in touch - Michigan In Touch Online

michigan NOVEMBER 2013

A publication of the Michigan District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod The Lutheran Witness Michigan District, LCMS Supplement

IN TOUCH

FROM THE PRESIDENT ©iStockphoto.com/ahkim

He Spared Not His Own Son “Our confidence in prayer comes not I by Rev. Dr. David P. E. Maier

am not talking about navel gazing here, but, every now and then, I find it important to ask myself, “How does God think and feel about me?” If you’ve ever had the thought or felt that you are so insignificant that God does not care about you or that He does not want to listen to your prayers, it is a most disheartening moment. At that moment I believe the old evil foe is trying his hardest to discourage. Discouragement is one of his greatest tools.

A Father’s Love

Romans 8:32 is a verse that I run to whenever I have been assailed by such thoughts or feelings. It is almost impossible not to be encouraged and challenged by these words: “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him

michigan

Official Periodical of the Michigan District of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod November 2013, Volume 12. No. 6 IN TOUCH ISSN: 1538-8115

Rev. Dr. David P. E. Maier, President Debby Fall, Editorial Manager

Jenna Szpara, Art Director Seth Hinz, Web/Media Director

©2013 Michigan District, LCMS, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan In Touch is published monthly by the Michigan District and inserted into The Lutheran Witness and distributed to subscribers 11 times a year. It is also available online at www.michigandistrict.org/mit. Reproduction of articles is permissible with written permission of the Michigan District Communications Department and should give credit to Michigan In Touch. References to resources and websites for further information are included in Michigan In Touch for the potential use by individuals and congregations. Resources not associated with or published by The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod or Concordia Publishing House® may contain helpful programmatic information but may vary in doctrine from The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. Please use discretion or consult your pastor on doctrinal issues.

Michigan District, LCMS 3773 Geddes Rd Ann Arbor, MI 48105

888.225.2111 [email protected] www.michigandistrict.org

from who we are but from Who He is.” also freely give us all things?” (KJV). Here the Holy Spirit gives inspired assurance that our heavenly Father loves us unconditionally. There was nothing so precious to Him that He would not give it in order to provide for our salvation ... even His only Son Jesus. When the Father gave His precious Son to live, to die, to rise again to procure our salvation, He forever demonstrated the boundless nature of His love for all humanity … for you, for me. The apostle Paul concluded that if God would not spare His own Son in order to provide for our salvation, how continued on page 3

Table of Contents 1 3 4 8 10 10 12 12 13 16 16

From the President New Media Great Commission Ministry Healthy Church Workers Healthy Congregations Congregation News School News Special Recognition LLL/LWML Calls and Roster Update Calendar of Events www.michiganintouch.com

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Invest by

Example

Follow in their footsteps and see rewards for the future. Your Church is your foundation, the cornerstone of all you are and all you believe. With the generous support of your parents and theirs, it has served as a beacon of hope and help — guiding you along a faith-based path grounded in Christian values that continues to shape who you are and who you strive to become in all facets of your life. Generations before you have laid the groundwork for tomorrow. Now is the time for you to step forward and continue this tradition as you invest by their example. By investing in CEF financial products, you help fund and nurture ministry growth across Michigan. You also enjoy competitive rates of return as well as the satisfaction of knowing you are contributing to — and building on — your Church and your faith. To learn how your investment in CEF can benefit your family and your Church, call 800-242-3944 or visit us at www.mi-cef.org And see rewards for the future.

WHY CEF? PROVEN investment products, measurable results DEDICATED Christian financial management since 1901 FOCUSED on funding the needs of Michigan District congregations

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Church Extension Fund • Michigan District of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod 3773 Geddes Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105-3098 • www.mi-cef.org Offices: 800-242-3944 • Interest rates anytime: 800-232-7313

FROM THE PRESIDENT continued from page 1

would He not willingly then give anything else at His disposal in order to care for us? He sacrificed so much to give us eternal life that we can rest secure in the knowledge that He also wants to give us abundant life … or as Jesus says in John 10:10: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (NIV).

We are reminded that God’s response to our prayers is not based upon our worthiness but upon His love and grace and the completed work of redemption. Approach God’s Throne

In light of what God did for us at the cross, the writer of Hebrews also challenges us to consider how we can and should now approach God’s throne of grace: should it not be with great confidence? (Hebrews 4:16). Should we not approach God with an expectancy that, having already been given the greatest gift – His Son, Jesus – we will find an abundance of mercy and grace to help us in our time of need? We are reminded that God’s response to our prayers is not based upon our worthiness, but upon His love and grace and the completed work of redemption. Our confidence in prayer comes not from who we are, but from Who He is. Nothing we could ask of Him could ever compare with the price that was paid for us at the cross. But please ask! Please come to God’s throne in prayer! How wonderful to know that God loves us so much! We can live with confidence and anticipation knowing that the almighty, all-loving God is willing, not only to give us eternal life, but also to help us experience it fully even now!

Living in expectancy with you,

Pastor David Maier

New Media

3 Ways to Use Social Media to Promote Your Church

by Seth Hinz

Searching for Food

A few weeks ago, I went online to find a place to take my family to eat. We knew we wanted seafood, and we wanted to try a new place. So I Googled: “Seafood Restaurants in Ann Arbor.” I zoomed into the map to approximately where we would visit and found three places that fit our criteria all within a block of each other. With three choices in front of me, can you guess how I decided? REVIEWS If you guessed “threw a 4.4 dart at the screen,” you’re 4.0 wrong. I went by reviews. One of the restaurants 3.2 had a 4.4 out of 5 rating! The other two? There was a 4.0 and a 3.2. I can safely tell you, I will never visit the 3.2 rated restaurant. There’s too much room for error in seafood to risk that.

