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.

Pastor Uma’s journey continues. In this second chapter of his story, we follow the remarkable path from the island of Sri Lanka to the island of O‘ahu — and into God’s unfolding call. Pastor Uma shares how faith, perseverance, and the global Church shaped his journey, and how God called him to serve as pastor at Messiah Lutheran Church in Ewa Beach. It’s a powerful story of migration, mission, and what it looks like when the Gospel takes root across cultures, oceans, and comm

2025 marked our 73rd District Convention, held this year in Sacramento.  The Convention included the re-elections of District President Michael Lange and Rev. Mitchell Gowen (Our Savior, Aiea, HI) as First Vice President, along with the rest of the board and resolutions. Cindy Steinbeck also shared thoughtful video reflections, offering encouragement and insight into our collective journey of faith and service. Prior to the Convention, a welcome dinner and worship service was

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His steadfast love endures forever!" Our Savior Lutheran Ministries, Livermore, CA , held Thanksgiving Eve worship on Wednesday evening, November 26. After worship, a pie social was held, which was a great time for fellowship and eating some yummy pies! Thank You, God, for all our blessings! Zion, Oakland/Piedmont , has gathered food for years and partners with City Team Oakland for many projects with them as well as other organiz

The Mission Table , where we pull up a chair with everyday leaders doing extraordinary things for the sake of the Gospel. Today’s story is one that spans continents, cultures, and the unmistakable fingerprints of God’s grace. We’re joined by Pastor Uma, the newly installed pastor at Messiah Lutheran Church in Ewa Beach, Hawai‘i. His journey is nothing short of remarkable—born and raised in Sri Lanka in a Hindu family, shaped by years spent as a refugee in Liberia, and ultimat

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Tracy, California, continues to find joyful and creative ways to connect with, serve, and bless the community. One of those events is the “Everything Free Sale,” an outreach event where every item is truly free. This fall marked the church’s fifth Free Sale, and the excitement and generosity surrounding it were as strong as ever. Donations and setup took place on Thursday and Friday, with the big event happening on Saturday, October 11. Members o

Mercy Holistic Ministry's Annual Dinner and Auction was a time of fellowship and telling the story of this vital ministry in the CNH District. Mercy Holistic Ministry (MHM) is a Sacramento-based non-profit organization, established in 2010 with a mission to provide dignified holistic services to restore and transform the lives of the homeless community. MHM provides mobile hot showers, personal hygiene kits, haircuts, clean clothing, and food to people experiencing homelessn

About a year and a half ago, Pizza with the Pastor was launched as a simple, welcoming gathering for connection and community by Pastor Gary Gerloff at St. Mark, Santa Rosa. The group currently meets in a church conference room on the first Friday of each month. The invitation is straightforward: “If you like pizza and want to hang out with the pastor, come to church this Friday at 6 p.m.” Typically, around 20 people attend, sharing pizza, salads, and desserts. Beyond being a

This year, Holy Cross, Los Gatos, put a fresh spin on a church tradition. For decades, the congregation has gathered for its Anniversary...

In July, Our Savior Lutheran Ministries in Livermore partnered with the Livermore Homeless Refuge to host a successful “needs drive.” The...

Two words that define not just our heritage, but our identity and purpose as the CNH District: Concordia  and Synod . What do these two...

What happens when two congregations take a bold step toward becoming one church with one mission? In this episode of The Mission Table,...

In this episode of The Mission Table, host Paul Ferguson, Jr. sits down with Aaron Putnam of LINC Bay Area and Pastor Dawit Bokre of Good...

Rev. Dr. Stephen Oliver recently transferred to the CNH District in a return home of sorts. Keep reading to learn more about Oliver's...

One day after graduating from Chico State University with a Bachelor's degree in Public Health, Lotanna Onwuazombe was confirmed in the...

Join us for an inspiring episode as we welcome Solomon, a fourth-generation Lutheran Christian whose family story began with Lutheran...