Oh Lord: Do not be a terror to me; you are my refuge in the day of disaster. (Jer 17:17 NIV)
We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. (Rom 5:1-2 NIV)
The Lutheran Order of Service for this years 18th Sunday after the high holiday of the most holy and blessed Trinity coincides with the holiday of the archangel St. Michael and all angels celebrated traditionally on the 29th September every year. Today the order of service is available here in isiZulu and seTswana and comes with a sermon based on God’s word from Exodus 20 verses 1-17 written by my father Rev. E.A.W.Weber DD (Welbedacht, KZN) in both isiZulu (wz1348130929 n Tr 18a) and seTswana (wt1348130929 n Tr 18).
The readings for the 18th Sunday after Trinity are:
Old Testament: Exodus (2. Mose) 20, 1-17
The Epistle: Romans 14,17-19
The Gospel: Mark 12,28-34
The liturgical colour is green (or for the Holiday of St. Michael and all angels white)
May you have a very blessed weekend and have time to meditate on the watchword for the Sunday: And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. (1Jo 4:21 NIV)- and 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 purely and his promises faithfully! 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.
Yes, you have kept your promise … with your mouth you have promised and with your hand you have fulfilled it– as it is today. (1Ki 8:24 NIV)
St. Paul said: “We tell you the good news: What God promised our ancestors he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus.” (Act 13:32-33 NIV)
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called. (Eph 4:4 NIV)The one Holy Spirit rules all members of the Church and causes them to be children of the same Spirit and hence also be of one Spirit. They are motivated by the same spiritual tendency and motion. Furthermore the Church is called to one body too. Even if I am tempted to spiritualize this quickly, the very words “one body and one Spirit” force me to differentiate. The Church is called to be of one Spirit with all its members i.e. to be ruled by the Holy Spirit in all matters. This is a communion amongst all Christians. As St. Paul also emphasizes the “one body”, he surely does not want to repeat himself. Rather he is pointing to the physical, visible communion and togetherness characterizing the true Christian Church. It goes without saying that Christendom is splint into countless parties and groups, confessions and denominations. Yet there is a unity of all these various separated entities. They are one in contrast to the world. Everyone belonging to the Church is called to give witness to this unity of the Christian Church. The big goal of Christ’s mission is that the all the fundamentals and pillars of the Church should be promoted and highlighted and even increased and grown – so that the body of Christ may prosper and flourish. All members of the Church have also one hope in their calling, the eternal transfiguration and glorification of the Church. All her weakness here and now, will then shine forth in glorious splendor and holy magnificence.
Lord God and Father of us all, you God of peace and love! You desire that we as your children here on earth would live in unity and harmony according to your good and gracious will. We plead you: Grant us your good and holy Spirit, that he may quicken in us Christian humility, gentleness and patience. We have one faith, one baptism and one hope. Therefore help us that we would be likeminded and eager to promote the unity in your Spirit through bonds of peace until we come to your eternal peace in your heavenly kingdom. Amen. (From Diederici manuale ecclesiasticum)
But while watching, also pray To the Lord unceasing. God protects you day by day, Strength and faith increasing, So that still Mind and will Shall unite to serve Him and forever love him. (Johann B. Freystein 1671-1718)
This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Thursday after the seventeenth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 338 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.
“The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when the reaper will be overtaken by the plowman and the planter by the one treading grapes. New wine will drip from the mountains and flow from all the hills, and I will bring my people Israel back from exile. “They will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit.” (Amo 9:13-14 NIV)
When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. (Luk 21:28 NIV)
One Lord, one faith. (Eph 4:5a NIV)At the core of Christian unity is the one Lord Jesus Christ. All members of the Church acknowledge him as their only head and heart. Therefore there is nothing that can support, promote and motivate Christians in their unity than being focused on him alone and above all else. His Lordship dominates those reigned in singular reign. This Lord is of outstanding and unique character, who works unity and harmony in those belonging to him continuously. Our Lord is Lord of all – and Lord of Lords too. Our calling to unity and oneness in faith, hope and love is confirmed and strengthened by looking up to him and receiving life and salvation from him alone – in faith. The creedal unity of confessional Churches is by far stronger and more harmonious than might be expected at first sight, because the Christian Churches of the East and the West are quite agreed in most principal doctrines of the faith. Even if there is substantial difference in this and that article of faith, we should not forget the overwhelming unanimity of confession in the Trinitarian creed as formulated in Nicaea and expressing the united foundation of the holy Christian Church. This one, holy Christian faith remains the solitary basis for unity and harmony amongst those belonging to the one herd of the good Shepherd Jesus Christ.
