A suggestion for all circuits–Prayer.

You are not alone. Whether your congregation is experiencing a wonderful time in the Lord or whether it seems like it is one struggle after another in your congregation, you are not alone. First and foremost, the Lord himself is with you in his Word and in his Sacraments. But also, you have brothers and sisters in Christ not far from you, brothers and sisters who have confessed that they stand together with you. In our Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, these brothers and sisters are gathered into the congregations of our circuit. Some of you may well have other congregations from neighboring circuits close as well. But in order that we would not forget that the Church is much larger than our individual congregations and to remember the unity we have as the baptized in Christ, the pastors of the circuit have decided that it is well that we would pray for one another each week. Beginning May 22, 2011 and each week thereafter, one church of our circuit will be prayed for by name by all other congregations of the circuit. Here is the schedule we will follow:

May 22, 2011 Zion Lutheran, Downs

May 29, 2011 Immanuel Lutheran, Ellsworth

June 5, 2011 St. Paul’s Lutheran, Ellsworth

June 12, 2011 Messiah Lutheran, Hays

June 19, 2011 Trinity Lutheran, Hunter

June 26, 2011 St. John’s Lutheran, Lincoln

July 3, 2011 St. Paul’s Lutheran, Lincoln (Westfall)

July 10, 2011 Peace Lutheran, Natoma

July 17, 2011 First Lutheran, Plainville

July 24, 2011 Bethlehem Lutheran, Sylvan Grove

Any specific requests from each congregation should be emailed to pastor@ihoppe.com by the Monday prior to the Sunday your church is being prayed for. They will be forwarded to all the praying congregations.

God has not left you alone. He is with you. And He has placed you in his body, the Church that your burdens and your joys might be shared.

Pastor Philip Hoppe, Circuit Counselor, Circuit 13