Herod Antipas was a man in two worlds, Roman and Jewish; similarly, he heard two voices calling him, the one to honor and the other to self-indulgence. John the Baptist confronted him with his sin and Herod had him arrested, but could not keep himself from talking to the prophet in prison. Finally circumstances forced his choice with tragic consequences. Are you torn between living for self and living for God? This meditation will open your eyes. Catechism review and the hymn of  Savonarola, "Jesus, Refuge of the Weary," accompany this message.

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Primal forces at work within us (microcosm)  and without us (macrocosm) are order and chaos.  Our fallen world tends toward chaos unless outside forces overcome the tendency for things to fall apart. It is why cars need maintenance and gardens need care. It is a reflection of the cosmic victory celebrated by the Psalmist in the 148th Psalm, and rehearsed in the Genesis 1 story of 7 Day's Creation. This meditation is prayers, the Offertory, and the hymn of praise "Glory Be to God the Father."

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"No man is a hero to his valet," is the saying most commonly expressed as "Familiarity breeds contempt." This is especially true for those who are familiar with religion, regarding it as part of themselves, regarding is as "common." Jesus was rejected by those who knew Him best (by human standards), but could not see who He really was. And we can do it with our familiars, unable to see our spouse or grown child because being familiar, we think we know them already. This is tragic with human relationships, and fatal in our relationship with God. This sobering reflection is accompanied by the Nicene Creed and Communion Rite, and the favorite stewardship hymn "We Give Thee But Thine Own>"

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The tax collector was willing to humiliate himself to see Jesus, and Jesus took notice. The encounter with Jesus changed, not just his heart or sentiments, but his way of life, even his spending decisions! The classic hymn "Salvation unto Us Has Come" recalls Jesus pronouncement that "Salvation is come today into this house." The general prayer for All Saints' Day, and the Blessing are included in this broadcast.

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Psalm 46 is the source of Luther's Reformation hymn, "A Mighty Fortress is Our God," and is the basis for Dr. Zeile's message explaining what the Reformation was about- the glory of God centered in the work of Christ for our salvation. No human works intervene lest anyone should boast, imagining he has merit over others, nor despair, imagining that he is irredeemable. The Reformation Festival Introit, sequence hymn and Gospel (John 8) accompanies this message along with Luther's hymn version of the Nicene Creed and Communion from the Deutsche Messe (German[or vernacular] Mass).

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God's Word is simple- "love!" But HOW are we to love God and others? The life to which we apply God's Word is complicated, and so it requires the best we can give it, and even so, there are many times when we must walk by faith and not by sight, when we must accept God's commands and promises despite the contravening messages of our heart. John freely discusses the complications in this presentation.  The Shepherd's Psalm 23, the hymn known as the  German Agnus Dei, and an Act of Adoration accompany this meditation on the challenge of faith in a complex world.  

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Deacon Dave Valenti reads Luther's exhortation as part of the Reformation Service

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Deacon Dave Valenti leads in the prayer for God's blessing on the Martin Luther's Evening Prayer on the inception of international short wave broadcasting. 

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Ezekiel saw a valley of dry bones and is told to preach to the Spirit/Wind/Breath. The point is that God's people will be brought back, despite their reduction to bones and dust. And it is the Holy Spirit, the Wind or Breath of God that will awaken us on the Last Day.  This Pentecost message is accompanied by the Confessional rite, Introit, and Kyrie, the Nicene Creed and the hymn, O Day of Joy and Gladness."

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Forgiveness is for those who want to be free from their sin, not those who wish to indulge further. When we use forgiveness as an excuse to sin more, we are receiving grace in vain and condemning ourselves further. This sobering message is accompanied by St. Patrick's Breastplate ("I Bind Unto Myself This Day the Strong Name of the Trinity"), the eschatological hymn "A Multitude Come from the East and the West to sit at the Feast of Salvation", and Compline prayers.

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