LCMS President calls for prayer, peace amid Ferguson, Mo., unrest

Together with other residents of metropolitan St. Louis, I have been saddened and worried by the events of the past week in Ferguson, Missouri. So, I write today for one simple reason—with one great need. I write to ask for your prayers.

Youth and Education – August 2014

The LCMS, through its School Ministry and Youth Ministry, aims to help our young people grow in their faith as they age, not grow away from their faith.

Service Opportunities – July 2013

Jesus comes to serve you, and He does. He also has given you the gift of serving your neighbors — those people He has placed in your life. So, join us in receiving all that God has to give. Then turn right around in joyful service and love those in your midst. Thanks be to God, we know you can, and we pray you will.

Audio interview: Dealing with unrest

The Rev. Steve Schave, director of Urban & Inner-City Mission, and the Rev. Dr. John Nunes, Emil and Elfriede Jochum professor and chair at Valparaiso University, discuss ministry in urban areas as well as the unrest unfolding in Ferguson, Mo., and around the world. KFUO Interview — Aug. 13, 2014.

Grant expands care to immigrant children in Texas

LCMS and Lutheran Social Services of the South leaders focus on reaching out to fill physical and spiritual needs.

Wrong turn opens door to worship-institute theme

The 2014 LCMS Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music, July 28-31 in Seward, Neb., draws more than 400 participants.

Contest starts for disaster-response hymn

Hymn-text entries should be suitable for use by congregations hit by disasters and for others remembering or empathizing with them.

McMiller installed as OIM’s director of recruitment

The Rev. Dan McMiller is installed Aug. 14 as director of recruitment for the LCMS Office of International Mission.

Resources for depression and mental illness

Lutherans know that suffering is real, even for Christians. Depression and other mental illnesses can shake us to our core, but we are not alone. Christ is with us in the darkest places, for He is the light of the world, the light no darkness can overcome (Lutheran Service Book, P. 243).

Announcing: LCMS Disaster Response Hymn Contest

LCMS Disaster Response is seeking a hymn for the church in times of disaster. For more details please download the contest flyer.

Foundation training fosters stewardship, supports ministries

Training equips a range of leaders to help members practice good stewardship in charitable planning for the benefit of families and ministries.

Commentary: Vocation in the face of an epidemic

Seminary Professor John Pless explores the question: Should medical personnel expose themselves to a highly contagious and lethal disease in an effort to help?

Movie review: ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’

There’s nothing dour about this energetic space-opera romp, where the heroes are honest about what big losers they are but still manage to shine.

LCMS OKs new grants to fight Ebola in Africa

The three grants totaling $51,175 will be used to help prevent new cases of the often-fatal virus in Guinea and Liberia.

Harrison issues statement on Christian persecution

In the statement, LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison also introduces the Synod’s new Fund to Aid Christians Under Persecution.

LCMS provides opportunities to help persecuted Christians

The world is starting to perk up its ears. Reports of Christians fleeing cities in Iraq; pictures of Islamic militants marking the doors of the faithful as a sign that they must leave or be killed; stories of men being killed, women raped, children beheaded: All are now in the news … and all are for the sake of Christ.