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SOMETHING NEW - Text NEW to each newsletter
FOR THIS WEEK - An event happening
this week:
February 8, 2010 – February 14, 2010
NEW PRAYER REQUESTS
Mike Doyle—District Archivist,
for healing of the blood disease he has contracted.
Janet
Gager (Daughter of Cal & Doris Fiege) – For continued healing/recovery during chemo
treatments and other medical issues.
Rev. Dr. Ozzie Waech (98)—first
District Secretary of Evangelism and Stewardship, and his wife, Marion (89), for healing
as they are in declining health. They reside at the Inland Christian Home
in Ontario, CA.
ONGOING PRAYER REQUESTS
Gavin
Ambrose – for healing for Gavin and prayers for
the Holy Spirit’s comfort and peace for his parents Heather and Chris.
Bob Pratt – the husband of Ellen Pratt, District Office School Ministries Staff
Assistant, who has undergone triple bypass heart surgery.
Rev.
Tom Bunnett – emeritus, Pray for his recovery from surgery at Mayo Hospital in
Phoenix. He sends his deepest
thanks for all the prayers on his behalf.
Gail Ann Cochran – for healing and relief from chronic pain
Sharon Ehrman –
being treated for metastasized lung cancer. Pray for healing and peace as
she undergoes radiation and chemo.
Clyde Elliott – husband of Marie and vicar at
Concordia, Cerritos, receiving treatment for a recurrence of cancer.
Pray for healing, comfort and peace.
Pastor Robert Faga, emeritus – prayers for strength and healing as he is
recuperating at home after very serious quintuple bypass surgery.
Kurt Harms - LCEF promotional coordinator for
Southern Nevada, is battling leukemia. Pray for healing and patience.
Carita Lindemann, wife of Rev. Dave Lindemann,
Scottsdale, recovering from
knee replacement surgery.
Rev. Tim Muller - former pastor at Messiah, Buena
Park,
recuperating following heart surgery. Pray for healing and peace.
Henry Nieman – retired
pastor from Holtville, and member of
Shepherd of the Hills in Yuma,
is recovering from hip surgery. Henry fell and is facing many weeks
of rehab.
Pastor
Norman Ott - emeritus,
Mesa Arizona, for healing after hip replacement surgery.
Rev. Art Patscheck, Emeritus - continue to pray for
healing.
Esther
Trahms – wife of Pastor Vern Trahms, emeritus,
who fell in December and broke her left hip and wrist.
FOR THE
PEOPLE OF HAITI and the relief teams that are
helping with the many people who are injured and homeless.
Please send updated condition
information to karene.cargill@psd-lcms.org
DISASTER RELIEF FOR HAITI
FROM THE PUBLIC
AFFAIRS AND MEDIA RELATIONS DEPARTMENT OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH-MISSOURI
SYNOD
Re: One place for all the LCMS news regarding
our response in Haiti
Just a note to let you
know we have created a link on the LCMS home page where visitors can go
to find all the latest news about our response to the Haiti
earthquake. When you go to www.lcms.org
just click on the Haiti Update banner near the top of the home
page. We are collecting links to WR-HC, World Mission, Reporter,
secular news coverage, photos, video, etc. there. The shortcut URL
to this page is www.lcms.org/help. We hope you visit often and we hope you
find this a helpful to find news for your use.
LETTER FROM LCMS WORLD RELIEF AND
HUMAN CARE
Greetings in the name
of Jesus! As we write you, LCMS
teams are working in Haiti and the Dominican Republic to determine how
best our church can continue to assist the Evangelical Lutheran Church of
Haiti (ELCH) to help suffering congregations and communities as quickly
and as efficiently as possible. Since the earthquake, these teams have
been assessing needs, securing emergency supplies, and providing medical
and pastoral care. Team members
recently met with Rev. Marky Kessa, president of the ELCH (an LCMS
partner church), and visited devastated cities.
Over the weekend, an
LCMS World Relief and Human Care Mercy Medical Team (MMT) returned to the
United States from a hospital in Jimani near the Dominican Republic and
Haiti border where volunteers treated a flood of earthquake survivors.
Since the hospital was operating with extremely limited supplies and
medicines, each of the 13 team members took along 100 pounds of needed items.
They worked tirelessly in 12-hour shifts.
A second MMT is preparing to depart later this week, and yet
another team of medical volunteers is in the works. Please visit www.lcms.org/mercyteams for updated information, to volunteer,
or to donate supplies.
LCMS World Relief and
Human Care (LCMS WR-HC) also is working closely with Orphan Grain Train
to ship food into the Dominican Republic for distribution along the
border and further into Haiti as transportation becomes feasible. Please
know that LCMS missionaries based in the Dominican Republic have been
outstanding in their organization of aid and are fantastic partners on
the ground.
At this time, the
greatest needs are for financial donations and some material goods.
Information on ways to give to LCMS WR-HC Haiti earthquake relief follows
below. For a list of needed material goods, please click here. As we continue to get reports from the
LCMS assessment team, we will share that information so that you, your
disaster response teams, and congregations can discuss how best to
respond with us in LCMS relief efforts.
We also ask that you
join with us in prayer, asking that our Lord bring comfort and peace to
those suffering in Haiti, that He give strength and wisdom to those
bringing aid, and that He make generous the hearts of those who would
send gifts from their homes and churches.
To give online, visit www.lcms.org and click on “Donate Now” at
the top of the page. To send a
check, please make your gift to LCMS World Relief and Human Care, write
“Haiti earthquake relief” in the memo line, and mail to:
LCMS World Relief and Human Care
P.O. Box 66861
St. Louis, MO 63166-6861
To make a credit card gift by phone, please call
toll-free 1.888.930.4438.
