Recent posts

An Advent Midweek Lectionary and Hymn Guide

Despite the well-established custom of midweek Advent services in our parishes, our worship book does not provide lectionary readings or suggestions for midweek. This allows for seasonal themes to be developed, but sometimes pastors look for some concrete guidance in this area. The following suggestions are offered for consideration in meeting this need. This guide provides a psalm and Old Testament reading for each day, plus a narrative portion of Luke 1 to introduce the story of our Lord’s Advent in the flesh.

Thanksgiving Hymn Guide

Thanksgiving is, strictly speaking, a feast of the First Article. And so we confess that it is our solemn duty to “thank and praise” our kind and heavenly Father. And yet it is also a gift of the Second Article, since for the Christian, all thanks is offered in and through Christ. Finally, it is also a gift of the Third Article, for such thanksgiving is finally possible only for the one who has been brought to faith in Christ, and such faith is invariably the work of the Holy Spirit Who leads us to receive all things with thanks and praise.

‘Free to be Faithful’ – Winter 2014 newsletter

Religious liberty and conscience, so long considered foundational in the United States of America, has been challenged in no less than three major Supreme Court cases in the last five years, with plenty more on the way.

Reaping what you sow

Matthew 5:7 — “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”

Planting a Reformation

"Revitalization of the Synod shall come from neither missions nor more synodical power: The Word is the only remedy," said Friedrich Pfotenhauer. When we plant churches, we plant the Word, and with it we bring reformation to the church at large.

That’s Epic

Tonight in our small burg just like many other places around our great nation, there will be a football game. But here, it won’t be any ordinary game, it’s the first round of district play so all eyes are on the big prize. No doubt, it’s going to be Epic!

Audio: KFUO Interview with Rev. Carlos Hernandez on Veterans/Soldiers of the Cross and Gospel Seeds

Rev. Dr. Carlos Hernandez, director, Church and Community Engagement for the LCMS Office of National Mission, talked on Oct. 22, 2014, on KFUO Radio about the Veterans of the Cross ministry, the Soldiers of the Cross ministry and the Gospel Seeds ministry.

Witnessing through social media: The good, the bad and the ugly

Nuggets for witnessing through social media based on a KFUO interview with Rev. Mark Wood.

Audio: KFUO World Lutheran News interview – Castillo Fuerte in Lima, Peru

Daniel Fickenscher, a Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod missionary in Latin America, was interviewed on Oct. 18, 2014, by KFUO Radio about Castillo Fuerte (Mercy House) in Lima, Peru. Castillo Fuerte provides a safe place for slum children in Lima to play, study and learn about the Gospel.

Lutheran Service Book (LSB) Hymn Suggestions — Historic Series

Download Lutheran Service Book (LSB) Hymn Suggestions — Historic Series, compiled by Rev. William Weedon.

Lutheran Service Book (LSB) Hymn Suggestions — Three Year Series

Download Lutheran Service Book (LSB) Hymn Suggestions — Three Year Series, compiled by Henry Gerike.

Audio: Death with Dignity – Faith’n’Family host Andy Bates interviews Maggie Karner

Maggie Karner, director of LCMS Life and Health Ministries, discusses physician-assisted death and the viral story of Brittany Maynard. Like Brittany, Maggie has been diagnosed with stage-four glioblastoma brain cancer. Listen to her perspective on life, control and death with dignity.

Missional: What Does This Mean?

If the word ‘missional’ moves us to better serve Christ and our neighbor through a renewed devotion to living out the Gospel and a renewed commitment to answer our call to proclaim it, then it is serving us well.

LCMS Stewardship Ministry – October 2014 newsletter

In this issue from LCMS’ Stewardship Ministry, the need to revamp how congregations and pastors view stewardship is discussed. Unfortunately, over the years, stewardship has been perceived as an intensely personal matter and, thus, has become a taboo topic to talk about. However, in order for stewardship renewal to take place, this current majority perception needs to be changed, and this change can only be done through individual repentance by the congregation member and the pastor.

Wonderful gifts teenagers are

Teenagers matter. Teenagers are gifts. Teenagers are part of the Church. Let's love them well!