[DCE Youth] Area B & C Paul's MMF E-Letter 03.30.07 Missions: St. Peter, N. F ort Worth; UTA Lutheran Campus Center; GLORYbound Update!
Krentz, Paul
krentztx at txdistlcms.org
Fri Mar 30 15:43:38 CST 2007
Paul's MMF E-Letter <*}}}><
March 30, 2007
Area B & C (Circuits 21, 25, 30)
Texas District, LC-MS
<mailto:Krentztx at txdistlcms.org> Krentztx at txdistlcms.org
800.951.3478
Mobile: 512.769.6734
www.txdistlcms.org/krentz/
<http://www.txdistlcms.org/krentz/>
Your Texas District Mission Dollars at Work: MISSION CONGREGATION USES
FRIENDSHIP ABLAZE PROGRAM
TO INTRODUCE FRIENDS TO THEIR "BEST FRIEND" St. Peter Lutheran Church, North
Ft. Worth
(Submitted by Karen Wiechman, Communications, St Peter Lutheran Church)
How does a new church plant jump from an average attendance of 125 to a
one-day attendance of 172? St. Peter Lutheran Church in north Fort Worth
spent the month of March learning about "friendship evangelism" and then
practiced what they learned by having Friendship Sunday on March 25. "We
used tools found on the Friendship Ablaze website (www.friendshipablaze.com
<http://www.friendshipablaze.com/> ) out of Irvine, California," said senior
pastor Robert Balduc, "and then added our own special touch." The first
Sunday of the month, Pastor Balduc set the vision for the program. Second
and third Sundays were used to help congregation members identify their
friends and family that might be invited and to teach members how to invite.
Each sermon reminded hearers that God is the one who brings people into a
relationship with Him, by the Holy Spirit.
During the second Sunday, on a perforated card worshipers listed names of
those they were led to invite. A total of 92 names were placed on the altar
to be given to the St. Peter prayer team. The worshiper took the other half
home as a reminder of their desire to invite those people to attend church
with them. Drama vignettes were used during the third Sunday to convey the
type of relationships we all have that might lead us to people who could be
invited. In the Sunday School classes for all ages and for adults,
age-targeted invitations were provided for St. Peter people to use as they
invited their friends and family.
The month culminated on Sunday, March 25 with Friendship Sunday. Both
worship services featured special friendship themed music and a powerful
message about our Best Friend Jesus, based on John 15:9-17, specifically the
words, "Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for
his friends." All Sunday School children received friendship bracelets from
puppets in St. Peter's puppet ministry, signifying that they are a friend of
God. Each first time guest received a special age-appropriate gift and
there was delicious food to enjoy before and after worship.
Who did God send to St. Peter for Friendship Sunday? Thirty-one first time
guests, including eight local families who St. Peter now considers prospects
Knowing that follow-up is crucial, each local first time guest was called
that Sunday evening and invited to a St. Peter's Spring Fling social event
being held the next Friday. They were also asked if they had any prayer
requests, which were given to the St. Peter Prayer Team. A committee of
note-writers prepared hand written cards thanking the guests for worshiping
and inviting them back for Easter Sunday. Congregation members were
reminded the following week to follow-up personally with those they invited.
Associate Pastor John Cordrey commented, "A culture of inviting has now been
instilled at St. Peter."
Why does friendship evangelism work? Because each of us knows people who
either don't have a friendship relationship with Jesus, or who did in the
past, but it could use a boost. It works because Jesus is the best kind of
best friend because He offers eternal salvation and friendship. It works
best when it is surrounded in prayers. St. Peter Lutheran Church is
committed to sharing Jesus with its community.
ST. PETER LUTHERAN CHURCH - BOLDLY CONFESSING BEFORE AN UNBELIEVING WORLD
JESUS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD. MATTHEW 16:16 312 North
Highway 377 Roanoke, TX 76262 817-491-2010 kwiechman at stpeterfw.org
<mailto:kwiechman at stpeterfw.org> www.stpeterfw.org
<http://www.stpeterfw.org>
Your Mission Dollars At Work: Lutheran Student Center at UT, Arlington -
Unique Outreach to International Students Includes 2007 World Cup Cricket
Matches!
Raquel Fehr serves as Director of Student Activities at the UTA Lutheran
Student Center at UT, Arlington. This ministry serves many American and
International students every week, reaching a large number Asian students
from India and Pakistan and Arabic speaking countries. To key in on
ministries to reach these students, the Lutheran Center offers weekly lunch
and devotions every Wednesday at noon. Lutheran pastors from the area come
and share a devotion with the students.
If you look at this week's E-Letter below you can see the intentionality of
sharing the Gospel with Asian students, many of whom are Muslim or Hindu.
It is also a great example of how Texas District missionaries work together.
Rev. George Masih, POBLO Missionary and Pastor of All Nations Lutheran
Church, Dallas is part of a music group called "Sanjeet" comprised of Pastor
Masih and members of his congregation. On Saturday, March 31st they are
doing a "Concert on the Deck" for everyone from the campus. Rev. Karim
Baidoui, POBLO, Texas is doing a Monday evening series in April comparing
Christianity to Islam. Raquel has also set up a separate website called
www.utacricket.com <http://www.utacricket.com/> which give Asian students
in particular info about satellite broadcasts of 2007 World Cup Cricket
Matches which UT students can watch at the Campus Center. Space is limited
to 75 students for these games and even when games start in the week hours
of the morning, students come streaming in to watch and to fellowship with
one another. Each of these connections allows Raquel and others a chance
for contact with students who may not yet know Jesus!
