This world is a very evil place. We don't have to look far to see the rottenness and decay sin causes. We can see it all around. We can hear it all around. In the context of life deteriorating in homes...at school....in society our Christianity...our faith in our Lord Jesus takes on an even greater purpose. Amid all the evil in this world our Lord has called us to be his people, to make a difference by the way we live, to be salt. "You are the salt of the earth." [Matthew 5:13]

Salt matters. Salt brings out the flavor in food. Salt on an icy road means safe travel. Lives lived in peace and forgiveness instead of bearing a grudge. God's people facing illness with faith and hope instead of despair. Lives lived with the conviction that every life is sacred...that our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.

            Such a life is a powerful sermon. That's the lesson St. Francis of Assisi once taught a novice who had joined his monastery. He invited the young man to accompany him to town to preach. The young man was honored. As they entered town the two walked up and down the main street...chatting with merchants...Down several side streets they went, talking with passers-by. As they returned home, the young monk asked, "Have you forgotten something? Didn't we go to town to preach?"  "My son," St. Francis replied, "we have preached. Many people watched our behavior today. They closely measured our attitude. Our words were heard and overheard. That's how we preached our morning sermon."

The very same is true of us. Whether or not we know it, those around us pay attention. Our actions, our words, our lifestyles, our values and principles...the way we react to trouble are all being carefully weighed...by others. It matters if they know we are believers. It matters if they don't know that we are believers. We are being watched not by Big Brother. Rather, our friends, our neighbors, our families are watching because they know that we are Christian. They are watching to see whether the faith we confess really makes a difference in the way that we live our life. Does it matter? What do they see in our lives? What do they hear in our words? What don't they hear? What don't they see? Jesus says, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.[Matthew 5:14ff]

Sometimes our Christ centered example is received positively. But there are other times the Christian example that we set is rejected. St. Peter says, "They think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you."

 

May our Lord bless your Epiphany!

Rev. Dr. John C. Wille
President- SWD

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2014 Congregation Financial UPDATE...PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING!

If you follow the fiscal year of the district, you know that with the passing of January 31 we closed out fiscal year 2014. It was in grand fashion!! Once again, as has happened for the past several years now, our congregational intentions outpaced the projections! We projected receiving $2.1million from our SWD congregations, and we actually received $2.128million.

 

We thanks our Lord, His people and their called workers for their great generosity!!!

 

Those precious gifts are used to support our common mission and ministry efforts here in SWD, with 25% of the total going to the LCMS in St. Louis.

 

Again thank you!! And we thank our gracious Lord for blessing us with such generosity and such wonderful people!

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Closed/Close(d) Communion, our LCMS practice....

Over the course of the of the past year and half I have published several articles which have been shared with our SWD pastors about "Closed Communion", or "Close(d) Communion" if you prefer. For us in The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod such communion practice is not optional. It is an expectation of membership both for pastors and congregations.

 

It has been said that Holy Communion is the 'holy of holies" for our New Testament church. A meal for those who share our common faith and our common confession. A meal of forgiveness and life. A meal which our Lord Jesus first celebrated with His closest followers in the upper room on Maundy Thursday. However, if misused, it can be a meal that brings great harm to the soul. The prayer in the old agenda contained a prayer which stated our hope that "no one receive this Holy Sacrament to their damnation."

 

If you would like to read what was shared with our SWD pastors, click here:

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Calling all Lutheran Church Worker Couples!

If you are thinking, 'Wait - I've seen this email recently!' You're correct! 

Here's what you don't know - of the 54 available spots, we have set aside 32 specifically for couples from North or South Wisconsin!  So far, only 2 of the 32 spots have been taken but three couples from other districts have already registered as well. If you want to attend this retreat - Here's your chance! 

Last year, this retreat filled in just 2 weeks! 

Don't delay - register today!

   

Grace Place, in coordination with the North and South Wisconsin Districts, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Heartwood Retreat Center with additional underwriting from The LCMS Office of National Mission, is announcing a wonderful opportunity for Lutheran Church Worker Couples to Be Well and Serve Well:

 

Lutheran Church Worker Couple's  Grace Place Retreat June 9-13, 2014 Heartwood Retreat Center Trego, Wisconsin

 

This Monday afternoon to Friday noon continuing education event focuses on skills and attitudes to keep 

you healthy in body, mind, spirit and finances 

  It is anchored around four "pause points" to be in God's Word each day, daily exercise, adventure activities and free time each afternoon, and wonderful, nutritious food and fellowship.

 

Leaders include Rev. Dr. Darrell Zimmerman, Grace Place Director of Programs, 

and Rev. Dr. Todd and Heather Biermann, Senior Pastor, Faith Lutheran in Gran Blanc, MI. 

   

Each participant and each participant's congregation receives $50 for participation in this retreat if a member of CPS.

To enroll in the Be Well, Serve Well Program, Click here

Cost:  $250 per couple

                                  For more information and to register, Click here 

• February 22, 2014: SWD Passionate Believers Conference -Divine Redeemer, Hartland. Join us for our leadership conference from 8:00 am-2:45pm 

• February 24, 2014:  Concordia Pastors Conference - with Dr. Jason Soenksen "Jerome's Commentaries on the Minor Prophets,   starts with complimentary lunch at 11:30 am followed by the presentation in the Lake Shore room at noon.  

• February 24-26, 2014: Retreat for Circuit Counselors- Holiday Inn Express, Stevens Point  

• February 28-March 2, 2014: Men's Retreat - "gods at war" Holiday Inn, Manitowoc for more information call Jim Berg 414-462-5871   

• March 31, 2014: Concordia Pastors Conference - with Dr. Thomas Feiertag "It's a Small World After All:  The Effects of Globalization on Missions", starts with complimentary lunch at 11:30 am followed by the presentation in the Lake Shore room at noon.  
• June 9-13, 2014: Grace Place Retreat, Heartwood Retreat Center, Trego, WI for Lutheran Church worker couples  
• July 27-Aug 2, 2014: Lutheran Band Camp at Camp LuWiSoMo 

• Divine Savior - Hartford 
• Divine Redeemer - Hartland
• Redeemer - Manitowoc
• Trinity Freistadt - Mequon
• Hope-Milwaukee  
• Monona - Monona  
• St. John, Portage
• Bethlehem - Sun Prairie  
• Trinity-Wautoma 
• Trinity - Wisconsin Dells

Temporarily Non-Calling

• Gospel - Milwaukee
• St. Mark - Milwaukee 

Pastors Accepting a Call

• Timmothy Heath, Sr. - Lamb of God, Slidell, LA to Christ the Life, Waukesha- Installation 2/23/14 @ 3:00pm
• Tim Seban- St. Paul, Des Peres, MO to First Immanuel, Cedarburg  
• Micah Wildauer - Hope, Milwaukee toCLET, The Lutheran Seminary, Dapaong, Togo, West Africa