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Christ - Community - Connect
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Transforming lives and making the Great Commission REAL!
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The Weekly Newsletter and the Prayer & Praise are created with postings submitted by congregations. Please share with us so we can share with the entire Pacific Southwest District.
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It has been reported that many of you have received a phishing email from an account pretending to be President Mike Gibson. If you received an email from mgibsonpsdlcms @ gmail.com please report this email as phishing and delete it. Please also note that all district email addresses end in @psd-lcms.org. We sincerely apologize for any confusion this has caused. In today's world of technology, scams and phishing attempts are part of our reality, it is important that we are all being vigilant and using our best judgment to help prevent ourselves from falling for these attacks.
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LCMS leadership is recommending a delay of District and Synodical conventions due to the uncertainty of Districts being able to safely gather in 2021 due to COVID-19. If approved, Districts could hold their conventions at any time during 2021 or 2022 and the Synodical Convention would move to 2023. This is a one-time adjustment. It is important to make this decision now so that Districts are not penalized financially for canceling hotel and convention center contracts at a later date. It is hoped, that by delaying, Districts will be able to gather in convention to worship, fellowship, and do the work of the church-at-large without significant restrictions. We will definitely need to celebrate together on the other-side of COVID.
The decision to delay conventions belongs to the congregations of the LCMS. In a recent letter, LCMS President Matthew Harrison, with the support of Synod's Board of Directors and the Council of Presidents, has requested a vote by the congregations of Synod. By now congregations should have received information on how to vote. Congregations that have not yet received credentials can email LCMS Rosters at Rosters.Stats@lcms.org or call 314-996-1366 and Synod staff will assist them. This process is in keeping with Synodical bylaws which guide decisions that need to be made between Synodical Conventions. A quorum is achieved when 25% of the 6,000 LCMS congregations participate in the vote. A simple majority vote is needed to approve or decline. Actual voting is underway with results announced by mid-February. If you are responsible for completing the vote for your congregation, please ensure that is completed as soon as possible. You can find a copy of President Harrison's communication, the FAQ, an accompanying letter from the Council of Presidents, and a letter from PSD President Mike Gibson at this link.
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ONE MINUTE: VALENTINE'S DAY REVISITED
In the Western world, Valentine's Day is celebrated as a day for couples and lovers to give cards, flowers, chocolates, and other expressions of love and affection. However, it was not always that way. Named for two different men, both named St. Valentine, who were both martyred in the 3rd century Italy, Valentine's Day became a feast day of the early Catholic Church as it honored saints. The first St. Valentine was a priest in Rome who was martyred in AD 269. The second St. Valentine was from Terni in central Italy who was martyred in AD 273. There are many legends and stories that have cropped up around each of these men over the centuries. The Catholic Encyclopedia has also referenced a third St. Valentine from Africa who was martyred. On the Calendar of Saints (Lutheran), St. Valentine is commemorated by the LCMS as a martyr, but not a saint. Read Full Article
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FREE SPANISH RESOURCES
Free Spanish resources for sharing the Gospel: Great news! The Lutheran Heritage Foundation (a recognized service organization of the LCMS) has a variety of FREE new resources available in the Spanish language, including Luther's Small Catechism, The Bible with Small Catechism (combined volume), A Child's Garden of Bible Stories, and "Jesus Never Fails" devotional tract. These materials are available to any LCMS church, mission or individual who wants to share the Good News with their Spanish-speaking neighbors. To order, send an email to info@LHFmissions.org or call the LHF office at 800-554-0723.
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INDIA IN CRISIS: EMERGENCY RELIEF
The Covid-19 pandemic has escalated into a humanitarian crisis in India impacting the poorest of the poor. Many of our ministry partners in India are already responding - and they are pleading for help. A gift of $40 will feed a family of 4 for 4 weeks. Will you help them? Donate Now
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IS THIS THE GOSPEL?
Please join us for a Breakfast Bible Study at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Huntington Beach, CA on Saturday, February 13. Pastors Mark Jasa and Mark Pierson return to lead our study on Is This the Gospel? Breakfast starts at 8:30 am in the Fellowship Hall followed by the presentation at 9:00 am. COVID-19 precautions will be followed. RSVP for breakfast at churchoffice@redeemer-lutheran.net or call 714- 846-6330. For those who cannot attend in person, the study will be live on Zoom and also recorded for later viewing on our website. Please visit redeemer-lutheran.net and look under Events, Upcoming Events for information on how to participate.
