Herrenhuter readings for Saturday, the 27th February 2106.

Posted on February 27, 2016 by Wilhelm Weber

King David prays: „Now therefore let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may be before thee for ever: for thou blessest, O Lord, and it shall be blessed for ever.“ (1 Chronicle 17:27) The apostle St. Peter writes in his first epistle: „Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.“ (1 Peter 3:9)

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you +

Dear friends of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ + It’s something that strikes me very much as I go about my daily routine wearing a collar. People will ask me for a blessing. That’s not just at the Gym in Hatfield: „Pastor, bless my weekend!“, but also at the filling station or at the office. Seems as if the people are starting to belief that the pastors, deans and bishops have a special blessing to give. Strange really or is it?

Well, firstly me calling for a blessing does show that I myself don’t have it in my own power to just grab of have it as my own. It depends on the giver. He is the one, who gives. So it is a sign of empty hands in the first place. That’s the positive side perhaps – if there is any.

Secondly they associate the blessing with the collar rather than with my person. That’s good too, but a friend of mine – and old missionary – noticed that in some churches the bishop does throughout the service, but gets up to do the blessing at the end. That’s his special gift to the congregation. Some even receive it with the laying on of hands too. It’s supposed to be extra powerful if it comes from the bishop or archbishop. That of course is misleading. It’s not the one, who speaks the blessing, but rather in whose authority, calling and command he does it. That’s why in the Lutheran church it is emphasized: „I in the stead and command of our Lord Jesus Christ as a called and ordained servant of the Word…“ That’s not by some special character of my own, but rather on behalf and in the stead of…“ Another reason, why we Lutheran bishops and pastors concentrate on the preaching of the Word of God and the administration of his most holy and precious sacraments and the blessing is gone by the pastor loci. See, Christ calls all his faithful followers light and salt of the earth. They are a blessing to this world – not just the bearers of this or that office in the church. In the description of the office of the ministry the service with God’s Word and sacrament are mentioned. They are the instruments through which God creates saving faith wherever and whenever he wants it in those, who hear his word and receive his sacraments. They are the treasures of the Church. They are the efficacious means of grace for those receiving them – independent of the faith and status of the servant & minister. We ministers, pastors, missionaries and evangelists, teachers and bishops are just like the faithful manager, who distributes the gifts of his master at the given time. From his treasures we give freely and that which he has entrusted to us. „Gold and silver we do not have…“, that you would seek in vain from us, yet, what we do have is the Word of the Lord and his sacraments. Those are the true treasures of the Church. They that transport and deliver the forgiveness of God, his grace and good favour. His salvation from sin, death and devil. His deliverance from all evil. These are great and wonderful gifts, but not so much to be confused with the diving blessings and gifts of this world. They belong more or less into the realm of the created world, the first article of faith and not so much into the second and third article of our Justification and Sanctification.

Therefore it is crucial to remember that God gives his blessings of this created world, daily bread, preservation and flourishing to all people – good and bad. Not just Christians or those especially worthy and needy! No, without any worthiness or merit on my part. Sometimes the Christians even lack these basic blessings in this world that is a serious afflication and can be tough suffering. Many Christians are thus severely tested in their faith: Why do the godless prosper so and the faithful go through such deep waters? (cf. Ps. 37 and 73) Still, we know from God’s word that, he does all to our best and ultimate benefit and salvation. So even if we are deprived of this and that earthy, material, worldly blessing it’s not to harm us in the final analysis, but rather to strengthen our faith and trust in him, who is our all and everything. „If we have but him, we don’t ask for heaven or earth!“ and „His gracious and enduring love, grace and mercy is even better than life!“ Now, the unfaithful can never get that. They think they are but just shortchanged if they miss out on this or that – and if they have material goods in abundance, they credit themselves for it. Selfish, stupid and having seeing eyes, they are blind as moles! For God will even use the most gracious blessings against them, if they were not utlized to strengthen the saving faith in him alone, to love, trust and fear him above all else.

Many see blessings as the ultimate goal, whereas it’s just a means of God to attract us to believe and confide in him alone and more than in anything else. Wherever however the creature is more adored and worshipped than the creator, there the blessings become the noose, which hangs the recepient in the end.

