The Rev. Todd Arnold was installed as pastor at Lutheran Church of the Risen Savior, Green Valley, AZ on Sunday, January 15, 2017.  Bishop Jamison J. Hardy officiated at the installation.

Congratulations and God's richest blessings!

In our schools

National Lutheran Schools Week is January 22-28, 2017! Use the hashtag #NLSW17 to connect with other #LutherEd schools! Click the link for the Resource Website:
http://www.lcms.org/lutheranschoolsweek. 

Teacher Appreciation Contest for Lutheran Schools Week

To celebrate National Lutheran Schools Week, LCEF will conduct a Facebook contest to honor LCMS educators. Readers will be encouraged to upload a picture of their LCMS-affiliated school teacher who exemplifies an EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATOR! At the end of the week, five winners will be randomly chosen and a $50 award check will be sent to their school in their honor.

Participating

Students take an active role in chapel services at Martin Luther Christian School, Pennsauken, NJ.

Precipitating

Students at Shepherd King Lutheran Preschool, West Bloomfield, MI, made snow indoors, as there is none outside!

Missionary visits

Faith Lutheran Church and School in Watertown, WI welcomed Missionary James Krey to their Chapel Service. James Krey serves the Lord through The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod (LCMS) as a GEO (globally engaged in outreach) missionary in the Dominican Republic. James serves as a communications specialist for Latin America and the Caribbean region of the LCMS.

It was exciting to hear the work he will be doing in the Dominican Republic and how he is going to use his talents in communications. You can find more information about James and the mission work in the Dominican Republic at https://www.lcms.org/james.krey.

In our churches

Ministry officially recognized

On the Second Sunday after Epiphany, Anno Domini 2017, the First Trinity Evangelical Lutheran, Pittsburgh, PA, Parish Operating Board officially recognized and regularized their ministry for the deaf community in Pittsburgh to function like their other existing missions -- the Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for the Blind, Pittsburgh LCMS Campus Ministries (LSF and ISM), and First Trinity Homeless Ministry.

This recognition of the Pittsburgh Lutheran Ministry for the Deaf by the Board will ensure the continuation of work begun nearly two years ago that includes ASL Interpretation of the Divine Service (Cindy Fenger, ASL Interpreter), Bible studies and catechesis, and a monthly Sunday luncheon. Thanks to Directors Debra Lynn Terhune and Cindy Fenger for their work on behalf of this mission and a hearty welcome to the newest members of First Trinity, Donna Ulmer and Sharon Arce.

In keeping with Galatians 3:28, First Trinity seeks to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all people, welcoming them to receive the life-giving Word and Sacraments for the forgiveness of sins. Praise be to Thee, O Christ!

GPS and teens

Youth from Hope Lutheran Church, Hastings, MN, had a great time during their lock-in weekend. The theme was GPS-- God's Positioning System. They looked at how their faith in God is what "turns the GPS on," so to speak. Faith gives us access to the guidance network which comes with His Word (Bible), the Holy Spirit, and the wise counsel of others around us help in our process to following God's plan for our life. GPS devices track and manage the locations of millions of people all over the world at one time. Isn't it amazing to think that every deed, prayer, action, and thought is tracked and led by Christ?

Welcome!

Welcome to the newest members at First Trinity Evangelical, Pittsburgh, PA: Donna, Sharon, and Josh!

The Sacrament of the Altar is the meal at which the "whole company of heaven" descends upon earth and meets with us around the table of the Lord. This is the meal which the Bible describes as a "marriage feast" and "great banquet." It is the place that our Lord makes Himself available in His flesh and blood for us to eat and to drink for the forgiveness of our sins. Wherever He is, there heaven and earth are joined together. In an interactive setting, Pastor Michael Frese will expand upon the Small Catechism's explanation of the Lord's Supper. During the four, one-hour sessions, he will explain the biblical context of Christ's institution of Holy Communion, explore the liturgical setting in which the Church celebrates the Eucharist and offer insight from the Large Catechism, the Lutheran Confessions and select quotations from the Church fathers as to how we participate in this meal worthily and for our eternal salvation.

Retreat Fee: $110/person, includes on-campus housing and meals.

To register email r etreats@ctsfw.edu or phone 260-452-2204.