As of Monday of this week, there still is no resolution in the Nancy Guthrie case. On February 1st, Nancy Guthrie, an 84‑year‑old mother of three, including NBC News journalist and Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing from her home in Tucson. The case continues to baffle authorities and cause inestimable pain for the Guthrie family and their friends.
 
The story is fading, as often happens. The Olympics, political grandstanding, war with Iran, and more all compete for our attention. Personally, we get caught up in the “stuff” of our own lives as well.
 
Shortly after the abduction, Savannah Guthrie’s 2024 book, “Mostly What God Does,” was on sale for $1.99 as a Kindle book. I purchased it, not expecting any deep theological insights, but as a “real-time” look at how Ms. Guthrie’s faith-and-life experiences might have prepared her for the devastating event currently unfolding in public view. She had no clue this was coming; honestly, none of us know what’s next, whether good or evil or mundane.
 
An aside: If it pleases the Lord, I’m OK with mundane, dull, and a lack of excitement rather than the gut-wrenching experience of the kind being endured by the Guthrie family.
 
Two things intrigued me about the book. First, how prior life experiences might have prepared the author for the current crisis. Like the rest of us, Savannah Guthrie doesn’t have the answers. No profound insights, though she expresses dislike for the story of Job. Who among us “likes” the story of Job? We envision our name randomly chosen for some sort of catastrophic, cataclysmic episode and we say, “No thanks.”
 
To summarize, Guthrie declares that it is better to be hopeful in the Lord than to be hopeless without him. And while we’re incapable of understanding evil and its purpose and place in the world, a world (heaven!) is coming when all will make sense and when all will be well. At the end of chapter 25 (What About Job?) she writes these eerily prescient words: “On that day, we won’t have any more questions. We will have understanding, and more importantly, we will have him. We will have life; we will have eternity. We will have our dear ones restored to us. No more weeping, no more agony, no more mourning. Heaven is the world God always intended.” (Guthrie, Savannah. Mostly What God Does: Reflections on Seeking and Finding His Love Everywhere (p. 232). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.)
 
The second item that captured my interest was the book’s title: “Mostly What God Does.” It’s not drawn directly from Scripture, but from a paraphrase of the Bible, entitled. The Message. Here are the verses the author draws from. First, the NIV translation: “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children, and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1,2)
 
Here’s the extremely loose paraphrase of the same from The Message: “Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you.” (Ephesians 5:1,2) (Guthrie, Savannah. Mostly What God Does: Reflections on Seeking and Finding His Love Everywhere (p. 6). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.)
 
Can you see why I don’t recommend Bible paraphrases? Christ is removed from the excerpt. Powerful words/concepts like “fragrant offering and sacrifice” are eliminated. However, I do like the last line and I’ve been living with it in my head for the past few weeks: “Mostly what God does is love you.”
 
How I need to know this! How I need to hear this! How I need to share this! Fear, doubt, anxiety, uncertainty, judgment by self and by others all threaten to obscure this precious Gospel truth: “Mostly what God does…is love you.”
 
I’m not recommending the book. You can certainly read it as one person’s personal faith journey. It isn’t a stellar theological treatise nor is the author accurate in all of her expressions of Christianity. But I heartily recommend that you take to heart (and take this to others!) the sentiment expressed in the title: “Mostly what God does…is love you.”
 
God keep you in his gracious care,
 
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand
(photo from deseret.com)
​

Okay, say it with me as fast as you can: "Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi!"  Good! We just passed a confirmation class review on the final portion of the Old Testament—some of the Minor Prophets.  But let’s dive a little deeper. What do we know about Zechariah, other than that he penned the second-to-last book of the Old Testament?
 
If you have been worshiping at Trinity for our Midweek Lenten services, you know this year’s theme is "It Is Finished!" You also know that theme is linked to Zechariah, who has earned the nickname "The Holy Week Prophet." But why?
 
A Name with a Promise
It starts with his name. In Hebrew, Zechariah means "Yahweh remembers," or "The LORD has remembered."  This isn't just a fun fact.  It’s the heartbeat of the prophet's message.  Zechariah was writing to the Jewish remnant who were returning to Judah and Jerusalem after the 70 years of Babylonian Captivity!  Everything had to be started anew.  Homes rebuilt.  Fields plowed again.  Vineyards and orchards replanted.  Jerusalem rebuilt.  The temple rebuilt.  Lives rebuilt.  It's easy to see why God's people would get discouraged!  But Zechariah reminded them that God had not forgotten His covenant. At the appointed time, the Lord would act.  How?  Through the Promised One! 
                    
