LCMS Foundation reduces fees for custodial accounts

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Foundation has announced a reduction in its custodial account pricing schedule, a move that positively affects hundreds of LCMS ministries holding investment assets with the Foundation.

Higher Things 2015 youth-conference registration opens

The three summer youth conferences are planned for Las Vegas; Grand Rapids, Mich.; and Seward, Neb.

Movie review: ‘Interstellar’

Christopher Nolan’s new film is more like his film “Inception” than his trilogy of “Batman” movies. It’s both cerebral and emotionally intense.

Semler heads Asia Lutheran Education Association

As ALEA Executive Director, Karin L. Semler will help ALEA member schools learn from each other and network regionally and internationally.

Life Conference early-registration discount ends Nov. 30

The conference is planned for Jan. 22-24 in Arlington, Va., in conjunction with the March for Life in Washington, D.C.

Schreiber to receive Silver St. Martin of Tours Medal

Chaplain Mark Schreiber of Palm Coast, Fla., will receive the highest honor given by the Synod’s Ministry to the Armed Forces.

Prayer walk inspires hope of renewal for College Hill residents

Dozens of people — including some 50 residents of the struggling community — come together for a “Prayer and Praise Walk” Oct. 17.

LIM offers resources for ‘Native American Sunday’

Worship materials, bulletin inserts, a Bible study and videos are available free from Lutheran Indian Ministries to observe the special Sunday on Nov. 16.

Harrison to host free Nov. 13 webinar

The LCMS president will discuss the Lutheran understanding of the two kingdoms and field questions on topics addressed by the Synod’s “Free to Be Faithful” campaign.

Synod, Kenya Lutherans fight hunger, share Gospel

U.S. and Kenyan Lutherans work together to distribute food and share the Gospel among more than 500 families in drought-stricken northern Kenya.

Mercy center opens in high-crime area of New York

The new “Hope and a Prayer Center by the Sea” provides pastoral care, counseling, after-school programs, literacy training and food programs to a hurting community in the name of Christ.

Focus: Stewardship – November 2014

Christian stewardship begins with the understanding that all we have is God’s and that “we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world” (1 Tim. 6:7 ESV).

Concordia University System Chronicle – November 2014

The total fall 2014 enrollment headcount for the Concordia University System (CUS) colleges and universities is 36,250. That is an increase of 2,851 undergraduate and graduate students.

An Advent Midweek Lectionary and Hymn Guide

Despite the well-established custom of midweek Advent services in our parishes, our worship book does not provide lectionary readings or suggestions for midweek. This allows for seasonal themes to be developed, but sometimes pastors look for some concrete guidance in this area. The following suggestions are offered for consideration in meeting this need. This guide provides a psalm and Old Testament reading for each day, plus a narrative portion of Luke 1 to introduce the story of our Lord’s Advent in the flesh.

Thanksgiving Hymn Guide

Thanksgiving is, strictly speaking, a feast of the First Article. And so we confess that it is our solemn duty to “thank and praise” our kind and heavenly Father. And yet it is also a gift of the Second Article, since for the Christian, all thanks is offered in and through Christ. Finally, it is also a gift of the Third Article, for such thanksgiving is finally possible only for the one who has been brought to faith in Christ, and such faith is invariably the work of the Holy Spirit Who leads us to receive all things with thanks and praise.

Stewardship Resources – December 2014

Each month, LCMS’ Stewardship Ministry creates bulletin sentences and newsletter articles that can be included in congregational church bulletins and monthly newsletters, respectively.