St. John's Group Email Update on efforts in Joplin, how you can help, and things NOT to do

I have just received this email from President Ray Mirly regarding efforts in Joplin, specifically Immanuel Lutheran Church and Martin Luther School.  Please note that the email says that we should not collect or attempt to take clothing to Joplin. 
 
We are still collecting things to bring down there and Pastor Ken Shamber and his wife, Naomi Johnson's mom and dad,  are hopefully going ot be able to bring it down on Friday. 

 
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Missouri District LCMS

 

 TO:                    Missouri District Board of Directors and Praesidium

                              Missouri District Pastors/Congregations

                              Missouri District staff

                              Council of Presidents

FROM:               President Mirly

 

DATE:               May 25, 2011

 

 RE:                    Joplin Tornado

 

 

Psalm 46:10-11 (ESV)

 

"Be still, and know that I am God.

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!"

The Lord of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our fortress.

 

 

Rev. Gene Wyssmann and I were in Joplin yesterday to meet with Rev. Greg Mech, Jeremy Schamber, Principal of Martin Lutheran School, Jason Glaskey (DCE) and several lay leaders of Immanuel Lutheran Church. They want to thank all who have responded with prayers, assistance, and words of encouragement. The challenges that they face are beyond words, but their faith in Almighty God is very evident.

 

Communication by phone and other technology is at best intermittent. This has made the task of accounting for the whereabouts and well-being of Immanuel members very difficult. Pastor Mech, Immanuel's staff and various lay leaders have made every effort to personally contact every member within the path of the tornado. They believe that they have accounted for every member that lived within the path of the storm. They are not aware of the death of any of their members even though many of their homes were totally destroyed. They have not been able to contact all of the school families.

 

Fourteen members' homes or apartments were totally destroyed. Countless others sustained significant damage. The parsonage has major roof damage. The school building suffered roof damage, but temporary repairs have already been made. The church has no apparent damage, but is without electricity.

 

DCE Glaskey shared that the teenagers of the congregation, especially those that lost their homes, are experiencing significant emotional difficulties. Several have requested that he go with them and their family to the site of where their homes once stood to help them begin to deal with their loss.

 

Rev. William Doubek, pastor of First Lutheran Church, Neosho, has several members that sustained complete loss of their homes in Joplin. An eight year old girl and six year old boy from one of his families were killed by the tornado. The mother of these children is injured and hospitalized, as is her two year old child. Our prayers go out to this family.

 

As we were leaving the church, Red Cross staff was arriving to establish a command center at Immanuel. The challenge is that the church does not have large enough refrigerators and freezers to neither store food, nor proper space for other donations that are starting to arrive.

 

Rev. Glenn Merritt and Rev. Carlos Hernandez with Lutheran World Relief and Human Care will visit Joplin today. Mr. Jim Eckrich and a number of other associates from Lutheran Disaster Relief will also be in Joplin today. Both organizations are giving the following advice:

 

  • Keep everyone in your prayers.
  • Send financial contributions to the organization of your choice. See addresses below.
  • Do not drive to Joplin to assist unless you are a qualified first responder. You will not be permitted into the area of the storm damage. Once search and recovery efforts have been completed, clean-up volunteers will be requested.
  • Volunteers are being coordinated through United Way 211. Groups can register by calling 211 (landline) or (800) 427- 4626 (cell). Registration can also be done online at http://www.211missouri.org/.
  • Do not collect nor attempt to take clothing to Joplin.
  • The water utility hopes to have safe drinking water flowing through its system today. Bottled water is still needed.
  • Phone calls should not be placed to Immanuel Lutheran Church until further notice.
  • Volunteers of the congregation are attempting to keep the website updated. Please go to www.immanueljoplin.com

 

I have requested Rev. Mech to send me a daily list of needs. Please check the Missouri District website for daily updates. One immediate need is the loan of John Deere Gators (or equivalent) to be used to move supplies through the disaster zone. The authorities will not permit delivery by car or truck. If you or a member of your congregation is willing to loan a Gator type vehicle, contact Karen Siegel, 314.317.4565. She will assist you with necessary delivery information.

