From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Wed Nov 7 15:41:05 2007 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Wed, 07 Nov 2007 21:41:05 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] November 7 Message-ID: Update for November 7 A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE! Greetings in the name of our gracious Heavenly Father. A special greeting to the church and school secretaries who gathered together yesterday for a special time of fun, fellowship, and learning at the Church/School Secretary Workshop. We had a great time being together, and I look forward to continuing to partner with these fellow workers in the Nebraska mission field. If you are a parish secretary receiving this newsletter for the first time, WELCOME! * Prayer Requests * Worship Workshop to "Engage the Culture" and "Word-Weave to Connect Worshipers to God" * Could a Summer Ministry Team Help Your Congregation? * 'Life...revised' Explores Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder During Veterans Day Week * Lutheran Family Services Upcoming Open Houses * Healthy Relationships/Preventing Intimate Partner Violence: Working with Teens and Young Adults Conference * New Missionary Installed in Jamaica * Committee on Lutheran Cooperation Met for Discussions of Ministries * Updated Information on California Wildfires * Lutheran Gospel Mailers Says, "Thank You" * New Issue of "Mission Friends" Available * Congregation Looking for Short-Term Mission Partners * Grand Island Lutheran Marriage Encounter Dates Changed PRAYER REQUESTS Pastor Robert Harms - We join with Pastor Robert Harms, retired pastor in Grand Island, in prayers of thanksgiving and continued healing. Pastor Harms underwent triple bypass surgery and is now at home recovering. We thank God for the gifts of skill and knowledge He grants to the medical staff, and for placing His healing hand on Pastor Harms. We also ask that God would continue to grant Pastor Harms healing and strength during his time of recovery. Family of Rev. Mark and Julie Middendorf - We lift up in prayer Rev. Mark and Julie Middendorf and their family at the unexpected death of Julie's mother, Ann Ringler, on November 3. We pray that our Heavenly Father would give this family His comfort and peace in the knowledge of the eternal reunion that will take place at the side of Jesus, our Savior. Pastor Middendorf serves the congregation of Zion, Scotia. Family of Paul Leckband - Please remember in prayer Paul and Lois Leckband and their family at the passing of Paul's father, Virgil Leckband, on November 2. Virgil served the Lord as a commissioned minister from 1950 until he retired in 1993. He spent his last 43 years at St. Paul Lutheran School in Concordia, Missouri, where he both taught and served as principal. Please remember the Leckband family and all others who will deeply mourn his loss while at the same time rejoicing in the Savior who conquered death. Paul is the principal at Lutheran High Northeast in Norfolk, and Lois teaches at Christ, Norfolk. Rev. David Feddern - We continue to lift up prayers for Rev. David Feddern, pastor of St. Paul, Cambridge, as he continues to be hospitalized following complications after surgery. He remains in the Critical Care Unit at Methodist Hospital in Omaha. Those of you who wish to let Pastor Feddern know of your concern may send cards and notes to the following address: David Feddern Room 751 c/o Methodist Health System 8303 Dodge Street Omaha, NE 68114 Back to top WORSHIP WORKSHOP TO "ENGAGE THE CULTURE" AND "WORD-WEAVE TO CONNECT WORSHIPERS TO GOD" Everyone is invited to be a part of a worship workshop hosted by St. Mark Lutheran Church; 1821 North 90th Street; Omaha, NE. The one-day workshop will be held November 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The cost for the workshop is $35 per person or $50 for three people, meal included. The topics are Designing Worship to Engage the Culture and Word-Weaving to Connect Worshipers to God. The "Engage the Culture" workshop addresses the choices we have in worship when it comes to culture. We can retreat from it, ignore it, judge it, preserve it, or engage it. Luther clearly engaged the culture of his day in worship with music, messages, language, art, and expressions designed to connect with the average person in very relevant ways. "Word-Weaving" is the key spiritual art of speaking used by the worship leader, head musician, pastor, or other up-front person in contemporary worship to tie elements of the service together and usher people into the presence of God. The word-weaver verbally, spiritually, and sensitively speaks between songs and other times while the heart is wide open to accept focused