By Pr. Rich Futrell Such a strange time Lent can be. For the non-Christian, all kinds of religious activities are taking place, which few can explain. For Christians, unless they are Roman Catholic, Lutheran, or Eastern Orthodox, Lent may be as much a mystery to them as for the unbeliever. Some may also consider this […]
Class Begins on Being Fully Human: Thursday, 18 Jan, 2:00 PM
January 18, 2018 by
For four successive Thursdays, beginning on January 18, at 2:00 PM, we will delve into a Bible study series: “Being Fully Human.” This will be an exploration on the ramifications of God creating us as physical beings. How does this change our understanding of ourselves, our salvation, and the eternity awaiting us? Contrary to the […]
Church Information for Sunday, January 14
January 6, 2018 by
For Sunday, January 14, we recommend you stay home. A weather advisory was announced this morning until noon and the snow came earlier than expected (now above a 50% chance). In Kimberling City, a light snow is already on the ground. Pastor has not yet tried to make his way up the driveway. If you plan to come […]
Midweek Services: The Gospel According to Isaiah
November 26, 2017 by
This year, our Thanksgiving, midweek Advent, and New Year’s Eve services will have a common theme: The Gospel According to Isaiah. You’ve heard of the four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. But have you heard of the Gospel according to Isaiah? This Old-Covenant Prophet pointed forward to Jesus and His redemptive work is many […]
The Reformation, Five Centuries Later
October 23, 2017 by
By Pr. Rich Futrell One year passes and another begins, 500-hundred years’ worth since Luther tacked his 95 theses on Wittenberg’s wooden door. Through those statements, he wanted a debate about indulgences shortening someone’s time in Purgatory. Today, most don’t understand the fracas, which followed, fracturing Europe. On both sides, Lutheran and Roman-Catholic, people put […]
Our Annual German Dinner for Community and Friends
October 16, 2017 by
Our annual German Dinner is here! When: Saturday, October 21. Time: 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Where: Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church’s multipurpose building, 71 Kimberling Blvd, Kimberling City. (The first building you’ll notice when driving into our church parking area.) For your culinary delight, the menu includes: Bratwurst, Sauerkraut, Potato salad, Apple rings, Bread, Drinks […]
The Value of the Hebrew and Greek Old Testaments
August 24, 2017 by
This is our pastor’s newsletter article for the September 2017 edition of “The Shepherd’s Voice.” The Value of the Hebrew and Greek Old Testaments By Pr. Rich Futrell Today, we have two primary Old Testaments: The Hebrew, called the “Masoretic Text,” and the Septuagint, a Greek-language translation, whose manuscripts predate the Masoretic Text by […]
The Comfort in our Grief
July 2, 2017 by
This is our pastor’s article for the July-August edition of our congregational newsletter. The Apostle Paul directs us not to be unaware about those who left this life trusting in God. Why? “So you will not grieve like others, as those without hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). So we are reminded, once more, of this […]
Al and Gloria Hynek’s Funeral Sermon
April 12, 2017 by
Job 13:20-25; Romans 5:8-10; John 3:1-7, 9-12, 16-17 A story of love and a story of heartbreak. One sentence to describe my understanding of Al and Gloria in my life as their pastor. One comes to worship and joins in the life of this congregation, the other stays on the fringes, cloistered in the […]
Holy Week Services
April 10, 2017 by
As we remember the way our Lord took for our salvation, we do so with three services this week: Maundy Thursday, April 13: 7:oo PM, which is a Divine Service with a spoken liturgy Good Friday, April 14: 7:00 PM, the most somber service of the entire year, our Savior dying to give us eternal life Easter, […]
