Time Out

Time Out, Episode 217

Dan — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:15:04 +0000

Text: 2 Timothy 4
Hymns:
581, These Are the Holy Ten Commands
590, Baptized Into Your Name Most Holy
607, From Depths of Woe I Cry to Thee
Kretzmann Commentary: 2 Timothy 4
Bonus Bumper: Nathan Beethe, “Thy Strong Word”

Preach the Word, with complete patience and teaching. Paul did and asks Timothy to do the same. For the time is here when many people will not endure sound doctrine at all. Doctrine doesn’t divide; bad doctrine divides.

This week and next we will hear from Schola Cantorum, the select vocal choir of Messiah Lutheran School in Houston, TX. Cantor Janet Muth conducts and instructs. It was a wonderful privilege to record these fine kids.

Because the hymns are excerpts, no lyrics will be posted, but you can still find them in the Lutheran Service Book.

Time Out, Episode 216

Dan — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:15:37 +0000

Text: 1 Timothy 3
Hymn: 495, Look Ye Saints, the Sight is Glorious
Kretzmann Commentary: 1 Timothy 3
Bonus Bumper: Kantor Jacob Weber, “Lasst uns erfreuen”

By sheer coincidence the end of Kretzmann’s commentary on 1 Timothy 3 ties in perfectly with today, Ascension Day. Our pastors are humble, but they serve us with the risen and ascended Christ, giving us His Word and feeding us with His Sacrament. All of the pastor’s requirements in 1 Timothy 3 keep his eyes on Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Look, Ye Saints, the Sight is Glorious

Look, ye saints, the sight is glorious;
See the Man of Sorrows now!
From the fight returned victorious,
Ev’ry knee to Him shall bow.
Crown Him! Crown Him! Crown Him! Crown Him! Crown Him!
Crowns become the victor’s brow,
Crowns become the victor’s brow.
Crown the Savior! Angels, crown Him!
Rich the trophies Jesus brings;
On the seat of pow’r enthrone Him
While the vault of heaven rings.
Crown Him! Crown Him! Crown Him! Crown Him! Crown Him!
Crown the Savior King of kings.
Crown the Savior King of kings.
Sinners in derision crowned Him,
Mocking thus the savior’s claim;
Saints and angels crowd around Him,
Own His title, praise His name.
Crown Him! Crown Him! Crown Him! Crown Him! Crown Him!
Spread abroad the victor’s fame,
Spread abroad the victor’s fame.
Hark, those bursts of acclamation!
Hark, those loud triumphant chords!
Jesus takes the highest station;
Oh, what joy the sight affords!
Crown Him! Crown Him! Crown Him! Crown Him! Crown Him!
King of kings and Lord of lords!
King of kings and Lord of lords!

Time Out, Episode 215

Dan — Thu, 02 May 2013 16:15:10 +0000

Text: 2 Thessalonians 3
Hymn: 556, Dear Christians, One and All Rejoice
Kretzmann Commentary: 2 Thessalonians 3
Bonus Bumper: The Gutter Twins, Idle Hands

“Do not weary in doing good.” This is a hard saying, but it’s made a little easier by noting that God does not weary in his doing good for us. The cross continues to forgive, and the Holy Spirit continues to grant us faith through Word and Sacrament.

Cantor Beethe and Jon Kohlmeier take verses 1-5, and Cantor Peters and Kathryn Peters finish with 6-10 and a postlude. Thanks, guys!

Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice

Dear Christians, one and all, rejoice,
With exultation springing,
And with united heart and voice
And holy rapture singing,
Proclaim the wonders God hath done,
How His right arm the victory won.
What price our ransom cost Him!
Fast bound in Satan’s chains I lay;
Death brooded darkly o’er me.
Sin was my torment night and day;
In sin my mother bore me.
But daily deeper still I fell;
My life become a living hell,
So firmly sin possessed me.
My own good works all came to naught,
No grace or merit gaining;
Free will against God’s judgment fought,
Dead to all good remaining.
My fears increased till sheer despair
Left only death to be my share;
The pangs of hell I suffered.
But God beheld my wretched state
Before the world’s foundation,
And mindful of His mercies great,
He planned for my salvation.
He turned to me a father’s heart;
He did not choose the easy part
But gave His dearest treasure.
God said to His belovéd son:
“It’s time to have compassion.
Then go, bright jewel of My crown,
And bring to all salvation;
From sin and sorrow set them free,
Slay bitter death for them that they
May live with You forever.”
The Son obeyed His Father’s will,
Was born of virgin mother;
And God’s good pleasure to fulfill,
He came to be my brother.
His royal pow’r disguised He bore;
A servant’s form, like mine, He wore
To lead the devil captive.
To me He said: “Stay close to Me,
I am your rock and castle.
Your ransom I Myself will be;
For you I strive and wrestle.
For I am yours, and you are Mine,
And where I am, you may remain;
The foe shall not divide us.
“Though he will shed My precious blood,
Me of My life bereaving,
All this I suffer for your good;
Be steadfast and believing.
Life will from death the vict’ry win;
My innocence shall bear your sin,
And you are blest forever.
“Now to My Father I depart,
From earth to heav’n ascending,
And, heavn’ly wisdom to impart,
The Holy Spirit sending;
In trouble He will comfort you
And teach you always to be true
And into truth shall guide you.
“What I on earth have done and taught
Guide all your life and teaching;
So shall the kingdom’s work be wrought
and honored in your preaching.
But watch lest foes with base alloy
The heavn’ly treasure should destroy;
This final word I leave you.”

Time Out, Episode 214

Dan — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 16:15:36 +0000

Text: 1 Thessalonians 2
Hymn: 709, The King of Love My Shepherd Is
Kretzmann Commentary: 1 Thessalonians 2
Bonus Bumper: Sam Cooke, Working on the Chain Gang

It is a gift from God when we get to see the fruits of our labor. Sometimes, we’re not so fortunate. Paul and Silas are happy to see the Word of God spreading through Thessalonica. Receiving the Word, they were persecuted by the civilian authorities, a situation not unheard of today.

The hymn obviously references Psalm 23, which the Christian cannot read without thinking of Jesus the Good Shepherd in John 10:11 or maybe the parable of the good shepherd in Luke 15:4-7. This is what it means when we say we let scripture interpret scripture and that all of scripture testifies about Christ.

The King of Love My Shepherd Is

The King of love my shepherd is,
Whose goodness faileth never,
I nothing lack if I am His
And He is mine forever.
Where streams of living water flow
My ransomed soul He leadeth
And, where the verdant pastures grow,
With food celestial feedeth.
Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,
But yet in love He sought me,
And on His shoulder gently laid,
And home rejoicing brought me.
In death’s dark vale I fear no ill
With Thee, dear Lord, beside me;
Thy rod and staff my comfort still,
Thy cross before to guide me.
Thou spreadst a table in my sight;
Thine unction grace bestoweth;
And, oh, what transport of delight
From Thy pure chalice floweth!
And so through all the length of days
Thy goodness faileth never;
Good Shepherd, may I sing Thy praise
Within Thy house forever!

Time Out, Episode 213

Dan — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 16:15:15 +0000

Text: Philippians 4
Hymn: 483, With High Delight Let Us Unite
Kretzmann Commentary: Philippians 4
Bonus Bumper: Het Groot Nederlands Jongerenkoor met Musica Sacra Chorus, Rejoice in the Lord Always

Paul tells the two women, Eudoia and Syntyche, not just to set aside their differences, but agree in the Lord. Come to a real agreement with the truth, rather than just agree to disagree.

“Let your reasonableness be known to everyone…” How often do we sound like zealots and freaks, weakening our own confidence in the truth through bombastic or course language. Christians are reasonable. Our faith is not only a gift of the Holy Spirit but also based in historical fact.

Christ is arisen! There is no tomb that holds him, and this is why we sing indeed with high delight.

Text: © 1969 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved.
Podcast under OneLicense.Net A-718131.

With High Delight Let Us Unite

With high delight
Let us unite
In songs of great jubilation.
Ye pure in heart,
All bear your part,
Sing Jesus Christ, our salvation.
To set us free
Forever, He
Is ris’n and sends
To all earth’s ends
Good news to save ev’ry nation.
True God, He first
From death has burst
Forth into life, all subduing.
His enemy
Doth vanquished lie;
His death has been death’s undoing.
“And your shall be
Like victory
O’er death and grave,”
Saith He, who gave
His life for us, life renewing.
Let praises ring;
Give thanks, and bring
To Christ our Lord adoration.
His honor speed
By word and deed
To ev’ry land, ev’ry nation.
So shall His love
Give us above,
From misery
And death set free,
All joy and full consolation.

Time Out, Episode 212

Dan — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 16:15:01 +0000

Text: Galatians 6
Hymn: 471, O Sons and Daughters of the King
Kretzmann Commentary: Galatians 6
Bonus Bumper: Libera, Onward Christian Soldiers

Restore your brother gently — advice in serious need today. Work as though you are working for the God who saved you on the cross, rather than the human “master” or boss to whom you compare your own talents.

The Easter hymns continue with LSB 471, which has a neat tune, slightly older than the one we’re used to singing. Thank you to Anna and John Baseley for contributing their voices and mixing.

