Matins in the morning

Posted on October 20, 2016 by Wilhelm Weber

Please find this morning’s sermon preached in the chapel of St.Timothy at the Lutheran Theological Seminary on Romans 14:4-12 to read (draft-rom1413-21-matins) and to listen to: 

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Matins in the morning

Posted on October 19, 2016 by Wilhelm Weber

 

Here is Pastor Edward Engelbrecht’s (LCMS South Illinois District) sermon preached during yesterday’s Matins in the chapel of St.Timothy at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane (Pretoria, South Africa) on the apostle Saint Paul’s 2nd letter to Timothy the first five verses of chapter 2: cfupkdkqk33hfmx3djg56huczbhotswb_chapel-2tm-2_tuesday-october-18-pdf_pdoc

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Lessons for the 21st Sunday after Trinity

Posted on October 14, 2016 by Wilhelm Weber

The watchword from the holy apostle St. Paul’s letter to the Romans: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (12:21)

The Introit for this Sunday is from Psalm 19: “The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. (9-14 KJV)

God’s holy Word written by the holy prophet Jeremiah in the 29 chapter: “This is the text of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders among the exiles and to the priests, the prophets and all the other people Nebuchadnezzar had carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.  2 (This was after King Jehoiachin and the queen mother, the court officials and the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen and the artisans had gone into exile from Jerusalem.)  3 He entrusted the letter to Elasah son of Shaphan and to Gemariah son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to King Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon. It said:  4 This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:  5 “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.  6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease.  7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”  8 Yes, this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have.  9 They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the LORD.  10 This is what the LORD says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place.  11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  14 I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” (29:1.4-7.10-14)

The Epistle lesson is from Ephesians in the 6th chapter: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,  15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (verses 10-17)

The holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ as recorded by the holy evangelist St. Matthew in the 5th chapter: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’  39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.  40 And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.  41 If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.  42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.  43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?  48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (verses 38-48)

Together with the holy Christian Church we pray a collect for this Sunday: O God, our refuge and strength, the author of all godliness, hear the devout prayers of Your Church, especially in times of persecution, and grant that what we ask in faith we may obtain; through Jesus Christ Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Spirit one God now and forever. Amen.

The hymn for this week is from the Evangelical Hymnal 273:

German Text (verses in bold print set by Bach)

English Translation

1

Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh’ darein
Und lass’ dich des erbarmen,
Wie wenig sind der Heil’gen dein,
Verlassen sind wir Armen:
Dein Wort man laesst nicht haben wahr,
Der Glaub’ ist auch verloschen gar
Bei allen Menschenkindern.

Ah God, look down from heaven
and still have mercy on us,
how few are the saints that belong to you,
we poor wretches are forsaken.
People simply will not accept your word as truth,
faith is also fading away
among all mankind.

2

Sie lehren eitel falsche List,
Was eigner Witz erfindet;
Ihr Herz nicht eines Sinnes ist,
In Gottes Wort gegründet.
Der wählet dies, der andre das,
Sie trennen uns ohn’ alle Mass’
Und gleißen schön von außen.

They teach vain, false cunning,
the invention of their own wit.
Their hearts are not of one mind,
based on God’s word.
One choooses this, another that,
they cause endless divisions amongst us
and have a fine outward gleam.

3

Gott woll’ ausrotten alle Lehr’r,
Die falschen Schein uns lehren,
Dazu ihr’ Zung’ stolz offenbar
Spricht Trotz, wer will’s uns wehren?
Wir haben Recht und Macht allein,
Was wir setzen, das gilt gemein;
Wer ist, der uns soll meistern?

May it be God’s will to root out all the teachers
who teach us false appearances.
For this purpose their tongues arrogantly and openly
speak defiance: “Who will oppose us ?
We alone have right and power.
What we set up is commonly accepted.
Who is there who should be master over us?”

4

Darum spricht Gott: Ich muß auf sein,
Die Armen sind verstöret,
Ihr Seufzen dringt zu mir herein,
Ich hab’ ihr’ Klag’ erhöret.
Mein heilsam Wort soll auf den Plan,
Getrost und frisch sie greifen an
Und sein die Kraft der Armen.

Therefore God speaks: “I must take action,
the poor are bewildered.
Their sighs pierce through to me,
I have heard their lamentation.
My healing word shall according to my plan
bring them consolation and relief
and be the strength of the poor.

5

Das Silber durch’s Feuer siebenmal
Bewaehrt, wird lauter funden:
Am Gottes Wort man warten soll
Desgleichen alle Stunden:
Es will durch’s Kreuz bewaehret sein,
Da wird sein’ Kraft erkannt und Schein
Und leucht’t stark in die Lande.

Silver by fire seven times tested
is found to be pure.
We should in the same way wait for God’s word
at all times:
through the cross it will be tested,
in this way its power
and glory will be known and it shine strongly.

6

Das wollst du, Gott, bewahren rein
Fuer deisem argen G’schlechte,
Und lass uns dir befohlen sein,
Das sich’s in uns nicht flechte,
Der gottlos’ Hauf’ sich umher findt,
Wo diese lose Leute sind
In deinem Volk erhaben.

