Here is a link for the 2010 ELCA Global Mission Lenten Series. You might find a use for it either for your own personal devotions or perhaps for a small group you are involved with during Lent. The ELCA website actually has their Lenten Global Mission Series materials going back several years so you could choose among them in case you prefer one of the previous themes.
http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Global-Mission/Engage-in-Global-Mission/Lenten-Series-2010.aspx
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
2010 Prayers for our ELCA Missionaries Kate Lawler and David Wunsch
Please support our ELCA missionaries, Kate and David through prayer. Here are some suggested ways you can support them in prayer each month.
January - for safe travels on their visit to sponsoring churches in the US and as they return to South America
February - for financial support of the Global Mission work of Kate and David and other ELCA missionaries
March - for the companion Lutheran churches Kate and David serve in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Peru and Uraguay as they celebrate Lent and Easter.
April - for the Young Adults in Mission program Kate and David coordinate in Argentina and Uraguay
May - for our missionaries Kate, David, and their children Emily and Matthew
June - for the work of Kate and David in supporting leadership development in our companion churches in South America
July - for the work of Kate and David in encouraging and supporting peace and reconciliation in South America
August - for the ongoing financial support of our missionaries Kate and David and other ELCA missionaries
September - for Kate and David and their work with the young women in South America
October - for Kate and David and their work with confirmation classes in South America
November - for Kate and David who face challenges in feeding the spirits of those they serve in South America many of whom also have hungry bodies
December - for our missionaries Kate, David and their children Emily and Matthew as they celebrate Christmas in South America. We remember with thanks their visit to St. Thomas at this time last year.
January - for safe travels on their visit to sponsoring churches in the US and as they return to South America
February - for financial support of the Global Mission work of Kate and David and other ELCA missionaries
March - for the companion Lutheran churches Kate and David serve in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Peru and Uraguay as they celebrate Lent and Easter.
April - for the Young Adults in Mission program Kate and David coordinate in Argentina and Uraguay
May - for our missionaries Kate, David, and their children Emily and Matthew
June - for the work of Kate and David in supporting leadership development in our companion churches in South America
July - for the work of Kate and David in encouraging and supporting peace and reconciliation in South America
August - for the ongoing financial support of our missionaries Kate and David and other ELCA missionaries
September - for Kate and David and their work with the young women in South America
October - for Kate and David and their work with confirmation classes in South America
November - for Kate and David who face challenges in feeding the spirits of those they serve in South America many of whom also have hungry bodies
December - for our missionaries Kate, David and their children Emily and Matthew as they celebrate Christmas in South America. We remember with thanks their visit to St. Thomas at this time last year.
Friday, January 15, 2010
ELCA Resources for the Earthquake in Haiti
Gracious God,
Your word of peace stills the storms that rage in our world.
Bring hope to places that know devastation in the calm after the earthquake.
Bring comfort to those who grieve the loss of loved ones and property.
Let your love be known through those who work to bring order in the chaos.
Help us to shoulder the burden of suffering
and make us bearers of the hope that can be found in you
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
from the ELCA website
We mourn the loss of life and ministry of Ben Larson, ELCA Wartburg seminary student in this earthquake. He and his wife led the music at the recent ELCA Global Mission Event we attended:
http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4394
Here is the link for ELCA resources in disaster response worship materials, prayers, donating to LWR for Haiti relief work and more:
http://www.elca.org/Our-Faith-In-Action/Responding-to-the-World/Disaster-Response/Ongoing-Responses/Haiti-Earthquake.aspx
Your word of peace stills the storms that rage in our world.
Bring hope to places that know devastation in the calm after the earthquake.
Bring comfort to those who grieve the loss of loved ones and property.
Let your love be known through those who work to bring order in the chaos.
Help us to shoulder the burden of suffering
and make us bearers of the hope that can be found in you
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
from the ELCA website
We mourn the loss of life and ministry of Ben Larson, ELCA Wartburg seminary student in this earthquake. He and his wife led the music at the recent ELCA Global Mission Event we attended:
http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4394
Here is the link for ELCA resources in disaster response worship materials, prayers, donating to LWR for Haiti relief work and more:
http://www.elca.org/Our-Faith-In-Action/Responding-to-the-World/Disaster-Response/Ongoing-Responses/Haiti-Earthquake.aspx
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Prayer for Haiti
Comforting Lord,
Be with the people of Haiti
As they mourn their loved ones
Who have died in the earthquake.
Give the rescue and relief workers
The strength, courage and compassion
They need for the difficult job they face.
Help us to continue to hold this country
In our thoughts and prayers over the
Coming months as they continue
To rebuild their lives and their country.
Amen.
Be with the people of Haiti
As they mourn their loved ones
Who have died in the earthquake.
Give the rescue and relief workers
The strength, courage and compassion
They need for the difficult job they face.
