LCMS Calendar

FORO — Peru
2027-10-14 00:00 - 2027-10-17 23:59 (America/Chicago)
LCMS International Mission will host a FORO about mission work in Peru from Oct. 14-17, 2027.

What is a FORO?

A FORO — Spanish for “forum” — fosters relationships between missionaries serving on behalf of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and mission partners. The meetings facilitate networking, start conversations, and focus resources to make disciples of all nations for generations to come.

When do FOROs occur?

Once or twice a year, LCMS missionaries meet with partners — people from churches, organizations, schools, and partner churches — in their mission field. They discuss strategies to make disciples, address community needs, emphasize mutual listening, and encourage shared decision-making.

Why are FOROs needed?

Missionaries don’t only need funding and volunteers. Missionaries need relationships. They need support networks. They need people to walk with them, pray with them, listen to them, learn from them, and stand with them. FOROs help provide those relationships.

To learn more about FOROs, visit international.lcms.org/foro.

Contact

Rev. James Sharp, LCMS Missionary

james.sharp@lcms.org.

FORO — Belize
2027-11-04 00:00 - 2027-11-08 23:59
LCMS International Mission will host a FORO about mission work in Belize on Nov. 4-8, 2027.
What is a FORO?
A FORO — Spanish for “forum” — fosters relationships between missionaries serving on behalf of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and mission partners. The meetings facilitate networking, start conversations, and focus resources to make disciples of all nations for generations to come.
When do FOROs occur?
Once or twice a year, LCMS missionaries meet with partners — people from churches, organizations, schools, and partner churches — in their mission field. They discuss strategies to make disciples, address community needs, emphasize mutual listening, and encourage shared decision-making.
Why are FOROs needed?
Missionaries don’t only need funding and volunteers. Missionaries need relationships. They need support networks. They need people to walk with them, pray with them, listen to them, learn from them, and stand with them. FOROs help provide those relationships.
To learn more about FOROs, visit international.lcms.org/foro.

Contact
Rev. Herb Burch, LCMS Missionary
herb.burch@lcms.org

FORO — Mexico
2027-11-16 00:00 - 2027-11-17 23:59
LCMS International Mission will host a FORO about mission work in Mexico on Nov. 16-17, 2027, in Mexico City.

What is a FORO?

A FORO — Spanish for “forum” — fosters relationships between missionaries serving on behalf of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and mission partners. The meetings facilitate networking, start conversations, and focus resources to make disciples of all nations for generations to come.

When do FOROs occur?

Once or twice a year, LCMS missionaries meet with partners — people from churches, organizations, schools, and partner churches — in their mission field. They discuss strategies to make disciples, address community needs, emphasize mutual listening, and encourage shared decision-making.

Why are FOROs needed?

Missionaries don’t only need funding and volunteers. Missionaries need relationships. They need support networks. They need people to walk with them, pray with them, listen to them, learn from them, and stand with them. FOROs help provide those relationships.

To learn more about FOROs, visit international.lcms.org/foro.

Contact

Rev. Dr. Arthur Rickman, LCMS Missionary

arthur.rickman@lcms.org

Annunciation of our Lord
2028-03-23 08:00 - 17:00, 2029-03-22 08:00 - 17:00, 2030-03-28 08:00 - 17:00, 2031-03-27 08:00 - 17:00
The Annunciation of our Lord will be observed on March 25. The Annunciation commemorates the visit of the angel Gabriel to the blessed Virgin Mary, announcing that the eternal Son of God would take up human flesh in her womb and, in accordance with Isaiah’s prophecy, be born of a virgin.

His message declared that God showed undeserved kindness to Mary and, by faith in His Word, Christ was conceived in her. In this way, she is a godly example of faith for us also — how a Christian hears the Words and promises of God and says, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).

The Annunciation is appointed for March 25, from which date Christmas came to be observed as the birth of Christ (nine months later). When the Annunciation falls in Passiontide, Holy Week or Easter, it is observed at another time.

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

Liturgical color for the Annunciation

White, the color of purity and completeness, adorns the altar to commemorate the Annunciation of Our Lord. In His light we see light, and by Him “though our sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow.” Christ’s incarnation and His resurrection, His Gospel and its message to all nations are cause for our rejoicing. His purity before His Father becomes our purity. White reinforces this message of joy.

White is also the appointed color for the 12 days of Christmas, Epiphany (Jan. 6) and the first Sunday following it, which is observed as the Baptism of Our Lord. It is also the color for Easter.

