May 12, 2010

This communication is sent by Joseph B. Davis of AIM-SED to share notices and information from AIM Congregations and Ministry Partners. There are some wonderful things happening in AIM that I would like you to be aware.

AIM UPDATE:

AIM Leadership workshop- This Saturday, May 15, 2010 – 10am-1pm @ Bethany Lutheran Church- 2501 Beacon Hill Road Alexandria, VA 22309. Workshop is FREE!  Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

1. Theme: The essence of Multicultural Ministry

Sub-topic:

a) The SED vision as it relates to ethic ministry
b) Understanding the mission and vision of AIM
c) Fund raising and resource mobilization
d) Equipping local churches for faith sharing

Note: The workshop will be featuring great speakers from the SED and local churches of the LCMS. Please come in full attendance and on time.

AIM UPCOMING EVENTS

1. Lamb of God Lutheran Church, Landover Hills, MD – MOTHER’S DAY
Sunday, May 23, 2010 @ 1pm.  All are invited.

2. AIM AWARENESS MONTH- SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2010

3. Bethany AIM- Global Miracle Prayer Line -every night @ 9pm – 10pm   Tel. 712-429-0690   pin. 812275 #.   You all are welcome to dial in and experience the wonderful working power of God. If you are unable to join us live on the line, there is still an opportunity to submit your prayer request(s).  Simply go to http://www.lucasjs.com/sedcongregationsablaze/?pageid=1460 and fill out the form and click submit. Thanks for your participation.

An Advent God – An Advent People is a series of sermons for the season of Advent. Written by Southeastern District pastors, they have been prepared as a resource for you during these days when we are so mindful that God comes to us with a precious gift and sends us out to share that gift with another. If you have not seen these messages, you will find them on the district website under Ablaze Resources or click here Advent Sermons

SED Mission News – newsletter
An electronic copy of the monthly newsletter was emailed to our list of church secretaries and office contacts. This month’s newsletter features urban ministry efforts. You can download this newlsetter from our website under publications at
http://se.lcms.org/left-menu/publications.php. If you would like us to print copies for the congregation, contact us at vedwards@se.lcms.org and let us know how many copies you would like.

Let Us Pray:
+ Clara, wife of Rev. George Naumann  (emeritus St. John, York PA) and mother of Rev. Terry Naumann (Peace, King George VA)
+ Karen, wife of Rev. Steve Updegrave (Trinity, Lexington Park MD) who is undergoing tests
+ We give thanks for the faithful life and witness of Principal Wilmer G. Kuske (Emmanuel, Asheville NC) who was gathered into the Lord’s arms on Nov. 3, 2009.
+ for Rev. Tich Luu (Lutheran Church of the Cross, Rockville MD) and his family as they remember the life of his brother Thien Tich Luu.

District Sponsored Event:

Jan 9: TLO Broadcast: Mission U, part 3

Feb. 13: TLO Broadcast: Mission U, part 4

Please note: District Office Hours

Our current hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 P.M. We use the answering machine when we have a staff meeting, devotions (Wednesdays at 12:30) and during the lunch break (11:45-12:30).

Our Office will close at 3:00 on Wednesday, November 25 for Thanksgiving and will re-open at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, November 30.

At Christmas, we will close at 3:00 on Wednesday, December 23 and reopen at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, January 4.

Southeastern District
Sally J Hiller
Executive Director for Congregational Outreach and District Operations
Southeastern District, LCMS
6315 Grovedale Drive Alexandria VA 22310-2501

Devotional for July 17 Vicar Jim Driskell First St. John’s Lutheran Church York, Pa.

We should continue the joyous theme today. By that I don’t mean just for today, as saved, sanctified, justified in Christ we should be joyous all the time. The following from Martin Luther gives another perspective, because we are saved in Christ Carl Schalk in his book Luther on Music says:

“To be silent about God’s grace in Jesus Christ is no longer an option for the Christian. For believers to refuse to sing and speak about their faith that is within them is to show that they do not believe. Luther says. ‘God has cheered our hearts and minds through His dear Son, who He gave for us to redeem us from sin, death, and the devil. He who believes this earnestly cannot be quiet about it. But he must gladly and willingly sing and speak about it so that others may come and hear it. And whoever does not want to sing and speak of it shows that he does not believe and that he does not belong under the new and joyful testament.’”

Maybe a little harsh, but the point is have you ever been joyous to the point of witnessing in song? According to Schalk, Luther felt it was another way that those of us in the royal priesthood of believers expressed our worship of God through song. Think about how you might do that in witnessing to others.

Matthew 28:20

Prayer: “Sing praises to the Lord, who sits enthroned in Zion! Tell among the peoples His deeds!” (Psalm 9:11) “I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me.” (Psalm 13:6) “Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name.” (Psalm 30:4) From the time of David, Father, You have shown us how to worship You in song. To tell others of You in song. Help us Lord to continue to witness to You in our individual and our congregational song. Help us to show the world the joy we have in worshipping You in song. In the name of Jesus Christ whose praises we sing. Allelujah.

Check out Dr. Dale Meyer’s daily devotional for great Lutheran insights into current issues, the family, the church and Christian life. Send a message to daleameyer@aol.com to subscribe. To see past devotionals follow this link to the message section at firststjohns on lutherannsonline.com.