LCMS Calendar

2023 Concordia Symphony Orchestra Tour in St. Louis, Mo.
2023-02-25 - 2023-02-28 | IL
Admission is FREE for all concerts
The 55-member Concordia Symphony Orchestra is one of Southern California’s most engaging college orchestras. This “cathedral concert” will share professional repertoire in a format that invites the audience to reflect on Christian themes through inventive music curation and program flow. The tour concert will share the music of Bach interspersed with American composers Aaron Copland (Appalachian Spring), Christopher Rouse (Flute Concerto), Alex Guebert (“For All the Saints”) and John Williams (Far and Away). Each will provide musical insight about “peaceful contentment” (Vergnügte — a word Bach regularly used).

Concerts/Performances:

Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023

3:00 p.m. – Concordia Symphony, full concert
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Collinsville, Ill.
1300 Beltline Rd., Collinsville, IL 62234

Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023

9:20 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. – Concordia Sinfonietta, worship repertoire
Peace Lutheran Church in St. Louis, Mo.
737 Barracksview Rd., St. Louis, MO 63125
6:00 p.m. – Concordia Symphony, full concert
Zion Lutheran Church
3866 Old Hwy 94 S, St. Charles, MO 63304

Monday, Feb. 27, 2023

9:30 a.m. – School chapel service
Lutheran High School North
5401 Lucas and Hunt Rd., St. Louis, MO 63121
1:45 p.m. – Informal educational performance
Lutheran High School South
9515 Tesson Ferry Rd., St. Louis, MO 63123

Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023

9:35 a.m. – Chapel service, 25-minute concert to follow chapel
Concordia Seminary, Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus
801 Seminary Pl., St. Louis, MO 63105
7:30 p.m. – Con Spirito Concert Series, full concert
First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood, Mo.
100 E Adams Ave., Kirkwood, MO 63122

Call Day 2023 - Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne
2023-04-24 - 2023-04-25 | Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind., 6600 North Clinton Street, Fort Wayne, IN, 46802
Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW) will hold its Vicarage and Deaconess Internship Assignment Service on Monday, April 24, and its Assignment of Calls Service on Tuesday, April 25, at Kramer Chapel.
Watch as future vicars, interns, deaconesses and pastors learn where they will serve God’s people next. All calls and assignments for service are to churches or ministries within The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS).
Vicarage and Deaconess Internship Assignment Service

Monday, April 24 — 7 p.m. Eastern time

Guest preacher Rev. David Nehrenz of the LCMS Oklahoma District will be giving the sermon.
Assignment of Calls

Tuesday, April 25 — 7 p.m. Eastern time

Guest preacher Rev. Dr. Allan Buss of the LCMS Northern Illinois District will be giving the sermon.
Services at CTSFW will be streamed online through Facebook and the seminary’s Daily Chapel page. For more information, visit ctsfw.edu/ctsfw-events.

Call Day 2023 - Concordia Seminary, St. Louis
2023-04-26 | Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, 801 Seminary Place, St. Louis, MO, 63105, United States
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (CSL) will hold its Vicarage and Deaconess Internship Assignment Service and its Assignment of Calls Service on Wednesday, April 26, at the Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus.
Watch as future vicars, interns, deaconesses and pastors learn where they will serve God’s people next. All calls and assignments for service are to churches or ministries within The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS).
Assignment of Vicarages & Internship

Wednesday, April 26 — 3 p.m. Central time

Assignment of Calls

Wednesday, April 26 — 7 p.m. Central time

Services at CSL will be streamed online at csl.edu/academics/call-day-services.

