From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Wed Aug 1 13:52:20 2007 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Wed, 01 Aug 2007 18:52:20 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] August 1 Message-ID: Update for August 1 A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE! That's right - it's August already! Not to be an alarmist, but only four months until 2008! Only 146 shopping days left until Christmas! Okay, okay I know that's going a bit far (but it's true). Did you ever stop to think about the passing of time? It seems at the beginning of each month someone says, or at least thinks, "I can't believe it is already (insert month)." Time seems to pass faster and faster each year. God talks about the passing of time when He inspired the Apostle Peter to write, "With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day." (2 Peter 3:8) While we here on earth live day in and day out with our calendars, watches, and other time-telling devices, the Lord waits patiently. He promises the end of all time will come, and all believers will spend eternity by His side. To that we say, "Come, Lord Jesus." We also know God "wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:4) God has put each of us here at this time for a purpose - telling others about the gift of salvation we have received through Jesus Christ. While we watch our clocks, check our watches, and block out our calendars, God would also have us spread the Good News of His free gift of salvation through Jesus. The clock is ticking and the end will come - of this there is no doubt. The question is, "How will you spend your time?" For more on how to share your faith with family and friends, as well as the urgency of this task, visit the LCMS Ablaze! website at http://www.lcms.org/pages/default.asp?NavID=5247. * Looking for College Students * Congregational Treasurer/Business Manager's Workshop * Wives of Pastors Retreat * Outreach Mission Grants * LCMS Convention Elects Concordia University Board of Regents * Arizona Congregation Seeking Choir Director * New Features on 'JCPlayZone' Fight Midsummer Boredom * Lincoln Division of Orphan Grain Train * News From the International LLL Convention LOOKING FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS The Nebraska District is in the process of gathering information to reach out to the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod members that will be attending a college or university during this next academic year. Students have told us they have heard about campus ministries from their pastors or churches. With your help, they can be connected to a campus ministry before they get on campus. Students can be most impacted by these connections during their first year at college. Please join in our efforts by: 1) Printing in your church bulletin through August the announcement that was mailed to your church office. 2) Sending the name, current address, phone number, email address, and the college they will be attending this fall for each student who will be a freshman or attending a new college this next academic year. Please send names to the Nebraska District Office as soon as possible, via email at missions at ndlcms.org, or you may follow the link to the Nebraska District website and simply follow the directions provided on that web page to get us the information. http://www.ndlcms.org/ministries/district/campus.html Thank you for your help in keeping the youth of your congregation connected to Christ as they begin this new phase of their lives! Contact the District Office at missions at ndlcms.org or 888-643-2961 with questions or for more information on campus ministry. Back to top CONGREGATIONAL TREASURER/BUSINESS MANAGER'S WORKSHOP Lutheran Church Extension Fund of Nebraska is hosting a complimentary workshop for those who serve their congregations as treasurers or business managers. This one-day conference will be held on Saturday, September 8, at the Janzow Campus Center Cattle Conference Room at Concordia University in Seward. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m., with the workshop beginning at 9:00 a.m. There will be donuts, coffee, and juice available during the registration process. Lunch and conference expenses are provided courtesy of Lutheran Church Extension Fund, sponsor of the workshop. Throughout the day, several professionals in their area will present information on topics such as: > What it means to be the Treasurer > Knowing when to call an attorney...recognizing issues and addressing them > Procedures and policies you should have in place to protect your congregation regarding counseling and sexual harassment > Development of foundations and promoting them > How to protect yourself when you are handling the cash > All about Concordia Plan Services > How to handle risk through insurance coverage > Payroll processing > Personnel policies and regulations > And much more Another very important part of the day will be the "Question and Answer" time with the speakers, when participants will have the opportunity to get answers to the questions they encounter as they go about the tasks they are asked to complete in their service. There is no fee to attend the conference - LCEF is sponsoring the event. To register, you can register online at http://www.ndlcms.org/news/conferences/treasurer.html, mail in the registration form mailed to each church office, or email Carol Oetting at carolo at ndlcms.org by August 24. Back to top WIVES OF PASTORS RETREAT Wives of pastors and vicars in the Nebraska District are invited to attend the Nebraska District Wives of Pastors Retreat at The Leadership Center in Aurora on September 7-8. This retreat has been designed specially for them under the theme, "Make a Joyful Noise," based on Psalm 95:1-3. The retreat will provide networking opportunities with other wives of pastors and vicars -- old friends and new acquaintances alike. Laurie Friedrich, a pastor's wife herself, will be the keynote speaker for the Friday evening banquet. Throughout the day and a half there will be plenty of opportunities for relaxation, laughter, and renewal. Registration begins at 4:30 p.m. Friday afternoon, with the banquet at 6:00 p.m. Saturday will be made up of break-out sessions offering participants a chance to examine being a joyful noise and the opportunities the Lord gives them to be joy-filled. Registration materials were mailed to each pastor's and vicar's wife or may be printed from the District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/news/conferences/wives.html. Online registration is also available on this webpage. Contact Julie Roebke at the District Office at julier at ndlcms.org or 888-643-2961 for more information. Registrations are due August 17. Back to top OUTREACH MISSION GRANTS As a result of the partnership between the Lutheran Church Extension Fund's faithful investors and borrowers, LCEF has been blessed by our Lord to be able to offer Outreach Ministry Grants to congregations and other LCMS organizations within the Nebraska District. Twenty-five $1,000 Outreach Ministry Grants are available to Nebraska District LCMS congregations, schools, and related organizations. To be considered for a grant, the applicant must: * Conduct a specific outreach/evangelism program, activity, or event designed to reach lost people for Christ within one calendar year of receipt of this grant. * Reflect the goals of the LCEF Mission Statement, which reads as follows: To support the Church in fulfilling its mission of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ by being a Christ-centered servant partner of the LCMS, ensuring that funds and services are available now and in the future. * Provide photos and a written summary of the LCEF grant-funded outreach ministry to this office within one calendar year of receipt of this grant. This will be used for LCEF promotional purposes. Guidelines and an application were sent to all pastors, principals, DCEs, congregational chairmen, and LCEF congregational representatives. Contact one of these individuals for more information or visit the Nebraska District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/financial/lcef/grant.html for more information or to print an application form. The deadline for receiving completed applications is August 30, 2007. Grant recipients will be selected by October 1, 2007. Back to top LCMS CONVENTION ELECTS CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY BOARD OF REGENTS The Concordia University, Nebraska Board of Regents was expanded from 13 members to 17 at the national Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod convention held in Houston, Texas, July 14-19. "Expanding the board by four additional members will bring new expertise, resources and strength," said Concordia President Brian L. Friedrich. "It is an exciting time for the current board to have the opportunity to look far and wide to identify those who have a deep passion for Lutheran Christian higher education and the gifts, skills, and abilities to further empower this amazing institution." The LCMS convention also elected four individuals to serve three-year terms: Timothy Moll (Seward, Neb.) is a newcomer to the board and the Rev. Dr. David L. Block (Mesa, Ariz.), Dr. Vance H. Hinrichs (Lincoln, Neb.) and William Hartmann (Seward, Neb.) were re-elected as board members. One other regent position was filled by appointment of the Board of Regents. Current regent Ronald Pfeiffer (Memphis, Tenn.) was reappointed by Concordia's Board of Regents during its July 23 meeting to serve