Resources

LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces

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Armed Forces Commemorations

There are several opportunities for congregations to remember our nation’s military veterans, service personnel, chaplains, and families.

• Armed Forces Sunday — Typically the third weekend in May; Armed Forces Day is on Saturday, May 20, 2023, and can be observed on Sunday, May 21, or on the Sunday of your choice.
  
  
• Memorial Day weekend — Sunday, May 28, 2023
  
  
• Independence Day weekend — Sunday, July 2, 2023
  
  
• Veterans Day — Nov. 11, 2023; can be observed on the preceding or following Sunday.
  
  
• Any Sunday of your choice

It’s less important which Sunday you choose; we simply want to give thanks to God in honoring the men and women who faithfully answered the call to serve in our nation’s military.

Resources

• Introduction Letter — English
  
  
• Sermon Resource — English
  
  
• Bulletin Inserts: General (Color) — English
  
  
• Bulletin Inserts: General (Black-and-White) — English
  
  
• Bulletin Inserts: Responsive Prayer and Ministry-By-Mail — English
  
  

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Ministry-by-Mail

Help our Lutheran servicemen and women stay spiritually strong by enrolling them in the Ministry-by-Mail program. The LCMS works hard to support its members serving in the Armed Forces in such a direct way.

Servicemen and women receive materials in an initial packet when their name is submitted, and they regularly receive copies of Portals of Prayer along with So Help Me God, a quarterly newsletter from the LCMS.

To add a member or update an address, call 800-248-1930, ext. 1337, or complete the online form.

Enroll Online   Give Now

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Resources for Congregations

• Operation Barnabas Library — Archived documents include Warning Orders newsletters, tips on grant writing and presentations.
  
  
• Congregations That Support Military Bases — View of a list of military bases with nearby LCMS congregations offering assistance to military families.
  
  
• Adopt-a-Chap program — LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces’ “Adopt-a-Chap” program pairs the Synod’s military chaplains with LCMS congregations, which support them through regular communication and prayer.
  
  
• Farewell Order of Service — This rite is used to bid farewell and Godspeed to a member who is departing for service in the armed forces of our country.
  
  
• Support our Troops: Care Package Instructions — A simple care package helps our chaplains reach out to our men and women in uniform. Using everyday items, chaplains can build relationships to spiritually support our servicemen and women.
  
  
• Veterans Certificate — Recognize veterans in your congregation and community. The editable form allows your congregation to personalize the recognition.

Bulletin Inserts

• General (Color) — English
  
  
• General (Black-and-White) — English
  
  
• Responsive Prayer and Ministry-By-Mail — English

Congregations may also request free bulletin inserts to receive by mail. To check availability, please email Alicia Hinton at lcmschaps@lcms.org or call at 800-248-1930, ext. 1337.

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Resources from LCMS partners

• Chaplain Alliance — Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty is an organization comprised of veteran service members, primarily chaplains, who strive to secure the religious liberties of chaplains and those they serve.
  
  
• Prayer Guide: Those Who Serve — A collection of prayers for active military personnel. (Lutheran Hour Ministries)
  
  
• Prayer Guide: Those Who Support — A collection of prayers for families and prayer partners who are supporting those in the military. (Lutheran Hour Ministries)
  
  
• The Lutheran Hour: Armed Forces Network — Resources for military personnel and their families including inspirational broadcast of The Lutheran Hour, devotionals, prayer guides and other helpful free information.
  
  
• Men’s Network — Men’s Network is an online resource center offering easy-to-use materials for Christian men’s groups wanting to strengthen their ministry.
  
  
• Video Series – Warriors of Faith: Military Men — By Rev. Dr. Steve Hokana (Lutheran Hour Ministries)
  
  
• The Conflict at Home: Confronting PTSD — By Rev. Dr. Steve Hokana (Lutheran Hour Ministries)
  
  
• Victim, Validated, Victorious — By Rev. Dr. Steve Hokana (Lutheran Hour Ministries)
  
  
• Forgiveness is a Choice — By Rev. Dr. Steve Hokana (Lutheran Hour Ministries)
  
  
• Strength and Honor: The Spiritual Warfare Against Pornography — By Rev. Dr. Steve Hokana (Lutheran Hour Ministries)
  
  
• Social Media and the Death of Reason — Blog by Rev. Bill Johnson (Director of Educational Technology, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind.)

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Media library

View photo galleries and videos highlighting LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces.

• Photo galleries
  
  
• Video archives

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Ministry information sheets

Download and print copies of these information sheets to share with your congregation, school, Bible study groups, friends and family.

• Ministry to the Armed Forces
  
  
• Operation Barnabas

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