“A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest” (Luke 22:24, ESV). St. Luke states, in a matter of fact manner, that an argument began among the disciples about who was the best. While we can rush to opine that there...

“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin....

Rev. Dr. Robert T. Kuhn April 5, 1937 – March 1, 2025 Rev. Dr. Robert T. Kuhn, 87, passed away peacefully on March 1, 2025, in Oviedo, Florida. Born on April 5, 1937, Kuhn was a faithful servant of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS). He was ordained in 1963 and...

“Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” Psalm 51:12 ESV Brutal reality! That’s what the words “Dust you are and to dust you shall return” bring. These words serve as the harsh reminder that the wages of sin is death. Hearts are...

Rev. Warren W. Schmidt June 15, 1936 – February 23, 2025 Rev. Warren Walter Schmidt, 88, died peacefully in the Good Shepherd Care Community in Concordia, Missouri on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. Warren was born on June 15, 1936, in Salina, Kansas to the late Rev. Walter G. Schmidt and...

For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with...

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  John 8:12 Light and darkness are among the most prominent themes in John’s Gospel.  The prophets of old foretold Jesus’ coming as light of the...

And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb.  And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.  By its light will the nations walk, and...

Rev. Alger J. Tormoehlen February 9, 1932  –  February 7, 2025 Rev. Alger John Theodore Tormoehlen asleep in Jesus on Friday, February 7, 2025. Beloved husband of Lois Ella Tormoehlen (nee: Severin) for 69 years. Loving father of Karen (Steve) Zielke, David (Pam) Tormoehlen, and Kathy Cox. Cherished grandfather of Philip (Carrie)...

Rev. Dr. Howard William Kramer June 3, 1924 – February 4, 2025 Howard William Kramer was born in Uniontown (formerly Paitzdorf) Perry County, Missouri on June 3, 1924. His father, William A Kramer, was a descendant of the 800 Saxon immigrants who came to Perry County Missouri in 1838-9 and...

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.  For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you.  And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the...

“The Lord has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.” Isaiah 52:10In Psalm 98, the Psalmist draws extensively on the prophet Isaiah’s words about Yahweh’s deliverance of Israel’s captivity in Babylon. Throughout the...

“And now the Lord says… ‘It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.’” Isaiah...

William L. Gasau June 26, 1946 – December 25, 2024 Eternal Life, the greatest gift for all mankind, was bestowed upon William (Bill) Gasau early on Christmas morning after a three-year battle with cancer.  Bill was born on June 26, 1946, to William and Laura Gasau (nee Strobel) in Kansas...

‘“I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations…’”Isaiah 42:6The visit of the Magi, Gentile worshipers of the promised Messiah, fulfilled what had been revealed...

“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” Luke 2:29-32 When Simeon takes the Christ...

"And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb." Luke 2:21 Joseph obeyed God. The angel had instructed him to give the child the name Jesus because Yahweh would save His...

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” The voice of your watchmen—they lift up their voice; together they sing for joy; for eye to eye they...

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival, so that you will no longer...

“But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they...

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In...

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1While Thanksgiving Day is not a festival on the Church’s calendar, it is central to the Church’s life. Thanksgiving Day may not be celebrated across the border in Canada or among sister congregations across the...

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”1 Thessalonians 5:18The person who taught me about thankfulness the most was not a pastor or seminary professor, but a young mother of two. As a new pastor, I visited this young woman who...

Rev. David Johnson February 17, 1951 – November 16, 2024 Pastor David Johnson, age 73, finished his battle with cancer November 16, 2024, and entered into his heavenly inheritance with the Lord. Dave was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on February 17, 1951, to John and Esther Dyer Johnson. After high school,...

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:16“Songs of Thankfulness and Praise” is not just an Epiphany hymn, but also the joyful response of the saints to God...