PUBLISHED BY THE MISSOURI DISTRICT OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH—MISSOURI SYNOD September 2, 2016
All-St. Louis Winkel

The Missouri District and Concordia Seminary hosted the “All-St. Louis Winkel” on Monday, August 29 on campus at the seminary. The day included a worship service at the seminary chapel with President Hagan preaching. Text and Confessions studies were led by Drs. Jeff Kloha and Charles Arand from the seminary. Professor Mark Koschmann, from Concordia University, St. Paul and former St. Louis area pastor, led a presentation on St. Louis demographic trends for the future and mission opportunities. The winkel gathered more than 120 pastors (with a few commissioned ministers too) from congregations, seminary, LCMS International Center, Lutheran Hour Ministries and Lutheran Senior Services. The initial response was very positive as it provided an opportunity for worship, study, fellowship and encouragement. Thanks to Concordia Seminary for their hospitality. We hope that this will become an annual event.

 
Mission Mondays: International Ministry at The Campus Lutheran Church, Columbia

The International Ministry at Campus Lutheran Church, Columbia is directed by Art Simmons, with a great deal of help from Mike Alexander, who is a retired Lutheran educator. Each semester an average of 15 students participate in this ministry. Lately, the numbers have been in the 20’s, but there have been semesters as low as 10. Most of the participants are graduate students and post-doctoral visiting scholars. Read more . . .

 
Grace Day at Zion Lutheran Church – Part 2!



















On Saturday, August 6, 2016, Zion Lutheran Church in Hillsboro, Mo. held their second annual Grace Day, serving over 800 people. Many came from Hillsboro and nearby communities, but some came from as far as 50 miles away. While the lives of those served were impacted, the experience also had a tremendous impact on the 175 volunteers from four churches and a variety of other organizations including Lutheran Hour Ministries and Thrivent Financial. Volunteers spent time a week before Grace Day gathering to prepare and reflect on why they were helping in this way and how God might use the experience to transform them more into the image of Christ. A common theme during training was the reminder that all people are created in the image of God, both the material poor and non-poor, and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Read more . . .

 
Missouri District Annual Report on the Way

Last December was the final printed version of The Voice of Missouri. We have tried to expand our electronic communications through the weekly versions of The Voice and President Hagan’s Encourage. However, we determined that we wanted to provide the congregations and their members with an Annual Report summarizing the work of the Missouri District in the last year. This report will be sent to those who formerly received The Voice of Missouri. It will also be available online. Please watch for your copy of the Annual Report in the coming days. We hope that it will provide you with helpful information about the district’s critical targets and finances, but also inspiring stories about missions across the district and plans for the future.” 














 
Dennis Klussman Accepts Position with National LCEF Office


Missouri District Lutheran Church Extension Fund Vice-President, Dennis Klussman, has accepted a position with LCEF’s national office. He will serve as the Vice-President, Loan Resolution Group beginning on September 12. Dennis has served the Missouri District since 1998 and for the last ten years has also served the Southern Illinois District as well. A native of Emma, Missouri, with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri and a Master’s in Business Administration from Webster University, Klussman has deep Missouri roots. President Lee Hagan said, “Dennis’ passion for God’s mission and his cooperative nature are well-respected throughout the district. We will certainly miss his leadership and his support of congregations and schools through our office. He has always demonstrated strong business acumen and an understanding of what it means to serve the Church. He is a true churchman. However, I am thankful that LCEF has found someone of Dennis’ character for such a position.” Read more . . .

 
Announcements/Other News



The Missouri District will be offering five conferences this fall to support our congregations and lay leaders. The purpose of the conference will be to encourage, equip and connect volunteers in our congregations through practical presentations, partnerships and networking. 

Five dates & locations across the district! A wide variety of breakout sessions! Join us for a wide variety of interesting topics to assist your congregation and its leaders.

All location times are 8:00 a.m. – Noon and registration is only $10 per person.

Click on the date/location below for more information and to register.

