“Giving Gardens” is a new project that Wheat Ridge Ministries of Itasca, Ill., has added to its “Hearts for Jesus” initiatives. Its purpose is to help feed children in Haiti and other countries where hunger persists. Offered in partnership with Hope…

By Kim Plummer Krull As hurricane-weary Houstonians continue to clear debris, repair their homes, and stand in long lines for food, ice, and gasoline, LCMS members opened relief distribution centers to serve as “points of blessings” in the nation’s fourth…

For the first time, both LCMS seminaries are offering their Greek courses online, beginning this fall. Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, is offering its Greek course “live” on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Central Time.  Classes began Sept. 20.…

Chaplain Eric Erkkinen of Fort Knox, Ky., began work Sept. 1 as associate director of the Synod’s Ministry to the Armed Forces. Erkkinen, 56, succeeds Chaplain Theodore Wuerffel, who served in the post for a little more than three years. …

The Synod’s Church Information Center has posted seven new items to its online “FAQs” (Frequently Asked Questions), bringing to more than 400 the number of questions answered on the Web site. The newest FAQs are: What does the LCMS mean…

Family Shield Ministries is sponsoring a seminar Nov. 13 at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, to introduce Witnessing — A Lifestyle, a new book designed to encourage, motivate, and equip Christians to use everyday situations to share the Gospel with family members,…

October is national “Clergy Appreciation Month” and Oct. 12 is suggested as “Clergy Appreciation Sunday.” “This provides a wonderful opportunity for congregations and members to commit to pray for and encourage their pastor,” says Rev. David Muench, executive director of the…

A new bookstore operated by Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, was dedicated Sept. 4 at Concordia University, Ann Arbor, Mich. It is the fourth CPH-run campus bookstore.  Others are located at Concordia University Chicago and at the Synod’s two seminaries…

By Paula Schlueter Ross Mark Couser, 26, has been working with the Lutheran Inner-City Network Coalition (LINC) North Texas, in Dallas-Fort Worth, for the past five years, helping to train church planters and other leaders. He’s “felt the call to…

Although its punch was less than feared, Hurricane Gustav nevertheless downed countless trees and branches, damaged thousands of homes, and cut ogustav-keim-house.gifff electricity to 1.4 million households in Louisiana after hitting the coast Sept. 1. Particularly hard hit was Baton…

For the first time, both LCMS seminaries are offering their Greek courses online. Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, is offering its Greek course “live” on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Central Time, beginning Sept. 20. “Based on the success…

St. Louis-area viewers can tune in to their local NBC affiliate station — KSDK, NewsChannel 5 — at 8 p.m. Sept. 11 to watch a new half-hour documentary about Concordia Publishing House. The program, “Concordia Publishing — It’s Your House,” paints a picture…

Chaplain Eric Erkkinen of Fort Knox, Ky., began work Sept. 1 as associate director of the Synod’s Ministry to the Armed Forces. Erkkinen, 56, succeeds Chaplain Theodore Wuerffel, who has served in the post for a little more than three…

Although its punch was less than feared, Hurricane Gustav nevertheless downed countless trees and branches, damaged thousands of homes, and cut off electricity to 1.4 million households in Louisiana after hitting the coast Sept. 1. Particularly hard hit was Baton…

Concordia Plan Services (CPS) is rewarding Concordia Health Plan (CHP) members who complete the online CareAllies Health Assessment between Sept. 1 and Dec. 31 with a $75 “Be Well … Serve Well” Rewards Visa Debit Card. This new incentive is…

Dr. O.H. Cloeter, who served as president of the Synod’s Minnesota South District for 13 years, died Aug. 30 in Minneapolis.  He was 88. A funeral service was held Sept. 3 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Faribault, Minn. Dr. Cloeter served as…