Rev. Gregory K. Smith February 8, 1949 – October 14, 2024   Faithful servant of the Lord, Rev. Greg Smith, went home to be with Jesus on October 14, 2024. He was born in Decatur, IL on February 8, 1949, to John William “Bill” and Lela Smith. He was a devoted husband,...

Hurricanes Helene and Milton have caused significant damage to churches, schools, and homes of members in the Southeastern and Florida-Georgia Districts. Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) trained volunteers are needed. Missouri District LERT Disaster Response Coordinator, Kris Schuldt, has deployed to North Carolina with other volunteers from across the country.

“A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture.  And some fell among thorns, and...

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:24 The Word of God does what it says, as we were reminded last week.  However, Christians who believe the Word of God are to...

Rev. Dr. Thomas “Tom” Baker September 17, 1945 – October 10, 2024   Pastor Thomas “Tom” A. Baker was born in Windsor, Ontario on September 17, 1945, to Albert and Theresa Baker. After graduating from Concordia College in Fort Wayne, IN with a Bachelor of Arts (1967) Tom attended Concordia Seminary, St....

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return...

“Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like...

“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so...

“This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” Ephesians 3:6 St. Paul’s emphasis on togetherness in Ephesians includes the idea of Gentiles being “fellow heirs” or literally “heirs together” with Christ-confessing Jews. Sadly,...

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a...