Book: Faith Notes: A Christ-Centered Survival Kit for Young Men

Today's youth are facing big problems and challenges, and they need life-saving truth that speaks directly to their unique circumstances.

Faith Notes: A Christ-Centered Survival Kit for Young Men, and its companion title for young women, is an engaging and practical devotional that candidly addresses the real hurts and heartaches of adolescence. In contrast to the daily media onslaught that young people are subjected to that leads to comparison, anxiety, perfectionism, and confusion, Faith Notes offers Jesus, grace alone, faith alone, Scripture alone. They offer a survival guide that lead to eternal life.

In all, Faith Notes offers 96 devotionals on general subjects: Relationships; Spiritual Life; Thoughts and Feelings; Friends; the Future; Character; Family and Home; Anxiety; and Mistakes.

The author, Rev. Michael W. Newman, has been a pastor in The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, and has served and ministered to youth for decades, giving him unique insight into what's troubling the youth of today, and how to respond Christ-like to those troubles.

Buy Faith Notes here

Devotion - a simple approach to the New Year

 Every year December 31 leads into January 1....the new year...

As Christians this is a good opportunity to reflect, pray, plan, act and reflect again

Reflect

On a bible reading - Isaiah 43:16-21, Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, Psalm 8, Revelation 21:1-6a or Matthew 25:31-46

Greatest Commandment - How have you experienced or lived out the Greatest Commandment of loving God and loving others?

Great Commission - Who have you shared Jesus with, or invited to meet Jesus?

On your life  -  What or who can you give thanks for?   What do you need to seek forgiveness for?  What needs some attention?  What are you needing help with?

Pray

Pray about what ever pops up in your mind related to the Bible Reading, Greatest Commandment, Great Commission or Your life.   

Plan

Consider where God is calling you....and what is prompted from your prayer time, that leads into the next year. 

What practical things do you need to put into place?

Who do you need to contact and seek help, guidance or assistance from?

What changes may you need to make and need God's help with?

Put things in your diary or draw up a schedule of activities that help you? 

Act

Pray every day for God's help 

Do things that follow your plan. 

Do things in ways that help you keep connected with God, reflect God (Greatest Commandment), connect others with God (Great Commission).  

and be prepared for God to surprise you 

Worship Planning template 2024-2025

The Worship Planning template is a simple Excel tool to help pastors and worship teams in their worship planning.

The template offers the RCL readings for each Sunday and Special services, with suggestions for Invocation/Call to Worship, Confession, Creed, Lord's Prayer, Holy Communion, and Hymns/Songs (opening, praise after forgiveness, kids, post sermon/offering and sending)

The resource is designed for you to adapt for your own context

You can download the 2024-2025 Worship Planning template here

Developing a Communications Plan

 Communication is essential for ministry!!

Wendy Kuschel of St Mark's Ministries presented at the WELS Lutheran Leadership Conference 2023 on Developing a Communications plan

You can watch her presentation here

You can download her notes here

Book: Luther's Small Catechism: Missional Edition

The Small Catechism: Missional Edition is a thoughtfully crafted tool that revisits Martin Luther's original Catechism with a focus on equipping the modern Church for mission.

Tailored for individuals, families, and emerging church communities, this edition merges timeless Lutheran teachings with practical applications for daily Christian life and global evangelism. 

Through its six main parts—The Ten Commandments, The Apostles’ Creed, The Lord’s Prayer, The Sacraments, The Keys and Confession, and Daily Christian Living—it provides an accessible yet profound guide to the essentials of faith, worship, and witness.

Enhanced with reflections on Lutheran confessional theology and insights for applying these truths in diverse cultural contexts, this book serves as a resource for discipleship, teaching, and living the Gospel in today’s world.

Purchase The Small Catechism: Missional Edition today