High feast of the Holy Trinity

Posted on June 7, 2020 by Wilhelm Weber

Ready for church on this high holiday of the Holy Trinity. The table is set, the lights aglow and our baptismal font is as new. We´re full of great expectations on this wonderful feast day, because the one God, who made heaven and earth – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – who redeemed us and continues to bless and keep us, is amongst us, speaks to us, feeds us, listens to us, comforts, forgives, heals and leads us in all truth. Yes, He does great things to us – just as He did before, He will do again, because He is the one, who is, was and will be – now and always. Loving us and caring for us, granting us His ongoing favor and goodwill. He showers all His grace, love and mercy on us. Blessing us way beyond our knowing and boldest imagination. So, yes, we do have good reason to rejoice and sing His praises – now and always.

Ready for church

Today’s sermon on Numbers 6:22-27 is a prime example of how great our good God and Lord is to us in His divine service (Gottesdienst). He does these His very own miracles and wonders in His holy Church – through His holy Word and Sacraments – yes, through the holy office of the ministry. And the congregation is called, gathered, enlightened and sanctified in the process. He – the Father, Son and Holy Spirit – does these holy things and matters.  And we are thus effectively christened, saved, justified, excused and made God´s very own through these effective means.

My sermon on Nm.6,22-27 for this Holiday of the Holy Trinity

The Lord spoke to Moses: “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is the way you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:

The Lord bless you and protect you;
The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them

Numbers 6:22-27

Reading this we as Christians don´t only contemplate some Wikipedia article on how blessings functioned in the past and what various groups and experts make of this phenomenon – something like going through the profound study of Claus Westermann: “Blessing in the Bible and the Life of the Church” (1987). Nor do we just hope for some positive outcome like that pastor, who would not bless the congregation, but instead, would week for week just do some wishful thinking: “May God bless You…” No, God actually does this. It´s not some subjunctive mood, but rather God´s good and gracious will, which happens come hell or high water. The divine service is much more than just more or less successful entertainment too. It´s value does not stem from the amount of likes or hits, but rather from God´s holy presence. Therefore, it´s also much more than just a good and maybe even effective lecture – profound and rhetorically sound. In the divine service God himself deals with us – effectively, really and – that´s crucial – lovingly in His Son IX. That´s much more than a hermeneutical problem or communicative exercise. It´s meeting up with God himself – personal and close. It doesn´t get more awesome than that. Heaven is wide open – and God himself is in our midst. Right there in the divine Liturgy. We can´t ask for more. It´s heaven on earth. Well, that´s why, we´ve got more than just some good lines, quips and even more than just passing fellowship and friendships to hope and look forward to, because our good God actually does effectively bless us through His performative words – now and for good and always. When He speaks, it happens. When He says something, it´s true and real. That´s His creative power. That´s His almighty purpose and good will in action – from the start until the very end. That´s what today´s gospel from John 3,1-15 underlines, when it points to the actions of the Holy Spirit in Holy Baptism. God himself is in action. He´s the doer in this process – much more and far beyond anything the recipient of His blessings could ever match. That´s why our faith is a might thing. Not because we´re so great, but because the one on which we focus – God himself – is almighty and does great things to us. He´s the one, who moves mountains. He´s the one, who creates and gives life. He´s the one, from whom all blessings flow!

God amongst us

We´re expecting great things – and rightly so, because like prophet Isaiah we´re in the very presence of the living Lord (Isaiah 6:1-13). That´s why, we kneel down at the beginning of the service and confess our sins – asking God for forgiveness and permission to stand in His holy audience: Kyrie eleison + Christe eleison + Kyrie eleison +  He talks to us in His Holy Word – and we respond in psalms, hymns, Christian songs, prayers and confessions. He feeds us. He hears us. He blesses us richly.

Example: Today we´ve got a young couple in our midst, which is planning to get married soon. Well, there we can see it too. We believe, that God himself joins this willing couple – who express their desire to get married before God and the congregation – as man and wife, so that whatever God has joined together, man should not pull asunder. These are not just empty words, but rather effective ones, which do, what they say.  

That´s why today´s Trinity Sunday has us rejoice and sing with great joy and thankfulness, because our God has done great things to us (cf. Magnificat). We will recap this in the “Te Deum”, just as in the Athanasian Creed after we have heard the holy apostle St. Paul´s jubilant exultation:

 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how unfathomable his ways!

For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?
Or who has first given to God,
that God needs to repay him?

For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever! Amen.

