Comfort Dog Handlers Draw People into Conversation and Prayer

There’s a rising trend of using Comfort Dogs to help people deal with stress and trauma. The benefits of petting a dog on blood pressure and soothing a troubled mind are well documented. What separates the Lutheran Charities K-9 Comfort Dog Ministries from other programs is that in addition to...

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Identical Twins, Unique Missouri District Calls

Revs. Jesse and Joseph Schlie grew up in Fort Wayne, IN, where their dad was a pastor. Many people watching the Call Day service at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne would remember them as the identical twins called to the Missouri District. Personality-wise, it seems like the brothers were...

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The Wehmeyer Family Reflects on a Hard Year

Cindy Wehmeyer is the secretary of Trinity Lutheran Church in Orchard Farm as well as the wife and mom of a proud farming family. Back when the water was blocking roads, she had to commute to work by boat. Cindy, her husband Greg and their daugther, Gwen, are the human...

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Hope and Recovery after Flooding in Orchard Farm

In Orchard Farm and surrounding communities, evidence of this spring’s monster flood is both everywhere and nowhere. The water line is still visible on many homes, some of which bear orange stickers that designate the insurance company’s order to raise the home. However, in other spots, the impact of the...

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Misguided Expectations

Some church members communicate with some sense of disappointment that they are not having their expectations met by their respective congregations. From buildings and parking lots to music and programs, people often express their dissatisfaction at what they find at their congregation. Pastors are not professional enough and programs are...

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Rev. Herbert E. Muench Obituary

Rev. Herbert E. Muench of Saint Charles, MO was called home to glory Wed. Sept. 25, 2019 at the age of 86. Loving husband of the late Melba Carol Muench; beloved son of the late John B. and Norma Muench; devoted father of Norma Muench, Loren Muench, and Mark (Karen) Muench;...

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Don’t Assume Anything!

“For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.” —2 Corinthians 4:5 One faithful Lutheran school teacher once told me that everyday he would tell the students in his classroom that Jesus died on the cross and rose again for the forgiveness...

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A Simple Job Description

“Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” ⁠—John 12:21Pastors are not called to be change agents. They are not called to be visionary leaders. They are not...

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Place in the Their Hands the Holy Scriptures

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.–2 Timothy 3:14-15The Baptismal rite...

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Hurting Servants

“Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry come to you!” —Psalm 102:1 Hurts and brokenness among the chosen people of God is nothing new. While there is much more attention given to church worker health, the anguish of God’s servants fills the Psalms. Psalm 102 begins with a preface that notes,...

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