[m-m-online] March 30, 2007

Fri Mar 30 16:01:08 CST 2007

OUR CHRISTIAN LOVE AND SYMPATHY TO...

THE FAMILY OF MICHAEL DORN (Trinity, Houston) and his wife, Veloyce, as 
they mourn the loss of Veloyce's mother, Lavada Harnapp. A memorial 
service was held last weekend in northern Kansas.

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IN OUR PRAYERS....

Rev. Bill Brummett (St. Peter, Bowie) who is undergoing surgery to 
remove a malignant tumor from his brain.

We continue to pray for Jonah, grandson of Rev. Dr. John Hirsch 
(Director of Congregation and Worker Care, Texas District). Pray for the 
family and for the physicians who continue to treat Jonah for an 
undiagnosed illness.

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CONGRATULATIONS TO....

Joshua Sommermeyer (Asst. Principal Concordia Lutheran High School, 
Tomball) and his wife Sarah on the birth of their daughter Aurora Janice 
(weighing 9lbs/11oz & 21.5 inches) born March 21, 2007. Proud 
grandparents are Dave & Janice Sommermeyer (Dave, retired Executive 
Director of Lutheran Education Assoc. of Houston).

Matt Straub (Concordia Lutheran High School, Tomball) and his wife Beth 
welcomed the birth of their second child, Nicole Joanne (8lbs 10ozs & 20 
inches) on Friday, March 23rd.

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MINISTRY CALLS

P A S T O R S

UNDECIDED

Don Olson, Jr., Waco, TX to Trinity, Uvalde, TX

Matthew Brackman, Redeemer, Cisco, TX to Peace, Texas City, TX

Russell Etzel, Our Savior, Centerville, TX to Concordia, Houston, TX

Mark Cattau, Our Redeemer, Dallas, TX to Christ, Albuquerque, NM

C O M M I S S I O N E D M I N I S T E R S

ACCEPTED

Ron Scherch, Director, CAN-DO Missions, Concordia University, Austin to 
Director of Recruitment for LCMS World Missions, Synod

UNDECIDED

Christian Boehlke, Trinity, Cheyenne, WY to Our Savior, Houston, TX

Paul Meiger, Cross of Christ, DeSoto, TX to Faith, Derby, KS

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2007 PASTORS' THEOLOGICAL CONVOCATION, APRIL 16 - 18
Omni Austin Hotel Southpark, Austin, TX

* $99 per night hotel rate available now through April 2nd

Living the Theology of the Cross in a Pluralistic World:
Being Confessional and Missional

"Living the Theology of the Cross in a Pluralistic World: Being 
Confessional and Missional" reflects the tension that we Lutherans live 
in today. How do we as confessional Christians remain such while also 
living Christ's mandate to be missional and bring the message of 
salvation to all peoples?

To Register for the Conference:
Go to the Texas District's web page and select 2007 Theological 
Convocation on the center menu. Registration is available online. 
However, this registration does not register you for a room at the hotel.

To Reserve a room at the Omni:
Call the Omni Austin Hotel Southpark at 512-448-2222. Reserve your room 
by April 2nd and receive a special $99 room rate. There are still rooms 
available at this rate.
+ + +
Concordia University invites Theological Convocation attendees for an 
evening at the new Concordia campus, the Hill Country Preserve, on 
Tuesday, April 17. Buses leave from the Omni South parking lot at 4:35 
pm, returning by 8:30 pm. Dinner and transportation will be provided, 
compliments of the University. Reservations Required by Monday, April 9. 
Contact Lois Wolf at the Texas District Office 1-800-951-3478 or 
nswolf at txdistlcms.org. If you wish to provide your own transportation 
and join us for the tour and dinner, simply make reservations for the 
dinner, indicating you will provide your own transportation. (Tour 
begins at 5:35, dinner at 7pm.)

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MINISTERIAL YOUTH RETREAT (MYR)

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! Questions, contact Kristi 
Kirk at Kristi.Kirk at concordia.edu or Rev. Jeff Doria at 
pastorjeff at sakingofkings.com.

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YOUTH LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
"Leading Like Jesus"

Concordia University hosts its second Youth Leadership Conference on 
April 13-14, 2007 under the theme "Leading Like Jesus." Headed by 
keynote speakers Travis Hartjen (DCE, Redeemer, Austin) and Prof. Carl 
Trovall (Theology, Concordia University), this event will build on Ken 
Blanchard's book Lead Like Jesus and enable youth to develop as 
Christian Leaders. The conference begins on Friday at 7pm and continues 
on Saturday from 8:30 am - 6 pm. The cost for the weekend is just $30 
and includes the noon meal on Saturday. Breakout sessions will take 
place on the sub-themes of Head, Heart, Hands, Habits and Humility.

For more information contact Wanda Holland at 
wanda.holland at concordia.edu or call (512) 486-1325.

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2007 RETREAT FOR PRAYER AND SPIRITUALITY

Monday, October 1 through Wednesday, October 3 at Canyon of the Eagles 
Lodge and Nature Park, Burnet, TX

This prayer retreat for Texas District professional church workers and 
spouses will focus on time for prayer, meditation, reading, Bible study, 
etc. Walt Waiser will facilitate the "101" and Randy Haedge and Steve 
Stutz will facilitate the "Alumni".

For more information or to register online visit the Texas District 
website at www.txdistlcms.org.

Questions? Call Lois Wolf at the Texas District office, 1-800-951-3478, 
or email nswolf at txdistlcms.org.

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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 as it is available…sometimes we just don’t 
have video clips to post. Currently there are 15 segments of the series 
available. You can view the videos at http://www.ablazetx.lamtx.com/.

- New weekly "reflections" are available (these are weekly thoughts for 
faith sharing and faith growing) (Go to 
http://www.txdistlcms.org/ablaze/ for the Jottings.)

- What can you do?

* Keep updated on Ablaze! Texas
* Share the site with others
* Share your faith sharing stories

All the Ablaze! Texas resources can be seen at 
http://www.txdistlcms.org/ablaze/.

Individual Ablaze! Resources
Check out the list of possible resources in sharing your faith at 
http://www.txdistlcms.org/ablaze/.

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MARK YOUR CALENDARS...

The Theological Convocation &
[Concordia Campus Dinner and Tour]
April 16-18, 2007 | Omni South, Austin, Texas

DCE Spiritual Renewal Retreat
April 23-25, 2007 | Camp Lone Star, La Grange, Texas

Synodical Convention
July 14-19, 2007 | George Brown Convention Center, Houston, Texas

National Youth Gathering
July 28-August 1, 2007 | Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida

Pastors' Wives Retreat
September 28-30, 2007 | Camp Lone Star, La Grange, Texas

2007 Retreat for Prayer and Spirituality
October 1-3, 2007 | Canyon of the Eagles, Lake Buchanan, Burnet, Texas

Professional Church Workers Conference
November 18-20, 2007 | Redeemer, Austin, Texas

For more information on Texas District events visit the District's 
website at www.txdistlcms.org.

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Subscribe to our online calendar in iCAL format at 
www.txdistlcms.org/calendar