SING PRAISE TO GOD, THE HIGHEST GOOD (LSB 819)
7th Sunday after Trinity – One Year series; Epiphany 8 and Proper 3 (B) – Three Year series
Johann Jakob Schütz’s (1640–1690) hymn of our merciful Creator is set to the exuberant tune by famed Lutheran composer Michael Vulpius (c.1560/70–1615). He who made man also knew that man would need a Savior from his sin. God had placed the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil within Eden (Genesis 2). Though his desire was that man should live, he knew that man would pursue the fruit of the forbidden tree unto death. Thus the Father sent his Son as Savior, shepherd, refuge, rock, peace, and salvation for his chosen band. We, who confess Christ’s holy name, continue to sing: “To God all praise and glory!”
THE CHURCH’S ONE FOUNDATION (LSB 644)
Trinity 10 – One Year Series; Proper 11 (B) – Three Year series
Samuel J. Stone (1839–1900) wrote this hymn as a defense of the creedal article: I believe in…the holy catholic (meaning universal, Christian) church. At the time the validity of the Old Testament accounts were being questioned (even as today). While the church must fight (via the Word) against many and various heresies and heretics, it is good to remember that Christ himself is the foundation of the church and his confession is such as even the gates of hell cannot prevail against it! Though we see many communions within her, she is yet one church, the washed bride of Christ. Through all strife and divisions, saints in heaven (along with saints on earth) cry out, “How long?” When Christ returns in all glory all saints will dwell in heaven. We will all confess in blessed victory song that we have been “. . . saved by your grace.”
Rev. Thomas E. Lock serves as Kantor/Assistant Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, Denver, Colorado.