This Ministry is supported by Texas District and by Grace Lutheran Church,
Arlington - however Raquel works to raise much of her own support. You and
your church can help with much needed additional funding. To assist,
contact Raquel @ 817-274-9201 or by email
<mailto:utalutheran at sbcglobal.net> utalutheran at sbcglobal.net or by
contacting Paul Krentz, MMF @ 800-951-3478
Contact Information Dave Pendley, Young Adult Leader | Raquel Fehr, Director
of Student Activities311 S. College St. | Arlington, TX 76010817-274-9201 |
817-966-2519 | utalutheran at sbcglobal.netHours: Mon, Tue, Thur 2-5:30pm | Wed
10am-3pm"Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."2 Corinthians
3:17 (from the Bible)CONNECT - College Bible Study!...connecting college
students and young adults to the Word and to each otherLead by DaveYoung
Adult Leader Bring a Friend!Come and have fun with a fun group of people!
FREE LUNCH Every Wednesday at noon!!!You and your friends are welcomeOur
regular menu is Golden Chick And a 5min Devotion We offer vegetarian food
for vegetarian students onlyTOMORROW, Saturday, March 31 @ 7:00 p.m.Live
Music by musical group "Sanjeet" With Salim Dill, Rajeev James, Sonia James
and George MasihCome and enjoy Free Food Tell your Friends!A JOURNEY TO
FAITH's faith.What do Christians believe about the Qur'"..."Bible 1
Corinthians 15:3-4 ""
Prayer Request from Missionary Pastor George Masih -- All Nations Lutheran
Church, Dallas - Pakistani and Indian
Dear brothers and Sisters in Christ - I am ministering two Muslim Iranian
ladies and telling them about Christ. In the beginning I found so many
problems but now God is opening their eyes that they may know the Truth.
Please pray for them that they may know Christ as their Savior and come out
from the darkness to see the Light.
Pray for me that may God give me the courage and strength through Jesus
Christ that I could help those two souls to be saved.
Thanks and God bless you at the end of the Lent.
Rev. George G. Masih
All Nations Lutheran Church
2835 Peavy Road
Dallas, Texas 75228
Phone: 214-536-1125
Email: anlcdallas at yahoo.com <mailto:anlcdallas at yahoo.com>
MINISTERIAL YOUTH RETREAT (MYR) Nominations from Pastors, DCE's and
Principals Still Being Accepted
The final days are here for nominating high school students for this
summer's exciting 2007 MYR. The deadline has been extended until March
31st. Please mail registration forms of those you think would benefit from
a few days at Concordia University, Austin, learning about many aspects of
professional church work. Youth over the many years continue to speak about
MYR's impact on them and we trust God's work on the hearts of the youth of
today will continue. Thanks for your help! Questions, contact Kristi Kirk
( <mailto:Kristi.kirk at concordia.edu> Kristi.kirk at concordia.edu) or Rev. Jeff
Doria ( <mailto:pastorjeff at sakingofkings.com> pastorjeff at sakingofkings.com
GLORYbound 2008 - Pulse
WHAT?
The GLORYbound 2008 team has been hard at work. The theme for the 2008
GLORYbound in Ft. Worth is PULSE. Our theme verse is Ezekiel 36:26 "I will
give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you
your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."
WHY?
In this youth subculture, our students find themselves in a daily struggle
for self definition, particularly pertaining to who they are in Christ and
who He is to them. At GLORYbound 2008 we will help students have a living,
breathing, bleeding understanding of their identity in Christ. We will pray
and watch as God transforms hearts and minds from stone to flesh, from
flat-lines to pulse, so that teenagers are revived and equipped to live for
Christ. We'll worship a Christ so real and so close to these students that
they can hear and feel His PULSE!
Facilitator Letter Preview -- Open the Attachment for the March, 2007
Facilitator Letter, E-Version
ABLAZE! TEXAS
"Oh, where is that burning passion for souls which ought to be ablaze within
the heart of every member of our Synod?"
Quote by President John Behnken at Synod's 1941 convention
KEEP TRACK OF ABLAZE! TEXAS!
> A new video will be added by Wednesday of each week! Thirteen video
segments are now available for viewing:
* Introducing Ablaze! Texas - Segment 1 - December 4, 2006
* Growth All Around - Segment 2 - December 15, 2006
* All Wrapped Up - Segment 3 - December 20, 2006
* All Nations Christmas Celebration - Segment 4 - December 27, 2006
* Reaching Young Adults - Segment 5 - January 3, 2007
* Launching a New Church - Segment 6 - January 10, 2007
* One-to-one Catechesis - Segment 7 - January 17, 2007
* Sharing Your Faith - Segment 8 - January 24, 2007
* Meeting Jesus at Texas Tech - Segment 9 - January 31, 2007
* A Journey from Islam to Christian - Segment 10 - February 7, 2007
* A Visit within Hispanic Ministry - Segment 11 - February 14, 2007
* Ministry in the City - Segment 12 - February 21, 2007
* Ministry in a Community - Segment 13 - February 28, 2007
* Urban Ministry Highlights - Segment 14 - March 7, 2007
(View the videos by clicking <http://www.ablazetx.lamtx.com/> here.)
> New weekly "reflections" are available. (These are weekly thoughts for
faith sharing and faith growing. Click <http://www.txdistlcms.org/ablaze/>
here for the Jottings.)
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