Our readings this morning emphasize something else. Firstly God’s blessings truly hit home. They find their aim. They do, what he intends. Those that he blesses, will be blessed forever. And that is why our yearing for blessing is not altogether misguided. Still we should remember that God himself is the highest good. He is more than all of his creation and through this he wants to draw us closer to himself. The ultimate blessing is to be with him in eternity.

We who are called and elected by God in our baptism already, who have received the blessings of his holy Word and sacraments throughout our lives, we should not doubt, that we are very blessed indeed and that we don’t miss out so much, but rather are most priviledged and honoured, so that we can overcome hardship and enmity and even discrimination, because we are heirs of an eternal inheritance, which shall never fade and which will see us filled with joy, gratitude and peace forever. There will be no shortage whatsover and no feeling of being put to shame or being cheated ever. That’s why even now, we can already overcome the curses of our enemies with blessing and persecution and violent evil with goodness, kindness and friendliness. Where this happens God is already proving his true majesty and glory even in his most lowely servants and least acknowledged followers in this world. Let us remember to bless and not curse. It’s the will of our Father.

Thanks, praise and mercy be to him, our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns together with the Father and the Holy Spirit – one God – now and forever. Amen.

The peace of the Lord be with you always + Amen.

  1. Come thou fount of every blessing
    Tune my heart to sing thy grace
    Streams of mercy never ceasing
    Call for songs of loudest praise
  2. Teach me some melodious sonnet
    Sung by flaming tongues above
    I’ll praise the mount I’m fixed upon it
    Mount of thy redeeming love
  3. Here I raise my Ebenezer
    Hither by thy help I come
    And I hope by thy good pleasure
    Safely to arrive at home
  4. Jesus sought me when a stranger
    Wondering from the fold of God
    He, to rescue me from danger
    Interposed His precious blood
  5. O to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be!
    Let thy goodness like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to thee
    Prone to wander Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love
    Here’s my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above

Music:  John Wyeth arranged By:  Jenna Mosley

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Looking forward to Sunday …

Posted on February 26, 2016 by Wilhelm Weber
Oculi mei semper ad Dominum…

Coming up is the 3rd Sunday during lent: “Okuli mei semper ad Dominum” (Ps.25:15-16)

My eyes are forever turned towards the Lord; for he shall release my feet from the snare; look upon me and have mercy on me, for I am abandoned and destitute. Unto you, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul; O my God, I trust in you, let me not be put to shame.

The Collect for Sunday is a great one:

Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which 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. Amen.

Watchword for Oculi 26th February 2016 from the St.Luke: “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” [Luke 9:62] 

1 Kings 19:1-13  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.

Ephesians 5:1-8  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. 

Luke 9:57-62  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.

Hymn of the week from The Lutheran Hymnal 152: When o’er my sins I sorrow…

  1. When o’er my sins I sorrow,
    O my Lord Jesus Christ,
    Be hence my comfort borrowed:
    Thy death hath paid the price;
    Yea, Lord, Thy precious blood was spilt
    For me, O most unworthy,
    To take away my guilt.
  2. Oh, what a marv’lous off’ring!
    Behold, the Master spares
    His servants, and their suff’ring
    And grief for them He bears.
    God stoopeth from His throne on high;
    For me, His guilty creature,
    He deigns as man to die.
  3. My manifold transgression
    Henceforth can harm me none
    Since Jesus’ bloody Passion
    For me God’s grace hath won.
    His precious blood my debts hath paid;
    Of hell and all its torments
    I am no more afraid.
  4. Therefore I will forever
    Give glory unto Thee,
    O Jesus, loving Savior,
    For what Thou didst for me
    I’ll spend my breath in songs of thanks
    For Thy sad cry, Thy suff’rings,
    Thy wrongs, Thy guiltless death.
  5. Lord, let Thy woes, Thy patience,
    My heart with strength inspire
    To vanquish all temptations
    And spurn all base desire.
    This thought I fain would cherish most:
    What pain my soul’s redemption
    Hath Thee, O Savior, cost.
  6. My cross and mine afflictions,
    E’en scorn and shameful rod,
    Help me to bear with patience;
    Grant, O my Lord and God,
    That I this sinful world forsake
    And follow Thine example,
    Which Thou dost bid me take.
  7. And let me do to others
    As Thou hast done to me:
    Love all men as my brothers
    And serve them willingly,
    With ready heart, nor seek my own,
    But as Thou, Lord, hast helped us,
    From purest love alone.
  8. And let Thy cross upbear me
    With strength, when I depart;
    Tell me that nought can tear me
    From my Redeemer’s heart,
    But since my trust is in Thy grace
    Thou wilt accept me yonder,
    Where I shall see Thy face!

