“For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:17 ESV). If there is one thing that humans don’t like,...

  Rev. David V. Dissen July 27, 1933 – Feb. 19, 2026 The Rev. David V. Dissen, 92, was called by his Savior, Jesus Christ from His Church on earth to His Church in heaven Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026 at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau, Mo. David Victor Dissen...

“For you are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Gen. 3:19 ESV). Ash Wednesday forces us to confront the reality of sin and death. We know that death and sin are all around us, but we do everything we can to avoid it. We struggle to confront sins in...

  Rev. James W. Rhiver Sept. 14, 1939 – Feb. 13, 2026 Rev. James W. Rhiver entered Heaven Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. Jim was the beloved husband of Pearl L. Rhiver (née Heihn) since July 27, 1963. He is survived by two daughters Bettyjean M. Bonn and Kyrstin L. Nelson...

“And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only” (Matt. 17:8, ESV). Growing up, it felt like I was always at church. I was there on Sunday for worship and Sunday school, on Wednesday for weekday school, and often after school with my grandma when...

“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!” (Ps. 95:6, ESV). Psalm 95 summons God’s people to a posture that reflects the truth of our place before Him. Worship is not entertainment, nor is it negotiation. It is humble surrender before the...

Dear Brothers and Sisters of the Missouri District, It is my duty to inform you about an issue that concerns our Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. LCMS Central Illinois District (CID) President Rev. Michael Mohr was arrested by federal law enforcement on allegations of production of child pornography. The Department of Justice...

“Have mercy on me, O God.” With those words, Psalm 51 leads us to the very heart of the Christian life: repentance that cries out to God, and mercy that flows down from Him in overflowing grace. David’s confession is not an exercise in despair, but a plea rooted in...