Herrenhuter readings for Tuesday, the 11th June 2013

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

IX IkoneHis dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away. (Dan 7:14 NIV)

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Heb 13:8 NIV)

Posted in Losung & Lehrtext | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Help for flood victims in Germany

Posted on June 10, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Hochwasser-in-Sachsen-Anhalt-Deichbruch-5-“Gott hat geholfen, Gott hilft, Gott wird helfen”
SELK-Gemeinde Görlitz will Flutopfern helfen

Görlitz, 9.6.2013 – selk – “Gott hat geholfen, Gott hilft, Gott wird helfen”
– diese Inschrift über einem Görlitzer Altstadt-Barock-Portal soll als Motto
über einem Fürbittgottesdienst der Görlitzer Heilig-Geist-Gemeinde der
Selbständigen Evangelisch-Lutherischen Kirche (SELK) am 4. Sonntag nach
Trinitatis (23. Juni) für die Opfer der Flutopferkatastrophe stehen.

Schon an den vergangenen Sonntagen gedachte die Görlitzer Gemeinde im
Kirchengebet und bei Gemeindeveranstaltungen der durch die Juniflut dieses
Jahres geschädigten Menschen in Süd- und Ostdeutschland. Im Jahr 2010, als
auch Gemeindeglieder aus Görlitz zu den Opfern der Wassermassen an Neiße und
Spree zählten, war die gesamtkirchliche Hilfsbereitschaft überwältigend. “In
diesem Jahr sind wir glimpflich davon gekommen”, sagte Gemeindepfarrer Gert
Kelter gegenüber selk-news. “Wir würden gerne ein bißchen von dem, was wir
vor drei Jahren an Hilfe erfahren haben, wieder zurück geben.”

Die kleine Gemeinde mit nur 85 Gemeindegliedern möchte daher auch die
Kollekte am 23. Juni, sowie bereits gesammelte Sonderspenden den Flutopfern
zur Verfügung stellen. “Große Summen werden dabei aus unserer kleinen
Gemeinde leider nicht zu erwarten sein”, so Kelter, der auch Propst des
Sprengels Ost der SELK ist. “Bislang scheinen -Gott sei Dank!- nur wenige
Kirchglieder der SELK und unseres Sprengels zu den Flutopfern zu gehören,
aber wir möchten das gesammelte Geld auch gerne betroffenen Menschen zur
Verfügung stellen, die nicht zu einer unserer Gemeinden gehören.” Die
Gemeindepfarrer des Sprengels Ost werden gebeten, Hilfe für Menschen aus
ihren Gemeinden oder dem regionalen Umfeld ihrer Gemeinden, die in Not
geraten sind, beim Pfarramt in Görlitz (goerlitz@selk.de) zu beantragen.
Weitere Spenden, die an Hilfsbedürftige weitergeleitet werden, können auch
auf das Gemeindekonto der Heilig-Geist-Gemeinde Görlitz, Konto Nummer 42 35,
BLZ 850 501 00 bei der Sparkasse Oberlausitz-Niederschlesien überwiesen
werden. (Verwendungszweck: Flutopfer Sprengel Ost der SELK)

—————————
Eine Meldung von selk_news /
Redaktion: SELK – Diakonie / diakonie@selk.de selk_news werden herausgegeben
von der Kirchenleitung der Selbständigen Evangelisch-Lutherischen Kirche
(SELK), Schopenhauerstraße 7, 30625 Hannover, Tel.             +49-511-557808       – Fax
+49-511-551588, E-Mail selk@selk.de
—> Informationen aus Kirche und Gemeinden in Wort und Bild
auch unter “Aktuell” auf www.selk.de!

© SELK 2013
Um den Newsletter zu verlassen, schreiben Sie eine Mail an:
mailto:leave-selk_news-6489695M@kbx.de

Posted in Lutheran World, SELK News | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

SELK pastor’s convention is starting next week God willing

Posted on June 10, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

johannisstiftGottesdienstliche Gastfreundschaft
SELK: Allgemeiner Pfarrkonvent steht bevor

Berlin, 9.6.2013 – selk – Die Vorbereitungen für den 12. Allgemeinen Pfarrkonvent der Selbständigen Evangelisch-Lutherischen Kirche (SELK) gehen jetzt in die Zielgerade. Der Konvent, zu dem knapp 140 Teilnehmende erwartet werden, findet vom 17. bis zum 21. Juni in den Räumen des Evangelischen Johannesstiftes in Berlin-Spandau (http://www.evangelisches-johannesstift.de) statt.

