Christ - Community - Connect
Weekly Newsletter and Prayer & Praise
October 29, 2020 
Transforming lives and making the Great Commission REAL!
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.
New This Week
ALL WORKERS CONFERENCE: LESS THAN A MONTH AWAY!

All Workers Conference - November 23 & 24
All Workers Conference - November 23 & 24

BACH CANTATA VESPERS CONCERT
St. John's Lutheran Church, Orange, CA presents Bach Cantata Vespers
Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen! (BWV 51) performed by the Cathedral Singers, Soloist, String Quartet & Organ on Sunday, November 8 at 7:00 pmCantata 51, featuring a soprano soloist, was written around 1730 for the Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity.  The Cathedral Singers will present two anthems as part of the service; Charles Raasch is the organist.  This Concert will be presented online. Learn More
LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF QUILTS & KITS COLLECTION
A collection of Lutheran World Relief Quilts and Kits will take place November 1-30, Monday-Friday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm at Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center located at 7415 E. Elbow Bend, Carefree, AZ. For more information on quilts and kits please visit lwr.org/quilts and lwr.org/kits
BACKPACK BONANZA
Backpack Bonanza #2 is scheduled for February 14, 2021.  This is a joint project of Orphan Grain Train CA-AZ-NV Collection Center and the PSD LWML. Information for this project can be found at psdlwml.org under Forms and Resources; Orphan Grain Train; September 14 for those groups or churches wanting to participate. As backpack and school supplies are readily available at this time we wanted to give you a heads up. Final collection information will be forthcoming.
Share Your Story
At a Men's Bible Study at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Cerritos CA, during October 2019, the members were encouraged to attend a November LLL/LHM Conference at Concordia University, Irvine with President Gibson and four panelists, including Vicar Nader Hanna.
 
Vicar Nader made a compelling presentation regarding how former Muslims were coming to faith in Jesus Christ.
 
Curt and Sue from Holy Cross were so moved by this realization that they asked Vicar Nader what they could do to help. The result was that they opened Holy Cross facilities for Wednesday evening Bible Studies with a meal to follow.
 
On Thursday evening September 24, 2020  eighteen new Christians, those becoming Christians and longtime Christians attended such a Bible Study at Holy Cross. Represented were individuals previously from Somalia, Kenya, Turkey and Algeria. Translations into various languages were current with Vicar Nader's facilitation and presentation.
 
Curt and Sue say that the November 2019 LLL/LHM Conference changed their lives...and surely the lives of many others!
SHARE YOUR STORY
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. 
Resource Links
New Video Added! These short videos from Lutheran Church Extension Fund were designed to move your ministries forward according to God's will.
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
Previously Posted
ALL ABOUT ALL WORKERS CONFERENCE HOST SITES
The 2020 All Workers Conference online format doesn't mean personal engagement isn't possible. We pray that groups of pastors, educators, DCEs, music directors, and more will safely gather at host sites, providing participants with the opportunity to engage around content, enjoy the fellowship of others and worship together. Larger church/school staffs may want to stay on campus and become their own host site, inviting others in their area to join them per their county's guidelines.
Interested in being a host site or just want to know more? Check out this information on the AWC website and learn about the place, technology and connection guidelines for host sites. Interested in hosting? Email awchostsites@psd-lcms.org.

A listing of available host sites where you can join your colleagues is coming soon!

Note: all staff members registering from the same congregation/school
should be registered by one person. See note below in PSD Conferences.
CALIFORNIA TRAINING REMINDER
Complete California Sexual Harassment and Abuse Prevention Training before January 1, 2021
California SB 1343 amended the Fair Employment and Housing Act regulations to require California employeers (including churches and schools) with five or more employees to provide sexual-harassment-prevention training to all workers by Jan. 1, 2021 (as amended by  BS 778 ), and every two years thereafter. Employees are required to complete one hour of training every two years while supervisors are required to complete two hours every two years or within 6 months of taking on a supervisory position. There are many online, in-house and other options available. One option for churches to consider is CongregationU, who offers online training with sensitivity to a church's unique setting. For schools, an option is the law firm of Liebert Cassidy Whitmore who offers online, in-house, and train the trainer resources. An additional resource to check is your insurance company who may have their own trainings, or can refer you to third-party resources.
REVISED CONGREGATIONAL TREASURER'S MANUAL
NOW AVAILABLE
The newly revised Congregational Treasurer's Manual is now available online from the Synod website at lcms.org. This is a comprehensive, valuable resource that provides all kinds of information related to church and school administration. Recent updates and revisions include links to COVID-19 resources, updates to benefits offered by Concordia Plans, updates to contribution and Social Security limits, and much more.
 
