A Newsletter concerning the MISSION & MINISTRY of St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church
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VOLUME XLVIII LA PORTE, INDIANA / Dec.-Jan. 2000-01 No. 11-12
CHRISTMAS–IT’S HERE AGAIN!
Christmas is here again! Oh no! That’s the reaction of many people as the day gets closer and closer. The focus is on what to buy, whom to invite, where to go, what invitations to send and what invitations to accept. Especially after Thanksgiving, the pace quickens and before long all perspective of what Christmas is really all about is lost in the rush of the season.
What a contrast to the true meaning and message of Christmas. Somewhere along the way even Christians have lost the peace and joy of the good news that "unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior who is Christ, the Lord." Jesus did not come to bring hustle and bustle. He didn’t come to create a season of the year for increased shopping and spending. He didn’t come to encourage people to give presents to one another. No, Jesus came to bring peace and joy! He came to reconcile God and humankind so that there might be life and salvation for all through His suffering, death, and resurrection. We are not invited to a Christmas party with carousing and dancing but to a celebration of God’s love lying in a humble manger in a Bethlehem stable. Christmas announces the good news that God is with us in a real and meaningful manner. Jesus is coming–let us adore Him!!
Take time out of the busyness of this season to reflect on the Christmas message proclaimed on the fields of Bethlehem over 2000 years ago. Christ the Savior is born! Thanks be to God!
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Don’t forget to attend the Walther League Chorus’ annual "Christmas Concert" on Sunday, Dec. 3, at 4:00 p.m. in the La Porte Civic Auditorium. An exciting variety of new and traditional sacred Christmas melodies will be performed by the Walther League Chorus/Jubilant Handbell Choir and the School Chorus/Choir Chimes. This is a "must attend" event for the whole family!
Tickets remain at the same low price: $4-Adults, $3-Sr. Citizens age 65 or older, $2-Children through high school age. (Price increases $1 at the door.) They are available from chorus members, at the Church Office, Fenker’s Furniture, New Covenant Supply, and Roxy Music Store.
FROM THE VOTERS
The fourth quarterly Voters’ Meeting was held Nov. 1 in the Cafeteria. The meeting was called to order by Vice-President, Edward Brettin, Jr. Pastor Schoop gave the opening devotions based on I Peter 2:9. The minutes of the Aug. 8 meeting were read and accepted. Pastor Schoop reported the following membership changes: removed at their own request were Mr. Brian Schuster and Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Spear; transfers were sent for Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Herrmann to Grace Ev. Luth. Church in Omro, WI; transfers were received for Mr. & Mrs. David Wisniewski from Salem Ev. Luth. Church in Florissant, MO, Mrs. Mark Childress from Immanuel Luth. Church in Belvidere, IL, Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Parry from St. Paul Luth. Church in Fulda, MN, and Mr. & Mrs. Peter Kalita from Immanuel Ev. Luth. Church in Michigan City, IN; Mrs. Frances Grisamore, Mr. John Spear, and Mr. William Adams were reinstated; Miss Sharon Feliciccha was received by Confession of Faith.
Several new voting members were welcomed to the assembly: Stephen Parry, Jeri and Michael Lemke, Charles and Delores Dickman, Rio Light, Dorothy Diedrich, Roselyn Schulz, and David and Dionne Wisniewski. Elections of officers, trustees, and School Board were held. (Later in the meeting the following results were announced: President-William Trowbridge, Secretary-Tamara Bartholomew, Assistant Treasurer-Stephen Parry, Trustees-Dale Fischer, Matthew Heinold, Mary Jo Uebele, School Board-David Wisniewski.) There was no Old Business. The Principal, Mindy Bremer, presented a written report in which she highlighted enrollment, conferences, and the theme for the 2000-01 school year–"Reaching In - Reaching Out." The Church Council reported the following motions:
1) To amend Article I, Section A of the Bylaws to have only two Voters’ Meetings a year in May and November. This was seconded and approved.
