Devotion for September 4th, 2026

For some children, this month can be their least favorite month of the year. For one thing, at the beginning of September many families close down their pools. It is also often the month when school starts. I imagine a few kids—and teachers—are already missing summer.

Children often dislike school. What’s the reason for that? For one thing, they never get paid, so it is easy to see school as a hassle. As a Christian, however, a young person can see their role as a student as a vocation.

Vocations are roles that God has placed us in for the purpose of serving our neighbors. We can easily see a parent or teacher as having vocations, since they often help children. Martin Luther also teaches that being a child or a student is itself a vocation. In the Small Catechism’s Table of Duties, there are responsibilities listed for both youth and students.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and your mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise—“that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Ephesians 6:1–3

Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:5–6

Old Testament Holiday Devotion

During this Summer I want to discuss some Holidays that are in the Old Testament.

God prescribes many religious holidays for the people of Israel in the Bible. Today, I want to talk about Purim. Although Purim is not as central as other holidays we have discussed, it is still Biblical. Purim is celebrated annually on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar (typically in March). The day celebrates when Esther saved her people while they were living under the Persian Empire. We find out in her own book of the Bible that Esther is a Jewish girl. She becomes the wife of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I) after he has a falling out with his wife, Vashti. This probably happened around 478 B.C.

I want to give a short outline of Esther. First, in the early section of the book, there is a sense that the lives of the Jews are in danger (1:1–5:14). During these chapters, Queen Vashti is replaced by Esther. Then, there is a report by Mordecai, who is an older cousin and father figure to Esther. He discovers an assassination plot against Ahasuerus and tells Esther about it. Later, Haman asks permission from the king to kill the Jews because one Jew (Mordecai) refuses to bow to him. The king issues a decree. Mordecai talks to Esther to convince her to go before the king, saying to her in Esther 4:14:

"For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?"

She goes before the king. The plot is exposed, Haman is revealed as wicked, and Mordecai is made an important official.

A lot happens in this book, and I encourage every Christian to read it. It’s probably the closest the Bible gets to a spy novel or movie. The holiday of Purim itself is established in chapters 9:20–23. The fun thing about the holiday is that the book of Esther is read in public, with actions required from the audience. When Esther’s name is read, you are supposed to go “ah.” When Mordecai’s name is read, you are supposed to cheer. And when Haman’s name is read, the listeners are supposed to boo! Apparently, it’s a festive holiday with drinking and dressing up, and Jews still celebrate it to this day.

What does Purim or the life of Esther have to say to us? First, we too should not bow before paganism, nor should we treat the government as a god. Second, God places us in specific roles at specific times to do our duty. We might not know what important roles God has planned out for us.

Devotion for July 29th 2026

Last July, Pastor Stuenkel went with 23 other people to the National youth Gathering.  It was a lot of fun.  We got to do a lot of sightseeing.  We went to the World War 2 Museum. We got to listen to fun music, and some pretty good sermons.  The best part though, is probably the Sessions.  They have these breakout sessions for the kids.  There was one about Jeremiah, that several of the kids and I attended.

     I also got to meet old friends during the Gathering.  I was speaking to one of my friends and he said the most popular session by far was about Young Men and Andrew Tate.  Andrew Tate is a popular internet Personality.   He mostly has these very confident videos where he talks about his adventures with Women.  But Andrew Tate is a horrible human being! On July 18, 2026 Andrew and Tristan Tate were arrested by U.S. authorities in Miami after British authorities brought dozens of additional charges against them and announced they would seek extradition. One of the things Andrew is being accused of choking women, sometimes until they passed out.

      Despite all the allegations against him; young men over the years have still gravitated to him.  It’s not surprising than that the session at the national youth gathering was so popular. Nor that a lot of the boys coming to the seesion wanted to defend Andrew Tate, but we're in for a rude awakening when they learned what he was really like.

     One theory as to why Andrew Tate is so popular is that young men lack Positive male role models.  And that got me thinking.  Jesus, not Andrew Tate, is the perfect male role model.  Rather than wanting to traffic women, he was willing to die for his Bride the Church.

     And I want to address and challenge the men of our Congregation (Myself included).  Are you modeling Christ in your life?  Are you a good Male Role model for the younger men or boys in your life?  Are you teaching the men in your life how to pray, to read the Bible?  Most importantly are you treating the women in your life with respect in a way that shows younger men this is how it is done.  Now, are we perfect?  No!  Which is why we have to keep going back to the perfect male role model in our lives who died for us: Jesus. 

Devotion for our Nations 250th Birthday.

