New This Week

Candidates announced for LCMS president, vice-presidents

Those named on the ballots are the Synod clergymen who received the most nominations from LCMS congregations, and who have agreed to serve, if elected.

Movie review: ‘Glass’

“Glass” is well made and well acted, but Christian viewers should be careful not to buy into its thesis that truth is found in self-actualization.

Convention Bible study, ‘Joy:fully Lutheran,’ now available

Written by the Rev. Timothy Pauls, the Bible study consists of five lessons exploring what joy is and where it is to be found.

Disaster Response deploying $600,000 grant for mercy work in Puerto Rico

The grant, given to the LCMS by the Harold C. Smith Foundation, will be deployed over the course of three years.

Paula Schlueter Ross retires after nearly 35 years at ‘Reporter’

As a writer and editor for LCMS Communications, Ross filed thousands of articles, earning 17 national writing awards from the Associated Church Press, including seven first-place “Awards of Excellence.”

Bethesda to celebrate National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in March

The month is an opportunity to support individuals with developmental disabilities, to spread awareness about the progress that has been made, and to reflect on what more can be done.

Council of Presidents signs Harrison’s abortion statement

The statement denounces recent actions of governors in New York and Illinois and affirms the Synod’s commitment to upholding the sanctity of life at all its stages.

‘Joy to the World’ theme of 2019 National Offering

National Offering gifts will benefit both national and international work.

Know before you go — to Haiti or anywhere

Following a fresh round of violent demonstrations in Haiti, the U.S. State Department has upgraded the Travel Advisory for the country to a Level 4 — Do Not Travel.

Weber installed as managing director of International Lutheran Center in Wittenberg

The International Lutheran Center is a joint project of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, the Independent Evangelical Lutheran Church in Germany and Concordia Publishing House.

Concordia, Texas, campus unites as administrator’s son fights life-threatening illness

Owen Coulter, age 5, was released from the hospital on Feb. 7 following a “miracle” recovery from his 56-day ordeal with a viral illness.

Board for International Mission turns attention to Asia

At its Jan. 31–Feb. 1 meeting in St. Louis, the board appointed seven new missionaries and continued discussions on the status of international schools and cooperative work with partner churches, districts and mission societies.

‘An inexpressible treasure’: CTCR releases report on Holy Baptism

Other newly available documents from the CTCR are a discussion guide and Bible study to accompany the 2018 report on the royal priesthood and a Spanish-language version of the Bible study for the 2012 report on immigration.

Armed Forces Sunday resources available for congregations

The deadline for ordering the resources is March 4.

February ‘Witness’ asks, ‘Who is my neighbor?’

The issue explores how Lutherans show God’s love by working to meet the physical and spiritual needs of those around them.

From the mission field – Togo, Latin America

Updates about LCMS mission work around the world.