Mar. 23, 2026

Gary Cooper – Elder

For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life. (Lev. 17:11)

Every week we come to church to receive the gifts of God.  We come before Him with repentance and receive His forgiveness.  We get to witness the birth of a new brother or sister through Holy Baptism, what a joy.  Then comes the singing praises to God for what He has, and is, doing for us.  Then we get to listen to God’s chosen servant that brings us a message from God Himself.

However, for me the greatest gift is when we bow at the altar to receive Jesus’ Body and Blood.  All the Old Testament sacrifices pointed to the one all-sufficient sacrifice of Jesus the Lamb of God and High Priest.

Jesus makes atonement for my soul and yours, what a joy it brings to my heart.  In the Lord’s Supper, He sprinkles us internally to set us apart to serve in the heavenly sanctuary with angels and archangels and all the company of heaven, praising God for our blood covering – the Lamb who was slain for us.

Praise God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit for all the He has done for us. – Amen.

Mar 24, 2026

Ben Wilson – Sunday School Leader

…by virtue of the words, it is truly Christ’s body and blood. What Christ’s lips say and speak, so it is. (LC V 13-14)

While serving in the military you are not guaranteed to have a Chaplain where you are. If you are lucky enough to have one you could have Chaplains from other denominations.  At one point in the Middle East, I was able to occasionally attend Chapel.  I was even lucky enough to find a Service that was held by an Anglican Chaplain.  I had expressed my joy of this to my future bride, corresponding via email, and she rightly questioned if this was allowed as we are not allied with the Anglican Church.  I then sent some emails to Concordia Seminary Professors asking if I could partake in their Sacraments.  This takes time and I was able to attend the next Chapel service led by the Anglican Chaplain. While waiting, I abstained from Communion.  This was heart wrenching and brought me to tears at not being able to partake. I spoke with the Chaplain, and he shared that this is hard, he is denied partaking in Communion with the Catholics even if they are the only two Clergy present in the country.  Abstaining is difficult, but making sure we take Communion in a faithful way is incredibly important.

Help us Lord to always be faithful in receiving Your gifts. – Amen.

Mar. 25, 2026

Andy Sherrill – Principal SPLHS

 Be Still, and Know… (Psalm 46:10)

Life is busy.  And by busy, I mean crazy busy.  Between work, school, sports, children, it seems hard to find any point of rest or quiet.  I often try to work on one task while I think about all the other tasks still needing my attention.  It can be so overwhelming.  My stack of post it note “to do’s” literally takes over my desk.

Psalm 46:10 reads: He says, “Be still and know that I am God.”  I love that this verse starts with “He says.”  This is not David saying this, but God himself telling us to be still. God continues, “I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth”.

One of the few places that I can be completely still from the busyness of life is at the communion rail.  Here I know I get some 1 on 1 time with God.  There is nothing to distract me, no phone to answer, no problem to solve, nothing to think about except my personal time with the One who made me.  I find so much peace and feel so much value at the altar.  Yes God will be exalted by the earth, and here is my time to join in!

God, grant us time to be still during this busy Lenten season and feel close to You during the Lord’s Supper.  Amen

Mar. 26, 2026

Leslie Jones – LWML

The bread we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? (1 Cor. 10:16)

When I approach the altar to receive Communion, my senses heighten. I hear the words spoken softly by the Pastor and the Elders. I see the gentle touch as the Pastor blesses each child by name. I feel the round host and smell the wine. My hands are gently folded in prayer while my spirit meditates in this quiet, reverent moment. I receive Him into my heart and soul completely. I ask him to make me more like Him.

One of my most cherished memories at St. Paul happened at the Communion rail when my mother, husband, son, granddaughter, and I all knelt together. Having four generations in God’s house to worship and glorify Him while receiving the salutary gift was a blessing that filled my heart with joy beyond measure. Cherish your family time in church, thank God for all of your blessings. Heaven is promised and real. God loves us and wants each of us to have eternal life with Him.

Dearest Jesus, thank You for my family and for making me part of Your family.  – Amen.

Mar. 27, 2026

Tim Crites – Congregational President

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,. (Rom. 8:28)

I often struggle to understand the difficulties I seem to be so often blessed with.  I don’t outwardly say or even think “why me?”  Most of us don’t.  But down deep it can only be a shortcoming of my faith in Rom 8:28. I don’t believe some things could possibly have a useful purpose to God.  Only a distraction to me or a curse I must bear.  This will often be top of the list of things I must wrestle with and confess prior to receiving communion.

