This book presents a rich and insightful look at the deaconess vocation and its blessing to the LCMS. Utilizing primary sources to document the inspiring story of the deaconess movement within the LCMS, it fills a significant gap in the annals of synodical history. Collected in this one volume is a record of events as well as the thoughts and actions of deaconesses during every era of the Synod's history.

In the Footsteps of Phoebe: A Complete History of the Deaconess Movement in The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod

Maggie Lennon's summer teaching break has just begun when she learns her sister, Rhoda, has suffered a debilitating injury. Maggie races to the rural Florida town of Eugenia to help, but quickly realizes she has stepped into a literal and virtual swamp of dysfunction. It doesn't take long for Maggie to turn from altruist to cynic as she battles madness and deception at every turn. When a producer for a national television competition comes to Rhoda's church to vet the choir, Maggie's other sister, Cheryl, joins them to audition. Together, the three women encounter a host of quirky and questionable characters as they weave their way through chaos, ex-cons, and conspiracies. Will the dark swamp devour them, or will the Lennon sisters survive to seek sanity another day?

Around 56 AD, the apostle Paul wrote to the church in Rome. He entrusted this letter to Phoebe, whom he describes as the deacon of the church at Cenchreae and a patron of many. But who was this remarkable woman? Biblical scholar and popular author and speaker Paula Gooder imagines Phoebe's story—who she was, the life she lived, and her first-century faith—and in doing so opens up Paul's world.