LCMS Calendar

Board for National Mission – February 2024 meeting
2024-02-01 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago)
The LCMS Board for National Mission is scheduled to meet on Thursday, February 1, 2024.
The Board for National Mission is charged with developing and determining policies for the coordination of and in support of district ministries which support congregations and schools.
Read more about the LCMS Board for National Mission.

LCMS Board for International Mission meeting – Jan. 31, 2024
2024-01-31
The LCMS Board for International Mission is scheduled to meet on Jan. 31, 2024, via Zoom video conference call.
The Board for International Mission is charged with developing and determining policies in support of mission and ministry in foreign countries for the Office of International Mission.

2024 Kansas March for Life in Topeka
2024-01-24 | Topeka Performing Arts Center, 214 SE Eighth Ave., Topeka, KS, 66603, United States
The Kansas March for Life is Wednesday, January 24, 2024 in Topeka. The march begins at 12:00pm at the Topeka Performing Arts Center (214 SE Eighth Ave.) with the Rally for Life to follow. Join us in Topeka as we witness to the sanctity of life.

2024 Life March in Tucson, Arizona
2024-01-20 11:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Tucson, Arizona
The 2024 Life March in Tucson, Ariz. will take place on Saturday, January 20, 2024. Join us as we witness to the sanctity of life. More information is to come!

Walk for Life West Coast 2024, 20th Anniversary Walk
2024-01-20 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago)
Make plans to join us on January 20, 2024 for the 20th anniversary of the Walk for Life West Coast. More details to come.

2024 National March for Life in Washington, D.C.
2024-01-19 12:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Washington, D.C., 12th and 14th Streets, Washington D.C., 20002, United States
Join us in Washington, D.C. for the 2024 March for Life on Friday, January 19, 2024. The rally begins at 12:00pm and the march begins at 1:00pm. The starting point will be between 12th and 14th Streets and continue on Constitution Avenue to the U.S. Capitol Building. More information to come.

Million Dollar Life Match grant training webinars
2024-01-10
The LCMS Office of National Mission will host two online training sessions on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 — the first at 2 p.m. CST and the second at 7 p.m. CST — for LCMS congregations and districts interested in applying for a Million Dollar Life Match grant.
Register

2 p.m. Zoom webinar

7 p.m. Zoom webinar

Learn more

Million Dollar Life Match grants

LCMS Pastoral Colloquy - December 2023 meeting
2023-12-14 - 2023-12-15 | LCMS International Center: St. Louis, 1333 S. Kirkwood Road, St Louis, MO, 63122, United States
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s Colloquy Committee for the Pastoral Ministry (CCPM) is scheduled to meet on December 14–15, 2023 in St. Louis.
The four-member committee is chaired by the LCMS first vice-president and includes representative from both LCMS seminaries and a member from the Council of Presidents, according to Synod bylaws.
The CCPM meets approximately five times throughout the year to examine applications, interview eligible candidates and manage the policies and practices of the colloquy process.

LCMS Board for International Mission meeting – Nov. 30-Dec. 1, 2023
2023-11-30 - 2023-12-01
The LCMS Board for International Mission is scheduled to meet Nov. 30-Dec. 1, 2023, in St. Louis.
The Board for International Mission is charged with developing and determining policies in support of mission and ministry in foreign countries for the Office of International Mission.

LCMS Board of Directors - November 2023 meeting
2023-11-17 - 2023-11-18
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s Board of Directors is scheduled to meet on Nov. 17-18, 2023, in St. Louis.
The Board of Directors is the legal representative of the LCMS, and it is the custodian of all the property of the Synod — directly or by its delegation of such authority to an agency of the Synod.
The BOD exercises supervision over all the property and business affairs of the Synod, except in those areas where it has delegated such authority to an agency of the Synod or where the voting members of the Synod, through the adoption of bylaws or by other convention action, have assigned specific areas of responsibility to separate corporate or trust entities.
In such circumstances, the BOD retains general oversight responsibility as defined in Synod Bylaws.

