LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison shares Lenten blessings through a video message to the church where he encourages believers to use Martin Luther’s method of praying: instruction, thanksgiving, confession and prayer, or “ITCP.” He encourages church members to lift…
Karner to address religious freedom concerns in Washington
By Kim Plummer Krull LCMS Life and Health Ministries Director Maggie Karner will participate in a panel discussion Feb. 27 in Washington, D.C., spotlighting what many Americans call religious-liberty violations in the wake of the recent government mandate on health insurance…
Sparks fly as House GOP blasts contraception mandate
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Exhibit A in the fight over President Obama’s mandate for religious institutions to provide insurance coverage for contraception: a ham sandwich. At a hearing Feb. 16 convened by House Republicans to cast opposition to the mandate as a…
N.J. lawmakers approve gay marriage, but veto looms
TRENTON, N.J. (RNS) — Even as Gov. Chris Christie’s threat of a “swift” veto looms, gay-rights activists are celebrating after the state Assembly voted on Feb. 16 on a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in New Jersey. With supporters imploring lawmakers…
British High Court rules against prayer at town meetings
LONDON (RNS) — A British High Court justice has triggered dismay and anger across England and Wales with a recent decision that declares prayers at town hall meetings are against the law. Justice Duncan Ouseley ruled Feb. 10 that local government…
Southern Baptists mull whether 'Southern' still fits
FAIRHOPE, Ala. (RNS) — For the Rev. Jerry Henry, pastor of First Baptist Church of Fairhope, being Southern Baptist is a defining aspect of life. He embraces the denomination’s conservative social values, extols its evangelism — “We reach out to people…
Nonprofit groups oppose change in charitable deductions
WASHINGTON (RNS) — For the fourth year in a row, President Obama is proposing lower tax deductions for the wealthy on donations to churches and other nonprofit organizations. And for the fourth year in a row, nonprofit groups say the…
Southern Illinois District elects Scharr
The Rev. Timothy J. Scharr of Aviston, Ill., was elected on the first ballot to his first full three-year term as president of the LCMS Southern Illinois District during the district’s Feb. 16-18 convention in O’Fallon, Ill. Scharr, 54, had filled…
LCMS reaches out after Madagascar cyclone
LCMS ministry leaders have assured Lutheran leaders in Madagascar of disaster response assistance if such help is needed after Cyclone Giovanna pounded the African island nation Feb. 14. As damage assessments continue, at least 16 people are reported killed and more…
LCMS, Canadian Lutherans work together for Haiti
By Kim Plummer Krull Leaders of Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) and the LCMS call their first joint visit to Haiti a promising first step in bringing together Haitian Lutherans to strengthen theological education in a country with a severe pastor shortage. “Since the…
Events aim to engage rural congregations
By Roland Lovstad The Rev. Mark Nebel recalls that when he began serving his first call at a small congregation in Southern Illinois, there were no children in the worship services. “The mentality was ‘We’re too old, we’re too small,…
'Amazing Desert Journey' is CPH's 2012 VBS
Concordia Publishing House is offering an all-inclusive Starter Kit for its 2012 vacation Bible school (VBS) program titled “Amazing Desert Journey.” With the theme “Where Jesus Leads Us Home,” the new VBS materials provide a backdrop for a clear presentation of…
LCMS, ELCA reps discuss cooperation
CHICAGO — Leaders of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) met here Feb. 8 as the Committee on Lutheran Cooperation (CLC) to discuss church-to-church cooperation and to share denominational updates. The LCMS, with about 2.3…
LEA announces 2012 awards
Lutheran Education Association (LEA) has announced the eight recipients of its 2012 educator awards, including Dr. Jeffrey Burkart of St. Paul, Minn., for the top Christus Magister (Teacher of Christ) Award. In addition, the LCMS Recognized Service Organization has named…
Harrison testifies as House leaders spar over HHS ruling
By Joel Gehrke WASHINGTON — LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison joined representatives of the Roman Catholic, evangelical Christian, and Jewish traditions in Washington, D.C., Feb.16 to testify before Congress on the threat to religious liberty posed by the contraception…
Harrison defends freedoms before House committee
By Adriane Dorr LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison spoke in defense of religion and conscience before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee in a Capitol Hill hearing in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, Feb. 16. Expressing concern over…