a new term beginning Sept. 1. The board also elected new executive officers during the July 23 meeting. The officers are Rev. Russell Sommerfeld, chair (re-elected); Dr. Fred Ohlde, vice chair; and Dr. Paul Burger, secretary. Back to top ARIZONA CONGREGATION SEEKING CHOIR DIRECTOR Crown of Life Lutheran Church in Sun City West, Arizona, is looking for a seasonal, part-time choir director and special music coordinator. This spirited and spirit-filled 950-member retirement community congregation is looking to fill this position from October - May with a director who is able to be a "team-player," capable of and amenable to working closely with the pastor to coordinate well-organized thematic worship experiences. Music preference range is from contemporary to traditional. Anyone interested in this position is encouraged to send their resume and references to Crown of Life Lutheran Church, 13131 Spanish Garden Drive, Sun City West, AZ, 85375. Visit www.colchurch.com to learn more about the congregation. Back to top NEW FEATURES ON 'JCPLAYZONE' FIGHT MIDSUMMER BOREDOM Summer heat may keep kids cooped up inside, but LHM's JCPlayZone, www.jcplayzone.com, can keep them from getting bored. Encourage families in your church, school, or daycare center to visit the website to engage children through interactive online activities in a safe Christian environment. JCPlayZone now features daily devotions for kids. Each devotion includes a short story, Bible verse, and prayer. The devotions come from Crystal Bowman, author of The One Year Book of Devotions for Preschoolers. Fun new games, crafts, recipes, activities, coloring pages, and e-cards focusing on summer are also on the site. Music from That's the Joy, a CD produced by Bobby and Julie Schroeder of BLS Ministries in Leawood, Kansas, has been added as well. A companion website called JCParentZone (www.JCParentZone.com) offers access to relevant information on parenting from a Christian perspective. The articles and spiritual questions are updated regularly. Articles address topics such as discipline, family time, and conflict. Parents can also read and respond to a single father's blog. Pastors or Church Office Staff, please consider printing the following announcement in your church newsletter or bulletin: New Daily Devotions and Activities Now Available on 'JCPlayZone'! Visit www.JCPlayZone.com today to find daily devotions for children, Christian music, interactive games, craft ideas, and seasonal recipes! Parents, visit www.JCParentZone.com to find relevant parenting information from a Christian perspective. Back to top LINCOLN DIVISION OF ORPHAN GRAIN TRAIN The Lincoln Division of Orphan Grain Train began two years ago, and in that time they have shipped out four cargo containers of relief supplies to Belarus, Armenia, and Uzbekistan(2). They thank all of the congregations and individuals for their help and their prayers. They are still accepting donations of bedding, clothing, stuffed toys, and medical equipment (that is, canes, crutches, walkers, wheelchairs) at the warehouse in Lincoln. The address is 2500 Kimco Court. This is two blocks west of the service road that runs alongside 27th Street at the railroad overpass between Leighton and Teresa Streets. Come in from Teresa Street or State Fair Park Drive. Donations may be dropped off on Thursdays and Fridays from 2:00 - 6:00 p.m., or anytime volunteers are present sorting and/or packing clothes. To find out when volunteers will be present, please call: Wauneta Peterson; 402-483-1649 or 402-429-4691 LaVerne Thomas; 402-423-3903 or 402-429-9104 The warehouse; 402-325-6744 The Lincoln Division will hold its Annual Wisconsin-Style Fish Feed on August 12 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Lincoln Lutheran Middle School/High School at 1100 North 56th Street in Lincoln. If your congregation would like to sponsor a Wisconsin-Style Fish Feed for the Orphan Grain Train Lincoln Division, and/or if you would like to have a speaker come talk about the work of Orphan Grain Train, please contact Mr. LaVerne Thomas at 402-423-3903. You can learn more about the work of Orphan Grain Train at www.ogt.org. Back to top NEWS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL LLL CONVENTION Arapahoe Man Elected Regional Governor At its 90th international convention in Duluth, Minnesota, the International Lutheran Laymen's League (Int'l LLL) re-elected Raymond Stuckemeyer to the post of vice president and Alvin Etzler to the position of treasurer. Paul Martin was also elected to the position of secretary, and eight other officers were elected to fill regional governing positions. The regional governor elected for Region 9, the region including the Nebraska District, is Lorris Haarberg, member of Trinity, Arapahoe. Congratulation, Lorris! Outstanding Ambassadors Recognized Lutheran Hour Ministries honored 37 outstanding ambassadors during its ambassador workshop and a special "Bringing Christ to the Nations" ceremony at the international convention of the International Lutheran Laymen's League. The ambassadors were nominated by their district leadership because of their tireless work to promote Lutheran Hour Ministries' programs and to cultivate relationships with current and prospective donors. Imogene Wacker, member of Zion, Plainview, was named the LLL Outstanding Ambassador for the Nebraska District. Congratulations, Imogene! Back to top Blessings, Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications and Events 1-888-643-2961 nicholeh at ndlcms.org www.ndlcms.org -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: text/html Size: 42650 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.ndlcms.org/pipermail/distupd/attachments/20070801/9996c70b/attachment.txt From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Wed Aug 8 13:19:34 2007 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Wed, 08 Aug 2007 18:19:34 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] August 8 Message-ID: Update for August 8 A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE! "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever." Psalm 107:1 God is very good and we give Him thanks for the blessings He showered on the participants and presenters at Prairie Fire last Saturday. The Lord granted safety to all who traveled to and from the event, and His Spirit was truly present among the 625 people who gathered that day. Thank you to all who attended this event on Concordia's campus, and thank you to all who helped as presenters, hosts, or other volunteers. The Lord truly blessed the day and all those in attendance, both participants and staff. It was wonderful being there with all of you and feeling your excitement about the ministry opportunities God has given you in your congregations and communities. We pray you will be able to take back what you heard to your congregations and share with others the new ideas and insights for ministry you gained. If you were not able to join us last Saturday, keep watching the District website, www.ndlcms.org, or this newsletter for the date of the 2008 Prairie Fire. * Convention Hears Update on Ablaze! * Opening Service at Concordia University * Camp Luther News * Thrivent Employee Victim of Bridge Collapse * Lutheran Choir of Lincoln Accepting New Singers * Lutheran Laymen's League Sponsoring Worship at State Fair CONVENTION HEARS UPDATE ON ABLAZE! The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod's Ablaze! initiative is "reminiscent of what happened when John the Baptist introduced one of his followers, Andrew, to Jesus," Kermit "Butch" Almstedt, chairman of the Board for Mission Services, told the 63rd Regular Convention July 15. "Andrew then introduced his brother, Peter, to Jesus. Following that, John the Baptist introduced Philip to Jesus, and Philip introduced Nathaniel to Jesus," Almstedt continued. "One-on-one witnessing has been going on since the time of our Lord." Like early evangelism efforts, Ablaze! is "about fulfilling God's Word to witness one's faith and to disciple the nations, so that many more may have life in Jesus Christ," Almstedt said. The Ablaze! effort was endorsed by the 2004 LCMS convention. It has a goal to share the Gospel with 100 million people worldwide by 2017, the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. The LCMS has invited its 30 partner churches in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eurasia to take part in Ablaze! and has set up a Web-based "counter" at www.lcms.org/ablaze to track the effort's progress and share witnessing ideas. In their joint report to the convention, Almstedt and Dr. Robert Roegner, executive director of the mission board, provided an update on Ablaze! Among the information they shared: * 32 of the Synod's 35 districts have registered as "Ablaze! partners" to support the effort's goals. In addition to reaching 100 million people with the Gospel, those goals include starting 2,000 congregations in North America and "revitalizing" the mission efforts of 2,000 existing congregations that have static or declining memberships; * 571 congregations also have declared themselves to be partners in the effort; and * about 1,000 congregations have downloaded the Ablaze! logo from the Web site and have indicated they are "doing something around Ablaze! - from holding a special worship service, to some event like Friendship Sunday, to Bible study, or outreach training," said Roegner. As of July 15, Roegner said, "the number of unreached or uncommitted people with whom the Gospel has been shared and reported to us is 5,267,615." "This