Focus: Stewardship – November 2014

Christian stewardship begins with the understanding that all we have is God’s and that “we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world” (1 Tim. 6:7 ESV).

Concordia University System Chronicle – November 2014

The total fall 2014 enrollment headcount for the Concordia University System (CUS) colleges and universities is 36,250. That is an increase of 2,851 undergraduate and graduate students.

An Advent Midweek Lectionary and Hymn Guide

Despite the well-established custom of midweek Advent services in our parishes, our worship book does not provide lectionary readings or suggestions for midweek. This allows for seasonal themes to be developed, but sometimes pastors look for some concrete guidance in this area. The following suggestions are offered for consideration in meeting this need. This guide provides a psalm and Old Testament reading for each day, plus a narrative portion of Luke 1 to introduce the story of our Lord’s Advent in the flesh.

Thanksgiving Hymn Guide

Thanksgiving is, strictly speaking, a feast of the First Article. And so we confess that it is our solemn duty to “thank and praise” our kind and heavenly Father. And yet it is also a gift of the Second Article, since for the Christian, all thanks is offered in and through Christ. Finally, it is also a gift of the Third Article, for such thanksgiving is finally possible only for the one who has been brought to faith in Christ, and such faith is invariably the work of the Holy Spirit Who leads us to receive all things with thanks and praise.

Stewardship Resources – December 2014

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

Pastoral Education – November 2014

Our two LCMS seminaries, Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Ind., and Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, begin the process of pastoral formation through their Master of Divinity (M.Div.) programs, the most typical route to the Office of the Holy Ministry.

Seven pastors chosen as DOXOLOGY collegium fellows

DOXOLOGY inducts seven pastors, as collegium researches tough topics.

Synod, Texas District partner to encourage Hispanic ministry

Hispanic church workers and lay leaders in Texas gather Oct. 11 to discuss growing mission plants into LCMS-member congregations.

Grace Place revitalizes, reaffirms deaconesses for ministry of caring

LCMS deaconesses learn about wellness and work-life balance at an Oct. 6-10 retreat in St. Louis.

University enrollment hits new high: 36,250 students

This fall’s total enrollment in the Synod’s 10 Concordia University System schools reflects 2,851 more students — an increase of 8.5 percent over last year.

LFL national conference addresses ‘Matters of the Heart’

Some 200 registrants gather Oct. 24-25 in Grand Rapids, Mich., for the 2014 conference of Lutherans For Life.

Photo gallery: 2014 Mercy Medical Team in Madagascar

Members of the Mercy Medical Team traveled to small towns near Antsirabe, Madagascar, to treat nearly 2,000 patients in October 2014. Photographs by Erik M. Lunsford, staff photojournalist in LCMS Communications

Synod pastors offer prayers, resources after Washington high-school shooting

Messiah Lutheran Church, Marysville, Wash., holds a “Service of Word and Prayer” in the wake of the Oct. 24 shooting at Marysville-Pilchuck High School.

KFUO plans 90-day celebration to mark its 90th year

The celebration includes special programing, cookies, T-shirts, a Lego display, a mailing to donors, a worship service, a new hymn and a contest to choose a “Book of the Year.”

Video: A Partnership of Formation

Constructed in 1947 with the intention of serving all of Latin America, Seminario Concordia, Buenos Aires, Argentina, has been forming men into confessional Lutheran pastors for not just Argentina but for other parts of the Spanish-speaking world.

New Gathering video emphasizes ‘stand in Christ alone’

Release of the 3-minute video from LCMS Youth Ministry coincides with Reformation Day on Oct. 31.