To learn about Mercy Medical Teams, please
visit: www.lcms.org/mercyteams
FROM
JOHN NUNES, PRESIDENT OF LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF On
Monday, January 25, LWR’s first shipment of health kits and layettes
arrived in Haiti. We are grateful to our partner Church World Service for
helping expedite this process. And we are planning even more shipments. You can help by making quilts
and kits. These immediate supplies provide
much-needed relief to the people of Haiti, but we are also keeping our
eye on Haiti’s future. LWR is making long-term plans to help
the people of Haiti rebuild their lives, especially those in rural areas
who are left particularly vulnerable because most aid is concentrated in
the capital city. And even communities that did not sustain physical
damage in the quake need support, since they are now dealing with an
influx of people leaving the destroyed capital, putting a strain on their
already limited resources. You’re making quilts and kits to provide
immediate relief, and you’ve made financial gifts to support both
immediate and long-term efforts in Haiti. But you’ve told us you still
want to do more. We know you’re been praying for those in Haiti. Now you
can also show your care and support by sharing your prayers through LWR’s
“Prayers
for Haiti” board. Lutheran World Relief and our brothers and
sisters in Haiti are blessed by your tremendous support and generosity.
LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF MORE THAN
DOUBLES FINANCIAL COMMITMENT TO HAITI RELIEF Lutheran World Relief increased its financial commitment to Haiti
relief efforts to $2.25 million, up from an initial pledge of $1 million.
The Rev. John Nunes, LWR’s president and CEO, said the increase is
“thanks to the overwhelming generosity of U.S. Lutherans in the face of
this disaster.” LWR is working
with partners on the ground to ensure people have food, water and
shelter. LWR has also sent a shipment of health kits and layettes, and is
mobilizing more resources for future shipments. LWR partners active on
the ground include Action by Churches Together members Lutheran World
Federation, Church World Service, Norwegian Church Aid and Christian Aid.
LWR is also planning for a longer-term response of at least three to five
years, focusing mainly on underserved rural areas outside Port-au-Prince.
The earthquake also affected many of these areas, and even those
communities that did not sustain damage in the quake will be strained by
the anticipated migration of hundreds of thousands of people leaving the
Port-au-Prince area. “LWR is
known for being in it for the long haul – remaining with affected
communities long after the media and other aid agencies have moved on. We
were already working in Haiti before the quake, and we will be walking
with these communities for years to come as they work to rebuild their
lives.” To donate to the relief effort, please visit www.lwr.org,
call 1.800.597.5972, or mail a check or money order to Lutheran World
Relief, PO Box 17061, Baltimore, MD 21298-9832 USA. You can also make an
immediate $10 donation by texting “LWR” to 40579.
LWR ADVOCATES FOR ADDITIONAL U.S. SUPPORT TO HAITI RECOVERY On Friday, January 29, Lutheran World Relief and
a coalition of humanitarian and advocacy organizations submitted a letter
to President Obama requesting a $3 billion emergency supplemental bill
for long-term relief and development in Haiti. The letter asserts LWR’s belief that
“As the response to the immediate humanitarian crisis begins to decrease,
the U.S. and the international community must support a massive,
Haitian-led reconstruction and transformation effort designed to support
the goal of a democratic, equitable and productive society.” LWR’s Acting Director for Public Policy
and Advocacy, Annalise Udall Romoser, explains, “While contributions from
individuals are crucial for immediate relief efforts to move forward, a
significant government contribution is also essential for long-term
relief and development in Haiti.
The letter highlights the importance of immediately planning for
long-term development in Haiti and allocating adequate U.S. funds to
carry out these plans. It also underscores the importance of coordinating
not only with the Haitian government but also with other countries
committed to relief and development in Haiti. Romoser notes,
“Whatever amount the Administration requests will need to be approved by
Congress. We hope that U.S. citizens will encourage their members of
Congress to appropriate generous funds for a full recovery in Haiti.”
The U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
is requesting physicians of specific specialities to deploy with the National Disaster
Medical Assistance teams to Haiti. The need is for trauma
surgeons, orthopedists, anesthesiologists, and others
with experience in treating crush injuries. Volunteers must be able
to serve for at least 2 weeks, and be willing to live and work in spartan
conditions. Preference will be
given to physicians who are Creole or French speakers, and to those
currently credentialed through the Medical Reserve Corps in their home
state, or the ESAR-VHP program (Emergency Services Advanced Registration
of Volunteer Health Personnel). These
volunteers will need to be credentialed as temporary federal
employees and will need to be able to provide credentialing paperwork as
soon as asked. Credentialing normally takes about a week.
Volunteers with these clinical skills should contact Michala Koch at Michala.Koch@hhs.gov. Not everyone
who wishes to help will necessarily be deployed, and those without the
requisite skills may not receive a direct response. For medical professionals wishing to
help in this way in future relief efforts, please take a few minutes to
learn about the Medical Reserve Corps, identify your local unit, and
register to become part of the corps. To do so, visit www.medicalreservecorps.gov.
This is the channel through which medical volunteers are deployed
immediately following an event, and only those registered beforehand are
likely to be deployed.
Mike Nevergall
Assistant Director
Lutheran Disaster
Response
Bringing Help and
Hope...
Phone: 773.380.2748
Fax:
773.380.2493
Visit us on the Web at LDR.org
Are you on
Facebook? Join
the cause.