reflection for prayer, praise, and worship. Come and learn about ways to make your worship experience more meaningful and how to engage an ever-changing culture around us. Rev. Mike Zehnder, the national worship consultant from the Center For U.S. Missions, will be leading the workshop. For more information or to register, please contact St. Mark Lutheran Church at 402-391-6148 or contact Rev. James Irwin by email at jirwin at stmarkomaha.org. If you have any questions regarding this event, contact Rev. James Irwin at the email or phone number above or Rev. Richard Boring at the Nebraska District Office (888-643-2961 or richb at ndlcms.org). Back to top COULD A SUMMER MINISTRY TEAM HELP YOUR CONGREGATION? Concordia University occasionally receives phone calls from congregations that are looking for help with various ministry endeavors, especially VBS during the summer. They are doing some "informal" research to gauge the need for summer ministry teams in Nebraska District congregations. They are wondering if a number of congregations have the desire to host a summer outreach ministry activity of some kind, but don't due to a lack of staffing. They are checking to see if congregations could utilize and benefit from a CU summer ministry team. A summer ministry team could be made up of four CU students who could work with host church members to help lead VBS, youth activities, or other community outreach efforts. Students could be trained in outreach strategies that could take place through VBS leadership, group building activities, and community focused ministries. A congregation could provide housing and meals and some compensation for mileage for the team. If you think your congregation could utilize and support a team like this for a week this summer, contact Julie Johnston Hermann at julie.johnston at cune.edu or 402-643-7354 no later than Friday, December 7. Remember, at this point they are seeing if there is a need and if they might be able to help meet it. If CU summer ministry teams can become a reality, more information will be shared. Back to top 'LIFE...REVISED' EXPLORES POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER DURING VETERANS DAY WEEK (from LHM.org) Whether a casualty of war or domestic trauma, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) sufferers can find help. That's the message conveyed on the Life...revised program airing the week of Veterans Day, Nov. 11. Life...revised co-hosts "Dr. Mark" Hannemann and Michelle Bauer speak with Army Chaplain Lt. Col. Steve Hokana about the debilitating and often misunderstood anxiety disorder known as PTSD. Defining the classic symptoms of PTSD, Hokana offers insights and resources to sufferers and their families, so they can get the help they need. Sensing the damage the disorder could have on friends and family of the person with PTSD, Hannemann and Bauer pose Hokana questions that show the sufferer is not the only one under strain. Hokana relates that one wife of a husband with the disorder "considers PTSD like a relative that moved in and just won't go away." Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder does not only impact shell-shocked soldiers returning from war. According to the U.S. Government's National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, an event causing PTSD affects as much as half of the U.S. population. Sexual and physical assaults, child abuse, natural disasters, and other disturbing experiences can trigger PTSD - and the debilitating physical and emotional responses that accompany it. Visit www.liferevised.com to find out where Life...revised is airing in your area, or to listen online. Also, available on the Web site is Dr. Mark Hannemann's "Article and Afterthought" about PTSD. Back to top LUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICES UPCOMING OPEN HOUSES Building Families Boutique Lutheran Family Services invites you to an open house and campaign kickoff on Tuesday, November 13, for the Building Families Boutique, a program that promotes healthy family behaviors for families who are pregnant or who have children under five through parent education and support, family and community awareness, and early detection and intervention for improved physical and mental health. The Boutique is located at 1420 East Military (next to Good Shepherd) in Fremont. The open house will take place from 9:00 a.m. to noon, with the ribbon cutting at 9:30 a.m., followed immediately by the campaign kickoff. For those who cannot attend in the morning, staff will be available from 4-6 p.m. for tours. For more information please call 402-721-1774 or email lcheshier at lfsneb.org Open House for Community Services and International Center of the Heartland Lutheran Family Services invites everyone to hear about the Year One results of the Alegent Community Benefit Trust Grant Report regarding mapping of refugee, immigrant, and asylee needs in Omaha. There will also be an open house for LFS Community Services and the International Center of the Heartland. LFS Community Services is co-located with the International Center of the Heartland, a United Way of the Midlands community impact initiative. Learn more about Community Services and the progress of the International Center on Monday, November 12, from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. 