PassionateBelievers. Multiplying Life Together. around the globe. story on page 4

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1 PassionateBelievers A publication of the South Wisconsin District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Volume 1, Issue 3 Fall 2011 Multiplying Life Together around the globe story on page 4 in this issue: President s message 3 Disaster relief 9 Bible study 11 Around the District 13 14

2 Volume 1, Issue 3 Fall 2011 South Wisconsin District LCMS Welcome Passionate Believers is a quarterly publication of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod congregations within the South Wisconsin District. It shares stories about our partnership in the Gospel and how we work towards maximizing, magnifying and multiplying the ministry that is done with and through local congregations. If you would like to submit ideas, stories, or letters for the next publication, please send them to editor@swd.lcms.org by Dec. 1. South Wisconsin District LCMS 8100 West Capitol Drive Milwaukee, WI (414) In Wisconsin: (800) Web: swd.lcms.org swd@swd.lcms.org Our mission The South Wisconsin District empowers life changing ministries of bold, passionate witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our vision In a constantly changing world the SWD discovers, celebrates and advances vibrant models for growing discipleship, missional leaders and church worker wholeness. Our core values Discipleship Community Integrity Diversity Excellence Save the Date! Passionate Leaders Conference Feb. 25, a.m. to 3 p.m. Divine Redeemer Lutheran Church & School N45 W31385 State Rd. 83, Hartland The conference is for: Pastors, Teachers and Leaders of our congregations and schools. Registration and specific conference information will be available the first of the year. Cover photo: Pastors lay on hands during Gui Kabeo Kasongo s ordination in Milwaukee (see p. 4). Photo credit Christopher Hougard. Please join us for an afternoon of fun while we raise funds for our District missions Thursday, October 13, 2011 Sporting Clays for novices & experts (bring your own shells or purchase them there) At 3:00 p.m., choose from OR New Orleans style cooking class & wine pairing with Chef Mike Rhodes At 5:30 p.m. Wine Tasting with substantial appetizers This fund raising event for missions will be held at Highlands Sportsman s Club N3041 W. County Road A, Cascade, WI All money raised will go directly to missions of the South Wisconsin District. The cost is $55/person. For directions and to register please call Bob Mason at (414) by October 7. 2 Passionate Believers... Changing Life

3 South Wisconsin District LCMS Volume 1, Issue 3 Fall 2011 Koinonia is life together Rev. John C. Wille President In Greek the word is κοινωνία. In English it is pronounced koinonia. It means Life Together. It s part of President Harrison s threefold emphasis for our Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. It s one of the special words in New Testament Scripture. It is translated from the original Greek in several different ways. In Acts 2: They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and the fellowship (koinonia), to the breaking of bread and the prayers. In Philippians 1: I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership (koinonia) in the gospel from the first day until now. In Philemon 6: I pray that the sharing (koinonia) of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. Fellowship partnership sharing. Koinonia is a word that reminds us that we are part of a much larger church. While the ministry of our local congregations is essential, our local congregations are not autonomous. An integral aspect of that is understanding our identity as Lutheran Christians. We are part of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. We are part of the holy Christian church. As such we have responsibilities and accountabilities to our sister congregations in the church at large, and especially to our sister congregations in The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Writing this the words of St. Paul come to mind, In fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it (1 Corinthians 12:18, 24ff). What can the thumb really do if it is not connected to the body? What could the eye see if it were laying on the countertop not connected to the body? Our Lord has brought us together by his grace, defined and measured by the sacrifice which was made by our Lord Jesus on the cross. Sometime take your Bible, pick a quiet time, sit in the back row of your Church and read 1 Corinthians chapters Listen to what the Lord says there. What is the Church? Why did our Lord create it? Synod is indeed a manmade organization; but our unity in the Church is a gift from our Lord. Our Lord has bought us and has brought us together in this church body for a purpose. So as not to miss the point, St. Paul writes this in 2 Corinthians 5:20, We are therefore Christ s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ s behalf: Be reconciled to God. The question is: will we honor our calling as the church in this time and this place? Will we work together for his purpose, or our own purposes? We can get so much more done for our Lord s Kingdom by working together than we could ever accomplish individually. Together our gospel voice in this world is maximized. Together our Christ-centered impact on this world is magnified. Together our Christ-centered impact on this world is multiplied. May our Lord bless us as we live Life Together. maximizing, magnifying, multiplying ministries 3

