Professor J.T. Pless in Salem 2015
Office of the keys
As every Wednesday this morning saw a Confessional service at the chapel of St.Timothy at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane. Professor Pless preached on the passage from the apostle James. Amongst others he said: “That brings us to why we are here in the Chapel of St. Timothy this morning. We are here to confess our sins and receive Christ’s absolution. Some of you come with bodies assaulted by persistent pain. Others come struggling with a chronic disease. We all come with sin and for that deadly disease, there is no cure in us. It is only the word of Jesus, who carried in His own body your infirmities so that by His stripes you are healed, that you have relief. To those who confess their sins trusting in His mercy, He promises forgiveness in His blood. There is a word here today which will enliven your prayers, a word which will give to you –whoever you are and whatever burdens you are carrying in body and soul- relief. It is the word of absolution: “Your sins are forgiven you.” That is a word that will raise you up to live in Christ now by faith and on the Last Day to live with Him in body and soul forever.” To read more follow this link: Confession James 5,13-18 JP.
Rev. Nkambule led the liturgy and the student of theology Tariku Lemma did the reading from the lectionary 2.Kings 8. We sang the hymn by Dr Martin Luther:
To God the Holy Spirit let us pray
Most of all for faith upon our way
That He may defend us when life is ending
And from exile home we are wending.
Lord, have mercy!
O sweetest Love, Your grace on us bestow;
Set our hearts with sacred fire aglow
That with hearts united we love each other,
Every stranger, sister, and brother.
Lord, have mercy!
Transcendent Comfort in our every need,
Help us neither scorn nor death to heed
That we may not falter nor courage fail us
When the foe shall taunt and assail us.
Lord, have mercy!
Shine in our hearts, O Spirit, precious light;
Teach us Jesus Christ to know aright
That we may abide in the Lord who bought us,
Till to our true home He has brought us.
Lord, have mercy!
Martin Luther, 1483-1546
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