Resources available to help churches celebrate Armed Forces Sunday

Cmdr. Charles E. Varsogea, chaplain at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, puts on his robe before the Divine Service on Feb. 1, 2015, in San Diego, Calif. LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces offers free, online resources to help congregations honor those who serve — or have served — in the U.S. military. (LCMS/Erik M. Lunsford)

Free, online resources are available to help congregations honor the men and women who serve — or have served — in the U.S. military.

The 2018 resources — produced by the Synod’s Ministry to the Armed Forces (MAF) — include:

a responsive prayer and Ministry-by-Mail registration form;

a bulletin insert, available in color and black-and-white;

a letter from MAF Director Chaplain Craig G. Muehler; and

a suggested sermon based on Is. 40:31, “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

The resources may be used on “Armed Forces Sunday” (May 20), Memorial Day Sunday (May 27), Independence Day weekend (July 1), Veterans Day (Nov. 11) or an alternate date.

“It’s less important which Sunday you choose,” Muehler notes. “We simply want to give thanks to God in honoring the men and women who faithfully answered the call to serve in our nation’s military,” including those in active duty, chaplains, reservists, National Guard members and veterans — “anyone who’s ever worn a uniform in service to the United States.”

Muehler adds that it is “so important for us to recognize those who serve and have served our nation in this honorable vocation — and reach out to them with the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

To learn more about the LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces, or to download resources, visit lcms.org/armedforces.

For more information, call 800-248-1930, Ext. 1337, or send an email to lcmschaps@lcms.org.

Posted May 10, 2018