Newer Isn’t Always Better, But this Time It Is Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. Jeremiah 31:31 Old is not necessarily bad, nor is new necessarily good. When God promises to...
God’s Workmanship For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 After his beautiful description of salvation by grace through faith in Christ, Paul then describes us as God’s workmanship. The Greek word here is the word “Poema.” It is...
We Preach Christ Crucified For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 1 Corinthians 1:22-24 The...
God’s Love for Sinners But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 In Romans 5, St. Paul describes our condition at the time at which Christ died for us. Weak, ungodly, sinners, even enemies of God are the...
On the Mount of the Lord, He Was Provided So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” Genesis 22:14 The Sacrifice of Isaac is not so much about Abraham or...
Joyful Hope April 26–28, 2024 So often in our lives, joy is fleeting and hope feels uncertain. Our circumstances get us down and we long for relief. How did the apostle Paul face tough times like imprisonment—with joy? He was imitating Christ and waiting for His return! Paul had...
Rev. Blake Gilbert Wolf October 31, 1950 - February 13, 2024 Born Oct. 31, 1950, Rev. Wolf was blessed with an amazing, Christ loving spouse, Deb (Deborah Ruth Samuel), children, and grandchildren. A 1977 graduate of Concordia Seminary, Rev. Wolf served for 40 years as both a pastor and...
A Broken Heart for Valentine’s Day (Ash Wednesday) The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:17 Valentine’s Day falling on Ash Wednesday provides a great opportunity to teach about the condition of the human heart. On this...
God’s Care for Older Adults Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent. Psalm 71:9 Congregations invest a lot of time, energy, and financial support in caring for children and youth. Schools and youth groups, staff members and teachers...
Ellen M. Hetz May 21, 1940 – January 26, 2024 Ellen Marie Hetz (nee Stahl) was born to John and Alfretta (nee Wilkening) Stahl on May 21, 1940. The oldest of four girls, she was baptized at Holy Cross Lutheran Church on Miami Street in St. Louis in June of...