A little boy named Alex was in the airport waiting with his father for their flight. The flight was delayed and little Alex grew restless. While his father was reading a book little Alex left his seat and began to wander around the airport. When his father saw that Alex had wandered off, he began to panic. He started searching everywhere for the little boy. What concerned him the most was that little Alex was lost but didn't know it. He was wandering aimlessly in the airport not understanding where he was or the potential danger he was in. Worse, the airport was very large and he had no knowledge of how to get back to where his dad was sitting. The father then heard over the loud speaker, "Would the father of little Alex please come to the duty free shop here in terminal A." Alex's father raced to that shop and finding his lost son, scooped him up in his arms. Little Alex said to his dad, "Daddy, the lady in the store asked me if I was lost. I told her that I knew where I was. I just didn't know where you were."

Alex's words might offer an apt description of being spiritually lost. We think we know where we are, but we don't know where God is. Like Alex, we could be lost and not know it. Jesus' stories of the sheep, coin, and son focus on something or someone being lost, the diligence of the owner searching for his lost possession, and the exuberant joy when the lost item is found. Our attention in the story of the lost son is always drawn to the prodigal, to the one who asked for his share of the inheritance and then left the family high and dry while he squandered the family assets in riotous living. What's interesting is that while the boy left and was lost for a season, his knowledge of His father and what or who is father was brought him home. He knew where his father was.

The older son, on the other hand did not know where his father was at all. That is, he did not understand what made his father tick, what brought him joy or what brought him pain. Thus, the older brother was the one who was really lost even though he never left home. I have to ask the question after reading Jesus' story, "Am I lost?" or "Are we lost?" We could be very faithful Christian people, and like the older brother, serving our Father night and day and asking very little for ourselves in return. But also like the older brother we may not fully understand where our Father is. What makes Him tick? And without knowing that, we might be lost. We would be as lost as the religious leaders to whom Jesus told this story. They had been grumbling about the fact that Jesus welcomed bad people, sinners, and ate with them. He was deliberately building relationships with people with whom the church does not build relationships, nor, in their minds, should. Their attitude toward those "lost souls" indicated that they were the real lost ones. They were confidently going 70 miles an hour down the wrong road.

They were lost because they did not understand who their Heavenly father was, nor who they were as His sons, nor what (or who) belonged to them as members of His immediate family. The older son in the field was lost because he did not know how important his own brother was to his father and to himself. He was lost because he did not understand or appreciate his father's love for his brother. He was lost because he did not understand or appreciate his father's love for himself.

So, the father went looking for him, just as the shepherd and the housewife did in the other two stories about lost things. Finding his son in the field, he opened his heart to him: Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. His father tried to tell him that he was an essential part of the family. He owned everything that his father owned and that included his brother. His brother was their most treasured possession. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found. In short, "Rejoice son, what belongs to you?your brother, your most cherished possession?has been found. Is there anything more exciting?" The story ends with this last word from the father. How do you think the older son responded? How might we answer Him if he asked us that question?

In Christ's Name,
Bob Newton

Now that I have had time to reflect on our conversion, below is an answer for those churches who are currently growing in their walk with the Lord, who may think they need no further encouragement, (especially from outside their congregation). However, isn't there always room to grow? Think of this:

TOP TEN BENEFITS TO HAVE A CLA REPPRESENTATIVE, OR TWO. . .

(1)Educate and (2) motivate a congregation's growth in deeper faith and in understanding the Biblical teachings about how the Christian Life is lived.

(3) Engage fellow members in their Christian stewardship of life.

(4) Encourage lay leaders who have a strong desire to bring the kingdom of God to people both personally and as a part of a congregation by reaching out into the community with the Gospel.

(5) Disseminate information and (6) communicate with pastoral staff, church leaders, church committees, and lay individuals information received from resources provided.

Attend sessions designed to (7) train and (8) equip lay leaders in spiritual growth as well as be a member of a support network of like Christians.

(9) Initiate and (10) implement ideas from resources provided by the Christian Life Ambassador network and approved by church leadership.