CTS STUDENTS,
FACULTY ASSISTING IN HAITI As aftershocks continue and the death toll in
Haiti rises to over 150,000, members of the Concordia Theological
Seminary community are there to assist in the healing of both body and
soul. There is a deaconess intern, a M.Div. student and a member of
the CTS faculty who are in Haiti, each on a different mission. Deaconess
Intern Alyssa Stone has been serving in La Cayes, Haiti, for several
months. Recently, she was able to send a communication to friends
and family in the States letting them know she is safe and to relate what
she is experiencing. “There is so much structural damage and little
to no money to rebuild. The psychological damage is severe as people
await more devastation. We need medical supplies, medical personnel,
equipment to rebuild and the manpower to help in that rebuilding,”
explained Alyssa. “Most of all, we need prayer for healing and
peace.” Photos and a report from Alyssa may be found at www.ctsfw.edu. Blaise Marin, a first-year
student at the seminary, is a native of Haiti. Blaise experienced
several tension-filled days right after the earthquake as he waited for
messages from family members. He is now in Haiti and has learned he
lost an uncle, has an aunt who has been critically injured, but did find
out his father is unharmed. We await new updates from Blaise. Dr. Douglas Rutt, Associate Professor
of Pastoral Ministry and Missions at CTS and former Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) World Mission Area Secretary for Latin
America, is also on the ground in Haiti. He is part of a special
assessment team sent by LCMS World Relief and Human Care. The LCMS
news service reports, “The team, accompanied by Evangelical Lutheran
Church of Haiti President Rev. Marky Kessa and four Haitian pastors,
trekked toward Port-au-Prince. The team tentatively plans to take medical
supplies and tents requested by President Kessa into devastated
Port-au-Prince, where thousands of homeless Haitians are living on curbsides.” The seminary plans to send a group of
students and faculty members to Haiti just as soon as they can receive
clearance from the authorities. For updates on the work of the seminary
in Haiti and to learn how to donate to the relief effort, go to www.ctsfw.edu/supporthaiti.
PSD NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS
Interim Ministry 2010 Workshops
Training for Intentional Interim Ministry (IIM)
is open to all church workers to gain insights, skills, resources and
practical information for their congregational ministry. This
course is a basic requirement for those seeking to serve in Intentional
Interim Ministry in the PSD or CNH districts.
The course involves five workshops and includes
reading assignments, field work and case studies. The cost is $345 to
cover books, materials, the 200 page basic notebook, and lunches. Southern California training sessions will meet at
the District Office from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. AZ training sessions
will be held at Beautiful Savior Lutheran
Church in Tempe. Many who have taken the course but do
not intend to pursue IIM have found the training very beneficial for
their ministries.
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SERIES
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IRVINE, CA DATES
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SESSION 1
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Tues. October 20, 2009
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SESSION 2
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Tues. November 17, 2009
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SESSION 3
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Tues. February 2, 2010
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SESSION 4
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Tues. March 2, 2010
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SESSION 5
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Tues. April 20, 2010
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LAY
LEADERSHIP TRAINING 2010
Courses are open to all
members of congregations in the Pacific Southwest District-LCMS who are
interested in specific ministries that would be of value for the
following
roles in the
congregation:
… certified deacon or
parish ministry assistant
… elders
… leadership
… care-giving and
prayer ministry
… teaching Sunday
School, Bible Classes, VBS
… evangelism and
assimilation
… music and worship
… personal enrichment
… other areas will be
added
Stand alone courses are
offered to equip members for their interest or gift areas to assist and
serve their Lord in their congregation. There will be more specific
information regarding the program soon. You may contact Duane Rohmaller,
Director of Lay Leadership Training at pswroh@aol.com
ONLINE
CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE COURSE
Pacific Southwest
District Lay Ministry Training will offer a Christian Doctrine course in an online format! If you can use an internet browser,
send an E-mail, and watch a video, the entire course (except text book
reading) is now available. Class
interaction is done on your time schedule, through a discussion that is
part of the program. Dr. Stephen
Mueller, professor and dean of Christ College at Concordia Irvine is the
instructor, and Rev. Dustin Parker, pastor at Concordia Cerritos, is the
mentor for the discussion group. A
minimum of ten students are needed to start the course with a limit of
fifteen. Some spots have already been filled. The course is 10 weeks in length,
broken into manageable segments. For
more information, please contact Rev Dustin Parker at Cerritos.pastor@gmail.com
ARIZONA
WEST
VALLEY, PHOENIX - Evangelism & Assimilation
Dates/Time: Begins Saturday January 30 through March 6 2010 from 8 - 11 AM
Location: Apostles Lutheran Church, 7020 W.
Cactus Road, Peoria, AZ
Instructor: Mark
Hanchett
Textbooks: Books are required for the course.
To RSVP and for additional instructions, please contact Karen Wilson at
E-mail: kw9408@cox.net
CALIFORNIA
NORTH
SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA - Teaching the Faith
Dates/Time: Begins
Thursday, January 7, 2010 from 6 - 9 PM
Ends: Thursday, February 11, 2010
Location: Faith Lutheran Church, 700 E. Bobier,
Vista, CA
Instructor: Rev Christ Deknatel
ORANGE COUNTY – Teaching the Faith
Dates/Time: Begins Thursday, January 28 through March 11, 2010 from 7 - 10 PM
Location: Light of Christ Lutheran Church, 18182 Culver Drive, Irvine, CA
Instructor: Ed Stelling, Lutheran Educator and
missionary with Lutheran Bible Translators in Liberia, West Africa
RIVERSIDE/SAN
BERNARDINO COUNTIES - Care-Giving
Dates/Time: Begins Tuesday, January 12
through February 16, 2010 from
5:30 - 8:30 PM
Location: Messiah
Lutheran Church, 7070 Palm Avenue, Highland, CA
Instructor:
Paul Schmidt, Deacon
RIVERSIDE/SAN BERNARDINO COUNTIES
- Old Testament
Dates/Time: Begins Tuesday April 6 through May
11, 2010 from 5:30 - 8:30 PM
Location: Messiah Lutheran Church, 7070 Palm Avenue, Highland, CA
Instructor: Rev. Dr. John Juedes
SAN
DIEGO COUNTY - Evangelism & Assmilation
Dates/Time: Begins Friday, January 8, 2010 at 6 PM .
