19 Sep 2019 0 Comment

DeacPost “My Help Comes From the Lord

I will lift up my eyes to the hills -- from where will my help come? The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore. Psalm 121:1;8 I felt very alone driving a 30-foot motor home from Oregon to...
12 Sep 2019 0 Comment

DeacPost “Mutuality in Ministry”

Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.  Matt 5:4 Our congregation was in turmoil. Our pastor had died suddenly, and the shock of losing someone so young turned us upside down.  The congregation felt like a ship...
9 Sep 2019 0 Comment

100 Years of Service – Blanche “Sprat” Spratley

Peggy Shea, Sprat, & Susan Wendorf Blanche Spratley, affectionately known as “Sprat”, was the beloved cook at Deaconess Hall for 13 ½ years, from the time it opened in 1958 through 1971 or so. She was born in Chicago but also...
5 Sep 2019 0 Comment

DeacPost “Practicing” Forgiveness

“Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” -- Matthew 6:12 Do we often pray this almost without thinking? Or is this Lord's Prayer petition a powerful reminder that calls to mind those who we need to...
2 Sep 2019 0 Comment

100 Years of Service – Deaconess Norma Cook Everist

At the age of 11, after the sudden death of her father, Norma Cook moved with her mother and sister to Mason City, Iowa, where Bethlehem Lutheran Church welcomed and supported them. There she experienced the unconditional love of Jesus...
29 Aug 2019 0 Comment

DeacPost “Tomatoes and Faith”

But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15 The tomatoes in our garden...
26 Aug 2019 0 Comment

100 Years of Service – Deaconess Edie Hovey

(The following was written by Deaconess Edie Hovey) Edie was born in Cleveland, Ohio and raised in its suburbs. She attended Lutheran grade school and graduated from Westlake High School in 1957. She had been very active in the Walther...
22 Aug 2019 0 Comment

DeacPost “Take My Hand”

“For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’” Isaiah 41:13 (NRSV) One of my fondest memories of my mom is from 1945 as she took my hand and lead me from our apartment...
19 Aug 2019 0 Comment

100 Years of Service – The Relationship Between VU & The LDA (Part 2)

Following are excerpts from a talk given by Dr. James W. Albers, VU Professor Emeritus, at the LDA Annual Meeting on November 3, 2018.  They continue the story of the 76-year relationship between Valparaiso University and the Lutheran...
15 Aug 2019 0 Comment

DeacPost “God’s Face in Yours”

“…for truly to see your face is like seeing the face of God – since you have received me with such favor.”  Genesis 33: 10 Meeting between Esau and JacobGiovanni Maria Bottala 1636 Jacob’s declaration is incredible! As a...