Rev. Dr. John Schmidtke September 23rd, 1962–May 12, 2022 __________________________________   John Schmidtke was a creative leader in urban ministry, but more than that, he was a pastor who served a congregation and the community for more than 30 years.  His legacy in the Hyde Park Community will be more...

Why Jesus? I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10b Years ago I encountered a young boy who asked me why our group had come to their country in Central America.  Working through a translator, I began to explain that we were there to serve...

Ventures Bold and New After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way… He said to him, “Follow me.”  John 21:1, 19b In the resurrection accounts of Matthew and Mark, the angel tells the women that Jesus would be going ahead of...

Sent to SHINE!  “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.  He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.”  John 1:6-8 Young men and women will once again be sent out...

31,500 Steps That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem…So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening...

God’s Definite Plan When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”  Matthew 26:1-2 The events of Holy Week should not have come as a surprise to those closest...

May His Blood Be on Us! So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves.”  And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our...

Rev. Dennis Schwab August 27, 1948 – March 30, 2022 Rev. Dennis Schwab was born August 27, 1948 to Henry Louis Schwab and Hazel Henroid Schwab in St. Louis, Missouri.  He was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church where he later attended grade school.  He attended Lutheran South High School...

The One Who is Mocked as King is Truly the King! And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of...

The One in Despair Still Trusts God “He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.  Now from the sixth hour there was darkness...

Larry Allen Andersen June 6, 1957–March 10, 2022 Larry Allen Andersen, age 64, of Brookline, MO, was called to his eternal rest on March 10, 2022, in Springfield, MO, after a 15-month battle with prostate cancer. Larry was born in Fort Dodge, IA, to Harvey and Dorothy (Petersen) Andersen on...

He Saved Others, But Not Himself So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.” Matthew 27:41-42 The angel appears to Joseph in...

Welcome Joshua Swartz! The Missouri District is pleased to announce that Joshua Swartz has accepted the call to serve as Assistant to the President for Lutheran Schools.  Joshua currently serves as Principal of St. Lorenz Lutheran School in Frankenmuth, Michigan.  Previously, he has served schools in Ohio, Indiana, and Alabama. ...

Powerfully Powerless And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”  Matthew 27:39-40 It was King David’s son, Solomon, who built a temple for the Lord.  It was...

God’s Love Meant Christ Became Hated for Us For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.  2 Corinthians 5:21 God hates sin.  There is no sweeping it under the rug.  There is no making...

Prayers for Those in High Positions First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.  1 Timothy 2:1-2...

Thomas N. Reeder, Sr. 29 March 1938 – 10 February 2022 Pastor Thomas N. Reeder, Sr., age 83, of Terre Du Lac, passed away Thursday, February 10, 2022. He was born on Tuesday, March 29, 1938, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Eugene and...

The 2022 District Convention is just a few months away.  Here are the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Nominations. President: Rev. Dr. R. Lee Hagan - 69 nominations Rev. Dr. William Marler - 3 nominations   First Vice President: Rev. Dr. William Marler - 29 nominations Rev. Brian Thieme - 8 nominations...

Work: Created by God before the Fall And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves...

The Practice of the Christian Faith Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God… Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise… submitting to one...

Richard Webster Adler 28 January 1939 – 24 January 2022   Richard W Adler was called home to his Heavenly Father on 24 January 2022 and is joyfully harmonizing with the angelic choir. He was a good and faithful servant who loved his God, family, and community. He marveled at...

The Irrepressible Joy of Grandparents – Seeing Grandchildren in Heaven The Lord bless you from Zion!  May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life!  May you see your children's children!  Peace be upon Israel!  Psalm 128:5-6 Perhaps you have encountered them before.  People who you once thought were normal and...

True Wisdom from Mother Mary “And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.” Luke 2:51 Christians around the world speak the name of Jesus’ mother each time they confess the creeds of the...

More Than Just Dad Jokes “When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him.” Matthew 1:24 Our culture has made fatherhood into something silly.  “Dad Clothes,” “Dad Jokes,” and even “Dad Music,” are all greeted with a collective groan of a society that seems...

Jesus Doesn’t Belong There He poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many.  Isaiah 53:12 For many people, Jesus’ coming out to the River Jordan to be baptized by John is a confusing event in the life and ministry...