2) To amend Article III, Section B of the Bylaws to keep five Church Council meetings in January, April, August, October, and December. This was seconded and approved.
3) To grant Pastor Ungrodt a peaceful release from his Call to St. John’s as Assistant Pastor on Apr. 30, 2001, so that he may pursue his goal of becoming an institutional chaplain. This was seconded and after discussion was approved.
4) To grant Pastor Ungrodt one day a week to complete a unit of work for his goal. This was seconded and approved.
5) To grant Pastor Ungrodt family health coverage under Concordia Plans from May 1 to Aug. 31, 2001. This was seconded and approved.
6) To contract Pastor James Link of Faith Luth. Church, South Bend, to serve in the area of outreach and to take over Pastor Ungrodt’s shut-in work for up to 30 hours a week @ $15.00 an hour beginning Dec. 1, 2000. This was seconded and approved.
7) To work with Faith in South Bend to cover Pastor Link’s benefits. This was seconded and approved.
8) To accept the Budget for 2001. This was seconded and discussed. An amendment was made to add $100.00 to the budget for membership in the Duneland Luth. High School Association. This was seconded and approved. The entire budget then was approved as amended.
After the budget was approved, a motion was made to send the figures for the Administrative Assistant to the School Board for review and possible amendment. This was seconded and then tabled.
The Treasurer, Jeffrey Scherer, gave the third quarterly report showing a deficit in the General Fund of $197,562.48. His report was approved. The Fish Fry for Friday, Nov. 3, was announced with an encouragement to purchase tickets. The Hispanic Ministry report was noted along with an invitation to the Spanish Walks on Saturdays as announced. Bill Burger also encouraged attendance at the Walther League Chorus’ annual Christmas Concert on Dec. 3. There were no communications. The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m. and closed with prayer led by Pastor Ungrodt.
SCHOOL NEWS
Christmas Program
The students of St. John’s School will present their Christmas Program
entitled, "The Greatest Gift," on Sunday, Dec. 17, in the 10:45 service. We invite everyone to attend.
Christmas Craft Workshop
St. John’s Parent Teacher League (P.T.L.) will sponsor a Christmas Craft Workshop on Monday, Dec. 18, during the school day in the Cafeteria for the students. If you would like to help students assemble Christmas crafts during the workshop, please contact Susan Griffin (324-2382).
Christmas Vacation
St. John’s School and Daycare will be closed for Christmas vacation beginning Wednesday, Dec. 20, through Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2001. School and Daycare will resume operation on Wednesday, Jan. 3. The School Office will be closed during Christmas vacation!
EVERY MEMBER VISITS
In this year 2000, we have completed over half of the Every Member Visits. There is still more to be done in 2001. We need to have all the visitor packets returned to the Church Office so we can prepare for the final phase. If you volunteered to help with the Every Member Visits and still have your packet, please return it by the end of December whether you have completed the calls or not. Thank you in advance for your help.
WHAT’S NEW AT SUNDAY SCHOOL
Do you like to try new things? Sometimes we get so comfortable in our routines that we overlook wonderful opportunities to experience something new. This Christmas season, our Sunday School has decided to do just that...try something new! Instead of our traditional Christmas program, we are producing a Christmas Pageant entitled, "Wee Three Kings." This change allows all of our Sunday School family to be in costume and use our God-given talents to express ourselves dramatically. Join us Sunday, Dec. 10, at 3:30 p.m. in the school Gymnasium. It is our sincere wish that everyone in attendance will be clearly reached with the heartfelt message of Christ’s love. May our loving God keep us close to Him this Christmas season!
After the pageant, please join us for a Chicken Dinner in the school Cafeteria. In the spirit of giving, the profits from the dinner will go to St. John’s General Fund and St. John’s Gr. 7-8 Washington, D.C. Trip. For details or to purchase tickets, contact Mrs. Dana Alexander. (More information on the dinner is located elsewhere in this Newsletter.)
