In this issue from LCMS’ Rural & Small Town Mission (RSTM), the Rev. Matthew C. Harrison, president, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), shares an encouraging message for the Synod’s small congregations. In addition, general information about the ongoing Engaging Your Community (EYC) events and monthly free webinars is communicated.
In this issue from LCMS’ Stewardship Ministry, stewardship is viewed through the periscope of the Christmas season and how God’s greatest Gift to His people that first Christmas is the prime example for how we are to maintain and use the good gifts He continues to give us. Knowing that God’s gift of His son, Jesus Christ, our Savior, is for all generations, our faithful response to this gift through our individual and congregational stewardship allows for the sharing of this great Gift for all generations.
In this issue from LCMS’ Life Ministry, insight into end-of-life decisions and the faith issues that surround them is provided. In addition, information about disabilities resources from the LCMS Disability Task Force is given. Lastly, readers are provided updates and overviews of various conferences, activities and resources related to all sanctity of life issues.
Each month, LCMS’ Stewardship Ministry creates bulletin sentences and newsletter articles that can be included in congregational church bulletins and monthly newsletters, respectively.
In this issue from LCMS’ Specialized Pastoral Ministry (SPM), encouraging words from the SPM interim director are shared, along with information on the 2014 SPM Educational event Oct. 28-30. In addition, the dates of other upcoming SPM events and general information about this ministry are provided in the pages of this newsletter.
In this issue from LCMS’ Rural & Small Town Mission (RSTM), you are provided highlights from the 2014 National Rural & Small Town Mission Conference held Nov. 6-8 at the Airport Marriott just outside of Platte City, Mo. Several pictures from the conference are included to help share the events of it. In addition, general information about the ongoing Engaging Your Community (EYC) events is communicated.
In this issue from LCMS’ Stewardship Ministry, the concern that stewardship and the words associated with it have been weighed down and hindered over the years due to fundraising gimmicks is discussed. Because of the confusion that has and continues to encircle this Biblical concept, the teaching of it has become less than precise. Making sure this concept is used under its proper context will ensure that it does not become functionally meaningless in congregations.
The season of anticipation is almost upon us! How will your congregation mark it? Here are some suggestions toward a fuller celebration this Advent in your congregation.
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 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.
Each month, LCMS’ Stewardship Ministry creates bulletin sentences and newsletter articles that can be included in congregational church bulletins and monthly newsletters, respectively.
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.
In this issue from LCMS’ Rural & Small Town Mission (RSTM), congregational members are encouraged to extend a hand in genuine friendship and engage with those members who attend their church infrequently. In addition, general information about the ongoing Engaging Your Community (EYC) events and free monthly webinars is communicated.
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.
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.