Posted 4/28/24

Important Call to Action Document from Kansans for Life - Contact Elected Officials ASAP

Action Alert Document Link

Posted 4/28/24

Kansas For Life Mini- News - April 27th, 2024

Posted 4/5/24

We are excited to share a recent legal victory that impacts churches, ministries, and nonprofits nationwide.

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that a nonprofit's tax-exempt status is NOT the same as receiving government funding. This decision protects charities and nonprofits from being subjected to burdensome regulations and lawsuits that might threaten their tax-exempt status.

Alliance Defending Freedom advocated for this outcome by filing an amicus brief as part of our ongoing efforts to safeguard the freedoms of churches and ministries.

We encourage you to read the Fourth Circuit's opinion for a deeper understanding of this ruling.

Read the Opinion: https://adfmedialegalfiles.blob.core.windows.net/.../Conc...

Your membership is crucial in our continued effort to protect the rights of churches and ministries to operate, teach, and serve in accordance with God’s calling.

Blessings,

The ADF Church & Ministry Alliance

Posted 3/7/24

Dear Members of Grace Lutheran Church,

Greetings in Christ. I hope this email finds you well!

I would like to cordially invite your congregation to host a Live-Stream of LCC's Christian Culture Conference this June for your members. This year’s theme is Lutheranism in a Post-Christian America.

The conference dates are:

Tuesday and Wednesday, June 4th and 5th.

Tuesday runs from 1:15pm MT to 5pm MT.

Wednesday runs from 10am to 12pm MT with our Benefit Concert at 6:30pm MT.

If you are interested in participating, please register below!

Register for Live-Stream

There are three videos set up for streaming: Conference Day 1, Conference Day 2, and the Benefit Concert Wednesday evening. All use the same password.

 You can rewind each video and view them at a later time/date when it is most convenient for your congregational viewers.

 A live chat feature is available for all online viewers. We will take one question for each speaker from our online chat.

 If you have any questions regarding this event, please do not hesitate to contact me at s.preus@lutherclassical.org or (307) 314-5882.

 We hope you will consider joining us for this exciting conference! Please find conference speakers, topic, and schedule below.

Our Contact Information

Luther Classical College

2300 Hickory St
Casper, WY 82604

(307)216-5294

https://www.lutherclassical.org

Posted 11/7/23

Dear Friends,

The Washington County (KS) Public Schools 1967 grade card had this quote to parents on it: “You therefore have a duty to perform. You must rear, nourish and educate him. Along with this teaching comes moral training as well as intellectual, social, physical and civic education.”

 

It’s a fantastic phrase, and a good reminder to us of our vocation as parents. To that end, both I, and staff of the Kansas District, do get asked quite frequently about “homeschool resources,” especially in areas of our state where we do not have a Lutheran school located. We addressed this topic at an open forum during our October pastor’s conference. I have also asked, and received, from Rebekah Wright an initial resource document. Rebekah Wright is a native Michigander now living in Topeka via Iowa, Indiana, and Florida. Her husband is the senior pastor at St. John’s Lutheran in Topeka. She is a stay at home mother of five, ages nine, eight, six, five, and three. She has been homeschooling since 2019 when her oldest was five and loves it.

This email is not intended to take or draw away people from our Lutheran schools—they are absolute gems! This document is meant to serve as a “best practices” piece of what you might do or consider. If you have ideas that work for you in your context, please share them with me. For now, I invite you to check out our new “Homeschool Resources” website link on our website: https://kslcms.org/education-youth/homeschool-resources/

God’s blessings as you go about your day in the Lord as His baptized!

In the service of Christ,

Rev. Justin Panzer

President, LCMS Kansas District

Office Phone: 785-357-4441

www.kslcms.org

www.facebook.com/kslcms/

 

Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and who gave Himself for me."

Posted 12/9/22

Dear Friends,

Rejoice! Your King comes to you! 