is just a start," he said. "We expect those numbers to increase exponentially in the coming years, as more and more people join the movement, and as more and more people hear the Good News of Jesus." Roegner said a number of free resources are available on the Ablaze! website to help Lutherans reach out with the Gospel. The effort, he said, is "about challenging [Lutherans] - especially the laity - to be passionate about witnessing to lost souls for Christ." Worldwide, LCMS World Mission last year sponsored four regional Ablaze! summits with partner-church leaders in England, Kenya, Bolivia, and China, Roegner said. He added that 26 partner-church leaders are expected to attend an international Ablaze! summit following the Synod's convention in Houston. "They are coming to discuss ways that they can move the Ablaze! vision forward in their churches and countries," he said. For more information on the Ablaze! movement, visit the Ablaze! website at www.lcms.org/ablaze. Back to top OPENING SERVICE AT CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY The 114th academic year of Concordia University, Nebraska will officially begin at its opening service on Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward. The public is invited to attend. "The opening service of the academic year is festive, Gospel-oriented, and motivating. It is wonderful to be gathered once again as a strong community to start the year," said Rev. Wes "Bo" Baumeister, university chaplain. Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison, executive director for LCMS World Relief will serve as the preacher. The service will also recognize the new faculty and staff and those professors advancing in academic rank. Back to top CAMP LUTHER NEWS Dr. Rich Bimler to Speak at Camp October 7 Dr. Rich Bimler will be the guest speaker for the Camp's Annual Association meeting. Dr. Bimler speaks throughout the world where he combines a contagious sense of humor with a spiritual message. He uses "Holy Hilarity" to laugh, live, link, and lift up people in the Lord. Some topic areas of interest include: "Grandparenting is Grand," "Families are for-giving," "Living Well - Taking Care of Yourself and Others," "And God said ... Lighten Up!" and "Helping Your Congregation to be a Healthy Place - Ingredients of Effective Congregations." Schedule for the evening will be: 4:00 PM Registration 4:30 PM Annual Meeting 5:15 PM Banquet Meal 6:15 PM Guest Speaker: Dr. Rich Bimler 7:00 PM Closing Call Camp Luther at 402-352-5655 to make reservations by Monday, October 1, 2007. A freewill offering will be taken to cover the cost of the banquet meal and other expenses. Junior High Retreat October 12-13 The Fall Junior High Retreat (grades 5-8) will be a repeat of "Hook, Line and Sinker" and will feature leadership by Concordia University CYM students and Camp Luther staff. The $55 per person cost includes overnight, meals, snack, t-shirt, and more. Youth Leadership Event October 19-20 Looking for something different then the normal Junior High Retreat? Camp Luther will offer a special event featuring noted motivational speaker Joel Christiansen. He will deliver three motivating presentations on "God's Role in Building a Championship Life." Groups can come for both Friday and Saturday (cost is $55 per person) or just for Saturday (cost is $17 per person). Back to top THRIVENT EMPLOYEE VICTIM OF BRIDGE COLLAPSE from LCMS "Disaster News" e-News Wednesday's bridge collapse on I-35W in Minneapolis claimed the life of Sherry Engebretsen, director of marketing at Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Engebretsen, 60, worked in Thrivent's downtown Minneapolis office. We pray that God would rest the peace of Christ on Engebretsen's family and all who mourn her loss. The Aug. 1 collapse caused scores of injuries and several deaths. Two blocks away, Pastor David Kind opened the doors of University Lutheran Chapel -- an LCMS congregation serving the University of Minnesota campus -- to the police, for anyone needing assistance. Though injured victims were taken directly to hospitals, two individuals waited at the church for relatives to come pick them up. Pastor Kind reported that civic leaders promptly established an information center across the river from his church, for families and friends searching for those still missing. Pastor Kind and his congregation have offered further assistance, if needed. LCMS World Relief and Human Care has been contacting all LCMS congregations in the area, as well as the District office, and is prepared to help in any way necessary. Some information for this story came from MSNBC, at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20105559/. Back to top LUTHERAN CHOIR OF LINCOLN ACCEPTING NEW SINGERS The Lincoln Lutheran Choir invites all interested musicians to join them in celebrating their 30th Anniversary season. All interested singers should contact Josh Norris, Director, at 402-613-3115 or via email at norris at bigred.unl.edu. Rehearsals begin on Sunday, August 26, with a Fall Retreat at the Lutheran Student Center on the UNL Campus. The concert date is December 9. Join them for an exciting season of wonderful choral music! Back to top LUTHERAN LAYMEN'S LEAGUE SPONSORING WORSHIP AT STATE FAIR Pastors and church office staff - please consider including this information in one or more bulletins prior to the State Fair. Are you planning to take in the Nebraska State Fair? Will you be there on a Sunday? If so, join the Nebraska District Lutheran Laymen as they provide a worship service at the Open Air Auditorium each Sunday at 9:00 a.m. Rev. Bo Baumeister, chaplain at Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska, will be preaching on Sunday, August 26. Serving as liturgist and sharing a children's message will be Rev. Bob Paulson, who serves as visitation pastor at St. Paul, Utica, and St. John, Seward. Special music will be provided by the Christ Lutheran Choir of rural Columbus. Rev. Steve Siegel will be preaching the message on Sunday, September 2. Pastor Siegel is the director of United States ministries for Lutheran Hour Ministries. Leading the worship service and sharing the children's message will be Rev. Duane Fahr of Bloomfield, Nebraska. Pastor Fahr serves as the Nebraska District's LLL Pastoral Advisor. Special music will be provided by the Verdigre Men's chorus of Verdigre, Nebraska. If you are at the Fair, don't miss this special time to worship our Lord. Back to top Again, thank you to everyone who attended Prairie Fire in Seward on Saturday. We pray you were blessed by the time you spent gathered together with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank you also to all who shared information for this week's Update. Your continued input helps make this e-newsletter a useful ministry resource for many across the District. To share news or information from your congregation or school, send items to communications at ndlcms.org. Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications and Events 1-888-643-2961 nicholeh at ndlcms.org www.ndlcms.org * Please Note: The inclusion of items in the Update from outside sources is for informational purposes only. Inclusion of such items does not constitute District endorsement. -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: text/html Size: 32430 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.ndlcms.org/pipermail/distupd/attachments/20070808/45d05d8f/attachment.txt From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Wed Aug 15 12:03:46 2007 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Wed, 15 Aug 2007 17:03:46 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] August 15 Message-ID: Update for August 15 A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE! Greetings in the name of our good and gracious Heavenly Father. It's that time of year again when schools are starting and summers are ending (almost). May the Lord be with you, your family, and your congregation during this very exciting time. As families return to your day school, your Sunday school, or your worship community, may the Lord grant you opportunities to share the joy you have in your heart because of Jesus' love for you. * Prayer Requests * Statement Regarding 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly Action * Wives of Pastors Retreat Registrations Due this Week * Treasurers - Register Now for Treasurers' Workshop! * Nebraska Congregation Receives Good Samaritan Grant * Life ... Revised Shares a Message of Hope With Military Families * 25,000 Lutheran Youth Gather in Orlando * Is Your Food Pantry Safe? * Lamb of God, Omaha, to Dedicate New Building * Orphan Grain Train Convention Registration Open * Pastor to Celebrate Ministry Anniversary * In the News PRAYER REQUESTS Leah Hall - Please lift up in prayer Leah Hall, daughter of Rev. William and Judith Voelker, recently retired pastor of Peace, Grand Island. Leah was involved in an accident Sunday, August 5, in which her sister-in-law Rene (her husband Jay's sister) was killed. Leah was hospitalized with many broken bones (shoulder, arm, wrist, ribs) and bruises from her seat belt. Her mother-in-law, who was in the same car, suffered 2 broken ribs, a punctured lung, and other injuries. The family was en route to a vacation traveling in two cars (women in one and men in the other), and were between Colby and Goodland, Kansas, when the vehicle rolled over at 70 mph after another car caused her to swerve toward the shoulder. Rene was driving and the car rolled over on her. The men were driving ahead of the women and Leah's husband