4 Volume 1, Issue 3 Fall 2011 South Wisconsin District LCMS Multiplying life together around the globe Rev. Dan McMiller Eight years ago our District s first African immigrant candidate for the pastoral office was Vicar Christian Ikanih. At that time he was installed to serve at both Mission of Christ and Shepherd of the Ridge Lutheran Churches in Milwaukee. These past eight years, Pastor Ikanih has multiplied ministry by serving in Milwaukee as missionary-at-large with special service focused also at Gospel, then the former Nazareth location (now Concordia University School), and finally Bethany. This past August 14, over 200 people gathered at Bethany to celebrate the installation of Pastor Ikanih, not as a missionary of the District, but as the pastor called by Bethany to serve Bethany and its community with support from the District. On that same day we witnessed how the Lord has multiplied Pastor Ikanih s ministry in many directions. One example of that is the ordination and installation of candidate Elijah Ndon, at the same service, to be the assistant pastor at Bethany. There he will serve the Free at Last ministry (ministry to ex-offenders) which gathers for Bible study and networking at Bethany. Pastor Ndon also serves as a chaplain in the County Correctional Facility South (CCF-S) in Franklin, supported by your District offerings and direct gifts. Pastor Ikanih has long been a mentor to Pastor Ndon, and now they serve together in a challenging urban ministry. First Vice President Randy Raasch preached and conducted the rite of ordination. This was a big step for Bethany Lutheran Church to install two pastors when they cannot fully support even one. Yet God led them to step out in faith and call these men, trusting that as we walk together and live together as a Synod, District and church, God will provide support for these servants to continue to serve in a challenging urban ministry that even reaches into the jail cell. At another Milwaukee location later that same day, there was more evidence of God s work through Pastor Ikanih s ministry among us. That was the ordination and installation of candidate Gui Kabeo Kasongo as pastor of the International Lutheran Church of Zion. This congregation is a West African immigrant congregation that recently became a chartered church of the LCMS. Gui has faithfully served this French, Swahili, Tshiluba, Lingala and English speaking congregation for about seven years. Benediction, Milwaukee, has graciously opened its doors to this opportunity for outreach, and for the last five years they have welcomed Pastor Kasongo s congregation to meet there for worship on Sunday afternoons. Gui arrived in Milwaukee not knowing Lutheranism, but then he met Pastor Chris Ikanih and was quickly introduced to Luther s Small Catechism. Other pastors of our District also mentored Gui through his theological education at Concordia University Wisconsin and finally through Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Pastor Don Hougard preached and conducted the rite of installation. Over 200 people attended the service. Among those attending were leading Muslim women from the French speaking African immigrant community. Pastor Ikanih and his wife Joy made it over to this service, leaving their reception early at Bethany to do so. Rev. Elijah Ndon (center front), ordained Aug. 14, joins in ministry with Rev. Christian Ikanih (right front), installed on the same date at Bethany, Milwaukee. This multiplying of ministry does not stop here. Pastor Kasongo s thankfulness for the gospel has 4 Passionate Believers... Changing Life

5 South Wisconsin District LCMS Volume 1, Issue 3 Fall 2011 Rev. Gui K. Kasongo (center front) closes the worship service in which he was ordained on Aug. 14 at Benediction, Milwaukee. Pastor Kasongo serves the International Lutheran Church of Zion, a West African congregation. led him, with the support of his congregation, to plant two new congregations in the Congo over the Internet. All that Pastor Kasongo learned through his classes and mentors he has faithfully translated into French and eagerly shared with his evangelical friends back home. The congregation, though able to only give a small stipend to Pastor Kasongo, has sent gifts to assist these congregations and even has rallied Congolese support for the building of a small clinic there. A third existing congregation is also becoming a Lutheran congregation through Pastor Kasongo s witness and instruction via the Internet. The expansion of life together in the gospel enters hidden jail cells and crosses oceans as ministries multiply. Yet this is just a portion of the story. The growth and expansion in the Congo and even Nigeria has many more chapters to it even as it faces huge obstacles of civil war, life threatening conflict, economic distress and persecution. Yet, nothing can keep us apart here in time or forever in eternity when united by the same confession of the gospel. One thing is certain; that life together is not inwardly focused, but spinning outward in a transforming confession of faith that knows no limits. All of these ministries need our continued support. Immanuel Lutheran of Brookfield has graciously supported Gui s ministry for more than four years, but future support is very limited. All gifts for these ministries can be sent to the South Wisconsin District and designated accordingly, or even sent directly to the respective ministries. If you would like more information or promotional material to share with your congregation, please call the missions department at (414) maximizing, magnifying, multiplying ministries 5