Children big and small are invited to join us for our annual "Birthday Party for Jesus" on Sunday, Dec. 24, from 9:00-9:30 a.m. in the church basement! This tradition helps "bring home" just whose birthday we celebrate.
Our "Stack the Can Contest" in November was fun. Students brought cans each week to donate to the Thanksgiving baskets that St. John’s Men with a Mission and Board of Social Ministry distribute. At this writing, we are still collecting cans. Please watch the bulletin for who won the contest and how many cans were collected.
During our worship times last month, we learned about the true faith and courage of our Pilgrim forefathers. We think we have hard times–these folks could put us to shame! Can you imagine being on board a small ship for weeks enduring crowds, wet and smelly conditions...not to mention the numerous storms that rocked them violently? Still, they remained faithful to their Creator. Praise the Lord!
Perfect Attendance for October were: Caleb Bublitz, Matthew Hull, Brooke Baima, Abbey Lloyd, Mary Elizabeth Lloyd, Storm Shortt, Colton Tanber, Lindsey Hull, Jenna Marie Kalsow, Alexander Kelsey, Taylor Baima, Emily Barnhart, Chelsea Levandoski, Trenten Tanber, Sam Bublitz, Victoria Kelsey, Andrew Schuelke, Sky Shortt, Kathryn Scherer, Jacob Barnhart, Brittney Scherer, and Aubrey Barnhart. Congratulations! These students received Christian symbol self-inking stampers.
We are happy to report several new families have joined our Sunday School this fall! We hope they enjoy learning about Jesus with us as much as we enjoy having them as a part of our family.
The entire Sunday School and Staff wish everyone a most joyous Christmas and Christ-centered New Year!
ADVENT PREPARATIONS
Advent begins on Sunday, Dec. 3. During Advent, our congregation will prepare through three special Advent Services on Wednesdays, Dec. 6, 13, and 20 at 7:00 p.m. The theme of these services has to do with angels. The titles of the messages, however, focuses on "angles." Come and prepare your heart and life for our Lord’s coming.
CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING
The final meeting of the Church Council in 2000 will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 6, following the Advent Service (approximately
8:00 p.m.). This meeting is held to confirm the appointments to the boards and to set the date to decorate the church for Christmas. It is important for all council members to be present. The meeting will be held in the Chapel.
NEWS FROM DUNELAND LUTH.
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
"The things I like the most about school are Spanish, Algebra, PE, and Computer Class. Each has its upside and sometimes downside, but I’ll let you find that out. Energetic, special, unique, manageable. That is how I would describe my Spanish class. I was always told that learning a foreign language would be extremely complicated, but our teacher, Senora McDonnell, makes things as painless as possible. What is the family of graph f(x)=x2-3.375? Those who are in Algebra have learned that and similar topics in recent weeks....Want to learn to sail? How about a game of golf? No? Then how about some Line Soccer? No matter which one you choose, we have explored the fun and sometimes the harshness of those sports this year....How do you find an average in a spreadsheet? If you had been in computer class you would have learned this and so much more! This is the only class that has managed to keep me awake and attentive during each and every class. Students learn useful skills, such as advanced word processing, how to make business cards, and how to build and/or repair the sometimes frustrating machines. The two excellent teachers, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey, make this possible. Their guidance has led our class to a new level of understanding, through patience and laughter." –Adam Stradtner, 9th Grade
"What I like about Duneland Luth. High School is its small size and good teachers. The teachers are great because they explain what they are teaching, instead of giving us a book and a problem or explaining briefly and then giving us a test....If we have a problem, we ask and they answer so we understand without first saying, ‘Well, if you listened to me....’ The small size is good because we get to know each other better than if there were 100 students. If there were many students we wouldn’t be able to learn in a comfortable environment."
