| JESUS CALLING ~ ENJOYING PEACE IN HIS PRESENCE by Sarah Young THIS IS THE DAY THAT I HAVE MADE. Rejoice and be glad in it. Begin the day with open hands of faith, ready to receive all that I am pouring into this brief portion of your life. Be careful not to complain about anything, even the weather, since I am the Author of your circumstances. The best way to handle unwanted situations is to thank Me for them. This act of faith frees you from resentment and frees Me to work My ways into the situation, so that good emerges from it. To find Joy in this day, you must live within its boundaries. I knew what I was doing when I divided time into twenty-four-hour segments. I understand human frailty, and I know that you can bear the weight of only one day at a time. Do not worry about tomorrow or get stuck in the past. There is abundant Life in My Presence today. Psalm 118:24; Philippians 3:13-14 
|
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
|
|  COMMUNICATION REQUEST! One service "This Ministry That We Share" provides is an opportunity for congregations to communicate their activities with other congregations in the Southern District. We welcome your notices regarding upcoming events of your church as we can then pass these on to others. |
|
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 |
Gulf States District LWML Convention |
Courtyard by Marriott, Gulfport, MS |
| May 19-21 |
Heartland DCE Conference |
Concordia University, Nebraska |
| June 4 9AM-1PM |
Outreach Workshop |
Church of the Pines Waveland, MS |
July 9-14
|
66th Synod Convention Upon This Rock: Repent, Confess, Rejoice Matthew 16:18 |
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
|
|
| 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 |
|
FREE ● FREE ● FREE
CHRISTIAN FAMILIES UNITED FOR PROGRESS
INVITES YOU TO COME SUPPORT AND ENOY THIS FREE GOSPEL CONCERT- FEATURING THE
MASS CHOIR OF CONCORDIA COLLEGE ALABAMA (SELMA)
COME REJOICE AND SUPPORT CONCORDIA COLLEGE ALABAMA AT
HOLY CROSS LUTHERAN CHURCH-6154 PRESS DR. NOLA 70126
SUNDAY, APRIL 24,2016 @ 2:00p.m.
Please make check donations payable to Concordia College Alabama
GOD'S BLESSINGS & THANKS!
|
|
St. John Lutheran School's
Blackboards and Blue Jeans Silent Auction
 Saturday, April 16, 2016
6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
3937 Canal Street
Food by local restaurants -
Bubba Gump's spinach dip, Café 615 mashed potatoes (bar), Chef Terry's sweet potato cupcakes, Coffee & pastries, Doug's gumbo, Five Happiness General Tso's chicken and fried rice, Freret St. Po-Boys chicken tenders, Katie's, Mandina's eggplant casserole, Odi's Moises Delicacies cookies, Zea's corn grits, plus Shrimp Pasta, Roast Beef and more to come.
Drinks (wine, beer, soft drinks and water) and Fun are included!
Live Music from Brian Murray
Advance Tickets Available Now
$35.00/person/$60.00 per couple
At the Door:
$45.00/person/$75.00 per couple
Credit Cards Accepted
Casual Attire
|
|
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.
|
| 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.
|
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.
|
|
~ CALLED TO SERVE ~
Rev. Matthew Troester - Trinity, Gadsden, AL - Pending
Rev. Jerry McNamara - Ascension, Daphne, AL - Pending
Rev. Brian Jones - Grace, Many, LA - Accepted
|
| 
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: familylifeminister@gslcshalimar.org 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.
|
|
Teens Reaching Teens in the Digital Age
This is the group of Southern District kids that attended the Teen Leadership Institute, hosted by the Board of Youth Ministry in St. Louis, March 17-20.
The training was "Teens Reaching Teens in the Digital Age".
Congregations represented are: St. Paul - Montgomery, AL, Grace - Pensacola, FL, Trinity - Dothan, AL, Trinity - Meridian, MS, and Our Redeemer - Clinton, MS.
These teens are trained and prepared to lead your youth groups through the workshop! Contact DCE Cindy Namanny for more information.
dce@orlcms.org or 601-924-9999
Back row Left: Mary Hanzes, Caroline Huxsoll, Jordan Arnold, Cindy Namanny, James Kocsis, Claire Dixon,
Middle row: Rachel Arnold, Katie Henze, Noah Boudreau
Front Row: Katie Krause, Emily Johnson, Allison Topicek, Allie Milner, Cooper Bankston
Floor: Steve Richardson
Missing: Jake Otto and Parker Reetz
|
|
|
WE LIFT UP IN PRAYER. . .
The family of Rev. Phillip Phifer (Grace - Pensacola, FL) at the death of his sister in Houston, TX. No further information is available at this time.
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)
|
|
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!!
Early reduced deposit deadline has now passed. A deposit of $300 per cabin now applies. 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 can contact Ginger with questions at ginger@mcgeheecruise.com or 618-662-2117.
|
|
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.
|
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:
|
|
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 --- r.giaise@southernlcms.org.
Illustration by Patti Miller, Member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fairhope, Alabama.
|
|
|
|
|
