The Rocky Mountain District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Affirms God’s Gift of Life.
A Message from Rev. Eli Lietzau
Greetings in the name of Jesus, the Author of Creation and the Lord of Life!
Life is a gift, a gift given by God. It, along with everything else in all of creation, has not been earned or credited to us through any worth or merit of our own. As the catechism teaches us: “I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still takes care of them. … He defends me against all danger and guards and protects me from all evil. All this He does only out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me. For all this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him.”
Living in a fallen world in fallen flesh where sin corrupts, shame covers, and death destroys, the Church is in a unique position to proclaim the gift of life and salvation in Christ and Christ alone. It is given to us to help and support our neighbor in every physical need. This wonderful responsibility is no more apparent than when we are called to speak for and defend the life and well-being of the least of these among us; to those too young to speak for themselves, too sick to lift their voice, too weak to be deemed worthy of care and respect and love.
Our Gospel witness about the love of God in Christ for a broken world, for a broken Church, for broken sinners, includes proclaiming these truths in regard to the things of life. Death is and always will be an enemy (I Cor. 15:26). It should never be championed as a choice, a loving option, or a respectful alternative. The Church proclaims the truth of Christ into the darkness of a sin-filled world that has been deceived to embrace death and shun life. The Church is called to speak forgiveness over sin, life over death, mercy over condemnation. She is a beacon of light on a hill so that the light of Christ might be seen and so that His Word might be heard.
The LCMS has designated District Life Coordinators in order to support congregations and schools as they proclaim the Gospel of Christ crucified to the life issues of today. They serve as a resource to professional church workers and lay leaders to assist them in developing life-affirming outreach and ministry that is specific to the situation and needs of each congregation.
It is an honor to serve the Rocky Mountain District as her Life Coordinator. Throughout my ten years in the ministry I have had the privilege to march for the sanctity of life in New Mexico, Colorado, and Washington DC. I have spoken in the Roundhouse of New Mexico’s legislative body for the sanctity of life and the protection of the unborn and the infirm. I look forward to serving you and your congregations in any way that is helpful and needed in regard to our Lord’s gift of life.
In Christ,
Rev. Eli Lietzau
A Message from Deaconess Sara Smith
District Life Coordinator, Rocky Mountain District, LCMS
As we receive the mercy of Christ, we share that mercy with each other and with our community. Our mercy care goes out in the name of Christ. We love and care for our vulnerable neighbors, the unborn, the weak, the elderly. We seek to defend those who cannot defend themselves, affirming their lives. We recognize the worth of babies in the womb, of our elderly, and all those who are vulnerable to life-destroying decisions.
As the catechism teaches us: “I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still takes care of them. … He defends me against all danger and guards and protects me from all evil. All this He does only out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me. For all this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him.”
Those who have made or are considering life-destroying decisions are broken. We serve them with compassion and Biblical direction. They need Christ, His mercy and forgiveness. We proclaim Christ. Where we see the hurting, suffering, and brokenness, we proclaim Christ. Our neighbors see and hear the mercy of Christ in what we say and do.
We are called to action. We must love “in deed and in truth.”
“By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. (1 John 3:16-18)”
The District Life Coordinator supports our churches and schools in speaking for life, proclaiming the Gospel and bringing Christ to those who are suffering and to those who are experiencing the life issues of today. The DLC serves to provide resources that can assist in developing life-affirming outreach and ministry.
I am blessed to have the honor of serving the Rocky Mountain District.
In Christ,
Deaconess Sara Smith
Please contact DistrictLifeCoordinator@gmail.com
Click HERE to see the latest monthly newsletter
The monthly newsletter serves to support the Rocky Mountain District in the ministry of defending those who cannot defend themselves and proclaiming the Gospel of Christ to those struggling with life-related issues.
Comments and suggestions are always welcomed and appreciated.
Deaconess Sara Smith,
Rocky Mountain District Life Coordinator
Taking Action
See pictures from Recent Marches
New Mexico
Lutherans for Life
Would you be interested in becoming an active participant with Lutherans for Life? Click here for a brief introduction of this group and contact information to express your interest in involvement.
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