Scripture comfort in adversity
God is sovereign even in adversity. God is still in control. "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). "God is…
Parenting tips to help kids cope
Kids often have many questions and concerns following a tragedy, community violence, or other stressful situation. Here are some parenting tips: Given that every child is a unique creation of God,…
Easter outreach program available
Victorious! It’s a message that the world needs to hear today. “Many people in our country feel defeated by life. Many are being defeated by disease. All will eventually be…
Church in Panama City rededicated after hurricane
What a difference a year makes. On Oct. 10, 2018, Hurricane Michael blew through Panama City as a category five hurricane, severely damaging the church and parsonage of Amazing Grace…
Mission trips provide new perspectives and opportunities
For the past five years, teens from St. John, Wauwatosa, Wis., have hit the road each summer to drive across the country. What were they doing? Helping mission churches reach…
Lutheran leadership conference a success
WELS Congregational Services hosted the first ever WELS National Conference on Lutheran Leadership in Chicago, Jan. 21–23. Approximately 800 people, representing about 350 WELS congregations, met to hear five plenary…
Book nook: 5-minute Bible Studies for Teens
Bible studies for teens Clark Schultz’s 5-Minute Bible Studies for Teens is a great devotion book for modern teenagers. The short devotions are meaningful, yet they do not take up…
Parent conversations: Should I give something up for Lent?
Should I or shouldn’t I? It’s a question I ask myself each Lenten season. Should I give something up? I know I don’t need to, but would it help me…
A Bible story just for me: Depression
Longing for the mountaintop, sitting under a shrub: Depression Gregory C. Lyon Loneliness. Hopelessness. A lack of motivation. A lack of purpose. It’s been described as a black cloud that…
My Christian life: Spencer Beach
A modern-day Job story reminds us of God's grace and love. Julie K. Wietzke For most people, it would have been the worst day of their life. Maybe it was…
Teen talk: You are not alone
When you feel at the bottom with nowhere to go, turn to the Lord. Emmilee S. Hillier Empty. Forgotten. Worthless. Defeated. Hopeless. Alone. I feel all these things when I’m…
Dust you are
The smudged ashes announce that our story does not end in the dust of death. Peter A. Panitzke Look hundreds of people in the eye and tell them that they…
Devotion: Jesus’ last will and testament
“And he took bread, . . . saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ . . . He took the cup, saying, ‘This cup…
Please explain: Whom do we blame for bad things?
Whom do we blame for bad things? Jeffrey L. Samelson It’s a question the disciples asked Jesus, and it’s not an unusual one: “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his…
Ever been tempted like that?
We are all tempted and often fail. Only Jesus has been perfectly obedient. Stephen G. Helwig Have you ever fasted 40 days and 40 nights out in the wilderness? Have…
Q&A: How can we say that the Old Testament God is the same as the New Testament God?
The God of the Old Testament wiped out the world with a flood, sent plagues on the Egyptians, and commanded his people to kill the Canaanites. He revealed himself only…
President’s message: What’s love got to do with it?
Mark G. Schroeder From time to time I receive questions about why our synod puts a particular doctrine into practice the way we do. I had such a question recently…
Confessions of faith: Holly Vaden and the Thorsons
The Holy Spirit used individuals, life circumstances, and a yearning for clarity to draw three friends around God’s Word. Rachel Hartman More than 20 years ago, Holly Vaden and Anna…
A man with unclean lips
Glenn L. Schwanke The word “hell” keeps popping up in my reading these days. No, I’m not talking about my daily study of Scripture. I’m talking about the newsfeeds on…
Bible study: God has not grown soft on sin
David Scharf God certainly showed himself to be holy and willing to punish sin and disobedience in the Old Testament. At the same time, he also desired the salvation of…
A thought: The Christ
John A. Braun Christianity is not just a label, a category, or a space to be filled in for some pollster. We are named after Christ. The shepherds heard the…
A new twist on vacation Bible school
Last summer, St. Peter, Modesto, Calif., decided to try something new with its summer programs for kids. The congregation had been conducting a morning soccer Bible camp each year aimed…
Lent means love
Lenten Bible readings and hymns remind us of God’s love and our opportunity to reflect that love. Mark W. Tiefel Each year, as winter yields to spring and as February…
Members support Vietnam outreach
In 2018, God's grace opened the door to an unprecedented mission opportunity for our synod. The communist Vietnamese government invited WELS to build a theological education facility in the capital…
Stories of Christian love
This month’s “This is WELS” features photos from congregations about how their members show Christian love. Here are a few stories behind the photos: St. Croix Lutheran Academy, West St.…
