In grateful response to God’s grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacraments, the mission of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is vigorously to make known the love of Christ by word and deed within our churches, communities and the world. | E-newsletter: July 1, 2022 | |
From the President.......... | |
The Reversal of Roe v. Wade: Sing the Doxology Today, Get Back to Work Tomorrow
It’s a time to sing the Doxology! On Friday, June 24, the U.S. Supreme Court decision to reverse the Roe v. Wade decision of 1973 was released: “Held: The Constitution does not confer a right to abortion; Roe and Casey are overruled; and the authority to regulate abortion is returned to the people and their elected representatives” (SCOTUS, Dobbs v. Jackson, 1).
Here is the link to the entire opinion:
19-1392 Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (06/24/2022) (supremecourt.gov)
And here are official responses to the Supreme Court decision, by our church body, found on The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod web site:
LCMS responds to SCOTUS decision on 'Dobbs v. Jackson'
Yes, we sing the Doxology! Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!
We sing the Doxology because countless prayers have been answered in the 49-year fight to stand up for God’s gift of life, from conception to birth to natural death.
We sing the Doxology because the lives of unborn babies will be saved, especially in states like South Dakota, where abortions will be illegal except when they are necessary to save the life of a mother.
Sing the Doxology, and then get back to work!
Continue to speak up for God’s gracious gift of human life and to say clearly, the unborn are humans made in God’s image, from conception until the time of birth. Their lives must be guarded by us.
Continue to speak up, even when the heat against this Supreme Court decision and against us is turned way up.
It’s going to get intense, brothers and sisters in Christ! You will hear talk of women’s rights being taken away and access to women’s health resources taken away. These voices are loud and confident and in their stridence may seem right. (“There’s no longer any legal access to abortions.” “They’re taking away our constitutional rights!” “A fetus is not human until it’s born.” Loud and confident, but cloaked in deception!)
Iranaeus, a 2nd-century church father, was right: “For error is plausible and bears a resemblance to the truth but requires to be disguised; while truth is without disguise and, therefore, has been entrusted to children” (Against Heresies III.1.1; III.15.1, 2; quoted in Treasury of Daily Prayer, p. 472, © 2008 CPH).
A child will see a model of an unborn baby…at 10 weeks, 20 weeks, 30 weeks…and they will see, well, a baby.
We continue to speak up, because we see a baby, too. And so, we continue to assist pro-life agencies, like the Alpha Center in Sioux Falls and the Bella Pregnancy Resource Center in Spearfish. Let the Diaper Derbies continue! Let the Bikes for Life roll on!
Help to keep the ultrasound machines going. The truth appears right there in front of their eyes: adults are seeing babies when they view ultrasounds.
And let the prayers continue. Pro-life agencies which assist pregnant women are under attack across the country. A ministry familiar to many of us, the Alpha Center, is taking special precautions. Rev. Dean Schroeder, pastor at St. John, Tyndall and Martinus, Utica shares this with us: “I checked with the Alpha Center and found that they have been implementing heightened security measures. Since their current security needs are more than ever before, specific donations for this cause would be very helpful. Just wanted to let anyone else who is interested (congregations, church organizations, or individuals) know that donations can be given with the designation ‘For Security’ and they will go for the important cause of keeping workers, clients, and the Alpha Center safe.”
Work. Pray. And please do sing…always sing. For God is good. From Him all blessings do flow. The reversal of Roe is one of them.
--Rev. Scott Sailer
President
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Call and Vacancy Information
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We lift up in prayer......
This month's congregations and schools: Congregations: Our Savior, Aberdeen; St. John, Aberdeen; St. Paul, Aberdeen; Zion, Andover; St. John, Britton; St. John, Columbia; Concordia, Cresbard; Redeemer, Doland; St. Paul, Ferney; St. John, Groton Schools: Lighthouse Preschool, Aberdeen; Divine Shepherd Lutheran School, Black Hawk; Blessed Redeemer Pre-School, Brandon; Peace ECC and Elementary School, Brookings; Zion Pre-School, Canistota
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MAIN STREET LIVING
Programming Information
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IN OUR CONGREGATIONS.......
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Trinity Lutheran Mission, Belle Fourche, is hosting a luncheon in honor of Pastor Don McKillop’s 40th year in the ministry. You are invited to attend. The luncheon is Sunday, July 17, 3 p.m., at the church. If you’d like to send a greeting to Pastor McKillop, Trinity’s address is 1403 5th Avenue, Belle Fourche, SD 57717. Congratulations and God’s continued blessings to Pastor McKillop!
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Immanuel Lutheran Church of rural Dimock will celebrate 140 years as a congregation and 175 years of the Missouri Synod at its annual Mission Festival on August 21. Morning preacher (10am) will be Rev. Benjamin Ball, 6th Vice President of the LCMS. Afternoon preacher (2pm) will be Rev. Ken Soyk of Faith - Parkston and St. Peter - Clayton. Those who would like to come to the noon meal are kindly asked to RSVP at (605) 770-2003. All current and former members and friends of Immanuel are invited to celebrate with us.
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Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church at White, SD will celebrate 125 years on Sunday, July 17, 2022. Rev. Jerry K. Raether, former pastor will deliver the morning message. A catered meal will follow the service. Kindly make reservations, if you plan to attend July 1, 2022 to 605-695-4825. Zion Lutheran Church is located at 203 S. Sherwood Ave., White, SD
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Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Dakota Dunes celebrates a successful VBS. Check it out here!
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Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Dakota Dunes thanks their VBS volunteers along with some special guests. Find out more here.
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Zion Lutheran Church of Chamberlain hosts a special Lutheran Family Service (LFS) Sunday. Find out here how your congregation can do the same!
