Herrenhuter readings for Monday, the 23rd February 2015

Posted on February 23, 2015 by Wilhelm Weber

tissot-jesus-preaches-in-a-ship-709x538

And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. (Deuteronomy 28:2-3 KJV)
But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. (Matthew 13:16 KJV)

Blessings belong into the 1st Article of creation and preservation. It’s not so much a matter of salvation and sanctification. These latter ones are God’s extraordinary gifts of rescue and liberation from sin, death and devil. These are given first and foremost through Jesus Christ our Lord by grace through faith. Whereas the blessings of the 1st article are also totally without any merit or worthiness on my side, solely thanks to the fatherly goodness and mercy that he showers daily on good and bad like the rain that waters the fields and cools the air too. These divine blessings are new every morning and they are as regular as the rising of the sun in the east and its daily setting in the west too. The exodus from slavery in Egypt, the return from Babylonian exile and also the crucial event on Golgotha and Easter fall into the 2nd category of once off rescue actions of our God. These are memorable in their exceptionality and as Jesus work of redemption carry the tag: “Once for all!”

In the ways of the world we have the rule titt for tatt – or as the Romans would say: Do ut des! Luther underlines it quite clearly in his large catechism that God is not a green grocer, who bargains with us over the price of redemption and doesn’t deal with us on this exchange basis as if he or we could strike a bargain like on the market place.  With him its not what we do to him that makes him repay us this or that in kind. Obviously the law of causality, the equilibrium of physical forces and worldly reality holds true in our daily lives. You get, what you put in. Many wrongfully thought that that is the idea of God’s covenant with his people too: You do this and I do that! This is a difference of law and gospel, which is a difference like day and night. It’s That is why it’s so vital to listen closely to what our Lord Jesus Christ says here: But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. (Matthew 13:16 KJV)

What did they see and what did they hear? Well, that the last would be first, that the lost would be found and restored, that outsiders become insiders, those with nothing receive all and that poor, miserable sinners are forgiven and brought to honour and glory God’s free gift of grace and mercy calling on him no longer as strangers, outcasts and foreigners, but rather as sons and daughters their loving father. They saw and heard that Jesus Christ had come not to be served, but to serve, yes, that he gave himself as a willing sacrifice for us and our salvation there on the cross, suffering all so that we would be free to serve him with gladness and thankfulness – not as slaves, but rather as free members of God’s household. Blessed are all, who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as their saviour – and do not reject him foolhardily and to their detriment.

Faith and Truth and Life Bestowing

Faith and truth and life bestowing
	open now the Scriptures, Lord,
seed to life eternal sowing,
  	scattered on the wind abroad.
Let not hearts, your word receiving,
  	like a barren field be found,
choked with thorns and unbelieving,
  	shallow earth or stony ground.

May the Spirit's power unceasing
  	bring to life the hidden grain,
daily in our hearts increasing,
  	bearing fruit that shall remain.
So in Scripture, song and story,
  	Saviour, may your voice be heard.
Till our eyes behold your glory
  	give us ears to hear your word.

Timothy Dudley-Smith
Words © 1997 Hope Publishing Company

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Herrenhuter readings for Sunday, the 22nd February 2015

Posted on February 22, 2015 by Wilhelm Weber

treckwagen

Remember the Lord afar off, and let Jerusalem come into your mind. (Jeremiah 51,50)

Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: For we walk by faith, not by sight. (2.Corinthians 5:6-7)

Exiles dream of home. Probably somewhat more than those already there. Be it the Russian nobility in Paris, the Jews in New York or even those Zimbabweans in Johannesburg and the Tamils in the Arab lands. These habits of refugees to dream, recall and remember have not changed dramatically over the centuries and even millennia. The Prophet Jeremiah encourages the exiles far away from Jerusalem and separated from the holy temple of the living God to not forget these and not to follow the sad saying: Out of sight, out of mind!