Locations:


Grace Place Wellness Church Worker Retreat
October 17-21, Big Cedar Lodge, Ridgedale MO

The Missouri District is partnering with Grace Place Wellness to host a retreat for active church workers. It will be held at Big Cedar Lodge on Oct. 17 – 21, 2016. The 5-day, 4-night retreat will be held at Big Cedar Lodge, a grand wilderness resort, reminiscent of lavish, turn-of-the-century Adirondack hunting lodges, but with all the modern conveniences. The only cost for the participants is a $250 registration fee and transportation to and from the retreat facility. Meals and lodging included. There are seven spots open so first come, first serve. CLICK HERE to register.


2016 Missouri District Pastors’ Conference
District Pastors will meet at Tan-Tar-A in Osage Beach on October 31 - November 1 for the Missouri District Pastors’ conference “God’s Gift of Marriage in Troubled Times.” CLICK HERE for more information and to register.


Lutheran Prayer Breakfast
The Missouri District is partnering with a number of Lutheran agencies to sponsor this year’s Lutheran Prayer Breakfast. The speaker this year will be Rev. Walt Wangerin Jr. The breakfast will be held October 12 from 7:00-9:00 a.m. at Orlando Events and Conference Center. Cost is $25 per person. Payment options include - send note including your name (and the names of any guests) along with your check to: The Lutheran Prayer Breakfast, c/o Angie Sutton at Lutheran Senior Services, 1150 Hanley Industrial Ct. St. Louis, MO 63144. Make check payable to Lutheran Senior Services. Or contact Angie Sutton at 314.262.8217 or Angie.Sutton@LSSLiving.org to make your reservation and arrange for payment.


Missouri District Junior High Fall Retreat Rescued

October 28 - 30

The Missouri District Lutheran Jr High Retreat is returning this fall around the theme, “Rescued”. Our focus this year is on baptism and the blessings we receive from this awesome gift of God.

Our presenter & worship leader is Rev. Joel Beyer, the pastor at Community Lutheran Church near San Diego, CA. And……The Relentless Project is returning to provide our music!

CLICK HERE for more information and to register!


Missouri District Mission Summit – Save the Date – June 3, 2017
The Missouri District will be hosting a Mission Summit next year at Concordia Seminary in partnership with LCMS Office of National Mission, Concordia Seminary, Lutheran Hour Ministries, Lutheran Church Extension Fund and Send Me St. Louis. The summit will feature Lutheran Hour Speaker, Rev. Greg Seltz presenting the keynote address. There will also be practical sessions and inspirational presentations to equip congregational leaders for reaching out to their community. Mark your calendars and plan to be there!


Seussical on Stage

Rehearsals are underway for Christ Memorial Productions presentation of Seussical to be held on September 16, 17, 23 & 24 at 7:30 p.m. and September 18 & 25 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are available online at Tickets@CMPShows.org.

This production of Seussical will feature lively music, surprising circus acts and a live orchestra. The cast and crew of over 100 is proud to present a fun and entertaining show that combines elements from several of Dr. Seuss’ most popular works. CMP strives to create and foster an environment where Christ Memorial’s Loved Sent message is lived out daily by building relationships and reflecting God’s love with members of the cast and crew.

Reduced pricing for children ages 12 and under will be offered. Tickets for children will range in price from $5.00 to $15.00, while tickets for ages 13 and over will be $10.00 to $20.00.

Christ Memorial is located at 5252 S. Lindberg Boulevard, St. Louis, 63126. Our facility is comfortable and inviting and provides an excellent opportunity to invite members of the community to enjoy quality theater. For additional information visit our website at CMPShows.org or email Tickets@CMPShows.org.




District and Church Events 
          (E2 Encourage and Equip Conferences, 2016 Missouri District Pastors' Conference and Junior High Retreats: Fall 2016 & Spring 2017) 
Installations and Ordinations
Personnel Changes and Calling Congregations
LCMS Missouri District News             
Obituaries