Well, whether you’re in Ghana, Botswana or in Tanzania, in Germany or even in Brazil – you’ll be able to find the Lutheran Church – and brass bands too. Read more about this history in an overview by Reinhard Lassek readable in “Zeitzeichen” 2 (2012) ???: Zeitzeichen – Posaunenchöre
Don’t for one moment think that the Church is the only global player in the issues of faith and religion and worldwide missions. Remember the pictures I posted of the new mosque in Midrand, which is to be the biggest in the Southern hemisphere? Well, here is one, which is very, very similar – practically hatched from the same nest and clutch: The DITIB-Merkez-Mosque in Duisburg-Marxloh built in the traditional style from the osmanic period:
Read more about this and the development of Islam in Germany in the latest edition of “Zeitzeichen” 4 (2012) 16ff here: Zeitzeichen – Staatsislam in Deutschland_
Happy family: Is that a banjo?
Margot Kaessmann ist zur Botschafterin der Luther-Dekade berufen. Da ist es interessant, was sie von Luther haelt. Hier einige Einblicke auf dem Weg auf 2017 zu. Das wird fuer uns Lutheraner ja richtig spannend – 500 Jahre Lutherische Kirche – und wir als Lutherische Kirche im suedlichen Afrika feiern dann schon unser 50. Jubilaeum: Aufregend!
Aber hier mehr von dem was Margot Kaessmann in den “Zeitzeichen” 4 (2012) 8-11 schreibt – abwechslungsreich, nachdenkenswert und nie langweilig – wenn auch manchmal vielleicht etwas provokativ (aber nur, wenn man nicht ganz politisch korrekt und “main stream” ist!): Zeitzeichen – Martin Luther
Im Bachhaus in Eisenach gibt es z.Z. eine Ausstellung zum Thema. Hier gibts noch mehr zu lesen: Zeitzeichen – Bach und Luther und hier noch ein Link zu der Ausstellung.
With a focus on the new creation, which was brought about by Jesus Christ’s victorious resurrection from the dead and the grave at Easter, the Church celebrates, rejoices and sings: Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah +
Besides the creation narrative from the Old Testament in Genesis 1,1-4a.26-31a and 2,1-4a, the Epistle reading is from the first letter of St. John 5,1-4, where the question is answered: “Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”
From the evangelist St. John the gospel is read in chapter 15,1-8, where Jesus declares: “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” 
As usual the Lutheran order of service in both Zulu and Tswana is made available with the courtesy of the Lutheran Heritage Foundation (LHF) and contains a sermon on the prescribed passage from God’s word in St.Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians 4,16-18.
This time the seTswana sermon (Lutheran Order of Service in Tswana for Jubilate was written by Rev. M.N.Mntambo and translated as usual into isiZulu by my dear father Rev. E.A.W.Weber, whereas the sermon in isiZulu was written by Rev. T. Ratshefola: Lutheran Order of service for Jubilate and also translated by my dear father Rev. E.A.W.Weber DD.
I am looking forward to celebrating this Sunday together with the Lutheran Congregation in Wittenberg, where my brother Peter is going to preach on 2.Cor.4,16-18 in German, Pastor loci Helmut Paul will conduct the liturgy and I am to lead the 2nd service, where I plan to preach on this Sunday’s gospel: John 15,1-8. It’s a special occasion for me, because it’s now 20 years ago that I was ordained in that Church! So dear friends: Praise and thank God for this with me +
It was high-time: Dr. Carl Rockrohr has thankfully taken over the publication of the LTS News – and it’s got a new look. Convince yourself here: LTS News April 2012
Friends have responded positively and appreciative of the new style, more postings by various writers and not such a “stiff german way”. Well, I can assure you there are Germans, who really aren’t stiff. That’s just me!
Thank God – the Seminary has moved on and you’ll be getting better, fresher and more positive news in the future!
This 2nd Sunday after Easter (Misericordias Domini) is still very much in the joyful Eastertide – liturgical colours are still white – and the Hallelujah’s still dominate and we still respond to the “Jesus Christ is risen from the dead” with the joyful “He’s risen indeed!”.
Traditionally this festive Sunday has the title “Sunday of the Good Shepherd” derived from the gospel of St.John 10,11-16(27-30) where Jesus Christ says: “I am the Good Shepherd!”
Jesus Christ says: "I am the Good Shepherd"
The Psalm for this Sunday is the famous Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd – I shall not want…”, which comforts us so greatly – especially if we consider the Old Testament reading from the prophet Ezekiel 34,1-2 (3-9) 10-16.31, in which the living God reveals his disappointment with worldly shepherds (“kings, prophets and priests” or leaders of his people if you will), but comes up with the solution: “I myself will shepherd my people…”. We ordained pastors (shepherds), who the Lord of the Church Jesus Christ has called to serve vicariously (i.e. in his name: “Like the Father sent me, I send you…”) are to take to heart the message of the apostle St. Peter in tomorrow’s sermon based on 1.Peter 5,1-4.
The Lutheran order of worship for this 2nd Sunday after Easter is made available in both isiZulu: Zulu Order of worship for Sunday Miserikordia Domini 2012 with a sermon by Rev. E.A.W.Weber DD and seTswana Tswana Order of service for Sunday Miserikordia Domini with a sermon by Rev. E.A.W.Weber DD with the courtesy of the Lutheran Heritage Foundation. We are grateful for this ongoing service by the pastors of the Lutheran Church in Southern Africa and the translations provided by Rev. E.A.W.Weber DD. Tomorrow’s sermon was also written by him.
May this order of worship serve you well and may the triune God bless and keep you in the true faith for Christ’s sake +++
Read about this new Bible translation called ‘The Voice’ focuses on dialogue
Nashville, Tennessee (ENInews)–The name Jesus Christ doesn’t appear in “The Voice,” a new translation of the Bible. Nor do words such as angel or apostle. Instead, angel is rendered as “messenger” and apostle as “emissary.” Jesus Christ is “Jesus the Anointed One” or the “liberating king.” That’s a more accurate translation for modern readers, said David Capes, lead scholar for “The Voice,” a complete edition released this month by publishing company Thomas Nelson, reports Religion News Service via USA Today. Capes says that many people, even those who’ve gone to church for years, don’t realize that the word “Christ” is a title. [ENI-12-0223, 413 words]
On the 14th April in 1659 Simon Dach, who was a poet and songwriter in E.Prussia passed away. Read more about him here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Dach
In 1759 Georg Friedrich Haendel – the famous composer of the Messiah – passed away too. Read more about him here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Frideric_Handel and do yourself a favour and listen to the wonderful “Great Hallelujah”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EWkiuR8zz0 – and imagine what it will be like, when Jesus Christ comes again in glory to judge the living and dead + May you then be found in the true faith too +
The watchword for today is from Psalm 147:5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure and that is extolled further in the gospel of St. Mark 10:27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”
May this holy word encourage, strengthen and keep you in the true faith in him, who lives and reigns now and forever +