LCEF luncheon with author Timothy Goeglein and Concordia University presidents
2023-07-31 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Chicago) | Baird Center: Milwaukee, 400 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53203, United States
Please sign up to join Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) and author Timothy S. Goeglein for a free luncheon from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Monday, July 31, at the Baird Center in downtown Milwaukee during the LCMS 2023 Convention.
Goeglein will speak on his newly released book: Toward a More Perfect Union: The Moral and Cultural Case for Teaching the Great American Story.
Following Geoglein’s presentation, LCEF president and CEO Bart Day will a lead panel discussion that will include several Concordia University presidents reflecting on the book. Other topics include the role of higher education in addressing these issues and, specifically, how our universities afford The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod a unique opportunity to engage students.
This luncheon will be limited to 150 attendees. Each attendee will receive a free signed copy of the book. Please join us for this special event.
Register now

About Goeglein and his new book, Toward a More Perfect Union
Tim Goeglein is Vice President of External and Government Relations for Focus on the Family. Formerly, he served as a special assistant to President George W. Bush and as a deputy director of the White House Office of Public Liaison. He was the President’s principal outreach contact for conservative and faith-based groups.
His new book — Toward a More Perfect Union: The Moral and Cultural Case for Teaching the Great American Story — was published on Jan. 11, 2023.
Book description
It has become evident that over the past 70 years, Americans have become increasingly ignorant of our nation’s founding principles. Civic education and American history have either not been taught or deliberately mistaught throughout our nation’s public — and in numerous cases, even our private — education system.
This lack of education or misinformation has placed our nation in great peril, and we are seeing the consequences unfold daily in our corporate boardrooms, halls of power and streets. This book is a prescription for returning our nation to a healthy culture.
What others are saying
“To be sure, Goeglein is intellectually honest and affords a fair and honest account of America’s shortcomings. But instead of using past wrongs as a weapon, Goeglein urges us to use them as a tool to better understand ourselves so that we can avoid repeating past mistakes.” — The Daily Caller
“Toward a More Perfect Union is not just another book that ought to be read, but a call to action that must not be ignored.” — Lee Edwards

Installation of LCMS president, vice-presidents, secretary and board members
2023-09-15 19:00 - 21:00 | Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, 801 Seminary Place, St. Louis, MO, 63105, United States
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod will hold a service of installation for President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, six vice-presidents, the LCMS secretary and several board members at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15, at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.
The service, which will be held in the Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus, will follow the Order of Vespers. The public is invited, and a brief reception will follow.
President Harrison was re-elected to a fifth term in June. First-Vice President Rev. Peter Lange, the five regional vice-presidents and Secretary Rev. Dr. John Sias were all re-elected during the 2023 LCMS Convention, which was July 29–Aug. 3.
Newly elected or re-elected members of the Synod’s Board of Directors, Board for National Mission, Board for International Mission, and Commission on Theology and Church Relations, will also be installed during the Sept. 15 service.
In addition, board members will be installed for the Concordia University System, LCMS Foundation, Concordia Plans, Lutheran Church Extension Fund, Concordia Publishing House and Concordia Historical Institute.
More information will be shared as it is available. In the meantime, questions may be directed to the LCMS Church Information Center at infocenter@lcms.org or 888-843-5267 (THE LCMS).
Watch livestream

Armed Forces Sunday - 2024
2024-05-19 | IL
The LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces encourages congregations to give thanks to God for our nation’s military veterans, service personnel, chaplains and families on Armed Forces Day weekend.
It’s less important which Sunday you choose; we simply want to give thanks to God in honoring the men and women who faithfully answered the call to serve in our nation’s military.

Armed Forces Sunday — Typically the third weekend in May; Armed Forces Day is on Saturday, May 18, 2024, and can be observed on Sunday, May 19, or on the Sunday of your choice.

Memorial Day weekend — Sunday, May 26, 2024

Independence Day weekend — Sunday, July 7, 2024

Veterans Day — Nov. 11, 2024; can be observed on the preceding or following Sunday.

Any Sunday of your choice

To help congregations plan their commemorations, the LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces offers free resources, including:

Introduction letter

Sermon resource

Bulletin inserts: General (Color)

Bulletin inserts: General (Black-and-White)

Bulletin inserts: Responsive Prayer and Ministry-By-Mail

For more information and resources, visit lcms.org/armedforces.

