Death Is no Longer Our Enemy
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President Kurtis D. Schultz |
"I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in Me, though he dies yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes m
Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25,26)
I recall a high-school friend who became a physician. Like many other doctors he was sincerely devoted to his work and would go to great lengths to save his patients from death. Death, his great enemy, had to be defeated, and he fought it with all the skill and resourses he could muster. To have a patient die was to be defeated by death, to become a failure as a doctor. Much present day medical research seems to be motivated by this same intention. I haven't seen my friend in many years. I wonder as he gets older if he is still in a struggle to defeat death. More to the present point, do you and I feel that we must battle death on our own or put our hope in medical research to overcome death?
In our passage from the Gospel of St. John, both Mary and Martha still saw death as an undefeated enemy, an enemy which Jesus, if He had been there, could have defeated. The shortest of all Bible verses, "Jesus wept." (John 11:35) says to me that Jesus' sadness was for Mary and Martha and all those gathered at Lazarus' tomb, because they did not yet believe what He had been telling them. They still had not grasped who He was.
But who among us does not have some fear of death? Few indeed, I suspect, though for some it may be the unknown that is feared more than death. It seem to take a lot of living, a lot of Easters, for most us to celebrate Jesus' resurrection with all our hearts, to have it worked into our spirits the truth that our Savior Jesus Christ has "abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.' (2 Tim. 1:10)
If our hearts do not receive Jesus' proclamation then we are doomed to defeat, for the truth is that we all die. If death is not a toothless enemy we cannot know the peace of Psalm 23:4, "Even thought I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me, your rod and your staff they comfort me." We must live in its threatening shadows, without the full light of life. Our lives are consumed in dealing with the many faces of doubt and fear that will inevitably plague us. Our lives will be harried and stunned, and the joy for which God created us will go unrealized, unfulfilled. That's why St. Paul warned the Corinthians, "If for this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most to be pitied." (1 Cor. 15:19)
Speaking of Jesus' proclamation that He is the resurrection and the life, a friend once said to me, "There are those who think so, those who hope so and those who know so; for me this is a know so." For this man death had lost its sting; he was living a new and ever greater life with Jesus. He had been set free from the anxiety of fearing death, free to live this earthly life in the purpose and peace God had for him, free to take up his cross and follow Jesus into that immortality which reveals the fullness of God's love for us. This is what Jesus wants for us. He is still asking, "Do you believe this?"
Lord, we believe, help our unbelief. Strengthen in us your assurance that with You death is no longer to be feared, that by your passing through death to resurrection life has opened our way to everlasting life. Amen
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| PROMPT ATTENTION NEEDED!! Congregational Statistics were due to the Synod Office of Records and Statistics on Feb. 29, 2016. The date for submitting them has been extended to April 15 due to insufficient response. PLEASE! Respond ASAP with your Congregational Statistics!! The statistics are used to determine your assessments and also to determine your representation at conventions. |
OUR STEWARDSHIP OF HIS RESOURCES
District Mission Support Trends
2014 2015 2016
Total Budget
$1,100,000 $900,000 $ 900,000
Budgeted Income $275,000 $225,000
$ 225,000
through 3/31
Actual Income $ 235,078 $ 199,619 $ 178,295
through 3/31
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DATES FOR 2016
| April 23 9AM-1PM |
Outreach Workshop |
St. Matthew Lutheran Lake Charles, LA |
| April 22, 23, & 24 |
LA-MS District LWML Convention |
Houma, LA |
| April 29, 30 & May 1, 2016 |
Gulf States District LWML Convention |
Courtyard by Marriott, Gulfport, MS |
| June 4 9AM-1PM |
Outreach Workshop |
Church of the Pines Waveland, MS |
July 9-14, 2016
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66th Synod Convention Upon This Rock: Repent, Confess, Rejoice Matthew 16:18 |
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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| IN TRANSITION: CALLING CONGREGATIONS Trinity - Gadsden, AL Christ the King - Natchitoches, LA St. Stephen - New Orleans, LA Lamb of God - Slidell, LA Trinity - Panama City, FL St. Paul's - Decatur, AL Immanuel - Bossier City, LA Grace - Many, LA Ascension - Daphne, AL |
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Outreach Workshops
Scheduled on the following dates:
April 23, St. Matthew Lutheran Church - Lake Charles, LA 9 AM - 1 PM
June 4, Church of the Pines - Waveland, MS 9 AM - 1 PM
Workshop cost is $5 per person for lunch. All other materials are provided free of charge. Contact Rev. Eric Johnson (985.796.7175) for details.
