Called to Glory

Rev. Elmer Lee Riffel (Emeritus) went home to Jesus on May 16. After graduating from Concordia Theological Seminary in 1970, he moved to Newnan, GA, to lead his first congregation at Zion Lutheran. From there, he moved to Tampa to pastor at St. John's Lutheran. After 27 years preaching, he "retired" to fill vacancies at other area churches and work as a weekend chaplain with Lifepath Hospice. Read more here about his life.

Friends are invited to his memorial service at Messiah Lutheran, Tampa, FL, on May 24 at 10:30 am, followed by a lunch reception. Pastors attending his memorial are asked to bring vestments with white stole for the processional.

Prayers

Pam Arndt, the wife of Rev. Dick Arndt, (Emeritus) is hospitalized and undergoing tests to determine what is preventing the use of her legs. Please pray for the medical team taking care of her, for their family and for Pam and Dick.

Rev. Larry Townsend (Emeritus) is undergoing biopsies and evaluation for a possible recurrence of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Please pray that the Lord's will be done, as it appears to have been caught early.

Please pray for Joan Koch, the wife of Rev. Alan Koch (Emeritus), as she recovers at home from successful rotator cuff surgery.

Prayers of thanksgiving for Rev. Robert Steinke (Our Savior, Zephyrhills, FL) for healing and rapid recuperation after a hospitalization for atrial fibrillation.

Rev. Gary Bowman (Trinity, Albany, GA) is now home recovering after being hospitalized for pneumonia. Please pray for his continued healing.

Please pray for Rev. Dr. Henry Baum (Emeritus). He is suffering from constant asthma and heart events and will undergo a cardiac surgical intervention.

Deaconess Yolima Cobos (Messiah, Tampa, FL, and Hope, Plant City, FL) is recovering from a recent heart event. Please pray for her recovery.

Please pray for Roy Heflin (DCE Emeritus) as he recovers from a successful kidney transplant surgery on April 22. Please visit Roy's Caring Bridge site often to stay updated and share messages of encouragement and support.

Join together in prayer as we prepare to gather for worship, study, and celebration, focusing on the mission of Christ at the FLGA District Convention in June. May the undeserved grace of God, through Christ, that we receive daily, compel us to share this same message with urgency and joy! Please pray over the convention preparations, delegates, overtures, and those nominated for leadership.

For those serving in our Armed Services, particularly those in active war zones such as the Middle East/Mediterranean, South China Sea, and elsewhere. The extended tours of duty, staffing shortages, and dangerous, stress-filled environments impact many of our men and women. Pray for their safety, well-being, mental and spiritual health, and peace.

How can we pray for you?

Submit a prayer request so our office and others in the District, if you choose, can lift your need or thanksgiving to our loving Father.

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A Call for Prayer: Nominees to serve the FLGA District, LCMS

Please keep the nominees and the process in your prayers as we quickly approach the time for elections at the 35th Regular Convention. We seek wisdom and discernment for the delegates; we give thanks for those on the ballot, and we ask for protection for all nominees and attendees. May the Holy Spirit guide, direct, strengthen, and enlighten, so that "what is good and acceptable and perfect" is the outcome. Click here for the full list of nominees.

Convention Attendees Needed for Choir

The Florida-Georgia District, LCMS, invites convention attendees to join the choir from Grace Lutheran Church in Winter Haven to sing for the concluding worship service on Saturday, June 7.

The choir will rehearse on Friday, June 6, after convention business has concluded for the day at 5:30 pm. Music will be provided at the rehearsal, but those interested in singing with the choir are encouraged to listen to the piece, "The Wind Blows Where It Wills," ahead of time here.

Please contact Thomas Schulteis or Jacob Ferns with any questions.

May is mental health awareness month, and Lutheran Counseling Services provides information and resources to church workers, especially as the school year comes to an end. Click here for more details!

Transformation Tuesday

May 27: The Florida-Georgia District Culture of Disciple-Making

Join Peter Meier, FLGA District Executive Director of Missions and Outreach, for Transformation Tuesdays, a Zoom call for a mission conversation. The Transformation Tuesday discussions take place on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month at 11:00 a.m.

May 27 | The Florida-Georgia District Culture of Disciple-Making: We envision our FLGA Congregations aligned around the God-given culture of disciple-making. Where do we begin? How do you define a “disciple?” How is your congregation making them, and how can we make more? Join the disciple-making conversation, learning, and story-sharing.

Would you like to join the conversation? All are invited! Please click here to get your Zoom link.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE—FLGA District Event—May 30

JOIN IN THE FUN at the LCMS Gathering FLGA District Event!

The FLGA District Event at the 2025 LCMS Youth Gathering will be on Monday, July 21, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. It will begin at the Joy Theater with food, beverages, and music. The goal is to mix and mingle. This is an opportunity for you and your group to meet with other youth leaders and youth from all over Florida and Georgia!

A little after 7 pm, attendees will join the Second Line to the Dome. The goal is to arrive at the Dome as the doors open for the Mass Event. It's about a 15-minute walk from the theater to the Superdome.

Contact Cindy Hammerstrom or Bethany Nummela-Hanel for more details!

Summer Seminar Invite

Explore the lifetime of famed theologian St. Augustine of Hippo and dive deeper into his principal writings. Dr. Carl Beckwith will lead this seminar from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, at Christ Our Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church in sunny Saint Augustine (21 Milton Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084) from June 17th-19th.

Space is limited! Register today! Contact LeeAnna Rondot by email or call her at (260) 452-2204 with any questions.

Upcoming

District Events

75th Anniversary Capital Campaign

2025 FLGA District Convention

2025 LCMS Youth Gathering

Events Around the District

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