Bible study: Only one path leads to God’s presence
David Scharf Imagine you are stepping out onto the streets, and you ask this question to a cross-section of people: “How would you describe God and who he is to…
Devotion: Repent of deception
“When such a person hears the words of this oath and they invoke a blessing on themselves, thinking, ‘I will be safe, even though I persist in going my own…
Dakota-Montana
Dakota-Montana Student volunteers from Great Plains Lutheran High School, Watertown, S.D., held a Christmas party for its New Friends group in the school gymnasium on Dec. 15, 2019. This gathering…
South Central
South Central The core group of WELS’ newest home mission congregation, Hope, Houston, Texas, has been meeting for Bible studies in a community room/co-working space that a local realty office…
Campus cornerstone: 4 ways to keep your faith strong
How to stay close to Jesus when college life threatens to pull you away. Hannah White Where is Jesus in your life? It’s a good question for every Christian and…
Much more than hymns
The new hymnal will help us plan worship, sing, and grow in our Christian faith. The phrase “just the tip of the iceberg” existed long before 1912, but the sinking…
Meet the editorial staff: Snowden Sims
Meet the editorial staff Ever ask yourself, “Who are these people who write for Forward in Christ?” Through this series, you can find out. This month, Forward in Christ welcomes…
Jesus is the prophet
Jesus was anointed to be our Prophet, Priest, and King. As our Prophet, he proclaims God’s message of sin and grace. Kirk E. Lahmann When you think of a prophet,…
Please explain: Are sins of thought as bad as committing the actual sin?
Are sins of thought as bad as committing the actual sin? Nicolas C. Schmoller We know how laws work in our world. Different crimes necessitate different punishments. Can you imagine…
Southeastern Wisconsin
Southeastern Wisconsin St. John's on the Hillside, Milwaukee, Wis., (pictured) celebrated its 171st anniversary on Dec. 5, 2019. St. Matthew, Port Washington, Wis., celebrated its 40th anniversary on Nov. 3, 2019. On…
Arizona-California
Arizona-California Gloria Dei, Belmont, Calif., reports that it completed a “refresh” of its sanctuary in November 2019.
Proposed changes to improve retirement benefits
The WELS Retirement Strategy Committee, a special committee appointed by the Synodical Council several years ago, has announced proposed changes to the WELS retirement program. It is proposed that the…
A thought: Trusting what we cannot see
Trusting what we cannot see Seeing the little baby in the manger at Christmas fills us all with joy and wonder. It is a universal experience because we have all…
A Bible story just for me: Trauma
When Jesus feels, but he doesn’t change the situation. Gregory C. Lyon On April 19, 1995, at 9:02 a.m., the Alfred P. Murrah building in Oklahoma City was bombed, claiming…
The Father to the fatherless
Snowden G. Sims Being fatherless is a reality in our world today. Serving in a midwestern urban setting, I encounter single mothers with children who may not see their fathers…
Confessions of faith: Delaney Leffel
Music becomes an invitation to learn of Jesus. Gabriella Blauert Our parents are often our first role models. They are the ones we look up to for guidance and moral…
Q&A: Is Jesus the only way to get to heaven?
My neighbor does not believe in God, but he is the nicest person I have ever met. I have heard that some denominations say that Jesus is not the only…
WELS news briefs: February 2020
World Missions missionspromotions@wels.net; 414-256-3237 The Russian Lutheran Church celebrated 25 years of God’s blessings on Nov. 3, 2019. Members gathered together in Akademgorodok for a joint worship service celebrating the…
Agape love
The Bible uses agape, the Greek word for love, to describe perfect love. Rhoda Wolle First Corinthians defines agape love like this: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does…
MLC mid-year graduates
Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn., held its mid-year graduation on Dec. 19, 2019. Three students graduated with their bachelor of science degree, and nine students graduated with their bachelor…
My Christian life: Mission opportunities in South Asia
God provides exciting new mission opportunities through a Christian from South Asia. “Put the best minds in World Missions in a room. Tell them to come up with a plan…
President’s message: Whose finest hour?
Mark G. Schroeder In June 1940, fear and despair gripped the people of Great Britain as the Nazi German armies rolled across northern Europe, conquering Belgium, the Netherlands, and eventually…
Parent conversations: How can I keep my child engaged in attending church?
Let’s be honest. Worshiping with children does not always feel . . . worshipful. I believe that most parents desperately want to engage their children in worship—but we just don’t…
Question and answer: Equipping Christian Witnesses: Part 3
In celebration of its 25th anniversary in 2020, Martin Luther College (MLC), with the approval of the Conference of Presidents, has begun a two-year capital campaign called “Equipping Christian Witnesses.”…