Journey of Life Lutheran Church

Mark Your Calendars Now for 2/13 & 14 - Home

Tue, 6 Jan 2009 13:55:22 MST

Whether you are married, would like to be married, or are divorced and would like to increase you chances of marriage the next time around, "Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage" is a seminar you want to attend. Mark you calendar now for Friday night 2/13 and Saturday morning 2/14 to learn real keys to a lasting, loving marriage. For more information, you can visit www.laughyourway.com. Download 1/2 letter sized flyer for handing out or inserting in your church bulletin. Click here to be put on the information email list for the Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage seminar.

Christmas in Nona 2008 - What a Wonderful Evening! - Home

Sat, 3 Jan 2009 21:04:42 MST

Christmas in Nona 2008 was a super success thanks to everyone who volunteered in large and small ways to make the event so wonderful! Estimates vary, but it appears that over 300 people attended the "His Story Can Change Your Story" Christmas eve and over 250 people shared in a sumptuous Christmas feast including Roast Pork, Poached Salmon and the ever-popular chocolate fountain. Jesus Christ came into the world to take on human form, die on a cross, and be raised to life again on the thrid day, bringing redemption and new life to all who trust in him. That is worth celebrating and we celebrated in style! In addition, nearly $3,000 was raised for the Central Florida Children's Home! Praise God for people's generousity expressing itself through their financial gifts. Plan now to attend Christmas in Nona 2009!

Wayne & Grace's Kenya Mission Trip - Home

Thu, 25 Dec 2008 19:33:07 MST

Wayne & Grace Wilke will be leaving in January for their Missionary Service to Matongo Lutheran Seminary and Teachers College in Kenya, Africa. We encourage you to support them as they spend a few months of service helping students become Pastors and Teachers in Africa. Has established a special fund to receive donations on their behalf. 100% of the money donated to this fund will go directly to supporting our brother and sister, Wayne and Grace. We invite you to join hands with Wayne and Grace by partnering with them financially in this short-term mission trip. You can mail a check to Journey of Life Lutheran Church, 1515 S. Semoran Blvd., Orlando, FL 32807 or use the button below. We use Paypal to process online donations but you do not need to join paypal to donate using your credit or bank card. "I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

No Title - Home

Thu, 25 Dec 2008 19:33:07 MST

NOV 14 - OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD SHOEBOX COLLECTION EVENT The Operation Christmas Child Community Food & Music Festival Collection Event was a great success! 540 shoeboxes were collected to kick off collection week for Operation Christmas Child. The final count by the end of the week was over 1,300 shoeboxes! Special thanks to everyone who volunteered to direct parking. You were essential to a smooth-running event. And extra special thanks to Maggie Nichols for coordinating this year's Operation Christmas Child efffort! It's not too late to participate. Shoebox collection continues at the YMCA until Friday, November 21. Need more info on Operation Christmas Child (including shoebox packing instructions?) go to www.operationchristmaschild.org.

Concordia Seminary on iTunes U - Home

Thu, 25 Dec 2008 19:33:07 MST

Interested in some deeper learning? Visit the Concordia Seminary area of ITunes U. You will find both deep lay level teaching and seminary level teaching for your own learning at no cost to you. Give it a try! Go to www.itunes.cls.edu.

Listen Online, Subscribe to the Podcast or Download an MP3! - Home

Thu, 25 Dec 2008 19:33:07 MST

IMPORTANT NOTE: The company that hosts our JOL Digital Media center is migrating to a new streaming service. Some files may not be available until October 15, 2008 or later. Please check back if the file you are seeking has disappeared.

Free 90-Minute Introduction to the Bible in Your Home - Home

Thu, 25 Dec 2008 19:33:07 MST

If you're like most people, you respect the Bible as historical literature. As the most influential book in the world, everyone ought to be familiar with it. If you are looking the meaning of life, the Bible might provide the answers you are looking for. Here's your chance to chance to get an introduction to the Bible and ask any questions you may have about the Bible or the Christian faith that is drawn from it. You and your friends can have an enjoyable evening in your home with good food and an entertaining presentation on the basic history and teachings of the Bible. There is no obligation, no pressure, no sales, and you will not be added to any mailing list without your consent. View the PDF flyer for more information or email Pastor John.

A church for imperfect people on the spiritual journey of life - Home

Thu, 25 Dec 2008 19:33:07 MST

We chose the name, "Journey of Life," because we believe that every person's life is a spiritual journey. Every one of us on the journey needs a community of love, acceptance and encouragement to grow into the person we are meant to be. Journey of Life strives to be just such a community. Every person is welcome at Journey of Life, regardless of his or her beliefs or spiritual background. As a church for people on the spiritual journey of life, we are committed to being a place where people can: be themselves; make some real friends in this community;learn and live profound spiritual truths in very practical ways; andhave a really great time. (We wouldn't be introducing Journey of Life to you completely if we didn't tell you that we laugh quite a bit!) Click on "Family Resources" to the left to reach "Ready, Click, Grow!" You will find ideas and resources for keeping your family growing together and passing on your faith to the children around you, whether you are single, married without children, married with young children, married with older children, empty-nesters, grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles... you get the idea. Journey of Life is about people, community, love and the wonderful life we have found as followers of Jesus Christ.At this point, may be wondering... Do I belong at Journey of Life?Who is Jesus and what's the big deal about him?What is "Lutheran"?

