BANGALORE, India (RNS) — Church officials in Pakistan say the assassination of Salman Taseer, an outspoken critic of Pakistan’s blasphemy law, is a “setback” for the campaign to overturn the law that makes it illegal to speak against Islam. “This…

WASHINGTON (RNS) — A federal appeals court ruled Jan. 4 a veterans’ memorial featuring a 43-foot cross on California’s Mount Soledad is unconstitutional. “The use of such a distinctively Christian symbol to honor all veterans sends a strong message of…

LCMS President Rev. Matthew C. Harrison has released a new video in which he extends new year and Epiphany blessings and offers a message of hope for the future of the church and the country. “I don’t know what this…

Lutheran schools and their sponsoring congregations may order a variety of resources from LCMS School Ministry and Concordia Publishing House to promote National Lutheran Schools Week (NLSW), set for March 6-12.  This year’s NLSW theme, “Securing Each Child’s Future —…

Editorial Concordia, the Spanish division of Concordia Publishing House, has produced a new vacation Bible school program that is available in Spanish and bilingual (Spanish-English) formats. The one-of-a-kind program, Operación rescate — Jesús renueva la vida (“Operation Rescue — Jesus…

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, is sponsoring a March 12 workshop designed to help facilitators learn how to use the “Prepare/Enrich” program with premarital and married couples. Prepare/Enrich is a program based on a set of five “inventories” that examine major…

By Paula Schlueter Ross Roy and Erna “Sue” Nolting, longtime members of Concordia Lutheran Church in Kirkwood, Mo., did not expect the New Year’s Eve storm headed for suburban St. Louis to endanger their lives. Roy, 98 and on oxygen…

Stronger mutual understandings of doctrine, mission and charity among member churches of the International Lutheran Council (ILC) are among the challenges formulated by Rev. Hans-Jörg Voigt, who has assumed responsibilities as chairman of the confessional Lutheran association. Voigt is bishop…

ST. LOUIS (RNS) — Soon after his installation as the new president of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, Rev. Matthew Harrison was studying the responsibilities of his office in the denomination’s constitution and bylaws. One paragraph jumped out at him. Under…

VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Pope Benedict XVI denounced the “vile and murderous” New Year’s Day killing of 21 Egyptian Christians, and was rebuked by Egypt’s top Muslim cleric for an “unacceptable interference in Egypt’s affairs.” Benedict made his remarks on…

(RNS) — The International House of Pancakes has dropped its suit against the International House of Prayer after claiming the Missouri-based church had infringed on its trademarked IHOP acronym. Patrick Lenow, spokesman for IHOP Restaurants, said the suit was dismissed…

Rev. James R. Linderman, former president of the LCMS Texas District, died Jan. 1 of lung cancer at his home in Austin, Texas.  He was 75. The funeral service was held Jan. 5 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Austin.  LCMS President Emeritus…

The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League has produced several resources that are designed to “help women become more comfortable with sharing the hope they have because of Jesus Christ.” Those resources include: * “Faith Talk” ($20, plus shipping, item no. 14995),…

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, is offering several Hispanic-ministry events in March under the theme “Second- and Third-Generation Hispanics in the U.S. — Questions and Implications for the Church.” The Second Hispanic Theological Consultation and the Sixth Annual Lecture in Hispanic/Latino…

The Association of Lutheran Older Adults is sponsoring three Lutherhostels designed to provide “education, inspiration and relaxation” to adults age 50 and older. The events are set for: March 6-9 at the Canterbury Retreat Center in Oviedo, Fla. (near Orlando),…