From Pastor Theilen “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” — Colossians 2:6-7 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Saint Paul teaches the Colossians how to live as Christians. His instruction,…

From Pastor Theilen Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, “So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.” (Acts 12:5) Immediately after this verse we learn that Peter is miraculously rescued from prison by an angel of God. The people of God prayed, and God answered…

Dear Friends in Christ, “And [Jesus] led [the Apostles] out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.”…

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Alleluia, Christ is risen! He is risen indeed, Alleluia! We have spent the season of Lent looking inward at our own sins. It is the season of repentance, and it is only right that we would examine ourselves and bring our sins to the cross. But the resurrection of…

On March 25, I attended the Illinois March for Life with 19 students from Lutheran High School. The day began with Matins at Trinity Lutheran Church, continued with lunch for nearly 200 people at the State House Inn, and culminated with a rally and march outside the state capitol. Thousands of people, mostly Christians of…

“THE ONLY CONSTANT IS CHANGE.” Many people (and some might say, many wise people) have accepted this maxim as a truism. In our earthly experience, perhaps it is indeed valid. Children grow. Relationships change. Cars break down. Politicians come and go. And, perhaps the most difficult change with which to deal: loved ones die.“All flesh…

We Preach Christ Crucified…a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks,the power of God and the wisdom of God.1 CORINTHIANS 1:23-24 EIGHT YEARS AGO, the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod celebrated the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, dating from Luther’s posting of the Ninety-five Theses in Wittenberg.…

Who is the Teacher? “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children.” DEUTERONOMY 6:6 AS THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY SHOULD TEACH THEM IN A SIMPLE WAY TO HIS HOUSEHOLD. LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM RALLY DAY IS NEARLY UPON US! A new year…

The Book of Life “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life!” JOHN 6:68B CHRISTIANITY HAS ALWAYS BEEN a faith based on words. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth by saying, “Let there be,” and it was. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word…

A Day of Prayer and Daily Prayer Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18 OUR NATION IS A BATTLEGROUND, without question. True, tanks may not rumble through our streets and missiles may not screech through our skies…