Jesus’ Mercy for Those in Need Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them.  Luke 4:40 Our Lord Jesus is revealed to the people...

A Place Where Children Are Welcome Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven."   Matthew 19:14 A church can be an intimidating place for parents with young children.  More than anything else, parents are concerned about...

Our Down-to-Earth God But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.  Galatians 4:4-5 We do not have an absentee God, sitting in...

Christmas Isn’t Over But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.  And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.   Luke 2:19-20 The return lines at department stores are so long they wrap around the...

Wait, Watch, Pray!  The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.  But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a...

Orlyn A. Heimsoth, Sr. August 10, 1947 – July 15, 2023 Orlyn A. Heimsoth, Sr., 75, of Concordia, Missouri, went home to Jesus on Saturday, July 15, 2023, at Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence, Missouri. Orlyn was a loving husband to Diane Heimsoth (wife of 55 years); devoted father of...

Lloyd W. Haertling December 15, 1932 – July 17, 2023 Lloyd Haertling passed away on July 17, 2023 at the age of 90. Lloyd was the beloved husband of the late Wanda Haertling (nee Mueller); loving father of Kenda (Larry) Pavel and Lori (Pete) Sides; cherished grandfather of Nathan and...

Paul W. Schmalz September 11, 1944 – June 10, 2023 Paul W. Schmalz died at Overland Park, Kansas on June 10, 2023. He was born in Jefferson City, Missouri on September 11, 1944, and baptized at Trinity Church.  He was the second of three sons of the Rev. Alfred C....

James C. Johnson September 2, 1945 – May 18, 2023 James Carlton “Jim” Johnston, of Rolla, Missouri passed away on May 18, 2023 at the age of 77. Jim was born on September 2, 1945 in Detroit, Michigan to the late Paul Johnston and Ruth (Papke) Johnston.  On June 15,...

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...