New This Week

May ‘Lutheran Witness’: Seek first the kingdom of God

The May issue addresses the temptation to seek after worldly things ahead of the kingdom of God.

LCMS Youth Gathering adds new, flexible volunteer opportunity for 2022

The new volunteer track will allow more people to get involved, even if they don’t have a full week to commit. 

Brink receives LEA’s top honor

On Feb. 22, Lutheran Education Association announced its 2021 list of distinguished educators.

‘Coast to Coast’: Virtual concert unites Lutherans in song

In March, more than 3,000 people from across the United States joined together for a virtual concert event that featured the music ensembles of Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, Ill., and Sheboygan Lutheran High School in Sheboygan, Wis.  

Obituaries
Obituary: Rev. Dr. Henry L. Koepchen, former chairman of the LCMS Board of Directors

The Rev. Dr. Henry L. Koepchen, who served on the LCMS Board of Directors from 1977 to 1992, died on April 12.

New missionaries carry ‘precious cargo’ of the Gospel

The recent missionary orientation at the LCMS International Center in St. Louis included an opportunity for the new missionaries to meet with missionaries who recently ended their service.

Obituaries
Obituary: Rev. Dr. Frazier Norton Odom, former interim executive director of LCMS Black Ministry

The Rev. Dr. Frazier Norton Odom, former interim executive director of Black Ministry for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, died on April 20 at the age of 83.

Watch Call Day services online

Both seminaries of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod will provide live, online coverage of their upcoming Call Day and Assignment services.

From the mission field: Music and liturgy workshop in Congo

Sacred music educator and missionary Phillip Magness recently returned from three weeks in the Republic of Congo, where he led a hymnody and liturgy workshop at Wittenberg Parish in Pointe-Noire, consulted with church leaders on future projects, and worked with the musicians at St. Augustine Lutheran Church in Brazzaville. 

‘Beautiful Feet’ conference connects college students with mission opportunities

The conference, planned by college students for college students, is hosted each year on a different campus of the Concordia University System.

Cario appointed interim president of CUW and CUAA

The Board of Regents of Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW), Mequon, Wis., has unanimously selected CUW Provost and Chief Academic Officer Dr. William Cario to serve as interim president of both CUW and Concordia University Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, Mich.

Pandemics don’t stop disasters — or the church’s response

Natural disasters continued to strike even amid the COVID-19 pandemic. And LCMS Disaster Response continued to respond with mercy, aid and the message of hope found in Christ.

April ‘Witness’: Four Gospels, one Jesus

All four Gospels tell the story of Jesus’ life, suffering, death and resurrection in a unique way, to a unique audience.

COP agenda includes triennium extension, planning for call services

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Council of Presidents met online the week of Feb. 4 under the Word of God and in prayer.

Additional ‘Take Heart’ retreats planned for 2021

All costs are covered for participating pastors except travel to and from the retreat.