The Minor Prophets: An Overview
The Greek title “Book of the Twelve” (dodekapropheton) describes [the last twelve] of the Latter Prophets in the Hebrew canon. Jesus son of Sirach perhaps referred to this title when he...
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Celebrating the 500th Anniversary of the First Lutheran Hymnal
Beloved Lutheran hymnals have a long history, dating all the way back to 1524 in Germany. Each variation has been used for different purposes, such as a home devotional that eventually...
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How to Rank Your Church on Google with SEO
Have you ever wondered how Google knows what websites to suggest when you look something up? It’s called SEO—search engine optimization—and it helps users find a website by improving its...
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Ordinary Callings: April 2024 Everyday Faith Calendar
In college, I attended a Bible study hosted at a pastor’s home. One week, he said our homework was to make a list of our biggest questions about faith, and we’d discuss them and seek...
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Digging Deeper into Scripture: Mark 10:35–45
I grew up reading comic books (often when I should have been studying). I was fascinated by the heroes, stories, art, and action. Back then, you could buy comic books at the grocery...
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Music of the Month: Easter with Minimum Pedal
Edwin T. Childs adds to his series of settings for minimal pedal, providing a collection of hymn tunes for the Easter season. Composed as a single stanza, these preludes are suitable as...
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How Mass Texting Can Lead to Better Engagement in Your Church
Every day, most of us receive text messages—from our family members, coworkers, and friends. But have you ever received a text from your church? The concept might seem foreign to some,...
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The Gospel of Matthew: An Overview
The first book of the New Testament begins in a manner similar to the first book of the Old Testament: focused on genealogy (cf Matthew 1:1–17; Genesis 5). Matthew sketches for us a human...
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Spring into Giving with Vanco’s Fee-Free Promotion
While your church is busy making plans for a successful Lent and Easter season, summer will be here before we know it. With the joys of summer come warmer weather and summer vacations,...
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How To Streamline Your Church’s Giving Practices
Offerings, or financial giving, can be a tricky thing to talk about in the church. Yet it’s a vital part of ministry and people’s life of faith.
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Five Easy-to-Learn Sheet Music Options for Easter
Every spring, Easter comes around in the Church Year as a celebration of the battle Christ has won for believers everywhere. He has conquered the devil, died for your sins, and defeated...
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Parenting Guilt, God’s Grace: March 2024 Everyday Faith Calendar
It was a month or so after our second child was born, and my almost two-year-old decided he wanted to join the rest of the family and stop sleeping too. Fighting bedtime, skipping his...
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Digging Deeper into Scripture: Genesis 22:1–18
The United States enjoys what is largely a free-market economy. Those entering and competing in the free-market economy vie for the attention of the consumer and do so, in part, with...
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3 Ways to Foster Young Leaders at Your Church
Healthy youth ministry recognizes the capability of teens and how God can work through them as servant leaders. Youth leaders can set high expectations for young people, engaging them...
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Music of the Month: Hymn Tune Innovations: 5 Preludes for Lent
This collection of five preludes for Lent is another stunning addition to the Hymn Tune Innovations series. Benjamin M. Culli has composed five accessible preludes for use during the...
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How MinistryFOCUS Offers Help to Ministry Leaders
For individuals who have answered the call to serve in churches and schools in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, financial burdens can be substantial. Today, you will learn more about...
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The Major Prophets: An Overview
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