Our deaconesses play an important role in ministry! Today, read about Deaconess Kelly Hardt who serves at Immanuel Lutheran in Washington. Since graduating from Concordia Chicago (River Forest), she has served 24 years in ministry and currently leads Women’s Ministry, Older Adult Ministry, and Comfort Dog Ministry, plus she assists...

Happy Wednesday!  Today, as part of “Tomorrow’s Teachers & Preachers” learn about Director of Family Life Ministry Hannah Knehans who serves at Trinity in Springfield. A Lutheran teacher and pastor’s kid, Hannah has had a focus on family ministry since she was quite young. She took advantage of homeschooling with...

Today for “Tomorrow’s Teachers & Preachers” hear from Cynthia Twillman who serves as Director of Christian Education (DCE) at King of Kings in Kansas City. A Concordia University, St. Paul alum, she has been in the ministry for 28 years! What a blessing!  Here is her story:   Upon graduating...

God at Work Through Youth Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall...

Rev. Henry L. Schaefer September 18, 1930 – May 6, 2024 Rev. Henry L. Schaefer was born on September 18, 1930 in Monroe, Louisiana and called to his heavenly home on May 6, 2024 in Joplin, Missouri.  He was preceded in death by his wife Marilyn J. “Enderson” Schaefer on...

We are so excited that “Tomorrow’s Teachers & Preachers” 2024 is officially underway! Sunday, August 25, 2024, churches around the District are taking a special offering to help future church work students. So we’d like to introduce you to some amazing church workers from across Missouri. We pray that you...

Help Wanted…Help Provided 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 Some churches and Lutheran schools alike may feel like they have “Help Wanted” sign hanging in their...

Rev. Dr. David E. Wiesner March 19, 1933 – August 7, 2024 Rev. Dr. David Emil Wiesner was born on Sunday, March 19, 1933 to Dan Wiesner and Viola Wiesner (nee Broeg) of Waukon, Iowa.  The youngest of two sons born, he was baptized into the Lutheran faith (LCMS) at Trinity...

A Good Work! The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.  1 Timothy 3:1 There are many different reasons why boys and men decide they would like to be pastors.  Some are influenced by the example of their pastor or encouraged...

In Jesus’ Name 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 Congregations in Missouri District are located in large cities, small towns, and in rural communities.  Some are very large, while others have...

Ronald Schuette October 2, 1937 – July 14, 2024   Rev. Ronald H. Schuette was born in Washington, MO, and attended grade school at Immanuel Lutheran School.  He was influenced by his Pastor and his father to consider the ministry as a career and therefore spent his high school and...

Different Gifts, Same Lord Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.  Romans 12:6a Orchestras are not made up of only saxophones.  Basketball teams cannot be made up of five guys who all want the basketball all the time.  In the Armed Forces,...

Ronald Jansen May 24, 1941–January 27, 2024 Rev. Ronald Jansen passed away January 27th, 2024 at home. He was born May 24, 1941 in Turtle Lake, Wisconsin. His family were dairy farmers. Pastor Jansen graduated from Concordia Seminary (St. Louis, MO) on May 26, 1967. He married Karen Jansen on...

Bodily Offerings I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.  Romans 12:1 The offering is a part of the liturgy that is noted by everyone, but little thought is given.  We tend...

Everyone Has a Part But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9 The Table of Duties from Luther’s Small Catechism lays out what pastors owe to...

Join with other Lutheran Singles for a weekend of learning, led by Rev. Randy Asburry. The six areas of focus of the event are "Lutheran Singles FOLLOWing Christ" Fellowship, Outreach, Learning, Leadership, Organization, and Worship. Hosted at the Holiday Inn Express in Edwardsville, IL, single adults aged 18+ are welcome....

A Kingdom of Priests Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.  Exodus 19:5-6 The Lord...

What’s In It for Us? For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.  2 Corinthians 4:5 Dr. Luther described sin as being essentially being man curved in on oneself, drawing from St. Augustine.  There is also a tendency...

Rev. Fred Wippich December 23, 1929 – June 12, 2024 Rev. Fred Wippich was the first of five children to be born December 23, 1929 in St. Cloud, Minnesota to Fred and Marian Wippich. He passed away on June 12, 2024 at Bonaventure Senior Living at the age of 94. Having earned...

Rev. Rudolf Charles Schaser November 7,1939  – June 7, 2024 Pastor Rudy Schaser, born to Rudolf and LaVerne, grew up in Lansing, Illinois. He was raised with his older brother Robert (“Bobby”), two younger sisters (Nancy and Cheryl), and nephews (Bobby Richard and Jim). Pastor Schaser was married to his...

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...