Romans 11:33-36

Here is an outline of <a href="http://&lt;!– wp:file {"id":20312,"href":"https://kwaweber.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/20200607-trinitatis-nm622-24-als.pdf&quot;} –> <div class="wp-block-file"><a href="https://kwaweber.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/20200607-trinitatis-nm622-24-als.pdf">20200607-trinitatis-nm622-24-als</a><a href="https://kwaweber.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/20200607-trinitatis-nm622-24-als.pdf&quot; class="wp-block-file__button" download>Download</a></div> our German service. So, please join me in singing His praises – praising the one and only God: Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

1 Father most holy, merciful, and tender;
Jesus our Savior, with the Father reigning;
Spirit of mercy, Advocate, Defender,
Light never waning;

2 Trinity blessed, Unity unshaken;
Deity perfect, giving and forgiving;
Light of the angels, Life of the forsaken,
Hope of all living;

3 Maker of all things, all Thy creatures praise Thee;
lo, all things serve Thee, through Thy whole creation:
hear us, Almighty, hear us as we raise Thee,
heart’s adoration.

4 To the almighty triune God be glory:
highest and greatest, help Thou our endeavor;
we, too, would praise Thee, giving honor worthy,
now and forever.

Hymns to the Living God #2
20200607-trinitatis-nm622-24-alsDownload

Posted in Lutheran Order of service, Old Latin School in Wittenberg, Sunday, Trinity (The church season after Pentecost), Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Good weather, friends and neighbours…

Posted on June 5, 2020 by Wilhelm Weber

Good morning from Wittenberg – or as we say here: “Moin, moin!”, but that´s the elaborate and somewhat redundant version. Most stick to the monosyllabic “Moin!” It´s promising to be another of my favorite days. Now that its rained, I´m over the moon anyway. Not much, but I won´t be ungrateful and even Oliver Twist asked to have some more. So, we´ll just continue with the 4th Petition: “Please can I have some more… daily bread”, which by Lutheran definition does include “good weather” – and that comes with enough rain. Just ask any South African (or Saxon for that matter).

Yesterday we had good neighbors celebrating birthday, today we get to “good friends”. Ha, now that´s something special. Really special. Looking back on my life, I always had the best of friends. Well, in the army it was more comrades than friends and later on with Facebook – it got somewhat out of hand. Just too many to really qualify as friends. I always pitied one of my old congregants “EB” back in days long gone, who pitifully declared: “My friends have all died!” Something like “Dead poets society“. Man, that´s much worse than being the last for a tough exam and you´re outside waiting to get into the shredder – better sooner than later. No use, hanging on outside. There´s just no escaping anyway. Thank God for good friends.

Like usual my FB-friend Gene Veith posted a great piece some days back. That´s what good friends do: They don´t write you off, but continue to connect, keep in touch and even motivate You to grow, flourish and live up to Your calling to live a holy and God-pleasing life. I like Veith – and I like what he writes. It´s worthwhile attending to. This time around he was discussing an article in the Federalist and giving good tips as he went along. Amongst other remarkable things, he wrote:

Most of the works I link to can be downloaded for free on Kindle, though the free versions are not always the best translations or editions–I tried to link to good ones–and I myself like to underline passages in books that are this good. I could go on and on, as I did as an English professor for four decades.  But you get the idea.  In every field, read the old books, look at the old paintings, go into buildings of the old architecture, and you will begin to “live” our civilization.

Gene Veith: Not just teaching, but living Western Civilization

You see, in this day and age it is crucial to be selective – otherwise you´ll just get swamped – and that´s just too much of goodness for one meagre soul. We´re human with serious limitations – and therefore often less is better.  It´s an old warning: “Non multa, sed multum!” Literally meaning “not many, but much!” It could be the heading for intentional living – or what the poet summarizes as essential:

One thing’s needful; Lord, this treasure teach me highly to regard.

Johann Heinrich Schröder translated by Frances Elizabeth Cox

We´re spoilt for choice and therefore it remains one of our main challenges to be choosey, picky, exacting if you wish. Even with the growing number of dead poets, painters and composers, there´s just so much good stuff to select from. Thank God for His bountiful goodness. He lays out our tables in rich abundance and lets our cup overflow with good things. Alleluia.

  • Jan van Eyck (1390-1441)
  • Vicenzo Catena (1470-1531)
  • Marinus van Rymerswaele (1490-1546)
Jerome in his study

Thank God many of my good friends are still around. I count myself lucky, that there even octo- and nonagenarians amongst them. That´s way beyond the biblical age cited in Psalm 90:10. This current pandemic gave us time to reconnect and reflect on the great blessings of being alive and going about your business. As we catch up by good old mail, all of them refer to the blessing of this shutdown. It gives them well deserved rest, peace and quiet from interference and a break from all sorts of odd jobs typical for retirees. They are just so grateful to have some serious blocks for studies and intensive reading – and of course ample time to share with friends all over the world. None of them complain of any limitations. It´s not that they don´t have any. We all know that. After all, they´re not in heaven just yet. Still, the tenor of their song is the joy and happiness to concentrate on meaningful stuff. Probably very much like old Jerome in his study. Turning the skull with his hand as the hourglass runs out, he continues to read good news: Carpe diem. God´s Word is the staying force – our anchor in life and in death. Through this our good Lord draws us ever closer and closer to himself. He, our very best friend – faithful and true. Alleluia!

