Hear, hear the Lord’s word!

Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. (Lk.13:1ff)

Feigenbaum (piqs.de ID: e95508712393a48b737144e5f4cc1527)

Buss- und Bettag

Day of Prayer and Supplication

The Lutheran Order of Service for the Day of Supplication and Prayer on Wednesday is available here in isiZulu and seTswana. Today it comes with a sermon based on God’s Word from the Holy Gospel of St. Luke in the 13th chapter verses (1-5) 6-9 (Parable of the unfruitful Fig tree) written by Pastor F-A. Häfner (Tarmstedt, Germany) in seTswana (wt1557151118 letsatsi la tlhabologo le Thapelo) and translated as usual by my father Rev. E.A.W.Weber DD (Welbedacht, KZN) into isiZulu (wz1557151118 ukuphenduka nokukhuleka).

The readings for this Day of Supplication & Prayer are:

• Old Testament: Isaiah 1:10-17
• The Epistle: Romans 2:1-11
• The Gospel: St. Luke 13: (1-5) 6-9
• Psalm: 130:1-5

The liturgical colour is violet.

May you have time to meditate on the watchword for this Holiday: Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. (Proverbs 14:34)

And we pray with this collect: O almighty God, whose compassion never fails and who invites us to call upon You in prayer, hear the heartfelt confession of our sins and receive our humble supplication for Your mercy. Spare us from the just punishment of sin, which our Lord  Jesus Christ has borne for us, and enable us to serve You in holiness and purity of life; through Jesus Christ Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit one God now and forever. Amen.

The hymn of this day is Dr. Martin Luther’s: “Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu Dir, Herr Gott, erhör mein Rufen...” based on Psalm 130.

“From Depths of Woe I Cry to Thee”
by Martin Luther, 1483-1546

1. From depths of woe I cry to Thee,
   Lord, hear me, I implore Thee.
   Bend down Thy gracious ear to me,
   My prayer let come before Thee.
   If Thou rememberest each misdeed,
   If each should have its rightful meed,
   Who may abide Thy presence?
2. Thy love and grace alone avail
   To blot out my transgression;
   The best and holiest deeds must fail
   To break sin’s dread oppression.
   Before Thee none can boasting stand,
   But all must fear Thy strict demand
   And live alone by mercy.
3. Therefore my hope is in the Lord
   And not in mine own merit;
   It rests upon His faithful Word
   To them of contrite spirit
   That He is merciful and just;
   This is my comfort and my trust.
   His help I wait with patience.
4. And though it tarry till the night
   And till the morning waken,
   My heart shall never doubt His might
   Nor count itself forsaken.
   Do thus, O ye of Israel’s seed,
   Ye of the Spirit born indeed;
   Wait for your God’s appearing.
5. Though great our sins and sore our woes,
   His grace much more aboundeth;
   His helping love no limit knows,
   Our utmost need it soundeth.
   Our shepherd good and true is He,
   Who will at last His Israel free
   From all their sin and sorrow.

Hymn 329 from The Lutheran Hymnal translated by: Catherine Winkworth, 1863, alt.

If you are called to preach this weekend, may the triune God give you joy and strength, wisdom, knowledge and insight – and the true words and pictures to preach his holy will faithfully according to his most precious revelation of his will and promises in both the Old and New Testament! However if you are not preaching, but listening – then listen as if God is talking to you + His precious gospel is “the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” (Rom 1:16 NIV)

We thank the Lutheran Heritage Foundation for supporting the distribution of hard-copies of these orders of worship and sermons throughout Southern Africa. If you also want a copy please do not hesitate to subscribe by writing to EAWWeber@bundunet.co.za.