Wenn meine Sünd mich kränken Justus Gesenius, 1646 Tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1863, alt. Source: Sts. 1–4, The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, No. 152 Sts. 5, 7, Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-Book, 1927, No. 197 St. 6, tr. Christopher J. Neuendorf, 2015St. 8, Chorale Book for England, 1863, No. 48

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Passionsandacht in St.Pauls

Posted on February 26, 2016 by Wilhelm Weber

Hier ist meine Passionsandacht zum Lied 77 von Hermann Bonnus: “O wir armen Sünder unsere Missetat…” zum Lesen: O wir armen Sünder

und zum Hören: 

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Matins in the morning: Lk.12,2-12

Posted on February 25, 2016 by Wilhelm Weber

Here’s this mornings sermon held at Matins on the gospel of St.Luke 12:2-12 to read: Lk12,2-12 Matins 2016.2 and to listen to: 

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Herrenhuter readings for Wednesday, the 24th February 2016

Posted on February 24, 2016 by Wilhelm Weber

King David prays: “Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.” (Psa 51:11 NIV) And the apostle St.Paul writes: “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1Th 5:9 NIV)

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you + now and always +

Dear friends of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ: The prayer of King David reminds us this morning of the terrible possibility that we’re cast from the presence of God and that his Holy Spirit is taken from us. The terror of this option is unimaginable. Even looking through the illustrations of Dante’s “Inferno” by Doré can’t get near to the horror and trepidation of this isolation and desertion. Homesickness is but a weak reflection of this utter desperation as is any illness with the most sickening feeling of weakness, nauseousness, pain and agony. The frightening awfulness of a stricken conscience probably comes closest to this. Knowing that I’m in the wrong and God is out to get me, punish and strike me with condemnation and all out attack, to strike me down and to wipe me out and off from the community of the living in his vitalizing and favorable presence.  That’s much worse still than even the expulsion from paradise was, because then God’s punishing hand was stayed by the promise of the coming Messiah and the hope of coming reprove. In comparison with the verdict then the final condemnation will be without leniency and utter despair. Then it was the bad news: “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.” (Gen 3:17-19 NIV) Still, that was not final and there was hope of eventual rest and reprieve. Yet the final cut-off with the damning words: “Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.” (Mat 25:11-12 NIV) will be truly desperate news. The “depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Mat 25:41 NIV) will know no acquittal nor amnesty ever. Rather his negative verdict and punishment: “Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Mat 22:13 NIV) and “He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Mat 24:51 NIV) knows no end. It’s painful and sore and suffering beyond anything we know: Eternal damnation! That is why king David pleads, don’t deal with me as I deserve. Rather have mercy and think of your own goodness and forgiving love and fatherly compassion. Taking me away from your presence and leaving me without the gift of your Holy Spirit are cutting off my life-blood and the very goal of my existence. Without you I am nothing. Your grace (Chesed) is better even than life. You are all and everything.