O Sons and Daughters of the King

Refrain:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

O sons and daughters of the King,
Whom heav’nly hosts in glory sing,
Today the grave has lost its sting!
Alleluia!
That Easter morn, at break of day,
The faithful women went their way
To seek the tomb where Jesus lay.
Alleluia!
An angel clad in white they see,
Who sits and speaks unto the three,
“Your Lord will go to Galilee.”
Alleluia!
That night the apostles met in fear;
Among them came their master dear
And said, “My peace be with you here.”
Alleluia!
When Thomas first the tidings heard
That they had seen the risen Lord,
He doubted the disciples’ word.
Alleluia!
“My pierced side, O Thomas, see,
And look upon My hands, My feet;
Not faithless but believing be.”
Alleluia!
No longer Thomas then denied;
He saw the feet, the hands, the side;
“You are my Lord and God!” he cried.
Alleluia!
How blest are they who have not seen
And yet whose faith has constant been,
For they eternal life shall win.
Alleluia!
On this most holy day of days
Be laud and jubilee and praise:
To God your hearts and voice raise.
Alleluia!

Refrain

Time Out, Episode 211

Dan — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 16:15:25 +0000

Text: Galatians 6
Hymns: 458, Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands
464 The Strife is O’er, the Battle Done
Kretzmann Commentary: Galatians 6
Bonus Bumper: The Beatles, Help

Far be it from us for us to boast, except in the cross of Christ! Blessed Easter! He is risen!

Thank you to Kathryn and Cantor Mark Peters of Immanuel Luthern Church in Leland, MI, for performing 458. Linda Schramke Rein accompanies on 464.

Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands

Christ Jesus lay in death’s strong bands,
For our offenses given;
But now at God’s right hand He stands
And brings us life from heaven.
Therefore let us joyful be,
And sing to God right thankfully
Loud songs of Alleluia!
Alleluia!
No son of man could conquer death,
Such ruin sin had wrought us.
No innocence was found on earth,
And therefore death had brought us
Into bondage from of old
And ever grew more strong and bold
And held us as its captive.
Alleluia!
Christ Jesus, God’s own Son, came down,
His people to deliver;
Destroying sin, He took the crown
From death’s pale brow forever:
Stripped of pow’r, no more it reigns;
An empty form alone remains;
Its sting is lost forever.
Alleluia!
It was a strange and dreadful strife
When life and death contended;
The victory remained with life;
The reign of death was ended.
Holy Scripture plainly saith
That death is swallowed up by death,
Its sting is lost forever.
Alleluia!
Here our true Paschal Lamb we see,
Whom God so freely gave us;
He died on the accursed tree—
So strong His love—to save us.
See, His blood now marks our door;
Faith points to it, death passes o’er,
And Satan cannot harm us.
Alleluia!
So let us keep the festival
Where to the Lord invites us;
Christ is Himself the joy of all,
The Sun that warms and lights us.
Now His grace to us imparts
Eternal sunshine to our hearts;
The night of sin is ended.
Alleluia!
Then let us feast this Easter day
On Christ, the bread of Heaven;
The Word of grace has purged away
The old and evil leaven.
Christ alone our souls will feed;
He is our meat and drink indeed;
Faith lives upon no other!
Alleluia!

The Strife is O’er, the Battle Done

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

The strife is o’er, the battle done;
Now is the victor’s triumph won;
Now be the song of praise begun.
Alleluia!
The pow’rs of death have done their worst,
But Christ their legions hath dispersed.
Let shouts of holy joy outburst.
Alleluia!
The three sad days have quickly sped,
He rises glorious from the dead.
All glory to our risen Head!
Alleluia!
He broke the age-bound chains of hell;
The bars from heav’n's high portals fell.
Let hymns of praise His triumph tell.
Alleluia!
Lord by the stripes which wounded Thee,
From death’s dread sting Thy servants free
That we may live and sing to Thee.
Alleluia!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Time Out, Episode 210

Dan — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 16:15:31 +0000

Text: 2 Corinthians 6
Hymn: 624, The Infant Priest Was Holy Born
Kretzmann Commentary: 2 Corinthians 6
Bonus Bumper: Jake Weber, “Salvation Unto Us Has Come”

Now is the favorable time. Now is the day of salvation. Men of God suffer stripe and slander so that we may hear the Gospel and be saved. May we not be restricted in receiving the Gospel and having faith.

“The veil is torn, our Priest we see, As at the rail on bended knee.” LSB 624 is a hymn by Chad Bird, sung by the Lutheran Warbler and accompanied by Chris Loemker. We are thankful for all of these contributions.

The Infant Priest Was Holy Born

The infant Priest was holy born
For us unholy and forlorn;
From fleshly temple forth came He,
Anointed from eternity.
This great High Priest in human flesh
Was icon of God’s righteousness.
His hallowed touch brought sanctity;
His hand removed impurity.
The holy Lamb undaunted came
To God’s own altar lit with flame;
While weeping angels hid their eyes,
This Priest became a sacrifice.
But death would not the victor be
Of Him who hung upon the tree.
He leads us to the Holy Place
Within the veil, before God’s face.
The veil is torn, our Priest we see,
As at the rail on bended knee
Our hungry mounts from Him receive
The bread of immortality.
The body of God’s Lamb we eat,
A priestly food and priestly meat;
On sin-parched lips the chalice pours
His quenching blood that life restores.
With cherubim and seraphim
Our voices join the endless hymn,
And “Holy, holy, holy” sing
To Christ, God’s Lamb, our Priest and King.

Time Out, Episode 209

Dan — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 16:15:56 +0000

Text: Romans 1
Hymn: 798, The God of Abraham Praise
Kretzmann Commentary: Romans 1
Bonus Bumper: Nine Inch Nails, Head Like a Hole

It would seem that St. Paul didn’t read his Walther: a big dose of Gospel in the first 17 verses, and then the Law smackdown in the rest of the chapter. They know what is right, what is even apparent from nature, and they refuse to do it, even today. May the Lord grant repentance before it is too late.

798 is one of my favorite hymns in the LSB. The watery deep we pass, with Jesus in our view. We depend on His oath, His promise, and His grace to withstand this world and receive a welcome into the next. We share news of his present triumph on the cross and await the revelation of his completed triumph in our future. The God who saves us is the same God as always, Abraham’s God.

Thank you to Lizzie Palmer for singing on this one.

The God of Abraham Praise

The God of Abr’ham praise,
Who reigns enthroned above;
Ancient of everlasting days
And God of love.
Jehovah, great I AM!
By earth and heav’n confessed;
I bow and bless the sacred name
Forever blest.
The God of Abr’ham praise,
At whose supreme command
From earth I rise and seek the joys
At His right hand.
I all on earth forsake,
Its wisdom, fame, and pow’r,
And Him my only portion make,
My shield and tow’r.
The God of Abr’ham praise,
Whose all-sufficient grace
Shall guide me all my pilgrim days
In all my ways.
He deigns to call me friend;
He calls Himself my God.
And He shall save me to the end
Through Jesus’ blood.
He by Himself has sworn;
I on His oath depend.
I shall, on eagle wings up-borne,
To heav’n ascend.
I shall behold his face;
I shall His pow’r adore
And sing the wonders of His grace
Forevermore.
Though nature’s strength decay,
And earth and hell withstand,
To Canaan’s bounds I urge my way
At His command.
The wat’ry deep I pass,
With Jesus in my view,
And through the howling wilderness
My way pursue.
The goodly land I see,
With peace and plenty blest:
A land of sacred liberty
And endless rest.
There milk and honey flow,
And oil and wine abound,
And trees of life forever grow
With mercy crowned.
There dwells the Lord our king,
The Lord our righteousness,
Triumphant o’er the world and sin,
The Prince of Peace.
On Zion’s sacred height
His kingdom He maintains
And glorious with His saints in light
Forever reigns.
The God who reigns on high
The great archangels sing,
And “Holy, holy, holy!” cry,
“Almighty King!
Who was and is the same
And evermore shall be:
Jehovah, Father, great I AM!
We worship Thee!”
The whole triumphant host
Give thanks to God on high.
“Hail, Father, Son and Holy Ghost!”
They ever cry.
Hail, Abr’ham’s God and mine!
I join the heav’nly lays
All might and majesty are Thine
And endless praise!

Time Out, Episode 208

Dan — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 17:15:16 +0000

Text: Acts 5
Hymn: 659, Lord of Our Life
Kretzmann Commentary: Acts 5
Bonus Bumper: Patti Labelle, Are You Ready for a Miracle?

If there were an 11th commandment, it would probably be, “Thou shalt not make a show of the good you think you are doing.” Jesus warned about it in Matthew 6, and Ananias and Sapphira breathe their last for it in Acts 5.

The Gospel is of God, and neither non-Christians nor Satan himself will be able to overthrow it. The Lord of Our Life and God of our salvation grants us peace even when hell itself assails us.

Lord of Our Life

Lord of our lfie and God of our salvation,
Star of our night and hope of ev’ry nation:
Hear and receive Your Church’s supplication,
Lord God Almighty.
See round Your ark the hungry billows curling;
See how Your foes their banners are unfurling
And with great spite their fiery darts are hurling,
O Lord, preserve us.
Lord, be our light when worldly darkness veils us;
Lord, be our shield wen earthly armor fails us;
And in the day when hell itself assails us,
Grant us Your peace, Lord:
Peace in our hearts, where sinful thoughts are raging,
Peace in Your Church, our troubled souls assuaging,
Peace when the world its endless war is waging,
Peace in Your heaven.

Time Out, Episode 207

Dan — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 17:15:42 +0000

Text: John 6:25-71
Hymn: 615, When in the Hour of Deepest Need
Kretzmann Commentary: John 6:25-71
Some commentary from C. P. Krauth, The Conservative Reformation and its Theology
Bonus Bumper: Eat This Bread

That Jesus, making all the Pharisees mad at him again. He claims he’s the Son of God, demands that his followers eat his flesh and drink his blood, and tells people they can’t show up for the afterlife unless his Father draws him. Clearly he needs an evangelism workshop. But, no. The same God/man would actually give us his body and blood to drink later on, for the forgiveness of sins, and if you believe it, the Father has drawn you.