In light of the 2023 Kansas District Life Conference and March for Life, I want to draw your attention to three things:

1. Please register for the event at this link by January 18, 2023 – https://kslcms.org/caring-ministry/life-ministry/2023-life-conference/
2. When registering, please pay for the lunch. Scroll to the bottom of the website page and click on the red “Lunch Payment” button.
3. Please also register for the “March for Life” with this link by December 31, 2022 – https://www.lcms-life.org/need/detail/?need_id=737571 This will ensure that you receive a stocking hat and hymn sing sign.

Thank you! We look forward to your participation, and we will continue to pray for the mighty of the Holy Spirit in the State of Kansas for the respect of life from womb to the tomb.

In the service of Christ,

Rev. Justin Panzer

President, LCMS Kansas District

Office Phone: 785-357-4441

www.kslcms.org

www.facebook.com/kslcms/

Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and who gave Himself for me."

Posted 11/8/22

Campus Ministry:

Posted 11/4/22

Please read the attached link to learn more:  Defending Life

June 30, 2022

Value Them Both Coalition Demands Removal of False and Deceptive Ad, Holds Media Accountable For Reporting Truth about Amendment

Read article here:https://kansansforlife.salsalabs.org/vtbcoalitiondemandsremovalofafalseanddeceptivead?wvpId=5e014166-e27e-4650-93b8-52fb641acd5a

June 24, 2022 - A letter from President Harrison:

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).

Today is a monumental day, a day on which we simultaneously rejoice, pray, give thanks, lament, repent and weep. The Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade and returned the responsibility for protecting life to the states. “Held: The Constitution does not confer a right to abortion; Roe and Casey are overruled; and the authority to regulate abortion is returned to the people and their elected representatives” (SCOTUS, Dobbs v. Jackson, 1).

“[The Lord] has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate” (Luke 1:52).

Today is also the Church’s feast day, the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ. These two events are a happy convergence.

Today we celebrate the birth of the one who, before he was born, leaped in joyful Spirit-inspired confession when his mother met the mother of his unborn Lord. Today we take comfort in our Lord’s unborn forerunner and in the unborn Savior. We also rejoice at the resounding victory for life in the United States. Many of us long doubted it would ever come. The Lord has had mercy upon us, even us, sinners all, even in these times.

Today we continue to speak out against the evil of abortion, which many will continue to practice and advocate in states bent on death. Many who have been misled by the father of lies and the culture of death greet this day with weeping and gnashing of teeth. Today we continue to sing that the Lord “has visited and redeemed his people” (Luke 1:68).

Today we pray for unborn children who remain unprotected in many states. Today, in many places, the abortion industry continues to kill unborn children and welcomes those from states where such killing is illegal. Today we take comfort that by the Lord’s hand “we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us” (Luke 1:71).

Today we repent of our own lack of love for the least, the last and the lost, for mothers in need and families facing crises. Today we celebrate God’s gift of the one He sent to “go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins” (Luke 1:76–77).

Today we recommit to love all, unborn and born. Today we receive the sunrise from on high, “to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death” (Luke 1:79).

Today we proclaim: Repent and believe the Good News that Jesus Christ, conceived by the Spirit, formed in the womb and born of the virgin Mary, died and rose for sinners. That includes all of us. Today we give thanks for John who preached repentance and pointed to the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29).

Today we lovingly invite all to listen to Jesus’ call, “repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). If you have caused an abortion, the taking of life, there is forgiveness in Jesus! Don’t be hardened in sin or advocate for more sins. Today you have hope in the One whose way John the Baptist prepared. Jesus is for sinners. Come join the rest of us forgiven sinners! Jesus is for you! You need not have a bad conscience! Repent and believe the Good News of God’s love for you in Jesus.

Today we lament that the U.S. Supreme Court continues to deny the unborn the legally recognized right to life. Even though Roe v. Wade has fallen, states can still allow the killing of unborn children. Today we pray that more unborn will leap for joy in the womb, as St. John did.

Today, even as we rejoice, we weep that U.S. policy continues to promote abortion globally. Today we bend our knees in prayer.