6 Volume 1, Issue 3 Fall 2011 South Wisconsin District LCMS Life together is reawakening in our Hispanic communities Rev. Dan McMiller It is conservatively estimated that there are around 250,000 Hispanics living in southeastern Wisconsin. Not only are many of them facing growing social ills and physical needs, but a majority are also unchurched and suffering spiritually. Recently the Lord has opened great opportunities for Hispanic ministry in the South Wisconsin District to address these ills and provide links between the Hispanic communities and existing LCMS congregations in their neighborhoods. Under the direction of Pastor Germán Novelli, a major emphasis has been the establishment of a Lutheran Hour Ministry (LHM) Hispanic resource center in Milwaukee which will use the name Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones (Christ for all the Nations). This center will operate out of an office at Oklahoma Avenue Lutheran Church and will provide materials, workshops, Bible studies, retreats, counseling, etc. for three Milwaukee congregations Oklahoma Avenue, Grace and St. Martini, as well as serve our existing Hispanic ministry in the Racine area. The goals of this LHM center are, with Christ-centered LHM materials and programs: A) to serve the social and spiritual ills of unchurched Hispanic families, B) to connect these families and individuals with the existing LCMS congregations in their communities, C) The children listen intently to the Bible to equip those congregations reading during the opening session with resources to serve the of VBS at Santa Cruz Lutheran Church in Racine. Hispanic community, and D) develop Christian Hispanic leadership in the local congregations and the Hispanic communities. A great partnership with Beatriz Hoppe, manager of multicultural ministries at the national Lutheran Hour Ministry office, has been a major factor in this project. LHM centers such as this one have been used for years throughout Latin America, but this will be the first such LHM center in Pastor Germán Novelli talks with the US. Grants the children as they are waiting for are being VBS to begin at Grace Lutheran written and gifts Church in Milwaukee. solicited from congregations and individuals to help launch the center. Meanwhile this summer, vacation Bible schools were held at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church site ( Santa Cruz, formerly known as Primera Iglesia) in Racine and also at Grace, Milwaukee. These VBS programs emphasized the development of Hispanic ministry ownership by the local congregation. Pastor Novelli, with the support of his family, Bessie Fick who is a missionary s daughter from Guatemala and fluent in Spanish, and members of Santa Cruz all worked together to develop new colleagues in ministry. At Grace in Milwaukee, members who do not speak Spanish as well as members who do helped and were greatly encouraged to move forward with bold new plans to host events for Hispanic outreach in their congregation. Elder Don Ewert was filled with joy to hear the thankfulness expressed by the young children who participated in their VBS. Although there were only about 25 children who attended, one young Hispanic girl stated, It was the high point of my summer. I wish there were VBS every week. These relationships are the seeds of future life together in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as Pastor Novelli and members of Grace find ways to build on these connections for a future that will, by God s grace, extend to eternity. 6 Passionate Believers... Changing Life

7 South Wisconsin District LCMS Volume 1, Issue 3 Fall 2011 Passionate believers life together Mark L Heureux What do you envision when you reflect on the theme of this publication, Life together? As the body of Christ, we see and live it on a daily basis whether that is in the life of your church, school or job. My definition of being in life together is serving those within the circles you run a common definition that most would agree with. We find comfort and enjoyment being with others that have the same values, beliefs, and at times traditions, as we have. Certainly, there is nothing wrong with this thinking and practice, but are we limiting our reach to only those who fit in our circle. Having arrived in the South Wisconsin District just over a year ago, I ve taken the above approach in identifying our circles of life together, as it involves education in our District. And proudly, I can say we have great schools that are missional to families that don t necessarily fit the thinking or beliefs that our traditional Lutheran schools were founded upon. Our schools are reaching out to families that may not have a connection to a Lutheran church. In fact, across Synod, 36 percent (87,556 students) of the children in our schools are from a non-lutheran background. And even more wonderful, 17 percent (41,346) of the children being served have no church affiliation meaning they now have a connection to hearing the gospel! According to Matthew 28, Jesus describes life together in its truest sense, Go and make disciples of all nations (note the emphasis). Reaching out in brotherly and sisterly love with the gospel is Christ s call to us. With this calling, school ministry in South Wisconsin will be reaching out beyond our borders to be more missional to those whom we can serve and resource. Over the past couple of years, our District has been very instrumental in the efforts of the Lutheran church in the Dominican Republic (DR). At times our schools have supported this initiative, but not to the level of our congregations. In partnership with other LCMS organizations, great strides have been made. Last year, the first Lutheran school opened in the DR ministering to 96 students with the gospel. This year, Getting ready for school to begin they are hopeful to open with over 120 students. With limited resources (financial, material, certified staff, etc.), the need is great for our schools to become involved. On Oct. 9-13, 2011, Mary Irish (Our Redeemer, Wauwatosa), Dawn Walker (First Immanuel, Cedarburg), Jim Breytung (Our Redeemer, Delevan) and I will be traveling to the DR in coordination with representatives from St. Michael s Lutheran Church and School in Fort Meyers, Florida. Our task while there is to develop ways to resource staff, students, and families by providing them greater opportunity in their effectiveness as a Lutheran school. We will strategically develop plans and initiatives to move this ministry forward, making it the school of choice in the community. Shortly after returning, communication of plans and endeavors will be available as we move forward, as well as ways schools and staff can be involved. A stretched goal is to be able to send teachers to the DR for 4-6 days to assist in programming or other necessary work for the church and school. Reaching and resourcing with the gospel is life together! Grades 3 and 4 at school in Palmar Arriba maximizing, magnifying, multiplying ministries 7

