A Hymn of Thanksgiving
For the Fruit of All Creation (ELW 679)
For the fruit of all creation, thanks be to God.
For these gifts to every nation, thanks be to God.
For the plowing, sowing, reaping, silent growth while we are sleeping,
future needs in earth's safe-keeping, thanks be to God.
In the just reward of labor, God's will is done.
In the help we give our neighbor, God's will is done.
In our world-wide task of caring for the hungry and despairing,
In the harvests we are sharing, God's will is done.
For the harvests of the Spirit, thanks be to God.
For the good we all inherit, thanks be to God.
For the wonders that astound us, for the truths that still confound us,
Most of all, that love has found us, thanks be to God.
|
|
Word of Thanks from Kelsey Johnson
Kelsey Johnson served as a Young Adult in Global Mission in Jerusalem/Holy Land for one year, supported by the Florida-Bahamas Synod Global Mission Committee. At the Conference on Ministry, Kelsey was present to share a greeting and reflection on her time with the participants. She sent the following note of thanks and invitation to the synod.
Thank you for inviting me to the Conference on Ministry to speak about my YAGM year accompanying our companions in Palestine. I am grateful for the support from the Florida-Bahamas Synod in all stages of my year of service- financial gifts prior to leaving, messages and emails while I was abroad, and the opportunities to share stories now I have returned. I hope there are more opportunities for returned volunteers to share stories with the synod this year and beyond.
I am deeply grateful for the thoughts and prayers from the Florida-Bahamas Synod pastors and friends from my home congregation--Calvary Lutheran in Apollo Beach. A year ago, I wouldn't have anticipated working for the ELCA beyond a year of volunteering. But I am blessed to serve as an advocacy fellow with ELCA Advocacy and ELCA World Hunger upon returning, and continue to discern a call into further ministry with the ELCA.
Thank you again for the opportunity to share with the synod- I can't express how meaningful it is to lift up the voices and stories of the Palestinian students and community I accompanied and how formative the last year has been in discerning a further call into ministry.
>>>
click HERE
to learn more about the YAGM program, to pray for and support the current young adults from the synod who are serving as YAGMs, or to invite someone to come to your congregation to share more about YAGM<<<
|
|
Global Church Immersion Trip--Haiti
Jan. 18-28, 2019
Details are still being worked out, however, we want to let people know the ELH is eager to host a group from the Florida-Bahamas Synod as part of their “Come and See, Go and Tell” mission priority.
Anita Unrath, Chair of the Haiti Task Force, will be leading this travel group. Plans include participating in the dedication of the new roof on New Jerusalem Church in Les Cayes, visiting the Lutheran Center in Gressier, cultural activities and sites in Port-au-Prince, and attending the dedication of the new cistern in Savanne-Zombie. The trip will be organized so that travelers can do the entire 10 days, or do the first 5 days and fly home, or arrive for the second 5 days.
Contact Anita Unrath by email – tunrath@cfl.rr.com or call 321-223-9521 for more information and to indicate your desire to go.
|
|
Mission Support: The lifeblood of the ELCA - Living Lutheran
After a string of financially challenging years, Mission Support giving at Elvira Zion Lutheran Church in Clinton, Iowa, dropped to 10 percent of its budget. That's higher than the ELCA average of 5.6 percent, but less than half of what the...
Read more
www.livinglutheran.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
Celebrating Mission and Ministry via Social Media
Here are a few ways we are impacting our communities throughout the Florida-Bahamas Synod. Continue to give thanks for what the Spirit is doing through our congregations!
First Coast Conference Youth Groups
(in promoting an upcoming 'Cardboard City' event with Family Promise)
:
Just wanted to see who all was going to be at Cardboard City Friday. Forecast shows it could be a little cold, so bundle up! Feel free to wear any of your Gathering t-shirts to represent. We should have a few from Mandarin, hope to see many out there.
Advent Lutheran Church, Melbourne
(in promoting an upcoming Inter-Faith Service of thanksgiving): Looking forward to a wonderful evening of solidarity!
