Wilhelm Weber: Wittenberger, Namensvetter & Hausgenosse

Posted on April 15, 2020 by Wilhelm Weber

Wer “Wilhelm Weber” googelt wird nicht nur in Wittenberg fündig. Natürlich ist hier zuerst das geniale Stadtkind aus dem 19. Jahrhundert die Rede. Der dem Postamt Hausname und Straßenaddresse verliehen hat, aber auch in der Collegienstraße wohnhaft und in unserer Alten Lateinschule die Schulbank gedrückt hat.  

  • Weber & Gauß Denkmal
Stationen auf dem Weg

Er hieß Wilhelm Eduard Weber und wurde am 24. Oktober 1804 hier in der Lutherstadt geboren und in 1827 habilitierter er sich in Halle zum Thema „Wellen“ und wurde bereits ein Jahr später Professor der Physik. In 1831 zog er als solcher nach Göttingen, wo er die nächsten Jahre zusammen mit Professor C.F. Gauß erfolgreich forschte.

Nicht mal eine Dekade ging das gut, weil er mit den berühmten Göttinger Sieben gegen das Außerkraftsetzen des Staatsgrundgesetzes durch den König von Hannover in 1837 protestierte und deswegen amtsenthoben und entlassen wurde. Obwohl mundtot gemacht und gemaßregelt, wurde ihre Tat zum leuchtenden Fanal, das viele Mutlose aufrüttelte und für Freiheit und Selbstbestimmungsrecht aufstehen ließ. Einfach war es für ihn nicht. Der König von Hannover entschied: „Der Weber ist ohne Gehalt seines Amtes zu entheben… wie die anderen sechs auch!“ Und der preußische Minister von Rochow urteilte bezüglich dieser sieben herablassend: „beschränkter Untertanenverstand.“

“Göttinger Sieben”

Weber forschte indes auch unter erheblich erschwerten Umständen fleißig weiter, bestimmte in 1846 die sogenannten „Weberschen Gesetze“ zur elektrischen Wirkung und wurde in 1849 – ein Jahr nach der Revolution – wieder als Professor in Göttingen eingesetzt. Er starb dann am 23. Juni 1891 hochbetagt in dieser seiner Wahlheimat.

Schon als Kind machte er die französische Belagerung mit und erlebt das Niederbrennen des Familienhauses, in der die Familie alles verlor und zeitweilig nach Bad Schmiedeberg umzog. Im Jahr 1816 verstarb seine Mutter – Christiane Friedericke Wilhelmine Weber. In dem Jahr wurde die Leucorea auch nach Halle verlegt und so kam die Zeit an der Alten Lateinschule und seiner Wittenberger Kindheit zum frühzeitigen Abschluss. In 1860 wurde er zum Mitglied der Leopoldina gewählt und so hat an seinem Lebensabend sich wieder eine Beziehung zur Stätte des Beginns seiner wissenschaftlichen Laufbahn hergestellt.

Französische Belagerung und Zerstörung der Lutherstadt Wittenberg 1806 und 1813

Weitere Hinweise:

Auf Wikipedia: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelm_Eduard_Weber

Zum Wilhelm Weber-Haus in Wittenberg: https://www.wittenberg.de/kultur-und-tourismus/qr-codes-stelen-des-tourist-leit-systems/wilhelm-weber-haus-ov4qr1.html

Hier eine umfassendere Biographie:  https://www.deutsche-biographie.de/sfz75068.html

Und Träger des Orden Pour le mérite: http://www.orden-pourlemerite.de/mitglieder/wilhelm-eduard-weber

Posted in Family and friends, Gedankensplitter, Histories, Histories, biographies and other stories, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

The parsonage – a good place to be +

Posted on April 14, 2020 by Wilhelm Weber
Parsonages old and new – here and abroad

Next to the church comes the parsonage. The study window looks out upon the churchyard, and if the pastor wants to see the steeple near, he must raise his head and eyes higher than other people need. The bell that summons to prayer has, too, a louder voice for him than for the rest of the inhabitants, and the graves speak in deeper tones to his ear. The parsonage garden runs along the churchyard wall, and a door opens out of it to the bench under the old lime tree, from which one can overlook both sides of the village. Each one who passes up and down the street has an undying, soul, and of each one the pastor must give account, as to whether he has sought, urged, and allured as a good shepherd should. On that bench under the lime tree, how much silent intercession must, indeed, be poured out! Nor is this intercession all. The Lord said unto Moses, “Wherefore criest thou unto me? Speak to the people, that they go forward.” Outwardly, the parsonage is a house like others, but whenever the devil goes about the village, seeking his prey, and planning where best he can spread his net, he goes about the parsonage thrice, and looks into every window. And most of all he rejoices if the door of that house be open to him, and he cannot only make his way in accidentally, but rule there, and even hold his ground in the study, without being annoyed by prayer and the reading of the Scriptures. Watching and praying are the only bolts this thief fears. A parsonage is either a house of prayer or a very den of iniquity. There is no peace, indeed, for any of the ungodly, but a minister who lives without prayer and struggle is the poorest and most miserable man in the whole village. (Dobberstein 303f)

The parsonage (Karl Büchsel quoted by Dobberstein Pages 303-304)

That fits nicely with Luther´s explanation of the 3rd petition and explains, why Dobberstein uses this elaboration by Büchsel in his anthology to illustrate this part of the “Our Father” in the Tuesday´ section:

“Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” What does this mean? The good and gracious will of God is done even without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may be done among us also. How is God’s will done? God’s will is done when He breaks and hinders every evil plan and purpose of the devil, the world, and our sinful nature, which do not want us to hallow God’s name or let His kingdom come; and when He strengthens and keeps us firm in His Word and faith until we die. This is His good and gracious will.”