– Chris Johnson, 9th Grade
"Camp Amigo was the most enjoyable time I’ve had all school year. It is a camp in Michigan where we’re able to study nature first hand. I’ve been there twice and I can’t wait until the next time we go. It is a time to look closer at yourself and the relationships with the people around you. During our time at camp, we grew closer together as a student body. We learned to cooperate and appreciate the beautiful earth God has given us....At a Mennonite hymn sing, we had a chance to experience a religion and culture different from our own. Camp Amigo was a wonderful experience that should become a tradition for Duneland High School."
– Sabrina Radke, 10th Grade
CHRISTMAS AT ST. JOHN’S
We celebrate our Lord’s birth this year with special services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. On Sunday,
Dec. 24 Christmas Eve, a special service will be held at 10:30 p.m. As in the past, the Walther League Chorus and Jubilant Handbell Choir will begin singing/ringing at 10:00 p.m. and will be enhancing our worship. There will be no Family Service this year because Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday with our regular services at 8:00 and 10:45 a.m. Christmas Day will be celebrated with a Communion Service at 9:00 a.m. You are invited and encouraged to celebrate the birth of our Lord with your fellow Christians!
FROM THE PREGNANCY
ASSISTANCE CENTER NEWSLETTER
"Often women are scared, confused, and lonely when faced with an unplanned pregnancy. They look for the easy way out of a very complicated situation. At P.A.C. we help avoid the destruction of the baby, the loss of the potential of that baby, and the forever scarring of the woman’s heart. We strive to be a safe haven where love and support abound. We provide free pregnancy tests, maternity and baby clothing, a crib loan program, formula and baby food, community education in the schools and the juvenile services center, Building Blocks parenting classes, Care Closet incentive program, prenatal vitamins, car seat exchange program, ultra-sounds for the abortion vulnerable woman, and referrals for practical help. We invite you to come and see what we do. You, too, can be a part of providing a light in a darkened world."
We are pleased to inform you that the Walk for Life brought in over $8,000 in pledges! We thank all who supported and participated in this worthy event!!
INSTALLATION & ORIENTATION
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Jan. 7, 2001, in the 8:00 a.m. worship service. A letter will be sent to all officers and boards indicating whether or not you are to be installed.
Orientation for all boards including organization and election of board officers will be on Tuesday, Jan. 9, at 7:00 p.m. beginning in the school Cafeteria. All board members and officers should be present for this Orientation Meeting.
ITEMS OF INTEREST
NOTE: The December/January calendars are included in this Newsletter. The deadline day for items to be included in the February edition is Jan. 15!
It’s time to accept donations for poinsettias to decorate our church for the Christmas holiday. The cost is $10 this year. If you would like to make a monetary donation, turn it in at the Church Office before Christmas. Thanks!
NEWS FROM OUR BOARDS/GROUPS
Youth Board
We have the following to report from our Jr. High Youth Group:
a. They are planning a Winter Break Teen Event for Wednesday, Dec. 27, from 3:00-8:30 p.m. It will feature games, a Pizza Party, and a study of the music teens are listening to today. The study will feature a book/video by a speaker, Phil Chalmers, from the "Acquire the Fire" Chicago event. Book topic is "I Don’t Listen to the Lyrics!" and video topic, "Music to Die For–Is Today’s Music Killing our Teens?" Also featured will be interviews with MTV and VH-1 music artists, Christian Music artists, etc. All youth in Gr. 6 and up, members and non-members, are invited to come and bring friends. Parents are welcome, too! Cost for pizza is $3.50 per person. A signed Permission Slip must be turned in by youth not attending with a parent. To receive a Permission Slip or for more details, contact Jr. High Youth Leaders for this event, Scott Childress(362-7170) and Felicia Menear(362-0479).
b. The Jr. High Youth Group will participate with the Sr. High Youth Group for the Bremen Holy Walk on Saturday, Dec. 9, and the New Year’s Eve Lock-in on Sunday, Dec. 31. For more information on these events, contact Cheri Schuelke.