Classes will be held at Our Redeemer
Lutheran Church on Mondays from 6-9 PM on February 1, 8, 15, 22.
Location: Our Redeemer
Lutheran Church, 1370 Euclid Avenue, San Diego.
Instructor: Rev. Dave Weber
SAN GABRIEL VALLEY - Teaching the Faith
Dates/Time: Begins on Tuesday, February 2 through March 23, 2010 from 7 - 9 PM
Location: Historic First Lutheran Church, 808 N.
Los Robles Avenue, Pasadena, CA
Instructor: Rev. Christopher
Schaar
SANTA BARBARA/VENTURA COUNTIES -
Teaching the Faith
Dates/Time: Begins Saturday, January 9,
2010 from 8 - 11 AM Last Class is on February 13,
2010
Location: Peace
Lutheran Church, 71 Loma Drive, Camarillo, CA
Instructor: Rev. Robert Hiller
JR. HIGH DISTRICT YOUTH GATHERING –
MARCH 6-7, 2010 - Plans have
begun for the 2010 Junior High district youth gathering!
Registration forms are now available on-line (HERE).
Current information will be posted at www.psdyouth.net.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact the 2010 Program
Coordinator: Jonathan
Swisher. Dates: March 6th -
7th, 2010 (Saturday-Sunday); Theme- Live it Loud; Theme Verse- Psalm 98:4
KJV "Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud
noise, and rejoice, and sing praise; Location: Hilton
Orange County/Costa Mesa
DISABILITY MINISTRY TASK FORCE
MEMBERS NEEDED Do you want to help our PSD
congregations, schools, ministries and members reach out to and include
people with disabilities and their families? Ideally, the Task Force
would include people with disabilities and those who support them,
professional church and school workers, consultants, and community
advocates. Also, if you have related expertise in education, medical
care, building design, law, finance, or spiritual life supports, please
consider being an advisor. The Steering Committee of the Task Force
requests interested individuals be considered for appointment by
President Stoterau to serve a 3-year term beginning in 2010. Contact Rev.
Steve Leinhos, 949.600.6122 steve.leinhos@mailblc.org,
Mrs. Marla Lichtsinn, 714.968.4040 mmlichtsinn@socal.rr.com,
or Pastor Tom Rogers, 949.830.1460 pastortom@abidingsavior.com.
CELEBRATING
OUR SCHOOLS
The final opportunity
to attend a SCHOOL BOARD WORKSHOP
led by Paul Brandt will be held on Saturday, Feb. 13th
at Lamb of God Lutheran School in Las Vegas. This is a
not to be missed opportunity for School Board members, School Administrators,
and Pastors. The feedback from those who have attended over the
last 3 – 4 months has been really great. Please contact Kim
Violette in the School Ministries office for more details kim.violette@psd-lcms.org.
Hope to see you there!
PLACEMENT OF COMMISSIONED
MINISTERS
Is your congregation and school
looking for a new teacher? The number of Commissioned Ministers
available for placement is 340. If you are seeking a new graduate
from the Concordia University System, go to this website http://cus.lcms.org/ComMinPlaFeed/ to
access the universal placement form.
The Art Gallery in School Ministries is
currently displaying original artwork created by the students at Pacific Lutheran High School in Torrance, CA.
Thank you for loaning these items for everyone to admire for the
next few weeks.
PARTNERS IN MINISTRY ANNOUNCEMENTS
In the event of a major disaster in Southern
California, like in Haiti, HAM RADIO may be the only communications
available to our churches and schools. Ham radio does not rely on local
phone lines or cell phones which would most likely be disabled. The
I-LERT Task Group has established a ham radio network throughout Southern
California, Northern California, Nevada and Arizona. This network needs
more operators. If you are a licensed ham radio operator or would be
interested in gaining your ham license, you can contact Charles Campbell
at ccampbell_sv@q.com The ham radio broadcast captured by a
ham operator (link below) in Florida is typical example of the need we
would have for communications in the event a disaster like Haiti happens
here in Southern California. The
ham operator in Haiti was able to reach a ham station in Florida who was
then able to phone patch the Haitian with his family in the US. The
anxiety of the family here in the US was greatly relieved to know he had
survived and was well. I encourage
you listen to the recorded conversation on this link:
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/january2010/haiti_phone_patch_video.htm
The news article on CNN
describes the need for ham radio during disaster recovery.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/01/20/haiti.amateur.radio/
If you have any
questions or wish additional information, please contact Jerry Reichman
at the District Office 949.854.3232 ext. 210.
God is
calling…your church is calling…where will you go in 2010? It’s the perfect time to start looking
into OPTIONS FOR A SHORT-TERM
MISSION TRIP THIS SUMMER through LCMS
World Mission. There is a great need for teams to serve in the
Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia this summer to lead English
language camps. To search our opportunity database, visit www.lcms.org?2870. If you would like to
learn more about last year’s English camps in Eurasia, read an article
from “The Reporter” at www.lcms.org?14225
or view a Picasa photo album here. Additionally, there is a need
for short-term teams to serve in Thailand. For more information on
all available short-term service opportunities, please visit www.lcmsworldmission.org/service. If you know of an individual looking
for a short-term service opportunity, volunteers are needed for
theological education in Uganda, teaching conversational English in
India, and coordination of short-term mission teams in Peru.