Why 'The Truth Project'? (4:57) - Truth Project

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:07:34 MST

Pastor John explains why he chose "The Truth Project" for this fall's emphasis even though he may not agree with everything in it and certainly doesn't align himself with everything that comes from Focus on the Family.

Journey of Life Documents - Documents

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 10:43:46 MST

The following documents are for anyone who has need of them.Journey of Life Request for ReimbursementUse the "Request for Reimbursement" to request reimbursement for expenses incurred on behalf of the ministry at Journey of Life. Fill the form out completely and mail it to the address indicated.Blank Sermon ReportJourney of Life Board of Directors Policy ManualJourney of Life Constitution and BylawsJourney of Life Membership Covenant Journey of Life Annual Congregational Meeting Notice - 2007OCT18 Journey of Life Annual Report - 2007NOV The above documents are all in Adobe PDF format. You must have Adobe's free Reader software installed on your computer. You can get your free copy of Adobe Reader here.

Worship Mini-Conference 9/12-9/13 - Page Storage

Sat, 20 Sep 2008 11:50:02 MST

Your worship team will be led in worship, build their interpersonal dynamics, be challenged to excellence in contemporary worship, participate in a targeted breakout session led by local experts, and bring it all together as a worship team. [more info...]

Online Donations to the Ministry at Journey of Life - Donate Online

Fri, 5 Sep 2008 10:26:21 MST

Online donations are convenient and easy to track. While Journey of Life does not encourage people to take on debt in order to donate to the Lord's work here, we recognize that many people use their bank cards and credit cards as financial management tools. So we offer this option. PLEASE NOTE: Our donations are processed by PayPal, but you do NOT need a PayPal account to use PayPal's processing service. Clicking the donate button will take you to the secure PayPal site. At the end of the transaction, you will be returned to the Journey of Life site. We use PayPal for several reasons. They have low transaction fees. There is no monthly maintenance fee (most services charge a base rate of $15-$25 per month). They are very large and therefore devote significant corporate resources to security.

Dr. Jim Katt - Worship Conference

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:42:19 MST

Dr. Katt is an Assistant Professor at the Nicholson School of Communication at the University of Central Florida. He brings experience in both the technology and theory of communication to this conference.

Conference Agenda - Worship Conference

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:42:19 MST

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 7:00 pm Worship Service for the Worship Leaders (led by Dave Frincke) 8:00 pm Discussion & Dessert 8:30 pm Good night all! (Why not go have some fun together as a worship team?) SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 8:20 am Good morning all! Coffee/Tea/Bagels/Fruit 8:35 am Interpersonal Dynamics Excellence 9:15 am Excellent Contemporary Worship (keynote by Dave Frincke) 10:20 am Caf/Decaf Break 10:40 am Breakouts 3 minute general comments on Worship Excellence by breakout leaders (Team Dynamics, Instruments, Vocals, & Sound) Team Dynamics / Leading a Worship Team (Dave Frinke) Discussing: Selection of new worship band members, Building a team spiritually, Follow the leader - why leadership (and followership) is important, How to gracefully move someone off the team, Group dynamics - engaging everyone in worship, Multiplying yourself - when and how to start another worship team Sound and Unsound Technology Discussing: EQing a room, EQing an instrument, Eliminating feedback, Simplifying setup, Setting levels, Mics and percussion, Compression basics, Effects, Using subgroups effectively, What effect do different frequencies have on the listeners/ worshipers? How loud is loud enough? What effect do different volumes have on the listeners/worshipers? The hows and whys of monitors. Singing Your Heart Out (for vocalists) Discussing: Warming up properly, Singing properly, How to use a microphone, Improvising harmonies, Instruments of Worship Instruments of Worship (for instrumentalists) Discussing: balance, use of solos, music behind prayer? Worshipping by not playing, worshipping while performing, spiritual performance traps, 11:55 am Pre-lunch wrap-up with Dave 12:15 pm Lunch 1:00 pm Worship Team conference digestion (creating learning that lasts) Individual church team discussions Feedback to Conference Organizers 1:45pm Closing gift Receive your Dave Frinke CD 2:00pm Good bye, all!

David Ludwig, Jr. - Worship Conference

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:39:22 MST

David is well know around central Florida. As a gifted organist and contemporary pianist, David brings years of musical leadership experience to his breakout session for instrumentals in worship. David has served full-time music director positions in both the ELCA and the LMCS.

Keynote and Worship Leader: Dave Frincke - Worship Conference

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:37:48 MST

Dave Frincke brings musical experience, worship leadership and passion to his vocation as a music leader. Visit www.davefrincke.com to learn more.

JOL Introduction Video - Looking for a church?