8 Volume 1, Issue 3 Fall 2011 South Wisconsin District LCMS A handful of pecans Volunteers help Alabamians recover from an historic twister Rev. Sean Smallwood Members of Lamb of God in Pleasant Prairie traveled in August to Birmingham to execute tornado disaster relief. Terry Sommer, Paul Plapp and Pastor Sean Smallwood share their experience and the need to send more crews to help in the aftermath of the destruction. People in Hanceville, Alabama, still take time to chat. Downtown hosts a small gun shop and a general store with a dry goods sign jutting out from its cream-colored brick façade. The Lutheran church sits at the head of one block. Hanceville Drugstore sits on the other end of the same street, inviting you to come in for a soda before you make the turn to Cullman. The owner, a lanky man who makes good manners look easy, comes out to chat while you wait for the young woman behind the long counter to fix you a Pastor Ed Brashier (standing) teaches Pastor sundae. The people Sean Smallwood hands-on chainsaw training. of Hanceville enjoy the simpler things of life together. Hanceville is the type of place most people think doesn t exist anymore. On April 27 this year, they were almost right. Tornado on the porch Miss Ginger is someone who can tell that story. She lives on the outskirts of town in a bungalow with her husband and their little dog, Candy. At around six in the morning on April 27, she was awakened by a tornado ripping out her trees by the roots. Her husband was standing on the front porch watching eighty feet tall pines come out of the ground. Are you crazy? I said. I just grabbed him and pulled him inside. I kept praying Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. In two minutes, it was over. Later that day an EF-4 tornado bulldozed the nearby town of Cullman, leaving behind it blocks of bare driveways and debris. Similar stories were repeated all day long throughout Alabama. Close to three hundred people died. Four months later the worst has been cleaned up, but much remains. Shattered trees and rootless stumps adorn the green spaces surrounding damaged homes. Sixteen inch I-beams writhe, permanently frozen in the twisted forms the tornadoes left them in. Many Alabamians lack house insurance. Tarps stand in for roofs. FEMA, county agencies and local charities have all been tapped out or overwhelmed. Life together after a twister How does life go on when the skies turn black? It goes on in squad cars, ambulances and crawl spaces. After the storms pass, it goes on with the help of telephone linemen, chainsaw crews and the National Guard. God sends people who drive Ford F-150 s, pulling Bobcats on gooseneck trailers, to clean up the mess. Pastor Ed Brashier, associate pastor at Good Shepherd in Gardendale, Ala., and Southern District disaster response coordinator, is one of those drivers. A man with thirty years of experience as a lineman and a tree cutter, Pastor Ed has an infectious smile and the ability to turn volunteers from novices into useful hands in a few hours. He and his church, in partnership with Lutheran Church Charities, have been helping those who can t get help elsewhere. It s an act of compassion that uses up plenty of gasoline, sweat and muscle. People have been generous, Brashier said. One fellow donated a pickup truck from Illinois. 8 Passionate Believers... Changing Life

9 South Wisconsin District LCMS Volume 1, Issue 3 Fall 2011 Others have sent equipment. Crews have come from Wisconsin, Florida and other places. The problem is that volunteers are dwindling the further we move away from the date (of destruction) But the needs remain. If we can t remove a stump from someone s front yard, he probably won t have the money to do it. That s a minimum five-hundred dollar job for a pro. For most of these people, the stumps will sit there and rot for the next fifty years. Plans to return The next step is the reconstruction and repair of homes. In the upcoming months, Pastor Brashier hopes to turn the operation away from debris removal to renovation. Much will depend on goodwill and generosity as the body of Christ lives out life together throughout America. Terry Sommer and Paul Plapp are already looking ahead to that day. With over 75 years combined experience constructing and overseeing residential and commercial projects in Chicago and Milwaukee, Terry and Paul are discussing how to help in Alabama and closer to home. The day may come, Paul said, when we may have our own disaster up here. We ll need help from Alabama then. And we need to be prepared. One of many stumps too large to remove in Miss Ginger s yard will now stay there to rot. When the crew first pulled up to Hanceville, mature pines lay on top of each other like giant pickup sticks, strewn across Miss Ginger s lawn. Grass had grown over brush piles during the summer. A beautiful pecan tree lay beside the neighbor s privacy fence, having narrowly missed Miss Ginger s house. The crew decided to save the pecan for last. Days later, before the John Deere Skid Steer pulled away the pecan s last big branches, Paul encouraged everyone to grab up a few green pecans to take home to Wisconsin, to show the kids in Sunday school. Everyone nodded, stooping to fill rain-soaked pockets. They want the kids to know what life together looks like. (L to R) Pastor Ed Brashier, Pastor Sean Smallwood and Paul Plapp discuss their plan to bring down a teetering branch in danger of falling. maximizing, magnifying, multiplying ministries 9