UNDIE SUNDAY The California-Arizona-Nevada Division of ORPHAN
GRAIN TRAIN, INC. is holding their second gathering of new
undies on Sunday,
February 14, 2010 with the very capable help of the Pacific Southwest District LWML.
Please gather undies and socks for men, women, girls and boys and bring
them with you to church in February. The LWML ladies will bring them to
their March District meeting in Ontario.
CLH CENTER FOR SPIRITUALITY AND AGING:
“WORDS AND MUSIC TO LIVE BY: CREATIVITY AND SPIRITUAL CARE.” February
24, 2010, Walnut Village Retirement Community, Anaheim, CA. Musician presenter Judith-Kate
Friedman, founder of Songwriting Works™ and Psalms, Songs and Stories™
shares principles and practices of music composition and performing with
seniors. This lively and inspiring workshop demonstrates the power
of music to heal and to connect people spiritually. For details
email csadirector@frontporch.net,
call 714.239.6267or see www.spiritualityandaging.org
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis will host a one day LAY BIBLE INSTITUTE on Saturday, March 20, from 9:00 a.m. –
4:00 p.m. on the topic of Muslim outreach. This workshop will be led by
Dr. John Loum, director of the Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology
(EIIT), who has worked among Muslims in Europe, Africa, and the United
States for more than 20 years. Participants will be provided with a
unique perspective on one of the fastest growing religions in America.
One year ago, the Pope publicly recognized Islam and the Muslims by
stating, “There are more Muslims in the world than Roman Catholics.” This
public acknowledgment has reinvigorated the Muslim community in its
outreach efforts. Consequently, Muslims in America have been approaching
Christians of all backgrounds with the full intent of conversion.
Countless Christians are embracing Islam each year in America. This
constitutes a dilemma and has serious implications for the Christian
faith and the proclamation of the Gospel. The sessions will include
various topics on Islam and what you need to know about your Muslim
neighbors, co-workers, or even the Muslim your child may date in the
future. All denominations are welcome to this workshop. The cost
for the Lay Bible Institute is $20, plus $6.50 for an optional lunch
ticket in the Seminary’s dining hall. To register or for more
information, contact Continuing Education and Parish Services at
314.505.7486 or ce@csl.edu.
CAMPUS VISIT PLANNED
FOR THOSE CONSIDERING SERVICE TO THE CHURCH Do
you have questions about the possibility of serving in The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod? Would you like more information on the
possibility of serving as a pastor or deaconess? Then attending the
SPRING PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER CAMPUS VISIT, March
24-27, 2010, on the campus of Concordia
Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana, is the place to
start. “We realize considering a
vocation in service to the church brings with it many questions. That’s
why we offer our campus visits, to give prospective students the
opportunity to immerse themselves in the seminary community for a few
days,” commented Rev. Tom Zimmerman, CTS Director of Admission.
“During that time they will worship with us, meet with faculty and students,
learn about financial aid options and see what the Fort Wayne area has to
offer.” There is no fee for the
visit. On-campus meals and housing are also provided free of
charge. For additional information or to register online, please go
to www.ctsfw.edu/pcv. Also at that site, you will find a
downloadable poster that pastors and congregations can use to advertise
this special opportunity at CTS. You may also feel free to call
260.452.2155 to speak with our Admission staff.
The Garuna (Grace) Foundation is coordinating a MISSIONS TRIP TO THAILAND AND CAMBODIA THIS JUNE 10TH - JUNE
22ND, 2010. The group will visit Lutheran churches and ministry
sites in Bangkok, Chiang Rai & Phnom Penh. There will also
be time to visit sites of historical and cultural interest such at
Buddhist temples, Angkor Wat and the Killing Fields. Please contact
Rev. Jeff Ehlers for more information at j.ehlers@yahoo.com.
UPCOMING COMMUNITY
EVENTS & CONFERENCES
Our
Redeemer Lutheran Church in Winnetka is opening up its ANNUAL WINTER
RETREAT for others this year. The retreat is at Saint
Andrew's Abbey in Valyermo, California, on the weekend of February 12-14. The theme: "The
Beatitudes - Joy for the Journey" will be led by the
Reverend Kenneth Frese. Each person is enabled to hear each of
the Beatitudes spoken directly to him/her and his/her life
situation St. Andrew's Abbey is a Benedictine monastery located in
a beautiful setting in the high desert at the foot of the mountains,
offering a spiritual oasis in the midst of our busy and hectic
lives. Cost: double room - $165 per person; single room -
$240. To register or to get more information contact Cliff Horn
(registrar) at 818.885.7202.
The CONCERT
HANDBELLS OF CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY IRVINE with Resound! and soloists presents
a “Lovely”
Valentine’s Day concert Sunday, February 14, at 4:00 pm at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 5545 Alessandro Blvd., Riverside, 951.682.7613 . Preparing for a tour in May to Hungary and Austria to work with
youth and community, CUI Concert Handbells performs a wide range of
sacred and secular works, old and new, from classics to popular, unique
hymn settings to modern original works, change ringing, full ensemble,
solo, and quartet, appealing to all ages and tastes, concluding with
their unique hands-on audience participation
sing-along. Children are especially intrigued by the visual
and aural energy of the performance.
Directed by Dr. Herbert Geisler and coached by Nancy Jessup, these
ringers have performed to high acclaim in 27 states and provinces across
the U.S. and Canada as well as 11 Asian and European
nations. A free-will donation will be gathered.