2023 Michigan March for Life
2023-11-08 11:00 - 14:00 (America/Detroit) | Michigan State Capitol, 100 N. Capitol Ave, Lansing, MI, 48933, United States
The 2023 Michigan March for Life is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 8, in the capital city of Lansing, Mich. The rally begins at the capitol building at 11 a.m. Eastern time, and the march begins at noon. Join members of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod at the event to witness to the sanctity of life.
After the march, Hope Lutheran Church in nearby DeWitt, Mich., will host a pro-life presentation. The public is invited.
Learn more
Register

Board for National Mission - November 2023 meeting
2023-11-07 - 2023-11-08
The LCMS Board for National Mission is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, November 7, and on Wednesday, November 8, 2023.
The Board for National Mission is charged with developing and determining policies for the coordination of and in support of district ministries which support congregations and schools.
Read more about the LCMS Board for National Mission.

Reformation Day
2023-10-31
Reformation Day is commemorated on Oct. 31 each year. LCMS congregations may hold special services on Oct. 31 and/or on the preceding or following Sunday.
To attend a service, visit locator.lcms.org/church to find a local Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod congregation. Enter your zip code and click “Search” to see a list of area churches, service times, and contact information.
If you are homebound, traveling, or otherwise unable to attend a service in person, KFUO Radio airs worship services throughout the church year. Visit KFUO.org to view the schedule and listen to services.
Find a church near me

About the Protestant Reformation
More than 500 years ago, the Protestant Reformation brought the church’s focus back to God’s free gift of salvation in Jesus Christ.
On Oct. 31, 1517, Martin Luther posted the 95 Theses — the “Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences” — to the church door in a small city called Wittenberg, Germany. This event ignited the Protestant Reformation, and thus the church officially commemorates this important anniversary on Oct. 31.
As you and your congregation prepare to celebrate this year, you are invited to use a variety of resources that highlight the history, theology, and continued effects of the Reformation today.
The Reformation was, first and foremost, all about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was then, and it still is now. The task of reformation never ends. Every person, in every generation, needs to hear the Good News of their Savior from sin and eternal death.
View Reformation resources

Liturgical color for Reformation Day
The altar will be adorned with the festive color of red.

Three-Year Series and One-Year Series
Scripture readings

Revelation 14:6–7

Romans 3:19–2

John 8:31–36 or Matthew 11:12–19

Lectionary summary
The Son of God Has Set Us Free from Sin and Death by His Grace
“Wisdom is justified by her deeds” (Matt. 11:19), and the true Wisdom of God, Christ Jesus, the incarnate Son, has justified us by His deeds. He prepares His way by the preaching of repentance, but He has suffered the violence of the Law and voluntarily handed Himself over to violent men, that we might eat and drink with Him in His Kingdom and “remain in the house forever” (John 8:35). He is “a friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Matt. 11:18–19), and He has rescued us by His grace from the slavery of sin and death. By the proclamation of His eternal Gospel “to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people” (Rev. 14:6), “the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law” (Rom. 3:21), “that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Rom. 3:26). And by the hearing of that Gospel of Christ Jesus, “whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith” (Rom. 3:25), “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31–32).

LCMS Worship

lcms.org/worship

Worship planning resources

Subscribe to monthly resources email

Find a church near me

Church Worker Appreciation Month
2023-10-01 - 2023-10-31
Congregations and school communities are encouraged to use the month of October to demonstrate appreciation not only for their pastors but for all workers in the parish and schools.
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod thanks God for the 14,647 faithful church workers who serve in congregations and schools across our Synod.
Here are some resources to show your gratitude and support for your pastors, teachers, church musicians, deaconesses, and other church workers.
View resources

