DR. RALPH L. GEISLER April 15, 1938 – September 13, 2022 Ralph L. Geisler, asleep in Jesus, Tuesday, September 13, 2022, at the age of 84. Beloved Husband of the late Anita J. Geisler (nee Hemmingson); Father of Gregory D. (Melissa) Geisler, Cheryl L. (David) Laaker, Timothy R. (Jennifer) Geisler;...

On the Road Together “Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while He opened to us the Scriptures.”  Luke 24:32 Synod means “on the road together.”  The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is comprised of congregations, ministers of religion – ordained (pastors) and ministers...

Rev. Mark Wenger Sept 7, 1951–Sept 12, 2022 Mark Paul Wenger was born on September 7, 1951, in Boonville, MO to Rev. Gilbert and Elsie Wenger. He was born into a loving family of two sisters and two brothers: Kathleen Lenz (the spouse of Gale Lenz) of Boonville, Missouri; Geraldine...

Visitation and Oversight “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.  Acts 15:36, 41 One of the most difficult aspects of the COVID-19 restrictions was the prohibitions of hospital...

Freedom and Order And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Acts 2:42 Immediately after his account of the Day of Pentecost, St. Luke describes the worship life of the church at Jerusalem.  From its very infancy, the Church had...

Strong Defense And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God,...

Lutheran Schools Making Disciples for Life Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end...

A Compassionate God, A Compassionate People The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.”  Exodus 34:6 This verse is how God describes Himself to Moses after Moses has broken the two stone...

Laborers Needed Command and teach these things.  Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.  Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 1 Timothy 4:11-13 While Paul’s letters to Timothy...

A Banner for the Nations He will raise a signal for nations far away, and whistle for them from the ends of the earth; and behold, quickly, speedily they come!  Isaiah 5:26 According to naval history, the word ensign “comes from the Latin word insignia that means emblem or banner. ...

Unity for a Purpose I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.  1 Corinthians 1:10 On April 26, 1847...

Linda Dressler January 28, 1953 – July 21, 2022 Linda Kay Dressler, 69, of Altenburg, Missouri passed away suddenly on Thursday, July 21, 2022 in Perryville, Missouri. Linda was born January 28, 1953 in Wood River, IL to Delmar A and Marcella C (Smith) Schoenleber. She and Steven L Dressler...

Martha’s Mistake Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord,...

Ordinary Time And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground.  He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how.  Mark 4:26-27 Pastors love preaching the life of Christ.  From the prophecies of the...

Trust Not in Princes, But the Lord Will Reign Forever Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.  When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish.  Blessed is he whose help is the...

“When the Strife is Fierce, the Warfare Long…” 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 It used to be that Christian students might have...

Craig Busseau July 26, 1957–June 14, 2022 “Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord.” Psalm 102:18 Craig Robert Busseau, age 64, of Columbia MO, left us suddenly to meet his Savior. Busseau was born on July...

Dale Fisk April 26, 1940 – June 3, 2022   Dale Fisk, age 82, died peacefully in his sleep at Southdale Hospital in Edina, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Alvina Fisk and his younger sister, Darlene Fisk. Fisk was born in Williston, North Dakota...

Encouraged and Strengthened So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter.  And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement.  And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with...

Church Meetings and the Word of God  The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter.  Acts 15:6 St. Luke’s record “The Acts of the Apostles” is not intended to be a prescription for the Church of every age, but does describe how God was at work...

Reverend Robert L. Kriete 9/17/1948 – 6/8/2022 Reverend Robert L. Kriete (73) of Columbia, Missouri was called Home to be with the Lord on June 8, 2022. Visitation will be held from 12:00 to 2:00 at Memorial Funeral Home in Columbia, Missouri, and a Celebration of Life will be at...

Pentecost Preaching This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.  God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. Acts 2:23-24 Even as the...

Lessons from a Liturgical Conundrum My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.    John 17:15-16 The Seventh Sunday or Week of Easter is...

The Passion of the Christ Sequel He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." Luke 24:46-47 A sequel...

Now, But Not Yet Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. John 16:22 As young college student at Concordia in Seward, I remember the Biblical studies courses helping me to explore God’s Word with much...