We hope and wait for the last days, confessing our sins and receiving absolution, participating in the Lord’s Supper, that our faith may be sustained and we may be raised from the dead to enter the Master’s feast.

When in the Hour of Deepest Need

When in the hour of deepest need
We know not where to look for aid;
When days and nights of anxious thought
No help our counsel yet have brought,
Then is our comfort this alone
That we may meet before Your throne;
To You O faithful God, we cry
For rescue in our misery.
For You have promised, Lord, to heed
Your children’s cries in time of need
Through Him whose name alone is great,
Our Savior and our advocate.
And so we come, O God, today
And all our woes before You lay;
For sorely tried, cast down, we stand,
Perplexed by fears on ev’ry hand.
O from our sins, Lord turn Your face;
Absolve us through Your boundless grace.
Be with us in our anguish still;
Free us at last from ev’ry ill.
So we with all our hearts each day
To You our glad thanksgiving pay,
Then walk obedient to Your Word,
And now and ever praise You, Lord.

Time Out, Episode 206

Dan — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 17:15:56 +0000

Text: Luke 13
Hymn: 440, Jesus, I Will Ponder Now
Kretzmann Commentary: Luke 13
Bonus Bumper: The Eagles, “After the Thrill is Gone”

The Pharisees want to do Jesus a favor. Stay away from the Lord of the Sabbath, people, or else he might sin by healing! Jesus would have none of it. Donkeys must be untied in order to drink; Satan-bound creatures must be freed as well.

Having been freed we now ponder upon the post-defeat skirmishes in our lives. We cherish the Savior who saves us by His suffering, pain, and death, practicing humility in light of our forgiveness.

Special thanks to Anna Baseley for singing and to Chris Loemker for accompaniment.

Jesus, I Will Ponder Now

Jesus, I will ponder now
On Your holy passion;
With Your Spirit me endow
For such meditation.
Grant that I in love and faith
May the image cherish
Of Your suff’ring, pain and death
That I may not perish.
Make me see Your great distress,
Anguish, and affliction.
Bonds and stripes and wretchedness
And your crucifixion;
Make me see how scourge and rod,
Spear and nails did wound You,
How for them You died, O God,
Who with thorns had crowned You.
Yet, O Lord, not thus alone
Make me see Your passion,
But its cause to me make known
And its termination.
Ah! I also and my sin
Wrought Your deep affliction;
This indeed the cause has been
Of Your crucifixion.
Grant that I Your passion view
With repentant grieving.
Let me not bring shame to You
By unholy living.
How could I refuse to shun
Ev’ry sinful pleasure
Since for me God’s only Son
Suffered without measure?
If my sins give me alarm
And my conscience grieve me,
Let Your cross my fear disarm;
Peace of conscience give me.
Help me see forgiveness won
By Your holy passion.
If for me He slays His Son,
God must have compassion!
Graciously my faith renew;
Help me bear my crosses,
Learning humbleness from You,
Peace mid pain and losses.
May I give You love for love!
Hear me, O my Savior,
That I may in heav’n above
Sing Your praise forever.

Time Out, Episode 205

Dan — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 17:15:27 +0000

Text: Mark 12
Hymn: 823, May God Bestow on Us His Grace
Kretzmann Commentary: Mark 12
Bonus Bumper: CPH, Sing the Faith, “Lord’s Prayer, Second Petition 1″

“You are not far from the kingdom of God,” Jesus tells the scribe in verse 34. To love God is worth more than any sacrifice we can make, and loving God is possible because of the sacrifice made by God.

May God Bestow on Us His Grace, that we and our neighbor may be saved from the coming judgment.

May God Bestow on Us His Grace

May God bestow on us His grace,
With blessings rich provide us,
And may the brightness of His face
To life eternal guide us
That we His saving health may know,
His gracious will and pleasure,
And also to the heathen show
Christ’s riches without measure
And unto God convert them.
Thine over all shall be the praise
And thanks of ev’-ry nation,
And all the world with joy shall raise
The voice of exultation;
For Thou shalt judge the earth, O Lord,
Nor suffer sin to flourish;
Thy people’s pasture is Thy Word
Their souls to feed and nourish,
In righteous paths to keep them.
Oh, let the people praise Thy worth,
In all good works increasing;
The land shall plenteous fruit bring forth,
Thy Word is rich in blessing,
May God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit bless us!
Let all the world praise Him alone,
Let solemn awe possess us.
Now let our hearts say, Amen.

Time Out, Episode 204

Dan — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 17:15:10 +0000

Text: Matthew 17
Hymn: 401, From God the Father, Virgin-Born
Kretzmann Commentary: Matthew 17
Bonus bumper: Sufjan Stevens, Transfiguration

The Son transformed, and his clothes became like light itself. The giver of the Law, Moses, appears, as well as Elijah, no minor prophet in his own right. Peter and the rest want to stay on the mountain forever, forgetting that to do so would condemn everyone for eternity. Tell no one, lest the people know whom they would crucify, and stop.

The text for our hymn has been dated anywhere from the fifth to the tenth century, proving again that the original universal faith still applies to us. Thanks to John Baseley for singing!

From God the Father, Virgin-Born

From God the Father, virgin-born
To us the only Son came down;
By death the font to consecrate,
The faithful to regenerate.
Beginning from His home on high
In human flesh He came to die;
Creation by His death restored,
And shed new joys of life abroad.
Glide on, O glorious Sun, and bring
The gift of healing on Your wing;
To ev’ry dull and clouded sense
The clearness of Your light dispense.
Abide with us, O Lord, we pray;
The gloom of darkness chase away;
Your work of healing, Lord, begin,
And take away the stain of sin.
Lord, once You came to earth’s domain
And, we believe, shall come again;
Be with us on the battlefield,
From ev’ry harm Your people shield.
To You, O Lord, all glory be
For this Your blest epiphany;
To God Whom all His hosts adore,
And Holy Spirit evermore.

Time Out, Episode 203

Dan — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 17:15:40 +0000

Text: Malachi 3
Hymn: 402, The Only Son from Heaven
Kretzmann Commentary: Malachi 3
Bonus Bumper: Handel, Messiah, “And He Shall Purify”

Malachi 3, tying in with Isaiah 40, really should have given the Pharisees and Sadducees some heartburn when John the Baptizer came around. When the Lord’s messenger comes, preparing the way of the Lord, things are about to “get real.” He will purify the priests and cleanse the temple, and then He will judge.

402 is an old one, written in the early 1500′s. May the “time of God appointed” come quickly!

The Only Son from Heaven

The only Son from heaven,
Foretold by ancient seers,
By God the Father given,
In human form appears;
No sphere His light confining,
No star so brightly shining
As He, our Morning Star.
O time of God appointed,
O bright and holy morn!
He comes, the King anointed,
The Christ, the virgin-born;
Grim death to vanquish for us,
To open heav’n before us
And bring us life again.
O Lord, our hearts awaken
To know and love You more,
In faith to stand unshaken,
In spirit to adore,
That we, through this world moving,
Each glimpse of heaven proving,
May reap its fullness there.
O Father, here before You
With god the Holy Ghost
And Jesus, we adore You,
O pride of angel host:
Before You mortals lowly
Cry, “Holy, holy, holy,
O blessed Trinity!”

Time Out, Episode 202

Dan — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 17:15:09 +0000

Text: Zechariah 12
Hymn: 404, Jesus, Once with Sinners Numbered
Kretzmann Commentary: Zechariah 12
Bonus Bumper: Concordia Publishing House, Hymns of the Reformation, “Salvation Unto Us Has Come”

The Lord will conquer Israel’s enemies, and he will bestow on Israel a spirit of grace and mercy, as they look upon His Son, whom they have pierced. The price of redemption was awesomely high, and it took God and man on a cross to pay it.

404 is quite contemporary in age, and yet the lyrics discuss baptism and Jesus’s duty on Earth. I especially like the last verse, where the cross is traced over us in baptism, counting us as righteous. Great gospel there.

Text: © 1999 Stephen P. Starke; admin. Concordia Publishing House
Tune: © 1978 Augsburg Fortress
Podcast under OneLicense.Net A-718131.
Setting from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission.

Jesus, Once with Sinners Numbered

Jesus, once with sinners numbered,
Had no blemish of His own;
In the waters of the Jordan
His true worth and work were shown:
Heaven opened and the Spirit
There descended like a dove,
As the Father’s voice resounded,
“Hear My Son, the One I love.”
John confessed Him as the Savior–
“Look, the sinless Lamb of God!”
Yet he dared not loose the sandals
Of the One God’s love had shod.
Oh, how fair the feet of Jesus,
Bringing news of peace to us,
Christ, the herald of salvation,
Preaching mercy from the cross:
This the baptism that our Savior
Greatly longed to undergo:
This the crimson cleansing needed
So the world God’s love might now;
This the mission of Messiah
As He stepped from Jordan’s stream,
He, the chosen and anointed,
Son of God, sent to redeem.
Jesus, once with sinners numbered,
Full obedience was Your path;
You, by death, have consecrated
Water in this saving bath:
Dying to the sin of Adam,
Rising to a life of grace;
We are counted with the righteous,
Over us the cross You trace.

Time Out, Episode 201

Dan — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 17:15:41 +0000

Text: Haggai 1
Hymn: 409, Hail, O Source of Every Blessing
Kretzmann Commentary: Haggai 1
Bonus Bumper: “Within the Father’s House,” LSB 410 played by Chris Loemker

“The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord.” The Lord begged to differ. The time to be faithful, to build the church is now, and what a good thing that is for us! It is God’s intent that we are reconciled, redeemed, made one, grafted Gentiles back into the tree through the forgiveness of sins.