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| LWML LA - MS DISTRICT CONVENTION
Save the Date for the LA-MS District LWML 2016 Convention!
Houma,Louisiana
April 22, April 23, & April 24,2016
Hosted by the
New Orleans Zone
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!!
*** We are recruiting volunteers to assist
on Friday
and throughout the day
on Saturday
with registration, stuffing bags and assistance with meals, set-up/break down and other areas of need.
If anyone is interested in volunteering at the convention kindly contact Yolonda Wornner Prevost at
[email protected]
or by phone at
504-495-7761.
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LWML GULF STATES DISTRICT CONVENTION
The LWML Ladies of the Magnolia Zone will be hosting the
36th Biennial LWML Gulf States
District convention on April 29,30, & May 1, 2016 at the Courtyard by Marriott, Gulfport, MS. The theme is "Direct my footsteps according to your " Psalm 119:133
Ginny Hermetz of Gulfport is serving as Convention Chairman, Canaan Herkamp as Registrar, and Ellen Garnett, Treasurer.
Rev. Rudy Schaser, director of 'With God's Little Ones", is the keynote mission speaker. Jan Struck, Humorous Interrupter with "Struck with Laughter" will also be part of the program.
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~ CALLED TO SERVE ~
Rev. Matthew Troester - Trinity, Gadsden, AL - Pending
Rev. Jerry McNamara - Ascension, Daphne, AL - Pending
Rev. Brian Jones - Grace, Many, LA - Pending
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2016 LCMS National Youth Gathering -- In Christ Alone
July 16-20, 2016
2016 will come more quickly than any of us realize! Be watching for important information regarding this opportunity for the Southern District Youth to come together with others as a community of God's people!
For additional information contact DCE Curtis Wiese -- Good Shepherd - Shalimar, FL, email: [email protected] cell: 785-220-1512.
DCE Curtis is serving as the NYG Southern District Coordinator.
You may also go to the Southern District web site at www.southernlcms.org or
LCMS at www.lcms.org for more information.
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| ANCHORS AWEIGH! -- A DOLPHIN CRUISE  Baton Rouge Lutheran School On Saturday, April 9, Baton Rouge Lutheran School, 10925 Florida Blvd., will hold their 12th Annual Auction Extravaganza. To purchase tickets, go to www.brlutheranschool.org. Reservations are due by March 21st. |
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 SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY Students who will be entering college this fall can apply for scholarships through the Congressional Black Caucus. Please encourage high school seniors in your congregation to visit this website for information and to also submit an online application: www.cbcfinc.org/cbcf-scholarships.html. |
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WE LIFT UP IN PRAYER. . .
