Martin Luther's Evening Prayer

Psalm 32 is one of the Seven Penitential Psalms and states clearly the fact that forgiveness is imputed- declared by God- rather than earned by the one repenting. Dr. Zeile's meditation is accompanied by the Benedictus from Matins, the rarely heard Athanasian Creed, and the plaintive hymn, "O Lord, hear my prayer; when I call, answer me." Send us Fan Mail

Luther's hymn is played by Morgen Heissenbeuttel Send us Fan Mail

The Holy Spirit is mentioned many times in the Old Testament, but only in the revelation of the Son was the Spirit recognized as God in Person and not merely an attribute of the Father.  Dr. Zeile's meditation on Psalm 51 points out that it is God's Spirit that creates faith and enables us to receive the gifts that empower us for service in the present. This message is accompanied by a r...

Before His death, Jesus told His disciples that He had "other sheep not of this fold" to seek. Dr. Zeile's message shows the Savior's intent to reach beyond the covenant people, the Jews, to include all nations in the plan of salvation. We who are His followers today share His concern to bring good news of forgiveness to all people. This meditation includes the Rite of Confessi...

Most obituaries are written after the subject has died, but Isaiah wrote the obituary of Jesus, the Servant of the Lord, centuries before His birth. It is uncanny how the many details given by the Prophet apply to the Servant who suffered on the Cross. The meditation is accompanied by the 6th part of the Good Friday Tre Ore Devotions focused on Christ's entombment. The hymn, "Lo All is F...

This personal application of Christ's Parable of the Sower is accompanied by the hymn, "Almighty God, Thy Word is Cast Like Seed into the Ground," and followed by the Communion rite. Send us Fan Mail

In this Reformation message, Dr. Zeile explains the vision of John in Revelation as encompassing the Reformation in its sweep and Luther's emphasis on all glory for our salvation.  The message is accompanied by the Reformation Psalm 46, and Luther's hymn, based on that Psalm, "A Mighty Fortress is Our God." The classic hymn, "Jesus Priceless Treasure is also included.  Sen...

Sometimes God calls us out of our comfort zone, as He called Abram to leave Ur of the Chaldees and then Haran, to wander as a sojourner in Palestine. Dr. Zeile's message points out that sometimes God blesses us by requiring to give up one thing that we may cherish another thing more. The classic Lutheran hymn, "Lord Thee I Love with All My Heart" is included as is the celebration of...

Fewer issues are as contrary to 21st Century western cultural values as the Christian call for purity in sexual matters. Dr. Zeile explains that the nature of sex as the "glue" that unites husband and wife is a blessing when used according to God's intent, but a curse when misused. Perhaps half of all Americans have been rejected by those who have known them most intimately. To be r...

This Easter message is preceded by the hymn O Filii et Filiae (O Sons and Daughters) and is followed by the favorite "Duke Street" melody hymn "I Know That My Redeemer Lives." In the meditation, Dr. Zeile discusses the charge made in Apostolic times, repeated even today, that the risen Christ was an imposter. Christ's resurrection is a mystery beyond human understanding wh...

This meditation, suitable for Holy Cross Day (September 14) as well as Passiontide, reflects on the necessity of dying to obtain new life, which necessity Jesus undertook on our behalf. Psalm 22 and the Fortunatus (4th Century) hymn "Sing, My Tongue, the Glorious Battle," are included in this program. Send us Fan Mail

After the Introit, Kyrie, Easter canticle "This is the Feast of Victory for Our God," and collect, Dr. Zeile shares this meditation on Jesus' words in Gethsemane just prior to His arrest. They are a promise of the Spirit and of hope that transcended the immediate situation. Brief confession and Communion follow with the hymn "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling." Send us Fan...

Paul's letter to Philemon is a marvelous piece of pastoral care, seeking to reconcile the run-away slave to his master and vice-versa. Mutual submission and care rather than "rights" are what Paul stresses even as he points to the grace we have received from God which we are to share with each other. This meditation is accompanied by the judgment hymn, "A Multitude Comes from t...

St. John’s Board of Evangelism is inviting you to celebrate 14 years of Martin Luther’s Evening Prayer at a fund-raising dinner SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22, from 5pm to 7pm at St. John’s, Taylor . Invitation cards (pictured above) are available for any who would like to use them to invite friends or family.   We are asking $25 per plate for a German-themed dinner we call MARTIN LUTHER’S EVENING SUPPER . Th...

Announcement of our latest station as of June, 2023 Send us Fan Mail

This meditation considers that Christ was not only tempted in the same way we are, but also in ways beyond our experience. Surprisingly, if Christ had yielded He would not have sinned, for as God He was not subject to the Law as humans are. But if He had yielded, He would have ceased to identify with human beings who ARE under the Law. It was our fate in the balance, not Christ's. But praise...

The Greek word translated as "transfiguration is the source oif the word "metamorphesis," the change in form of certain animals. The meaning of this change in Christ's appearance which revealed His glory to chosen disciples was to assure them that the suffering and death that was to follow was indeed God's will and Christ's mission. Dr. Zeile's exposition of this...

Many have accepted Christianity because it was the path of least resistance, but is it an easy path? By no means! St. Paul explains what we can expect in living the Christian life, the way of the Cross.  Dr. Zeile's message is accompanied by Psalm 74, the classic Lutheran hymn, "Salvation unto Us has Come,"  the celebration of Holy Communion, and the lententide hymn, "O Lord Th...

Christ's answer to the question as to whether it is right to pay taxes to Caesar, a foriegner, struck all by its wisdom. To earthly rulers are given material paower and they are actually a blessing in that they regulate temporal life. It is better to be robbed by one man than by every ruffian that passes through. Yet the more important things, love, spiritual worship, and ultimate loyaty, the...

The Lord gives us an example of how to deal those who do not deal with us in good faith. The priests and elders asked Jesus by what authority He taught and healed.  The Lord asked them about their view of John's baptism, and when they refused to answer, He said no to answering their question. Dr. Zeile's exposition points out that the follower of Christ can and should say "No"...

On the eighth day after His birth Christ was circumcised and received the name "Jesus" (which means "savior"). Thus, New Year's Day is celebrated in many churches as the Name Day of Christ, and fittingly so. But there is deep meaning to the circumcision of the Christ Child: this is the first instance of His shedding blood for sin, and this when He who gave the Law (Torah)...

In Psalm 137 Israel remebers home with sadness and longing, emotions often evoked at funerals. Yet in God there is hope- not immediate gratification, but hope. This message by Dr. Zeile is accompanied by Psalm 130 ("Out of the Depths"), the reading of John 11 (Raising of Lazarus), and the Litany prayed in procession. Send us Fan Mail

Dr. Zeile reads Psalm 39 from the 16th Century Book of Common Prayer, the 17th Century King James Version, and the 18th Century Douai-Rheims translation as revised by Richard Challoner. Send us Fan Mail

This Advent meditation considers the widow Anna who was a figure familiar at many a church, what Barbara Pim called one of the "excellent women" whose faith is constant, and presence at the sanctuary is faithful, whose attitude is humble, and therefore often overlooked. But it was to such that the infant Messiah was revealed. Dr. Zeile's homily is accompanied by portions of the Epip...

This special procession with collects in honor of Saints Peter & Paul are fitting for their June 29 feast day. Send us Fan Mail