What have our Michigan District congregations and ministries been up to this winter? Below is a compilation of stories we gathered from social media and from submissions sent to us. Share your stories with the District via Story Bucket so we can celebrate God's work among us!
Milestones and Installations
On December 2, 2025, the Royal Oak City Hall posted the following on its Facebook page: Congratulations, St. Paul Lutheran Church - Royal Oak! You’ve been part of Royal Oak’s story since 1873—beginning as a small Lutheran orphanage and growing into one of the city’s longest-standing faith communities. Over the decades, this congregation has built, rebuilt, expanded, and educated generations of students. Today they’re celebrating 150+ years with a ribbon cutting with the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce, and unveiling a newly renovated office space and a beautiful new Welcome Center. Here’s to a congregation that has been rooted in Royal Oak since before cars, paved roads, or even electricity were common. Your past is remarkable, and your future is looking bright!
On Sunday, December 14, Rev. James Weber was thanked for his 10 years of faithful planning and leadership of the German worship services at St. Lorenz Lutheran Church. The service was made even more meaningful as members of Pastor Weber’s family assisted in reading the Scripture lessons. As a lasting expression of gratitude for Pastor Weber’s dedication and service, the congregation presented a 16-inch classroom globe, which Bärbel Stürmer, the German teacher at St. Lorenz School, will use in her classroom. This gift honors Pastor Weber’s passion for language, culture, and faith, and reflects the enduring impact of his ministry.
Also in December, the students at Trinity Lutheran School (Reese, Mich.) presented a Christmas Program titled “God’s Promises Fulfilled.” While a program is presented each year, this one had a special significance. It was written by current Trinity member and former Lutheran school teacher Elna Kempff, and first published in 1970 by Concordia Publishing House. More than 50 years later, the message has not changed or become irrelevant. God fulfills His promises!
Historic Trinity, Detroit is celebrating 175 years of ministry in 2026. Only eight pastors have led the ministry of Historic Trinity over 175 years, each standing on the shoulders of the ones who’d gone before. Although seven have departed to the Lord—which is far better—when we commune before the altar, we do so with the angels, archangels, and the company of heaven. So, it’s a little like this picture...
On February 15, Rev. Jakob Andrzejewski was installed as senior pastor of Faith, Grand Blanc.
On February 22, Rev. Jon Torreson was installed at St. John’s, Adrian.
New Members / Baptisms / Baptism Remembrance
St. Michael’s, Portage received 30 new members in December.
December 1 – As the Church began its New Year, Prince of Peace, Farmington Hills had a new beginning by means of a couple confirmations and new members joining the church.
On January 28, a student was baptized during chapel at Trinity Lutheran School in Jackson. The school posted: We had the special blessing of celebrating a baptism in our chapel service this morning. What a beautiful way to celebrate National Lutheran Schools Week!
On February 1, St. Peter Lutheran School, Eastpointe posted: We love celebrating baptisms! During chapel, our students received a baptismal blessing as we celebrated God’s promises and His love for each child.
School & Community
On December 13, students of Trinity Lutheran School in Berrien Springs sang at the Courthouse for Kindle your Christmas Spirit.
Peace Lutheran School (Saginaw) Poms performed at the MAPP Competition held at Heritage High School on Saturday, January 17, and earned a top score, securing first place.
West Michigan Lutheran High School students spent the week of December 10 giving back to their community through various service activities: cleaning at Grace Lutheran, working at a local food pantry, and reading the Christmas story to the area LCMS preschools and crafting
angels with them.
December 18 – “Thursday pre-finals pancakes at Lutheran Northwest were a big hit! A huge thank you to our special guest ‘flippers,’ Mr. Andrew Brazeal from Trinity Utica, Pastor Joel Haak from Saint John Lutheran Church & School in Fraser, and Pastor Josh Britton from Trinity, Utica—and to all the moms working hard behind the scenes each day keeping everyone fed. A delicious start to another day of finals!”
On January 12, the 5th grade class at St. Peter Lutheran School in Eastpointe enjoyed a video chat with their 5th grade pen pals from Zion Lutheran in Minnesota. They’ve been writing letters to one another since September and finally got to “meet” each other for the first time. What a fun and meaningful connection!