Auf dem Konvent werden das Thema „Kirche und Finanzen“ und Fragen der Kirchengemeinschaft ebenso eine Rolle spielen wie die Arbeit an Agenden sowie Beratungen über ein künftiges Gesangbuch der SELK. Die Auslieferung des Gesangbuchentwurfs in Papierform verzögert sich, sodass die Teilnehmer des APK ihre Papierexemplare erst in Berlin in Empfang nehmen können. Die mit der Vorbereitung eines neuen Gesangbuches für die SELK befasste Kommission hat aber inzwischen in einem passwortgeschützten Bereich den Konventualen alle Teile des Gesangbuches vorab in digitaler Form zugänglich gemacht.

Mit einer weiteren Postzulieferung konnte den Konventualen zum Wochenende der überarbeitete Entwurf des Bandes III/2 der Evangelisch-lutherischen Kirchenagende – Die Konfirmation – zur Verfügung gestellt werden. Für den von der Liturgischen Kommission erarbeiteten Band wurden die Voten, die aus der Arbeit mit dem Entwurf in den Gemeinden und auf den Pfarrkonventen bei der Kommission eingegangen sind, ausgewertet.

Zur Arbeit an dem Thema „Ordination von Frauen“ hat die Kirchenleitung eine Zusammenstellung der Synoden- und Konventsbeschlussfassungen, die seit Bestehen der SELK erfolgt sind, zur Verfügung gestellt. Die SELK hat in ihrer Grundordnung festgelegt, dass das Amt der Wortverkündigung und Sakramentsverwaltung nur Männern übertragen werden kann, und befindet sich seit längerer Zeit in einem Beratungsprozess über diese Regelung.

Nachdem sich gezeigt hatte, dass nicht für alle Gottesdienste und Andachten des APK die Kirche des Johannesstiftes genutzt werden kann, hat sich die Evangelische Kirchengemeinde Wichern-Radeland (http://www.wichern-radelandgemeinde.de) bereit erklärt, die Wichernkirche zusätzlich zur Verfügung zu stellen. In der Wichernkirche, die sich in unmittelbarer Nähe zum Stiftsgelände befindet, wird auch der Eröffnungsgottesdienst am 17. Juni stattfinden: Um 17.15 Uhr beginnt der Beichtgottesdienst, um 17.45 Uhr der Hauptgottesdienst, in dem SELK-Bischof Hans-Jörg Voigt (Hannover) die Predigt halten wird.

Als geladene Gäste aus Schwesterkirchen werden am Pfarrkonvent zeitweise teilnehmen die leitenden Geistlichen Präses Robert Bugbee (Lutherische Kirche–Kanada), Superintendent Christof Schorling (Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche in Baden), Präses Gijsbertus van Hattem (Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche in Belgien) und Bischof Dr. Wilhelm Weber (Lutherische Kirche im Südlichen Afrika).
——————–
Ein Bericht von selk_news /
Redaktion: SELK – Gesamtkirche /
selk_news werden herausgegeben von der Kirchenleitung
der Selbständigen Evangelisch-Lutherischen Kirche (SELK),
Schopenhauerstraße 7, 30625 Hannover,
Tel.             +49-511-557808       – Fax +49-511-551588,
E-Mail selk@selk.de
—> Informationen aus Kirche und Gemeinden in Wort und Bild
auch unter „SELK-Aktuell“ auf http://www.selk.de

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Löhe on 1 John 3:14a

Posted on June 10, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

congregationWe know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers.  (1Jo 3:14 NIV)

Love and life belong together. Just like the corollary hatred and death fitting fist-in-glove. Love and life go together, yes, love is life. Whoever loves his brothers is alive. And when he previously was hating them and now has been converted to loving them, then he has moved from death to life. We know this, writes the apostle St. John. This goes a long way to prove that this is knowable and that we can recognize it if one has moved from death into life and thus into the new, eternal life of God. It is possible to know this and that we are reborn to eternal life. This knowledge grants peace, quite and assured confidence. God wants us to have and experience this. Therefore it is not only strange, but also wrong and deplorable if somebody thinks it to be a sign of modesty and humility to be ignorant about the status of his/her soul and inner life. Often such ignorance is just a bad cover-up for the negative condition that is prevailing still. One tries to be something even though there is nothing of faithful consequence or lasting substance. Poor human race! Woe to those, who are confident in the own standing while his/her name has long ago been scratched from the list of eternal salvation.

