In partnership with the Lutheran Mission Society of Maryland, Immanuel will open a Compassion Center on Saturday, April 5.

Since Immanuel Lutheran Church closed its school in June 2005, the congregation has been seeking God’s will as to determine how it might use the former school space for a ministry of outreach. A number of options had been considered, but up to this point, no feasible and workable option could be finalized and implemented. As part of continued efforts to put Immanuel’s building space to work to the glory of God, Immanuel will partner with the Lutheran Mission Society and two former school classrooms and the adjacent hallway will be used to house a new Compassion Center.

A dedicated group of volunteers have been hard at work to prepare for this opening. The Compassion Center will feature food, clothing, and small household items that will be offered to those that may visit in return for a small donation to the Mission Society. In addition to the volunteers from Immanuel that will serve as Compassion Center workers, caregivers will also hold a time of devotions each week at 12:30 PM that will be offered to those who might benefit from some spiritual feeding. Initially, the hours of the Center will be on Saturdays from 10 AM until 2 PM. The volunteers at Immanuel’s Compassion Center look forward to greeting those that are in need of help and in sharing the message of salvation.

Point of Grace Teen Shares the Hope on the Spot

Hilary, a teen at Point of Grace, Cornelius NC, shares this Ablaze! story in an email to her Pastor.

“Hey Pastor Gittner,
This is Hillary. First or all, I want to tell you that this is true. I fell strongly that God wanted me to do this.

Today my sisters and I went to hang out and eat. Before we went to eat, Hennie wanted to go tanning. Hannah and myself remained in the car while Hennie went inside a tanning place. I was observing a woman that seemed very un-eased. She kept pacing the sidewalk where all the stores and restaurants were. She started digging in her purse for something. She found her cell phone that she seemed to be looking for and answered it. All of the sudden her facial expression changed and she began sobbing hysterically. I thought along with Hannah that something terrible happened to someone she loved. I told Hannah I felt like I should go over there and talk to her. Hannah agreed to come with me. With my luck when I opened the car door, the car alarm went off. After we got the alarm to stop, we walked to the tanning place where Hennie was. I walked past the woman trying to decide if I should talk to her. When she got off the phone again, I went up to her and sat down. She was a Mexican woman, so I began to talk to her in Spanish. In Spanish I asked her what was wrong. She was too shocked and depressed to answer me, so I held her and she began crying. When she calmed down a little, I told her my name and asked her again what was wrong. She told me that her father had died and how she has no one in her life. She said she was now all alone. I had so much pity for her. I told her I couldn’t speak much Spanish, but I asked if I could pray for her. She told me I could, so I held her hand and prayed for her. I said God knows how much he loves her and knows what she is feeling. I prayed that God would put his arms around her, show her His love, and comfort her. Even though she couldn’t speak much English, she seemed to know what I was saying. I told her that I would continue to pray for her. I asked her name, she told me that her name was Rozinea. I went to McCallister’s Delli to buy her soup. I bought Chicken Tortilla for her, but when I went to find her, I couldn’t.

I ask that you, Pastor Gittner, would pray for her and that she would find comfort. I know what it’s like to lose someone that I love, but I don’t know what it’s like to be alone. I hope that she would find peace and love again from God. I don’t know if she knows God, but I feel like God wanted me to go to her to show her, or maybe remind her He is always with her.
Feel free to share this if you would like. I just thought I should share this with you!
Hillary”

From:

Southeastern District Ablaze Goal 2: 2,500,000 Faith Sharing Moments

An Easter 2008 Update

Sharing the Good News of Jesus is at the heart of the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20a.) These were among the last words Jesus spoke before He ascended to heaven. As Lutherans, God has given us a great doctrine/understanding of His Word as related to the means of grace. We believe that conversion takes place through the power of the Holy Spirit, using God’s Word and the Sacraments. God has called each of us to mission involvement through our own conversion as His redeemed, forgiven people. We now have the privilege of sharing the Good News of Jesus with others. (LCMS Website)

When Ablaze! first began and we heard the challenge of sharing the Gospel with 100,000,000 unreached or unchurched people, it seemed impossible. For the Southeastern District to set a goal of 2,500,000 was unimaginable. But with God all things are possible (Matt.19:26)!

Today, as I write this, my heart is overflowing with thanksgiving for each faith sharing conversation that has taken place. I know that the Holy Spirit will work the miracle of faith in their life, but I am thanking God for your courage and boldness in letting his love flow through you so that another may hear and learn of His love for them.

President Kieschnick defined the critical event as “when one Lutheran Christian gives witness about Jesus of the hope that is within him or her to another person so that person may encounter Christ.” In the stories that follow, you will read about the ways that you have defined the faith-sharing moment out of your experience. You have shared with me that 138,057 such moments have taken place. Praise God! And continue to be bold and courageous, always ready to share the Good News of Jesus.

As more than 400 members of the District prepare to gather at the end of the week for the Tending the Flame: Becoming Acts 2 Congregations, I invite your prayers for those who will travel, who have prepared this event, who will be presenting, and for those who are missing – the lost.

Lord Jesus Christ, we come before you so mindful of the precious gift you give us in the giving up of your own life. We realize that there is nothing that we can do to deserve or earn such grace and so it is with hearts Ablaze that we simply say ‘thank you.’ We pray these days for the Conference that will begin on Friday, August 1 and continue throughout the weekend. We remember all who will be traveling and pray for travel mercies for each one. We pray that they find the weekend to be one that strengthens and equips them for their continued work as your disciple.

We thank you, Heavenly Father for all who have helped with the preparations of this event. We give thanks for the contributions of the planning committee, the District Office staff, and all who have lifted up this event in congregations. Thank you for blessing their preparations. We pray that their service will be a blessing for many.

We pray for each speaker and workshop leader as they make their final preparations. Thank you for blessing them with passion for your mission and their willingness to share with us. Let their thoughts be your thoughts and their words your words.

We pray for the mission that is before us, giving thanks that you would call us to service. We pray for boldness and courage that we will seize every opportunity to share your glorious name with another. We pray for those who are missing – who do not yet know you – that they will by the power of the Holy Spirit come to know how great your love is for them.

These prayers we place before you in your mighty name. Amen.

An Ablazing Event!

The congregation at St. John’s in Farmville VA has found a wonderful way to shout aloud the joy of the Lord and they participate in local and area events. Let us pray that there work is pointing people to Christ, the Savior will, by the power of the Holy Spirit, bring about an eternal change in the hearts and lives of many.

The congregation received a firetruck and repurposed it to be a witness tool in the community. They will be dedicating it for mission on Sunday, June 29 at the 10:00 A.M. service. Pastor Joel Giese says: “The idea is simple. People, children especially, like fire trucks. They will come to see the truck and we have the opportunity to speak about Jesus. As the vehicle moves to and from events, it acts like a rolling billboard. I believe it will spark interest. The best part is that it is easy and fun, who knew that easy and fun could be used to describe Evangelism!”

Lord, we pray for safe travel to and from the Tending the Flame Conference in Richmond next weekend. Help the attendees and presenters to prepare with prayer and to be open to your Holy Spirit, so that they will be not only better able to share the Good News with those that you place in their paths, but that they will also be equipped to share that training and experience with others in their home congregations, that your word will flow freely in their Churches, Families, and Communities.