Daily and Commemmorative Readings:
Saints/Martyrs/Heroes/Feasts/Fasts to be observed/commemmorated/celebrated: Johann Konrad Wilhelm Löhe, pastor, renewer of the church, 1872 (Commemoration) W, the Ninth Day of Christmastide
Johann Konrad Wilhelm Löhe (1808 - 1872) (often rendered 'Loehe') was a pastor of the Lutheran Church, Neo-Lutheran writer, and is often regarded as being a founder of the deaconess movement in Lutheranism and a founding sponsor of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS). He was a pastor in nineteenth-century Germany. From the small town of Neuendettelsau, he sent pastors to North America, Australia, New Guinea, Brazil, and the Ukraine. His work for a clear confessional basis within the Bavarian church sometimes led to conflict with the ecclesiastical bureaucracy. His chief concern was that a parish find its life in the eucharist, and from that source evangelism and social ministries would flow. Many Lutheran congregations in Michigan, Ohio, and Iowa were either founded or influenced by missionaries sent by Lõhe. He is commemorated by the ELCA and the LCMS on January 2.
1. Birth and early life
Löhe was born on February 21, 1808 in the town of Fürth in Middle Franconia. The son of a shopkeeper, his father died in 1816 and he seemed to have had a very lonely childhood. He received his basic education from C. L. Roth’s gymnasium in Nuremberg and was admitted to theological study at the University of Erlangen in 1826. He was heavily influenced by the Reformed professor of theology Christian Krafft and Thomas von Kempen. Ultimately, he was introduced to the Lutheran Confessions and became a Lutheran under the teaching of David Hollaz. In 1828 he spent a term at the University of Berlin, attracted not so much by the lectures of the professors as by the sermons of the famous preachers. Löhe graduated from the Erlangen in 1830, but waited until 1831 before receiving a pastoral assignment to Kirchenlamitz in Fuerth.
2. Pastoral work
Johann Konrad Wilhelm Löhe
Löhe’s work in Fuerth was a troubled one. His fervent evangelical preaching attracted large congregations and puzzled the ecclesiastical authorities. A similar experience ensued at Nuremberg, where he was assistant pastor of St. Egidia as he was often criticized for his sermons and his anti-pietistic leanings. He transferred through a series of parishes before settling in the village of Neuendettelsau, Bavaria in 1837 after failing to gain an assignment in an urban setting. He was married that same year. By most accounts, Löhe was an ideal pastor who interacted well with a variety of different classes of people. He focused his theological studies on the Lutheran Confessions and put considerable thought into the celebration of Holy Communion as the center of congregational life. Löhe was especially interested in old Lutheran liturgies. Löhe was also noted for his ontological view of the pastoral office, which he believed existed independently of congregational call but as a direct appointment from Jesus Christ through ordination. He combined all these ideas with a heavy insistence on social renewal. Löhe endured strained relations with the regional authorities over articulating a clear confessional status for the church during a period from 1848 until 1852. At one point, he even considered leaving the church, though ultimately he was able to resolve differences between him and the church leadership.
2. 1. Missionary work
Despite being confined to a pastorate in an out of the way village, which he never left, Löhe nevertheless exhibited a keen interest in missionary work. He was particularly concerned about the state of German immigrants to North America. He solicited funds through a variety of sources to help bolster the spiritual state of the immigrant population beginning in 1841. He also encouraged the sending of pastors to North America to assist the settlers and help with conversion of the Native American populations. To this end, he constructed two schools to train missionaries. One of which became Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. Individuals sent by Löhe were instrumental in the founding of the Synod of Ohio, though Löhe withdrew his support from the Synod in 1845 over doctrinal differences. Löhe’s emissaries also founded the Missouri Synod in 1846. In 1853, Löhe supporters established the Evangelical Lutheran Synod in Iowa. While Löhe is most well remembered for his encouragement of missionary activity in the United States, he also supported work in Brazil, Ukraine, Australia, and New Guinea through his Foreign Missionary Society.
2. 2. Deaconess community
1972 postage stamp featuring the deaconesses and honoring the 100th anniversary of his death.
