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HAUS-fah-ter

Hausvater: /HAUS-fah-ter/
noun (German)
1. Housefather.
2. Spiritually responsible head of household, including the housefather as assisted by the housemother.
>> Example: "As the Hausvater should teach it [Christian doctrine] to the entire family ..."
(Martin Luther, Small Catechism, 1529)

teach 4820c

 

Fathers do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

(Ephesians 6:4, ESV)

 

What blessings are these

  That God has placed within our arms

As we bring them to Christ

  Within this water here outpoured?

His blessings theirs

  And we to them a blessing, too

As we teach their lips

  To praise and call Him Lord.

What blessings are these

  That God has placed within our arms

As they live and grow

  Relying on our sinful hands?

They look and see

  All that our actions point them toward—

Whether in His reign

  Or out in foreign lands.

What blessings are these

  That God has placed within our arms—

Us their voices calling

  Words given both to Church and God?

And how can we

  Give “Mother,” “Father” meaning true

If not in His Word

  Their feet they daily trod?

What blessings are these

  That God has placed within our arms

As the world’s voice rings loud

  With all their thoughts and grand allure?

We there to keep

  Deception from these young ones’ lives,

And place them firmly

  On paths God’s Word makes sure.

What blessings are these

  That God has placed within our arms

That we give true riches

  In that birth He gives us here?

And daily give

  The Bread of Life to them in truth;

And never silent

  On all His Word makes clear.

Rev. Justin Whitmore serves as pastor of Saint John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church and White Creek Lutheran School in rural Columbus, Indiana, where he lives with his wife and nine children. Before being called to serve in Columbus, Pastor Whitmore served the dual parish of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Clarinda, Iowa, and Trinity Lutheran Church in Shenandoah, Iowa.

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