Youth and Education – August 2014

The LCMS, through its School Ministry and Youth Ministry, aims to help our young people grow in their faith as they age, not grow away from their faith.

Service Opportunities – July 2013

Jesus comes to serve you, and He does. He also has given you the gift of serving your neighbors — those people He has placed in your life. So, join us in receiving all that God has to give. Then turn right around in joyful service and love those in your midst. Thanks be to God, we know you can, and we pray you will.

Audio interview: Dealing with unrest

The Rev. Steve Schave, director of Urban & Inner-City Mission, and the Rev. Dr. John Nunes, Emil and Elfriede Jochum professor and chair at Valparaiso University, discuss ministry in urban areas as well as the unrest unfolding in Ferguson, Mo., and around the world. KFUO Interview — Aug. 13, 2014.

Resources for depression and mental illness

Lutherans know that suffering is real, even for Christians. Depression and other mental illnesses can shake us to our core, but we are not alone. Christ is with us in the darkest places, for He is the light of the world, the light no darkness can overcome (Lutheran Service Book, P. 243).

Announcing: LCMS Disaster Response Hymn Contest

LCMS Disaster Response is seeking a hymn for the church in times of disaster. For more details please download the contest flyer.

Commentary: Vocation in the face of an epidemic

Seminary Professor John Pless explores the question: Should medical personnel expose themselves to a highly contagious and lethal disease in an effort to help?

Movie review: ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’

There’s nothing dour about this energetic space-opera romp, where the heroes are honest about what big losers they are but still manage to shine.

Stewardship Resources – September 2014

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

First resources, logo for 2016 Youth Gathering available

Preliminary adult-leader planning resources are the first to appear on the website for the 2016 Gathering, to be followed by its first theological resource.

Photo gallery: 2014 Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music

Presented by LCMS Worship, the 2014 Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music at Concordia University Nebraska attracted more than 400 participants. Photographs by Erik M. Lunsford, staff photojournalist in LCMS Communications

Movie review: ‘Hercules’

The film poses big questions but doesn’t spend much time contemplating them. Director Brett Ratner is more interested in getting to the action — and there’s plenty of it.

LCMS ministries eligible for payroll-services discount

Concordia Plan Services negotiates discount arrangements with Paychex, a national company experienced in clergy payroll and taxes.

Interview with Dr. Jeff Gibbs and Katie Schuermann about upcoming Infertility Ethics Symposium

Dr. Jeff Gibbs, Professor of Exegetical Theology – Concordia Seminary and Katie Schuermann, talk about the upcoming Infertility Ethics Symposim, which takes place Nov. 8, 2014, at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo. Visit the LCMS Life Ministry website, www.lcms.org/life, for more information about this event.

Interview with Ed Szeto and Rev. Christopher Esget about 2015 Life Conference

Ed Szeto, Special Projects coordinator for LCMS Life Ministries, and Rev. Christopher Esget, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Alexandria, Va., talk about the LCMS 2015 Life Conference, which will take place Jan. 22-24, 2015, in Washington, D.C. Visit www.lcms.org/events/lifeconference for more details on this event.

Interview with Rev. Heath Curtis, coordinator, LCMS Stewardship Ministry

Rev. Heath Curtis, coordinator for LCMS Stewardship Ministry, discusses the Stewardship Ministry, its redesigned website (www.lcms.org/stewardship) and the resources available to pastors and congregations during an interview on KFUO-AM.

2014-15 ‘Chapel Talks’ now available

Emphasizing the catechism, this edition is suitable for school-wide devotions, midweek classes, Sunday schools and congregation- or school-staff devotions.