Martin Luther´s explanation to the 3rd Petition in his Small Catechism

Let us sing with Paul Gerhardt (1607-1676) in the translation by John Kelly (1833-1890):

1 Awake, my heart, with gladness,
See what today is done;
Now, after gloom and sadness,
Comes forth the glorious sun.
My Savior there was laid
Where our bed must be made
When to the realms of light
Our spirit wings its flight.

2 The foe in triumph shouted
When Christ lay in the tomb;
But lo, he now is routed,
His boast is turned to gloom.
For Christ again is free;
In glorious victory
He who is strong to save
Has triumphed o’er the grave.

3 This is a sight that gladdens–
What peace it doth impart!
Now nothing ever saddens
The joy within my heart.
No gloom shall ever shake,
No foe shall ever take
The hope which God’s own Son
In love for me hath won.

4 Now hell, its prince, the devil,
Of all their pow’r are shorn;
Now I am safe from evil,
And sin I laugh to scorn.
Grim death with all his might
Cannot my soul affright;
It is a pow’rless form,
Howe’er it rave and storm.

5 The world against me rages,
Its fury I disdain;
Though bitter war it wages,
Its work is all in vain.
My heart from care is free,
No trouble troubles me.
Misfortune now is play,
And night is bright as day.

6 Now I will cling forever
To Christ, my Savior true;
My Lord will leave me never,
Whate’er He passes through.
He rends death’s iron chain;
He breaks through sin and pain;
He shatters hell’s dark thrall;
I follow Him through all.

7 He brings me to the portal
That leads to bliss untold,
Whereon this rhyme immortal
Is found in script of gold:
“Who there My cross has shared
Finds here a crown prepared;
Who there with Me has died
Shall here be glorified.”

https://hymnary.org/text/awake_my_heart_with_gladness

And pray:

“Almighty God, by the death of Your Son You have destroyed sin and death, and by his resurrection You have restored innocence and everlasting life, in order that, delivered from the power of the devil, we may live in Your kingdom. Grant that we may believe this with our whole heart, and, steadfast in this faith, may praise and thank You evermore; through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Easter Collect
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Das Osterfest nimmt seinen Lauf…

Posted on April 13, 2020 by Wilhelm Weber

Als unser Herr Jesus Christus vom Tode auferstanden ist und seine Jünger aufs Neue aus der Zerstreuung, der Finsternis und Schatten des Todes sammelte, hat er ihnen aus dem Alten Testament aufgezeigt, wieso und weshalb es alles so kommen musste. Da hat er angefangen bei Mose, den Propheten und Psalmen und ihnen die Schrift aufgetan. Sein wunderbarer, heilsamer und effektiver Gottesdienst macht in des Heiligen Geistes Kraft im Wesentlichen so weiter. Auch noch heute. Hallelujah +

Der Herr schafft, was er will – und siehe es ist sehr gut!

Darum hören wir heute wieder beim Propheten Jesaja die Verheißung aus dem 25. Kapitel:

Und der HERR Zebaoth wird auf diesem Berge allen Völkern ein fettes Mahl machen, ein Mahl von reinem Wein, von Fett, von Mark, von Wein, darin keine Hefe ist. Und er wird auf diesem Berge die Hülle wegnehmen, mit der alle Völker verhüllt sind, und die Decke, mit der alle Heiden zugedeckt sind. Er wird den Tod verschlingen auf ewig. Und Gott der HERR wird die Tränen von allen Angesichtern abwischen und wird aufheben die Schmach seines Volks in allen Landen; denn der HERR hat’s gesagt. Zu der Zeit wird man sagen: »Siehe, das ist unser Gott, auf den wir hofften, dass er uns helfe. Das ist der HERR, auf den wir hofften; lasst uns jubeln und fröhlich sein über sein Heil.«

Jesaja 25,6-9

Der Apostel Paulus argumentiert überzeugend wenn auch polemisch und angriffslustig mit denen, die sich im Unglauben gegen die leibhaftige Auferstehung stemmen. Er schreibt in großer Klarheit und durchschlagender Überzeugungskraft im großen Auferstehungskapitel des 1.Korintherbriefs:

Das sage ich aber, liebe Brüder, dass Fleisch und Blut das Reich Gottes nicht ererben können; auch wird das Verwesliche nicht erben die Unverweslichkeit. 51 Siehe, ich sage euch ein Geheimnis: Wir werden nicht alle entschlafen, wir werden aber alle verwandelt werden; 52 und das plötzlich, in einem Augenblick, zur Zeit der letzten Posaune. Denn es wird die Posaune erschallen und die Toten werden auferstehen unverweslich, und wir werden verwandelt werden. 53 Denn dies Verwesliche muss anziehen die Unverweslichkeit, und dies Sterbliche muss anziehen die Unsterblichkeit. 54 Wenn aber dies Verwesliche anziehen wird die Unverweslichkeit und dies Sterbliche anziehen wird die Unsterblichkeit, dann wird erfüllt werden das Wort, das geschrieben steht (Jesaja 25,8; Hosea 13,14): »Der Tod ist verschlungen in den Sieg. 55 Tod, wo ist dein Sieg? Tod, wo ist dein Stachel?« 56 Der Stachel des Todes aber ist die Sünde, die Kraft aber der Sünde ist das Gesetz. 57 Gott aber sei Dank, der uns den Sieg gibt durch unsern Herrn Jesus Christus! 58 Darum, meine lieben Brüder und Schwestern, seid fest und unerschütterlich und nehmt immer zu in dem Werk des Herrn, denn ihr wisst, dass eure Arbeit nicht vergeblich ist in dem Herrn.

