When we hear the word ‘idolatry,’ it’s easy to imagine primitive people bowing down to gods made of carved stone. But we’d be naive to think that idolatry only happened with primitive people long ago. What are the idols of America? What are your idols? Ask yourself “What do I find security in, and what do I boast about and defend the most?” The answers – those are your idols – anything from money, sports, fame, even ourselves.

Maybe you think that idols aren’t that big of a deal. Join us at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Minot, ND as Rev. Justin Woodside (Assisting Pastor of Bethel and Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Churches in Bismarck) helps us understand why idols cannot love us, pursue us, or bleed for us. They cannot protect us from the grave. Only Christ can – that’s a big deal.

Registration is open! Go to: https://leader.higherthings.org/events/retreats/

Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year to all friends of Grace.

On Friday, November 12, Grace Lutheran School held A Celebration of Grace at the Sanctuary Events Center. Over 100 celebrants attended the in-person event and many more participated online. We thank all who supported our event as attendees, volunteers, donors, bidders, committee members, and those who prayed for our event’s success. In an incredible outpouring of love, we raised $58,370 for our school, our students, and a brand new math curriculum. We easily raised the amount needed to fully fund the new math curriculum and extend into future textbook updates with budgeted funds. We are humbled by this outpouring and pray continually that we use the resources provided to us in a God-pleasing way that all children may come to know and love Christ Jesus. Thank you all.

Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) wants to help YOU pay for school! LCMS high school seniors and college students (with at least a year of school left) from the LCMS North Dakota district have the opportunity to apply for a chance to win a LCEF $1,000 Scholarship.

The deadline to apply for this scholarship is January 31st, 2022. The winner will be announced on March 15th, 2022.

Apply Today! https://zfrmz.com/j8m9YHsoV8drYIUxStEo.

“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:13-14). During January, many of our Lutheran congregations celebrate LIFE SUNDAY because we believe in the God-declared sanctity of human life from conception until natural death. Our United States Supreme Court recently heard arguments regarding the “life issue”, and we pray that they, as a part of the “civil government” established by God for our fallen world, may also rule to once again provide protection for our not-yet-born brothers and sisters created in the image of God. May we also do what we can to support the sanctity of human life!

-Ken Koehler,Volunteer Coordinator

“Main Street Living North” Programs for January 2022:

Jan 2: Rev. Brian Shane, Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Fargo, ND, presents the message: “The Little Solomon in Us All,” based on I Kings 3:4-15. Lutheran Television Special: “The Other Wiseman” – Another Magi, making his journey to the Christ child, encounters others and shows kindness along the way.

Jan 9: Rev. Bruce Noennig, Zion Lutheran Church, Detroit Lakes, MN, presents the message: “Who Are the Wisemen?”, based on Matthew 2:1-12. “This Is The Life” program: “Money for Marriage” – A woman’s decisions at work put strain on the new couple’s marriage.

Jan 16: Rev. Adam Harvala, St. Andrew Lutheran Church, West Fargo, ND, presents the message: “In the Eye of the Beholder”, based on Isaiah 62:1-5. “This Is The Life” program: “Burden Made Light” – The housekeeper helps a family through the struggle of an increasingly sick child.

Jan 23: Rev. Michael Salemink, Executive Director, Lutherans for Life, presents this year’s “Life Sunday Message”, based on John 15:12-17. “This Is The Life” program: “Like Father Like Son” – A father’s example leads to his son making questionable choices at school.

Jan 30: Rev. Jacob Wagner, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Vergas, MN, presents the message: “Love as We Have Been Loved,” based on 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13:13 and Jeremiah 1:4-10. “This Is The Life: program: “Twisting Road” – A young man and his wife deal with life, the future, and regrets of things left unspoken.

Sunday, January 23, 2022

Evening Schedule at the Ramada Inn, 3333 13th Ave S, Fargo

5 pm – Registration | Open Hearings

Monday, January 24, 2022

Rejoice in the Lord…Mercy

8:30 am – Opening Divine Service at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1258 N Broadway, Fargo

10:30 am – Ramada Inn – Convention Opens | Business | Reports

1 pm – Bible Study with Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison, Synod President | Convention Business | Essay: Part 1 on “Hymnody” | Resolutions | Reports

5:05 pm – Vespers

6:30 pm – Group Meal (Grace Lutheran School Choir Reports: LWML, LLL, LYF, DBGR, SHCR)

Tuesday, January 25, 2022

Rejoice in the Lord…Witness

Ramada Inn, 3333 13th Ave S, Fargo

8:15 am – Matins | Convention Business | Essay: Part 2 on “Hymnody” | Reports

1 pm – Reports | Essay: Part 3 on “Hymnody” | Convention Business

4:50 pm – Vespers

6 pm – Banquet – Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison Speaker Q&A | Recognitions/Awards

8 pm – Evening Session as needed

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

Rejoice in the Lord…Life Together

Ramada Inn, 3333 13th Ave S, Fargo

8 am – Matins | Convention Business | Reports

11:55 am – Installation of District President-Elect | Installation of Elected Officers | Closing of Convention | Adjournment

Hotel Rooms for Convention

Ramada Inn, Fargo – 701-235-3333

ND LCMS District block | $86.40/night

Block is released Friday, January 7th – That’s Today!!