Thanks to Jon Kohlmeier for singing and to Chris Loemker for the accompaniment to the hymn.

Hail, O Source of Every Blessing

Hail, O Source of Every Blessing,
Father of our human race!
Gentiles now, Your grace possessing,
In Your courts obtain a place.
Grateful now, we fall before You,
In Your Church rejoice to live,
See Your glory and adore You,
Thankful for the grace You give.
Once far off but now invited,
We approach your sacred throne,
In Your covenant united,
Reconciled, redeemed, made one.
Now revealed to eastern sages,
See the Star of Mercy shine,
Myst’ry hid in former ages,
Myst’ry great of love divine.
Hail, O all-inviting Savior!
Gentiles now their off’rings bring,
In Your temples seek Your favor,
Jesus Christ, our Lord and King.
May we, body, soul, and spirit,
Live devoted to Your praise,
Glorious realms of bliss inherit,
Grateful anthems ever raise.

Time Out, Episode 200

Dan — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 17:15:21 +0000

Text: Micah 7
Hymn: 393, Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
Kretzmann Commentary: Micah 7
Bonus Bumper: Holst, “Jupiter,” from The Planets
Overtime Bumper: Praetorius, “Vom Himmel Hoch,” from Mass for Christmas Morning

Merry Christmas!

Wait for the God of our salvation…he comes born of a virgin and lying in a manger. Lizzie Palmer brings this out further in her singing of “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly.” Christ the child is Lord of all and born for you.

Special thanks to our overtime contributors:
Jon Ellis
Ed Lamberton
Rev. William Weedon
Steve Stearns
The IggyAntiochus trio
Matthew Pancake

Those who sung on Hark! “The Herald Angels Sing”:
From Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Columbus, OH:

Dan Engle and daughters
Mark Fergus
Molly Leithart
Lizzie Palmer

From Risen Savior Lutheran Church, Palm Bay, FL:

Gary Held
Ruth Lanning
Jay Lanning
John Brahn
Phyliss Derda
Cynthia Livingston
Marguerite Medina
Lois Deibel
Matthew Pancake

Infant Holy, Infant Lowly

Infant holy,
Infant lowly,
For His bed a cattle stall;
Oxen lowing,
Little knowing
Christ the child is Lord of all.
Swiftly winging,
Angels singing,
Bells are ringing,
Tiddings bringing:
Christ the child is Lord of all!
Christ the child is Lord of all!
Flocks were sleeping,
Shepherds keeping
Visgil till the morning new
Saw the glory,
Heard the story,
Tidings of a Gospel true.
Thus rejoicing,
Free from sorrow,
Praises voicing,
Greet the morrow:
Christ the child was born for you!
Christ the child was born for you!

Time Out, 7th O Antiphon: O Emmanuel

Dan — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 23:30:21 +0000

O Emmanuel

O Emmanuel, our king and our Lord, the anointed for the nations and their Savior:

Come and save us, O Lord our God.

Text from LSB 357, “O” Antiphons.

Psalm tone from the Brotherhood Prayer Book, published by Emmanuel Press. Used with permission.

Time Out, 6th O Antiphon: O King of the Nations

Dan — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 23:30:17 +0000

O King of the nations

O King of the nations, the ruler they long for, the cornerstone uniting all people:

Come and save us all, whom you formed out of clay.

Text from LSB 357, “O” Antiphons.
Psalm tone from the Brotherhood Prayer Book, published by Emmanuel Press. Used with permission.

Time Out, 5th O Antiphon: O Dayspring

Dan — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 23:30:16 +0000

O Dayspring

O Dayspring, splendor of light everlasting:

Come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.

Text from LSB 357, “O” Antiphons.
Psalm tone from the Brotherhood Prayer Book, published by Emmanuel Press. Used with permission.

Time Out, 4th O Antiphon: O Key of David

Dan — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 23:30:01 +0000

O Key of David

O Key of David and scepter of the house of Israel, You open and no one can close, You close and no one can open:

Come and rescue the prisoners who are in darkness and the shadow of death.

Text from LSB 357, “O” Antiphons.
Psalm tone from the Brotherhood Prayer Book, published by Emmanuel Press. Used with permission.

Time Out, Episode 199

Dan — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 17:15:29 +0000

Text: Jonah 4
Hymn: 357, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Kretzmann Commentary: Jonah 4
Bonus Bumper: E.S. Posthumus, “Nineveh”

Jonah is ticked off. Those Ninevites deserved condemnation, and he doesn’t want to preach to them! He knows that the preached Word creates faith, so they won’t get what they deserved! Thanks be to God that we still have the preached Word and that we don’t get what we deserve, either.

Guest vocalist Molly Leithart, who attends Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Columbus, OH, joins us on the hymn. Come, Lord Jesus, come soon.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!
O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who ord’rest all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!
O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to thy tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times didst give the law,
In cloud and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!
O come, Thou Branch of Jesse’s tree,
Free them from Satan’s tyranny
That trust Thy mighty pow’r to save,
And give them vict’ry o’er the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!
O come, Thou Key of David, come
And open wide our heav’nly home:
Make safe the way that leads on high
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!
O come, Thou Dayspring from on high,
And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!
O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Time Out, 3rd O Antiphon: O Root of Jesse

Dan — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 23:30:26 +0000

O Root of Jesse

O Root of Jesse, standing as an ensign before the peoples, before whom all kings are mute, to whom the nations will do homage:

Come quickly to deliver us.

Text from LSB 357, “O” Antiphons.
Psalm tone from the Brotherhood Prayer Book, published by Emmanuel Press. Used with permission.

Time Out, 2nd O Antiphon: O Adonai

Dan — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 23:30:31 +0000

O Adonai

O Adonai and ruler of the house of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the burning bush and gave him the Law on Sinai:

Come with an outstretched arm and redeem us.

Text from LSB 357, “O” Antiphons.
Psalm tone from the Brotherhood Prayer Book, published by Emmanuel Press. Used with permission.

Time Out, 1st O Antiphon: O Wisdom

Dan — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 23:30:47 +0000

The “O” Antiphons have been sung or recited at Vespers services since at latest the sixth century. The text of the antiphons is drawn from the book of Isaiah, and each title of an antiphon is a title for the Messiah. There is a separate O Antiphon for each of the seven days prior to Christmas Eve Day.

Kantor Beethe, Time Out’s regular accompanist and director of parish music at Grace Lutheran Church in Little Rock, AR, will chant each of these. The words come from the “O” Antiphons listed at the end of LSB Hymn 357, and the psalm tone comes from the Brotherhood Prayer Book, published by Emmanuel Press. Psalm tone used with permission.

The other “O” Antiphons will appear here over the next six days.

O Wisdom

O Wisdom, proceeding from the mouth of the Most High, pervading and permeating all creation, mightily ordering all things:

Come and teach us the way of prudence.

Time Out, Episode 198

Dan — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 17:15:36 +0000

Text: Obadiah
Hymn: 336, Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending
Kretzmann Commentary: Obadiah
Bonus Bumper: Dragonforce, “Through the Fire and the Flames”

I had read somewhere that some Alleluias were suppressed during the Advent season like during Lent, but nobody told Charles Wesley.

Obadiah is a book of one chapter, one vision, that of the Lord delivering vengeance upon his enemies and paying in kind what Edom did to its brothers in Israel. The Day of the Lord is coming. It holds utter contempt for those outside the church, but for Christians it holds holiness and salvation.

He comes with clouds descending, for a second time.

Lo! He comes, with clouds descending,
Once for ev’ry sinner slain;
Thousand thousand saints attending
Swell the triumph of his train:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Christ the Lord returns to reign.

Ev’ry eye shall now behold Him,
Robed in dreadful majesty;
Those who set at naught and sold him,
Pierced and nailed him to the tree,
Deeply wailing, deeply wailing, deeply wailing,
Shall their true Messiah see.

Those dear tokens of his passion
Still his dazzling body bears,
Cause of endless exultation
To his ransomed worshipers.
With what rapture, with what rapture, with what rapture
Gaze we on those glorious scars!

Yea, amen, let all adore thee,
High on thine eternal throne;
Savior, take the power and glory;
Claim the kingdom as Thine own:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Thou shalt reign, and thou alone!

Time Out, Episode 197

Dan — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 17:15:49 +0000

Text: Amos 5
Hymn: 332, Savior of the Nations, Come
Kretzmann Commentary: Amos 5
Bonus Bumper: Metallica, “Orion”

The Creator of the earth and the stars as well as us calls Israel to turn from its idolatry and live. Woe to those who desire the day that the Lord’s patience runs out!

The Savior of the Nations has come in flesh, is come in Word and Sacrament, and will come again in glory. Thank you to our guest vocalist, Lizzie Palmer, from Zion in Columbus.

Text (sts. 4-5, 8): © 1978 Concordia Publishing House.
Text (sts. 3, 6-7): © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved.
Podcast under OneLicense.Net A-718131.
Setting from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission.

Savior of the Nations, Come

Savior of the nations, come,
Virgin’s Son, here make Your home!
Marvel now, O heav’n and earth,
That the Lord chose such a birth.
Not by human flesh and blood;
By the Spirit of our God,
Was the Word of God made flesh,
Woman’s offspring, pure and fresh.
Here a maid was found with child,
Yet remained a virgin mild.
In her womb this truth was shown:
God was there upon His throne.
Then stepped forth the Lord of all
From His pure and kingly hall;
God of God, yet fully man,
His heroic course began.
God the Father was His source,
Back to God He ran His course.
Into hell His road went down,
Back then to His throne and crown.
For You are the Father’s Son
Who in flesh the vict’ry won.
By Your mighty pow’r make whole
All our ills of flesh and soul.
From the manger newborn light
Shines in glory through the night.
Darkness there no more resides;
In this light faith now abides.
Glory to the Father sing,
Glory to the Son, our king,
Glory to the spirit be
Now and through eternity.

