| JESUS CALLING ~ ENJOYING PEACE IN HIS PRESENCE SARAH YOUNG I AM THE RISEN ONE who shines upon you always. You worship a living deity, not some idolatrous, man-made image. Your relationship with Me is meant to be vibrant and challenging, as I invade more and more areas of your life. Do not fear change, for I am making you a new creation, with old things passing away and new things continually on the horizon. When you cling to old ways and sameness, you resist My work within you. I want you to embrace all that I am doing in your life, finding your security in Me alone. It is easy to make an idol of routine, finding security within the boundaries you build around your life. Although each day contains twenty-four hours, every single one presents a unique set of circumstances. Don't try to force-fit today into yesterday's mold. Instead, ask Me to open your eyes, so you can find all I have prepared for you in this precious day of Life. Matthew 28:5-7; 2 Corinthians 5:17  "Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come." |
OUR STEWARDSHIP OF HIS RESOURCES
District Mission Support Trends
2014 2015 2016
Total Budget
$1,100,000 $900,000 $ 900,000
Budgeted Income $ 91,667 $75,000
$ 75,000
through 1/31
Actual Income $ 88,919 $ 45,078 $ 42,812
through 1/31
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| IT'S TIME...FOR 2016 CONVENTION DEADLINES! Three important LCMS Convention deadlines are rapidly approaching for your congregation. Your congregation should have received your congregation's nominations packet. *Feb. 20 -- Overtures (Proposed convention actions) are due to be received by the Office of the President for inclusion in the 2016 Convention Workbook by this date. |
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DATES FOR 2016
| February 20 9 AM - 1 PM |
Outreach Workshop |
Jehovah Lutheran Church Pensacola, FL |
| February 20, 2016 9 AM to 3:15 PM |
Lands of the Bible Seminar Dr. Paul L. Maier SOLD OUT |
Redeemer Lutheran Church Fairhope, AL |
| 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 |
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 Ascension - Daphne, AL |
| HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SOUTHERN DISTRICT!! On February 8, the Southern District turns 134! The District was "born" on Feb. 8, 1882 at Zion Lutheran Church, New Orleans, LA. It was made up of 13 congregations in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. By 1906, the Southern District had 90 congregations, and it was in that year that 62 of the congregations became the Texas District. In 1948 the Florida-Georgia District was formed, leaving 62 congregations and preaching stations in the Southern District. In 1963, 54 Black congregations of the Synodical Conference Mission Program merged into the Southern District of the LCMS. Some of our New Orleans churches predate the formation of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, namely, St. Paul (1840), Trinity (1847), and Zion (1847). The Southern District is also home to the Synod's only Historic Black College, Concordia College Alabama in Selma. The Southern District is home to many Lutheran schools, from pre-schools to high schools. God has truly blessed the Southern District in its mission of bringing people to Christ throughout its long and rich history! |
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Outreach Workshops
Scheduled on the following date:
- Feb. 20, Jehovah - Pensacola, FL.
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
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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. Gregory Snow - Trinity, Panama City, FL - Declined
Rev. William Ryden - Trinity, Gadsden, AL - 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: 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.
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| CANDIDATES AND VICARS FOR SPRING PLACEMENT
This spring St. Louis and Fort Wayne Seminaries will have candidates and vicars available for placement.
Candidates Vicars
St. Louis - 79 St. Louis - 65 Fort Wayne - 52 Fort Wayne - 41 |
 RIVER OF LIFE VBS CURRICULUM
Looking for a fun, affordable, and Lutheran VBS program?
Check out "River of Life" from the Lutheran Heritage Foundation, a week-long VBS curriculum highlighting five favorite Bible stories featuring water: creation, Noah and the ark, the crossing of the Red Sea, Jonah and the baptism of Jesus. The curriculum uses craft materials most churches have readily available, and best of all, the program is entirely reproducible - use it again in future years! Just $125 to purchase; preview at
www.lhfmissions.org/riveroflife
. Call LHF at
(800)554-0723
for more information.
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WE LIFT UP IN PRAYER. . .
The family of Rev. William Wise (Emeritus - Destin, FL) who entered the Church Triumphant on Feb. 5,2016. Services were held on Feb. 11 at Destin United Methodist Church. Rev. Wise, before retirement, served at Grace - Destin, FL.
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. Rev. Michael Shannon (Faith - Shreveport, LA)
- 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)
- 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 |
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*** CRUISE UPDATE ***
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 the ship is controlled by capacity, so register now to assure a cabin.
Ginger Kramp is happy to assist with any and all questions. You may contact her at ginger@mcgeheecruise.com 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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FOUNTAINBLEU STATE PARK - MANDEVILLE, LA DATES-- MAY 20, 21, AND 22 (FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY) 2016 COST -- $20 PER CHILD FOR ALL 3 DAYS. MEALS AND SNACKS WILL BE PROVIDED. THE CHILDREN WILL BE DIVIDED INTO AGE GROUPS FOR APPROPRIATE ART AND GRIEF THERAPY SESSIONS. THE ACTIVITIES ARE DESIGNED TO HELP CHILDREN IDENTIFY THEIR FEELINGS WHICH MAY BE ASSOCIATED WITH GRIEF. THE ACTIVITIES WILL ALSO HELP CHILDREN TO EXPRESS THEIR FEELINGS AND WILL HELP TO PROVIDE TOOLS FOR THEM SO THEY CAN CONTINUE TO WORK THROUGH THEIR GRIEF IN A POSITIVE AND HEALTHY WAY. SPONSERED BY HOSPICE FOUNDATION OF THE SOUTH CAMELLIA CITY KIWANIS LOUISIANA HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE-HAMMOND FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 985-643-5470 |
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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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