Dear friends in Christ, It’s June? The pascal candle has been put back in its place by the font. The paraments have changed. Why are we talking about Easter? The Easter proclamation of “Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!” echoes far beyond the fifty days of the Easter...

  Christine A. Bargen July 15, 1954 – March 25, 2026 Christine “Chris” Ann Bargen (née Kiehl) of Saint Charles, Mo., passed away Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at the age of 71. Chris was the beloved wife of Alvin Otto Bargen; cherished daughter of the late Paul George and Clara...

Dear friends in Christ, We all know that we live in a world that is increasingly unstable with culture shifts, economic pressures, family struggles, and unrest in our nation and world. We see and feel these struggles in our congregations too with aging memberships, financial struggles, and cultural pressures. In...

  Rev. Walter P. Snyder Jan. 16, 1957 – June 1, 2026 Rev. Walter Phillip Snyder, 69, of Concordia, Mo., asleep in Jesus, June 1, 2026. Snyder was born Jan. 16, 1957, in Springfield, Ill., to the late Rev. Dr. Walter W. Snyder and Melba (Grossmann) Snyder. He spent his...

“For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2 ESV). Dear friends of Jesus, St. Paul’s words cut straight to the marrow. In a world fascinated with novelty, personality, and spiritual technique, Paul narrows everything down to one blazing center: “Jesus Christ...

  Rev. Elmer B. Schiefer Jan. 21, 1926 – May 17, 2026 Rev. Elmer B. Schiefer died May 17, 2026. He was born in Vassar, Mich., Jan. 21, 1926, the second son of Edwin J. Schiefer and Agnes M. Block. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church...

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 ESV). John 3:16 is not a slogan; it is the Gospel in its purest form. Notice first the subject: God. The movement begins not...

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16 KJV). The Epistle to the Hebrews does not invite timid speculation about God’s favor. It commands something astonishing: “Let us therefore come boldly.” The...

“For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness” (Psalm 84:10 ESV). The sons of Korah are not exaggerating. They are confessing faith. The psalmist has tasted something...

  Lyle J. Kurth June 21, 1933 – Oct. 16, 2025 As Lyle J. Kurth entered the family of faith in his baptism July 16, 1933, so he entered his glorious heavenly home Oct. 16, 2025. Lyle was born June 21, 1933, in Carroll, Iowa, to John and Anna Kurth....