Happy Birthday, Lutheran Church in Liberia!

On Wednesday, April 28, 2010, the Lutheran Church in Liberia—a companion church of the Upper Susquehanna Synod—will celebrate its Founder’s Day marking one hundred and fifty years since its birth.  In February, 2010, all USS congregations received a bright yellow, oversized, personalized birthday card, addressed from their congregation to the LCL.  Congregation members are asked to sign their card, include a photo and a description of the congregation, and return it to the synod office by Monday, April 12.  All such birthday cards will be carried by Bishop Driesen to present to the LCL when he arrives in Liberia later in April.

A one-page bulletin insert has also been prepared for congregational use on Sunday, April 25, noting the special anniversary of our Liberian brothers and sisters.  The left side of the insert provides general information about the LCL church and anniversary.  The right side provides prayer petitions for “Prayers of the Church” or for personal use.  If you’re unable to use the insert on April 25, consider its similar use on the following Sunday.  Click here to download the insert.

Worship and/or Education Ideas

The theme of the LCL’s Founder’s Day celebration is “This Far By Faith”, based on 2 Corinthians 5:7, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”  Given the Liberian people’s tumultuous recent history, this verse describes well their faith-filled journey in uncertain times.  You might use this verse to introduce a Sunday School class about the Lutheran Church in Liberia.  To learn more about the LCL, its mission history, arts and crafts, recipes, and maps, go to www.elca.org/liberia.

The theme song for the LCL’s Founder’s Day celebration is #633 in Evangelical Worship, “We’ve Come This Far by Faith”.  Consider asking the choir to perform this hymn on April 25, teaching it to your Sunday school, or learning it together as a congregation in worship.