Confessional sermon

Posted on March 29, 2017 by Wilhelm Weber

Here is the sermon Professor Dr. Werner Klän (LTH Oberursel i.T) preached this morning during the confessional service in the chapel of St.Timothy’s at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane: LTS Confession and Absolution 2017-03-29 WK

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Laetare: 4th Sunday in Lent +

Posted on March 25, 2017 by Wilhelm Weber

Watchword from the gospel of the evangelist St. John chapter 12: “Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” [Verse 24]

Introit Psalm 84: How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God.  Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah. Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools. They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God. O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah. 

Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed. For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

God’s holy Word from the prophet Isaiah the fifty-fourth chapter:  For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer. For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.. (7-10)

The second epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians the first chapter:  Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation. (3-7)

The holy Gospel accourding to the evangelist St. John the twelfth chapter: And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. (20-26)

The sermon is based on the holy Gospel accourding to the evangelist St. John the sixth chapter: Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. (53-65)

The liturgical colour is violet.

A collect for this Sunday: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, Your mercies are new every morning; and though we deserve only punishment, You receive us as Your children and provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant that we may heartily acknowledge Your merciful goodness, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Hymn of the week

  1. Jesus, priceless Treasure,
    Fount of purest pleasure,
    Truest Friend to me.
    Ah, how long in anguish
    Shall my spirit languish,
    Yearning, Lord, for Thee?
    Thou art mine, O Lamb divine!
    I will suffer naught to hide Thee,
    Naught I ask beside Thee.
  2. In Thine arms I rest me;
    Foes who would molest me
    Cannot reach me here.
    Though the earth be shaking,
    Every heart be quaking,
    Jesus calms my fear.
    Lightnings flash And thunders crash;
    Yet, though sin and hell assail me,
    Jesus will not fail me.
  3. Satan, I defy thee;
    Death, I now decry thee;
    Fear, I bid thee cease.
    World, thou shalt not harm me
    Nor thy threats alarm me
    While I sing of peace.
    God’s great power Guards every hour;
    Earth and all its depths adore Him,
    Silent bow before Him.
  4. Hence, all earthly treasure!
    Jesus is my Pleasure,
    Jesus is my Choice.
    Hence, all empty glory!
    Naught to me thy story
    Told with tempting voice.
    Pain or loss, Or shame or cross,
    Shall not from my Savior move me
    Since He deigns to love me.
  5. Evil world, I leave thee;
    Thou canst not deceive me,
    Thine appeal is vain.
    Sin that once did blind me,
    Get thee far behind me,
    Come not forth again.
    Past thy hour, O pride and power;
    Sinful life, thy bonds I sever,
    Leave thee now forever.
  6. Hence, all fear and sadness!
    For the Lord of gladness,
    Jesus, enters in.
    Those who love the Father,
    Though the storms may gather,
    Still have peace within.
    Yea, whate’er I here must bear,
    Thou art still my purest Pleasure,
    Jesus, priceless Treasure!

Lutheran Hymnal Text: Matt. 13: 46
Titled: “Jesu, meine Freude” Composer: Johann Krüger, 1649

If you are called to preach this weekend, may the triune God give you joy and strength, enthusiasm and wisdom, knowledge and insight – and the true words and pictures to preach his holy will faithfully accourding to his most precious revelation of his will and promises in both the Old and New Testament! However, if you are not preaching, but listening – then listen as if God is talking to you + His precious gospel is “the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” (Romans 1:16f)

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People big and small

Posted on March 25, 2017 by Wilhelm Weber

Tis a blissful autumn day in our capital. People are going about their early morning business without too much care on their faces. Two little girls were paying for their sausage-rolls at my egg-vendor. Smaller than my nieces Andile and Sazza, but still they stood their ground in front of the big counter, handing over the 2x R10 notes plus 2x R5 coins and requesting: “2 sausage-rolls please!” The friendly aunty on the other side took the money and started teaching them some afrikaans: “Twee wors rolletjies asseblief!” The little ones were not daunted at all. Confidently they repeated that fluently, clearly and so well-mannered even as the circle of big adults like me was growing around them. However, nobody was in a hurry. All were patiently awaiting these halflings to finish their business. More so, the smiles and encouraging comments continued to spread all around. I was imagining my little nieces all the time and thought, what a blessing it is for children to growing up in this free environment, going for a morning outing with their parents and obviously just so hungry for a piping hot boerewors, cushioned in golden onions and the bun struggling to soak up all that dripping goodness and blessing. The early morning was getting off to a good start. My tired heart was buoyed and I was more than ready for the next stall and the coming weekend.