O Lord, “let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (Amos 5:24). The Lord preceded His Son, our Savior, with a forerunner. We pray that today’s decision points ahead to the day when every state advances the cause of life and expands protections for unborn children.

Lord have mercy upon us.

Matthew C. Harrison
President
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Joint letter from LCMS President Harrison and presidents of WELS and ELS to U.S. Attorney General

June 24, 2022

Attorney General Merrick Garland
Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Kristen Clarke
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20530-0001

Dear Attorney General Garland and Assistant Attorney General Clarke:

As presidents of three Lutheran Christian church bodies that vigorously support the rule of law, justice and legal protection for all people—especially the least, the weakest, the unborn—we are writing about the increased violence that has occurred following the leaked draft of the Supreme Court opinion concerning Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. These acts of violence against churches, pro-life organizations and pregnancy centers are clearly terrorist attacks: they use violence designed to intimidate in order to achieve political ends.

Such attacks are sadly well documented: Pro-life organizations in Wisconsin and Oregon were attacked. A pregnancy care center in New York was also attacked. Vandals defaced 17 churches or pro-life organizations with pro-abortion or anti-religious slogans, including the phrase “abort the church.” These terrorist attacks aim to intimidate through the slogan “If abortions aren’t safe, then neither are you.”

One extremist group is advocating violence in response to the final Supreme Court decision on Dobbs, while another group published the home addresses of the Supreme Court Justices and encouraged people to show up at their homes, churches, and their children’s schools in an attempt to coerce the Justices and influence their final decision. A couple of weeks ago, there was an alleged attempted assassination of a sitting Supreme Court Justice at his home.

These continued terrorist assaults on religious and pro-life groups, because of their beliefs, are manifest crimes against citizens of the United States. These attacks call for a prompt, comprehensive, governmental response. Please publicly condemn these unlawful attacks, investigate them, fully prosecute those responsible, commit to providing security for the victims and other community service organizations, and employ vigorous efforts to prevent similar future attacks.

We continue to pray for you and all those whom God has placed in authority over us. May God bless you in your tasks and guide you to govern according to His will.

Sincerely,

Rev. Glenn R. Obenberger
President of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod
Mankato, Minn.

Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison
President of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
St. Louis, Mo.

Rev. Mark G. Schroeder
President of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
Waukesha, Wis.

June 2022 - Life After Roe v. Wade

Roe v. Wade is no longer the law of the land when it comes to abortion policy. Praise God! The Supreme Court has reversed nearly five decades of unconstitutional legal precedent and affirmed that there is no constitutional right to end a child’s life in the womb. States may now protect the unborn!

The majority opinion in Dobbs, authored by Justice Samuel Alito, made this crystal clear by stating: “We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled. The Constitution makes no reference to abortion, and no such right is implicitly protected by any constitutional provision, including the one on which the defenders of Roe and Casey now chiefly rely — the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.”

Please read the rest of the article at:

https://www.adfministryalliance.org/post/life-after-roe-v-wade

Letter from District President Panzer: (6/23/22)

Dear Friends in Christ:

As many of you know, we are currently living in troubling times. One issue causing turmoil in our culture is the impending decision of the Supreme Court, and the possibility of Roe v. Wade being overturned. As you may have heard in the news, there have been reports of protests and even vandalism inflicted on churches across the country.

We encourage you to be mindful of this in your churches and schools in the days to come as we continue to proclaim God’s truth. It is times like these that we look to our Lord for comfort and guidance. In the Gospel of John, Jesus comforts His disciples by saying, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).  

 Amidst the anger to which many people have succumbed, we, as Lutherans, have peace knowing that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus. Take heart during these turbulent days and remember that the Lord watches over you and the people you serve.

 We pray for this hurting world, that the Holy Spirit would give us the courage to lovingly share His Good News with others. You remain in my prayers as you encourage your people to live out their baptismal calling.

