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Contents News


8 Bin Laden’s death rated top religion story 10 Poll: Most Americans are Christian


20 Falling into the river at Lent


Cover story Features


28 What to learn at a monastery


20 Falling into the river Lenten spiritual practices invite us to encounter, experience the flow of God’s grace


23 The practices for Lent 26 Study guide


FEBRUARY 2012 VOLUME 25 NUMBER 2


The Lutheran is the magazine of the ELCA


Subscriptions/customer service Subscription issues, address changes, billing questions:


e-mail—subscriptions@augsburgfortress.org Editorial offices:


8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago, IL 60631 (800) 638-3522; (773) 380-2540 Fax: (773) 380-2409


E-mail: lutheran@thelutheran.org Web: www.thelutheran.org


The Lutheran is a member of the Associated Church Press


Editor Daniel J. Lehmann lutheran.editor@thelutheran.org


Section editors Julie B. Sevig Congregations & Community julie.sevig@thelutheran.org Elizabeth Hunter Church & World elizabeth.hunter@thelutheran.org


Manager, editorial production Andrea Pohlmann Kulik andrea.pohlmann@thelutheran.org


Manager, editorial art Michael D. Watson michael .watson@thelutheran.org


14 Faith, FROGS & Costa Rica How one congregation’s mission relationship has changed them


16 Addition, not subtraction 10 things your family can add this Lent


18 Deeper understandings What is sin?


33 The life, times of a churchman Preus recounts details of hierarchy, politics


34 Perspective: Insiders and outsiders


38 Applesauce communion God’s hospitality stretches beyond our understanding


30 Moving forward in mission Departments


3 10 Bible stories that breathe life


36 Making music in Peru


4 Editor 39 Two months out 40 Youngchurch 41 Pass the faith 42 Best this month 43 Faces


44 Higher education 45 Light side 46 Classifieds 46 Deaths 47 Crossword 48 Letters 49 My view 50 Presiding bishop


For breaking news, see www.thelutheran.org or www.elca.org/news COVER PHOTO: NICK KIRIAZIS


Manager, Web & ancillary art Amber Leberman amber.leberman@thelutheran.org


Director, circulation/marketing Curtis Peterson curtis.peterson@thelutheran.org


Contributing editor Jeff Favre jjfavre@gmail.com


Study guide editor Robert C. Blezard rcblezard@hotmail.com


Senior administrative assistant Barbara A. Fletcher barbara.fletcher@thelutheran.org


Advertising advertising@thelutheran.org


The Lutheran is published monthly through Augsburg Fortress, Publishers, Box 1209, Minneapolis, MN 55440. (ISSN 0024-743X USPS 322080)


For display and classified advertising sales: (800) 638-3522 Ext. 2541; advertising@thelutheran.org. Acceptance of advertising does not imply endorsement.


Subscription rates: $17.95 a year; outside N. America add $9.20 for postage. Payable in U.S. funds. Send subscription requests to The Lutheran Circulation, % Augsburg Fortress, PO Box 1553, Minneapolis, MN 55440-8730. Or subscribe online: www. thelutheran.org.


On tape: Customer Service, Box 1553, Minneapolis, MN 55440; (800) 328-4648.


On microfilm: National Archive Publishing Company (NAPC), 300 N. Zeeb Rd., PO Box 998, Ann Arbor, MI 48106-0998.


Copyright ©2012 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Duplication in whole or in part in any form is prohibited without written permission from the publishers. Printed in the U.S.A.


Nonprofit Periodicals Postage paid at St. Paul, MN, and additional mailing offices.


POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Lutheran, Augsburg Fortress, Publishers, PO Box 1553, Minneapolis MN 55440-8730.


The Lutheran magazine belongs to the people of the ELCA in all our diversity. The magazine: ■ Nurtures awareness of Christ’s presence in our lives and the world.


■ Shares stories of God’s people living their faith. ■ Connects us with the global Christian community. ■ Provides an open forum for discussion. ■ Challenges us to bring God’s grace and care to all.


phone—(800) 328-4648


February 2012 5


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