On November 22, 2013, a Federal District Court in Wisconsin held that the clergy housing allowance is unconstitutional. Specifically, the judge entered an Order and Opinion declaring 26 U.S.C. Section 107(2) unenforceable because it violates the First and Fifth Amendments…
LCMS relief effort media links
Collected here are links to news coverage of the LCMS response to Typhoon Haiyan.
Synod joins partner’s mercy response to typhoon
The Rev. Ross Johnson, co-director of LCMS Disaster Response, gives an update from the Philippines on the Synod’s response to Typhoon Haiyan.
3,100 educators meet for LEA’s 2013 convocation
The educators — from 36 states and nine countries — came together in Milwaukee for Lutheran Education Association’s 11th convocation.
LFL conference: Speak out, share God’s love on life issues
Some 300 people hear about life concerns at the Lutherans For Life national conference, Nov. 8-9 in Urbandale, Iowa.
Mission agencies to meet in January
The 2014 national conference of the Association of Lutheran Mission Agencies, or ALMA, is planned for Jan. 30-31 in St. Louis.
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.
Missouri Synod grants $10K to Illinois congregation for tornado relief
ST. LOUIS, November 20, 2013—The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) has granted $10,000 for immediate tornado relief to St. John’s Lutheran Church in New Minden, Ill. The check will be presented tonight to the congregation at a communitywide prayer vigil at 7 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hoyleton, Ill.
LCMS team reaches typhoon-ravaged area
The Rev. Glen Merritt and other LCMS Disaster Response staff visit “a totally devastated area” on the southern end of Leyte, the Philippines.
Grant to help Illinois congregation reach out after tornado
The $10,000 grant from LCMS Disaster Response to St. John’s Lutheran Church, New Minden, Ill., will be used to help survivors get back on their feet after deadly storms rip through five states.
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.
Tornadoes damage two Illinois churches, members’ homes
No LCMS members were injured by the multi-state storms, according to initial reports, but the homes of at least 17 Synod families sustained severe damage.