In addition to being concerned about foreign matters, Löhe retained a concern for domestic social matters. In this spirit, he founded the first Deaconess house in 1849. The house became a place of social and education activity, hosting schools, hospitals, and other social agencies.
3. Legacy
Löhe died on January 2, 1872 at the age of sixty-three, having influenced the life of the Lutheran Church on five continents. The chapel at Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa is dedicated to his memory. Despite his significant influence on missions, confessionalism, and liturgics as it relates to Lutheranism, there is no comprehensive biography in English.
4. Writings
•Samenkorner des Gebetes (this is 4th, out of over 30 ed.)
◦Seed-grains of Prayer: A Manual for Evangelical Christians (Samenkorner des Gebetes translated into English by H. A. Weller, complete work online)
•Sieben Predigten (Nuremberg, 1836)
•Predigten über das Vaterunser (1837)
•Erinnerungen aus der Reformationsgeschichte von Franken (Nuremberg, 1847)
•Drei Bücher von der Kirche (1845) - the main work, concerning ecclesiology
•Haus-, Schul- und Kirchenbuch für Christen lutherischen Bekenntnisses (Stuttgart, 1845)
•Agende für christliche Gemeinden (1848). - Lutheran Service Book
•Die bayerische Generalsynode vom Frühjahr 1849 und das Lutherische Bekenntnis (Nuremberg, 1849)
•Unsere kirchliche Lage (Nordlingen, 1850)
•Kirche und Amt, neue Aphorismen (Erlangen, 1851)
•Der evangelische Geistliche (2 vols., 1852-58)
•Etwas aus der Geschichte des Diaconissenhauses Neuendettelsau. 3. Auflage. Gütersloh: C. Bertelsmann, 1907.
5. See also
•Calendar of Saints (Lutheran)
•Neo-Lutheranism
•Evangelical catholic
•William Augustus Mühlenberg
•Johann Flierl
6. External links
•LÖHE, JOHANN KONRAD WILHELM (New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, Vol. VII)
•Löhe, Johann Konrad Wilhelm article in Christian Cyclopedia
•The Ecclesial Vision of Wilhelm Löhe By David C. Ratke, Lenoir-Rhyne College. April 4, 2002
•Lutheran Liturgies from Martin Luther to Wilhelm Löhe (PDF) by Vernon P. Kleinig, Concordia Theological Quarterly, April 1998
•Project Wittenberg: Johannes Konrad Wilhelm Löhe, 1808-1872
•A little Löhe for Lutherans
•Wilhelm Löhe: Man with a Vision
•Germany Fed. Rep. 1972 stamp devoted to Johann Konrad Wilhelm Löhe
•Wolf, Edmund Jacob. The Lutherans in America; a story of struggle, progress, influence and marvelous growth. New York: J.A. Hill. 1889.
Scriptural Readings:
Jeremiah 31:7-147For thus says the Lord: Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, “Save, O Lord, your people, the remnant of Israel.” 8See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north, and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, those with child and those in labor, together; a great company, they shall return here. 9With weeping they shall come, and with consolations I will lead them back, I will let them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble; for I have become a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.
10Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands far away; say, “He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd a flock.” 11For the Lord has ransomed Jacob, and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him. 12They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord, over the grain, the wine, and the oil, and over the young of the flock and the herd; their life shall become like a watered garden, and they shall never languish again. 13Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. 14I will give the priests their fill of fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my bounty, says the Lord.
Sirach 24:1-12
The Praise of Wisdom *24Wisdom praises herself,
and tells of her glory in the midst of her people.
2 In the assembly of the Most High she opens her mouth,
and in the presence of his hosts she tells of her glory:
3 ‘I came forth from the mouth of the Most High,
and covered the earth like a mist.
4 I dwelt in the highest heavens,
and my throne was in a pillar of cloud.
5 Alone I compassed the vault of heaven
and traversed the depths of the abyss.
6 Over waves of the sea, over all the earth,
and over every people and nation I have held sway.*
7 Among all these I sought a resting-place;
in whose territory should I abide?
8 ‘Then the Creator of all things gave me a command,
and my Creator chose the place for my tent.
He said, “Make your dwelling in Jacob,
and in Israel receive your inheritance.”