O saviour of our souls Lord Jesus Christ! Confirm us in our gracious salvation. Let your love determine our entire being and innermost heart. Strengthen our faith, that nothing can rent us asunder from your caring hand. Grant us a sensitive conscience, that we hate and deplore sin and develop a sensitivity of all that is contrary to your will and ways and keep that far away from us and our lives. Grant us steadfastness in faith and Christian hope, that we will build entirely on your meritorious and vicarious salvation, while despairing in all our own being, thoughts and deeds. Lord, we trust in you, let us never be confounded. Amen.  

Lord – take care of me and pull me away from all that holds me back from you. Let my heart be free to join you in heaven!

Lord – take care of me and give me a converted heart and if you see anything that is against your will and way tear it out!

Lord – take care of me and let me fight bravely against Satan, sin and worldly ways held up by your victorious triumph.

Lord – take care of me in the final confrontation and temptation. Lead me safely to your eternal kingdom in peace and glorious fulfilment. (Johann Ludwig Konrad Allendorf, 1693-1773)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Monday after the second Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 230 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.

Posted in Meditations by P.Wilhelm Löhe (Translation) | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Herrenhuter readings for Monday, the 10th June 2013

Posted on June 10, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

rich manIn his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. (Proverbs 16:9 NIV)

Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones.”… But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ (Luke 12:18-20 NIV)

Posted in Losung & Lehrtext | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Löhe on 1 John 3:13

Posted on June 9, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Grosse EinladungDo not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you. (1Jo 3:13 NIV)

In today’s gospel our Lord Jesus Christ speaks about the great feast to which so many have been invited, yet despite the invitation so few attend. He doesn’t talk about the hatred that those, who do not want to give up their lifestyle together with their lands, their oxen and their wives have for those who actually do follow their Lord’s call to follow him and leave everything else behind. Yet this is a part of Church history and the apostle St. John highlights it in today’s Epistle reading. Here he mentions both the hatred of the world against the Church, but also about the enduring love of God for his children and their responsive love towards their heavenly Father. Whoever follows the call of the triune God to partake in the heavenly feast partake in his love, grace and mercy. Yet on the other hand they also become the target of the worlds violent and passionate hatred. This is the experience of God’s people throughout the ages. They are persecuted with vengeance, their peace is constantly put under pressure with legal and illegal means – menace by sword and death. There are numerous examples which seem to speak loud and clear about the victory of this world’s people over God’s people in the holy Christian Church. Their hatred seems to triumph over the children of God and followers of Jesus Christ. This has happened so often that we can take it for granted even – and shouldn’t be surprised. In the same vain we should be very skeptical where the Church seems to triumph in glory and the manifestation of its own success and well being. It might just be that these people are no longer part of the Church, but rather some worldly sect or partisan grouping that lives for itself and strives after it’s own goals with independent purpose and motivated drive – part of the world, accommodated into its way of doing things and far removed from following Jesus and his ways. For wherever people follow Jesus there the hatred of the world is aglow and martyrdom,  subtle or grotesque torture and even brutal onslaught and passionate warfare will not be far off.

Almighty, eternal God – you show us your heart and passionate love in your son Jesus Christ. He’s like a mirror reflecting your will and burning love towards us. You have poured out his love into our hearts through the gift of faith. We ask you: Grant us the grace that we love each other and yours from the bottom of our hearts and with passionate care even under pressure of this worlds hatred. Let us love not only with words, but also with deeds and in truth so that your love and eternal live will stay with us constantly. Give your Holy Spirit to give us his blessed testimony that we are brought from death to life in Jesus Christ, our Lord and in this faith be saved now and forever. Amen. (Hamburg hymnal and prayer book 1871)

Even if tears are your most precious pearls while sighing and painful crying are your best hymn, your blood is the only crimson gown and deprivation your only constant treasure and good – then Zion don’t despair, you can still trust in God so fair.

Do they threaten with shame and bondage, with greatest pain and even death – for sure you’re not at the end and forsaken. Remember eternity, keep the faith and fix your eyes on Jesus. He’s in control and will strengthen you all the way – without fail.

