THIRSTY 69 (Degner / Laitinen / Zarling)

This week Pastor Laitinen and Pastor Zarling discussed Trinity Sunday with Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary professor Sam Degner. Prof. Degner teaches evangelism and New Testament. We discussed Jesus’ Great Commission in Matthew 28:16-20. We spoke in depth about the meaning of Jesus’ words, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

We also studied the powerful last words St. Paul gave to the Corinthians in the Apostolic blessing: “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who wants the water of life take it as a gift. Stay thirsty, my friends. Quench that thirst in the Water of Life.

THIRSTY 68 (Zarling / Laitinen)

This week Pastor Laitinen and Pastor Zarling discussed the Festival of Tabernacles/Shelters that is the context of Jesus’ teaching about living water in John 7:37-39. We then discussed the Festival of Pentecost where the Holy Spirit fulfilled Jesus’ words of sending out the Holy Spirit upon his people.

We also studied the outpouring of spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:3-11. We debated the gifts that the Holy Spirit continues to pour out on his people and those gifts which seem to have ceased. The key is for people to be encouraged to use their gifts for the blessing of God’s people and the glorification of our Triune God.

Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who wants the water of life take it as a gift. Stay thirsty, my friends. Quench that thirst in the Water of Life.

THIRSTY 67 (Cherney / Laitinen / Zarling)

This week Pastor Laitinen and Pastor Zarling interviewed Pastor Ethan Cherney who is the pastor at Bethel in Menasha, WI. We discussed his unique ministry at Bethel of having two bilingual pastors to serve their congregation. Pastor Cherney talked about writing a sermon in Spanish and then translates it on the fly into English for their bilingual services. Pastor Cherney also has a podcast called “Dust and Breath” that he would like you to check out.

We studied John 17:1-11 where Jesus is praying with and for his disciples. As Jesus is about to be betrayed, arrested, tried, beaten, scourged, and crucified, who is on his mind to pray for? We are! We then studied 1 Peter 4:12-17 and 5:6-11 where Peter writes to Christians who are suffering persecution, so he tells them not to be surprised by their suffering. They are sharing in the sufferings of Christ, therefore they have reason to rejoice – in spite of … and because of their sufferings.  

Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who wants the water of life take it as a gift. Stay thirsty, my friends. Quench that thirst in the Water of Life.

THIRSTY 66 (Melso / Laitinen / Zarling)

This week Pastor Laitinen and Pastor Zarling interviewed Pastor Eric Melso who is the pastor at the new mission church of Living Hope in Chattanooga, TN. We discussed the reasons for not holding worship for the first year of the church’s existence, worshiping in various places like a movie theater, and their new church building.  

We studied John 14:15-21 with Jesus promising the Paraclete or Comforter of the Holy Spirit and why the Holy Spirit is so important for our work as pastors, missionaries, and lay people. We also studied Pastor Laitinen’s favorite chapter in his favorite book in 1 Peter 3:13-22. We discussed the words of encouragement that Peter gives to his readers who are suffering persecution. We also discussed Christ’s descent into hell and the connection Peter makes between the waters of the Flood and the waters of Baptism.

Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who wants the water of life take it as a gift. Stay thirsty, my friends. Quench that thirst in the Water of Life.

THIRSTY 64 (Wendt / Laitinen / Zarling)

This week Pastor Laitinen and Pastor Zarling interviewed Tim and Robin Wendt who are members at Water of Life. Tim is a retired Captain in the Coast Guard. We talk about all the things we don’t know about the Coast Guard, the Navy, and the military in general. Tim and Robin fill us in. They also talk about family life for the military and moving over a dozen times and finding churches in each location.

We studied John 10:1-10. We talked about how we are like lambs and sheep, how the devil, his demons, and false preachers are like robbers, and how Jesus is like a Shepherd and a Gate. We also studied 1 Peter 2:19-25. We applied Peter’s words to our daily lives as Christians where he writes, “For you were like sheep going astray, but you are now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who wants the water of life take it as a gift. Stay thirsty, my friends. Quench that thirst in the Water of Life.

THIRSTY 63 (Urbanek / Laitinen / Zarling)

This week Pastor Laitinen and Pastor Zarling interviewed Brian Urbanek of Goldwing Productions LLC. Goldwing uses video to tell compelling stories that lead to action. They work with congregations, home and world missions, and the WELS to create videos for promotion, fundraising, branding, worship resources, and more.

We studied Jesus’ appearance to the hopeless disciples walking to Emmaus in Luke 24:13-35. The disciples had hoped that Jesus would redeem Israel, but those hopes were dashed with Jesus’ crucifixion. Jesus appears as a stranger and rebukes his erring disciples. Then he leads them on a Bible study of the Old Testament as they continue their walk. Finally, Jesus reveals himself to the disciples and their hearts begin burning within them as Jesus gives them hope through the redemption he won for humanity with his crucifixion and resurrection.

Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who wants the water of life take it as a gift. Stay thirsty, my friends. Quench that thirst in the Water of Life.

THIRSTY 62 (Backhaus / Zarling / Laitinen)

This week Pastor Laitinen and Pastor Zarling interviewed Forged in Fire winner Jeremy Backhaus. Jeremy is a classmate of Pastor Laitinen. He owns Umbrella Forge in West Bend, WI and I think he’s going to be making some $300 throwing axes for Pastor Laitinen. He also serves as the pastoral assistant at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Grafton, WI.

We studied Jesus’ appearance to the fearful disciples hiding behind locked doors in John 20:19-31. We spent a lot of time talking about Jesus’ Great Commission of using the Keys to forgive sinners. We answered the questions: How can people forgive sins? Isn’t God the only one who can forgive sins? What great right and responsibility has Jesus given to his disciples of all ages?

Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who wants the water of life take it as a gift. Stay thirsty, my friends. Quench that thirst in the Water of Life.

THIRSTY 61 (Tangerstrom / Laitinen / Zarling)

This week Pastor Laitinen and Pastor Zarling interviewed Scott Tangerstrom who is a retired firefighter and member of Water of Life. We discussed the training for firefighters, what it’s like in the stationhouse, family life, stories of rescues, and even parades.

We studied Jesus’ triumphant parade into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday in Matthew 21:1-11. We talked about Jesus’ humility and glory with his procession into Jerusalem. We also studied Jesus’ humility and exaltation in Philippians 2:5-11.

Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who wants the water of life take it as a gift. Stay thirsty, my friends. Quench that thirst in the Water of Life.

THIRSTY 60 (Samelson / Laitinen / Zarling)

This week Pastor Laitinen and Pastor Zarling interviewed Jeff Samelson who serves as the Director of Ministry Advancement for Christian Life Resources. He is also one of the hosts for the Life Challenges podcast. We discussed the results of the Dobbs decision on abortion, the importance of medical directives and durable power of health care, and the social contagion of transgenderism. You will be able to find information on these topics on the Christian Life Resources website.

We studied John 11:17-27, 28-45 with the raising of Lazarus from the dead and how Christian funerals today are often called “a celebration of life” instead of giving the hope of eternal life through the resurrection of the body through Jesus Christ. We also studied Romans 8:11-19 and how Paul doesn’t minimize our sufferings when he says that “our sufferings at the present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.” Rather, he is emphasizing our suffering so that he can emphasize even ore the greater glory that awaits our bodies and souls in heaven with Jesus.

Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who wants the water of life take it as a gift. Stay thirsty, my friends. Quench that thirst in the Water of Life.

WORSHIP TIMES - Racine Campus

Sundays at 8:00 AM & 10:45 AM

WORSHIP TIMES - Caledonia Campus

Sundays at 9:30 AM