I have considered the consequences of Easter—

what it was designed to mean and ought to mean in my life.

I accept my Lord’s enablement, the gift of His Spirit,

and His commission to continue the incarnation of Christ

among this world’s citizens.

I am commanded to “go,” to represent and reflect Him to people about me.

I am not, however, thrust out unarmed, unequipped,

and alone in this chaotic world.

He is with me always, invisibly undergirding,

Inspiring, empowering, and guiding.

He meets my personal needs—

and He can transmit through me what is necessary to help meet the needs

of others in my path.

From Christ in Your Life by Leslie Brandt

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

1 Corinthians 15:57

Please join us in praying and thanking God for the following schools this week:

Pacific Lutheran Middle School and High School, Gardena, CA

Sherman Oaks Lutheran Children’s Center, Sherman Oaks, CA

Trinity Lutheran Preschool, Temecula, CA

Below are photos from Pacific Lutheran Middle School and High School, Gardena, CA:

Pastor Duling baptizing two young men in chapel this week. One of the boys is an international student from Vietnam.

PacLu Middle School Boys Basketball Championship Game 

The 2023-2024 PacLu Faculty

Pacific Southwest District President Rev. Dr. Mike Gibson and the entire PSD team wish you a blessed Holy Week. Watch the video below for a short greeting from President Gibson.

The April devotion is now up on our website. It is written by Tim Gast, principal at Valley Lutheran High School in Phoenix, AZ, and titled "Just Tell Me!" Thank you, Tim, for reminding us to have "the courage to shout out to Him for the answers...and know that He'll never disappoint!"

We are so thankful to the 16 schools who have contributed so far to this year’s Hearts for Jesus unified mission project, LCC Comfort Dog Ministry! To date we have collected $9,181.85 which will support just over 30 teams of comfort dogs and handlers to “Be There” in times of emergency and crisis! To God be the glory! There is still plenty of time for your school to contribute to this worthwhile project! If you haven’t yet taken the time to find out more about Lutheran Church Charities Comfort Dog Ministry, please visit our Hearts for Jesus page on the School Ministries website. LCC has created a great page of classroom resources and videos to help engage and inspire your students, early childhood through high school, to be compassionate and empathetic individuals! You can also request a virtual comfort dog visit! Thank you for sharing about this worthwhile project and for instructing and modeling giving hearts to your students!

The China Experience | School Innovation (October 4-14, 2024) equips educational leaders to drive innovation in their communities and on their campuses through visits to international, public, and lab schools, discussions with leaders and policymakers, and intercultural interactions with Chinese teachers and students. It is an immersive and transformational experience where participants are introduced to new places, cultures, and ideas. The heart of the curriculum is lived through experience in the journey of 10,000 steps from schools to palaces, from gardens to skyscrapers, and from the boardroom to the circus. Participants will have the rare opportunity to travel with and be mentored by intercultural and innovation expert, Dr. Eugene P. Kim.  

The cost of the trip is estimated at $4,800 for double occupancy. The non-refundable deposit of $500 is due on May 1, 2024, paid to Pacific Southwest District. The remaining trip fees (approximately $4,300) are due on June 1, 2024.  

If you are interested in applying for a spot on this amazing life-changing experience, please complete The China Experience | School Innovation Google Form by April 15, 2024. Please direct your questions to [email protected].

Save the Date for the Administrators Leadership Conference - July 17-19, 2024, at the newly renovated Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort and Spa in Indian Wells, CA! Registration will open in mid-April. Stay tuned for more details!

Need Some Encouragement?

Read this devotional that Tom Wrege wrote for Lutheran Special Education Ministries (LSEM). Visible and Everlasting Promises.

Hey, High School Social Studies Teachers!

Social Studies teachers can help students personalize history by embracing individualized pathways and oral or local history projects. Find ideas in Personalizing History for More Impactful Student Learning. (Heather Bassett and Cynda Wood in eSchool News)

"They say our job is teaching. We know that our life is teaching. Every time we walk into our classrooms we have to be ready to do so much more than teach." -Minnesota’s Mary Beth Blegen, National Teacher of the Year

The Pacific Southwest District is excited to launch the Foundations of Lutheran Teaching (FLT) program in the Fall of 2024. Foundations of Lutheran Teaching seeks to support and equip school professionals for ministry in Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) schools. The FLT program offers five asynchronous online courses, each spanning eight weeks. These courses are designed for working school professionals to accommodate their busy schedules. A virtual information session will be held on Tuesday, April 9, at 3:30 p.m.

Scan the QR code above to sign up.

$400 per course - Scholarships available

Online Class:

• What Lutherans Believe and Why
• Jesus Through the Bible
• Teaching the Faith
• Spiritual Development of Students
• Spiritual Self-Care

Looking to grow a love of missions with students this summer? Check out the FREE downloadable resources Garuna Ministries has for your church or school that share what God is doing in Lutheran schools on the other side of the world! With easy-to-prep scripted lessons, engaging activities, colorful slideshows, and informative videos, children will connect with your mission offering partners in meaningful ways. Choose from Group's SCUBA theme or CPH's Celebrate theme. Email [email protected] for more information! 

Orange County Jr. High students:

Join us for a full-day experience with worship, speakers, service, games, competitions, and more.

This year’s YOUTHX theme is “SINNER&SAINT” and focuses on how faith in Jesus shapes who you are.

9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 13

Click here for more information!

• We pray for a time of gratefulness and reflection as we journey through Holy Week. We especially pray for our churches as they share the amazing message of Christ's death and resurrection in creative ways this week.
• Join us in praying for congregations, high schools, elementary schools, and early childhood centers searching for administrators, directors, teachers, and staff for the 2024-25 school year.

Schools we are praying for the week of March 31:

Emmaus Lutheran School and Preschool, Alhambra, CA

Redeemer by the Sea Lutheran Preschool, Carlsbad, CA

Good Shepherd Lutheran Preschool, Tehachapi, CA 

Each week, prayers of thanksgiving and prayers for teachers, administrators, support staff, pastors, students, and families of the Lutheran schools, early childhood centers, and churches of the Pacific Southwest District are listed. To include names on the list, please send information to [email protected] by noon on Tuesdays.