On Friday, May 16, a storm system that included at least two tornadoes moved through the greater St. Louis area, causing a handful of deaths and dozens of injuries. An estimated 5,000 buildings were damaged, and thousands of St. Louis residents were left without power. One of the tornadoes touched down on the campus of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, in Clayton, Mo. According to the National Weather Service, it was an EF3 that gained strength, reaching maximum winds of more than 150 mph, as it continued through the north part of St. Louis where Bethlehem Lutheran Church is located. The tornado crossed the Mississippi River and entered Illinois before lifting near the campus of Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, Ill. As with any disaster, there are three ways you can help: 1️⃣ Pray for those affected and for those who are offering assistance. 2️⃣ Volunteer at https://www.lcms-lert.org/ if you are able. 3️⃣ Financially support the response with your gifts. Visit https://www.lcms.org/how-we-serve/mercy/disaster-response for more information. Readers in Missouri, Kentucky, Indiana and other zones of impact can also contact their respective districts for information about how to donate toward response efforts. https://thelc.ms/4jjznSr (fb)

The Roman emperor Constantine called the council of Nicaea — which produced the Nicene Creed we recite during the Divine Service — 1700 years ago this year. What did Martin Luther think about Constantine, and what might we learn from the emperor's life and work? (fb)