     This July 4th our country turns 250 years old.  It’s an exciting time for our country.  As a Christian it is always good to be thankful for all the things God provides for you in your life.  One of the things Luther included in his thanks for daily bread was not just food and drink, or house and home, but “good government”.  And we are lucky to have not just a stable government but one that allows us the free exercise of religion.

     That is why we pray for our country, our President, and our Leaders no matter what year it is.  And no matter who is in charge of our country.  And we should give thanks to God that our Country has lasted for 250 years.  And we should be thankful to the people who gave their lives that our nation would not perish from the earth.

     As old as our Country is, we should remind ourselves also that we are citizens of another country.  A country whose builders are not soldiers and rebels.  Whose leader is not a president.  And one that is not governed by men.  We are also citizens of an eternal kingdom in Heaven.  One built by the nails of Jesus’ cross.  One that he rules while sitting at the right hand of his Father.

I do look forward to celebrating our Nation’s birthday every Year. I look forward to the fireworks and the parades. I also look more forward to seeing God’s eternal kingdom with my own eyes. 

 Happy Birthday America!

Rev. Jacob Stuenkel

St. Paul Lutheran Church Flatrock Township, Ohio History - 1851-2026. Part 5.

Last time we talked about how Pastor Dulitz served the church in 1880s. Pastor William L. Fischer succeeded Pastor Dulitz and was installed in his new field the Twenty-second Sunday after Trinity, 1884. For fourteen years Pastor Fischer served the largest parish in this territory, St. Paul, Napoleon, St. Paul, Flatrock Township, and St. John, Freedom Township.

A year after Pastor Fischer began his work in this area, St. Paul, Napoleon, erected a school building. St. Paul also took part in this effort and aided the cause of Christian education in Pastor Fischer's parish. Some years later, in 1892, our own church built a schoolhouse measuring 18 feet by 24 feet. When constructed, it was located on the east side of the old church in adjacent Monroe Township. Since then the school was moved a number of times until it was sold in the early part of 1950.

Under the leadership of Pastor Fischer, Immanuel congregation north of Hamler came into being. It was organized February 8, 1896.

The address for the St Paul Lutheran church in Flatrock in Ohio is 12-868 County Road K Napoleon OH, 43545.

LWML CONVENTION 2026

Today Pastor will leave for the OHIO LWML CONVENTION in Cleveland Ohio. Pastor is the Junior Pastoral Counselor for LWML in OHIO. The 2026 LWML Ohio District Convention 
is going on JUNE 26 & 27, 2026. It is at St. Paul Lutheran Church (27993 Detroit Rd.)
WESTLAKE, OHIO. They will have worship service at the church on Friday at 7pm.

Here are some prayers for the convention.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the joyful privilege of serving You through the LWML. Bless our hands and hearts as we gather to support mission grants, encourage one another, and share Your saving love. Open our eyes to the needs of our communities and the world, and empower us through the Holy Spirit to be faithful witnesses to the ends of the earth. In Jesus' name, Amen." 

Almighty and everlasting God, we thank You for the gift of our Synod and for the LWML. We pray for our People who are running the convention. We also pray for the people and organizations that we will be supporting in our Grants. Through Your Holy Spirit give all of us wisdom, humility, and steadfast faith as we participate in this convention. Help it be done for Your Glory. In Jesus' name, Amen." 

St. Paul Lutheran Church Flatrock Township, Ohio History - 1851-2026. Part 4.

Our Sister Congregation St Paul Flatrock is celebrating it’s 175 Anniversary on August 23rd 2026. I thought it would be nice to share some of that history!

Last time we discussed how in the year 1858 the faithful Lutheran pastor Adolph William Bergt began to serve St Paul Flatrock.

Pastor Paul Rupprecht, called from Minnesota, became the successor of Pastor Bergt. His field of work was rather large. Resigning at St. James, Fulton County, where he had been installed on June 5, 1864, he served our congregation in addition to St. John's, Ridgeville Township, and St. Paul's, Napoleon.

When three years later Williams County was added to Pastor Rupprecht's field, an assistant in the person of John Peter Karrer, was given him. Pastor Karrer was installed in Flatrock and in Napoleon on September 1, 1867. At first our pastor resided in Flatrock Township, but after a year with us he moved to Napoleon. Pastor Karrer's work expanded. St. John's, Freedom Township, also came under his care. On September 18, 1870, assistance was given by the arrival of Candidate Adalbert Krafft. On that day the latter was inducted into office at St. Paul by Pastor Detzer. In the resultant division of work Pastor Krafft also took over the duties at St. John's-Michaelis, Florida.

When on September 24, 1871, Pastor Krafft was installed as pastor of the St. James, Fulton County, and St. John, Ridgeville Township, congregations, he could no longer serve St. Paul because of the distance. Therefore, St. Paul, along with four other congregations in and around Napoleon, called Pastor Henry Ludwig Dulitz of Huntington, Indiana.