10 Volume 1, Issue 3 Fall 2011 South Wisconsin District LCMS SWD missions weekly prayer calendar So that even more people will come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, the South Wisconsin District is committed to become Passionate believers changing life by reaching out to people both inside and outside of the church. We invite you to partner in prayer with others in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, asking that the Holy Spirit would use us to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Week of October 2 Please include in your prayers this week all of the many Multi-Cultural missions of our District, asking Him to send His Holy Spirit into the hearts of all who hear the Gospel message through the work of our missionaries among the many foreigners in our own communities. Week of October 9 This week several of our District executives and teachers will be traveling to the Dominican Republic to meet with other groups in partnership with that mission, and also to see how we can assist them with the administration of their school. Please pray for their safety, for His blessing on their meetings and on all their future endeavors. Week of October 16 In your prayers this week, please include the children and teachers of our Lutheran Special Schools, asking for God s continued blessings on the positive effects this school makes in the lives of so many families. Week of October 23 Thank the Lord this week for the District s Critical Incident Stress Management team, a group of trained pastors and laymen who are equipped to help God s people deal with crisis situations in our congregations and schools, and pray for faith-filled results. Week of October 30 As our Lutheran churches celebrate Reformation this week, pray that the Lord will also preserve among us God s grace, His Word and the one true and saving faith in our Savior, Jesus Christ. Week of November 6 Pray for all of our District s Professional Church Workers this week as they gather to meet, learn and fellowship with each other as members of the Body of Christ, and return to their individual ministries with renewed strength to meet their individual tasks at hand. Week of November 13 Pray this week for the success of our District s State Youth Gathering in Wisconsin Dells. Pray for safe travels for all youth and their leaders, and pray that everyone in attendance will be enriched in their faith and emboldened in their service to God. Week of November 20 During this week of our country s national Day of Thanksgiving pray that we, His children, remember to not only be thankful for our many blessings, but above all to remember from Whom our blessings come. Week of November 27 Pray for our District s French African and English African ministries this week, asking for the Holy Spirit to enter the hearts of those people whose lives these ministries touch. Week of December 4 As we prepare to celebrate our Savior s birth during this season of Advent, pray that the Lord will keep our hearts and minds at peace, remembering what the real reason is for our celebration. Week of December 11 Remember our District s Hmong ministry this week. Pray for the success of their ministry by God s grace, granting their leaders to overcome all obstacles to the advancement of the gospel among them. Week of December 18 Thank the Lord this week for the growth of our District s Hispanic ministry in Milwaukee through the development of a resource center that connects the Hispanic communities to our local congregations. Week of December 25 Join with all God s people this week in thanksgiving for the gift of our Savior s birth in human flesh at Bethlehem. As we put all our faith for eternal salvation in Him, may He grant us all a blessed New Year! 10 Passionate Believers... Changing Life

11 South Wisconsin District LCMS Volume 1, Issue 3 Fall 2011 Bible study life together Dr. Harald Tomesch, associate professor Concordia University Wisconsin, serving SWD My Big Fat Greek Wedding, the movie, made famous the thought that every English word has its roots in the Greek Language. Remember humorously, how Gus explained how the Japanese word kimono had its roots in Greek. Even during the wedding speeches, Gus eagerly described how his family and the groom s family were related. His surname name meant oranges and the Miller family name meant apples. Together these families were now a greater family of fruits. The Greek word for life together is the word koinonia (κοινωνία)! It surfaces many times in the New Testament. Read the following New Testament passages and jot down what you gather the sense of the word means: Acts 2:42-47 and 1 Corinthians 10:16. Now find another translation of the Bible and reread the same passages. All translations of the New Testament are not equal. A great deal about the Bible can be learned be comparing carefully the same passages in two translations. I have translated the Greek of Hebrews 2:14-15 below and note how different my translation (italics) is when compared to the New International Version. 14 Since the children (you and I) have koinonia (life together) in flesh and blood, Jesus too ate and drank of the same so that by his death Jesus might destroy him who holds the power of death that is, the devil 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death that is, the devil 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. In the italics you see how the pastor who wrote Hebrews emphasized the Lord s Supper. We are described as children in a family, freed in forgiveness of sins from fear and slavery for life! Note how the NIV translates the passage so that communion is hardly visible or noted. While the Incarnation of Jesus is clear, our life together is not so clear. Helpful is St. John who wrote his three letters. In the opening of St. John s first letter he writes, 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have koinonia (communion) with us. And our koinonia (communion) is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our joy complete. 5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have koinonia (communion) with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have koinonia (communion) with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. (1 John 1:3-7) Gus from My Big Fat Greek Wedding was right! The Greek language does change everything. Koinonia, fellowship, communion, life together is important and emphasized in Scripture! This fellowship is tied to our Triune God and is proclaimed in the blood (flesh and blood) that sets us free! Martyria, witness Diakonia, mercy Koinonia, life together maximizing, magnifying, multiplying ministries 11

12 Volume 1, Issue 3 Fall 2011 South Wisconsin District LCMS Life together and stewardship It makes sense To learn more about using Stewardship Conversations in your congregation, or about other stewardship resources available though the District or LCEF, contact Tim Dittloff at the District office. As the Synod restructures how it does the business of the church, the department of stewardship now falls into the area of Life Together. This seems only natural as congregations work together with District and the Synod when they seek out stewardship resources. Our District provides workshops on stewardship resources in the local parish and at the District office. The LCMS stewardship executive, Rev. Wayne Knolhoff, also provides training in cooperation with the SWD staff. The following is an excerpt from Stewardship Conversations, a series of stewardship conversation starters that can be used at circuit meetings or as a devotional starter. THE ISSUE: Stewardship and life together St. John writes, That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ (1 John 1:3). As God s stewards we understand that the fellowship that God establishes with us in Christ expresses itself in the fellowship we have with one another. This horizontal relationship is our stewardship. It focuses on the needs of our neighbor. LCMS President Matthew Harrison writes concerning St. Paul s collection for Jerusalem recorded in 2 Corinthians 8 and 9, This collection is a visible and tangible expression of another reality of the Church, namely, fellowship. In fact, St. Paul calls the collection for the poor a koinonia, a fellowship or mutual participation... John s first Epistle (1 John 1:3, 6-7) shows us that this fellowship is vertical (with the Lord), then horizontal (with fellow believers) The apostle John is careful to note these two facets of the one fellowship; the vertical is not separated from the horizontal. The fellowship with the Lord is first, and it creates the relationship among the saints. A relationship with God the Father without a relationship with others in fellowship is impossible. A denial of love to a brother or sister is a denial of fellowship in the Lord (1 John 3:15-17). The Lord creates fellowship by His Gospel of grace (Philippians 1:7). It is a fellowship in the Spirit (Philippians 2:1). It is created by fellowship or participation (koinonia) in the body and blood of Christ (1 Corinthians 10:16). Talking it over The Christian has fellowship in receiving the true body and blood of Christ in the Lord s Supper. The church has fellowship with herself and with individual members who have been made one body in Christ. How is this fellowship created and how is it demonstrated? President Harrison writes, This fellowship is vertical. Someone has said, The biggest stewardship challenge I have is managing the relationship God has established with me in Christ. How does one steward this relationship? President Harrison writes, This fellowship is horizontal. What responsibilities do I have to steward the relationships I have at home, at work, at church, and in the community? How is the offering a visible and tangible expression of fellowship? What does James 2:15-17 have to say about stewardship and Life Together? Putting it into practice How are we forming faithful stewards for Life Together in our congregation? Digging Deeper President Matthew Harrison writes in Christ Have Mercy: How to Put Your Faith in Action, When the koinonia we have with the Father no longer manifests itself in brotherly love, we risk the denial of that koinonia, that fellowship, with the Father of mercy (1 John 1:6ff.; 3:10; 3:16-18; 4:11-21) (p. 147). 12 Passionate Believers... Changing Life

13 South Wisconsin District LCMS Volume 1, Issue 3 Fall 2011 Around the District East Troy grief recovery support group Grief Share is a 13-session grief support group that journeys with mourners from grief to joy. Each session is self-contained so you may join the group at any time. This group is for any adult who has experienced grief over the loss of a family member, friend or spouse. Grief Share meets twice monthly on scheduled Tuesdays from 6 8 p.m. at Good Shepherd, 1936 Emery St., East Troy. Suggested donation of $12 to cover the cost of the book. Please call (262) for more information or visit griefshare.com. Oct. 30 Sheboygan Reformation celebration The annual Sheboygan area Reformation celebration will be held Sunday, Oct. 30, The event is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at the Stefanie H. Weill Center for the Performing Arts, 827 N. 8th St., in downtown Sheboygan. This year s sermon will be comprised of three vignettes presented by Rev. Darrel Bergelin of Trinity, Howards Grove, speaking on sola gratia; Rev. John Berg of Trinity, downtown Sheboygan, speaking on sola fide; and Rev. Nathan Meador of St. John, Plymouth, speaking on sola scriptura. Other area clergy will participate in the service, and music will be provided by various groups. The celebration is sponsored by the American Luther Association and Sheboygan area LCMS congregations. 50th anniversary of Messiah, Kenosha Messiah, Kenosha, will host a 50th anniversary celebration dinner Oct. 22, 2011, and service of thanksgiving Oct. 23 at 9 a.m. For more information or to purchase tickets for the dinner, call (262) or (262) or secretary@messiahkenosha.org. ALIVE! women s luncheon On Oct. 22, from 11 a.m. 2 p.m., Alive s fall luncheon features guest speaker, Dr. Tammy Ferry from Concordia University Wisconsin. The luncheon will also include a panel discussion with women s ministry leaders about creating opportunities for the women in your church to study and serve together. The event will be at Bethlehem, 470 N. Oak Crest Dr., Wales. Visit blog.cuw.edu/wli/events/alive-luncheons for a registration form. Harvest buffet and bazaar Nov. 5 in Milwaukee Chapel of the Cross, 3350 S. Whitnall Ave., presents an all you can eat buffet served from 11 a.m. 1 pm. and 4 7 p.m. A bazaar and bake sale is open continuously from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. The menu consists of: beef, roasted chicken, Polish sausage with sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, hot vegetables, numerous salads, desserts and beverages. Tickets are $14.50 for adults and $7 for children under 10 yrs. No charge for children under three. Tickets are available at the door. Please come for lunch or dinner, bake sale, book sale, country store, theme baskets and a lovely day. For more information, please call the church office at (414) Men s retreat in Manitowoc Feb. 3 5, 2012 The men of First Immanuel, Cedarburg, and Our Redeemer, Wauwatosa, invite District congregations to join their 12th annual men s retreat to be held at the Holiday Inn in Manitowoc Feb. 3 5, The annual program is based on a book. This year s title is Battle Ready, based on the lives of Joshua and Caleb. Special guest is Rev. Rich Cohrs, who heads up the Men s Network at Lutheran Hour Ministries. Some topics include organizing a men s group in your congregation; involving men in your men s group; ideas of what you can be doing as a group; and building your men s spiritual life. Contact Jim Berg at (414) for more information. Celebrating Birthdays October 28 Stuart Climas, 90, Trinity, West Allis November 5 Marion Laufer, 90, St. John, West Bend 29 Arnold Behm, 95, St. John, West Bend December 3 Marcella Dewitz, 90, St. John, Mayville Anniversaries October 13 Harold and Verna Kissinger, 60, St. John, West Bend November 9 Harold and Arlisle Chvarak, 65, Good Shepherd, Sheboygan 10 David and Elmyra Martin, 55, St. John, West Bend December 26 Ronald and Marlene Steinbach, 55, Immanuel, Mayville 29 Don and Marilyn Guth, 55, St. John, West Bend maximizing, magnifying, multiplying ministries 13

