Martin Luther's Evening Prayer

An "epiphany" is a manifestation of a god, or one's experience of this. Christ was manifest as God at His Baptism when the Father spoke from the sky, at the wedding of Cana when He turned water into wine, and at the Transfiguration when Moses and Elijah appeared with Him on Mt. Tabor. But the first manifestation of Christ's divinity was the star that guided the wise men who bro...

During the Lenten season from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday, the Church does not use or sing the Alleluia/Hallelujah (which means "praise the Lord"). This hymn arose for use on Quinquagesima Sunday in the One-Year calendar, often accompanied by a banner with "Alleluia" carried out of the sanctuary, as the last hymn. Churches that utilize the Three-Year calendar make use of thi...

This sermon is for the New Year's Day gospel which tells of Christ's circumcision on the eighth day after His birth. He began with the end in mind, His end being to suffer in our place under the Law of God. This He did in His circumcision according to the law of Moses, shedding His innocent infant blood for us. It reminds us that His entire life was His cross, born for us and with us, th...

Psalm 110 declares the Christ to be "a priest forever  in the order of Melchizedek." This priest was described in Genesis 14 as "King of Salem" and "Priest of God most high," whose name meant "King of righteousness."  He received a tithe from Abraham and blessed the ancestor of Israel. In all this he prefigures the Christ who even presenting  "gifts of...

This classic prayer is heard at the end of the classic black and white movie "Titanic." Send us Fan Mail

The Church's night prayer is Compline. This opening with Psalm 104 is an 8-minute evening prayer suitable for preparing for sleep or settling thoughts while driving home after a late night evening meeting. Send us Fan Mail

The annual Choral Service at St. John's Lutheran Church of Taylor, Michigan, features choir selections interspersed among the reading of Luke 2.  Send us Fan Mail

Evangelicals rarely speak of Christ's mother, and when they do, it is sometimes with a slighting attitude, an eagerness to put her in her place contrary to Roman Catholic excess. But this "Most Blessed of Women" dare not be slighted by anyone with the mind of Christ, for she is our greatest witness of the miracle of the Incarnation, and she is the model of Christian faith. When a wo...

St. Paul explains how we become sons, or heirs, of Abraham who was given great and glorious promises- not by outward conformity to the law of circumcision, but through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Send us Fan Mail

Children spontaneously sing when their needs are met and they are enjoying life. These are songs of thanksgiving! They are even more appropriate from us who realize how marvelously God has provided for every want of body and soul. Send us Fan Mail

People have learned to recognize the signs of weather, but many fail to read the signs of the times that point to Christ's teaching that this world will pass away but His promises with not.  Send us Fan Mail

The Te Deum Laudamus in the English paraphrase set to a tune by Holst. Send us Fan Mail

The Christmas Eve service at St. John's Lutheran Church in Taylor, Michigan, ends with the lighting of candles for the Last Gospel, John 1:1-14, which points us to the mystery of the  Word Made Flesh, the Light coming into the world. This is enveloped by hymns and carols. Send us Fan Mail

Originally for ALL SAINTS' DAY, this message reflects on God's victory through His saints, often mistaken by the world for defeat, but witnessed by the continuous witness of the Church and believers of every age. Send us Fan Mail

A litany prayer suited to the 12 days of Christmas and early Epiphany Season. Send us Fan Mail

Hymn "Rejoice O Pilgrim Throng" is followed by Vespers (Evening Prayer), the Psalm 119 introit, Mark 16 and the Creed. Then is the Sermon on Isaiah 44 "You are Witnesses" which makes the point that the people of God today are evidence of the truth of God's message, as surely as a footprint is evidence of an intruder. We can either believe this or reject it but we are evide...

The hymn "A Multitude Comes from the East and the West" is followed by Luke 13 and sermon on Christ's answer to the question whether few are saved  which answer is personal rather than theoretical, directing us to work on our own lives rather than speculate about others. There follows the hymn, "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," and the Rite of Holy Communion. Send us Fan...

Psalm 51 is followed by Luther's hymn on Psalm 130 "From Depths of Woe I Cry to Thee." There follows the sermon on Romans 5, an exposition of the doctrine of original (or inherited) sin which is the reason for universal death. The Lamb of God is sung followed by Corporate Confession and Absolution. Send us Fan Mail

The Venite (Psalm 95) is followed by Psalm 30, and the message based on Luke 10's depiction of Mary and Martha and the balance that is needed in the believer's life. The Lutheran Women's Missionary League hymn "Serve the Lord with Gladness" is sung, followed by the LWML Pledge, and the Lord's Prayer.  Send us Fan Mail

This second Coast to Coast broadcast of Martin Luther's Evening Prayer conatins the Kyrie & collect, Matthew 13 parable of the Sower, Apostles' Creed, hymn "Speak O Lord Your Servant Heareth," the sermon on Isaiah 55 which describes God's Word as seed that accomplishes what He desires. The Hymn, "Preach You the Word," follows. Send us Fan Mail

The Advent Wreath is blessed using Psalm versicles and a collect. Then the hymn "Prepare the Royal Highway" based on Isaiah 40 is sung. Send us Fan Mail

This 19th Century Basque hymn was arranged by Sabine Barring-Gould who also wrote words for "Onward Christian Soldiers." Send us Fan Mail

This is the first of our programs broadcast outside the Detroit area in Bakersfield, CA; Omaha, NE; Council Bluffs, IA; Monroe, MI; Richmond, VA; Scranton, PA, and Wilkes-Barre, PA! This includes the introit, Gospel of Luke 12, hymn "O Little Flock Fear not the Foe," sermon on "Worry,"  Creed, hymn "We Give Thee but Thine Own," Lord's Prayer, and the choir singin...

The end of the Church Year deals with the Last Things- Death, Judgment, Christ's return, and Eternal Life. Psalm 39 asks what our purpose is in this passing life. We confuse specific and general directions for our lives and thus mistake our purpose. Our purpose is love and love is meeting the needs of others, and their greatest need is for God. When we reflect the love of God in our service t...

The power Paul speaks of in the Thessalonian church is present to the Church today when we are plugged into God's Word. The power of God comes through the Word as found in the Bible, and the Sacraments Christ instituted. Where believers gather around these the Church is formed. Send us Fan Mail