The LCMS, Author at LCMS Resources

An Advent Midweek Lectionary and Hymn Guide

Despite the well-established custom of midweek Advent services in our parishes, our worship book does not provide lectionary readings or suggestions for midweek. This allows for seasonal themes to be developed, but sometimes pastors look for some concrete guidance in this area. The following suggestions are offered for consideration in meeting this need. This guide provides a psalm and Old Testament reading for each day, plus a narrative portion of Luke 1 to introduce the story of our Lord’s Advent in the flesh.

Thanksgiving Hymn Guide

Thanksgiving is, strictly speaking, a feast of the First Article. And so we confess that it is our solemn duty to “thank and praise” our kind and heavenly Father. And yet it is also a gift of the Second Article, since for the Christian, all thanks is offered in and through Christ. Finally, it is also a gift of the Third Article, for such thanksgiving is finally possible only for the one who has been brought to faith in Christ, and such faith is invariably the work of the Holy Spirit Who leads us to receive all things with thanks and praise.

‘Free to be Faithful’ – Winter 2014 newsletter

Religious liberty and conscience, so long considered foundational in the United States of America, has been challenged in no less than three major Supreme Court cases in the last five years, with plenty more on the way.

Audio: KFUO Interview with Rev. Carlos Hernandez on Veterans/Soldiers of the Cross and Gospel Seeds

Rev. Dr. Carlos Hernandez, director, Church and Community Engagement for the LCMS Office of National Mission, talked on Oct. 22, 2014, on KFUO Radio about the Veterans of the Cross ministry, the Soldiers of the Cross ministry and the Gospel Seeds ministry.

Audio: KFUO World Lutheran News interview – Castillo Fuerte in Lima, Peru

Daniel Fickenscher, a Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod missionary in Latin America, was interviewed on Oct. 18, 2014, by KFUO Radio about Castillo Fuerte (Mercy House) in Lima, Peru. Castillo Fuerte provides a safe place for slum children in Lima to play, study and learn about the Gospel.

Lutheran Service Book (LSB) Hymn Suggestions — Historic Series

Download Lutheran Service Book (LSB) Hymn Suggestions — Historic Series, compiled by Rev. William Weedon.

Lutheran Service Book (LSB) Hymn Suggestions — Three Year Series

Download Lutheran Service Book (LSB) Hymn Suggestions — Three Year Series, compiled by Henry Gerike.

Audio: Death with Dignity – Faith’n’Family host Andy Bates interviews Maggie Karner

Maggie Karner, director of LCMS Life and Health Ministries, discusses physician-assisted death and the viral story of Brittany Maynard. Like Brittany, Maggie has been diagnosed with stage-four glioblastoma brain cancer. Listen to her perspective on life, control and death with dignity.

LCMS Stewardship Ministry – October 2014 newsletter

In this issue from LCMS’ Stewardship Ministry, the need to revamp how congregations and pastors view stewardship is discussed. Unfortunately, over the years, stewardship has been perceived as an intensely personal matter and, thus, has become a taboo topic to talk about. However, in order for stewardship renewal to take place, this current majority perception needs to be changed, and this change can only be done through individual repentance by the congregation member and the pastor.

Journal of Lutheran Mission – September 2014

The second issue of the journal features papers from confessional Lutheran church leaders who presented at the International Lutheran Council's fifth world seminary conference. Both the conference and this issue of the journal focus on the theme "Suffering, Persecution and Martyrdom as a Mark of the Church."

LCMS Stewardship Ministry – September 2014 newsletter

In this issue from LCMS’ Stewardship Ministry, the need for stewardship transformation in congregations and in individuals is discussed. The modern version of stewardship is broken and needs to be transformed – and only the Lord can fix it. This need for transformation is compared to the transformation of Zacchaeus as told in Luke 19.

Interview on the set of “The First Rosa”

During filming of "The First Rosa" documentary in Selma, Ala., the week of Sept. 22, 2014, the Rev. Jon Vieker, senior assistant to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod president, interviews two of the actors playing Rosa J. Young at different stages of her life, Jordan Donegan and Jasmine Gatewood.

LCMS Stewardship Ministry – August 2014 newsletter

In this issue from LCMS’ Stewardship Ministry, an updated list of objectives for stewardship ministry is provided. The goals listed are practical and functional and are meant to be applied to situations that are both internal and external. The list’s intended audience is individuals, families and congregations. The Board of Stewardship has adopted these objectives and pray they can be a much-needed start for discussion about this important topic.

Audio interview: Dealing with unrest

The Rev. Steve Schave, director of Urban & Inner-City Mission, and the Rev. Dr. John Nunes, Emil and Elfriede Jochum professor and chair at Valparaiso University, discuss ministry in urban areas as well as the unrest unfolding in Ferguson, Mo., and around the world. KFUO Interview — Aug. 13, 2014.

I Trust When Dark My Road: A Lutheran View of Depression

This book by the Rev. Dr. Todd Peperkorn offers a glimpse into one LCMS pastor’s personal journey through depression while relying on God’s grace.