"LMA News"

The Word of God at Work

Who are we? A group of theologically sound, liturgically minded, orthodox Lutherans who want to join together to spread orthodox, liturgical Lutheranism using traditional methods.

(Editor's note:  Each issue of LMA News will have at least three main sections: Mission News of the Alliance, a basic doctrinal catechetical section and a primer on liturgical worship.  These are the main issues that we often find lacking in the denominations today, since they all appear to be "change oriented."  Doctrinal change or development away from simple Scripture and Lutheran Catechism teachings lead to changes in practice that one may not recognize as Lutheran as we knew it.  As our children leave the home, they find they cannot find a church that looks, sounds and acts Lutheran as they grew up in.  They seem to be patterned after the non-denominational, Bible church that offers entertainment and emotionalism.  We hope that our humble newsletter will provide a basic review of the foundation of our Lutheran Faith and traditions so that many will find and preserve the saving Gospel found in our doctrine and worship practices.)

The Lutheran Mission Alliance (LMA) at its May Meeting decided to adopt a mission congregation which is conservative and liturgical and to give prayer and financial support as we have funds available. The mission has not been able to secure support from other sources whose funds are short.

This means that the focus of LMA is necessarily going to change from the organization stage into a fund raising stage. While there is still some organizational action to be taken, there will be a shift in emphasis. We do not intend to use "high pressure" or "emotional" tactics, but rather present the needs and opportunities as the mission congregation presents them.

It is a step of faith for the LMA, which has barely even mentioned the dollars that will be needed to fund Lutheran missions that you remember from years gone by: robed pastors, hymnals, organs, dynamic and clear law/gospel preaching, memorization of the Catechism, etc. We pray that people who want missions to grow into real Lutheran Churches with solid Bible and Gospel Centered teaching and preaching, liturgies and hymns and faith-building activities will be generous in their over and above giving to LMA.

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church of Palacios was founded in 1911 and struggled. Since Pastor Robert LeBlanc, who works 40 hours at a secular job, took over as their mission pastor in 2004, they have started to grow again. They are the only confessional Lutheran congregation on the Gulf Coast from Lake Jackson to Rockport.

Expansion in the area from two new reactors at the S. Texas Nuclear Project and a gated community at a retired Army base means that many people will be moving to the vicinity. Winter Texans come to Palacios to avoid the crush in the Valley. The Gospel will be heard at ORLC, Palacios.

The next meeting of the Lutheran Mission Alliance will be November 9-10, 2007. 

We are pleased that Zion Lutheran Church in Anderson, TX has joined LMA.

Each member congregation has a pastoral and lay delegate vote.

Individual members may serve on committees, speak and advise, but have no vote at meetings.

Encourage your congregation to consider LMA membership.

Pastor Jerome Teichmiller, Zion, Tomball, preached at Incarnate Word, Florence, SC, as part of a pulpit exchange.  Incarnate Word recently installed a new pastor, Rev. Matthew Jeffords.

The First Commandment

The first commandment is not just a statement of belief. It is to be a guiding principle for our life as God's people. Because it is the basic commandment on which all other depend, it also shapes our attitude toward every aspect of daily faith and life.

For example, the explanation of the commandment speaks of "trusting in God above all things." This we believe, teach, and confess, but do we live it? It is much easier to live by sight and not by faith. For example, it is much easier to sleep soundly at night when there is large balance your checking account then it is when you are overdrawn. If God is truly "our" God, then we must grow in faith to the point that we trust Him for every aspect of daily life.

Another example, what of those who believe in a different god?

While this is less common in our area, it is nevertheless a concern. We now live in a nation where Christianity is no longer the fastest growing religion. Islam converts more people each year then we do. Not only are they growing, but so are the Jehovah Witnesses and the Mormons. All these groups claim to know the true God but their teachings bear out the truth of their lies when compared to Scripture. There are also other groups less obvious then these three. There are many so-called "churches" which deny the Trinity. By so doing they deny the God of Scripture and thus have a false god. God forbids us to have anything to do with such worship. Therefore if we are truly living by the first commandment, we will not even visit such a "church."

Then there is the lodge issue! They are a threat to the 1^st Commandment. The Great Architect of the Universe is not the Triune God, but "the nameless one of a thousand names." This god’s basic teaching is that through your moral achievements (living by the square and compass) you become pleasing to god and thus acceptable for the "Grand Lodge above." Jesus has no role as Savior in the lodges. Thus the lodge's god is not the God of the Commandments or the God who saves you by Christ’s living and dying.

Some in our denomination are trying to change this commandment. They want it to be okay to pray and worship with those who worship gods other than the Triune God. As a congregation and as individual Christians, you are called on in this time of confession to stand up for the truth, not only of this Commandment, but of the Gospel of Christ, that a new understanding of this commandment undermines. God will punish those who are tolerant of others gods, for they fail to keep the very first and most basic of all the Commandments. God will bless those who stand up for Him as the one and only true God who expects total loyalty and worship.

Dignified and Reverent Worship of

the Father, Son and Holy Spirit