1 One thing’s needful; Lord, this treasure
Teach me highly to regard.
All else, though it first give pleasure,
Is a yoke that presses hard!
Beneath it the heart is still fretting and striving,
No true, lasting happiness ever deriving.
This one thing is needful; all others are vain–
I count all but loss that I Christ may obtain!

2 How were Mary’s thoughts devoted 
Her eternal joy to find
As intent each word she noted 
At her Savior’s feet reclined!
How kindled her heart, how devout was its feeling
While hearing the lessons that Christ was revealing!
All earthly concerns she forgot for her Lord
And found her contentment in hearing His Word.

3 Wisdom’s highest, noblest treasure,
Jesus, is revealed in You.
Let me find in You my pleasure,
And my wayward will subdue,
Humility there and simplicity reigning.
In paths of true wisdom my steps ever training.
If I learn from Jesus this knowledge divine,
The blessing of heavenly wisdom is mine.

4 Nothing have I, Christ, to offer,
You alone, my highest good.
Nothing have I, Lord, to proffer
But Your crimson-colored blood.
Your death on the cross has death wholly defeated
And thereby my righteousness fully completed;
Salvation’s white raiments I there did obtain,
And in them in glory with You I shall reign.

5 Therefore You alone, my Savior,
Shall be all in all to me;
Search my heart and my behavior,
Root out all hypocrisy.
Through all my life’s pilgrimage, guard and uphold me,
In loving forgiveness, O Jesus, enfold me.
This one thing is needful; all others are vain–
I count all but loss that I Christ may obtain!

Source: Lutheran Service Book #536



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Another day in summer

Posted on June 4, 2020 by Wilhelm Weber

Good morning in Wittenberg. Spectacular sunrise – and that early in the morning at 4h54. The fiery sky promises changing weather: “Red in the morn is the shepherd´s warn!” Nothing surprising if You bargain with “Schafskälte” – a meteorological phenomenon to be expected in mid-June and critical for the recently shorn sheep running free in the meadows on the Elbe flats. The shepherds don´t only worry about wolves. They also have to be alert for such weird weather patterns disrupting regular routine. No day is really the same as the one before, not even at this bus stop out in the sticks.  

Another day

So, this morning starts off quite normal really. Angelika leaves for school at the appointed time. The doors are open, and the regulars pass by. Just like you´d expect on any given day. But then the postman drops by. He´s obviously not in a hurry. Even if I answer the phone or type away to some online client, he just hangs in there, waiting for chitchat to continue – until I ruthlessly throw him out. I´ve got an urgent email from Prague to reply to – never mind the priority mail from St. Louis – and I´ve got to keep my mind to it. It´s so easy to get distracted and put off track. Thankfully, he´s not offended. He´ll be back tomorrow or after the weekend at the latest. I´m sure. It´s not the first time.

Just getting settled in, Miss K. drops by. She´s got a surprise for JP – my hunting partner. In the past 2 days, he´s trapped 2 racoons in their back yard. One every night. Only after they robbed 2 bird´s nests and wreaked havoc in the strawberry patch. Now, obviously ones worse than the other, but both deserve capital punishment – legally. Especially as they are invasive types – and hostile exotics! JP´s the man – and the Ks are ecstatic. JP did this as a favor for his friend and rejected any reimbursement. Miss K. won´t be put off that easily, so she just drops the gifts here and has me take them over to JP´s place on the Elbe flats: Wine and asparagus – the latter fresh from the fields in Beelitz.

“Wir kommen all zu gratulieren zum Geburtstag wünschen wir viel Glück!”

As this episode unfolds, a brass band blows up a storm on the church square. It´s somebody´s birthday and they are serenading away for an ever-growing crowd. We join in too. Greeting the old man, who is turning 85 and stands happily with his dear old wife and amidst his happy family. They are good neighbors and we know them from church. I like the way musicians plays popular tunes from our hymnal. They are obviously professionals and although only 3, they make it sound as if it’s a whole choir. One of them came all the way from Halle (100km) to make up the volume and to add joy and fun to the old man´s birthday. And they sure are the hit of the day, because it´s not just about playing nice melodies, but sharing the good message of faith, hope and love. So, even this very normal day turns more and more into something special – and not just for the birthday party. Just join in one of the hymns these gentlemen played with such ease and in the most inviting airs this Thursday – another good day in summer:

1 Now thank we all our God
with heart and hands and voices,
who wondrous things has done,
in whom his world rejoices;
who from our mothers’ arms
has blessed us on our way
with countless gifts of love,
and still is ours today.

