WASHINGTON (RNS) — First lady Michelle Obama has expanded her “Let’s Move” initiative to reduce childhood obesity to include working with religious and community organizations. “We can provide all the information in the world but it’s really the leadership and…

(RNS) — The founders of the world’s second-largest Christian network admitted Nov. 30 that their marriage was once torn by an “improper relationship,” and went public to head off a multimillion-dollar blackmail threat. Marcus Lamb, president and CEO of Daystar…

“Lutheran preaching does not merely talk about the Law and the Gospel or this or that teaching. Lutheran preaching delivers the goods. It actually speaks the very Word of God, which kills and makes alive. Lutheran preaching dares to say…

Concordia Publishing House has released a new addition to its Concordia Commentary series — Matthew 11:2-20:34, a second volume on the Gospel of Matthew.  The first volume, Matthew 1:1-11:1, was released in 2006. Both editions were written by Dr. Jeffrey…

The third annual “Reaching Out Together” evangelism conference is set for Feb. 12 at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. The conference is designed to inspire, encourage, teach and provide opportunities for participants to talk about Jesus with others — especially those…

By Joe Isenhower Jr. NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Leaders of two Mid-South District congregations told the LCMS Council of Presidents (COP) at its Nov. 16-18 meeting here about their churches’ refocusing efforts to reach unchurched neighbors with renewed Christ-centered witness. Their two-hour…

The first session of a four-part dialogue between representatives of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) and the LCMS, Nov. 10-11 at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, brought together the heads of both church bodies — Archbishop Robert Duncan, primate…

Concordia Publishing House (CPH) and Lutheran Hour Ministries — both based in St. Louis — are offering daily devotions for the season of Advent, which begins Sunday, Nov. 28. Booklets available from CPH are: God’s Love at Christmas: Daily Devotions…

Lutheran World Relief Gifts — an alternative-giving catalog that offers 22 “gifts of love” designed to benefit others worldwide — is now available from the Baltimore-based relief and development organization. Suggested gifts range from $16 for worms (they turn farm…

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, will offer its 19th Annual Schola Cantorum: An Adult Choir Member Workshop, on Saturday, Jan. 22.  The workshop will be held in the Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus and the Clara and Spencer Werner…

Jerald C. Wulf of Pierre, S.D., was appointed Nov. 19 by the LCMS Board of Directors as the Synod’s new chief financial officer.  The Board selected Wulf during its Nov. 17-19 meeting in Nashville, Tenn. “Jerald Wulf comes to the…

By Roland Lovstad Since retiring in 1998 as principal of Zion Lutheran School in Harvester, Mo., James Brackman has volunteered his time to build an endowment fund to assist school families with tuition. “I worked with it, but was not…

(RNS) — Marriage is on the decline in American society, with nearly four in 10 people claiming the institution is obsolete, according to a new study from the Pew Research Center. The Pew survey, conducted in association with Time magazine,…

(RNS) — A Tennessee judge on Nov. 17 declined to halt the construction of a mosque in Murfreesboro in a case that drew national attention after opponents sought to put Islam itself on trial. Rutherford County Chancellor Robert Corlew said…

Note: Reporter cannot accept notices about items offered for sale or that people wish to purchase.  Items described as “Wanted” or “Available” are sought or may be obtained for shipping costs only. Available Offering plates, wood, six; candle lighters, brass, two. …

The Lutheran High School Association of St. Louis, St. Louis, Mo., seeks to call a candidate to the position of principal of Lutheran High School North, beginning with the 2011-2012 academic year.  For more information, consult the association’s website at…