#LoveThyNeighbor

Comforting those suffering

Christ the Shepherd, Alpharetta, GA, has welcomed Lutheran Church Charities' (LCC) K-9 Comfort Dog Luke as part of their outreach mission to their community. The Kare 9 Veteran handler is Christine Krueger, U.S. Army veteran. Other handlers include: Craig Adams, Judy Adams, Beverly Bergamini, Joan Beverly, Rev. Kevin Elseroad, Mark Fishback, Sharon Fishback, Shari Kappel, Barbara Kuester, Nancy Scheppmann and Clay Zimmerman.

 

According to LCC's latest newsletter, "The handlers and caregivers from each of these churches learned about the mission of sharing the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. They spent time reflecting, journaling, sharing, and praying as they answered the question, "Who is Jesus?" They also learned commands and how to handle their new LCC K-9 Comfort Dog so they can go out as a team and serve those in need." Learn more about LCC K-9 Comfort Dog ministries by clicking here. 

In our churches

On Sunday, August 20, 2017, Candidate Philip Gai was ordained and installed as EIIT Associate Pastor of the Church of St. Mark, Mississauga, ON, Canada. Following the Rite of Ordination, the Sudanese members spontaneously burst into praise and dance, celebrating their newly ordained pastor. The joy was uplifting to all and humbling to Pastor Gai. Bishop Jamison J. Hardy, after the praise had naturally come to a close, commented that he would take their response as their acceptance of Pastor Gai, as their pastor and completed the Rite of Installation.

Fun!
Grace, Redford, MI, held a community Fun Fair on Sunday, August 20, 2017. The congregation welcomed people in their neighbor to the Fun Fair and invited them to bring their children to Vacation Bible School (August 21-25). The Fun Fair had a dunk tank and other activities, but the dunk take stole the show. Below are pictures of The Rev. Timothy Halboth successfully dunking The Rev. Zachary Marklevitz.

 

 

Historic celebration

Beautiful Savior, Lee's Summit, MO, hosted a Christian Heritage Museum. Families shared heirlooms and historical items, and a delicious German-cuisine inspired breakfast was served.

 

 

Fond farewell

Grace, Wyoming, MI, said "farewell" to two charter members of the congregation. Jacob and Harriet Diehm - both World War II veterans - who, at 99 years of age, will be starting another new adventure - moving to Florida to be near their children. It was an emotional farewell to their church family, but they were sent with God's love and the promise of God's blessing that He would be with them always and never forsake them.

 

 

 

 

 

Up in smoke

King of Glory, Sylvania, OH, hosted a "Mortgage Payoff Celebration" on August 20, 2017, where they ceremoniously burned the mortgage. The festivities also included a meal, a bounce house for kids and a lot of other fun activities.

 

 

 

 

 

Watching the heavens

The Rev. Michael Brown, Redeemer, Lincoln, NE, shared a photo of the 2017 Solar Eclipse. Lincoln had 74 seconds of total darkness.

 

In our schools

It's back to school time! Here's how our district's schools are preparing for the academic year:

The faculty at Hales Corners, Hales Corners, WI, has been working hard to prepare for the new school year. Did you know that their families help, too? It's been an 'all hands on deck' start to the school year with many changes and classrooms moving. The teachers' spouses, children, parents, siblings, nieces, nephews and friends are a blessing to the school! Additionally, Hales Corners Lutheran Church held a "Blessing of the Backpacks" for students as they prepare for a new school year.

The staff at Redeemer, Oakmont, PA, returned for training and CPR classes.

Resources

 

Communications Corner

What is SEO? How can it help our church?

SEO is "Search Engine Optimization." By using keywords and phrases, your website and blog posts can rank higher when people are Googling. Concordia Technology Solutions has a very helpful and free download that you can keep handy. Click here for your free SEO checklist, to make sure you don't forget important items for your website!

 

Called to Glory

English District Blog

What does parallel parking have to do with campus ministry? Today's guest blogger shares a story about teaching and sharing life skills - as well as the Gospel. 

By Augusta R. Mennell

We must have looked crazy as we tried over and over again to parallel park our car. We did this many times on many afternoons. Isuri from Sri Lanka was practicing her parking so that she could pass her driver's test.

Campus Ministry at All Saints Lutheran Church and Student Center wants to be available to help international and American college students who attend Slippery Rock University. We're here to take students to the Giant Eagle for groceries. We are here to listen to their problems. Some face the clash of two cultures; so they want to know how to convince their parents to let them marry the person they love, rather than going along with tradition and allowing their parents to make the choice of a mate. Others want help dealing with a boyfriend or girlfriend who has been unfaithful. And some, like Isuri, ask for help learning how to drive a car.

Read more

Augusta R. Mennell is the Campus Ministry Director at All Saints Lutheran Church and Student Center in Slippery Rock, PA. If you have a mission or ministry story you'd like to share, please submit for consideration via email to Lynne at [email protected].