Jay witnessed the accident. Please continue to keep the entire family in your prayers -- for healing, for comfort, and for strength due to physical injuries and the death of Jay's (Leah's husband) sister, who was also Leah's best friend. The following link is to Jay's web page, which is being updated regularly: www.paleriderprod.com/life. Back to top STATEMENT REGARDING 2007 ELCA CHURCHWIDE ASSEMBLY ACTION TO: The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod FROM: Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick, President SUBJECT: Statement regarding 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly Action DATE: August 13, 2007 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: Greetings in the Name of Jesus Christ, Savior of the world and Lord of the universe, through whom alone we receive forgiveness of sin, life, and salvation! On the final day of its 2007 Churchwide Assembly in Chicago (Saturday, August 11), the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) adopted a resolution which "prays, urges, and encourages [ELCA geographical] synods, synodical bishops, and the presiding bishop to refrain from or demonstrate restraint in disciplining those rostered leaders in a mutual, chaste, and faithful committed same-gender relationship who have been called and rostered in this church." News of this action troubles me greatly and is causing serious concern and consternation among the members and leaders of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS). We in the LCMS hold firmly to the conviction that, according to the Holy Bible, homosexual behavior is "intrinsically sinful." We are deeply disappointed that the ELCA, by its decision, has failed to act in keeping with the historic and universal understanding of the Christian church regarding what Holy Scripture teaches about homosexual behavior as contrary to God's will and about the biblical qualifications for holding the pastoral office. The LCMS firmly believes that the sin of homosexual behavior, like every sin that fallen human beings commit, has been paid for in full by the life, suffering, death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The LCMS also believes that we must continue to reach out in love to all people on the basis of what God's Word alone teaches about human sinfulness, God's grace in Christ, and the new life empowered by God's Holy Spirit. It should be noted that the ELCA voted not to amend at this time its governing documents regarding the expectations of its ordained workers in this area (this matter was referred to its task force on sexuality). However, its decision "to refrain from or demonstrate restraint in disciplining" ELCA workers in "a mutual, chaste, and faithful committed same-gender relationship" raises troubling questions about whether the expectations set forth in its governing documents will be taken seriously by the ELCA or by the task force. The potential implications of decisions such as this for future LCMS-ELCA relations have been discussed in previous meetings involving leaders of the LCMS and the ELCA. In addition, I stated in my official greetings to the 2007 ELCA Assembly on Friday, August 10, "For the sake of our mutual witness and service together, the implications of such action, should it be taken, would need to be addressed, fraternally and evangelically." As the LCMS noted in a resolution adopted at its 2001 Convention (Resolution 3-21A), "we of the LCMS recognize that many of our brothers and sisters of the ELCA remain faithful to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and we resolve to reach out to them in love and support." As President of the LCMS, it is my ongoing hope and fervent prayer-as stated in my remarks to the 2003 ELCA Assembly-that the ELCA's continuing "study and deliberation of this matter will be made in the light of the biblical understanding of human sexuality and the qualifications for the pastoral office." I also pray that God the Holy Spirit will lead and guide all Christians and Christian denominations everywhere to seek wisdom and truth from God's inspired, inerrant, infallible Word on this and other critical issues in our contemporary church and culture. Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick, President The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod "Transforming lives through Christ's love ... in time ... for eternity ..." John 3:16-17 Back to top WIVES OF PASTORS RETREAT REGISTRATIONS DUE THIS WEEK Relax! . . . Renew! . . . Refresh! . . . Reacquaint! . . . Register! Wives of pastors and vicars in the Nebraska District are invited to join together for a Wives of Pastors Retreat under the theme "Make a Joyful Noise," based on Psalm 95:1-3. The retreat will be held at The Leadership Center in Aurora on September 7-8. The banquet on Friday night will feature keynote speaker Laurie Friedrich, First Lady of Concordia University, Seward. Saturday will give participants a chance to spend time in God's Word and with each other for encouragement, celebration, and joy. More information and online registration is available on the District website, http://www.ndlcms.org/news/conferences/wives.html. Ladies are encouraged to register by this Friday, August 17, to aid in meal counts and lodging arrangements. Online registrations will be accepted until midnight on Friday. Contact the District Office at 888-643-2961 with questions or for more information. Back to top TREASURERS - REGISTER NOW FOR TREASURERS' WORKSHOP! Congregational treasurers, have you ever wondered if there was one place you could go to get information on all of the following topics? > What it means to be the Treasurer > Knowing when to call an attorney...recognizing issues and addressing them > Procedures and policies you should have in place to protect your congregation regarding counseling and sexual harassment > Development of foundations and promoting them > How to protect yourself when you are handling the cash > All about Concordia Plan Services > How to handle risk through insurance coverage > Payroll processing > Personnel policies and regulations Well, there is! Lutheran Church Extension Fund is sponsoring a Congregational Treasurer/Business Managers' Workshop on the campus of Concordia University, Seward, on Saturday, September 8. This free conference will cover these topics and more, as well as provide valuable question and answer time with professionals in these areas. Participants will also receive all breaks and lunch compliments of LCEF. The registration deadline is next Friday, August 24. Treasurers may register online or find more information about the day on the District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/news/conferences/treasurer.html. Back to top NEBRASKA CONGREGATION RECEIVES GOOD SAMARITAN GRANT The Good Samaritan Fund grants committee - consisting of representatives from Wheat Ridge Ministries and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) - is pleased to announce $75,000 in grants will go to 23 churches in 16 states for 2007. Individual grant amounts of up to $5,000 fund such things as English as a Second Language (ESL), citizenship and job training classes, immigrant youth activities, and skills to thrive in a new culture. This year's grant pool was supplemented by a special $25,000 contribution from LCMS World Relief and Human Care. Christ, Lincoln, was awarded $3,000 for English as a Second Language classes. The Good Samaritan Fund offers seed grants to Lutheran congregations developing new services to immigrants, asylum seekers, or refugees. Congregations must contribute at least 25 percent of the project cost, either through cash or in-kind support, and funding priority is given to projects that demonstrate at least one of the following services to immigrant communities: social or legal services, joint projects between community members and new residents, and leadership development within the ethnic groups served. LIRS is a cooperative agency of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) and the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (LELCA), so applicants must be congregations in one of those church bodies. Grants are not available to individuals or church agencies, nor are they made to support refugee reception and placement activities, other refugee resettlement programs, or projects of evangelism. Lutheran congregations wishing to apply for a Good Samaritan Fund grant should visit www.wheatridge.org or www.lirs.org, where they will find information about the granting process and the types of information required. Official 2008 application forms will be available on the websites in the fall. For more information, please contact Brian Becker, Vice President for Ministry Programs at Wheat Ridge Ministries, at 800-762-6748. Back to top LIFE ... REVISED SHARES A MESSAGE OF HOPE WITH MILITARY FAMILIES With the recent increase in the number of deployed United States troops, the pain of prolonged separation is a reality for many military families. While there is no perfect formula to help families cope with the separation, hearing from other people who have experienced deployment can provide some comfort. Lutheran Hour Ministries' Life ... revised radio program will focus on this important topic during the week of Aug. 19. Tune in to hear from a couple that dealt with the husband's 15-month deployment to Iraq. In this show, entitled "Love Across the Miles," host Dr. Mark Hannemann and co-host Michelle Bauer interview guests Paul and Michelle Tandy, a military family from St. Louis. Paul and Michelle are the parents of two sons, ages 7 and 8, and have been married for 17 years. Paul, a school administrator, has been in the reserves for 20 years and experienced his first deployment from March 2005 to June 2006. Hear from the Tandys, as well as military wives from Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, as they share ideas about how to help children cope with the absence of a parent. Mrs. Tandy also shares that her faith is what sustained her during this trying time. She shares that she was always "talking to God" and reminding herself that "this was part of God's perfect plan for [their] life." For Life ... revised broadcast information, visit the Lutheran Hour Ministries Broadcast Guide. If your local station does not carry Life ... revised, listen on XM Satellite Radio Channel 170 on Saturday, Aug. 18 at 1:30 p.m. Eastern time or listen online at www.liferevised.com. Back to top 25,000 LUTHERAN YOUTH GATHER IN ORLANDO The 2007 National LCMS Youth Gathering and LCMS Adult Gathering happened July 28 - August 1, 2007, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. 