Christians are conscious migrants too. Far away from home and always on the way getting there. For all roads may not lead to Rome, but they surely do lead to our final destination – the last day, the final judgement and our eternal home. Obviously that includes all people and not just Christians, but the latter acknowledge the fact and they are anticipating the return of their Lord to bring them back home sooner or later. This does an experiential value nor is it verifiable either. It is based on the promise of our Lord Jesus Christ, who encouraged his disciples: I am going ahead to prepare your place in heaven. And we believe, that where the head is, there the limbs must be too.

Throughout our lives he continues to keep this faith alive and going. He hears and answers our prayers. He’s with us to edify and support us throughout even if we are but 2 or 3. He’s promised to be with us all the days until the very end of the earth. In the meantime he talks to us through his holy word and feeds us with celestial food of his very body and most precious blood. So that we will not forget him, but live in constant fellowship and union with him – here and forever.

Even though we know, where we are coming from (We are God’s creatures/causa efficiens) and where we are going (We are destined for eternal life with him to see, praise and abide with him always/causa finalis), we live our lives here and now accordingly. We know this is but an interim. We are but in the diaspora. We are not there yet. However we are getting there – and that’s why we do all and everything here and now out of gratitude to him, making best use of our time and doing what comes before us – helping those, who need it most and attending to that, which is most important and necessary. Praying that our exodus will not be in winter and that our God will remember his promise, that he will even in the final persecution take good care of us + Thank God, that he has prepared the way for us and the eternal abode in heaven too. We are not homeless, but just on the way getting there – even if we don’t see it yet, he will get us there – by grace and for Christ’s sake. Amen.

“Jesus, Lead Thou On” Cento by Christian Gregor, 1723-1801
Translated by Jane Borthwick, 1813-1897

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

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

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

4. Jesus, lead Thou on
Till our rest is won.
Heavenly Leader, still direct us,
Still support, control, protect us,
Till we safely stand
In our fatherland.

The Lutheran Hymnal #410  Text: Luke 5:11 Author: Cento by Christian Gregor, 1778
Translated by: Jane Borthwick, 1854, alt. Titled: “Jesu, geh voran” Composer: Adam Drese, 1697 Tune: “Seelenbraeutigam”

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Herrenhuter readings for Saturday, the 21st February 2015

Posted on February 21, 2015 by Wilhelm Weber

Study_of_King_David,_by_Julia_Margaret_Cameron

Then went king David in, and sat before the Lord, and he said, Who am I, O Lord God? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? (2.Samuel 7,18)

God hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. (2.Timothy 1,9)

King David’s story is wonderful, full of miracles and wonders. From his fieldwork amongst those Judean hills tending his sheep and guarding them successfully against jackals, wolves and even lions too. I’d say, he had his hands quite full, yet he still learnt to play that harp or lyre so enticingly, that they even called him to the king Saul’s courts to sooth that distraught monarch’s frayed nerves. He was a true all-rounder as his victory over Goliath showed. Not trusting in armour, weapons or political tactics, his hope was on the Lord his God alone. In all his fights, skirmishes and battles he had learnt to trust in the living Lord. That triune God of Israel and all the world –  the Father, Son and Holy Spirit – was his sure strength, power and mighty fortress indeed. Him he praised and worshipped as source and goal of his life.

Even when he was king himself – saved countless times from the powerful pursuits and assaults of that envious king Saul, but also from those numerous enemies of God’s people in Canaan – he did not forget, where he came from and gave all honour and praise to the one, who had called and anointed him through the priest Samuel. His heart did not forget the one, who had called him to his own purpose and grace.

