St Michael Lutheran Church Wellington, FL

09/06/2026

Jesus teaches us today that a true community of faith is orderly, honest, and forgiving. That is where he says he will be!
Join us for worship at 9:30am. Your truest, most honest self is ALWAYS welcome at St. Michael Lutheran Church, Wellington!!!

Click on the following Link for the Bulletin:
https://mcusercontent.com/9045dfea0ed04c54d5eb1
d3f2/files/8f9a594e-64b1-81ea-bb94-41df7782d8fa/
09.06.26_Bulletin_15th_Sunday_after_Pentecost_
FINAL.pdf


YouTube Link for LiveStream Service:
https://youtube.com/live/NJNtFRUN_d0?feature=share

09/05/2026

Wo ist Luther heute? Where is Luther today, this lovely, chilly Wittenberg Saturday morning?
He is with his Pastor, Johannes Bugenhagen (Pomeranius), and visiting his old stomping grounds at the University …

Johannes Bugenhagen

Johannes Bugenhagen (1485–1558), known as Doctor Pomeranus, was one of the most influential pastors and organizers of the Lutheran Reformation. After encountering Luther’s writings, he came to Wittenberg in 1521 and soon became pastor of the Stadtkirche and professor at the university. Bugenhagen was not only Luther’s close friend but also his confessor, pastoral advisor, and collaborator. He officiated Luther’s marriage to Katharina von Bora, baptized their children, and later preached Luther’s funeral sermon. His greatest legacy lies in the church orders he drafted for cities and territories across northern Europe—Hamburg, Lübeck, Denmark, Norway, and others—helping shape the structure of emerging Lutheran communities. His work ensured that the Reformation was not only a theological movement but also a practical, pastoral, and educational renewal.

The University of Wittenberg

The historic University of Wittenberg, founded in 1502 by Frederick the Wise, became one of the most influential intellectual centers of the Reformation. It was here that Martin Luther taught theology, posted the Ninety‑five Theses in 1517, and helped spark a movement that reshaped Christianity. Philipp Melanchthon, the “Teacher of Germany,” also taught at Wittenberg, making the university a magnet for students across Europe seeking reform-minded scholarship. The institution emphasized biblical languages, pastoral training, and humanist learning, forming generations of Protestant leaders. Its legacy inspired later institutions, including Wittenberg College in Ohio, named in honor of the German university’s role in Lutheran history. Today, the buildings of University, now joined to the larger University of Halle, remain powerful visual reminders of their global impact on theology, education, and culture.

Luther sends his greetings and affection!!

09/04/2026

Wo ist Luther heute? Where is Luther today?
Heute befindet sich Luther im Epizentrum der Reformation. Today Luther is at the epicenter of the Reformation- The Castle Church (Schloßkirche).
The Castle Church in Wittenberg began as the All Saints’ Chapel in the 14th century and was rebuilt by Frederick the Wise between 1490 and 1511 as a Late Gothic collegiate and university church. Its defining moment came on 31 October 1517, when Martin Luther “posted” his Ninety‑five Theses, igniting the Reformation. We are not sure of this fact historically, however it became the popular narrative after Luther’s death and has remained so.
A devastating fire in 1760 during the Seven Years’ War destroyed much of the structure, including the original Theses Doors, prompting a major 19th‑century Neo‑Gothic restoration under Friedrich August Stüler. The new Theses Doors are bronze and have the text engraved in them.
Within the church are the graves of Martin Luther, Philipp Melanchthon, Frederick the Wise, and John Frederick the Magnanimous, whose burials anchor the building’s role as a memorial of Saxon and Protestant identity.
Under the DDR (former East Germany) the church functioned as a state‑managed monument, symbolizing Protestant heritage within a socialist framework. After reunification in 1990, the BRD undertook extensive preservation and post‑unification reconstruction, renewing its theological, cultural, and scholarly significance.
Today the Castle Church remains a living witness to Reformation history, German memory, and stands as a beacon the global Protestantism.
If you look closely, you’ll see that Little Luther got me a hat just like his!!! He also greeted folx from Florida and Wisconsin!!
We send our warmest greetings!!!!

09/03/2026

Wo ist Luther heute? Where is Luther today?
Well, he cannot be in Wittenberg without being in homes, churches, and workshops he knew real well way back when.
Today we are in the home and workshop of Lucas Cranach, Luther’s friend, portrait painter, and the Reformation’s multimedia expert and director.
Cranach came to Wittenberg in 1504 and was made the court painter by Frederick III of Saxony (Frederick the Wise) in 1505. He held that position until 1550.
Although one of Wittenberg’s most prominent residents, Cranach travelled to many foreign lands and courts to paint royalty and nobility.
At the time of the Reformation, Luther and Cranach became acquaintances and a friendship ensued. Cranach embraced the Reformation, as did his patron the Prince, so his expertise and workshop lent itself to the work at hand. Cranach printed and illustrated many of Luthers Pamphlets and treatises. When the time came, he also was the first to print Luther’s scripture translations in German.
Cranach is known to have painted Luther during his lifetime. We have 11 of those portraits. Cranach also painted Katie Luther, and Luther’s mother and father, Hans and Margarethe.
Cranach was a witness at Luther’s marriage to Katie, and he was God-father to Luther’s eldest son, Hans, in 1526.
Cranach also served the city of Wittenberg as Mayor from 1531-1540.
The famous altar in the Stadtkirche was painted by Cranach and installed in 1547.
Cranach’s son, Lucas Cranach the Younger, took over his father’s workshop when he died in 1553.
When the GDR opened itself up in 1989, the Cranach house and its history were in terrible shape. It took a great commitment by the first members of the Cranach Foundation to save the building, its yard, and its history. Today, Little Luther received a personal welcome and tour by Timm Miersch, the director of the Cranach Museum, and Hannelore Querner, a dedicated volunteer. It is amazing to see how much has been saved!! We are all so thankful!
Luther sends you his warmest greetings!!!! Tschüß!!

