VOICE Published by the Missouri District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Disaster R elief and God’s R efuge
by President Ray Mirly Having just returned from Joplin, I’m sure I now will have a greater respect for warning sirens. When you hear tornado sirens, where do you go? Most people go to a basement, a tornado shelter or at least the strongest part of a building. This spring has taught us to be more cautious, to obey sirens, to seek out a safe place. Thankfully, God provides us with a safe, secure, everlasting place to go. It is not a tornado shelter, corner of a basement or the inner wall of a room. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1 ESV). So many of you have already been generous in offering financial and physical assistance to those in need. Thank you. As information is gathered, we will provide a list and keep developing it. Watch our website for updated information. In the meantime, even for those with insurance, there will be an immediate need for cash assistance. Here is what you can do to help: • Keep everyone in your prayers. • Send financial contributions to the organization of your choice. See addresses at right.
• Do not drive to Joplin to help unless you have signed up through United Way or another volunteer coordination agency. Groups can register by calling 2-1-1 or 800-427-4626. Registration also can be done online at http://www.211missouri.org/. • Do not take clothing to Joplin. • Phone calls and emails should not be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Joplin, until further notice. • Volunteers are keeping the website updated. Please visit www.immanueljoplin.com. Send donations to: The Missouri District Disaster Fund The Missouri District - LCMS 660 Mason Ridge Center Drive, Suite 100 St. Louis, MO 63141 (314) 314-4550 LCMS World Relief and Human Care 1333 S. Kirkwood Road St. Louis, MO 63122 (314) 965-9000 LCMS Orphan Grain Train (402) 649-3893 or (402) 649-3896 ogtrelief@cableone.net Lutheran Disaster Response 39330 Treasury Center Chicago, IL 60694-9300
of Missouri
June/July 2011
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We pray God’s comfort and blessings upon all the families who mourn the death of loved ones. We ask God to bless the ministry to the injured and upon all the recovery efforts. Please keep all the residents of Joplin in your prayers. We are once again reminded how temporary this world is. Thanks be to God that through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, all who believe in Him have His promise of a life that will never end. As the Scriptures teach, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
From Washington, Mo., to Bangkok Our missionary to the world is Robin McCoy, serving in Bangkok, Thailand, serving through LCMS World Mission. Robin is a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Washington, Mo. Robin has served in the Thailand ministry for almost six years as an English as a Foreign Language teacher and relationship builder. Robin builds relationships and teaches English in order to be able to share God’s love through Jesus Christ to her students. Robin states, “Relationships are the key for sharing the Gospel, no matter where you are.” Robin serves at the CGM (Concordia Gospel Ministries) English Teaching Center. The center offers English classes in the evenings in order to meet the needs of university students and working people. The center also offers one-on-one classes in the afternoons for those who want to practice English at a more intense, private pace.
Saturday classes are offered for children with English/ Thai to help them understand more for an easier transition to all English. The classes are fun and personal which helps the students learn more and for relationships to form and grow more easily. Between class, activities focus on relationships with the students/teachers that lead into building relationships with God/students. The between-class activities are on Wednesday evenings for 45 minutes. Thursday the center joins with the (JIL) Journey Into Light team for fellowship with the students. This connects the students with the church family, bringing the light and life of Christ into their lives. Robin says there are so many relationships that have led to many opportunities to share life to a nation whose main religion is Buddhism. Robin states, “There are so
many who still do not know; so many who are lost. We can all be voices for God.” For more information, Robin’s online bio and prayer request page is www.lcms.org/mccoy.
The Missouri District Online
• Regular Online Items: installations and ordinations, celebrations, obituaries, calendar and resources
In this Issue: •
Page 3 - North Korea Update
•
Page 9 - Missouri District Budget - Realities, Opportunities, Challenges
•
Page 16 - Lutheran Malaria Initiative
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From t he president’s desk
Everyone is a Mission Field
“Every person who does not have Jesus Christ in his heart is a mission field,” said Rev. David Kim. Rev. Kim leads an outreach ministry in Houston, Tex. He is a native of Korea, was a missionary in Ecuador and now is a missionary in Houston. I was privileged to serve for three years as President Ray Mirly pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, St. Charles (Orchard Farm), Mo. I remember well the call document I received. There was one statement in that document I’ve never forgotten. The circuit counselor wrote, “There is no need for evangelism at Trinity because all of the people living in the surrounding community belong to a church.” I began my ministry at this congregation on Aug. 1. By the middle of September an adult confirmation class was formed. There were 16 individuals in the class ranging in age from 14 to almost 60. All 16 were confirmed before Christmas. There was a need for evangelism, wasn’t there? Every person in the first confirmation class was in some way connected to a member of Trinity. Some were from immediate family, others were extended family and the remainder were individuals well-known to a number of Trinity’s members. Every person in the class had lived in the Orchard Farm community for 10 or more years. Every person in the class had attended at least one activity at Trinity Lutheran Church before enrolling in the confirmation class. Most had never been invited to attend an adult confirmation class. The following winter, a second adult confirmation class was formed. This class also had 16 in attendance and all 16 were confirmed. All of them had lived in the Orchard Farm community for a long time. The attendees were well-known by members of Trinity. Again, most of them had never been invited to attend an adult confirmation class. Many think of mission work only in foreign countries. After all, two-thirds of the world does not know or believe in Jesus Christ. We may think that the United States is a nation where the majority of people belong to a Christian church. However, this is not true. The majority of people living in the United States do not belong to a Christian church or for that matter to any church. The fact is most Christian denominations, including the LCMS, are declining in membership while the population of the United States continues to increase. The state of Missouri is no different from the rest of the country. The majority of people in Missouri do not belong to a Christian church. This is hard for many of us to believe. But, in checking the most recent demographic studies, I found there is virtually no community in Missouri where a majority of its residents belong to any church. Jesus said, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8 ESV). At Trinity, members began to be more observant and intentional in identifying people who did not belong to a Christian church. They became excited when they identified someone they believed did not believe in Jesus Christ. Every spring and fall, additional adults were confirmed. The call documents were totally inaccurate. There were many in the surrounding Orchard Farm community who did not believe in Jesus Christ and/or belong to a Christian church. I encourage each of you to pray, “Lord, help me identify someone who does not believe in Jesus Christ and/or belong to a Christian church. Help me to find a way to witness to them about Your unconditional love for them. Bless me to be Your instrument to connect them to the Gospel. Bless them that Your Spirit will work through the Gospel to give them faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.” Remember, “Every person who does not have Jesus Christ in his heart is a mission field.”
Every spring and fall, more adults were confirmed.
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President’s Prayer List Please join me in prayer this month. Pray for your pastor and his ministry among you and your community. Pray that the Holy Spirit will bless district congregations currently calling full-time workers. Pray that the Holy Spirit works faith in the hearts of the youth of your congregation and community. Pray God to protect the youth of your congregation during their summer activities. Pray for God’s blessings upon the Missouri District high school youth gathering June 24–26 being held in Springfield. Pray that the Holy Spirit bless the Word and Sacrament ministry of the missionaries serving in the Missouri District and throughout the world. Pray God to bless the ministries of all Missouri District congregations. Pray God to bless LCMS President Harrison. Pray for God’s protection for the men and women serving in the United States Armed Forces, especially for those stationed in places where there is active hostility. Pray for the many citizens of Missouri, the United States and the world who are currently not employed. Ask God to provide employment for the men and women graduating from high schools and universities of the land. Open the hearts of those who are employed to be generous and benevolent toward those in need. Pray that God will bless the Lutheran elementary and high schools of our district and their congregations with new families to enroll children for the upcoming school year. Thank God for the new pastors and vicars who have been assigned to Missouri District congregations. Pray for your immediate and extended family! Pray that all of us grow in our Christian stewardship life. Pray for farmers and that God would bless their crops; pray for those who have lost crops due to flooding. Pray for all affected by flooding. Pray for those affected by devastating tornados in St. Louis, Joplin, Sedalia and across the nation.
Missouri District Convention Calendar and Updates Congregations need to plan for the 2012 Missouri District Convention. The convention is June 3-5, 2012, at the University Plaza Hotel and Convention Center in Springfield, Mo. Nominations for President and First Vice President are due Dec. 3, 2011. Nominations for Secretary, Treasurer, Board of Directors, Committee on Nominations are due Jan. 3, 2012. Lay delegate forms are due in the district office Jan. 2, 2012. As your congregation schedules board or voter meetings, please keep these items and dates in mind. Congregation presidents and secretaries will be sent nomination forms. The forms also will be posted on the district website when they become available. The convention theme is “Life Together.”
Preschool and Congregation Work Together to Help Japan When the children of Our Savior Lutheran Preschool, St. Charles, heard about the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, they wanted to help. On the Monday after the earthquake, during prayer time, some children spoke about what they had seen on the news. “The children felt very sad for the people who lost their homes. They wanted to go to Japan and build them new houses, so we talked as a class and came up with a way we could help,” said Laura Watson, pre-kindergarten teacher. After discussing many ideas, the children decided to have a “build-a-thon” to help rebuild Japan. They collected donations for several days. Some children even brought in their piggy banks. A special event was held during the school day on March 25 where the children built in different stations. They pretended to build new homes, churches and businesses. They also talked about how the money they raised might be used.