What Does That Have to Do With Churches?

Let’s be honest, we are relatively enlightened, we read books, we even turn on classical radio once in a while; but we simply cannot fathom the infinite ways that the Spirit can work in people’s lives and drive them to seek out a Christian community. This isn’t, however, an article about outreach; it’s an article about building a bridge to your LCMS congregation. There are 125 million unchurched Americans, meaning they haven’t had an interaction with a church within the last six months.1 Again, the Spirit will work, and a percentage of these unchurched will seek out a local church. Let’s make sure our church community can be found.

How You Can Promote Your Church

1. Write a Review Ninety percent of people trust online recommendations from people they know. Seventy percent trust opinions of unknown users. Only 14 percent trust traditional TV advertisements.2 Translate this to “Googling” for churches in your area. If an unchurched individual seeks out a local church on Google or Bing, what listings are going to stick out? Yep, the ones with the highest ratings – especially if there are 10 or more great reviews. The more positive feedback for your congregation online, the better a potential visitor will feel about a potential visit. continued on page 14 www.michiganintouch.com

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GREAT COMMISSION MINISTRY

Notes from the Edge of the World

by Matthew Heise

“Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved” (Romans 10:1 NIV).

Reaching out to the Chosen People

I

t was delightfully ironic that I was teaching on the book Romans at the Theological Institute of the Evangelical Church of Ingria on the outskirts of St. Petersburg in Russia. St. Paul’s words from Romans 9-11 resonated loud and clear as I prepared the sermon for my student, Boris Chuprov’s, Russian Jewish Lutheran congregation. On the day that Boris asked me to preach the sermon, he was busy preparing a post-service seminar entitled, “Images of Christ in the Old Testament.” It is always important to express the continuity between the Old and New Testaments to our Jewish friends. Some of those in his congregation have literally just come out of synagogues, and so preserving the “Jewishness” of our faith is important, while of course, leading them on to the understanding that ALL of the Old Testament ultimately points to Jesus Christ as its fulfillment.

Boris’ Story: Faith Amidst Trials

Boris is on leave from the seminary due to the birth of his son, Athanasius, and to the ongoing struggle of living with HIV/AIDS. Boris acquired AIDS from a dirty needle, the culmination of a frightful journey that began with the emotional scars born out of military service in Chechnya. Boris took drugs, first orally and then intrave-

nously, in order to dispel the images of war and destruction in his mind. Thank the Lord, Boris was welcomed back home and given spiritual care by the loving congregation of St. Michael’s, the Lutheran church of his youth. His health is improving and he plans to return to his classes, finishing coursework towards graduating in January 2014. Boris, like Paul, has some Jewish background and yearns for the salvation of God’s chosen people. As for me, it is my privilege to serve the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ingria, a church committed to bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all people, Jew and Gentile alike.

My Story: Russian Missions

I serve as a theological educator to Russia and other former Soviet republics, such as Georgia, where I reside, and other countries throughout Eurasia. I teach at the seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ingria in Koltushi, 10 kilometers east of St. Petersburg. I also conduct theological seminars throughout Russia, identifying future students for the ministry. In Georgia, I support the work of Georgian evangelists as they reach out with the Gospel to others around them, lead Bible studies, and work towards planting churches. I have had a fascination with Russia for a long time, being the grandson of Russian-German immigrants. Before studying for the pastoral ministry, I served as a missionary in Moscow from 1994 to 1996, where I taught English-as-a-SecondLanguage (ESL) classes and was the ESL coordinator.

Russia’s Story: Past Persecution, Future Freedom

In Koltushi, Lutheranism dates back to the 1620s, a time when the Pilgrims were just coming to America. The Lutheran faith was brought to Russian originally by Germans who were invited by Czar Ivan the Terrible, thus there were Lutheran churches in Russia some 20 years after Martin Luther’s death in 1546. In the succeeding centuries, the church grew until it was the second largest Christian church body in all of Russia, second only to the state-supported Orthodox Church. All of that 4

Boris, LCMS Russian Seminary Student November 2013

continued on page 14

The Miracle of Faith Times Two

I

n his home country, at the young age of 10, “Mike” had become a non-practicing Muslim. His decision to no longer internalize the beliefs of Islam was the result of not liking Islam and also not believing the religion in his heart. Outwardly, he was Muslim, but in his heart, he was not. At the time, however, there was no one who could explain to him the truth of Jesus. Through the years, Mike had been prepared to hear the message of Christ’s salvation. He had been around some Christians, and because of those experiences he had been moved by the character of the believers. However, because of the laws against conversion and proselytizing, no one clearly shared the Gospel with him.

Taking a Risk

As an adult, Mike immigrated to the Unites States. One of the things he carried on the plane during his 14-hour journey from the Middle East was a picture of Jesus. Even as a Muslim refugee, he was taking a risk of hiding the picture of Christ in his luggage. Had Muslim authorities found it, this story might have a very different ending. After only being in this country for one month, Mike was befriended by Karim Musa, a People of the Book Lutheran Outreach (POBLO) missionary. Musa explains, “He was ready to believe in Jesus. I gave him a Bible and explained Christ clearly. He is now 60 years old, but he had been waiting for this moment since he was 10.”

