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This Ministry
That We Share

       Southern District - LCMS
    August 15, 2016

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JESUS CALLING 
ENJOYING PEACE IN HIS PRESENCE  by Sarah Young

UNDERSTANDING will never bring you Peace.  That's why I have instructed you to trust in Me, not in your understanding.  Human beings have a voracious appetite for trying to fi gure things out, in order to gain a sense of mastery over their lives.  But the world presents you with an endless series of problems.  As soon as you master one set, another pops up to challenge you.  The relief you had anticipated is short-lived.  Soon your mind is gearing up again:  searching for understanding (mastery), instead of seeking Me (your Master).
   The wisest of all men, Solomon, could never think his way through to Peace.
 
  His vast understanding resulted in feelings of futility, rather than in fulfillment.  Finally, he lost his way and succumbed to the will of his wives by worshiping idols.
   My Peace is not an elusive goal, hidden at the center of some complicated maze.  Actually, you are always enveloped in Peace, which is inherent in My Presence.  As you look to Me, you gain awareness of this precious Peace.

Proverbs 3:5-6; Romans 5:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:16



OUR STEWARDSHIP OF HIS RESOURCES
District Mission Support Trends

        2014               2015               2016
Total Budget             $1,100,000         $900,000        $900,000

Budgeted Income          $641,667         $525,000         $525,000              
through 7/31

Actual Income               $537,592           $513,695        $477,119.58
through 7/31
 

SPIRIT OF SOUTHERN SUBMISSIONS

 

Remember that submissions for the September/October issue of SOS are due by September 15. The preferred means for receiving submissions is by email (sos@southernlcms.org). Please send photos as JPEG files, attached to the email. Congregational news that is received but exceeds space in the printed SOS will be published on the "Around the District" blog of our website. Thank you for sharing your news!

                                                                                                                                                            (click on image for                                                                                                                                                              the current issue)

DATES FOR 2016
August 26, 27, & 28

Capricious Productions Play

"It Had to be Hue" 

St. Paul Lutheran Church

Burgundy-New Oreans, LA 

September 4
9:00 AM
Installation of Rev. Dr. Mark Koch
Intentional Interim Pastor
Immanuel Lutheran Church
Bossier City, LA
October 16

50th Anniversary of

Immanuel Lutheran Church 

Immanuel Lutheran Church

Vredenburgh, AL 

October 17-18
Southern District Newcomers' Orientation
Mission Center
Slidell, LA  
October 20-23 100th Anniversary of the International Lutheran Laymen's League/Lutheran Hour Ministries St. Louis

IN TRANSITION:  CALLING CONGREGATIONS

 

       Christ the King - Natchitoches, LA            Grace - Huntsville, AL

       St. Stephen - New Orleans, LA                  

Trinity - Panama City, FL                             St. Paul's - Decatur, AL                              

Immanuel - Bossier City, LA                              

~ CALLED TO SERVE ~
Rev. Gregory Snow to St. Paul, Decatur, Alabama ~ Pending
  Rev. Bradley Lessmann to Redeemer, DeRidder, Louisiana ~ Accepted
Rev. Ralph Hough to Ascension, Daphne, Alabama ~ Accepted
Rev. Christopher Escher to Trinity, Panama City, FL ~ Pending
Rev. Jonathan Kern to Immanuel, Colorado Springs, CO ~ Pending

~MILESTONE ANNIVERSARIES~

Celebrating the Ministry of Pastor and People 

 

50th Anniversary ~ Immanuel Lutheran Church, Vredenburgh, AL

October 16, 2016

Rev. Steve Washington, Pastor

 

70th Anniversary ~ St.  John Lutheran Church, Hattiesburg, MS

Nov. 12-13

Rev. John Karle, Pastor

 

Anniversaries of Ordination - August
35th ~ Rev. Rodney Pasch - Bethany, Slidell, LA
5th ~ Rev. Marcus Ring - St. Paul, Shreveport, LA

JR. YOUTH GATHERING  
"MEN IN BLACK:  RATED R FOR RECONCILIATION"
1 John 4:4-6 
    
         This year there will be only ONE gathering in a central location. 
 
 November 11-13 @ Twin Lakes Camp and Conference Center, Florence, Mississippi
 
Registration will open September 5th.
Early Bird Registration is Sept. 5-19 -- $99/participant
Sept. 20-Oct. 24 will be $105/participant
 
Presenters will be the Rev. Tim Schutt and Rev. Greg Manning
  Information will be continually updated on the  Southern District website and through publications.

Capricious Productions presents
"It Had To Be Hue"
Are you looking for a really "colorful" comedy with music?
 Capricious Productions will present "It Had To Be Hue," an original farce by Dennis Malloy and directed by Kyle Daigrepont,
 at St. Paul Lutheran Church Basement Theatre, 2624 Burgundy Street, New Orleans, LA 70117.
 
