Herrenhuter readings for Tuesday, the 31st December 2013

Posted on December 31, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

KirchturmFor no one is cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. (Lam 3:31-32 NIV) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith– and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Eph 2:8-10 NIV)

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Löhe on Genesis 49:18

Posted on December 30, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

song of simeon“For Thy salvation I wait, O LORD.” (Gen 49:18 NAS)

Our Lord and God lets his light shine again and again. Every dark valley has a sunny exit. Just when we thought that we would succumb in distress and singular trouble, our eternal and faithful savior was there also. He let us know, that he and his delightful heavens might have been hidden from sight, but that he holds his celestial exultations and pleasures in store for us, so that our joy would eventually be perfect. Thus the joy in the Lord triumphs. Our salvation overcomes all suffering. This will become abundantly clear once this world passes away and the heavens open up visibly. There the enjoyment of the Lord will abound and never end.

Abide with us, Lord, for it is toward evening and the day is far spent. Abide with us and with thy whole church. Abide with us in the end of the day, in the end of this year, in the end of our life, in the end of the world. Abide with us with thy grace and bounty, with thy holy Word and sacrament, with thy comfort and thy blessing. Abide with us when over us cometh the night of affliction and temptation, the night of fear and despair, the night of bitter death. Abide with us and with all thy faithful, through time and eternity.  Amen. (Wilhelm Löhe)

1 In Thee is gladness Amid all sadness, Jesus, sunshine of my heart. By Thee are given The gifts of heaven, Thou the true Redeemer art. Our souls Thou wakest, Our bonds Thou breakest; Who trusts Thee surely Has built securely; He stands forever: Allelujah! Our hearts are pining To see Thy shining, Dying or living To Thee are cleaving; Naught can us sever: Allelujah!

2 If He is ours, We fear no powers, Not of earth nor sin nor death. He sees and blesses In worst distresses; He can change them with a breath. Wherefore the story Tell of His glory With hearts and voices; All heav’n rejoices In Him for ever: Allelujah! We shout for gladness, Triumph o’er sadness, Love Him and praise Him And still shall raise Him Glad hymns forever: Allelujah! (Johann Lindemann, 1550-1634)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for the 30th December during the high holiday of Christmas. It is found on Pg. 40 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.

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Herrenhuter readings for Monday, the 30th December 2013

Posted on December 30, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Feasting 1Thus says the Lord: “You drink wine by the bowlful and use the finest lotions, but you do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph.” (Amo 6:6 NIV) and St. Paul concludes: “Do not look to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Phi 2:3-4 NIV)

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Predigt am 1.Sonntag nach Weihnachten

Posted on December 29, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

A.Lorenzetti, Darstellung,Simeon u.Hanna - A.Lorenzetti,Presentation,Simeon u.Hanna - A.Lorenzetti / Presentation / St SymeonHier ist meine Predigt zum 1.S.n.Weihnachten ueber Jesaja 49:13-16 gehalten in St. Paul (Arcadia) am 29. Dezember 2013: Predigt am 1.S.n.Weihnachten Jes 49,13-16 und hier zum anhoeren: 

 

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Löhe on Ps. 119:111

Posted on December 29, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Simeon_hanna01Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. (Psa 119:111 NIV)

We are all children of our time if we want to be or not. Each and every era is most accessible and comprehensible to its own generation. Therefore whoever wants to proclaim the eternal and unchangeable gospel to these changing people, must take this varying experience into account. Every time, age and generation has the right, but also the obligation to speak, sing and pray as it is able and as it suits the gospel best. Every age and generation must give witness about God’s great gift in Jesus Christ as the Holy Spirit has taught his Church through Word and sacraments so that its witness will be comprehensive, authentic and add to the wealth and treasure of God’s proclamation to this world. God is very much alive and speaks to his people even today. It might be that the calamities and troubles of this word silence many a voice and bring to a standstill many a writing hand, yet the witness of Jesus Christ does not rest yet. This witness is more important and crucial than any other. These witnesses in bad times are to acknowledge and spread the truth that God is alive and that his grace is with us in Jesus Christ – even if we don’t realize it due to our deserved punishment and castigation.

Lord God, heavenly Father, you have sent your servants, messengers and missionaries into this world that they may proclaim your holy word and the glory of your Son as salvation and life for all people. We ask you, grant faithful teachers with holy dedication and zeal, that they would preach and teach all that you would want them to and nothing besides that for the salvation of souls. We ask this in Jesus’ name, who is the light and the life, the truth and eternal peace. Amen. (Hermann Bezzel)

From east to west, from shore to shore, Let every heart awake and sing The holy Child Whom Mary bore, The Christ, the everlasting King. Behold, the world’s Creator wears The form and fashion of a slave; Our very flesh our Maker shares, His fallen creature, man, to save. For this how wondrously He wrought! A maiden, in her lowly place, Became, in ways beyond all thought, The chosen vessel of His grace. She bowed her to the angel’s word Declaring what the Father willed, And suddenly the promised Lord That pure and hallowed temple filled. He shrank not from the oxen’s stall, He lay within the manger bed, And He whose bounty feedeth all At Mary’s breast Himself was fed. And while the angels in the sky Sang praise above the silent field, To shepherds poor the Lord Most High, The one great Shepherd, was revealed. All glory for this blessèd morn To God the Father ever be; All praise to Thee, O virgin born, All praise, O Holy Ghost, to Thee.

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for the 29th December during the high holiday of Christmas. It is found on Pg. 39 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.

