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Missional Migration: From Comfort Zones to Purposeful Risks
By: Rev. Ted Hartman

Migrations are about the movement of people from one place to another. Sometimes, migrations are physical like from Egypt to the wilderness or from the wilderness to Canaan. Other times, migrations are theological like from circumcision to baptism or from "Jews only" to "Gentiles as well."

Our church is migrating. Like God's people of old who carried the Ark of the Covenant with them as they migrated, we are on the move. We are moving into new arenas for living out our lives as God's people, carrying with us the same Gospel, Scripture, and Faith. This isn't so much a physical move as one of practical orientation and day to day behavior. We aren't just within the walls of the church anymore. We are also out there in the day-to-day lives of those who don't yet know Jesus. We are learning to "speak their language" and develop genuine relationships. We are very similar to the Apostle Peter as he moved from the exclusivity of Jewish tradition to speaking the Gospel to all people whatever their current culture, language, or belief system.

Being involved with congregations and pastors as a Mission Coach in the California-Nevada-Hawaii District has allowed me to experience some "edginess" as congregations begin to migrate. One of these areas of edginess is in the movement from being comfortable with our ways of doing things, toward the more risky ways that we have not tried. One congregation has sent out "servant teams" without a specific evangelism purpose. One of the teams simply helped a group of people in a local mobile home park. It took six months, but the mobile home park folks started to realize they were not a "target" for a church but recipients of genuine love. Relationships started to develop and, guess what, an adult baptism happened as well.

The approach seems to vary with the circumstances and personality of the congregation, but involves this change in orientation. They are starting to look outside of themselves and experience discomfort as they attempt to connect with people who don't have a clue about who Jesus is. Members of the congregation become even more uncomfortable when they realize that they don't know how to even talk to some people without "church talk."

I am watching congregations and pastors stay engaged in this initially frustrating process. They are living with the tension because they realize that is where the Lord wants them to be. He wants them to take some risks so that His Gospel has an opportunity to transform some new people with the new life that only He can bring.

There is also something very interesting happening. These congregations are also taking on a "quiet humility," as they realize that they don't have all the answers. The learning curve is steep because what used to work is not working anymore. However, they are also learning that they can depend on the Lord to lead them through this current migration as He has with all the migrations of the past.

----- Reprinted with permission from the Center for US Missions, publication:  Mission Moments dated 3/28/08

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St John, Willits, CA - Rite Confirmation & First Communion

On Sunday, April 6, the members of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Willits, CA, welcomed Bodie and Sierra Wisehart (the children of Carrie Wisehart) as communicant members on this day of their Confirmation and First Communion.  Bodie and Sierra each expressed what a difference Jesus made in their lives.  They then joyfully confirmed the faith they confessed at their baptisms through the Rite of Confirmation. 

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Construction Moving Forward in Atwater
By: Rebekah Milz

Holy Cross in Atwater, CA, continues to move forward in construction of their remodeling project.  This project includes a new connecting hallway, new handicapped accessible bathrooms, and a new entryway.  These changes will be a welcome addition to the small bathrooms and open hallway that the church has now.  Completion of construction is estimated for later this year.

This project is being financed through a loan with CEF.  We pray that God will continue to bless this construction project and keep everyone safe.

By investing with the CNH District Church Extension Fund, your investment is working throughout our District to provide loans to ministries like Holy Cross, while it is still earning interest for you.  To find out more about the CEF ministry, contact us toll-free at (866) 452-6739 or by email: cnhcef@pacbell.net.

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Concordia University Portland's May Choir Tour

On May 4-15, the Concordia Choir and Ensembles will take the gift of sacred music from Portland to Los Angeles and back.  The tour itinerary includes:

·         May 4:  8:00 am and 10:30 am worship at St. John Lutheran Church, Salem, OR

·         May 4:  7:00 pm concert at Trinity Lutheran Church, Bend, OR

·         May 5:  7:00 pm concert at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Carson City, NV

·         May 6:  Morning presentation at Bethlehem Lutheran School, Carson City, NV

·         May 6:  7:00 pm concert at St. John Lutheran Church, Napa, CA

·         May 7:  Morning presentation at St. John Lutheran School, Napa, CA

·         May 7:  7:00 pm concert at Bethany Lutheran Church, Menlo Park, CA

·         May 8:  7:00 pm concert at Trinity Lutheran Church, Ventura, CA

·         May 11:  7:50 am, 10:00 am and 11:15 am worship at Abiding Savior Lutheran Church, Lake Forest, CA

