Apostles Lutheran Church and School

TraditionalWorship Apostles

Mission Statement:

"Come Worship Christ With Us!"
Saturdays 5:30 pm
Sundays 8:45 am

Traditional Worship
written by Scott Klein, Traditional Worship Coordinator

It was during the infamous Thirty Years War in Europe, a religious war between the Catholics and Protestants which began in 1618, that the beautiful German hymn, “Now Thank We All Our God”, was written. Its author, Pastor Martin Rinckart, was one of the last pastors serving an area that had been particularly hard hit by the opposing armies. All of the other religious leaders there either had departed for safer regions or had been killed in the conflict. Pastor Rinckart, however, did not leave. He stayed. He remained to minister to war refugees, the hungry, sick, and dying. His decision cost him his dear wife, who, overcome by the lack of food, medicine, and decent housing, caused by the cruel devastation war births, passed into eternity.
After a particularly bloody clash in the area, the region was overrun and a new general seized power. Giving no thought to the people, he went throughout the land demanding huge sums of money and material. When he entered the region in which Pastor Rinckart served, this cruel man of war demanded an enormous tribute, which the starving citizens had no hope of ever paying. After hearing the general’s callous dictate, knowing they had no hope but God, Pastor Rinckart and the citizens knelt down before the military commander and prayed for divine assistance. Hearing their pleas to the LORD, the general’s heart was touched. When they had finished their heavenly petition, he announced that he was setting a new tribute. The revised tax was just 5% of the original amount.

In gratitude to God, Pastor Rinckart sat down and penned the Christian hymn, “Now Thank We All Our God”. The year was 1636. His original intent was that it be used as a table prayer. However, it was soon set to music by Johann Cruger. When the Thirty Years War ended in 1648, it was sung as a national hymn of thanksgiving to God.

Check out our latest addition to the Apostles Web Site. We are now offering streaming video and audio(for slower connections) of sermons. All of them can be played using Windows Media Player. Enjoy sermons from recent services.