The truly good news is summarized in apostles St.Paul’s sentence to the Thessalonians: “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1Th 5:9 NIV) See, it’s God’s good and gracious will that we be not lost, but saved. He doesn’t want the sinner to die in his sin, but rather that he repent and turn from his evil ways and be converted to God’s good and healing ways. God did not create us people to suffer wrath or final condemnation, rather he wants us to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. That is why he is so ready to forgive sins. That’s why he sent out prophets, apostles, evangelists, missionaries, pastors, bishops, teachers and many, many more carriers of his good tidings. They all do and teach, what the Lord of all himself taught and entrusted them to do: Teaching, baptizing, making disciples, winning souls for Christ. That’s why the triune God still goes all out even today to call and invite and bring in people from the very ends of the earth, from the most stubborn nations like the Germans, the Zulu and the Oromo , Indians, Arabs and Chinese into the sanctuary and apothecary of his church – handing out medicine of healing, pardon of sin, gracious favour to cover up the multitude of our iniquities. Forgiving, remitting, writing off debt, granting instead gifts of grace, love, mercy and peace. Changing our fear, hatred, rebellion, vice and crime into trust, hope, faith and love. There is still room. There is still time. It is still day time. The mission is still going on. There still are far too many unreached. They too are to hear this delightful and encouraging gospel of the apostle St.Paul: “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1Th 5:9 NIV) The example of king David, who was forgiven for murder and adultery by the prophet Nathan in the stead and by the command of our Lord and God, is to encourage us to put all our hope and faith in the triune God. He is the one, who can save us. He has done it already and we are forever grateful for his mercy. He will finish the good work too. Therefore we thank and praise him now and always. Amen.

The peace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ be with you always + Amen.

  1.  Jesus sinners doth receive;
    Oh, may all this saying ponder
    Who in sin’s delusions live
    And from God and heaven wander!
    Here is hope for all who grieve–
    Jesus sinners doth receive.

    2. We deserve but grief and shame,
    Yet His words, rich grace revealing,
    Pardon, peace, and life proclaim.
    Here their ills have perfect healing
    Who with humble hearts believe–
    Jesus sinners doth receive.

    3. Sheep that from the fold did stray
    No true shepherd e’er forsaketh:
    Weary souls that lost their way
    Christ, the Shepherd, gently taketh
    In His arms that they may live–
    Jesus sinners doth receive.

    4. Come, ye sinners, one and all,
    Come, accept His invitation;
    Come, obey His gracious call,
    Come and take His free salvation!
    Firmly in these words believe:
    Jesus sinners doth receive.

    5. I, a sinner, come to Thee
    With a penitent confession;
    Savior, mercy show to me
    Grant for all my sins remission.
    Let these words my soul relieve:
    Jesus sinners doth receive.

    6. Oh, how blest it is to know;
    Were as scarlet my transgression,
    It shall be as white as snow
    By Thy blood and bitter Passion:
    For these words I now believe:
    Jesus sinners doth receive.

    7. Now my conscience is at peace,
    From the Law I stand acquitted;
    Christ hath purchased my release
    And my every sin remitted.
    Naught remains my soul to grieve,–
    Jesus sinners doth receive.

    8. Jesus sinners doth receive.
    Also I have been forgiven;
    And when I this earth must leave,
    I shall find an open heaven.
    Dying, still to Him I cleave–
    Jesus sinners doth receive.

    Author: Erdmann Neumeister, 1718
    Titled: “Jesus nimmt die Sünder an”

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Morning prayer on Tuesday

Posted on February 23, 2016 by Wilhelm Weber

Here is Rev. Dr. Karl Böhmer’s sermon during this morning’s devotion in St.Timothy on Acts 5:27-32: Prayer in the Morning 2016.2.23 KB

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Herrenhuter readings for Tuesday, the 23rd February 2016

Posted on February 23, 2016 by Wilhelm Weber

For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations. (Isa 61:11 KJV) Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness.” (2Co 9:10 KJV)

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you + now and always +

Dear friends of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ: The budding of seeds in spring is a never-ending reason for amazement and awe. It’s fascinating to see the snow melt and the green grass shoots growing as far as the eye can see just as it is truly wonderful to see the desert blossom and bloom after good summer rains. Where previously there was just dust and sand and stones, you suddenly are welcomed with endless stretches of flowering profusion of beauty and lovely abundance. It’s all very much magnifying the glory of our God, the creator of all. Isn’t it reason for praise and adoration, that he has designed it so exquisitely and magnificently? That’s not just pragmatic utilitarianism, but much more. It doesn’t just work sustainably over centuries, but even in the most hidden corners and ends of the world – you find beauty,  splendor and divine brilliance in wide open spaces. Practically poured out on the empty wastelands. So rich, benevolent and magnanimous is our God. And if he takes care of the sparrows, how much more will he take care of you, who are so much more than those little brown birds of the sky? It is cause for great wonder and amazement too, how one seed can bring forth fruit 30, 60 and 100 fold. The millet, sorghum or corn seeds illustrate the ample and exponential multiplication of these grains just like the Jack tree, grape vine or potato plant.

