Today in Chapel we sang "Chief of Sinners Though I Be" to the tune of "Rock of Ages." Have a listen: https://unite-production.s3.amazonaws.com/tenants/stjohnnewminden/attachments/445542/LSB_609_Chief_of_Sinners__Tune--Rock_of_Ages__Luth_Theol_College_Chapel_2024-02-08.mp3
Here is the Te Deum from Matins today: https://unite-production.s3.amazonaws.com/tenants/stjohnnewminden/attachments/445543/LSB_223_Te_Deum_Luth_Theol_College_Chapel_2024-02-08.mp3
Today I had my first ever opportunity to preach on the continent of Africa. I was asked to preach for the chapel service at the Lutheran Theological College, Magamaga, Uganda. Here is the sermon, based on Galatians 6:11-18, "Boasting in the Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ." The mic was behind me on the altar, so it is not the best recording. The hammering is the carpenters building the framework for the roof of the dormitory building next door. Everything is open air, so it sounds like they are pounding in the chapel. Here it is: https://unite-production.s3.amazonaws.com/tenants/stjohnnewminden/attachments/445334/2024-02-07_Sermon_Galatians_6_11-18_TPM.mp3
The service was a communion service in English, LSB Divine Service Setting 5. However, at the end of the service, the assembly broke into a Lusoga language blessing song. It was written by Pastor Peter Maganda and is based on the Benediction from Numbers 6, "The Lord bless you and keep you...." Unfortunately, the recording does not do it justice. (The recorder was too far away from the students.) Sitting in the front row with the students right behind me, it was wonderful. Have a listen. https://unite-production.s3.amazonaws.com/tenants/stjohnnewminden/attachments/445332/2024-02-07_The_Lord_Bless_You__Lusoga_Benediction_song_by_Pastor_Peter_Maganda_.mp3
Lutheran Theological College, Magamaga, Uganda. We had to pause teaching today for half an hour while a downpour ran its course. The classroom building has a metal roof with no insulation and no ceiling. (You can see the floor is also unfinished.) It was so loud that we could not hear one another talk. I stepped out onto the porch and took a short video, finishing inside the classroom. At one point you will see the lights flicker back on after a brief power outage. The students are calmly working on the study notes for Galatians 5:13-15 while we wait for the rain to quiet down.
We had a good day today at the Seminary. I recorded the daily Chapel. Here are a couple of highlights:
"Thy Strong Word Did Cleave the Darkness" LSB 578. However, we sang it to an African melody. Jacob did some research and found that the melody is from a Zulu Christian song from Botswana. Give it a listen and see how it builds as you go. It has been stuck in my head all day. Remember, the only instrument they have in the chapel are some African drums. https://unite-production.s3.amazonaws.com/tenants/stjohnnewminden/attachments/445064/LSB_578_Luth_Theol_College_Chapel_2024-02-05_melody_Jokowahao.mp3
The Venite, Psalm 95:1-7, from Matins, LSB 219ff: https://unite-production.s3.amazonaws.com/tenants/stjohnnewminden/attachments/445065/2024-02-05_Venite__Ps_95_1-7__Chapel__Matins_.mp3
Here are some audio highlights from the English service at Nakabango Lutheran Church, Jinja District, Uganda, today. Pastor Jacob Mueller preached the sermon on Mark 1:29-39, with Pastor Benard serving as interpreter in the Lusoga language. Unfortunately, the recording of the sermon did not turn out. As you listen, please remember that there is no instrumental accompaniment of any kind. Order of Service was the Lutheran Hymnal, p.15. If you don't have time to listen to all of these, I suggest you listen to the ones with an asterisk (*). Pastor Mueller.
Opening Hymn: "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty," TLH #39 https://unite-production.s3.amazonaws.com/tenants/stjohnnewminden/attachments/444952/2024-02-04_TLH_39_Praise_to_the_Lord_the_Almighty_English_Nakabango_Luth_Ch_2024-02-04.mp3
Confession of Sins, Kyrie, Gloria in Excelsis, Collect https://unite-production.s3.amazonaws.com/tenants/stjohnnewminden/attachments/444953/2024-02-04_Conf_and_Abs_Kyrie_Gloria_Collect.mp3
*Hymn: "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," TLH 457 https://unite-production.s3.amazonaws.com/tenants/stjohnnewminden/attachments/444954/2024-02-04_LSB_770_What_a_Friend_We_Have_in_Jesus_English_Nakabango_Luth_Ch_2024-02-04.mp3
Epistle, Gospel, and Nicene Creed: https://unite-production.s3.amazonaws.com/tenants/stjohnnewminden/attachments/444955/2024-02-04_Epistle_Gospel_Nic_Creed.mp3
Hymn: "O Jesus, King of Glory" TLH 130https://unite-production.s3.amazonaws.com/tenants/stjohnnewminden/attachments/444956/2024-02-04_TLH_130_O_Jesus_King_of_Glory.mp3
*Hymn: "Our God, Our Help, in Ages Past," TLH 123 https://unite-production.s3.amazonaws.com/tenants/stjohnnewminden/attachments/444957/2024-02-04_TLH_123_Our_God_Our_Help_English.mp3
*Song to Introduce the Prayer of the Church: "May the Spirit of the Lord Come Down as We Pray"https://unite-production.s3.amazonaws.com/tenants/stjohnnewminden/attachments/444958/2024-02-04_May_the_Spirit_of_the_Lord_Come_Down_as_We_Pray.mp3
*Hymn to Introduce the Communion Liturgy: "O Day of Rest and Gladness" https://unite-production.s3.amazonaws.com/tenants/stjohnnewminden/attachments/444959/2024-02-04_TLH_9_O_Day_of_Rest_and_Gladness_English.mp3
Communion Liturgy--Sanctus: https://unite-production.s3.amazonaws.com/tenants/stjohnnewminden/attachments/444960/2024-02-04_Sanctus.mp3
Communion Liturgy--Agnus Dei (Lamb of God): https://unite-production.s3.amazonaws.com/tenants/stjohnnewminden/attachments/444961/2024-02-04_Agnus_Dei.mp3
Spontaneous Communion Hymn: "Just as I Am" TLH 388: https://unite-production.s3.amazonaws.com/tenants/stjohnnewminden/attachments/444962/2024-02-04_TLH_388_Just_as_I_Am__comm_hymn_.mp3
*Closing Hymn: "Onward Christian Soldiers" TLH 658 https://unite-production.s3.amazonaws.com/tenants/stjohnnewminden/attachments/444963/2024-02-04_TLH_658_Onward_Christian_Soldiers_Eng.mp3