At Tony’s a smart lady was haggling over the price. She felt the Portuguese was cheating her out of some hard-earned money. So, they went through the list of groceries once again, proving that Tony had been right all along. There were no excuses given, after all, it was her customer’s right to demand fair treatment and that was all she was asking. I was grateful that Tony had been right all along, but I was also happy to see this yuppie dressed in the sporty jacket of her political party standing up for her good right as shopper and client. It was all in the cool atmosphere of free and fair trading early Saturday calm. The husband was watching as attentively as I was. No hard word, no hard feelings either. Rather grown-ups going about their business, practicing communication across the piled-up groceries and other boundaries. It went well and again I was a happy customer. Finishing off my weekly shopping spree.

Tony still told me, that there’s a neighbor of mine, who’s defaulted on his municipality payments and is bound to lose his house in the next few days. As always, he was mostly interested in the selling price and he was planning to join the auction, when that property would be sold off to the highest bidder. The evaluation gave 2,2 million as a guideline, but Tony expected it to go for a million less. However, the arrears of some 150k needed to be added to that still. It’s a sign of the times. People not being able to pay their bills, losing their jobs and having to move out of their homes. Hardship even on a beautiful weekend like ours. I presume that the prospering taxi-owner up my street will take up this vacated property. His stand is now entirely under roof as he finds shelter for his ever-growing fleet of slick cars and drivers. I can imagine, that he’ll be glad to get this adjacent property under his name and roof too.

Driving home I reflected on these varying stories and I drove up my street to have a look at the home for sale. It was as Tony had indicated. As I was turning back again, a couple in their best years – i.e. about my age! – was walking briskly in their running shoes, colouful T-shirts and track-suit longs doing stretches and swinging their arms enthusiastically. We greeted friendly and exchanged some cordial words before they continued their morning stroll. They obviously were having a good time too, walking in their part of town, at peace with the world and in this society.

See all of these people – except the one losing his house – are black Africans, whom I met this morning. And for them too it is obviously a happy Saturday as they too go about their weekend at peace. We are part of this one South African community, trying to go about our business and making things work out – for ourselves and together too. It’s not always easy, but there are beautiful days too. Life is a great gift and the world is still a wonderful and sometimes even stunning place. So, with the help of God, we look forward to a bright future, because he’s in this with us and we thank God from whom all blessings like peace, good government, neighbours and business, friends and family, jobs and calling, flow. To him be glory every day anew: Hallelujah +

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Oculi: 3rd Sunday in Lent +

Posted on March 17, 2017 by Wilhelm Weber

Watchword from the gospel of the evangelist St.Luke chapter 9: “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” [Verse 62]

Introit Psalm 34

I will extol the Lord at all times; 

    his praise will always be on my lips.

2 I will glory in the Lord;

    let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

3 Glorify the Lord with me;

    let us exalt his name together.

4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me;

    he delivered me from all my fears.

5 Those who look to him are radiant;

    their faces are never covered with shame.

6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;

    he saved him out of all his troubles.

7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,

    and he delivers them.

8 Taste and see that the Lord is good;

    blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

9 Fear the Lord, you his holy people,

    for those who fear him lack nothing.

10 The lions may grow weak and hungry,

    but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

11 Come, my children, listen to me;

    I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

12 Whoever of you loves life

    and desires to see many good days,

13 keep your tongue from evil

    and your lips from telling lies.

14 Turn from evil and do good;

    seek peace and pursue it.

15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,

    and his ears are attentive to their cry;

16 but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil,

    to blot out their name from the earth.

17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;

    he delivers them from all their troubles.