The great prophet of the Old Testament Isaiah records God’s promise that he will let righteousness spring forth in a similar way like the flowers of the fields and the fruit even in the most desolate and dry places. Just like that miracle of seed sprouting as if out of nowhere, so too God’s righteousness will come up in places we would expect it least – like amongst sinners, enemies of God and the lost generations of this world. There amongst the unrighteous the living God, the creator of all, who calls that is not there and lets it be, who creates out of nothing and grants and bequests riches to the poor and have-nots – he promises to grant justice, righteousness and integrity where nothing of the same is present presently. God will do it by his creative productivity and the goodness and mercy of his fatherly benevolence and the overflowing generosity and gracious favour of his heart.

As we eat our daily bread, we should remember this divine amplitude and the bounty of his caring goodness, which is new every morning and day of our life. Just as he fills the empty storeroom after the abundant harvest of his gracious gifts, we should trust in him that he will fill our longing for righteousness and justice and lasting peace too – even as we are still seeing and experiencing so little of it as yet. Yet, because he is the almighty creator and gracious father of all, we should not give up hope, but rather take courage and look forward to the day, when after the dry winters and the hot spring winds of persecution, discrimination and injustice he will at last let righteousness, justice and peace flow like a large river bringing flourishing and plentitude to barren landscapes and turning deserts into flowering and blooming fields bringing forth much fruit and plenty rewards of his goodness, mercy and favour. Orphans and widows will receive help. Refugees and migrants will not be left to their own devices. Poor and neglected will see, that there is a God, who does not forsake them, but let’s them hear peace, righteousness and justice. Yes, the gospel will be preached to the poor and they will rejoice and praise Gods name, for he has lifted us up and granted us hope, life and salvation. Then we together with all people will sing his praises and thank his name for he is the creator and saviour of all. Our living God – the Father, Son and Holy Spirit – one God, who rules and reigns now and forever. We thank and praise him now already in anticipation of the fulfilment of all his wonderful promises in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The peace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ be with you always + Amen.

1 When peace like a river attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
“It is well, it is well with my soul.”

Refrain (may be sung after final stanza only):
It is well with my soul;
it is well, it is well with my soul.

2 Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
let this blest assurance control:
that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
and has shed his own blood for my soul. Refrain

3 My sin oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
my sin, not in part, but the whole,
is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more;
praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! Refrain

4 O Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
the clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
the trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend;
even so, it is well with my soul. Refrain

Horatio G. Spafford, 1828-1888.

 

 

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Herrenhuter readings for Monday, the 22nd February 2016

Posted on February 22, 2016 by Wilhelm Weber

King David confesses before the living God: “For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding.” (1Ch 29:15 KJV) And the writer of the epistle to the Hebrews agrees: “For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.” (Heb 13:14 KJV)

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you + now and always +

Dear friends of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ: Ernst Käsemann titled his commentary on Hebrews “Das wanderende Gottesvolk. Eine Untersuchung des Hebräerbriefs.” (1961) And Lumen gentium, the dogmatic constitution on the church propagated by Vatican II (1964) describes the church in this way in its 2nd chapter: “Israel according to the flesh, which wandered as an exile in the desert, was already called the Church of God.(96) So likewise the new Israel which while living in this present age goes in search of a future and abiding city (97) is called the Church of Christ.(98) For He has bought it for Himself with His blood,(99) has filled it with His Spirit and provided it with those means which befit it as a visible and social union. God gathered together as one all those who in faith look upon Jesus as the author of salvation and the source of unity and peace, and established them as the Church that for each and all it may be the visible sacrament of this saving unity. (1*) While it transcends all limits of time and confines of race, the Church is destined to extend to all regions of the earth and so enters into the history of mankind. Moving forward through trial and tribulation, the Church is strengthened by the power of God’s grace, which was promised to her by the Lord, so that in the weakness of the flesh she may not waver from perfect fidelity, but remain a bride worthy of her Lord, and moved by the Holy Spirit may never cease to renew herself, until through the Cross she arrives at the light which knows no setting.”