Tracing the Steps of the Messiah
Zechariah’s visions provide a vivid "road map" of Jesus’ final week, written over 500 years before the events took place! Consider how specifically the prophet foretells the Passion.
 

• Palm Sunday: He sees the King coming not on a warhorse, but "gentle and riding on a donkey" (Zechariah 9:9).

 

• The Betrayal: He predicts the Messiah would be valued at a mere 30 pieces of silver—the price of a slave (Zechariah 11:12–13). He even mentions the money being thrown into the house of the Lord to be given to the potter, exactly as Judas did (Matthew 27:3–10).

 

• The Struck Shepherd: He hears the divine command: "Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered." (Zechariah 13:7). Jesus quoted this very verse in the Garden of Gethsemane to explain why His disciples would flee (Matthew 26:31).

 

• It Is Finished:  He is allowed to glimpse into the divine courtroom, where the High Priest, Joshua, stands on trial.  Satan is the prosecutor.  "The Angel of the Lord," Jesus is the Judge.  Despite the overwhelming evidence of Joshua's sin (filthy clothes), the Lord Jesus shuts down all of Satan's accusations.  All because the Lord looks ahead to Good Friday:  the day the sun stopped shining; the day our Savior cried out in hell-caused agony; "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me;" the day when Zechariah's prophecy became forever true.  "I will remove the guilt of this land (the entire earth) in a single day."  (Zechariah 3:9)

 

• The Piercing: In one of the most haunting prophecies, we hear the Holy Week Prophet tell us, “They will look on me, the one they have pierced."   This foretells the spear that would enter Christ's lifeless body on Good Friday (Zechariah 12:10; John 19:37).

 
The Fountain of Grace
Why does all this matter for us today? Because Zechariah doesn't end with a pierced Savior!  He ends with a cleansing fountain.  He writes, "On that day a fountain will be opened... for sin and uncleanness."  (Zechariah 13:1) This refers to the blood of Christ that cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7. See also the hymn “There is a fountain filled with blood” by William Cowper.)
 
When Jesus cried out "It is finished!" from the cross, that fountain was opened for you, for me. The "Holy Week Prophet" invites us to look upon the One we pierced and realize that we aren't looking at a victim, but at a Righteous King who remembers His people and has come to bring them home.
 
As we continue our Lenten journey, let’s remember: God has remembered us.
 
A Closing Prayer
Lord God, Heavenly Father, we thank You that You are a God who remembers. In our moments of doubt or wandering, remind us of the promises You kept through Your "Holy Week Prophet," Zechariah. We thank You for the King who came in humility on a donkey, the Shepherd who was struck for the sake of the sheep, and the Savior who was pierced for our transgressions. As we look upon Him this Lent, open the fountain of Your grace in our hearts. Cleanse us from our sins and lead us to the foot of the cross, where we can truly shout with joy, “It is finished!” In the name of Jesus, our Righteous King, Amen.
 
Privileged to Serve, 
Rev. Glenn Schwanke

I’ll be brief since I hope to see many of you later this afternoon – and for the next five Wednesdays.
 
Remember when Wednesdays were sacred? A generation ago (and earlier), schools and government entities (cities, towns) refrained from filling Wednesdays with activities. Wednesday was considered “church night,” a mid-week oasis reserved for youth religious instruction and worship for all.
 
Today, no days or nights are sacred. Even Sunday mornings are filled with activities, especially for youth.
 
The next six Wednesdays (beginning today) are opportunities for worship and renewal.  What better way to offset the busyness and stress of the day (of life, honestly!) than to de-stress and recharge in the Savior’s house!
 
Here are the high points:

• Midweek Lenten worship (six weeks) begins today (Feb 18th). One service each week at 4 PM.
• Today’s service – Ash Wednesday – offers the opportunity to receive the Sacrament.
• Theme: It Is Finished
• Overview: Explore the prophecies of Zechariah, an enriching look at our Savior Jesus, particularly as these prophecies relate to the events of Jesus’ Holy Week passion, death, and resurrection.
• Six weeks, six different preachers from five area WELS churches. Oh, the variety!

