In connection with the ongoing controversy over the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod radio station KFUO’s pulling of the popular program Issues, Etc., which has been discussed in this space as well as a host of other blogs, a prayer service and a demonstration are planned for April 13 and 14, respectively, in St. Louis. The stated purpose is to demonstrate “displeasure at the lack of a comprehensive and believable answer to our question: ‘Why was “Issues, Etc.” canceled?’”

The planned events promise to be “silent to commemorate the silencing of ‘Issues, Etc.’ and to symbolize the synod’s silence on the real reasons for its cancellation.”

Participants also promise to be “peaceful, prayerful, and loving. We will not be loud, angry, or hostile.”

Evangelical Lutheran Church U.A.C. (Unaltered Augsburg Confession) is where the prayer service will be held.

You will need to register should you care to participate in service/dinner/demonstration. Bratwurst will be served, which may prove a disincentive for some.

UPDATE: A transcript of Pastor Asburry’s Sunday Evening Prayer homily is available here. Live blogging of the demonstration will be available at the Augsburg 1530 site.

The order of service for all US ceremonies during the upcoming papal visit was released today. I didn’t find any big surprises, although the plans for the Youth Rally at Dunwoodie in New York are outlined in greater detail. Those present will be singing “Happy Birthday” in German to the Pope. He will be presented with numerous gifts, including bread, maize, and corn, as symbols of the heritages present in the American melting pot. No word on the papal skateboard, but we’ll keep our eyes open.

And if you missed the video of Benedict’s address before the visit, it’s below. Note the call to prayer and personal encounter with God, the professorial and paternal manner, and the extremely endearing German accent. God willing, we’ll be hearing more of this in the near future.