We encourage you to send representatives to the Christian Life Ambassador orientation being held at the District Ministry Center on March 31st. Please email Chris Fenske, or phone 925-245-4012 to register or obtain further information. (Please register by March 26, 2007.)

The work has a great potential. The goal is to enroll an additional 5000 students in five years, and there is evidence they will succeed. Partly this large objective can be reached is due to a daily radio program 15 minutes in length, which includes songs and a message. Records are kept of the responses and it is effective in pointing people to the correspondence and degree programs.

One of the highlights of the visit was participating in evangelistic crusades that were held on a Friday night, twice on Saturday, and twice on Sunday. The estimated crowds were as follows:

Friday Evening: 5,000
Saturday Morning: 6,000
Saturday Evening: 6-7,000
Sunday Morning: 8-9,000
Sunday Evening: 9-10,000

To use the word "amazing" is an understatement. All events lasted from 4 to 6 ˝ hours. An exact count of the people who responded to the Gospel and desired to become Christians is not yet available, but the estimate is between 200 and 250. Perhaps of equal importance is the encouragement given the local Christians to be bold in witness. Rev. Fantaye is one of the most recognized evangelists in the nation.

As the article suggests, a careful examination of pages 501-505 in the LSB Altar Book will prove very helpful in planning for these observances on April 1 of this year. Also note that services for Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Vigil of Easter are also included in the Altar Book and that extensive notes are provided for each of these services.

Due to a vendor's error, Grace - Hayward, CA, has available an exterior sign. This is a brand new sign which includes the exterior frame, lighting and mounting kit. All that is needed is for you to provide the header and lettering.

If you are interested, and would like more information, please contact Konrad Larsen at 510-581-7413.

Presenter: Rev. Timothy Robert Puls, Dean of Students at CTS Ft. Wayne, IN.

When: June 4 - 7, 2007 Location: Grace Lutheran Church, Bishop, CA (located in the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains)

Cost: $150.00 (click here to register)

Recreation: Trout waters are plentiful, with semi-professional pastoral fishing guides.

For detailed information regarding class content and for local accomodations, please call Pat at 760-872- 9791.

2007 National Youth Gathering still an option for "new" congregations - At the time of this press release, 285 LCMS congregations that were not part of the 2004 event have made plans to attend CHOSEN. Due to an unprecedented number of "new" congregations registering, the Gathering is extending the "regular registration" rate of $235 for new congregations still interested in registering for the event. New congregations can register entire groups at this rate until June 1, 2007. Congregations interested in sending a group to the National Gathering should call the Gathering registration office at 800.248.1930 x.1158 and visit the Gathering website.

Looking for an appropriate Easter gift? Why not celebrate the Resurrection and the Life with a gift of the Life Catechism? Looking for an appropriate Easter gift? Why not celebrate the Resurrection and the Life with a gift of the Life Catechism? A Small Catechism on Human Life is available through CPH's easy online ordering. The catechism is available in a hardcover adult edition and a softcover youth edition (in a 10-pack), designed for placing inside Luther's Small Catechism.

Lay Bible Institute Available on ITunes U - Several new audio/video files based on Concordia Seminary's 2007 Winter Lay Bible Institute are available for download, free of charge, on "Concordia Seminary on iTunes U." The topic, "The Lord of Creation," is presented by Prof. Thomas Egger, assistant professor of exegetical theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. The series examines the Bible's teachings about God as the maker of heaven and earth in contrast with human theories of the origin of life and the universe. It also explores what Scripture says concerning issues such as God's involvement with His creation, the existence of miracles and the importance of the work of God the Creator. Click here to access "Concordia Seminary on iTunes U" .

Open Arms Conference Coming, April 26-28 - "Connecting With Your Community Through Childcare" will be the focus of an Open Arms conference to be held in Glenview, Ill., April 26-28. Hosted by Immanuel Lutheran Church, the conference will explore how childcare ministry can enable a congregation to touch many more families with God's love. Visit their web site for registration forms and additonal conference information.