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Cari Hannon, director of children’s ministry for Our Savior Church and a preschool parent, took the children’s efforts to the congregation. “I had actually gotten the notice in my child’s cubby and just thought what a great way to connect the church with the preschool and at the same time support a great cause.” The congregation was incredibly supportive of the preschoolers and took up a collection during a Lenten service. “I think people were touched that this came from the hearts of the children. Not only did they want to give to help the people of Japan, they also wanted to positively reinforce what the children were doing,” Hannon said. The combined efforts of the children and congregation raised more than $1,500 for LCMS World Relief and Human Care and its efforts in Japan. Although donations were of various sizes, much of the money came in the form of pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters. It goes to show, as one preschooler said, “All of us can help!”
Ryongyon Farm R ehabilitation in North Korea Sustainable Community Development Project Bell flower root for cash crop development project at Guyon-ri, November 2010.
Transformed Chonduk-ri where healthy children play at the creek, September 2010.
Direct seeded cotton at maturity at Chonduk-ri un-harvested, October 2010.
All season vegetable production at Chonduk-ri and Guyon-ri, May through October 2010.
Cotton direct seeded at Dobong-ri, May 2010.
The following is a report from Dr. Kim Joo, a Korean American agronomist and seed scientist, who for the last 20 years has been looking for ways to support agricultural development in North Korea. The LCMS partners with her non-profit organization, Agglobe Services International, Inc. Thank you so much for your continuous support for the Sustainable Community Development project in DPRK. I am writing this proposal at Koryo Hotel in Pyongyang on Feb. 18, 2011. February is normally a festive time of the year in DPRK and many overseas compatriots from Japan, China, United States and Russia as well as foreign dignitaries are paying visits to celebrate president Kim Jong Il’s birthday. This year, however, even the hotels are relatively quiet and the economic crunch is felt. Every sector is asking food aid. ... Our farm managers are very embarrassed to express their need for food. During my last trip in November, I was told that the crop is not very good but they will try to manage without outside help by pooling the food crop together from all four farms to share between farms to have even distribution. After harvest as they tallied, however, their primary staple food crops, rice and corn yield were not as high as they had predicted. The grain weight was very low. Rice grains were small, immature, cracked and many empty hulls. Corn was shriveled. The phenomenon might be caused by lack of combine fertilizer and weather conditions during the grain fill. Prolonged unexpected rain in November after my visit resulted higher post harvest loss caused by slow removing from the field and poor threshing rate. In 2011, therefore, farm managers are requesting quite different supplies. Priority needs are food, vinyl film for food crop nurseries, sprayers and combine fertilizer for all crops. They expressed that they are unable to grow decent crop without combine fertilizer this year. I had predicted some impact but it was far greater than I suspected for the insufficiency of combine fertilizer had been several years that they might have completely exhausted phosphorus and potassium. The full report can be found on our website. Dr. Joo was named one of Newsweek’s 150 Women of the year. The LCMS coordinator had chance to talk with someone who was working on a wind-farm venture in North Korea and will be following up with her to explore smaller type business ventures that are “Wholly foreign owned.” As this develops, I will be sure to keep you informed.He will keep us informed if this develops into an opportunity to assist and serve the people in North Korea.
The Voice of Missouri
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Distr ict News A R eading of the Whole Bible by Our Savior Lutheran Church Members
The year 2011 marks the 400th anniversary of the printing of the King James Version of the Holy Bible. This fact spurred the members of Our Savior Lutheran Church, Fenton, to recognize the event by a continuous reading aloud of the entire Bible in their sanctuary. For approximately 70 hours, beginning at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 19 (the beginning of Holy Week), parishioner volunteers took turns reading aloud from the Scriptures, book by book, starting with Genesis. Pauses in the reading occurred only during Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services. At 10:39 p.m. Good Friday, the final triumphant verses of Revelation were read. Those who were present gave honor to the moment by standing and singing the doxology, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow.” The 70 or so adults and youth who read, and those who simply maintained a vigil of prayer or silent reading agreed on how special it was to participate. It was a demonstration of the very real power of the Scriptures, and how they are driven to the very core of our existence by the presence of God’s Holy Spirit. All the books of the Bible come together to proclaim God’s love for us through His one and only Son, Jesus, the Christ, the Savior of the world. Lutherans and other Christians delight in saying, “This is most certainly true!”
Former Students Lead Chapel At St. Paul’s
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School, Des Peres, Mo., began a high school youth puppet ministry five years ago. The ministry, H.I.S. Puppeteers (Hands in Service), keeps high school youth involved in spreading God’s Word to younger children through puppets, verbal messages and contemporary music. The group travels around Missouri and Illinois to nursing homes, churches and Sunday school programs, sharing God’s Word through this unique ministry. Becky Hohenstein, kindergarten teacher at St. Paul’s school, leads this group of high school youth in their training, practices and performances. Recently, the H.I.S. Puppeteers (all but one are former students of St. Paul’s, Des Peres) led chapel for more than 260 students, parents and staff. It was great to see former servant leaders “leading” future servant leaders. All involved in the morning chapel enjoyed the vibrant message of “God Wants You” in His army as we work together to spread the Good News of our Lord and Savior.
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Labors of Love at A migos de Cristo
We were blessed with more than 20 willing workers from Webster Gardens Lutheran Church, St. Louis, Mo., the weekend of April 16, who came all the way to Sedalia to do a servant event. This is the second time they have come to help us in the last two years. We cannot afford a janitor to clean the building, mow the lawn, or do maintenance, so we rely entirely on volunteers. A quick once-over is all we can hope for, which means the windows never get washed, the carpet never gets shampooed, the pews never get vacuumed – you know, the deep cleaning stuff. Well, our friends from Webster Gardens did all that. Plus, three of the women spent Saturday organizing material for us. Many churches and schools give us used (and sometimes new) pictures, lessons, etc., and because it was not organized, we seldom were able to use it. These women filed and labeled, and now all of it is accessible and is being used, which will save us lots of money on Sunday school and VBS material and supplies. While all of this was happening, children and a couple of supervising parents stuffed plastic eggs with candy and attached a ribbon with an invitation to our Easter services. In the evening we divided into five teams and went to different parts of Sedalia to pass out the invitations to Hispanic families. Together we distributed more than 300 eggs and invitations. So what happened Easter Sunday? We were not overwhelmed with visitors, only two from those efforts. But we are not discouraged. In the words of Rev. Brian King, “Some plant, some water, but the Holy Spirit makes it grow.” Next time we come (in June, with a VBS invitation) they will remember us and recognize the name. Families come through VBS, and the Easter invitation is the first step toward that goal, plus we know families that will get repeat visits from us because they expressed interest. Other groups have selected Amigos de Cristo as a place for a servant event. Friends from Trinity, Springfield, help often, and are planning to help with VBS June 20–24. We are so grateful to all who take the time and interest to work with us in this mission effort. The Hispanic population moves frequently and new people come to take their place. Amigos de Cristo is not a place that grows complacent because nothing changes; the movement of people forces us to concentrate constantly on God’s command to “go and seek.” At the same time, Amigos reaches far beyond Sedalia, as people migrate to other areas, taking their newfound faith with them. If you or a group from your church would be interested in doing a servant event that does not require a passport and wants to experience cross-cultural missions first hand, give us a call at (660) 826-2788. At Iglesia Luterana Amigos de Cristo, we would be glad to see you, your family or church group and will work with your schedule! Come and join us on Sept. 24, for our fourth annual Hispanic Festival. We always need volunteers for crafts, face painting, food and much more. Just give us a call!
Mother’s Day R everse Children’s Message Hope Lutheran Church, Maryville, Mo., recognized the mothers in its congregation by having a reverse children’s message. Instead of calling the children of the congregation forward, the mothers and grandmothers were called forward. They took this opportunity to thank God for His gift of mothers and to thank Him for Christian mothers who teach their children about their Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.
A New Phase for Jesús el Buen Pastor (Jesus the Good Shepherd)
It is an appropriate name for the historic urban congregation as it enters a new phase of ministry in a new location on the “West Side” of Kansas City. The Lutheran Urban Mission Agency (LUMA) building site has a sanctuary that seats 150, three classrooms and a fellowship hall in the multipurpose basement. The congregation worships at 11 a.m. on Sundays and has Bible classes on Sunday morning and Wednesday evening. But worship and teaching and sharing Jesus Christ is not a Sunday exclusive. The congregation’s vacancy pastor, F. E. Eberhart, recently started a Thursday breakfast to coincide with the “Food Pantry Day.” The congregation feeds 55-70 people each Thursday with whatever food God provides. Pancakes are the staple, but rice dishes, Church cleaning Sunday with our sausage, Canadian bacon, ham and youngest volunteer. She is 4 years old. turkey also find their way to the table. Those who eat also volunteer to cleanup, building community. That’s food for the body. Food for the soul? Yes, in abundant measure. The breakfast begins with prayer, and when all have eaten, there is a devotion given by Pastor Eberhart and a talk from a lay Christian. A visual proclamation was recently added as people wait in the sanctuary for their turn in the food pantry. The video, “St. Matthew, San Mateo,” a well Maundy Thursday foot washing. done rendering of the Gospel of Matthew, was enjoyed recently. During breakfast on Maundy Thursday, Pastor Eberhart was asked by breakfast guests if he would please continue the video after breakfast. There are more Christian videos in stock that include Christian music, instruction and invitations to know Christ. The congregation members thank you for keeping them in your prayers and for all the hands-on help sent with volunteers and food gifts. He is risen! He is risen indeed! ¡Es resucitado! Es resucitado en verdad! For more information, contact Rev. Frank Eberhart at pastorathome@yahoo. com The congregation is truly excited about being in mission.
