Martin Luther's Evening Prayer

When Christ cured the blind man in Luke 18, He was the first thing to be seen by that formerly blind man. Dr. Zeile expounds the lesson from this that applies to all whether their ocular organ functions or not. The hymn "Look Ye Saints, the Sight is Glorious" accompanies this message as does the General Prayer, Psalm 142, and the recent hymn, "Depart from Us, the Demons Said."...

St. Paul urges a Christian life with the right focus, which is not on the self, but on Someone outside Oneself. Dr. Zeile's discussion of this teaching is accompanied by Catechism recitation of certain Commandments, Confession & Absolution, the a'Kempis-related hymn, "O Love How Deep, How Broad," and the African hymn "Listen, God is Calling." Send us Fan Mail

Luke describes the presentation of Christ in the temple where, as the first-born, He was to be redeemed according to the Law of Moses. Dr. Zeile's reflection on the deeper meaning of this incident includes readings of both Exodus 13 and Luke 2, and the Presentation hymn, "In His Temple Now Behold Him," and Luther's hymn on the Nunc Dimittis, "In Peace and Joy I now Depart....

This Christmas Eve message reflects on the Mother of God who experienced great sorrow and greater joy as the human vessel of the Savior. The Christ Mass (Christmas Communion Rite) is included along with St. Ambrose' hymn "Savior of the Nations, Come" and the sentimental favorite, "Away in a Manger." Send us Fan Mail

God has you covered with garments of salvation. Isaiah spoke the promise which was articulated by Paul in Ephesians and reflected in the traditional vestments which pastors wear. Dr. Zeile' message is accompanied by Psalm 128, the Communion Rite, and Franzmen's popular hymn, "Thy Strong Word." Send us Fan Mail

In Genesis 15 Abraham observes that he has no son in his old age and God makes him a promise. Abraham believed and God counted it to him as righteousness. We, like Abraham live by the often unseen promise of God. Dr. Zeile's meditation is accompanied by Psalm 105, the Nicene confession of faith, the Magnificat and the classic Advent/Christmas hymn, "Let the Earth now Praise the Lord Who...

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...