Maggie Karner, Director of the LCMS Life and Health Ministries, talks about the need for volunteers for the Mercy Medical Teams in 2014. She discusses service opportunities for medical professionals and laity overseas in this program. The geographical areas of service and how the program assists LCMS missionaries and partner churches on the field were also explained.
ZZ-Ministry News
Great Expectations Newsletter – December 2013
In this issue from LCMS’ Office of National Mission, you are provided insight into how society is changing the definition of traditional grandparent-grandchildren relationships. As these changes evolve over time, a few suggestions are listed as to how churches can help its elderly members build and strengthen healthy grandparent and grandchildren Christian relationships.
A Light in the Darkness-Typhoon Haiyan Relief
See the effects of a devastating typhoon in Leyte province, Philippines, and watch how the LCMS responds with witness, mercy and life together.
LCMS Eurasia mission team expands by two
This month, two LCMS deaconesses were commissioned in the mission field. Deaconesses Ashley Prothro and Elizabeth Ahlman were inducted into the ranks of the Concordia Deaconess College and are set to fulfill their calls in the Eurasia mission field.
A meditation for Epiphany
The Rev. Will Weedon, LCMS director of Worship and LCMS International Center chaplain, offers a meditation for Epiphany from Is. 60:1-6, Eph. 2:1-12 and Matt. 2:1-12.
A meditation for Christmas Eve
The Rev. Will Weedon, LCMS director of Worship and LCMS International Center chaplain, offers a meditation for Christmas Eve.
A meditation on John 1:1–14, the Gospel for Christmas Day
The Rev. Will Weedon, LCMS director of Worship and LCMS International Center chaplain, offers a meditation for Christmas Day.
Philippines Disaster Update: Your Gifts at Work
During the distribution stage, the team loaded 5 large trucks and traveled nearly 36 hours to reach the typhoon disaster areas on the island of Leyte. The tired and hungry victims were so happy and hopeful at the thought and anticipation of receiving food and water.
Great Expectations Newsletter – November 2013
In this issue from LCMS’ Office of National Mission, you are provided insight into how older people, just like all people, struggle with depression and, in turn, cry out to Jesus Christ as they walk through difficult times. Some suggestions are given as to how churches can help its elderly members cope with depression and the blues.
LCMS relief effort media links
Collected here are links to news coverage of the LCMS response to Typhoon Haiyan.
The Kalends for Christmas
The following were anciently read on Christmas Day in the Daily Office, but they may also serve as an introduction to the Divine Service on Christmas Day, read by the pastor from the entrance to the nave and leading directly into “O Come All Ye Faithful” as the processional hymn.
Typhoon Haiyan: A report from the Philippines
The Rev. Ross Johnson, director of LCMS Disaster Response, provides a report from the Philippines as the church provides immediate relief and begins planning to assist with the long-term recovery.
Typhoon Haiyan Update: Report from the Field
The Rev. Glenn Merritt, director of LCMS Disaster Response, reports from Tacloban City, the Philippines, that conditions remain dire 10 days after one of the strongest storms in recorded history tore through the island nation. Listen to his stark report which Merritt was able to make upon finding a clear cell signal while on his search for fuel for the vehicle carrying the LCMS relief-assessment team.
Midwest Tornadoes: Destruction in Washington, Illinois
The Rev. Tom Heren, pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Washington, Ill., describes the effects of the F-4 tornado that tore through his town Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013.
Pastors: Learn to chant the prefaces for Advent and Christmas
Listen as Pastor Sean Daenzer of Trinity Lutheran, Great Bend, N.D., and Peace Lutheran, Barney, N.D., chants the Advent and Christmas prefaces. Listen a few times through and you will have them down in no time!
Keeping Advent
The Rev. Larry Peters of Grace Lutheran Church, Clarksville, Tenn., encourages the Church to avoid being like a theme park and to slow down and keep the focus on Christ this Advent season.