Set Apart to Serve — LCMS church work recruitment initiative

lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve

setapart2serve@lcms.org

St. Michael’s Day
2023-09-29
The Church commemorates St. Michael and All Angels each year on Sept. 29.
“Fear not.” So every angel begins his speech in the Scriptures. They are the fearsome warriors of the Most High God, commanded by Michael the Archangel, forming the “Sabbaoth,” the armies of the Lord. And yet, they are given this office as His heavenly legate: to announce the good news of great joy in Christ Jesus, incarnate, risen and ascended, all for us mortals. Christ’s warriors and messengers are set to guard duty for His Christians. Their unseen eyes draw us to follow their gaze, “for they always behold the face of the Father, who is in heaven” (Matt. 18:10).
How is Michael a “Saint”?
The word “saint” simply means “holy one.” We often use this word to describe those Christians who have departed this life in the faith. The New Testament most often uses it to address Christians in the Church on earth (Rom. 1:7, 1 Cor. 1:2, Eph. 1:1, etc.). Michael and the angels of God are not humans “sanctified in Christ Jesus” (1 Cor. 1:2), but they are “holy angels” — holy just as God created them and as the Scriptures describe them (Mark 8:38, Acts 10:22, Rev. 14:10).

Liturgical color for St. Michael’s Day
White is the color of purity and completeness and the color for all major feasts of Christ. This color, used primarily during these Sundays, assists in bearing the message that “though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow.” Christ’s triumph from the grave on Resurrection day is the cause for our rejoicing. His purity before his Father becomes our purity. White reinforces that message of joy.

One-Year Series and Three-Year Series
Scripture readings

Daniel 10:10–14; 12:1–3

Rev.12:7–12

Matt. 18:1–11 or Luke 10:17–20

Lectionary summary
Our Father in Heaven Protects His Children by Giving His Holy Angels Charge Over Them
We live in “a time of trouble” (Dan. 12:1), in the midst of great tribulation. Satan and his wicked angels have been thrown out of heaven and have come down to earth “in great wrath,” with woeful “temptations to sin” and with constant accusations (Rev. 12:8–12; Matt. 18:7). Even so, we are encouraged by the presence and protection of St. Michael and the holy angels, whom God sends to help us in the strife (Dan. 10:11–13). By “the authority of his Christ,” His holy angels guard and keep us in body and soul. These heavenly servants of God preserve His human messengers on earth, the ministers of “the blood of the Lamb,” against all the power of the enemy, for by “the word of their testimony,” the Church is saved and the devil is defeated (Rev. 12:10–11; Luke 10:18–19). By their preaching and Baptism of repentance, the old Adam and the old evil foe are “drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matt. 18:6). As God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, so are His people delivered and raised from the dust of the earth through the forgiveness of their sins (Dan. 12:1–3).
Prayers

St. Michael and All Angels

Attend a service
To attend a worship service, visit locator.lcms.org/church to find a local Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod congregation. Enter your zip code and click “Search” to see a list of area churches, service times, and contact information.
If you are homebound, traveling, or otherwise unable to attend a service in person, KFUO Radio airs worship services throughout the church year. Visit KFUO.org to view the schedule and listen to services.
Find a church near me

LCMS Worship

lcms.org/worship

Worship planning resources

Subscribe to monthly resources email

Find church near me

'Set Apart to Serve' Resource Launch Town Hall
2023-09-27 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago)
To kick off the next stage of its church work recruitment initiative, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod will host an online Set Apart to Serve Resource Launch Town Hall on Wednesday, Sept. 27, from 1 to 2 p.m. Central time. The live town hall will also be recorded to watch at any time afterward.
SAS is a collaborative effort across the Synod to support and encourage future church workers. The goal is to create an intentional culture of church worker formation in every LCMS congregation, Lutheran school and camp. The Synod is developing resources and tools to help congregations foster this culture.
During the past five and a half months, SAS has been working with 36 congregations, schools and camps that represent all 35 LCMS districts to pilot-test SAS resources and tools.
Feedback from the pilot sites has helped the LCMS refine these resources, and SAS is excited to share these effective tool kits with you.
During the town hall, the hosts will:

Provide a brief overview of the SAS program;

Share what was learned working with the pilot participants;

Introduce resources and tools to help congregations, schools and camps with raising up the next generation of church workers; and

Provide the next steps on how to make SAS work in your congregation.

