Martin Luther's Evening Prayer

In this reflection, Dr. Zeile discusses the reasons Christ taught in parables, in part to reveal, and in part to conceal. The Nicene Creed and Communion rite accompany this message. Send us Fan Mail

The woman with a flow of blood had heard the Gospel- that Jesus had power of God to heal and love of people who suffered- and acted boldly. Only she knew her uncleanness but she confessed when Jesus asked. Faith that reaches out to Jesus overcomes our sin! This meditation is accompanied by elements of the Service of Prayer and Preaching, and the classic Luther hymn, "In the Midst of Earthly L...

Dr. Zeile's message reflects on John the Baptist's call to confront the reigning monarch on his adulterous marriage. He notes that Jesus' supported but did not make Himself part of John's mission, for He had a differing call (and more important work). Nevertheless, It shows the Christian's duty to influence the political world for the common good, even if perfection in a f...

This meditation on the stilling of the storm points out the parallel of Christ and Jonah who each slept through a storm at sea, and who each gave himself up for others.  The hymn "Guide Me o Thou Great Redeemer" and the Navy Hymn, along  with Isaiah 24 and the Magnificat are included. Send us Fan Mail

On Easter evening Jesus appeared to His disciples in the upper room, causing them to doubt what was real. Dr. Zeile discusses the relationship between the very real spiritual and material worlds, and the mastery of both by the Son of God who reached into the material world to rescue us. This message is accompanied by the celebration of Holy Communion, a choal anthem "Praise to the Risen Lord,...

Beginning with the spiritual, "Go Tell It on the Mountain," this meditation on Galatians 4 ponders Paul's words about the "fullness of time." Dr. Zeile discusses the difference between the Greek words, and the insights of the Greek father Eusebius whose treatise, "The Preparation for the Gospel" identified elements of God's providence in establishing the Rom...

This meditation on Psalm 89 reflects the on the parallels between this song of David and the description of the Angel host that greeted the birth of the Son of David on Christmas morning. Matins for the Sunday after Christmas includes Isaiah 61, Galatians 4, and Psalm 111. The American classis "O Little Town of Bethlehem" is sung to the Ralph Vaughan Williams tune, and the Andreas Hammer...

The Five Wounds of Christ traditionally are the two in the hands, the two in the feet, and the spear wound in the side. In the series at St. John's we choose to meditate on the Crown of Thorns (small wounds on the Head of Christ) and one meditation on the two feet. This is a Lenten Vespers (Evening Prayer) service which includes Psalm 80, Genesis 3 (the curse of the Fall into sin), the Nicene...

A hymn, "This Joyful Eastertide" begins the program, followed by Ephesians 5 and Psalm 136. Then Dr, Zeile speaks on the Apostle John's looking back on what Jesus said and did to present the "Big Picture" of what God has done for us in Christ and what our way forward is. The Appalachian hymn "What Wondrous Love is This?" and a General Prayer follow this message....

This meditation for Lenten Vespers, the Wednesday evening service Lutherans attend during the penitential season that precedes Easter, is part of a series on the Five Wounds of Christ. Psalm 22 is prayed, a reading from Job 10, and the classic hymn, "Upon the Cross Extended are part of this program. The expected portions of Vespers, the Magnificat, collects, and Lord's Prayer are include...

This is part of a Lenten series of meditations on the Five Wounds of Christ, though the two feet and the two hands are combined into two meditations, and the Scourged Back and Crown of Thorns are included to make of the five meditations. In the present Vespers service Psalm 22, the Magnificat, and classic Lenten hymns are included: Jesus in Thy Dying Woes, Stricken Smitten, and When I Survey the W...

Many Christians fail to take St. Paul's teaching seriously when he describes us as "dead" in sin, and try to claim some power for human choice, as if the difference between the saved and the unsaved is that the saved are "more deserving." As Dr. Zeile explains, this leads to pride over fellow men, and ultimately against God. This message is accompanied by a reading from Jo...

We often think that having "favorites" is unfair, but Dr. Zeile's meditation on John 15 shows how each of us is invited to be a recipient of God's favor. Acts 10, Psalm 98, and Luther's hymn, "Dear Christians One and All Rejoice" accompany this message. Send us Fan Mail

Dr. Zeile's message for the Sunday after Easter is based on the "Doubting Thomas" account and the reality of transcendent things. The meditation is preceded by the hymn, "We Know that Christ is Risen," and followed by the Nicene Creed, a choral anthem "Praise the Risen," and the celebration of Holy Communion concluding with the 18th Century Te Deum hymn, "Ho...

Using the concept of form versus function, Dr. Zeile explains what Christ's body has in common with the temple in Jerusalem, namely the presence of God among men. Psalm 116, a catechetical recitation and a celebration of Holy Communion are included in the program, and the hymn "This New Year of Grace." Send us Fan Mail

The Program begins with the Collect for the Ascension, and then continues with Dr. Zeile's exposition of Peter's doctrine that we live in a wicked world against which we must be on guard lest it carry us away unawares, and when Christ's victory is revealed at the end we find ourselves on the losing side. The Communion Celebration for the Ascension follows the message, a feast of vic...

This program begins with the John 20 account of "Doubting Thomas," followed by the contemporary hymn, "These Things did Thomas Count as Real." Then Dr. Zeile discusses what the people in Isaiah's prophecy were waiting for versus what individuals today are waiting for, and how this relates to the New Testament teaching that we walk by faith rather than by sight. The Easter...

Dr. Zeile reads Psalm 71, first in the 16th Century Book of Common Prayer version, then in the 17th Century King James Version, and finally in the 18th Century Challoner Revision of the Douai-Rheims translation. Send us Fan Mail

Dr. Zeile reads Psalm 73 out of the 16th Century English Book of Common Prayer, the 17th Century King James translation, and the 18th Century Challoner revision of the Douai-Rhiems  translation. Send us Fan Mail

Dr. Zeile reads Psalm 72, first in the 16th Century Book of Common Prayer version, then in the 17th Century King James Version, and finally in the 18th Century Challoner Revision of the Douai-Rheims translation. Send us Fan Mail

After the hymn "Arise O Christian People" and the reading of Isaiah 12, Psalm 148 is prayed and Dr. Zeile unpacks the idea of superficial religion that is mistaken for the real thing, especially by the practitioners!  This followed by Luther's hymn on the Lord's Prayer with its plea, "Teach us to mean the words we say and from the inmost heart to pray."  A collect for...

After the canticle based on Revelation 7, "This is the Feast of Victory for Our God", Dr. Zeile speaks on the hopeless situation of Ezekiel 34- not only were the people dead but their bones were dry and scattered. Yet by the Lord's command bones came together, sinews grew upon them, skin grew over them and wind/breath came into them giving them life. Death is the most hopeless situa...

Dr. Zeile speaks on the connection between spirits and disease, and the role of prayer (asking God) in dealing with all aspects of our maladies. The contemporary hymn, "Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness" and the Te Deum Laudamus in Anglican chant accompany this message. Send us Fan Mail

Dr. Richard Zeile reads Psalm 31 first in the 16th Century Book of Common Prayer wording, then in the 17th Century King James Authorized Version, and then in the 18th Century Challoner Revision of the Douai-Rheims translation. Send us Fan Mail

Paired with this funeral meditation on the shortness of life is the third nocturn of the Good Friday Tenebrae service including Psalms 71 & 51, a portion of the Passion reading, a choral antiphon, and the classic hymn for the burial of Christ, "O Darkest Woe." Send us Fan Mail