Scholastic Lutherans

Reformation Day is in a couple of days, so what are some of the best Lutheran chorales that others outside our tradition may not know? Drop the full texts in the replies below (and maybe a video link with music?), and send to a non-Lutheran friend who is missing out. 1 Let us ever walk with Jesus, Follow His example pure, Flee the world, which would deceive us And to sin our souls allure. Ever in His footsteps treading, Body here, yet soul above, Full of faith and hope and love, Let us do the Father's bidding. Faithful Lord, abide with me; Savior, lead, I follow Thee. 2 Let us suffer here with Jesus, To His image e'er conform; Heaven's glory soon will please us, Sunshine follow on the storm. Tho' we sow in tears of sorrow, We shall reap with heav'nly joy; And the fears that now annoy Shall be laughter on the morrow. Christ, I suffer here with Thee; There, oh, share Thy joy with me! 3 Let us also die with Jesus. His death from the second death, From our soul's destruction, frees us, Quickens us with life's glad breath. Let us mortify, while living, Flesh and blood and die to sin; And the grave that shuts us in Shall but prove the gate to heaven. Jesus, here I die to Thee There to live eternally. 4 Let us gladly live with Jesus; Since He's risen from the dead, Death and grave must soon release us. Jesus, Thou art now our Head, We are truly Thine own members; Where Thou livest, there live we. Take and own us constantly, Faithful Friend, as Thy dear brethren. Jesus, here I live to Thee, Also there eternally.

On the anniversary of the death of Laurentius Petri, here are some excerpts from his 1571 Church Order. “Nor shall anyone who has been called, interrogated, and examined for the office of preacher take that office before he has been publicly, before the congregation, confirmed in and appointed to the office through the laying on of hands and prayer. Since the Holy Spirit, without whom this office in no way can be performed, is accustomed to be given through such means, it would be extremely deadly if anyone would despise it, especially since it has been so used by everyone from the time of the Apostles and so has become customary in Christendom. For a public minister of the Church does not have a legitimate right to public ministry because he has received the laying on of hands from such and such a person, but because he has been chosen to that office either directly by God or indirectly through the Church, and administers it correctly. For since the power of choosing belongs to the Church after God, whatever she does to choose a minister is always legitimate and valid from whichever priest or bishop the candidate elect ones may later receive the laying on of hands, but only if he is faithful and Christian. For the Church is not bound to admit against his will whom the Bishop ordains, but the Bishop is bound to ordain whom the Church chooses. The Church may entrust the power of electing ministers to the bishop or his officials, as is now generally the case. Nevertheless, if that same Bishop, having received the power from the Church, abuses it, he becomes a wolf, that is, a false teacher, a usurer, a simoniac, a whoremonger, etc. (such as the papist bishops for the most part now ordain) instead of a suitable and salutary minister, then the Church, having received her legitimate power, can, nay, must, cast such a scoundrel, just as one would say a blot and a plague, from office, and then substitute another chosen in the place of the castaway whom she herself has found suitable.”