St. Peter, Eastpointe and St. John, Fraser have partnered to offer “Embrace Grace”—a group for single parents. They meet at St. John every 3rd Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Church & Community
Pastor Duerr and Don French built the manger for the Children’s Ministry Advent event, which took place on November 19 at Trinity, Monroe. The event welcomed Families with children ages 3-10 to enjoy Christmas cookies, a movie, and a craft.
Nearly 90 shoeboxes were sent from St. Paul’s, Centreville, to be distributed by Samaritan's Purse for benefit of children throughout the world. Members filled the distinctive boxes, each containing at least one toy, with clothing items, school supplies, games, and kid-appealing items
of myriad descriptions. The project was supported by Thrivent Financial through an Action Team.
On December 17, St. John’s, Adrian delivered 13 more beds for Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Monroe Chapter, in Lenawee County. These beds were built in November.
Christ Our King, Saline was recognized in a Facebook post from Saline Area Social Service for donating quilts: We received a beautiful donation of quilts from Christ Our King Lutheran Church. Thank you to everyone who spent so much time making these amazing quilts for our clients! What a wonderful treat for them!
On Saturday, January 10, St. Luke, Haslett youth helped prepare meals in the community kitchen—lots of hard work, and lots of joy! Many thanks to them for their help in this important ministry to our community!
On January 17, 15 junior high members of the Peace (Saginaw) Youth Group helped build 55 beds at Sleep in Heavenly Peace! The charity’s mission is for no child to sleep on the floor in our town (and across the nation)! What an amazing experience! They also had three moms, five dads (including Pastor Matt and three elders) and two grandpas join in volunteering.
In early February, a last-minute need became a powerful moment of generosity for members from Shepherd’s Gate, Shelby Twp. When House of Hope needed dinner for 30 and no one had signed up, some SG members stepped in without hesitation. They shared that the meal felt like a feast—and more than food, it was a reminder that the clients are seen and loved.
Serving with love and purpose – St. Peter, Eastpointe’s Stitch & Chat group has been hard at work making scarves, lap blankets, and teddy bear wraps for local groups, including FAN (Face Addiction Now) and Clearview Women’s Specialty.
On February 4, Shepherd’s Gate, Shelby Twp. prepared sack lunches and snacks for the mothers and children served by the Luke Clinic at Family of God, Detroit—and what started as a simple act of service became something truly
special: A grandmother joined the lunch-making alongside her grandchildren, giving them a hands-on opportunity to serve others in their own community. The kids loved helping, learning, and giving back so much that they’re already asking to do it again.
On February 13, Immanuel, Macomb hosted its third annual Tim Tebow Foundation Night to Shine event—a prom celebration for people with special needs. See article here.
On February 23, University Lutheran Chapel, Ann Arbor’s International Student Connect ministry hosted a Chinese New Year Party for students. They had a full house! Deaconess Norma Polk and many volunteers turned the community room into a welcoming space and helped with the ingredients for delicious dumplings.
Also on February 23, two members from Christ Our King, Saline dropped off boxes of food to the Monroe County Opportunity Program offices. The meals were packed the previous Saturday at their Kids Coalition Against Hunger event. These boxes were designated for the Lord's Harvest Food Pantry in Monroe. Thanks to those in Saline and surrounding communities for your time and efforts for this wonderful cause.
Partnerships
Valley Lutheran High School and Frankenmuth Credit Union hosted a Reality Fair—a simulated month of real-life expenses and income, where students must make decisions about housing, transportation, leisure, and everyday needs. Valley Seniors, along with upper grade students from Bethlehem Lutheran Church, School, and Preschool (Saginaw), St. Peter Lutheran (Hemlock), and Peace Lutheran Ministries (Saginaw), participated in this engaging and educational experience, tackling firsthand the decisions that are a part of everyday budgeting and finances. The thoughtful questions and follow-up conversations in our classrooms after the event are just one evidence of this great experience. Financial literacy. One more way that we are “Preparing students for life, with Christ as our foundation.”
St. Paul, Colon got new windows thanks to the Keeper of The House grant from the Michigan District of the LCMS. They posted: Thanks to all the people who worked to put the windows in, clean up the mess, and apply for the grant.
News from Ministries Supported by the District
In December, Camp Restore Detroit partnered with Mt. Calvary, Detroit to provide a Christmas celebration for the community. Children and families could see decorations, touch and play with wood Nativity scenes, hear the story of the birth of Christ, and experience the wonderful love of Christ through shopping Mt. Calvary’s Family Closet, stockings and parent gifts from Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Gifts for All God’s Children gifts, gifts and decorations sent by Camp Restore friends and family, and all of the love and help from Camp Restore community members.
One young boy enjoyed picking out gifts from the Family Closet for his family members. Tears sparkled in the corners of volunteers’ eyes as we watched this dear child prepare for his second Christmas since his mother went to Heaven on Christmas Eve. In that moment, the Family Closet wasn't just a room full of donated goods; it was a workshop of grace where a son could honor his mother’s memory by caring deeply for those she left behind and volunteers could be the very hands and feet of God caring for this young man as he carried out his mission.
Gifts for All God’s Children (GFAGC) - Thanks to the incredible generosity of 100 Women Who Care - Greater Rochester Area and Rochester Christian Church, Gifts For All God’s Children now has a van to support their year-round work. This means more capacity to pick up donations, deliver gifts, and show up for families—not just at Christmas, but whenever the need arises. Two partners. One shared vision. And a whole lot more road ahead.
Peace, Shelby Twp. Brought a busload of donations for GFAGC in December: This Christmas, they loaded up their bus and delivered donations straight to our door—a reminder that partnership often looks like showing up, however you can.
On December 7, Franklin Ave Mission posted: A heartfelt thank you to LWML - Michigan District Lutheran Women's Missionary League for your generous support and faithful partnership. We were able to transport Thanksgiving meals from a community event back to the mission because we had a working van! Thank you for caring for Flint's East Side!
On December 10, MOST Ministries published its 2025 stats, which include:
- 250 water filters distributed in Mexico
- 397 medical clinic patients in Guatemala
- 269 VBS attendees in Panama
- 10,950 eyeglasses distributed in 12 countries
- 8,862 lives impacted
December 15 – God blessed the Franklin Ave Mission today when our friend Karri Kuzma, Kyle Kuzma Family Foundation's Executive Director, stopped by for a "small surprise!" (a check for $25,000). God is so faithful to our work on Flint's East Side and this check, and the Foundation's coat donations, are tangible examples of His blessings. Thank you
for feeding and clothing the homeless and underserved and the residents of Mercy House.
Franklin Ave Mission serves 100-120 hot meals monthly at the Diner. It also offers nutritional fruit smoothies and provides vital items such as warm blankets and clothing through their clothes closet. They provide medical care through the Franklin Ave Medical Clinic, support for young moms with kids through the long-term transitional housing ministry at Mercy House, and the ROCK (in-house kids’ programs), and Taking Jesus to the Streets where every summer they bring their VBS-style program to the community. They also have a client’s choice market at the Franklin Avenue Market, where they offer groceries and personal needs items. They currently serve 60 families monthly.
On Thursday, December 18, at the Mobile Food Pantry in Benton Harbor, approximately 4400lbs. of food were distributed to 98 households. These consisted of 306 individuals, 122 children, 60 Seniors, and 18 veterans.
On Tuesday, December 23, at the Benton Harbor Soup Kitchen, faithful volunteers prepared 150 lunches, consisting of ham and cheese sandwiches, chips, applesauce, apple juice, and cookies. On January 27 they prepared 120 lunches.
On January 18, Elli’s House was in the news upon receiving a donation of over $7,000 from the Elks National Foundation in Michigan to support the ministry.
On January 22, The Luke Clinic saw 49 patients, performed 9 ultrasounds, and delivered 37 free prescription medications. The clinic opens twice a month on the premises of Family of God, Detroit. On December 23, the last clinic day of 2025, the staff added a little holiday fun to the day. In addition to their usual medical appointments, patients and their families enjoyed delicious snacks, shopping and gift making in Santa’s workshop, family pictures, cookie decorating, and a special visit from Santa Claus.
Don't see your congregation or school featured? Drop your story and photo in our Story Bucket!
Photos provided by the respective congregations and ministries.