2024 Lutherland — Germany — Wittenberg — The Old Latin School Tour
2024-08-23 - 2024-09-05 | IL
Support The Old Latin School and join The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod President Harrison, Rev. Wilhelm Weber of The Old Latin School, and other LCMS leaders on a tour of “Lutherland” sites across Germany.
From Aug. 23 to Sept. 5, this 12-night, 13-day bus tour with an experienced multilingual tour director will take you along the paths of Luther, through the heart of the Reformation in Wittenberg, and to beautiful and cultural sites throughout Germany.
This tour is similar to the one offered in 2022, except we will be staying an extra day in Oberammergau, one of the favorite stops on the last trip.
Tour stops include:

Munich and Oberammergau in the beautiful Bavarian Alps,

The mountain resort of Garmish–Partenkirchen,

The baroque old town of Heidelberg and Heidelberg Castle,

Worms and the Rhine River,

Eisenach and Wartburg Castle,

Erfurt with Luther’s Augustinian monastery,

Eisleben where Luther was born and died,

Leipzig,

Wittenberg with a Divine Service held at the chapel of the Old Latin School,

Torgau, and

Nuremberg.

Lodging, 18 meals, land transportation in Germany, gratuities, and all admission fees at tour attractions are included in the cost of $2,540. Space is limited.
Each registrant is also required to make a financial commitment of $3,000 (over the next three years) to support The Old Latin School.
View brochure
Register

Armed Forces Day - 2025
2025-05-17 | IL
Armed Forces Day is on Saturday, May 17, 2025, and congregations of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod may commemorate the holiday during weekend worship services.
The LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces encourages congregations to give thanks to God for our nation’s military veterans, service personnel, chaplains and families who have faithfully answered the call to serve.
LCMS congregations may plan their commemorations with the help of free resources, including:

Introduction letter

Sermon by Rev. Chaplain (Captain) Kyle D. Mietzner

Bulletin inserts: General (Color)

Bulletin inserts: General (Black-and-White)

Bulletin inserts: Responsive Prayer and Ministry-By-Mail

Other 2025 celebrations

Memorial Day is Monday, May 26, and may be commemorated on Sunday, May 25.

Independence Day is Friday, July 4, and may be commemorated on Sunday, July 6.

Veterans Day is Tuesday, Nov. 11, and may be commemorated on Sunday, Nov. 9.

Any Saturday and/or Sunday of your choice.

For more information and resources, visit lcms.org/armedforces.

2025 LCMS Youth Gathering
2025-07-19 - 2025-07-23 | New Orleans, La., New Orleans, LA, United States
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s National Youth Gathering is scheduled for July 19–23, 2025, in New Orleans, La.
Registration is scheduled to open in fall 2024. More information will be posted on this page as it becomes available.
Held every three years since 1980, the LCMS Youth Gathering provides thousands of youth and adults the opportunity to come together as a community of God’s people to learn more about Jesus Christ, the Christian faith and their Lutheran identity.
During the five days of the Gathering, youth spend time together in God’s word, worship, service and fellowship with others from across Synod.
Visit lcmsgathering.com for the latest information.

LCMS Youth Ministry

lcms.org/youth

youth.ministry@lcms.org

888-843-5267

facebook.com/lcmsgathering

twitter.com/lcmsnyg

Latin America Missionary Alumni Event
2025-08-07 - 2025-08-08 | Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, 801 Seminary Place, St. Louis, MO, 63105, United States
The Lutheran Center—Missouri Synod (LCMS) is commemorating 125 years of mission work in Latin America and the Caribbean region (LAC) in 2025, and current and former LAC missionaries will gather for an anniversary celebration on Aug. 7-8 at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.
The missionaries will reflect on their work around Latin America and the Caribbean, and attendees can enjoy fellowship time while learning how the Lord continues to work in LAC. The Synod’s multi-generational mission work will be celebrated under the banner of “Remember, Repent, Rejoice.”
All LCMS missionary alumni of the Latin America and the Caribbean region are invited to attend this special event. Service includes that of a career missionary, Globally Engaged in Outreach (GEO) missionary, or Volunteer Youth Ministry (VYM) missionary under LCMS World Mission or LCMS International Mission.
Schedule
Thursday, Aug. 7

