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Moments of Comfort
This special worship service is designed to bring comfort to those who have experienced the devastating pain of infant loss. Through Scriptures of lament and sorrow, responsive readings, hymns, and prayers, it helps those attending give voice to their grief. It also offers Godās help and hope for the future so that those who grieve know they are not alone. God speaks tenderly in his Word to bring comfort and strength.
Little Lives with Jesus ā October 10, 2024 | 7 p.m. (Central)
You are not alone.
Approximately one in four pregnancies end in miscarriage and that number might be even higher if the loss happens before the mother is aware of her pregnancy. Stillbirths, which occur later in a pregnancy, are far less common but still happen today despite medical advances. Regardless of the frequency of losing a preterm infant, many women report experiencing intense sadness or depression. They feel alone even though they are far from alone.
You are not alone.
Even if youāve never personally experienced a miscarriage, itās safe to assume 100% of us know someone who has. We often donāt know what to say. Or just as important, what not to say. It can make us doubt our own common sense and natural tendencies to reach out, follow up, or offer comfort out of fear of doing it wrong. Some just donāt get it and might be able to offer basic sympathy but struggle with much more beyond that. We donāt know what we donāt know, right?
October is Infant Loss Awareness month which provides us a natural opportunity for us to reach out with the love of Christ. We are gathering to look at loss in light of Godās Word as we hear from those who have personally walked this road and have wisdom and perspective to offer. As Christians we seek to compassionately value the life of the pre-born.Ā We look for ways to acknowledge the heartache of such a loss while finding comfort in the promises of Jesus.
This is not just a womenās issue. This webinar will be the first to include a male perspective on the panel because infant loss doesnāt just happen to a woman but to a couple. Weāll hear from a couple whose daughter was stillborn and how they walked those early days of grief and beyond with their children. Even in the fog of their sorrow, they implemented some habits that God used to keep their perspective and ground their assurance on Him.
We will feature a counselor from Christian Family Solutions that will speak to the mental health side of the conversation along with her own experiences. Sometimes more help is needed beyond our regular circle of support.
Christ alone.
What if your church was known in the community for having a heart for those who have experienced a miscarriage? What if your church would host an event to acknowledge this loss while offering them the comfort and good news of Jesus? What if your church had an action plan to minister to these hurting families so that you wouldnāt wonder what to do or what to say because youāve planned for this?!
āI never thought about miscarriage until it happened to me,ā she said.
For the sake of the Body of Christ that experiences miscarriage and infant loss, letās think about it.
For the sake of the Body of Christ that needs comfort and support because they are grieving, letās think about it.
For the sake of the lost who donāt know Jesus or what to do with their grief, letās think about it.
Weāll not only think about it and talk about it but plan for the 100% chance that we will know someone who does experience the loss of a little life. You will be equipped with Biblically based and trusted resources in the form of books, websites, programs, and ideas so that you will be ready. Letās not do this alone anymore!
Through this webinar we seek to compassionately demonstrate the value of pre-born life, to offer spiritual and practical comfort to those who have lost an infant, and to promote and encourage ideas for individuals and congregations on how they can support and show the love of Jesus to those mourning such a devastating loss.
Scripture Passages
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:28 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Panelists
Rachel Halldorson
HOST | WELS Women’s Ministry Executive Team
Rachel is wife to Wayne (her favorite pastor) and mom to two amazing kids, William and Hosanna. She lives in East Texas where she serves as church secretary and works at the local public school. She also serves on the WELS Womenās Ministry Executive Board as the Congregational Ministries team leader (aka the CONGO team). This team connects women of our synod to resources, offers ministry encouragement to groups and individuals, and provides a platform for women to hear biblical conversation on relevant topics. They do this primarily through Connection Calls and womenās ministry webinars. Meeting fellow sisters in Christ and connecting them with each other by sharing their ideas and gifts is one of Rachelās favorite things to do!
Rachel Greiner
PANELIST | St. Marcus, Milwaukee, Wis.
Rachel Greiner strives to live the motto, āBe the change you wish to see in the world.ā Her pro-life experience and passion for empowering others lead her to speak to groups across the U.S. and in South America. Rachel is Director of CLR Bridge Ministries at Christian Life Resources.
Stacy Jensen
PANELIST | Professor of Communication, Wisconsin Lutheran College, Milwaukee, Wis.
Dr. Stacy Jensen has been a professor in the Communication Department at Wisconsin Lutheran College since 2004. She also wrote the bookĀ Purposeful Grieving: Embracing God’s Plan in the Midst of LossĀ to help her fellow Christians work through the grieving process in the arms of their loving God.
Theresa Kramer
PANELIST | Appleton, Wis.
Professionally, I serve as a counselor with Christian Family Solutions. Personally, I am the mother of 2 stillborn daughters. The journey through infant loss is close to my heart and I’m humbled to be a part of this discussion. I’m hopeful of raising awareness and generating ideas of how we can come alongside these hurting families with the love and comfort of Jesus.
Andy & Annie Nygaard
PANELISTS | Redeemer, Fond du Lac, Wis.
We are high school sweethearts who are entrusted with raising 3 kids here on earth with Godās help and looking forward to meeting 3 additional children in heaven someday.
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