| | | | PUBLISHED BY THE MISSOURI DISTRICT OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH—MISSOURI SYNOD
December 15, 2017 | | | St. Paul's Lutheran hosts LERT Chainsaw Training Class
 On November 17 and 18, St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Concordia, Mo. sponsored a LERT Chainsaw Training class.Twenty-eight people attended with several traveling from seven hours away! Special thanks to Pastor Ed Brashier with Shepherd's Heart Ministry who came all the way from Alabama to lead the class.
 
| | | Bethlehem Lutheran, St. Louis presents "The Gift"
 The Bethlehem family is looking forward to the coming of Christ. This year, as in past years, their Christmas celebration focuses on a large scale Christmas play. "The Gift," is this year's play, written and including original music composed by the Bethlehem family. This production has brought together over 40 members for rehearsal as actors, dancers, singers and production staff. The presentation will be grand, but even better is all of the small group ministry of God's people to each other, taking place right now, in preparation meetings and rehearsals. While rehearsals are going on, life doesn't stop with its sicknesses, deaths, celebrations and frustrations. The Holy Spirit has God's people caring for one another during this prep time. It's special!
If you'd like to come and see the presentation, it will occur three times at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 2153 Salisbury St., St. Louis, MO 63107: Wed., Dec. 20 at 6:15 pm and Sun., Dec. 24 at 9:50 am and 6 pm. "The Gift" is presented in the Bethlehem sanctuary. 
| | | | Important Message from President Hagan Regarding the 2018 District Convention
(Click below to view the message)
 | | | Plus One Participation Forms Many congregations are turning their attention to our community outreach effort, the Plus One Initiative. Congregations are encouraged to complete a Plus One participation form and either mail it to the district office or email it to plusone@mo.lcms.org. If you want additional information about Plus One or a copy of the Plus One participation form, go to http://mo.lcms.org/plus-one/. | | | | 
The first E2 Conference of 2018 will be held on Jan. 27 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Arnold, MO. The purpose of the E2 Conference is to Encourage, Equip and connect volunteers in our congregations through practical presentations, partnerships and networking. Four additional dates & locations across the district! A wide variety of breakout sessions! Attend discussions of interesting topics to assist your congregation and its leaders. All conferences are Saturday mornings from 8:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. There is NO COST to attend, but please register online at http://mo.lcms.org/e2-conferences-are-returning-this-fall/ as space is limited. | | | Missouri District Spring Junior High Retreat
 Psalm 103:12 NIV …as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. The Missouri District Lutheran Jr High Retreat is returning this spring on April 6-8, 2018 at Camp Windermere, located nine miles west of Camdenton, Missouri. The theme will be "Forgiven", with a focus on Confession, and the Office of the Keys. Our presenter & worship leader is Rev. Ken Chitwood, assistant pastor at First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, Florida. The cost is $120 and registration will open online in January. Early registration is encouraged. Need more information? Call the Missouri District office at 314-590-6217 or email Sue Thompson at Sue.Thompson@mo.lcms.org. | | | | (Photo: LESA's new student-designed Christmas Card collection includes "Joy to the World", which was created by Taryn, a fifth grader at St. Paul Lutheran School in DesPeres. Other designs are Joy to the World in Blue, The Best Gift Ever, O Come Let Us Adore Him and Christmas.) LESA Unveils New Christmas Card Designs to Support Lutheran Education The St. Louis-based Lutheran Elementary School Association (LESA) has unveiled five brand new student-created designs for its annual Christmas card fundraiser. The new series features unique, full-color images created by children attending Lutheran schools in the St. Louis area and southern Illinois. The cards are Joy to the World, Joy to the World in Blue, The Best Gift Ever, O Come Let Us Adore Him and Christmas. Each card includes a different seasonal message and Bible verse. The cards were designed by students at Salem Lutheran in Florissant, St. Paul's in Des Peres, Good Shepherd in Collinsville, IL, and two designs from Trinity Lutheran in St. Charles. The cards are $10 for a pack of 10 cards and envelopes. To see the designs and place an order, visit www.LESAstl.org, or call LESA at 314-200-0797. Cards can be shipped or picked up from the LESA office. Proceeds will help fund the numerous programs and services LESA provides to 30 elementary schools, including need-based tuition assistance, curriculum support and professional development. More than 9,000 students attend LESA-member schools in the St. Louis Metro Area, making Lutheran schools the second-largest private school system in the bi-state region. A Recognized Service Organization of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, LESA represents 35 elementary and high schools, including four National Blue Ribbon schools and a National Lutheran Exemplary School. For more information about LESA, its schools and its mission, call (314) 200-0797, or visit www.LESAstl.org. | | | | Follow the Star to Ascension Lutheran Church's Live Nativity 
As you make your list and check it twice for ways you'll get into the Christmas spirit, don't forget about Ascension's annual live nativity scene on Saturday, Dec. 16, from 5 - 9 p.m. Ascension Lutheran Church located at 5347 Donovan, St. Louis, Mo 63109 will have the true meaning of Christmas on display with a live nativity featuring live cattle, sheep, a camel, as well as shepherds, wise men, Mary and Joseph, and Jesus. The evening will include an angel choir, Christmas cookies and hot chocolate and the Christmas message being broadcast over the radio. Read more . . . | | | | 
The members of Peace Lutheran Church, 737 Barracksview Road, Lemay, invites you to a "Christmas at Peace" 7:30 pm Friday, December 23; 7:00 pm. The concert is an excellent way to experience the true meaning of Christmas through beautiful music!
The concert will feature the Peace Chancel Choir, Orchestra of Peace and Bells of Peace. All ensembles are under the direction of Peace's Director of Music Ministry, Burnell L. Hackman. Peace's Senior Pastor Rev. Dennis Kastens will deliver a short message during the concerts. The concerts are free (a free-will offering will be received) and tickets are not needed. Peace is located east near the intersection of I-255 and Telegraph Road in South St. Louis County. For more information, please visit Peace's Music Ministry website at www.peacestlmusic.org or by calling the church office at 314.892.5610 | | | | Get $20,000 to become a church worker in the LCMS! Is God calling you into church work in the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod? Are you concerned about how you are going to pay for the hight cost of college? At Concordia University Irvine we value the formation of future leaders for our church. Therefore we are pleased to announce that, starting with the 2018-2019 school year, we are offering qualified church work students a guaranteed total of $20,000 in institutional aid per year, plus a housing grant. Ready to begin? To start the application process, go to www.cui.edu/app. To learn more about the church vocations scholarship, who is qualified, and additional application requirements for church work programs, go to www.cui.edu/churchworkscholarship. | | | | | | | | |