Lord Jesus Christ, joyfully we confess and call you our Lord and God. Through your victorious death and resurrection you have attained authority and Lordship over us as your very own people and dominion. Assist us further to rejoice with gratitude and thanksgiving that millions of people across the globe have joined us in praising you for this universal salvation. Grant that we will faithfully seek and promote the spiritual unity and blessed communion with those that belong to you here and elsewhere. Let us be one just as you and the Father are one. Amen.
The Church’s one foundation Is Jesus Christ her Lord, She is His new creation By water and the Word. From heaven He came and sought her To be His holy bride; With His own blood He bought her And for her life He died.
She is from every nation, Yet one o’er all the earth; Her charter of salvation, One Lord, one faith, one birth; One holy Name she blesses, Partakes one holy food, And to one hope she presses, With every grace endued.
The Church shall never perish! Her dear Lord to defend, To guide, sustain, and cherish, Is with her to the end: Though there be those who hate her, And false sons in her pale, Against both foe or traitor She ever shall prevail.
Though with a scornful wonder Men see her sore oppressed, By schisms rent asunder, By heresies distressed: Yet saints their watch are keeping, Their cry goes up, “How long?” And soon the night of weeping Shall be the morn of song!
’Mid toil and tribulation, And tumult of her war, She waits the consummation Of peace forevermore; Till, with the vision glorious, Her longing eyes are blest, And the great Church victorious Shall be the Church at rest.
Yet she on earth hath union With God the Three in One, And mystic sweet communion With those whose rest is won, With all her sons and daughters Who, by the Master’s hand Led through the deathly waters, Repose in Eden land.
O happy ones and holy! Lord, give us grace that we Like them, the meek and lowly, On high may dwell with Thee: There, past the border mountains, Where in sweet vales the Bride With Thee by living fountains Forever shall abide! (Johann B. Freystein 1671-1718)
This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Friday after the seventeenth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 339 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.
There is one body and one Spirit, (Eph 4:4 NIV)God’s Church is alive in one Spirit and vitalized by the same. If on account of this word also confess that just as there is only one Lord, so there is also just one faith and not just a plurality of faiths and creeds, then most people today believe that this is an illusion which will not be realized in our lifetimes. Yes, they might even call us fanatics, who can not abide in humility, gentleness, patience, love and peace. The figure “one” is just unbearable to them. They say that this “oneness” causes strive, conflict and war. A conglomerate and mixture of faith in global pluralism and totality seems to be the only attainable goal. Every teaching is to be tolerated and we should not be so narrowly fixated on one holy and divine truth – they tempt us. Why should we be disconcerted and dismayed, even put off – while we’re moving with a good conscience on the path dictated by the Holy Spirit and his biblical revelation in the Old and New Testament. There is but one God. Therefore – as truly as he is alive and in control – there is but his truth: one! Consequently one holy doctrine and one pure faith too. This is and remains true even on the Day of Judgement. Let them argue and dispute – these enemies of the Church. They are the ones opposing the divine unity, because they reject the divine truth. They are enemies, because they attack the one, sole body of Jesus Christ: the Church. Bear them – as you can. Excuse whatever can be excused without sinning and lying. Practice love in truth – and be content. It will not change – at least not before the end.
Oh Father of mercy and God of all grace. You rule and heal our hearts. Keep peace and promote unity and strengthen your Church against large and small enemies trying to corrupt her. Grant her your Holy Spirit – in richest measure, the Spirit of peace and communion, so that we as your children and saved elect strive for faithful unity and Concordia in your truth. Overcome and discard all that opposes your will and seeks to drive us apart. Help us to reach your heavenly kingdom in which your peace and righteousness reign in eternity. Amen. (A. Hermann)
Fight the good fight with all thy might; Christ is thy Strength, and Christ thy Right; Lay hold on life, and it shall be Thy joy and crown eternally.
Run the straight race through God’s good grace, Lift up thine eyes, and seek His face; Life with its way before us lies, Christ is the Path, and Christ the Prize.
Cast care aside, upon thy Guide, Lean, and His mercy will provide; Lean, and the trusting soul shall prove Christ is its Life, and Christ its Love.