The content for the Treasurer's Manual is accessible directly online, downloadable in PDF format. The Pacific Southwest District also has a small supply of printed copies (which include a CD version of the manual). Cost is $7 plus shipping, and the CD-only version is free. Contact Cathy Korp, PSD CFO at cathy.korp@psd-lcms.org to order.
DCE MONTHLY MEETING
PSD DCEs and Concordia, Irvine's DCE students met October 15 at their monthly meeting to discuss Generation Z. Some of the things we discussed were the following:
  • How is Gen Z's skeptical view of the institutional Church a serious concern, especially with issues like racism and for developing disciples of Christ?
  • Where does the church need to change in the light of these realities?
  • How does the Church remain relevant to Gen Z?
  • How might COVID and the quarantine change the way Gen Z views relationships?
  • What changes do we need to make to adjust to this new reality? 
Please join us on November 19 at 10:00 am for our next engaging meeting! For more information and to be included, please contact rachel.klitzing@psd-lcms.org.
WEBINAR: JOINING JESUS AS A FAMILY
Discipling Your Family by Living Your Faith

You, of course, want your children to worship Jesus and study Jesus. But, if you also want them to become life-long followers of Jesus, they will need more than worship and study... they will need you.
 
That's what we'll be digging into with the Finkes' new webinar "Joining Jesus as a Family: Discipling Your Family by Living Your Faith."
 
Nervous?  Let not your heart be troubled. You're not discipling your child FOR Jesus. You're discipling your child WITH Jesus. And it's simpler than you think and a lot more fun!
 
Register now for Greg and Susan Finke's webinar where they will unpack
  • What discipleship really is
  • Why it is already happening in your family
  • And how fun it can be to intentionally disciple your kids to be life-long followers of Jesus by joining Him on His mission every day.
For only $19.00, you will receive invaluable insights into how discipleship works, a simple outline for how to disciple your family, a recording of the webinar so you can review it on-demand, and the first chapter of the Finke's upcoming book, "Joining Jesus as a Family."
 
The webinar is Tuesday, November 10 at noon CST. Can't make it on November 10? No worries!  Register anyway and receive the webinar recording immediately after November 10. Register Now

LUTHERAN LAYMEN'S LEAGUE CONFERENCE
Bring Christ to the Nations - and the Nations to the Church
You are invited to join the 76th Annual Southern California Lutheran
Laymen's League Conference on Saturday, November 7 from 9:00 - 11:30 am.
RSVP to lmarting@lllsocal.org.  A Zoom Meeting confirmation will be sent.
PSD Conferences
ALL WORKERS CONFERENCE
PSD All Workers Conference 2020: Register Now!

We excitedly invite you to join us for our first-ever Pacific Southwest District All Workers Conference! Registration is now open. Although our conference will be virtual, we encourage you to safely gather at host sites to view the conference in fellowship with other Lutheran church workers. The conference will take place Monday and Tuesday, November 23 & 24. The cost is $50 per person. Our planning team is enthusiastically anticipating an excellent conference with first-rate keynote speakers and workshop presentations intended to equip and resource workers from all ministry areas. Learn More