Time Out, Episode 196

Dan — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 17:15:43 +0000

Text: Joel 1
Hymn: 514, The Bridegroom Soon Will Call Us
Kretzmann Commentary: Joel 1
Bonus Bumper: Karl Jenkins and Adiemus, Dies Irae

It would be hard to get much more contrast between the reading and the hymn for this week. In Joel God’s punishment is so severe that the Israelites can’t even gather enough to make an offering: one massive “talk to the hand!” In our hymn the Lord not only gives us what we need to give praise back to Him but prepares a celestial feast of heavenly joy and peace.

Text (st. 1): © 1982 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved.
Podcast under OneLicense.Net A-718131.
Setting from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission.

The Bridegroom Soon Will Call Us

The Bridegroom soon will call us,
“Come to the wedding feast.”
May slumber not befall us
Nor watchfulness decrease.
May all our lamps be burning
Will oil enough and more
That we, with Him returning,
May find an open door!
There shall we see in glory
Our deer Redeemer’s face;
The long-awaited story
Of heav’nly joy takes place:
The patriarchs shall meet us,
The prophets’ holy band;
Apostles, martyrs greet us
In that celestial land.
There God shall from all evil
Forever make us free,
From sin and from the devil,
From all adversity,
From sickness, pain, and sadness,
From Troubles, cares, and fears,
And grand us heav’nly gladness
And wipe away our tears.
In that fair home shall never
Be silent music’s voice;
With hearts and lips forever
We shall in God rejoice,
While angel hosts are raising
With saints from great to least
A mighty hymn for praising
The Giver of the feast.

Time Out, Episode 195

Dan — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 17:15:52 +0000

Text: Hosea 11
Hymn: 508, The Day is Surely Drawing Near
Kretzmann Commentary: Hosea 11
Bonus Bumper: Lead, Kindly Light

As the church year nears its end and we look to the world to come, it’s prudent to remind ourselves through the Word that we are saved by grace, not of our own doing, but of the gift of God. There are works for us to do, also a gift from God, but these come after faith is given to us and renders us righteous before God.

The Day is Surely Drawing Near

The day is surely drawing near
When Jesus, God’s anointed,
In all His power shall appear
As judge whom God appointed.
Then fright shall banish idle mirth,
And flames on flames shall ravage earth
As Scripture long has warned us.
The final trumpet then shall sound
And all the earth be shaken,
And all who rest beneath the ground
Shall from their sleep awaken.
But all who live will in that hour
By God’s almighty, boundless pow’r
Be changed at His commanding.
The books are opened then to all,
A record truly telling
What each hath done, both great and small,
When he on earth was dwelling,
And ev’ry heart be clearly seen,
And all be known as they have been
In thoughts and words and actions.
Then woe to those who scorned the Lord
And sought but carnal pleasures,
Who here despised His precious Word
And loved their earthly treasures!
With shame and trembling they will stand
And at the judge’s stern command
To Satan be delivered.
My Savior paid the debt I owe
And for my sin wast smitten,
Within the Book of Life I know
My name has now been written!
I will not doubt, for I am free,
And Satan cannot threaten me;
There is no condemnation.
May Christ our intercessor be
And through His blood and merit
Read from His book that we are free
With all who life inherit,
Then we shall see Him face to face
With all His saints in that blest place
Which He has purchased for us.
O Jesus Christ, do not delay,
But hasten our salvation;
We often tremble on our way
In fear and tribulation.
O hear and grand our fervent plea:
Come, mighty Judge, and set us free
From death and ev’ry evil.

Time Out, Episode 194

Dan — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 17:15:50 +0000

Text: Daniel 10
Hymn: 782, Gracious God, You Send Great Blessings
Kretzmann Commentary: Daniel 10
Bonus Bumper: Mishka, “3rd Eye Vision”

The pre-incarnate Son of God is a scary dude: a body like beryl, face like lightning, eyes like burning torches, arms and legs like burnished bronze, and a seriously polyphonic voice. Yet he will come and be born; he will be made man. He fights the princes of Persia and Greece, powers of darkness, with atonement and mercy.

Linda Schramke Rein does a wonderful job with the accompaniment for Dr. Wismar’s hymn, “Gracious God, You Send Great Blessings.” Thanks, Linda!

Gracious God, You Send Great Blessings

Gracious God, You send great blessings
New each morning all our days.
For Your mercies never ending,
For your love we offer praise.

Refrain
Lord, we pray that we, Your people
Who Your gifts unnumbered claim,
Through the sharing of Your blessings
May bring glory to Your name.
By Your Word You formed creation
Filled with creatures large and small;
As we tend that endless treasure
May our care encircle all.

Refrain
In His early life, our Savior
Knew the care of faithful friends;
May our deeds of dedication
Offer love that never ends.

Refrain
Heav’n-ly Father, may our caring
Bear the imprint of Your grace;
With the Son and Holy Spirit,
Praise be Yours in ev’ry place!

Refrain

Time Out, Episode 193

Dan — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 17:15:07 +0000

Text: Ezekiel 33
Hymn: 639, Wide Open Stand the Gates
Kretzmann Commentary: Ezekiel 33
Bonus Bumper: Smashing Pumpkins, Theme from The Watchmen

The Lord sets for us a watchman. An allusion to the Office of the Holy Ministry, the watchman warns us when wrath is coming, so that we can turn and repent. Unlike Israel, we will not die; the wicked can repent, and live!

639 is a great communion hymn, focusing not only on the mystery of bread and wine, body and blood, but also the saints and the angels in union with us for eternity, all worshiping the God who saves.

Text: © 2002 GIA publications, Inc. All rights reserved.
Podcast under OneLicense.Net A-718131.

Wide Open Stand the Gates

Wide open stand the gates adorned with pearl,
While round God’s golden throne
The choirs of saints in endless circles curl,
And joyous praise the Son!
They watch Him now descending
To visit waiting earth.
The Lord of Life unending
Brings dying hope new birth!
He speaks the Word the bread and wine to bless:
“This is My flesh and blood!”
He bids us eat and drink with thankfulness
This gift of holy food.
All human thought must falter–
Our God stoops low to heal,
Now present on the altar,
For us both host and meal!
The cherubim, their faces veiled from light,
While saints in wonder kneel,
Sing praise to Him whose face with glory bright
No earthly masks conceal.
This sacrament God gives us
Binds us in unity,
Joins earth with heav’n beyond us,
Time with eternity!

Time Out, Episode 192

Dan — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 16:15:02 +0000

Text: Lamentations 4
Hymn: 555, Salvation unto Us Has Come
Kretzmann Commentary: Lamentations 4
Bonus Bumper: Duran Duran, “Falling Down”

The priests were as filthy as lepers, and the women boiled their own children for food. The devil must howl in glee at the sight, but his time will come. God will restore his people through the raising of His Messiah, and when the devil gets his due, it will be far worse than what Jerusalem suffered.

555 is one of my favorite hymns. Written by Paul Speratus, you will be hard-pressed to find a hymn that teaches more doctrine and delivers more good news than “Salvation unto Us Has Come. It even tells us why, when good works don’t save us, why we still do them. Great stuff.

Thanks to Jon Kohlmeier, Lutheran Warbler, and the Warbler’s mother for singing, and to Cantor Jake Weber for accompanying.

Salvation unto us has come
By God’s free grace and favor;
Good works cannot avert our doom,
They help and save us never.
Faith looks to Jesus Christ alone,
Who did for all the world atone;
He is our one redeemer.
What God did in His Law demand
And none to him could render
Caused wrath and woe on every hand
For man, the vile offender.
Our flesh has not those pure desires
The spirit of the Law requires,
And lost is our condition.
It was a false, misleading dream
That God his Law had given
That sinners could themselves redeem
And by their works gain heaven.
The Law is but a mirror bright
To bring the inbred sin to light
That lurks within our nature.
From sin our flesh could not abstain,
Sin held its sway unceasing;
The task was useless and in vain,
Our guilt was e’er increasing.
None can remove sin’s poisoned dart
Or purify our guileful heart–
So deep is our corruption.
Yet as the Law must be fulfilled
Or we must die despairing,
Christ came and has God’s anger stilled,
Our human nature sharing.
He has for us the Law obeyed
And thus the Father’s vengeance stayed
Which over us impended.
Since Christ has full atonement made
And brought to us salvation,
Each Christian therefore may be glad
And build on this foundation.
Your grace alone, dear Lord, I plead,
Your death is now my life indeed,
For you have paid my ransom.
Let me not doubt, but truly see
Your Word cannot be broken;
Your call rings out, “Come unto Me!”
No falsehood have You spoken.
Baptized into Your precious name,
My faith cannot be put to shame,
And I shall never perish.
The Law reveals the guilt of sin
And makes us conscience-stricken;
But then the Gospel enters in
The sinful soul to quicken.
Come to the cross, trust Christ, and live;
The Law no peace can ever give,
No comfort and no blessing.
Faith clings to Jesus’ cross alone
And rests in him unceasing;
And by its fruits true faith is known,
With love and hope increasing.
For faith alone can justify;
Works serve our neighbor and supply
The proof that faith is living.
All blessing, honor, thanks and praise
To Father, Son, and Spirit,
The God who saved us by his grace;
All glory to his merit.
O triune God in heav’n above,
You have revealed your saving love;
Your blessèd name we hallow.

