March Theme: Mercy

 

Giving and living mercy

One of the Gospel lessons for Epiphany gives us a clear picture of what it means to be “fishers of men.”

Matthew reports that shortly after Jesus began His public ministry, He called to Peter and Andrew as they were fishing: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Shortly afterward, He also called James and John. Then He went throughout all of Galilee, teaching in synagogues, preaching the Gospel and healing people of all sorts of diseases and afflictions.

Jesus modeled for these first-called apostles what it means to bring God’s mercy to people in need. Matthew reports that word of what Jesus was doing reached the Gentiles in Syria, which was hundreds of miles away. Yet, they came. (I imagine that they carried loved ones on carts and stretchers, even as they do today in many parts of the world when the LCMS sends a Mercy Medical Team.) They came because they needed the mercy of God. Even though the Syrians had held Israel in disdain for hundreds of years, they humbled themselves because they were desperate to be healed.

What did they receive when they arrived? The compassion of Jesus. He cared for their souls as He preached the Gospel to them, and He healed them of their diseases and afflictions — some with only a word, others with a human touch.

As they received this mercy, many continued to follow Jesus. These acts of God in witness and mercy “caught” them. The Holy Spirit called them by the Gospel, even as He still does today. And they followed.

That is why we continue to connect The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s programs of mercy with our local congregations, our missionaries and our partner churches around the world. We continue the work of Jesus, which shows us what it means to be fishers of all people.

In Jesus’ name,

Rev. John Fale
Associate Executive Director of LCMS Mercy Operations

Join us on the journey

 Facebook   Twitter    Instagram    YouTube   Vimeo   LinkedIn

Mission and Vision

Seven Mission Priorities

The Lutheran Witness Magazine

Lutheran Witness February 2024

MDFL Resource Center

Making Disciples for Life - Resource Center

Million Dollar Life Match

Ready to expland your congrgation's pro-life ministry? Apply now for the Million Dollar Life Match.

Church Work Recruitment Initiative

Set Apart to Serve

Caring for Ukraine

Ukraine Support

Contact Us
 

  Email us
 

  Church Info Center: 888-843-5267
  Staff Switchboard: 800-248-1930
  Donor Care Line: 888-930-4438
 

 1333 S. Kirkwood Road, St. Louis, MO 63122-7226

 

Guide Star Logo BBB Logo

 

Auxiliaries and Seminaries

 

Partners

 


The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Inc., including Mission Central (in Mapleton, Iowa), is an IRS registered 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity.

A contribution designated (restricted) for a specific purpose, when accepted, will be used only to fund expenses related to that purpose. Occasionally, we may receive more in contributions for a particular purpose than can be wisely applied to it in the foreseeable future or the purpose may cease to be feasible. In these situations, the LCMS will make reasonable attempts to contact contributors to apply their contribution toward another aspect of ministry that aligns closely the contributor’s goals and values. If a contributor cannot be contacted, the LCMS will use the gift to meet a similar pressing need that most closely matches the contributor's original intent.

Consistent with Synod Board policy and in recognition of a more challenging economic and philanthropic/fundraising environment due to inflationary pressure, not more than 12.5 percent of any charitable contribution will be allocated to administering gifts and communicating with contributors (compared to a not-more-than ceiling of 10.5 percent the previous fiscal year). Contributions received and accepted by the LCMS are deemed to be in agreement with this statement.

Donor Transparency Resources


Employment   |   For the Media   |   Site Map   |   Privacy   |   Social Media Guidelines    |   Social Media Directory

 

© 2003 – 2010   The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. All Rights Reserved.