 May the Lord bless and keep you,

 President Panzer

Life Notes Link below:

https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Life-Notes-for-June-20-26--2022.html?soid=1123257853860&aid=kLov-8WkwhE

NEWS (added 5/10/22)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

 

On April 29, 2022, an EF-3 tornado tore through the town of Andover. The tornado path caused damage in Sedgwick County, the city of Andover, and across the county line into Butler County.

Rev. Scott Snow (Holy Cross, Wichita) and Rev. Mark Lovett (Immanuel, Wichita) report that at least two of the devastated homes belong to members of their respective congregations. Rev. Steve Wipperman (Peace, Andover) also reports that Kansas LERT (Lutheran Early Response Team) is helping a couple from the congregation. We’re writing today to ask for your help in getting these families, and others in the community, back on their feet.

The LCMS Kansas District would like to encourage Kansas congregations and LCMS members to consider making a donation to aid in the recovery. The funds generated will help these families start rebuilding their lives. (If funds received exceed the needs of these families, they will be forwarded to the Kansas District LCMS Disaster Relief fund.) Local donations will also be collected by Holy Cross, Wichita and distributed to those in need.

WAYS TO HELP:

DONATE ONLINE by clicking the red button at this link https://kslcms.org/caring-ministry/disaster-response/ . Specify “Andover Tornado” as a designation on the payment page. (This is the quickest way to provide help.)

SEND A CHECK to the LCMS Kansas District (1000 SW 10th Ave, Topeka, KS 66604), earmarked “Andover Tornado.”

PRAY for these families and everyone else affected by the tornado.

SHARE this email with others who would like to help.

CONSIDER holding a door offering in support of these families.

In the service of Christ,

 Tami Lierz, Administrative Assistant on behalf of President Justin A. Panzer. Please send responses to President Panzer at kspres@kslcms.org or Tami Lierz at tami@kslcms.org. 

News (added 3/7/22)

Wokeism in the LCMS. Pray for healing.

https://thefederalist.com/2022/03/07/christian-university-bans-professor-from-campus-for-critiquing-its-dive-into-equity-and-inclusion/

https://www.gottesdienst.org/podcast/2022/3/1/tgc-172-called-to-defend 

Prayer request (added 12/2/21):

12-2-21

An email from President Harrison, requesting prayers.

Dear Brothers,

Grace and peace in Christ.

This is to let you know that our family (and our LCMS family) was impacted by the Oxford, Michigan school shootings.

My sister’s twins attend the school. My Nephew Michael, thank God, was home sick the day of the shooting. My niece, Dani, however was present. In fact, just prior to the shootings she and a classmate requested permission to Go to the restroom. Dani graciously suggested the other girl go first. That girl was shot. I do not know her condition.

A few weeks back, I preached in Oxford for the confirmation of my nephew and niece. A third child was also confirmed that day. That young lady’s older sister was shot. I was told that child is in a coma, information not verified. Her sister’s confirmation verse is very consoling for a Christian in times of difficulty. I recall preaching directly to the confirmand that the truth of her verse (I can’t recall what it is at the moment) would be a rock for her in the face of the challenges she would face in life. O the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God. How unsearchable his judgements.  

My sister Catherine, her husband Brian, and the two children are severely shaken.

I request your prayers for my family, our LCMS family in Oxford including our pastors, and for all suffering this horrible event.

In Jesus,

President Matthew Harrison

News (added 10/3/21)

Personal remarks from President Harrison about COVID-19 and vaccines

News (added 7/29/21)

Christian Colleges Fight LGBT Students’ Lawsuit Seeking to Block Title IX Religious Exemptions

Read article linked here

News (added 7/29/21)