Maundy Thursday devotion.
Teachers Go to Vietnam
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At the end of this school year, Abiding Savior Lutheran School, St. Louis, kindergarten teacher Gail Horvath and Green Park Lutheran School grade school teacher Kenneth Horvath will have a lot more than classrooms to pack up. For Mrs. Horvath, 15 years of dedicated service to Abiding Savior Lutheran School will come to a close, as she and her husband will embark on a three-year commitment to teach children at the new Concordia Hanoi International School opening in August. The departure of Mr. Horvath represents a significant loss to Green Park Lutheran School, where he has been a classroom instructor, coach and science teacher, and at Peace Lutheran Church where he has been involved in many ministries. Sponsored by the Board for International Mission of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod and encouraged by Rev. Dr. David Birner, the associate executive director, a friend from her home congregation at Trinity Lutheran Church in Soulard, the Horvaths will be joining a staff coming from around the United States as well as from other LCMS international schools, specifically Hong Kong International School and Concordia International School in Shanghai, China. Plans for the school have been under consideration since 2006, and negotiations with the Vietnamese government were finally approved July 9, 2010. The need for the school already existed in order to serve expatriate families serving in diplomatic capacities, and Vietnam recognizes the advantage of offering an outstanding educational facility in order to attract international business and enjoy the economic growth as seen in China. Mrs. Horvath is a veteran of service trips to Mexico to host VBS as well as building houses for Casa por Christos, but this will be her most comprehensive experience. “A seed was planted that just wouldn’t go away” she explains about their decision to go. “Once we turned it over to God and trusted this is where He is calling us, everything fell into place.” The opportunity to serve her faith is a main factor. “Our biggest focus is to build a trust relationship that we are doing what we came to do – teach the children,” she explains. While losing a valued staff member, Abiding Savior Lutheran School looks forward to the opportunity to work with Mrs. Horvath in her new capacity. Plans for interactive projects establishing a “sister” school partnership arrangement are being discussed to bring the international perspective to students at Abiding Savior Lutheran School. Pen Pal writing assignments, “Flat Stanley,” and online interfacing are activities nternational being considered. “We may have some limitations due to the time difersonnel ference,” Mrs. Horvath stated, “but the enrichment of cultural diversity There are 30 international workers will be a great benefit to the students from the Missouri District, plus the of Abiding Savior and to the ConHovarths, make 32. cordia Hanoi students as well.” 9 career missionaries We pray the Horvaths will be as 9 GEO* missionaries effective overseas as they have been 1 on LCMS Staff in the classrooms of our Synod in 11 (+2) international educators the United States since their 1976 graduation from Concordia UniverTo learn about some of our sity, Seward, Neb. missionaries, like the Rodewalds in SouthAfrica, Rev. Mahsman in More information regarding Germany or the Strohscheins in Hong Concordia Hanoi, other LCMS Kong, visit www.lcms.org/prayercards international schools or mission opportunities can be obtained at *GEO missionaries serve in locations around the world for terms of 1-2 years. www.lcms.org/service.
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Com mun ications
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. ... I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matt. 25:35-36, 40).
Missouri District Staff President Rev. Dr. Ray Mirly (314) 317-4570 Ray.Mirly@mo.lcms.org
Assistant to the President – Family Life and Youth Ministry/Congregational Health Rev. Gene Wyssmann (417) 766-2183 gawyssmann@hotmail.com
Assistant to the President – Missions/Congregational Services Rev. Dr. Stuart W. Brassie (314) 317-4558 Stuart.Brassie@mo.lcms.org
Financial Specialist Ruth Ann Grebe (314) 317-4569 RuthAnn.Grebe@mo.lcms.org
Assistant to the President – School Ministry Dennis Gehrke (314) 317-4567 Dennis.Gehrke@mo.lcms.org Vice President – Lutheran Church Extension Fund Dennis A. Klussman (314) 317-4560 Dennis.Klussman@lcef.org
Publications Specialist/Voice Editor Jennifer Krupp (314) 317-4553 Jennifer.Krupp@mo.lcms.org movoice@mo.lcms.org Education Specialist Martha Schellin (314) 317-4567 Martha.Schellin@mo.lcms.org
Assistant to the President – Financial Planning and Control Peter Krege (314) 317-4552 Peter.Krege@mo.lcms.org
Pastoral Support Specialist Donna Seipp (314) 317-4570 Donna.Seipp@mo.lcms.org
Who Are We? The Missouri District consists of 300 congregations. The Vision: Congregations of the Missouri District—LCMS partnering as one church, united in doctrine, ready, equipped and acting to fulfill the Great Commission in their unique setting with their unique people. The Mission: The Missouri District—LCMS is to serve and encourage congregations to fulfill the Great Commission and promote unity of the true faith.
The Voice of Missouri A bimonthly publication produced under the guidelines of the Board of Directors of: The Missouri District—LCMS 660 Mason Ridge Center Drive Suite 100 St. Louis, MO 63141-8557 Phone: (314) 317-4550 Fax: (314) 317-4575 Editor: Jennifer K rupp President’s e-mail: ray.mirly@mo.lcms.org Editor’s e-mail: movoice@mo.lcms.org District Web site: http://mo.lcms.org Address changes: Send them to or call them into your church office. If you are not a Missouri District–LCMS congregation member, send address changes to “Subscriptions” at the address above. Advertising policy: It is the policy of “The Voice of Missouri” to accept advertising only from entities of, or affiliated with, the LCMS. Advertising must pertain to church ministryspecific services.
Office and Human Resources Manager Karen Siegel (314) 317-4565 Karen.Siegel@mo.lcms.org
St. Louis Social Service Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator MJ Wurdeman (314) 317-4559 MJ.Wurdeman@mo.lcms.org
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A Family Gift Fund is your personal ministry fund. It provides you and your family the opportunity to recommend ministries you will benefit as well as the amounts and timing of your gifts. A Family Gift Fund can help you witness to your children about the faithful generosity of God’s caring love in our lives. You may establish a Family Gift Fund using any asset. The LCMS Foundation administers the fund and makes the distributions, no matter how many organizations you want to help.
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A phenomenon of caring support where deep Christian roots are revealed emerges as a group gathers at Heit’s Point Lutheran Ministries. Preserving a healthy 10-year tradition, individuals from Salem Lutheran Church, Black Jack, Mo., gather once a year at Heit’s Point. The treasured silver/ golden thread that runs through activities is enjoyment of each other’s presence in a solidly supportive environment. “It’s togetherness on a different level,” said one participant. “We have extended time to relate with church friends other than the quick little conversations on a Sunday morning or at a meeting,” said another. Informality marks this weekend; although some activities such as a white elephant sale and a trip to Charlie’s restaurant have become standard. Bonfires, tours with Delbert Rinee (Heit’s Point volunteer extraordinaire), and perhaps a shopping trip might happen. Some men make a trip to a gun shop (closed) while some women hold GIRDlE (GPS unit) out of a van window and struggle with a map (upside down). Birthdays are celebrated, cats are ejected from the Spitz Center, trailer tires may flatten, but this weekend has become a treasured time for its participants. Yes, it’s fun. It’s an opportunity to get away from the routine, the schedule, the “daily grind.” It’s peace and quiet; although the laughter of some domino players disrupts the studied contemplation of card players. It’s an opportunity for the
Group Grows Closer at Heit’s Point
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group’s “chaplain,” to catch the BIG one. Cooks don’t have to cook. “It’s like a great 1,000 mile trip.” “It’s our version of a Las Vegas weekend.” All of this being true, face-to-face extended time with fellow believers binds these Christians together. Rev. Jerry Joersz notes that the informal setting offers time for us to learn about and from each other, to build deep respect for each other. There is an appreciation for the struggles the participants face and a deepening sense of the heartfelt joy Christians share. “We have grown together in caring and appreciation of each other.” Begun in 2002, largely with the effort of Ferol and Marilyn Thaemert, this celebration has seen changes. From a Valentine’s weekend, the group now usually meets in late March or early April. “Hearing aids have appeared and most of us don’t stay up until 2 a.m. any more.” The group, as a custom, voluntarily donates to the ministry of Heit’s Point. The Heit’s Point staff also receives a thank-you for their efforts. Last year, the group began work to raise $20,000 to sponsor a room at the future expansion of the Heit’s Point Spitz Center. The group noted that the completion of the new Rinne Activity Center (dedication at 2 p.m. on July 16) will offer new opportunities for Heit’s Point service to congregations.