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Lutheran Church Extension Fund has a limited number of FREE 2021 Planners. If you work for a Lutheran church, school or RSO in the Pacific Southwest District, we would like to send one to you. If you are interested, email Gail Kanneg at gail.kanneg@lcef.org.
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UNITE LEADERSHIP WEBINARS
Unite Leadership is offering free monthly webinar calls to help you become the missional leader you were called to be! Leadership can be overwhelming and frustrating, but it can also be the adventure of a lifetime. That's why the ULC exists - to empower leaders to multiply missional impact by connecting the dots between leadership, theology, and ministry strategy.
ULC will host a free live webinar once a month with special guest speakers. Subscribe for webinar updates at www.uniteleadership.org. Ministry Leadership Development - February 25, 11:00 am MST
Join us for Ministry Leadership Development with special guest speaker Jacob Boessling and Leadership Development Pastor Mac Lake. Mac's passion is growing leaders for the local church. Mac Lake's passion is for growing leaders for the local church. Have you ever found yourself asking, "We need more leaders!" Most ministry leaders are facing that very same struggle with growing frustration because they cannot seem to find a solution. The shortage of leaders decreases the impact on ministry and increases the stress on staff. Join us as Jake and Mac discuss the struggle and help identify solutions that you can begin implementing immediately!
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LETTER FROM LCMS PRESIDENT HARRISON
In recent weeks, I have received a number of inquiries from concerned members of the Synod about the COVID-19 vaccines, as they seek to maintain their support for the sanctity of life and for religious freedom. These questions have come not in the interests of politicizing the matter, but out of sincere Christian moral convictions.
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CLOSURE OF CONCORDIA COLLEGE, NY
From President Derek G. Lecakes, Atlantic District
It is with a heavy heart I share the news that after 140 years of serving the church, Concordia College, NY will close at the end of the academic year.
An Observation from President Mike Gibson
This is a heartbreaking announcement for all of us in the LCMS. Please pray for God's guidance and comfort for the students, faculty, staff, and alumni of Concordia College, New York. I am very thankful for the dedication and diligent efforts of the Atlantic District to assist CCNY over the last many months. I have come to understand this to be a very frustrating and difficult "dance" - if a university announces early that they're having problems, they'll lose their students and close prematurely; if they wait too long to announce, everyone wants to know why it wasn't announced sooner. We thank God and pray for his continued blessings for our own strong and healthy Concordia University Irvine.
In Christ,
Mike
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THE SPIRITUAL CONVERSATION CURVE
Register now for new online courses about The Spiritual Conversation Curve from Lutheran Hour Ministries at lhm.org/learn. These 20-minute courses will prepare you to have conversations about your faith with others. Get started today!
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FINAL SLATE OF CONCORDIA SEMINARY PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES
The following two individuals have been named to the final slate of candidates to be considered for election and call as the 11th president of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis:
* Dr. Thomas J. Egger
* Dr. Joel D. Lehenbauer
These candidates were selected from the pool of nominees who gave permission for their names to stand in consideration for the call. On Saturday, February 6, the electors will vote to select the candidate to receive the presidential call. A public announcement will be made at 2:00 pm CT that day following the election.
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CONTEMPLATE ONLINE VISITATION EVENT
College-age and older men and women are invited to Contemplate, an online visitation event that gives prospective students an opportunity to learn about life at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis and the preparation that leads to service as a pastor or deaconess. This free event will be held Friday, March 12. During Contemplate, participants will engage in sessions that focus on the spiritual and personal aspects of the decision-making process, as well as learn about the academic program, field education, vicarage or internship year, financial aid and housing. They also will walk through the admissions process, learn about the St. Louis area and meet with the admissions team. The deadline to register is March 5. Interested participants can learn more and sign up at csl.edu/contemplate. A link to join the event will be provided to registrants before the event.
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Is there something exciting happening in your congregation or school? Let us know so we can celebrate with you! Does your church or pastor have a blog, vlog, or do you live stream your services? Let us know so we can help drive engagement! Visit the Around the PSD page on our website to hear some great stories. You can submit your story from this page. Please Note: This is not an events page.
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Pacific Southwest District-LCMS
949-854-3232
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