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To download the print-friendly PDF of this month's issue, click here. And if you appreciate this email, send it to someone you know in the district. |
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From the President's Desk: Time of Grief or Opportunity?
For the middle part of the Twentieth Century, people in our country streamed into our churches. New churches were planted as people from rural communities left the farm for sprawling cities and new suburbs and subdivisions that began to spring up everywhere. The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod grew to 2.8 million members during this period that could be classified as the glory days of American Protestantism. Lutheran Christians were led to believe, “If you build, they will come.” Community engagement in our congregations was little more than opening the doors because they were coming. Church attendance was much higher among members and instruction classes were full of young engaged couples or newlyweds. We were building and they were coming. Read more.
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Shared Weakness by Rev. Elden Kohn
The comforted comforting. The helped helping. The needy meeting the needy in, with, and through Christ. Far from those who have it all together helping those who don’t, church worker care takes shape as those who have struggled under the cross (and still do!) meet other cross-bearing travelers along the wearying and winding paths of ministry. Read more.
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Embracing Stewardship by Rev. Gene WyssmannWhether it’s a big church or a small church, a rural or city church, it appears there is a genuine reluctance to address stewardship. This hesitancy can be found both in pastors and laity. Read more. |
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Celebrating Black History Month in Our Schools
Lutheran schools are vibrant, diverse learning communities thriving in
a Christ-centered environment where Christ’s love and mercy abounds. During the month of February, LCMS schools throughout the Missouri District are celebrating in our diversity and commonality as they celebrate Black History Month. Read more. |
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Helping Families Navigate the Culture of Busyness
Jolene Siebarth, DCE at Immanuel Lutheran Church, has been working with families and youth for almost 20 years. In that time, much has changed, but much has also stayed the same. One thing that has remained constant is the family’s role in faith formation. Jolene says, “Let’s say a family attends worship each week and attends a weekly Bible class. That’s two hours a week at church, compared with how many hours a week with their family?" Read more.
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Missions10:02
Pray for Bourbon
Pray for Bourbon! Do I have your attention? I’m not talking about “spirits” you can bottle, but the Spirit at work among the saints in the small town of Bourbon, Missouri, population 1601. About an hour southwest of St. Louis, I-44 zooms past their quaint community where Concordia Lutheran Church is reaching out as a new Plus One congregation. Read more.
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LCEF Data Gives Trinity Lutheran Snapshot of Community as They Consider Early Childhood Educational Ministry
When communities change, it can be hard to notice from the inside. For example, Kathryne Chapin asked members of Trinity Lutheran Church how many babies would likely be born in an upcoming year. The estimates were approximately 30 times smaller than the real number. Most members estimated (on average) that there would be 25 births within five miles of their church. The projected number was 749. Read more.
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MO Congregations Partner with Tim Tebow Foundation for Night to Shine
On Feb. 8, 2019, cameras flashed on red carpets across the country, as people walked through crowds of cheering fans. These were not celebrities, but people with special needs who were honored guests for an event called Night to Shine, a prom night experience for people with special needs. Night to Shine is a program of the Tim Tebow Foundation. Read more.
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Mission Advancement Snapshot
Future church leaders from Missouri are being encouraged and strengthened through your prayers and financial support. This year, $141,000 has been budgeted to supply scholarships to students attending Lutheran elementary and high schools, as well as to those enrolled in church worker programs within the Concordia University System and residential programs at Synod’s two seminaries.
Thank you for being a blessing to this next generation! |
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Save the Date: March 9, 2019
Tell the Next Generation: A Conference on Ministry to Families with Young Children |
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National Youth Gathering MO Event T-Shirts Avaialble! |
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Minnesota Lumberjack Experience, July 11th from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Join groups from across the Missouri District at a one-of-a-kind event Minnesota Lumberjack Experience at Concordia University – St. Paul Wednesday, July 11th from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Located on the Concordia University – St. Paul campus, this event is all about food, fellowship & fun – lumberjack style!
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