"Epiphany Moments"
In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and his train filled the temple.
(Isaiah 6:1)
Can you remember a time when you were routinely having your devotions, or were sitting in a worship service, or perhaps contemplating the word of God in prayer, and suddenly you were made aware that you were in God's presence? You knew that you were actually in conversation with God himself, and after momentary embarrassment at being caught so off guard, you were quickly transformed into a true time of Epiphany.
A grieving Isaiah, going about his routine priestly duties in the temple, was overcome by an unexpected revelation of God's presence. He was transfixed by a vision of heavenly worship. He knew he was in the presence of a holy God. He could only stand there, out of place and unworthy, until, in answer to his dilemma, God reached out, cleansed him, and included him. That day he knew with Habakkuk that "the Lord was in His holy temple, let all the earth keep silence before Him."
A lonely John, exiled to the island of Patmos, "alone" on the Lord's day, was overcome by a booming voice coming from behind him like the sound of a trumpet. He turned to look and fell at the feet of the risen Lord, because he felt strangely out of place. Encouraging him not to be afraid, the Lord laid His hand upon him and raised him up, and then called him into the heavenlies where he entered into the great worship scene before the throne of God.
"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory." Now and again we need to have our eyes lifted from the routines of our life and to look again at things from the perspective of eternity, to be reminded that we worship and serve a holy God before whom we can only confess our unworthiness - who loves us so much that He overwhelms us with His gracious presence.
Thank God for His gift of Epiphany moments!
Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee,
Casting down their golden crowns
around the crystal sea.
Cherubim and seraphim
falling down before thee,
Who wert and art,
and evermore shalt be.
(Reginald Heber)
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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 12/31
Actual Income $ 902,555 $ 846,549 $ 807,979
through 12/31
December's budget will be in the Jan. 15 issue of TMTWS.
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DATES FOR 2016
January 9
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Outreach Workshop
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Emmanuel Lutheran Church Bossier City, LA |
January 16
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Outreach Workshop
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Trinity Lutheran Church Monroe, LA |
January 30
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Outreach Workshop
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Bethany Lutheran Church Slidell, LA |
January 19-21, 2016
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Professional Church Workers' Conference
"Mosaic - Ministering in a Diverse Culture"
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The Mission Center Slidell, LA |
| January 22 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM |
Art Auction Benefit for Youth Ministry |
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church New Orleans, 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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| PROFESSIONAL CHURCHWORKERS' CONFERENCE Don't miss out on this opportunity to meet with your co-workers in Christ from throughout the Southern District! This three day conference provides for learning, fellowship, and spiritual growth and renewal. The conference is on January 19, 20, and 21 at the Southern District Mission Center in Slidell, LA. It's not too late to register for this unique opportunity! Contact the Southern District office if you have questions. |
| 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 |
| NEW TO THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT! The Southern District welcomes Pastor Chad M. Ingle as he becomes the new pastor at Prince of Peace - Ozark, AL on Saturday, Jan. 9. Pastor Ingle has previously served at Celebration Lutheran Church in Seymour, TN. We look forward to getting to know Pastor Ingle and his wife, Amy! |
 ART AUCTION
Friday, January 22, 2016
6:30pm-8:30pm
Location: Gloria Dei Fellowship Hall
2021 South Dupre Street
New Orleans, LA 70125
Original paintings on canvas created by local artists, including adults and children of the summer camp program
Adults only, please
Admission: $10 at the door
Wine and beer with purchase of $10 glass
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| ~ CALLED TO SERVE ~ Calls - Commissioned Zeal Beale -- St. Paul, New Orleans, LA -- Pending |
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Outreach Workshops
Scheduled on the following dates:
- January 9, Emmanuel - Bossier City, LA.
- January 16, Trinity - Monroe, LA.
- January 30, Bethany - Slidell, LA.
- Feb. 6, Good Shepherd - Gardendale, AL.
- Feb. 20, Jehovah - Pensacola, FL.
Workshop cost is $5 per person for lunch. All other materials are provided free of charge.
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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! |
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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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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WE LIFT UP IN PRAYER. . .
* Rev. James B. Marshall and family at the passing of wife Kate Marshall. Rev. James B. Marshall served on the Southern District BOD and serves on the Board of Regents for Concordia College Alabama. Services are pending.
* Rev. Kenneth Babin (St. John - New Orleans, LA) and family at the passing of his father.
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)
- Rev. Michael Shannon (Faith - Shreveport, 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 ~ 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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| UPDATE!! THERE WILL BE A CHANGE IN THE DATE AND CRUISE! MORE INFORMATION WILL BE COMING SOON!  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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