excluded from the chimney, showing a lack of hospitality. The inside text reflects the Latin included in the piece (Venite Adoremus Dominum): Word of the Father Now in flesh appearing. O come, let us adore Him.
The second card, Virgin and Child, features an oil painting on wood in the artist’s personal collection. Riojas used his daughter as a model for the Virgin Mary, depicting the solemn and holy night of our Lord’s birth. The inside text proclaims Isaiah’s words of prophesy: For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given…and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Like our other Christmas cards, these cards are 5″ x 7″ with classic gold foil-lined envelopes. Also be sure to take a look at our other ecclesiastical greeting cards, including gorgeous fresco and stained glass cards as well as Baptism, Easter, and other Christmas cards.
Art as Confession: Student from Saudi Arabia learns about Christ through Riojas’ Adoremus
“‘Adoremus’ is hanging in the barn. After spending seemingly endless hours painting it, hauling it to ArtPrize, babysitting it for the duration, hauling it back home and not selling it, one would think the labor of my hands was not blessed.
But there was that one college student assigned to ask questions of the ArtPrize artists. He chose to ask me questions, because I was standing there by my piece. I began explaining the symbolism and its deeper meaning, and ended by explaining the very basics, which we too often take for granted.
I will never know what happened to that young man. I do know he could be killed for asking the questions which weren’t part of his assignment; for asking why the man in my painting had to die; for asking how they killed this man. That student was an exchange student from Saudi Arabia, and he had never heard of Jesus Christ.
Being reminded that the work of my hands is a blessing sometimes comes in very profound ways. I pray that it will continue to be so blessed.”
-excerpted from Ed Riojas’ Facebook page, originally posted October 28, 2012
Seed-Grains of Prayer: Sunday Evening Prayer
“I render thanks unto Thee, O true and everlasting Light, that Thou hast this day protected me by Thy light and Spirit against every grievous sin. And now, during the night which Thou hast ordained for the rest of my poor body, O Lord, grant unto my weary soul to find rest and peace in Thee against all the wiles and onslaughts of the evil one. Cause my mind and my thoughts, together with my hands and my feet, to glorify Thee and be silent before Thee, Who art present and mindful of Thine own, when deep slumbers embrace them. O, let not this wicked flesh overmaster my poor soul, lest I forget Thee in the night watches. Into Thy hands I commit my spirit, O gentle Shepherd, into Thy faithful hands. Thou hast redeemed my soul, O Lord God, most faithful; permit me not to fall away from Thee. Watch by me and cover me with the protection of Thy wings. When the night is past, awaken me and grant me the light by which I may walk and dwell safely with Thee in yonder eternity. Hear my prayer and answer me, O Thou Who slumberest not nor sleepest; through Jesus Christ. Amen.”
Wilhelm Loehe, Seed-Grains of Prayer, #103.
Pr. David Petersen on Matthew 25:31-46
“When did you ever do anything? Change the question. Do not be afraid. Look up and ask, ‘When did Christ do something?’ That is the question that leads to life. Don’t look to your works. Look to His. The Christ went to trial and was condemned by Pilate. The ironic title ‘King of the Jews’ was placed over His head, ironic because it was a false charge, but completely true. There He paid for sins that He did not commit, and which we don’t even remember, and now even He has forgotten them. He has been condemned and has died that you might get credit for works you did not perform. Turn from ‘When did we fail?’ to ‘When, O Lord, did you serve us?’ And then, ‘Where, O Lord, do you serve us?’ For He lives. And He serves in His Word and Holy Supper.”
______________
Pr. David H. Petersen — an excerpt from his sermon on Monday of Invocabit (Matt. 25:31-46), included in his upcoming sermon book
Update on Future Projects: Books and Cards
As we mentioned several weeks ago, we are putting the final touches on two new Christmas cards with art by Edward Riojas. These cards will be available for sale in mid-November.
Do you or your organization send out a lot of Christmas cards? We have had multiple requests for bulk orders, so we have decided to offer a limited-time bulk discount with a minimum order of 200 cards. You’ll receive 10% off of 200-299 cards; 15% off 300-399 cards, 20% off 400-499 cards, and 25% off 500+ cards. The order can be a mix of any of our four Christmas cards, combining them in sets of 10. However, bulk orders will need to be placed by October 31 in order to get these prices. Contact us for a customized invoice.
We are also excited to announce a book of Lent and Easter sermons by Rev. David Petersen of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, including more than 60 sermons for the Sundays of pre-Lent, all 40 days of Lent, the Sundays after Easter, as well as saints days in TLH and LSB that fall within the season. The Sunday sermons are based on the Gospel readings from the historic one-year lectionary while the propers for the 40 sermons of Lent come from Daily Divine Service Book, edited by Rev. Heath R. Curtis. It will be an excellent resource for Lenten daily devotions for both pastors and parishioners. The projected release date for this book is late December/early January.
Also forthcoming is an updated reprint of Ceremony and Celebration by Paul H.D. Lang. This book is an invaluable resource in explaining the ceremonial of Lutheran liturgy: “Ritual refers to that part of a divine service which consists of its words, that is, the rite or the order of service…Ceremonial is everything connected with the performance of a rite. It refers not only to bodily expressions, such as speaking, singing, kneeling, bowing, making the sign of the cross, and the outward observance of the church year, but also to the ornaments, symbols, and material objects employed in the church’s worship, for example, the church building, the altar, crucifixes, candles, and vestments. Ceremonies are solemn religious things and actions. All these are, as stated, included in the term ceremonial” (Lang, Ch. 2). We plan to have this book available in early January, just in time for the Symposia at Concordia Theological Seminary here in Fort Wayne.
We will definitely post updates here and continue to send out occasional emails, but we also keep our Facebook page updated more frequently so as not to inundate you with emails along the way. You can follow us on Facebook by clicking on “Like” at the top right-hand of this page.
Let’s stay in touch! To receive the most current information on our products and new releases, join our email list today!