“Concórdia’s mayor said in her speech that many of the civil servants, including her, had grown up attending the church’s AWANA club, and she credits the McLains for shaping their lives to be responsible citizens. During the award ceremony, Rick was able to again lay out the plan of salvation when he spoke. Along with the ceremony, Rick and Gayle celebrated the church’s 35th anniversary.” – Baptist Mid-Missions, December 13, 2022

“‘I didn’t know anyone,’ he recalled. ‘I started from scratch, looking for a cheap house at first. A pastor I knew took me to the train station of that city and asked the information about cheap houses. Then, we took a bus from the train station to a suburban town, rented a house with 150 yuan, and bought a container of oil and a bag of rice. The pastor said, ‘We will pray to the Lord to open the way for you,’ and then went back home.’” – China Christian Daily, December 12, 2022

“’Nowadays we are conscious that many associations bearing the label ‘Lutheran’ are not essentially Lutheran,’ he continued. For that reason, he said, his church is careful to build relationships only with faithful Lutherans who do not ‘promote teachings contrary to the Word of God’ but who can instead ‘repeat with us that Christ is sufficient for us.’” – International Lutheran Council, December 12, 2022

“We have relit the sacred flame of faith and spirit in this place of remembrance and resilience.” – The Christian Post, December 12, 2022

Bible reading: Matthew 11:4-5

“And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.“

Hymn singing: Hark the Glad Sound

“He comes the pris’ners to release,
in Satan’s bondage held;
the gates of brass before him burst,
the iron fetters yield.
He comes the broken heart to bind,
the bleeding soul to cure,
and with the treasures of his grace,
to enrich the humble poor.”

St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church and School – December 11, 2022

“My mother has left quite a legacy, and big shoes to fill. From her I learned what it means to live out Colossians 3:23: ‘Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for men.’” – Reporter, December 8, 2022

“The women on the trip spent time with children, leading them in singing and arts and crafts as they shared God’s love. They made lasting connections with the children, who recognized them and were glad to see them out at the markets throughout the week.” – Florida Baptist Convention, December 7, 2022

“Around 500 participants from more than 80 countries participated in a week-long conference on how to best use theology to build up pastoral training and leadership development in the global Church.” – The Christian Post, December 6, 2022

“So, now with our childhood behind us, we face the mission John and Jesus himself had in proclaiming the Gospel, always in love and patience and prudence, and also always in courage and boldness.” – The Arlington (Virginia) Catholic Herald, December 5, 2022