"They took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, 'Hosanna!Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord'" (John 12:13 ESV).

April 4, 2017

In This Issue

District Blog

District News

Here We Stand

Other Ministry News

Community Calendar

E-Classified

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District Events

The Katie Conference

Office Personnel Conference

Connections Gathering

North & East Pastors' Conference

South & East Pastors' Conference

Circuit Visitors Conference

West Pastors' Conference

Regional Track Meet

IIM Continuing Education Conference

Junior High Gathering

State Track Meet

High School Gathering

Special Friends Camp

Circuit Visitors Conference

Deacon Conference

Prayers

PRAYER REQUESTSFor the family and friends of C. Virginia Ramthun(wife of Rev. Marvin Ramthun, emeritus, and mother ofRev. Daniel Ramthun, Guardian, Dearborn), who passedaway on Thursday, March 30 ... For the family andfriends of Rob and Barb Schellhamer and WhitneyMeinke (Lutheran educators in the Toledo/Oregon, Ohioarea), who were killed in a car accident on Sunday,March 26 ... For the family and friends of JeannetteDrawbaugh (wife of Rev. Galen Drawbaugh, Emeritus,Indiana District / IIM Leader), who passed away Friday,March 31 ... For the family and friends of JoanWhitaker (wife of Deacon Ron Whitaker, emeritus), whopassed away on Friday, March 31 ... This week'scongregations, schools, and ministries: Calvary, LincolnPark; St. Peter, Petersburg; Peace, Waterford; Grace,Canton; Tabernacle of Praise, Romulus.

District Blog

Connecting Kids toChrist Through Tutoring

Programby Susan Gawencki

Submit your story here!

All Pastors' Conference

500th Anniversary Worship Service

View Full Calendar

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April 2017 Michigan In Touch

Supplement

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Submit News

To submit your prayer requests, news,events, and E-classified, click here.

Worship for Childrenwith Special Needsby Michigan District

It Doesn't Always FeelLike it, but Change is

Goodby Carolyn Bira

A Fitness FundraisingChallenge

by Michigan District

District NewsKATIE 2017 REGISTRATION DEADLINEAPPROACHINGApril 21-23, 2017 | Pastors' Wives Conference

Join with women who have much incommon for a weekend of laughter,worship, prayer, and play. Theatmosphere is genial, uplifting, anddesigned to leave you encouraged,reconnected, and blessed with newinsights, new friends, and newenergy! The conference will take

place April 21-23, 2017, in Bay City. For moreinformation and to register, click here. The deadline toregister is this Friday, April 7, 2017.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE APPROACHINGMay 1-3, 2017 | North & East Pastors' Conference

How can God's people be re:stored to living out Christ's mission, tobe re:equipped as the priesthood of ALL believers, and pastors bere:engaged so that lives that matter to the Re:deemer can bere:claimed? Register now and plan to join our speakers, Rev.Matthew Popovits and Rev. A. Trevor Sutton. For more information,or to register, click here. Early bird registration deadline is April10, 2017. After that date, registration is $100/person and emeriti

are responsible for making their own lodging reservations.

2017 SPORTS CAMPS/VBS IN DETROIT

Summer 2017| Three locations

Would you like to touch the life of an inner city child with Jesus' love?Three A2E Sports Camps/VBS will take place in Detroit this summer,and there are opportunities to serve as missionaries at each camp.Camp dates are: June 12-16 on the East Side of Detroit; July 24-28 onthe West Side; and August 7-11 in Pontiac. For more information,contact Rev. Chris Bodley at pastorbodley@aol.com.

FROM REFORMATION TO WORLD LUTHERANISMMay 16-17, 2017 | West Pastors' Conference

As executive secretary for the International Lutheran Council (ILC),Dr. Albert Collver has visited Lutheran Churches in over 50 countriesacross the globe. Using his unique experience rooted in a historicalperspective, Dr. Collver will give us a 500-year checkup, as we'vegone "From Reformation to World Lutheranism." For moreinformation, or to register, click here. Registration and lodging arecomplimentary for emeriti who register by April 25, 2017. After that

date, registration is $50/person.

MICHIGAN DISTRICT STUDENT AID AVAILABLEThe Michigan District, LCMS Student Aid program is designed to provide financialassistance in the form of scholarships to members of Michigan District, LCMScongregations preparing for and intending to enter full-time church work at one of theseminaries of the LCMS or one of the Concordia University System schools. Annualdistributions are currently set based on the available funds for the year and the numberof eligible students. Application deadline is June 1, 2017. For more information, pleasecontact Gail Milatz, Student Aid Administrator, at 888.225.2111 ext. 235or gail.milatz@michigandistrict.org. Correspondence may be mailed to: Student Aid;Michigan District, LCMS; 3773 Geddes Rd; Ann Arbor MI 48105.

Here We StandPLEASE DISTRIBUTE CHOIR INSERTS IN YOUR BULLETIN ON APRIL 9

We would like to give those singers in your congregation everyopportunity to participate in the choirs for the Reformation worshipservice in October. Since our first significant cut-off date of April 15is nearing quickly, we would greatly appreciate it if you would printand distribute these flyers (or these in b/w) in your worship bulletinsor folders or hand them out on Sunday, April 9, and, where possible,verbally draw attention to the information on the flyer. Thank you!

