Martin Luther's Evening Prayer
"An Unchanging Faith for Changing Lives" describes the message of God for us in the turmoil of the 21st Century. This faith is taught at St. John's Lutheran Church of Taylor, Michigan, and other congregations of the Lutheran church-Missouri Synod. Rev. Dr. Richard Zeile, Pastor at St. John's, applies the Word of God to our everyday experiences. God's LAW always accuses, but God's GOSPEL shows where grace can be found, through Jesus Christ who died for our sin, but rose that we may have eternal life.
Episodes
443 episodes
Hebrews 5: Christ as Great High Priest
After a reading from Exodus 24, Dr. Zeile preaches the fulfillment of the Old Testament type (foreshadowing) of the High Priest in Jesus' offering of Himself so that He can be our 'intercessor at the Right Hand of God. The recent hymn, "No Temp...
Psalm 25 in Three Classic English Translations
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.
Psalm 24 in 3 Classic English Translations
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.
Mark 10: Relationship with Jesus
Dr. Zeile discusses what it means to have a relationship with Jesus, based on truth and commitment rather than on feelings or familiarity. After the hymn "Father Welcomes All His Children," the meditation is delivered, and the Nicene Creed conf...
Psalm 20 in 3 Classic English Translations
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.
Psalm 19 in Three Classic English Translations
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.
Deuteronomy 18: Like Moses
The homily on Christ as the Second (and greater) Moses includes the introit, creed, general prayer, and three hymns: "Angels from the Realms of Glory," "O Come, Emmanuel," and "How Sweet the Name of Jesus."
Matthew 9: Moral Ambiguity
Was it right for the woman, unclean from her flow of blood, to touch Jesus? It was a moment of moral ambiguity which we all face sooner or later. Dr. Zeile's discussion of this delicate topic is accompanied by elements of the Communion service ...
Isaiah 55: God's Word Does What It Says
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,...
Psalm 22: God Cares for the Afflicted
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' a...
Matthew 21: The Prayer of Hosanna
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 sa...
Isaiah 58: The Fast God Desires
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 ...
Mark 10: The Rich Young Ruler
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 an...
Mark 1: The Kingdom is at Hand
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...
Numbers 21: Tempted by Boredom
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,...
Luke 4: Rejection
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 rea...
2 Corinthians 3: Blind to Truth
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 Mo...
Genesis 17: A New Name
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 t...
Deuteronomy 4: God's Rules
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...
I Corinthians 1: The Foolishness of God
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").
Loving the Lost
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 child...
Romans 13: Put On Christ
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 ...
Luke 2 The Name of Jesus
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...