Here is the Mission Festival service from Sunday, November 8, 2026.
Sunday, November 8, 2026
Thursday, November 5, 2026
A Pastoral Concern: Preaching is free
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Over the years, I have seen people comment online that a real pastor would not take a salary, but would discharge his duties for free. I suppose the Scripture that would be cited for that is Matthew 10:8, in which Jesus tells the disciples, "Freely you have received; freely give." Perhaps another reference would come from 1 Timothy 3:3 where Paul lists the qualifications for a pastor. There Paul includes, "Not a lover of money." Some say, "See? The pastor should not be receiving money for his service." But there is a big difference between not being greed for gain and not getting any pay.
I don't know the motive of the people who say that the pastor should work for free. I suspect that none of them are pastors or are related to pastors. I also don't find many people who offer to do their jobs for free. Are they just confessing that they don't want to support a pastor? I don't know
When a congregation pays a pastor, they may get the idea that they can control him and his message. After all, "He who pays the piper calls the tune." This fails to understand that the pastor is under orders, but it is not the congregation’s orders.
A congregation calls a pastor and pledges to support him. That pastor who accepts that call receives that support with thanks. As Hebrews 13:17 says, the pastor is accountable to Jesus Christ. As James 3:1 warns, pastors will be judged more strictly. Any pastor who takes these words seriously is determined to preach God's word faithfully, whether he is paid much, little, or nothing. He dare not adapt his message for the sake of compensation. That would make him greedy for gain. And to be sure, there are pastors who adopt this mentality. St. Paul warned, “There will come a time when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, because they have itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in line with their own desires” (2 Timothy 4:3). The people call the tune, and the piper is paid richly for it. But he is still accountable to the Lord, and he will be judged strictly for scratching the ears that itch for lies.
God’s people should know this: Preaching is free. The pastor does not get paid per sermon. He delivers to God’s people what the Bible says. His call is to be faithful to God and his word. As one of my seminary professors used to tell us, “If a man dares to step into a pulpit and say, ‘This is what the Lord says,’ it has better be what the Lord says. Faithfulness to God’s word is not determined by one’s pay. If the church pays much or little, the pastor preaches God’s word. Money means nothing. Preaching is free.
So, why compensate a pastor? It allows the pastor to give his full time to the ministry. If a congregation decides, “Let’s pay the pastor nothing,” the pastor will seek gainful employment from someone who will pay him. After all, he needs to live and to feed his family. But since the pastor also holds a divine call, he remains the pastor of that church. He preaches and teaches in his spare time. And if the congregation chooses to give the pastor no pay to allow him to be on call at all times, then they should expect that their pastor’s time will be greatly restricted and that his service to the congregation will come only when it is convenient for the pastor. Nevertheless, preaching will still be free.
This is not written as a complaint, as if I am dissatisfied with my compensation. It is written for God’s people to recognize what their pastor’s compensation is actually for. It allows him to be a full-time pastor, without concern for another job.
I gratefully receive a generous compensation from the congregation who has called me (and that includes the previous one as well). I am grateful that I can give my full time to serving as the pastor of God’s people. But when I write a sermon, I give zero thoughts to how it will affect my paycheck. My thoughts are that I be faithful to the Lord whose call came through this congregation. It is a Divine Call. I serve the Lord, and I am accountable to him above all. He has called me to preach his word, regardless of how it is received. Therefore, preaching is free.
Wednesday, November 4, 2026
Mary Ellen Schroeder (December 17, 1934 - November 3, 2026)
We had asked several family members, "What was your favorite think that she either cooked or baked?" Everyone's answer began the same: "Ooooo. That's hard." We enjoyed so much of what she did for us. She showered her grandchildren with gifts and delighted in seeing them dive into her gifts, meals, and other activities.
There is too much to reflect on, but you can read through her obituary here. Now she has joined the saints in glory. I suspect that my Dad has looking for her since he joined the saints triumphant in 2022.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. (Psalm 116:15)
Sunday, November 1, 2026
YouTube -- All Saints' Day (November 1, 2026)
Heere is the Divine Service from Sunday, November 1, 2026
Sermon -- All Saints' Day (November 1, 2026)
BLESSED ARE ALL THE SAINTS.
REVELATION 7:9-17
In
the name + of Jesus.
People have always been enamored with the afterlife, particularly when some claim to have received visions of heaven. You may recall a book some years ago called, “Heaven is Real.” In it, a child claimed to have gone to heaven, seen relatives, and reported information that he could not have known about family history. Later, we learned that the whole thing was fabricated. This disappointed many Chrisitans and gave ammunition to people who mock the Christian faith.
If you ever wanted a sneak peak of the
heavenly vision, you do not need to go to the bookshelves of Christian book
stores for stories that cannot be validated.
But you do have a book where God himself has given a sneak peak into the
heavenly kingdom. The Bible offers
several glimpses into the presence of God.
Our reading for today is, perhaps, one of the most vivid of those
glimpses. The Lord Jesus gave the
blessed apostle John a vision of the glories of heaven with all the saints
gathered around the throne of God.