Production dates are Friday, August 26, 2016 at 7:00 PM, Saturday, August 27, 2016 at 7:00 PM and Sunday, August 28, 2016 at 3:00 PM. Doors open one hour before each performance.
            AUDIENCE MEMBERS ARE ASKED TO WEAR SOLID COLOR CLOTHING, PLEASE.
Suggested donation: Adults $10 and Kids (12 & under) $5.00. Patrons are asked to bring non-perishable Food Bank items which will entitle them to a free soft drink at the refreshment stand.
Net proceeds from the production will benefit St. Paul Lutheran School, now in its 176th year.
"It Had to Be Hue" is set in the art world where the daughter of a late art teacher is sent around the US to collect paintings of her mother's students for a big show. In course of her travels, she encounters surprises, odd characters, twists and turns - the usual Capricious ingredients! Ultimately, she learns a lot more than she bargained for about herself, her family and art!
For more info, contact St. Paul at (504) 945 - 3741, stpaulmarigny@yahoo.com
(www.stpaulmarigny.org)

INSTALLATION OF REV. DR. JOHN REYNOLDS
Trinity Lutheran Church, Gadsden, AL
June 12, 2016

Front row, third from left:  
Rev. Dr. John Reynolds
INSTALLATION OF REV. JAMES D'ENTREMONT
Trinity Lutheran Church, Gadsden, AL
June 12, 2016

Kneeling:   Rev. James D'Entremont, Standing: Rev. James Garnett
INSTALLATION OF REV. IVAL TOEPKE
Faith Lutheran Church, Madison, AL
June 12, 2016
Rev. Ival Topeke

INSTALLATION OF REV. CRAIG BOELHKE 
Lamb of God Lutheran Church, Slidell, LA
August 8, 2016
 Left to right:  Rev. Brad Aumann, Rev. Gary Weier, Rev. Craig Boehlke, President Kurtis Schultz, 
Rev. Brock Cain, Rev. Derek Waffel, and Rev. James Garnett.   Not Pictured:  Rev. Eric Johnson
2017 LCMS National Campus Ministry Conference
"Liberty," the 2017 National LCMS Campus Ministry Conference, is planned for Jan. 4-6, 2017, at the University of Maryland in the Metro DC area.
The conference will provide a forum for college students and campus-ministry workers to address fundamental issues related to religious liberty, the First Amendment and cultivating Christian citizenship on campus.
To learn more, visit lcms.org/lcmsu.

 


WE LIFT UP IN PRAYER. . .
 
 Rev. Karl and Mrs. Becky Hollibaugh as Becky's mother, Vici Merrill, has entered the Church Triumphant.  Mrs. Merrill passed away on Aug. 10, 2016.  Services are pending.
 
 
 
  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. June Ring, mother of Rev. Marcus Ring (St. Paul - Shreveport, LA)
    • 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)
    • Rev. Rod Pasch (Open Arms - Slidell, 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)

     

    Dear Colleagues in Christ,

     

    Don't let time get away from you!  Register now for the Zion XVI Triennial Conference, which will be held Sept. 15-18 in Belleville, IL at Our Lady of the Snows Retreat Center. 

     

    Registration for "Lutheran Accents in Specialized Pastoral Ministry" is $100 for double occupancy, $125 for single occupancy, or $75 for the commuter day rate.

     

    Visit lcms.org/events/zionconf2016 to register or download the schedule, speaker biographies and other important information.

    the awards -- two each from the ELCA and the LCMS -- will be given to the honorees at the Zion XVI banquet.

     

     

    In Christ,

     

    Rev. Joel Hempel

    Interim director, LCMS Specialized Pastoral Ministry

    lcms.org/spm 


      
                         ANCHORS AWAY!     cruise-ship-banner2.jpg
    CRUISE DEADLINES APPROACHING!!!
     
    Reminder of Final Payment approaching for the 2017 Conference Cruise.
     
    For those registered, final payment is due Sept. 25th, 2016.  Thank you to the many who have been making regular payments.  After Sept. 25th, cabin price is no longer guaranteed for new registrations, although as long as there is a cabin open, Ginger will get you onboard the ship at the best pricing available at the time of registration.
     
    Please send an email to ginger@mcgeheecruise.com or call her at 601-991-1109 to approve your final payment.  If there is a credit card on file, that one can be use for that payment.
     
    REMEMBER STAGGERED CHECK-IN!!!
    Please be sure to log into your cruise planner to pick your preferred time frame to board the ship.  You will not be allowed to board if you arrive earlier than the time chosen.  If you do not choose a time, Carnival will assign you a time.  To check-in online, please go to www.carnival.com/Onlinecheckin,  enter your booking number, last name, date of birth, and ship along with sail date to access Online check-in.  Click on MY CHECK IN TIME -- set up Embarkation time.
     
    Ginger Kramp is happy to assist with any and all questions.  Contact Ginger at ginger@mcgeheecruise.com  or  601-991-1109.
                                    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.
    Southernlcms.org              Southern District -LCMS               504-282-2632

    100 Mission Dr.
    Slidell LA 70460