The love of God is a steadfast anchor—unshakable and eternal—as revealed in Psalm 136 and Rom. 8:37–39. Together, these passages weave together a profound truth: God’s love endures forever, and in Christ, nothing can separate us from it. Psalm 136 is a resounding hymn of gratitude, repeating the refrain, “his...

  Strahan M. Larsen May 28, 1973 – Aug. 10, 2025 Strahan M. Larsen was born May 28, 1973, at Kessler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Miss. He was the son of Rev. Steven and Heidi Larsen. He was confirmed by his father May 4, 1986, at St. Paul’s Lutheran...

When the weight of life presses down, when shadows of doubt or fear creep in, Psalm 121 calls us to lift our eyes to the hills, where our help comes from—not from the hills themselves, but from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. This ancient song of ascent...

  Rev. Henry V. Gerike Aug. 17, 1948 – Aug. 6, 2025 Rev. Henry V. Gerike passed away Aug. 6, 2025, at the age of 76 at the EverTrue Laclede Groves retirement community in Webster Groves, Mo. Gerike was born in Parkers Prairie, Minn., Aug. 17, 1948. He graduated from...

As baptized children of God, we are bound to His promises, sealed in the waters of baptism and sustained by His unending grace. Yet life’s trials can sometimes cast shadows over our faith, leaving us feeling distant from God. Psalm 77, penned by Asaph, speaks to such moments, offering  Comfort...

  Peter T. Olson July 26, 1974 – July 30, 2025 Peter Olson was born July 26, 1974, to David and Cynthia Olson, and passed away unexpectedly July 30, 2025. He was baptized and confirmed at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Kansas City, Missouri, where he also attended Holy Cross...

  Erich P. Mueller Oct. 8, 1933 – Jan. 2, 2025 Erich P. Mueller was born Oct. 8, 1933, in Olivette, Mo., to Erich and Meta Mueller. He attended grade school at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Olivette and high school at St. Paul’s in Concordia. He earned his Bachelor of...

Dear faithful servants of Christ, Your life as a Christian is a calling to serve, whether in your home, congregation, or community. In a world that often pulls us toward doubt and distraction, or amid challenges—cultural pressures, or personal weariness—Psalm 1 offers a timeless reminder of the strength and joy...

The Missouri District is now accepting applications for a MOScholars Education Assistant. This part-time, remote position supports the Director of Schools in coordinating the District’s role in Missouri’s Empowerment Scholarship Program. The ideal candidate will be organized, communicative, and mission-minded—ready to help families and schools navigate this impactful opportunity. Position...

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope,” (Rom. 15:13, ESV). God does not merely give His gifts—He fills us with His gifts of joy and peace so that we abound...

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole...

ST. LOUIS, July 18, 2025—More than 1,500 youth and adult leaders from 81 Missouri District churches are traveling to New Orleans, La., to participate in the 2025 LCMS Youth Gathering, a triennial event hosted by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) since 1980. They will join nearly 20,000 youth and adults...

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law,” (Gal. 5:22-23, ESV). Sanctification—the Holy Spirit’s work of strengthening us to lead holy lives—is never wrong. Before St. Paul provides the list of the fruit of the Spirit, he first includes a list...

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh,” (Gal. 5:16, ESV). Whether it is a journey through the snow or a forest, we often follow a path that has already been marked. The psalmist notes, “Your word is a lamp to my...

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom,” (2 Cor. 3:17, ESV). Every day is a day to celebrate our freedom as a Christian. We do so not with fireworks or patriotic parades, but by making the sign of the cross and remembering our...

  Rev. Gary A. Lampe June 29, 1952 – May 19, 2025 Rev. Gary A. Lampe, affectionately known as “Padre,” passed away peacefully on May 19, 2025, at the age of 72. Lampe was born on June 29, 1952, in Monett, Mo., to Erwin and Olga (Holle) Lampe. He was...

  Jacqueline L. Loontjer Sept. 27, 1947 – June 12, 2025 Jacqueline Louise Loontjer, 77, passed away on June 12, 2025. Jackie was born in Dodge City, Kan., in 1947 to Jack and Dorothy (Leighty) Maskus. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Wayne; and her brother,...

“But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as...

“Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual,” (1 Cor....

“You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life...

“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...