"MINISTERING
GRACE TO THE ELDERLY" will
be the subject matter of a presentation at the Wildwood
Canyon Villa (retirement and memory care center) in Yucaipa on
February 16th 8:30 -10 a.m.
by Rev. Gregory Robertson. One CEU is being offered for administrator
certification for RCFEs by Assisted Living Facilities of the Inland
Empire (ALFIE). Robertson is the Associate Pastor of Gethsemane
Lutheran Church in Riverside and the Administrator of Mountain View
Terrace, a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE) in Redlands,
CA. Wildwood Canyon Villa is at 33951 Colorado St., Yucaipa, CA 92399.
Please RSVP at 909.446.0405. Contact Pastor Robertson for more
information 909.792.3405.
CONCORDIA HANDBELL INVITATIONAL CONCERT SERIES
2010, Concert #1 Saturday, February 20, 4:30 pm, at Concordia University
Center for Worship and the Performing Arts, 1530 Concordia
West, Irvine. Concordia’s Concert
Handbells and Spirit Bells are joined by ringers from Glendale High
School; Mater Dei High School; Faith Lutheran High School Las Vegas; The
Tintinnabulists from Will C. Wood High School, Vacaville; Cornelia
Connelly High School, Anaheim; Lutheran High School of Orange County.
Each ensemble performs its own music and then all join in a mass ring
directed by Dr. Herbert Geisler. Tickets: $8 general/$6 students and
seniors available at the Music Office, 949.854-8002 Ext. 1526. Information: 949.854.8002 Ext. 1526 or
<handbells@cui.edu> or
see the Concordia handbell web site at http://web.mac.com/hgeisler/iWeb/Concordia%20Handbells/Welcome.html
HISTORIAN RETURNS FOR 10TH
SEMINAR Dr. Paul Maier, famed author, professor
of ancient history, ordained minister and biblical scholar, will present
his tenth annual seminar at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2145 S. Coronado Drive, Sierra Vista, AZ. Saturday,
February 20th from 9:00 a.m.
to 3:15 p.m. The title of his presentation is: HOW WE GOT THE BIBLE. The cost is $15 per adult and $8
for students. Participant can bring a sack lunch or go out for the
one hour lunch break. Beverages and coffee snacks will be
provided. Reservations are required. Contact Char Behnke: 803.6810;
or email: charbehnke@cox.net.
THE POWER OF WE Married?
Dating? Engaged? This workshop is for you! Come Saturday, February 20th, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM – in
the Fellowship Hall. 8:30 to 9:00 AM, coffee, donuts and fellowship.
Childcare and Lunch will be provided. Suggested free-will donation of $10
per couple. Hope to see you there! Immanuel Lutheran Church, 802 E. Chapman Ave., Orange, CA.
You are cordially invited to the GRAND CANYON LLL DISTRICT CELEBRATION
AND RALLY "TELL HIS STORY OF HOPE" with Pastor Ken Klaus,
Speaker of The Lutheran Hour. This event is to be held on Saturday February 20, 2010 from 9
AM - 3 PM. A delicious complimentary lunch will be served with a free
will offering for Lutheran Hour Ministries. The location is Risen Savior Lutheran Church -
23914 S. Alma School Rd Chandler, AZ. RSVPs are requested by 2-10-10 at 480.802.1008.
On Sunday, February 21 at 7:00 PM St. John’s Lutheran Church will present THE UNIVERSITY CHOIR AND ORCHESTRA from Azusa Pacific
University. This nationally
acclaimed group will again perform their annual Orange County performance
at St. John’s. The group of over
100 performers will perform contemporary choral and instrumental
music. This concert is the sixth
in St. John’s 2009-2010 Concert Series.
The sanctuary is located at 185 S. Center St. in downtown
Orange. There is no charge, but a
freewill offering will be taken.
Childcare is available for children under age 5. For more information, please call
714.288.4400.
Mountain
View Lutheran Church cordially
invites you to the 25TH
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF PASTOR THOMAS LAMPELLA’S ORDINATION. Join us Sunday, February 21, 2010 at 4 p.m. at Mountain View Lutheran
Church, 9550 West Cheyenne Avenue Las Vegas, NV 89129.
Dinner will follow the service.
Please RSVP to castepanek@cox.net by February 1, 2010.
DAVE AND BARB ANDERSON CONCERT at
St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1611 E. Sycamore Ave., El Segundo, CA on Friday, February 26th
at 7:00 PM, Free admission. Familiar
gospel songs, choruses, praise & worship music, hymns, children’s
songs – all in one concert! Dave
and Barb and five others survived a crash in the Bering Sea in 1993. The
story has been heard by millions of people on ‘Focus on the Family’ and
the Christian TV networks. You might want to visit: therescuestory.com
before you attend the concert! Dave
and Barb Anderson were married in 1975 and have since presented over
5,000 concerts in churches, schools, nursing homes, conferences,
conventions, mission stations, and military bases all over the United
States, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea,
India, Nepal, Malaysia, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Israel and throughout
Scandinavia – they’ve been doing this for over 35 years! The Andersons
helped to start the contemporary worship movement within the Lutheran
Denomination and Dave is the Founder of Lutheran Youth Encounter. Everyone is welcome!
HEPHATHA LUTHERAN CHURCH, ANAHEIM
HOSTS MEN’S NIGHT OUT -
Friday night, February 26,
2010, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. - Enjoy a men’s night out with a classic
John Wayne film, grilled meat, muscle cars, Harley’s, classic cars, and
lively discussion. This is a night
designed by regular guys for regular guys. Meet at the Fellowship Hall. Cost is $5.00 per person to defray the
cost of food. For more info go to www.hephatha.net Hephatha Lutheran Church is
located at 5900 E. Santa Ana Canyon Rd in Anaheim. For more information or register for
these events, please contact Pastor Arthur Andrews at 714.637.0887 ext.
