Devotion Reformation

I am sure when many people think of October, they think of October 31st, which is known the world over as Halloween. Many will look forward to dressing up in costumes this year or taking their children around to get candy. This day was originally called All Hallows' Eve because it is the eve of All Saints' Day. For Lutherans, All Hallows' Eve is remembered for what Martin Luther did, which we now celebrate as Reformation Day. This is the day we celebrate Luther and his writing of the Ninety-five Theses. This document, along with Luther's other writings, would go on to change the world.

Through his writings, Luther challenged many Catholic beliefs of the time. These included their teachings on purgatory, indulgences, and a person's ability to earn their own salvation. On this day, we celebrate both Martin Luther and his rediscovery of the Gospel, an event that took place over 500 years ago. He highlighted the Gospel truth that man is justified by Christ alone and His saving work. As Ephesians 2:8 puts it, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”

This year I hope we all can celebrate Luther’s faithful preaching of this text and others that teach our salvation is by Christ alone, and not because of our works.

Devotions: Reformation

It’s fun throughout the year to explore how the many seasons, feasts, and festivals are celebrated throughout the year.

The month of October happens while we are still in the long season of Pentecost. As Lutherans, we celebrate the Reformation in October. Reformation Day falls on October 31st, marking the day Martin Luther posted his Ninety-five Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg.

Normally, the Reformation is celebrated on the nearest Sunday rather than on a weekday. Lutherans have been celebrating the Reformation since the 16th century.

In fact, Luther wrote the following to Nikolaus von Amsdorf on Nov. 1, 1527: (Luther's Works): "Ten years after the indulgences have been destroyed, we drink in memory of them and are comforted at this hour."

In the 1800s, when Lutherans came to America, they also started to celebrate the Reformation. In fact, the Reformation became a day to remember for the majority of American Protestants.

The Reformation should be a positive holiday—one in which we thank God for the many gifts he has given to us. These include the Scriptures, salvation by grace, and the universal priesthood of all believers. These are some of the things that Luther championed in his day, and we can champion them in our day as well.

[The following sources were used:

Luther's Works, Volume 49, pp. 175–177. Letter to Nikolaus von Amsdorf (November 1, 1527).

And Kleinhans, Theodore J. The Year of the Lord: The Church Year: Its Customs, Growth & Ceremonies. St. Louis: Concordia Pub. House, 1967.]

Devotion

We celebrate Halloween on October 31st. Yet, as Lutherans, it is on this same day that we celebrate the Reformation. The reason we celebrate the Reformation on that day is simple: on October 31st, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-five Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. So, who was Luther?

Luther was born on Nov. 10, 1483, in Eisleben, Germany.

As an Augustinian monk, Luther fasted, prayed, and both attended and led Mass. Despite this holy life, he was in constant doubt of his salvation. Luther began concentrating his studies on the Bible rather than the Church Fathers. In 1514, while studying Paul’s letter to the Romans in his tower room in Wittenberg, he finally saw the pure Gospel. He realized that sinners are saved not through good works but by the gift of God through faith. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

This realization sparked a concern that the church’s practice of selling certificates of forgiveness (called indulgences) would lead to the loss of true contrition for sins. If people could receive a pardon for all sins, they might spend the rest of their lives unconcerned about the status of their souls. Luther felt he must protect his flock from this dangerous practice. Therefore, on Oct. 31, 1517, Luther posted his 95 Theses on the Castle Church doors, seeking a scholarly debate on the sale of indulgences. This led to a series of written materials and debates on the church practices of the time, the final culmination of which resulted in Luther being called before Emperor Charles V at a meeting in Worms, Germany, where Luther was asked to recant his writings. His bold refusal to recant at Worms solidified the movement that began in Wittenberg, giving us a profound reason to celebrate every October 31st.

Devotion for Friday September 25th 2026.

            One of the tings you learn about in a church is the church year. And it is fun to learn about the seasons and festivals that happen through out a given year.  In the Summertime and into late fall we are still in the season of Pentecost.  On September 29th there is a Feast Lutherans usually don’t celebrate, but it has been popular since the Sixth Century.  It is called the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels.  In the book of Revelation 12, Michael is the one who engages with Battle with Satan and throws him out of heaven.  This is one of the reasons there is a lot of folklore and Legends about St. Michael.  Some believed his primary job was to guide the souls of the blessed to heaven, once they had finished their earthly pilgrimage.

            The Feast really marks the anniversary of a Roman Church.  The Lutheran reformers later added the words “And All Angels” to include four other holy days honoring the angels.  They were following the same pattern that the Orthodox church had followed.  In the sixth century Michael had five distinct orders of worship, an Honor that was shared only by Christmas and Easter.  Orders of worship are the outline of what we follow on Sunday.  Divine Service Setting Three in the Lutheran Service book is an order of worship.  I think this shows how popular the Feast of Michael was at the time.

            In Germanic Countries the festival fell at the same time as the quarterly meeting of the Thing, which was the name for Parliament.  This means the markets, fairs, dancing, feasting, and courts brought in country folk for miles around.  So even though the Feast has fallen out of popularity today, it easy to see it was an Important Feast in the Church Year. 

Fall Devotion

The month of September was always my least favorite month of the year as a child. For one thing, at the beginning of the month, we would close down our pool. It was also the month when school started, and as a child, I hated school. I imagine a few kids and teachers are already missing summer.

I often think about why I hated school. For one thing, I never got paid, so I always just saw it as a hassle. Instead, I should have seen it as a vocation.

In Lutheranism, vocations are roles that God has placed us into for the purpose of serving our neighbors. Obviously, we can see a parent or teacher as having a vocation, as they regularly help children. However, Martin Luther also teaches that being a child or a student is a vocation. In the Small Catechism's Table of Duties, there are responsibilities listed for both the 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

As a new school year begins, let us encourage our students and teachers to see their classrooms not as a hassle, but as the very place God has called them to love and serve their neighbors today.

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.