 
Make every effort to attend. Your Lenten journey with Jesus is already meaningful and personal. It is even more so when we hear his voice and see his love.
 
“Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who is the author of our faith and the one who brings it to its goal. In view of the joy set before him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of God’s throne.” (Hebrews 12:2)
 
In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand

The "High Beam" Problem
​
It happened again this past week, when I drove home after the Wednesday Public School Confirmation Class.  I was navigating the slalom course that is Country Trunk J.  Up ahead, around the curve, came a sedan, being tailgated by full-size pickup with aftermarket LED lights, stacked three-vertical.  So bright they could have blinded pilots trying to land over at the Minocqua airport.  For a few seconds, I was blinded, and I thought, “DIM YOUR LIGHTS!"  I wanted to flash my headlights, but I couldn't without blinding the driver of the sedan being tailgated by the pick-up.
 
As I navigated the next bend, I was still fuming at the driver of the pick-up.  How could he be so insensitive?  So clueless?  So stupid?  Blinding me.  Blinding the driver he was tailgating.  My thoughts steamed.  And the air inside of my Traverse may also have been clouded by a few things I said. 
 
It was then I realized that the pick-up driver failed to him his lights, but I had dimmed mine.
 
The Dimming Effect of Sin
 
I dimmed my lights with my angry thoughts and some nasty words. Even though no one else could know my thoughts or hear those words, my Father in Heaven did.  (1 Chronicles 28:9) And in that moment, he knew that I had dimmed the light of my faith. 
 
That happens to all of us--whenever we allow sin to take root in our heart, our mind, our mouth, or our hands and our feet. The Apostle John wrote, "If we say we have fellowship with him but still walk in darkness, we are lying and do not put the truth into practice."  (1 John 1:6) It’s as if our sin acts like a layer of dust on the lamp of our faith.  The bulb is still burning, but the glow can’t pierce through the grime.
 
Fortunately, we don't have to stay dimmed.  In the very next verses, John explains, "But if we walk in the light, just as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  (1 John 1:7-9)
 
The Dimming Effect of Fear
 
At other times, we dim our lights intentionally because we are afraid of how others will react. We don’t want to be "that holier-than-thou Christian" at the office or in the neighborhood who comes on too strong. We worry that if our faith shines out on high-beam, we will annoy people, make them squint, or even be completely rejected. So, we click our spiritual high beams down to the lowest setting. We blend in.
 
Maybe we ought to confer with the Apostle Paul, the next time we are tempted to dim our faith because of fear!  Arguably, Pail endured far more pressure to dim the light of his faith than any of us ever will.  (See 2 Corinthians 11:23-32!)  And yet Paul could shout, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes―to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."  (Romans 1:16)   Paul also shares this encouragement, “For God did not give us a timid spirit, but a spirit of power and love and sound judgment."  (2 Timothy 1:7)
 
Don't Dim Your Lights!
 
Jesus, in his Sermon on the Mount, shared this high-beam encouragement.  “You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket. No, they put it on a stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. In the same way let your light shine in people’s presence, so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16).
 
In a world that is increasingly cold and shadowed, people don’t need us to blend into the darkness.  They need us to help them see. Christ's light--pure, radiant, glorious, gracious—isn’t meant to blind people; it’s meant to save them, guide them.  Don't dim your lights. Someone might just be using your glow to find their way home.
 
Privileged to Serve,
Rev. Glenn Schwanke

You’re a careful reader, right? What’s E.D.D.? A term I use for “Expression Deficit Disorder.” You have it. I have it. Everyone on the planet has it. EDD is failing to communicate clearly. Such communication breakdowns are one of the things that have people on edge. And really, EDD/failure to communicate well affects every aspect of life, every relationship we have.
 
Communication can be verbal and non-verbal, written and spoken. Let’s talk about words. How many words come out of your mouth each day? The average person speaks about 25,000 words day. That’s about 50 pages in print, which means that every week you speak the equivalent of a John Grisham novel. If all your words were put on paper, each year you would compile a personal library of 50 such novels. That’s a big stack of books. That’s a lot of words, a lot of communicating. Plenty of opportunities for communication breakdowns, for EDD.
 