Three-Year Series and One-Year Series

Scripture readings

Isaiah 7:10–14

Hebrews 10:4–10

Luke 1:26–38

Lectionary summary

Incarnate by the Holy Spirit, Born of the Virgin Mary and Made Man

“It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” (Heb. 10:4). But “nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:37). He opens ears to hear and wombs to conceive. “Let it be to me according to your word,” says St. Mary (Luke 1:38). The Most High who once dwelt in the tabernacle comes to overshadow Mary, who believes the angel’s “annunciation” (Luke 1:35). “The virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). In Jesus Christ, God is with us — even from the moment of His conception. This miracle, that Mary should become the mother of God, will be a sign against the proud in Israel; it is the fulfillment of the prophecies of Isaiah and David. “I delight to do your will, O my God,” says Christ (Psalm 40:8). From Mary’s flesh, the Most High has prepared a body for His Son (Heb. 10:5), a body to be offered “once for all” as the sacrifice that alone takes away sins and gives a righteousness apart from the Law (Heb. 10:10). Through His conception, life and death, we have been sanctified. God favors us in this child. And like the blessed Virgin Mary, blessed “are those who hear the word of God and keep it” (Luke 11:28).

LCMS Worship

lcms.org/worship

Worship planning resources

Subscribe to monthly resources email

Find a church near me

FORO — Belize
2028-03-30 00:00 - 2028-04-03 23:59
LCMS International Mission will host a FORO about mission work in Belize from March 30 to April 3, 2028.
What is a FORO?
A FORO — Spanish for “forum” — fosters relationships between missionaries serving on behalf of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and mission partners. The meetings facilitate networking, start conversations, and focus resources to make disciples of all nations for generations to come.
When do FOROs occur?
Once or twice a year, LCMS missionaries meet with partners — people from churches, organizations, schools, and partner churches — in their mission field. They discuss strategies to make disciples, address community needs, emphasize mutual listening, and encourage shared decision-making.
Why are FOROs needed?
Missionaries don’t only need funding and volunteers. Missionaries need relationships. They need support networks. They need people to walk with them, pray with them, listen to them, learn from them, and stand with them. FOROs help provide those relationships.
To learn more about FOROs, visit international.lcms.org/foro.

Contact
Rev. Herb Burch, LCMS Missionary
herb.burch@lcms.org

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod's Birthday
2028-04-26, 2029-04-26, 2030-04-26, 2031-04-26
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod celebrates its birthday on April 26. Initial members, which included 12 pastors representing 14 congregations from Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Michigan, New York and Ohio, signed the church body’s constitution on April 26, 1847, at First Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Chicago, Ill.
Originally named The German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio and Other States, the name was shortened to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in 1947 on the occasion of our 100th anniversary.
The roots of the LCMS run deep, tracing back to Saxon and other German immigrants establishing a new church body in America, seeking the freedom to practice and follow confessional Lutheranism.

Only Jesus: No Other Name

Resources to help celebrate the 175th anniversary of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
View resources

FORO — Peru
2028-04-27 00:00 - 2028-04-30 23:59
LCMS International Mission will host a FORO about mission work in Peru from April 27-30, 2028.

What is a FORO?

A FORO — Spanish for “forum” — fosters relationships between missionaries serving on behalf of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and mission partners. The meetings facilitate networking, start conversations, and focus resources to make disciples of all nations for generations to come.

When do FOROs occur?

Once or twice a year, LCMS missionaries meet with partners — people from churches, organizations, schools, and partner churches — in their mission field. They discuss strategies to make disciples, address community needs, emphasize mutual listening, and encourage shared decision-making.

Why are FOROs needed?

Missionaries don’t only need funding and volunteers. Missionaries need relationships. They need support networks. They need people to walk with them, pray with them, listen to them, learn from them, and stand with them. FOROs help provide those relationships.

To learn more about FOROs, visit international.lcms.org/foro.

Contact

Rev. James Sharp, LCMS Missionary

james.sharp@lcms.org.

St. Michael’s Day
2028-09-29, 2029-09-29, 2030-09-29
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

FORO — Peru
2028-10-12 00:00 - 2028-10-15 23:59
LCMS International Mission will host a FORO about mission work in Peru from Oct. 12-15, 2028.

What is a FORO?

A FORO — Spanish for “forum” — fosters relationships between missionaries serving on behalf of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and mission partners. The meetings facilitate networking, start conversations, and focus resources to make disciples of all nations for generations to come.

When do FOROs occur?

Once or twice a year, LCMS missionaries meet with partners — people from churches, organizations, schools, and partner churches — in their mission field. They discuss strategies to make disciples, address community needs, emphasize mutual listening, and encourage shared decision-making.

Why are FOROs needed?

Missionaries don’t only need funding and volunteers. Missionaries need relationships. They need support networks. They need people to walk with them, pray with them, listen to them, learn from them, and stand with them. FOROs help provide those relationships.

To learn more about FOROs, visit international.lcms.org/foro.

Contact

Rev. James Sharp, LCMS Missionary

james.sharp@lcms.org.
