After two weeks of operation, Concordia Seminary's Lectionary at Lunch Forum, an online text discussion of the weekly Scripture lessons assigned in the three-year lectionary series, has 88 members. Those wishing to participate in the online forum can do so after completing the free registration process at https://www.csl.edu/lection.htm.

"I am encouraged by the number of participants after only two weeks of operation," commented Rev. Glen Thomas, vice president for seminary relations at Concordia Seminary. "The popularity of the Lectionary at Lunch audio files provided on our Web site proves that listeners appreciate having access to an excellent exposition of the weekly Scripture lessons in their original languages. We are pleased to add Lectionary at Lunch Forum as another resource to allow for an informed online discussion of the texts."

E-mail messages to Thomas indicate that Lectionary at Lunch audio files are accessed by people as far away as Russia and Turkey: "In addition to Lutherans, our listeners also include Nazarenes, Roman Catholics, Baptists and many others, both clergy and laity."

Current audio files are posted for the Seventh Sunday of Easter (May 23), featuring an exposition of Psalm 133 by Prof. Timothy Saleska and an exposition of John 17:20-26 by Prof. Jeffrey Gibbs.

The title, Lectionary at Lunch, is descriptive of a Wednesday lunch tradition on the Concordia Seminary campus. Students and professors gather at Concordia Seminary's Wartburg Dining Hall to work through the Old Testament and Gospel lessons assigned in the three-year lectionary series for the following week, using the Hebrew and Greek texts. The sessions, known on campus as Lectionary at Lunch, are under the guidance of professors from the Seminary's exegetical theology department. They provide a forum outside the classroom setting where students can work on their proficiency in translating from the original biblical languages. They also allow students to think about the implications the texts have for preaching (homiletics).

For more information, contact seminary relations, Concordia Seminary, 801 DeMun Ave., St. Louis, MO 63105; (314) 505-7371; [email protected].