Leaving Pride Behind to be Healed
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President Kurtis D. Schultz |
"Go wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean." (2 Kings 5:10)
The story of Naaman is one of the Old Testament stories that prove that God is as interested in the "outsider" as much as in the "insider". Every now and again, God reminds His people of His love for all peoples by bringing people from outside the church who show us what is important in our own faith life. Naaman, a pagan soldier, was a general in the Syrian army. But his success and prominence could not prevent the disease of leprosy. Naaman was so important that he could march right into the presence of the king, looking for a cure for his sickness. He told the king of Syria that his wife's Jewish servant girl had told him of a prophet in Israel that could cure him. The king of Syria gave Naaman permission to travel to Israel to seek a cure.
When Naaman appeared before God's prophet, Elisha, he brought all manner of gifts to pay for his cure. But Elisha proved doubly offensive to Naaman. He didn't come out and make a fuss over him, and he sent a servant to tell him to wash seven times in the unimpressive Jordan River. At first Naaman was angry to be treated in such a manner, but one of his servants pleaded with him to try the proffered cure. Humbling himself, Naaman stooped and dipped his body in a muddy trickle in the middle of Israel, at the command of a prophet he had never seen. That's how it often is in the Kingdom of God. Those who stand stuck in the pride of who they are, or what they have accomplished or accumulated, or where they have been, will find God challenging them to put these things aside and to trust Him.
Even today, we want to serve God, not as ordinary soldiers (those who have no authority), but as generals (those who people should listen too). We want to be known for how much Christian or Doctrinal knowledge we have accumulated, or for moral superiority and pureness. We don't want to be associated with those whose lives and actions have been smudged by sin in one way or another.
There is nothing we can do but drop to our knees in repentance and receive the forgiveness of Jesus Christ. We need to leave our pride behind and obey God's simple command to be cleansed of our haughty attitude.
Grant me, O Lord, the wisdom to know your way, and the strength to follow. Amen
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OUR STEWARDSHIP OF HIS RESOURCES
District Mission Support Trends
2014 2015 2016
Total Budget
$1,100,000 $900,000 $ 900,000
Budgeted Income $458,333 $375,000
$ 375,000
through 5/31
Actual Income $ 368,254 $358,295 $ 340,380
through 5/31
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|  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. |
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DATES FOR 2016
| June 4 9AM-1PM |
Outreach Workshop
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Church of the Pines Waveland, MS |
| June 12 |
Installation of Rev. Dr. John D. Reynolds |
Trinity Lutheran Church Gadsden, AL |
| June 12 3 PM |
Ordination and Installation of Ival Toepke |
Faith Lutheran Church Madison, AL |
| June 19 |
Installation of Rev. Meredith Jackson |
Holy Cross Lutheran Church Camden, AL |
June 26
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Ordination and Installation of James D'Entremont |
Good Shepherd Lutheran Gulf Breeze, FL |
July 9-14
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66th Synod Convention Upon This Rock: Repent, Confess, Rejoice Matthew 16:18 |
Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
July 17
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Installation of Rev. Logan Landes |
Grace Lutheran Church Destin, FL |
October 17-18
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Southern District Newcomers' Orientation
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Mission Center Slidell, LA |
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| IN TRANSITION: CALLING CONGREGATIONS 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 |
| ~MILESTONE ANNIVERSARIES~ Celebrating the Ministry of Pastor and People
Anniversaries of Ordination
45th ~ Rev. Bruce Hanson - Emeritus, Mobile, AL
45th ~ Rev. Stephen Koenig - Emeritus, Clinton, MS
20th ~ Rev. James Endrihs - Christ the King, Enterprise, AL
15th ~ USF Rev. Patrick Poock - Eglin Air Force Base
10th ~ Rev. Douglas Davis - Messiah, Prattville, AL
10th ~ Rev. R. Thomas Wright - Candidate, Meigs, GA
5th ~ Rev. Jonathan Kern - St. James, Gonzales, LA
5th ~ Rev. Steven Mazzaferro - Ascension, Marianna, FL
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NEW OPPORTUNITY!!
for the Junior Youth Gatherings of the Southern District. This year there will be only ONE gathering in a central location.
November 11-13 @ Twin Lakes Camp and Conference Center
Registration will open September 5th.
Presenter will be the Rev. Tim Schutt.
Mark your calendars and begin to prepare for registration. Information will be continually updated on the Southern District website and through publications.
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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.
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LAITY ARE WELCOME! CONTACT PASTOR TIM SCHUTT AT pastor@alcs.org FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE WORKSHOP, HOTEL AND RESTAURANT INFORMATION. |
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Outreach Workshops
Scheduled on the following dates:
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.
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~ CALLED TO SERVE ~
Rev. Jerry McNamara - Ascension, Daphne, AL - Declined
Rev. George Borghardt - Immanuel, Bossier City, LA - Declined
Rev. Andrew Abraham - Lamb of God, Slidell, LA - Declined
Rev. Blair Clark - Trinity, Summerfield, FL - Pending
Rev. John D. Reynolds - Trinity, Gadsden, AL - Accepted
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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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WE LIFT UP IN PRAYER. . .
The family of Rev. Stephen Sanderson (Emeritus - Pagosa Springs, CO) as he was called home to the Lord on May 22, 2016. Pastor Sanderson served at Trinity - Hanceville, AL from 1981-1986. Left to mourn his passing are wife Parma, 3 children, and 6 grandchildren. Funeral services will be at Our Savior - Pagosa Springs, CO on May 27 with interment at Trinity - Hanceville, AL.
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. 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)
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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. Also, please note that the deadline for nominating someone for the Christus in Mundo Award has been extended to June 1. As you know, the awards -- two each from the ELCA and the LCMS -- will be given to the honorees at the Zion XVI banquet. ELCA colleagues are asked to contact the Rev. John Schumacher at jesjms@att.net for a nomination form. LCMS folks can download the Christus in Mundo form. In Christ, Rev. Joel Hempel Interim director, LCMS Specialized Pastoral Ministry lcms.org/spm |
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.
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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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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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