Doxology in Pretoria

DSC_0585O Spirit, who didst once restore Thy Church that it might be again The bringer of good news to men, Breathe on Thy cloven Church once more, That in these gray and latter days There may be those whose life is praise, Each life a high doxology To Father, Son and unto Thee. (Martin H. Franzmann, 1907-1976) Last night we heard, that it was this verse, which gave “Doxology” its name.

The Doxology Conference got off to a good start on Monday evening. Pastors arrived from far and wide to join the workshop led by Professors Dr. Harald Senkbeil and Dr. Beverly Yahnke, both from our sister-church the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. After registration and supper the work started at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane with an introductory session with Dr. Yahnke on “Word, Sacrament and Psychotherapy”. Afterwards a pastor commented: “Well, I am looking forward to more of this!”

Most pastors are accommodated in the dormitories of the theological students, who are still away for the summer break. We are grateful for the clouds that have cooled off Gauteng over the last few days and are looking forward to another full day of issues like “Shepherding souls: The classical model for the care of souls in contemporary practice” and “A noble task: A Christ-centered paradigm for pastoral self-care.”

Every diocese is leading one of the devotions, which frame the proceedings both in the morning and evening. We are grateful to St.Paul’s for granting us access to their facility for the worship services and also for the meals.

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Herrenhuter readings for Tuesday, the 21st January 2014

Moses and the burning bush Marc SchagallDo not come any closer,” God said to Moses. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” (Exo 3:5 NIV) and Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Heb 4:16 NIV)

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Herrenhuter readings for Monday, the 20th January 2014

Fusswaschung“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations.” (Isa 42:1 NIV) and Jesus Christ said: “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.”(Mar 10:42-43 NIV)

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Herrenhuter readings for Sunday, the 19th January 2014

Tower_with_gate_of_the_fortressBut the LORD will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel. (Joe 3:16 NIV) and Jesus prayed: My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. (Joh 17:15 NIV)

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Herrenhuter readings for Saturday, the 18th January 2014

Rejoice and be gladMy heart rejoices in the LORD” (1Sa 2:1 NIV) and “Now remain in my love…I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (Joh 15:9-11 NIV)

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Lutheran Order of Service in Zulu and Tswana

canaThe Lutheran Order of Service for the 2nd Sunday after the Holiday of Epiphany (6th January) is available here in isiZulu and seTswana. Today it comes with a sermon based on God’s word from the letter to the Hebrews chapter 12 the verses 12-18 (19-21) 22-25a written in isiZulu (wz1411140119 Epi 2) and seTswana (wt1411140119 Epi 2) by my father Rev. E.A.W.Weber DD (Welbedacht, KZN).

The readings for the 2nd Sunday after Epiphany are:

Old Testament:                 Exodus 33:17b-23

The Epistle:                       Romans 12: (4-8) 9-16

The Gospel:                       John 2:1-11

The liturgical colour is green.

May you have a very blessed Sunday and have time to meditate on the watchword for this first Sunday after Epiphany: For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. (Rom 8:14 NIV)

Collect for the 2nd Sunday after Epiphany: Almighty and everlasting God, who governs all things in heaven and on earth, mercifully hear the prayers of Your people and grant us Your peace through all our days; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

If you are called to preach, 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 mailto:eawweber@bundunet.co.za

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Herrenhuter readings for Friday, the 17th January 2014

baptism stained windowsThe LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation. (Psa 118:14 KJV) and the Father hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son. (Col 1:13 KJV)

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Herrenhuter readings for Thursday, the 16th January 2014

IX crucifiedSurely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. (Isa 53:4 NIV) and Jesus Christ is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. (1Jo 2:2 NIV)

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Daily living as saved sinner …

Christ_of_Saint_John_of_the_CrossIn the conviction that in this life we only fulfil God’s design, I have gained perfect peace in all happenings. I fear nothing more than the devil’s position, the position to do God’s works as sinner i.e. I am afraid of everything. For as the flood of original sin is so overwhelming that Luther articulates my deepest conviction where he states, that the righteous sin even in their best deeds, it appears as if no alternative remains for us but to take up the sin of not doing anything, because we are unable to do anything, anything at all that is not adulterated  with sin. However from this flows the other most vigorous conviction too, that only and solely God’s grace and the precious blood of Christ can help and save us. Therefore again I fear nothing really, for the Lord bears me on his hands, my soul is like clay on his potter’s wheel. He may make from it a vessel for honour or shame – I am content. At night I go to bed with a prayer for mercy and leave all behind me that is done. I cast all anxiety onto him and stand up in the morning as a new person, who after the day’s work will again pray with the Psalmist: All men are liars, yet having the firm resolve to take the cup of salvation and hoping in the Lord, who will break our bonds and deal with us graciously. (Translation of a passage from Heinrich Leo’s  letter to Carl von Rappard in Pinne on 16 March 1847 quoted by H.J. Shoeps in Deutsche Geistesgeschichte der Neuzeit I: Das Zeitalter der Reformation. Pg 273-274)

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Herrenhuter readings for Wednesday, the 15th January 2014

mustard seedO turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant. (Psa 86:16 KJV) and the apostles said to the Lord, “Strengthen our faith!” (Luk 17:5)

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