Every time there’s a conversation, you’ve got one sinner talking to another sinner – whether it’s in person, on the phone, e-mail, texting, via endless apps. Each sinner/participant has his/her own set of perceptions, realities, frames of reference, protective mechanisms. It’s so easy to be reckless and hurtful in our speech, to try to justify careless words: Hey, I just call ‘em the way I see ‘em. If you can’t handle the truth, you shouldn’t have asked. Hey, I didn’t mean anything by that – you’re way too sensitive – lighten up. I was only kidding. Can’t you take a joke?
 
We prove over and over again what Jesus said in Matthew 12:34 – “Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” (NIV84) Sinful hearts and thoughts yield sinful, hurtful words and actions. No amount of earthly training or therapy can fix the condition of our hearts.
    
This problem goes deeper than EDD with other people. We’re at odds with God by nature. We’re opposed to his Word by nature. The problem not with God and his Word. His Word is clear. The problem is with you and me. If I’m driving without my glasses on and the signs look blurry. Is it the signs’ fault? No, the problem is with me. Likewise God’s Word is abundantly clear, but our sinful nature and mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law nor can it do so.
 
Think of all the obstacles God had to overcome in order to communicate to us: sin, hostility, unwillingness and outright inability to listen. But he did it through his Son, Jesus Christ. Peter, who had trouble with EDD himself – outbursts of denial and pride for starters – records this in his second letter: “To be sure, we were not following cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the powerful appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” (2 Peter 1:16).
 
The “majesty” of his ministry, the “majesty” and power of his redeeming work. By virtue of his perfect sacrifice, his perfect life, his bloody death and glorious resurrection, he earned forgiveness of sins for us, for all. And he brought this to us in a very personal way – through the Gospel God made our hearts clean and able to receive his many blessings.
 
God’s Word doesn’t just help us with communication. God’s Word IS communication. And when Christ redeemed us, he redeemed our speech/communication as well. God’s Word brings families – all of us – back from the edge when it comes to EDD. And Peter, who personally struggled with communication, offers a bonanza of spiritual encouragement to combat EDD. “All of you, live in harmony with one another. Show sympathy, brotherly love, compassion, and humility. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. Instead, speak a blessing, because you were called for the purpose of inheriting a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:8,9)
 
And this: “But regard the Lord, the Christ, as holy in your hearts. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that is in you. But speak with gentleness and respect, while maintaining a clear conscience, so that those who attack your good way of life in Christ may be put to shame because they slandered you as evildoers.” (1 Peter 3:15,16)
 
Fight EDD. Drop the sarcasm when inappropriate. Purge the urge to put others down. Instead, build others up. Copy Jesus on the e-mails and the text messages. Remember that he’s listening in on phone conversations and watching when you surf the internet. Let your conversation – every personal interaction – be seasoned with salt. God help us to communicate clearly, lovingly, compassionately in Christ.
 
In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand

For the last few weeks, I've been carefully going through my mother-in-law Merike's papers and records.  Why?  She was hospitalized at Howard Young, Woodruff, back in December.  There she had surgery on both feet for some rather nasty infections.  She was moved to Rennes Rehab in Rhinelander.  The plan was for 2 to 3 weeks of rehab, and then she would return home.  That's not going to happen.  Grandma can barely walk due to those foot wounds.  She's out of breath and weary after a visit of only 10 minutes or so.  So the new care plan is for her to remain in the Rennes Rehab in Rhinelander for long-term care.
 
So why am I going through Grandma's records?  I am her Financial Power of Attorney.  Since Grandma's rehab has "plateaued," and she is remaining in the nursing home, that means she will be a private-pay nursing home resident.  However, nursing homes are costly.  Her financial assets are meager, so she will burn through those reserves rather quickly.  So this transition also means "Title 19," "spend-down," and then Medicaid. All of this is a bit more than a Northwestern College grad with a Liberal Arts Degree can figure out, so we have an elder care attorney to lead us through this labyrinth of paperwork.
 
