“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you,” (John 14:16-17, ESV). John’s Gospel includes the extended...

The EF3 tornado that hit the St. Louis metro area on May 16 has certainly made an impact that will be felt for years to come. It is estimated that more than $1 billion worth of property damage has occurred. The Missouri District can now confirm that seven LCMS congregations...

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth,” (Acts 1:8, ESV). The celebration of Easter begins with movement. At the Easter Vigil, the saints gather outside the sanctuary as a...

“You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance,” (Ps. 32:7, ESV). There are times when we as Christians, caught in the midst of trouble, on account of the fallen world or our own making, long for a place of refuge, a fortress...

  Rev. Rodger Venzke Feb. 24, 1937 – April 25, 2025 Rev. Rodger Raland Venzke, 88, was called to glory on April 25, 2025, just weeks after relocating from St. Louis, Mo., to Phoenix, Ariz. He had been living with Parkinson’s Disease for several years. Born Feb. 24, 1937, on...

  Rev. Barton C. Gray Nov. 19, 1941 – May 3, 2025 Rev. Barton Carlton Gray, 83, passed away peacefully in the Lord on May 3, 2025. Born Nov. 19, 1941, in Battle Creek, Mich., Rev. Barton Carlton Gray was the son of Richard and Gertrude Gray. A lifelong servant...

“After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way,” (John 21:1, ESV). St. Louis’ unofficial poet laureate, Yogi Berra, is reported to have once said, “It’s like Déjà vu all over again.” Jesus’ appearance to the disciples at...

The Missouri District is beginning the search process for a Director of Mission Services. This role provides strategic leadership and support for mission initiatives across the state of Missouri, including:Church plantingRural/small-town ministryUrban ministryEthnic ministryCampus ministryThe Director will oversee the District’s mission grant process and collaborate with congregational leaders to strengthen...

  Rev. Dennis Garrels Aug. 27, 1942 – March 23, 2025 Rev. Dennis “Denny” Earl Garrels, 82, of St. Louis, Mo., passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 23, 2025, after living with Parkinson’s disease for 20 years. Garrels was born Aug. 27, 1942, in Detroit, Mich., to Earl and Milda...

“Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you’ (John 20:26, ESV).” Jesus’ appearances to the disciples are completely contrary to how we would respond. There is no anger...

Missouri District celebrates 2025 Call Day services Seminary students receive ministry placements, assignments The Missouri District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) joined with congregations and church workers across the Synod in celebrating Call Day 2025, a significant milestone in the lives of future pastors and deaconesses. Each spring, the...

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers...

“Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, but they kept shouting, ‘Crucify, crucify him!’ A third time he said to them, ‘Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.’ But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he...

“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed,” (Mark 1:35, ESV). The discipline of prayer is not something which is to be reserved solely for the Lenten season. In the ministry of our Lord,...

Three Parables About the Joy of the Gospel So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he...

“I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word,” (Psalm 119:15, ESV). Psalm 119 is more than just the longest chapter in the Bible; it is a thoughtful reflection on the blessing of God’s Word in the...

“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)...