14 Volume 1, Issue 3 Fall 2011 South Wisconsin District LCMS Feldscher retires from Chapel of the Cross In June a special service of celebration and praise of thanksgiving was held for Rev. Daniel R. Feldscher s retirement after 42 years of ministry at Chapel of the Cross, Racine. Ordained in 1969 at Grace, Tulsa, Okla., Feldscher accepted a call from the South Wisconsin District to serve as missionary-atlarge in west Racine and was installed as the first pastor of Chapel of the Cross on March 8, Feldscher has served the circuit and District in the area of education, he taught theology part time at Racine Lutheran High School, and he has served on the school s board of trustees. He also was member and president of the board of Family Services of Racine. For the past 23 years he has been a volunteer on-call chaplain at St. Luke s and St. Mary s Hospital (now Wheaton Franciscan All-Saints) in Racine. Peace, Neenah, celebrates 50 years August 28, 2011, was a special day for Peace, Neenah. It was 50 years ago that the congregation consecrated six acres of farmland in southeast Neenah to the Lord s work. Rev. Kenneth Wessel, who put his hand to the handle of the Peace groundbreaking plow 50 years ago, was the longest serving pastor at Peace, retiring in 1988 in his 28th year. Most recently, Rev. Terry Ahelemeyer retired after 22 years as senior pastor. Stowe installed at Divine Savior, Hartford Rev. Douglas Stowe was installed as pastor at Divine Savior, Hartford in July. Most recently he served as the senior pastor of St. Stephen in Waterford, Mich. What attracted me to Divine Savior was the sense that this is a congregation which really wants to touch its community, Stowe stated. From vacation Bible school to the annual fish boil, the congregation gives evidence of its desire to be involved in the Hartford community. I see many more ideas in the formative stage which will strengthen that commitment. Stowe was born and raised in Oshkosh and his wife, Sue, is from Berlin. They have three children. Schellenbach installed at Holy Cross, Racine At the end of August, Rev. Timothy Schellenbach was installed as part-time pastor of Holy Cross, Racine, Wisconsin. A reception for him and his wife, Tina, followed the service. Schellenbach s father-inlaw, Rev. Jack Kirk, preached at the installation service. Other pastors participating included Rev. Thomas Chryst, Rev. Gregory Grenyo, Rev. Jeffrey Mortenson, Rev. Germán Novelli and Rev. Sean Smallwood. At outdoor services under a large tent, Peace, Neenah, celebrated 50 years of service to the Lord. Seen arriving in a horse drawn carriage is the founding pastor, Rev. Kenneth Wessel. Greeting him is LCMS South Wisconsin District President Rev. Dr. John Wille and Peace s current pastor, Rev. Ricky Schroeder. 14 Passionate Believers... Changing Life

15 Lutheran South Church Wisconsin District LCMS Extension Fund Volume 1, Issue 3 Fall 2011 JO URNEY O F DISC O V ERY RY O F DISC O V ERY Summer Travel May Have Ended, but the Journey Continues JO URNEY Round out summer travel plans by taking your congregation on a Journey of Discovery, a spiritual voyage of prayer, discussion and reflection on stewardship. Developed by Lutheran Church Extension Fund in cooperation with Concordia Publishing House and the LCMS Department of Stewardship, this Bible study resource leads congregation members on a stewardship journey that helps bring out their true giving spirit. Based on a travel theme, the resource offers supplemental items including videos to introduce each lesson, luggage tags and traveler s checks to make the process engaging and exciting. Suggested events provide opportunity to build a stronger sense of Christian community. Order your complete kit (item S00322WEB) for $ RY Order online at or call maximizing, magnifying, multiplying ministries Lutheran Church Extension Fund Tim Dittloff South Wisconsin District

16 Happy Thanksgiving! Talk of Thanksgiving in October? This may seem too soon to be thinking this far in advance. Then again you may be thinking every day should be a day to be thankful for all the blessings that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, has given us. This may be true, but there is a reason to be thinking ahead. It is about the greatest commandment; love one another and love your neighbor as yourself. Sharing your love, compassion and resources with people who are less fortunate is the reason to be thinking about Thanksgiving in October. This Thanksgiving the South Wisconsin District will be doing their part in giving of their resources to the less fortunate. The plan is to obtain and distribute 1,000 turkeys to a number of LCMS churches and individuals in the area. This is something that is taken for granted and maybe not even thought of in October. However, with the unemployment rate rising again, we must do more and plan ahead. Planning ahead doesn t just come in the form of food. It comes in the form of prayers, compassion, and love for our neighbors. The Lord Jesus Christ is working though us by blessing us with what we have, and nothing feels better than putting all of our resources and donations together for the love of our neighbors. When you look at it that way, there is nothing wrong with planning Thanksgiving in October. If you want to help, please call Bob Mason at (414) or send your donation to: Thanksgiving Donation, South Wisconsin District 8100 W. Capitol Dr., Milwaukee, WI Let s build his Kingdom! Upcoming events October 4 5 Retired pastors, wives and widows retreat 8 Ethnic Folk Fair, Pilgrim, Wauwatosa 13 Clay Shooting & Wine Tasting mission event, Cascade November 3 4 Professional church workers conference, Kalahari, Wisconsin Dells State youth gathering, Kalahari, Wisconsin Dells The South Wisconsin District empowers life-changing ministries of bold passionate witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Passionate Believers home delivery For $5 per year you can have four quarterly issues of Passionate Believers delivered to your door. Make your check payable to South Wisconsin District and mail to: Passionate Believers, 8100 W. Capitol Dr., Milwaukee, WI Name Address City, State, Zip Please sign me up for the following free subscriptions: Changing Life (econnect) Mission Connection