Birth certificate, naturalization papers, bank balances, insurance, will, trust, annuities, pension, social security, Medicare, property deed:  it's enough to make my eyes glaze over.  Thankfully, up until the last few years, Grandma's filing system was pretty good.  I have been able to locate needed documents in her filing cabinet or in her "vertical, archaeological" filing system - the stack of papers on top of the filing cabinet.  It was there, on the top, that I found the yellowed leaf from the March 2, 1992, Fort Wayne News Sentinel.  A full page ad from the Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne.  The heading?  "There's Always Someone New at Lutheran Hospital."  I searched the page.  Sure enough, there's my little conehead!  Victoria Ann Schwanke, 7 lbs, 10 oz., November 29, 1991.  (bottom right in picture) 
 
Tori is Grandma's only granddaughter, and her first grandchild.  So Grandma carefully filed this newspaper clipping in between trust information, pension, deed-important, official records.  This clipping was just as important, maybe more.
 
And it has reminded me of what's most important in life, as I also work through the process of updating my will, setting up a trust, preplanning and paying for my funeral, "getting my affairs in order."   I want to be a good steward of my property and financial assets, so I don't leave a mess for my family.  But even more important?  My family.  Daughter, son-in-law, baby brudder, sister-in-law, nieces and nephews.  Each one precious to the Lord.  Each one bought and paid for with his blood.  (Psalm 127:3, Proverbs 19:14) 
 
Even more important?  Living my life as a redeemed child of God.  Structuring my days--not just around "retirement-ish," ice fishing, hunting, Canada trips, or Sheepshead, but treasuring each day as a gift from the Lord.  A gift to be lived to his glory.  A gift to be shared. 
 
That's why I plan to show this yellowed newspaper clipping to my daughter, perhaps in a future visit at the nursing home with Grandma. I hope it will offer a "teachable moment" as to what's most important in life--more important than whether we can stay living in our own home or need to hurdle into a new phase of life in a nursing home.  More important than making house and car payments, budgeting for utilities, clothes, food, and insurance. 
 
What's most important?  It's my family.  It's yours.  It's our Spirit-worked faith that makes us God's blood-bought children, whether we're young or old. 
 
1 John 3:1-3  "See the kind of love the Father has given us that we should be called children of God, and that is what we are! The world does not know us, because it did not know him. Dear friends, we are children of God now, but what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when he is revealed we will be like him, and we will see him as he really is. Everyone who has this hope purifies himself, just as Jesus is pure."
 
Privileged to Serve,
Rev. Glenn Schwanke

According to the Barna Group, a leading researcher offering insights about faith, culture, and generational demographics, weekly Bible reading is rising – no, spiking! – in America.
 
Surprise!
 
According to Barna, “In 2000, 39 percent of U.S. adults reported reading the Bible weekly—a number that fluctuated for years before falling to 30 percent in 2024. Now, based on interviews with more than 12,000 adults, it has climbed back to 42 percent. Among self-identified Christians, the rate reaches 50 percent—the highest level in over a decade.”
 
In addition, the surge is being led by younger generations. “Millennials (born 1980-1996) jumped an unprecedented 16 points, reaching 50 percent—half now say they read the Bible weekly. Gen Z (born 1197-2012) mirrors this pattern, rising from 30 percent to 49 percent in just one year.”
 
Surprise!
 
Per Barna: “Historically, women have been more likely than men to read Scripture weekly. For example, Boomer women have outpaced Boomer men in Bible reading every year for the last eight years. But 2025 data tells a different story. Younger men are outpacing younger women in engaging Scripture.”
 
Among Gen Zers, 54% of men are reading the Bible weekly; 46% of women do so. Among Millennials, 57% of men read Scripture weekly compared to 43% of women. (www.barna.com/trends/bible-reading-trends)
 
Surprise, again!
 
Polls and surveys are not the same as the inspired Word of God. Which leads to this question: Regardless of what others are doing (or not doing) when it comes to reading Scripture, what are you doing? Are you reading weekly? Daily? Don’t know? Does it matter?
 
Surprise! Though this shouldn’t surprise God’s people – it does matter! Why? How?
 
