Updated March 2008
It's official!
Pastor Miguel Luna has completed all requirements for colloquy and is now officially a pastor in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Congratulations, Pr. Miguel! An ordination service will be announced as soon as a call has been extended.Easter Celebrations!
Hope Lutheran, Woodburn, OR - 65 souls celebrated the Resurrection. The Spanish-speaking congregation is holding steady at 35-45 worshippers each Sunday. There is also a mid-week prayer service. The majority of the Sunday School children are Latinos recruited and transported by Marta Luna. Volunteers from the Latino congregation assist with cleaning the building, hosting coffee fellowship after service, and serving as Youth Director. There is a piggy bank to which members make small contributions throughout the year to fund special needs and special events. Pastor Miguel and Marta spend hours contacting people by phone and calling on people in their homes. Marta gives Bible studies to women, arranges help for special needs (transportation to medical appointments, etc.), and shares the Gospel. It would be safe to say that there are few Latinos in Woodburn who have not received a knock on their door and found Marta Luna there ready to invite them to hear the Word of God. Pam Bridgehouse teaches English to two women in the church office every Tuesday. Pastor Miguel counsels people for marriage and family problems, as well as leading the Bible study, prayer, and worship services.
Trinity Lutheran, Mt. Angel – Three young people made their First Communion in March. Several families take an active part in church activities such as preparing for the Mission Festival and for the Giving Tree dinner and service. Six women associated with Mt. Angel have made all the tamales for this year’s sale. The Latino people regularly call on Pam Bridgehouse for help with interpretation, transportation and other special needs. Several strongly consider Trinity their church home. The monthly Spanish-language worship services are attended by 15-25 people.
Ascension Lutheran, Portland/Gresham, OR – Easter Sunday some 20 people celebrated the Resurrection at the afternoon service. Pastor Miguel and Marta spend most of their time doing home visits, family counseling, and home Bible study. The Sunday afternoon worship service/Bible study attendance is slowly growing as the people tell their family and friends about the preaching. Pastor Miguel is on hand to assist on Friday evenings during the English Class and Rainbow Roundup (children’s time). The area is unique and very troubled by violence, gangs, and spiritual oppression. Much prayer is needed to overcome these obstacles.
Trinity, Portland, OR – A real praise report! Palm Sunday saw 89 people praising God in the Sunday evening worship service. Easter Sunday there were 165 souls present to praise God and celebrate Christ's Victory over sin and death. Worship attendance at the Sunday-evening services and Bible class has tripled since Pastor Miguel began his work there. Assisted by Fred Kramer, Deaconess Beverly Hohman, and Angelica Ek-Juarez, Pastor Luna calls on a large number of people every Thursday. He also offers counseling help with marriage and family problems. Recently, following Pr. Luna’s 10-week course preparing for church membership, 28 Latino people were received into membership at Trinity. The ESL and computer classes continue to draw people in and equip them for life.
Rupert, Idaho – Pastor Miguel records a weekly 30 minute program that includes the lectionary for the day, a Gospel message, and Christian music. The program is broadcast at 6:30 p.m. from the Spanish radio station in Rupert that reaches a radius of nearly 100 miles. The LCMS congregations in Rupert and neighboring Burley send regular financial support for this ministry, which is very well received and appreciated by the Spanish speaking community.