5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. — Cocktail reception and dinner at Concordia Historical Institute (located on the campus of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis)

Friday, Aug. 8

8:30 a.m. to noon — Missionary alumni presentations and roundtable discussions

Noon to 1 p.m. — Lunch

1 p.m. to 4 p.m. — Missionary presentations and roundtable discussions

4 p.m. — Vespers with dinner reception to follow

Attendance is free. Attendees are responsible for their own travel and lodging accommodations.
Email lcmslac@lcmsintl.org for more information.

Church Worker Appreciation Month
2025-10-01 - 2025-10-31 | IL
Our church workers dedicate themselves, day in and day out, to serving their church and school communities. That means it’s always the right time to show them our appreciation.
To help the church be intentional in showing that appreciation, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) has set aside the month of October and other special days throughout the year to highlight different kinds of church workers and their service. You are encouraged to join with your brothers and sisters in Christ across the LCMS in using these opportunities to show appreciation to our church workers, who serve us in a multitude of ways as they preach, teach and care for God’s people in body and soul.

Oct. 12 — Pastor Appreciation

Oct. 25 — Deaconess, Director of Family Life Ministry, Director of Christian Outreach, and Director of Church Ministries Appreciation

April 26 — Director of Parish Music Appreciation

May 4–8 — Teacher Appreciation

June 26 — Director of Christian Education Appreciation

The LCMS offers suggestions and resources to show your gratitude and support for church workers.
View resources

LCMS Worker Wellness

lcms.org/worker-wellness
workerwellness@lcms.org

Set Apart to Serve — LCMS church work recruitment initiative

lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve
setapart2serve@lcms.org

Teacher Colloquy Webinar
2025-10-15 | IL
Do you know an educator who might be interested in teacher colloquy?
A free Teacher Colloquy Webinar will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 15, at 7 p.m. (CDT) to go over the process, requirements and benefits of becoming rostered as an LCMS Minister of Religion—Commissioned. Teacher colloquy is a great way for educators who attended a non-LCMS college or university to gain robust theological grounding and roster status.
The webinar, brought to you by Set Apart to Serve, will be hosted by the Rev. Dr. Paul Philp, executive director of Concordia University Education Network (CUEnet), and Wendi Murphy, CUEnet office operations manager and registrar.
The webinar will cover many topics, such as common questions and myths about colloquy; real colloquy stories; a walk-through of the requirements, coursework, timing and financial aid; and the next steps for those who are ready to begin the process.
Interested teachers can register for the live Zoom webinar at thelc.ms/teacher-colloquy-webinar. Schools might consider scheduling a watch party for staff to attend together. The webinar will be recorded and available for on-demand viewing.

Church Worker Appreciation – Director of Parish Music
2026-04-26 | IL
Our church workers dedicate themselves, day in and day out, to serving their church and school communities. That means it’s always the right time to show them our appreciation.
To help the church be intentional in showing that appreciation, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) has set aside the month of October and other special days throughout the year to highlight different kinds of church workers and their service. You are encouraged to join with your brothers and sisters in Christ across the LCMS in using these opportunities to show appreciation to our church workers, who serve us in a multitude of ways as they preach, teach and care for God’s people in body and soul.

