In This Issue
Service of Remembrance, Lament, Hope, and Healing
Found: Gold Pectoral Cross
Resources for Small Churches
Lutheran World Federation Preaching Contest
Mental Health Resources
“God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday
ELCA Updates
Book Recommendation
Save the Date
Upcoming Events
Reminders
Service of Remembrance, Lament, Hope, and Healing
Did you see we posted a recording of this service from July 23, 2016?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qELm67y8b9M
Found: Gold Pectoral Cross
This gold pectoral cross was left at Calvary Lutheran after Pr. Eric’s Schulze memorial service on Saturday, August 13.
“We tried to check with pastors at our region’s text study today, but no one knew of the owner. We will keep it safe until the person realizes it is missing to claim it.”
Contact Lauren Lys via lauren@calvaryftw.org or 817-284-8724.
Resources for Small Churches
Reclaiming the distinctive gifts of a small church
Entering the World of the Small Church
The strength and beauty of small churches
Lutheran World Federation Preaching Contest
The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is offering a young pastor the chance to preach at the Twelfth Assembly, which will be held in Windhoek, Namibia, in 2017. A preaching contest is now open to eligible contestants: ordained Lutheran pastors in LWF member churches who were born after May 1984. This sermon will be delivered at the closing worship of the assembly from May 10-16, 2017. It will be one of the highlights of the assembly. Learn more here.
Mental Health Resources
http://www.suicidology.org/about-aas/national-suicide-prevention-week
National Suicide Prevention Week is September 5-11, 2016.
World Suicide Prevention Day is September 10, 2016.
Use the above opportunities to talk about mental health and suicide prevention during the month of September.
Lutheran Suicide Prevention Ministry
www.lutheransuicideprevention.org
“God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday
Thank you for considering participating in “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday, September 11. This dedicated day of service celebrates who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America — one church, freed in Christ to love and serve our neighbor.
If you haven’t done so already, please sign up your congregation for the day of service here. And if it’s not possible for your congregation to participate on Sep. 11, please consider another day.
Need help planning? Find new resources such as a study guide designed for congregations to discuss what it means to serve with a joyful heart. You’ll also find the 2016 version of the toolkit, bulletin inserts, posters and a new worship resource for your dedicated day of service.
We want to hear from you! Shortly after Sep. 11, please share stories about your congregation’s participation. Send your stories and photos to LivingLutheran@elca.org so that together we can celebrate what God accomplishes through you. Please CC MissionOffice@NTNL.org.
ELCA Updates
Did you miss, or would you like to watch again, the services and videos from Churchwide Assembly?
http://www.elca.org/cwalive?_ga=1.44502945.460277681.1457623534
Did you know our Mission Support to the ELCA gives us access to a plethora of resources?
Highlighted Resource: Bible Studies
Book Recommendation
America’s Original Sin: Racism, White Privilege, and the Bridge to a New America
By Jim Wallis
“Jim Wallis is calling America to sincerely address the potholes of injustice that have damaged the undercarriage of justice in America. Civil and human rights are once again caught up in a traffic jam with racial profiling, police brutality, ‘stand your ground’ laws, poor public education, the lack of a living wage, and the school-to-prison pipeline. Wallis helps us see that this is more than a discussion of polity and praxis; this is a critical issue for people of faith in the sanctuary, the synagogue, and the temple.” — Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, 10th Episcopal District, African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME)
“The word ‘conversion’ jumped out at me as I read Jim Wallis’s important new book. If Christians–especially white Christians–read this book, they will experience a real conversion, and the fruit of that conversion could bring healing to deep wounds in the soul of our nation. Such a conversion could also save lives . . . lives that truly matter.” — Brian D. McLaren, author/speaker (brianmclaren.net)
(As recommended by the NT-NL Public Witness Team. Book clubs being formed now. Bold print ours.)
Save the Date
The Church of the Damascus Road Golf Outing and Fundraiser
September 13, 2016
The Golf Club Fossil Creek, 3401 Clubgate Dr, Fort Worth, TX
(Hosted by Thrivent Community and Abiding Grace, Southlake)
Still seeking sponsors as well. If interested, contact Pr Nick (817-688-8799) or Tim Draney (908-432-9588). More details forthcoming.
Tri-Synodical Lutheran Men in Mission Gathering
February 10-11, 2017
Christ Lutheran Church, Georgetown, TX
The Keynote Speaker will be Brigadier General Charles Duke, the 10th and youngest astronaut to walk on the moon. More details forthcoming.
Upcoming Events
For a complete list of upcoming events in, and important to, our Synod, you can access our 
online. Here are leadership highlights for the next three months:
- Sep. 11: “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday (ELCA Day of Service)
- Sep. 13: The Church of the Damascus Road Golf Outing and Fundraiser
- Sep. 17: Installation of the new NT-NL Bishop: Pr. Erik Gronberg
- Sep. 23-25: Junior High / Confirmation Retreat (Briarwood)
- Sep. 30-Oct. 2: One Year to Live Men’s Retreat (Lutheran Men in Mission)
- Oct. 4: Table Talk: Recalibrating Expectations for Clergy
- Oct. 7-8: Briarwood Fall Festival & Thrivent BBQ Cook-Off
- Oct. 7-9: NT-NL Synodical Women’s Organization Convention
- Oct. 15: “Seeds That Change” Dinner / Fundraiser (Mission Endowment Fund)
- Oct. 16: Lutheran Hymn Festival
- Oct. 17-19: 2016 Bishop’s Convocation
- Oct. 27-Nov. 7: Holy Land Tour with Bishop Erik Gronberg & Rev. Kendra Mohn (only 1 spot left)
- Oct. 29: Briarwood Golf Outing
- Nov. 15-17: Simply Wright: N. T. Wright @ Perkins / SMU
- Nov. 30: Briarwood Angels’ Work Day (details forthcoming)
Reminders
- The 2016 Prayer Partners list is available at ntnl.org/2016prayerpartners.
Communications
If you have an event you would like the Synod office to help publicize, please send us the information at MissionOffice@ntnl.org.
Looking for information in past Leader News emails? Find Leader News archives here!