Oct 26 and 3 Lutheran Hymnwriters

Today, October 26, Lutherans around the world celebrate 3 of three favourite hymnwriters: Philipp Nicolai, Johann Heermann, and Paul Gerhardt. All 3 were German Lutheran pastors. A popular Advent hymn by Philipp Nicolai is “Wake, Awake, For Night Is Flying.” A familiar Lenten-Good Friday hymn based on Isaiah 53 by Johann Heermann is “Ah, Holy Jesus.” My favourite all-time traditional hymn was written by Paul Gerhardt, “A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth,” a Lenten hymn based on Isaiah 53. You can learn and read more about these hymnwriters by clicking on their names and their hymns. Once you’ve clicked on a hymn, you can listen to the tune and sing along by clicking on Midi.

Prayer: O God of majesty, whom saints and angels delight delight to worship: Thank you for pouring out your Spirit on your servants Philipp Nicolai, Johann Heermann and Paul Gerhardt who, with the gifts of music, enliven our praises and proclaim your word with power. Through this ministry you have given us new awareness of your beauty and grace, and join our voices with all the choirs of heaven, both now and forever; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. [ Prayer slightly edited from: Evangelical Lutheran Worship, p. 74 ].

Aaronic Benediction

This is an inspirational rendition of the Priestly/Aaronic Benediction in Hebrew.

Quotes on forgiveness

The stupid neither forgive nor forget; the naïve forgive and forget; the wise forgive but do not forget. –Thomas S. Szasz

With Christ’s prayer of forgiveness from the cross the universal religion of revenge is overcome and the universal law of retaliation is annulled. –Jűrgen Moltmann

Forgiveness is the economy of the heart…Forgiveness saves expense of anger, the cost of hatred, and waste of spirits. –Hannah More

Forgiveness is choosing to love. It is the first skill of self-giving love. –Mohandas K. Gandhi

The idea is to rescue myself from the role of a victim. That I have a choice left. Though I can’t change what has happened, I can choose how to react. And I don’t want to spend the rest of my life being bitter and locked up. –Tori Amos

 

Blessed Thanksgiving