1.Korintherbrief 15:50-58

Im heutigen Evangelium für diesen 2.Ostertag hören wir die eindrückliche Schilderung von Jesu Bekehrung der Emmaus Jünger durch den Evangelisten Lukas: 

Und siehe, zwei von ihnen gingen an demselben Tage in ein Dorf, das war von Jerusalem etwa sechzig Stadien entfernt; dessen Name ist Emmaus. 14 Und sie redeten miteinander von allen diesen Geschichten. 15 Und es geschah, als sie so redeten und einander fragten, da nahte sich Jesus selbst und ging mit ihnen. 16 Aber ihre Augen wurden gehalten, dass sie ihn nicht erkannten. 17 Er sprach aber zu ihnen: Was sind das für Dinge, die ihr miteinander verhandelt unterwegs? Da blieben sie traurig stehen. 18 Und der eine, mit Namen Kleopas, antwortete und sprach zu ihm: Bist du der Einzige unter den Fremden in Jerusalem, der nicht weiß, was in diesen Tagen dort geschehen ist? 19 Und er sprach zu ihnen: Was denn? Sie aber sprachen zu ihm: Das mit Jesus von Nazareth, der ein Prophet war, mächtig in Tat und Wort vor Gott und allem Volk; 20 wie ihn unsre Hohenpriester und Oberen zur Todesstrafe überantwortet und gekreuzigt haben. 21 Wir aber hofften, er sei es, der Israel erlösen werde. Und über das alles ist heute der dritte Tag, dass dies geschehen ist. 22 Auch haben uns erschreckt einige Frauen aus unserer Mitte, die sind früh bei dem Grab gewesen, 23 haben seinen Leib nicht gefunden, kommen und sagen, sie haben eine Erscheinung von Engeln gesehen, die sagen, er lebe. 24 Und einige von denen, die mit uns waren, gingen hin zum Grab und fanden’s so, wie die Frauen sagten; aber ihn sahen sie nicht. 25 Und er sprach zu ihnen: O ihr Toren, zu trägen Herzens, all dem zu glauben, was die Propheten geredet haben! 26 Musste nicht der Christus dies erleiden und in seine Herrlichkeit eingehen? 27 Und er fing an bei Mose und allen Propheten und legte ihnen aus, was in allen Schriften von ihm gesagt war. 28 Und sie kamen nahe an das Dorf, wo sie hingingen. Und er stellte sich, als wollte er weitergehen. 29 Und sie nötigten ihn und sprachen: Bleibe bei uns; denn es will Abend werden, und der Tag hat sich geneigt. Und er ging hinein, bei ihnen zu bleiben. 30 Und es geschah, als er mit ihnen zu Tisch saß, nahm er das Brot, dankte, brach’s und gab’s ihnen. 31 Da wurden ihre Augen geöffnet, und sie erkannten ihn. Und er verschwand vor ihnen. 32 Und sie sprachen untereinander: Brannte nicht unser Herz in uns, da er mit uns redete auf dem Wege und uns die Schrift öffnete? 33 Und sie standen auf zu derselben Stunde, kehrten zurück nach Jerusalem und fanden die Elf versammelt und die bei ihnen waren; 34 die sprachen: Der Herr ist wahrhaftig auferstanden und dem Simon erschienen. 35 Und sie erzählten ihnen, was auf dem Wege geschehen war und wie er von ihnen erkannt wurde, da er das Brot brach.

Lukas 24:13-35
“Emmaus Jünger” von Michael Caravaggio

Ehe wir dann in der Predigt von seinen seelsorgerlichen Bemühungen um die kleine und eingeschüchterte Jüngerschar in Jerusalem hören und wie er sie zum allein seligmachenden Glauben an sich und seine Erlösungstat im siegreichen Sterben und leiblichen Auferstehen führt nach dem abschließenden Abschnitt im Lukas Evangelium:

Als sie aber davon redeten, trat er selbst mitten unter sie und sprach zu ihnen: Friede sei mit euch! 37 Sie erschraken aber und fürchteten sich und meinten, sie sähen einen Geist. 38 Und er sprach zu ihnen: Was seid ihr so erschrocken, und warum kommen solche Gedanken in euer Herz? 39 Seht meine Hände und meine Füße, ich bin’s selber. Fasst mich an und seht; denn ein Geist hat nicht Fleisch und Knochen, wie ihr seht, dass ich sie habe. 40 Und als er das gesagt hatte, zeigte er ihnen seine Hände und Füße. 41 Da sie es aber noch nicht glauben konnten vor Freude und sich verwunderten, sprach er zu ihnen: Habt ihr hier etwas zu essen? 42 Und sie legten ihm ein Stück gebratenen Fisch vor. 43 Und er nahm’s und aß vor ihnen. 44 Er sprach aber zu ihnen: Das sind meine Worte, die ich zu euch gesagt habe, als ich noch bei euch war: Es muss alles erfüllt werden, was von mir geschrieben steht im Gesetz des Mose und in den Propheten und Psalmen. 45 Da öffnete er ihnen das Verständnis, dass sie die Schrift verstanden…

Lukas 24: 36-45
  • Heute sangen wir die herrlich frohmachenden Osterlieder der lutherischen Kirche:
    • „Auf, auf mein Herz, mit Freuden, nimm wahr, was heut geschieht…“ Paul Gerhardt 1647
    • „Erstanden ist der heilig Christ, Hallelujah, Hallelujah…“ nach dem lateinischen „Surrexit Christus hodie“ aus dem 14. Jahrhundert und ins Deutsche übersetzt in Nürnberg 1544.
    • „Christ ist erstanden von der Marter allen; des solln wir alle froh sein“ aus Passau 1090.
    • „Heut triumphieret Gottes Sohn, der von dem Tod erstanden schon…“ Iglau (Mähren) 1591.
    • „Wach auf, mein Herz, die Nacht ist hin, die Sonn ist aufgegangen…“ Lorenz Lorenzen 1700.

