“For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:20, ESV). How many commandments can you break at one time with one sin? We might remember King David’s unholy incident with Bathsheba (2 Sam. 11–12). In...

“Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men” (Luke 5:10b, ESV). Jesus calls all His people, His whole church, to “catch people alive” using the net of the Gospel. He does not rely on so-called experts or “successful” preachers. He actually utilizes sinners—all of us—to bring...

  Ronald L. Kasten Dec. 30, 1935 – March 13, 2026 Ronald Lee Kasten died March 13, 2026. He was born Dec. 30, 1935 in Centralia, Ill., and baptized Jan. 2, 1936. He confessed his baptismal faith in the rite of Confirmation April 10, 1949 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church...

Jesus said: “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful … Forgive, and you will be forgiven” (Luke 6:36–37, ESV). The term “butterfly effect” is associated with mathematician and meteorologist Edward Lorenz. He had studied tornadoes—when they form, what paths they take, and so on … and entered the data...

“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from...

Dear friends in Christ, It seems like most of us have experienced someone asking us about being tired and then we’re left trying to recall the last time that we weren’t tired. Weariness seems to be a way of life, and it’s caused by life in this fallen world. It...

Dear friends in Christ, It’s June? The pascal candle has been put back in its place by the font. The paraments have changed. Why are we talking about Easter? The Easter proclamation of “Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!” echoes far beyond the fifty days of the Easter...

  Christine A. Bargen July 15, 1954 – March 25, 2026 Christine “Chris” Ann Bargen (née Kiehl) of Saint Charles, Mo., passed away Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at the age of 71. Chris was the beloved wife of Alvin Otto Bargen; cherished daughter of the late Paul George and Clara...

Dear friends in Christ, We all know that we live in a world that is increasingly unstable with culture shifts, economic pressures, family struggles, and unrest in our nation and world. We see and feel these struggles in our congregations too with aging memberships, financial struggles, and cultural pressures. In...

  Rev. Walter P. Snyder Jan. 16, 1957 – June 1, 2026 Rev. Walter Phillip Snyder, 69, of Concordia, Mo., asleep in Jesus, June 1, 2026. Snyder was born Jan. 16, 1957, in Springfield, Ill., to the late Rev. Dr. Walter W. Snyder and Melba (Grossmann) Snyder. He spent his...

“For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2 ESV). Dear friends of Jesus, St. Paul’s words cut straight to the marrow. In a world fascinated with novelty, personality, and spiritual technique, Paul narrows everything down to one blazing center: “Jesus Christ...

  Rev. Elmer B. Schiefer Jan. 21, 1926 – May 17, 2026 Rev. Elmer B. Schiefer died May 17, 2026. He was born in Vassar, Mich., Jan. 21, 1926, the second son of Edwin J. Schiefer and Agnes M. Block. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church...

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 ESV). John 3:16 is not a slogan; it is the Gospel in its purest form. Notice first the subject: God. The movement begins not...

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16 KJV). The Epistle to the Hebrews does not invite timid speculation about God’s favor. It commands something astonishing: “Let us therefore come boldly.” The...

“For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness” (Psalm 84:10 ESV). The sons of Korah are not exaggerating. They are confessing faith. The psalmist has tasted something...

  Lyle J. Kurth June 21, 1933 – Oct. 16, 2025 As Lyle J. Kurth entered the family of faith in his baptism July 16, 1933, so he entered his glorious heavenly home Oct. 16, 2025. Lyle was born June 21, 1933, in Carroll, Iowa, to John and Anna Kurth....

  Roy E. Pfund Sept. 2, 1937 – March 18, 2026 Roy Edward Pfund was born Sept. 2, 1937, in Bay City, Michigan. Roy was the son of the late Oscar John and Amanda Caroline née Reutter Pfund and loving brother of the late Lois Pfund Mueller. Roy was baptized...

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” (Psalm 118:1 ESV) Psalm 118 is a song of triumph and trust, a hymn of thanksgiving that resonates deeply with God’s children, pointing us to the comfort and hope found in God’s unchanging love and...

“I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy” (Psalm 116:1 ESV). Psalm 116 rises like a grateful song after the longest night, a heartfelt thanksgiving from one pulled back from the edge of death itself. It speaks straight to the soul weighed down by...

“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,...