The Missouri District Lutheran Laymen’s League Missouri District Pastoral A dvisor’s Message, R ev. Craig Otto
“What I Like about Missouri”
• that God made us and all living creatures; • that Jesus laid down His life as an atoning sacrifice for the sins of man, and through faith in Him as the Son of God we can have eternal life; • that the Holy Spirit sanctifies, blesses and guides us through the preaching of God’s Word and the ongoing use of His means of grace: Holy Baptism and Holy Communion. Being part of God’s people in the LCMS is a gift. We keep worship Christ-centered and study the Scriptures. We remain alert to trends in society to keep false teachings at bay and to preach the forgiveness of sins through faith in Christ to those who stray. We who care about the souls of the lost in Missouri are Christ’s ambassadors of Good News. We worship every week and witness every day as we carry out Jesus’ Great Commission, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded” (Matt. 28:19-20 NIV 1984). Jesus loves the people of Missouri and has chosen you to bear the grace of God and the forgiveness of sins to each person. Be filled in worship with knowledge of your Savior Jesus, and be ready to give a gentle witness to Him wherever you are. Notes of Interest Rev. Gregory Seltz has accepted the position of Speaker of the Lutheran Hour. His first sermon as speaker was broadcast on Easter Sunday. Speaker Emeritus Rev. Ken Klaus will continue to produce daily devotions and preach on the Lutheran Hour one Sunday per month. The Missouri District Convention will be Sept. 23-25. Registration forms are available on the website. This one-session Bible study is available for download or purchase at www.lhmmen.com. While you are there, check out the other 15 Bible studies.
We don’t have the consistent weather of San Diego, Calif. Picturesque backdrops of 14,000 foot mountains are in Colorado, not Grandview. Lazy tides and morning shelling? Try Florida, because steep mud banks along the Mississippi might disappoint. Still, I’m a fan of Missouri. Lived here all my life, explored woodland, stream, lake and Ozark mountain culture. I’ve run its gravel roads, hiked its trails, and driven its blue highways (back highways on maps are often in blue) in the Country Squire station wagon with the fake wood panels my parents sold me for $1 when I went off to college. I’ve walked countless trails near my homes in Jefferson City, Gladstone, Columbia, St. Louis (Mehlville-Oakville area), Clayton, Perryville, and Lee’s Summit, and enjoyed the variety of terrain and landscape. I’ve spelunked beneath the landscape to my heart’s content. I’ve waded streams and stilled my hiking or jogging to watch wildlife in the Mark Twain forest, the Lone Jack civil war trail, around Branson and Tablerock and Lake Ozark, Pomme de Terre and Lake Perry and Watkins Mill, and memorized the many intricate trails at scout camp in Osceola. To what end? So that I don’t miss it — the beauty God set before my eyes — during the short years of my life. I know the brown jasper of southern Missouri, the sandstone along Mississippi River shores, and the clay of Clay County. I see the wildflowers along Hwy. 50, the roadside cactus near Hwy. 13, and the straight flats of Hwy. 36 from Chillicothe to Macon to Shelbina. Missouri is as fine a place as any to discover God! If we have ears to hear God’s promise of salvation in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, He gives us eyes to see creation is a gift of our Heavenly Father. This leads to another reason I like Missouri. It is the home of our denomination, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). German settlers coming up the Mississippi River in the 1830s thought the hills around Perry County reminded them of the fatherland Website for the Missouri District LLL: they had just left in Saxony. They were committed to living where they could worship our Lord Jesus Christ, and to teach their children: www lutheransonline com missouridistrictlll
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Fa m i ly Li fe a nd Yout h
Senior High Youth Gathering Hearts on Fire … iConnect
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last— and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.” (John 15:16-17)
June 24-26, Missouri State University – Springfield, Mo. Music: Parallax View Main presenter: Brad A lles It’s coming soon and better than ever! On our website is all the information needed: registration materials, a tentative schedule, poster. It can all be downloaded at mo.lcms.org. The 2011 Senior High Gathering needs your help publicizing the event. Please share the information with your high school youth and adult leaders. In keeping with our Missouri District goal of mission outreach, every congregation a mission outpost and all of us being missionaries, we are encouraging all young people to invite and bring their unchurched friends, classmates, neighbors and relatives. The gathering will serve as an outstanding opportunity for them to experience and celebrate what our faith is all about with 400+ Lutheran youth and their family group leaders. It will also encourage them to build relationships with your youth ministry and your congregation as you prepare to attend. To welcome them and be full participants in the entire gathering, our closing worship service will be a service of celebration and sending everyone to have Hearts on Fire as they connect with Jesus Christ!
The registration fee is $149 per person which includes housing, four meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday), servant events, program, Saturday night freetime opportunities and a t-shirt. Registrations must be received by the district office by June 3. Space is limited, so register as soon as possible. A $50 deposit per person is required with registration. No refunds will be given for cancellations after June 3. We are excited to have Brad Alles as our main speaker. Alles teaches religion at Milwaukee Lutheran High School in Milwaukee, Wis. Known for his ability to break down Scripture so it is easily understood and applied, he is a frequent Bible study teacher at Milwaukee area churches and travels to state and national youth events. Parallax View will provide music for the weekend. Many youth in Missouri may have heard them at various district junior high retreats and in the Farmington, Mo., area. They have a great heart for ministry and love to share Jesus through their music.
rad A lles Presenter B
New this year: Small group breakout sessions for youth and adults. Topics like: iConnect with my Peers:
Introduction to Peer Ministry
iConnect to my Community:
How to do servant events at your church
iConnect on the Stage:
Learn how to do skits to take home
iConnect by Sharing my Faith:
LYF Team members talk about real life situations
iConnect on the Field:
Athletics and faith
iConnect through Social Networking:
How to use social networking in ministry
Offerings at the closing worship will go to area food pantries. All this, plus inspiring Bible study, lots of music, area servant events, community building, meeting new friends and exciting worship! Mark your calendars now to share a weekend with hundreds of youth from every corner of Missouri.
Pray about it and then – go for it! We’ll see you there. Page 8
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Distr ict Budget The Missouri District Budget Our R ealities; Our Opportunities; Our Challenges R ealities
Opportunities
Challenges
The budgeting process in any organization is usually a process of trade-offs. If we do one thing it will limit our ability to do something in another area. Ultimately there are winners and losers as to what gets funded. The Missouri District’s budgetary considerations are based on a number of realities. 1. Receipts from congregations have been decreasing yearly since 2002. In fiscal year ending in 2002, $3,791,224 was received. In the fiscal year ending in 2010, $2,750,049 was received. This is a reduction in support of more than one million dollars. 2. Of the total income in 2010 of $3,567,198, 22.5 percent, or $803,650, did not come in as support from congregations. This other income includes fees for events, agreements with third parties like LCEF, income from endowments, a grant from Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis for work in the St. Louis area, and other items. Much of this other income is received for a specific purpose. 3. While the dollars we have to work with from congregations are decreasing, the cost to provide people to help congregations with their ministry continues to rise. Even though in some years the base wages for workers have been frozen, the base rate of pay has increased more than 20 percent and health insurance premiums have increased more than 53 percent since 2004. After support to missions and Synod, labor costs represent the most significant expenditure of the district. 4. Lutheran schools across the district are struggling to provide Christian education to both Lutheran and non-Lutheran children in their communities. In addition to Lutheran schools being supported by the local congregations, these schools need to have enough children in the school to be financially viable. 5. There is confusion as to what exactly the role of the district and the Synod is, should be, and what they do. This confusion leads to mistrust and anger. Some believe the Synod and district are an unnecessary bureaucracy. With any large organization, there is contraction and expansion of purpose. In the recent past, finances have dictated the role of these organizations, rather than thoughtful, well-informed discourse. 6. A growing number of congregations are either unable or unwilling to support our work together through our districts and Synod.
We are blessed to have many opportunities to work together in our district. It is becoming more apparent to many of the need to work together to reach out to our communities with the Gospel. With more than 50 percent of the people living in Missouri unchurched, the mission field is literally in our back yard. Opportunities exist right now. These include: 1. The congregations of the Missouri District in collaboration with one another and separately as individual congregations asking the district to partner with them. New mission starts are continually being established throughout the Missouri District. Over the past few years, new mission starts have accelerated due to renewed mission interest by congregations. We are very blessed that in the coming fiscal year, we will begin nine of our newest mission plants. There will be an opportunity for additional mission starts currently in the planning stages. 2. Despite the financial realities around Christian education, the congregations of the district are still reaching children and their families through their Lutheran schools. These schools are supported by local congregations, tuition dollars, and in a lesser part by tuition assistance through the Missouri District elementary education endowment funds. There is a great need and a correspondingly great opportunity to help congregations bring up the children in Missouri to fear and love the Lord. 3. We have been blessed with many generous individuals within the Missouri District who contribute to specific opportunities when asked to help. The Lord has given us these opportunities and also these people with resources. 4. We are blessed in our state, in that Missouri is the home of our Synod and one of its seminaries. We also have within our borders the LCEF, Concordia Plan Services, the LCMS Foundation, Saint Paul’s Institute for Education and numerous other Lutheran partners that exist to help us support our congregations and church workers. 5. The Missouri District has a unique partnership with Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis whose vision sees the church brought into the lives of hurting people and people included in the healing life of the church. Through this partnership the congregations and workers of the Missouri District, especially those in the St. Louis area, receive training in the areas of volunteerism and social service outreach.