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Bethesda Lutheran School in Hot Springs, in the beautiful southern Black Hills of South Dakota, is adding a certified primary school teacher who loves Jesus and has successful teaching experience. Full time is preferred, although an afternoon part time teacher can also serve our needs. If you or someone you know is interested, please contact Dr. Ken Palmreuter, Principal, at kpalmreuter@gmail.com or Bethesda Lutheran School, 1-605-745-6676
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Join us at Ironwood Springs!
ag October 3-7, 2022 Lutherhostel
Stewartville, MN
Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch
Click the picture for all you need to know!
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5 WAYS TO BEAT THE "BLUES"
As sinful people in a sinful world, there will be times when suffering, sickness and sadness descends upon us. The result is often a depressed feeling or having the “blues”. Being “blue” on occasion is normal, but being stuck in the “blues” is not. Deep depression is a problem for many people. Some experience depression briefly, and with help, can move out of it. Others struggle with it their entire lives.
Read the article for 5 ways to beat the occasional "blues" HERE!
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PRAYERS REQUESTED FOR PRO-LIFE AGENCIES
from our District Life Coordinator
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This week, I have spoken with our friends and partners in Life Ministry at the Alpha Center and South Dakota Right to Life. Both have requested that we pray in our homes and churches for their safety and the success of their work. Over the last 2 weeks, 20 more Pro Life facilities in America have been vandalized. The sign at SD Right to Life in Rapid City was wrecked, for example, and a Pro Life outreach in Oregon was firebombed. Abortion advocates have threatened violence in a summer of rage. Your help is greatly needed.
- First, please pray. Perhaps you could include this collect in your time of worship:
Almighty and living God, you are the Lord of life itself for you have sent your only Son who laid down his own life to take it up again for our salvation. As You have given us that gift of life to share in the ministry of your church on earth, guard and protect us and everyone who works to defeat the darkness of abortion and euthinasia, so that every form of violence may be stopped and Your Kingdom be made manifest, through Jesus Christ who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
forever. Amen
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Third, you can support our upcoming Bike for Life event happening on July 16th now called "Bike for the Alpha." We need riders, rest stop hosts, and transportation for riders who bike to Sioux Falls and need a ride back to Brookings. With the added social stress, your partnership is greatly needed to ensure the safety and success of our ride. We missed a couple years because of pandemic threats, but here is our chance - let's work together in this effort to overcome threats against life at every stage. To help with the ride, or get more information, email pcnavurskis@gmail.com
Peace
Pastor Chris Navurskis (Mt Calvary - Huron)
SD LC-MS District Life Coordinator
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Whatever you have planned for this summer, consider these two things when you start getting active. Click here for more information!
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2023 Concordia Health Plan Employer Elections – Employer Elections will begin on Monday, August 1st and run through Wednesday, September 7th. Concordia Plans are planning to hold Zoom Town Halls again this year, in addition to In-Person meetings with ministries.
Concordia Retirement Plan Age 21 Provision – Effective July 1, 2022 a worker must be Age 21 at the time of hire, to be eligible for enrollment in the Concordia Retirement Plan (CRP). We’ve implemented this change to align with industry best practices as it relates to pension plans. We believe that this will be a welcomed change. If you have any questions, please reach out to your Ministry Engagement Team Contact.
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IRS CHANGES......
Beginning on 7/1/2022, IRS has increased the standard business mileage rate to 62.5¢ per mile (from 58¢ in effect since 1/1/2022). The standard medical mileage rate has likewise increased to 22¢ per mile (from 18¢). These new rates apply to mileage reimbursements paid to an employee on or after July 1, 2022 with respect to transportation expenses paid or incurred by the employee on or after July 1, 2022.
Due to the recent gasoline price increases, the IRS made this special adjustment for the final
months of 2022.
The rate used for charitable deduction purposes, set by statute rather than IRS, remains at
14¢ per mile.
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BIKE FOR LIFE RETURNS!
Our SD District Bike for Life ride to benefit the Alpha Center in Sioux Falls will return July 16!
Please mark this date and let your congregations know the ride will roll between Brookings and Sioux Falls. Details are still being worked out, but please consider the following:
Invite congregation members to RIDE
Host a rest stop the day of the ride
Provide rider transport after ride
Sponsor riders as they raise funds
More information will be comiong, but if you would like to connect in the meantime please email Pastor Navurskis at: pcnavurskis@gmail.com.
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SELF CARE IS NOT SELFISH!
Taking care of yourself like you take care of others is not selfish. It means giving attention to YOUR emotional well-being so you can give to others. Click here for ideas and resources for support from Concordia Plans!
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BIBLE TRANSLATION SUNDAY
All generations are important to engage in mission, and Sunday school teachers simply do not have the time to work withcomplicated resources.
Lutheran Bible Translators designed children's activity booklets for Bible Translation Sunday (BTS). They are enjoyable for the teachers and student alike!
Help your Sunday School teachers feel equipped, energized and unified in God's mission. Click here for more information.
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Please share your congregation's or school's unique ministries with the rest of the District. Send pictures and stories for consideration to jpike@midco.net by Wednesday, July 13 at 12:00 Noon for the July 15th edition. We want to see how YOUR congregation or school is showing the love of God to those in your community and around the world
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Click here for the latest information from Reverend Daniel Jastram our Together in Mission Missionary!
Click here for the latest information from Reverend Cory Rajek our Together in Mission Missionary!
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PASS IT ON! We have been asked if the recipients of this email newsletter may forward it to others. YES! Please share it with whomever you wish, including your church's group email list. Simply click on the button below for sharing! | | | | |