156 or e-mail at pastorarthur@sbcglobal.net
Christ Lutheran, Costa Mesa will be hosting an “EQUIPPING TO SHARE” SEMINAR on Saturday,
February 27, 2010, 8:30 AM – 3:00. A continental
breakfast will be available, beginning at 8:30 a.m. The workshop will
conclude by 3:00 p.m. A nominal fee ($10 per person) will cover all
materials, lunch, and related expenses. We are
trusting that the Spirit will bring many and that all will be empowered
to enthusiastically witness the gospel that leads to faith and salvation.
The Seminar will focus on: ....motivation and our commission as
Christ’s witnesses; .…getting prepared to share the hope that you have; .…reaching
the community and connecting others to the church; .…understanding the
spiritually lost; .…sharing the Gospel message in understandable terms. Please RSVP by Tuesday,
February 23 to Deb Line, 1dline@christcm.com. To access support materials, the
following links will take you to the Lutheran Hour Ministries web page
where you can find publicity materials, logos, etc. http://www.lhm.org/equipping/beforeets.htm http://www.lhm.org/equipping/workshops.asp
Faith
Lutheran Church & Schools in Vista is sponsoring the 5TH
ANNUAL WADE TWYMAN MEMORIAL GOLF BENEFIT on March 20, 2010 at Castle Creek in Escondido. The benefit honors Wade Michael
Twyman, a young man that attended and graduated from Faith Lutheran
Church & Schools. Wade went on to join the Army in January 2003 and
was killed in action during Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2005. All proceeds from this event go to the
Faith Lutheran School Tuition Fund Program. Over the last four years this
benefit has raised $40,000 with an aggressive goal in 2010 of $17,000. If
you can join us on Saturday March 20, 2010 as a golfer, or are interested
in donating a service for the raffle or sponsoring a service person
please call Buck Eilers at 1.800.860.9039.
RESOURCES &
REQUESTS
(PSD Enews
is not responsible for the contents, opinions or accuracy of the
following items)
NEW LENTEN SERIES
OFFERED BY CONCORDIA SEMINARY Dr. Dale A. Meyer, president of Concordia
Seminary, St. Louis, recently released a Lenten series for use in the
parish. The series is titled “Life
Together”—based upon Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s classic book, Life Together—that
describes in challenging ways what it means to be the body of Christ in
community. Bonhoeffer wrote the book about seminary life, and Concordia
Seminary has been studying it as a campus community, but his insights
apply to congregational life in both modern and postmodern times. Please
contact the Seminary’s Technology Services department at 314.505.7231
with any questions.
CUSTOMIZE YOUR 2010 LENTEN DEVOTIONS Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Pastor and Chaplain
Vern Gundermann takes the reader alongside Jesus as He completes His
earthly mission in His Father's service. Everywhere Jesus went—whether
along a dusty back road or a paved city street—what stood front and
center for Him was the cross. And it was against those rough timbers that
He—the Christ, God's “anointed one”—would ultimately find Himself nailed.
Click here to see sample pages (PDF) To customize for your congregation and
download, click on: http://www.lentendevotions.net/printenglish_step2.asp.
Concordia
Publishing House releases a new book for children to let them know, GOD LOVES YOU. “It’s a perfect book
for little ones to let them know of God’s great love for them,” says Ken
Liszewski, manager of books for CPH.
God Loves You is
available from Concordia Publishing House at www.cph.org
or by calling 1.800.325.3040. This book about God’s love is available in
hardback or the smaller paperback version. Not only does it fully explore
God’s love for His children, God
Loves You introduces children to the Father, Son, and the Holy
Spirit.
Concordia
Publishing House (CPH) announces the release of a new devotional in its
Blessings & Prayers devotional line. BLESSINGS
& PRAYERS FOR CAREGIVERS encourages and equips
caregivers in their service with the ever-present source of hope and
strength, Jesus Christ. Blessings
& Prayers for Caregivers is available at www.cph.org or by calling 1.800.325.3040. The devotional, designed to slip into a
pocket or purse, includes brief prayers, short devotions, hymns, and
Scripture passages.
Oberammergau TOURS in 2010
Attention Churches – Is your congregation planning to sponsor a
trip to Oberammergau in 2010 for the Passion Play? If so, please
consider listing your information in the PSDenews. Please provide
your church name and city, dates for travel, a contact person and phone
number or email, and the deadline for signing up. Submit your
information to PSDenews@psd-lcms.org
in Arial font size 10 in paragraph form.
Hosted by TIM KLINKENBERG AND WILLIAM HEIDE
(both from St. John’s, Orange.) Luther
sites and Oberammergau Passion Play: June
17-29, 2010. $3,590 per person, round trip LAX. All “four
star” hotels, air-conditioned coach. Trip includes Luther sites
(Eisenach, Wartburg castle, Erfurt, Eisleben, Wittenberg), Leipzig &
Dresden, Prague, the Alps, and the Oberammergau Passion Play.
Contact William Heide for more information: bheide@stjohnsorange.org
or 714.288.4434.
REV. TOM AND MIRIAM KRAUSE of Overland Park, KS are hosting an “Oberammergau
Passion Play and Reformation Tour”
September 4-13, 2010, and
invite you to join them. Imagine Tours and Travel, a wonderful Christian principled tour company
led by friends Rick and Amy Ricart, provides an itinerary and cost for
this trip that is excellent! Check their website, www.ittworld.com.
Note that the cost from Kansas
City is $3995, plus tips and taxes. Please contact us with any questions.