With the realities we face and our opportunities come some challenges: 1. Our challenge is to reach out to those who do not have the means to support themselves, but trust that the Lord will provide for them while they are about their Father’s work. Some of these people are recent immigrants to the United States. Some are the poor who often live in urban centers. Some are our students who live on our campuses. These types of ministries usually do not become self-supporting as they become established. 2. As our national Synod looks for ways to make due with less income, certain resources are no longer provided at the national level. The district’s challenge is to find new ways to provide these resources to our congregations and church workers. 3. Because we rely on one another, one of our greatest challenges is to communicate our needs and opportunities so we can walk together with a clear direction and purpose for the sake of the universal church. 4. From a budget perspective, there are four major categories of expenses. These categories are support of Synod, support of missions in Missouri, salaries and benefits of staff for the support of the ministries and church workers in the Missouri District, and student aid for all students from elementary age through seminary. For the 2012 fiscal budget, nearly 55 percent (up from 43 percent in 2011) of the receipts from congregations will be forwarded directly to the Synod and to missions within the district. The challenge is, as resources become tighter, how will all these items be funded?
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Educationa l Ser v ices Beauty A nd The Beast Jr.
Presented by the upper grade students at Immanuel Lutheran School, Washintgon, Mo. Broadway excitement filled the gym at Immanuel Lutheran School in Washington the weekend of May 13–15 as the upper grades performed Beauty and the Beast Jr. More than 1,250 people attended four performances over the weekend, including a dinner theater. The dress rehearsal was held for Immanuel school students and for 160 students from a neighboring public school. On Friday, all the jitters and excitement of opening night were present as the students saw their hard work come to fruition in a great performance of the classic musical. Saturday evening’s dinner theater included a full meal served by the cast before the evening’s performance. A special matinee was held Sunday afternoon for everyone, but especially for children of the community. More than 500 free tickets were handed out the month before at the parish Easter egg hunt, along with a contest the week of the musical for the school children. A parish fair was set up in the hallway for guests to learn more about the church and school, along with VBS, and other parish organizations. If there are any Missouri District schools interested in producing Beauty and the Beast in the future, Immanuel will be happy to help in renting costumes for a reduced rate to help make your production a success. Feel free to call Immanuel Lutheran School at (636) 2391636 for more details. To see clips of the dress rehearsal please go to: http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=5gKZ7qT2dEg.
Trinity Lutheran Student R eaches Top 10 in Missouri Geographic Bee
Geography whiz Ben Nolte is the first Trinity, Orchard Farm, Mo., student to qualify and compete in the Missouri Geographic Bee in the school’s history. Nolte put this small school on the map. In April, the eighth-grader made it into the Top 10 round of the 2011 Missouri Geographic Bee. The three-room school, located at 4689 N. Highway 94, serves just 43 students in grades K-8. “We are so proud of Ben,” said Esther Loeffler, Trinity’s principal. “He’s an outstanding example of Trinity’s motto: ‘An excellent education in a unique environment.’” Nolte competed against 100 other students at the state bee, held April 1 in Columbia, Mo. But the geography whiz had a slight edge on his competition: Nolte’s coach and teacher, Jason Crowder, won the Missouri Geographic Bee in 1992 and went on to place eighth in the National Geographic Bee. “He [was] really good at preparing me for it because he knows what it’s like,” said Nolte. Nolte and Crowder reviewed the “Mapping the World by Heart” curriculum Crowder uses in his classroom. The approach teaches students how to draw a detailed map of the world entirely from memory. “It helped me a lot,” said Nolte, who completed his map in the fall. “I like that there are a lot of different places to learn about and different cultures.” “The key to succeeding in [a geographic] bee is having a broad understanding of the world around us,” said Crowder. “Geography isn’t just maps, it’s about people, nature, history and economics all rolled into one big study of the world around us.”
Knights Basketball Team
King of Glory K nights Achieve Sports and Academic Victories Students at King of Glory Lutheran School, south St. Louis, ended the school year with victories on the court and in the classroom. In March, eighth-graders (from left) Louis Meyer, Fereshthe Nazari, Nadia Loebl, and Taylor VanDyke won the Geography Quiz Bowl at the Southside Lutheran Elementary School Academic Fair at Lutheran South. The students were coached by Jim Gilbert. Just weeks later, the Knights A-Team Boys’ Basketball
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20th A nniversary for Glendale School The Early Learning Center (ELC) at Glendale Lutheran Church, Glendale, Mo., celebrated its 20th anniversary on Sunday, May 1. Former staff members and families were invited to attend a reception between worship services. Before each service, a video of ELC photos was enjoyed by the congregation, along with a brief history of the program.
The Early Learning Center was founded by the congregation in December 1990, and began offering classes for 12 preschool children the following fall. Over the past 20 years, 404 students have attended classes at the ELC as it grew from one morning per week to the current five day schedule. It also changed from primarily children of the congregation to a community outreach program. Glendale Lutheran Church is a member congregation of Christ Community Lutheran School (CCLS). Beginning this fall, CCLS will operate an accredited preschool program at Glendale, in addition to three other preschools. Enrollment information for fall is available from CCLS at (314) 740-5417. Glendale Lutheran Church is located at 1365 N. Sappington Road, near Manchester Road, in Glendale.
King of Glory Quiz Bowl Team
Team won the Missouri State Championship title and an invitation to compete in the National Lutheran Basketball Tournament, held March 25-27 at Valparaiso University in Indiana. The Knights, led by Coach Jeff Guidry, were thrilled to make it into the “Elite 8” round of the tournament and to see their teammate, Damarkis Gary, win a spot on the National All-Tournament Team. “We give thanks to God for these reasons to celebrate,” said Principal Beth Landon. “We are so proud of our students.” St. John-Ellisville and River Roads in north St. Louis also competed in the tournament.
Stepping Stones Nuggets
The annual Missouri District Stepping Stones Conference was a blessing for participants. The conference was held on May 4 at Alive in Christ, Columbia, Mo. This year’s theme from Matt. 28:19-20 was about “Discipleship.” Keynote speaker Rev. Dr. Joel Biermann shared that disciples are made by “baptizing” and “teaching them all things.” Biermann led 29 pastors through a six-point lecture and discussion on discipleship including: 1. Demystifying discipleship – Every Christian is called to be a “follower.” Discipleship is nothing more than “follow me.” 2. Role of vocation – Following Christ in all of your life. Both discipleship and vocation are together and lived out 365/24/7. 3. Pastors are to model this in all things – Vocation is where discipleship happens and it begins at home. 4. Learn to embrace the law in new obedience – (FC VI Article 15 stuff.) “We are in church for more than an eternal life insurance policy.” Conformity to God’s will tends to result in a better daily life. Not to burden God’s people but to give them God’s plan for His people. 5. Church discipline a. Go after the erring – Biermann encourages pastors, “As the undershepherd we should encourage faithfully following sheep. We do not want sheep to get hurt by wandering, therefore we should go after the lost sheep. Have a reputation of being serious about expecting people to make this important.” b. Hold each other accountable. Luther said this is a mark of the church. 6. Living the Christian life – make disciples (a paradigm for ministry) a. Discipleship ministry is not a budget buster, does not require extra training, is not based on size of the congregation or even the age of our members. b. Making disciples for us as pastors is preparing God’s people for the upcoming week. We live out our vocation as pastors by feeding the flock that is gathered. c. We preach the Law for the Gospel to work and preach the Law to help people live out their vocation. d. We live out our vocation (pastor, husband, father, community member, etc.) so that others should be talking (positively) about us. e. Baptizing and teaching them all things. Breakout sessions were held after lunch. Toolbox items for ministry were offered in the areas of Multi-Parish Ministry, Communion of Saints, Discipleship for Adults, and Discipleship for Youth. Pastors attending said the conference was: excellent, informative, stimulating, beneficial, a good resource, had good speakers, and encouraged future conferences like this one. The Rural Small Town Taskforce gives thanks to God for blessing our learning and fellowship as He continues His ministry to the world by sending us to baptize and teach all things. At the Spirit’s leading, the Christian goes forth with His words to us, “Follow me.” Ah, the blessings we receive as lifelong students of the Gospel! To God be all the glory. Amen!
