PUBLISHED BY THE MISSOURI DISTRICT OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH—MISSOURI SYNOD April 15, 2016
| Missouri Missions Highlights: Our Savior Lutheran/Northland Lutheran Outreach
Things are busy at Our Savior Lutheran/Northland Lutheran Outreach. As the Our Savior Christian Academy (OSCA) school year comes to end in late May, there is much to be accomplished.
The Academy is currently preparing for their High School Open House which is scheduled for Wednesday, May 4 at the OSCA East campus in Smithville. The event will highlight OSCA's new partnership with Northland Career Center, as well as 2016-2017 core and elective classes. A vendor representing school jackets and rings will also be available during this event. Read more . . . | Parish Nurses Offer Hope in Serving Rural Populations
Taken from the May 2016 Rural and Small Town Missionn Newsletter
Contributed by Carol A. Lueders Bolwerk, PHD, RN, Director of Parish Nursing and Congregational Health Ministries, Concordia University, Mequon, Wis.
United States farming communities and their families are indeed special populations that the church serves. From the wheat fields of Kansas to the dairy farms of Wisconsin, from the orchards in Washington to the orange groves in Florida, farmers serve our country by providing not only food and fibers, but also
jobs to many. Farmers are unique individuals, working independently, for the most part on family farms, and developing such strong work ethics that they often enter the health care sector late. Often, they lack a comprehensive insurance plan, so rural churches can be a vital part of farming populations' daily lives by providing a congregational health ministry. Read more . . .
| | Connecting Singles In Ministry: Spring 2016 Ministry Retreat
 | | | Our church would never exist if Martin Luther had not translated the Bible into the language of the ordinary people of his day. Reformation whether an individual, a society or a church - happens when the message of God's grace encounters us at a deep level – the level of the heart. We will examine why language is so important to mission. We will learn about the complex and subtle differences that language and culture bring. If we have any desire to be God's witnesses to the ends of the earth we must understand why Bible translation is so very critical to our church today.
Connecting Singles in Ministry is all about learning how we can reach others with God's Word. This past weekend (April 8-10), Missouri Lutheran singles gathered together at St. Paul's High School for sharing, interesting discussions, Bible study and fellowship!.
The weekend presenter was Rich Rudowske, Lutheran Bible Translators Director of International Program
Ministries.
| | Keep Us Sober and on the Horse
by Matthew C. Harrison
Taken from The President, Lutheran Witness
"The world is like a drunken peasant. If one helps him into the saddle on one side, he will fall off on the other side."
Martin Luther (Luther's Works, vol. 54, pg. 111).
Sometimes the Church can be "like a drunken peasant" too.
Jesus says, "The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost" (Luke 19:10). This text comes at the end of the account of Jesus' visit to Zacchaeus' house. Zacchaeus was just the sort of unlikely character that Jesus sought out, and boy did the "religious experts" complain about it (v. 7). But Jesus declared, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost" (vs. 9–10). Read more . . .
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Please join us as we pioneer with your participation at the First Synod Prison Ministry Conference for District Coordinators, Representatives or anyone involved in Prison Ministry for each of our Districts of the LCMS. Office of National Mission Specialized Pastoral Ministry and the Southern Illinois District Prison Ministry Task Force are hosting this Conference at Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, Illinois, on April 29 - 30, 2016. Click here for additional information and to register.
| | Announcements/Other News
Elder's Training Conference
Join us down at the Lake for the 2016 Elders Retreat at Heit's Point, May 13-14, 2016.The retreat with the theme "Pastors & Elders as Partners" is designed to strengthen the bond between pastors and elders through Bible study, presentations and discussions. The retreat will also focus heavily on "Healthy Servants." Pastors and elders will leave with practical applications for their work together.
Weekend Facilitators are:
President Lee Hagan Rev. Gene Wyssmann,
Missouri District Assistant
to the President Family Life & Youth,
Congregational Health
You can register by calling 660-668-2363 or CLICK HERE to download the flyer/registration form.
Engaging Millennials, Encouraging Leadership
Presented by Send Me St. Louis amd Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis Date: Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Time: 9 am-11:30 am
Location: Lutheran Church of Webster Gardens
8749 Watson Rd.
Webster Groves, MO 63119
Register Today at: www.SendMeStLouis.org
CLICK HERE for informational flyer.
Salem's Cancer Support Ministry is hosting a Special Service of Prayer and Healing for Those Who Are Coping With Cancer
We invite anyone who has received a cancer diagnosis, or who is in treatment or post treatment andtheir caregivers to attend this worship service. The service will include songs, scripture, the anointing of oil (for those who so desire) and prayers to call upon our Almighty God for strength to endure, healing to survive, and His peace and joy to share. For more information contact Susy Schindler at (314) 352-4454 or email: churchoffice@slcas.org.
Date: Tuesday, April 26
Time: 7 pm
Location: Salem Lutheran Church
8343 Gravois Road
Affton, MO 63123
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Beyond the Voting Booth: How Does A Christian Approach Politics?
Dr. Matthew Harrison, President, Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod and Tim Goeglein, Focus on the Family Vice President of External Relations will speak on the role of the Christian in government. There will also be an art exhibit by Renea Erickson and music by harpist Jocelynn Wolfe.
Date: Saturday, April 30
Time: 2 pm
Location: Village Lutheran Church
9237 Clayton Road
St. Louis, MO 63124
2016 Heartland DCE Conference
DCEs and other parish professionals who are interested in enhancing the intentionality and effectiveness of Christian education in the church are invited to attend the 2016 Heartland DCE Conference at Concordia University, Nebraska from May 19-21. Keynote speakers include Dr. Thom Rainer, Thom and Joani Schultz and Dr. Phil Schwadel. Registration is $100. Go to www.cune.edu/heartlandDCE for more information.
2016 LWML Missouri District Convention
Dates: June 3-5, 2016
Location: Osage Center, Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Theme: God's Love Spans the Centuries, based on Matthew 28:20b
"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
CLICK HERE for more information.
District and Church Events
( Elder's Training Conference and National Youth Gathering)
Installations and Ordinations
Personnel Changes and Calling Congregations
LCMS Missouri District News
(Send Me St. Louis Announces Winter/Spring Training Schedule)
Obituaries
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