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PUBLISHED BY THE MISSOURI DISTRICT OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH—MISSOURI SYNOD

November 2, 2017

Christian Friends of New Americans (CFNA) began in the early part of 2000 as an effort to reach the growing number of immigrants and refugees coming into the St. Louis area. Interested LCMS members met at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis to reflect and find ways to serve and invite these New American friends into the Lutheran Church, especially the Bosnian refugees that had recently arrived in the city. In a few years this outreach effort took the name, "Christian Friends of New Americans," that offered need based capacity building services to New Americans.

The initial vision for this ministry was provided by Mrs. Carol Buckman and her friends, alongside having key ministry supporters in Messiah Lutheran Church, Christ Memorial Lutheran Church, Concordia Kirkwood, and others. Over the past 15 years, CFNA's ministry was led by outreach missionaries like Rev. Tony Boos (then just out of Concordia Seminary) and Rev. Eddie Mekasha. In all this, the mentor leadership of Mrs. Carol Buckman and Dr. Allan Buckman helped steer CFNA in achieving its mission goals that included establishing contact with New Americans and also engaging LCMS congregations and believers in this ministry.

Today, the ministry of CFNA can best be described as seeking to connect New Americans with LCMS congregations. This is accomplished by partnering with local Lutheran congregations, schools, individuals, NGOs and various grant-giving foundations to offer a range of programs and services for New Americans. Firmly based on the Holy Scriptures, with John 15:15 as its key verse, CFNA seeks to reach out to at least 200 new neighbors every year with Christ inspired care. Presently, from its facility on South Grand Blvd., CFNA offers Health and Wellness Screenings, ESL, Drivers Ed., After School tutoring, Furniture donations, Ethiopian After School tutoring, Heart2Heart Women's Bible Studies, and two Ethnic Bible Fellowships. CFNA also provides scholarship assistance for the enrollment of refugee children into Lutheran schools. Now into its 10thyear, the Adopt-A-Student ministry has scholar-shipped between 25 and 30 students each year. Interestingly, 80 percent of these students, together with their families, are now attending LCMS congregations.

The establishment of the various CFNA ministries has been enormously facilitated by 268 volunteers (currently) drawn from more than 60 Lutheran congregations and organizations in the St. Louis area and beyond. CFNA was granted RSO (Recognized Service Organization) status by the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod on July 27, 2010, which was renewed on August 9, 2016.
Read more. . .



The Missouri District installed Rev. Bill Geis as Assistant to the President for Congregational and Mission Services


President Hagan installed Rev. Bill Geis as Assistant to the President for Congregational and Mission Services for the Missouri District - LCMS on Oct. 20. Rev. Geis replaces the Rev. Dr. Stu Brassie, who previously served in that position for 20 years prior to retiring this summer.

Geis comes to the Missouri District with a wealth of experience working in both rural and urban/surburban ministry, with the later involving significant ministry in church/school settings. He has previously served as parish pastor of a multi-point rural partnership in Oklahoma and as the Oklahoma District Executive for Missions, Senior Pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church and School, LaGrange, Ill. and Director of Adult and Senior Ministries at The Lutheran Church of Webster Gardens, Webster Groves, Mo. He has had the privilege of being a guest lecturer in regards to Rural Ministry and Evangelism at both Concordia Seminary, St. Louis and Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, as well as presenting to various Synod groups and serving on a myriad of Synod boards and committees. Geis actively serves the community as well through various community and civic service board memberships, youth mentoring programs, and organizing/supervising volunteer based neighborhood improvement projects such as disaster response, senior home rebuilds and neighborhood cleanups.

Geis holds a Bachelor of Computer Science from Concordia University-Chicago and a Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. He will be bringing his wealth of knowledge and experience to the Missouri District to support congregations in their mission and revitalization efforts. Additionally, he will assist congregations in the areas of outreach and stewardship training.

Geis and his wife Sandi have been married for 33 years and have two daughters, Erica who is married to Jonathan, and Monica. His motto is, "care for people in such a way that they meet Jesus!", because of his belief that both individuals and churches can do that in all circumstances.

Please join the Missouri District in welcoming Rev. Bill Geis!

E
2
Conference Coming to Southwest Missouri


The Missouri District E2 (Encourage and Equip) Conference will be held on Saturday, November 11 at Faith Lutheran Church in Springfield. The conference is scheduled from 8:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. There is no cost, but attendees are encouraged to register in advance -
https://www.regonline.com/registration/Checkin.aspx?EventID=2028662
.

The conference will feature topics for both church professionals and volunteers. The topics include outreach ideas, witness training, stewardship, youth ministry for small churches, family ministry, and older adult ministry. There will also be training for boards of elders. President Hagan will be leading a topic on topics as we balance life with one foot in the church and one foot in the world when it comes to sexuality and marriage issues.