HOW IS YOUR COMMUNITY EVENT PLANNING COMING ALONG?Here are Six Ways to Make it Happen

Congregations across the Michigan District are asked to pick a ServiceEvent, a Celebration Event, or a Community Service Event. The type ofevent you choose has everything to do with you, your people, the giftsyou have, and your community needs. Click here to find six ways tomake it happen and be sure to register your event, and share photosor videos so that we all can have a larger picture of Here We Stand... For You in the Michigan District. These images will be shared at

the Reformation Worship service on October 15, 2017 in East Lansing.

Other Ministry News

WORSHIP FOR SHUT-INS PALM SUNDAY AND EASTER SUNDAYBROADCASTS

On April 9, 2017, Rev. Dr. Daniel J. Brege (St. Paul Lutheran Church,Decatur, Ind.) will preach on the theme "Palm Sunday Exclamation"from John 12:13b. On April 16, 2017, rev. Dr. Thomas R. Ahlersmeyer(Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, Ind.) will preach on the theme"This Is The Day!" from Psalm 118:24. To find broadcasts in your area,visit worshipforshutins.org.

A VISIT WITH KATHARINA LUTHERDuring this year's 500th Anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation,your congregation might want to consider a special eventfeaturing a one-woman theatrical presentation: A Visit withKatharina Luther, with Alicia Winget. An avid student of theBible and history, Alicia has published devotional materialsin Portals of Prayer, a publication of Concordia PublishingHouse, St. Louis, Mo. and in The Secret Place, published by

Judson Press. She has also published the books Out of the Rubble, From World War IIChaos to American Entrepreneurship, and What If ... a devotional poem. Alicia is amember of Grace Lutheran Fellowship, Romeo, Mich. and has served on boards of manyorganizations. Click on the video above for a 2-minute sample video of Alicia asKatharina. The presentation is completely free of charge and is approximately an hour inlength. Visit katharinalutherpresentation.com for presentation schedule or moreinformation.

WHAT IS GOD CALLING YOUR CONGREGATION TO DO AND BE TODAY?Saturday, May 13, 2017 | Trinity, Wyandotte

"Our congregation is just stuck. It's like we can't get out ofneutral." "Everyone in town used to know who we were." " Ourchurch building has too much space?" "Financially, we'rehaving a lot of trouble and we've been withdrawing funds fromour church savings account to pay bills." If these comments

sound familiar, your church may want to consider a Church Extension Fund's NewBeginnings Assessment. This Church Extension Service is specifically created forcongregations that face mounting challenges with regard to their sustainability. OnSaturday, May 13, 2017, Church Extension Fund will present a "Come and See" eventabout New Beginnings at Trinity Lutheran Church; 465 Oak St; Wyandotte MI. Theworkshop event begins at 10 a.m. and will end at 11:30 a.m. Contact Paul Wills ofChurch Extension Fund at 800.242.3944 for more information or RSVP on behalf of yourchurch to paul.wills@mi-cef.org. If you are interested but not able to attend please letPaul know of your interest as well.

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AT CTSFW

Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Ind. will hold two eventsfor high school students during the summer: Phoebe Academy, June 18-25, provides an opportunity for high school women to learn about thevocation of deaconess from a theological perspective. For event scheduleand registration information, click here. Christ Academy, June 18-July1, offers high school men the opportunity to delve deeper into their faith,enjoy the seminary experience, and make friendships that will last alifetime. For more information and to register, click here.

SAVE FOR THE FUTURE WITH AN IRA FROM CHURCH EXTENSION FUNDThere are plenty of ways you can save for the future. One of thebest is with an IRA from Church Extension Fund. You getfinancial peace, knowing you're investing wisely with taxadvantages and competitive interest rates. You will also findpeace of mind knowing you are investing in LCMS churches and

schools across Michigan. Call CEF today about starting your IRA - or to roll over anexisting account - at 800.242.3944, or visit mi-cef.org.

LUTHERAN SUMMER MUSIC ACADEMY AND FESTIVALPastors and church/school music leaders: please encourage your band, choir, orchestra,piano, and organ students (completing grades 8-12) to apply for the 2017 Academybeing held on the campus of Valparaiso University, June 25-July 23. For those that donot have four weeks available this summer, consider the two-week program, June 25-July 9. If you are an adult singer, please consider registering for the first Bach Cantataretreat, July 13-16. For more information on these Lutheran Summer Music opportunities,visit lutheransummermusic.org.

CUAA SEEKING EDUC PROFESSIONALS TO LEAD SUMMER WORKSHOPSConcordia University's School of Education Graduate Department isseeking area education professionals to lead workshops as part of itsthird annual Summer Institute Workshops. The Summer InstituteWorkshops, which will take place July 10-21, are one or two-dayworkshops led by knowledgeable practitioners, offering theopportunity for teachers to engage with other professionals in vibrantclassroom discussion while earning State Continuing Education ClockHours (SCECH). Those who have an interest in leading a workshop

can submit their application to present by April 9. Presenters will be offered a stipend.The amount will vary, depending on length of workshop. To apply, click here. For moreinformation, click here.

