The Messenger is a monthly publication of Iowa District West of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. It includes news from all over the District and its Ministry Partners.

• Be involved in Christian service with a local SoCal community mission - LOT318
• Act out your faith creativly with the Lutheran Hour Petal Pushers volunteers doing float work
• Have the opportunity to pull up a chair right on the Rose Parade route down Colorado Blvd
• Visit Concordia University Irvine – one of our LCMS thriving higher education campuses
• Meet new friends and strengthen connections
•  Gain new perspectives and utilize your personal gifts and talents
• Dip your toes in the Pacific Ocean

As you may be aware, Greenfield, Iowa has recently been devastated by a powerful tornado that caused significant damage to homes, infrastructure, and lives. Families have lost their homes, cherished belongings, and, tragically, some have lost loved ones.  We have heard of others in Western Iowa who have also been impacted by these storms.

In times like these, our faith community has an opportunity to come together and make a difference. We are reaching out to you today to request your support for our disaster relief efforts. Your generous donation will directly impact the lives of those affected by this natural disaster.

As you are aware, calamity has struck again with the floods in western Iowa.  On Monday June 24, I visited Trinty Lutheran in Hawarden, Christ the King and First English (both in Spencer). Trinty has suffered major damage to both the parsonage and church building.  Christ the King also suffered major damage to their church building.  It appears that First English was spared.  However, both Pastor Kaldahl’s and Pastor McGinley’s homes suffered major damage.  This brief assessment does not take into consideration all the families, individuals and even churches impacted by these flood waters - please keep all affected in your prayers. A major difficulty with this disaster, is that most homeowner and church insurance does not cover damage caused by flood waters.

In times like these, our faith community has an opportunity to come together and make a difference. We are reaching out to you today to request your support for our disaster relief efforts. Your generous donation will directly impact the lives of those affected by this natural disaster.

God gives His church pastors and church workers for the sake of the Gospel. Parents/grandparents, pastors, professional church workers, Sunday school teachers and others in your congregation help influence children to consider serving the church in these sacred and joyful vocations. Set Apart to Serve (SAS) is an initiative of the LCMS to recruit church workers. Since church work is rooted in Baptism and a lifetime of hearing the Word, SAS encourages young people to consider church work vocations primarily through their continued and faithful involvement with their congregation.

Living Wisely in an Unwise World
The three weekly themes are based on James 1:5. They are as follows:
Week 1: "Following God's Wisdom"
Week 2: "Using Time Wisely"
Week 3: "Becoming Money Wise"

Faithful Stewards of God's Grace
The three weekly themes are based on 1 Peter 4:10. They are as follows:
Week 1: "Receiving and Using God's Gifts"
Week 2: "Serve One Another"
Week 3: "Good Stewards of God's Grace"

Includes Bible studies, sermon materials, newsletter articles, bulletin messages, PowerPoints, promotional materials, etc.

**PLEASE NOTE** If you are not a member of an Iowa District West LCMS congregation, please contact Roger Curtis at IDW or Ron Chewning at 248-644-6150 for permission to use.