 

Agencies providing assistance:

 

The Missouri District Disaster Fund

The Missouri District - LCMS

660 Mason Ridge Center Drive, Suite 100

St. Louis, MO 63141

LCMS Orphan Grain Train

(402) 649-3893 or (402) 649-3896

ogtrelief@cableone.net      

Lutheran World Relief and Human Care

1333 S. Kirkwood Rd.

St. Louis, MO 63122

Lutheran Disaster Response

39330 Treasury Center

Chicago, IL 60694-9300

American Red Cross

P.O. Box 37243

Washington, DC 20013

1-800-RED-CROSS

http://www.redcross.org

 


 

 

 

     

 


 

"The Missouri District is to serve and encourage congregations to fulfill the Great Commission and to promote unity of the true faith."

This e-mail message, including any attachments, is intended for the sole use of the intended recipient or recipients to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law.

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660 Mason Ridge Center Drive #100, St. Louis, MO, 63141

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St. John's Group Email Wednesday, May 25, 2011

DEVOTION: "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say to the Lord, 'My refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust.' " Psalm 91:1-2
 
Many of the folks in Joplin, MO have no place to go for shelter because their home was destroyed, or if they do have a place to go they may not have a way to get there because their car has been destroyed.  Over half the town has lost everything.  Families and friends of over 124 people have lost their loved ones.  It is quite a mess and a very sad situation. 
 
What do you do when you have lost everything, all of your earthly possessions, and even those you love? 
 
You cry out to the Lord like David did and you say to the Lord, "My refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust."   
 
Even in the midst of utter devastation and complete loss in this world we are able to take refuge in the shelter of God Almighty through His Son Jesus Christ.  We can find complete comfort even if we have lost our home our car and everything we own.  We find comfort that God Himself is with us, and if he is with us no one can be against us. 
 
Pray for all the folks in Joplin that, as they recover and continue to look for lost loved ones, that they may find comfort in the only true and real lasting comfort, Jesus Christ and if you can provide the support requested so that you may share the love of Christ with them as well. 
 
Prayer:  Lord God, help us all who seek and find comfort in Your Son and our Savior Jesus Christ.  Amen.
 
SOME WAYS YOU CAN HELP:
 
1. Please bring the items listed below to church this week. 
bottled water
nonperishable food
children's clothing
flip flops
toys
 
2.  Naomi Johnson's family will be transporting items from here to Joplin this Friday and next Friday. 
 
3.  Unless you have a key to church, please bring the items between 8 and 4:30 as that is when someone will be here. 
 
4.  Leave them either in the narthex upstairs or in the office next to mine downstairs. 

 Here's another way:
You're receiving this newsletter because you signed up at The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod's website. You can update your LCMS communication preferences at any time by logging in to your myLCMS account.
About Us What We Do Resources Get Involved Make a Gift
 


wrhc
Your gifts are needed to help tornado survivors in Joplin, Mo., where one of the deadliest twisters in U. S. history killed more than 100 people on May 22. Businesses and neighborhoods are leveled, including the homes of four teachers at Martin Luther School and some of the school's families.
givenow
The school and the Immanuel Lutheran Church parsonage also were damaged by this horrific storm, the latest in an onslaught of violent weather that has devastated Midwestern and Southern communities this spring.
As search and rescue efforts continue, the death toll is expected to climb. The LCMS World Relief and Human Care Disaster Response team is preparing to travel to the battered southwestern Missouri city on May 25 to help assess needs and offer spiritual care.
Because of the unusually high demand for LCMS Tornado Disaster Relief funds, the Synod's mercy arm is greatly in need of your help. Rev. Glenn F. Merritt, director of Disaster Response, says the challenges are huge in Joplin, but he is confident that our fellow LCMS members will respond with care and compassion.
Thank you!
cholera
Rev. John A. Fale
Interim Executive Director
LCMS World Relief and Human Care
givenowgivenow
 
 
 
P.S. Please tell your pastor of this urgent need to help and ask him to include the people of Joplin in your congregation's prayers.
Any funds not needed for these relief efforts will be used for other disaster purposes as determined by LCMS World Relief and Human Care. Gifts are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.

The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod
All Rights Reserved.		 Site Map | Email Preferences | Privacy Policy | myLCMS


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YESTERDAY's QUIZ:  Find one verse in Proverbs that talks about having a bad temper.  12:6; 14:16-17; 14:29; 15:18 etc.
 