Faint not nor fear, His arms are near, He changeth not, and thou art dear. Only believe, and thou shalt see That Christ is all in all to thee. (John S. B. Monsell, 1811-1875)
This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Wednesday after the seventeenth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 337 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.
But,” the Lord said to Moses, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” (Exo 33:20 NIV)
Jesus Christ said: “The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me.” (Joh 12:45 NIV)
The Faculty of Catholic Theology of the University of Erfurt and the Johann-Adam-Möhler-Institute for Ecumenics in Paderborn are preparing an international symposium on Luther. This symposium will take place in 2014 at the Augustinian monastery in Erfurt from 21st to 25th September. It is to be understood as the contribution of the Catholic Church to the commemoration of the reformation in 2017 and will bring together the catholic research on Luther and the Lutheran theologians being concerned with catholic theology.
Kurt Cardinal Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity, has confirmed his attendance, just as well-known colleagues from Germany and abroad.
Today, we cordially invite you to join the symposium. Please find enclosed the programme for your information. Any additional information as well as the registration form can be obtained on our homepage http://www.moehlerinstitut.de/projekte/luther-symposium.
It is our aim to initiate enquiries and repositioning within the catholic theology concerning Luther und the reformation and, therefore, we will appreciate a broad participation of people dealing with Lutheran and Catholic theology. So we kindly ask you to support us in promoting the symposium and are looking forward to welcoming you in Erfurt.
Kind regards,
Professor Dr. Wolfgang Thönissen, Professor Dr. Josef Freitag
Nachruf auf Bischof i. R. Georg Schulz
Ein Mittler im Dienst des einen Mittlers
Georg Schulz wurde am 24. September 1928 in Tilsit (Ostpreußen) geboren. Nach Flakhelfer-Einsatz, Kriegsgefangenschaft und Flucht wies ihn sein Pastor Werner Schwinge (inzwischen in Hamburg) an das Missionsseminar in Bleckmar (heute: Lutherische Kirchenmission). Dort begann er am 20. Mai 1948 seine siebenjährige Ausbildung zum Missionar, die auch Studienaufenthalte in Oberursel und Hamburg einschloss. Nachdem er am 3. August 1955 das Erste Theologische Examen bestanden hatte, wurde er am 23. Oktober in Bleckmar zum Missionsdienst in Südafrika abgeordnet. Am 20. Dezember traf er mit dem Schiff in Durban ein.
Während seiner Einarbeitungs- und Vikarszeit lernte er Zulu auf Salem bei Superintendent Christoph Johannes und in Pella bei Pastor Absalom Sibiya, begleitete Missionsinspektor Friedrich Wilhelm Hopf auf dessen erster Visitationsreise und ließ sich in Enhlanhleni durch Missionar Gottfried Stallmann in die Missionsarbeit einführen.
Seine Verlobte Elisabeth Heidt folgte ihm im Mai 1957 nach Südafrika; sie heirateten am
1. Oktober 1957 in Wittenberg (Transvaal). Dem Ehepaar wurden fünf Kinder geschenkt: Martin (1958), Ulrike (1960), Detlev (1962), Eckart (1964) und Angelika (1971). Nach seinem Amtsexamen wurde Georg Schulz am 20. April 1958 im südafrikanischen Wittenberg ordiniert und zunächst auf Salem im Gemeindedienst eingesetzt.
Schon 1961 wurde er als theologischer Lehrer an das Seminar in Enhlanhleni/Natal berufen, wo er vor allem die Fächer Neues Testament und Kirchengeschichte unterrichtete und dann eine ganze Generation heranwachsender afrikanischer Pastoren prägte. Zugleich baute er in den ersten Jahren eine Gemeinde im benachbarten Tholeni auf.
Noch im Jahr 1961 wurde er zusätzlich zum Missionssuperintendenten ernannt und in
dieses kirchenleitende Amt 1962 eingeführt; er verwaltete es, bis er 1986 davon entlastet
wurde. 1963 trat er mit seiner Familie seinen ersten Deutschlandaufenthalt an, dem 1972,
1980 und 1990 weitere folgten. Als sich 1967 die „Lutherische Kirche im Südlichen Afrika“ konstituierte, wurde er am 2. April als deren Bischof berufen und zu weiteren Amtszeiten 1973 und 1985 erneut gewählt. Die neuen kirchlichen Strukturen mussten mit Leben erfüllt, Verwaltungsstrukturen neu aufgebaut werden. Äußeres Wachstum im angestammten Bereich und nach Botswana hinüber, Umsiedlungen von Gemeinden und tief greifende Veränderungen der gesellschaftlichen Rahmenbedingungen erforderten stets ein hohes Maß an umsichtigem Geschick und bedachter Kreativität. Seit 1980 entwickelte Georg Schulz eine Zusammenarbeit mit der Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod entscheidend mit. 1981 verlieh ihm das Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne den Ehrendoktor der Theologie (D. D.).
