31,500 Steps That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem…So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening...

God’s Definite Plan When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”  Matthew 26:1-2 The events of Holy Week should not have come as a surprise to those closest...

May His Blood Be on Us! So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves.”  And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our...

Rev. Dennis Schwab August 27, 1948 – March 30, 2022 Rev. Dennis Schwab was born August 27, 1948 to Henry Louis Schwab and Hazel Henroid Schwab in St. Louis, Missouri.  He was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church where he later attended grade school.  He attended Lutheran South High School...

The One Who is Mocked as King is Truly the King! And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of...

The One in Despair Still Trusts God “He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.  Now from the sixth hour there was darkness...

Larry Allen Andersen June 6, 1957–March 10, 2022 Larry Allen Andersen, age 64, of Brookline, MO, was called to his eternal rest on March 10, 2022, in Springfield, MO, after a 15-month battle with prostate cancer. Larry was born in Fort Dodge, IA, to Harvey and Dorothy (Petersen) Andersen on...

He Saved Others, But Not Himself So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.” Matthew 27:41-42 The angel appears to Joseph in...

Welcome Joshua Swartz! The Missouri District is pleased to announce that Joshua Swartz has accepted the call to serve as Assistant to the President for Lutheran Schools.  Joshua currently serves as Principal of St. Lorenz Lutheran School in Frankenmuth, Michigan.  Previously, he has served schools in Ohio, Indiana, and Alabama. ...

Powerfully Powerless And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”  Matthew 27:39-40 It was King David’s son, Solomon, who built a temple for the Lord.  It was...