The one holy Christian Church is this wandering people of God seeking the future city, which is prepared for them and which is waiting for them and to which they have been called and which they will see and enter at the end of time, because our Lord Jesus Christ is the centre of it, he holds it together and is its all and everything – and where the head is there will the limbs be also!

Now this wandering is not just plain hiking, but rather entails not being at home and not finding a place to really call “ours” with any permanence. It is what our Lord Jesus Christ indicates with his own description: “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” (Mat 8:20 KJV) From when Abraham was called out from the East by the living Lord of hosts to a place that he would show him, this moving from one place to the other on the way to the final heavenly homes has marked the Christian existence. Again and again they had to move on – and leave their beautiful and lovely homes behind, because they were not the real thing yet. That was the case with Jerusalem, when it was destroyed 70 A.D. and the Christians fled after the sacking of Rome nearly four hundred years later by the barbarians (410 A.D). Lutherans from Austria fled the persecution during the reformation years and again in the 19th century in Prussia to settle in America and Australia.  Now Christians are fleeing Syria, Eritrea, Sudan and other places and even if they stay, they know very well: We don’t have a real home here. We are strangers, migrants, outcasts and even outlaws like our brothers and sisters must endure even today in muslim or communist or egalitarian worlds. We are not better than our fathers. Like them we remain on the move, run or in hiding and sometimes even as free game for all. Our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. Just when we think we can settle down and finally come to rest, we have to get up, pack our few belongings and start moving, fleeing, running again. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

Now that is of course a warning not to get to comfortable anywhere. We are firstly citizens of heaven and owe our allegiance to the highest Lord more than any constitution, king or parliament. It is the triune God alone, whom we must fear, love and trust above all things. This is however a true blessing and promise too, because as everybody else is building on sand and will face the demise of the highest mountain fortresses and the deepest bunkers when this world passes away, we will come to the eternal city of God – that beautiful and most lovely Jerusalem, which will see not end and will be the perfect dwelling and home for us and all of God’s people. That’s where we’re on the way to. That’s our goal and sure destination – and when we can no longer go or move, he will lift us up and carry us home – he our good and faithful Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Thanks and praise be to him now and forever. Amen.

The peace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ be with you always + Amen.

  1. From God can nothing move me; He will not step aside
    But gently will reprove me And be my constant guide.
    He stretches out His hand in evening and in morning,
    My life with grace adorning wherever I may stand.
  2. When those whom I regarded as trustworthy and sure
    Have long from me departed, God’s grace shall still endure,
    He rescues me from sin and breaks the chains that bind me.
    I leave death’s fear behind me; His peace I have within.
  3. The Lord my life arranges; Who can His work destroy?
    In His good time He changes all sorrow into joy.
    So let me then be still: My body, soul, and spirit
    His tender care inherit according to His will.
  4. Each day at Hhis good pleasure God’s gracious will is done.
    He sent His greatest treasure in Jesus Christ, His Son.
    He every gift imparts. The bread of earth and heaven
    Are by His kindness given.  Praise Him with thankful hearts!
  5. Praise God with acclamation and in His gifts rejoice.
    Each day finds its vocation responding to His voice.
    Soon years on earth are past; but time we spend expressing
    The love of God brings blessing that will forever last!
  6. Yet even thou I suffer the world’s unpleasantness,
    And though the days grow rougher and bring me great distress,
    That day of bliss divine, which knows no end or measure,
    And Christ, who is my pleasure, forever shall be mine.
  7. For thus the Father willed it, who fashioned us from clay;
    And His own Son fulfilled it and brought eternal day.
    The Spirit now has come, to us true faith has given;
    He leads us home to heaven. O praise the Three in One!

Text: Ludwig Helmbold, 1532-98

 

 

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Rector’s report at St.Pauls annual meeting

Posted on February 20, 2016 by Wilhelm Weber
After action, satisfaction [Old Lexington Ad]

Here’s my brief summary of the rector’s report delivered at St. Paul’s annual meeting this afternoon in the short time slot as allocated by Pastor Martin Paul – in writing: LTS RRStPaul 2016 and for listening: 

 

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Herrenhuter readings for Saturday, the 20th February 2106.