The family of Rev. John "Jack" Jackson (Emeritus - Fairhope, AL) as he entered the Church Triumphant on Mar. 29, 2016. Rev. Jackson served at First - Baton Rouge, LA from 1979-1989 and at Redeemer - Fairhope, AL from 1989 until his retirement in 2003. He is survived by his wife Judith, and sons Rodney and Craig and families
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;..."John 11:25 (NIV)
These brothers and sisters in Christ coping with cancer:
Rev. Jerry Conley (Emeritus - Marianna, FL)
Rev. Jack Betz (Emeritus - Miramar Beach, FL)
Mrs. Gloria Moritz, widow of Rev. Victor Moritz (Emeritus - Metairie, LA)
Rev. Sidney Ponseti (Emeritus - Baton Rouge, LA)
Rev. Ed Rogers (Emeritus - Ozark, AL)
Mrs. Doris Taglauer, wife of Rev. Jim Taglauer (Emeritus - Folsom, LA)
These brothers and sisters in Christ coping with various health issues:
- Mrs. Melodie Rupp, wife of Rev. Bob Rupp (Emeritus - Pensacola, FL)
- Mrs. Rosemary Hollibaugh, mother of Rev. Karl Hollibaugh (Lamb of God - Slidell, LA)
- Mrs. June Ring, mother of Rev. Marcus Ring (St. Paul - Shreveport, LA)
- Rev. Rev. Michael Shannon (Faith - Shreveport, LA)
- Rev. Rory Hermann (Good Shepherd - Gulf Breeze, FL)
- Rev. Brandon Simoneaux (Christ Our Savior - Harvey, LA)
- Rev. Dr. James P. Brown (Emeritus - Pensacola, FL)
- Dr. J. B. Marshall (Concordia College Alabama Board of Regents member)
- Rev. Dr. Edgar Homrighausen (Emeritus - Lacombe, LA)
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed. Thessalonians 2: 16-17
(NIV)
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FYI - -
Don't forget to submit your Congregational Mission Pledges to the Southern District! Also, please send the updated form of newly elected Congregational Officers to the Southern District Office! We keep updated information for use in our communications to congregations, so it's very important that the information is correct.
Click here to go to linkClick here for link Click here for link |
ANCHORS AWAY!!
Time to hold your cabin on the next Southern District Cruise ~ Jan. 30, 2017!!
Thank you to all who were graciously patient as the cruise was switched from the 7 Day Cruise to a 5 Day Cruise.
If you are not currently registered for the 5 day cruise, please register ASAP at this secure link mcgcruise.com/SDLCMS5night.
Please remember that the ship is controlled by capacity, so register now to assure a cabin. Also, remember that a single person can share a cabin with another. Just let Ginger know if you are interested in a cabin mate.
Ginger Kramp is happy to assist with any and all questions.
You may contact Ginger with questions at [email protected] or
618-662-2117.
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2016 HEARTLAND DCE CONFERENCE
DCEs and other parish professionals who are interested in enhancing the intentionality and effectiveness of Christian education in the church are invited to attend the 2016 Heartland DCE Conference at Concordia University, Nebraska from May 19-21. Keynote speakers include Dr. Thom Rainer, Thom and Joani Schultz and Dr. Phil Schwadel. Registration is $100. Go to www.cune.edu/heartlandDCE for more information.
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PASTOR SIG KUNZ RETIREMENT
We are preparing to celebrate the ministry of our Pastor,
Rev. Sig Kunz, in his retirement after 48 years here, and 53 years serving the LCMS.
We would like to cordially invite you to join our celebration the weekend of May 21-22. We are planning a celebration banquet the evening of the 21st, 5:00 p.m., and a special Celebration Service the afternoon of the 22nd, 4:00 p.m. More information is forthcoming in the near future.
Now, I realize some of you will be unable to attend. I would respectfully request that each of you send a congratulatory message (letter or e-mail) to us to forward to Pastor Kunz prior to May 21
. I would also humbly ask that you forward this message to the Pastors and congregations in your districts, either to reply that they would like to attend, or to also send a message of congratulations. We may assemble messages into a slide show presentation, so if you wanted to include a photo with your messages, we would include those as well. Our goal in this request is to give Pastor and his wife Diane lots of reading material in the days and weeks to come. Please forward your messages to the church at the addresses below.
Sincerely, Mark Stevens
ILC contact info:
Address: 2565 Airline Dr, Bossier City, LA 71111
My contact info:
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THE GIFT OF GENEROSITY-Electronic Giving
A definition of generous includes this phrase:
Freely sharing valuable things.
Freely sharing
. . .no strings attached. . .no tit for tat. . .nothing expected in return.
Valuable things: your child. What is more valuable than a life of someone you love beyond measure? As we reflect on this message, remember
Those Who Don't Yet Know Jesus. Your continued support for the mission and ministry of the Southern District is requested.
If you need a convenient way to make regular offerings, we encourage you to look into our electronic online giving options.
Visit
here or contact Ronnie Giaise
at the Southern District office for more information --- [email protected].
Illustration by Patti Miller, Member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fairhope, Alabama.
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