Words have gravity and power. We contemplate them and “chew” on them because at a deep level they contain our feelings, aspirations, and thoughts. In many respects, words are the currency of living. They make meaning for our lives and help us order o…
As a 15-year-old, Larry Minard asked his rather unapproachable pastor if he could come and practice on the church’s organ. The pastor offered to turn on the organ, and Larry sat down to play. He played for worship at church at 17, the old Lutheran li…
Every Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m., people anywhere with a radio or Internet access can hear worship from St. Paul. A previous week’s service is condensed and played on WOC1420 and on iheartradio.com. Three volunteers rotate through this weekly duty,…
It’s just a tiny, tiny speck on the bottom of a milkweed leaf. Shaped a bit like a football, this beginning of life gives Carol Seitz great joy. Carol, a master gardener, is one of the people who tend to a butterfly garden on the grounds of the Iowa…
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Dave Langrock stepped up to the plate during his first home game playing for the Cubs minor league team in Caldwell, Idaho. It was the mid-1960s, and Dave was just out of Wartburg College. He was the pitcher that game, and pitchers usually aren’t hit…
They gather in homes and at church, to spend time with each other, delight in fellow lives, and to deepen their faith. These gatherings of the Women of the ELCA are a time of study and togetherness. Each month, a Bible study guides the time. This yea…
It was a pretty big crash. Jackie Chalmers was training for RAGBRAI – that big annual bike ride across the entire state of Iowa. She was on the Mississippi River trail on the Illinois side of the river. Her back tire hit a bump, and she went flying….
In an exploration of God’s faithfulness, commands, blessing, and legacy through the people of Israel, Katy Warren and Peter Marty will preach from excerpts of the Book of Deuteronomy — Aug 1 – Aug 23. Deuteronomy is a series of sermons preached by Mo…
Hiking. A visit to McDonald’s. Moutaintops. Playing outside. A salt mine. A castle. A farmer’s market. Ice cream. The Bergert family – David, Ewelina, Jonathan, Jacob – sunk themselves into all sorts of experiences during their summer vacation this y…
From the Turkish marble city where the Apostle Paul spent three years of his ministry, to the Greek city of Corinth which inspired his most important letter, and countless beautiful places in between, Pastor Peter Marty will be the lecturing host for…
Ryan Bailey will begin work on Sunday, Aug. 9, as the director of faith formation. In that role, Ryan’s daily life will mean time spent with confirmation students, adult learning on Sundays and throughout the week, and guiding the programs that engag…
ChurchJazz, a Chicago-based jazz ministry, will come to paint the town jazz at St. Paul Lutheran Church on Sunday, July 26. This group of veteran musicians will play the Chicago Jazz Mass at the 9:20 and 11 a.m. services at St. Paul. It is free and o…