The E2 Conference provides a great opportunity for learning, but also for fellowship with volunteers and leaders from other congregations. Please join us so that you can be encouraged and equipped for serving at your congregation. There will be relevant and practical topics for everyone.

Announcements/Other News

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/
.

Senior High District Youth Gathering



Cost is $165.00 per person

November 17-19, 2017
at Cross Pointe Retreat Center in Rocky Mount, MO.

Filters change how we view the world and ourselves. The Sr. High Youth Gathering will dig into this theme through interest centers, worship, service, and fellowship as we consider how our lives are transformed by Jesus Christ. Our theme verses come from Ephesians 4 where Paul explores the difference between a life lived in darkness that focuses on selfish desires, and the new life we live as forgiven children of God. How can we "put on the new self" that looks outward and takes action by living out the righteousness of Christ?

This will be a great weekend with youth from all across Missouri to hear interesting topics, breakout sessions (details to come), music with The Homesteaders, group devotions, games, servant events and more!

CLICK HERE
for more information and to register!

The Professional Church Workers' Conference begins for:

Pastors on Tues. Nov. 14, at 1 p.m., with registration beginning at 9:30 a.m. Commissioned and educators on Wed., Nov. 15 at 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Banquet for all Professional Church Workers at 6 p.m. on Wed. evening. Worship service is Thurs., Nov. 16 at 10:45 a.m.

Registration Fee

Pastors, Commissioned, Educators: $125

Emeriti, Vicars, Interns, Student Teachers: $75

Spouse/Guest Meal Packages: $65 (Banquet and 1 Lunch); $90 (Banquet and 2 Lunches)

Plenary Speakers
– Dr. Erik Hermann from Concordia Seminary, Dr. Patrick Ferry from Concordia University Wisconsin and Dr. Jon Mielke, Director of Lutheran Schools, Indiana District.


For additional general information, details on sectionals amd conference schedule, please visit

The Lutheran High School Association of St. Louis is seeking to hire a Director of Enrollment Management. Additional information regarding this position can be found under Employment on the Association's website:
http://www.lhsastl.org/page/employment-
Interested applicants should email their resume and cover letter to Sharon Thurman, Human Resources Manager:
Sthurman@LHSAstl.org
.

District and Church Events

(
E2 Conferences
,
Professional Church Workers' Conference
and
Missouri District Senior High Youth Gathering
)

This message was sent to revklaus@hotmail.com by movoice@mo.lcms.org

660 Mason Ridge Center Drive #300, St. Louis, MO, 63141


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Daily Email: Thursday, November 2, 2017

DEVOTION:  Matthew 5:1-12 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Sermon on the Mount

5 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.

The Beatitudes

2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons[a] of God.

10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

 

 

There is a churchly phrase that we, as pastors, use sometimes to identify who we are as human beings saved by God's grace.  It is "simul Justus et pecatur."  This is a Latin phrase which means, simultaneously saint and sinner.  This is who we are in Christ.  Because our ancestry is from Adam and Eve, and because every person since them has been born with the sin curse, we are sinners.  Yet, because ofChrist's death and resurrection, and because Christ lives in us, we are holy.  We are saints. 

                You wanna know what a holy one (a saint) looks like?  Look at the descriptions above.  This is the picture of one who believes in Jesus.  In fact, this is Jesus.  Look at it closely.  Every one of these "blessed" descriptions points us to Jesus.  We can never be all of these things, because our sinful nature taints everything we do.  Yet, because Christ lives in us, people will see these attributes in us. 

                The best thing is that we don't have to work for these things.  Being poor in spirit, meek, merciful, pure In heart, etc. all come natural to us if we are in Christ Jesus and He in us.  These are gifts and attributes of the Holy Spirit living in us.  It is the Holy Spirit who makes us holy!

                So the next time you are looking for someone to hang out with, someone to be your husband or wife, someone to be your friend, or to be a good church member, look for these attributes.  Look for someone who is a peacemaker, merciful, someone who hungers and thirsts for real righteousness, someone who is mournful over sin, someone who is meek and humble.  In other words, look for someone who shows you Jesus with their life. 

                Prayer: Lord, thank you for making me holy and filling me with your Spirit so that I can have your attitude and attributes even in my sinful state.  Amen.

