Praying Through A Convention

Sometimes when you are a "Guest" at a Convention

 it is a bit challenging to stay engaged.

The time together lasts for a week with the inclusion

 of the pre-convention floor committees that meet.

But, we came armed and dangerous- to Tampa, Florida, 

with ready to go Bible verse prayer cards,

 colored pencils and sharpeners.

We also brought prayer cards right

 from the Visual Faith Ministry website.

Wives gathered from the Council of Presidents 

and the Presidium 

of the Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod.

Simple, doable prayer practices 

that helped us with long days of sitting.

The cards and coloring help us to pay attention

 and deal with distractions as we spent some time in prayer.

As I began a prayer card, I asked the Holy spirit

 to show me who to pray for at this time.

Within five minutes, I got a text that a friend

 had just learned of the sudden death

 of her 19 year old niece and asked me to pray.

When I began the next card, I repeated the same prayer,

and once again, in a very short time,

 I was sent a text asking me to pray.  

A friend of a daughter had just had her baby-

 the cord was wrapped around its neck, 

and the baby was blue and unresponsive.

I don't always have such a quick of a response to:

"Whom shall I pray for?"

This was certainly a time

 when the Lord brought swift answers.

However, you manage long periods of sitting,

this works for some of us. 

We all gave thanks for this blessed time

 to sit and be together, 

and cover a small piece of the Kingdom in prayer. 

 God is good.

#lcmsnyg2019

 So what is an 

LCMS National Youth Gathering?

There is a Theme- Real. Present. God.

There are nightly mass events.

This year it is the US Bank Stadium-

home of the Vikings.

With over 20,000 of your fellow high school students

and great speakers.

TobyMac was the Mass event
 Extra for the first night.
                                      (photo from LCMS NYG Twitter)

There are Bible Studies, speakers,

interactive fun things to do,

hang out space and time

 to gather with others from your District.

New T-shirts from your alumni college.

There are many displays and

connection spots.

FARM- Family Adventure and Recreational Ministry 

highlighted Visual Faith prayer cards

 using the theme Psalm for the Gathering.

A favorite speaker was Ashley Paavola.
                                                              (photos from the LCMS NYG Twitter)

There was the very cool hands-on

 group Creative project led

 by Artist- Jeffrey Miller.

The Skit Guys were the Mass Event Extra
 on the Second night.
                                                                  (Photo from the LCMS NYG Twitter)

Landmarks and lovely flowers

 in downtown Minneapolis.

You saw the flowers over and over again

 as there is LOTS of walking.

Some pretty cool visuals in the Stadium.
                                                              (Photo from the LCMS NYG Twitter)

Spying new and old friends 

out and about in the interactive center

 in the Convention Hall.

So-CARL stole the show for the NYG.
 He is all of us. 
Way to go Max Harmon.

Good eats and cooling beverages.

And as the event was winding down-

 a bit of road racing warriors.

Thanks Chuck Hiller for jumping 

on the Razor Racer plan with John.

We loved catching up with native Minnesotans- 

who just happen to co-grandparent with us.

A final night walk back

 to the hotel and a lovely landmark.

Minneapolis - thanks for gracing us 

with sunshine and good weather.

Give Thanks- for Great Leaders

We met in San Diego this week

 to honor the leaders

 who have left the Council of Presidents

 for the LCMS.

This is the list of those who have 

left the Council of Presidents.

There are 35 Districts and 35 Presidents

 within our church body.

With a salute and a prayer,

we share a  

and well-deserved send off to:

 Rev. Dr. Dean And Susie Nadasdy

Minnesota South District

 Rev. Dr. Dan and Judy May

Indiana District

 Rev. Kurt and Becky Schultz

Southern District

 Rev. Andy and Susan Dzurovcik

SELC District- (Slovak Evangelical Lutheran Church)

 Rev. Terry and Marlene Cripe

Ohio District

 Rev. Ken and Val Hennings

Texas District

 Rev. Dr. Larry and Linda Stoterau

Pacific Southwest District

 Rev. Dan and Jan Gilbert

Northern Illinois District

Rev. Dr. Bob and Priscilla Newton

California -Nevada - Hawaii District

 Rev. Dr. Jim (and Mynra) Baneck

North Dakota District President

and Rev. Allen Anderson

Rocky Mountain District

(in absentia)

And we pray blessings and grace

upon you as you continue to serve in 

His Kingdom.

The Men in Black 
with their new jackets from LCEF.
What a fun crew of guys.

A Convention in Prayer

 The outside of the prayer center 

at the LCMS Southeastern District Convention

 in Hickory, North Carolina.

  The Joanne Fink wrapping paper 

served as the beginning

 for the prayers for churches, 

circuits, pastors and delegates.

Throughout the year at SED events 

many people have added names and prayers 

and colored in the images in prayer time.

Visual Prayer becomes story.

Tables at the back of the conventional 

had prayer pages ready for people to stop by

 for a bit of prayer time. 

There were also Concordia Publishing House

 donated Bible margins 

from the new Enduring Words Bible 

for people to color and take. 

Bible verse cards 

were used to pray for and bless those

 who served us at the convention hotels.

 The convention delegates participate

 in 4 --15 minutes sessions using Listening Prayer 

and a section of Scripture 

for discerning God's Will in the convention.

Conventions can be a challenging order to keep in line with the ticking clock.

By using the hour of prayer time- 

the convention adjourned 2 1/2 hours early.

The Scripture was read around

 the individual tables 

and then discussion 

and finally prayer time for each of the sessions.

At the preconvention dinner 

hosted by St. John's Lutheran Church

 in Conover, North Carolina, 

the Vice Presidents and Board of Directors 

prayed over John and convention proceedings.

I am very thankful that prayer 
is such a central focus 
for how we live together, 
approach ministry and give thanks to God
for His great care and blessings.
May the Glory be His!

Third Term

Convention Preparations

for those gathered for the 

LCMS- Southeastern District Convention.

Hickory, North Carolina

May 10-12, 2018

 We prayed for the churches, circuits, 

and Pastoral and lay delegates.

Tables were also prepared for those 

wanting to spend time in prayer for

the convention proceedings. 
Prayer cards were available to 
pray Scripture and bless others.

 There are a lot of deadlines,                         
procedure guidelines, 

and meetings and meetings.

(And Hundreds of things 

that I have no idea about.)

Getting all the things transported this year

 from Alexandria, Virginia 

to Hickory, North Carolina

is a big job.

Visuals in the

Exhibitor's Space

I don't talk a whole lot 

about this special guy 
I am married to--John.

He was elected to serve a third term 

as the Southeastern District President.

He leads with a servant leader heart.
(a term is 3 years 
and this district has a 3 term limit)

 Joining him on the stage.
 I am blessed to serve beside him.

Giving thanks in prayer.
So is this a Jesus photo bomb? 
When we were sent this photo, 
it was funny how the banner behind us has 
Jesus with a raised hand of peace
 over our shoulders.

The theme was  

"Let's Go Fishing" 

from John 21:3.

Time to throw the net 

on the other side.

 I'll go with you.