Contact Person: Scott Childress (362-7170)
Board of Trustees
a. Praise the Lord! We had more people come to the Fish Fry than we anticipated. Nearly 700 were served–200 more than the last Fish Fry! We sold 400 pounds of fish by 6:30 p.m. and had to close early. We apologize to those who were turned away–we will plan for more in the spring! Our report is: Income - $3,921.19, Expenses - $1,572.74, Profit - $2,348.45. The profit was given to the General Fund of the church.
b. The next Dinners are planned for: Feb. 23, Mar. 30, Apr. 27. Boards and congregation members are asked to sign-up to help with at least one of the dinners for whatever amount of time you can donate. Profits will go to the General Fund.
Contact Person: Chuck Link, Jr. (326-1069)
Board of Missions and Evangelism
a. We are placing a drop box in the church Narthex for baby items for the Pregnancy Assistance Center. Baby clothes, furniture, bedding, bottles, etc. can be left in the box. This will be on ongoing project. Items can be donated any time!
b. We are purchasing Christmas postcards to send out in the community. They will be pre-labeled with our message and Christmas schedule of services. We would like help in sending them to friends and strangers. All you have to do is address and mail it!
c. The Hispanic Outreach Ministry is in the works! Spanish Walk classes have been scheduled to learn more about the Hispanic culture and some Spanish, too. All are welcome to attend. See church calendar for dates/times.
d. In the spring we hope to have English as a Second Language class. Many other Lutheran churches in Indiana are having great success with this ministry!
Contact Person: Ellie Heidel (326-1866)
Board of Parish Education
a. We are organizing our new Suppers 8 groups for Jan.-Apr. 2001. We are adding a Family Suppers group, also. Watch the bulletin for more information.
b. There will be a display case of Christian materials in the church Narthex. If you are interested in purchasing items, see a board member (Lora-Lee Snyder, Lois Diedrich, Ricky Shortt, Judy Schreiber, Christel Bublitz) or the Congregation Coordinator outside of worship service times.
Contact Person: Ricky Shortt (324-6288)
Board of Stewardship
a. We planned the Loyalty Weekend activities for Nov. 18-19. All members given an opportunity to make a Commitment for giving a portion of their treasures to the Lord.
b. Pastor Schoop conducted a series of Stewardship Bible studies for the board. We are working on developing a congregation Stewardship Education Plan.
Contact Person: Margaret Nowak (362-3411)
REPORT OF FINANCE SECRETARY FOR OCTOBER
1999 Attendance - 2,310
2000 Attendance - 2,290
1999 General Fund receipts - $76,659.98
2000 General Fund receipts - $60,143.05
1999 Mission Fund receipts - $ 3,036.70
2000 Mission Fund receipts - $ 4,695.00
Church Budget Year to Date for 2000:
General Fund (short)...($201,849.15)
Mission Fund (short)...($ 487.28)
DECEMBER AT ST. JOHN'S
Dec. 2-3 "Hope" (Jeremiah 33:14-16)
Dec. 6(Advent) "Joseph’s Angle" (Matt. 1:18-25)
Special Music: Gr. 1-4
Dec. 9-10 "Faith" (Malachi 3:1-4)
Special Music: 8:00: Walther League Chorus
Dec. 13(Advent) "Mary’s Angle" (Luke 1:26-38)
Special Music: School Chorus
Dec. 16-17 "Joy" (Zephaniah 3:14-18a)
Dec. 20(Advent) "Heaven’s Angle" (Luke 2:8-14; Hebrews 1:14)
Dec. 23-24 "Love" (Micah 5:2-4)
Dec. 24(Christmas Eve-10:30 p.m.) "A Shepherd’s Christmas" (Luke 2:8-20)
Special Music: Walther League Chorus/Jubilant Handbell Choir
Dec. 25(Christmas Day-9:00 a.m.) "Celebrating Jesus’ Greatness" (Luke 1:32)
(NO SATURDAY SERVICE ON DEC. 30.)