Posted on February 20, 2016 by Wilhelm Weber

The Lord our God said to Joshua: „Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.“ (Jos.1:9 KJV)

And his apostel St. Paul writes to the pastor and bishop St. Timothy: „For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.“ (2.Timothy 1,7 KJV)

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you +

Dear friends of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ + In trying times it is necessary to remember that our living God would not want us to be timid or even cowards, but rather to fear no ill nor evil, being strong and of good courage, not afraid nor dismayed filled with his Holy Spirit, who grants strength, love and a sound mind. The triune God does not just demand this positive attitude, but rather equips his saints with power from on high and more still he himself is with us (Immanuel) and not just on Sunday mornings, but rather „whithersoever thou goest!“ That is his encouragement to Joshua in those trying times, when Moses had to stay behind and Joshua was now to lead God’s people over the river Jordan and into the holy and promised land. Joshua is not to be afraid to carry out God’s sacred command. Rather he is to be strong, stick to his guns and courageously do, whatsoever his high and precious calling as leader of God’s people demands of him. This calling is not some vague idea, but rather God’s holy law and prescepts, his rules and regulations. God wants Joshua to be faithful and to lead his people according to God’s revealed will – in all that his brother Moses had recorded faithfully in the Torah. Through these five books of Moses God would continue to direct, lead and guide his people as they were now facing a new world – no longer in Egypt and in slavery, no longer in the desert and on the move, but settling down, farming, doing business and going about their daily lives in towns and cities as God’s holy people: A light amongst the nations and a beacon of hope to those, who didn’t know the true God yet. He – the living God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob – was with them and he would rule and reign as the true Lord and saviour of his people forever.

The greatest challenge for God’s elected and chosen people is to think, feel and be neglected, forgotten, deserted and rejected by God himself. It’s the greatest affliction and the worst fear there is. „God is dead!“ is not just a slogan, but our worst nightmare and most terrible threat there is – even if it is a contradiction in terms. God is the source of life and even better, more and greater than life itself. But for us without him there is no hope, love or light. Without him we are lost, condemned and dead. And the worst punishment throughout history was never this or that, but the threat, that God had left his people to their own devices.  See the stories of Joseph and how he gets mistreated by his very own brothers, by his trusted master in Egypt and forgotten by that baker/foodtaster, whom he had helped. Still, he was doing just fine – even in slavery, in prison and always. Why? Because God was with him. Same with Daniel in Babylon – right there in the lion’s den. Same with Job even as he was filled with sores and sitting on the ashheap. Same as St.Paul and Silas there in the prison of Philippi. As long as God was with them, there was no cause for overt concern, anxiety or despair. Rather God filled out their every need. He cared for them and kept them even in the darkest of times. Yet, if God hides his face, rejects us and departs from us, then we have all reason to fear and to give up. That really is the worst scenario. It can’t get worse than that. Then we even dread the rustling of falling autumn leaves. We can’t see the light anymore. We are truly alone. There is nothing that can help us. It’s when people rather commit suicide than try to carry on – Judas and king Saul are frightful examples of this.

Our Lord Jesus Christ on Golgotha went through this very great tribulation and worst nightmare, but it was not just a dream, but harshest reality. There on the cross, when the sun stopped shining and the earth was trembling and all was falling apart, he our Lord and God cried out: „My God, my God why hast Thou forsaken me!“ That was the very pit of the deepest and most dismal abyss. That was the cup of wrath that he drained for us and on our behalf. The bitter pain of death and the very poison of sin and all devilry and evil too. It all was laid on his shoulders. That was the burden he bore for us, on behalf of us and on account of our sin, but for our good and eternal salvation. In this vicarious sacrifice there on that Mt of Calvary he soothed the wrath of the Father that was against us. By going through with this work of suffering and dying, bleeding and giving up his Spirit even being obedient to his very last breath, not in vile rebellion against the Father, but in perfect harmony and obedience he fulfilled the will and law of the Father, placated him, met his highest demands absolutely and even in the last moment committed his all and everything into the hands and being of the Father: Not my, but your will be done! Thus this only begotten Son of the Father, the Son of Mary there in Bethlehem begotten by the Holy Spirit made everything right again. Caused the change of favour in the heart of the living God. No longer against us, but for us in loving care and gracious favour. That’s how he was victorious and triumphed over sin, death and devil for us.