St. Paul asked the Ephesians to pray for him, that all his words would bear witness to the truth of God’s Word, and that in all he did, he might proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. “To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel” (Eph. 6:18–19). The church prays that Christians, and especially those called into the Office of the Holy Ministry, might be given boldness and strength to confess the truth of God’s Word, even in the face of persecution and opposition. Where persecution occurs, and where governments fail to protect the right teaching of Scripture, the church confesses Christ and stands on the truth of God’s Word. Finland’s prosecutor general has charged the Rev. Dr. Juhana Pohjola, diocesan dean and bishop-elect of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland, with incitement against a group of people. The charges stem from his agreement with a 2004 booklet that articulates historic Christian teaching on human sexuality. In addition, the prosecutor general has similarly charged Dr. Päivi Räsänen, a Finnish member of Parliament who authored the booklet identifying homosexuality as a sin and teaching that a failure to recognize sin as sin undermines the very need for a Savior. Through a recent International Lutheran Council statement signed by 48 confessional Lutheran leaders worldwide, LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison addressed these events: “The actions of the Finnish State in prosecuting Christians for holding to the clear teaching of the very words of Jesus regarding marriage and sex (Matt. 19:4–6) are egregious. ... We Lutherans make this strong confession along with Drs. Pohjola and Räsänen.” Join us in praying for Christians throughout the world, that boldness of confession would lead all to Christ and Him crucified, as the church stands on the unchanging truth of God’s Word.   Read Statement

News (added 6/22/21)

Please visit the website below for more information:

https://valuethemboth.com/

"Together we can declare that Kansas values women and children. In January of 2021, allied legislators, along with coalition partners, successfully passed VALUE THEM BOTH through the Kansas legislature with huge supermajorities. This is an enormous win for life in Kansas but we’re not done yet.

Recent Court rulings have paved the way way for unlimited abortion, paid for with your tax dollars. You can reverse this course by voting for VALUE THEM BOTH in August of 2022. "

News (added 3/19/21)

Kansans for Life News

News (added 3/10/21)

Pastor Harrison on the Equality Act

News (added 3/9/21)

Updated COVID vaccine information 

News/Announcements: (added 3/1/21)

1. Equality Act Information from the Aliance Defending Freedom (linked here)

2. The Harms of the Equality Act (direct link - article below)

Call to Action - Equality Act (added 2/26/21)

Call to Action - Life News

Dear Brothers in Christ,

In late 2019, a campaign was launched in Kansas to “Reverse the Ruling,” with the goal of overturning the Kansas Supreme Court’s 2019 decision in Hodes & Nauser v. Schmidt. This decision, you might remember, made abortion a constitutional “right” in the state. The Value Them Both Amendment, produced as part of this effort, came before the Kansas Legislature in early 2020 but was narrowly defeated.

The Value Them Both Amendment has now been reintroduced in the Kansas Legislature, with high hopes of securing the votes needed to get the amendment before Kansas voters. As legislators contemplate their vote, we have a wonderful opportunity to get involved and advocate for the sanctity of life. I’ve written a letter of support for the amendment, and I’ll also be offering the opening prayer at the Rally for Life on January 21 in Topeka (provided the event proceeds as planned).

You and the members of your congregations can help, too. Please keep this effort in your prayers and consider contacting your local Senate and House representatives. The more people legislators hear from, the more persuasive the message becomes!

Following are three options for getting involved and making your voice heard: 

1) Call the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-432-3924. An operator will take a message and deliver it to elected officials.

2) Send an email message to your legislators and encourage others to do the same. (See the sample below, which can be copied and modified as needed.) Registered voters can locate their legislators by using the Open States System athttps://openstates.org/

 

You can also check the Senate and House rosters for contact information.

 

Sample email

Dear (Insert Legislator’s Name),

Thank you in advance for your support for the Value Them Both Amendment during the 2021 Legislative Session. Unlimited abortion hurts women and babies, and this amendment is the only way to stop this from happening in Kansas. You have taken a public stance in support of life in the past. I look forward to you supporting this commonsense amendment when it comes up for a vote in the legislature.

If you are not planning to support the amendment this coming year, please inform me as soon as possible.

Respectfully,

(Insert Your Name)

3) Contact legislators through the Value Them Both Amendment page on the Kansans for Life website. (See the gray “Will you help?” box for options.)

Brothers, thank you for your efforts in defense of life. Whatever the outcome of the Value Them Both Amendment, we can take comfort in the words of John 1:4: “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

In the service of Christ,

President Panzer