Dec. 31(One Service-9:00 a.m.) "The Year Under the Cross" (Phil. 2:9-13)
Dec. 31(NY Eve-7:00 p.m./Pastor Ungrodt) "The Numbering" (Ps. 90)
JANUARY AT ST. JOHN’S
Jan. 6-7 "Acceptable to God" (Acts 10:34-38)
Special Music: 8:00-Walther League Chorus
Jan. 13-14 "My Time Has Not Yet Come" (John 2:1-11)
Special Music: 10:45-School Chorus
Jan. 20-21 "Suffering in the Body" (I Cor. 12:12-21,26-27)
Special Music: 8:00-Walther League Chorus
Jan. 27-28 "A Diversity in Love" (I Cor. 12:27-13:13)
Special Music: 8:00-Gr. 1-4
From St. John's Congregation Coordinator for December 2000:
If you would like more information on the activities listed, or would like help with any comments, ideas or events, please contact me at by e-mail at stjohnsarc@csinet.net or call me at (219)362-3726. More information on St. John's activities is also available through our web site, at www.STJOHNS-LPIN.org, under "What's New?" and "Calendar of Events". Have a Blessed Christmas Season!
Yours in the JOY of the Lord! - Debra
Joint Youth/Family Event
The "It's a Family Event" series drew a total of 14 adults and 24 children after the third of four events. Sponsors of the joint event series were the youth and family organizations: the Board of Parish Education, Sunday School, VBS, The Youth Board, Youth Groups, PTL and the Day School. If you would like to see us do something like this in the future, or you have other ideas on activities, please let me know!
Hispanic Outreach Ministry
The Church Council officially approved St. John's Hispanic Outreach Ministry at it's October 24, 2000 meeting, after nearly a year of information gathering on the topic. The Hispanic Outreach Committee will work under the supervision of the Board of Missions and Evangelism. Chairman of the Committee is Anita Scherer, who is Hispanic herself.
We are starting out the ministry by educating the congregation (and anyone else who wants to attend) about Hispanics through "Spanish Walk." "Spanish Walk" meets twice per month on Saturdays from 9 to 10am. Anita teaches this class of information on the Spanish language, and Hispanic culture, music and food. Cost of the class is $5.00 per session. We are also looking for persons interested in helping with the Hispanic Ministry in a variety of ways, including as tutors for an ESL (English as a Second Language) class. We hope to start the ESL class in February. Training of Tutors would take place Saturdays in January. YOU DO NOT NEED TO KNOW SPANISH TO HELP!!! For more information on how this will work, contact me at 362-3726 or Anita at 324-2124.
Visitor Welcome Project
I have been working together with several of St. John's Boards on a joint plan to improve on the useful and friendly appearance of our Church entrances. The Board of Trustees, the Board of Missions & Evangelism and Board of Parish Education have started working on the project and we hope to invite other Boards and Organizations to join us as we go. First, we have repainted the Narthex. Thank yous go to Mary Jo Uebele, Curt Passafume, Jack Wuggazer and Bob Keller for their help with this! We have had new brochure racks made for each entrance to better organize our information. Many thanks go to Ralph Hedtke for his donation of labor on this project - they are beautiful!
We are in the process of putting a Welcome Center in the Narthex (back) of the church that we will man with the various Boards & organizations volunteers, hand out Visitor information or gifts, and display Christian materials that the Board of Parish Education will have available for purchase or orders, as an extension of the A.R.C. (Activities Resource Center). We will not sell items before, during or after Church Services, but there will be an interest clipboard, and you may contact me or any member of the Board of Parish Education. We are also working on new signs for the building.
