Ohio DISTRICT News

An updated listing of Reformation celebrations and events will be sent the week of September 18, 2017. To see all listings, go HERE

NORTHEAST REGION

You are invited to the "Spot the Spirit Workshop" with Rev. Dr. David Luecke at Reaping the Harvest Ministries, 11932 Lorain Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio on Saturday, September 16, 2017 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.  A FREE light will be served at around 12:00 Noon. This workshop offers practical, personal application of our rich Lutheran theology of the Holy Spirit.  Through this workshop, participants will develop more spiritual excitement among your people, increase the effectiveness of your members' witness to others, and grow in the Spirit. This seminar is FREE, but please contact Reaping the Harvest at 216-912-8557 or e-mail: reapingtheharvestministries@yahoo.com and let them know the number of people coming to the workshop!  Be sure to mark your calendar for this exciting event!

Unity Lutheran Church, 4542 Pearl Road in Cleveland, Ohio, will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the dedication of their pipe organ on Sunday, September 24, 2017 at 3:00 PM.  

CLICK HERE for more information.

NORTH CENTRAL REGION

Starting September 11, 2017 at 6:00 PM, Hope Lutheran Church in Akron, Ohio will be hosting our fall session of Financial Peace University. Financial Peace University is a Biblical based nine-lesson money class that will teach you step-by-step ways to create a budget, pay off debt, spend wisely, save for the future, give generously and so much more. To register for the class please visit: https://www.daveramsey.com/fpu/classes/1044815

For more information about the class and to purchase a kit, visit our website at: https://hopelcmsakron.org/financial-peace-university/

Rev. Farrukh Kahn will hold a workshop on Saturday, September 16, 2017, from 12:30-4:30 PM at

St. Mark Lutheran Church, 1330 N. Carpenter Road in Brunswick, Ohio. This is a FREE event and includes refreshments.  Get details HERE

Lutheran Campus Ministries of Kent is blessed to serve the university community of Kent State, including all students, faculty, and staff.  Know of a Kent State student? Please contact Rev. JJ Voelker at (330) 808-1244 or jvoelker@kent.edu with the students name and contact information and give our information to the students. 

Women's Retreat at Faith Lutheran Church, 2265 Garden Drive, Avon, Ohio, will be held on Saturday, October 14, 2017.  See FLYER

SOUTHWEST REGION

 Bethlehem Lutheran Church and School in Fairborn, Ohio installed Rev. Keith Witte as their new pastor August 27, 2017. We give thanks to the Lord for placing Pastor Witte at Bethlehem-Fairborn and pray that He would graciously continue to work through pastor, the school and the church to be a light unto the community, reaching out with the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ.  

SOUTHEAST REGION

A group of Columbus Lutherans is looking to encourage others to become aware of the Human Trafficking issue. They are trying to understand which other Lutherans are already involved.  Please drop an e-mail to Rev. John Hohe of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Powell OH at: pastor@bslcoh.org

Mission News - Ohio District

Ohio District LCMS                                                                                                               September 1, 2017

Mission Ministry

Five Marks of a

Turnaround Church

Stewardship

Read the LCMS StewardCAST article entitled, "Maturing as a Christian Steward" 

HERE

Youth Ministry

Get more information about the Ohio District Senior High Gathering in November 2017

HERE

Charitable Giving

Check out the September 2017 Charitable Giving Newsletter entitled, "The Impact of Charitable Giving"HERE

Read the September 2017 Reaching Rural America for Christnewsletter, featuring the news about the upcoming conference HERE

Concordia Center for the Family,

along with the Michigan District, is offering 3 Family Life Ministry Seminars over the next year.  Get details about these seminars HERE

The HARP Mission is preparing a semi-truck of flood buckets, bottled water, Bibles, school supplies, health kits, and other items for delivery to Rosenberg Texas- if you want to help the families of Texas, please go to www.harpcaldwell.org and click donate or send your donation to HARP, 810 Main St., Caldwell, OH 43724. In memo line, write Hurricane Harvey.  Gift Cards will be sent as soon as possible.  For more information or to volunteer, call Mary Bates at 740-509-1132.

Rev. Scott Holder, Admissions Officer at Concordia Seminary-St. Louis will be coming to the Ohio District on a recruitment trip October 9-13, 2017.  If you know students who are interested in meeting with him, see his schedule HERE

Hospice of the Western Reserve is in need of volunteers, along with donations for their next warehouse sale on Friday and Saturday, September 8th and 9th.  Get details HERE, and check out the flyers.

VOLUNTEER

WAREHOUSE SALE

Ohio District LCMS, Mail to:  P.O.Box 38277, Located at:  6451 Columbia Road, Olmsted Falls, OH 44138

September 6, 2017 LCMS Ohio District News

 I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.