Fri, 8 Aug 2008 10:03:43 MST

Let Pastor John introduce you to Journey of Life in this short video (updated August 8, 2008)

Worship Leading Mini-Conference - Worship Conference

Fri, 1 Aug 2008 09:44:51 MST

You are invited to "Leading Excellent Contemporary Lutheran Worship," a regional mini-conference to be held in Orlando on September 13 & 14Download Registration Packet (Adobe PDF - 3 pages)Register Online Now for "Leading Excellent Contemporary Lutheran Worship" ConferencePay now by clicking the button below (you can use any major credit card and you do NOT need a paypal account) or you can mail in your payment using the instructions in the registration packet. With a small investment of time, your worship team will be led in worship, build their interpersonal dynamics, be challenged to excellence in contemporary worship, participate in a targeted breakout session led by local experts, and bring it all together as a worship team. As you will see from the enclosed agenda, this conference is packed and practical. Your whole team will benefit. Two special encouragements: Bring your technical people, especially your soundboard operators. As the people ultimately in charge of the sound in the room, your soundboard operators are an integral part of your worship team and a vital link in the worship leadership chain. Bring your pastor, at the very least, to the "Leading Contemporary Worship" keynote by Dave Frincke. Keep the worship leadership and pastoral leadership on the same page. (If your pastor decides to only come to the keynote, there will be no charge for his attendance) Mail your registration to "Leading Contemporary Lutheran Worship," Journey of Life Lutheran Church, 1515 S. Semoran Blvd., Orlando, FL 32807 or register online at www.journeyoflife.org. Contact Pastor John Rallison at john@journeyoflife.org or (cell) 407.923.7251 if you would like more information. You can read and hear more about our keynoter, Dave Frincke, at www.davefrincke.com. Registration of $15 per person includes Friday night dessert, Saturday morning light breakfast, Saturday lunch and a free CD for those who stay until the end of the conference. The conference will be held at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 1515 S. Semoran Blvd., Orlando, FL 32807

Coming This Fall - The Truth Project - Truth Project

Fri, 1 Aug 2008 06:36:02 MST

Beginning Sunday, September 14, 2008 and continuing for 12 weeks, we will explore our worldview. We all look at the world through a "lens" that includes our experiences, our emotions, things we've learned, and more. We often don't take the time to examine the lens through which we view the world. This fall we will with The Truth Project. For those who really want a chance to dig into our worldview, we will also be offering small groups built around Truth Project videos. These groups will meet in homes around Southeast Orlando and will give you a chance to chew on what you are learning and hear other people's reactions. Use the 'send email' link to the right to request more information. Everyone is welcome. Watch this short promotional video (2:15)

How is your spiritual health? - Put old article here

Thu, 29 May 2008 13:45:58 MST

Take our personal or family spiritual health assessment. Download and print out the PDF file and score it yourself. Simply follow the instructions on the printout. Free Personal Spiritual Health Assessment Free Family Spiritual Health Assessment You will need Adobe's free Acrobat Reader to view and print the files. Get it for free at www.adobe.com.

Watch the 3-minute welcome video from Pastor John - Who We Are

Thu, 22 May 2008 12:34:29 MST

New to the area. - New to the area?

Tue, 20 May 2008 12:03:20 MST

Welcome to Southeast Orlando! Moving to a new home is an exciting time. As you move into Southeast Orlando, one of the things you will want to do in order to help your house begin to feel like a home is get connected to the community. We at Journey of Life believe that a sense of community is a central part of what a church is supposed to be. Visit one of our home-based LifeGroups soon to meet new people and make new friends in Southeast Orlando. Contact pastor John to get the most current information. You may also want to look at the "Helpful Area Links" to the left to find information about community schools, radio stations, sources of information, and more. We hope to meet you soon!

The Basics - New Message Series Beginning April 6 - Put old article here

Wed, 14 May 2008 15:13:58 MST

A new message series begins on April 6. We will cover the basics of the Christian faith using the most foundational documents and rites. The Ten Commandments (4/6)The Apostles’ Creed (4/13)The Lord’s Prayer (4/20)Baptism (4/27)Confession (5/4) The Lord’s Supper (5/11) The Small Catechism by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther, published in 1530, will be used as a framework for this series. It's only 10 pages long. Download a copy for yourself! (The document is in Adobe PDF format. You can get a free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader by visiting www.adobe.com)

Basic Lutheran Teachings - Audio - Who We Are

Tue, 13 May 2008 09:10:57 MST

These six audio files are recordings of a message series designed to introduce the Lutheran view of the Christian faith. You can listen to them live or download them to listen to at your convenience.

At a glance... - Looking for a church?

Wed, 7 May 2008 13:48:58 MST

Journey of Life gathers for a worship service every Sunday at 10:00 am at the Northlake Park Elementary School/Lake Nona YMCA building. To learn more about what to expect when you visit us, see our worship services page.

Some Message MP3s net yet loaded into our new system - Put old article here

Thu, 1 May 2008 08:52:44 MST

Download and listen to these recent messages... (Windows Internet Explorer users: left-click to play message in your browser -- it will take a moment to load -- or right-click and choose 'save target as' to save the MP3 file to your computer for later listening or download to a portable audio player.)Mar 4, 2007 - Seven Strategies for Enduring Difficult Times (28 min, 3.3mb) Feb 10, 2007 - There's nothing you can do to make God love you more and there's nothing you can do to make God love you less. (17 min, 2mb)Or visit the Message Archives

Ever Thought About Full-time Church Work? - US & Int'l Outhreach

Thu, 1 May 2008 05:10:29 MST

This eight-minute video will introduce you to some people will tell you how they came to be in the full-time ministry as pastors, teachers and DCE/youth directors and how fulfilling they find church work vocations.

