PUBLISHED BY THE MISSOURI DISTRICT OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH—MISSOURI SYNOD February 3, 2017
| | River Roads Lutheran School Launches Fundraising Campaign
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River Roads Lutheran School, a K-8 school on St. Louis' north side, is in the midst of a fundraising campaign to raise $175,000 so that the school ministry may continue. Opened in 1869, River Roads Lutheran School has proudly served the Baden community of St. Louis for the past 147 years. During that time the faculty and staff have continually been committed to "Sharing the Caring Christ" as they educate students and help them to grow academically, spiritually, physically, and emotionally so that they may be good Christian leaders. River Roads Lutheran School is a unique educational ministry centered in an economically changing urban area. While once a thriving school with a strong student population, River Roads, like many tuition-based urban schools, is no longer able to provide for sustainability by relying on a majority of its revenue coming from student tuition. While the need for a Lutheran faith-based school option for families in north St. Louis and north St. Louis County remains clear, sustainable funding is not. Read more . . .
 | | | St. Louis Area Schools Celebrate National Lutheran Schools Week
(Above Photo): As part of our National Lutheran Schools Week celebration, students at St. John's Lutheran School (Arnold) collected diapers to support the local Hand 'n Hand Pregnancy Center. In the 5-day period, the children and families donated 10,007 diapers to help moms and babies. The First Grade class (photo) won the class competition of collecting the highest average number of diapers per student (101). Church members, too, are collecting diapers to add to the school collection.
Thousands of Lutheran school students in the St. Louis Metro Area celebrated National Lutheran Schools Week (Jan. 22-29, 2017) with special events, field trips, dress-up days and service projects that reflected the theme of this year's week: Upon this Rock, based on Isaiah 26:4 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock." Read more . . .
| Healthy Servants & Peaceful Ministries
There is a wonderful hymn, "Christ Be My Leader" LW 861. The opening verse says, "Christ be my leader by night as by day; Safe through the darkness, for He is the way. Gladly I follow, my future His care, Darkness is daylight when Jesus is there." Christ Jesus is the head of the church and we follow His leadership, but He also calls His people to be leaders in ministry in times of darkness and light. All too often we find that we experience challenges and conflicts as we go about our ministry and wonder how best to deal with those. It can be helpful to identify what some of those challenges might be. Read more . . .
| St. Louis premiere — One night only!
Celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation by attending this once in a lifetime event! Come to the St. Louis premiere of the new movie, "Martin Luther: The Idea that Changed the World," at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13, at the Wehrenberg Des Peres 14 Cine, 12701 Manchester Rd., Des Peres, Mo. Tickets must be purchased in advance. To purchase tickets, visit tickets.NewLutherMovie.com. CLICK HERE for more information.
| | | Announcements/Other News
"Go and Be Reconciled: What Does This Mean?"
A one-day seminar of reconciliation
When: Saturday, February 11, 2017
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Where: Trinity Lutheran Church
2201 Rollins Road
Columbia, MO 65203
Online registration is available until February 3rd.
Registration fee: $20 per person, lunch included
CLICK HERE for more information and to register.
Peer Ministry Training (PMT)
Looking for a great youth ministry leadership opportunity? Peer Ministry Training (PMT) is an opportunity to come together with high school youth and youth counselors who want to learn additional/intentional skills in counseling/discipleship to serve in their youth ministry, in their congregation, their school, their community and their family. The Missouri District Family Life and Youth Board invite you and/or your youth to Peer Ministry Training February 17-19, at the Sojourn Retreat Center in Dittmer, Missouri. More details on PMT can be found on the Missouri District web site by clicking here.
Your cost for the entire weekend is only $80 per person which includes staff, materials, housing and meals. Space is limited and fills up fast - early registration is encouraged. Click Here to Register for this Event
The deadline to register online and send payment to the District Office is Monday, February 6, 2017. Registration suggestion: A team of two or three youth and an adult leader is ideal. Individuals who come alone may find themselves missing the support needed to grow together and support one another at home.