 

____________________________________________________________

CALENDAR:

Thurs- Alzheimer's Support Group 1; Confirmation make up 6pm; Lutheranism 101 7pm; Karate 6:15-7:45

Fri- Vendor Fair Set up 2;30-4:30

Sat- Vendor Fair Set up- 7-9; Vendor Fair- 9am-1pm; Worship- 5pm

Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school and Bible class 9:45

_____________________________________________________

RSHIP WORKERS: 

Acolyte- 8:30- Cierra Figura; 11- Addie Hoelscher

 

 Ushers- Larry Schulze, Scott Schulze, Gary Scott, Dave Winter

 

Altar- Set up- Don Hance; Clean Up- Terry McKenzie

 

Elder- Sat- Roy Bohning; 8:30- Don Turnure; 11- Dave Winter
 
Greeters- 8:30- Jim and Vickie McRae; 11- Mike and Naomi Johnson

Lay Reader- Sat- Roy Bohning; 8:30- Tim Linke; 11- Karen Benton

 

Pianist 11- Molly Hendershot

  

Organist- Sat and 8:30- Barb Dreyer


Projectionist- Sat- Kathy Fischer; 8:30- Terry McKenzie; 11- Nova Luebke


________________________________________________________________

YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:   

How many times did Jesus feed a multitude of people?  Matthew 14 :13-21 (5000) and   Mark 6 : 4-9 (4000)  (Thanks Don!)

___________________________________________________________

TODAY'S QUIZ:  Who appeared with Jesus at his transfiguration?

_________________________________________________________

NEWS:

LADIES AID VENDOR FAIR AND BAKE SALE COMING UP THIS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4

Come and get some Christmas shopping done and enjoy some wonderful baked good!!

_________________________________________________________________________

WE ARE STILL IN NEED OF NOMINATIONS FOR OUR CHURCH BOARDS!!!  Below is what we need:

 

Board of elders- 3 men of good standing in the church who are active: main duties include, worship and communion assistance, member care, developing of budget for salary and benefits for staff.  They usually meet on the second Sunday of each month at noon. (Dave Winter is timed out and two of our other elders have resigned this year.)

 

Board of trustees- 3 people- main duties include taking care of St. John's property and approving budget for insurance and maintenance.  They meet on the second Tuesday of each month at 7pm and have several work days (usually on Saturday morning) throughout the year.  (Teresa Scott and Gary Hoelscher are both timed out and Scott Heitgerd has transferred to Immanuel, Wentzville)

 

Board of education- 2 people needed- Main duties include planning, preparation and carrying out of Sunday school program, VBS, and other education programs.  They usually meet on an as needed basis.  (Naomi Johnson is unable to continue due to work and family responsibilities and Lisa Rausch's first term is up)  We are in desperate need of a couple people who have the time and energy available to commit to this board.

 

Secretary-  This is not the same as our office administrator, Terry;  This person is responsible for taking minutes at voter's and council meetings, and for preparing agendas for the same.  This person can also be a signer on checks and other official documents.  (Patty Sweet has decided to go to a different church)

 

If you would like to nominate someone, including yourself, or have possible suggestions, please reply to this email, or call me at 636-359-1061

_______________________________________________________________________________

SUNDAY SCHOOL MEMORY VERSE IS: "God is our refuge and strength a very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1

_________________________________________________________________________

NEW OUTREACH BOOKLET DISPLAY AT CHURCH

Our board of outreach and evangelism purchased a set of outreach booklets on all different topics of interest.  They are for you to use for yourself, but also to take to friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors who may be dealing with the things covered in these booklets or may just have questions regarding to the faith.  Please check it out and as it says, PLEASE TAKE ONE!

DO YOU HAVE A THRIVENT FINANCIAL ACCOUNT OR POLICY?

You may be eligible to receive money for Little Lambs or Good Shepherd!!  Go to www.thrivent.com/choicedollars to check it out!

________________________________________________________________________________

OPERATION BACKPACK DONATIONS FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER IS CANNED VEGETABLES.  PLEASE BRING YOUR DONATIONS TO CHURCH AND PUT THEM IN THE TUB MARKED "BACKPACK BLESSINGS"!

____________________________________________________________________________________

PRAYERS: 

Two prayers for MARILYN FOSTER, 1. thanksgiving I am free of melanoma & can heal now.  2. prayers for successful Retina surgery this Friday.

 

For JOYCE PIETZSCHKE  who is recovering from surgery on her arm after a fall.

 

For IVY TINNIN as she has had to take a semester off of school for health reasons.

 

For GEORGE HOELSCHER as he finds out the results of his tests today.

 

For RON HEITGERD who is home from the hospital, but will have to get dialysis three days a week .

 

For BUCK HAMPTON who has moved to Lincoln County Nursing and Rehab in Troy to begin receiving chemotherapy treatments.

THANKSGIVING for HEALTH AND GROWTH for CAIDEN BALDWIN, infant son of Dane and Jodi Baldwin who is doing very well after being born three months early.  

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PRAYERS FOR OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL:

For SAM HARGROVE deployed in Kuwait and DAN DREYER deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, that the Lord would keep them safe from harm during their service and bring them home safely.

 

For DAVID TATE stationed in Japan, COLTON FIGURA stationed in California, and ALEX WALTERS, stationed in Tennessee.  That God would bless their service to our country and keep them safe as they all await possible deployment.

 

For CALEB FIGURA AND VINCE MASTERS who are both serving our country in the National Guard and take time out of their lives, jobs, and families to go on duty several times a year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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