Rural Small Town Mission
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Leadersh ip Tra in ing
Rural and Small Town Mission (RSTM), Concordia, Mo., under LCMS World Mission is excited to be encouraging and reinforcing rural and small town congregations to serve as mission outposts in their communities and the world. Using Rural Regional Mission Partnership Retreats (RRMPR), we come together in local congregations all over the United States to share outreach strategies and to be strengthened through God’s Word to fulfill the Great Commission. At the RRMPRs, congregational strengths are focused on and appraised for how they can best be used to reach out to the community. The retreats also use dynamic Bible stories and a diagram of rural culture called the “Rural Onion.” We also take a careful look at statistical information provided by LCEF, so that participants truly learn to understand the cultural dynamics of their region. At the end of the retreat, lay leaders and pastors are identified to be Rural Mentoring Barnabas Associates (RMBAs) to their congregations and communities. They receive follow-up training and mentoring in a one-on-one relationship from RSTM by phone conferences, e-mails, webinars, and mentors, so they can continue to equip and reach out to their own regional community. Upcoming rural retreats include the Highway 200 Regional Partnership hosting their retreat in Underwood, N. Dak., on July 22-23; the Grace/Faith Partnership Ministry of Pleasanton and Hazard, Neb., on July 29-30; and St. John’s Lutheran Church at Lincoln, Kan., on Aug. 19-20. More retreats continue to be scheduled as the year goes on! Learn more through our website at www.spife.org or contact Missionary-Catalyst Dr. Ralph Geisler at Rural and Small Town Mission-Saint Paul Institute for Education (RSTM-SPIFE), Concordia, Mo., 888-463-5127 or ruralmission@ spife.org.
Send Me Saturday
“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven” (Matt. 5:16 NIV 1984). On May 21, more than 400 people turned out at 25 sites throughout the St. Louis region to let their light shine as a part of Send Me Saturday! Volunteers helped with a variety of projects: they packed boxes for hunger relief, created braille hymnals for use in congregational worship, visited seniors, conducted minor home repairs, built a carpentry workshop, distributed energyefficient bulbs to help families save on energy costs, and much more. Youth groups, families, and folks aged 5-75 joined in on the fun alongside other volunteers from all walks of life. Though scattered at multiple sites, volunteers joined with one another in prayer and devotion before beginning their work and in celebration and reflection afterward. Send Me Saturday was hosted by Send Me St. Louis, a Lutheran agency devoted to faith-based social service and Christian volunteerism. To view more pictures of the various projects and events, visit www.SendMeStLouis.org or visit them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SendMeSTL.
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Concord ia Sem ina r y, St. Lou is Concordia Seminary Celebrates Call Day 2011
On May 4, calls to serve as pastors in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) were issued to 86 students at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. In addition, 81 students received assignments to serve as vicars, three of whom are in the Alternate Route program, and five of whom are in the Center for Hispanic Studies (CHS) program. Vicarage is a one-year internship that M.Div. and Alternate Route students preparing to serve in the pastoral ministry must complete. Of the 86 Concordia Seminary students called to serve as pastors in the LCMS,
Vicars and candidates assigned to the Missouri District.
Summer On-Campus Workshop July 25-27: Faith and Creative Writing – Travis Scholl and Peter Mead Concordia Seminary, 801 Seminary Pl., St. Louis, MO 63105 Host: Continuing Education 314-505-7486; ce@csl.edu.
Carillon Concerts
will be presented on Tuesday evenings from 7 to 8 p.m. in the seminary quad on the following dates: June 7 June 14 June 21 June 28 Page 12
two are from the seminary’s Center for Hispanic Studies (CHS), one is from the Distance Education Leading To Ordination (DELTO) program, and two are from the Cross Cultural Ministry Center (CCMC) through Concordia University Irvine. In addition to the 167 calls and vicarage assignments, two M.Div. students, four CCMC students, and one CHS student are awaiting calls. Concordia Seminary also celebrated the presentation of four CHS deaconess candidates who were assigned calls. One deaconess student and one CHS deaconess are awaiting their calls. Ten CHS deaconess students received internship assignments. The Missouri District received the most vicars from Concordia Seminary, with 17 vicars assigned, followed by the Florida-Georgia District with six. The Northwest District issued the most calls with 10, followed by the Pacific Southwest District with eight. The Office of Vespers and Assignment of Vicarages took place at 3 p.m. in the seminary’s Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus. Rev. Russell Sommerfeld, president of the LCMS Nebraska District, served as preacher. The Service of Praise and Assignment of Calls, also held in The Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus, took place at 7 p.m. Rev. Matthew Harrison, LCMS president, served as preacher. A complete list of the calls and vicarages issued is available on the Seminary’s website at www.csl.edu.
Vocatio to be held in June Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, will host a weeklong visitation event in June for high school youth. On June 18-23, the 13th annual Vocatio will be held on the seminary campus. The event is designed to identify, inform, and encourage youth with respect to church work vocations. Vocatio provides a unique opportunity for high school youth to participate in Bible study, worship, prayer, and discussion. Additionally, youth will be able to gain college and seminary information pertaining to a variety of church work vocations. Activities during Vocatio will focus on the Bible verse, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what
God’s will is, his good, pleasing, and perfect will” (Rom. 12:1-2 NIV 1984). The high school participants will delve into this theme through the four disciplines of the formation of ministry: exegetical, systematic, historical, and practical. Seminary professors will lead Bible studies and discussions about vocation throughout the week. Participants will have the opportunity to participate in a servant event. Past events have included work at St. Louis area congregations and the Saxon Lutheran Memorial. They will also have the opportunity to attend an event in the St. Louis area such as a St. Louis Cardinals’ game or the Muny outdoor musical theater. For more information on Vocatio, contact the Admissions Office, Concordia Seminary, 801 Seminary Place, St. Louis, MO 63105; admissions@csl.edu; 1-800-822-9545.
Concordia Seminary Redesigns iTunes U Website Concordia Seminary’s iTunes U website has been redesigned to be more user-friendly. The site contains all the content from the previous version, but now includes new features like a “What’s New” section, as well as “Faculty Picks.” In addition, there is a new section that highlights themes that run across the spectrum of resources. Right now that section highlights “What Lutherans Believe.” Future themes might include preaching resources, Bible studies, cross-cultural ministry and more. The new content areas include archives, Bible studies, community events, conferences, courses and interviews. Users can come here to download Lectionary@Lunch, chapel sermons, Bible studies, Concordia Journal Currents podcasts,
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and popular courses like the Greek and Hebrew introductions. Concordia Seminary’s iTunes U site currently hosts 150,000 downloads per month. There are more than 3,000 downloadable video, audio and print files, which amasses to more than 30 GB of content. To access Concordia Seminary’s iTunes U site, please visit http://itunes.csl. edu. For questions or more information, call 314-505-7117.
President’s Penning “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themKaren Drury selves but for him who died for them and was raised again” (2 Cor. 5:14-15). A few years ago the LWML used this verse as the theme for the annual LWML Sunday celebration. I remember becoming intensely interested in meditating on each word in the verse. The Concordia Self-Study NIV Bible explains it like this: Christ’s love is shown in His death for us. One died for all, the Incarnate Son, for all mankind. Therefore all died, because Christ died for all, He involved all in His death. For some, His death would confirm their own death, but for others, those who through faith would become united with Him, His death was their death to sin and self, so that they now live in and with the resurrected Christ. However, some hold that Paul is not speaking specifically here about the scope of Christ’s atonement but about the effect of Christ’s death on the Christian life. Compelled by Christ’s love, we are enabled in our thoughts and actions to display His love to those around us. With the knowledge that He died for all, and compelled by Christ’s love, we live our lives, not for ourselves, but for Him who died for us and was raised again. He will help us in seeing the needs of others, especially the spiritual yearnings of those living apart from His Holy Word and without faith in Christ and to do our part in the extension of the Gospel to all people everywhere. Compelled by Christ’s love, we can be an example of what it is to live for Christ.
62 Year Charter Member Honored Frieda Eggerman helped charter Immanuel Missionary League of Lockwood, Mo., on Jan. 21, 1949. Rev. J.H. Gassner was counselor and Grace Backs was their first president. On July 5, 1951, they voted to join the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League organization and a constitution was written and adopted. Of the 23 charter members, Frieda is still a member of Immanuel Missionary League, having been an LWML member in the same society for 62 years. She was honored by the Mary Circle for helping charter the society and for her years of membership.
Mission Grant R ecipient: Uganda Pastors’ Wives R etreat
Michelle Gillard, missionary wife of Rev. Jacob Gillard, hosted the pastors’ wives retreat of the Lutheran Church Mission Uganda along with the women’s ministry coordinator for Uganda, Jane Byakutaaga. In the United States, wives accompany their husbands to seminary and are able to stay in seminary housing, participating in their husband’s education and activities. When men go to seminary here, they leave their wives and children behind, traveling to South Africa or Kenya to study for years to complete their seminary education. All this time, the wives are home alone, trying to raise children and support themselves…by themselves. At a past retreat, the women shared about their personal struggles during the time their men were away at seminary. But they all testified that through prayer, God provided for them. Many thought they would have no food or soap, but God provided; they made it through. It was a huge blessing for them to hear they were not the only ones married to a seminarian and alone with little income. Sharing at the retreat brought them closer together. The Missouri District LWML chose the Pastors’ Wives Retreat as a mission grant during the 2010 convention. Michelle shares about the retreat that was funded: We hosted a short-term mission team from Cary, N.C., the other week. The team came back from the village and said, “We bought beads from the wife one of your pastors.” They went on to tell me how one wife gave paper bead necklaces to them as a gift. The team asked if they could purchase more. With the money she made, she went to the nearest major town and purchased more materials to make more necklaces. I was so happy. One pastor’s wife has already put into practice what we learned at our retreat. She has a new self-sustaining business of making paper-bead necklaces. We also enjoyed fellowship in Bible study. In 2 Kings 4:1-37 we saw God working in the lives of both needy and rich women. We had great prayer time. Besides making beads…I had all the women over to learn cake-making. I made chocolate, yellow and red velvet for them to sample. We mixed up the batter, baked it, and were full of sugar before the morning ended. By the next retreat, the women will research the cost benefit of starting a cake-making business in their region. The mission grant monies received will also help fund the next Pastors’ Wives Retreat in Kampala, Uganda. To find more information about the retreats and the mission work of Rev. and Mrs. Jacob Gillard go to: http://ugandaconnection. wordpress.com.
