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...

Death Swallowed Up in Victory He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces,     and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken.  Isaiah 25:8 A wise, veteran pastor once said, “When...

Washed in Blood 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...

Newer Isn’t Always Better, But this Time It Is Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.  Jeremiah 31:31 Old is not necessarily bad, nor is new necessarily good.  When God promises to...

God’s Workmanship For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.  Ephesians 2:10 After his beautiful description of salvation by grace through faith in Christ, Paul then describes us as God’s workmanship.  The Greek word here is the word “Poema.”  It is...

We Preach Christ Crucified For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  1 Corinthians 1:22-24 The...

God’s Love for Sinners But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Romans 5:8 In Romans 5, St. Paul describes our condition at the time at which Christ died for us.  Weak, ungodly, sinners, even enemies of God are the...

  Joyful Hope April 26–28, 2024 So often in our lives, joy is fleeting and hope feels uncertain. Our circumstances get us down and we long for relief. How did the apostle Paul face tough times like imprisonment—with joy? He was imitating Christ and waiting for His return! Paul had...

Rev. Blake Gilbert Wolf October 31, 1950 - February 13, 2024   Born Oct. 31, 1950, Rev. Wolf was blessed with an amazing, Christ loving spouse, Deb (Deborah Ruth Samuel), children, and grandchildren. A 1977 graduate of Concordia Seminary, Rev. Wolf served for 40 years as both a pastor and...

A Broken Heart for Valentine’s Day (Ash Wednesday) The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.  Psalm 51:17 Valentine’s Day falling on Ash Wednesday provides a great opportunity to teach about the condition of the human heart.  On this...