Posts by Shaun Daugherty

Posts by Shaun Daugherty

State of the Parish

3/20/2026 Dear Faith Families, Yesterday (3/19) the church (quietly) celebrated the Feast of St. Joseph, Guardian of our Lord. On the Feast Day, we remember and commemorate the faithfulness of Jesus’ adoptive, earthly father, who did his duty to Mary and the child entrusted to his care, leading his household according to the call of God. The Feast of St. Joseph reminds us to honor our fathers and our mothers; and it reminds us to faithfully discharge our own duties…

Why Does a Church Operate a School?

Dear Faith, Let me state the obvious: Faith Lutheran Church and School has had some big struggles over the last few years. And these struggles have led to some frank conversations and difficult decisions about our ministry and mission. But as we have these important conversations about what we can and cannot do, it is most important to ask why we do what we do at all. The work of the church is not a practical matter. The church does…

What is Worship?

Dear Faith Lutheran Church and School, Not long ago, I joined our Wednesday night men’s Bible Study on the Augsburg Confession and an important topic came up. I’ll summarize the topic with this question: What is worship? As with many things, the answer to this defining question will then determine what and how we practice. Many Christians today think that worship is what we do. The idea is that we worship God by offering our prayers, our praise, our thanksgiving,…

The Word of the Lord Endures Forever

Dear Faith Lutheran Church and School, The Lutheran Church is a Church forged in the Protestant Reformation. Any discussion of the Reformation is not only an opportunity for a history lesson, but also a great opportunity to refocus our attention on the “eternal Gospel” proclaimed by the church and the angels (Revelation 14:6). In the middle of a world that is in constant flux, forever changing due to the whims of leaders and influencers, God’s Word is eternal and unchanging.…

NO IN-PERSON WORSHIP – January 25, 2026

Dear Faith Families, Earlier today (Jan 23) the National Weather Service issued an ice storm warning for this weekend. Because of this and due to the high probability of treacherous icy roads and power outages over the weekend, the elders and I have decided to cancel in-person worship at Faith for January 25, 2026. Please stay home and stay safe! The voter’s meeting will be postponed until next Sunday. I will conduct the service of Matins from home and share it…

Strength for the Weak!

Dear Faith Lutheran Church & School, In the Old Testament Reading for this coming Sunday, the prophet Isaiah writes, Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.”  (Isaiah 35:3-4) When I read a text like this, I’m drawn to words and phrase that describe our basic human situation…

We All Need Saving

Dear Faith Families, This week begins the season of Advent. The word Advent come from the Latin, “adventus” meaning, “coming,” or  “arrival.” During the season of Advent, we remember the promise delivered to the saints long ago, that a Savior would be born. We all need saving. We are all broken, sinful people. Selfishness, greed, lust, bitterness, and all the other human flaws lead us into deep darkness. God makes this clear in His Law. “All have sinned and fall…

The Miracle of Baptism

Dear Faith Lutheran Church and School, This weekend (11/16/2025) we will celebrate a Baptism at Faith, and I pray that it will be the first of many that I will administer here. The Sacrament of Holy Baptism is a precious gift from God. As we read in the catechism, Baptism works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare. The Baptism this…

Generous Faith

Dear Faith Lutheran Church and School, Grace and Peace be yours in our Lord, Jesus Christ! November is the time of year when we often turn our attention toward the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. We not only give thanks for God’s blessings during this time of year, but we also consider ways of sharing our blessings with others. We are encouraged and reminded of this important practice of Christian faith and love in Acts 20:35, where we learn that the…

All Hallows’ Eve

Dear Faith Lutheran Church and School, Within our culture, October 31 is widely known as Halloween. Most of our culture recognizes this as a day for dressing up to “trick-or-treat.” Many celebrate (or lament) the association this day has with death and horror. But very few recognize the origins of this holiday. The name, “Halloween,” is a shortening of the original name, “All Hallows’ Eve.” Halloween is, properly speaking, the evening before “All Hallows’ Day,” which we know as “All…

Operation Christmas Child

Operation Christmas Child The Youth at Faith will once again be taking collections for the Operation Christmas Child Mission. Samaritan’s Purse sends gift-filled Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes to children in need around the world together with the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Its purpose is to bless children with “a tangible expression of God’s love.” Beginning October 19th, you can pick up a shoebox in the church Narthex and school lobby.  The deadline for all collections is November 16th, so we only…
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