9 Before the ages, in the beginning, he created me,
and for all the ages I shall not cease to be.
10 In the holy tent I ministered before him,
and so I was established in Zion.
11 Thus in the beloved city he gave me a resting-place,
and in Jerusalem was my domain.
12 I took root in an honoured people,
in the portion of the Lord, his heritage.
Psalm 147:12-20
12Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion!
13For he strengthens the bars of your gates; he blesses your children within you.
14He grants peace within your borders; he fills you with the finest of wheat.
15He sends out his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly.
16He gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes.
17He hurls down hail like crumbs— who can stand before his cold?
18He sends out his word, and melts them; he makes his wind blow, and the waters flow.
19He declares his word to Jacob, his statutes and ordinances to Israel.
20He has not dealt thus with any other nation; they do not know his ordinances. Praise the Lord!
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Wisdom 10:15-21
Wisdom Led the Israelites out of Egypt
15 A holy people and blameless race
wisdom delivered from a nation of oppressors.
16 She entered the soul of a servant of the Lord,
and withstood dread kings with wonders and signs.
17 She gave to holy people the reward of their labours;
she guided them along a marvellous way,
and became a shelter to them by day,
and a starry flame through the night.
18 She brought them over the Red Sea,
and led them through deep waters;
19 but she drowned their enemies,
and cast them up from the depths of the sea.
20 Therefore the righteous plundered the ungodly;
they sang hymns, O Lord, to your holy name,
and praised with one accord your defending hand;
21 for wisdom opened the mouths of those who were mute,
and made the tongues of infants speak clearly.
Ephesians 1:3-14
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. 5He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight 9he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, 10as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 11In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, 12so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. 13In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; 14this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.
John 1:[1-9] 10-18[
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.
5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. 6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.] 10He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. 14And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
15(John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’”) 16From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.
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January 2, 2011: Second Sunday of Christmas, Year A
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Scriptures For This Broadcast:
(1R) Jeremiah 31:7–14
(PS) Psalm 147:12–20
(2R) Ephesians 1:3–14
(G) John 1:[1–9] 10–18
A Great and Mighty Wonder (ES IST EIN ROS) – Michael Praetorius (G)
The Choir of Salisbury Cathedral / Daniel Cook
(CD) Christmas at Salisbury Cathedral / PRIORY / PRCD 1025
© 2009 Priory Records Ltd., 3 Eden Court,
Eden Way, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, UK LU74FY
www.priory.org.uk
Be Still and Consider – Larry Nickel (G)
The West Coast Mennonite Chamber Choir: Vancouver, B.C. / Tony Funk
(CD) A Rare Benediction / MCCSCS / IKR009CD
© 1999 MCCSCS, 103-2776 Bourquin Cres. West, Abbotsford, BC, Canada V2S 6A4
www.mccscs.com
It Fell Upon the High Midnight – Paul Gibson (G)
VocalEssence Ensemble Singers; Anthony Ross, cello / Philip Brunelle
(CD) Behold This Heavenly Night / CLARION / CLCD-939
© 2010 Loft Recordings, LLC, P.O. Box 414, Orcas, WA 98280 USA
www.gothic-catalog.com
The Glory of the Father – Egil Hovland (G)
Soli Deo Gloria Cantorum: Omaha, NE / Almeda Berkey
(CD) Gaudete / SDG RECORDS / SDGCD 91
© 1991 SDG Records, 3402 Woolworth Avenue, Omaha, NE 68105
www.berkey.com
Psallite Unigenito – Michael Praetorius (G)
The Memphis Boychoir & Chamber Choir: Memphis, TN / John Ayer
(CD) Our Dancing Day / PRO ORGANO / CD 7169
© 2003 The Zarex Corporation, South Bend, IN 46660
www.zarex.com
If Angels Sung a Savior’s Birth (MILFORD) – Joseph Stephenson (1R, G)
The Tudor Choir: Seattle, Wash. / Doug Fullington
(CD) An American Christmas / LOFT RECORDINGS / LRCD 1060
© 2002 Loft Recordings, LLC, P.O. Box 414, Orcas, WA 98280 USA
www.gothic-catalog.com
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