Rev. Dr. Ellis T. Rottmann entered into his eternal home on August 21, 2019. He was the beloved husband of Joyce (nee Kell), loving father of Jon (Cindy), Steve (Jan), and Kathy (Dale) Jensen, and proud grandfather of Stephanie Rottmann, Chris Jensen, and Kayla Jensen. He was preceded in death...
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.—Psalm 32:1In the movie, Return of the Jedi, as part of their complicated relationship, Darth Vader says to his son, Luke Skywalker, “Your thoughts betray you.” How often the person who feels guilt over some dark deed has thought...
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” —Matthew 10:29-31 One of the first thing that the Saxon immigrants did...
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 When St. Paul encourages those with...
“Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.” —2 Corinthians 4:1 Since the fall into sin, work has been marred by frustration and futility. At times, even those who serve in congregations and schools have been disappointed by the lack of apparent fruits from their labor....
Rev. Donald F. Jenkins, age 84, of Edison, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, July 19, 2019 at his home. He was born August 18, 1934 in Maquoketa, Iowa to Stanley and Emelia (Gnade) Jenkins. Donald served in the Marine Corps during the Korean War. He...
Teens and adults use social media very differently. Where adults tend to see social media as a place to keep in touch and share funny memes, many teenagers see it as a way to figure out how they fit in the world. The concern is that they’re interacting with kids...
The isolation that comes with being an administrator isn’t a challenge everyone knows about, but it means administrators can’t easily compare ideas and experiences freely with people in similar roles. There’s no sitting with a colleague at lunch or after a long day. It begs the question, who leads the...
My unscientific poll of churches suggests the vast of majority of us—church workers and volunteers alike—consider church meetings more obligation than joy. There are many reasons to blame, but frequently I field concerns over the need to address two issues: volunteer commitment and simplified church governance. You can read more...
William Unzicker III, 72, was called home to glory Wednesday, July 24, 2019 at his residence in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He was born August 19, 1946 in Herrin, Illinois to William and Lelle (Baker) Unzicker. Bill was teacher and athletic director at Lutheran School Association in Decatur, Illinois (1983-95) and...