The story however would be too simple and not quite realistic if it would stop there. It would then sound more like a fairy tale or some mythological eulogy which sounds nice, but has nothing to do with real life. And our lives have their ups and downs. The downs are due to the fact that we live in a fallen world – and not only do we have enemies on the outside, but the old wily foe has his ally right within us and in our inmost being. Same as with King David. Just think of that snowballing effect of his adultery with beautiful Batsheba. The king starts lying, conniving and does not just break up a happy marriage of Uriah, but also gets him brutally murdered. In the end even the little baby dies. David at rockbottom? Well, that’s when he is called back by the prophet Nathan, called to repent, called to crawl back into the welcoming forgiveness of the almighty and gracious God:

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. (Psalm 51:1ff)

Fleeing from his very own rebellious son Absalom must have been one of the hardest things in the life of king David. On the way he then is cursed most viciously by that brave Shimei even though the king was surrounded by all his grandees. Shimei was not only cursing king David rudely, accusing him of being a man of blood – a bloodhound -, but also throwing stones at him as if he was a scavenging dog and not a king:

And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial: The Lord hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the Lord hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man. Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head. And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the Lord hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so? And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the Lord hath bidden him. It may be that the Lord will look on mine affliction, and that the Lord will requite me good for his cursing this day. (2.Samuel 16:7ff)

King David thus showed us that he gave honour and glory to the Lord our God not only at the height of his career, but also when he had fallen furthers and into the deepest gloom. That’s why King David is a good example to us even to this very day. To us in high or low places, who as baptised Christians fit into the category St. Paul describes here to his student and son:

God hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. (2.Timothy 1,9)

“Our God, Our Help in Ages Past” by Isaac Watts, 1674-1748

1. Our God, our Help in ages past,
Our Hope for years to come,
Our Shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal Home!

2. Under the shadow of Thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.

3. Before the hills in order stood
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same.

4. A thousand ages in Thy sight
Are like an evening gone,
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.

5. Thy word commands our flesh to dust:
“Return ye sons of men!”
All nations rose from earth at first
And turn to earth again.

6. Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away;
They fly forgotten as a dream
Dies at the opening day.

7. Like flowery fields the nations stand,
Pleased with the morning light;
The flowers beneath the mower’s hand
Lie withering ere ’tis night.

8. Our God, our Help in ages past,
Our Hope for years to come,
Be Thou our Guard while troubles last
And our eternal Home!

The Lutheran Hymnal Hymn #123 Text: Ps. 90 Author: Isaac Watts, 1719, ab.
Composer: William Croft, 1708 Tune: “St. Anne”

.

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Herrenhuter readings for Friday, the 20th February 2015

Posted on February 20, 2015 by Wilhelm Weber

IC Lamb of God

Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light… for he commanded, and they were created. (Psalm 148:3.5 KJV)

Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty. (Rev 15:3 KJV)

The Greek philosophers speculated about the spheric harmonies, which resounded cosmically even without us perceiving it at all. It’s as if they vaguely remember the presupposition alluded to by the psalmist that sun and moon, stars and planets created by the living God praise his holy name and his mighty work of creation with which he did great and marvellous things. Just look around you and see!

In the triumphant Church the glorious company of the apostles praise him (Te Deum LSB 223) – together with the goodly fellowship of the prophets, the noble army of martyrs and all the saints, redeemed by his most precious blood! They all laud and magnify the holy name of the blessed Trinity – the one and true divinity – God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They will praise him for his most gracious salvation and work of redemption and sanctification that he has accomplished, finished and completed so gloriously and victoriously – overcoming all odds and shaming devil, death and all evil too. They, who thought they would triumph in their shameful, deceitful and crooked ways, will see the Lamb enthroned in all authority and glory and all those, who have been cleansed and purified by the washing in his most precious blood will stand around him – a crowd nobody will be able to count from all nations, tongues and tribes – the one, holy Christian Church – will sing: Soli Deo gloria without end!

We on the otherhand are still very much in the militant church. We feel our old Adam passing away, drowning, dying yet always struggling against God’s means of sanctification – licking against the thorny prick. The faithless world together with its beastly leader of lies in cohorts with our very own sinful selves struggle and oppose the godly ways of redemption and healing, putting us down and trying to bring us off course and tempting us to fall from faith and trusting our saviour Jesus Christ. That is why we cover ourselves in ashes, fast and pray that our Lord may finally come to save and redeem us, taking us home and bringing all to peace. We do this not so much literally, but rather washing ourselves, putting on proper clothes and going about our business, yet wrenching our hearts within, bearing the cross of Christ patiently and waiting for his coming and our final release. There’s lots trying to distract us. Plenty reason to get lost, yet by the grace of God we stand and are uplifted, propped up and edified by the songs of the Church and the heavenly hope taught us from of old in Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs: “A mighty fortress is our God, a trusty shield and weapon; He helps us free from every need That hath us now o’ertaken”. There will come a time, when we too will join in the victorious songs of triumph and glory without any restraint or trouble. Until then we join in them rather stubbornly and defiantly, knowing that the evil foe can harm us non. He’s judged; the deed is done; one little word can fell him: Jesus Christ the living king and Lord of all +  Amen.

“Christ, the Life of All the Living” by Ernst C. Homburg, 1605-1681
Translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1829-1878

1. Christ, the Life of all the living,
Christ, the Death of death, our foe,
Who, Thyself for me once giving
To the darkest depths of woe,–
Through thy sufferings, death, and merit
I eternal life inherit:
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be,
Dearest Jesus, unto Thee.

2. Thou, ah! Thou, hast taken on Thee
Bonds and stripes, a cruel rod;
Pain and scorn were heaped upon Thee,
0 Thou sinless Son of God!
Thus didst Thou my soul deliver
From the bonds of sin forever.
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be,
Dearest Jesus, unto Thee.

3. Thou hast borne the smiting only
That my wounds might all be whole;
Thou hast suffered, sad and lonely,
Rest to give my weary soul;
Yea, the curse of God enduring,
Blessing unto me securing.
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be,
Dearest Jesus, unto Thee.

4. Heartless scoffers did surround Thee,
Treating Thee with shameful scorn,
And with piercing thorns they crowned Thee.
All disgrace Thou, Lord, hast borne
That as Thine Thou mightest own me
And with heavenly glory crown me.
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be,
Dearest Jesus, unto Thee.

5. Thou hast suffered men to bruise Thee
That from pain I might be free;
Falsely did Thy foes accuse Thee,–
Thence I gain security;
Comfortless Thy soul did languish
Me to comfort in my anguish.
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be,
Dearest Jesus, unto Thee.

6. Thou hast suffered great affliction
And hast borne it patiently,
Even death by crucifixion,
Fully to atone for me;
Thou didst choose to be tormented
That my doom should be prevented.
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be,
Dearest Jesus, unto Thee.

7. Then, for all that wrought my pardon,
For Thy sorrows deep and sore,
For Thine anguish in the Garden,
I will thank Thee evermore,
Thank Thee for Thy groaning, sighing,
For Thy bleeding and Thy dying,
For that last triumphant cry,
And shall praise Thee, Lord, on high.

The Lutheran Hymnal Hymn #151  Text: Matt. 26:64-67 Author: Ernst C. Homburg, 1659, ab. Translated by: Catherine Winkworth, 1863, alt. Titled: “Jesu, meines Lebens Leben”

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Lutheran Order of service in isiZulu/seTswana

Posted on February 19, 2015 by Wilhelm Weber

Brooklyn_Museum_-_Jesus_Tempted_in_the_Wilderness_(Jésus_tenté_dans_le_désert)_-_James_Tissot_-_overall (2)

The Lutheran Order of Service for Invocavit (First Sunday in Lent) is available here in isiZulu and seTswana. Today it comes with a sermon based on God’s word from the gospel of St. Matthew in the fourth chapter the verses 1-11 written by Pastor Peter C. Weber  (Ohlangeni, KZN) in isiZulu (wz1515150222 Invokaviti) and translated as usual into seTswana (wt1522 Invokavite) by my father Rev. E.A.W.Weber DD (Welbedacht, KZN).

The readings for Invocavit are:

  • Old Testament:     Genesis 3:1-19 (20-24)
  • The Epistle:           Hebrews 4:14-16
  • The Gospel:           St. Matthew 4:1-11
  • Psalm:                    91:1-2.11-12

The liturgical colour is purple.

May you have a very blessed weekend and have time to meditate on the watchword for this week of Invocavit: For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. (1Jo 3:8b KJV)

A collect for Invocavit: O Lord God, You led your ancient people through the wilderness and brought them to the promised land. Guide the people of Your Church that following our Saviour we may walk through the wilderness of this world toward the glory of the world to come;  through Jesus Christ Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. (LSB Altar Book 869)

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 according 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 NIV)

We thank the Lutheran Heritage Foundation for supporting the distribution of hard-copies of these orders of worship and sermons throughout Southern Africa. If you also want a copy please do not hesitate to subscribe by writing to EAWWeber@bundunet.co.za.

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Herrenhuter readings for Thursday, the 19th February 2015

Posted on February 19, 2015 by Wilhelm Weber

Ruth and Boaz

The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust. (Rut 2:12 KJV)

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; (Eph 2:19 KJV)

In our family the name Ruth is common and very highly respected, favoured and esteemed. Aunts, sisters, nieces bear this honourable name. It stands for faithfulness, loyalty, deep friendship and love.  There are many women, who have shared this name and in their own way bore lifelong witness to the remarkable story about that first Ruth I know way back in the Old Testament of whom Boas gives this memorable testimonial: You have come under the wings of the LORD God of Israel, whom thou hast come to trust.

Ruth – getting married to a refugee, who has fled famine and looked for a better life among foreign people – in exile practically. This included being away from the centre of faith and the temple of the most holy one – the Lord God of Israel. Her husband dies, but Ruth accompanies her mother-in-law back to her homeland, when the time was ripe. I think this does not only speak volumes about Naomi, but also about the deceased husband. Whether he was Mahlon or Chilion – I don’t know – both had gotten married to Orpa and Ruth respectively. Both had died and Ruth, herself a widow as Elimelech had passed away in exile was now left with 2 daughters-in-law. Well, I think that this family must have been great not only at accommodating themselves into the harsh circumstances of fleeing famine and seeking to establish a new home and life far away amongst other people and in new and daunting circumstances, but also in making good friends and getting excellent wives like Orpa and Ruth. The last and most crucial issue however was in my view, that they gave such a compelling witness to the living God of Israel, that Ruth on her part was willing to follow Naomi, leave behind her familiar comfort zone and go live amongst the people of Jehova – trusting his care, providence and good will more than all else she had know so far.

Ruth is not disappointed. She finds a new home, a new husband and becomes by the grace of God and his inscrutable ways – one of the matriarchs and foremothers of our Lord Jesus Christ – one of the great saints of our Church. A women, who was not a Jew, just another poor refugee, but taken good care of by the Father of all and the one, who calls and gathers his children from the ends of the world like a hen calling her chicks to find refuge, comfort and peace under her very wings. God does not forsake those, who trust in him and even if we lose faith, he remains faithful and does, what he has come to do – namely to seek and to find the lost and bring them home – out of exile into the promised land of heaven and paradise. All those, who are baptised and believe in the triune God are “therefore no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God”. That’s how God builds his kingdom, his one holy Christian Church consisting of Jews and those from the heathen nations – calling all and everybody to come in to see and taste, how friendly he – the living God of Israel and the world is. Hallelujah. Amen.

Hail, O Source of Every Blessing by: Basil Woodd (1760-1831)

Hail, O Source of every blessing,
Father of all humankind!
Gentiles now, your grace possessing,
In your courts admission find.
Grateful now we fall before you,
In your Church obtain a place,
See your glory and adore you;
Praise your truth and laud your grace.

Once far off but now invited,
We approach your sacred throne;
In your covenant united,
Reconciled, redeemed, made one.
Now revealed to eastern sages,
See the Star of Mercy shine;
Mystery hid in former ages,
Mystery great of love divine.

Hail, O all inviting Savior!
Gentiles now their offerings bring;
In your temples seek your favor,
Jesus Christ, our Lord and King.
May we, body, soul, and spirit,
Live devoted to your praise,
Glorious realms of bliss inherit,
Grateful anthems ever raise!

Hymn # 84 from Lutheran Worship Author: Neues geistreiches Gesangbuch
Tune: O Durchbrecher aller Banden … 1st Published in: 1704

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Ash Wednesday Sermon

Posted on February 18, 2015 by Wilhelm Weber

Fastenzeit

This morning Prof. Dr. Werner Klaen (LTH Oberursel i.T.) teaching at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane (Pretoria, South Africa) these weeks also preached on Joel 2:12-19. Here is the sermon in pdf-format: LTSConfession and Absolution_Ash Wednesday_Klaen

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Herrenhuter readings for Ash Wednesday, the 18th February 2015

Posted on February 18, 2015 by Wilhelm Weber

cross ashes

Zechariah 4:10 “Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the LORD that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?”

Matthew 17:22 When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life.”

Today is Ash Wednesday. The beginning of lent. Our Lord Jesus Christ instructed his disciples about the course of coming events.  They were filled with grief. They were only looking at the beginning and not at the glorious ending. Who can blame them? Talking about being killed normally ends all our stories and there’s usually nothing after that. No wonder the disciples didn’t hear the last part about the resurrection really. That was news. That was extra-ordinary. That was unheard of.

God’s history could and should have taught them differently than to just look at what was at hand and what we are used to. God’s history of creation and salvation has revealed his knack for doing things out of nothing and way beyond our expectations. The new start after the deluge. The fish rescuing Jona. The wonderful passage through the Red Sea, through the desert and all the way into the promised land. God found means and ways for his people to overcome deportation, exile and creating new beginnings were all hope had vanished and people were ready to despair.

Our Lord Jesus Christ had revealed more of the same. He had proven himself as the one, who could grant life and salvation out in the desert – by preaching, teaching and doing miracles and wonders. He had rescued, healed and brought to life those, that had been written off by common sense and general experience. Now he himself was going to provide the final bit to the divine story of salvation from all oppression and bondage, from evil powers, the craftiness of the devil and even the clutches of death. He would do it vicariously for us and for all mankind. Providing the ancient remedy and antidote for sin and condemnation by giving himself willingly as immaculate, effective and holy redemptive sacrifice once and for all.

“Jesus Christ, true God … and also true man, is my Lord, who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death” (Martin Luther: Explanation of the 2nd Article of the Christian Creed in the Small Catechism, LSB 322f)

1 Lord! Who throughout these forty days,
For us didst fast and pray,
Teach us with Thee to mourn our sins,
And close by Thee to stay.

2 As Thou with Satan didst contend,
And didst the victory win,
Oh, give us strength in Thee to fight,
In Thee to conquer sin.

3 As Thou didst hunger bear and thirst,
So teach us, gracious Lord,
To die to self, and chiefly live
By Thy most holy Word.

4 And through these days of penitence,
And through Thy Passion-tide,
Yea, evermore, in life and death,
Jesu! with us abide.

5 Abide with us, that so, this life
Of suffering overpast,
An Easter of unending joy
We may attain at last!

Amen.

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SELK Info: Akademische Aufgaben und “Apartheid”-Aufarbeitung

Posted on February 13, 2015 by Wilhelm Weber

Werner Klaen

Prof. Dr. Werner Klän (Photo archive) is expected to arrive this weekend to go about his many duties and tasks in church, mission and training in and around the capital of South Africa. The Read here, what the SELK Info shared about his upcoming visit: Akademische Aufgaben und “Apartheid”-Aufarbeitung – SELK: Werner Klän in Südafrika

Oberursel, 11.2.2015 – selk – Vom 14. bis zum 28. Februar wird Prof. Dr. Werner Klän, Lehrstuhlinhaber für Systematische Theologie an der Lutherischen Theologischen Hochschule Oberursel der Selbständigen Evangelisch-Lutherischen Kirche (SELK) und Außerordentlicher Professor für Kirchengeschichte an der University of Pretoria, dienstlich in Südafrika sein. Er tritt damit in Aufgaben am Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane/Pretoria wieder ein, die er bereits seit 2008 wahrgenommen hat. Hier wird ein Intensivkurs zum Thema “Kirche – Gemeinde – Amt” stattfinden. An der Universität wird er über den Stand der bei ihm anhängigen Doktorarbeiten berichten und die Entwicklung weiterer Perspektiven besprechen.

