LCMS, CPH providing free resources following tornadoes

In the wake of the May 20 tornadoes that swept through parts of the Midwest and specifically Moore, Okla., where at least 24 people were killed, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and Concordia Publishing House are providing resources for congregational and individual use.

As LCMS Disaster Response staff coordinate with LCMS Oklahoma District officials and prepare to come alongside those suffering in Moore, members of the LCMS are invited to show mercy — through prayer and gifts — to those in need.

LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, left, and the Rev. John Fale, associate executive director of the LCMS Mercy Operations Group, discuss in a new video how LCMS congregation members can help Oklahoma tornado victims.

LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, in a letter written to congregations, reminds LCMS members that, “When the 6,100 congregations of the Synod respond, together we make an enormous difference by bringing our resources to bear where people are hurting. We’ve seen this over and over again, whether it’s been Sandy, Katrina, the Asian tsunami, hurricanes in Florida, flooding in the Midwest and much, much more.” Harrison adds that he is “always amazed at your [LCMS donors’] generosity.”

In addition to Harrison’s letter to congregations (available here), the free resources include:

a video message (click here) of Christ’s help and hope, featuring Harrison and the Rev. John Fale, associate executive director of the LCMS Mercy Operations Group.

a Bible study on how the church responds to and deals with suffering.

bulletin inserts, in color and black-and-white.

worship resources, such as hymn suggestions, prayers and Scripture readings.

opportunities to support the work of LCMS Disaster Response (click here).

Concordia Gospel Outreach (CGO), the mission arm of Concordia Publishing House, is focusing on the spiritual needs of the devastated communities. CGO is supplying free Christian grief-support materials such as devotionals and children’s books to provide comfort to those affected by the recent tornadoes.

A total of some 2,200 resource items were sent overnight May 21 and 22 for use by LCMS congregations in Moore, Norman and Shawnee, Okla., according to CGO Manager Elizabeth Pittman.

“When life is falling down around you, as these folks are experiencing, it’s great to be able to have the Word of God that you can hold onto,” Pittman told Reporter. “And at CGO, that’s our goal: to put that Word of God into their hands.”

Working with area LCMS congregations, CGO will continue to provide these resources “as long as necessary,” Pittman added. To learn more, visit cph.org\cgo.