Go back and read Pastor Schwanke’s devotion last week (Jesus: Side Effects?) He lists a number of blessings there. In fact, you could browse through the last five years of these Wednesday Encouragements and find a multitude of overflowing blessings offered…through God’s Word. Consider, for now, the following:
 

• “See the kind of love the Father has given us that we should be called children of God, and that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1)
• “(God) is able, according to the power (namely, the Holy Spirit working through God’s Word) that is at work within us, to do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever!” (Ephesians 3:20,21)
• “My righteous God, answer me when I call. When I was under pressure, you gave me relief. Be merciful to me and hear my prayer…In complete peace I will lie down, and I will sleep,
  for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:1,8)
• Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we also have obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand. And we rejoice confidently on the basis of our hope for the glory of God.” (Romans 5:1-2)

 
Forget what others are doing. Forget the statistics drummed up by those who compile them. What matters to you is your heart and faith. Are you reading God’s Word? Are you enjoying the uncountable blessings, strength, and encouragement that awaits?
 
Don’t be surprised! Be strengthened! Find joy! Go, read, and grow in faith and hope and love.
 
In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand

Drug ads.  They target me on my phone because of my demographic.  They interrupt television shows every few minutes, because there's so much money to be made.  I usually pay no attention.  Until the disclaimers begin.  The listing of the drug's side effects.  Here are two examples.  I won't list the drug names. 
 
1).  For a drug recommended for folks who struggle with a bipolar condition.  "Elderly dementia patients have an increased risk of death or stroke.  Call your doctor about fever, stiff muscles, and confusion, which could be life-threatening; or uncontrolled body movements which may not go away.  Risks include potentially fatal high blood sugar, high cholesterol, weight gain, low white blood cells, unusual urges, dizziness on standing, seizures, injection site pain, and trouble swallowing." 
 
2)  For a drug to help with insomnia.  "Walking, eating, driving, or engaging in other activities without remembering it the next day have been reported. . .Abnormal behaviors may include aggressiveness, confusion, agitation, or hallucinations, a temporary inability to move while waking up or falling asleep, or temporary leg weakness have also been reported. In depressed patients, worsening depression including suicide may occur...side effects include next-day drowsiness." 
 
Do you need a moment or two to digest all of that?   
 
Am I the only one who listens to these ads and thinks, "You have got to be kidding me!  Why would I contact my doctor and ask for a drug with such terrible, terrifying side effects?"   
 
And yet the ads continue.  Pharmaceutical companies spend millions upon millions of dollars on what is called Direct-To-Consumer (DTC) advertising to drive awareness for their product.  And desperate, hurting individuals who suffer from bipolar conditions, asthma, insomnia, neuropathy, diabetes, and on and on--desperate, hurting individuals reach out to their doctors and ask, "Can we try this drug?  I just can't take this anymore." 
 
Maybe that's you.  Maybe some days that's me, too.  But the side effects of many drugs are still scary.
 
But not with Jesus!  Never with Jesus!  Jesus brings no terrifying side effects that our Lord has hidden in divine disclaimers tucked away in Mark 17 or Revelation 23.  (FYI:  Neither chapter exists.)   Jesus requires no prophets or apostles who use "speed-talking" to rattle off all the bad things that might happen to those who follow him.
 
Rather, Jesus, only Jesus, brings us only blessings!  Here are just a few.
 
Ephesians 1:7-8 "In him we also have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in keeping with the riches of his grace, which he lavished on us in all wisdom and insight." 
 
Romans 8:1-2 "So then, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For in Christ Jesus, the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death."
 
Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." 
 
1 Peter 1:8-9 "Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not see him now, yet by believing in him, you are filled with a joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls."
 
1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 "We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you do not grieve in the same way as the others, who have no hope. Indeed, if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, then in the same way we also believe that God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. In fact, we tell you this by the word of the Lord: We who are alive and left until the coming of the Lord will certainly not go on ahead of those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them, to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore, encourage one another with these words." 
 
Guilt washed away in his blood.  Purpose and direction in life.  Peace and joy that are grounded in the Lord's unchangeable grace.  Heaven, where you and I will be reunited with all our Christian loved ones who have gone on before us, where we will be immersed in the full presence of our Lord, and where we will never need to say good-bye--ever, ever again!
 
