Weekly message & Upcoming Events

Dear friends and members of Highland and Big Canoe Lutheran Churches,

         Before his death, Jesus promised peace to his disciples. Later, following his crucifixion and after calming their fears, the risen Christ said to those same disciples gathered behind locked doors in the upper room, “Peace be with you.”

            Despite his comforting words to them, the disciples never experienced outward peace, even in the wake of the Lord’s resurrection. In their earthly lives, they still encountered external trials and tribulations, sufferings of all types, physical challenges, uncomfortable situations. With respect to the outward dimensions of their lives, they were not “at peace.” Far from it! They were buffeted by the strongest storms of hardship, persecution, and ongoing conflict.

            Nevertheless, despite such attacks and setbacks, those same disciples found peace in sorrow and joy amid their tribulations. In death they found life. When they were tried before judges, mocked and beaten, and when they suffered and died, they found in such condemnations a joyous victory. In the power of the Holy Spirit, they continued to bear witness to Christ, to his death and resurrection, despite the dire straits they faced.

            To quote from one of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Easter sermons: “In death [Christ Jesus] is our life; in sin, our forgiveness; in distress, our helper; in war, our peace” (“Sermon on Psalm 42,” DBWE, 14.848).

            When we are tossed about by suffering and tribulation, when we experience the storms of life, when we don’t know which way to turn, when the assaults of the devil cause us great temptation and turmoil—the risen Lord is present to grant us his perfect peace. In that peace is victory over the world and its onslaughts.

            When we weather such storms, we can find a safe haven in the perfect peace of Christ. And no person or trial or tribulation can snatch that peace from you. Indeed, to paraphrase John 10:29, Jesus says to you today, “My Father, who has given you to me, is greater than all; and no one can snatch you out of my Father’s hand.” That’s a promise that gifts a person with the peace of Christ that surpasses all our human understanding.

            Christ is risen! He’s risen, indeed! Hallelujah!

            See you in church!

            Pastor Becker

            4-15-2026

P. S. I’ll be out of town tomorrow (Thurs.) through Saturday, attending the annual board meeting of Lutheran Quarterly at Grand View University in Des Moines. Please keep me in your prayers for safe travel. In case of an emergency, I’ll have my cell phone: 219-916-8535.

Upcoming Events:

Apr 16-18: Pastor Becker attends the annual board meeting of Lutheran Quarterly in Des Moines

Sun, Apr 19 (8:45am): Bible class (Gospel of Matthew) meets in the nave at Big Canoe

Sun, Apr 19 (9am): Children’s Sunday school meets in the Fellowship Hall at Big Canoe

Sun, Apr 19 (10am): Worship w/HS baccalaureate service for Karlee and Ryan (Big Canoe) – (white)

Sun, Apr 19 (10am): Blessing of the quilts and kits at Big Canoe (Big Canoe)

Sun, Apr 19 (after the service): Light reception for Karlee and Ryan in the fellowship hall at Big Canoe

Sun, Apr 19 (after the service): Youth confirmation class meets in the nave at Big Canoe

Mon, Apr 20 (9am): Shared Ministry Group meeting (St. John, Locust)

Tues, Apr 21 (morning): Pr. Becker meets with the archivist at Luther College about Big Canoe history

Thurs, Apr 23 (9:30am): Pr. Becker meets with his ELCA pastoral colleague group in Decorah

Sat, Apr 25 (11am): Luther League to go roller skating

Sun, Apr 26 (8:45am): Bible class (Gospel of Matthew) meets in the fellowship hall at Highland

Sun, Apr 26 (10am): Service of the Word (Highland) – Fourth Sunday of Easter (white)

Sun, Apr 26 (10am): Blessing of the quilts and kits at Highland (Highland)

Sun, Apr 26 (after worship): Highland WELCA will meet

Apr 26-27: Pastor Becker will be in Valparaiso, attending to university matters

Tues, Apr, 28: Pastor Becker will be leading a pastoral retreat in Chicago

Sat, May 2 (7am): Special consecration service for the pastoral candidates in Jos, Nigeria (via Zoom at

            Big Canoe)

            --Rev. Dr. David Albertin from Michigan City, Ind. is the guest preacher

Sun, May 3 (8:45am): Bible class (Gospel of Matthew) meets in the nave at Big Canoe

Sun, May 3 (9am): Children’s Sunday school meets in the Fellowship Hall at Big Canoe

Sun, May 3 (10am): Worship w/Holy Communion at Big Canoe – Fifth Sun. of Easter (white)

            --Rev. Dr. Steve Albertin from Indianapolis, Ind., is our guest preacher

Fri, May 8 (10am): Pastor Becker leads the worship service at Green Lea Manor (Mabel)

Fri, May 8 (morning): Terje Mikael Hasle Joranger from Norway visits Big Canoe for historical info

Sun, May 10 (8:45am): Bible class (Gospel of Matthew) meets in the fellowship hall at Highland

Sun, May 10 (10am): Worship w/Holy Communion and blessing of seeds, etc., and steeple at Highland

            (Sixth Sunday of Easter [Rogate Sunday]) – Also Mother’s Day (white)

May 11-13: Pastor Becker attends a pastoral retreat at Creighton University

Tues, May 12 (2pm): Gather Bible study (Highland)

Fri, May 22 (5pm): Wedding rehearsal (Big Canoe)

Sat, May 23 (3pm): Wedding of Molly Oehme and Beau Benzing (Big Canoe)

May 29 – June 9: Pastor and Detra are on vacation (Pastor Gies will be serving on 5/31 and 6/7)

Sun, Aug 23 (after worship): Side-by-side event, starting at Highland (rain day is Aug 30)

Matthew L. Becker, STS, B.A., M.Div., M.A., Ph.D.

Pastor, Big Canoe and Highland Lutheran Churches, Decorah, IA

Treasurer, Lutheran Quarterly

Senior Research Professor of Theology Valparaiso University College of Arts & Sciences Room 314
1400 Chapel Drive Valparaiso, IN 46383 Phone:  219-916-8535 E-mail: matthew.becker@valpo.edu