Addresses are: E-mail: tommirkrause@gmail.com
or miriamk@kc.rr.com, or
phone: 913.906.9976 (home) or 913.638.8271 (cell).
GLORIA DEI, ESCONDIDO is hosting a trip to the Passion
Play of Oberammergau and an 11 day in the Steps of Martin Luther tour on September
2-12, 2010. If you
have dreamt of seeing the Passion Play of Oberammergau, it is not too
late to book. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to relive the last week
in the life of Jesus. This is your special chance to experience the
Passion Play in its majestic setting in the picturesque village of
Oberammergau, nestled in the Bavarian Alps. The cost of the tour is $4069.00 from Los Angeles, CA and
the deadline to sign up is August 1, 2009. Richard and Wanda
DeGraffenreid will be your hosts. Our tour company of 59 years is Nawas
International. For more information you may contact Wanda at 760.743.2478
or email office@gdlc.sdcoxmail.com.
GOOD SHEPHERD- Menifee is hosting a trip to Oberammergau including The
Steps of Luther Tour. This 11 day trip with professional tour
directors and first class accommodations at selected hotels begins August
5th. For more information contact Ruth at 951.672.6675
or email to ruth@goodshepherdmenifee.com.
OBERAMMERGAU
AND LUTHERLANDS IN 2010 You are invited to join retired district
president Loren Kramer and his wife Arlene on a 15 day tour leaving on September 15, 2010. This will be
the fourth time that the Kramers will lead a tour to the world
famous Passion Play held every 10
years to commemorate the escape of the little village during the time of
Black Plague. They will be traveling with Educational Opportunities
Tours, the largest organizers of Passion Play travel over the last 36
years. The September departure date is designed to avoid the larger
crowds of mid-summer. Included in the Lutherland portion will be visits
to Augsburg, Koburg, Erfurt, Eisleben, Wittenberg and much more. A Rhine
cruise will also be featured. To
request a brochure with more information and prices please contact the
Kramers at lorenkramer@sbcglobal.net Or phone 949.240.9751.
LutherTours http://www.christiantravelplanners.com/Oberammergau-Travel
is pleased to announce our current list of tours including the
performance of the Passion Play 2010. All tours include guaranteed seats
to the performance of the Passion Play 2010 in Oberammergau, Germany.
This marks the 5th decade LutherTours has provided outstanding
group tours to view the Passion Play. We invite you to join one of our
existing tours (new tours are added to our website regularly) or we will
create a unique tour itinerary especially for you and your church or
group. We extend our FREE TRAVEL offer to those with a group of at least
10 members! Call LutherTours Toll Free 866.777.1517 or email info@luthertours.com for the
latest tours and information. SAVE $550 OFF TOUR PRICE when you CONFIRM
BY NOV. 15TH.
ISRAEL & GERMANY- September 8-19, 2010
“In the Footsteps of
Jesus” a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and the Passion Play, Oberammergau,
Germany. Click here to view the itinerary
http://www.christiantravelplanners.com/attachments/128_Web%20Brochure.pdf
Other tours
7 CITIES OF THE
REVELATION, GREECE, & THE ISLAND OF PATMOS TOUR, May
19-31, 2010. Cost: $3,250, all
inclusive, including airfare with British Airways. Rev. Dr. Michael
Middendorf, professor of New Testament, Concordia University, Irvine,
will be our on-site teacher. Concordia University is offering course
credit for this study tour as an option. This tour is sponsored
by EDUCON Travel, a not-for-profit travel agency created for the purpose
of offering Bible-based tours. The $500 deposit deadline for this
low-fare has been extended to November 16, 2009. Please call Pastor
Richard Ross (St. Luke's, Westminster, CA) for more information at 714.334.1252.
Please visit our website: www.educontravel.com
DISTRICT OFFICE CHAPEL PRAYERS FOR THIS WEEK: 2.8.10 –
2.14.10
Ascension Church, Preschool & School,
Tucson, AZ
Catalina Church, Tucson, AZ
Community of Christ Mission, Tucson, AZ
Good Shepherd Church, Child Dev. Center &
School, Menifee, CA
Chapel of
the Cross Church & Preschool, Mission Hills, CA
First Evangelical Church, Preschool &
School, Monrovia, CA
Trinity Church, Montclair, CA
St. John’s Church, Preschool & School,
Montebello, CA
Faith Church, Moorpark, CA
Grace Korean Church, Moreno Valley, CA
Our Savior’s Church, Henderson, NV
SUBMIT SPECIFIC PRAYER REQUESTS to karene.cargill@psd-lcms.org.
Please specify whether you would like your request published in our
weekly e-newsletter and/or on our web site, or if you prefer only to be
prayed for during chapel at the District Office.
INTERESTED IN SUBSCRIBING?
Send an email to PSDenews@psd-lcms.org
with the words “subscribe” in the subject line. Please indicate whether you would like
to subscribe to PSD eNews, PSD Job Site, or both. To unsubscribe, reply back to this
email and put the words “Unsubscribe” in the subject line.
TO SUBMIT NEWS AND INFORMATION
Email PSDenews@psd-lcms.org
(or simply reply back to this email) with the who, what, when, where, and
why of the news item in the text of your email in plain text or Arial
font size 10 in a paragraph form.
News & information received in an attachment or in a standard
press release format may not get published in the eNews in a timely
manner. Items must be received
by 5:00 PM Wednesday in order to be included in the next issue.
The Pacific Southwest District will NOT
sell, give or otherwise transmit your email address for any reason other
than its intended purpose.
God’s blessings to you in the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
psdenews@psd-lcms.org
Pacific Southwest District of The
Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod
1540 Concordia Drive East,
Irvine, CA
92612,
888-773-5267
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