Peer Ministry Training is an outstanding experience with great training/leadership teams and great youth and counselors coming together to learn, grow and serve. Please share this opportunity with everyone in your youth ministry. We hope to see you there!
Leaders & Ledgers Workshop Saturday, March 18, 2017
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Alive in Christ Lutheran Church in Columbia, MO Everyone and anyone who is involved in church administration. All Treasurers, Business Managers, Church Administrators, lay leaders and Pastors who serve in those capacities – this is for you!
Join us at Alive in Christ in Columbia for this workshop that will give you the opportunity to acquire detailed information on a variety of topics related to your stewardship of financial gifts and properties. CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER! Registration fee is $10 per person.
Missouri District Spring Jr. High Retreat
The Missouri District Jr. High Retreat is returning this spring around the theme, "Rescued". Our focus this year is on baptism and the blessings we receive from this awesome gift of God.
Our presenter & worship leader is Rev. Joel Beyer, the pastor at Community Lutheran Church near San Diego, CA. And……The Relentless Project is returning to provide our music! CLICK HERE for more information and to register.
Missouri District Mission Summit – Save the Date – June 3, 2017
The Missouri District will be hosting a Mission Summit next year at Concordia Seminary in partnership with LCMS Office of National Mission, Concordia Seminary, Lutheran Hour Ministries, Lutheran Church Extension Fund and Send Me St. Louis. The summit will feature Lutheran Hour Speaker, Rev. Greg Seltz presenting the keynote address. There will also be practical sessions and inspirational presentations to equip congregational leaders for reaching out to their community. Mark your calendars and plan to be there!
Assistant to the President for Mission Advancement Job Opening The Missouri District has begun a search process for an Assistant to the President for Mission Advancement.
This staff person will work with donors to raise support for Missouri District mission initiatives.
The person should be a member of a Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod congregation.
Experience in development work is preferable, but not required.
There will be regular travel within the state of Missouri to meet with donors and congregational leaders.
This position is accountable to the President of the Missouri District.
Those who are interested should contact Michelle Christ ( michelle.christ@mo.lcms.org) to request a copy of the position description or to submit a resume and three references by February 15, 2017.
Missouri District Lutheran Youth Fellowship Nominations Forms Are Now Available
The Missouri District Lutheran Youth Fellowship (LYF) Team gives high school youth, who are members of LCMS churches in our District, the opportunity to grow in their service to the church and in their leadership in youth ministry. Each year, we bring four new young people on board as our seniors leave us to step into the future God has planned for them. These four new young people must currently be in their freshman year of high school. You are invited to nominate a young person from your congregation to serve in this important capacity.
CLICK HERE for more information and to download the application.
Missouri District Mission Grants
The Missouri District would like to announce the opening of the application period for Missouri District Mission Grants.
Mission grants are designed for new mission start-ups, not for maintenance of sustaining ministries. In a few unique situations, funds may be available for some additional years. Mission grant funds are designated to support new mission plants within the boundaries of the Missouri District.
CLICK HERE for additional information and to application.
Reformation Celebration Congregation Kit Now Available
The Synod has prepared a kit to assist congregations in planning and publicizing events throughout 2017. The congregation resource kit for the Reformation celebration contains downloadable materials to promote your congregation's observation of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. The kit includes bulletin announcements, bulletin blurbs, social media memes, posters, a newspaper article, an op-ed article, a church newsletter article, and a banner template. Many of these resources can be customized to include your congregation's name and contact information. What is your congregation doing to celebrate? CLICK HERE to download the kit.
District and Church Events
( Peer Ministry Training, 2017 Spring Early Childhood Conference, Missouri District Spring Jr. High Retreat, Go and Be Reconciled: What Does This Mean?)
Installations and Ordinations
Personnel Changes and Calling Congregations
LCMS Missouri District News
Obituaries
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