And yet. . .what about that pain that nags at the corners of our brain all day long?  The hip that just doesn't seem to get stronger? The numb fingers that cause us to drop the wrench over and over and over again?  The deadened feet that struggle with the car's brake and accelerator pedal?  The fire in the lower back that explodes when we bend over to the side?  Dearest friends in Christ, for all these struggles and so many others, we treasure another blessing that Jesus so graciously gives.  “I tell you, keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep seeking, and you will find. Keep knocking, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives. The one who seeks finds. And to the one who knocks, it will be opened."  (Luke 11:9-10)   And so we pray.  We pray knowing Jesus listens.  We pray knowing Jesus answers.  We pray knowing that with Jesus there are no side effects, only blessings.  We pray knowing that Jesus always knows best, even when we really hurt. 
 
2 Corinthians 12:9 "And he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, because my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will be glad to boast all the more in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may shelter me."
 
Privileged to Serve,
Rev. Glenn Schwanke

What is the number one complaint against church by people who don’t go (and do go!) to church?
Church is boring.
 
Be honest. You’ve thought it. You’ve said it. You’ve complained about it. I have too.
 
The sermons are too long or wordy or confusing. The music is so 1600s, or, it’s too contemporary.
 
There’s a big screen up front (or two), or, there is no screen up front. There are people there who make us uncomfortable. Certainly, we can find other things to do to occupy our time.
 
When I am the center of attention and life is like this big HD, big-screen TV on which everything passes by for my amusement and enjoyment and entertainment…of course, church is boring.
 
What does God think? Honestly? He gets bored with us. The same sins, the same hurtful ruts and patterns. Worshipping one moment and gleefully sinning the next. Perhaps even avoiding worship for reasons that displease and dishonor him. God told Isaiah to tell the Israelites: “Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet. Declare to my people their rebellion and…their sins…On the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high.” (Isaiah 58:1,3b,4) “Fasting” here is equivalent to worship.
 
You and I are guilty of the same. And God is tired of it. That he might be bored is the least of our worries.
 
Repentance is called for. Immediately. Daily. And weekly in worship! A repentant heart and a God-centered mindset make for a far more uplifting worship experience regardless of sermon length/style, music style, or the aesthetics of the sanctuary.
 
Church will never be boring again! See you this weekend – either in person or online!
 
In Christ,
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand

When was the last time you picked up your Catechism?” 
 
“When I moved to the house I’m now living in.”
 
OK, I’ll try again. When was the last time you opened up your Catechism? Do you even know where it is?
 
“Uh…Hmmm…It’s been a while…”
 
Honestly now, when was the last time you read through your Catechism? About the time you were confirmed? And even that was against your will, wasn’t it? Study of the Bible’s doctrine by way of the Catechism is often looked at something to endure. In truth, outside of the Bible, there are few resources meatier and more in depth than the Catechism.
 
Can this be a resolution for you this year? To go deep, even deeper into the Word of God? Read, study, and meditate upon the Word. Even browse through your Catechism, if you can find it. (I have extras in my office)
 
Enough of timidity and apathy. Go deep. Use the tools for strengthening faith and life that God provides. Below is a quote from Martin Luther regarding study of the Catechism and the need to “go deep.” May your heart overflow with the deep spiritual well of life and truth that is God’s Word!
 
“We have become infected by a vicious and insidious plague. There are many who are so satisfied with themselves and so bored with God’s truths that they regard the Catechism as such a simple and slight instrument of instruction that they can rapidly read through it once and immediately have it all absorbed and mastered. Having read it through once, they throw it into a corner, as if ashamed to read it again…
 
“To occupy oneself with God’s Word, talking about it and thinking about it, is also a most tremendous help against the devil, the world, the flesh, and all evil thoughts. Psalm 1:2 calls those blessed who meditated on the law of the Lord day and night. It is certain that you will be offering up no incense or candles more potent against the devil than by occupying yourself with God’s commandments and words, by talking of them, by singing them, and by meditating on them. That, let me tell you, is the true holy water, the sign before which he flees and by which you can rout him.
 
“Even if there were no other result or benefit, you should read the parts of Christian doctrine in the Catechism gladly and discuss, ponder, and practice them for this reason alone that thereby you can drive away the devil and evil thoughts. For he cannot stand to hear the Word of God. The Word of God is not like some empty fiction…but as St. Paul says in Romans 1:16, it is ‘the power of God,’ the power, in fact, that flames out to blister the devil but to strengthen, comfort, and help us immeasurably.”
(From Luther’s 1530 Preface to the Large Catechism)
 
A Blessed New Year to you and yours, 
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand