LCMS Calendar

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

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

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 | 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

LCEF luncheon with author Timothy Goeglein and Concordia University presidents
2023-07-31 12:00 - 13:30 | 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