63RD LCMS Convention meets in July - The 63rd Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod is set for July 14-19 in Houston's George R. Brown Convention Center with the theme "One Message: Christ." That theme, part of the Synod's three-point vision statement of
"One Mission, One Message, One People," has the sub-theme: "His Love is Here for You," based on 1 John 4:9-11. The Synod convention is "the principle legislative assembly" of the 2.4- million-member church body, according to LCMS Bylaw 3.1.1, which states that its activities include "worship, nurture, inspiration, fellowship, and the communication of vital information." Elections and action on scores of resolutions are its main items of business. The upcoming convention's opening Communion service is set for Saturday, July 14, with Synod President Gerald B. Kieschnick preaching. Worship on Sunday will follow the "Service of Prayer and Preaching" from the Synod's new Lutheran Service Book. To read the entire article by Joe Isenhower Jr., click here.

Lenten Devotionals Offered by Fort Wayne and St. Louis Seminarians - In a joint effort seminarians from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN, and Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO, have prepared a 2007 Lenten Devotional booklet. "This year instead of having an overarching theme we have decided to use various lessons from the lectionaries of the church, from both the one-year and three-year series," commented Dustin L. Anderson, fourth-year seminarian and Spiritual Life and Growth Chair for the CTS Student Association. "This allowed the authors to work within the framework of the church calendar as it guides us ultimately to Calvary and the Empty Tomb. May Christ's real and abiding presence be with you all as you meditate on God's Holy Word." The devotions may be accessed and downloaded by going to the Ft. Wayne web site, select "chapel" - then select "Lent Devotions". devotions run Ash Wednesday through Easter Sunday and were written by 47 students from the Fort Wayne and St. Louis seminaries.

Many people tell me that God has truly blessed their children and they feel that this has freed them up to make more of a gift to ministry. I believe that the earthly way of distributing assets is to give them all to your children, but we as Christians have a higher calling than this earthly life. We are called to be examples to this world and show others what a difference God has made in our lives. We have that opportunity when we are alive and again when we are called to be with our Heavenly Father.

It is my privilege to assist congregations and individuals with that process through a Lifetime Plan For Giving. This process takes information and puts it into picture form and involves other planners so that family is taken care of and God is honored. Please contact me and we can begin this spiritual and confidential plan.

Email Brian K. Hyde, Planned Giving Counselor-LCMS Foundation Ca-Nv-Hi District, or phone the Ministry center at 925-245-4000, Ext. 4016.

Typically during construction, payments on the loan are interest-only on the drawn balance, due and payable monthly. The primary question which needs to be addressed is will that amount be included in the church's operating budget or the construction budget? There are two ways of looking at the answer to this question. On one hand, including it in the operating budget gradually lets the congregation get used to the eventual impact of the mortgage payment on the budget. While the amortized payment on the full loan once converted will be higher, it still is an effective way of assimilating the cost of the whole loan into the budget.

On the other side, if the interest expense is a line item in the construction budget, the impact of construction delays is much clearer. While it is simple enough to extend the construction maturity on a loan, the financial impact of that decision is often overlooked. For each month the construction loan is extended, that is an additional month's worth of interest expense paid on the project that wasn't budgeted. On larger projects, the sum is not immaterial. On a balance of $1,000,000 at 6.25%, that's approximately $5,200. If you have a six month delay in converting the loan to a permanent loan, that is over $31,000 in interest expense, $31,000 that is not available for ministry or to pay for other items in the construction budget.

In the end, the Building Committee and the congregation need to make the decision that makes the most sense for them, but in either case, need to be fully aware of the impact of construction delays on all costs of the project.

For more information, email or phone us at 866-452-6739 or

To CNH Pastors from Pastor Lon Haack: On Tuesday of Holy Week, our Labyrinth Walk will be incorporating a special walk for PEACE IN OUR TIME and we are inviting pastors and congregations to share the names of those serving in the millitary with us so we may include them in our payer walk for peace. Click here to download response form.