2 O may this bounteous God
through all our life be near us,
with ever joyful hearts
and blessed peace to cheer us,
to keep us in his grace,
and guide us when perplexed,
and free us from all ills
of this world in the next.

3 All praise and thanks to God
the Father now be given,
the Son and Spirit blest,
who reign in highest heaven
the one eternal God,
whom heaven and earth adore;
for thus it was, is now,
and shall be evermore. 

Psalter Hymnal (Gray), 1987
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Hiking up the Brocken

Posted on June 2, 2020 by Wilhelm Weber

Good morning to You from a wonderfully sunny Wittenberg. The spring colors are amazing. The many variations of green are something to behold. And then you find those red poppies in full bloom, wherever the weedicides didn´t reach. Gorgeous.  For a native from a semi-desert this is what the promised land must look like – or at least it´s something very close to paradise. The deep blue skies are spectacular and that day-in-day-out – and yes, we Africans know about those bright, shiny days. It doesn´t get much better than these days in spring, when the scorching heat of summer is still far off. Even the birds go overboard. There´s just no stopping their jubilant tones in this marvelous springtime.

Well, that was the setting for our outing to the “Brocken” – out in the far west of our state Saxony-Anhalt – right there in the national park and forest in the “Harz”.  Angelika had preparations to do for today´s school beginnings and Friederike was busy with online German classes herself. So, Christoph and I did this on our own. Travelling through the delightful countryside – from one side of the state to the other listening to the live interview with the artist Cornela Schleime  – we got into Schierke about noon, left the car in a modern parking garage “Am Winterbergtor” and started the hike up the “Eckerlochstieg”, which is pretty much the direct route up to the highest point in N.Germany. I didn´t need my GPS as there were literally hundreds of hikers making their way up this mountain path. Singles, couples and even big families and groups. Only one Russian couple was seriously quarreling, but the rest of this mixed crowd seemed jovial enough even though some of them pushed prams or pulled carts with kids, sweaters and coolers up the hill, whilst others obviously had enough with themselves to cope with. The many bikers, who weaved their way through the crowds didn´t look too friendly either, but perhaps that was just sporty determination – and not animosity really. Going up was tough going as you can expect and coming down their bikes were just too eager to speed away – and so you heard screeching brakes every now and again, but only very few muffled grumblings and no loud protests at all.

Up on the summit we had a glorious view – right into Thuringia and up to the blue mountain ranges there. A friendly park ranger pointed out some of the remarkable sights visible in the distance. He had his work cut out, because so many visitors disregarded the low wooden fences and climbed into the wilds despite the many signs: Don´t trespass – consider nature! (Der Natur zuliebe). They wanted to sit down in the heather and have their picknicks. Others tried to nap. Lots of pictures were taken around the various landmarks up there – commemorating the turbulent history of this place. Goethe, Heine, Gauss, but also devils, witches and other dark spirits of the night. On a bright afternoon not much is visible of this scarry stuff. Groups of “Wandervögel” strumming guitars and flaunting “Lederhosen” make such spooky myths seem far away. The restrooms were in good condition despite the huge demand and the various tearooms obviously make a quick buck after the extended shutdown. It all seemed quite far removed from the witches circling the “Blocksberg” and getting up to no good. However, they still show up in numbers for their mischief, but that´s another story.

Goethe described the Brocken in his Faust, first published in 1808, as the center of revelry for witches on Walpurgisnacht (30 April; the eve of St Walpurga‘s Day).

Now, to the Brocken, the witches ride;
The stubble is gold and the corn is green;
There is the carnival crew to be seen,
And Squire Urianus will come to preside.
So over the valleys, our company floats,
With witches a-farting on stinking old goats

Coming down was quite a bit faster than going up and that was not only because there were considerably less people at this stage. Some had obviously taken the “Brockenbahn” – while others had the choice of taking the pony-express or another route like the “Goetheweg”. We shared one rucksack and were sufficiently equipped with our running shoes. Sticks, umbrellas, coats and jackets were not required this time around. Still, I look forward to going up again – perhaps in autumn to see some mist or in winter to hear the foxes barking or even some lonely lynx.