Counselor’s Corner
mo.lcms.org
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League A Common Witness
“…you will be my witnesses in Jerusa- Rev. David Moore lem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8b). The way Jesus describes His mission here in Acts reminds me of the picture of a pebble that has been dropped into a pond, with the resulting ripples flowing away from its point of entry. Each time we give witness to Christ it creates another ripple moving out to touch the lives of others. We may be tempted to think that the ripples of our witness do not reach out all that far. We may not have had the opportunity to travel all throughout our land or to any place overseas. Most of us tend to spend the majority of our time in our own personal Jerusalem’. Every once in a while, we may venture out into our Judeas, but few of us regularly have the privilege of going as far as Samaria or to the ends of the earth. One of the great things about the women of the LWML is that you are constantly encouraging one another to share your personal witness to Jesus, and you also support countless others who do the same. When you support a seminary student, he will carry this witness out into the world. He may end up in the next town over, or he may end up halfway across the world. When you lend a helping hand to an existing missionary or to a new mission start, you know new ripples of witness are being created. This mutual support, prayer and encouragement for Christ’s mission creates a common bond among us, because it reflects our common faith. Our ripples may only go a little way, but when those ripples touch the lives of others, those people create their own ripples further and further away from ours until our witness to life and salvation in Christ truly does reach the ends of the earth.
Participants attending the 2011 LWML Convention in Peoria, Ill., will be able to reach out with care and compassion with Gifts from the Heart. Agencies in Peoria, as well as Orphan Grain Train, have been chosen to receive the gifts from your heart. You may bring these items in unlimited quantities. Quilts of any size for Orphan Grain Train packed in a heavy duty clear plastic bag; a new bath towel/hand towel/washcloth packed in a clear plastic zip lock bag with one Christian tract or Bible verse (inside the bag); men’s, women’s and children’s underwear in the original packaging (label correctly), one Christian tract or Bible verse (securely taped onto package); new children’s picture Bibles (English) or Arch books. Kits: men, women or children (mark which one). All items are to be new and regular size–not travel size. Pack them in a clear plastic zip lock bag. Men: Men’s socks, stick deodorant, disposable razors, toothbrush, bar of soap, one Christian tract or Bible verse. Women: women’s socks, stick deodorant, hand or body cream, toothbrush, bar of soap, one Christian tract or Bible verse. Children: children’s socks, box of eight crayons, safety scissors, Christian coloring book, Christian story book, toothbrush.
Gifts from the Heart
The Voice of Missouri
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mo.lcms.org
A nnouncements Personnel Changes — Ordained
Transferred to our District Lemcke, Brian (SD) installed St. Peter/ St. John/Concordia, Craig/Corning/ Mound City 3/27/11 by R. Mirly Parsch, Daniel (SO) emeritus 4/15/11 Schreiber, Iromar (from the Ev. Lutheran Church of Brazil) installed as associate pastor/sabbatical pastor for two years at Redeemer, Springfield 4/10/11 Transferred to other Districts Craig, Donald (emeritus) to OH 3/18/11 Galik, Karl (candidate) to FG 3/16/11 Mackey, Daniel (Trinity, Appleton City) 4/24/11
Changes within District Galik, Karl (Grace Place Retreats, St. Louis) to candidate status 3/16/11 Johnson, David (Com. on Worship IC, St. Louis) installed as director of worship arts at Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis 3/30/11 by R. Mirly Kurz, Erich (candidate to noncandidate) 4/24/11 Sell, Mark (The Friends of Mercy RSO) to candidate 2/10/11 Deceased Schaff, Rudolph (emeritus) 4/14/11 Theiss, Louis (emeritus) 4/3/11
Personnel Changes — Commissioned Ministers of R eligion Transferred from Other Districts Kueck, Nicole (MDS) to candidate 2/7/11 Kuhlman, BethAnn (TX) to non-candidate 8/1/10 Graduates Installed Adrian, Amy (RF ’09) to Salem, Florissant 5/13/11 by G. Beck Andrews, Hannah (S ’10) to Salem, Florissant 5/13/11 by G. Beck Wunderlich, Tyson (Colloquy RF ’10) to Saxony Lutheran High School, Jackson 3/11/11 by S. Dressler Reinstated Karner, Bonnie (reinstated by COP 5/3/11) to candidate Deceased Palisch, Theodore (emeritus) 4/6/11
Candidate Status Bahr, Donald (LCMS World Mission, St. Louis) 8/1/10 Jorgensen, Steven (Timothy, Blue Springs) 4/1/11 Transferred to Other Districts Bahr, Donald (candidate) to TX 4/19/11 Bates, Andrew (candidate) to SI 3/30/11 Resigned/Removed from Roster Benson, Randi-Lyn (non-candidate) 4/15/11 Gibbs, Stephanie (non-candidate) 3/17/11 Harper, Lisa (candidate) 4/15/11 Land, Julie (candidate) 4/15/11 Sternberg, Allison (Peace, St. Louis) 3/28/11 Suhr, Michelle (candidate) 4/15/11
We R emember:
1 Rev. Rudolph Schaff, called to glory April 14, 2011. 1 Rev. Louis Theiss joined his Savior April 3, 2011. 1 Mr. Theodore Palisch was called home April 6, 2011.
Stained Glass Windows Dedicated
Bed & Breakfast Quiet Nature Retreat on 23 Acres Private 8 Acre Fishing Lake Near Hermann, Mo. woodmere@ktis.net Woodmerecabin.members.ktis.net 573-252-4136
Calling Congregations For Sole Pastors Appleton City, Trinity – candidate David Herald (SL) assigned Barnhart, Immanuel – (retirement of Rev. Dr. Richard Manus) candidate Duane Meissner (SL) assigned Brentwood, Mount Calvary Conway, Immanuel – candidate Nathan Grewe (FW) assigned Cuba/St. James, St. Paul/St. John Dexter, Faith Emma, Holy Cross – called Rev. Jeremy Freeman of Sedalia, Mo. (declined) Florissant, Salem Glendale, Glendale – (retirement of Rev. Steven Albers) Lemay, Gethsemane Louisiana/Bowling Green, Trinity/ Good Shepherd – candidate Jeffrey Dock (FW) assigned Maplewood, Concordia – candidate Matthew Wood (SL) assigned Marshall, Our Redeemer – (retirement of Rev. Douglas Dubisar) St. Charles, Our Savior St. Louis, St. John – deferred vicar Michael Tanney (SL) assigned St. Peters, Child of God Washington, Faith – called Rev. Mark Sell of Ballwin, Mo. (accepted) West Plains, Immanuel – called Rev. Wade Mattsfield of Lincoln, Neb. (accepted) For Senior Pastor Affton, Salem Arnold, St. John (retirement of Rev. Dr. Jack Miller) For Associate or Assistant Pastor Chesterfield, King of Kings Des Peres, St. Paul – called Rev. Kevin Armbrust of St. Louis, Mo. (accepted) Farmington, St. Paul – called Rev. Marcus Jauss of Higginsville, Mo. Jefferson City, Faith St. Louis County, Abiding Savior – called Rev. Jason Hoerth of Cabot, Pa. (accepted) Sedalia, Our Savior – candidate Andrew Tessone (SL) assigned Springfield, Trinity – candidate Nicholas Hagerman (SL) assigned Wentzville, Immanuel – candidate Todd Liefer (SL) assigned
When Immanuel Lutheran, Wentzville, members made the decision to build in a new location, the members had many questions. Members - Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church One concerned the stained glass windows. In the mid 1940s, members of Immanuel, after undergoing ourney to remodeling and redecorating, wanted stained glass windows for Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in the sanctuary. Rev. Arthur Miessler, pastor of the congregation, contacted Mrs. Hulda Menscher, president of the Ladies Aid, Hermann, Mo., presented its third annual Jourfor help. She immediately appealed to all members to raise the ney to the Cross the Saturday before Palm Sunday. The journey is offered to all people of the funds. community. At that time, the cost for Members are responsible for all the sets, coseach window was $190. tumes and also serve as the actors in the scenes. Today, each member has This includes a Seder meal in the upper room been offered a 12”x18” in Jerusalem, a donkey, Jesus in the Garden of stained glass replica of the Heritage church on Pearce Gethsemane and, of course, the resurrection. Boulevard. for $150. Quite a The journey is a graphic reminder of the Holy Week that follows. Members say working on difference. the presentation drew them closer together as a Whole Article congregation.