1 Timothy 2:8

Pastors:  Is your congregation planning to send workers to Texas to help the victims from the destruction of Hurricane Harvey?  If so, please contact your Circuit Visitor, so the Ohio District can get the word out and hopefully gather anyone interested in helping with these efforts.

It's a good idea to register NOW for the 2017 Fall Church Worker Conference - October 16th-17th at Great Wolf Lodge in Mason, Ohio.  CLICK HERE to register and view the Agenda.  

Deadline to register:  September 18, 2017.

Rev. Kevin Wilson, Ohio District Executive Director of Mission & Ministry creates weekly group discussion devotions for use by churches and schools called "Conversations about Faith & Life" (CFL). 

Take Up Your Cross (13th Sunday after Pentecost)

Humility (14th Sunday after Pentecost)

For the past year, MissionInsite(MI) has been working to update and improve their PeopleView platform. They are nearing the time when the next generation PeopleView User Interface will be deployed. The improvements fall into two major system design areas; system architecture and the client interface that you use when working in the platform.

System Architecture: Part of the focus was on making the overall platform more scalable, more secure, and easier to integrate with various data systems. These behind the scene improvements will allow MI to fully leverage both current and future technologies.

Client Interface: The primary goal here was to make the platform easier to use and provide for quicker access to your data. In addition to a more modern look and feel, the menu structure, reports and tools are grouped and organized in a more consolidated and intuitive fashion. This results in quicker task completion and reduced training requirements for even the occasional user.

MI has created a WEBPAGE which will be updated regularly to keep you informed.

CPH has published "Martin Luther's Basic Exegetical Writings", an overview of Luther's exegetical work that sparked the Reformation.  Get more information HERE

Life Income Gift Plans are charitable vehicles that pay income to the donor(s) and/or designated beneficiaries for a term of years or life, leaving the remainder to ministry.

Contact Eileen Fitzenreiter at: fitzenreitere@oh.lcms.org or 888-482-8425.  Read details about Charitable Gift Planning   

HERE

NOTE:  The Engaging the Wandering Event, originally scheduled for Saturday, September 9, 2017 at Hope Lutheran Church in Akron, Ohio has been rescheduled to Saturday, January 20, 2018.  For more information about this event, CLICK HERE

GENEROSITY LIFESTYLE

Discipline is not a club of correction, but a laser of love.

Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! (Hebrews 12:9)

Please direct all comments, questions and encouragements to:

LCMS Ohio District

Located at:  6451 Columbia Road

Mail to:  P.O. Box 38277

Olmsted Falls, OH44138

Phone: 440.235.2297 or 1.800.901.2297

Fax: 440.235.1970

Website:  www.oh.lcms.org 

References to materials and resources do not imply endorsement of their entire content.

How can I help with Huricaine Harvey?

The LCMS is standing with the Texas District to help those affected by Hurricane Harvey and flooding. Please pray for all involved.

To give online,

• visit lcms.org/harvey.
• Text “LCMSHARVEY” to 41444 to give by text.
• Call the LCMS toll-free gift line between 8 a.m. and 4:10 p.m. Central time at 888-930-4438.
• By mail, make checks payable to “LCMS.” On the memo line, write “Disaster Response/Relief,” and mail to the LCMS, P.O. Box 66861, St. Louis, MO, 63166-6861. Gifts also can be designated specifically for Hurricane Harvey and/or affected areas by stipulating in the memo line.

Prayer: Lord of heaven and earth, we know that You hold all things in Your hands. In Your mercy, provide for the needs of those who have been affected by Hurricane Harvey and the rain that continues to fall, work through those who bring relief and aid, and protect all from any further harm. Draw all to the cross of Christ, who is our salvation now and always. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

LCMS Ohio District News

August 30, 2017

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. 

Spread your protection over them, 

that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

 For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; 

you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

Psalm 5:11-12

Ohio District President Terry Cripe writes about how Ohio District congregations can help those affected by Hurricane Harvey.  Read more HERE

NOW IS THE TIME to register for the 2017 Fall Church Worker Conference - October 16th-17th at Great Wolf Lodge in Mason, Ohio.  CLICK HERE to register and view the Agenda.  

Deadline to register:  September 18, 2017.

Rev. Kevin Wilson, Ohio District Executive Director of Mission & Ministry creates weekly group discussion devotions for use by churches and schools called "Conversations about Faith & Life" (CFL). 