There is one project we can use your help on. We would like to put up custom made oak-trimmed bulletin boards at all entrances instead of a less expensive and not as nice looking kind. This will cost nearly $100 each and we need six of them. If you would like to donate toward this better quality bulletin board, please use a Pew Envelope and mark it "Bulletin Board Project".
Lutheran Hour Ministries
We have received a special gift that allows us to finally get the "Woman to Woman" program on the air in La Porte on WCOE, with commercials advertising St. John's Church & School. (Watch the bulletin for details!) We need your help to keep it on the air. If you want to help, please donate using the Pew Envelope & mark it "St. John's Lutheran Hour Ministries". Thank you!
More Information On Ministry In Transition.
From Pastor Ungrodt
In the recent past St. John’s Board of Elders (assisted by Indiana District Staff), our Church Council and Voters Assembly have worked with some aspects of my transition from ministry in our La Porte congregation toward my goals of full time ministry in a clinical setting, for example, as a chaplain. This would follow my completion of six units of 400 hours each of "Clinical Pastoral Education" (CPE), ecclesiastical endorsement and professional credentialing to serve in specialized pastoral care (SPC).
Presently I am involved in the first or "Level 1" unit of CPE. From 9/11/00 to 4/30/01 this work of 12 hrs/wk minimum takes place at Lutheran Hospital of Indiana in Fort Wayne.
I am thankful for our actions to date, (11/01/00): that following a peaceful release (upon 4/30/01) from my Call to serve in Saint John’s; that my family and I will, at least, still have medical insurance coverage while I may be unemployed until the end of August ‘01. At that point I plan, hope and pray to be accepted and working nearby in a one year, full time, chaplain residency (with a ‘stipend’ and the usual medical benefits available at employee rates.)
SPECIALIZED PASTORAL CARE (SPC) is the embodiment of the church’s commission to minister to persons in special need... the ill,
the imprisoned, the elderly, the troubled,
the conflicted, and the isolated.
Most SPC ministries occur in specialized settings such as hospitals, prisons, long-term care facilities, counseling centers, workplaces, and police and fire departments.
For more information please talk with me,
or you may write or phone:
Specialized Pastoral Care and Clinical Pastoral Education, LCMS 1333 South Kirkwood Road St. Louis, MO 63122-7295 (1-800-248-1930, Ext. #1388.)
Chaplains and pastoral counselors declare and demonstrate Christ’s love to those who may not otherwise be served by the church.
SPECIALIZED PASTORAL CARE (SPC) and CLINICAL PASTORAL EDUCATION (CPE)
helps members of Lutheran Church-- Missouri Synod congregations to touch lives in the name of Christ by:
| Training more men and women to serve, as appropriate, as chaplains and pastoral counselors through CPE programs --- Chaplains work within institutions such as hospitals, prisons, hospices, nursing and retirement homes, homes for the physically/mentally challenged --- Pastoral counselors counsel one-on-one or in small groups within clinics, private practice, counseling centers and congregations |
| Emphasizing a comprehensive ministry of Word and Sacrament, counseling, care and compassion, with opportunities for volunteer service |
| Offering Specialized Pastoral Care services in everyday settings such as work places, police departments, treatment programs and airports |
| Seeking to establish new specialized pastoral care ministries through districts and congregations |
We do this in response to God’s love for us. By His Word Jesus renews and empowers our faith:
"As My Father has sent Me,
even so I am sending you"
(John 20:21).
"Listen, listen, God is calling
Through the Word inviting,
Offering forgiveness, Comfort and joy.
"Jesus gave His mandate: Share the good news
That he came to save us.......... And set us free."
"Let none be forgotten Throughout the world.
In the Triune Name of God Go and baptize."
"Help us to be faithful, Standing steadfast,
Walking in Your precepts, Led by Your Word."
"Listen, listen, God is calling
Through the Word inviting,
Offering forgiveness, Comfort and joy.
C.P.H. Worship Supplement ‘98, # 872