May you , God, keep pure that [Word]
in the face of this evil generation
that we may entrust ourselves to you,
so that nothing in us may twist it.
The godless crowd surounds us
where such mischievous characters
are exalted among your people.

And the Bach Cantate for this hymn is from BWV 2: Ach Gott vom Himmel sieh darein …

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Matins in the morning

Posted on October 13, 2016 by Wilhelm Weber

Today’s sermon on Acts 20:7-12 is available here to read: draft-ac207-12-matins and to listen to: 

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Confessional at St.Timothy’s

Posted on October 12, 2016 by Wilhelm Weber

Here’s this morning’s confessional “Where the Lord leads, blessings follow” preached by Pastor Ed Engelbrecht on Exodus 16:16-30 in the chapel of St.Timothy at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane: confessional-ex-1616ff-engelbrecht

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Holiday of St. Michaels and all Angels (29th September)

Posted on September 30, 2016 by Wilhelm Weber

The watchword for St. Michael and all Angels: The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. (Psalm 34:7 KJV)

Introit is from Psalm 103:  “The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.” (Psalm 103:19-22)

God’s holy Word from the Old Testament is recorded in the book Joshua chapter 5: “And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? And the captain of the LORD’S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.” (Jos 5:13-6:1 KJV)

The Epistle lesson is Revelations chapter 12 (This is the sermon text): “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them.”  (Rev 12:7-12a KJV)

 The holy Gospel according the evangelist Saint Luke chapter 10: “And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” (Luk 10:17-20 KJV)

Together with the holy Christian Church we pray a collect for this Holiday: Everlasting God, You have ordained and constituted the service of angels and men in a wonderful order. Mercifully grant that, as Your holy angels always serve and worship You in heaven, so by Your appointment they may also help and defend us here on earth; through Jesus Christ Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit one God now and forever. Amen.

 

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Matins in the morning: St.Michaels

Posted on September 29, 2016 by Wilhelm Weber

Here is this morning’s sermon for St.Michaels and all Angels preached during Matins in the chapel of St. Timothy at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane: draft-rev127-12a-matins. Here’s the audio too: 

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Lessons for the 18th Sunday after Trinity

Posted on September 23, 2016 by Wilhelm Weber

The watchword for the 18th Sunday after Trinity: And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. (1Jo 4:21 NIV)

Introit is from Psalm 122:  “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together: Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord. For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good.” (Psalm 122)

God’s holy Word from the Old Testament is recorded in the 2nd book of Moses chapter 20: “And God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s. (Exodus 20:1-17)

The Epistle lesson is by the apostle Saint Paul to the Romans chapter 14: “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” (Romans 14:17-19)

The holy Gospel according the evangelist Saint Mark chapter 12:“And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.” (Mark 12:28-34)

 Together with the holy Christian Church we pray a collect for this Sunday: O God, forasmuch as without Thee we are not able to please Thee, mercifully grant that Thy Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Spirit one God now and forever. Amen.

Hymn for this week:  “Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart” by Martin Schalling, 1532-1608 translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1829-1878

1. Lord, Thee I love with all my heart;
I pray Thee ne’er from me depart,
With tender mercies cheer me.
Earth has no pleasure I would share,
Yea, heaven itself were void and bare
If Thou, Lord, wert not near me.
And should my heart for sorrow break,
My trust in Thee no one could shake.
Thou art the Portion I have sought;
Thy precious blood my soul has bought.
Lord Jesus Christ,
My God and Lord, my God and Lord,
Forsake me not! I trust Thy Word.

2. Yea, Lord, ’twas Thy rich bounty gave
My body, soul, and all I have
In this poor life of labor.
Lord, grant that I in every place
May glorify Thy lavish grace
And serve and help my neighbor.
Let no false doctrine me beguile
And Satan not my soul defile.
Give strength and patience unto me
To bear my cross and follow Thee.
Lord Jesus Christ,
My God and Lord, my God and Lord,
In death Thy comfort still afford.

3. Lord, let at last Thine angels come,
To Abram’s bosom bear me home,
That I may die unfearing;
And in its narrow chamber keep
My body safe in peaceful sleep
Until Thy reappearing.
And then from death awaken me
That these mine eyes with joy may see,
O Son of God, Thy glorious face,
My Savior and my Fount of grace,
Lord Jesus Christ,
My prayer attend, my prayer attend,
And I will praise Thee without end.

Hymn #429 from The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Psalm 18
Author: Martin Schalling, c. 1567
Translated by: Catherine Winkworth, 1863, alt.
Titled: “Herzlich lieb hab’ ich dich, o Herr”
Tune: “Herzlich lieb hab’ ich dir, o Herr”
1st Published in: Berhnard Schmid’s Orgelbuch
Town: Strassburg, 1577

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Matins in the morning

Posted on September 22, 2016 by Wilhelm Weber

Here’s this morning’s sermon preached during Matins in St.Timothy’s chapel at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane: draft1co917-19-matins-2016 and to listen to: 

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Review: Equality of believers

Posted on September 16, 2016 by Wilhelm Weber

Here’s my review of Richard Elphick, 2012: “The equality of  believers. Protestant missionaries and the racial politics of South Africa.” review-equality-of-believers

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