Author Archives: Steve Benner

Henry Melchior MuhlenbergHenry Melchior Muhlenberg is the principal organizer of American Lutheranism. He was born in Einbeck, Germany, in 1711, and studied at Goettingen and at Halle. Lutherans in America at that time were found in a few scattered communities, of various national backgrounds, with no central organization, and with a grave danger of factionalism.Continue reading “Oremus for Saturday, October 7, 2023”

William TyndaleBorn in Gloucestershire in about the year 1494, William Tyndale studied first at Magdalen Hall, Oxford, and then at Cambridge. He became determined to translate the Scriptures from the Greek directly into contemporary English but was thwarted in this by the Bishop of London. So William settled in Hamburg in 1524, never returning to England. WhenContinue reading “Oremus for Friday, October 6, 2023”

Harry Emerson FosdickHarry Emerson Fosdick, America’s greatest liberal preacher of the 20th century, was at the forefront of theological and social thinking for more than 40 years. He was also a source of controversy as he brought to his country a prophetic voice of reasoned faith and enlightened hope. A man for all seasons, FosdickContinue reading “Oremus for Thursday, October 5, 2023”

FrancisFrancis was born in Assisi in central Italy either in 1181 or the following year. He was baptised Giovanni but given the name Francesco by his father, a cloth merchant who traded in France and had married a French wife. There was an expectation that he would eventually take over his father’s business but FrancisContinue reading “Oremus for Wednesday, October 4, 2023”

Antiphon https://tinyurl.com/3mjx3phc I am the light of the world, says the Lord;whoever follows me will not walk in darkness,but will have the light of life. John 8 Almighty God,to whom all hearts are open,all desires, known,and from whom no secrets are hid:Cleanse the thoughts of our heartsby the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,that we mayContinue reading “Oremus for Tuesday, October 3, 2023”

Antiphon 1 Ant. All things are submitted to your will, O Lord, *and no one can resist your de-cisions; you have madeall things, heaven and earth, and all that is contained underthe vault of the sky; you are the master of the universe.V. Blessed are those whose way is blameless, *who walk in the lawContinue reading “Oremus for Monday, October 2, 2023”

Antiphon 1 Ant. Be mindful of your word to your servant, O Lord,in which you caused me to hope; this has been my comfortin my affliction.Ps. Blessed are those whose way is blameless, *who walk in the law of the Lord!Blessed are those who keep his decrees! *With all their hearts they seek him. Psalm 119 Almighty God,to whomContinue reading “Oremus for Sunday, October 1, 2023”

JeromeJerome was born at Strido near Aquileia on the Adriatic coast of Dalmatia, in about the year 342. He studied at Rome, where he was baptised. He tried the life of a monk for a time, but unsuccessfully. Following a dream in which he stood before the judgement seat of God and was condemned forContinue reading “Oremus for Saturday, September 30, 2023”

Michael and All AngelsThe scriptural word “angel” (Greek: angelos) means, literally, a messenger. Messengers from God can be visible or invisible, and may assume human or non-human forms. Christians have always felt themselves to be attended by healthful spirits—swift, powerful, and enlightening. Those beneficent spirits are often depicted in Christian art in human form, withContinue reading “Oremus for Friday, September 29, 2023”

Wilson CarlileWilson Carlile was born in 1847 in Brixton. He suffered from a spinal weakness all his life, which hampered his education. He entered his grandfather’s business at the age of thirteen but soon moved on and learned French fluently, which he used to good advantage in France trading in silk. He later learned GermanContinue reading “Oremus for Wednesday, September 27, 2023”