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Welcome
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A warm welcome to this issue of Downtown, a quarterly newsletter full of interchange and exchange between downtown Lutheran churches across our great country! As your editor, it's my hope you'll find this a helpful, powerful resource to further equip and empower your ministry in the great downtown. As your editor, I can only accomplish that goal when you respond to the content of this newsletter and feed me information about what's going on with your own particular ministry. Responses, comments, constructive criticisms, etc. can be directed to DowntownChurches@aol.com.
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Website
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Please check out the Association's brand new website at www.downtownlutheranchurches.org Our thanks to Chad Schmutzer, a member of Historic First Lutheran Church of Pasadena, CA and a resident computer guru at the California Institute of Technology (CalTech) for getting this up and running for us. This website is BRAND NEW and still very much under construction. We'd appreciate your insights as to what you'd like to see included on the site. Four ideas already bantered about are 1) a blog to enhance the two-way exchange of ideas, 2) a photo gallery of downtown churches, 3) links to downtown ministry websites and 4) a monthly series featuring the mission and ministry of a downtown church. Please forward your ideas to DowntownChurches@aol.com.
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A Planned Gathering
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As part of its 170th Anniversary during 2009, Historic Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Louis (Rev. David Marth, Senior Pastor) has extended a gracious invitation to host a gathering of downtown ministries in October, 2009. This will be our first gathering since the Spring of 1999 at Trinity Downtown in Orlando.
Before dates are officially announced, a question needs to be answered. That question is whether it is preferable to have a mid-week gathering or a gathering that extends over a weekend. The mid-week gathering might enable more pastors to attend without having to arrange pulpit coverage. The weekend gathering allows us all to see a powerful downtown church in action through worship. Would you please email your preference for a mid-week or weekend gathering to DowntownChurches@aol.com? We will announce dates for this gathering by 15 April.
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Spotlight Feature
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In response to many of your comments, during 2009, “Downtown” will include ministry spotlights of different downtown ministries across the country. Many of you have commented that you desire to know what other downtown ministries are doing to reach the unsaved. We hope this feature will prove helpful!
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Spotlight on Orland, FL
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Celebrating its 90th Anniversary during 2009, Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church and School (a.k.a. “Trinity Downtown”) in Orlando sponsored a program called “The Gift” at the Lake Eola Bandshell on Friday 5 December 2008. More than 700 guests and 130 cast members brought Trinity's gift of contemporary and nostalgic music presentations to downtown Orlando. The show featured the Trinity “New Dimensions” Jazz Ensemble, “The Way,” the 20-piece Power Stars Steel Orchestra, the Vietnamese Children's Choir and the “Jewels of Judah” Praise Dance Troop. Pastor Jeff Moore shared the true story of Christmas from St. Luke with children from Trinity's Child Development Center. Lisa Moore led the Trinity School Choir in some rousing Christmas carols.
A member of the LCMS, more information about Trinity Downtown and its outreach to Orlando can be found at www.trinitydowntown.org
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Closing
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In closing, my sisters and brothers in Christ, my wish for each of you is simple: KEEP PREACHING THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST IN SEASON AND OUT OF SEASON FOR HE IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE.
As you preach Jesus, may He bless you in all ways, enabling you to continue to bless those around you!
Joined with you serving Christ and His people,
The Reverend Christopher Schaar
Editor
Senior Pastor, Historic First Lutheran, Pasadena, CA
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DOWNTOWN
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January 2009 - Issue 4
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IN THIS ISSUE
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MISSION STATEMENT
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The Association of Downtown Lutheran Churches celebrates the mission and ministry of the Lord through congregations in downtown neighborhoods, sharing and developing ideas and programs by communicating, networking and encouraging one another.
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PARTNER
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