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President Kurtis D. Schultz |
The Breath of Life
"And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and filled all the house where they were sitting." Acts 2:2
Scientists tell us that most of us take a breath at least twenty thousand times per day. It is an understatement to say that this is a great deal of activity. Yet, when was the last time you noticed yourself breathing? (I know, probably as soon as you read this question!) Breathing itself is a primal act which we usually take quite for granted. The experience, or even the thought, of not being able to breath can fill us with fear and panic, for we know it means certain death - "When thou takest away their breath they die and return to their dust" (Ps 104:29). The account of our beginnings in the book of Genesis depicts God, as if bent over His newly formed clay creation, as He "breathed into his nostrils the breath of life" (Gen. 2:7). At that moment, "man became a living being." The breath of God is the spring of our life, yet its very quietness and subtlety can delude us into thinking that we are independent and self-sufficient, unless something comes along to remind us again of our life's source.
The day of Pentecost is celebrated by the church as the climax to the entire Easter season, the fiftieth day, the perfect fulfillment of God's promise (7x7+1), which Tertullian called laetissimum spatium, "a most delightful time." And Easter is the story of our salvation through Jesus Christ, the hope of our own resurrection, the pledge of our inheritance of new and eternal life, even as the Son of God "breathed His last" (Luke 23:46). It is perhaps no surprise, then, that one of the signs of the Holy Spirit's presence among Jesus' disciples on that day of Pentecost was the sudden blowing of a "mighty wind." Contained within a single room, such a squall must have caused a thrilling frenzy of sound and sight!
Here is the genesis of the newly born Body of Christ, a new beginning for the people of God. By this storm, the Spirit comes to resuscitate a dying world. Into the lungs of the infant church, God is breathing His breath of life. The image of that event is a vivid and vibrant reminder throughout the generations that only God can give life, and that, when He does, wonderful things begin to happen. For the Spirit still comes, breathing, moving, and blowing wherever He will (John 3:8). Is there any better day than the day of Pentecost to ask that He breathe afresh in us?
Come Holy Spirit, by whose breath, Life rises vibrant out of death;
Come to create, renew, inspire; Come, kindle in our hearts your fire.
(Veni Creator Spiritus)
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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 $275,000 $225,000
$ 225,000
through 3/31
Actual Income $ 235,078 $ 199,619 $ 178,295
through 3/31
Figures through 4/30/16 will be available in the May 15 issue of TMTWS.
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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
| May 1 4:00 PM |
Installation of Rev. Bryan Jones |
Grace Lutheran Church Many, LA |
| May 19-21 |
Heartland DCE Conference |
Concordia University, Nebraska |
| June 4 9AM-1PM |
Outreach Workshop |
Church of the Pines Waveland, MS |
July 9-14
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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 |
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NEW TO THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT
The Southern District welcomes Rev. Bryan Jones who will be installed as Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church - Many, LA on May 1. Pastor Jones comes to Grace from Christ Lutheran Church in Wathena, KS. Welcome, Pastor Jones! |
We're only a few weeks away from
GiveNOLA Day, an opportunity to support hundreds of nonprofits across our community! Camp Restore is one of the nonprofits that benefits from GiveNOLA!
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| PASTORAL LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE A Pastoral Leadership Institute workshop was sponsored by the Southern District and held at Open Arms (Bethany) Lutheran Church in Slidell, LA on April 12-15, 2016. Southern District's MMF, Rev. Eric Johnson, facilitated the event which had a total of 53 attendees, 31 of whom were Southern District pastors and wives. PLI offers an opportunity to be renewed and refreshed for both pastors and their wives! 
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| LWML LOUISIANA-MISSISSIPPI DISTRICT CONVENTION The women of the LWML Louisiana-Mississippi District convened in Houma, LA, for their 38th biennial convention on April 22-24. They met under the theme of "Bountiful - Sow, Nourish, Reap." Convention participants engaged in a service event of making fleece tied blankets, worship and Bible study based on the convention theme, business sessions, and fellowship. The ladies also shared gifts from their hearts - fabric kits and food.
The LA/MS District was honored to have President Patti Ross as their special guest and representative from the National Executive Board.
Convention business included adopting a $55,000.00 mission grant goal for the 2016-2017 biennium, as well as adopting seven mission grants to receive funding. Delegates also elected new members to the LA/MS District Executive Board: Anita Granger (President); Linda Turner (Vice President of Mission Grants); Rita Salathe (Vice President of Christian Life); Gilda Dominigue (Secretary); Andrea Ferguson, Laura Lips, and Delores Stringfellow (Nominating Committee).
A banquet on Saturday evening featured music by the choir from Concordia College Alabama. These fine musicians shared their amazing God-given gifts during an uplifting performance.
The convention was an inspiring and uplifting weekend, whereby attendees were refreshed and renewed for service to Christ.
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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. Matthew Troester - Trinity, Gadsden, AL - Declined
Rev. Jerry McNamara - Ascension, Daphne, AL - Pending
Rev. George Borghardt - Immanuel, Bossier City, LA - 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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Teens Reaching Teens in the Digital Age
This is the group of Southern District kids that attended the Teen Leadership Institute, hosted by the Board of Youth Ministry in St. Louis, March 17-20.
The training was "Teens Reaching Teens in the Digital Age".
Congregations represented are: St. Paul - Montgomery, AL, Grace - Pensacola, FL, Trinity - Dothan, AL, Trinity - Meridian, MS, and Our Redeemer - Clinton, MS.
These teens are trained and prepared to lead your youth groups through the workshop! Contact DCE Cindy Namanny for more information.
dce@orlcms.org or 601-924-9999
Back row Left: Mary Hanzes, Caroline Huxsoll, Jordan Arnold, Cindy Namanny, James Kocsis, Claire Dixon,
Middle row: Rachel Arnold, Katie Henze, Noah Boudreau
Front Row: Katie Krause, Emily Johnson, Allison Topicek, Allie Milner, Cooper Bankston
Floor: Steve Richardson
Missing: Jake Otto and Parker Reetz
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WE LIFT UP IN PRAYER. . .
The family of Rev. Karl Hollibaugh (Lamb of God - Slidell, LA) as his mother Rosemary Hollibaugh was called to her heavenly home on April 20. Arrangements 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. 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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| EARLY CHILDHOOD CONFERENCE The 40th Annual Early Childhood Conference will be held at Concordia University Chicago on Friday, August 5, 2016, from 8 AM to 3:30 PM. The conference is co-sponsored by CUC College of Education and the College of Graduate and Innovative Programs/Division of Innovation & Outreach. For the most up-to-date information, visit CUChicago.edu/ecc. PLEASE SHARE THIS INFO WITH YOUR SCHOOLS/EDUCATORS! |
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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