Golden Gate Pastors' Conference - April 17 - 19, 2007: Important Dates:
March 17 - This date is the deadline for hotel reservation. The motel agrees to set aside 100 rooms at the specified price. After this date, the rooms are no longer set aside and all reservations will be at a first come / first serve availability.
March 31 - This is the registration for the conference with David Rose (Treasurer). After this day a late fee will be added to the registration fee. Click here for complete registration packet. Conference registration begins at noon on Tuesday, 4/17. Conference concludes by noon on Thursday, 4/19.

Learn how to help your congregation grow deeper in faith and in understanding the Biblical teachings about how the Christian life is lived. Share these Biblical teachings with your congregation. Come to the Christian Life Ambassador orientation on Saturday, March 31st. Additional information can be found online at the CNH Website. Registration can also be done on line.

Peninsula Asian Mission Society Celebration Invitation - April 29, 2007, Trinity, Burlingame, CA, 4:30 pm. A celebration of thanksgiving and praise to God who has provided people and a Missionary to this Mission Society.

Beyond Your Four Walls with Lori Aadsen - For Early Childhood Directors & their Pastor - March 20, 2007:
When: March 20, 2007
Time: 10:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.
Where: CNH Ministry Center, 2772 Constitution Dr., Livermore, CA 94551
Cost: $20.00 per person
RSVP: by March 13 to Shelly Alba, phone: 866-264-6079. Click here for Flyer and Registration Form

Sunday School BASICS Workshop -
The CNH District is hosting a Sunday School BASICS training workshop and you're invited! You don't have to be an experienced teacher to attend. Everyone is welcome!
Saturday, May 5, 2007
9:00 A.M. - 12:00 Noon
CNH District Office
For registration, email Shelly Alba at CNH Ministry Center, or phone 925-245-4000.

2nd Annual California Core Knowledge Conference: - Save the date for this conference - June 20, 2007. Sponsored by Rocklin Academy, Rocklin ,CA.

The CNH District office staff has a practice of remembering in prayer the congregations and ministries of our district during devotions on Tuesdays. This week the staff is praying over these churches, and we invite you to remember them in prayer also:

Faith, Seaside, CA; Mt. Calvary, Soquel, CA; Trinity, Watsonville, CA.

Calls:

Rev. David Moore, St. Michael, Ft Wayne, IN, has been extended a call by Trinity, Walnut Creek, CA, as pastor.

People Concerns:

Vi Mireles, wife of Rev. B.R. Mireles, pastor emeritus, Sacramento CA, has been hospitalized and is facing serious surgery.

• Early Childhood Directors & Pastors, Beyond Your Four Walls with Lori Aadsen, March 20, 10:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M., Ministry Center, Livermore, CA
• 3rd Annual MAC Conference - March 23rd & 24th, Ministry Center, Livermore, CA
• Missionary Round Table Meeting, March 28 - 29, noon to noon, Ministry Center, Livermore, CA
• 2007 In Service - March 26, 8:30 A.M. - 3:00 P.M., St. Paul, Tracy, CA
• Christian Life Ambassador Orientation, March 31, 8:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., Ministry Center, Livermore, CA
• Pastoral Conference, April 17 - 19, 2007, The Radisson, Santa Maria, CA.
• Interim Ministry Workshop, April 25, 9:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M., Ministry Center, Livermore, CA
• Sunday School BASICS Workshop, May 5, 9:00 A.M. - Noon, Ministry Center, Livermore, CA
• Synodical Convention Orientation Meeting, May 12, 1:00 P.M., Grace, Visalia, CA
• Synodical Convention Orientation Meeting, June 2, 10:00 A.M., First, Placerville, CA
• Synodical Convention Orientation Meeting, June 3, 2:00 P.M., St. John, Napa, CA
• Synodical Convention Orientation Meeting, June 9, 10:00 A.M.., First Immanuel, San Jose, CA
• Board of Directors, June 16, 9:00 A.M., Ministry Center, Livermore, CA
• Fall Pastoral Conference, October 9 - 11, 2007, Lions Gate Hotel, Sacramento, CA