Letters from Easter Sunday 2008 - Message Archives

Thu, 1 May 2008 05:09:38 MST

The following letters were read during the message On Easter Sunday, 2008. They are available for you to read, download, reproduce, distribute, etc.Dear AgnosticDear DeistDear Troubled Soul

Message Series - Raising G-Rated Kids in an X-rated World (11/5 - 11/19) - Message Archives

Thu, 1 May 2008 05:09:38 MST

Practical teaching on a timely topic. Everyone wants to know how to keep kids pure in this stained world. This series will help you whether you have young children, older children, no children (yet), or simply know people who have children. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and other can gain insights for their own lives from this message series. There will be take-home material for you to keep or pass on to your friends and family. Mark your calendars now to be there for all three weeks. 10 Things Kids Need from Caring Adults:#1 of 3 - November 5, 2006 - "1. Belief, 2. Presence, 3. Memories" [Download the MP3]#2 of 3 - November 12, 2006 - "4. Encouragement, 5. Rold Models, 6. Discipline" [Download the MP3]#3 of 3 - November 19, 2006 - "7. Affection, 8, Responsibility, 9. Fun, 10. A Peaceful Home" [Download the MP3]

Message Series - Mastering the Basics, a study of Galatians (9/17 - 10/29) - Message Archives

Thu, 1 May 2008 05:09:38 MST

"Gentlemen, this is a football." That's the way world-famous football coach Vince Lombardi began the football training season every year with the highly successfull Green Bay Packers. These professionals already knew what a football was! They were, at times, the best in the world! Coach Lombardi wanted to make a point: even though you are advanced, experienced and successful, you can never forget the fundamentals. Fundamentals without flash win games. Flash without fundamentals will fall on its face. Likewise in our Christian faith. There are all sorts of fuzzy issues to be chewed on and thought through, but you never outgrow the basics. And, if you're going to look at your life the way God does, your view will always grow out of the basics of our faith. So, over the next seven weeks, we will heading back to boot camp to refresh the fundamentals in our minds. If you haven't been to church in a while or just want to learn what the basics of the Christian faith are, this series is a great opportunity for you. Download messages from the series:9/17/2006 - The Value of the Basics [MP3} {WAV}9/24/2006 - The Path to Peace [MP3] [WAV]10/1/2006 - When to Stand Your Ground [MP3] [WAV]10/8/2006 - Don't Be Foolish [MP3} Guest Speaker - David Snyder, Vice President for Human Resources, Wycliffe Bible Translators10/15/2006 - Don't Give Up Your Inheritance [MP3}10/22/2006 - In Christ We Are Free to Truly Live [MP3]10/29/2006 - Love is the Central Theme of the Family of God [MP3]

Reframing Your Worldview - Learning to look at things God's way - Message Archives

Thu, 1 May 2008 05:09:38 MST

This world is a confusing blend of diverse cultures, religions, and choices. Live with clarity, purpose and peace by understanding the world from God's perspective. This is not an intellectual exercise in self-examination. This series is utterly practical. We all have an idea of how the world works and we make decisions based on that "worldview." Proverbs 4:23 tells us, "Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts." The way we look at life profoundly affects the decisions we make. The decisions we make profoundly affect the course of our lives and influence the lives of those around us. Make the commitment to be at all six Sundays of this life-enriching series. And be prepared to spend some time thinking about how you think about things. July 30 - Why Does It Matter What I Believe? [MP3] August 6 - How Do I Know What's True?[MP3]August 13 - No Journey of Life Worship Service [No Service] August 20 - Where Did We Come From? [MP3] For additional study see the Meta-Library's section on Where Did We Come From?August 27 - How Did The World Get So Messed Up?Missed August 27? Get the audio [MP3].September 3 - What's The Solution? [MP3] [WAV]September 10 - How Should I Live In This World? [MP3] [WAV]

January 29, 2006 - Abortion, the Bible, and our Country - Message Archives

Thu, 1 May 2008 05:09:38 MST

Interested in a simple, clear, unemotional look at the abortion issue from the standpoint of a Christian? What does the Bible really say about abortion? How ought our beliefs drawn from the Bible influence us as citizens of a free country? View the notes from Pastor John's Jan 29 message on this topic.

Series: The Lord's Prayer: The Path to Inner Peace - Message Archives

Thu, 1 May 2008 05:09:38 MST

The Bible says that prayer is the path to deep inner peace. (Philippians 4:6-7). So, you want to know how to pray? Lucky you! Jesus' disciples asked him that very same question and we have Jesus' answer recorded in the Bible. It's called, "The Lord's Prayer," and the church around the world has been praying it ever since.The Lord's Prayer is not magic. It's a model. It's not just the sacred words of a prayer to be repeated, but the very idea of prayer to be lived. The Lord's Prayer teaches us about prayer as:Connection (2005NOV06) Download Message Outline (PDF)Recognition (2005NOV13) Download Message Outline (PDF)Surrender (2005NOV20) Download Message Outline (PDF)Dependence (2005NOV27) Download Message Outline (PDF)Cleansing (2005DEC04) Download Message Outline (PDF)Release (2005DEC11)Protection (2005DEC18) Download Message Outline (PDF)Download a printable copy of "The Lord's Prayer" section from Martin Luther's Small Catechism. This is a smple, plain language explanation of the Lord's Prayer. Martin Luther is widely regarded as the Father of the Reformation and one of the 100 most influential people that ever lived.AUDIO! - Hear the Lord's Prayer in Arabic, Georgian, Chinese, German, Dutch, Greek, Spanish, German, Italian, Thai, Ethiopian, Latin, French, Polish!WALLET CARD - Download and print a wallet card to carry with you. There is space on this card to write the names of up to 5 people you commit to praying for regularly, that they might be connected to abundant life in Jesus.

