Encourage Newsletter - May 17, 2018
A weekly message of encouragement from President Lee Hagan.
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“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11
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Encourage Newsletter
Rev. Dr. R. Lee Hagan
Fear, Wisdom and Teaching the Faith
“Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.” Psalm 34:11
One of the responsibilities of Lutheran school teachers is to teach children to fear. This is not the horror movie kind of fear or the teacher who spanks students with a paddle kind of fear. King David recognized that his role as king included the responsibility to teach the people of God. A frequent refrain found throughout wisdom literature is “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” One of the great benefits of our Lutheran schools is children are taught that the First Commandment means that we fear God above all things. As children in our schools learn how God’s creation works, they see His handiwork in the stars and the sky and the design and order that He has ordained. It is a fearful thing to think that God created all things in the heavens above, throughout the earth and each individual whom He formed in His own image. This fear of God includes a reverence and awe before the God who created and sustains all things.
The beginning point for all knowledge is the recognition that Christ holds all things together in heaven and on earth and that we are merely the dust of the earth. Holy fear before God means the understanding that we do not have all the answers. In a world of science and math, of theories and equations, the most important thing that students can learn is that we are not all-knowing, but God is. As the school year comes to a close and students prepare to transition to a new grade or school or season of life, our hope and prayer is that all of the wisdom they have gained will flow from the faith in and fear of our omniscient God.
It is good for us to give thanks to God for all who serve as teachers in our Lutheran schools and their faithful service over this school year that now draws to a close. Our prayer is no matter what the subject or the grade level, that they will teach children the fear of the Lord so they know that God is the creator and sustainer of all things. True wisdom begins not with lots of answers, but with the recognition of who the triune God is and that we fear, love and trust in Him above all things. May parents and pastors, Lutheran school teachers and all who instruct children help them to learn the fear of the Lord!
Prayer – Almighty God, our heavenly Father, even as You have committed the care and nurture of children to Your people, graciously enlighten those who teach and those who are committed to their instruction that they may know your eternal truth and trust in You all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Fraternally in Christ,
President Lee Hagan
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Congregation Offering for Convention May 20
Under the banner of “Faithful Witnesses” (Isaiah 44:8), we’ll soon gather as a district in convention for the twentieth time to celebrate all that God has done among us and ask His blessing and guidance as we plan for the future. We look forward to gathering with pastors and congregation members from across the state June 10-12 at the Holiday Inn Executive Center in Columbia.
A highlight of the Missouri District Convention will be the opening worship service with Holy Communion on Sunday, June 10. We invite all congregations to participate in the special offering that will be held in connection with this worship service. It’s an opportunity to invest in the work God has called us to do and to encourage one another as “Faithful Witnesses.”
Fifty percent of the convention offering will go to support Synod’s full-time, career missionaries from Missouri:
• Rev. Jonathan and Anita Clausing, Kenya
• Rev. Micah and Deaconess Dorothy Glenn, Ferguson, MO
• Josh and Coco Lange, Shanghai
• Erin Mackenzie, Dominican Republic
• Rev. Duane and Elizabeth Meissner, Belize
• Rev. Gary and Stephanie Schulte, Burkina Faso
• Rev. Micah and Robin Wildauer, Togo
The remaining fifty percent will support the Plus One Initiative. One third of congregations within our district have committed to reaching out to their communities in one new way. Funds collected will support the coaching and implementation of these new Gospel-sharing ventures.
Sunday, May 20, is the day we’re encouraging congregations to collect an offering from members and remember the upcoming convention in prayer. If you would like to participate, you may have your pastoral or lay delegate bring your congregation's offering to the convention worship service.
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A Message from President Hagan About the Proposed District Restructure
Click the image below for a video message from District President Rev. Dr. Lee Hagan about the proposed district restructure that will be discussed and voted on at the convention.
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Volunteers Needed for LEA Convocation
The Missouri District is looking for volunteers to help out at the Lutheran Educators' Association (LEA) Convocation October 10-12 at the Americas Center in St. Louis.
Volunteers will be needed to welcome and direct participants, run errands and assist with registration and hospitality. This is the perfect opportunity for retirees, especially retired educators, so that current educators can attend events rather than serve in volunteer roles.
There are many opportunities available, so everyone is sure to find a fit for their skills, talents and desire. Whether you can be there for a few hours, half a day, or multiple days, we'd love to have your help.
If interested, please send an email with your name, phone number, email address and availability to Alan Freeman at alan.freeman@mo.lcms.org.
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Southwest Missouri Lutheran Night with the Springfield Cardinals
June 1
Southwest Missouri folks, don't miss this chance to cheer on the Springfield Cardinals with your fellow Lutherans.
June 1 – Game time: 7:10 pm – Gates open: 6:10 pm
Tickets are only $15 and include the following:
- Reserved field box seat
- Voucher for a FREE Springfield Cardinals hat
- Cardinals/Lutheran red t-shirt
- Post-game fireworks
- Groups of 20+ have church name listed on back of t-shirt
Deadline for orders and t-shirt sizes is May 10th. Order today by contacting Teresa Calhoun at 417-832-3031 or tcalhoun@cardinals.com. T-shirts are available in sizes youth small - adult XXXL. ($2 more for XXL & XXXL)
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Plus One Participation Forms
Many congregations are turning their attention to our community outreach effort, the Plus One Initiative. Congregations are encouraged to complete a Plus One participation form and either mail it to the district office or email it to
plusone@mo.lcms.org. If you want additional information about Plus One or a copy of the Plus One participation form, go to
http://mo.lcms.org/plus-one/.
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