Good News Network “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57 There is a problem when you watch too much cable or network news.  When we spend so much time watching all of the terrible things going on in the world,...

Thinking About the Right Things “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these...

Alan Freeman has accepted a call to serve as Associate Director of School Ministry in the LCMS Office of National Mission.  Freeman will begin his work in the new role in January.  He has served as the Missouri District Director of Schools since 2016.  Before coming to the District office,...

Sometimes…Even Pastors Consider Quitting Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.  1 Corinthians 15:58 Sometimes it is the long and seemingly pointless meeting.  Sometimes it is the anonymous letter.  Sometimes it is...

Administrative Assistant to the District President The Missouri District is searching for an Administrative Assistant to the District President. The responsibilities include assisting the District President in his communication, scheduling, and also the support of the call process for pastors. Requirements for the position include strong computer skills (including Microsoft...

Remembering Saints and Friends Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Psalm 116:15 A faithful, veteran pastor once noted, “When you stay somewhere long enough, you stop burying members and start burying friends.”  As I get older, All Saints Day is a much more meaningful day...

Rev. Merwin Desens 1936-2021 Rev. Merwin Carl Desens, 85, of Overland Park, Kansas, entered heaven on October 22, 2021 after a brief, courageous battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his family at his time of death and passed away peacefully. Born in 1936 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rev. Desens was...

The Ongoing Reformation: The Word of God "The word of the Lord remains forever."  And this word is the good news that was preached to you. 1 Peter 1:25 The Reformation was not really one event (i.e. 95 Theses), but it included a series of events that brought about reformation within...

Reverend Dale Trimberger Oct 15, 1940 – Oct 20, 2021   The Reverend Dale H. Trimberger, of rural Chrisman, passed away on Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at his home surrounded by his family with assistance from Haven Hospice. His death came after a 4 month struggle with pancreatic cancer. Rev....

The Best Part of Conferences “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 There is a scene in the television show, The West Wing, where the President’s chief of staff, Leo McGarry, tells a story to one of his staff who...

Offensive Mascots “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions.”  2 Timothy 4:2-3 The last...

We Walk By Faith So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the...

Reverend Jeffrey E. Lloyd Jan 16, 1945 – Oct 1, 2021 Reverend Jeffrey Elwyn Lloyd, 76, of Bates City MO, passed away on Friday, October 1, 2021.  Rev. Lloyd was born January 16, 1945 in Milwaukee, WI, son of Elwyn and Alice nee Becker Lloyd.  He was a member of...

Unchartered Territory By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with...

Unlike the World “For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.”  Ephesians 2:14 We live in a world divided against itself.  Our divisions come from many and various sources, but they are all a result of our...

Still Learning Lessons from Grandma I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 2 Timothy 1:5 My brother and I recently traveled to help our father and stepmother prepare for...

Rev. William Roger Voelker Oct 5, 1944–Sept 8. 2021   Rev. William Roger Voelker (pastor emeritus) was the son of William C. Voelker and Nya T. Voelker.  He was born October 5, 1944 and was baptized into the Christian faith October 15, 1944 at St. John Lutheran Church, Palmer, Kansas. ...

Christ’s Resurrection and Your Small Little Slice of Service Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58 Each year a new batch of servants stand before the altar and promise to...

May We Be Useful Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.  2 Timothy 4:11 Paul and Barnabas parted ways in Antioch over whether to take Mark with them on their next journey.  Mark had previously abandoned them and was now the source...

Rev. Stuart Brassie “Dr. Stu Brassie was a tireless advocate for missions across the Missouri District.  He served in the District for twenty years and alongside of three different presidents.  His encouragement and support for church planters and other pastors involved in mission work was constant.  Our congregations were blessed...

Tomorrow’s Teachers and Preachers Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:37-38 Hannah vowed that if the Lord gave her a son that she would offer him to the...

Rev. Leonard Poppe Oct 23, 1959 – Aug 15, 2021 The Reverend Leonard Bruce Poppe of Lincoln, Missouri was born on Oct 23, 1959 in Corpus Christi, TX to Clarence and Lucile Poppe.  He was baptized on November 22, 1959 and was confirmed on May 28, 1972 at St. John...

The Main Thing For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.  1 Corinthians 15:3-4 Though I have read the words many times before,...

To Whom Shall We Go? After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.  So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?”  Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”  John 6:66-68 Peter’s words in...

"Letters from Havana" by Rev. David Dissen A unique opportunity to read a slice of history: Missouri District pastor Rev. David Dissen is publishing letters from his vicarage which he served in Cuba during the revolution.    Rev. Dissen wrote letters on an almost weekly basis to his parents between...