US & International Outreach - US & Int'l Outhreach

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:57:47 MST

In addition to our own efforts to spread the Good News of forgiveness of sins and everlasting life in Jesus, Journey of Life supports outreach work across the state and across the world. Five percent of the gifts we receive is sent directly on to the Florida/Georgia District of the Lutheran Church -- Missouri Synod. The FL/GA District is actively involved in church planting as well as human care ministries, education, disaster relief and more. A portion of the FL/GA District budget is sent to the national headquarters of the Lutheran Church -- Missouri Synod to further fund the work of our national church body which includes international missionary work, disaster relief, aid to developing countries and more. Journey of Life currently maintains a monthly support commitment for three people/famlilies that are members of Wycliffe Bible Translators. WBT's current goal is huge. Their firm desire is to have a scripture translation in progress or completed for every one of the world's 6,000+ languages by 2025. This is an audacious goal, as projects in 2,529 languages have yet to be started. The missionaries we currently support are:David & Ruth Snyder (web site & blog)

No Title - The Ablaze Movement

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:45:49 MST

What is Ablaze!?Ablaze! began as a vision of LCMS World Mission to involve every member of the LCMS, its partner church bodies and partner mission agencies in one focused and concentrated effort to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with those who do not yet know him. By joining together in this effort, not only would those who hear and receive the message of salvation in Christ be transformed by it and brought into the body of Christ, but our own church bodies, mission organizations and congregations would be strengthened as members grow in discipleship through mission involvement. Additionally, all our Lutheran resources would be strategically coordinated, so that more can be accomplished in mission to the glory and honor of our God. It was the desire of LCMS World Mission to give this vision away—to ignite a spark that would become a mission movement of individuals, groups, congregations, etc., all committed to the goal of reaching 100 million unreached and uncommitted people with the Gospel by 2017, which is the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.LCMS World Mission Purpose StatementPraying to the Lord of the Harvest, LCMS World Mission, in collaboration with its North American and worldwide partners, will share the Good News of Jesus with 100 million unreached or uncommitted people by the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017.LCMS World Mission adopted this new purpose statement in 2002 for the following 15 years to direct the mission effort entrusted to the organization by the Synod in its bylaws. Under the larger umbrella of the Ablaze! movement, it emphasizes four core components of the way LCMS World Mission approaches our Lord’s Great Commission task:PrayerAsk of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. (Psalm 2:8)The purpose statement of LCMS World Mission intentionally begins with prayer. Truly, prayer is most important in any effort to share the Good News of Jesus with others for whom Christ Jesus died, for our Lord says, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matt. 7:7) PartnershipIn all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Phil. 1:4-6)There are a growing number of Lutheran mission societies, such as Lutheran Bible Translators, People Of the Book Lutheran Outreach and Lutheran Heritage Foundation, which are involved in mission work throughout the world. These partners often work with LCMS missionaries, as well as our partner churches. LCMS World Mission desires to build strategic partnerships with entities such as these, so that our total LCMS resources can be used in the most efficient and effective ways possible.Of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s 28 partner churches, the origins of 16 are connected with LCMS mission work. We humbly stand before our God as a church body, praising Him for using the LCMS to start Lutheran churches, many of which have also commissioned and sent out missionaries to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ to those who have not yet heard. We desire to strengthen our partnership with these national churches, and with the approximately 30 additional emerging and established Lutheran church bodies in other countries in which the LCMS is involved in mission work, to serve these bodies in the most appropriate ways and to continue to work with them to build capacity for the mission endeavor, so that all the peoples of the earth might believe on the name of Jesus and be saved.ProclamationStill other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. (Matt. 13:8) Sharing the Good News of Jesus is at the heart of the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20a.) These were among the last words Jesus spoke before He ascended to heaven. As Lutherans, God has given us a great doctrine/understanding of His Word as related to the means of grace. We believe that conversion takes place through the power of the Holy Spirit, using God’s Word and the Sacraments. God has called each of us to mission involvement through our own conversion as His redeemed, forgiven people. We now have the privilege of sharing the Good News of Jesus with others.LCMS World Mission places strong emphasis on witnessing to “unreached” or “uncommitted” people—those who are not already believers in Jesus Christ. “Unreached” people are those who have never heard a clear message in the name of Jesus. The Middle East, Asia, Africa, India, China and the former Soviet nations are still home to many unreached people who have never had access to the Good News of Jesus.“Uncommitted” is a term used for people who have been exposed to the Word, who have had an opportunity to hear the Good News of Jesus, but who no longer have faith in Jesus as their Lord and Savior. “Uncommitted” people live mainly in such areas as Europe, Australia, North America and South America.The figure of 100 million was chosen intentionally after much research, prayer and deliberation with our missionaries and mission partners. In our Lutheran understanding of conversion, God does the work of converting the unbelieving heart through His Holy Spirit. By setting this goal we are not limiting the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, the Holy Spirit will determine how many people will be touched by the Gospel through our efforts, but we will be faithful sowers of the seed and will hold ourselves accountable to sowing the seed of the Gospel in the hearts of 100 million people in North America and around the world.ReformationDo not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Rom 12:2a)One of the outcomes of the Reformation was the rediscovery that God’s grace is offered freely to all people through the Word and Sacraments. We have a precious message to share! In the past, Lutherans have frequently celebrated significant church anniversaries by publishing a new book on the Reformation or the Confessions. As a church body that grew out of the Reformation, what better way is there to mark a historic anniversary in our Lutheran heritage, than to bring together Lutheran churches around the world to celebrate God’s blessings through sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with people who do not yet know Him?Ablaze! “They asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’ They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, ‘It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon’”—Luke 24:32-34. The vision of igniting a worldwide Lutheran mission movement to share the Gospel with 100 million people is expressed by the word, Ablaze! LCMS World Mission’s goal is to ignite a movement that will change the culture of our Lutheran church bodies to be one in which every member is fully engaged in personal mission involvement through the Seven Mission Responses: Go, Pray, Learn, Give, Tell, Send and Celebrate. While this is the expressed vision of LCMS World Mission, it is the organization’s intention to give this vision away, because it is God’s desire that all people be saved, and He has called all His children to participate in the task! This is a “Quantum Leap” forward in how we approach doing the work of the Lord’s mission. Ablaze! is not a program or a campaign. It began as a mission vision with the hope of starting a mission movement. Each participating congregation, group, mission society, partner church, individual, etc. is challenged to pray about its own particular situation and the part of the mission endeavor it can impact and to design its own strategy to contribute to reaching 100 million people. LCMS World Mission is asking the church to develop mission models that work and can be shared with others. Ablaze! is not an answer...it’s an invitation! Blazing toward 2017: Frequently asked questions about Ablaze!The 2004 Synod convention marks the official launch of Ablaze!—a global Lutheran mission movement to share the Good News of Jesus with 100 million unreached or uncommitted people by 2017.Q: What makes Ablaze! different from every other church evangelism program of the past?A: First and foremost, Ablaze! is not a program. It’s a movement. Ablaze! began as a vision of LCMS World Mission, which was quickly shared with our partners in the LCMS and around the world. A movement is a coalition of partners—individuals, congregations, LCMS districts, mission societies, partner church bodies, etc.—that share the same values and commit to a common cause. Ablaze! partners share the goal of working together and doing whatever it takes to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with 100 million people worldwide by the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017. A “movement” is not static. A movement implies action. It is not a “one-size-fits-all” solution. Ablaze! partners agree to be accountable for doing this work and to count the number of seeds sown. They develop new models and resources to share the Gospel in the places where they can make the most significant impact, and they share these resources with others. Partners network and pool their resources to use them efficiently and effectively. Partners in the movement work to influence their constituencies so that all may understand the urgency of Christ’s mission, understand their baptismal call to be involved in mission and know the joy that results from sharing their faith with others. Ablaze! is not an answer...it’s an invitation!Q: Are we really counting? If so, what exactly are we counting? A: When one person gives a clear presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to another person, so that there is an opportunity for that person to respond, this activity “counts” toward the 100 million goal. A person may “respond” by receiving the message, rejecting it or asking for more information. An example: A congregation puts 1,500 flyers in the local paper. The 1,500 flyers do not count. But, any inquiries that came as a result of the flyers and opened the door for the congregation to share the Good News with an unreached or uncommitted person will count toward the 100 million goal. We are not counting baptisms or conversions. We are counting the number of Gospel seeds planted. We depend on the Holy Spirit to work the miracle of faith. One hundred million is a huge number, but compared to the 4 billion in this world who do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ, it’s just a first step.Q: How will we count?A: By July 2004, LCMS World Mission will have a Web-based reporting system in place for individuals and groups to log on and report their data and Ablaze! activities. The accuracy of the ongoing count will depend on the willingness and accuracy of the people involved in the global Ablaze! mission movement to report. This system will continue to be developed and improved based on needs, the amount of usage it receives and user feedback. Please stay tuned to www.lcmsworldmission.org and upcoming issues of Harvest News for more details.Q: Is Ablaze! a giving campaign?A: The short answer is no. Ablaze! is primarily about sowing 100 million Gospel seeds worldwide in partnership with North American and global partners. The realistic answer, however, is that to continue current mission work in the parish, in the district and to the ends of the earth, the continued financial gifts of God’s people are required. To move beyond the “status quo” and expand mission work at all levels through the Ablaze! initiative, will require increased financial gifts from God’s people. As LCMS World Mission provides leadership to the global movement and increases its own level of North American and global work toward the united effort, LCMS World Mission will solicit increased gifts for its work in the name of LCMS World Mission Ablaze! See the document entitled “World Mission Ablaze!” in the “What is Ablaze” folder on this CD-ROM for an explanation of how gifts to LCMS World Mission will impact this global Gospel effort.Q: How can I be involved?A: Individuals, groups, congregations, districts, partner churches, etc., become involved when they adopt this vision for Ablaze!, share it with others and spark mission involvement that contributes toward building a worldwide mission movement.LCMS World Mission uses the Seven Mission Responses—Go, Pray, Learn, Give, Tell, Send and Celebrate—as a guide for individual and group mission involvement.Q: What are the Seven Mission Responses?Go to your family, neighbors, colleagues and others who do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ and personally share the Good News with them. Encourage your congregation or group to develop a strategy to share the love of Christ and His Good News with those in your community who need to hear it. Serve as a short-or long-term volunteer missionary with LCMS World Mission.Pray for the Lord’s harvest and for workers to go into the harvest. Pray for missionaries and indigenous leaders and their work among unreached peoples. Pray for your congregation’s and district’s mission efforts. Participate in “Keep the Vigil: One million Hours of Prayer for Ablaze!” using the resources for prayer included on this CD-ROM.Learn about what your congregation, district, LCMS World Mission and others are doing in mission at home and around the globe, so you can be better informed on how to pray and support missions, and so you can better direct yourself and others in strategic mission involvement.Give to support missions through your congregation, district and LCMS World Mission. A list of giving opportunities can be found on the LCMS World Mission Web site at www.lcmsworldmission.org. Tell others about what God is doing in His mission. Spark their interest and involvement. Help them learn about God’s mission.Send missionaries to those places where you cannot go yourself to proclaim the Gospel. Call the Together in Mission Program coordinator at 1-800-248-1930, Ext. 1651, to learn how you can sponsor a missionary.Celebrate God’s plan of salvation for all peoples, and how He is using His baptized children in mission! Resources for mission celebration are included on this CD-ROM in the “Ablaze Banner Designs” folder and the “Ablaze Worship Service” folder.Learn more about the Seven Mission Responses by reading the documents in the “Ablaze! Mission Education” folder on this CD-ROM. Or, view LCMS World Mission’s Mission Education Handbook, also included on this CD-ROM.See the LCMS World Mission Web site for more Seven Mission Response involvement opportunities and resources at www.lcmsworldmission.org.

Our Music Ministry - Worship Services

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:41:39 MST

Click the button above to hear a snippet of "The Wonderful Cross" recorded live at a Journey of Life worship service. (You may have to click it once to activate the control and then click it again to play the file.)

Is Journey of Life the place for me? - Who We Are

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:23:49 MST

Yes! That's the short answer. The answer for you really lies in what we are striving to build: a loving community based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. Journey of Life is a great place to be for: People who want to make some friendsPeople exploring spiritual lifePeople who want to learn more about the BiblePeople seriously considering the claims of Jesus ChristChristians who have recently moved into Southeast OrlandoCommitted followers of Jesus Christ who are looking for a place that will challenge them to deeper discipleship and more significant service in the kingdom of God We chose the name, "Journey of Life," because we believe that every person's life is a spiritual journey. Every one of us on the journey needs a community of love, acceptance and encouragement to grow into the person we are meant to be.

Bible Study Resources - Bible Study Resources

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 09:49:32 MST

To the left you will see links to the weekly Bible studies generated for our home-based LifeGroups at Journey of Life. Contact us to visit one. It will be a great experience.

Your kids will learn and have a great time - Worship Services

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 07:39:50 MST

One family had been visitng several area churches looking for a church home. As their children left, one of our Children's Ministry Team overheard the young daughter (about 7 or 8 years old) say, "Mommy, we like this one the best!" We think that sums it up nicely. We work hard to provide a children's ministry that is fun and, at the same time, brings home a biblical message in a way that children can understand it. We believe that it's important for families to be together and we also believe that it's important for people of varying ages to be taught at age-appropriate levels. Our solution to this dilemma is to have the younger elementary school-age children with their parents during some of the opening singing. After that, the children are invited to a nearby room for fun and age-appropriate learning and activities.

Where Do We Want To Be Located? - Long-Term Goals

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 07:34:53 MST

We believe that God is calling us to plant this new congregation in Southeast Orlando. We intend to build a permanent home South of the Beach Line (528) along Narcoossee Road. Our current worship location is at Northlake Park Elementary School/Lake Nona YMCA.

Worship Services at Journey of Life - Worship Services

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 07:14:22 MST

Journey of Life gathers for a worship service every Sunday at 10am at the Northlake Park Elementary School/Lake Nona YMCA building. Our worship services are relaxed, modern and authentic yet rooted in the two-thousand year history of the Christian faith. Our music includes the best of the rich historic hymnody of the church and new songs composed by current artists. Parents and children sit together during the opening part of our service and then, during the message, children are invited to join in fun, age-appropriate activities in a room nearby so parents can relax. Expect to be welcomed warmly. Expect your children to have fun. Expect to enjoy yourself, meet great people and feel encouraged about life.

Services for the entire Southeast Orlando Community - Community Services

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:50:01 MST

At Journey of Life, we believe that God calls us to live in service to other people. Based in this belief, we offer these services to the community in the hope that we can help you grow better relationships and resolves the conflicts that drain energy from your life. Prepare/Enrich is a nationally recognized process for preparing for marriage or enriching you marriage after several years together. Different processes are designed to bring growth to couples in different situations: engaged and never married, engaged and previously married without children, engaged and previously married with children, currently cohabitating, married three years or more. Pastor John is certified by Life Innovations to administer this process that takes between three and seven sessions. Biblical Peacemaking is a process for resolving conflict using scriptural principles. This process can be effective for marital conflict, adult/child conflict, business conflict, and more. While it is not necessary that both parties be committed followers of Jesus Christ, this process is based in the principles the Bible gives us for resolving conflict. This process often results in more than a negotiated solution. Particpants come away with a restored relationship and a peaceful solution that is fully accepted by both parties. Pastor John has completed the formal reconciler practicum taught by Peacemaker Ministries and is willing to serve you where he can.

Message Audio & Outlines, Past & Present - Message Archives

Tue, 27 Mar 2007 17:01:52 MST

Here is our archive of past and present message outlines. Peruse them. Use them. Just don't abuse them! Message posting will be a little erratic as we get the kinks out of our process. IMPORTANT NOTE: This is an old archive (yes, I know, aren't archives about old stuff?). The new archive, which is a much better system for you, can be found on the front page of our web site. Go back to the Journey of Life home page for archived copies of newer messages. At some point, we'll probably transfer the older messages to the newer system... but no promises.

Journey of Life Musicians - Musicians

Wed, 14 Mar 2007 14:13:01 MST

We have several talented musicians associated with Journey of Life. Our music ministry offers musicians a place to use their musical gifts in service to our great God! If you are a musician, or would like to become one, Journey of Life can be a great home for your musical skills. Several Journey of Life musicians offer private instruction.Jaron Kallesen - violin [view resume PDF]Desiree Kallesen - piano Please contact Journey of Life for more information about music lessons. Journey of Life continues to seek musically talented followers of Jesus Christ to use their gifts in our community life, including worship, and to offer their gifts to the community in the form of musical instruction.

Infants & Toddlers - Worship Services

Tue, 13 Feb 2007 15:42:41 MST

We have a nursery for infants and toddlers staffed by people who love childern. The nursery is available 15 minutes before the service begins.

Daily Devotional Web Sites - Devotions

Fri, 23 Jun 2006 06:45:55 MST

Portals of Prayer - Short daily devotionals from the Lutheran Church -- Missouri Synod My Utmost for High Highest - A classic. One of the most used dailyi devotionals in the world Our Daily Bread - An excellent daily devotional put out by RBC

A Woman Caught in Adultery (John 7:53 - 8:11) - John 7:53-8:11

Tue, 6 Jun 2006 14:20:43 MST

OpeningHow was your week?What sins do most people think they are incapable of committing? Acquaint Yourself with Scripture Read John 7:53 - 8:11 What did Jesus sit down to do in the temple courts?What did the Law of Moses say should happen to the woman caught in adultery?How did Jesus answer the Pharisees' question?What was the Pharisees' response to Jesus' challenge?What did Jesus ask the woman?What did Jesus tell the woman to do? Absorb the ScripturesWho is missing in this scene? (hint: you can't commit adultery by yourself)Which sins do we tend to categorize as 'big' sins (those that are worse than others)?Why do you think people catogorize some sins as worse than others?Which sins does God think of as 'big' sins?How should we treat people who have sinned? Apply the ScripturesIs there someone you need to challenge about an ongoing sin in their life? How might you do that?Is there an ongoing habit or tendency that you need to take the first step to walk away from right now?Do you have a self-righteous attitude in some way that you need to ask God to change in your heart? Pray together about whatever is on your hearts.

Unbelief of the Jewish Leaders (John 7:45-52) - John 7:45-52

Tue, 23 May 2006 11:48:39 MST

OpenHow was your week?To what groups do you belong? And which is your favorite? Acquaint Yourself with Scripture read John 7:45-52Why did the temple guards not bring Jesus to the temple leaders?Of what did the Pharisees accuse the temple guards?To what group did Nicodemus belong?What question did Nicodemus ask? Absorb the ScripturesHow might today's religious leaders react to Jesus if He came back today?How do the groups to which you belong influence your belief and life?How do spiritual authorities get off track? Apply the ScripturesHow can you specifically support groups that are spreading the Gospel?How can you keep on track when you are in a position of leaderhip or authority? Pray together about whatever is on your heart.

VIDEO - Apostle's Creed - John R.

Sat, 20 May 2006 12:21:11 MST

The Apostle's Creed is a basic, universally agreed-upon formulation of the Christian faith that has been in constant use in churches around the world for at least 1,800 years. This video presents the text of the Apostle's Creed with background images and music. My goal is the experience of each phrase of our faith would be expanded by the use of visual and audio art added to the ancient text.As a reminder, this work is copyrighted by the author and all rights are reserved. You may download and keep this video for personal, devotional use. For any other use, please contact Journey of Life.View Apostle's Creed Video (This is a small RealMedia file that works well over the internet. You will need the Real Player to play this file. [Download free Real player] A full DV quality version is available. Contact John R. for more information.)

African Bible Reflection - African Bbl Reflection

Wed, 17 May 2006 16:20:24 MST

This Bible reflection was first introduced by the African delegation to the Lambeth Conference of the Anglican Communion in 1980. It is known by both names: "Lambeth" and "African." It will take about 45 minutes with five or six people. It may be helpful to have several different translations available. Pick a short section of scripture on which to reflect. Times are guidelines. Different translations are not necessary. Begin with a prayer asking God to guide your learning and growth.(example: O Blessed Lord, who caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us to so hear them, read them, marke, learn and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen)One individual reads the passage slowly.In silence, each person reflects upon a word or phrase that catches his/her attention (1 minute)Each person in the group shares the word or phrase (2-5 minutes total).Another person reads the passage slowly (from a different translation, if possible)Each person silently reflects upon where this passage touches his/her life today (1 minute)Each person in the group shares his/her reflection without discussion from the group (3-5 minutes).Another person reads the passage slowly a third time (from another translation, if possible).Each person silently reflects upon these questions in relation to the passage (3-5 minutes total):KFrom what I have heard and shared, what do I believe God wants me to do or be?Is God inviting me to change in any way?Each person shares his/her reflection as desired (5-10 minutes total).Each person prays for the person on his/her right, naming what was shared in the other steps (3-5 minutes total).Close with The Lord's Prayer and a moment of silence.