Confession of Faith

Some days later, at the POBLO office, Mike confessed his faith in Jesus Christ, and Musa and the POBLO staff prayed God’s blessing on his new walk.

Rev. Dr. Gary Rohwer

How did Mike meet Musa and the rest of the POBLO staff? It came down to a quarter-page flyer advertising POBLO’s Ethnic Support Center. One of the Muslim students who attended the English-as-a-Second-Language class at POBLO was Mike’s neighbor, and she passed the flyer on to him. With that small impetus, Mike came, met Musa, and the rest is history. Clearly, God had been working in this man’s life for many years to bring him to the point where he was willing to publicly confess faith in Christ. Please keep Mike and Missionary Karim Musa in your prayers as God continues to work miracles in the lives of His people. Rev. Dr. Gary E. Rohwer serves as pastor of Atonement, Dearborn and is the Director of Missions for POBLO.

Dreams Play Part in Iraqi Woman’s Faith

©iStockphoto.com/grafikeray

He Waited 50 Years

©iStockphoto.com/Dead_Morozzzka ©iStockphoto.com/nexusseven

Two inspirational stories of People of the Book Lutheran Outreach (POBLO) touching the lives of Muslims with Christ’s Love.

W

e often hear about Muslim people having spiritual dreams which lead them to the truth about Jesus Christ. This was the case with “Marsha” whom I had met at an English class in Dearborn. Her teacher, Jeff, identified that she might be receptive to the Gospel. Marsha was all alone in this country, unmarried, and also appeared to be emotionally needy. I invited her to the POBLO office on a day I knew missionary Karim Musa would be there. Musa speaks Arabic, and is from Iraq, just like Marsha. She accepted my invitation.

An Open Mind

Later in the week, Musa met with Marsha, and, upon greeting her, discerned she had an “open mind” and began to speak about the peace we have with God through Messiah (the name Muslims know Jesus by). She was clearly continued on page 14 www.michiganintouch.com

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Spreading the Gospel with the Latest Technology I

by Kristen Collier

This is a huge opportunity to introduce potentially millions to the truth of the Gospel as taught by the Lutheran church.

f you knew you could reach the entire world for Christ on television, would you do so? Streaming television, also called online television, is quickly becoming a preferred avenue for watching television. It is also a favorite for religious programming. In February 2013, there were roughly 700 channels on the largest growing platform; fifty channels were religious, though none were Lutheran or strictly devoted to children’s programming.

Sometimes you have to do Things Yourself

My husband, Kevin, an artist/ author, and I, an author who also worked in marketing, had been involved with cable television for several years. We prayed that the Lord would open a door for someone to start a Christian children’s television station, and then we started talking about creating a channel ourselves since there were no religious stations devoted to children. When we discovered how easy it was, we created Christ Clubhouse Channel. Our living room in our tiny apartment became our “studio,” and the church, at which I am now secretary, St. Matthew, Spring Lake, as well as parks and other local sites, became our “sets.” Our top priority is spreading the truth of Scripture as espoused in the Lutheran Confessions. The Christ Clubhouse Channel (http://christclubhouse.blogspot.com) provides children with the building blocks for a Christ-centered life. The Lutheran Youth Network (http://vimeo.com/lutheranyouthtv) is designed to be a visual teach-

Kevin Collier authors/illustrates content for Christ Clubhouse Channel and Lutheran Youth Network.

ing aid and for entertainment purposes while reaching the world for Christ. All shows can be downloaded free. Churches, schools, and homeschooling parents can use the shows as visual supplements in lesson planning. Kevin’s Martin Luther animation also aids in memorization of catechism elements such as the 10 Commandments, Lord’s Prayer petitions, and others.

TV for Christian Kids

Appropriate TV viewing is a crucial topic for Christian parents, because so much of what is on mainstream TV is subtly subversive. I have learned through working in marketing that everything you see on TV is deliberate. Every image you see is designed for a purpose, and most of it goes against God. The devil is crafty and he gradually, over time uses such media to influence children negatively. Seeking God’s wisdom, parents need to discuss these subversive topics with their children. One station that hosts our content is Ameba TV (www.amebatv.com). Our shows are found in Ameba’s Christian category, which is its largest growing category. Since Ameba’s recent debut on Xbox, our shows have the potential to reach 77 million households for the Lord.

Spiritual Warfare

We do not view this ministry as just creating innocuous children’s videos. We are engaged in spiritual warfare and became keenly aware of this on our last shoot. We took our cow puppet to a historical train to shoot a joke segment and right where Kevin was going to set up the camera he noticed a satanic continued on page 15

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November 2013

Cache-ing For Christ I

t’s called Geocaching. It’s been around for a decade and is becoming more and more mainstream as over two million caches have been planted worldwide with millions of people participating in this hi-tech, outdoor treasure hunt.

What is Geocaching?

Geocaching combines the best of being outdoors, utilizing technology, participating in social media, and playing hide and seek … all in one family-friendly activity. According to the official website (www.geocaching.com) “Geocaching is a free, real-world, outdoor treasure hunt” wherein players try to locate hidden containers called geocaches using a Smartphone or GPS device and then share the experiences of their find online. Caches come in all sizes from large ammunition boxes to tiny biological vials. Most contain a scroll or small note book on which you can log your name and the date you discovered the cache. Many contain inexpensive collector coins, small toys, or local trinkets that embody the characteristic of the surrounding area. The idea is that if you take something from a cache you then should leave something behind for the next person to discover.