I follow that with prayers of thanksgiving, (Phil. 4:6) which are too numerous to mention in the short amount of time, but I give it my best shot.  Hoping I have time I add a few “requests” to be made known to God.  These often have to do with how I may handle the afore-mentioned difficulties, and relief from them.  And I do see the word “request” as exactly that, not a necessity.

These two verses have played an enormous role in my life.  They have become a mainstay in my prayer life and communion preparation.

Dear Lord, guide me ever to remember Your blessings and give thanks for them.  In Your Name we pray. – Amen

Mar. 28, 2026

Pastor David Schmitt

…poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (Mt. 26:28)

I have many memories of taking Communion.  From my first Communion at Immanuel Lutheran in Olivette Missouri, to the first time I saw Communion passed down pews, to crying like a baby when I came back to Church and was able to take Communion once again.

But the most incredible thing to me is the honor and joy I feel that God has called me to His service, and the service of His chosen people, to give Communion to others.  It is such a joyful experience to stand up there and hand out the forgiveness of sins to people.  I know the relief I feel upon receiving Communion; knowing my sins are forgiven.  God allowing me to participate in Him forgiving the congregation’s sins…it is just pure joy!

That is why you see such a big, goofy smile on my face every time we have Communion.  That is why I end the dismissal with, “…and serve Him in His joy!”

Dearest Lord, help me to always feel the joy of Your presence as I feel it when we have Communion.  In Your holy Name we pray. – Amen.

Mar. 29, 2026

PALM SUNDAY

“Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! (Mk 11:9)

We often think of the term “Hosanna” as just being an expression of adoration of praise, but the original Hebrew word had a meaning.  Loosely translated it is a cry from the crowd asking Jesus to, “save us!”  And that is exactly what He has come to do.

Jesus has entered Jerusalem for one single purpose – to die on the cross in order to pay for our sins and defeat sin, death, and the devil once for all.

His death later in the week was not an accident.  It was not a tragedy.  It was not even an abomination.  This was a purposeful and thoughtful act of our God coming to our rescue.  This is why His Name was called Jesus.

This is why He was born.  This is why He lived.  This is why He comes to Jerusalem.  An act of love beyond our comprehension.

Dearest Jesus, thank You for coming to save us from our own sin.  Thank You for facing death so that we might live.  In Your holy Name we pray. – Amen.

Mar. 30, 2026

My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’?  (Mk 11:17)

It is on this Monday, after Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, that Jesus clears the temple chasing out the money changers and others who were defiling the true purpose of the temple.  Why?  Because His Temple was supposed to serve God’s purpose of bringing the nations to God through prayer.

The Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 6 that our bodies are now the temple of God because the Holy Spirit resides in us.  If and when Jesus comes to your body, will He find it to be a house of prayer?

The fact is Jesus told us in Matthew 28 that He is with us always.  I pray that Jesus regularly finds you praying.  That He regularly finds you reaching out to the “nations” (all people) on His behalf.  May you always work with the Holy Spirit who resides in you to bring about the purposes of God whom you serve.

Dearest Lord, come to us.  Help us through Your Holy Spirit to ever be a Temple of prayer and praise to You, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, One God. – Amen

Mar. 31, 2026

“Rabbi, look! The fig tree You cursed has withered!” (Mk 11:21 NIV)

It was likely Tuesday when they were returning from Bethany where they were staying, that the disciples noticed the fig tree that Jesus had cursed had withered and died.  Jesus had cursed the tree for He had come looking for fruit from it and had found none.  Many theologians agree that the fig tree represents Israel, especially the religious leaders, who had failed to bring forth fruit from proclaiming God to the people.

When God comes to you each day, what fruit might He be looking to see you are producing?  Charity, evangelism, caring for your family?  Would Jesus find what He is looking for?

Just as we examine ourselves before receiving the blessings of the Sacrament of the Altar, we should examine ourselves regularly to consider whether we are producing the fruit of love for God and love for neighbor that Jesus said we the most important commandments. (Mt 22)

Holy Spirit, help us to ever and always produce the love for God and others.  We realize we can only do this through You.  Guide us and lead us in this important work. – Amen.

Apr. 1, 2026

PASSOVER BEGINS

Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the twelve. (Lk 22:3)

It is plausible that the Wednesday of Holy Week was the day that Judas went to the priests in order to betray Jesus.  Notice how Luke clearly tells us that Satan was directly involved.  That Satan actually entered into Judas.