Im Rahmen des Südafrikaaufenthaltes wird auch eine Sitzung der trilateralen Arbeitsgruppe zum Thema “Apartheid” stattfinden, die von der Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (LCSA), der Freien Evangelisch-Lutherischen Synode in Südafrika (FELSISA) und der Lutherischen Kirchenmission der SELK einberufen wurde. Dabei werden erste Zwischenergebnisse der seit drei Jahren laufenden Forschungen und die Planung der weiteren Arbeit besprochen werden. “Auf die Auffrischung der Kontakte und die Vertiefung der bestehenden Verbindungen freue ich mich schon sehr”, so Klän.
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Herrenhuter readings for Friday, the 13th February 2015

Posted on February 13, 2015 by Wilhelm Weber

Jesus

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth. (1Ch 16:31 KJV)

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Mat 6:13 KJV)

After last nights calamity at the State of the nations address it became clear that there are people out there, who are not happy with the current reign of the president. No question. It’s not just the men and women in red overalls, but rather some in stiff suits and traditional garb too. Opposition is one of the those things, which make any democracy vibrant and autocracies have always tended to become tyrannical and despotic. Dissidents land up in dungeons and other dark and barren places, but that doesn’t really win them over either. Rather their resolve for opposition and revolt becomes even more virulent and catches on throughout the land. It’s happened before and I’m sure it could happen again.

In our bible reading for today the psalmist encourages the cosmos – all creation visible and invisible to rejoice in the rule and reign of the living God: “Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth.” (1Ch 16:31 KJV) It is he, who created heaven and earth, who sustains and preserves his very good creation, so that we would have a safe and peaceful abode, where righteousness thrives and justice flourishes. Although opposition came up in heaven too – the devil is a fallen angel after all – and even Adam and Eve did not wait long to cast doubt on their perfect and immaculate relationship with their God and maker – the triune God still did not destroy the world as he had threatened to do, if they would transgress his holy command and doubt his good intent. Rather out of pure goodness and fatherly mercy and favour, he keeps and sustains us, grants us his only begotten Son and reopens paradise for us and our salvation.

He, who is God of all and who has all authority in heaven and on earth, rules for our benefit. He lets all and everything work out to our best – even in suffering, strive and conflict.  Now Jesus Christ our Lord, who “ascended into heaven, is sitting at the right hand of God in order to rule and reign forever over all creatures, so that through the Holy Spirit he may make holy, purify, strengthen, and comfort all who believe in him, also distribute to them life and various gifts and benefits, and shield and protect them against the devil and sin.” (CA III,40)

To this we say wholeheartedly “Amen”. We don’t put our trust in princes or any other man, women or creation, but rather only in the living God, who alone is worthy of wholehearted praise and worship. Him we obey, adore and believe in. That is why we invite all to join with us to sing to the true king and Lord: Oh, Worship the King

Oh, worship the King, all glorious above.
Oh, gratefully sing his power and his love;
Our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days,
Pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.

Oh, tell of his might; oh, sing of his grace,
Whose robe is the light, whose canopy space;
His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form,
And dark is his path on the wings of the storm.

The earth with its store of wonders untold,
Almighty, your power has founded of old,
Established it fast by a changeless decree,
And round it has cast, like a mantle, the sea.

Your bountiful care what tongue can recite?
It breathes in the air, it shines in the light,
It streams from the hills, it descends to the plain
And sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.

Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,
In you do we trust, nor find you to fail;
Your mercies, how tender, how firm to the end,
Our maker, defender, redeemer, and friend!

O measureless Might, ineffable Love,
While angels delight to hymn you above.
The humbler creation, though feeble their lays,
With true adoration shall sing to your praise.

Author: Robert Grant (1779-1838)

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