Und hier ist auch meine Predigt zum Ostermontag in dieser Matutin:

2.ostertag-lk2436-45-ols.com_Download

Und hier das Gebet usw zum Fest- und Feiertag:

  • Offb.1,18
  • Offb.1,18
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Frohe Ostern: Der Herr lebt und wir sollen auch leben +

Posted on April 12, 2020 by Wilhelm Weber

Der Herr ist auferstanden + Er ist wahrhaftig auferstanden und seinen Jüngern erschienen + Des sollen wir uns nicht fürchten, sondern alle fröhlich sein; denn der Herr Christus spricht: „Fürchte dich nicht! Ich bin der Erste und der Letzte und der Lebendige. Ich war tot, und siehe, ich bin lebendig von Ewigkeit zu Ewigkeit und habe die Schlüssel des Todes und der Hölle.“ (Offb.1,17-18)

Der Herr ist nicht hier. Er ist auferstanden. Geht und sagt es seinen Jüngern – und Petrus!

Auf BR-Klassik spielt auf „Laudate“ die herrliche „Oster-Historie“ von Arnold Matthias Brunckhorst mit Andrea Hornung-Boesen, Sopran; Rainer Seifert, Countertenor; Dietrich Wrase, Tenor; Sebastian Mattmüller, Bass; Ensemble musica poetica Freiburg: Hans Bergmann. Herrlich! https://www.br-klassik.de/progr…/…/ausstrahlung-2048890.html

Es ist alles bereit: Kommt, sehet und schmecket wie freundlich der Herr ist!

Die Kerzen brennen. Die Blumen blühen. Alle Bücher sind aufgeschlagen und der Gottesdienst beginnt gleich. Wir folgen d.v. der Festtagsliturgie, singen diese Lieder und hören diese Lesungen: Ps.118; Hes.37,1-14; 1.Kor.15,1-11; Mk.16,1-8. Here is the order in English: https://kwaweber.org/…/hallelujah-jesus-lives-reigns-forev…/

„Erschienen ist der herrlich Tag…“ von Nikolaus Herman 1560.
„Christ lag in Todesbanden …“ in Martin Luthers Übersetzung von 1524 des „Victimae pashali laudes“ von Wipo um 1045.
„Frühmorgens da die Sonn aufgeht…“ von Johann Heermann 1630.
„Te Deum laudamus…“ in Martin Luthers Übersetzung von 1529.
„Nun freut euch hier und überall …“ von Paul Gerhardt 1653.

Und hier auch meine Predigt zum hl. Osterfest.

1kor15-19-28-osternDownload

Da beten wir singend und jubelnd mit Worten des köstlichen 118. Psalms:

„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.

Und wünschen Euch ein gesegnetes Osterfest, denn der Herr lebt und wir sollen auch leben. Hallelujah, Hallelujah! Amen.

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Hallelujah: Jesus lives + reigns forever + Hallelujah

Posted on April 11, 2020 by Wilhelm Weber

All the world rejoices and sings: “Christ is risen. He´s risen indeed!” That´s the Easter jubilee all along – ever since he rose victorious from the dead and appeared to his disciples like Mary, then to that couple from Emmaus, to St. James, St. Thomas – the confessor – together with nearly all twelve gathered in Jerusalem and then he appeared to that crowd of well over a five hundred of whom many were still living when finally he had even appeared to St. Paul – the last and somewhat late born apostle – there on the way to Damascus.

“The risen Lord”: Lucas Cranach

These were not some brave movers and shakers, but rather intimidated people – traumatized, suffering from the terrible scenes in Jerusalem around Good Friday. People shocked to the core + when they recovered somewhat, they tried to gather their wits about them and continue with life as before IX. So, when the Easter message got to them – like those women early at the grave (Mary of Magdala; Mary, mother of James and Salomé) – they did not run with it as good news but were terrified. That´s their response to the gospel. Nothing about self-realization and clever imagination. No idea of getting fake news spreading. Rather, bewilderment, afraid and at a loss.

Still, our living Lord does not just let them go. His messengers – the angels get the message through – and He Himself goes in search for the lost, gathers them in true faith, encouraging and uplifting, informing and instructing, preaching, teaching and telling them the truth: “Don´t be afraid! See, it is I – here the bloody wounds – for You and Your salvation. Remember now, it is finished. It is done. I live and reign for good!” Once he has appeared to them, convinced them – even if some doubted for some time still even at the ascension (cf Mt.28) – he mandated them: “Go therefore into all the world – make disciples of all nations…”

St. Paul writes about this mission to the Corinthians. Many in that big city thought that liberation and salvation was just a matter of the mind – ideological/ spiritual/ philosophical. Well, in the 15th chapter he goes out of his way to underline the very bodily i.e. physical and real resurrection of the flesh (sarx!). This is not just a figment of the desperate mind, but rather the doing of the living God. It is He, who initially created heaven and earth. It is He, who has started the 2nd creation in the firstborn IX – once and for all. Behold: I make everything new! The old is past. The new has now begun – sprouting life from the cross, the dead tree, the cut off stump (Isaiah) – bearing fruit a hundredfold and in all seasons. IX – the vine, we His branches… Read the apostles argument in this resurrection chapter.    

The living God and savior of the World said to His exiled and banished apostle, evangelist and bishop St. John on Patmos: “Do not be afraid! I am the first and the last, and the one who lives! I was dead, but look, now I am alive—forever and ever—and I hold the keys of death and of Hades!” (Revelation 1,17-18)

He´s risen. He´s risen indeed.

This living Christ has returned us to the living trust in the triune God, who has conquered death for us, so that we might live with him in perfect peace and happiness ever after. It´s the perfect ending – just like in any fairy tale – the only, but crucial difference being, that this is true. He – the living God – himself vouchsafes it by standing in for this in person – living, ruling and reigning for good and always.

Ever since those spiritual authorities in Jerusalem spread those rumors, that Jesus´ corpse had been stolen by his followers, people have come up with novel explanations to try and get rid of this unwanted Christ again and again. Mohammed – on impulse of satanic inspiration? – suggests in the Koran, that he never died, but was relieved off the cross prematurely by his disciples. Paul L. Maier plays masterfully with the idea of him never getting out of the grave, but that there´s still a “skeleton in God´s closet” or that he gets out later – and leaves us with “more than a skeleton” to worry about.  The struggle between truth and fake news is continual – and not just on Twitter.

Throughout the world Christians will commemorate this divine breakthrough in our world – and signal with their hymns of praise and thanksgiving, that even in such difficult times of shut-downs and -ins – Jesus Christ reigns supreme. St. John knew all about it on Patmos – as did Dr. Martin Luther on the Wartburg or later on the Coburg, where he referred so sprightly to his “most beloved Confitemini” – and we will repeat words of Psalm 118 in tomorrow´s Introit too.

Wasn´t it always to be a severe challenge facing death and dying? Even for the prophet Ezekiel it was, when God asked him on that field of bones, whether there is hope of resurrection, healing and life after death? The Old Testament reading from this great prophet of long ago speaks volumes for people living in times of exile and slavery, in times after Auschwitz and during Corona. So: Nota bene et tolle lege!

That´s why we continue to pray for the saving faith in His grace and goodness:

Almighty God the Father, through Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, You have overcome death and opened the gate of everlasting life to us. Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of our Lord´s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by Your live-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  

Collect for Easter

We confess with all the church in all adversity of this world:

I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian church He daily and richly forgives all my sins and the sins of all believers. On the Last Day He will raise me and all the dead, and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ.

Explanation of the 3rd Article of the Apostolic Creed

And in this only saving faith we stand and sing with the church father, the beloved pastor, president and teacher of the Missouri Synod even at the graves of our beloved ones – as the church traditionally does faithfully on Easter morning – obeying God´s commandments and trusting His sure promises:   

Go and tell his disciples – and Peter!

1. He’s risen, he’s risen, Christ Jesus, the Lord;
He opened Death’s prison, The incarnate, Word.
Break forth, hosts of heaven, in jubilant song
While earth, sea, and mountain the paean prolong.

2. The foe was triumphant when on Calvary
The Lord of creation was nailed to the tree.
In Satan’s domain did the hosts shout and jeer,
For Jesus was slain, whom the evil ones fear.

3. But short was their triumph, the Savior arose,
And death, hell, and Satan He vanquished, His foes;
The conquering Lord lifts his banner on high.
He lives, yea, he lives, and will nevermore die.

4. Oh, where is your sting, death? We fear thee no more;
Christ rose, and now open is fair Eden’s door.
For all our transgressions His blood does atone;
Redeemed and forgiven, we now are His own.

5. Then sing your hosannas and raise your glad voice;
Proclaim the blest tidings that all may rejoice.
Laud, honor, and praise to the Lamb that was slain;
Who siteth in glory, and ever shall reign.

Dr. Carl Ferdinand Wilhelm Walther (1811-1887)

In our chapel service we will follow the following order:

20200412-ostern-1.kor-15-19-28-alsDownload

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Good Friday: For so God loved the world +

Posted on April 10, 2020 by Wilhelm Weber

Well, today the table is empty. The candles are still burning, but only just. No ornaments today. No flowers. No organ. No bells, no colorful vestments either. Just the Altarbook. No Lord´s Supper today. We´ll be singing still. Yes, muted – in the sorrowful knowledge that it was “I (who) caused Your grief and sighing by evils multiplying as countless as the sands, I caused the woes unnumbered with which Your soul is cumbered, Your sorrows raised by wicked hands” (Paul Gerhardt), but confident in the Easter reality of our Lord´s victorious resurrection. No more despairing, running away or giving up either. We are assured of His triumphant conquering of sin, death and devil – as the watchword for Good Friday proclaims: “For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3,16)

Isenheimer Altar (Matthias Grünewald)

God willing, we will be singing these hymns a capella:

  • “Christus, der uns selig macht, kein Bös´ hat begangen…“, which is the German translation of „Patris sapientia” by Egidio of Colonna (1300) by Michael Weiße (1531).
  • “A Lamb goes uncomplaining forth…” Paul Gerhard (1647)
  • “Nimm von uns, Herr, Du treuer Gott, die schwere Straf …”, which is the German translation of “Aufer immensam” (Wittenberg 1541) by Martin Moller in 1584.
  • “O sacred head, now wounded…”, which is the translation of “Salve, caput cruentatum” by Arnulf of Löwen (1250) by Paul Gerhardt (1656)  
  • The “Litany” for Good Friday.
  • “Christe, Du Schöpfer aller Welt… “, which is the German translation of “Rex Christe, factor omnium” (900) in Schwerin about 1875.
  • “O Traurigkeit, o Herzeleid!” by Friedrich von Spee and Johann Rist.
  • „So ruhest Du, o meine Ruhe“ by Salomo Frank 1685.

Lessons from God´s Holy Word are

  • Introit Psalm 22;
  • Old Testament from the prophet Isaiah 52,13-53,12;
  • Epistle of St. Paul 2. Corinthians 5,14-21 (Sermon)
  • Gospel from St. John chapter 19,16-30.

I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord, who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death, that I may be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true.

Dr. Martin Luther´s explanation of the 2.Article of the Apostolic Creed

And here´s today´s sermon too

karfreitag-2kor519-21Download

Almighty God, we ask You to look with mercy on Your family, for whom our Lord IX was willing to be betrayed and to be given over to the hands of sinners and to suffer death on the cross; who now lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Collect for Good Friday
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Favorite holiday: Maundy Thursday!

Posted on April 9, 2020 by Wilhelm Weber

One of my favorite holidays is Maundy Thursday. Not only because on this day at the latest the long weekend started, but also because it was an evening service – nearly as festive, dramatic and emotional as Christmas. Obviously, I don´t have as many childhood memories of this holiday as of the latter. It was after all a very churchly event – starting off with the official registration in the pastor´s office at his home during the previous week or if You were not able to make that, then a timely visit in the sacristy just before the public confessional started would do…

Take and eat…

Most communicants were dressed in their finest black outfits – for men that included black ties, socks and shoes, sometimes hats. In the Southern hemisphere this was autumn and it could be chilly enough to wear a coat even.  Church would start punctually as ever with the urgent tolling of the bells calling the last stragglers to get their last smoke done and into the pews. The vestments were all white, the flowers magnificent and the organ would sound the start of the serious part…

Tonight, we´re but a little bunch – not even 12 (or 13) as at the introductory meal. It will be more like during the institution of the Passover (Sermon text Ex.12,1-14) some centuries earlier, where every family – or as many as needed to eat the prepared lamb – would gather on their own, girded and ready for the exodus from slavery. Bitter herbs to remember the hardships of the forced labor and servitude. Unleavened bread as there was no time to go into the lengthy business of sourdough and such luxuries.

The latter cup of thanksgiving to celebrate that the cup of wrath had passed us, and that God had accepted the vicarious sacrifice of the paschal lambs instead, sparing us the well-deserved punishment and rather granting us his favor + for Christ´s sake +  His holy body given for us into death, so that we might live + His precious blood shed for us for the forgiveness of all our sins and that now He would flourish in us, nurture and vitalize us – just like the vine would invigorate its branches.

You see, the Lord´s Supper celebrated by the Christian Church was instituted in the framework of the Passover, but it was an innovation of our Lord, who instituted this – His sacramental Supper – in the night of his betrayal as something uniquely Christological and Soteriological. Not just an act of rememberance, but one of deliverance and justification too. He was not spared but gave himself willingly for us – vicariously – in our stead – for our salvation (Nicene Creed).

So, we Lutherans follow St. Paul´s setting for the unique Lord´s Supper as he too received it – and not as if it was a later adaptation of an ongoing Jewish rite as the Heidelberg Catechism would make us believe.  Instead Dr. Martin Luther summarizes it succinctly in answering the question: What is the Sacrament of the Altar?

“The Sacrament of the Altar is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ himself, for us Christians to eat and to drink.”

Martin Luther: Small Catechism V,1

He´s got the holy apostle´s and world missionary´s backing, who writes in his first epistle to the Corinthians in the eleventh chapter:  

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night in which he was betrayed took bread, and after he had given thanks he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, he also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, every time you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For every time you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

1.Corinthians 11:23-26

St. Paul uses this central liturgical quotation in his argument for unity in the congregation and against the awful divisions and separations due to identarian criteria – like economics, social standing and other ideologies.  The gospel lesson from St. John´s gospel on Jesus´ washing of his disciples feet (John 13,1-15.34-35) gives further credence and logical support to his theological argument. St. Paul concludes:

For this reason, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. A person should examine himself first, and in this way let him eat the bread and drink of the cup. For the one who eats and drinks without careful regard for the body eats and drinks judgment against himself. That is why many of you are weak and sick, and quite a few are dead. But if we examined ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned with the world. So then, my brothers and sisters, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, so that when you assemble it does not lead to judgment. I will give directions about other matters when I come…

1.Corinthians 11:27-34

Let us sing God´s praises with Dr. Martin Luther and in unanimity with the Christian Church:

1. O Lord, we praise Thee, bless Thee, and adore Thee,
In thanksgiving bow before Thee.
Thou with Thy body and Thy blood didst nourish
Our weak souls that they may flouish:
O Lord, have mercy!
May Thy body, Lord, born of Mary,
That our sins and sorrows did carry,
And Thy blood for us plead
In all trial, fear, and need:
O Lord, have mercy!

2. Thy holy body into death was given,
Life to win for us in heaven.
No greater love than this to Thee could bind us;
May this feast thereof remind us!
O Lord, have mercy!
Lord, Thy kindness did so constrain Thee
That Thy blood should bless and sustain me.
All our debt Thou hast paid;
Peace with God once more is made:
O Lord, have mercy.

3. May God bestow on us His grace and favor
To please Him with our behavior
And live as brethren here in love and union
Nor repent this blest Communion!
O Lord, have mercy!
Let not Thy good Spirit forsake us;
Grant that heavenly-minded He make us;
Give Thy Church, Lord, to see
Days of peace and unity:
O Lord, have mercy!

Martin Luther (1483-1546)

Let us pray:

Lord God, of Your fatherly mercy You spared not Your only Son but gave him up to death and the cross. Send Your Holy Spirit into our hearts, that we may be comforted by this grace, henceforth be on guard aainst sin, and patiently bear whatever You send us to suffer, that through Him we may live for ever with You.

Dobberstein Pg.87
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Holy week: “A lamb goes uncomplaining forth…”

Posted on April 8, 2020 by Wilhelm Weber

One of the good things in days gone by, was that the Easter Holidays were a sure thing. Whether early or later in the year, the holidays started at least on Friday before Holy Week. That´s how it was. Sure thing, no questions. Just as the long summer break would start somewhere around the 1st Advent. Come what may.  So, we children got to know at least some of the standard hymns for these seasons. Most of Lent was in school time, so the list of hymns to learn was longer, but in Advent, we´d have more time for social family singing and we´d learn more by repetition and just plain doing than memorizing during the afternoon homework session at Uelzen boarding school.

Behold – the Lamb of God

Although we sang two Advent hymns last Palm Sunday, I´ll leave those for another day. Today I´ll list the Lenten favorites of my blessed Pastor – Ernst-August Albers – which probably did more to lay the foundations of my faith in the vicarious justification of sinners through our Lord Jesus Christ than anything else.

Just take the gold standard “A Lamb goes uncomplaining forth” by Paul Gerhardt (1607-1676) with all 10 verses including Jesus shedding his blood, being tortured and crucified i.e. not blatantly purging the sacramental realism of our Lord´s Passion as the German hymnal did after the great War.  The lovely discourse between Father and Son, the profound Christological magnificence, the marvelous truths of our redemption and sanctification, eschatological setting… It´s just perfect!  

1 A LAMB goes uncomplaining forth,
The guilt of all men bearing;
‘Tis laden with the sin of earth,
None else the burden sharing;
It goes its way, grows weak and faint,
To slaughter led without complaint,
Its spotless life to offer;
Bears shame, and stripes, and wounds, and death,
Anguish and mockery, and saith,
“Willing all this I suffer.”

2 This Lamb is Christ, the soul’s great Friend
And everlasting Savior;
Him, Him God chose, sin’s reign to end
And bring us to His favor.
“Go forth, my Son!” He said, “and bail
The children, who are doomed to hell
But for Thine intercession.
The punishment is great, and dread
The wrath, but Thou Thy blood shalt shed,
And save them from perdition.”

3 “Yea, Father, yea, most willingly
I’ll bear what Thou commandest;
My will conforms to Thy decree,
I do what Thou demandest.”
O wondrous Love! what hast Thou done!
The Father offers up His Son,
The Son content descendeth!
O Love! O Love! how strong art Thou!
In shroud and grave Thou lay’st Him low
Whose word the mountains rendeth!

4 Thou lay’st him, Love, upon the cross,
With nails and spear Him bruising;
Thou slay’st Him as a lamb, His loss,
From soul and body oozing;
From body ’tis the crimson flood
Of precious sacrificial blood,
From soul, the strength of anguish:
My gain it is; sweet Lamb to Thee
What can I give, whose love to me
For me doth make Thee languish?

5 Lord, all my life I’ll cleave to Thee,
Thy love fore’er beholding,
Thee ever, as Thou ever me,
With loving arms enfolding.
Yea, Thou shalt be my Beacon-light,
To guide me safe through death’s dark night,
And cheer my heart in sorrow;
Henceforth myself and all that’s mine
to Thee, my Savior, I consign,
From whom all things I borrow.

6 By morn and eve my theme shall be
Thy mercy’s wondrous measure;
To sacrifice myself to Thee,
My foremost aim and pleasure.
My stream of life shall flow for Thee,
Its steadfast current ceaselessly
In praise to Thee outpouring;
And all that Thou hast done for me,
I’ll treasure in my memory,
Thy gracious love adoring.

7 Enlarge, shrine of my heart, and swell,
To Thee shall now be given
A treasure that doth far excel
The worth of earth and heaven.
Away with the Arabian gold,
With treasures of an earthly mold!
I’ve found a better jewel.
My priceless treasure, Lord my God,
Is Thy most holy, precious blood,
Which flowed from wounds so cruel.

8 This treasure ever I’ll employ,
This ever aid shall yield me;
In sorrow it shall be my joy,
In conflict it shall shield me;
In joy, the music of my feast,
And when all else has lost its zest,
This manna still shall feed me;
In thirst my drink; in want my food;
My company in solitude,
To comfort and to lead me.

9 Death’s poison cannot harm me now,
Thy blood new life bestoweth;
My Shadow from the heat art Thou,
When noonday’s sunlight gloweth.
When I’m by inward grief opprest,
On Thee my weary soul shall rest,
As sick men on their pillows.
Thou art my Anchor, when by woe
My bark is driven to and fro
On trouble’s restless billows.

10 And when Thy glory I shall see
And taste Thy kingdom’s pleasure,
Thy blood my royal robe shall be,
And joy beyond at measure;
It then shall be my glorious crown,
Thus I’ll appear before the throne
Of God, and need not hide me;
And shall, by Him to Thee betrothed,
By Thee in bridal garments clothed,
Stand as a bride beside Thee.

Source: https://hymnary.org/text/a_lamb_goes_uncomplaining_forth_the_guil

Well, some of the other favorite hymns on the list to learn were:

  1. „Jesus, I will ponder now…“(„Jesu Deine Passion will ich jetzt bedenken…“ 6 stanzas by Siegmund von Birken 1663.)
  2. “Du großer Schmerzensmann, vom Vater so geschlagen…“ 6 stanzas by Adam Thebesius 1652.
  3. „Upon the Cross extended…“(“O Welt, sieh hier Dein Leben…” 15 stanzas by Paul Gerhardt)
  4. “O Sacred Head, now wounded…” („Salve, caput cruentatum” by Arnulf von Löwen 1250) translated into German as „O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden…“10 stanzas by Paul Gerhardt)
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Trust only in God (C.H. Spurgeon)

Posted on April 6, 2020 by Wilhelm Weber

During the oral part of practical theology in the first theological examination Professor Dr. Wilhelm Rothfuchs gave me an unseen quote by Charles Haddon Spurgeon. I was to put it into context and evaluate it step-by-step. Thankfully, I had read quite a bit by the eloquent Helmut Thielicke, who had always been an ardent fan of Spurgeon (perhaps just to tease Werner Elert?) and in the process done his fair share of introducing this English revival preacher to a German audience via translations. Well, that worked for us too. I passed that exam – and heeded much of Spurgeon´s practical advice for preachers. Just like that down-to-earth Pope John XXIII, Spurgeon was very much in practical homiletics and gave good advice like opening up windows for fresh air.  Much in line with the famous theme of Vatican II “aggiornamento”: Let the church look outside into the world – and let the world look inside the church too. Well, this morning there was a reading by Spurgeon in Dobberstein (Pg. 226-227). You might like it as much as I did. It´s on “Trust Only in God” and is quoted from his “Letters to my students” (Pg. 265)

“By all the castings down of his servants, God is glorified, for they are led to magnify him when again he sets them on their feet, and even while prostrate in the dust their faith yields him praise. They speak all the more sweetly of his faithfulness and are the more firmly established in his love. Such mature men as some elderly preachers are, could scarcely have been produced if they had not been emptied from vessel to vessel, and made to see their own emptiness and the vanity of all things round about them. Glory be to God for the furnace, the hammer and the file. Heaven shall be all the fuller of bliss because we have been filled with anguish here below, and earth shall be better tilled because of our training in the school of adversity.

The lesson of wisdom is, be not dismayed by soul-trouble. Count it no strange thing, but a part of ordinary ministerial experience. Should the power of depression be more than ordinary, think not that all is over with your usefulness. Cast not away your confidence, for it hath great recompense of reward. Even if the enemy´s foot be on your neck, expect to rise and overthrow him. Cast the burden of the present, along with the sin of the past and the fear of the future, upon the Lord, who forsaketh not his saints. Live by the day – aye, by the hour. Put not trust in frames and feelings. Care more for a grain of faith than a ton of excitement. Trust in God alone and lean not on the reeds of human help. Be not surprised when friends fail you: it is a failing world. Never count upon immutability in man: inconstancy you may reckon upon without fear of disappointment. The disciples of Jesus forsook him; be not amazed if your adherents wander away to other teachers: as they were not your all when with you, all is not gone from you with their departure. Serve God with all you might while the candle is burning, and then when it goes out for a season, you will have the less to regret. Be content to be nothing, for that is what you are. When your emptiness is painfully forced upon your consciousness, chide yourself that you ever dreamed of being full, except in the Lord. Set small store by present rewards; be grateful for earnests by the way but look for the recompensing joy hereafter. Continue with double earnestness to serve your Lord when no visible result is before you. Any simpleton can follow the narrow path in the light: faith´s rare wisdom enables us to march on in the dark with infallible accuracy, since she places her hand in that of her great Guide. Between this and heaven there may be rougher weather yet, but it is all provided for by our covenant Head. In nothing let us be turned aside from the path which the divine call has urged us to pursue. Come fair or come foul, the pulpit is our watchtower, and the ministry our warfare; be it ours, when we cannot see the face of God, to trust under the shadow of his wings.”

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Long-eared owl calling

Posted on April 4, 2020 by Wilhelm Weber

It´s lonely out on the Elbe flats. You´d think. First impressions deceive. The night before 20+ wild boar worked themselves through the young rape fields. The farmer´s co-op complained. We hunters should keep them out and limit their impact on the crops. So, this was to be my turn. I was glad that the wind was blowing at only about 14km and going steady from SW. That´s not too bad for these parts and promised perfect hunting conditions. This wind is supposed to carry milder air from the Mediterranean. We will know more next week.

+ I watch You even as I hear You +

No rain to talk about as yet and only sporadic traffic far off in the distance. Dogs barking in Seegrehna. Perhaps they sense the prowling wolves coming closer. Close by it was just a lonely beaver gnawing away at some old logs in the gurgling stream. The moon was half-full, high in the sky and reminding us of the Psalmist praying under similar conditions: “The Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.” (Ps.121:5-6) Wrapped tightly into warm stuff against the frost, I kept my ears clear though – and my nose. Wanted to catch the first warning signals be it a twig snapping or a wiff of dirty pig. I was ready for the invasion. Oh, how I longed for it. Trigger happy. I´d give them a most fitting welcome. So, let them come – all twenty of them.

As the eyes got accustomed to the dim light, the ears caught solitary bird calls from the forest. Eventually a long-eared owl started its regular hooting. Distinctive. You could not miss it. Soothing to the soul and ever so comforting to lonely creaturs out in the wilderness. Very clearly distinguishable from other owls in the German forest. Here´s a link to some more pictures of these nightly predators hunting pine forests, open meadows and tended fields.

Well, I think, they understand about social distancing. There was no answering call in response. Just that one regular cry out there in the bush. It continued all along – like clockwork. Just a break now and again before picking up pleading from another hot spot. Loved it! And in formidable cooperation, we kept the hogs out. All night long – even as my thoughts drifted with Joseph von Eichendorff to coming summer nights, which will be more balmy, but hopefully with more hunting luck: “Waidmansheil”, but not as bloodthirsty as Rammstein would like to make it out…

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