25,000 youth and adult participants from every LCMS district and several nations and 1,500 volunteers gathered for five days under the theme, "CHOSEN," based on 1 Peter 2:9. The 2007 event marks the 10th triennial National Gathering sponsored by LCMS District and Congregational Services - Youth Ministry. Over 60 congregations of the Nebraska District were represented at the Gathering. LCMS President, Rev. Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick addressed all participants at the Sunday evening plenary session. "The focus of these National LCMS Youth Gatherings is on your relationship with the God of the universe," Kieschnick shared. "Jesus is God's Son." President Kieschnick also shared Convention Resolution 2-05 to Support National LCMS Youth Gatherings with the assembly. The resolution was adopted by The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod in its 63rd Regular Convention in July of this year. "You are all chosen. You are also the Church at its best," Rev. Terry Dittmer, Director for Youth Ministry, shared with participants at the close of the event. "You are the Church with a smile on its face and the joy of Jesus in [its] heart and it's time to go back out into the world and tell the world what we know about being chosen in the Name of the Chosen One." The Gathering program was driven by daily general sessions for all participants, workshops, experience-based activity, fellowship, Bible study, worship, and service projects. The first LCMS Adult Gathering also took place and drew 160 participants. Gathering services connected congregations back home to the events in Orlando. Each evening, an average of 1,800 viewers accessed live streaming video of Gathering mass events. More than 2,800 online viewers watched the Tuesday evening worship service. Streaming media was provided at no cost to viewers. The post-Gathering website remains online at www.lcmsgathering.com. Planning is underway for the 2010 National LCMS Youth Gathering. The event's location will be announced in the coming months as contract negotiations are finalized. Back to top IS YOUR FOOD PANTRY SAFE? (From LCMSNews -- No. 56, August 8) The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is asking churches that operate feeding programs to check their stores of products intended for donation to ensure they do not include any of approximately 90 different canned foods that could cause botulism poisoning. All of the products are produced by Castleberry's Food Company of Augusta, Ga., but are sold under a variety of brands and labels. The products include beef stew, corned beef hash, chili, chili sauces, dog food, and other items. Any person or organization holding any of the products under recall is advised to dispose of them immediately. Botulism can be fatal. Four cases of serious illness in consumers have been connected with consumption of Castleberry's products now under recall. The full list of products and codes under recall, instructions for disposing of the products, and other information is available on the FDA website at http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/castleberry.html. Back to top LAMB OF GOD, OMAHA, TO DEDICATE NEW BUILDING Lamb of God, Omaha, invites everyone to attend the dedication of their new facility at 7033 L Street in Omaha, on Sunday, September 23, at 4:00 p.m. Celebrant for the Divine Service will be Rev. Philip Houser, pastor at Lamb of God. The guest preacher will be Rev. Dr. Dean Wenthe, President of Concordia Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana. A potluck meal will be served following the service Back to top ORPHAN GRAIN TRAIN CONVENTION REGISTRATION OPEN The annual Orphan Grain Train Convention will be September 21-22 at Lutheran High Northeast in Norfolk. Registration is now open at www.ogt.org or by mailing in the registration form found in the Summer 2007 newsletter. Everyone is invited to attend and hear about the work of Orphan Grain Train around the world. Back to top PASTOR TO CELEBRATE MINISTRY ANNIVERSARY The members of Zion, Pierce, will be celebrating Pastor Bruce's 20 years in ministry on September 9. Pastor Hans Trinklein will be the guest speaker at the 10:00 a.m. worship service, followed by a potluck dinner. Everyone is invited to join them for this celebration. Back to top IN THE NEWS "The adage is 'Like father, like son.' But a Northeast Nebraska family recently gave that a new twist when the Rev. David Weaver preached at the ordination of his father, the Rev. Gerry (pronounced "Gary") Weaver when he became a Lutheran minister earlier this year." Read the entire Norfolk Daily News article about the two Pastor Weavers in the Nebraska District at http://www.norfolkdailynews.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=5468&SectionID=3&SubSectionID=&S=1. Back to top Thank you to all the congregations, schools, and individuals who submitted information for this week's Update. Items to share are always welcome and may be emailed to communications at ndlcms.org. Blessings, Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications and Events 1-888-643-2961 nicholeh at ndlcms.org www.ndlcms.org * Please Note: The inclusion of items in the Update from outside sources is for informational purposes only. Inclusion of such items does not constitute District endorsement. -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: text/html Size: 47635 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.ndlcms.org/pipermail/distupd/attachments/20070815/c4dd3e3e/attachment.txt From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Wed Aug 22 11:53:39 2007 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2007 16:53:39 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] August 22 Message-ID: Update for August 22 A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE! Greetings in the name of our Heavenly Father. * New Lutheran Hour Ministries Parenting Workshop * Volunteers Needed in Greensburg, Kansas * Upcoming District Events * Concordia University, Nebraska Announces New Provost * District Pastors Featured on KFUO * LFS Healthy Family Walk This Weekend * Concordia University, Nebraska Ranked in Top Tier of Colleges * Fall Grace Place Retreat Opportunity for Pastors * Nebraska Lutherans for Confessional Study to Meet NEW LUTHERAN HOUR MINISTRIES PARENTING WORKSHOP Lutheran Hour Ministries is unveiling a new program to help churches reach out to families in their communities with the love of Christ and a world-class resource. This six-week DVD series, entitled Parenting Families from ME to WE, is based on a parenting concept originated by Dr. David Ludwig, a leading Christian psychologist, counselor, and author. Each weekly video segment features three significant parts: * A presentation of the main concept by Dr. Ludwig; * Insights from Monique Nunes, a principal, early childhood educator, and mother, who takes the concept and applies it to real-life situations; * Pastor Ben Gonzales sharing personal ways to underscore the unconditional truth and love of Jesus Christ so that it resonates with people no matter where they are in their relationship with Jesus. "Stressors from every direction impact today's families, and many of us could use some fresh insights and support from fellow parents for optimum family health," says the Rev. Steve Siegel, Director of the United States Ministries division for LHM. "This need is an opportunity for churches to connect with families in their local community. Member and non-member families alike will benefit from practical and engaging workshops." Churches signing up for this program will receive a hosting kit containing: * A DVD of the six sessions * A CD of customizable multimedia downloads, containing publicity and participant materials * Promotional brochures * A package of invitation postcards * Booklet samples from LHM's Project Connect booklet display ministry * A printed hosting guide, including preparation and volunteer notes for promotion through follow-up The program is available to churches for only $249 ... and discounts are available. For more information about the program, visit www.lhm.org/equipping. To order a hosting kit, call 1-800-944-3450, ext. 4305, or send an e-mail to localmedia at lhm.org. Back to top VOLUNTEERS NEEDED IN GREENSBURG, KANSAS Volunteers are needed now and throughout this fall in Greensburg, Kansas, to help with the tornado recovery effort. Currently, the main tasks for groups will be to help clean up the remaining debris and to make repairs on existing homes. There are some new rebuilds coming up soon. Beginning around the first of September, dorm units and cooking and shower facilities will be in place for volunteer groups. Contact Julie Hillschafer, LDR site coordinator, for additional details at 620-388-3760. Back to top UPCOMING DISTRICT EVENTS The Nebraska District is hosting a number of upcoming events this fall. Following are the conferences and retreats, along with their dates, locations, and links to more information on the District website if available. Contact the District Office at conference at ndlcms.org or 888-643-2961 with questions. 