(Start coming to Bible study on June June 5 to find out mor ebaout what the wonderful book of Proverbs has to say about everything in life.) 
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ:  What does the book of Proverbs  say about the leech?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CATECHISM:
Question: What is a catechism?
Answer: A catechism is a book of instruction, usually in the form of questions and answers.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
BIRTHDAYS:
Tues- Hailey Coleman
Wed- Ken Schien
Sat- Kaitlyn Schulze
Sun- Cheryl Bettlach, Irma Travelet
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ANNIVERSARIES: 
Sun- Don and Cheryl Tate
Mon- Leo and Melissa Bader; Jerry and Abby Roseman
Fri- Ken and Marilyn Foster
Sun- Mike and Peggy Smith
 
 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:
Wed- Little Lambs closing program 6:30 
Thurs- nothing
Fri-  assemble newsletter
Sat-  worship 5pm
Sun- worship 9am; Sunday school and Bible class 10:30am
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS
Projector-  Sat- Figura; Sun- Schlesselmann
Elder- Sat- Turnure, Sun- Winter
Ushers- Boeger, Schulze, Sherman, Nolte
Acolyte- Figura
Lay reader- Sat- Mauch; Sun- ?
Greeters-  Talbert
Altar- Setup- McKenzie; Clean Up- Boeger
Organist- Hilgendorf
Tellers- Team #4
 ______________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS: 
I NEED YOUR HELP!!!!!   OAFC (Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ) will be here June 3-5
This is a group of high school age youth and their adult leaders who goes to a different church once a month and canvasses neighborhoods for that church.  They do a survey that asks questions like, "What church do you go to?"  "Do you know about Jesus?"  and "Are you going to heaven?"   They also help to lead worship and go to a nursing home to minister to the people there. 
 
What we need from you is the following:  (I know that the luau is Saturday night, but you can still pick the kids up around 10pm to take them home with you.)
HOUSING- They will be here all weekend and so they will need housing for Friday and Saturday night and breakfast Saturday and Sunday morning.  All other meals will be at church.  There will be approximately 15 people so any housing arrangements you can provide would be appreciated.
 
SUPPORT and PARTICIPATION- If you have time available on Saturday, please come and join them in their activities.  You will be greatly blessed! 
 
HELP WITH MEALS- Not sure what the meals will be yet, but if you would like to help with them it would be greatly appreciated.  It would consist of lunch and supper on Saturday and lunch on Sunday after Bible study.  It may just be Subway for lunch and pizza for supper and then a light carry in on Sunday morning. 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ADULTS ONLY LUAU ON SATURDAY, JUNE 4  5:30-whenever pm at Walt and Betty Schirr's house. 
$12 per person:  Hawaiian dress is encouraged!!  Invite your friends!!!
 
Sign up on the sheet on the counter in the narthex.    Checks made payable to Betty Schirr.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
TORNADO RELIEF EFFORTS
Go to lcms.org/worldrelief  or mail a check to LCMS World Relief and Human Care PO Box 66861 St Louis, MO 63166-6861 (write "Tornado Relief" in the memo line.) 
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MISSION FOR THE MONTH OF MAY IS AGAPE
 
We have supported this organization for many years, ever since Pastor Langhoff along with a concerned group of individuals organized it and got it going back almost 20 years ago. 
 
This year is a little different because two of their usual grants were denied this year totalling $145,000.  They are in desperate need of funds and support. 
 
Anything you can provide will be a blessing to them and to the hundreds and even thousands of people they serve. 
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
GET YOUR QUESTIONAIRES IN ASAP!! 
A couple weeks ago each communicant member of the church received a letter and a questionaire concerning your view of how things are going with your church.  You have one more week to get them filled out and sent to Pastor Wyssmann.
 
Please fill it out thoroughly.  If you are having some sort of trouble with the church, please make sure you make that known.  If everything is going great and you are pleased with the church and things going on, make sure you make that known as well.  We need to be able to rejoice and have joy in all that God is doing a well.   
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PRAYER REQUESTS:  (Please reply to this email to have prayer requests posted.)  
For the thousands in and around Joplin, MO effected by the tornado, especially the many who have lost or are still searching for loved ones.
 
For our graduates, who graduated the past Saturday and recently including Allen Berryman, Miranda Linstruth, Torre Linke, and David Tate.
 
For NORBERT HEITGERD who remains hospitalized with severe problems due to his cancer.  
 
For ROSETTA JONES who has been moved to Warrenton Manor ??? to recover from a broken colar bone after a fall. 
 
For RUTH CANTRELL who is dealing witha  tumor on her pituitary gland and with severe problems with weakness and tiredness. 
  
For ROBYN MCNEW'S BROTHER, KEN MEYER, who is still on the long road to recovery. . 
 
For OUR CHURCH as we begin to deal with our many conflicts and how to best resolve them and reconcile with one another. 
















 

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