-
A La Republica Dominicana
The Fritsche Family
Partners in the Gospel The apostle Paul rejoiced over his
partnership in the Gospel with the Philippians. They supported him
first of all by receiving the Gospel themselves, then with their
prayers and offerings as he continued preaching Christ and Him
crucified to the Gentiles.
The word St. Paul uses in Philippians 1:5 that the ESV
translates as partnership is the Greek word koinonia. Often this
word means fellowship. Its also one of the words in our Synods
three-fold emphasisWitness, Mercy and LIFE TOGETHER (koinonia).
We are bound together in Jesus Christ by virtue of our baptism.
At His Table we have koinonia as we participate or share in the
body and blood of Christ for forgiveness, life and salvation. In
our koinonia we suffer together, we rejoice together. We labor
together in the Gospel.
Through koinonia, through partnerships, the Lord is taking the
Gospel to the ends of the earth. We rejoice in our partnership with
you! It is through such koinonia that the Lord has blessed the work
in the Dominican Republic for nearly a decade. We pray, through
further partnerships, His blessing will continue.
S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 4
Philippians 1:3-5 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,
always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with
joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day
until now.
Doy gracias a mi Dios cada vez que me acuerdo de ustedes. En
todas mis oraciones siempre ruego con gozo por todos ustedes, por
su comunin en el evangelio, desde el primer da hasta ahora.
Serving the Lord in the Dominican Republic
Fun Facts about the DR The Dominican Republic is known as
the bread basket of the Caribbean because it grows, farms and
catches almost everything that's served for
breakfast, lunch and dinner. To subscribe to our newsletter or
schedule a mission presentation,
send Joel an email at [email protected]. Check out our
blog at destinationdominican.wordpress.com.
-
2
FRITSCHE FAMILY NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2014
Wyoming Support Trip
Cheyenne Our first long-distance mission support trip took us to
the Wild West of Wyoming. Joels first call was to Our Savior
Lutheran in Cheyenne. Pastors Scheer and Baikie and the saints of
OSL extended a gracious invitation to us. Joel preached for
services and we gave our presentation to the Bible class. It was
wonderful to be among old friends and be welcomed with such joy.
Rev. Paul Shupe (left) was visiting that Sunday. Paul is a son of
the congregation, now serving as a pastor in Montana.
Torrington Joel served his vicarage at Our Savior Lutheran in
Torrington, Wyoming back in 1998-99. Pastor Scott Firminhac, an old
friend of Joels, now serves at OSL. His wife, Courtney, was a
classmate of Joels at Concordia Nebraska. We were privileged to
present to about 40 people gathered on a Tuesday evening. Joel was
vicar #14 in a long line of vicars at Our Savior. Even after 15
years the bond of fellowship is still going strong. Thanks to the
folks of OSL for such support!
Sheridan Joels friends and classmate, Rev. Paul Cain, is the
pastor at Immanuel Lutheran in Sheridan. Pastor Cain and his wife
Ann were wonderful hosts as we visited Immanuel for a Wednesday
mid-week mission festival. Joel was privileged to lead the
congregation for Evening Prayer. Pastor Cain accompanied with his
guitar. Joel preached on Ephesians 2:1-10. After the service Pastor
Cain gave Joel the green cope he is wearing in the picture. Thanks,
Pastor Cain!
Can we visit your church? On our way home we stopped at Mt.
Rushmore. Its nice to have some family fun along the way. But by
far the most fun we had was sharing the excitement of LCMS missions
in the Dominican Republic with so many wonderful people. Can we
come to your congregation and tell the story? Joel would love to
preach for a mission Sunday and give a presentation during Bible
class. Wed also love to present to small groups throughout the
week. Contact Joel to set something up!
-
3
FRITSCHE FAMILY NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2014
The Last Few Weeks in Pictures
An important part of our LIFE TOGETHER is the joy that we have
in one another through Christ. Our travels have taken us to Wyoming
and to a number of congregations and schools nearby. Weve been both
wired and tired. Weve had visits with fellow missionary families as
well as other co-workers present and past. Weve worshiped. Weve
studied. Weve eaten. Weve sung. Weve laughed. Weve cried. Thank you
for all of the partnerships we have in the Gospel of Jesus
Christ!
-
4
FRITSCHE FAMILY NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2014
Together in Mission (TIM)
2
Could your congregation partner with us through TIM? Would you
consider bringing this possibility to your pastor or church
council? Perhaps there are 20 families or individuals in your
congregation who would commit to a regular gift. The TIM program is
wonderful because it personally connects the missionary with the
congregation. The missionary knows that he or she is prayed for
regularly and has solid financial support. The congregation gets
the opportunity to have the missionary visit, communicate
regularly, and simply get to know the missionaries they are
supporting out in the field.
Contact the Together in Mission office to receive a complete
packet of information for how your congregation can join the
program and support a missionary in this special way. Please
provide your congregation name and mailing address as well as a
contact person's name, phone number and email address. Together in
Mission Office 800-248-1930, Ext. 1651 [email protected].
Visit www.lcms.org/TogetherinMission.
1
Its been incredible how many congregations have opened up their
arms to welcome us into their midst. Were excited about the mission
work taking place in the Dominican Republic and what God has in
store for our family. The congregations we visit can sense our joy
and excitement, and they say its contagious.
I was so encouraged to read a church newsletter article in which
the pastor is asking for 20 families in the congregation to pledge
$25 per month in support of our mission. This would total $6000 a
year to support our mission work in the Dominican Republic. Its
amazing to see how small gifts add up. It just goes to show you how
the Lord can make such a difference through congregations and their
members.
The LCMS has a program to connect congregations with
missionaries for a formal partnership such as what that
congregation is considering. Within just a few weeks of accepting
the call to serve as a missionary, one of the awesome ladies from
the mission advancement team in St. Louis informed me that a
congregation in Ohio adopted our family through this program. Wow!
I dont even know anyone there!
Financial Support To support our work financially, you may send
a tax-deductible gift to:
The Lutheran ChurchMissouri Synod P.O. Box 790089 St. Louis, MO
63179-0089
Make checks payable to The Lutheran ChurchMissouri Synod. Mark
checks Support of Joel & Clarion Fritsche. Gifts can also be
given securely online through the LCMS website, on our online
giving page at www.lcms.org/fritsche or call 888-930-4438 to speak
with one of our Donor Care representatives.
Prayer Support Please pray That God would help us as we put
our
house up for sale in Staunton, IL Thanksgiving to God for
our
September birthdays: Slav (9/14) & Joel (9/15). Its Joels
40th!
That our Spanish language skills would increase as we study and
learn.
For our co-workers in the Dominican Republic, especially the new
missionaries who will depart soon for the DR.