“After these things I looked, and there
was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe,
people, and language, standing in front of the throne and of the Lamb, clothed
with white robes, and with palm branches in their hands” (Revelation 7:9). St. John saw people from all over the world
gathered around the throne of God. Blessed
are all the saints.
Your longing for heaven may be focused on
a reunion with your loved ones, but your loved ones are not the focal point of
heaven. Oh, your loved ones who have
died in the faith are there. John saw
them. They are waving palm branches in a
procession of victory over sin, death, and the devil. They are clothed in white garments which were
put upon them in baptism. For all who
were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
They have been declared blameless through faith in Jesus. This is what allows them to stand in God’s
heavenly kingdom.
Blessed are all the saints. We rejoice that the departed saints now
receive the blessings of heaven. But the
focal point of heaven is the Lamb who was slain for all the saints. Angels, archangels, and all the company of
heaven rejoice before God who so loved the world that he gave his only begotten
Son to save sinners. “All the angels
stood around the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures. They fell on their faces before the throne
and worshipped God” (Revelation 7:11).
Just as they were redeemed, body and soul, to dwell before the Lord, so
they are invested, body and soul, in their worship of the Lamb of God.
“One of the elders spoke to me and
said, ‘These people dressed in white robes, who are they and where did they
come from’” (Revelation 7:13)?
Perhaps St. John knew, but rather than make an assumption, St. John
played it safe and deferred to the elder for the answer. John wrote, “I answered him, ‘Sir, you
know.’ And he said to me: These are the
ones who are coming out of the great tribulation” (Revelation 7:13-14). The great tribulation is the world in which
we live. Upon death, the saints of God
are delivered from this world of sorrow to the glories and joys of heaven. Blessed are all the saints.
But many saints still dwell in the great
tribulation. You are familiar with these
tribulations. You may not experience all
of them, but they are ever present among us.
They are sickness and pain as bodies age, ache, and fail. They are anxiety and frustration because life
does not work the way we expect it to.
They are the bitterness of sorrow, loss, and death because we are all
too familiar with hospital beds and grave sites. These are tribulations common to all mankind,
whether they are Christians or heathen.
But Christians endure additional
tribulations. These are times of
persecution and suffering for the sake of Jesus. While the persecution we endure for the sake
of Jesus is likely limited to being slandered, scorned, or shunned by some,
other Christians suffer much worse.
Christians in Nigeria are being hunted, kidnapped, and murdered. Just recently at a funeral in Jordan, dozens
of Christians were killed or injured by Islamic gunmen. For many brothers and sisters in the faith,
there is a real cost and commitment to standing firm in Jesus. Pray for them.
Despite the great tribulations endured by
the saints of God, Jesus says that his people are blessed, especially when they
are persecuted. “Blessed are you when
people insult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you
because of me. Rejoice and be glad,
because great is your reward in heaven.
In fact, that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before
you” (Matthew 5:11-12). Now, we do
not feel blessed when we must bear great tribulations. But Jesus’ declaration is not that you will feel
blessed. “Blessed” is the status you
have as God’s people, especially when you stand firm as God’s people in the day
of persecution. You are blessed, meaning
that God’s favor remains upon you. You
may lose your freedom, your home, your job, and even your family. But you do not lose your place in the kingdom
of God. Jesus upholds his promises. Jesus preserves his people. Blessed are all the saints.
Our struggle in the great tribulation is
bad enough, but it becomes sin when we fault God for them. We reason through it this way. The persecutions and sufferings we endure are
evil. God could stop them if he wanted
to. After all, God is almighty. He can do anything. Then we also reason that, if God truly loves
us, he would not want us to suffer. So,
we conclude either that God is not all-powerful or that God does not really
love us. We conclude that God is to blame
for the evils we endure.
Repent.
God is not the one who brought evils upon this world. The world that God created was perfect. The people that God put into it were
holy. That was God’s design. But man had different designs. He subjected the whole world to death and
destruction because of sin. God
continues to work in this world as it is—cursed, corrupt, and marked for
destruction. Still, we yearn for God to
do something about it.
He has!
To deliver you from every form of evil, God had to deliver you out of your
sin. He sent his Son, Jesus, to do just
that. And to deliver you from sin, Jesus
had to suffer the evils of this world—persecution, rejection, frustration, and
crucifixion. More than that, Jesus had
to endure the judgment which sinners have brought upon themselves. His hanging from the cross was not just about
enduring pain; it was about enduring the torments of hell. His death was not just about being executed
as one guilty of crime; it was about being damned as the one guilty of
all sin. Jesus absorbed all the
punishment for sin. This is where your
sins were dealt with. This is what
delivers you from the curse of sin. And
because Jesus has washed your robes white in the blood of the Lamb, the Father
is pleased to declare you to be his saints.
Blessed are all the saints.
Blessed are all the saints. Your status was granted to you when you were
baptized into Christ. You know you are children
of God because that is what God says you are.
But that does not excuse you from the tribulations of a sinful
world. Once again, you may wonder: Why
doesn’t God do something about this? The
answer? He will.
St. John saw the deliverance which awaits
all the saints of God. The saints who
are dressed in garments of salvation, given to them by the Holy Spirit and
sustained in them by God’s word and sacraments, are gathered before the throne
of God. Here, the saints not only are
freed from the curse and judgment of sin, they are also free from the
consequences and effects of sin. St.