Although he was called in December, 1871, Pastor Dulitz was not able to move into the vicinity until some months later. Residing in Napoleon, he served the congregation there and our congregation, as well as St. Paul and Zion in Hanover Settlement, and St. John in Freedom Township.

Apparently no notice was taken of the congregation's 25th anniversary in 1876 since the pastor had much work to do. In the fall of the year 1883 the health of Pastor Dulitz began to fail. Finding no relief for the severe headaches which beset him, he resigned his pastorate in August of 1884. He had served St. Paul faithfully for twelve years. After moving to Detroit and serving as an assistant pastor there, he died on November 27, 1885, at the age of 65 years.

The History of St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church in Florida Ohio; Building Part 1

Last September [2025] St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church celebrated its 150th Anniversary. Every Wednesday we are going to post one of the articles from the time of our Anniversary. These were created at the direction of the St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church 150th Anniversary Committee.

Taken from “The Life of Christ in Stained Glass St. Peter Ev. Lutheran Church Windows Florida, Ohio”

The Church Building

Bible References We hasten to our beautiful St. Peter Ev. Building every Lord’s Day to receive Rev. 1:10 the blessings and benefits of the Cross of Christ, the blessings of grace and peace which our holy and merciful God bestows upon us through WORD and SACRAMENTS

The founding fathers of the congregation chose as the name of the congregation “St. Peter Ev. Lutheran Church.” This name appears twice on the property: (1) on the Cornerstone and (2) on the church sign board.

Much symbolism is incorporated into the architecture of the building.

I Peter 3:18-22 The church building is before us as the ship or ark of salvation (in your mind turn the building upside down and your mind’s eye will see it as a ship) and also as the haven of peace and rest when the storms of life o’er take us.

Matthew 21:13 The spire reaching toward heaven reminds us that we await the Second Coming of our

Matthew 6:10 Lord “to judge the living and the dead.” The spire also reminds us that we are heaven bound, that we await the glorious revelation (appearing) of our Lord Jesus Christ. We look forward to that appearing as we deep on praying in the Father’s house of prayer, “Thy Kingdom (of glory) come.”

Acts 1:8 The CROSS on top of the spire with its arms extending out to the world recalls for us Christ’s command to be witnesses for Him “to the end of the earth.” Therefore, in words He taught us we continue to pray, “Thy Kingdom (of grace) come.”

The CROSS -- on tip of the spire, bell tower, on the front chancel wall, the church Doors -- marks this church as Christian. In all instances the Cross is empty, a vivid reminder that we worship Christ as crucified but now risen. He is “God’s own sacrifice complete.”

Heb. 13:20-21 The bell is used to signal the beginning of the worship of the FLOCK OF CHRIST who gather in this place around WORD AND SARAMENTS. We hear His Word of condemning Law and reconciling Gospel. We receive of His grace in the Sacraments of Holy Baptism and Holy Communion. We bless the Name of Him who is the “great Shepherd of the sheep.”

Memorial Day Sermon

[The following is a version of what I gave at the Memorial Day Service at the gravesite in Florida Ohio]

Grace mercy and Peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen   The Text for the Sermon today is the Epistle reading, “Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2).

My wife and I are listening to this book Titled The President Is Dead! And you could probably guess: it’s all about how they all died. There is a lot of Good things about the book but my favorite was a quote from "Light-Horse Harry" Lee. [He is the Father of General Robert E Lee; and he was one of George Washington’s generals]. And when our First President, George Washington Died, he gave this Eulogy:

“First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.” 

And when we consider the men who have died for our country that is usually how we think about them.

I want everyone here to think about a family member they have in the military. What was it like when you first heard they had served? Others of you have to think about the first time they told you they were going to serve. Do you remember what they looked like in their uniform? If you remember when they went off to war or to a conflict, where you concerned for their safety?

This Summer our county will celebrate its 250th Birthday. And we have been at war a lot of that TIME! We started fighting the British. Later we fought ourselves. Even later, Americans  fought in World War 2. We fought in the Korean War. We fought in Vietnam. In the 90’s we fought in Iraq and in Yugoslavia.  Recently, we have fought in the war on Terror. This very day Soldiers are deployed all over the world. And are even in Combat zones around IRAN As we speak.

We can look at the people who fought and died for this country and see them as Heroes. We can see the men and women who serve our country right now as heroes also.

Today is a day where we should think about our own sense of Patriotism. Today we should have a renewed sense of gratitude for those who served this country. Another quote I love is what Abraham Lincoln said about the men who died at Gettysburg:

We are met to dedicate a portion of it as the final resting-place of those who here gave their lives that that nation might live.

