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Parables tell simple stories.  Parables tend to use human characters, unlike fables which tend to use non-human characters.  Examples of fables include Aesop’s “The Fox and the Grapes” and Uncle Remus’ “Brer Rabbit”.  Unlike fables which tend to teach basic moral values and life lessons, parables tend to teach spiritual values and lessons.  Examples of parables can be found in both the Old Testament and the New Testament.  An example of an Old Testament parable is the Prophet Nathan’s rebuke of King David’s adultery and murder (see 2 Samuel, chapter 12).  Examples of New Testament parables are, of course, Jesus’...

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St. Paul's Lutheran Church - Kensal 1905 - St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Kensal was formed.  The first officers were: Chairman Fritz Foerster; Treasurer Ernest Frenzel; Secretary Gustav Gunther 1906 - Adolph Semke offered land on which to build a country church.  A building 24 × 40 feet was built by LaQua at a cost of $1260 1907 - The first confirmation class was confirmed 1914 - Kensal and Bordulac formed a parish.  The first parsonage was a house now occupied by Todd Kollman 1922 - The services were discontinued in the country church and the Congregational Church in Kensal...

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In the Christmas hymn Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, the third verse says this: “Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace! Hail the sun of righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, Ris’n with healing in his wings. Mild he lays his glory by, Born that we no more may die, Born to raise each child of earth, Born to give us second birth. Hark! The herald angels sing, ‘Glory to the newborn king!’” Notice the lines “Born to raise each child of earth, Born to give us second birth.”  How do these lines of the above hymn compare with...

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Redeemer Lutheran Church - Woodworth 1966 - Trinity Lutheran Church of New Home and St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Woodworth merged to form Redeemer Lutheran Church of Woodworth 1968 - The present church building was constructed.  The cost was approximately $50,000 1982 - The final payment for constructing the present church building was made 1984 - Has 116 communicant members with 32 in Sunday School.  There is also a church choir, youth group and a very active LWML unit Past Ministers at Redeemer Lutheran Church - Woodworth Lyle M. Knuth - 1966-1969 Wm. Roten - 1969-1974 Richard Ames - 1975...

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Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.  But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”  Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.”  Then John consented.  As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water.  At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.  And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I...

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Many churches and congregations have recently been faced with a dilemma.  During this recent period of fear, self-isolation and cautious self-distancing caused by the COVID-19 virus, many churches and congregations stopped holding regular, physical worship services.  Why?  After careful consideration and discussion, the individual leaders of these churches and congregations decided that it would be safer to cancel or postpone regular, physical worship services until it is safely possible to do so.  This was their decision.  In making this decision, these leaders of these many churches and congregations were faced with a conflict between the Third, Fourth and Fifth Commandments. ...

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1903 – Mr. Julius Hohenhaus and wife, who lived about eight miles north of Courtenay, attended services at Zion Lutheran Church, southwest of Courtenay, and stopped in at the parsonage to inform the pastor that there were a number of Lutheran families in and around Wimbledon who would welcome the preaching of the Word of God by a Lutheran pastor.  After due consideration, Pastor Lueker promised Mr. Hohenhaus that if he found conditions as represented in Wimbledon, he would serve there to the best of his ability.  Accordingly, on June 1, 1903, Rev. Lueker explored the region around about Wimbledon,...

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Why is the resurrection important (or necessary)?  Apparently the people who wrote the New Testament think it is.  The word “resurrection” is mentioned 51 times in the New Testament: eight times in Matthew, five times in Mark, six times in Luke, five times in John, 10 times in Acts, two times in Romans, six times in First Corinthians, two times in Philippians, one time in Second Timothy, two times in Hebrews, two times in First Peter, and two times in Revelation.  Why is the word “resurrection” mentioned so many times in the New Testament?  The people who wrote the New...

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Our Savior Lutheran Church – Pettibone 1966 – Two congregations, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Pettibone and Zion Lutheran Church of Petersville, merge to form Our Savior’s Lutheran Church of Pettibone 1966 – Parish formed with Redeemer Lutheran Church of Woodworth 1968 – A new church building was completed 1983 – The final payment for the new building was made.  Total cost was $75,000 1984 – Has a baptized membership of 180, with a communicant membership of 130.  It has a sizable choir, youth group, and ladies organization, along with Sunday School and Bible classes.  The Sunday School size was...

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Jesus invites His listeners to discipleship.  What does it mean to be a disciple?  A disciple is “one who follows.”   Within the setting of the New Testament, disciples follow teachers.  Thus, Jesus invites His listeners to follow Him as their teacher.  Please note: not everyone who listens to Jesus is His disciple.  Disciples follow. What does it mean to follow Jesus as His disciple?  Several selections from the New Testament discuss the cost of following Jesus as His disciple.  This cost can be both physical and spiritual. Luke 9:57-62: 57 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him,...

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