Community Calendar The following is a list of events happening in the congregations and schools of the Michigan District,LCMS and other ministries.Easter Egg HuntApr 8 | Trinity, Traverse City

Easter EggstravaganzaApr 15 | Trinity, Utica

Easter Egg HuntApr 15 | Our Savior, Lansing

Easter Egg HuntApr 15 | Immanuel, Macomb

Easter Egg Hunt and BreakfastApr 16 | Ascension, East Lansing

Kick the Tires Conference with Greg Finke

The Michigan-Ohio Chorale Spring ConcertApr 30 | St. Peter, Macomb

Answers in Genesis with Brodie HodgesApr 30 | St. Peter, St. Johns

Concordia Selma Benefit ConcertApr 30 | Outer Drive Faith, Detroit

Small Town/Rural Ministry ConvocationMay 6 | Indiana District Office Learning Center

ChristHoldFastMay 6 | Faith, Troy

Men of Music Concert

Apr 22 | St. Mark, Muskegon

Girls of Grace Overwhelming LoveApr 22-23 | Temple Theater, Saginaw

Beyond These WallsApr 22-28 | Immanuel, Macomb

Learning to Trust God MoreApr 23 | St. Matthew, Walled Lake

Council of Lutheran Women Spring MeetingApr 24 | Grace, Redford

Senior Luncheon EventApr 26 | Salem National, Westland

Family Science NightApr 28 | Shepherd of the Lakes, Brighton

140th Anniversary CelebrationApr 29-30 | St. Peter, Macomb

Lutheran Hour Spring RallyApr 30 | Trinity, Traverse City

May 7 | Zion, Hemlock

Golf OutingMay 20 | Immanuel-St. James, Grand Rapids

High School Leadership TrainingJun 18-23 | Camp Concordia, Gowen

Church Worker RetreatJul 31-Aug 4 | Mission Point, Mackinac Island

Heirs of the Lutheran Reformation Hymn FestivalOct 1 | Grace, Auburn

Best Practices - HeartlandOct 11-13 | Columbus, Ohio

500th Anniversary Worship ServiceOct 15 | Breslin Center, East Lansing, Mich.

Mt. Calvary 95th AnniversaryOct 22 | Mt. Calvary, Detroit

Find locations or add your screening of Martin Luther: The Idea That Changed TheWorld here.

SUBMIT YOUR EVENT HERE

E-classifiedMORTGAGE LOAN PROCESSOR

The Church Extension Fund in Ann Arbor seeks a mortgage loanprocessor. The position description includes handling all facets ofCEF's loan processing and post-closing functions, monitoring openloan accounts; preparing a variety of documents pertaining to thelending function; and maintaining regular contact with borrowers,

realtors, attorneys, and title/survey companies. A minimum of 1 - 3 years' experience infinancial services, title insurance, the real estate industry, or a similar background isdesired. Good communication skills and a high level of accuracy are essential. This is afull-time position with benefits. Submit resume by April 21, 2017 to: Jodi Gonzalez,Assistant Vice President - Loan Manager; 3773 Geddes Rd, Ann Arbor MI 48105or jodi.gonzalez@mi-cef.org.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT FOR CHURCH/SCHOOLPeace Lutheran Church and School in Warren is looking for an Administrative Assistant.This position requires excellent typing and word-processing skills; proficiency withMicrosoft Office; record-keeping and filing skills; excellent phone skills with the ability toanswer multiple lines; and a boundless amount of patience, tact and understandingand, most importantly, the ability to keep confidences of church members, students,and parents. Hours to be worked will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the school year.Reduced summer hours will be determined by the pastor and the principal. Start datewill be June 1, 2017. A more detailed job description is available by contacting the

church office at 586.751.8010. Qualified applicants should request an application andsubmit a resume by Friday, April 28, 2017. ALTAR FURNISHINGS SOUGHTHope, St. Ignace mission will be moving into a full-time worship center soon. They are inneed of a small altar, pulpit/lectern, baptismal font, candle holders, altar cross, andparaments, etc. If you have one or more of these items available, contact Jody Bodeat 906.477.6772 or bode@lighthouse.net.

FREE USED ALLEN ORGANUsed Allen Organ, Analog, model 708, equivalent to about 35 ranks. 4 Great Pistons, 4Swell, 4 Pedal, 4 General. Fixed Great Volume with Swell and Crescendo Pedals.Separate Main and "Rear" speakers, not a self contained unit, Rotary Speaker. Workedwhen removed. Comes with pedal board and matching bench. Free to any church/nonprofit/organist who'd like a practice instrument, or cannot afford one. Must pick up inWarren, Mich. Main level easy to load (but heavy) into a trailer. Contact Dave Merteat 586.979.9055 ext. 110 or dahopemusicman@yahoo.com.

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