J
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June/July 2011
Other Calls Breite, Douglas (Trinity, Cape Girardeau) to King of Glory, Blaine, Minn. (declined) Freeman, Jeremy (St. Paul, Sedalia) to Trinity, Van Meter, Iowa (declined) Gallagher, Mike (candidate) to First, Ponca City, Okla. Hagan, R. Lee (St. Paul, Concordia) to St. John, Glendale, Wis. (declined) Muench, David (emeritus) to Concordia Plan Services as Director of Ministerial Care Pierce, Kent (Campus, Columbia) to St. John, South Euclid, Ohio (declined)
the
Vacant – on Hold but Being Served Ashland, Family of Christ Bethany, Hope Bismarck, St. John Center, Trinity Creighton, Trinity Diggins, Zion Elk Prairie (Rolla), Peace Isabella, Faith Knob Noster, Faith Memphis, St. Paul Milan, Peace Oak Grove, Shepherd of the Valley Pagedale, Grace Pilot Knob, Immanuel Princeton, Immanuel Potosi, Redeemer St. Louis, Holy Sacrament St. Louis, St. Matthew St. Louis, St. Paul St. Louis County, Immanuel Chapel Sarcoxie, Trinity Shelbyville, Mount Hope Stockton, St. Andrew Sweet Springs, Christ Wellsville, Trinity Served by Intentional Interim Pastors Affton, Salem - Rev. Dr. Darrell Zimmerman Emma, Holy Cross - Rev. Richard Swanson Florissant, Salem - Rev. Gordon Beck Lemay, Gethsemane - Rev. Roger Henning Scott City, Eisleben - Rev. Dr. Richard Foss
Cross
mo.lcms.org
A nnouncements
Lutheran teLevision
25th A nnual Benefit Auction and Hog Roast
Gulf Shores, A l., beachfront condo for rent
Our beach and pools are in great shape!
Where: Saint Paul Lutheran High School Campus, Concordia, Mo. When: Sunday, June 26 Time: 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. What: Whole Hog Dinner and Benefit Auction How: Eat in or carry out
Three bedroom, two bath, fully equipped kitchen, washer/dryer, indoor-outdoor pools, hot tub, tennis court, exercise, sauna; golf, fishing, children’s attractions nearby.
Silent and Live Bidding
Call (314) 843-6063
www.splhs.org (660) 463-2238
Holiday Hideaway R esort
Member Lutheran Church of Webster Gardens
on beautiful
Table Rock Lake Branson, Mo., area
VILLAGE LUTHERAN CHURCH
Watch Time of Grace for Straight talk & real hope!
PRESCHOOL 9237 Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO 63124
Village Lutheran Church Preschool seeks to give a loving, Christian environment where the children can have fun while developing skills appropriate for their age. Classes are offered for 2-to-5-year-old children.
Call (314) 993-6743 for more information.
Let us host your church retreat at our 14-cabin lakefront resort. Special rate for church groups.
www.holidayhideaway.com contact:
e-mail: holidayhideaway@centurytel.net Phone: (417) 739-4542
ENROLL NOW for FALL ’11
Members of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran, Kimberling City, Mo.
www.villagelutheranchurch.org
Sundays at 6:30 am 800.661.3311 • timeofgrace.org
Chuck Wagon Jamboree
with Bev Turner’s Chuck Wagon Gang St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Sullivan, Mo., is sponsoring the second annual Chuck Wagon Jamboree from 2 to 8 p.m., Saturday, June 18, come rain or shine. You are cordially invited to come relive the days of the Wild West. It will be old-fashioned family friendly fun available for everyone in the community! This western themed event will feature the music of the Slankard Brothers from 2:30 to 6 p.m. There will be games from the time period for the children with prizes; the Saddle Club will exhibit riding skills; and an authentic stagecoach will be available for a great family picture opportunity. Authentic food from the Wild West will be available for purchase from Bev Turner and her Chuck Wagon Gang, served from a real chuck wagon. Old-fashioned crafts will be on display and a general store will have homemade items including quilts and jellies for sale. There will be a raffle including such items a gas barbeque grill with a $40 certificate to the Meat Market, a $100 savings bond, a tailgate party package, a wine basket, regular oil change/state inspection from Lew’s Auto Repair in Bourbon, and a cinema movie package. Raffle tickets may be purchased that afternoon with the drawing at 6 p.m. If you do old-fashioned crafts or have a skill you would like to demonstrate at the Chuck Wagon Jamboree, call (573) 468-4245 for more information on how you can participate! St. Matthew is located at 528 N. Church St. in Sullivan, behind McDonalds. See ya’ll there!
Enjoy Reserved Grandstand Seats!
Exclusive Pre-Parade Float Viewing!
10-Days
from
$1298*
Depart Friday, December 30, 2011—
*Price per person, double occupancy, includes taxes. Airfare is extra.
The Voice of Missouri
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Missions Lutheran Malaria Initiative What Can 40 Quarters Do?
One million people a year die from malaria, including one child every 45 seconds. These shocking statistics set in motion worldwide plans to eliminate malaria deaths. In 2000, the United Nations set eight goals, some of which focus on containing certain fatal diseases including malaria. In 2003, the UN Foundation was formed to help implement these goals. After gaining support of other partners, the UN Foundation reached out to the Lutheran community through Lutheran World Relief, which in turn asked the LCMS to join in the effort. At the 2010 LCMS National Convention, the delegates voted nearly unanimously to join the Lutheran Malaria Initiative (LMI), the new partnership between the LCMS and LWR to mobilize United States Lutherans in the fight to end malaria deaths in Africa by 2015. LMI seeks to raise awareness, advocate for global health initiatives and raise $45 million to fight malaria. The mission board of Historic Trinity Lutheran Church, St. Louis, has adopted support of the LMI. Trinity’s LMI committee chair, Bobbie Lautenschlager, recently used the wonderful children’s CPH book, “Little Things Make Big Differences, a Story about Malaria” by Rev. John and Monique Nunes, for a children’s message. Kian Perry took the message to heart and pestered his mother to begin collecting
quarters in a used medicine container. Forty quarters ($10) is the price of getting a treated bed net in one home in Africa. By the next Sunday, Kian had collected 40 quarters and placed his medicine bottle on the altar. “Kian told me everything he heard in the children’s message,” said his mother, Dena Connor. “He was very eager to start to help the children in Africa.” David Binder, a member of the Trinity LMI committee, recalls sleeping under a bed net while doing mission work in Venezuela. “It was an interesting experience, sleeping in a hammock with a net over you, but we had to protect ourselves from the mosquitoes that carried malaria,” Binder recalled. Titus Rust, son of Rev. Jason and Rebecca Rust, also “caught the bug.” His mother, Rebecca, said, “Even though he is only 3 years old, he understands helping other children far away. He is also the catalyst for getting our downtown Loft Ministry, Vintage Ten, to jump on the Trinity bandwagon to raise funds for LMI.” Bobbie and Dr. John Lautenschlager, members of Trinity and former LCMS medical missionaries in Kian Perry, right, shows his medicine containers holding 40 quarters, Africa, are available to speak in other Missouri District with David Binder holding a basket of empty medicine bottles for other congregations interested in supporting the Lutheran Trinity members to collect their quarters for mosquito nets. Malaria Initiative. (Write: joliba@sbcglobal.net.)
Learning How to Make a Difference St. Paul’s Lutheran School, Concordia, Mo., regularly connects students through Christ to the world. Several vehicles form this connection. At the beginning of the year, we pledge our chapel offerings to nine missions. During the school year we watch for hardships, natural disasters, and other opportunities for the students to see Christ’s love in the form of the Good Samaritan. In many cases when sending funding, the message of salvation is actually buried within the acts of charity. Gift bags for new babies are given to congregation and community families. Within the bags are small items to care for the baby. At the beginning of the school year, the third graders create cards to add to the gift bags. The message of salvation is clearly presented and celebrated through the card and Arch book accompanying the gift bag. Reaching out to other people allows teachers to use the cause as a hook to core curriculum. Map skills, culture exploration, counting money, and weather data are generally easy segways into the “real life” part of grade level expectations. On April 27, when the tornados whipped through Alabama, the faculty recognized the opportunity for a gift offering. While at the LEA convocation this March, faculty members learned of the Little Things Make Big Differences: A Story about Malaria By Rev. John and Monique Nunes
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June/July 2011
Lutheran Malaria Initiative. The book “Little Things Make a Big Difference: A Story about Malaria” has been passed around the school, creating in the stu-
dents an immediate desire to help. First grade teacher Judy Roepe linked this story to the chapter in “Little House on the Prairie” when the Ingalls family is infected with malaria. Third grade teacher Renee Ravanelli investigated ways to quickly raise funds to help while she had piqued student interest. Friday, April 29, was the first day for raising funds to buy bed nets to combat malaria in Africa. More than $170 was raised, with three more Friday events scheduled. Students understand that reaching out with a tangible item is what Jesus asks of us in the parable of the sheep and the goats, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matt. 25:40).
The Voice of Missouri