Time Out, Episode 191

Dan — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 16:15:31 +0000

Text: Jeremiah 33
Hymn: 745, In God, My Faithful God
Kretzmann Commentary: Jeremiah 33
Bonus Bumper: Westfalische Kantorei, Deutsche Liedmesse, “Allein Gott in der Höh”

What a nice pair of scripture and hymn. The Lord promises peace where there is none. Israel and Judah will be names of joy once again. The voices of bride and bridegroom, of mirth and gladness, and of singers will return and give thanks to the Lord–all because of Christ’s sacrifice for us.

We don’t yet see this future, though, so we are called to trust in God, no matter how dark our road is and how our sins trouble us. We will be heirs of heavenly gladness, indeed.

In God, My Faithful God

In God, my faithful God,
I trust when dark my road;
Great woes may overtake me,
Yet He will not for sake me.
My trouble He can alter;
His hand lets nothing falter.
My sins fill me with care,
Yet I will not despair.
I build on Christ, who loves me;
From this rock nothing moves me.
To Him I will surrender,
To Him, my soul’s defender.
If death my portion be,
It brings great gain to me;
It speeds my life’s endeavor
To live with Christ forever.
He gives me joy in sorrow,
Come death now or tomorrow.
O Jesus Christ, my Lord,
So meek in deed and word,
You suffered death to save us
Because Your love with have us
Be heirs of heav’nly gladness
When ends this life of sadness.
“So be it,” then I say
With all my heart each day.
Dear Lord, we all adore You,
We sing for you before You.
Guide us while here we wander
Until we praise You yonder.

Time Out, Episode 190

Dan — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 16:15:29 +0000

Text: Isaiah 40
Hymn: 587, I Know My Faith is Founded
Kretzmann Commentary: John
Bonus Bumper: Handel, Messiah, “Comfort Ye, My People” and “Every Valley Shall Be Exalted”

If one doesn’t recognize parts of Isaiah 40, he or she hasn’t been paying attention. Quoted by John the Baptist and St. Peter, the good news is preached that this world is redeemed, Israel’s warfare is ended, and the Word of the Lord which saves us will stand forever.

587 is another great confession resting upon the sure and sufficient Word of God. We ask that we may continue to rely on the good news and the resultant promises he has given us.

I Know My Faith is Founded

I know my faith is founded
On Jesus Christ, my God and Lord;
And this my faith confessing,
Unmoved I stand on His sure Word.
Our reason cannot fathom
The truth of God profound;
Who trusts in human wisdom
Relies on shifting ground.
God’s Word is all sufficient,
It makes divinely sure,
And trusting in its wisdom,
My faith shall rest secure.
Increase my faith, dear Savior,
For Satan seeks by night and day
To rob me of this treasure
And take my hope of bliss away.
But, Lord, with You beside me,
I shall be undismayed;
And led by Your good Spirit,
I shall be unafraid.
Abide with me, O Savior,
A firmer faith bestow;
Then I shall bid defiance
To every evil foe.
In faith, Lord, let me serve You;
Though persecution, grief and pain
Should seek to overwhelm me,
Let me a steadfast trust retain;
And then at my departure
Lord, take me home to You,
Your riches to inherit
As all You said holds true.
In life and death, Lord, keep me
Until Your heav’n I gain.
Where I by Your great mercy
The end of faith attain.

Time Out, Episode 189

Dan — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 16:15:51 +0000

Text: Song of Solomon 1
Hymn: 734, I Trust, O Lord, Your Holy Name
Kretzmann Commentary: Song of Solomon 1
Bonus Bumper: “Soul, Adorn Thyself with Gladness,” from Heirs of the Reformation by CPH

The Song of Solomon is a song of marriage between Christ and his church. As much as spouses love each other in this imperfect world, how much more will the Lord and His bride cherish each other for eternity!

Thanks to Jon Kohlmeier for singing today’s hymn. We are wholly dependent on God for our faith and salvation. None can overcome His power and pluck us from his hand. We perform our vocations in the grace of the triune God until the end.

I Trust, O Lord, Your Holy Name

I trust, O Lord, Your holy name;
O let me not be put to shame
Nor let me be confounded.
My faith, O Lord,
Be in Your Word
Forever firmly grounded.
Bow down Your gracious ear to me
And hear my cry, my prayer, my plea;
Make haste for my protection,
For woes and fear
Surround me here.
Help me in my affliction.
You are my strength, my shield, my rock,
My fortress that withstands each shock,
My help, my life, my tower.
My battle sword,
Almighty Lord–
Who can resist Your power?
With You, O Lord, I cast my lot;
O faithful God, for sake me not,
To You my soul commending.
Lord, be my stay,
And lead the way
Now and when life is ending.
All honor, praise, and majesty
To Father, Son, and Spirit be,
Our God forever glorious,
In whose rich grace
We run our race
till we depart victorious.

Time Out, Episode 188

Dan — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 16:15:24 +0000

Text: Ecclesiastes 9
Hymn: 846, Your Hand, O Lord, in Days of Old
Kretzmann Commentary: Ecclesiastes 9
Bonus Bumper: Coldplay, “Viva la Vida”

“Time and chance happen to all.” Yet it is better to be living, because we have hope. We hope in the world that is to come, the world where we see Death and Hades following Satan into eternal damnation, the world atoned for by Christ on the cross, our great deliverer still.

Jon Kohlmeier, producer of Higher Things Radio, is our guest vocalist for this hymn.

Your Hand, O Lord, in Days of Old

Your hand, O Lord, in days of old
Was strong to heal and save;
It triumphed over ills and death,
O’er darkness and the grave.
To You they came, the blind, the mute,
The palsied and the lame,
The lepers in their misery,
The sick with fevered frame.
Your touch then, Lord, brought life and health,
Gave speech and strength and sight;
And youth renewed and frenzy calmed
Revealed You, Lord of light.
And now, O Lord, be near to bless,
Almighty as before,
In crowded street, by beds of pain,
As by Gennes’ret’s shore.
Oh, be our great deliv’rer still,
The Lord of life and death;
Restore and quicken, soothe and bless,
With your life giving breath.
To hands that work and eyes that see.
Give wisdom’s healing power
That whole and sick and weak and strong
May praise you evermore.

Time Out, Episode 187

Dan — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 16:15:08 +0000

Text: Proverbs 1
Hymn: 544, O Love, How Deep
Kretzmann Commentary: Proverbs 1
Bonus Bumper: Aretha Franklin, Think

Proverbs 1 is one of the reasons why Time Out exists. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,” or of wisdom. Let the wise hear, and sing, too.

544 is a hymn soaked in Gospel and set to a great true, emphasizing everything Christ went through in order to purchase our redemption. Thanks be to God, that we can be counted as sons and daughters of the Most High! Thanks also to Lutheran Warbler, who joins us on vocals.

O Love, How Deep

O love, how deep, how broad, how high,
Beyond all thought and fantasy,
That God, the Son of God, should take
Our mortal form for mortals’ sake!
He sent no angel to our race,
Of higher or lower place,
But wore the robe of human frame,
And to this world Himself He came.
For us baptized, for us He bore
His holy fast and hungered sore;
For us temptation sharp He knew;
For us the tempter overthrew.
For us He prayed; for us He taught;
For us His daily works He wrought,
By words and signs and actions thus
Still seeking not Himself but us.
For us by wickedness betrayed,
For us, in crown of thorns arrayed,
He bore the shameful cross and death;
For us He gave His dying breath.
For us He rose from death again;
For us He went on high to reign;
For us He sent His Spirit here
To guide, to strengthen, and to cheer.
All glory to our Lord and God
For love so deep, so high, so broad;
The trinity whom we adore
Forever and forevermore.

Time Out, Episode 186

Dan — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 16:15:22 +0000

Text: Job 42
Hymn: 655, Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word
Kretzmann Commentary: Job 42
Bonus Bumper: Seatrain, Song of Job

The story of Job reminds us that our idea of good isn’t necessarily God’s idea of good. This is a good thing, because God’s goodness saves us from eternal damnation regardless of how high or low we are temporally. God’s justice offends us in our sin, but it sent Christ to the cross to redeem us.

The Lutheran Warbler sings a Luther classic. Enjoy!

Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word

Lord, keep us steadfast in Your Word;
Curb those who by deceit or sword
Would wrest the kingdom from Your Son
And bring to naught all He has done.
Lord Jesus Christ, Your pow’r make known,
For You are Lord of lords alone;
Defend Your holy Church that we
May sing Your praise eternally.
O Comforter of priceless worth,
Send peace and unity on earth;
Support us in our final strife
And lead us out of death to life.

Time Out, Episode 185

Dan — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 16:15:25 +0000

Text: Esther 3
Hymn: 851, Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us
Kretzmann Commentary: Esther 3
Bonus Bumper: Johnny Cash, God’s Gonna Cut You Down

It wasn’t enough that Haman would seek the death of just Mordecai for his refusal to treat Haman with divine respect; the entire Jewish population would pay for Mordecai’s calling a spade a spade. Often are we asked to espouse wishful thinking that isn’t truthful and may even be harmful. We can also, however inadvertently, take a disagreement with someone else and use it to color our expectations from an entire class of people. Forgive us, Lord, for doing these and other sins.

Linda Schramke Rein outdid herself in the accompaniment to LSB 851, “Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us.” May you enjoy it as much as we have.

Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us

Lord of glory, You have bought us
With Your lifeblood as the price,
Never grudging for the lost ones
That tremendous sacrifice;
And with that have freely given
Blessings countless as the sand
To the unthankful and the evil
With Your own unsparing hand.
Grant us hearts, dear Lord, to give You
Gladly, freely of Your own.
With the sunshine of Your goodness
Melt our thankless hearts of stone.
Till our cold and selfish natures,
Warmed by You, at length believe
That more happy and more blessed
‘Tis to give than to receive.
Wondrous honor You have given
To our humblest charity
In your own mysterious sentence,
“You have done it all to Me.”
Can it be, O gracious Master,
That You deign for alms to sue,
Saying by Your poor and needy,
“Give as I have giv’n to You”?
Lord of glory, You have bought us
With Your lifeblood as the price,
Never grudging for the lost ones
That tremendous sacrifice.
Give us faith to trust You boldly,
Hope, to stay our souls on You;
But, oh best of all Your graces,
With Your love our love renew.

Time Out, Episode 184

Dan — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 16:15:18 +0000

Text: Nehemiah 13
Hymn: 696, O God, My Faithful God
Kretzmann Commentary: Nehemiah 13
Bonus Bumper: Herbie Hancock, Thieves in the Temple

The restoration of Jerusalem and its temple is an interesting tale. Even the high priest was corrupt, housing the enemy and holding out from the Levites and other temple workers. Sometimes repentance isn’t pretty.

Cantor Nathan Beethe gives us a new accompaniment since his sabbatical, this time for Hymn 696. Thanks, Cantor!

O God, My Faithful God

O God, my faithful God,
True fountain ever flowing,
Without whom nothing is,
All perfect gifts bestowing:
Give me a healthy frame,
And may I have within
A conscience free from blame,
A soul unstained by sin.
Grant me the strength to do
With ready heart and willing
Whatever you command,
My calling here fulfilling;
That I do what I should
While trusting You to bless
The outcome for my good,
For You must give success.
Keep me from saying words
That later need recalling;
Guard me lest idle speech
May from my lips be falling;
But when within my place
I must and ought to speak,
Then to my words give grace
Lest I offend the weak.
Lord, let me win my foes
With kindly words and actions,
And let me find good friends
For counsel and correction.
Help me, as You have taught,
To love both great and small
And by Your Spirit’s might
To live in peace with all.
Let me depart this life
Confiding in my Savior;
By grace receive my soul
That it may live forever;
And let my body have
A quiet resting place
Within a Christian grave;
And let it sleep in peace.
And on that final day
When all the dead are waking,
Stretch out Your mighty hand,
My deathly slumber breaking.
The let me hear Your voice,
Redeem this earthly frame,
And bid me to rejoice
With those who love Your name.

Time Out, Episode 183

Dan — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 16:15:59 +0000

Text: Ezra 3
Hymn: 531, Hail, Thou Once Despised Jesus
Kretzmann Commentary: Ezra 3
Bonus Bumper: Donald Lawrence & the Tri-City Singers, Destroy This Temple

The people of Israel had Solomon’s temple. Because of their lack of faithfulness and in particular Solomon’s chasing after the gods of his many wives, the temple was destroyed. The temple is rebuilt in Ezra’s time, but without the size or the splendor. Christ would also destroy His temple and raise it up, in three days instead of 46 years, winning the forgiveness of sins for everyone who believes for all time.

John Baseley joins Kantor Jake Weber on this hymn. Thanks again, gentlemen!

Hail, Thou Once Despised Jesus

Hail, thou once despised Jesus!
Hail, Thou Galilean King!
Thou didst suffer to release us;
Thou didst free salvation bring.
Hail Thou universal Savior,
Bearer of our sin and shame!
By Thy merit we find favor:
Life is given through Thy name!
Paschal Lamb, by God appointed,
All our sins on Thee were laid;
By almighty love anointed,
Thou hast full atonement made.
All Thy people are forgiven
Through the virtue of Thy blood;
Opened is the gate of heaven,
Reconciled are we with God.
Jesus, hail! Enthroned in glory,
There forever to abide;
All the heav’nly hosts adore Thee,
Seated at They Father’s side.
There for sinners Thou are pleading;
There Thou dost our place prepare,
Ever for us interceding
Till in glory we appear.
Worship, honor, pow’r and blessing
Thou art worthy to receive;
Highest praises, without ceasing,
Right it is for us to give.
Help, ye bright angelic spirits,
All your noblest anthems raise;
Help to sing our Savior’s merits,
Help to chant Immanuel’s praise!

Time Out, Episode 182

Dan — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 16:15:54 +0000

Text: 2 Chronicles 6:12-42
Hymn: 865, Lord, Help Us Ever to Retain
Kretzmann Commentary: 2 Chronicles 6:12-42
Bonus Bumper: Nathan Beethe, from LSB 645, Built On the Rock

The Temple is built: not, as might be believed, for God, but as Kretzmann notes, for His people. It is a seat of God’s promise to save. Would that all our worship spaces remind us of God’s promises today, long after the promises are fulfilled in Christ. Let it also be said of our doctrine: plain, meaning not unexciting but easily discerned and trusted.

Lord, Help Us Ever to Retain

Lord, help us ever to retain
The Catechism’s doctrine plain
As Luther taught the Word of truth
In simple style to tender youth.
Help us Your holy Law to learn,
To mourn our sin and from it turn
In faith to You and to Your Son
And Holy Spirit, Three in One.
Hear us, dear Father, when we pray
For needed help from day to day
That as Your children we may live,
Whom You baptized and so received.
Lord, when we fall or go astray,
Absolve and life us up, we pray;
And through the Sacrament increase
Our faith till we depart in peace.

Time Out, Episode 181

Dan — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 16:15:43 +0000

Text: 1 Chronicles 21
Hymn: 438, A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth
Kretzmann Commentary: Revelation
Bonus Bumper: Hank Williams, Angel of Death

Two lessons in 1 Chronicles 21: first, when you count your blessings, don’t do it to puff yourself up and prove how mighty you are, and second, most importantly, that our God is a good and gracious God, even when we have earned his wrath.

Anna Baseley and Kantor Jacob Weber join us again. I sent them some background vocals, and John Baseley mixed it all together. We hope you enjoy it.

Text: © 1941 Concordia Publishing House
Podcast under OneLicense.Net A-718131.
Setting from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission.

A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth

A Lamb goes uncomplaining forth,
The guilt of sinners bearing
And, laden with the sins of earth,
None else the burden sharing;
Goes patient on, grows weak and faint,
To slaughter led without complaint,
That spotless life to offer,
He bears the stripes, the wounds, the lies,
The mockery, and yet replies,
“All this I gladly suffer.”
This Lamb is Christ, the soul’s great friend,
The Lamb of God, our Savior,
Whom God the Father chose to send
To gain for us His favor.
“Go forth, My Son,” the Father said,
“And free My children from their dread
Of guilt and condemnation.
The wrath and stripes are hard to bear,
But by Your passion they will share
The fruit of Your salvation.”
“Yes, Father, yes, most willingly
I’ll bear what You command Me.
My will conforms to Your decree,
I’ll do what You have asked Me.”
O wondrous Love, what have You done!
The Father offers up His Son,
Desiring our salvation.
O Love, how strong You are to save!
You lay the One in to the grave
Who built the earth’s foundation.
Lord, when Your glory I shall see
And taste Your kingdom’s pleasure,
Your blood my royal robe shall be,
My joy beyond all measure!
When I appear before Your throne,
Your righteousness shall be your crown;
With these I need not hide me.
And there, in garments richly wrought,
As Your own bride shall we be brought
To stand in joy beside You.

Time Out, Episode 180

Dan — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 16:15:44 +0000

Text: 2 Kings 22
Hymn: 534, Lord, Enthroned in Heavenly Splendor
Kretzmann Commentary: 2 Kings 22
Bonus Bumper: Aerosmith, “Living on the Edge”

King Josiah orders the cleaning out of the temple, and he gets a grand surprise: a first-edition Book of the Law penned by Moses himself! Reading it enlightens him on why God is so cross with His people, and his repentance spares him from the wrath that is to come. May God grant the same repentance to each of us as well.

Anna Baseley is our guest vocalist for today’s hymn. Thanks, Anna!

Lord, Enthroned in Heavenly Splendor

Lord, enthroned in heav’nly splendor,
First-begotten from the dead.
You alone, our strong defender,
lifting up Your people’s head.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Jesus, true and living bread!
Jesus, true and living bread!
Though the lowliest form now veil you
As of old in Bethlehem,
Here as there Your angels hail You,
Branch and flow’r of Jesse’s stem.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
We in worship join with them.
We in worship join with them.
Paschal Lamb, Your off’ring, finished
Once for all when You were slain,
In its fullness undiminished
Shall for evermore remain.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Cleansing souls from every stain.
Cleansing souls from every stain.
Life-imparting heav’nly Manna,
Stricken rock with streaming side,
Heav’n and earth with loud hosanna
Worship You, the Lamb who died.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Risen, ascended, glorified!
Risen, ascended, glorified!

Time Out, Episode 179

Dan — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 16:15:06 +0000

Text: 1 Kings 8
Hymn: 585, Lord Jesus Christ, with Us Abide
Kretzmann Commentary: 1 Kings 8
Bonus Bumper: Accompaniment to LSB 909, “Christ is Made the Sure Foundation,” by Nathan Beethe

1 Kings 8 is long, but Solomon’s dedication of the temple is well worth it. Check out the theme of assuring the people Israel that their God is always with them even when they turn astray. Even before Christ’s incarnation He promises to forgive their sin.

585 is a hymn of humility, praying for those things that we can’t possibly do ourselves. Let us keep the Word and never dim it. Let it unify the church.