AWC Registration
Just a friendly reminder that all staff members registering from the same congregation/school should be registered by one person.  Please identify a single person to input all of the attending pastors, teachers, administrators, DCEs, DPMs, etc. from your staff.  That single person's email address should be entered as the first email address for every registration on the staff.  You will be able to input individual email addresses on the second email address field on each person's individual registration.  This is a critical piece for keeping all staff together as one organization for processing of payment and other correspondence.  Thank you so much for paying careful attention to this request!
DISTRICT CONVENTION
Wednesday, June 23 - Friday, June 25, 2021
Faith Lutheran Middle & High School, Las Vegas, NV
Our triennial District convention will be held in a new location in the Summerlin area of metro Las Vegas. This incredible facility showcases how God is at work in amazing ways in our District - don't miss it!
PRAYER REQUESTS

Our Gracious Heavenly Father,
We cry out to you for mercy during these difficult days. Please, O God, heal our land, bring peace to our neighborhoods and cities, and tear down the walls of hate and injustice that divide us. Raise up your church to be a life-giving force - ambassadors of reconciliation.  Empower us for action that we will do more than talk - for it is time to act.  May we model for our world the oneness in Christ, who alone is the hope of the world.  Give wisdom to our civil authorities and faith leaders to make decisions and lead in directions that will result in repentance, healing, forgiveness, new directions, and peace.  We pray this in the powerful name of the Savior of all, Jesus the Christ.  Amen.

Coronavirus - Please be in prayer: for infection rates to slow and cease; that those who have been infected will heal quickly; that healthcare staff and first responders will be sustained as they carry this very heavy burden; that our churches, schools and preschools would be sustained and reliant on our loving God and His guidance; for courage and peace for our pastors, lay leaders, church and school administrators, faculties, and all church and school workers who are making difficult decisions, creating innovative solutions for continuing to reach people for the sake of the Gospel; for our federal, state and local leaders to seek God's will as they make important decisions and take actions against this disease; for God to bring many, many people to faith through this situation, and that His Church would be more effective than ever in sharing the Gospel with the lost and loving our neighbors.

First Responders - For protection, provision and encouragement for our first responders who serve our communities faithfully and sacrificially, facing risks every day on our behalf in order to preserve the peace, our lives and property.
INVITATION TO PRAY
Recently during his Facebook Live broadcast, President Gibson invited all of us to join him each day at noon for a time of prayer on behalf of PSD Congregations and Schools.  Simply set your phone alarm for noon and take a moment to unite your hearts with many others across our District.

Join us in praying:  Pour out, O God, the power of your Spirit upon our congregations and schools as we proclaim together the message and hope of Christ.

This week, along with PSD School Ministries, we specifically pray for:
  • Christ the King Lutheran Preschool and Kindergarten, Newbury Park, CA
  • Child of Faith Early Learning Center, Huntington Beach, CA
  • Redeemer Lutheran Preschool, Huntington Beach, CA
CONTINUED PRAYERS                                        
Rev. Edward Ambrose - vascular/orthopedic issues
Jo Ambrose - fighting bone cancer
Owen Arizmendi - battling Krabbe Leukodystrophy
Rev. Charles Brady - recovering from two strokes and neurological issues
Dora Collins - chronic pain due to auto-immune issues
Rev. Alfonso Conrado - dementia, paralysis and diabetes 
Rev. Scott Ganas - hospitalized with heart problems
Noah Gerdes - recovering from Valley Fever
Rev. Dave Gruenhagen - fighting cancer
Rev. Michael Harnack - suffering from CIDP
David Hendry - suffering from dementia
Kim Ingwersen - battling ALS
Rev. Ray Kibler blood cancer, immunodeficiency, severe side-effects
Jenny Lawson - fighting cancer
Marla Lichtsinn - fighting cancer
Rev. Johnny Lopez - fighting cancer
Rev. Harry Matelski - recovering from heart surgery
Susan Matelski - inoperable deteriorating spine
Mark Nadeau - fighting cancer
Rev. David Peterson - renewed health
Christina Spallek - fighting cancer
Rev. Hal Teuscher - fighting cancer
Rev. Rex Umbenhaur - fighting cancer
Pacific Southwest District-LCMS
949-854-3232