Today I ask you to be grateful for our country, which so many men and woman have died for. We should also be grateful for all the men and woman who serve in active duty. We should also be grateful for those members of our community and our Family who are veterans. Today is a National holiday. It is not a religious holiday pure-say, but today like every day we can give thanks to God.

After all we have a TIMELESS, Great and GRACE-Filled God. When we loss people in a war it might make us ask WHERE IS GOD? The answer is He is PRESENT IS with his people.

The resurrected Jesus in Matthew 28:20b [NIV] 20  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” In other words, the son of God answers, “I am where and who I have always been, and will always be. I am almighty. And, I shall show my power on the last day.”

It’s true, we live in a broken world. Our own sins are proof that we live in a world that is broken. We can also see the wars and bloodshed that happens in this world and recognize that it is broken. But we should also remember that Jesus died for this world. He redeemed this world through the Cross. It’s easy to look at a century of warfare and think the world is unlovable. If you think even for a second that Jesus has left you or has stopped loving you, I invite you look at the Cross and the Empty Tomb.

We need to stop focusing on death and gravestones. Its easy for us to focus on such things, especially in a year full of War. We need instead to focus on a manager in Bethlehem. We need to focus on a Cross at Golgotha. And we need to focus on an empty tomb in Jerusalem.

Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, including yours. He even died for the sins of all of humanity. How awesome is the love of God, to send his son to do such a thing.

God’s perfect love can cast out our fear. It can even cast out our fear of death. It can cast out our fear of the unknown, of terrorism and even of Covid.

If you have family members who are deployed, they need to hear from you. They need to hear that you are praying for them. And if they can hear that God loves them, even in the midst of their deployment.

1 John 4:16 [NIV].

13 This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

I want to end with the words of Abraham Lincoln because I think it still applies to us today:

IT is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us, that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion; that we here highly resolve that the dead shall not have died in vain; that the nation shall, under God, have a new birth of freedom; and that Governments of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

May the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, guard and keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen

Devotion on Old Testament Holidays Part 2

During this Summer I want to discuss some Holidays that are in the Old Testament. Today, we learn about Yom Kippur. This in English means, The Day of Atonement. It is described in detail in Leviticus 16. It’s called the day of Atonement because the word “atone” appears 16 times in this chapter. Atone has the idea of “to ransom” or “to purge away”. The purpose of the day was to perform an act of atonement for people’s sins.

It occurs annually on the 10th of Tishrei. Which typically falls around early fall; during the months of September or October. The Holiday is primarily centered on atonement and repentance. “The ritual for the Day of Atonement cleansed the people from all the sins for which the normal sacrifices prescribed in chapters 1-7 did not atone for.”

            The High Priest, at the time of Leviticus Aaron, plays a central role.  This is the day where the High Priest enters the Holy of Holies. This is where the ark of the covenant was stored. He was threatened with death if he entered any other day. 

            Aaron had to wear special vestments for the day. But he had to breathe before he could put on those vestments. He also has to kill an animal for his own sins.

            After sacrificing an animal for his own sins. The high Priest would take two goats. One goat was for the LORD. Another goat was “For Azazel”. [Some people believe Azazel is another name for the devil].

            The goat tagged for the Lord is killed and the goat’s blood is sprinkled on the ark of the covenant by the High Priest.  The blood of Jesus is described in a similar way in the New Testament. 1 John 4:10 [ESV]: States: In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. “Propitiation” is the word for the sprinkled blood of the atoning sacrifice. Romans 3:21-25 talks about Jesus’ blood in a similar way.

“21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.”

            Finally the Goat tagged for Azazel is taken out in the wilderness. This goat is often called the Scapegoat. The High Priest places his hands and this shows the people that their sins are being placed on this goat. Two similarities are found in the life of Jesus. First after his Baptism, Jesus goes to be tempted by Satan. Jesus’ baptism is where the sins of the world are placed on Him. Secondly, when Jesus is crucified, he carries his own cross out of the main city and goes to the place of the skull!

            Yom Kippur is still celebrated to this day by Jews. Although, they do not have a high priest nor can they do the rituals. During the Old Testament times, and during the life of Jesus Yom Kippur was celebrated yearly. As Christians we do not celebrate Yom Kippur because Jesus’ death on Good Friday was the fulfillment of this holiday.

Hebrews 7:26-27 [ESV] explains this:

 26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.

Some of this study used: Kleinig, John W. Leviticus. Concordia Commentary. Saint Louis, MO: Concordia Pub. House, 2003. Especially pages 500-505.