·         May 11:  4:00 pm concert at Abiding Savior Lutheran Church, Lake Forest, CA

·         May 12:  Morning presentation at Lutheran High School, Orange County, CA

·         May 12:  7:00 pm concert at Christ Lutheran Church, Visalia, CA

·         May 13:  7:00 pm concert at Town and Country Lutheran Church, Sacramento, CA

·         May 14:  Morning presentation at Town and Country Lutheran School, Sacramento, CA

·         May 14:  7:00 pm concert at Grace Lutheran Church, Ashland, OR

If you live near one of these concert locations, please join us for a celebration of God's grace in Jesus through the gift of music!  Admission is free; an offering will be received.

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For more information about the choir, or the performances above, please contact Jim Pressnell, Director of Church Relations, Concordia University Foundation, 800-752-4736, or by email:  jpressnell@cu-portland.edu

 

 

 

 

Free resources available for 'Pastoral Education Month'
From:  LCMSNews 04/18/08

Missouri Synod congregations are encouraged to highlight the pastoral ministry during the month of May, and the Synod's Board for Pastoral Education -- together with the church body's two seminaries in St. Louis and Fort Wayne, Ind. -- have produced a number of resources to help.

With about 100 fewer seminarians than three years ago, and a growing number of retirement-age pastors, "now is the time" for the Synod to get serious about recruitment of pastors, according to Rev. Glen Thomas, executive director of the Synod's Board for Pastoral Education.  Thomas urges all Missouri Synod Lutherans -- especially current pastors -- to "plant the seed" of pastoral service with young men who are expressing interest or who have the gifts to serve in pastoral ministry.  "If someone would just affirm that and say, 'You know, you would make a great pastor,' or 'I could really see you in the pastoral ministry,' that would get them thinking about it in a more positive way," he said.

All LCMS congregations should be receiving in mid-April a poster promoting "Pastoral Education Month" and its resources:

• sermon notes.
• a Bible study with guides for participants and leaders.
• hymn suggestions.
• a prayer.
• a bulletin insert.

With the theme "One Message: Many Messengers," the resources are available at www.lcms.org/pastoraleducation for free downloading.  A "reminder" postcard will be mailed to congregations in early May.  Both seminaries also have produced promotional materials for special Sunday observances to call attention to pastoral education and seminary support:

• Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, is mailing a packet of sample materials to each LCMS congregation this month to call attention to "Concordia Seminary Sunday" on July 13 or an alternate date.  The materials, which are not dated and can be used anytime during the year, include a special bulletin insert, a poster, an adult Bible study, a sermon, a seminary DVD, and other worship resources.

For more information or to order, contact the seminary's communications department at (314) 505-7374 or email: communications@csl.edu.

• Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, is mailing in June a packet with a sample bulletin insert, bookmarks, and a poster to every LCMS congregation offering them the opportunity to request materials to promote seminary education, including admission packets, retreat information, student "adoption" information, and a seminary DVD.

The materials may be used anytime during the year.

For more information or to order, call (800) 481-2155 or send an e-mail to publicrelations@ctsfw.edu.

Both seminaries offer free visitation events to prospective students and their spouses or fiancées.  For more information, visit the schools' Web sites at www.csl.edu (St. Louis) and www.ctsfw.edu (Fort Wayne).

This summer, the seminaries are offering a number of continuing-education workshops in various locations around the country.  For more information, click here.

We welcome your postings for special events taking place within the district.  In order to have your event publicized on the district website, please email a copy of the event flyer (in Microsoft PUBLISHER or Word format) to:  newsletter@cnh-lcms.org.   We will update our website with your event at the earliest possible opportunity.  Please make sure that you provide a contact name and email for the event. 