Satan is ever watchful for opportunities to come into your lives and cause all kinds of havoc.  He is especially interested in anything he might be able to do to get between you and Jesus.  In this case Satan not only exploited Judas and whatever weakness he had that made him vulnerable, but also the priests who had failed to understand God’s will.

We must remain ever watchful that there is as little separation between us and God as possible, so Satan does not have opportunities to exploit and separate us further.  This means reading our Bibles daily and going to Church as often as possible to receive His gifts – including the Eucharist.

Holy Spirit, keep us ever close to Jesus so the devil has no opportunity to strike against our faith.  In Jesus’ Name we pray. – Amen.

Apr. 2, 2026

MAUNDY THURSDAY

the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread… (I Cor 11:23)

This is the night of Holy Week where we celebrate with the Sacrament of Altar.  This is the night that all of our devotions, Bible Studies, and sermons have worked up to.  As you approach the table tonight, prepared beforehand with prayer and absolution, remember all we have discussed.  Take time to contemplate the suffering, death, and resurrection of our Lord for us.  Take time to look forward to the Marriage Feast of the Lamb in His Kingdom.  Take time to think of the Communion of Saints at the rail. Take time to consider the common confession of faith this act represents.  Take time to give thanks to God for all He has done.  Take time to consider your salvation ensured in this New Covenant in Jesus’ Blood.

Enter the table with humility, take His Body and Blood in awe of the marvelous gift you are receiving, and leave the rail in the pure joy on knowing your sins are forgiven.  You are a child of God Most High.

Dearest Lord, thank You for all You have done for us.  Help us to never forget, to take Your gifts with humility, fear, and joy.  Thank You for becoming part of who we are. – Amen.

Apr. 3, 2026

GOOD FRIDAY

 (Jesus) said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (Jn 19:30)

All that Jesus had promised, all that Jesus had preached now was completed with His death on the cross.  “It is finished.”   In His death He defeated sin, death, and the devil winning a glorious victory for us all.  In His death He atoned for our sins, taking the punishment we deserved to Himself so we would never have to suffer spiritual death.

Because of what Jesus did, the Father will never have to “forsake” any of us for He forsook Jesus when He died in our place.

This is the divine service of love that we remember in the Lord’s Supper.  This is where our forgiveness was won for us that is given to us in the Lord’s table.  This is where the Bread of Life was broken for us.  Where His Blood was Spilled for us.  And it is what we are so thankful for in the Eucharist.

We thank you Jesus for all You have done for us on Good Friday.  Thank You for our forgiveness, for our life, and for our salvation.  In Your holy Name we pray. – amen.

Apr. 4, 2026

HOLY SATURDAY

Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb … It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning.  (Lk 23:53 & 54)

As Jesus’ body lies in the tomb we can take a look at God resting again on the seventh day.  They day Christ was in the tomb was the Hebrew Sabbath.  A day of rest based on the seventh day of creation where God rested.

This is a remarkable image to take a second to contemplate.  For, Jesus had, in His suffering, death, and resurrection, effectively re-created the world.  Jesus returned all of creation to its pre-fall stage in a now/not yet way.  The work has been done, but the full fruits of that work will not be realized until He comes again in glory.

Having completed His work once again, God now rests in the tomb on the seventh day.  When we come to the rail for Communion we can remember this rest also and take our rest in His work.

Dearest Jesus, thank You for Your holy work on the cross and Your suffering and death in all of our places.  Help us ever to remember and appreciate Your sacrifice. – Amen.

Apr. 5, 2026

EASTER

I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God (Mk 14:25)

Hallelujah, He is risen!  He is risen indeed, Hallelujah!  Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday was also the entrance of His resurrected Body into the Kingdom of God.  I Cor 15:20 tells us, “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”

Jesus’ resurrection was the first of many resurrections.  His was the first Human Body to enter the Kingdom of God in heaven where it sits at the right hand of God.

This wonderful news for all of us for, when He returns in glory on the Last Day, our bodies will be resurrected, we will sit down for the Marriage Feast of the Lamb, and we will join Him there for eternity!

This is the very meal we presage in the Lord’s Table understanding where we prepare to enter the Kingdom of God for the final time.

Dearest Jesus, we can’t wait for Your return and our own resurrection where we will join with You in a body like Yours. – Amen.