“Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights!” (Psalm 148:1, ESV) Psalm 148 rises like a mighty chorus on a still morning, calling every corner of creation to lift its voice in praise. From the highest heavens to the deepest seas, from shining stars to...

“Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge” (Psalm 16:1 ESV). Psalm 16 bursts forth like a spring dawn, a psalm of trust and joy appointed for Easter, echoing the resurrection victory that scatters the shadows of death. It’s a heartfelt cry from David, yet it points prophetically to...

We humans always search for some sense of identity, security, and meaning in our harried and hurried lives. Some seek meaning in various philosophies, ecstatic experiences, or principles for successful living. Some find security in acquiring great wealth or power or both. Many look within themselves to discern their “true...

  Rev. Dr. Dennis A. Kastens May 10, 1939 – March 30, 2026 Dennis Allen Kastens was born May 10, 1939, near Ludell, Kansas, to Harry and Paula (née Neuhart) Kastens. He was baptized May 13, 1939, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ludell by Pastor Schmidt and later also confirmed...

“Caiaphas … said to them, “You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish” (John 11:49-50, ESV). Jesus had just worked His ultimate miraculous sign: the raising of Lazarus...

  Rev. Garry McCracken Sept. 1, 1960 – March 20, 2026 Rev. Garry A. McCracken, Asleep in Jesus on Friday, March 20, 2026. Beloved husband of Dawn McCracken (née Harit); dear father of Rebecca (Ryan) Sanft and the late Matthew McCracken; dear grandfather of Graham and Madison Sanft; dear brother-in-law,...

“Jesus answered, ‘It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him’” (John 9:3 ESV). To see Jesus during our Lenten journey, we need to see ourselves as the man born blind in John, chapter 9. As Jesus and His...

“Jesus answered her, ‘If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, “Give me a drink,” you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water’” (John 4:10 ESV). Water is life. Without water, everything dries up and returns to...

  Rev. Dr. Paul L. Schrieber April 29, 1949 – March 5, 2026 Rev. Dr. Paul Louis Schrieber, 76, of Red Bud, Ill., passed away March 5, 2026, at Mercy Hospital South, St. Louis, Mo. He was born to the late Oliver and Florence (née Mueller) Schrieber April 29, 1949,...

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ ... and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. For while we were...

  Karen Jo Eatherton Dec. 30, 1948 – Feb. 26, 2026 Karen was born Dec. 30, 1948, to Richard and Dorothy (Simpson) Feiner. She grew up and attended school in the St. Louis area, graduating from Lafayette High School in Ellisville in 1966. She received her associate degree from Meramec...

“For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:17 ESV). If there is one thing that humans don’t like,...

  Rev. David V. Dissen July 27, 1933 – Feb. 19, 2026 The Rev. David V. Dissen, 92, was called by his Savior, Jesus Christ from His Church on earth to His Church in heaven Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026 at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau, Mo. David Victor Dissen...

“For you are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Gen. 3:19 ESV). Ash Wednesday forces us to confront the reality of sin and death. We know that death and sin are all around us, but we do everything we can to avoid it. We struggle to confront sins in...

  Rev. James W. Rhiver Sept. 14, 1939 – Feb. 13, 2026 Rev. James W. Rhiver entered Heaven Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. Jim was the beloved husband of Pearl L. Rhiver (née Heihn) since July 27, 1963. He is survived by two daughters Bettyjean M. Bonn and Kyrstin L. Nelson...

“And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only” (Matt. 17:8, ESV). Growing up, it felt like I was always at church. I was there on Sunday for worship and Sunday school, on Wednesday for weekday school, and often after school with my grandma when...

“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!” (Ps. 95:6, ESV). Psalm 95 summons God’s people to a posture that reflects the truth of our place before Him. Worship is not entertainment, nor is it negotiation. It is humble surrender before the...

Dear Brothers and Sisters of the Missouri District, It is my duty to inform you about an issue that concerns our Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. LCMS Central Illinois District (CID) President Rev. Michael Mohr was arrested by federal law enforcement on allegations of production of child pornography. The Department of Justice...

“Have mercy on me, O God.” With those words, Psalm 51 leads us to the very heart of the Christian life: repentance that cries out to God, and mercy that flows down from Him in overflowing grace. David’s confession is not an exercise in despair, but a plea rooted in...

“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.” With these gentle yet triumphant words, Psalm 23 unveils the heart of our Savior. Jesus is not distant, aloof, or indifferent—He is the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep, calls us by name, and leads us with perfect love. Martin Luther...

Missouri District invites community to celebrate 2026 Call Day! The Missouri District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) is inviting congregations and church workers from Missouri to celebrate Call Day 2026, when seminary students receive their first pastoral or diaconal ministry placements and assignments. This milestone marks an important step...

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” With those opening words, Psalm 27 answers the deepest anxieties of the human heart. Fear stalks every corner of life—fear of trouble, fear of enemies, fear of failure, fear of sickness, and finally, fear of death itself. Yet...

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever,” (Ps. 136:1, ESV). Psalm 136 is a vibrant hymn of gratitude, proclaiming God’s unwavering love through creation, deliverance, and daily care. Through every verse, we’re reminded that Christ embodies this enduring love, the heart of...

Psalm 67 radiates with hope, inviting us to rest in God’s gracious promises. This beautiful psalm calls all nations to praise God, whose mercy and blessings overflow to His people. In a world often shadowed by uncertainty, this passage reminds us that God’s light shines through, offering encouragement and unwavering...

As the gentle glow of Christmas morning dawns, Psalm 98 erupts in a jubilant call to worship, appointed for Christmas Dawn in the church’s lectionary. This psalm overflows with encouragement and hope, inviting all creation to celebrate the God who has done marvelous things, most gloriously revealed in the birth...