Red = New        Green = Registration and/or event this week   Junior High Youth Gathering, June 22-25, Mt. Cross, CA:  Here is your chance to be part of this year's DYG~ Wild Kingdom!  Visit the Youth Gathering website for more information/registration about this event.    The National Lutheran Youth Workers Conference, July 10-13, 2008, Indianapolis, IN:  Online registration is now open for NATIONAL.  Make plans now to join youth workers from throughout the LCMS for four days designed to nurture ministry to students in your congregation.  Experience Keynote SPEAKERS: Travis Hartjen, DCE, Dr. Micah Parker, Patra Mueller, DCE, Brad Alles and Thom and Joani Schulz of GROUP Publishing; ARTISTS: Fusebox and "These Guys"; more than 24 Seminar topics including the new "Youth Ministry Intensive" series; daily Bible Study led by Rev. Reed Lessing, worship and devotion; and fellowship with more than 450 youth workers.  For more details, visit the Web site.   Mark Your Calendars!   2008 National LCMS Children's Ministry Conference, "Christ+Children+Community", is designed to provide learning opportunities, but more importantly to immerse participants in Scripture-based experiences focused on mission and ministry with children.  When:  July 11-13, 2008, Where:  Chicago, IL.  Visit website for more information.    ----------------------------------------------------- Prayers - New Requests Congregations: The CNH District office staff has a practice of remembering in prayer the congregations and ministries of our district during devotions.  This week the staff is praying over these churches and we invite you to join us in remembering them:  Mt. Olive, Folsom, CA; Trinity, Georgetown CA;  Cool New Church Start, Cool, CA; Grace, Grass Valley, CA; Zion, North Highlands, CA.   Calls: Rev. Karl Bliese, Lutheran Church of Our Saviour, Delano, CA, has been extended a call by St. John, Willits, CA, as pastor. Rev. Jedidiah Maschke, candidate, PSW District, has accepted a call by First, Concord, CA, as pastor.  ----------------------------------------------------- Prayers - Ongoing Concerns Dorothy Bunting, mother of Rev. David Bunting Jan Froh, wife of Rev. Charles Froh (San Mateo, CA) Rev. Carl Hafner, pastor emeritus (Paso Robles, CA) Mary Sandate, wife of Rev. Sid Sandate (Manteca, CA) Janet Glover, wife of Rev. John Glover, ongoing healing. Father of Rev. Russ Hess, (Sacramento, CA) Rev. Robert Seible, Christ, Martinez CA, macular degeneration. Tom Patterson, Aiea, HI, surgery/healing. Vi Mireles, wife of Rev. B.R. Mireles (pastor emeritus), healing (Sacramento, CA) Rev. Elmer Thyr, pastor emeritus, Minden, NV, on the death of his wife, Maxine. Karen Loper, (preschool teacher at St John, Napa CA) has been diagnosed with cancer. Rev. & Mrs. Robert Visser, pastor emeritus, death of their son, Peter Rev. Ronald Youngdale, Good Shepherd, Turlock, CA, death of his father, Rev. Kermit (Minnesota) Janet Linden, DCE Intern, healing and recovery (Aiea, HI) Rev. John Mueller, St. Luke, Santa Rosa, CA, on the death of his mother, Joan (Milwaukee, WI) Deacon Gary Pippett, health concerns, Grace, Gridley, CA. Rev. Carv Plitt, pastor emeritus, continued recovery from a stroke. Rev. Dr. Lee Settgast (former director of Los Angeles Nehemiah Project, presently serving as Intentional Interim Minister at West Portal Lutheran Church in San Francisco) and his wife, Eunice, and the Cooper family, on the death of the Settgast's daughter, Christine. The family of Janice Riese-O'Rourke, Early Childhood Director, St. John, Bakersfield CA, on the death of her husband, Frank, who had a heart attack while they were vacationing in Alaska. Norm Brauer, principal, Sierra Lutheran High School, and family on the death of his mother. Rev. Jerry Barnhart, pastor emeritus, on the death of his mother. Katherine (Binky) Davidenas, daughter of Rev. & Mrs. Gene Davidenas, seizures Brenda Mongnis, mom, wife & first grade teacher at St. Paul, Merced, CA, diagnosed with leukemia. Rev. Arnold Steinbeck, pastor emeritus, formerly of the CNH District, on the death of his mother, Hazel Steinbeck. Rev. Walter Schedler, pastor emeritus, Colusa, CA on the death of his mother, Charlotte, in Wisconsin. Kayla Armstrong, 4th grader at Calvary, San Lorenzo, CA, recovery from surgery from brain tumor. Rev. Timothy Huber, Grace, Modesto, CA, on the homegoing of his mother. Rev. Jim Mackereth, Bethany, Lompoc, CA, continued recovery from car accident. Rev. Dr. Jack Geistlinger, pastor emeritus, Napa, CA, necrosis of the hip. Sandy Eitel, principal, Grace, Visalia, CA, on the death of her father.