1824 schrieb Heine nach einer nebeligen Besteigung des Brockens angeblich in das Gipfelbuch: „Viele Steine, müde Beine, Aussicht keine, Heinrich Heine.“ Dieses Zitat wurde ihm aber nur angedichtet.

All in all – this is a perfect day tour – and with plenty of further options, alternatives and variations to make this a regular highlight in the calendar – somewhat like the old man called “Brocken-Benno”, who in the last years climbed this hill daily – more than 8, 000 times already. This year this stopped and not only due to Corona, but because he had a cancerous tumor. However, he´s through that for now and has taken up a shorter hiking schedule in the meantime. He will be thankful, although he had planned the 8, 888th climb on his 88th birthday. Talk about a unique bucket list!

Yes, we´ve all got some mountain to climb – even if we live out in the flatlands and even if the present spring season is one of pure joy and bliss. The time for our last ascent is due – sooner or later. We´ll get there. No doubt! Until then, keep at it, stay up and connected to the good Lord our God. He´s the only real mountain guide to get you up that very mountain and all the way to the top. He stipulates: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” He stresses this: “No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) That´s why we keep singing – even in this joyful time of Pentecost celebrating the “Lord and Giver of Live”:   

1 Jesus, lead Thou on
Till our rest is won;
And although the way be cheerless,
We will follow calm and fearless.
Guide us by Thy hand
To our fatherland.

2 If the way be drear,
If the foe be near,
Let not faithless fears o’ertake us;
Let not faith and hope forsake us;
For through many a woe
To our home we go.

3 When we seek relief
From a long-felt grief,
When temptations come alluring,
Make us patient and enduring.
Show us that bright shore
Where we weep no more.

4 Jesus, lead Thou on
Till our rest is won.
Heav’nly leader, still direct us,
Still support, console, protect us,
Till we safely stand
In our fatherland.

Nicholaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf, 1700-60

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Update from the Old Latin School for May 2020

Posted on June 1, 2020 by Wilhelm Weber

Thank You for Your support and here´s our latest update.

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Komm, Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott…

Posted on May 30, 2020 by Wilhelm Weber

Gemeinsam mit der einen heiligen Kirche und weltweiten Christenheit beten wir:

Komm, Heiliger Geist, erfüll die Herzen Deiner Gläubigen und entzünd in ihnen das Feuer Deiner göttlichen Liebe, der Du in Mannigfaltigkeit der Zungen die Völker der ganzen Welt versammelt hast in Einigkeit des Glaubens. Hallelujah, Hallelujah!

Kloster Ebersberg 1480

Komm, Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott,
erfüll mit Deiner Gnaden Gut
Deiner Gläub´gen Herz, Mut und Sinn,
Dein brennend Lieb entzünd in ihn’.
O Herr, durch Deines Lichtes Glanz
zum Glauben Du versammelt hast
das Volk aus aller Welt Zungen.
Das sei Dir, Herr, zu Lob gesungen.
Halleluja, Halleluja.

Du heiliges Licht, edler Hort,
lass leuchten uns des Lebens Wort
und lehr uns Gott recht erkennen,
von Herzen Vater ihn nennen.
O Herr, behüt vor fremder Lehr,
dass wir nicht Meister suchen mehr
denn Jesus mit rechtem Glauben
und ihm aus ganzer Macht vertrauen.
Halleluja, Halleluja.

Du heilige Glut, süßer Trost,
nun hilf uns, fröhlich und getrost
in Deim Dienst beständig bleiben,
die Trübsal uns nicht wegtreiben.
O Herr, durch Dein Kraft uns bereit
und wehr des Fleisches Blödigkeit,
dass wir hier ritterlich ringen,
durch Tod und Leben zu dir dringen.
Halleluja, Halleluja.

Martin Luther 1524

Gottesdienstablauf zu Pfingsten

  1. Eingang                     98 Komm, Heilger Geist, Herre Gott …   
  2. Introitus                     043 (Ps.118) Gn11, 1-9; Apg.2,1-21; Joh.14,15-19.23b-27
  3. Vor der Predigt         105 Zieh ein zu Deinen Toren …
  4. Festpredigt
    1. Bitte der ganzen Christenheit: “Komm Hl. Geist…”
    2. Gottes Zusage: „Es soll nicht durch Heer oder Kraft, sondern durch meinen Geist geschehen, spricht der HERR Zebaoth.“ (Sach.4,6)
    3. Die großen Taten Gottes…
      1. Vom hl. Geist umgetrieben
        1. Alle betroffen – auch die nächste Generation
        2. Träume, Weissungen und Gesichte…
      2. Wunder und Zeichen an Himmel und Erde
        1. Blut, Feuer und Rauchdampf
        2. Sonne soll finster werden und Mond in Blut verwandelt  
      3. Der große und herrliche Tag des Herrn: Letzte/Jüngste Gericht!
    4. Turmbau zu Babel (Gn.11): Wir wollen uns einen Namen machen!
    5. Wunder von Pfingsten (Apg.2): Wer den Namen des Herrn anrufen wird, der soll gerettet werden!
    6. Schlußgebet

