Christ - Community - Connect
Weekly Newsletter - February 11, 2021 
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.
Supreme Court of the United States
Lifts California's Ban on Indoor Worship
I rejoice with you and give thanks to God for the news that the Supreme Court of the United States lifted California's ban on indoor worship. While the 25% capacity limitation and singing ban remains in place, congregations can once again gather for worship in person. Click here for a news article regarding the decision.
 
Interim revised guidelines regarding indoor worship capacity limits are available here: covid19.ca.gov/industry-guidance/#worship. (Note that the 25% capacity limit remains in place but the 100 person limit does not.)
 

We acknowledge and support the reality that not all congregations can or should reopen at this time due to the needs of their congregation and COVID realities in their communities.  I want to express my thanks for the way that all our PSD congregations and schools are living out their freedom in Christ, during this difficult COVID season, with love for one another and respect for those in authority.

 
Please be sure of my prayers as you:
  • Work with your leaders to figure out what this means for your congregation and context, and consider carefully how to gather indoors in the safest manner possible.
  • Provide love and patience without judgment for individuals and families who are not ready to return to in-person worship.
  • Stream or post your worship services for the many who are choosing to participate remotely rather than in-person.
  • Follow your local county guidelines regarding occupancy limitations, distancing, safe communion distribution practices, and mask-wearing to ensure the health and safety of all.
  • Show caution and careful discernment, remembering that in many cases, as the Holy Spirit teaches us through the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians and Galatians, what is permissible is not always beneficial.
  • Continue to aggressively engage your community with the Gospel.
Thank you for praying for the congregations and schools in all three States of the Pacific Southwest District, as we proclaim together our never-failing hope in Christ and patiently find our way forward to the other side of COVID.
Delay to Coventions
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.
New This Week
LCMS TECHNOLOGY GRANTS FOR CONGREGATIONS
The LCMS Office of National Mission (ONM) has announced a new grant opportunity to assist congregations in funding technology, software, equipment and training that will help them fulfill their mission to proclaim the Gospel to their members and the world. Under the Esther 4:14 National Grant Program, approximately 100 grants of up to $1,500 each will be awarded to LCMS congregations seeking to advance their technological capacity in "such a time as this" (Esther 4:14). 

Grants may be used to fund: 
  • Technology (cameras, mixer boards, etc.); 
  • End-user equipment (tablets for shut-ins, etc.);
  • Software or software subscriptions (Microsoft Teams, Zoom Pro accounts, editing software, etc.); and 
  • Other equipment or training to meet congregational needs. 
In recent months, many LCMS churches have experienced an increased need for technology to carry out their mission. Such technology can be expensive, however, and many churches - especially smaller churches and those that were already struggling prior to the pandemic - have been limited in their efforts by financial concerns. This grant opportunity is designed to ease those limitations.
Grant recipients will be chosen by a grant committee, with preference given to congregations that:
  • Demonstrate financial need;
  • Show the ability to meet an unmet need with grant funds;
  • Provide evidence of thoughtful planning; and 
  • Document the actual costs of desired equipment or technology.
Applications for Esther 4:14 grants will be accepted through April 5, with awards announced in May. Visit lcms.org/esther4-14 for more information and to submit an online application. 
FREE ITEMS AVAILABLE
Holy Cross Lutheran Church, San Diego has free items available to any church who would like them.  If interested, please contact us at 858-273-2886 or by e-mail at holycrossword@gmail.com. Pictures available upon request. Items available: 
  • 5 brass communion cup trays
  • 3 brass flower vases
  • 5 white robes, various sizes
  • 20 choir robes with green trim
LEADERSHIP PIPELINE TRAINING
Ever feel like 20% of the church is always doing 80% of the work? Has recruiting volunteers to serve in a leadership position become a daunting task? Is leadership in your church/ministry merely a placement of people or an intentional development?
 
Exciting news!!! LINC SoCal will be partnering with Multiply Group to host a Leadership Pipeline Training starting in April for 6 months for SoCal churches. This training will be virtual.
 
You do not want to miss this. Space is limited. Registration is now open. Bring your whole team to the training for one fixed and discounted price of $1795.  Registration deadline is March 25.
 
Questions? Contact Stella Yau Lok, LINC SoCal City Director, at syau@linc.org.
LCMS YOUTH GATHERING "IN ALL THINGS"
The next LCMS Youth Gathering will be July 9-13, 2022, in Houston, TX. The 2022 Gathering theme is "In All Things" centered around Colossians 1:15-20. 
 
Upcoming Dates:
  • VOLUNTEER APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN - Gathering Ambassador/Team Lead, YAV Squad Leader (closes March 15, 2021), and Team Flex Applications (closes April 2022) available now! Visit lcmsgathering.com/volunteer for more information and to apply. 
  • July 2021 - Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) and YAV Team Captain Applications
  • Fall 2021 - Gathering Registration Opens
Ms. Laura Bredehoft, DCE at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, San Diego, has been selected as our District Coordinator. She has happily agreed to serve! If your church has never been to a LCMS Youth Gathering, Laura would love to connect with you! Please send her an email or call her so you can chat about connecting your youth to this amazing opportunity to spend time together in God's Word, worship, service, and fellowship with a community of God's people coming together to learn more about Jesus Christ, the Christian faith, and their Lutheran identity.
 
Please do not hesitate to contact Laura with any questions you have regarding the Gathering. Email her at lbredehoft@stpaulspb.com or call 858-272-6363 ext.122. You can also find more information about the 2022 LCMS Youth Gathering at lcmsgathering.com.
 
Please note: The LCMS Youth Ministry office is in continual conversations with the City of Houston, government officials and Synod leadership monitoring the developments of COVID-19. The LCMS Youth Gathering team is currently proceeding with planning toward a 2022 Youth Gathering. Gathering planners will work together to make decisions with the highest priority of safety and care of Gathering participants. 
LCMS LIFE CONFERENCE
LCMS Life Ministry will host its first-ever virtual life conference March 19-20, under the theme "Making Disciples: Valuing Life." The conference has been designed for people of all ages and vocations, including sessions for school ministries as well as sessions in Spanish. Registration is open now at lcms-life.org. Join us!
  • Be equipped to speak up for the sanctity of life within your community.
  • Gain ideas on how to care for all human life.
  • Interact with fellow Lutherans on Life Ministry topics.
  • Be a part of the LCMS Life Ministry community .
Dozens of experts in Life Ministry will present throughout the conference with multiple video presentations available for immediate on-demand viewing as soon as you login.  Engage in live Q&A sessions with experts in Life Ministry.
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
IMPORTANT SECURITY ALERT
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.
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
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.
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.
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! 
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. 
Pacific Southwest District-LCMS
949-854-3232