Pastor’s families have some unique challenges, and sometimes challenging crosses to bear. They also have unique privileges and unique situations for joy and laughter. We hope you enjoy “Holy Humor: Pastor’s Kids, Part 2.” Kind of perfect that this is the 100th episode of Christ In All Things!

Recorded 23 December, A.D. 2025

Laughter is a great gift of God, and laughing at ourselves is a healthy part of a faithful, Christian life. Because St. Paul’s has a number of pastor’s kids in the congregation we thought it would be fun to give a few of them an opportunity to laugh and tell stories (That can be told in public 😊) about their pastor-dads and a pastor’s family life. So, we’ve called this series, “Holy Humor.” This is “Holy Humor: Pastor’s Kids, Part 1.”

Recorded 23 December, A.D. 2025

Welcome to Part 2 of our interview with Mimi Gebel, who was born in 1928. What a vibrant and generous and resolute Christian soul she is! Her interview is a fascinating window into German and German-American culture, including the almost “arranged” relationship with a boy named Wally, who became her beloved husband and with whom she operated a successful business that put her God-given skills to work in myriad ways. As you’ll hear, this interview was a joy to conduct, and we pray you are encouraged in Christ as you listen.

Recorded 6 November, A.D. 2025

“Mimi” Gebel was born in the Year of Our Lord, 1928. Just the exploration of her five names was an adventure, and—as it often is—revealing. We laughed at the story of why she is “Mimi” and we loved the discovery of how her names reveal both a personal history and a gradually revelation of her character. Mimi’s family story is a fascinating immigration story, and a story of how “God works all things together for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Recorded 6 November, A.D. 2025

“This boy kept coming over to my house, and my father told him not to come over any more. But then he went off to war…” So begins Part 2 of our interview with centenarian, Ruth Polcha, and so begins the beautiful love story between a faithful Slovak Lutheran named Edward Polcha and—you guessed it—a German Lutheran girl named Ruth Zehnder. Together they made a faithful Lutheran family that has bequeathed further generations of faithful and generous servants of Christ.

Recorded 7 August, A.D. 2025

This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation with centenarian Ruth Polcha. This interview is a window into a humble and faithful Christian family. Ruth is a relatively new member of St. Paul’s, but through her daughter’s family, she has a long connection to us. Her daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Al Mueller, are some of St. Paul’s more faithful and active members. After many years separated across several states, Kathy rejoiced to have her mother nearby, and when you hear the delightful Christian countenance and faithfulness of Ruth Florence Esther (Zehnder) Polcha you’ll know why she is an inspiration and faithful example.

Recorded 7 August, A.D. 2025

We have a deep conviction that a consistent, Scripture-based order of service, or “liturgy”—especially sung liturgy—is better for the faith-formation of all ages. You see, the Divine Service—the Word and Sacrament worship of the Church—is a wedding feast. It is the “marriage supper of the Lamb,” (Rev 19.9) where Jesus Christ Himself is our host and the substance of the feast. So, it’s really helpful—and pretty important—that those who are learning the rituals of the feast are willing learners, humble . . . and welcomed and taught the rich practices of the Church’s wedding feast by people with generous and hospitable hearts.

We have a deep conviction that a consistent, Scripture-based order of service, or “liturgy”—especially sung liturgy—is better for the faith-formation of all ages. You see, the Divine Service—the Word and Sacrament worship of the Church—is a wedding feast. It is the “marriage supper of the Lamb,” (Rev 19.9) where Jesus Christ Himself is our host and the substance of the feast. So, it’s really helpful—and pretty important—that those who are learning the rituals of the feast are willing learners, humble . . . and welcomed and taught the rich practices of the Church’s wedding feast by people with generous and hospitable hearts.