09/03/2026

Where else but in LUTHERstadt Wittenberg would you find a “little Luther” visiting historic sites? Pr. AJ uses “Little Martin” appearing in various locations to keep his congregation informed of his whereabouts and to teach them more about the Reformation and its importance. Staffs at the LutherHaus and Melanchthon Haus were thrilled with the visit! Pr. AJ was asked to record a short video that the Lutherhaus will use in their publicity. In the promo, he mentions WEM and its ministry! All this from a visit of “Little Martin!”

09/01/2026

Wo ist Luther heute? Where is Luther today? Heute ist Luther ins sehr bekanntes Haus gegangen. Today Luther is in a house he knows very well… the house of his friend and colleague Phillip Melanchthon.
Phillip came to Wittenberg in 1518, when Luther was just getting really fired up. He taught Greek and Humanities, but studied under the theological faculty until he earned his Letters. He then taught both Humanities and Theology.
He was instrumental to Luther in the translation of the Scriptures into German. Standing in for Luther, he engaged scholars and theologians on behalf of the Reformation.
He is most celebrated for writing the Augsburg Confession in 1530, and the Apology to the Augsburg Confession. The Confession is mostly a reworking of Luther’s Schwabach and Marburg Articles. The Apology, or “Defense”, is Melanchthon’s own work.
Melanchthon married the daughter of the Mayor of Wittenberg on Nov. 25, 1520. They had four children. This house was a gift to him and his family, paid for by the Elector (Prince of Saxony) and the University.
Phillip died here on 19 April 1560, after some official business in Leipzig. He was 63.
If Luther is the loud, brash bull of the Reformation, Melanchthon is the well-spoken, conciliatory diplomat. His erudite manner of addressing those who opposed him and the Reformation often frustrated Luther, but they remained close friends and ardent defenders of the faith until their deaths.
Phillip was also buried in the Castle Church with Martin Luther. Luther is buried under the pulpit, Melanchthon under the Lectern.
It was good for Little Martin to connect with his old friend. Together they were unstoppable!!

08/31/2026

Wo ist Luther heute? Where is Luther today??
Today we are back at the Lutherhaus and Augusteum. The Augusteum, built after Luther’s death and encompassing the Lutherhaus, was part of the Wittenberg University. The Lutherhaus is presently closed for renovations, but much of what is displayed there is now in the Augusteum. As you can see, all of Luther’s life is documented in the museum. An Augustinian monk’s robe from the 16th century, a first printing of the 95 Theses, a first edition of the Luther Bible (1534), Luther’s wedding ring for Katie, a first edition Wittenberg Prayer Book with A Mighty Fortress is our God, and so much more. It is like walking back in time and following the events of Luther’s life from young monk to his death in 1546.
Even more exciting is that Luther and I were asked to do a commercial for the Lutherhaus!! In front of the portraits of Martin and Katie we gave a small introduction and explained why we were there, telling everyone about including St. Michael’s in the trip and introducing you all in Wellington to Wittenberg. It was super cool!
Enjoy your Monday!!

08/30/2026

08/30/2026

Today Jesus tells his followers the hard truth about following Him: pain, suffering, disappointment and death are an inevitability, but God is always by our side and those things never have the last word.
Join us this morning at 9:30. All are welcome … and we really do mean all!

Click on the following Link for the Bulletin:
https://mcusercontent.com/9045dfea0ed04c54d5eb1
d3f2/files/79fe6dcb-105c-9f5c-3e5b-a9a1cf564e1c/
08.30.26_Bulletin_14th_Sunday_after_Pentecost_
FINAL_Rev_1.pdf


YouTube Link for LiveStream Service:
https://youtube.com/live/eSdzT0T5BMs?feature=share

08/29/2026

Wo is Luther heute? Where is Luther today? Today Luther is inside the Stadtkirche/the City Church of Wittenberg. This is the church that is known as the Mother Church of the Reformation, the first “Lutheran” church. Although Luther often preached here, he was not the Pastor. He was a professor at the University. Luther’s close friend Johannes Bugenhagen was the actual Pastor. The famous painted Cranach Altar was finished and installed after 1547. Luther and the Reformers baptized children in that 8-cornered font. The golden chalice was actually used for the first sharing of the wine with the congregation during holy communion, on Christmas Day 1521. The artwork and the organ are absolutely incredible. Parts of the original church date back to the 13th century. It was pretty amazing to lead worship and preach where “the man himself” lead worship and preached. Gänsehaut!!!