Different Gifts, Same Lord Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.  Romans 12:6a Orchestras are not made up of only saxophones.  Basketball teams cannot be made up of five guys who all want the basketball all the time.  In the Armed Forces,...

Ronald Jansen May 24, 1941–January 27, 2024 Rev. Ronald Jansen passed away January 27th, 2024 at home. He was born May 24, 1941 in Turtle Lake, Wisconsin. His family were dairy farmers. Pastor Jansen graduated from Concordia Seminary (St. Louis, MO) on May 26, 1967. He married Karen Jansen on...

Bodily Offerings I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.  Romans 12:1 The offering is a part of the liturgy that is noted by everyone, but little thought is given.  We tend...

Everyone Has a Part But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9 The Table of Duties from Luther’s Small Catechism lays out what pastors owe to...

Join with other Lutheran Singles for a weekend of learning, led by Rev. Randy Asburry. The six areas of focus of the event are "Lutheran Singles FOLLOWing Christ" Fellowship, Outreach, Learning, Leadership, Organization, and Worship. Hosted at the Holiday Inn Express in Edwardsville, IL, single adults aged 18+ are welcome....

A Kingdom of Priests Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.  Exodus 19:5-6 The Lord...

What’s In It for Us? For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.  2 Corinthians 4:5 Dr. Luther described sin as being essentially being man curved in on oneself, drawing from St. Augustine.  There is also a tendency...

Rev. Fred Wippich December 23, 1929 – June 12, 2024 Rev. Fred Wippich was the first of five children to be born December 23, 1929 in St. Cloud, Minnesota to Fred and Marian Wippich. He passed away on June 12, 2024 at Bonaventure Senior Living at the age of 94. Having earned...

Rev. Rudolf Charles Schaser November 7,1939  – June 7, 2024 Pastor Rudy Schaser, born to Rudolf and LaVerne, grew up in Lansing, Illinois. He was raised with his older brother Robert (“Bobby”), two younger sisters (Nancy and Cheryl), and nephews (Bobby Richard and Jim). Pastor Schaser was married to his...

Togetherness Takes Work Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  Ephesians 4:3 During a conversation over dinner with two missionaries and their wives, the comment was made that each couple finds out how long they can be apart before it becomes counterproductive. ...

We are excited to have two opportunities this summer to connect with learning from our seminaries! July 29–31, join Dr. Golden from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis present "It Stand Written: The New Testament Appropriation of the Old Testament". Hosted at Trinity Lutheran Church- Springfield, MO, for registration and information, visit:...

Sisters’ Keepers Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother's keeper?” Genesis 4:9 There is much on which we can reflect regarding Cain’s sins.  Jealousy, hatred and murder are all sins that Cain commits.  So is simple...

VICKI L. FISHER April 1, 1953 – February 1, 2024 Vicki Fisher, 70, of Union Star, Missouri passed away February 1, 2024. Vicki was born on April 1, 1953 in Norfolk, Nebraska to Loren Harold and Jo Ann (Volwiler) Stoltenberg.  On July 8, 1972 she married Phillip Fisher in Randolph,...

Rev. Dr. William Joseph Paul Doubek III August 4, 1951–May 30, 2024 William Joseph Paul Doubek, III, was born on August 4, 1951, in Decorah, Iowa, one of five children to Wm. Doubek, II and Elizabeth Noehl Doubek. He entered into rest on May 30, 2024, in Joplin, Missouri, at the age...

Better Together So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into...

Dr. Carl Moser November 8, 1937–May 31, 2024 A Note from Missouri District Director of Schools, Josh Swartz: Dr. Carl Moser was called to his heavenly home on May 31, 2024. His unwavering dedication and leadership have left an indelible mark on Lutheran Education. As a Christian Servant Leader, he...

Serving with Luther And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  Colossians 3:17 As a young pastor, a man came into meet with me because “he needed to talk.”  I was prepared for...

Singing the Faith with Luther 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 On July 1, 1523, two Augustinian monks were burned at the stake in Brussels, more...

Praying with Luther and His Barber Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”  Luke 11:1 One of Dr. Luther’s most practical writings was a response to a request from his...

Christ’s Love Transforms Timid Hearts As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love…This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  John 15:9, 12 Before our Lord’s Passion, He not only predicted His death and resurrection, but also...

Reading the Word of God with Luther So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  John 8:31-32 On the evening of May 4, 1521, Martin Luther was taken...

Belief and Hope And he said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!  Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?"  And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to...

Shine Like Stars Do everything without grumbling or arguing,  so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky. Philippians 2:14-15 Jesus Christ is the light of the world, the light...

While we can receive called workers throughout the year into the Missouri District, in April our two seminaries host “Call Day” where vicars and deaconess interns get their year-long assignment and students finishing their education receive Call placements. On April 23 and 24, we were blessed to welcome a deaconess...

The Gospel of John in a Word Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may...