Rejoice – the end is near and the final evening is drawing nigh. Commit yourself into God’s caring hands. He’ll liberate you from all shame, blame and heinous flame and crown you with his eternal crown. Zion, you’ll rejoice once more so let the world be – God is yours and that’s our glee! (Joachim Pauli 1635-1708)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for second Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 229 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.

Posted in Meditations by P.Wilhelm Löhe (Translation) | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Herrenhuter readings for Sunday, the 9th June 2013

Posted on June 9, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

gottesdienst“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.” (1Ch 29:14 NIV)

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. (1Pe 4:10 NIV)

Posted in Losung & Lehrtext | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The latest LTS Newsletter is out.

Posted on June 8, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Rockrohrs 2013The latest LTS newsletter (LTSNews_June2013_hq) is out – thanks to Dr. Carl Rockrohrs for this. We wish him and his family God’s blessings as they start their new assignment in Ethiopia.

Posted in LTS in Tshwane | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lutheran Order of service in isiZulu/seTswana

Posted on June 8, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

restThe Lutheran Order of Service for the 2nd Sunday after Trinity (9th June 2013) is available here in isiZulu and seTswana. Today it comes with a sermon on Isaiah 55,1-5 written by brother Rev. F.J. Mtshali (LC Fernie, MP) in isiZulu (wz1332130609 n Tr 2) and translated as usual into seTswana (wt1332130609 n Tr 2) by my father Rev. E.A.W.Weber DD.

May you have a very blessed weekend and have time to meditate on the watchword for this Sunday. Our Lord Jesus Christ invites us so endearingly: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Mat 11:28 NIV) The liturgical colour is green.

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.

Posted in Lutheran Order of service | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Löhe on 1 John 4:19

Posted on June 8, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

icon_christ_preaching_from_boat_210pxWe love because he first loved us. (1Jo 4:19 NIV)

We human beings are sinners and as such we need lots of encouragement and motivation to love God. Well, God has done more than his fair share by his good example and the perfect love shown by his son Jesus Christ. That’s his friendly invitation to return his love accordingly. The Almighty has not only given us his permission to follow suit, but rather called us to follow in his footsteps. In his incomprehensible and unfathomable love our love grounds and is rooted. But what is our love compared with his? What is the brook against the stream, the stream compared with the ocean? Even if they are closely related to one another they still are quite different. Both are made up with water, yet the size and quantity we are looking at is just so vastly different. The love is one and yet it too is vastly different depending on the being it lives in. God’s love encompasses all – just as the oceans of this world that contain and receive all waters eventually. God’s love is more blessed and far more beautiful than anything else – and even a burning and devouring fire for those opposed to it. What is human love compared with that – even the love of the most pious and holy amongst us?

How small our love is compared with you, o Lord! Even where we go all out loving from the bottom of our heart, we remain quite insignificant and poor. We realize, we have love and that this love is from you and yet we ask and plead you: Forgive us our loving debt and all that love, that we continue to owe and that we have held back and not shared as we were supposed to. We are yearning to be fully united with you, so that your richness will compensate our poverty and that your love will be all in all. (Wilhelm Löhe)

Love divine, all loves excelling, Joy of heaven to earth come down; Fix in us thy humble dwelling; All thy faithful mercies crown! Jesus, Thou art all compassion, Pure unbounded love Thou art; Visit us with Thy salvation; Enter every trembling heart.

Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit, Into every troubled breast! Let us all in Thee inherit; Let us find that second rest. Take away our bent to sinning; Alpha and Omega be; End of faith, as its Beginning, Set our hearts at liberty.

Come, Almighty to deliver, Let us all Thy life receive; Suddenly return and never, Never more Thy temples leave. Thee we would be always blessing, Serve Thee as Thy hosts above, Pray and praise Thee without ceasing, Glory in Thy perfect love.

Finish, then, Thy new creation; Pure and spotless let us be. Let us see Thy great salvation Perfectly restored in Thee; Changed from glory into glory, Till in heaven we take our place,Till we cast our crowns before Thee, Lost in wonder, love, and praise.  (Charles Wesley 1747 )

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Saturday after the first Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 228 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.

Posted in Meditations by P.Wilhelm Löhe (Translation) | Tagged , , | Leave a comment