Martin Luther's Evening Prayer

Dr. Zeile reads from the 16th Century Book of Common Prayer, the 17th Century King James Authorized Version, and the 18th Century Challoner revision of the Douai-Rheims translation. Send us Fan Mail

Dr. Zeile reads from the 16th Century Book of Common Prayer, the 17th Century King James Authorized Version, and the 18th Century Challoner revision of the Douai-Rheims translation. Send us Fan Mail

Dr. Zeile's meditation on the Woman who touched Jesus' garment and found healing points to the power of the Gospel in creating faith, and the importance of connecting with Jesus to receive the Spirit for faith and healing. This message is accompanied by parts of a Service of Prayer & Preaching, Lamentations 2, Psalm 121, and  Luther's hymn "In the Midst of Earthly Life Snar...

Dr. Zeile reads from the 16th Century Book of Common Prayer, the 17th Century King James Authorized Version, and the 18th Century Challoner revision of the Douai-Rheims translation. Send us Fan Mail

Solomon realized that he had some big shoes to fill as successor to King David. When God appeared to him in a dream and invited him to make any request, Solomon asked for wisdom, an understanding heart, in order to serve God's people. Free from the conceit and self-centeredness that keeps so many from wisdom, Solomon was blessed with additional gifts, notably  a secure throne, wealth, fame, a...

Dr. Zeile reads from the 16th Century Book of Common Prayer, the 17th Century King James Authorized Version, and the 18th Century Challoner revision of the Douai-Rheims translation. Send us Fan Mail

After confession & absolution, Introit, Kyrie, collect, a reading from Hebrews is a meditation on Jesus' teaching regarding what to give up and what is to gain by the kingdom (rule) of God in your life. The classic hymn "Jesus Priceless Treasure" concludes the worship section of the program. Send us Fan Mail

Dr. Zeile reads from the 16th Century Book of Common Prayer, the 17th Century King James Authorized Version, and the 18th Century Challoner revision of the Douai-Rheims translation. Send us Fan Mail

Dr. Zeile expounds Ezekiel's vision of the valley of dry bones, pointing to the Divine work of the Spirit of God, "the Lord and Giver of Life," as the Nicene Creed declares. This is followed by the Ash Wednesday Communion celebration and the hymn, "Who Knows when Death will overtake Me?"  Send us Fan Mail

Dr. Zeile reads from the 16th Century Book of Common Prayer, the 17th Century King James Authorized Version, and the 18th Century Challoner revision of the Douai-Rheims translation. Send us Fan Mail

Dr. Zeile reads from the 16th Century Book of Common Prayer, the 17th Century King James Authorized Version, and the 18th Century Challoner revision of the Douai-Rheims translation. Send us Fan Mail

Sometimes the truth is embarrassing. Sometimes the possibilities are unthinkable. Sometimes we can't accept what we've been told, so we are afraid to ask. Dr. Zeile discusses Jesus' disciples' reticence to confront the truth- that God's plan entails suffering and death. But in that confrontation, victory is promised through resurrection. But you have to die first. This med...

This Christmas service begins with Matthew 1 and the carol "Away in a Manger," then follows confession and absolution. The sermon hymn is "Thy Works, Not Mine," and the message points out God's gracious plan top save sinners through the giving of His Son, a plan whose completion He foreknew, a plan that we can count on. The program ends with the Last Gospel (John 1) and th...

This Advent service begins with the hymn, "Come Thou Long-expected Jesus," the penitential rite, Kyrie, collect, Psalm 126, 1 Thessalonians 5, and John 1:6-8,19-28. Then Dr. Zeile gives a meditation on the image "Clothed in Salvation," what Paul means when he urges us ti "put on Christ." this is followed by the hymn Hark a Thrilling Voice is Sounding." Send us Fa...

Dr. Zeile's meditation on Christ's compassion on the lost reviews how the phrase "Sheep without a Shepherd" was used earlier in the Old Testament and what it means to us who wander in a confusing world. The Apostles' Creed and hymn, "The King of Love My Shepherd Is," are included in the program. Send us Fan Mail

After the hymn based on John 3:16, Dr. Zeile discusses legalism. Often mistaken for an unfeeling application of law, it also encompasses the manipulation of the law through arbitrary definition or casuistry so that it reflects the will of men rather than the will of God. By imagining that they could manipulate the law so as to excuse themselves but not others, Jesus' opponents were guilty of...

After corporate Confession, introit, and Kyrie, Dr. Zeile explains the meaning of "ransom and the grim background of "redemption" in Hebrew history. The Israelites were vulnerable to raiders through much of their history who would pillage the farm and kidnap the farmers, especially the children. The family would appoint a kinsman redeemer to search out the slave markets to buy back...

After the hymn "Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus," and the Nicene Creed, Dr. Zeile discusses the theme of the two paths through life, one which leads to God and eternal life, and the other which leads to self-regard and death. This is followed by the hymn "Draw Us to Thee," a prayer for God's power which only can deliver us from the wrong path, and then prayers and canticle fro...

The end of the year is a time to reflect on what happened. What about regrets? Moses and Israel had regrets and Dr. Zeile's meditation on this theme is accompanied by the opening bells of the service, a classic pietist hymn "Jesus Lead Thou On", the Decalog (Ten Commandments), readings from Ephesians 4 and John 6, and ends with the hymn "I am Trusting Thee, Lord Jesus." Se...

What is in a name? It is the identity of the person. In the case of Jesus, it is the name that means "Savior" and no other name saves. This is why Christmas historically is a big deal. God Himself came into our world so that the world might be healed and so that people could have union with God. Dr. Zeiule's meditation is preceded by the Deacon's litany with its response of Kyr...

The Blessing of the Advent Wreath, Kyrie, Collect, and readings from Isaiah 64 and Mark 11 accompany Dr. Zeile's message on this theme of waiting for the promise to be fulfilled. St. Ambrose classic hymn, "Savior of the Nations, Come" is also included. Send us Fan Mail

In the season of Advent (which means "arrival"), we meditate on the Three Advents which pertain to Past, Future, and Present. Christ came in the past in fulfillment of the Old Testament promises of the Messiah, and we celebrate this on Christmas. Christ has promised to come in the future to judge the living and the dead. But in the present Christ comes to believers in His Word and Sacram...

At the Palm Sunday entrance into Jerusalem, Jesus was greeted by the crowd who acclaimed Him "Son of David." The pharisees were in despair, telling each other "The whole world has gone after Him!" They were seeing the future, a future hidden by the cross but revealed in the resurrection. God's triumph in Christ may be veiled to our eyes now, but His victory is assured. Dr....

When Elijah was at the nadir of his fortunes, fleeing for his life and alone in the desert, God sent an angel to give him bread and water which were divine food that enabled him to travel 40 days to Horeb, (or Sinai) where God had revealed Himself to Moses. In the Body and Blood of Christ given in Holy Communion, God gives us an even more potent food which enables eternal life! This meditation is...

John wanted to stop those who cast out devils in Jesus' name because they were not of their group. Jesus said that those who are not against Him are for Him, and cautioned against allowing loyalty to a group cancel the kindness or respect we owe to others. This is relevant in our day to what some have called "Tribalism." Dr. Zeile's careful discussion distinguishes what is prai...