St. Lucia: A Sicilian Saint Celebrated in Scandinavia Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 There is a group of Norwegian students who study at Saint Paul Lutheran High School...

Jolly Ol’ Saint Nicholas In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.  Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  1 John 4:10-11 The writer to the...

Christ is Coming Soon, Therefore, Encourage Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 For eight years, this message has been sent out each week.  Occasionally, I will receive an appreciative response regarding a particular “Encourage.”  Most weeks though there is...

Join us Friday, December 1 from 10a–1p Christmas Open House this Friday. Come and meet with Missouri District staff, grab some delicious goodies, and raise a festive cup of hot chocolate. No need to RSVP. Just save the date, stop by anytime between 10am and 1pm, and we'll see you...

For All This Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Dr. Luther writes, “When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, ‘Repent’ he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.”  However, he does...

Rev. Walter Michael Schoedel February 26, 1926 – November 9, 2023   Walter M. Schoedel, a church and community leader, died November 9, 2023, at the age of 97.  Rev. Schoedel was a pastor, teacher, administrator, consultant, writer, and counselor during his 70+ years of ministry in the Lutheran Church-Missouri...

Christ Is Not Safe, But He Is Good Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it!  Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy   before the Lord, for he comes, for he comes to judge the...

A Different Kind of King Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”  John 18:36 The history of...

Ordinary Saints 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 bells toll in churches as they observe All Saints Day, it is a time to give thanks to God for...

Paul G. Crisler October 8, 1937 – October 23, 2023 Paul Gilbert Crisler passed away on Monday, October 23, 2023 at the age of 86. Paul was the son of the late Gilbert and Nellie Crisler (nee Allmeyer); loving husband of Carolyn Crisler (nee Madorin) of 37 years; dearest father...

The Intersection of the Red Sea and Calvary For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same...

God Makes All Things Good "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”  And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making...

A Different Kind of Community 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 You know the words.  “Sometimes you...

A Patchwork of Colors and Shapes 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...

Passing the Promise October 7, 2023  from  8:30 a.m.– 3:30 p.m. Hanover Lutheran Church 2949 Perryville Rd. Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 hanoverlutheran.com/passingthepromise   Did you know, right now in America, by age 30, only 20% of children raised “in the church” remain active “in the church” (Barna). Fortunately, we can...

The Beautiful Bride Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any...

Safe and Secure Sheep My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.  My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no...

The Unity of the Body of Christ There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.   Ephesians...

Diversity According to God’s Design For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.  Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let...

Passing on the Mantle So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen in front of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and cast his cloak upon him.   1 Kings 19:19 “God of the...

A Different Path, But Still Useful Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.  2 Timothy 4:11 There are a variety of paths to service in the Church.  Some are led by the Spirit from an early age toward such service.  For...

From Generation to Generation 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 Church workers come from all walks of life and with all kinds of...

Hannah and Samuel And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life...” 1 Samuel...

Wilbert H. Rusch, Jr. February 19, 1940 – July 29, 2023 Wilbert H. Rusch Jr., peacefully passed away on July 29, 2023, leaving behind a legacy of faith and compassion.    Wilbert was born on February 19, 1940, into a family deeply rooted in their Christian beliefs. His parents, Professor...

Moses and Joshua And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him and did as the Lord had commanded Moses.  Deuteronomy 34:9 The devotions for August will be focused on examples of raising up future servants...