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JESUS CALLING ~ ENJOYING PEACE IN HIS PRESENCE
BY SARAH YOUNG
AS YOU WAIT attentively in My Presence, the Light of the knowledge of My Glory shines upon you. This radiant knowledge transcends all understanding. It transforms every fiber of your being; renewing your mind, cleansing your heart, invigorating your body. Open yourself fully to My Presence; be awed by My glorious Being.
Try to imagine what I gave up when I came into your world as a baby. I set aside My Glory, so that I could identify with mankind. I accepted the limitations of infancy under the most appalling conditions--a filthy stable. That was a dark night for Me, even though angels lit up the sky proclaiming "Glory!" to awe-struck shepherds.
When you sit quietly with Me, the process I went through is reversed in your experience. As you identify with Me, heaven's vistas open up before you--granting you glimpses of My Glory. I became poor so that you might become rich. Sing hallelujahs to My holy Name!
 2 Corinthians 4:6; Philippians 2:6-7; Luke 2:13-14; Corinthians 8:9
"For it is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." 2 Cor. 4:6
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OUR STEWARDSHIP OF HIS RESOURCES
District Mission Support Trends
2013 2014 2015
Total Budget
$1,100,000 $1,100,000 $ 900,000
Budgeted Income $ 1,008,334 $1,008,334
$ 825,000
through 11/30
Actual Income $ 902,555 $ 846,549 $ 807,979
through 11/30
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Stewardship Committee 
(November 2015)
Meet your new stewardship committee members . . .
Glenn Gerber (District Exec),
Gary Grubb (Chair),
Don Hennings, Rev Paul McComack, Rev Louis Boldt, and
Don Panzenhagen.
Visit the district website for a photo and brief profile of each to include which circuits and congregations they specifically serve. They have answered the call to serve you and each other regarding the Christian's total stewardship life including use of time, talents, treasure, and testimony for Christ. Concerning stewardship of testimony, consider "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. . ." (1 Peter 3:15)
Stewardship Southern Style . . . Stewardship Southern Style focuses on Making Disciples for Jesus. Walking together with Synod, we have defined stewardship in this manner: "Christian stewardship is the free and joyous activity of the child of God and God's family, the church, in managing all of life and life's resources for God's purposes." We in the Southern District like to emphasize that the Love for Christ, generated by the Gospel, is the motivating factor for true Christian giving. For this reason we add the statement . . . "In response to the Gospel, stewardship is part of discipleship."
While December marks the start of a new liturgical year for the church, we are also involved in closing out the 2015 fiscal year ending December 31 in good and proper order. With that in mind, we ask you to conclude your 2015 partnership commitment to the Southern District for work in the district, synod and beyond! (See Business Office Letter, 10/14/2015)
The District Stewardship Committee is truly grateful for all the Churches that have generously supported this ministry that we share. We are also thankful for all that the Lord allows your congregation to give in the future.
May the coming weeks and months be a time of much growth for your congregation, and the entire Southern District.
"May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead, our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. "(Hebrews 13:20, 21 NIV)
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DATES FOR 2015
| December 19 6PM - 8PM |
Living Nativity
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Mt. Zion Lutheran Church New Orleans, LA |
| December 20 6 PM |
The Joyous Sounds of Christmas III
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Atonement Lutheran Church Metairie, LA |
December 25
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Birth of our Lord and Savior ~ Christmas ~ |
Mission Center Closed |
January 19-21, 2016
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Pastors' Conference
"Mosaic - Ministering in a Diverse Culture" |
The Mission Center Slidell, LA |
| February 20, 2016 9 AM to 3:15 PM |
Lands of the Bible Seminar Dr. Paul L. Maier |
Redeemer Lutheran Church Fairhope, AL |
| April 29, 30 & May 1, 2016 |
Gulf States District LWML Convention |
Courtyard by Marriott, Gulfport, 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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 2015 EDUCATORS OF THE YEAR
SOUTHERN DISTRICT
The Southern District combined with the Mid-South District this year for our annual Teachers' Conference. The Southern District had a special presentation at our conference as we honored three educators of the year. The honorees were as follows: left to right:
Early Childhood Teacher of the Year:
Laurie McConnell - St. Paul Lutheran School, New Orleans, LA
Principal Of The Year: Gordon Schamber - Baton Rouge Lutheran School, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Elementary Teacher Of The Year: Kelli Gremillion - Atonement Lutheran School; Metairie, Louisiana
Our congratulations to these outstanding educators!!
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~ CALLED TO SERVE ~
CALLS -- ORDAINED -- ACCEPTED
~ Pastor Chad Ingle, Celebration - Seymour, TN; Called to Prince of Peace - Ozark, AL
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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 Ascension - Daphne, AL |
 MOUNT ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH
cordially invites you to attend our presentation of the Birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, which took place in Bethlehem centuries ago. We plan to have a living nativity to complement the Biblical Nativity Scenery.
This activity is FREE and open to the public. We would like to invite the public to sing carols with us during the presentation of our living nativity scene. The celebration will be held as follows:
PLACE:
Mount Zion Lutheran Church
1401 Simon Bolivar Avenue
New Orleans, Louisiana
DATE:
Saturday, December 19, 2015
TIME:
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
PHONE:
(504) 522-995
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The Joyous Sounds of Christmas III 
On
December 20, at
6:00 p.m., you are invited to join us for an evening of fine music and a presentation of the nativity story. Ensembles include our adult choir, youth choir,
River of Praise, and handbells. Readings of the nativity story will be presented by our
Sunday
school children. Refreshments will be served after the program.
Atonement Lutheran Church and School is located at 6500 Riverside Drive in Metairie.