Der Stein, den die Bauleute verworfen haben, ist zum Eckstein geworden.Das ist vom HERRN geschehen und ist ein Wunder vor unsern Augen. Dies ist der Tag, den der HERR macht; lasst uns freuen und fröhlich an ihm sein. O HERR, hilf! O HERR, lass wohlgelingen! Gelobt sei, der da kommt im Namen des HERRN! Wir segnen euch vom Haus des HERRN. Der HERR ist Gott, der uns erleuchtet. Schmückt das Fest mit Maien bis an die Hörner des Altars! Du bist mein Gott, und ich danke dir; mein Gott, ich will dich preisen. Danket dem HERRN; denn er ist freundlich, und seine Güte währet ewiglich.

Psalm 118:24-29
  1. Nach der Predigt     443 Geist des Glaubens, Geist der Stärke…  
  2. Allgemeines Kirchengebet und Feier des Hl. Abendmahls
  3. Ausgang                    498 Walte, walte nah und fern…

Herr Gott, himmlischer Vater, der Du an diesem Tage die Herzen Deiner Gläubigen durch den Heiligen Geist erleuchtet und gelehrt hast, laß auch uns durch Deinen Heiligen Geist zu rechter Wahrheit gelangen und uns an seinem Troste und seiner Kraft allezeit erfreuen, durch Deinen lieben Sohn, Jesus Christus, unsern Herrn. Amen.

Kollekte aus “Orate Fratres”, S. 137
ac21-21-pfingstenDownload
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Wie lieblich ist der Maien aus lauter Gottesgüt…

Posted on May 30, 2020 by Wilhelm Weber
… weil alles grünt und blüht.

An diesen herrlichen Sonnentagen – und wenn Angelika sogar noch Geburtstag hat – fällt es leicht einzustimmen in diesen Lobgesang:

1. Wie lieblich ist der Maien
aus lauter Gottesgüt,
des sich die Menschen freuen,
weil alles grünt und blüht.
Die Tier sieht man jetzt springen
mit Lust auf grüner Weid,
die Vöglein hört man singen,
die loben Gott mit Freud.

2. Herr, dir sei Lob und Ehre
für solche Gaben dein!
Die Blüt zur Frucht vermehre,
lass sie ersprießlich sein.
Es steht in deinen Händen,
dein Macht und Güt ist groß;
drum wollst du von uns wenden
Mehltau, Frost, Reif und Schloß’.

3. Herr, lass die Sonne blicken
ins finstre Herze mein,
damit sich’s möge schicken,
fröhlich im Geist zu sein,
die größte Lust zu haben
allein an deinem Wort,
das mich im Kreuz kann laben
und weist des Himmels Pfort.

4. Mein Arbeit hilf vollbringen
zu Lob dem Namen dein
und lass mir wohl gelingen,
im Geist fruchtbar zu sein;
die Blümlein lass aufgehen
von Tugend mancherlei,
damit ich mög bestehen
und nicht verwerflich sei.

Martin Behn 1604
Alles Gute an diesem herrlichen Frühlingstag Ende Mai 2020
Posted in Gedankensplitter, Hymns, psalms and spiritual songs, You comfort me + | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Nachträglich zum Vatertag: Gottes Wort bleibt in Ewigkeit. Amen.

Posted on May 25, 2020 by Wilhelm Weber

Fängt man zuerst mit dem besten Wein an oder hält man den nach göttlichem Vorbild für zuletzt? Da ich nicht weiß, wie lange das noch weiter geht, halte ich mich mal an die übliche Abfolge und fange in der Beschreibung des klassischen Weimar beim Besten an. Das ist gar nicht so leicht zu bestimmen, da es sich wiederum um recht unterschiedliche Kategorien handelt. Zur Auswahl stehen die „Herder-Kirche“, die Anna Amalia Bibliothek, die Wohnhäuser von Goethe, Schiller und Wieland, ebenso das von Liszt und Bach, aber auch der historische Friedhof mit der Fürstengruft und auslaufenden Parks und Gärten. Die Domizilien von Bach und Liszt sind nicht konkurrenzfähig, da das erste längst zerstört und das zweite bei unserem Besuch verschlossen war. Die, der klassischen Dichtern gehören zusammen und so werde ich sie gemeinsam angehen. Ansonsten halte ich mich an diese zufällige Auflistung: Herder-Kirche, Bibliothek, Wohnhäuser und abschließend der Friedhof… Mal sehen, wie weit der Wandelgang durch die Grünanlagen Weimars uns nimmt ehe wir uns nach Buchenwald ins KZ und zum Lutherstein bei Stotternheim ablenken lassen.

