As we gather together this Thanksgiving, let us lift our hearts in gratitude for all the blessings God has bestowed upon us. We thank you, Lord, for the gift of life, for Your unwavering love, and for the abundance You provide. Lord, we are humbled by Your grace, and we praise You for Your faithfulness in every season. May we always give thanks for the precious gift of salvation we receive through Jesus Christ.

Almost 400 church workers, presenters, and exhibitors came together in Monterey, California on November 24-26 to worship, grow professionally, and connect with one another as part of the CNH District All Workers Conference. This is the first time in almost 30 years that educators, pastors, youth leaders, and other church workers joined together for a conference. 

The theme of the conference was “Connected in Christ, so the next generation will know”, based on Psalm 78:1-6. There were two main keynote speakers. Dr. Sean McDowell spoke on how to better connect with Generation Z in his first keynote, followed by the importance on speaking the truth according to the evidence we find in scripture. Sarah Salzberg spoke on the importance and value of questions to better understand the truths of our faith. There were also 27 smaller breakout sessions on a wide variety of topics to help church workers grow in knowledge and skills. At the conference banquet, District leadership recognized significant anniversaries of individual church workers and presented awards to church workers who have served as examples of faithful service. 

We thank our Conference Planning Committee: Joel Wahlers, Jenny Cid, Evan Anwyl, Erin Mansfield, Ron Youngdale, Paul Schult, Dawit Bokre, Matt Molinari, and Mike Lange.

Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Concord will be hosting a Musical Advent Program. A variety of vocal and instrumental performances for the Advent Season will be played, followed by refreshments. All are invited.

What: Musical Advent Program

When: December 11, 7 p.m.

Where: Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1092 Alberta Way, Concord, CA

St. Matthew Lutheran Church will offer a special Christmas worship experience on Wednesday, December 11 at 4pm for those who are finding Christmas to be a struggle rather than the joyous, celebratory time that is often portrayed. This worship experience will be quiet and contemplative and will be different than traditional gatherings. Stephens Ministers, a trained emotional support group at the church, will be on hand after the service.

What: Special "Blue Christmas" Worship Service for those struggling emotionally

When: December 11, 4 p.m.

Where: St. Matthew Lutheran, 13880 Joshua Way, Sonora, CA 95370

Click here for a press release with more information.

“The Lord Speaks” is a set of worship resources centered on Luke 1-2 which you can use this Advent. Content developed by peers in the CNH District; it includes sermon starters, graphics, a Scripture reading plan, and liturgy suggestions.

Go to www.SparkHelpsChurches.com to check it out.

As you put up your stockings and decorate your tree, remember to make time for Jesus during the holidays.

To print Advent Devotions from LHM, go to https://www.lhm.org/advent/.

To receive Advent Devotions from LHM via email, go to https://www.lhm.org/subscribe/.

LHM Advent Devotions are designed to help strengthen and encourage your faith throughout the Christmas season.

Congratulations to CA/OSLS (Cross Academy/Our Savior Lutheran School) middle schoolers who participated in the Honua Scholars Proposal Competition.

Open to middle schoolers across the state, only those in the top percent of submissions were invited to a "Proposal Pitch Competition". Three students, Genevieve (6th), Hailey (7th) and Krystana (8th) from CA/OSLS shared their pitches, with two of them earning 1st and 2nd place in the state!

Click here to learn more and see the proposals they submitted.

For 27 years, Best Practices in Transitional Interim Ministry (formerly Intentional Interim Ministry) has hosted powerful, ministry-focused conferences at the beautiful St. Anthony Retreat Center in Three Rivers, California - gateway to the Sequoia National Forest. 

Our 2025 event will occur January 27-29, focusing on the extremely timely theme of "Preaching through Ministry Transitions". This conference has something for every pastor: TIM Pastors, parish pastors, Circuit Visitors and regional Vice Presidents.

Click here to register.

Click here to view schedule.

There are many experiences that may cause trauma – fires, floods, earthquakes, accidents, abuse, etc. These experiences change people in in their behaviors and how they respond to others throughout their life. Kate Hutchinson, staff member of LSS of Northern California, will be giving a presentation hosted by our Human Care Committee. What are some of the behaviors we can identify and look for in people who have gone through trauma? What are some helpful responses in which we can interact and help them? These questions and more will be answered.

What: Understanding Trauma Presentation

When: February 22, 2025

More information to come.