By Pr. Rich Futrell With a local-resident escort, I was able to get past the Sheriff’s cordon at Joe Bald and Stone road. It was then that we made our way to visit the five households in our parish affected by the Leap-Day tornado down the Stone-Road corridor. The first folks we visited had significant […]
The Wound of Betrayal: Matthew 26:20-25
February 29, 2012 by
The “sore abuse and scorn” that scourged our Lord’s head “with anguish” (LSB 450:2) began long before the physical abuse. It began with the actions of a friend, of one whom He loved. It began with a companion with whom He had traveled many miles and shared many meals. This was a wound that weighed […]
Still Standing after Kimberling City’s Leap-Day Tornado
February 29, 2012 by
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Kimberling City has survived the Leap-Day Tornado of February 29th. As far as we know, we have sustained no damage. As of today, some in our congregation are still without power and have suffered property damage. And again, as far as we know (Deo volente), we have had […]
Our Lenten Season Radio Ad
February 28, 2012 by
This is our latest Radio ad for the season fo Lent on KOMC, 100.1 FM in Branson. Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church -Mid Lent Season 2012
Pastor Will Weedon to Head LC-MS’ Commission on Worship
February 28, 2012 by
by Pr. Charles Lehmann Every time the Verba are spoken by one of the Lord’s pastors over the bread and wine, heaven comes down to earth. Angels, archangels, and all the company of heaven sing before the Lamb who was slain but is alive forevermore. The saints in heaven and on earth join together in […]
Mark 1:9-15: Jesus Faces Down the Tempter
February 26, 2012 by
The water from the Jordan River slowly trickled off our Lord’s wet hair. The hot, wilderness sand glued itself to His damp, walking feet. Behind Him, the well-known river snaked along. Before Him, the ancient serpent lay in wait. Still wet with baptismal water, Jesus boldly goes into the desert of temptation. This is when […]
Real Stewardship for Real Life
February 26, 2012 by
What is Stewardship? In the New Testament, the Greek words oikonomos (house manager) and oikonomia (house management) are the original words for the idea of “stewardship.” Stewardship involves the responsibility or work of managing a household. A steward is someone who uses what the owner has to manage his house. Oikonomia occurs nine times in […]
Ash Wednesday: Joel 2:12-19
February 22, 2012 by
We heard it at the start of today’s liturgy: Dust you are, and to dust you will return. The ashes, which give this day its name, have nothing to do with Lenten fasting. Whether you have ashes on your forehead or not, they tell no one if you have been fasting. But the ashes do […]
Mark 9:2-9: Jesus’ Transfiguration
February 19, 2012 by
The time for Jesus’ earthly miracles was fading fast. And soon, His popularity would begin to wane, as well. For now, we find ourselves at the midpoint of Mark’s Gospel, where Jesus turns His face toward the task of dying and rising. Jesus begins to teach His disciples that He will have to suffer. He […]
The Didache, Lesson 8: Tradition and Confession
February 18, 2012 by
Following Tradition 4:12 Hate hypocrisy and everything that is not pleasing to the Lord. The Didache’s warning, in its context, is that we should guard against every sin and not be inconsistent (hypocritical). Specifically, this ties in with protecting and not losing what our Lord has commanded, which the next verse states explicitly. Deuteronomy 4:2: […]