18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted

    and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

19 The righteous person may have many troubles,

    but the Lord delivers him from them all;

20 he protects all his bones,

    not one of them will be broken.

21 Evil will slay the wicked;

    the foes of the righteous will be condemned.

22 The Lord will rescue his servants;

    no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

 God’s holy Word from the first book of Kings the nineteenth chapter:  Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.” Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.“ Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” He looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the LORD came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?“ He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.“ Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Verses 1-8 (9-13)

The epistle of St. Paul to the Ephesians the fifth chapter:  Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.  Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person– such a man is an idolater– has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.  Therefore do not be partners with them.  For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  (1-8a)

The holy Gospel accourding to the evangelist St. Luke the ninth chapter: As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”  Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”  He said to another man, “Follow me.” But the man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.“ Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God. (57-62)

The sermon is based on the holy Gospel accourding to the evangelist St. Mark the twelfth chapter: Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” (41-44) Here is my sermon preached in Wittenberg (Mpumalanga) this morning: 

The liturgical colour is violet.

A collect for this Sunday: Heavenly Father, you sent your Son to us and laid on him the burden of the cross that we might see and know the glory of your holy love. Grant that our faith in him may not be shaken by adversity or daunted by the threat of it, but that we may ever follow steadfastly the way that leads to perfect fellowship with him, and so with you; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. (Dobberstein Pg. 83)

Hymn of the week

“May God Bestow on Us His Grace” by Martin Luther, 1483-1546

  1. May God bestow on us His grace,

With blessings rich provide us,

And may the brightness of His face

To life eternal guide us

That we His saving health may know,

His gracious will and pleasure,

And also to the heathen show

Christ’s riches without measure

And unto God convert them.

 

  1. Thine over all shall be the praise

And thanks of every nation,

And all the world with joy shall raise

The voice of exultation;

For Thou shalt judge the earth, O Lord,

Nor suffer sin to flourish;

Thy people’s pasture is Thy Word

Their souls to feed and nourish,

In righteous paths to keep them.

 

  1. Oh, let the people praise Thy worth,

In all good works increasing;

The land shall plenteous fruit bring forth,

Thy Word is rich in blessing.

May God the Father, God the Son,

And God the Spirit bless us!

Let all theworld praise Him alone,

Let solemn awe possess us.

Hymn 500  The Lutheran Hymnal Text: Ps. 67 Author: Martin Luther, 1524 Translated by: Richard Massie, 1851, alt. Titled: “Es wolle Gott uns gnädig sein”

If you are called to preach this weekend, may the triune God give you joy and strength, enthusiasm and wisdom, knowledge and insight – and the true words and pictures to preach his holy will faithfully accourding to his most precious revelation of his will and promises in both the Old and New Testament! However, if you are not preaching, but listening – then listen as if God is talking to you + His precious gospel is “the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” (Romans 1:16f)

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Lentensermon: Mt.26,31-46

Posted on March 16, 2017 by Wilhelm Weber

Here is my sermon on the gospel of St. Matthew 26, 31-46 to read (Mt26,31-46 PA 2017) and to listen to in German () and in English ().

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Reminiscere: 2nd Sunday in Lent +

Posted on March 10, 2017 by Wilhelm Weber

Watchword from St. Paul’s letter to the Romans chapter 5: “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” [Verse 8]

Psalm 10: Why standest thou afar off, O Lord? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble? The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined. For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth. The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them. He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity. His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity. He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor. He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net. He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones. He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.  Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble. Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it. Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless. Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none. The Lord is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land. Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear: To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.

God’s holy Word through his prophet Isaiah the fifth chapter:  I will sing for the one I love a song about his vineyard: My loved one had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. He dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well. Then he looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit. “Now you dwellers in Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard.  What more could have been done for my vineyard than I have done for it? When I looked for good grapes, why did it yield only bad?  Now I will tell you what I am going to do to my vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it will be destroyed; I will break down its wall, and it will be trampled.  I will make it a wasteland, neither pruned nor cultivated, and briers and thorns will grow there. I will command the clouds not to rain on it.”  The vineyard of the LORD Almighty is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are the garden of his delight. And he looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard cries of distress. (1-7)

The epistle of St. Paul to the Romans the fifth chapter:  Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.  You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!  For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!  Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. (1-11)

The holy Gospel accourding to the evangelist St. Mark the twelfth chapter: He then began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and went away on a journey.  At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. But they seized him, beat him and sent him away empty-handed.  Then he sent another servant to them; they struck this man on the head and treated him shamefully.  He sent still another, and that one they killed. He sent many others; some of them they beat, others they killed.  “He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved. He sent him last of all, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’  “But the tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’  So they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard.  “What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others.  Haven’t you read this scripture: “‘The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?” Then they looked for a way to arrest him because they knew he had spoken the parable against them. But they were afraid of the crowd; so they left him and went away.

The sermon is based on the holy Gospel accourding to St. Matthew the twelfth chapter: Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

The liturgical colour is violet.

A collect for this Sunday: O God, You see that of ourselves we have no strength. By Your mighty power defend us from all adversities that may happen to the body and from all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. (LSB Pastoral Care Companion Pg. 548)

When in the Hour of Deepest Need by: Paul Eber

  1. When in the hour of deepest need
    We know not where to look for aid;
    When days and nights of anxious thought
    No help or counsel yet have brought,
  2. Our comfort then is this alone:
    That we may meet before your throne
    And cry to you, O faithful God,
    For rescue from our sorry lot.
  3. For you have made a promise true
    To pardon those who flee to you,
    Through him whose name alone is great,
    Our Savior and our advocate.
  4. And so we come, O God, today
    And all our woes before you lay;
    For sorely tried, cast down, we stand,
    Perplexed by fears on every hand.
  5. Oh, from our sins hide not your face;
    Absolve us through your boundless grace!
    Be with us in our anguish still!
    Free us at last from every ill!
  6. So we with all our hearts each day
    To you our glad thanksgiving pay,
    Then walk obedient to your Word,
    And now and ever praise you, Lord.

Hymn # 428  Lutheran Worship Author: Louis Bourgeois
Tune: Wenn Wir In Hochsten Noten Sein 1st Published in: 1547

If you are called to preach this weekend, may the triune God give you joy and strength, enthusiasm and wisdom, knowledge and insight – and the true words and pictures to preach his holy will faithfully accourding to his most precious revelation of his will and promises in both the Old and New Testament! However, if you are not preaching, but listening – then listen as if God is talking to you + His precious gospel is “the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” (Romans 1:16f)

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Matins in the morning

Posted on March 10, 2017 by Wilhelm Weber

tempelreinigung2

Here is the sermon held by Pastor Tony Oliphant (Ndlovu) during Matins yesterday: John 2 13-22 Sermon TOliphant

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Confessional Sermon

Posted on March 8, 2017 by Wilhelm Weber

Here is this morning’s sermon by Professor J.T. Pless (CTS Fort Wayne) held during our confession and absolution service in the chapel of St.Timothy at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane: JT Pless Wednesday in Lent I 8 March 2017

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Last Sunday before Lent: Estomihi

Posted on February 24, 2017 by Wilhelm Weber

Watchword: “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished.” (Lk.18,31)

Introit from Psalm 31: In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me. For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me. Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength. Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth. I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the Lord. I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities; And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room. Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly…

God’s holy Word by his prophet Amos the fifth chapter: “I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies.  Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps.  But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! (21-24)

 The epistle by the apostle St. Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians the thirteenth chapter:  Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

The holy gospel according to the evangelist St. Mark the eighth and ninth chapter  He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.  32 He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.  33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”  34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.  36 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?  37 Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?  38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

The sermon is based on the gospel according to the evangelist St. Luke the 10 chapter: Now it came to pass, as they went, that Jesus entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Together with the Christian Church we pray a collect for this Sunday Estomihi: Most loving Father, whose will it is for us to give thanks for all things, to fear nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our care on you who care for us: Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which you have manifest to us in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (Dobberstein Pg. 78)

Sing Praise to God, the Highest Good
By: Johann J. Schutz

Sing praise to God, the highest good,
The author of creation,
The God of love who understood
Our need for his salvation.
With healing balm our souls he fills
And every faithless murmur stills:
To God all praise and glory!

What God’s almighty power has made,
In mercy he is keeping;
By morning glow or evening shade
His eye is never sleeping;
Within the kingdom of his might
All things are just and good and right:
To God all praise and glory!

We sought the Lord in our distress;
O God, in mercy hear us.
Our Savior saw our helplessness
And came with peace to cheer us.
For this we thank and praise the Lord,
Who is by one and all adored:
To God all praise and glory!

All who confess Christ’s holy name,
Give God the praise and glory.
Let all who know his power proclaim
Aloud the wondrous story.
Cast every idol from its throne,
For God is God, and he alone:
To God all praise and glory!

Hymn # 452  Lutheran Worship Author: Melchior Vulpius
Tune: Lot Gott den Herren, ihr Heiden all…  1st Published in: 1673

The liturgical colour is green.

If you are called to preach this weekend, may the triune God give you joy and strength, enthusiasm and wisdom, knowledge and insight – and the true words and pictures to preach his holy will faithfully accourding to his most precious revelation of his will and promises in both the Old and New Testament! However, if you are not preaching, but listening – then listen as if God is talking to you + His precious gospel is “the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” (Rom 1:16)

 

 

 

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Sexagesimae: 2nd Sunday before Lent

Posted on February 17, 2017 by Wilhelm Weber

Watchword from Hebrews 3:15:  “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”

Introit from Psalm 119: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope. Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually. (104.114.116-117)

Together with the Christian Church we pray a collect for Sexagesimae: O God, the strength of all who put their trust in You, mercifully grant that by Your power we may be defended against all adversity; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (LSB Altar Book Pg. 865)

God’s holy Word by the prophet Isaiah the fifty-fifth chapter: As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,  so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (10-12a)

The holy epistle to the Hebrews the fourth chapter:  For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (12-13)

The holy Gospel according to the evangelist St. Luke the eight chapter: While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” When he said this, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” (4-8)

God’s holy Word for the sermon is from the evangelist St. Mark the fourth chapter. Jesus also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come. (26-29: The Parable of the growing seed)

 

Hymn of the week:

  1. Lord Jesus Christ, with us abide,
    For round us falls the eventide;
    Nor let Thy Word, that heavenly light,
    For us be ever veiled in night.
  2. In these last days of sore distress
    Grant us, dear Lord, true steadfastness
    That pure we keep, till life is spent,
    Thy holy Word and Sacrament.
  3. Lord Jesus, help, Thy Church uphold,
    For we are sluggish, thoughtless, cold.
    Oh, prosper well Thy Word of grace
    And spread its truth in every place!
  4. Oh, keep us in Thy Word, we pray;
    The guile and rage of Satan stay!
    Oh, may Thy mercy never cease!
    Give concord, patience, courage, peace.
  5. O God, how sin’s dread works abound!
    Throughout the earth no rest is found,
    And falsehood’s spirit wide has spread,
    And error boldly rears its head.
  6. The haughty spirits, Lord, restrain
    Who o’er Thy Church with might would reign
    And always set forth something new,
    Devised to change Thy doctrine true.
  7. And since the cause and glory, Lord,
    Are Thine, not ours, to us afford
    Thy help and strength and constancy.
    With all our heart we trust in Thee.
  8. A trusty weapon is Thy Word,
    Thy Church’s buckler, shield and sword.
    Oh, let us in its power confide
    That we may seek no other guide!
  9. Oh, grant that in Thy holy Word
    We here may live and die, dear Lord;
    And when our journey endeth here,
    Receive us into glory there.

The Lutheran Hymnal Hymn #292  Text: Luke 24:29
Nikolaus Selnecker (1532-1592) and Philipp Melanchton (1497-1560) Translated by F.Samuel Janzow 1913-2001.

The liturgical colour is green.

If you are called to preach this weekend, may the triune God give you joy and strength, enthusiasm and wisdom, knowledge and insight – and the true words and pictures to preach his holy will faithfully accourding to his most precious revelation of his will and promises in both the Old and New Testament! However, if you are not preaching, but listening – then listen as if God is talking to you + His precious gospel is “the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” (Rom 1:16)

 

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