Martin Luther's Evening Prayer

Dr. Zeile's meditation on the power of God's Word to bring the world into being, and awaken sinners from the dead is accompanied by Psalm 77 and a portion of Psalm 118, the celebration of Holy Communion, and the hymn based on thr Phos Hilarion, "O Gladsome Light." Send us Fan Mail

This meditation on the climax of Psalm 22 ("My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?") points out God's regard for the afflicted throughout the Old Testament, and the affliction like no other by Jesus, a man like no other. Because God regards Jesus' affliction, we have forgiveness and life, and an assurance in our every affliction that God cares for us. Classic Hymns, "Evening an...

In the historic lectionary, both Palm Sunday and the First Sunday in Advent have the Gospel Matthew 21:1-9. Dr. Zeile's message points out the meaning of the word Hosanna which calls upon God to "Save now!" and reflects on what we need to be saved from, and when. This sermon is preceded by the Blessing of the Advent Wreath, Romans 13, and the Venite (Psalm 95) from Matins, and concl...

After the Martin Franzman hymn, "Thy Strong Word", Dr. Zeile discusses the message from God given in Isaiah 58 about fasting, a message very suited to Lent, the Christian fast season. In addition to some historical context and perspective, the sermon focuses on what makes any work acceptable to God, the right or saving relationship with Him offered through Christ who fasted for us. The O...

After the classic 17th century hymn, "Thee Will I Love," Dr. Zeile discusses the invitation received by the wealthy young ruler in Mark 10 who balked at forsaking his wealth to follow Jesus. In principle, we have received the same invitation and must be ready to let all our temporal blessings go when God requires, as sooner or later we must. In the meantime we are to use our gifts in God...

After a responsory, collect, and Psalm 30, Romans 10 is read by an elder, and the hymn, "O Christ who Called the Twelve", is sung. Then Dr. Zeile speaks on Mark 1:14-20, the urgency of Christ's message regarding the Kingdom (rule) of God, which comes to us now but will not always be open to us. Send us Fan Mail

Boredom, like anger, is an experience, not a sin, but it can set us up for temptation. Dr. Zeile's message based on Israel's experience in the wilderness alerts us to the folly that awaits those who cannot "wait upon the Lord." After Psalm 146, Luther's hymn on the Lord's Prayer is sung ("Our Father Thou in Heaven Above"), then the sermon; afterward the Nice...

One of the painful experiences of the 21st Century is REJECTION by those who know us best. It is sobering to reflect on the fact that Jesus Christ shared this painful experience, alienation from those He loved. This sermon is accompanied by readings of Nehemiah 8 and 1 Corinthians 12, Psalm 19, and the hymn "O Christ our True and Only Light." Confession & Absolution, the Kyrie, Glori...

This meditation for Transfiguration Sunday is accompanied by Psalm 121, a General Prayer (prayer for blessing in general, for all in general, as opposed to particular requests for particular persons), and Transfiguration hymns, "Jesus on the Mountain Peak,"  and the western-sounding "Swiftly Pass the Clouds of Glory." Send us Fan Mail

Abram was given a new name, Abraham, because he found a new identity as a father of many nations (peoples). Dr. Zeile's meditation on this promise shows how it is fulfilled in our day (3 billion people today look to him as a Father), and that through the baptism commanded by Christ we, too, are given a new identity as children of God, heirs of the Promise first given to Abraham. Psalm 103 acc...

We often regard rules negatively as restricting our freedom; yet God's Law enables us to accomplish things we could not achieve before, just as rules make activities from chess to driving possible. Dr. Zeile's meditation brings out God intended blessing to us through His rules, and His remedy for those of us who have failed to keep them. Send us Fan Mail

This message on the Foolishness of God being wiser than man's wisdom is accompanied by Matthew 15, the Nicene Creed, and a choir singing "Dona Nobis Pacem" ("give us peace"). Send us Fan Mail

This A Capella service begins with the contemporary hymn, "Only a Holy God," then Continues with readings from 1 Corinthians, Psalm 27, and Matthew. Dr. Zeile's meditation concerns the painful truth that family members, particularly adult children, may reject the faith. In this situation we are invited to imitate Jesus' love for the lost, He who died even for those who would ev...

After the beginning of Evening Prayer (Vespers), this message, suitable for the New Year, explains the new life Christians are called to live, not by their own power but by Christ. The classic hymn, "The Advent of our King," and a choir anthem are included. Send us Fan Mail

This service for New Year's Eve begins with prayers entitled "Devotion to the Holy Infancy," Psalm 8, and the homily on the meaning of the name Jesus, meaning "Savior" and its two aspects, that of rescue and the other of healing. Hymns, "Infant Holy, Infant Lowly" and Longfellow's translation of "Oh, How Blessed" are also included. Send us Fan Mail

This Christmas episode includes reading of the Christmas Gospel, Luke 2, interspersed with hymn or choir selections. Dr. Zeile's meditation on Psalm 126 brings out the Gospel quality of being so much better than we could imagine. Send us Fan Mail

In the 6th of the series on Seven Deadly Sins Dr. Zeile discusses the psychological need to hoard things and to put our trust into material possessions which will pass away. This was preached on Holy Thursday and parts of the service are included including the confession and the Gospel reading of Judas objecting to the expensive oil used to anoint Jesus due to Judas' own avarice. Send us Fan...

In this 4th in a series on Seven Deadly Sins, Dr. Zeile speaks frankly of the social,  psychological, and spiritual damage this temptation has wreaked upon modern society where people have been exploited and rejected by those who have known them intimately. The Lenten Passion reading, Elements of Vespers/Evening Prayer, and special prayer directed toward this temptation accompany this meditation. ...

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

This is 2nd in Dr. Zeile's series on the Seven Deadly Sins, often called "Capital" sins, not because they are worse than other sins but because they are the sources or motivations for sinful acts. Dr. Zeile explains the deadly aspect, in natural terms, of gluttony, a sin primarily of the body. Accompanied by elements of Evening Prayer, a hymn composed for the deadly sins is included...

This is the third message in Dr. Zeile's Lenten series on the Seven Deadly Sins. In addition to elements of Evening Prayer (Vespers) are included the classis hymn, "Thousand, Thousand Thanks Shall Be,"  and Dr. Zeile's own hymn on the Deadly Sins.   Send us Fan Mail

This begins a series on the 7 Deadly Sins: Sloth, Gluttony, Wrath, Lust, Avarice, Envy, and Pride. Dr. Zeile's meditation on this, the "deadest" of the deadly sins includes elements of Evening Prayer (Vespers), and the Passion reading from Lent. Send us Fan Mail

This message is based on the Psalmist's prayer which was fulfilled for all believers at Pentecost. Dr. Zeile's sermon is accompanied by the Confessional rite, Introit, Gloria in Excelsis, a reading from Acts 2 and the classic medieval hymn, Come Holy Ghost." Send us Fan Mail

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

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