Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Ethiopia Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY) no longer receives support from the ELCA due to the 2009 ELCA churchwide assembly.  Prior to that point, the ELCA had been among the greatest supporters of the EECMY.  The EECMY is now the largest Lutheran body in the world, growing by over 60,000 per month.

On August 17^th, 2021, an unprecedented flash flood on the campus of the their main seminary destroyed 96 dormitory rooms as well as the homes of 21 families including 5 missionary families.  Damage is in the millions of dollars.  Eight lives were lost from the seminary community.  Here is a link to a video showing damage.  We grieve the loss of our brothers and sisters, yet not as the world grieves (1 Thes. 4:13ff).

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The future of their main seminary is now at risk.  Much of the campus needs to be rebuilt.  Students and faculty no longer have places to stay.  Serious steps are being taken to guarantee such flooding does not take place in the future.

In the words of Bishop Dan Selbo in the September NALC newsletter, “We will also be inviting ‘every pastor, congregation and member to enter into intentional and intensive prayer for Ethiopia’”.  The story needs to be told and retold, as the EECMY has no other full-communion relationship with other bodies in North America.  The NALC has only 500 congregations.

You can help.  Tax-deductible disaster relief contributions are being received by the NALC.  

It is likely that short-term relief efforts will still not adequately rebuild the campus.  Thus, if you feel called to support the seminary in their efforts to recover and achieve long-term self-sustainability, a noteworthy building project on higher ground, untouched by the flooding, has been underway in partnership with Lutheran Bible Translators.  This project provides much needed assistance as well as creating an ongoing revenue stream of $225,000 per year to the seminary.  (Details and how to give are included in a separate handout, “God is on the move in Ethiopia!”)  If 250 congregations, or one from their membership, respond with a $4,000 donation, that project will be completed, generating revenue starting early in 2022.

Both of these opportunities provide much needed assistance to Mekane Yesus Seminary at this critical point in time. 

With a heavy heart for our brothers and sisters in Ethiopia,

John Conrad,

Chair, Mekane Yesus Seminary Advancement Team

Pastor, First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Floresville, TX

JTCSwede@gmail.com

Mobile: 830-534-3139

“You have swept them away like a flood, they fall asleep; in the morning they are like grass which sprouts anew. In the morning it flourishes and sprouts anew; toward evening it fades and withers away.” (Psalm 90:5-6)

 

Life is short, especially in terms of the view of the Lord. We have a few years and then our time here is done. What do we do with this time we have been given? Eternal life is in our hearts and we want to live, but what do we do with this time? The Lord grants us the opportunity to come into His presence and live as He designed us to live. Flourish in the way You were made to live.

Lord, help me to learn to live according to the way You created me to live. There are those around me who live lives as they choose, but You have made me to live according to Your purpose. Guide me, O Lord, that I may now and always live into the life to which You have called me. Guide me by Your precepts to walk the way You know is good and lift me up away from the temptations that would lead me astray.

Savior, You know we need to be saved. Lift me up through grace to learn from You how to navigate this world. Help me now and always to listen to You that I may learn to obey all that You command. Keep me close to You that I may abide in the will of the Father. May I now and always have my heart turned to You, Lord Jesus, and obey all you have commanded. Amen.

THE PRAYERS, 

5^th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 7, Cycle B (June 24, 2018)

 

Let us pray to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ on behalf of the Church, the world, and one another.

A brief silence

Most holy God, still the storms of division, heresy, and selfish ambition among your people. Make your Church an ark of safety for all who are overwhelmed by the floodwaters of sin and suffering; and make it a rock against which faithless words and evil deeds are dashed. Grant that through its words and works, many people may see your strong saving love in action, turn to you, and be saved.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 Like Job, your persecuted servants cry out for a sign that their suffering has meaning; that their faithfulness is precious to you; and that their Redeemer lives and will vindicate them. Deliver them from evil; reveal your mighty arm and never-failing love; and reveal yourself to their tormentors, so that they should repent and believe in you. Shield and defend your missionaries, especially when they are met with hostility and rejection.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Speak your word of peace among the people of this congregation. Keep us steadfast in faith, fervent in worship, persistent in prayer, and tireless in loving service to all who find themselves sinking beneath the waves of suffering, sorrow or shame.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer

Bless all farmers, gardeners, and other stewards of creation. Make them wise and generous in their care for the earth and its creatures. By their labors, give food, raiment, and refreshment to all your people.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Grant wisdom and righteousness to our earthly rulers, especially those elected or appointed to guide this country, state and community. Teach them to prefer integrity over re-election; justice for all, over special interests; and attentiveness to your will over party platforms or expediency.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 Bless with courage, prudence and patience all who work to keep us safe. Give them such integrity and clarity of purpose that all who are in danger or distress may turn to them without hesitation or fear. Shield them from harm; shelter their loved ones in your mighty arms; and bring them home in safety when their task is done.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We plead on behalf of all who are overwhelmed by waves of suffering and sorrow; who have been shipwrecked by abuse, abandonment or injustice; who have been cast adrift in the pathless seas of confusion, delusion, or doubt; and who cry out, fearing that you neither hear or care that they are perishing. Extend your mighty hand and outstretched arm and deliver them. Particularly this day we pray for: {List}.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Thank you for bringing to safe harbor all who have died trusting in you. Give us ears to hear Jesus’ words, “Peace; be still” when all we hear are the wind and waves of turmoil, strife and fear. And, by his merits, bring us into your Kingdom, where with you and with all whom you have redeemed, we may dwell in joyful and blessed peace forever.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Hear and graciously answer our prayers, dear Lord, as it is best for us and most glorifies your holy name. Amen.