Die “Herderkirche”: St. Peter und Paul in Weimar

Die Herder-Kirche ist eine schöne Kirche, aber von außen nicht gerade außergewöhnlich. Eher wie eine Dorfkirche halt – grau-in-grau. Aber sie ist wunderbar renoviert, hat eine bewegte Geschichte und beinhaltet nicht nur eine beeindruckende Orgel, sondern auch den wahrscheinlich aussagekräftigsten Lucas Cranach Altar überhaupt. Mich hat es sehr bewegt, dass unsere Führerin – eine engagierte Postkartenverkäuferin – so gut Bescheid wusste und uns so hilfsbereit und detailliert in die Geschichte einführen konnte.

Solus Christus: Sola fide, sola gratia, sola scriptura

Sie hob gleich hervor, dass sorgfältige Forschungsarbeiten zu dem Ergebnis geführt hätten, dass es Lucas Cranach der Jüngere war, der diese Auftragsarbeit der kurfürstlichen Nachkommen des Weimaranerschen bzw. Ernestinischen Herzoghauses nach der Schmalkaldischen Niederlage (1547) und nach dem Tod ihres Vaters, des Kurfürsten Johann Friedrich des Großmütigen (1554) und zu seinem rühmlichen Gedenken in 1555 ausgeführt hatte – und zwar alleine und ohne jegliche Hilfe vom Vater. Die drei Kurfürsten Söhne, die im Seitenflügel zu sehen sind, hätten den Altar für ihren Vater in Arbeit gegeben – und zwar als eindeutiges Bekenntnis zu seiner reformatorischen Standfestigkeit. Für mich ist es sehr eindrücklich, dass der Künstler den versöhnenden Blutstrahl genau auf seinen Vater lenkt – und ihn damit praktisch „brüderlich“ absolviert. Das ist ja genau das, was die kurfürstlichen Söhne mit ihrem Auftrag zum Ausdruck bringen wollten – auch ihr Vater steht unter dem vollmächtigen und wirksamen Freispruch aller Schuld allein durch Jesu Christi Blut. Ein wunderbares Zeugnis dieser lutherischen Söhne zum Glauben ihrer Väter!

Einblicke in den Altar

Frau Elisabeth Asshoff hat in ihren beiden Untersuchungen „Der Cranachalter und die Epitaphien der Stadtkirche St. Peter und Paul zu Weimar“ und dem noch spezifischeren „Der Weimarer Cranach-Altar: Ein Ernestinisches Bekenntnis zur Reformation“ die wichtigsten Ergebnisse eindrücklich und einleuchtend vorgetragen. Ihre genauen Bestimmungen der bedeutungsvollen Pflanzen auf dem Altar sind eine unerwartete Bereicherung und herrliche Ergänzung dieser reichen Reformationsfrucht. Dem Hauptflügel des Altars sind zwei Seitenflügel zugeordnet,

auf denen die sächsischen Herzöge der ernestinischen Linie des Hauses Wettin an Betpulten knien: Auf dem linken Seitenflügel Herzog Johann Friedrich, „geborener Kurfürst“, mit seiner Gemahlin Herzogin Sibylle von Cleve, die etwa ein Jahr vor der Aufstellung dieses Retabels verstorbenen Fürstin. Auf dem rechten Seitenflügel des Altarwerks die regierenden Söhne des herzoglichen Paars: Herzog Johann Friedrich II., Herzog Johann Wilhelm und Herzog Johann Friedrich III.

Ashoff: Der Weimarer Cranach-Altar S.13

Der Flügelaltar steht auf einer Predella, die eine in Form eines Abendmahlskelches gesetzte Inschrift aufweist:

Den durchlauchtigsten und ruhmreichsten Fürsten, dem Herrn Johann Friedrich I., Herzog von Sachsen, geborenen Kurfürsten des Römischen Reichs, Landgrafen von Thüringen, Markgrafen von Meißen und der Herrin Sibylle, geborenen Herzogin von Cleve, Jülich, Berg etc., ihren sehr teuren Eltern, haben die tief betrübten Söhne Johann Friedrich II., Johann Wilhelm, Johann Friedrich III. aus Dankbarkeit dieses Denkmal gesetzt.