Christian Outreach with Geocaching

When I got hooked a few years ago on geocaching with my children, I knew there would come a time and place when we would figure out how to combine Christian outreach with Geocaching. That day arrived this past summer. During Sunday morning worship, I invited our congregation to write down Bible verses that were meaningful or inspirational

by Bradley Hubbard

to them. Then, our members came forward, read their verse to the congregation, and shared what the passage meant to them. After that, they placed the verse card in a special, water proof container. We named the cache “All Things Possible.” After the service, I placed a notecard and small pen in the container instructing those who would discover this cache to log their name, take a Bible verse card, and consider saying a prayer thanking God for His creation, the enjoyment of the find, and anything else that might come to their heart or mind. I went to a nearby park to hide the container, and then submitted the cache online. Since the policies for placing a cache indicate that Geocaching is not the place to solicit for products or services, we did not list our church’s name or advertise our worship service times. To date, the cache has been found by 25 people and all report positive experiences with their discovery. A few even left comments on the cache’s online log thanking us for sharing God’s Word with them and said that it was just what they needed. Whether your church hides a cache and utilizes it to share the love of God in Jesus with others, or you go out Geocaching with your family or friends; it is an excellent and inexpensive way to enjoy God’s creation, spend significant time with special people in your life, and utilize a little technology and strategy in a challenging way! Rev. Brad Hubbard is the lead pastor of St. Mark Lutheran Church in Battle Creek.

“Thanks for the words of inspiration and what a beautiful spot for a cache and a family gathering.” - Comment from “All Things Possible” Log

www.michiganintouch.com

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HEALTHY CHURCH WORKERS

In Other News

The Discipline of Fasting to Feast on Christ I

by Rev. Steven E. Newberg

Don’t Like to Fast. I’d tried it half-heartedly once or twice before, but when asked for an article on fasting, I got serious. Six weeks later, I still don’t like it.

The Plan

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE the idea of fasting. As I did some research to prepare, it just looked better and better. I’ve been food-conscious for a while now (thanks to my young family and a local deli) and, whatever else fasting was, it seemed also like the next step in growing to appreciate God’s gift of food. I read that the monastic church fathers fasted, in part, to refine their awareness of what was good for their bodies and minds. Certain foods beget certain moods. If you are celibate, it is wise not to ingest aphrodisiacs. Similarly, I’d noticed that a heavy lunch did not lend itself to afternoon meditation or sermon-writing. Could it be that a stricter leash on my diet would extend my ability to concentrate? Cure my forgetfulness? Make me a better administrator and preacher? I was ravenous at the possibilities. Upon the advice of a certain Orthodox recluse, St. Ignatius Brianchaninov, I planned to generally avoid alcohol, meat (except for fish), spicy foods, and overeating. In addition, I would fast two days a week by eating half-meals. I couldn’t wait.

“I’d expected fasting to be a discipline like prayer, meditation, or hymn-singing … But fasting, for me, was the opposite. It reached right down into my guts to prove that my self-control is a mirage.” A Biblical Interlude

One time, Jesus had to bail his disciples out of a botched exorcism. “And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, ‘Why could we not cast it out?’ And he said to them, ‘This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer’”* (Mark 9:28-29 ESV). *some manuscripts add “and fasting.” I’m not blaming the manuscript tradition, but isn’t this asterisked verse a fit illustration for how we have come to treat fasting? It’s an optional, maybe even questionable artifact with a footnote position in our religious practice. 8

November 2013

In this text, Jesus calls the disciple’s attention to their inadequacy to cast out a demon apart from turning to God. The disciples assumed that their time spent in ministry with Jesus had qualified them as spiritually advanced. They had moved beyond the constant need for prayer. They could do some things without Jesus. They were becoming self-sufficient. If they’d been fasting, they might have known better.

What Actually Happened

The first week, I recall being hungry and distracted. I began to notice how often I’d become used to eating and how indiscriminate I’d been as to the content. I found it also awkward socially, to turn down food without stating a reason. Nevertheless, my initial excitement and, I confess, some spiritual pride got me through. During the second week, things unraveled. Not eating enough makes me alternately giddy and crabby. I did experience a certain change of focus, but it didn’t make up for my distraction anytime someone said “cheeseburger.” Worst of all, I began fudging the rules and, on that Thursday, after dark, I premeditated and carried out the demise of a whole bag of Chips Ahoy®. From there, things went downhill. I spent the next few weeks neither fasting nor ever eating comfortably. My attempt to refine my spiritual life had made me binging, irritable, and visibly unbalanced. Is there a correlation between movie star diets and tabloid behavior? Undoubtedly, yes.

continued on page 15

©iStockphoto.com/pafe

Imagine

IMMEASURABLY

MORE Eph. 3:20

2014 Professional Church Worker Conference October 13-15, 2014 │Dearborn, Michigan

P

rofessional Church Workers (pastors, principals, teachers, worship directors, DCEs, DCOs, and others) are invited to attend the 2014 Michigan District Professional Church Worker Conference taking place on October 13-15, 2014 at the Adoba Hotel (formerly Hyatt Regency) in Dearborn, Mich. MARK YOUR CALENDARS and begin to PLAN NOW to attend this conference guided by God’s Word in Ephesians 3:20: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (NIV). Guest speakers include: Rev. William F. Wrede, chaplain at Ground Zero; Rev. Dr. Patrick T. Ferry, president of Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon, Wisc.; and former Detroit Lion quarterback, Eric Hipple. You will not want to miss this conference where you will be inspired, encouraged, and empowered towards excellence in ministry together.

Inspire Enthusiasm

Encourage Enjoyment , and

Empower Excellence in

Ministry Together

LOCATION: Adoba Hotel, Dearborn, Mich.

Registration Opens Spring 2014 www.michigandistrict.org/pcw14


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HEALTHY CONGREGATIONS Congregation News

Three Dynamics of a Great Service Event

by Kathy Maitland

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n August, over 300 members of Shepherd’s Gate, Shelby Township came together for its 5th annual large-scale volunteer service event. “Step Out and Serve” is a great opportunity for members to do good deeds in the community as an outward expression of God’s love and share the good news of Jesus Christ. Prior to the event, 20 different project sites were identified in various locations around Metro Detroit. Locations included private residences, nonprofits, and other worthy organizations. Then on Saturday and Sunday an army of volunteers provided the talent, labor, and needed materials. A wide variety of tasks were accomplished in just a few short hours, including: painting, weeding, trimming, cleaning, window washing, plumbing, construction, and shut-in visits. Although each year brings new stories and outcomes, there are three dynamics that seem to resonate year after year.

Collaboration

The most common feedback is, “I can’t believe how much we were able to get done in a short time.” Working alongside a dozen men, women, and youth is powerful and motivating. Although the feeling of accomplishment is gratifying, most volunteers are humbled and amazed

by not only the work that is completed, but also the relationships and ministry that God builds through what seems like their small efforts. Furthermore, volunteers echo, “Step Out and Serve is a lot of fun!”

Witness

Let’s face it. Most people are not use to receiving services with “no strings attached.” Volunteers are often greeted with smiles and wide-eyed looks as they show up armed with equipment, skills, and even a portion of supplies such as paint, lumber, cleaners, and garden mulch. Private residents and community workers are often deeply moved by these tangible expressions of God’s love through simple acts of kindness.

Awareness

“Step Out and Serve” provides a unique opportunity to “seek justice” (Isaiah 1:17) by learning more about the many amazing organizations and worthy causes in the local community. Recipients are in turn encouraged by the opportunity to share their mission and to communicate their needs during tours, personal conversations, and prayers throughout the day. In many cases, volunteers continue to provide needed support to these organizations and agencies throughout the year. Churches, businesses, service groups, or organizations are invited to participate with Shepherd’s Gate each year. Anyone interested in how you can become involved or plan a “Step Out and Serve” event in your community, contact the church office at 586.731.4544 or [email protected]. Kathy Maitland is the Communication Director for Shepherd’s Gate, Shelby Township. 10

November 2013

Is the Bible on your Bucket List? by Laura Kurella

“So many people want to read through the Bible at some point in their life,” said Trinity, Sturgis’ new administrative pastor, Rev. Russell Peterson. He continued, “Many don’t because it’s too easy to get bogged down in its details so, in an effort to help people check the Bible off on their ‘Bucket List,’ we are going to start walking through THE STORY, a bestselling abridged Bible that is arranged in chronological order and woven like a story to give readers a much clearer understanding of the Bible.” Arranged in 31 chapters, THE STORY contains no verse references and consists of the major sections of Scripture woven together with transition text to connect one section to the next so that it reads like a seamless story, making its meaning much easier to grasp. Rev. Russell Peterson of Trinity, Stur“For people new gis sent out an invitation to his entire to the Bible, this way community to journey through THE of reading Scripture STORY, a bestselling abridged Bible that is arranged chronologically and reduces the intimidawoven to read like a novel in order to tion one can feel when give readers a greater understanding approaching the fullof the Bible. length unabridged Bible,” said Peterson. “It gives a holistic and sequential picture of the storyline of Scripture and for seasoned Bible veterans; the chronological arrangement of essential texts reveals the way the whole Bible fits together in a single grand narrative, making it more thought-provoking.” Peterson indicated that while this special, communitywide study can be started any time, Trinity began in September and is moving through the book at a pace of one chapter per week. Using advertising, which included a large outdoor banner, a newspaper article, a radio interview, and specially-made door hanger invitations disbursed into the community by church members, Trinity’s launch of

THE STORY has caused a healthy spike in attendance at weekend church services and Sunday school classes, and initiated the birth of several new, weekday and evening Bible study groups – held both at the church and throughout the community. “I am very pleased by the initial positive response that THE STORY has received,” remarked Peterson, “and I am equally pleased to see that more and more are being drawn to THE STORY daily – due to the positive remarks and feedback from those who are engaging in this Bible study.” Trinity member Carolyn Hart shares, “I started reading the Bible before, but I could never get past the boring parts. This is different. I am getting so much more out of it with THE STORY. There is a real difference.” There are so many ways to become involved in this study, which is why the entire community was invited. It can be followed through independent reading, attending Trinity’s weekend worship services, Sunday school, or one of the many small group studies both on and off Trinity’s campus; it can even be done as a family time in your own home since there are versions written on every age level. It also provides a great opportunity to bring friends along; especially those who still have the Bible on their bucket list! “I want the people in my congregation, as well as the city of Sturgis, to realize the incredible love God has for us through His Son Jesus Christ and how our story is found in His story,” concluded Peterson. For more information, visit www.trinitylutheransturgis.com. Laura Kurella is an administrative assistant to the pastors at Trinity, Sturgis.

The congregation of St. Paul, Lapeer celebrated its 140th anniversary in September. In addition to its current pastoral staff, St. Paul’s was blessed to have three former pastors return to participate in the worship service. Pictured (l-r): Front row: Rev. Dan Ranthum and Rev. Marvin Ranthum. Back row: Rev. Mark Gilson, Rev. Andrew Johnson, Rev. John Kaiser, and Rev. Paul Koehn.


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School News Bucket Fillers, Inc.

In September, students at Concordia Lutheran School in Farmington Hills and Redford attended a Bucket Fillers, Inc. assembly. This character development program focused on increasing kindness, courtesy, and respect. Terms such as “bucket filling” and “bucket dipping” were used to encourage Concordia’s students to be aware of the consequences of their words and actions. Students, K-8, enjoyed the assembly which included various role-playing opportunities, stories about real life bucket filling experiences, and fun songs. For the past five years, Bucket Fillers, Inc. has been busy creating bucket filling schools, families, workplaces, and communities through books, presentations, products, and free downloadable resources. Visit them online at www.bucketfillers101.com.

Special Recognition Hoeft Nominated as Principal of the Year

Living Word, Rochester principal, Stacy Hoeft, was nominated by her peers as the Michigan District Principal of the Year. She was given this award at the Michigan District Principals’ Conference at Higgins Lake in August. Prior to coming to Living Word in Stacy Hoeft and Superintendent Dr. Bruce 2007, Hoeft held an administrative Braun position at Hosanna Tabor, Redford as well as teaching positions at St. John’s, Taylor and St. Paul, Lapeer. Dr. Bruce Braun, Superintendent of Michigan Lutheran Schools, shares, “Stacy is passionate that children not only learn at Living Word but that they grow closer to Jesus. She not only teaches well but models her faith well also. Hoeft wants to see her school improve and leads by example, always seeking to improve herself.”

Michigan SMP Students Receive Vicarage Assignments

In September, 24 new students in the Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) Program received their vicarage assignments during the Opening Service of the Academic Year at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo. Out of the group, five are in Michigan. They are as follows: • Phillip Chaffee - Family of Christ, Comstock Park • Richard Grunewald - Faith, Troy • John Thomas Kral - Shepherd’s Gate, Shelby Township • William Roberts - St. Augustine, Troy • Matthew Starner - Journey of Faith, Bryon Center The SMP program is designed to meet the needs of the church for pastors in mission and ministry opportunities where a pastor with a seminary degree may not be available. In order to be eligible for the SMP program, men must be serving in a ministry of a Lutheran congregation which desires their service as a pastor. They must be nominated for the program by their district president. Based upon this nomination, and their previous ministry experiences, the men begin their academic work as concurrent-deferred vicars.

First row: Phillip Chaffee, Gregg McCaslin, Martin Albrecht, Richard Williams, Andrew Shaw, Steven Gillmore, Richard Grunewald, Dr. David Wollenburg. Second row: John Kral, Matthew Starner, William Clark, Steven Struecker, Sean Chapman, Doyle Boykin, David Thompson, Dan Petrak. Back row: Jon Richter, Timothy Wendelin, Timothy McNutt, David Gieseking, Paul Albers, Craig Furry, Thomas Cusanelli, Michael Curtis. (not pictured William Roberts)

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LLL LLL Men’s Arcadia Retreat Highlights Speaker of The Lutheran Hour® Gregory Seltz served as guest speaker and lecturer at the annual Lutheran Laymen’s League Men’s Arcadia Retreat September 5-8. The event was attended by around 185 laymen, and nearly $4,500 was raised to support the mission of Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM). Rev. Seltz, in his third year as Speaker of The Lutheran Hour®, was making his first appearance at the Arcadia Retreat. Past retreat speakers include: Dr. Oswald Hoffmann, Dr. Dale Meyer, and Rev. Ken Klaus. It was noted at the retreat that The Lutheran Hour® radio program continues to reach hundreds of thousands of listeners each week. The current projected weekly over the air audience is 807,207. This represents an audience of 1,411 domestic and 83 Canadian stations and translators. It was also announced that the newest Men’s Network Bible study is “Lost Books?” hosted by Rev. Seltz with expert commentary by Dr. Paul Maier and others. The study addresses why some books made it into the Bible and others didn’t and who decided what should be included in Scripture. Steve DeBoer of Haslett from the LHM advancement office reported that the number of International Lutheran

LWML

2013

Rev. Gregory Seltz, Speaker of The Lutheran Hour®, spoke at the LLL Men’s Arcadia Retreat in September.

Hour offices is up to 35. Lebanon, India, Liberia, and Indonesia are among the countries being covered. It was also reported that the Michigan Southeast District LLL’s next convention is Saturday, November 2 at Christ Our Savior, Livonia. For more information on that convention, contact Phil Krauss at [email protected] or Weldon Schwiebert at [email protected].

LWML Convention Humorous Interrupter Elaine Bickel

LWML President Kay Kreklau Michigan District Young Woman Representatives Heather Gratwick and Allison Courturier

Michigan District Opening Worship Banner Proclaimer Rev. Dr. Dien Taylor

Some of the 200+ members of the Michigan delegation to the Pittsburgh convention. www.michiganintouch.com

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Social Media

continued from page 3

2. LIKE and SHARE Your Church Online The number of churches adopting social media as a means to communicate is on the rise. Let’s ride the wave and start connecting with our churches online. Step One: Be sure you’re following all the church’s presences on Facebook and Twitter. Step Two: start sharing status updates, photos, and video posted by your church. Every “like” and every “share” helps get your church in front of more people because it will appear in your friends’ newsfeeds. The more interaction you have with your church, the stronger the online community will become. 3. Link to Your Church Do you have a business website or a personal/family blog? Please consider adding a link to your website that directs to your church’s website. This does two things: connects your community with your church community, and improves your church’s ranking in search engines. Linking to your church’s website tells search engines that your church website is trusted and is relevant. Google will reward your church with a higher search ranking. Encourage your friends to add links back to the church site too.

Our Hope & Goal

Social media provides us with brand new ways to help connect people to our congregations. By implementing the three steps above, we’ll help our church communities stand out online as the beacons of light we know them to be offline. Ultimately, and with the power of the Holy Spirit, these small steps now can lead a person to a pew where the Word of God may hit their ears for the first time. Seth Hinz serves as Web/Media Director for the Michigan District, LCMS. 1http://leadnet.org/blog/post/more_than_100_million_unchurched_in_the_united_states 2http://www.bazaarvoice.com/research-and-insight/social-commerce-statistics/

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Notes from the Edge of the World


changed, though, when communists came into power in 1917. Their fanatical war against religion brought heavy burdens upon the church. By 1939, all Lutheran churches were closed and all its pastors either sent to Soviet Union concentration camps or killed. With the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, the long period of persecution came to an end. My greatest joy is seeing a new generation grow up in the church. They have the freedom to hear of a Savior who loves them – opportunities their parents and grandparents never had. Please keep the people of Russia and Georgia in your prayers, so that their hearts and minds may be open to the message of truth that I and other Christians share with them. With the Lord’s providence and your prayers and support, the witness to the Gospel continues to go forward in Russia. Rev. Matthew Heise was born in Dearborn, Mich. and is a lifelong member of Guardian, Dearborn. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, a master’s degree from Wayne State University, and a master’s degree in divinity from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo. Heise appreciates your prayers for safety and for a boldness to witness to the hope he has in Jesus Christ, with gentleness and respect.

Miracle of Faith


ready for what he had to say and Marsha had something remarkable she just had to share. Marsha described a dream she had had the night before in which she saw the POBLO office and Musa. She had never been to our office before, nor met him. She had no way of knowing that he would be calling her that day. She confessed, “I think God is speaking to me” and we enthusiastically agreed! Musa ended the interview by giving her an Arabic new testament and asked her to read it.

Jesus Changes Lives

A few weeks went by. Musa tried to keep in touch with Marsha by phone. Then, once again, she immediately said she needed to see us. Marsha had visibly changed. She seemed like a different person. There was a huge smile on the inside as well as on the outside. It was as though a deep joy was beaming from within her. And, once again, she said that she had seen us both in a dream the previous night. At that point, Musa spent an hour sharing Jesus and His life-changing Gospel. She nodded. She understood. And now, she clearly believed this Good News. Musa led her in prayer as she confessed her faith in this Messiah. The POBLO staff was then blessed to join in praying over her. What a day! We thank God for making Christ clear to Marsha. And we thank God too, for the dreams. Rev. Dr. Gary E. Rohwer serves as pastor of Atonement, Dearborn and is the Director of Missions for POBLO.

Technology


symbol. It was a tiny, puppet-sized pentagram painted on the sidewalk. At that point, we knew it was time not only to find a new place to shoot, but also to incorporate the body of Christ by asking it to keep Christ Clubhouse and the Lutheran Youth Network in its prayers Kristen Collier practices puppetry in her living room. and to become involved in producing Christian programming. Because children’s media has the power to reach a vast number of people – children and adults – and because Satan wants to mold their malleable minds, children’s media is a battlefield. Art, when it is portrayed as being beautiful, or cute, can be used to influence the masses. An early example includes the WWII advertising image of Uncle Sam, which was created to encourage people to pay their taxes during the war. Was it the image of Uncle Sam? No. It was Donald Duck. Programming can be incredibly subversive. One survey reveals the year 2012 as having the greatest number of homosexuals ever on TV. Media has begun to shift the public’s opinion on gay marriage. Also, many shows today portray women as mean and men as buffoons. This is not just Hollywood reflecting the culture, rather creating the culture that Satan, in his hatred of God, wants to pervert.

A Challenge to Churches and Ministries

Currently, Christ Clubhouse Channel and Lutheran Youth Network are the only Lutheran stations on the Roku, a small box you plug into your TV to gain access to streaming television. Taking into account the potential to have access to 77 million households (via Xbox) and additional households on Roku and the Internet, and that our number one priority is spreading the truth of Scripture, we challenge congregations, organizations, and individuals to explore how they can become involved in streaming television as well. Each week, at over 380 congregations in the Michigan District alone, preparations are being made for worship, music, sermons, children and youth ministry, lesson plans, drama, puppet shows, and the like. Could your church harness that immense creativity and begin to produce streaming video? Streaming television is a huge opportunity to introduce

millions to the truth of the Gospel as taught so faithfully by The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. Kevin and I are doing everything we can to promote and support the churches we are working with and also welcome others churches who are exploring the possibilities. Soli Deo Gloria! Kristen Collier is secretary at St. Matthew, Spring Lake, a graduate of Concordia University Ann Arbor, Mich., and lifelong LCMS member. Her husband, Kevin, is Art Director at the Grand Haven Tribune, and an award-winning author/illustrator of over 200 books and for shows on streaming and cable stations. They are members of St. John, Grand Haven. For more information, contact Kristen at [email protected] or 616.846.1155.

Fasting


Disciplined Disaster

“When I wept and humbled my soul with fasting, it became my reproach” (Psalm 69:10 ESV). I don’t like to fast. I’m not good at it. I’d like to give it up. But maybe that’s the point. I’d expected fasting to be a discipline like prayer, meditation, or hymn-singing. Those were initially awkward, but quickly became a joy, a welcome break from work, a boon to self-control, and a hyperlink to God’s grace. But fasting, for me, was the opposite. It reached right down into my guts to prove that my self-control is a mirage. I’m completely dependent upon nourishment from without. I am thoroughly incapable of sustaining my own soul. Perhaps, this is why we treat fasting like a footnote: It can be a disaster.

Fasting and Jesus

Fasting declares our inadequacies, both physical and spiritual. It’s intended to showcase our absolute dependence upon God’s grace. Apart from daily bread just look where you’d be! I’d hoped fasting would make me a better pastor— more spiritually able than other pastors. (Lord, forgive me. You know how I think.) Like the disciples, I’d have done better to have prayed and waited for Jesus. Just like their botched exorcism, my adventure with fasting was a sure recipe for disaster. But disaster sends us running back to Jesus. He endured privation and worse on the cross—the place to which He draws me ever closer. I need God’s forgiveness more, not less, than when I started this journey. I may not like it, but I don’t think I’m done fasting. Rev. Steven E. Newberg is pastor at Lutheran Church of the Lakes, Addison. He is grateful for a family and congregation which, planted in the Holy Spirit, daily reflects Christ’s wisdom and mercy into his life. www.michiganintouch.com

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Calls and Roster Update Calendar of Events ORDAINED

Calls Accepted Rathje, John R. (St. Louis, MO) to Dean of Students at Concordia University Ann Arbor Schultz, Robert J. (Freeland) to IIP, Emmanuel, Britton Siefert, Gary L. (Battle Creek) to IIP, St. Paul, Caledonia Change of Status Allen, Michael S. (Essexville) to Emeritus Krause, Daniel L. (Lake Ann) to Non-Candidate Lutz, Michael J. (Shelby Twp.) to Emeritus Schilke, Stephen E. (Bay City) to Emeritus Transferred into District Mann, Dennis C. (Ohio District)

NOVEMBER

7 New Church Worker Conference Ann Arbor, Michigan 8-9 Family Friendly Partners Network #3 Event 6 Guardian, Dearborn 13 Webinar - Communications 28-29 Thanksgiving Office Closed

DECEMBER

12 Webinar - School Mktg & Enrollment Education 24-25 Christmas Office Closed

COMMISSIONED

Calls Accepted Hohnstadt, Rebecca (Immanuel, Lockwood, MO) to Holy Cross, Warren Kitzman, Laura (St. Matthew, Walled Lake) to St. Paul, Northville Reiser, Sandra (Candidate) to Trinity, Menasha, WI Stockmeyer, Heidi (Non-Candidate) to Trinity, Clinton Township Change of Status Behm, Constance (St. John, Grand Haven) to Emeritus Schimm, Naomi (Zion, Bay City) to Candidate Transfer out of District Reiser, Sandra (Candidate) to South Wisconsin District Transferred into District Ashley, Jeremy (Minnesota South District) to Trinity, Clinton Township Hohnstadt, Rebecca (Missouri District) to Holy Cross, Warren Longmire, Sarah (English District) to Trinity, Traverse City Nieman, Emilee (Minnesota South District) as Candidate Steinke, Eric (Indiana District) as Candidate Resigned from the Roster Kayser, Jennifer Wesley, Amanda

JANUARY

1 New Years Day Office Closed 17-18 Family Friendly Partners Network #3 Event 7 St. Paul, Lapeer

FEBRUARY

4-5 7-8 15 22

West Pastors’ Conference Holland, Michigan Pre-Retirement Conference Frankenmuth, Michigan Theological Conference on Church, State & Culture Faith, Troy Theological Conference on Church, State & Culture Messiah, Midland

1

Theological Conference on Church, State & Culture Holy Cross, Jenison

MARCH

Called Home Stevens, Joanne

A complete up-to-date listing of Calls and Vacancies can be found at www.michigandistrict.org, click on About.

APRIL

18 Good Friday Office Closed 25-27 Katie Conference Bay City, Michigan

MAY

michiganonline IN TOUCH

Content that

Awakens Connects Challenges Inspirits

5-7 13-14 14-15 28-29 30-31

North and East Pastors’ Conference Grayling, Michigan South and East Pastors’ Conference Frankenmuth, Michigan Circuit Counselors’ Conference Frankenmuth, Michigan Intentional Interim Ministry Conference Hillsdale, Michigan Family Friend Partners Network #3 Event 8 St. Matthew, Grand Rapids

Check out Blogs, Pictures, Videos, and Congregation News & Events online at

www.michiganintouch.com. 16

November 2013

For detailed event information, please visit www.michigandistrict.org/events.