November 2016 Mission Update

Mission Update

The Missions office of the

South Wisconsin District - Peg Raabe

8100 W. Capitol Dr. Milwaukee, WI 53222

414-292-0744 Raabe@swd.lcms.org

"There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. ... When you see these things take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

(Luke 21:25, 28)

Recent newsletters

From time to time our office receives e-news from our missionary friends and others. Here are a few that you may be interested in reading:

Hispanic focus

News from the Wildauers in Togo

Tyler McMiller in the Dominican Republic

November 2016

Being thankful

Does the way in which people casually list all the things they are thankful for at this time of year bother you as it does me? "I'm so thankful for my house, so thankful for this food on the table, so thankful for my children, my job, etc. ..."

Of course we are thankful for these and many other things. But does it strike you that we seldom hear to whom they are thankful ... ever?

And that's the point, isn't it? Many people do not know whom to thank!

But we know! God is the Person to Whom we owe our thanks. Not only for the food on our table, and the seasons of the year that grow that food, and the ability to put it on our plates, but for our very lives, and for His unconditional love that gave us our Savior, for life eternal, and for the faith to believe it!

In this season of Thanksgiving, listen to others express all of those things they are thankful for. And then take that opportunity to confess to them your faith in the Giver of all good things!

And thank YOU for your missional heart, and partnership in our District missions!

The search for our Mission Executive is on...

The actual title for this position will be Executive Assistant to the President for Missions. Seven men, including Pres. Wille, are on the Search Committee, and have been meeting the last couple of months. The job description has been put together and the deadline for nominations was Oct. 31.

As Pres. Wille has said, "The priority is not the speed of the search; but rather finding the right person, the person whom our Lord has already selected

to fill this position (cf. Acts 1). Please keep this search in your prayers. The prayer of the early church in Acts 1 was, 'Lord, show us the one you have chosen to take the place in this ministry...' That is my prayer as well!"

Please join us all in this prayer as we look forward to the day when this office will once again have a leader for Missions!

Thanks "Giving" mission

Since 2011 South Wisconsin District congregations have partnered with Brookfield Lutheran Church to fund Thanksgiving baskets for Lutheran food pantries in the Milwaukee central city, along with Lutheran Schools and organizations who deliver the baskets to families in need. Last year 1058 baskets were prepared and delivered; our goal this year remains the same. You can help us reach this goal by your prayers for this mission and the individuals who are preparing, assembling and delivering the food, and for those who receive these gifts. We also ask for your financial help. The cost of each basket is $30. A financial donation of any size is appreciated. Your generosity not only provides nourishment, it also shows the love you have for your neighbor.

Donate online, using the drop-down menu and selecting "Thanksgiving." Or print out this letter and form and mail it in. We thank you in advance!

Engaging the Wandering

C ongregations often spend a great deal of time and attention looking at how they can increase attendance and get new members. This is certainly a good thing to address. Reaching out to those in and around our communities who have not heard the Gospel is a vital part of who and what the Church is.

However, an often ignored (purposefully or unintentionally) segment of our population in desperate need of outreach is the group often referred to as inactives, delinquents or wanderers. They need to hear the Word of God and be brought to the fellowship of the Body of Christ.

The entire article on this subject (and other news as well) can be found in the November issue of Reaching Rural America for Christ.

Communion ware offered

Divine Redeemer Lutheran Church in Hartland, has replaced some of their communion ware recently. They are offering the silver plated Paten, Styx and 3 individual cup trays pictured here to a ministry that could keep them in use.

If you are interested, please contact Heidi Graf, 262-367-8400 or heidi.graf@drlc.org.

Stay Connected