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|  "THE FIRST ROSA"
"The First Rosa" film has been shown in various locations this fall, and Synod's plan is to distribute it to Synod congregations and schools, along with accompanying materials, beginning in January, 2016. We will have further information regarding the film as it becomes available. It is a movie well worth seeing and will provide your congregations with excellent points for discussion! |
Young Adults Needed to Help Serve the 2016 LCMS National Youth Gathering
The Young Adult Volunteers (YAV) Corps wants YOU! YAVs serve as role models for the teen participants while working in specific areas of the Gathering.
Eligibility: Be 19-25 years old at the time of the Gathering and at least one year out of high school; have a willingness to serve as well as a commitment to perform specific volunteer tasks. If accepted to serve as a member of the Young Adult Volunteer Corps at the 2016 LCMS Youth Gathering, YAVs will be responsible for the following: Registration fee of $325 which covers housing, program costs and some meals; transportation to and from New Orleans, LA; some meals. The Gathering will provide the following: Hotel accommodations (covered by registration fee), with check-in on Thursday, July 14, 2016 and check-out on Wednesday, July 20, 2016; YAV training and materials; some meals. You can find more information about YAVs and apply here:
http://www.lcmsgathering.com/yav/.
Don't delay, registration closes on December 31st.
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500TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REFORMATION 
There are a lot of great resources for you to use with your congregation as we prepare for the 500th Anniversary celebrations of the Reformation in 2017. If you haven't already checked out this site, be sure to visit it!
Visit this site!
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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!
Upcoming:
~ August, 2015 -- Registration materials mailed to each LCMS Congregation
~October, 2015 -- Registration opens on a first-come, first-serve basis
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~ UPDATE ~
Rev. Dr. Edgar Homrighausen, former long-time pastor at The Village Lutheran Church in Lacombe, LA, had a fall recently, and is now in a nursing home in Lacombe.
His address is The Lacombe Nursing Home, 28119 Hwy. 190, Lacombe, LA 70445. He would appreciate hearing from friends and former colleagues!
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WE LIFT UP IN PRAYER. . .
The family of Pastor Pomeroy "PJ" Moore, Trinity - Gadsden, AL, who entered the Church Triumphant on Dec. 3, 2015. He leaves to mourn his loss his wife Nelda and 5 children. A memorial service will be on Dec. 12 at Trinity - Gadsden, AL. Time to be announced.
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)
Rev. Bill Wise (Emeritus - Destin, FL)
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. Robert Aumann (Good Shepherd - Slidell, LA)
- Rev. Weldon Brinkley (Emeritus - Destin, FL)
- Rev. Rory Hermann (Good Shepherd - Gulf Breeze, FL)
- Rev. Brandon Simoneaux (Christ Our Savior - Harvey, LA)
- Mrs. Agnes Belknap, wife of Rev. Bob Belknap (Zion - New Orleans, LA)
- Mr. Gene Menzel (Emeritus - Huntsville, AL)
- 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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2016 LUTHERAN ANNUAL
Go-to reference tool for the LCMS available at cph.org
The 2016
Lutheran Annual
is now available for purchase through Concordia Publishing House.
The Lutheran Annual
is the official directory of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, and it is the go-to reference guide for information on churches, schools, pastors, church professionals, and church agencies.
Purchase
The
Lutheran Annual
at
cph.org/lutheranannual, or call customer service at
1-800-325-3040. Bulk discounts apply for orders of ten or more. You can also receive The Lutheran Annual by subscription. Contact customer service for detailS.
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| ~ FYI ~ Congregational Constitutions As of January, 2016, congregations wishing to have their constitutions reviewed by the Constitutions Committee and recommended to the Southern District Board of Directors are directed to send their documents to Rev. Robert Belknap at rbobbelknap@gmail.com. All previous constitutions yet to be completed in this process will be forwarded to Rev. Belknap, and all correspondence is to be directed to him. |
A TRIP TO THE HOLY LAND IS LIFE-CHANGING.
You'll never read the Bible in the same way again. Its scenes will come alive
after you have bowed at the manger in Bethlehem, worshipped on the Sea of Galilee,
followed the Palm Sunday crowd down the Mount of Olives, knelt in the
Garden of Gethsemane, wept at Golgotha, and sung at the empty tomb.
Experience this spiritual pilgrimage of walking in our Lord's footsteps with
your friends and fellow Christians. Pastor Keith and Diana Ringers (St. Mark's - Elberta, AL)
will be joining a retired pastor and his wife, friends of theirs, who have spent 18 months in the Holy Land and have put together this customized itinerary that will include places where the standard tours don't go. We invite you to join us from March 28 - April 6, 2016. For more information, click on the link for a brochure or contact Keith Ringers at kringers@gulftel.com.
Click here If registering online, enter 'Ringers' as Tour Host and ID number 56112.
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|  ANCHORS AWAY!
Time to hold your cabin on the next Southern District Cruise ~
Jan 22, 2017. At the request of many, we are sailing to Belize, Roatan and Cozumel. We realize it seems early, but an agreement was reached for smaller deposits with early registration. Further registration information is available online at
https://secure.jotform.us/form/50815449083155.
You may also contact Ginger Kramp with questions at
ginger@mcgeheecruise.com
or
618-662-2117.
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| Lands of the Bible Seminar presented by Dr. Paul L. Maier, Ph.D., Litt.D., LL.D. at Redeemer Lutheran Church 200 South Section Street; Fairhope, AL Saturday, February 20, 2016; 9:00 am ~ 3:15 pm $12 for adults; $8 for students (ages 12 and up) Limited seating - first come, first served. Register by Feb. 13, 2016. Contact Kim Clay at 251-279-9164 to register or for additional information. |
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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 --- r.giaise@southernlcms.org.
Illustration by Patti Miller, Member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fairhope, Alabama.
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