By Ralph Baechle Contemplating the “Wonders of God’s Love” is a challenge for me. My early images of God were more of one who demands things of me and not one who is also supportive. They have not been easy to shake. Growing up I remember hearing a…
By Ida Winckler I’m reminded of a time in my childhood in November of 1943. The war was going on and I was 5 years old. My older sister was 13, my younger sister just a baby. It was a clear and bitter cold night. Bomb sirens went off and we rushed to…
By Stella Herzig When we think about the ‘wonders of God’s love, I know I sometimes see those wonders as all coming in one direction from Him to me or to you. I wonder if they are not also the responsive swell of love in our hearts towards Him. Yes,…
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Everyone who enters church on Christmas knows that singing carols is far and away the best part of the worship. The melodies stir deep-down sentiments that most of us can’t even find words for. And the words of the carols themselves? – “The hopes and…
The gifts are wrapped, the elves are ready. The families who take part in the Madison Marketplace Food Pantry are in for a fun surprise on Tuesday. That’s when each child will choose a fleece blanket, handmade by St. Paul people – more than 200 of th…
My late husband, Glenn Dresselhaus, was truly a talented craftsman. His favorite medium was working with black walnut. He cut the walnut trees down and made boards suitable for crafts. His specialty was making items with his scroll saw – these items…
St. Paul Lutheran Church will offer its Blue Christmas worship on Tuesday, Dec. 20, at 6 p.m. This service of hope is designed for anyone in the community who may not feel like celebrating. During the holidays, grief, illness, aging, depression, lone…
By Jeff Bass One of my favorite activities in the summer has been to attend workcamps all across the country. These workcamps involve a lot of hard work and sweat, home repair, and hundreds of teenagers. These youth give up a week of their summer va…
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By Kathy Becker I stood in the doorway just behind my husband, watching as he leaned on the sink and examined himself in the small mirror of the hospital bathroom. Slowly rubbing his hand over his face he began the ritual of shaving. Splashing water…
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By Andy Langdon My roommate had applied a liberal amount of product on his head. Now he was waiting, counting in his head as he watched himself in the mirror. He was doing everything he could to maintain the hair on his head. As he studied himself, I…
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By David and Barbara Palm Advent for us as Lutherans are the four Sundays before Christmas. This is a period of time of anticipation. Not all Christians celebrate Advent, but Lutherans have a rich tradition of lighting the four candles of the Advent…
By Tom Eriksen Growing up I found myself struggling for both acceptance and guidance. Not finding guidance, I took acceptance from the first group I found. I found myself going the wrong direction and not even realizing it. A few years later, I found…