You Are The Christ (12th Sunday after Pentecost)

Take Up Your Cross (13th Sunday after Pentecost)

A Disaster Workshop will be held on Thursday, September 21, 2017 from 6:30-8:30 PM at All Saints Lutheran Church in Lewis Center, Ohio.  This is a FREE workshop open to anyone interested in disaster mission and ministry.  For more information, see Flyer

Concordia Center for the Family along with the Michigan District will be conducting Family Life Seminars: September 30, 2017: Faith Formation Curriculum in Church and School; February 10, 2018:  Biblical Parenting; and September 22, 2018:  Marriage God's Way.  Discounts offered for early registration. Get more information

HERE

Life Insurance gifting multiplies charitable generosity by leveraging the ability to take affordable premium payments and expand the outcome into spiritual blessings not thought possible

Contact Eileen Fitzenreiter at: fitzenreitere@oh.lcms.org or 888-482-8425.  Read details about Charitable Gift Planning   

HERE

NOTE:  The Engaging the Wandering Event, originally scheduled for Saturday, September 9, 2017 at Hope Lutheran Church in Akron, Ohio has been rescheduled to Saturday, January 20, 2018.  For more information about this event, CLICK HERE

GENEROSITY LIFESTYLE

GOD BLESSES US WITH RESOURCES TO HELP THOSE IN NEED.

"You shall give to [your brother] freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to Him, because for this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake" (Deuteronomy 15:10)

Please direct all comments, questions and encouragements to:

LCMS Ohio District

Located at:  6451 Columbia Road

Mail to:  P.O. Box 38277

Olmsted Falls, OH44138

Phone: 440.235.2297 or 1.800.901.2297

Fax: 440.235.1970

Website:  www.oh.lcms.org 

References to materials and resources do not imply endorsement of their entire content.

Circuit Reformation 500 Events Update

LCMS Ohio District

Several upcoming events have been added to the Reformation 500 listings on the website.  For more information about each event, go to the Ohio District website:  www.oh.lcms.org, click on Congregations, then Reformation 500. Here are snippets of the latest additions:

Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Lakewood, Ohio has arranged a traditional Oktoberfest to be held on September 9, 2017 from 12:00 Noon to 10:00 PM. The Oktoberfest will be held in conjunction with Hofbrauhaus in Cleveland and held in the Cleveland Metroparks Memphis Picnic area (Memphis and Tiedeman Roads in Brooklyn).

Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Antwerp, Ohio will be re-dedicating themselves to ministry on September 17, 2017 at 10:15 AM with a special service featuring music by the Kantorei from the Concordia Lutheran Seminary in Ft. Wayne. 

What's a Smalcald? If this is a question that has been in the back of your mind or you've never thought about, here's your chance for an answer. On September 23, 2017, beginning at 11:30 AM, Bethel Lutheran Church in Willowick, Ohio, will be hosting The Rev. Dr. Carl Finkenscher, Chairman and Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions, Director of Pastoral Formation Programs, at Concordia Theological Seminary-Fort Wayne. The focus of this workshop will be a discussion of this little-known document.

Hope Lutheran Church in Akron, Ohio is presenting an exclusive, one-night only viewing of "Martin Luther - The Idea that Changed the World" on Thursday, October 12, 2017 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at Tinseltown Theater in North Canton. This movie is also a fundraiser to assist Refuge of Hope and Haven of Rest. Visit this website for more information at: https://hopelcmsakron.org/martinluther/.

500th Anniversary of the Reformation Celebrations at Royal Redeemer, in North Royalton, Ohio:  Friday, October 13, 2017: Fall Festival from 6:00-8:00 PM. Games, food, balloon animals, inflatables, and assorted treats for children, along with various "Reformation" themed games at the Fall Festival, as well. 
Saturday-Sunday, October 14-15, 2017: Reformation Celebration with former LCMS President, Rev. Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick. Dr. Kieschnick will preach at all weekend worship services. 

Martin Luther Movie Day will be held at 3:00 PM on Sunday, October 29, 2017 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Willowick, Ohio.  2 movies will be shown.

If your congregation is having an event and would like to include it in an upcoming Congregational News & Events newsletter and added to the Reformation 500 listing on the Ohio District website, please e-mail the information to Deb Klusak at: klusakd@oh.lcms.org.

New Martin Luther Movie Information!

"Martin Luther: The Idea that Changed the World" is being shown Monday, September 11th at 7 PM at Regal Willoughby Commons Stadium 16.

Tickets for this event are now sold out. HOWEVER!:

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church is sponsoring the movie on Friday, September 15th near Solon, Ohio for free. Thrivent is picking up the expense.  If you are interested, contact Our Redeemer

Also, PBS will be showing the movie on Tuesday evening, September 12th, at 8 PM!

  This is the first time in more than 60 years that Lutherans have made a feature-length film about Martin Luther and the Reformation!