“For that ye ought to say: ‘If the Lord will, we shall live and do this or that.’” — James 4:15 What are your plans, my plans, your resolutions, my resolutions for 2017? Did we remember and apply the counsel …
Author: Rev. Robert J. Lietz
The First Commandment
“Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.” –Exodus 20:3 This series on the Ten Commandments, beginning with a timely review of the First Commandment, is for you and for me. Let us not think that we have outgrown such …
Sermon Preached at the Sunday Convention Service
Oak Forest, Illinois June 28, 2015 by Pastor Robert J. Lietz Oak Park, Illinois Text: Luke 16:29 In the name of Jesus Christ, dear friends: Our sermon text for this Convention Worship Service is Luke 16, verse 29, where it …
Sermon Preached at the Sunday Convention Service Read More »
“A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing”
This Latin hymn is attributed to the Venerable Bede (673-735). It was not found in any documents prior to the eleventh century. As part of his composition, Bede was very fond of bringing in the actual words of Scripture. We …
“Jesus, I Will Ponder Now”
This hymn, written by Sigismund von Birken and published in Nürnberg in 1653, is a great Lenten favorite in Lutheran hymnody. As are many of the hymns written during this period, this one is very subjective or personal in its …
“As With Gladness Men of Old”
This hymn, #127 in The Lutheran Hymnal, is a moving petition to Christ Jesus, our precious Savior and our heavenly King. The writer of this edifying hymn was Mr. William C. Dix, a layman, who lived in Bristol, England. During …
“Come, Thou Precious Ransom, Come!”
This hymn, #55 in The Lutheran Hymnal, is a prayer to the only Savior for the world of sinners, Christ Jesus. The writer of this hymn is unknown. In 1664, the Rev. Johann Gottfried Olearius of Halle, Germany, first published …
“Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Thy Word”
This hymn, #261 in The Lutheran Hymnal (1941), is a prayer to the Triune God: Stanza 1 – to the heavenly Father; Stanza 2 – to the Son of God; Stanza 3 – to the Holy Ghost. The writer of …
An Update from the Committee on Missions
Christianity is the absolutely perfect religion for two reasons: It offers and gives the perfect salvation. The Christian religion does not ask sinful human beings to make peace with God through their own “works” (Ephesians 2:9a) and their own efforts, …
Interim Report of the Committee on Missions
Epiphany is the season of the Church Year when we preach, teach, and bear witness to the one and only Savior for sinners, that Savior who revealed Himself in John 8 as “the Light of the world,” and then declared: …