1941 South 42nd Street, Suite 402 (The Center), Omaha, NE 68105. For more information please call 402-346-6100. Back to top HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS/PREVENTING INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE: WORKING WITH TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS CONFERENCE A conference entitled "Healthy Relationships/Preventing Intimate Partner Violence: Working with Teens and Young Adults" will be held Friday, November 30, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Southwood Lutheran Church, 9300 S. 40th Street, Lincoln. The registration fee is $15 per person, which includes lunch and breaks. This day-long workshop is for clergy, lay leaders, advocates, and others working with young adults in a congregation, campus, or community setting. Topics covered will include: Where do we learn about relationships? What is an unhealthy or abusive relationship? What does an abusive relationship look like for young adults? What are the elements of a healthy relationship and how do we teach young adults about them? How can religious communities promote non-violent, healthy relationships? The keynote speaker is Rev. Al Miles, author of Domestic Violence: What Every Pastor Needs to Know; Violence in Families: What Every Christian Needs to Know; and Ending Teen Dating Violence: A Resource Guide for Parents and Pastors. Rev. Miles is coordinator of Hospital Ministry at The Queen's Medical Center for Pacific Health Ministry in Honolulu, Hawaii. In 2002, Rev. Miles was appointed to the National Advisory Committee on Violence Against Women, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice and Department of Health and Human Services. He currently serves on the American Bar Association's Commission on Domestic Violence. The deadline for registration is November 19. More information and registration materials are available from Meg Johnson by calling 402-489-9292 or emailing mjohnsonfvc at windstream.net. Back to top NEW MISSIONARY INSTALLED IN JAMAICA The following update and prayer requests are offered by Dale Talsma, Area Facilitator for LCMS World Mission. On Sunday, October 28, a new stage in the history of the Lutheran ministry in Jamaica began when Rev. Obot Ite was installed as missionary in a service at St. Andrews, Kingston. Obot and his wife Abasifreke are from Nigeria and were selected, called, and sent as missionaries of the Lutheran Church of Nigeria (LCN), in collaboration with LCMS World Mission and the members of the Lutheran church in Jamaica. He was installed by Rev. Effiong Ekanem, president of the LCN, who brought Rev. and Mrs. Ite to Jamaica to introduce them to the country and the church in Jamaica. Obot and Abasifreke will join hands with the existing members of the Lutheran church in Jamaica to focus on evangelism and gathering together more congregations on the island. We thank God for guiding Obot and his wife to accept this call and are excited about the opportunities for the further growth of the Lutheran church in Jamaica! In 1936, the LCMS began mission work in Nigeria. Today, the Lutheran Church in Nigeria (which now has over 100,000 members) has accepted the challenge and opportunity for mission work across the ocean in Jamaica. They already have a missionary in Gambia, West Africa, but this is the first time they have sent a missionary to serve outside of Africa. The Ites will build on the work that was begun about 15 years ago when the first LCMS missionaries started the mission in Jamaica. Many have been praying for many months, anticipating the calling and awaiting the arrival of the missionaries from Nigeria. In the service, prayers were offered by Rev. Ekanem of Nigeria, by Deaconess Ancella Gregory on behalf of the Jamaican church, and by Dale Talsma representing LCMS World Mission, for the missionaries as they adjust to life far from home in a foreign country and embark on the mission of extending the Kingdom of God in Jamaica through the ministry of the Gospel. Please continue to pray for Obot and Abasifreke during these initial months as they learn the culture