Thursday Oct 7 Devotion

[Pastor Joelle]

Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, Patriarch of American Lutherans
7 October 1787

Lutherans in America in the early 18th century were scattered across
the country and came from many ethnic backgrounds. They were split
with many theological arguments. But there was a desire among many to
find unity and in 1742 a delegation from three New England
congregations was sent to Europe to find a pastor who might unite
them.
Muhlenberg arrived from Germany in Charleston South Carolina, visited
with Lutherans there and in Georgia and then traveled up to
Philadelphia. During the 45 years he worked in America he preached in
German, Dutch and English, dealt patiently with dissension and was
able to win the trust of many congregations and unified much of the
Lutheran church in America. He also developed an order of liturgy
that was used widely by Lutherans in America and was the basis for the
liturgy by most Lutheran churches in America today. His model
congregation constitution established the basis for church
government.

Muhlenberg was also a great patriot and supported the revolution and
establishment of the United States Republic. His first son left his
pastorate to become a brigadier general under George Washington,
another son (also a pastor) was a member of the Continental Congress
and the first Speaker of the House of the Representatives.

Muhlenberg worked tirelessly to bring Lutherans together because he
knew their witness to the world was stronger as a united church
rather than a scattered group of squabbling groups.

Heavenly Father, Shepherd of your people, we thank you for your
servant Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, who was faithful in the care and
nurture of your flock; and we pray that, following his example and the
teaching of his holy life, we my by your grace grow into the stature
of the fullness of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.