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South Wisconsin District - LCMS
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MERCY FOREVER
"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve,
and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Mark 10:45 (ESV)
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Stay Connected
 
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It  was a star, but no ordinary star. It caught the eye of the Magi who where seeking what the old testament prophets foretold. We believe King Herod didn't notice it, as well as all of Jerusalem. But why would they, there was no one in the land more powerful than the king. We don't know much more about the star beside what is stated in Matthew 2 (the only place the star is mentioned). We know less of the Magi. Yes, wise men. Astrologers likely. But educated. Educated enough to know that something big was about to happen.
And something BIG is about to happen! No, you won't receive any text, email, voicemail, letter or memo about the day or time. But you better be ready! You've been educated, you've read the Scriptures, you know it's going to happen. But your task is not to sit idle, your task is to let others know. So go! What are you waiting for?
There will be those who will say, it won't happen, or you don't need to worry about it - have you heard about or seen the new billboard sign in Milwaukee? There will be plans to dissipate the truth. Will you still follow? Will you be tempted? Will you doubt? We would like to think as Lutherans we won't falter. But sadly we do, we have. We can't avoid sin, the only thing we can do is pray for mercy! The story we will experience in the coming weeks is as true as it gets! It's no fairy tale!
Prepare! Prepare yourselves, prepare your families, prepare those you encounter.
May our Savior graciously look upon us with His favor!
Mark
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The District office will be closed: December 24-26 and December 31 - January 1, 2015
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 Passionate Believers Conference |
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January 31, 2015
Divine Redeemer Lutheran Church and School, Hartland
Keynote Speaker: Mike Zimmer, NID Mission Facilitator
"For the Healing of the Nations" - Rev. 22:2
Each week, we will be highlighting a few of the sessions that will be available.
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Lutheran Schools as Mission Outposts
Rev. Dr. Peter A. Meier, Executive Director, Center for United States Missions
Early in our LCMS history, Lutheran schools were used as a means of mission outreach. This section looks at how Lutheran education ministries can be "gospel outposts" or "mission training centers" connecting families and communities to the Good News of Jesus.
Caring for Your Pastor and Church Workers
Rev. Dr. John Wille, SWD President
President Wille will help give a better understanding of the demands and frailties of those who serve in various called positions, both clergy and commissioned.He will also discuss ways we can care for them.
Registration information coming soon!
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CPS Investment Change
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C oncordia Plan Services continually evaluates the products and services that we offer including the services available through our vendor partners. After careful consideration, we're happy to announce that Fidelity was selected as the new vendor for the CRSP as of 7/1/2015. They were selected for their resources, customer support, and commitment to helping members become ready for retirement. Fidelity is one of the largest mutual fund and financial service groups in the world, and has resources dedicated to serving church plans.
Concordia Plan Services is excited about the switch and will be working closely with both MetLife and Fidelity to ensure that there will be minimum disruption for workers and employers. Employers and workers will receive more communications in the upcoming months regarding next steps.
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A couple of weeks ago, a LEADNET email was sent out regarding schools using the Scrip program to benefit member/family tuition accounts. The following article was included in the email which contained tax implications for non-profit 501(C)(3) - http://www.mondaq.com/unitedstates/x/274300/Charities+Non-Profits/COURT+REVOKES+501C3+STATUS+OVER+SCRIP+PROGRAM+THAT.
Later on, another LEADNET email was sent which contained information from Great Lakes Scrip Center (GLSC) which implies that GLSC has received approval from the IRS for schools to operate the program in a way that benefits member/family tuition accounts. https://www.shopwithscrip.com/N2Upload/tax_info/GLSC_Tax_Information.pdf.
I have submitted both of these documents to the District's lawyer for review and statement. Hearing back from him this week, he sees no applicability to the ruling that would jeopardize a schools non-profit status with the IRS. Furthermore, this does not limit what our schools are doing or how they are operating the Scrip program.
If there are other questions, please feel free to ask.
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Hearts for Jesus
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 The recipient for the 2014/2015 Hearts for Jesus is:
CPTLN
CPTLN (Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones or "Christ for all nations") is made up of several District congregations, supported by our District and Lutheran Hour Ministries, working together in Hispanic outreach ministry. This ministry supports four congregations from our District: Santa Cruz, Racine; Grace, Milwaukee; Oklahoma Ave, Milwaukee; and St. Martini, Milwaukee. Resource materials are being developed and should be available by the end of December.
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| NLSW Resources |
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LEA National Administrators Conference - Registration is OPEN
February 12-14, 2015
Orlando, Florida
Theme: Stand Together
NOW is the time to register. The earlybird rate is good through January 23rd, but only those registered before January 1 will be able to take advantage of the special Disney behind-the-scenes experience on Friday morning. See the information below and register now.
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LEA Convocation
October 13-15, 2016
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Theme: Grow!
NOW is the time to start preparing for this mountain-top experience that will bring together over 3,000 Lutheran educators from around the world. Here are some key ways in which you can get involved and, with one option, save you money!
- Combination registration/membership option - You can save anywhere from $64 to $85 by spreading your membership payments and Convocation registration out over the next two years.
- Make a deposit now or any time before the Convocation to protect your funds and reduce your Convocation registration payment in 2016
- A budget guide is available to help you plan for your staff's Convocation involvement
- Become involved as a sectional presenter by responding to the Call for Proposals
Go to www.lea.org to get more information about all of the above.
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Around the District
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Principal position available.
Lebanon Lutheran School, Watertown is seeking a part-time principal, effective January 1, 2015. For more information, please contact Dyan Pasono, Interim Principal.
Please post this in your churches bulletins or where you feel appropriate.
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 Prayer Request
Keep Roger Laesch in your prayers during his recovery from hip surgery.
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Upcoming Events
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 2014
December 25 - Merry Christmas!
January 14-16 - POLS, Christ Lutheran Church, Phoenix, AZ
January 25 - Teacher of the Year Dinner, Silver Spring Country Club
January 25-31 - National Lutheran Schools Week
January 31 - Passionate Believers Conference, Divine Redeemer Lutheran Church and School, Hartland
February 6 - WCRIS Administrators Conference, Sheraton Hotel, Madison
February 6-7 - CLECT Seminar, St. John Lutheran Church, Portage
February 12-14 - LEA National Administrators' Conference, Orlando, Florida
February 13 - Firm Foundations, Martin Luther High School, Greendale
June 7-9 - District Convention, Concordia University Wisconsin
August 7 - Early Childhood Literacy Festival, CUW
August 14 - New Worker Orientation, District office
August 14 - Firm Foundations
November 6 - Firm Foundations
November 12-13 - NWD/SWD Teachers' Conference, Kalahari Resort, WI Dells
2016
February 12 - Firm Foundations
Click on the link to register for any of these events. If the event is not open yet, we will communicate when it will be.
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Passionate Believers...Confessing Christ!
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Mark L'Heureux
Education Executive
The South Wisconsin District does not endorse businesses that are not under the umbrella of
The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
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Copyright © 20XX. All Rights Reserved.
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