Lord Jesus Christ, with Us Abide

Lord Jesus Christ, with us abide,
For round us falls the eventide.
O let Your Word, that saving light,
Shine forth undimmed into the night.
In these last days of great distress
Grant us, dear Lord, true steadfastness
That we keep pure till life is spent
Your holy Word and Sacrament.
To hope grown dim, to hearts turned cold
Speak tongues of fire and make us bold
To shine Your Word of saving grace
Into each dark and loveless place.
May glorious truths that we have heard,
The bright sword of Your mighty Word,
Spur Satan that Your Church be strong,
Bold, unified in act and song.
Restrain, O Lord, the human pride
That seeks to thrust Your truth aside
Or with some man-made thoughts or things
Would dim the words Your Spirit sings.
Stay with us, Lord, and keep us true;
Preserve our faith our whole life through—
Your Word alone our heart’s defense,
The Church’s glorious confidence.

Time Out, Episode 178

Dan — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 16:15:45 +0000

Text: 2 Samuel 12
Hymn: 644, The Church’s One Foundation
Kretzmann Commentary: 2 Samuel 12
Bonus Bumper: Duran Duran, “Of Crime and Passion”

“You are the man.” In our world of “judge not,” we are less than willing to call a thing what it is. David doesn’t try to wiggle his way out of the situation. He hopes for mercy, but he doesn’t avoid what’s coming to him. He repents. The Holy Spirit grants us repentance as well, with Christ taking the brunt of God’s justice instead of a child.

644 is a classic. Schisms do rend the church asunder, whether it be formally in the case of denominations or in principle, when groups in the church believe different things. Even though the church does not have union with all who darken its doors, it is still in union with the God who created it. The church is a gift to us, and it is where Christ promises to be with us always, where the Gospel is preached and the sacraments are administered.

Thanks again to Linda Schramke Rein for today’s accompaniment.

The Church’s One Foundation

The Church’s one foundation
Is Jesus Christ, her Lord,
She is His new creation
By water and the Word.
From heav’n He came and sought her
To be His holy bride;
With His own blood He bought her
And for her life He died.
Elect from ev’ry nation,
Yet one o’er all the earth;
Her charter of salvation,
One Lord, one faith, one birth;
One holy name she blesses,
Partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses,
With ev’ry grace endued.
Though with a scornful wonder
The world sees her oppressed,
By schisms rent asunder,
By heresies distressed,
Yet saints their watch are keeping,
Their cry goes up, “How long?”
And soon the night of weeping
Shall be the morn of song.
Through toil and tribulation,
And tumult of her war,
She waits the consummation
Of peace forevermore;
Till with the vision glorious,
Her longing eyes are blest,
And the great Church victorious
Shall be the Church at rest.
Yet she on earth hath union
With God the Three in One,
And mystic sweet communion
With those whose rest is won.
O blessèd heav’nly chorus!
Lord, save us by Your grace
That we, like saints before us,
May see You face to face.

Time Out, Episode 177

Dan — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 16:15:26 +0000

Text: 1 Samuel 2
Hymn: 755, In the Very Midst of Life
Kretzmann Commentary: 1 Samuel 2
Bonus Bumper: Max Stern, Hannah’s Song of Praise

Two interesting stories going on in 1 Samuel 2: the prayer of Hannah and the birth of Samuel, and the wickedness of Eli’s sons. The priests themselves didn’t know the Lord, and they were stealing from both God and the people. Many preachers today do something similar; pray for their repentance.

755 is a Luther hymn, one neither Linda Schramke Rein nor myself had ever heard before. Phillip Magness convinced us not to shy away from it, though, and I’m glad we didn’t. “In the Very Midst of Life” provides Law and Gospel and comfort to those who have suffered loss.

In the Very Midst of Life

In the very midst of life
Snares of death surround us;
Who shall help us in the strife
Lest the foe confound us?
Thou only, Lord, Thou only!
We mourn that we have greatly suffered,
That our sins Thy wrath have stirred.
Holy and righteous God!
Holy and mighty God!
Holy and all-merciful Savior!
Eternal Lord God!
Save us lest we perish
In the bitter pangs of death.
Have mercy, O Lord!
In the midst of death’s dark vale
Pow’rs of hell o’ertake us.
Who will help when they assail,
Who secure will make us?
Thou only, Lord, Thou only!
Thy heart is moved with tenderness,
Pities us in our distress.
Holy and righteous God!
Holy and mighty God!
Holy and all-merciful Savior!
Eternal Lord God!
Save us from the terror
Of the fiery pit of hell.
Have mercy, O Lord!
In the midst of utter woe
When our sins oppress us,
Where shall we for refuge go,
Where for grace to bless us?
To Thee, Lord Jesus, only!
Thy precious blood was shed to win
Full atonement for our sin.
Holy and righteous God!
Holy and mighty God!
Holy and all-merciful Savior!
Eternal Lord God!
Lord, preserve and keep us
In the peace that faith can give.
Have mercy, O Lord!

Time Out, Episode 176

Dan — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 16:15:06 +0000

Text: Ruth 2
Hymn: 555, Salvation unto Us Has Come
Kretzmann Commentary: Ruth 2
Bonus Bumper: Tennessee Ernie Ford, Bringing in the Sheaves

In the past when I heard the story of Ruth I had never noticed how Naomi put two and two together. She knew the family of Elimelech, but she wouldn’t have thought to ask unless Ruth brought home a larger than normal amount of grain.

Thanks to Anna and John Baseley for singing, and to Cantor Jake Weber for accompanying.

Salvation unto us has come
By God’s free grace and favor;
Good works cannot avert our doom,
They help and save us never.
Faith looks to Jesus Christ alone,
Who did for all the world atone;
He is our one redeemer.
What God did in His Law demand
And none to him could render
Caused wrath and woe on every hand
For man, the vile offender.
Our flesh has not those pure desires
The spirit of the Law requires,
And lost is our condition.
It was a false, misleading dream
That God his Law had given
That sinners could themselves redeem
And by their works gain heaven.
The Law is but a mirror bright
To bring the inbred sin to light
That lurks within our nature.
From sin our flesh could not abstain,
Sin held its sway unceasing;
The task was useless and in vain,
Our guilt was e’er increasing.
None can remove sin’s poisoned dart
Or purify our guileful heart–
So deep is our corruption.
Yet as the Law must be fulfilled
Or we must die despairing,
Christ came and has God’s anger stilled,
Our human nature sharing.
He has for us the Law obeyed
And thus the Father’s vengeance stayed
Which over us impended.
Since Christ has full atonement made
And brought to us salvation,
Each Christian therefore may be glad
And build on this foundation.
Your grace alone, dear Lord, I plead,
Your death is now my life indeed,
For you have paid my ransom.
Let me not doubt, but truly see
Your Word cannot be broken;
Your call rings out, “Come unto Me!”
No falsehood have You spoken.
Baptized into Your precious name,
My faith cannot be put to shame,
And I shall never perish.
The Law reveals the guilt of sin
And makes us conscience-stricken;
But then the Gospel enters in
The sinful soul to quicken.
Come to the cross, trust Christ, and live;
The Law no peace can ever give,
No comfort and no blessing.
Faith clings to Jesus’ cross alone
And rests in him unceasing;
And by its fruits true faith is known,
With love and hope increasing.
For faith alone can justify;
Works serve our neighbor and supply
The proof that faith is living.
All blessing, honor, thanks and praise
To Father, Son, and Spirit,
The God who saved us by his grace;
All glory to his merit.
O triune God in heav’n above,
You have revealed your saving love;
Your blessèd name we hallow.

Time Out, Episode 175

Dan — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 16:15:13 +0000

Text: Judges 14
Hymn: 766, Our Father, Who from Heaven Above
Kretzmann Commentary: Judges 14
Bonus Bumper: Plain White T’s, Hey There Delilah

Granted, Delilah (from the bumper) is Samson’s second wife, but she treats him no better than his first. Another story of God’s providence that strikes us as adversity.

We have two guests working this episode. Cantor Jake Weber accompanies, and Jon Kohlmeier joins us for the first time. Thank you and welcome, guys!

Following the show we have our Overtime segment, as is our custom every 25 episodes. We have music from my church, from Mike O’Connor, and from the insanely talented Phillip Magness. Thank you to you guys as well!

Our Father, Who from Heaven Above

Our Father, who from heav’n above
Bids all of us to live in love
As members of one family
And pray to You in unity,
Teach us no thoughtless words to say
But from our inmost hearts to pray.
Your name be hallowed. Help us, Lord,
In purity to keep Your Word,
That to the glory of Your name
We walk before You free from blame.
Let no false teaching us pervert;
All poor deluded souls convert.
Your kingdom come. Guard Your domain
And Your eternal righteous reign.
That to the glory of Your name
We walk before You free from blame.
Break Satan’s pow’r defeat his rage;
Preserve Your Church from age to age.
Your gracious will on earth be done
As it is done before Your throne,
That patiently we may obey
Throughout our lives all that You say.
Curb flesh and blood and ev’ry ill
That sets itself against Your will.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And let us all be clothed and fed.
Save us from hardship, war, and strife;
In plague and famine, spare our life.
That we in honest peace may live,
To care and greed no entrance give.
Forgive our sins, Lord, we implore,
That they may trouble us no more;
We, too, will gladly those forgive
Who hurt us by the way they live.
Help us in our community
To serve each other willingly.
Lead not into temptation, Lord,
Where our grim foe and all his horde
Would vex our souls on ev’ry hand.
Help us resist, help us to stand
Firm in the faith, a mighty host,
Through comfort of the Holy Ghost.
From evil, Lord, deliver us;
The times and days are perilous.
Redeem us from eternal death,
And, when we yield our dying breath,
Console us, grant us calm release,
And take our souls to You in peace.
Amen, that is so shall it be.
Make strong our faith in You, that we
May doubt not but with trust believe
That what we ask we shall receive.
Thus in Your name and at Your Word
We say, “Amen, O hear us, Lord!”