John noted, “They are in front of the throne of God, and they serve him day
and night in his temple. He who sits on
the throne will spread his tent over them” (Revelation 7:15). The saints have an eternal refuge from
every enemy and every evil. Once you are
in the heavenly kingdom, the devil cannot bother you. Death cannot touch you. Sickness and sorrow, aches and pains, shame
and regret must remain outside the gates of pearl. In heaven, there are no hospitals or
mortuaries, no medication or therapy, no corrective lenses, hearing aids, or
walkers. There is not even Kleenex. All the saints will enjoy a new heaven and a
new earth, the home of righteousness.
There, the Lord will spread his protection over you, and you will
finally be delivered from all evil.
St. John goes on, “They will never be
hungry or thirsty ever again. The sun
will never beat upon them, nor will any scorching heat” (Revelation 7:16). All their needs, whatever they are, will
be met. Nothing will be lacking. For you, dear saints, the Lord is pleased to
present the heavenly banquet already.
Here, even if it is just for a moment, Jesus presents you with the feast
that the saints in heaven receive. Here,
even if it is just for a moment, you get to feast with the saints who have gone
before you. Soon, you and I will have a
place where the banquet goes on eternally.
Nothing will spoil it—no shortage of time, no lack of provisions, no
separation from our loved ones who have died in the faith.
Blessed are all the saints. And St. John tells you why you will enjoy uninterrupted
blessing. “The Lamb at the center of
the throne will be their shepherd. He
will lead them to springs of living water.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 7:17). The Lamb who was slain for you now lives and
reigns for you. He will forever be your
Immanuel. He will be with you forever to
protect you, to provide for you, and to comfort you. The Lord himself will console you. Like a father who tenderly cares for his frightened
or hurting child, he will wipe away all your tears. Instead, you will know only God’s love which
is pure and perfect and permanent.
Eternally blessed are the saints of God
who have gone before us into the heavenly kingdom. They have come out of the great
tribulation. Jesus has rescued them from
every enemy, every threat, every difficulty, and every evil that is known in
this world.
Blessed are all the saints of God. And recognize that you are also the saints of God. If you find yourself wondering why God does not make all things right, remember: He does. He has washed your robes white and dressed you for heaven. And he will finally deliver you from every evil. Await your transfer to the joys of heaven with patience. For you are the saints of God, and you are forever blessed.
In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Prayer for All Saints' Day -- 2026
Almighty God, today we recall with thanksgiving those saints who were taken from us in the Church Militant and carried by the angels to you and the Church Triumphant. Especially, we give you praise for our departed family and friends who have gone before us in faith and all those who are in our hearts and minds this day:
Eugene Asleson (5/29/1936 – 11/10/2025)
Vernon Zimmermann (4/12/1942 - 12/9/2025)
Lisa Schulz (9/13/1964 – 12/23/2025)
Kenneth Ferguson (4/5/1940 – 1/19/2026)
Gary Bremer (4/28/1939 – 2/10/2026)
Kathy Burfeind (9/15/1952 – 3/17/2026)
Dave Kehren (3/6/1954 – 5/10/2026)
Robert Hoops (2/20/1943 – 5/14/2026)
Don Thoe (11/22/1940 – 5/18/2026)
Sharon Springer (12/13/1938 – 5/19/2026)
Louis Tomforde (10/23/1946 – 5/31/2026)
Marilee Hinck (5/7/1930 – 6/27/2026)
Richard Mickelson (11/22/1958 – 7/3/2026)
Kirsty Langfield (1/22/1965 – 7/28/2026)
Marlene Kackmann (11/28/1941-
9/27/2026)
Marv Howatt (3/7/1941 – 10/9/2026)
Helen Wiech (12/6/1939 – 10/12/2026)
To these, you have granted eternal rest this past year. We thank you for giving them new life in Christ while on this earth and for sustaining them in true and saving faith throughout their life. We praise you for finally giving them the fulfillment of your promises of salvation and eternal life. Strengthen and sustain us in this saving faith so that we may also join with the angels and archangels and all the company of heaven in joyful praise, peace, and rest forever; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Cong: Amen.
Tuesday, October 27, 2026
Adult Bible Class -- St. Paul's Letters to the Thessalonians
Beginning on Sunday, November 1, we will begin a new series for our Sunday morning Adult Bible Class. We will be looking at the two letters St. Paul wrote to the Thessalonian Christians.
This class will take us up to Christmas. Please note that on November 8, our class will be replaced by our Mission Festival speaker, Rev. Ralph Martens, who will give an update on mission work being done by our synod.
The tentative schedule for our Bible Class is below. Class begins at about 10:15 AM. All are welcome.
ST. PAUL’S LETTERS TO THE THESSALONIANS
November 8 Mission
Presentation by
Rev. Ralph Martens
November 15 1 Thessalonians 2:1 – 3:13
November 22 1 Thessalonians 4:1-18
November 29 1 Thessalonians 5:1-28
December 6 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12
December 13 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17
December 20 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18
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