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Herrenhuter readigns for Sunday, the 29th December 2013

Posted on December 29, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

A.Lorenzetti, Darstellung,Simeon u.Hanna - A.Lorenzetti,Presentation,Simeon u.Hanna - A.Lorenzetti / Presentation / St SymeonI remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. (Psa 143:5 NIV) and St. Paul writes: “I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.” (Gal 1:12 NIV)

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Lutheran Order of Service in Zulu and Tswana

Posted on December 28, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Anna Simeon Presentation in the Temple - Duccio di BuoninsegnaThe Lutheran Order of Service for the first Sunday after Christmas is available here in isiZulu and seTswana. Today it comes with a sermon based on God’s word from the prophet Isaya chapter 49 the verses 13-16 written by Rev. F.J. Mtshali (Fearnie LC, MP) in isiZulu (wz1406131229 ngesonto 1 emva komkhosi wokukhulumbula ukuzalwa kweNkosi) and translated as usual into seTswana (wt1406131229 ngesonto 1 emva komkhosi wokukhumbula ukuzalwa weNkosi) by my father Rev. E.A.W.Weber DD (Welbedacht, KZN).

The readings for this Sunday are:

Old Testament:                 Isaiah 49:13-16

The Epistle:                         1. John 1:1-4

The Gospel:                        Lk 2: (22-24) 25-38 (39-40)

The liturgical colour is white.

May you have a very blessed weekend and have time to meditate on the watchword for this Christmas holiday: The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (Joh 1:14 NIV)

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 mailto:eawweber@bundunet.co.za

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Löhe on Lk.2,35 (28th December)

Posted on December 28, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

nativity mit KreuzThe angel said to Mary: “Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” (Luk 2:35 KJV)

This venerated Mother of God, who is blessed among women throughout the generations and who was showered with joy and gratitude by the angels and shepherds, she is to suffer much pain and sorrow yet. It will be like a sword piercing her inner being. Her pain will be due to her son, but not because he will trespass her will, cause her endless grief by mischief and downright evil. No, her son will not cause her suffering because of any wrongdoing on his part. However he is not just a rock of peace in the storm, but rather the bleeding, hurting, punished, tortured and crucified saviour. He was born to fight the biggest fight of all, struggle through the most serious battle and conquer the most treacherous and evil enemy of all. He will bring life to the world, but only through his own bitter death. He will suffer greatly, cry and fret – and his mother will behold it all. She will witness the enmity and hatred that will flood against her son and see how the severest wrath and punishment of God is concentrated solely on him. She was at the cross as heard all the blasphemy and ridicule and shame heaped upon him as he was hanging there for us and our salvation.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of your mother the blessed Virgin Mary and still her Lord. Her dear child and still her eternal and only saviour. Her joy and pride, yet there under the cross also her most bitter pain. You did’st suffer and die, so that the thoughts of many would be revealed. You know that many adhere to you and are bitterly hated all the more by your enemies and theirs.  O Lord, let us learn obedience in pain and suffering like your faithful mother. Let us behold your eternal glory. Amen.

Stricken, smitten, and afflicted, See Him dying on the tree! ’Tis the Christ by man rejected; Yes, my soul, ’tis He, ’tis He! ’Tis the long expected prophet, David’s Son, yet David’s Lord; Proofs I see sufficient of it: ’Tis a true and faithful Word.

Tell me, ye who hear Him groaning, Was there ever grief like His? Friends through fear His cause disowning, Foes insulting his distress: Many hands were raised to wound Him, None would interpose to save; But the deepest stroke that pierced Him Was the stroke that Justice gave.

Ye who think of sin but lightly, Nor suppose the evil great, Here may view its nature rightly, Here its guilt may estimate. Mark the Sacrifice appointed! See Who bears the awful load! ’Tis the Word, the Lord’s Anointed, Son of Man, and Son of God.

Here we have a firm foundation, Here the refuge of the lost. Christ the Rock of our salvation, Christ the Name of which we boast. Lamb of God for sinners wounded! Sacrifice to cancel guilt! None shall ever be confounded Who on Him their hope have built.

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for the 28th December during the high holiday of Christmas. It is found on Pg. 38 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.

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Herrenhuter readings for Saturday, the 28th December 2013

Posted on December 28, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

abrahamThe Lord said to Abraham: “I will bless you and you will be a blessing.“ (Gen 12:2 NIV) Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse (Rom 12:14 NIV)

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Löhe on Lk.2,18-19 (Christmas)

Posted on December 27, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Nativity Giorgione_AllendaleAll who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. (Luk 2:18-19 NIV)

Why did those shepherds not immediately start to talk, teach and preach after the angels had appeared to them? They did not think about talking and sharing. They wanted to see for themselves first. Only after they had seen the fulfilment of the angelic promise did they start to spread the word. They were to be witnesses not only to their neighbours, but for generations to come all over the world. After they had seen, they started talking. And they started spreading the word conscientiously. They know something, that can not be hidden. They are burning and on fire.

The effect of their sermon was varied, yet all were amazed by what they heard. These were truly amazing things they had witnessed. Things that reminded them of the divine promises of old, but surpassed them even by far.

Yet the effect was not just amazement. That would not have been such a lasting blessing after all. From the mother of Jesus we know that the result of their witness was a lasting and fruitful blessing indeed. She was not only amazed, but she treasured these things in her heart and pondered them in their magnitude. She off course is the one, who enlightened St. Luke about this remarkable happenings later on. Listening to the gospel of St. Luke narrating the early childhood stories is like listening to St. Mary. She is a shining example of how we should deal with God’s word, which is revealed to us by the biblical apostles and prophets.

Like Mary I want to contemplate the divine mystery: God revealed in our flesh!

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for the high holiday of Christmas. It is found on Pg. 36 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.

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