Oct. 12 — Pastor Appreciation

Oct. 25 — Deaconess, Director of Family Life Ministry, Director of Christian Outreach, and Director of Church Ministries Appreciation

May 4–8 — Teacher Appreciation

June 26 — Director of Christian Education Appreciation

On April 26, we continue our year of church worker appreciation observances by thanking God for directors of parish music, one of the seven commissioned (auxiliary) offices that support the work of the Holy Ministry.
View resources

LCMS Worker Wellness

lcms.org/worker-wellness
workerwellness@lcms.org

Set Apart to Serve — LCMS church work recruitment initiative

lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve

setapart2serve@lcms.org

Church Worker Appreciation – Teacher
2026-05-04 - 2026-05-08 | IL
Our church workers dedicate themselves, day in and day out, to serving their church and school communities. That means it’s always the right time to show them our appreciation.
To help the church be intentional in showing that appreciation, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) has set aside the month of October and other special days throughout the year to highlight different kinds of church workers and their service. You are encouraged to join with your brothers and sisters in Christ across the LCMS in using these opportunities to show appreciation to our church workers, who serve us in a multitude of ways as they preach, teach and care for God’s people in body and soul.

Oct. 12 — Pastor Appreciation

Oct. 25 — Deaconess, Director of Family Life Ministry, Director of Christian Outreach, and Director of Church Ministries Appreciation

April 26 — Director of Parish Music Appreciation

June 26 — Director of Christian Education Appreciation

During the week of May 4–8, we continue our year of church worker appreciation by thanking God for school teachers, one of the seven commissioned (auxiliary) offices that support the work of the Holy Ministry.
View resources

LCMS Worker Wellness

lcms.org/worker-wellness
workerwellness@lcms.org

Set Apart to Serve — LCMS church work recruitment initiative

lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve

setapart2serve@lcms.org

Armed Forces Day - 2026
2026-05-16 | IL
Armed Forces Day is on Saturday, May 16, 2026, and congregations of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod may commemorate the holiday during weekend worship services.
The LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces encourages congregations to give thanks to God for our nation’s military veterans, service personnel, chaplains and families who have faithfully answered the call to serve.
LCMS congregations may plan their commemorations with the help of free resources, including:

Introduction letter

Sermon by Chaplain (Major) Bobby Niemtschk, U. S. Army

Bulletin inserts: General (Color)

Bulletin inserts: General (Black-and-White)

Bulletin inserts: Responsive Prayer and Ministry-By-Mail

Other 2026 celebrations

Memorial Day is Monday, May 25, and may be commemorated on Sunday, May 24.

Independence Day is Saturday, July 4, and may be commemorated on Sunday, July 5.

Veterans Day is Wednesday, Nov. 11, and may be commemorated the preceding or following weekend.

Any Saturday and/or Sunday of your choice.

For more information and resources, visit lcms.org/armedforces.

Festival of Scripture & The Arts — 'Song of All Songs'
2026-06-20 - 2026-06-21 | Concordia University Chicago: River Forest, Ill., 7400 Augusta Street, River Forest, IL, 60305, United States
Concordia University Chicago (CUC) will host a Festival of Scripture & The Arts on its campus in suburban River Forest, Ill., on June 20–21.
The weekend will include a set of lectures and presentations on the Song of Songs (Song of Solomon) by LCMS authors Rev. Dr. Andrew Steinmann, Dr. Paul Raabe and Rev. Dr. Joel C. Elowsky, who are published in the forthcoming book Interpreting the Song of Songs: Reception History from Qumran to the Modern Era (Baker Academic, September 2026).
Professional recitations of the Song of Songs by members of the theater department, poetry on themes of the Song of Songs by students and faculty of CUC, and commissioned artwork for the event will accompany the world premiere of music faculty Jonathan Stahlke’s “Song of All Songs,” a 45-minute work which takes the entire biblical text of the Song as its basis.
The work is composed for two choirs, orchestra and soloists, and will be performed by members of the All-Music Alumni Reunion, meeting that same weekend. The performance is free and open to the public.
Free tickets for the performance or registration for the festival weekend may be secured online (beginning March 2026).
For more information, contact jonathan.stahlke@cuchicago.edu.
