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 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,Recently I picked up a book by Gene Vieth entitled God at Work: Your Christian Vocation in All of Life. Vocation is an interesting way of looking at our lives and what we do. We have Vocational Schools where people learn a particular trade. But vocation is more than just a job, it is a calling. It is a course of action.Our vocation, our calling, as God's people is to serve our God. St. Paul tell the Romans, "I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God." If what God wants for us there is not plain enough, Paul says this to the Ephesian Christians; it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast." That's where we usually stop with that passage. But Paul's pen continues. He writes, "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." That is to say, God created us, God brought us back from sin, God called us to be His own so that we might "do good works"...so that we might do..so that we might work. For full article click here. |
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Mission & Ministry News
The Elephant in the Room
I recently r eceived some interesting information from the stats guru at the International Center in St. Louis. From 2003 to 2012, worship attendance in South Wisconsin District congregations declined by 20% (from stats provided by the congregations them-selves). The fact that some congregations in our District grew in worship attendance during that period leads us to think that quite a few declined quite a bit more than 20%. Anecdotally, we all know congregations that are declining, some much more rapidly than we've seen in times past. But it's the elephant in the room...are we talking about it? Read More
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Unity in Diversity
More than 80 people of Hispanic or Anglo descent, and from various locations north and south, came together on Sunday, July 14 at Stewart McBride Park in Racine, Wisconsin for the "Annual Summer Picnic."
The annual picnic, organized by Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones (CPTLN), or "Christ for all Nations," Wisconsin branch, not only affirmed their commitment to Hispanic outreach in the South Wisconsin District, but was a unique opportunity to mix Hispanics and Anglos together and share the Words of Life from our Lord Jesus Christ. It was one group, on one ground, worshiping one Lord. Read More
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Pastor Alfonso Prada to be Installed September 20
CPTLN welcomes Pastor Prada, who will be serving as pastor at St. Martini Lutheran Church and School, located in a Milwaukee neighborhood that for some 20 years has seen an influx of immigrants, the majority of which are Hispanic. The role of Pastor Prada is to pastor the saints that for many years have been members of the congregation, and together with them carry out the work of evangelism among the families that live in the area around the church and school. Read More
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Human Care News
Lutheran World Relief box Car Loading Date is October 12 Donations of quilts and kits will be loaded on to box  cars to begin their trip to people who need them all over the world. This Lutheran World Relief collection will take place on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2012, from 8 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at 12th Street and Mt. Vernon in Milwaukee. Click here for more information about items needed and where the quilts and kits went last year. You can also find other drop off locations by zip code at this site. Read More |
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LCEF Update
 | | Y.I. (Young Investors) Club |
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Educational Loans for Pastors
Higher education costs are rising and student loan debt is one of the most troublesome obligations faced by many pastors. A crushing debt may cause ministers to concentrate more on their financial needs and less on their call for serving their communities. The burden can be huge.
LCEF's educational loan repayment program will provide the needed financial assistance to support LCMS ordained ministers to successfully reduce their existing school debt. With loans directly to the pastor or to his congregation, we can help. For more information
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Schools Youth & Family
Kohl Teacher Fellowship
The Kohl Teacher Fellowship program recognizes and supports teaching excellence and innovation in the State of Wisconsin, USA. Our goal is to support teachers in the pursuit of their unrealized goals for their classrooms or professional development. Annually, the Foundation awards 100 Wisconsin teachers with $1,000 Kohl Fellowship grants, and each Kohl Fellowship recipient's school receives a matching $1,000 grant. Recipients' professional accomplishments are celebrated at a recognition luncheon in the spring.
This award is a wonderful opportunity to give back to the teachers who make your school great each and every day. If you haven't already nominated someone for the fellowship program, we would encourage you to do so. Nominations must be submitted online before September 27, 2013.
For more information, visit the Herb Kohl educational foundation website. _______________________________________________________________________________
Teacher of the Year Beginning with the 2013/2014 school year, the nomination process has changed. Please note the changes below. To nominate an administrator (preschool, elementary or high school) or a preschool teacher in a freestanding school, complete the nomination form on the district website. This program recognizes three outstanding teachers and one administrator in South Wisconsin District preschools, elementary and high schools. Nominations may be made by administrators, teacher, parents, pastors, congregation members, and students (past and present). Due by September 27. Criteria: A person currently serving in one of the Lutheran preschools, elementary, or high schools in the South Wisconsin District who has given unselfishly of time and talents for the work of the Kingdom and is truly worthy of recommendation and nomination. The person may be a principal/administrator or teach any level from preschool through high school. Nominations are due by September 27. |
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Our Mission:
Empowering life-changing
ministries
of
bold, passionate witness
of the
Gospel
of
Jesus Christ
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Prayers
 - Rev. Alfonso Prada who will be installed as pastor to the Hispanic community at St. Martini, Milwaukee
- Brian Keller who is struggling with leukemia
- For all of our congregations and their pastors
- For our schools, teachers and students
- For all who are struggling with physical/mental illness or financial difficulties
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| Upcoming Events Around the District |
- September 29, 2013: Pig Roast-Silent Auction and Family Games -2:00pm at Chapel of the Cross Lutheran Church - 1426 N. Fancher Rd Mount Pleasant, WI
- October 8, 2013: University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee -Fireside Lounge at 6:30 pm Luther Memorial and University Student Center invite all to attend a special fall presentation by Rev. William Weeden entitled "Tell me about the God You don't believe in - I probably don't believe in Him either" a topic fitting for people of all ages. Many hearts are apathetic and antagonistic toward a caricature of Christianity - not its true confession. Understanding that more fully can help all of us in gently bearing witness to the hope that we have in Christ Jesus. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend October 8.
- November 18-20, 2013: Dr. David P. Scaer: Baptism and the Lord's Supper - Pilgrim Lutheran Church, West Bend, WI. A re-examination of the traditional pericopes employed in the church's two sacraments is presented in this course. Special attention is given to comparing Synoptic and Johannine texts. Contemporary views are presented and reviewed in the light of the Lutheran Confessions. (1.5 CEU) Click here for more details
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| Pastor Calls and Vacancies | |
Calling Congregations
- First Immanuel - Cedarburg
- Divine Redeemer - Hartland
- Redeemer - Manitowoc
- Trinity Freistadt - Mequon
- St. Mark - Milwaukee
- St. John/Trinity - Oxford/Packwaukee
- Christ the Life - Waukesha
- Trinity - Wisconsin Dells
Temporarily Non-Calling
- Gospel - Milwaukee
- Holy Ghost - Milwaukee
Pastors Accepting a Call
- Jeff Corder - Mission Hill, Waunakee to St. John, Stryker, Ohio
- Dan Kelm - St. John, Portage to Trinity, Summerfield, Florida
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| Contact Information | |
President John C. Wille
414-464-8100
wille@swd.lcms.org
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