Now he rules and reigns at the right hand of the Father – in our favour and for our best even as we still struggle along in the world and fight against our own anxieties, fears and tribulations. So many things seem to get out of hand. We don’t see the dominance and rule of our Lord so clearly. Our faith is weak and we often feel alone and left to our own devices.  Like those miserable Emmaus disciples on the way home!

That is why our Lord Jesus Christ so repeatedly says to his disciples after his resurrection: „Don’t be afraid!“ „Do not fear!“ „It is I“ „JHWH“ and „See, I am with you all the days of your life!“ „I will not forsake you. I will not leave you. I will strengthen and keep you in the true faith now and always.“ He wants us to trust his promises faithfully, rely on his gracious presence in his holy Word and sacraments and thus be strong, confident and full of hope and godly conviction: „He does all things well and for our very best! That is why we can go about our daily chores as pastors, teachers, missionaries, evangelists, deaconesses, mothers, father, shopowners, soldiers, farmers, grandparents, children, politicians, lawyers, sportsmen, hunters and gatherers, doctors, nurses, engineeers, accountants and taxcollectors, fishermen and musicians etc etc with confidence, joy and gladness. He is there with us. We need to fear no ill. All is going to be all right. He’s our Lord and our saviour. He will not desert or leave us. Not even in our last hour and in the time of death. Rather he is with now and always with his grace, mercy and peace, which passes all understanding. He will carry us through so that we will eventually see and behold, what he has prepared for us onhigh in the heavenly mansions. Nobody and nothing can harm us ultimately,  because he is with us. His goodness and mercy endures forever. His rod and staff comfort me. Even in the shadows of death I fear no ill, for you are with me… Therefore get up, do what you are supposed to do, be manly and be strong – don’t whine, cringe and growel. Rather do your work, carry out your job, be faithful and hard at work, mindful, sober, think straight, get things right, do the right thing, strive to improve and work hard too so that when your Lord comes, he will not find you asleep, loafing or just being good for nothing. Rather let him find a faithful servant doing, what he’s called to do joyfully, gratefully and with dedication.  Thanks, praise and mercy be to him, our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns together with the Father and the Holy Spirit – one God – now and forever. Amen.

The peace of the Lord be with you always + Amen.

“All Depends on Our Possessing” by unknown author, c.1673
Translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1828-1878

1. All depends on our possessing
God’s abundant grace and blessing,
Though all earthly wealth depart.
He who trusts with faith unshaken
In His God is not forsaken
And e’er keeps a dauntless heart.

2. He who hitherto hath fed me
And to many joys hath led me,
Is and ever shall be mine.
He who did so gently school me,
He who still doth guide and rule me,
Will remain my Help divine.

3. Many spend their lives in fretting
Over trifles and in getting
Things that have no solid ground.
I shall strive to win a treasure
That will bring me lasting pleasure
And that now is seldom found.

4. When with sorrow I am stricken,
Hope my heart anew will quicken,
All my longing shall be stilled.
To His loving-kindness tender
Soul and body I surrender;
For in Him alone I build.

5. Well He knows what best to grant me;
All the longing hopes that haunt me,
Joy and sorrow, have their day.
I shall doubt His wisdom never,–
As God wills, so be it ever,–
I to Him commit my way.

6. If on earth my days He lengthen,
He my weary soul will stengthen;
All my trust in Him I place.
Earthly wealth is not abiding,
Like a stream away is gliding;
Safe I anchor in His grace.

Hymn #425
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Prov. 10:22
Author: unknown, c. 1673
Translated by: Catherine Winkworth, 1858, alt.
Titled: “Alles ist an Gottes Segen”
Composer: Johann B. Koenig, 1738
Tune: “Alles ist an Gottes Segen”

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