We also need a meal count by January 7th because of supply chain issues. As a delegate, all of the meals are included in the registration price and won’t be adjusted from there. We will have some leeway as to exhibitors, spouses, and others who may be attending and can break things down by which meal is enjoyed.

If you have any questions, please contact Tami Ulland at lcms.nd.busman@gmail.com or call 701-293-9001 if you have more questions.

Please share this with your parish pastor and delegate. Thank you!

It’s not too late to register!!

On behalf of the Board of Directors for North Dakota Lutherans for Life, we invite your Lutheran School or Church or Home School to participate in an Essay Contest in support of life.

The theme for this year’s essay contest is God Chose You from John 15:15:

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit.”

Details for the Essay Contest and the Rubric for evaluating the essays in your school or church can be found at the bottom of this page.

Schools, we ask that you would include this Essay Contest in your curriculum or make it an extra credit assignment. Churches, we ask that you would include this Essay Contest in your Confirmation or Sunday School classes or as part of your Youth Group program.

Each school or church should select the best essay from their church or school from each of the two Grade Levels: Grades 6-8 (400 word maximum) and Grades 9-12 (750 word maximum) and submit them digitally using Microsoft Word or Google Docs to Pastor Matt Thompson at mt@midco.net by April 1, 2021.

The first-place prize of $100 and a second-place prize of $50 will be awarded by North Dakota Lutherans for Life to the best two essays from each Grade Level. All first-place winners will have their essays submitted to LFL’s National Essay Contest with a chance to win $250, plus free Conference Registration to the 2021 Regional Conference of their choice, plus a one night stay at the Conference Hotel. Regional Conferences will be held in South Dakota, Nevada, and North Carolina this year.

God’s blessings to your church or school as you join with Christ in defending human life. And please contact me with any questions.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Matt Thompson, Board Member, ND Lutherans for Life, mt@midco.net

During the troubling times last year, it was easy for the Project 24 students and extended family members to become discouraged and less hopeful. It was therefore so important that they were able to receive the promise of God’s Word in addition to the food and provisions that were delivered each month. Many of the children’s extended families and caregivers had never heard His Word. As our partner church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kenya worked to deliver the food and provisions each month; they could also begin to form relationships with these extended family members. These Lutheran pastors, evangelists, and deaconesses would often stay after the deliveries were made and use the time to deliver the Good News to those that were there!

They would pray together, read from the Bible together, and learn about God’s saving grace together. Even through the hardships, God’s love continued to be shared!

For more information about Project 24 or to learn about sponsoring a student through Christ’s Care for Children: Kenya, please contact Jennifer Hummel at 314-996-1326 or jennifer.hummel@lcms.org

THE CHRISTIAN SEASON OF LENT begins this month – and with it comes a special time for Christians to prepare for the two most important days of the Church year, as we consider our fallen sinful condition and need for a Savior! May God’s Holy Spirit open the doors of our hearts ever wider that we may more deeply understand and receive the redeeming work of our Lord!

Thank you for your much-needed financial support! Checks may be sent to “Main Street Living NORTH”, 821-5th Ave S, Fargo, ND 58103, or donate by Credit Card or your PayPal account at Mainstreetliving.org/North. God’s blessing in Christ!

-Ken Koehler MSL North Volunteer Coordinator

“Main Street Living North” Programs for February 2021:

Feb 7: Rev. Daniel Suelze, Wittenberg Lutheran Chapel, Grand Forks, ND, presents the message “The Everlasting God,” based on Isaiah 40:21-31. “This is the Life” episode: “The Point of No Return”. This color presentation discusses God’s limitless Grace.

Feb 14: Rev. Jeffrey Lee, LCMS MN North District, Brainerd, MN, presents the message: “Boldly Proclaiming Jesus,” based on 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:6. “This is the Life” episode: “Mr. Big”.

Feb 21: Rev. David Suelzle, Grace Lutheran Church, Fargo, ND, presents the message: “It Just Doesn’t Make Any Sense,” based on Genesis 22:1-3. “This is the Life” episode: Social Responsibility and Christian witness are the topics in “The Day We Lost Ella Mae”.

Feb. 28: Rev. Don Fondow, President, LCMS MN North District, presents the message: “A Life Worth Living … A Savior Worth Believing,” based on Mark 8:27-38. “This is the Life” episode: “Out of Bondage” examines the Christian approach to alcoholism.

“MAIN STREET LIVING” is a locally produced TV program that includes a 30-minute worship service led by participating pastors of the Minnesota North and North Dakota Districts of our LCMS, along with a 30-minute Lutheran Hour program (normally “This Is The Life,” along with occasional church-season specials).