Ihren Eltern, die im grausamen Krieg ihren gerecht machenden Glauben mit standhafter Frömmigkeit bekannt haben, ihren frommen Eltern haben von Frömmigkeit beseelt, die dankbaren Kinder, drei Brüder aus einem Herzen, dieses Tafel gesetzt, damit sie im Laufe der Jahre des verteidigten Glaubens Denkmal und der Liebe ein Pfand sei.

Christus, der Du den Deinen wirksam Schutz und Schirm gewährst, so dass sie auch das überwinden, was für unüberwindlich gilt. Gib Frieden und halte die Feinde in Schranken! Trage Du als Mittler Sorge für die, die den Vater fürchten, dessen Weisheit Du ausstrahlst! Hinweg, du unselige Weisheit der Menschen! Gerecht vor Gott macht das Vertrauen in Christus allein.

Im Jahre des Herrn 1555.

Ebd. S.70-71

Sonst gibt es auch noch mehr zu sehen, aber für heute reichts erstmal Mal 🙂

Gottes Wort bleibt in Ewigkeit. Amen.
Posted in Gedankensplitter, Martin Luther and the Reformation, Saints of the church, Travels | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Classical Weimar: A wonderful place to be!

Posted on May 24, 2020 by Wilhelm Weber

Going to Weimar is obvious for any German teacher, especially if you specialized in the classics. But it´s also a hotspot for any culture lover, foodie or if you´re looking at a 2-hour travelling limit from your home base in Lutherstadt Wittenberg. On the map we considered visiting Jena and Erfurt on the way but decided to stick to our first choice only – mainly due to time constraints of just one Ascension holiday to play with. So, after Borna and Altenburg we went for Weimar: Home of Goethe, Schiller, Wieland, Bach, Liszt, Cranach sr, Nietzsche to mention but a few of the celebrities and notabilities, who made this town special.

  • Friedrich Schiller
  • Freiherr J.v.Goethe
  • Martin Wieland

They were appreciated, attracted and called by the noble patrons of their time like for instance Duchess Anna Amalia of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel or her son Karl August – Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, who both left deep marks, impressive buildings and pretty sights in this lovely town pretty much in central Thuringia.  And then I´ve not even touched on the famous hunting dogs from here.

  • Grand Duke Karl August
  • Duchess Anna Amalia

Due to the special times we got to stay right in the middle of town within walking distance of famous landmarks like the church of St. Peter and Paul (Herder´s church), museums and libraries, cemetries, parks and walkways. Here the first German democratic constitution was proclaimed after the 1st World War and in most restaurants, you get info about who´s who who ate what when right at this very place like at the Sächsischer Hof, zum Siechenbräu, zum Weißen Schwan or Zur Scharfen Ecke. That includes illustrious people like the emperor of Japan in recent years right to Martin Luther himself in days long gone.

  • Schuchardt

We stayed 2 nights and crisscrossed the place in search of famous graves, mysterious rendezvous, pulpits, literary desks and flowery gardens amidst grand villas and impressive statues.

The people were most hospitable, friendly and outgoing – very eager to make us feel very much at home, which we did from the word go. This really is a special place and a wonderful stop-over. I´ve got a number of sights, scenes and incidents, which I will share here in due time. For now, I remember this university locality most fondly and highly recommend it for any tourist, student or traveler. It´s very high on my most favorite list – and then I´ve not even touched on Stutterheim (Luther´s conversion) and Buchenwald KZ. We´ll get to those later too d.v. – and if I don´t forget or get lost in reading these classics rather.     

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Sermon for the Sunday after Christ´s Ascension

Posted on May 23, 2020 by Wilhelm Weber

In 1522 Dr. Martin Luther uses tomorrow´s gospel (John 15,26-16,4) to preach of comfort and admonition. Here is an audible version of the German sermon.

Jesus Christus reigns supreme – all in all +

Come Holy Ghost, God and Lord, With all Your graces now outpoured On each believer’s mind and heart; Your fervent love to them impart. Lord, by the brightness of Your light in holy faith Your Church unite; From every land and every tongue This to Your praise, O Lord, our God, be sung: Alleluia, alleluia!

Come, Holy Light, guide divine, Now cause the Word of life to shine. Teach us to know our God aright And call Him Father with delight. From every error keep us free; Let none but Christ our master be That we in living faith abide, In Him our Lord, with all our might confide. Alleluia, alleluia!

Come Holy Fire, comfort true, Grant us the will Your work to do And in your service to abide; Let trials turn us not aside. Lord, by Your power prepare each heart, And to our weakness strength impart That bravely here we may contend, Through Life and death to You, our Lord, ascend. Alleluia, alleluia!

ml-zu-jo1526-164-exaudiDownload
Posted in Eastertide, Martin Luther and the Reformation, Sermon | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment