Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod
A network of growing, Christ-centered, outwardly-focused congregations 
passing the faith to the next generation

Weekly News and Announcements
January 16, 2018
Synod News SynodNews
Synod Office Closed Today - Severe Weather
Due to the severe winter weather, the synod office is closed today. And, if you do not have to be on the roads today, please stay home. We offer prayers for all those seeking shelter and safety, that they may find it, and that we offer it as we can.
Congratulations to our Synod Treasurer Kathy Collins!
Synod Council  Treasurer and Christ the King Houston member Kathy Collins took first in the Houston half marathon in her age group on January 14! Way to go Kathy!
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity - Prayer Service
Houston denominational leaders from across the city invite all Christians to join them for an evening of music, worship and prayer as ecumenical groups gather to pray for Christian Unity in Houston and around the world.

Thursday, January 25, 2018, 7:00 pm  hosted by:
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
5501 Main St, Houston, TX 77004

There is also an opportunity to be part of an interdenominational choir for the worship service. For more information about the choir and rehearsals, please visist www.ncgcchouston.com or call 713.775.9222.

Administration  Administration
Save the Dates: Synod Assembly
Synod Assembly returns to the Hilton Houston North May 17-19, 2018. Put it on your calendars, and we'll be sending out more details in the new year.
Events Events
Guest Artist AGAPE at Faith Lutheran, Bellaire
AGAPE* (Dave Scherer) has inspired hundreds of thousands of people from Brooklyn to Bosnia with his relational ministry "Hip Hop Outreach." Combining rapping, dancing, storytelling and his fluency in Spanish, AGAPE* connects with his listeners in a way that they really "get it." He has recorded 10 albums and recently published a book entitled "Agap-ology."
 
AGAPE will share his gifts with us on  Sunday, January 28 at 10:50 AM.
Lay Chaplain Training begins February 5
Do you want to deepen your relationship with God? Do you want to strengthen your ability to handle difficult circumstances in your everyday life? Do you want to be a better listener-to God, to your own heart, to your neighbor? Then, the Community of Hope might be for you!  
The Community of Hope training awakens participants to God's call on their lives through experiential discovery and understanding of their own spiritual gifts for ministry. Each student is encouraged to make a journey into wholeness. The experience builds community and develops spiritually centered pastoral caregivers, equipped for ministry in multiple settings, including their own families, workplace and civic organizations, as well as in traditional ministry settings such as the congregation, hospitals, nursing homes and hospice.


Contact Beverly Davis by email or 713-400-0517 for more information and to register

Trinity Lutheran Women's Breakfast and Storytelling
The Best Fishing Story Momma Ever Told

Karen Hauser,  Christian comedian and storyteller, joins the women of Trinity Lutheran, Frelsburg, for a breakfast and storytelling event on  Saturday, January 20, 2018.
 
Location: Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church
                      Diamond Center
                      1031 Church Lane
                      New Ulm, TX  78950
                      Located just south of Frelsburg (intersection of 
                      FM 109 and FM 1291)
Time:         Registration and Breakfast at 8:30 am
                      Program begins at 9:00 am
                      Event concludes at 11:30 am
 
No registration fee - Freewill donation to defer expenses
 
RSVP  by Wednesday, January 17

Children & Youth  childrenyouth
Local Volunteers for Youth Gathering - Re-opened
Would you like to volunteer at the Gathering and help young people grow in faith and encounter Christ? Serving the youth of this church is a vocational calling that requires careful discernment. There  is a need for Local
Volunteers. Applications are open .

If you have questions, contact Lynnae Schatz .  Thank you for considering this opportunity to share grace.
Justice  justice
2018 Lutheran Legislative Event
The theme for the 2018 Lutheran Legislative Event , sponsored by the Synod's Poverty and Justice Task Force (PJTF) in partnership with Texas Impact, will be "Rooted in Faith / Grounded in Love."  The Event will be held at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Austin starting the afternoon of  Sunday, February 11 , and will conclude about 1:00 pm on  Tuesday, February 13 . 

Schedule:
Sunday , 2:45 pm - 8 pm - Opening worship and plenary
Monday , 7:30 am - 8 pm - Workshop/training on key issues
Tuesday , 8:30 am - 1 pm - Legislative visits at the Capitol

  More information and registration. Register by February 1.
Churchwide News Churchwide
Lutheran World Relief Lent Resources and Eco-Palms

Walk with Lutheran World Relief during the season of Lent and announce to the world that the hope of Christ makes a new season possible: a Season of Hope. Visit lwr.org/lent for resources including a special homily series and step-by-step Personal Care Kit assembly instructions. This Lent, energize congregations for global good!

On Palm Sunday, wave palms and deliver hope for the hands that harvested them with Eco-Palms! Starting January 18, visit lwr.org/palms or call 651.487.7189 to place your order.
In this Issue
Prayers

Prayers for those who struggle during the holidays - with poverty, loneliness and grief.

Prayers for the Muslim community in Egypt in the aftermath of the deaths at the mosque in the Sinai  Peninsula.

Calendar at a Glance

January 12 - 22

January 23

January 25
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
7pm

January 25-29

April 3 - 19

April 22

May 17-19
TLGCS Assembly

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