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.

Thirsty 59 (Neumann/Laitinen/Zarling

This week Pastor Laitinen and Pastor Zarling interviewed Pastor Neumann who serves at the multi-site congregation of New Life Lutheran Church in Kenosha, WI. We discuss Pastor Neumann’s ministry in Buffalo, NY and the many years and much effort it took to merge four churches to become New Life. 

We discussed John 9:1-39 and how Jesus used mud to heal the man born blind. Sadly, even Christians have bought into the false theology of karma, that what goes around comes around. Yet, the Bible is much more nuanced and multi-faceted in its descriptions of why we suffer in a sinful world. We also studied Ephesians 5:8-14 and discussed why we should be patient with those who are still trapped in the darkness of sin and unbelief.

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 58 (Laitinen / Laitinen / Zarling)

This week Pastor Laitinen and Pastor Zarling had Gabe Laitinen as their guest. It was a special Thirsty podcast as all three guys geeked out for 20 minutes on the first two episodes of season 3 of The Mandalorian. They discussed the connection of living waters in the mines of Mandalore with the living waters Jesus mentions in his conversation with the Samaritan woman.

We discussed John 4:5-26 and the deep thirst we have for worldly things. Yet Jesus meets our greatest needs for he alone possesses the water that satisfies those who are spiritually parched. We also examined Romans 5:1-8 and wondered if St. Paul was crazy when he wrote that he rejoices in 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 57 (Googins / Laitinen / Zarling)

This This week Pastor Laitinen and Pastor Zarling interviewed Stephen Googins who is a member of Resurrection Lutheran Church in Toledo, OH. We discussed his vocation of being a millwright, as well as his avocation for philosophy and theology.

We examined Jesus’ talk with Nicodemus in John 3:1-17 and how Jesus discusses total depravity, Baptism, and God’s great love for the world in their late-night conversation. We also examined Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 and what it means to be “credited” or “imputed” with Christ’s righteousness and how important it is that God justifies “the ungodly” as opposed to God justifies “the believer.”

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 51 (Wagner / Laitinen / Zarling)

This week Pastor Laitinen and Pastor Zarling interviewed Pastor Mark Wagner, who is currently serving as the vacancy pastor at Water of Life. We discuss his various ministries before his retirement, and then spend time talking about the craft of preaching. 

Countless animals died under the priestly knife as generations of the faithful brought lamb after lamb to the temple. Over and over a substitute stood in the place of the sinner. We discussed Jesus as the sacrificial Lamb of God that John the Baptist points to in the desert in John 1:29-41. Then we discussed circumcision and its connection to baptism in Colossians 2:6-15. 

 Please like, comment, and share. 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 50 (Dobberstein / Laitinen / Zarling)

Pastor Laitinen and Pastor Zarling interviewed Pastor Donn Dobberstein, the director of our synod's Commission on Discipleship. We discussed the ministry of preparing resources, modules, blogs, and training for adults, college students, and teens. We also discussed his previous ministries in Kansas and Florida.

The first Sunday after the Epiphany is always the celebration of Jesus’ baptism. We examined Matthew 3:13-17, why Jesus was baptized, and what his baptism means for us. We also examined Acts 10:34-38 and Peter’s sermon at the home of Cornelius. We also discussed baptismal fonts, symbols of the Trinity in churches, and our most memorable baptisms.

THIRSTY 49 (Hutchinson / Laitinen / Zarling)

Pastor Laitinen and Pastor Zarling interviewed Ethan Hutchinson who teaches math and STEM at Shoreland Lutheran High School. Ethan has served in a number of different places, so we talk about the ministry of principals in Lutheran Elementary schools, the unique ministry of teaching at East Fork Lutheran High School, and getting students involved in robotics. Ethan is also a member of Water of Life.

We examined Matthew 2:13-23 and the flight into Egypt. We discuss how this section of Scripture helps us understand the nature of Jesus’ ministry, and also how this section of Scripture helps us understand the nature of the kingdom in which we are living and serving. We then study Galatians 4:4-7. St. Paul packs a lot into a few verses. We discuss why Jesus had to be born of a woman, born under law, what redemption is, and how important being adopted into God’s family is.

THIRSTY 48 - Christmas Eve Edition (Zarling / Laitinen)

With all due respect to the guests on our previous episodes, this latest episode was our best and most fun. This week Pastor Laitinen and Pastor Zarling interviewed their wives, Abbie Laitinen and Shelley Zarling. The ladies answered questions about raising all boys in the Laitinen family and all girls in the Zarling family; how to listen to the pastor when he’s your husband (and you might not be getting along with him so well that Sunday); and balancing ministry and family life.

Matthew describes Christmas from Joseph’s point of view. We heard that viewpoint the fourth Sunday in Advent. Luke describes Christmas from Mary’s point of view. We hear Luke’s viewpoint on Christmas Eve. John describes Christmas from God’s point of view. We hear that viewpoint on Christmas morning. We study the Christmas Gospel and Epistle of John 1:1-14 and Hebrews 1:1-9. Both Scripture readings answer the question: Why is it important that the Word became flesh and dwelled among us?

Please like, comment, and especially share. 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 47 (Peters / Laitinen / Zarling)

This week Pastor Laitinen and Pastor Zarling interviewed Pastor David Peters who serves a dual parish at Grace Lutheran Church in Kellogg, WI and Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Wabasha, MN. We talk about the movie “Grumpy Old Men” since it was set in Wabasha. Pastor Peters also served for over 2 years at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Racine alongside Pastor Zarling.

We examine Matthew 1:18-25 and how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. We discuss the names of “Jesus” and “Immanuel” that were given to Mary’s child, and why it is vital to our salvation that Jesus had a human mother and God as his Father. We also examine Romans 1:1-7 and why Paul uses the term “flesh” to refer to Christ’s state of humiliation and the term “spirit” to refer to Christ’s exaltation. We answer the question of why these are such important concepts to understand.

Please like, comment, and especially share. 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 44 (Borgward / Zarling / Laitinen)

This week Pastor Laitinen and Pastor Zarling interviewed Pastor John Borgwardt. Pastor Borgwardt has served the past 20 years at Living Word Lutheran Church in Waukesha, WI. Living Word has recently built a new church after worshiping in a school gym for 18 years. We discuss the intentionality of their location, their worship space, and their outreach efforts. We also talk about Pastor Borgwardt and Pastor Zarling playing soccer together at Northwestern College three decades ago.  
  
We examine what Jesus means when he says to be dressed and ready for service in Luke 12:35-40. The topic of suicide is introduced and we delve into how to be ready to minister to those who are struggling and suffering. We explore the marvelous grace of Jesus saying as the Master he will serve us as his servants. We also examine the confidence that Jesus gives us in his last words of Scripture in Revelation 22:6-13 and what effect these words should have on Christians and non-Christians. 
  
Please like, comment, and especially share. 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 43 (Schumann / Laitinen / Zarling)

This week Pastor Laitinen and Pastor Zarling interviewed Pastor Aaron Schumann who serves at Faith Lutheran Church in Pittsburg, Kansas. We discussed his time as a tutor at Luther Prep in Watertown, WI and mission work in the areas around Pittsburg.  We also learned about the proposals Jeremy and Aaron received on a mission trip as teenagers.  
  
We examine the destruction of the temple and the signs of the end times in Luke 21:5-19. We also examine the Great Day of Judgment and why justice is so important to Christians by looking at 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10. We answer the question of how Christians can use these catastrophes in their outreach to an apathetic world. 
  
Please like, comment, and especially share. 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