Mision Luterana Sagrado Corazon, Miami:
Today we help(ed) these beautiful Buddhism folks. We were painting a door in the Fellowship Hall when they came asking for water to prepare some flowers for the funeral service of a beloved friend.
Peace Lutheran, Ft. Myers: A big THANK YOU to all the ladies who served behind the scenes of the Veterans breakfast yesterday! We love and SO appreciate our volunteers!
St. Paul Lutheran Church and School, Niceville:
Thank you to our members who donated supplies for those east of us impacted by Hurricane Michael. Dennis Prucha, Joanne Jones, and I delivered the supplies to Jordan Air in BWB for direct transport to those who desperately need it.
Zion Lutheran Church, Groveland:
A member of Zion Lutheran Church helped Edge Memorial United Methodist Church with their first Thrivent Action Team. Members of Edge Memorial have joined Zion members for many Thrivent Action Teams over the past 5 years. These have included the Sept. 11 Luncheon for First Responders, School supplies drives each year, and helping support the annual Thanksgiving Dinner.
|
|
E-Alert from Lutheran Disaster Response
Dear friends,
As I write you this, several wildfires are raging across California. Already more than 30 people have died and more than 200 are missing, while hundreds of thousands of people have fled their homes under evacuation orders.
Through our partners in California, Lutheran Disaster Response has already begun addressing immediate needs, including providing food and other necessities to survivors. We are also preparing to address long-term needs which might include rebuilding of structures and emotional and spiritual care. The need will be great.
Stay connected to the latest events and our response to this and other disasters through our
Facebook
page. Join us in prayer and use this
bulletin insert
in your congregation to help spread the word.
With gratitude for your partnership in ministry,
The Rev. Daniel Rift
Director, ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
|
|
Click on the calendar to go to the synod calendar to learn more about these events
|
|
Nov. 23-24 - SYNOD OFFICE CLOSED FOR THANKSGIVING
Nov. 23 -
Thanksgiving Day Worship and Meal, Grace, Tallahassee (11:00)
Nov. 28-29 -
Generation NEXT Stewardship Event, Tampa
Nov. 29-Dec. 1 -
Latino Summit, Naples
Dec. 1 -
Castle Church Grand Opening Festival, Orlando
Dec. 16 -
Florida Pro Musica concert, Trinity, St. Petersburg
Dec. 16 -
Service of Lessons and Carols, Grace, Carrollwood
Jan. 20 -
Ordination of Dave Thoresen, Atonement in Sebring (3:00 p.m.)*
Jan. 23-24 -
ELCA Coaching Training
Jan. 24 -
Ordination of Sara Locke, St. Mark’s, Jacksonville (6:00 p.m.)*
*rostered ministers invited to vest and process (color is red)
|
|
Church Organist/Choir Director position
Concordia Lutheran Church in Micco, FL is looking for an Organist (piano) and Choir Director as a year round part time job.
Playing for one Sunday Service at 10:30 am and special services including Christmas Eve, Lent, Advent, Memorials and Weddings. The individual will also be responsible for music selection and directing the choir with one rehearsal per week from September through May.
For further information, please contact the Office Manager at Concordia Lutheran Church: 300 Barefoot Blvd, Micco, Fl 32976. Phone: 772-664-1104 or by email at clutheran@bellsouth.net.
Office hours are from 9:00 to 11:00 am Monday through Thursday
|
|
Rector/Dean of Seminary Position at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary
A new position, Rector/Dean of the Seminary, is being created to replace the position of Dean of the College of Theology as head of LTSS.
|
|
It's Almost Time to Register for Summer Camp!
Dates to know:
Summer camp Registration OPENS the week of Thanksgiving!
Register by
March 15 to lock in our Early Rate
($40.00 savings from the regular camp rate!)
Regular Camp Rates Apply
March 16-April 30
$20.00 Late Fee is applied if you register after May 1
Register online at:
|
|
- Geneva and Wittenberg (with Bishop Eaton)
- Latino Summit (Naples)
- Tampa Office
- Emmanuel, Venice
- 50th anniversary of St. Peter Lutheran Church, Ft. Myers Beach
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
