Advent greetings from the CNH District staff! Each Wednesday during Advent, we will post a short devotion to you, written by one of our staff members. We pray that these reflections help you prepare for the coming of our newborn King! For additional Advent resources, please read Advent Reflections: Rest, Peace, Love, Joy and Hope from Jennifer Ferguson. Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.  For BEHOLD , darkness shall cover the

The mission of the Church continues to unfold across the globe, carried forward by faithful workers who bring the Gospel to people in every corner of God’s creation. The CNH District is blessed to be connected with several LCMS missionaries serving in a variety of contexts worldwide. Alongside these long-term workers, new opportunities continue to open for both laypeople and pastors interested in serving—whether for a few weeks or for many years. Below is an overview of some

Across the CNH District, the year was shaped by a shared theme of connection—between congregations, schools, leaders, and communities—as God’s people gathered, were sent, and served together. Mission was lived out through presence, compassion, and creativity, as ministries sought to meet real needs, build trust, and form authentic relationships that reflect Christ’s love across cultures and generations. Leadership and calling were central throughout the year. Ordinations, ins

Bay Area Lutheran Young Adults, known as BALYA, began several years ago with a simple but meaningful vision: to help young adult Lutherans in the Bay Area find one another and grow together in faith and community. What started as a joint effort between First Immanuel Lutheran Church in San Jose and Lutheran Church of Our Savior in Cupertino was shaped by the leadership and collaboration of Pastor John Bestul, Pastor Isaac Schuller ( now a pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, Bren

SAVE THE DATE Reimagine Your Future Summit Led by Bill Woolsey from FiveTwo Network February 28, 2026, 9am - 3pm St. Paul's Lutheran Church 1635 Chester Dr. Tracy, CA 95376 Join us for a free 6-hour gathering that equips church teams to discover their current reality and thrive for generations to come. The Summit is designed for you to work with your staff  and lay leaders  to Reimagine the Future of your congregation, especially in our rapidly changing culture.

Installations of new pastors are a time of great hope for congregations as they begin a new chapter of ministry. We thank God for all of the pastors who have accepted calls in the CNH District. Here is a snapshot of some of the installations in 2025:  David Ficken was installed January 12th at St. Philip Lutheran Church in Dublin, CA. He and his wife Kristen have three adult children: Rebekah, Tigist, and Abush. Pastor Dann Ettner, following Pastor John Whaley, served a long