Help us to continue to hold this country
In our thoughts and prayers over the
Coming months as they continue
To rebuild their lives and their country.
Amen.
Friday, January 1, 2010
2009 Mission Report
Hello!
Please review this draft report to council and let us know if we missed something. It's been an active year and we continue to seek God's guidance for how we can be involved in 2010.
January: "Taste of South America" event with recipe booklet as fundraiser for our ELCA missionaries, Kate Lawler and David Wunsch.
February/March: Planning increased communication and educational activities for our Sister Parish relationship: create bulletin board, send Easter card to Chichipate, plan panel discussion.
April: Guatemalan Panel Discussion to raise awareness of important issues in Guatemala.
May: St. Thomas Lenders group started, providing global micro loans through Kiva.org online. Plant sale fundraiser for ECHO (Education Concerns for Hunger Organization).
June: Mission Media Series continues with several summer sessions on environmental issues, "End of the Spear" and the documentary with our bishop in it, "In God's Name."
July: Visit from our sister synod - Francesca joined us from Chile, participated in our community and then the ELCA Youth Gathering.
August: Solidarity Scarves fundraiser for the Sister Parish Solidarity trip to Guatemala.
September: St. Thomas Mission Fair, where all are welcome to share their projects, activities, organizations with an emphasis on education, not fund raising. Began involvement with new local Inter-faith winter shelter. Introduction to "Every Person a Missionary" materials through small groups at St. Thomas.
October: CROP Walk to eliminate poverty and hunger. Sister Parish Solidarity trip to Guatemala.
November: Guatemalan Advent Series, Sister Parish Devotions book and "Sharing the Dream" fundraiser for our Sister Parish activities.
December: Visit from our ELCA missionaries, Kate Lawler and David Wunsch (and David's parents and Kate/David's kids)
Mission Related Worship: Throughout the year, the Mission Committee recommended various additions to our worship to focus on certain mission issues, eg. Global Mission Sunday, Sister Synod Sundays, Crop Walk commissioning/prayers, Earth Day liturgy/prayers and more.
Please review this draft report to council and let us know if we missed something. It's been an active year and we continue to seek God's guidance for how we can be involved in 2010.
January: "Taste of South America" event with recipe booklet as fundraiser for our ELCA missionaries, Kate Lawler and David Wunsch.
February/March: Planning increased communication and educational activities for our Sister Parish relationship: create bulletin board, send Easter card to Chichipate, plan panel discussion.
April: Guatemalan Panel Discussion to raise awareness of important issues in Guatemala.
May: St. Thomas Lenders group started, providing global micro loans through Kiva.org online. Plant sale fundraiser for ECHO (Education Concerns for Hunger Organization).
June: Mission Media Series continues with several summer sessions on environmental issues, "End of the Spear" and the documentary with our bishop in it, "In God's Name."
July: Visit from our sister synod - Francesca joined us from Chile, participated in our community and then the ELCA Youth Gathering.
August: Solidarity Scarves fundraiser for the Sister Parish Solidarity trip to Guatemala.
September: St. Thomas Mission Fair, where all are welcome to share their projects, activities, organizations with an emphasis on education, not fund raising. Began involvement with new local Inter-faith winter shelter. Introduction to "Every Person a Missionary" materials through small groups at St. Thomas.
October: CROP Walk to eliminate poverty and hunger. Sister Parish Solidarity trip to Guatemala.
November: Guatemalan Advent Series, Sister Parish Devotions book and "Sharing the Dream" fundraiser for our Sister Parish activities.
December: Visit from our ELCA missionaries, Kate Lawler and David Wunsch (and David's parents and Kate/David's kids)
Mission Related Worship: Throughout the year, the Mission Committee recommended various additions to our worship to focus on certain mission issues, eg. Global Mission Sunday, Sister Synod Sundays, Crop Walk commissioning/prayers, Earth Day liturgy/prayers and more.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Missionaries Kate and David Visit Dec. 13
Our missionaries, David Wunsch and Kate Lawler, will be with us at both services on Sunday, December 13th. David will be giving the sermon that day. David's parents hope to attend too along with Kate and David's kids (Emily and Matthew) so that they can see the Christmas program. Please help us welcome them into our community and say hello to them!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Guatemalan Return and Reflections
Pastor Lyle and Suzanne H. returned from participating on our behalf in the Solidarity Delegation with the Sister Parish organization in Guatemala. They met with some of our friends from Chichipate and traveled to several different communities. Please watch for more information on ways in which you can share in this experience:
1) Pastor Lyle's Advent Series will include reflections on this experience: "Advent Hope and Prayer for Chichipate."
2) Look for the St. Thomas Sister Parish Advent Devotions book that includes photos from their trip.
3) Come visit the "Sharing the Dream" tables in the narthex with items from artists in Guatemala. Proceeds support our Sister Parish relationship.
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