This summer Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, is offering a new workshop for church musicians, in addition to its regular workshop for organists. The new workshop, “Church Music Week,” will be held June 22-26 on the seminary campus.  It is…

By Sarah Schafer A storm that news sources are calling an “inland hurricane” struck southern Illinois May 8, killing George Arbiter, 87, a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Murphysboro, Ill., and causing an estimated $500,000 in damages at Christ Lutheran…

Rev. Dan P. Gilbert of Addison, Ill., was re-elected, by acclamation, to his second term as president of the Northern Illinois District during the district’s 56th Regular Convention, May 8-9 in Lombard, Ill.  Gilbert, 57, was unopposed. Also re-elected to second…

By Roland Lovstad Seeing stewardship everywhere, Rev. John Duerr is making it a regular theme for a second year in his preaching and teaching at Hope Lutheran Church in Warren, Mich. And, the pastor intends to continue that approach for…

Dr. Jon Diefenthaler of Columbia, Md., was re-elected on the first ballot to his third term as president of the LCMS Southeastern District at the district’s 35th convention May 1-3 in Norfolk, Va. “One Name Jesus” — based on the words…

Dr. Larry Stoterau, president of the Pacific Southwest District, was elected to chair the Council of Presidents (COP) during the council’s April 17-23 meeting in Fort Wayne and St. Louis. Stoterau succeeds Dr. William Hoesman, Michigan District president, who has served…

A request is being issued for proposals for artwork to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the Lutheran Center in Baltimore, which houses headquarters for three inter-Lutheran service agencies and a Lutheran judicatory office. Those agencies are Lutheran Services in America, Lutheran…

“Share His Story,” from Psalm 66:16, is the theme of the 92nd annual International Convention of the International Lutheran Laymen’s League, to be held July 16-19 in Greensboro, N.C. This year’s convention will offer motivational speakers, including Rev. Ken Klaus,…

Concordia Publishing House has released two evangelism resources designed to help Christians share their faith: How to Share Christ Confidently and What Jesus Means to Me. “Often, people feel uncomfortable witnessing,” said Ken Liszewski, manager of books for CPH.  “These…

Though Christianity remains the dominant religious faith in America, only 35 percent of men indicated they would be found in a church on any Sunday morning, according to data reported by The Barna Group, a Ventura, Calif.-based research firm. In…

Rev. Richard Boche was elected on the first ballot to a second term as president of the LCMS Wyoming District during the district convention April 30-May 2 in Casper, Wyo. Meeting under the theme “We Believe, Teach and Confess the…

Rev. Dale L. Sattgast was re-elected to his second three-year term as president of the Synod’s South Dakota District during the district’s 58th convention April 29-May 2 in Sioux Falls, S.D.  Sattgast, 59, was elected on the first ballot. Also…

By Paula Schlueter Ross After nearly 20 years of teaching, Shirley Leidecker says she “had enough coffee cups and ornaments to last a lifetime.” The holiday gifts from her young students were nice, but Leidecker, now a first-grade teacher at…

When Rev. Jeffery Scheer takes the reins of the Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program at Lutheran Senior Services (LSS) in St. Louis on July 1, he will be the Synod’s youngest full-time LCMS CPE supervisor at an LCMS Recognized Service…

As it develops “Together With All Creatures,” a document on Christian stewardship of the environment, the LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) will hold a second consultation to garner ideas so it can be used by a college…

By Paula Schlueter Ross The Web-based “counter” that tracks the number of times LCMS Lutherans have shared their faith with others as part of the Ablaze! movement hit 10,006,997 as this Reporter was going to press April 29. That figure…