Prayer Requests

[gan ainm]

Give thanks with me for the birth an hour ago of our new grandson, as yet unnamed and unmeasured (as far as we know). We're in Rochester NY for the month to help out (including me serving as supply pastor for the month  ); we've rented a house but got the call to come over to our daughter's late last night. They finally left for the hospital about 5:30 a.m. and called an hour later to say he was here! Baby, mother, father, 15-month old sister, and grandparents all doing fine.

Fantastic!  God is good. 

[Team Hesse]

Give thanks with me for the birth an hour ago of our new grandson, as yet unnamed and unmeasured (as far as we know). We're in Rochester NY for the month to help out (including me serving as supply pastor for the month  ); we've rented a house but got the call to come over to our daughter's late last night. They finally left for the hospital about 5:30 a.m. and called an hour later to say he was here! Baby, mother, father, 15-month old sister, and grandparents all doing fine.

My favorite quote from my uncle, "children are a blessing, grandchildren are divine!"


Blessings to all in this blessed season!


Lou

[Dave Likeness]

Congratulations Pastor Johnson, grandchildren are one of God's blessings to keep us young
at heart.  Enjoy God's gift to your family.

[pastorg1@aol.com]

Thanks be to God! Yay!

Peter (Pete's a good name...) Garrison

[Weedon]

Congrats on the newest blessing, Richard.

[Richard Johnson]

The final decision is Isaac Karl Rehbaum. Everybody doing fine.

[Dave Benke]

Beloved sister in Christ and dear friend Jean Garton was called to her eternal rest today.  A Lutheran with the most profound influence on the cause of the Right to Life, she exemplified Christian character through love in action for decades; served Lord and Church in many, many capacities in the Missouri Synod.  A native New Yorker whose dad was NYPD, she knew right from wrong but was known by Jesus first and last and forever.

Blessings and peace to her family and to all who mourn her loss.  She rests in peace in light perpetual,

Dave Benke

[Dave Benke]

Another sister in Christ and dear friend, Betty Duda, was called to her eternal rest on Christmas Eve.  Here's what Jerry Kieschnick had to say about both Jean and Betty: 

Dear Friends in Christ,

This day we observe as Christmas Eve I bring to you news of the passing of two very dear sisters in Christ, Dr. Jean Garton and Dr. Betty Duda. Jean went to heaven yesterday, December 23 and Betty followed her today, December 24. They now rest in peace, free from the illnesses that beset them, rejoicing eternally at the throne of the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Each of these gifted women served the Lord in many capacities. Jean was an initial champion of right to life issues, spoke publicly and broadly against abortion, and was instrumental in the formation of Lutherans for Life. Betty served on numerous university and national boards and was president of national Lutheran Women's Missionary League. Jean's husband, Rev. Chic Garton, predeceased his dear wife. Betty's husband, John Duda, is left to mourn his dear wife's passing.

Both Jean and Betty also served a number of years together on the LCMS Board of Directors during my term of office as LCMS president. Their support and encouragement, along with that of Dr. Ed Trapp, was remarkable, especially during a time when collectively the three of them comprised a minority regularly challenged and strategically outvoted by the majority of that Board. Jean, Betty, and Ed steadfastly espoused an evangelical direction for our beloved Synod in the face of formidable opposition. I will always remain deeply respectful of each of them and thankful for their friendship and dedicated service.

Jean's memorial service is pending. Betty's memorial service is scheduled for Tuesday, December 27, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Oviedo, Fla.

At a significant point in his life Old Testament King David, in the presence of his people acknowledged in prayer to God: "We are here for only a moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us. Our days on earth are like a passing shadow, gone so soon without a trace." (1 Chron. 29:15)

And Jesus said to Martha: "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies. And whoever lives and believes in me will never die." (John 11:25-26)

Terry and I thank God for Jean Garton and Betty Duda. They now celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus in a manner you and I can only imagine!

A Blessed Christmas and Joyful New Year to each of you!

[Harvey_Mozolak]

And I shall tell my Dad the Dudas were often with him when he served on the board of Slavia  haven from his SELC Slovak synod then district. 

[Steven W Bohler]

I find it rather sad that Dr. Kieschnick had to inject that church-political bit about their time on the Board of Directors (that the three members who supported and voted with him were "evangelical", as if the rest were not) into his words about the death of these women.

[Charles Austin]

Why would the struggles of the women in church life not be appropriate for Dr. Kieschnick's comments? Shouldn't he pay tribute to them for what he thinks was beneficial about their careers?

[mariemeyer]

I find it rather sad that Jean Garton and Betty Duda, along with the late Florence Manz, had to confront numerous challenges during the years they demonstrated that LCMS women are equipped to serve as spiritual leaders.  I pray LCMS history records the true nature of their service to our Lord within the LCMS.     

Marie Meyer

[Donald_Kirchner]

I find it rather sad that, given Kieschnick's comments, there's no need for a physical resurrection. It's all good.

[mariemeyer]

I find it rather sad that, given Kieschnick's comments, there's no need for a physical resurrection. It's all good.

Please explain the above.   I missed where President Kieschnick stated or implied there is no need for a physical resurrection.

Marie Meyer

[Donald_Kirchner]

I find it rather sad that, given Kieschnick's comments, there's no need for a physical resurrection. It's all good.

Please explain the above.   I missed where President Kieschnick stated or implied there is no need for a physical resurrection.

Marie Meyer

I never said that he stated that. Please look to what I wrote.

Perhaps a review of Jeff Gibbs' "Five Things You  Should  Not  Say at Funerals" would be helpful.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.csl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/October-2003.pdf&ved=0ahUKEwjKitW4_pLRAhWDMyYKHWmrBccQFggcMAA&usg=AFQjCNFUEL85xildG4Xt4OYDIudGbW2hyQ&sig2=KsXM9fUyU3hoUeDGoUyH1g