2007 Wives of Pastors Retreat, The Leadership Center, Aurora, September 7-8 Congregational Treasurers' Workshop, Concordia University, Seward, September 8 Sunday School Workshop, Christ, Norfolk, September 22 New Worker Orientation, Concordia University, Seward, September 24-25 Circuit Counselors' Conference, St. Benedict Center, Schuyler, October 1-2 All Professional Conference, Embassy Suites, Lincoln , October 22-24 LCEF Circuit Directors' Conference, Holiday Inn Express, Columbus, November 2-3 Church Secretary Workshop, Concordia University, Seward, November 6 Heartland Conference for Rural Ministry, Lied Lodge and Conference Center, Nebraska City, November 8-10 2008 Spring Pastors' Conference, location TBA, April 7-8 Church Reconciler Training, The Leadership Center, Aurora, April 13-19 Principals' Conference, The Leadership Center, Aurora, April 17-18 District Youth Gathering, Holiday Inn Convention Centre, Omaha, November 21-23 Back to top CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY, NEBRASKA ANNOUNCES NEW PROVOST Dr. Jenny Mueller-Roebke of Seward, Neb., has accepted an appointment to serve as provost of Concordia University, Nebraska beginning Jan. 1, 2008. In July the university's Board of Regents extended a call to Mueller-Roebke, culminating a six-month, nationwide search process that began when Concordia's current provost, Dr. David Dolak, announced a December 2007 retirement date. Dolak, a member of Concordia's faculty since 1993, is serving in his twelfth year as either executive vice president for academic services or provost. "Dr. Mueller-Roebke brings considerable gifts, a wealth of knowledge and experience to the office of provost," said Rev. Dr. Brian Friedrich, Concordia's president. "She is a dynamic, visionary academic leader who is deeply rooted in the history and mission of the university. As Concordia continues its role as a leader in Lutheran Christian higher education in the United States and around the world, Dr. Mueller-Roebke embodies fully and articulates distinctively our mission and vision for the future." Mueller-Roebke currently teaches English and serves as department chair for English, modern foreign language, communication and theatre arts. Mueller-Roebke holds a bachelor's and master's degree in education from Concordia University, Nebraska. She earned her a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Since joining the faculty full-time in 1982, Mueller-Roebke has taught various courses in English and writing. Areas of specialization include composition theory and practice, young adult literature and Nebraska authors. She has also been instrumental to the development of the university's general studies curriculum, in particular the component created for first-year students at Concordia. Back to top DISTRICT PASTORS FEATURED ON KFUO Nebraska pastors were recently interviewed on Issues, Etc., a radio program broadcast by KFUO, a broadcast service of the LCMS. These interviews from the show can be listened to online at www.issuesetc.org or downloaded as mp3 files. July 25 - Hour 3 "The Christian's Identity & Goth Identity" Rev. James DeLoach, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Louisville July 31 - Hour 1 "The Tree of Life" Rev. Rob Mayes, Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Fullerton July 31 - Hour 1 "Is God a Feminist?" Rev. Scott Porath, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Eagle August 1 -Hour 2 "Islam" Rev. Philip Houser, Lamb of God Lutheran Church, Papillion August 15 - Hour 1 "Praise Bands" Rev. Jon Sollberger, St. Peter & St. Paul Lutheran Churches, Orchard August 16 - Hour 2 "Baptists and Lutherans" Rev. Jeff Bloom, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Lincoln Back to top LFS HEALTHY FAMILY WALK THIS WEEKEND Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska will host the annual Healthy Families Walk at the Alegent Health Lakeside Wellness Center near 16940 Lakeside Plaza in Omaha on Sunday, August 26. With registration at 1 p.m. and the Walk beginning at 1:30 p.m., attendees will enjoy many fun-filled activities including: face painting, clowns, bouncy jumpers, healthy snacks, interactive family activities, a two-mile walk and more. Media sponsor KGBI FM 100.7 will be broadcasting from the Walk. Consider forming a family team. It is a great way to teach children about raising money to help others in need. There is no registration fee, but attendees are encouraged to help raise donations for the clients of LFS through the Walk. Donations will be matched by sponsors, including Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. For more information or to register online, visit the LFS website at www.lfsneb.org or call 402-978-5603. Back to top CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY, NEBRASKA RANKED IN TOP TIER OF COLLEGES Concordia University, Nebraska has been ranked 19th in the Midwest region of top baccalaureate colleges in the 2008 edition of "America's Best Colleges" by U.S. News & World Report, released today. Concordia is the highest ranked school in Nebraska in this category. Based an overall score of 61, Concordia also compares well to schools in other categories and regions. Concordia, Nebraska is the top-ranked school in the Concordia University System and placed in the top three schools of the Great Plains Athletic Conference. "Concordia is pleased to receive a top tier ranking from US News & World Report," said Brian Friedrich, president of Concordia University, Nebraska. "It reflects on the strength of our faculty, the quality of our students and the tremendous support of our alumni and friends." This year's rankings included methodological changes that placed Concordia University, Nebraska in the baccalaureate classification. The U.S. News report uses the industry-standard Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching categorizations and based this year's rankings on newly revised parameters published in 2006. Criteria evaluated in the rankings included academic reputation, retention and graduation rates, faculty resources, student selectivity and alumni support. Complete rankings are available online at www.usnews.com/colleges and will be published in the magazine's August 27 issue, on newsstands Monday, August 20. Back to top FALL GRACE PLACE RETREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR PASTORS Sign up now for the Grace Place Retreat at Camp Okoboji, Milford, Iowa. There are still a few spaces open for pastoral couples from any district for the October 7-12 Grace Place retreat (to be held at Camp Okoboji, Milford, Iowa). Registration closes September 5, so sign up now! Grace Place Lutheran Retreats teaches new ways to be totally healthy - spiritually, physically, emotionally, intellectually, relationally, and fiscally - through education, restoration, and recreation. Church worker couples are responsible for only $300 (plus travel expenses) of the $2,000 retreat cost. To register, contact Grace Place Executive Assistant Annette Woehlke at annette.woehlke at graceplaceretreats.com or 317- 842-3077, or visit their website, www.graceplaceretreats.org, for on-line registration and payment. The goal of Grace Place Retreats is for participants to walk away from the retreat week renewed in body, mind, and spirit; refreshed for your service in His church. Back to top NEBRASKA LUTHERANS FOR CONFESSIONAL STUDY TO MEET The August gathering of the Nebraska Lutherans for Confessional Study (NLCS) is Thursday, August 23, at Concordia University in Seward. Refreshments will be served at 10 a.m. in TLEC 113. Rev. Brent Kuhlman will lead the morning topic at 10:30 a.m., presenting a paper, "Vocation: Rejoicing in Being Human." Following lunch, Rev. Rev. Robert Wentzel from Trinity Lutheran Church in rural Walton will lead the afternoon topic on "A Lutheran Response to Pietism," pages 93-112 in The Complete Timotheus Verinus by Loescher, 'The Invalidation of the Ministry.' Meeting will conclude by 2:30 p.m. Everyone is invited, both clergy and laity. Back to top Blessings, Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications and Events 1-888-643-2961 nicholeh at ndlcms.org www.ndlcms.org * Please Note: The inclusion of items in the Update from outside sources is for informational purposes only. Inclusion of such items does not constitute District endorsement. -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: text/html Size: 36806 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.ndlcms.org/pipermail/distupd/attachments/20070822/c3c40e6b/attachment.txt From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Fri Aug 24 08:43:28 2007 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Fri, 24 Aug 2007 13:43:28 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] Mission Fields Nebraska Message-ID: Greetings in the name of the Lord of the Harvest! Attached is the latest issue of the Mission Fields Nebraska newsletter. This electronic newsletter is sent quarterly by the Nebraska District Mission Department to those who are subscribed to the Email Update. In each issue you will read stories from missionaries who are serving in the Nebraska mission field, as well as churches and individuals that are doing outreach in their community. If you or your congregation has a story to share, please contact Carol Oetting, assistant to Rev. Rich Boring, at the District Office. She may be reached at 888-643-2961 or carolo at ndlcms.org. You are encouraged to distribute this newsletter to members of your congregation via email or in print. Church offices and individuals are given permission to reprint articles or the entire newsletter. Please share these stories of what God is doing in the mission fields of Nebraska with friends, family, and fellow congregation members. If you have trouble opening this attachment, the newsletter may be downloaded off the Nebraska District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/ministries/district/index.html. If you wish to unsubscribe from our mailing list, you will be removed from all mailing lists, including the weekly Email Update. You may unsubscribe by replying to this message and requesting to be unsubscribed, or visit the District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/news/communications/update.html and click on the "To subscribe" link on the right. We are excited to be in mission work with you, and we look forward to a continued partnership in the mission fields of Nebraska. Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications and Events 1-888-643-2961 nicholeh at ndlcms.org www.ndlcms.org -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: text/html Size: 6960 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.ndlcms.org/pipermail/distupd/attachments/20070824/d9a3c0ba/attachment.txt -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: August 07.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 780712 bytes Desc: August 07.pdf Url : http://lists.ndlcms.org/pipermail/distupd/attachments/20070824/d9a3c0ba/August07-0001.pdf From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Wed Aug 29 11:48:50 2007 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Wed, 29 Aug 2007 16:48:50 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] August 29 Message-ID: Update for August 29 A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE! * District Office Holiday Hours * Celebration of Dual Parish Dissolution * Relief for Flood Victims * Lutheran Church Extension Fund to Offer Special Investment Rate * Medical Mission Opportunity to Honduras * Nigerian Puppy Scam Uses Nebraska Missionary Names * Issues, Etc. Now on More Nebraska Radio Stations * Lutheran Hour Ministries Offers Fun Back-to-School Activities * News for Congregational Health Ministries DISTRICT OFFICE HOLIDAY HOURS The District Office will be closed next Monday, September 3, in observance of Labor Day. The Office will reopen at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning, September 4, with staff devotions. May you and your family have a happy and safe Labor Day weekend. Back to top CELEBRATION OF DUAL PARISH DISSOLUTION It may sound strange to celebrate the dissolution of a long-standing dual parish in two of Nebraska's rural communities. However, just such a celebration happened Sunday, August 26, for St. John Lutheran Church and Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Cordova and Goehner, Nebraska. After 58 years of being a dual parish and a careful planning time over the past two years, these two congregations have dissolved their dual parish in order to strike out on their own. St. John, Cordova, energetically now moves into the calling process. Meanwhile, Holy Cross, Goehner, will move into a bi-vocational ministry setting with Pastor Arnold Jurchen serving at Holy Cross and teaching at Concordia University Nebraska. Pastor Jurchen served both St. John and Holy Cross for eleven years. The final dual parish worship service this past Sunday afternoon was a true celebration of their 58 years together. It was filled with tearful times of remembrance and inspiring Scripture, singing, and preaching about the mission opportunities God is giving each congregation. Thanks be to God! Even little dual parishes in Nebraska are ABLAZE! Back to top RELIEF FOR FLOOD VICTIMS Lutheran Disaster Relief shared the following update on their initial work with the areas affected by the Midwest flooding. To keep up-to-date on relief efforts, visit their website at www.ldr.org. August 24 - Communities across the Midwest are beginning the long process of cleaning up after severe storms and widespread flooding left portions of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Ohio longing for drier weather. While flood waters in many areas have already crested, others are forecasted to receive more rain today and tomorrow. Starting last weekend, a series of rain bands including remnants of Tropical Storm Erin have pummeled the upper Midwest with rain and strong winds. Rivers and streams have risen above their banks, and in many areas, the flood levels are higher now than they have been in decades. For the residents in affected communities, the recovery process will be a long one, and we hold them up in our prayers. Rev. Kevin Massey, assistant director for ELCA Domestic Disaster Response, traveled through parts of southeastern Minnesota and southwestern Wisconsin earlier this week, meeting with clergy and synod staff members. He was accompanied by Cindy Johnson, Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, and Rev. Gary Grindeland, Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, who serve as the Lutheran Disaster Response coordinators for their respective areas. In Minnesota, Rev. Massey met with clergy and members of the ELCA Southeastern Minnesota Synod staff to discuss current needs and the formation of a response. The most heavily affected communities are Rushford, Houston, and Winona. A similar meeting took place in Wisconsin with clergy and members of the ELCA LaCrosse Area Synod staff. The most affected communities in Wisconsin are Gays Mills and Soldiers Grove. Portions of northern and central Ohio are experiencing similarly widespread flooding after the same storm system moved west. Early assessments continue today through Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio, the Lutheran Disaster Response affiliate agency for the state, and LDR coordinator Mary Woodward is having conversations with emergency management officials and representatives from various voluntary agencies. The worst flooding seems to be in the areas of Findlay, Mansfield, and Bucyrus, as well as various smaller communities in nine counties. Interest from volunteer groups, especially many of those who have so generously given of their time along the Gulf Coast, have already started to pour in. Volunteers will be vitally needed in many of these affected communities at some point in the near future, especially as the flood waters recede and residents are faced with the damage left behind. However, at this time, volunteers are not being coordinated except for in limited numbers as requested by local authorities. In fact, many of the affected areas continue to have limited access, and anyone who shows up without proper identification will likely be turned away. We lift up in prayer the many communities who will soon be faced with picking up the pieces from this disaster, and we continue to seek ways to accompany them in their recovery. Donations are requested on behalf of those affected in order that we as a church might bring help and hope to them in their time of greatest need. _________________________ This report is from LCMS World Relief/Human Care website, http://www.lcms.org/pages/default.asp?NavID=891. These are very challenging days for those of us in human care ministries, especially with both ongoing recoveries and active disasters in recent weeks. Pastor Krusemark of Grace Lutheran Church, Stockton, Minn., gives a good example of how quickly a life can change. He gave permission for us to share his story, so that others - you - can better understand the desperate needs of so many people who have been affected. Serving Christ with you, Rev. Glenn Merritt Director of Disaster Response Read the account of one newlywed pastor and his wife affected by the flooding in Southern Minnesota at http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=12407. ________________________ The Minnesota South District Office shared the following update and request with us last week. Our Minnesota North and South District's Crisis Teams have been activated, and will make assessments of the needs throughout the weekend. Next week, LCMS World Relief-Human Care will send a team to make their assessment as well. This will give us an accurate picture of the needs in these flooded communities. According to our Circuit Counselors, the following congregations have been most affected. Your specific prayers for these pastors, members, and communities are most appreciated: Grace, Stockton - Rev. Jesse Krusemark; St. John's, Rushford - Rev. Harold Hintzman; St. Mark's, Rushford - Rev. Merlin Stephan; Immanuel, Lewiston - Rev. William Meilner; Messiah, LaCrescent - Rev. Greg Hovland; St. Matthew's, St. Charles - Rev. Michael Hart; Our Savior, Eyota - Rev. Jon Vollrath; Redeemer & St. Martin's, Winona - Rev. Richard Moore. Congregations who wish to send a special offering to the (Minnesota South) District Office to help congregations affected by the floods should include the notation: "Flood Relief." At this time, it is best simply to use this general designation, rather than make specific designations for churches or families. This allows the funds to be used as they are most needed. Again, we request your prayers and an offering to help our brothers and sisters in their need. Please watch for further e-mail notices which will inform you of how you and your congregation might be able to provide additional assistance. Thank you! ________________________ Editor's Note: Pastor Harold Hintzman, who served the Nebraska District as pastor at Faith, Humboldt, just took a call and is now pastor at St. John's, Rushford, Minnesota. Please remember him, his family, and his congregation in your prayers at this time. Back to top LUTHERAN CHURCH EXTENSION FUND TO OFFER SPECIAL INVESTMENT RATE Beginning September 1, 2007, LCEF will offer a two-year term investment at 6.00% base interest rate, 6.13% APY. This is a limited time offer and only lasts from September 1, 2007, through November 30, 2007, or $150 million in new dollars; whichever comes first. This offer requires a $500 minimum investment and is only effective for investments issued on September 1 and thereafter. Don't miss this great offer! For more information, please call Carrie at the District Office at 1-888-643-2961 or national LCEF at 1-888-843-5233 or visit our website at www.lcef.org. Church offices should be receiving bulletin inserts late next week to help announce this offer from LCEF. Please consider including these inserts in an upcoming Sunday bulletin. Back to top MEDICAL MISSION OPPORTUNITY TO HONDURAS Heart for Honduras is looking for one pharmacist and two of either of the following: physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant to join the Salem Lutheran Church, Tomball, Texas, team for their next trip to Honduras, October 11-18, 2007. This effort is well organized and they have had significant experience and outcomes in their ministry. Please contact Tom Gloyer at tgloyer at homehealthstore.com or call at 281-351-6216 if you are interested in this mission opportunity. You may also visit their website for more information: www.heartforhonduras.org. The trip costs $1,000 per person, which includes meals, lodging, and transportation to and from Houston IAH (Bush International Airport). Individuals are responsible for meals on Sunday and personal expenses. If you have any additional questions, please contact Lutherans in Medical Missions at limm at limm.org. Back to top NIGERIAN PUPPY SCAM USES NEBRASKA MISSIONARY NAMES (from LCMSNews -- No. 58) LCMS World Mission is asking all LCMS members to beware of an e-mail and web-based scam concerning puppies that are available for shipping from Africa to the United States. The scam mentions LCMS Missionaries David Erber and Nathaniel Watt, who serve in Nigeria, and former missionaries to Nigeria Jerry Loewe and Brent Friedrich. Several people who viewed photos of puppies allegedly for sale on the website www.nextdaypuppies.com were contacted by e-mail from addresses such as rev.erberdavid at gmail.com and nath.watt at gmail.com with an offer to ship the puppies for fees ranging from $150 to $3,000. The e-mails included Bible verses and descriptions of mission work being carried out in Africa. This is a fraud, according to LCMS World Mission. No LCMS missionaries are attempting to charge people for shipping pets or other items from Africa to the United States. For more information, contact LCMS World Mission at 800-433-3954 or mission.info at lcms.org, or visit its website at www.lcms.org/pages/default.asp?NavID=887. Back to top ISSUES, ETC. NOW ON MORE NEBRASKA RADIO STATIONS Issues, Etc., a live national radio call-in show, has added several new Nebraska affiliates. Issues, Etc. is produced by KFUO-AM in St. Louis. KFUO is the oldest full-time Christian radio station in the country and is owned and operated by the LCMS. Issues, Etc. has a two-fold mission. First, to defend and teach the truths rediscovered during the Reformation: grace, faith, and Scripture alone. Second, to challenge today's relativistic culture with its unbiblical and illogical ideology. Pastor Todd Wilken hosts Issues, Etc. Many of the guests are LCMS pastors, seminary professors, and Concordia University System professors. Issues, Etc. airs live Sundays at 10 p.m. on the following Nebraska radio stations. Cozad KLCV, 104.5 FM Fremont KLCV, 102.9 FM Kearney KCVN, 104.5 FM La Vista KLCV, 92.7 FM Lincoln KLCV, 88.5 FM & 104.5 FM Omaha KLCV, 93.7 FM North Platte KCVN, 104.5 FM Issues, Etc. also airs live from 3-6 p.m. weekdays on KNGN, 1360 AM in McCook. For more information, visit www.issuesetc.org. Back to top LUTHERAN HOUR MINISTRIES OFFERS FUN BACK-TO-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES Global Care Packages Looking for a back-to-school event for young people at your church or school? Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM) has a project that is perfect for school kids of any age. Through Global Care Packages (GCP), kids collect extra school supplies, a hygiene kit, and a toy for children in poverty-stricken families. LHM also adds appropriate Christ-centered spiritual materials to each package to share Christ's love with recipients. The focus country for the 2007 Global Care Packages campaign is India, where the southern coast was devastated by the 2004 tsunami. Many families in India have not fully recovered from the disaster and cannot purchase much-needed school supplies. GCP-India is a great service project for your Sunday school class, youth group, or even your entire school. LHM provides specific instructions, including a shopping list, curriculum and chapel talks, and promotional materials. You can also take the opportunity to teach a full unit about India. LHM offers many resources to help teach students about the culture of India and the tsunami of 2004. Just use the links for "Promotional Tools," "Program Tools," and "Curriculum and Chapel Talks" to find helpful teaching aids. Many youth and school groups use GCP as a party theme. The children bring in items from the shopping lists, and then decorate and pack the boxes together. We need your help in reaching this year's goal of 20,000 Global Care Packages for the GCP-India campaign. Think about the difference your church or school would make if each student and teacher filled just one box. New Educational Feature Now Available on 'JCPlayZone' Each month, LHM features a different country on its fun, interactive children's website, www.JCPlayZone.com. The website includes background information, a game, and recipe from each country, and a downloadable fact sheet and coloring sheet about the country. This month's country is South Africa, and children can learn to play a game originated in South Africa, make a simple recipe, and read about a popular form of South African music. LHM has a ministry center in each month's featured country, so your students can learn about the ministry through downloadable fact sheets and also pray for each ministry. Visit JCPlayZone to check out the Country of the Month today! Back to top NEWS FOR CONGREGATIONAL HEALTH MINISTRIES Congregations with parish health ministries (or those who wish to start one) may want to use the following resources to connect with members and the community. Visit the Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Partnership website at www.nehospice.org for more information. September is Pain Awareness Month, a time to recognize pain as a significant and under-recognized public health issue. The Nebraska Pain Initiative, a program of the Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Partnership (NHPCP), encourages you to take action to promote this important issue: * Promote the availability of NHPCP's presentation, The Problem of Pain, to local civic, church and veteran organizations. The Problem of Pain discusses the economic costs of pain, including the cost of pain to employers, and consumers' rights to good pain management. Through the Members Only page of www.nehospice.org, NHPCP has made it easy for you to enroll as a speaker and access Speakers Bureau tools, such as a PowerPoint presentation, measurement tools, and tips for generating local interest (including sample news releases and public service announcements). * Attend NHPCP's 2007 Pain Education Tour, which takes the pain management expertise of James E. Dub?, PharmD, FASHP, to five cities across the state in September. Dates and sites are as follows: Sept. 12, 1-4:30 p.m., Cozad Community Hospital Sept. 13, 1-4:30 p.m., Prairie Pines Lodge, Chadron Sept. 18, 8:30 a.m.-noon, Memorial Health Care Systems, Seward Sept. 25, 1-4:30 p.m., Security First Bank, Sidney Sept. 26, 1-4:30 p.m., Ogallala Community Hospital Cost is $45. Registration includes program, handouts, snacks and CEUs. Register online at www.nehospice.org with a check or credit card, or call 402-477-0204. * Utilize public pain resources available at www.nehospice.org. Back to top A happy and safe Labor Day weekend to you and your family from the staff of the District Office! Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications and Events 1-888-643-2961 nicholeh at ndlcms.org www.ndlcms.org * Please Note: The inclusion of items in the Update from outside sources is for informational purposes only. Inclusion of such items does not constitute District endorsement. -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: text/html Size: 42316 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.ndlcms.org/pipermail/distupd/attachments/20070829/f8da04bd/attachment.txt