Anfang 1983 erlitt er einen Herzinfarkt, von dem er sich gut wieder erholte, aber doch
gezeichnet blieb von den Grenzen seiner Belastbarkeit. Am 2. Advent 1993 führte er dann im Rahmen einer Synode, die in Roodepoort tagte, seinen Nachfolger, Bischof David Tswaedi, in sein Amt ein und wurde selbst mit Verleihung eines Emeritenkreuzes in den Ruhestand verabschiedet. Den verlebte er in Hermannsburg, der Heimat seiner Frau. Von hier aus pflegten sie durch Besuchsreisen den Kontakt innerhalb ihrer inzwischen über die Kontinente verstreuten Familie. Am 1. April 2004 wurde Georg Schulz nach schwerer Krankheit heimgerufen.
Georg Schulz war ein Mittler im Dienst des einen Mittlers. Er stand an der Nahtstelle zwischen den die Mission tragenden Gemeinden und der Missionsleitung in Deutschland und der Mitarbeiterschaft und den Gemeinden in Afrika. Als Bischof hielt er die Verbindung zwischen den unterschiedlichen Regionen seiner Kirche und förderte ihr Zusammenwachsen und ihre Gemeinschaft. Als theologischer Lehrer vermittelte er das biblische Fundament und die kirchliche Tradition an eine jüngere Generation in einer andern kulturellen und religiösen Umwelt. Als weißer Bischof einer schwarzen Kirche
legte er ein Zeugnis für die alle menschlichen Unterschiede übergreifende Herrschaft
Christi ab, litt zu seinem Teil an der Apartheid mit und suchte in vielerlei Spannungen den
Ausgleich. Als Bischof einer schwarzen lutherischen Kirche im südlichen Afrika bemühte er sich um einen gut nachbarlichen Ausgleich mit der weißen Freien Evangelisch-Lutherischen Synode in Südafrika und eine verständnisvolle Zusammenarbeit mit ihr. Als Seelsorger der Pastoren und der Mitarbeiter der Kirche setzte er sich auch in persönlichen Krisen als Mittler ein. Ebenso warb er um Verständnis für den eigenen kirchlichen Weg auch in Kontakten zu anderen Kirchen. Die zeitgeschichtlichen Entwicklungen verfolgte er mit großer Aufmerksamkeit und trug viel dazu bei, sie theologisch zu analysieren
und auf rechte christliche Weise darauf zu reagieren. All dies erforderte nicht nur Belesenheit, viel Arbeit am Schreibtisch, darunter ein reger und intensiver Briefwechsel mit dem jeweiligen Missionsdirektor, und Unterricht am Seminar, sondern auch ein ständiges Unterwegssein auf Reisen innerhalb des südlichen Afrikas und nach Europa und Amerika mit einer Unzahl von Vorträgen, Gesprächen und Predigten.
In einer Fülle von Beiträgen zum Missionsblatt leitete er zu einem vertieften Verständnis des sich wandelnden Missionsgeschehens und der an ihm beteiligten Personen an, wie auch durch seine Aufsätze in den Jubiläumsschriften der Bleckmarer Mission (1967: Der Weg zur Kirchwerdung; 1992: Das geistliche Amt nach lutherischem Verständnis in der missionarischen Situation). Diesen seinen vielfältigen Mittlerdienst verstand Georg Schulz nicht als seine eigene Lebensleistung, sondern ganz bewusst als das ihm von Christus durch die Kirche aufgetragene Amt. Und so hat Christus selbst der ekenntnisgebundenen lutherischen Kirche weit über das südliche Afrika hinaus durch das Lebenswerk dieses seines Dieners seine segensreiche Begleitung auf ihrem Weg durch diese Zeiten zugewandt.
Volker Stolle in “Gehet Hin”: Missionsblatt 3 (2004) 26-27
Wilhelm's space 