Registration for the town hall is now open. Each congregation with a representative attending the town hall will receive a free welcome kit.
This town hall will be recorded and offered alongside the full collection of SAS resources. If you’re unable to attend the live event but intend to watch the recording, please register as an attendee so your church or organization will be eligible to receive the free welcome kit.
Register now

Join Zoom meeting

Meeting ID: 896 7406 1102

Passcode: [REDACTED]

LCMS Set Apart to Serve

lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve

888-843-5267 (THE LCMS)

setapart2serve@lcms.org

LCMS Board of Directors: September 2023 meeting
2023-09-14 - 2023-09-16
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s Board of Directors is scheduled to meet on Sept. 14-16, 2023, in St. Louis.
The Board of Directors is the legal representative of the LCMS, and it is the custodian of all the property of the Synod — directly or by its delegation of such authority to an agency of the Synod.
The BOD exercises supervision over all the property and business affairs of the Synod, except in those areas where it has delegated such authority to an agency of the Synod or where the voting members of the Synod, through the adoption of bylaws or by other convention action, have assigned specific areas of responsibility to separate corporate or trust entities.
In such circumstances, the BOD retains general oversight responsibility as defined in Synod Bylaws.

LCMS Board for International Mission meeting – Sept. 14-15, 2023
2023-09-14 - 2023-09-15
The LCMS Board for International Mission is scheduled to meet Sept. 14-15, 2023, in St. Louis.
The Board for International Mission is charged with developing and determining policies in support of mission and ministry in foreign countries for the Office of International Mission.

LCMS Pastoral Colloquy Meeting: September 2023
2023-09-07 - 2023-09-08 | LCMS International Center: St. Louis, 1333 S. Kirkwood Road, St Louis, MO, 63122, United States
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s Colloquy Committee for the Pastoral Ministry (CCPM) is scheduled to meet on September 7–8, 2023 in St. Louis.
The four-member committee is chaired by the LCMS first vice-president and includes representative from both LCMS seminaries and a member from the Council of Presidents, according to Synod bylaws.
The CCPM meets approximately five times throughout the year to examine applications, interview eligible candidates and manage the policies and practices of the colloquy process.

2023 LCMS Disaster Response Conference
2023-09-06 09:00 - 2023-09-08 15:00 (America/Chicago) | LCMS International Center: St. Louis, 1333 S. Kirkwood Road, St Louis, MO, 63122, United States
The 2023 LCMS Disaster Response Conference — “Walking Together in Disaster Response” — will be held from 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 6, to 3 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 8, at The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod International Center in St. Louis.
Day 1
The first day of the conference is ONLY for LCMS District Disaster Response Coordinators (DDRCs) and Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) trainers.

Wednesday, Sept. 6 — 9 a.m. registration to 5 p.m.

The first day of the conference includes training, particularly on the establishment and operation of volunteer activities.
Days 2 & 3
The second and third day of conference anyone with an interest in disaster response, including DDRCs and LERT trainers.

Thursday, Sept. 7 — 8 a.m. registration to banquet starting at 5:30 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 8 — 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The sessions, which will cover a variety of topics, will include tabletop exercises, case studies and practical breakouts. The conference schedule also includes chapel services, on-site lunches and a banquet.
View agenda

Specialized Spiritual Care Training Track
Introductory Series for Rostered Church Workers and Laity
For the first time, we’re also offering a specialized track for those who are interested in providing spiritual care to various groups after disasters. Continuing education units (CEUs) are available.

Registration
Conference registration has closed.

Lodging
Attendees are responsible for their own lodging.
Hotel rooms are available at the Hilton St. Louis Airport Hotel for the nights of Sept. 5, Sept. 6, and Sept. 7 at a discounted room rate of $85 per night (plus applicable taxes). The discounted rate is subject to availability.
Each room includes breakfast, Wi-Fi, self-parking, and shuttle service to/from the Hilton and the International Center is also included. A fitness center and on-site restaurant are also available.
Hotel booking information will be provided in your registration confirmation email.

Questions?
Contact LCMS Disaster Response at disaster@lcms.org with any questions.
Register now