and context of Jamaica and as they study the Jamaican dialect (Patois). Pray also for all the Lutheran members as they seek to help the Ites learn about Jamaica and as they continue in the labor of testifying to the love of God in Christ among their neighbors. Back to top COMMITTEE ON LUTHERAN COOPERATION MET FOR DISCUSSIONS OF MINISTRIES (From LCMSNews -- No. 72) Leaders of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod (LCMS) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) discussed their denominations' cooperative ministries when they met October 24 at the Lutheran Center in Baltimore, Maryland. The ministries address domestic disaster response, immigration matters, social services, and international development and relief. The Lutheran church leaders, meeting as the Committee on Lutheran Cooperation (CLC), normally meet twice a year to discuss their common witness and provide updates to each other about current joys and concerns within their church bodies. The leaders spent considerable time discussing their collaborative ministry through Lutheran Disaster Response, focusing on different understandings of the ministry that have emerged in recent years. Rev. Matthew C. Harrison, executive director of LCMS World Relief and Human Care, and Rev. Rebecca S. Larson, executive director, ELCA Church in Society, agreed to continue discussions about the ministry and return to the CLC with recommendations for the future. At this meeting, the leaders met with executives who lead Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), Lutheran Services in America (LSA), and Lutheran World Relief (LWR), all based here: * It's been "a tough year," and the climate is not favorable for immigrants, who are "vilified" on talk shows and by comedians, said Ralston H. Deffenbaugh, LIRS president. The church's role in immigration matters is to care with dignity for all people, he said. It was a serious blow to U.S. immigration policy when reform efforts collapsed in the U.S. Congress last June, likely meaning that Congress will not revisit the topic until a new president is in office, Deffenbaugh said. Refugee admissions to the United States are down considerably, he said, including numbers of Iraqi refugees admitted. Of the 7,000 Iraqis the United States planned to admit in 2007, about 1,600 have been admitted so far this year, Deffenbaugh said. * Lutheran social ministry organizations serve 6 million people annually, about 1 in 50 people, said Jill A. Schuman, LSA president. The value of LSA's combined services is about $9.5 billion, she said, noting that for the size of the ELCA and LCMS, "Lutherans do an enormous amount of work for the world." Schuman asked the Lutheran church leaders to be active with social ministry organizations, provide access to speakers and consultants, and be allies. In 2007 LSA is celebrating its 10th anniversary. * Dr. John A. Nunes, LWR president, said the organization is developing a "Lutheran Malaria Initiative (LMI)," an effort to comprehensively address and work to contain malaria, "a core element in the cycle of global poverty," he said. Malaria -- a containable and treatable disease, Nunes said -- kills 1.2 million people in the world each year. The LMI began with a seed grant from the United Nations Foundation. LWR program staff is identifying people and organizations working on the disease, its nature and effects, and the capacities of existing and potential partners to participate in such a wide-ranging initiative, he said. A November 27 consultation on the initiative is planned in Chicago, Nunes said. Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick, LCMS president, presented the key actions of the 63rd LCMS Regular Convention in Houston in July. Dr. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, discussed key actions of the 10th Biennial ELCA Churchwide Assembly, held in Chicago in August. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Lutheran church leaders agreed to keep meeting as a sign of commitment to shared ministry. Hanson said the two church bodies have a warm relationship, and it is the ELCA's intention to move toward "altar and pulpit fellowship" with the LCMS. Nafzger agreed, saying he "can't imagine how any Christian can be satisfied with division at the altar, but [that] the Missouri Synod is committed to the Lutheran understanding that altar and pulpit fellowship must be based on agreement in doctrine and practice, and that won't happen if we don't keep on talking to one another." Kieschnick added that he appreciated the ELCA leaders' willingness to meet with LCMS leaders, "even though significant theological differences continue to exist between the two church bodies." Some in the LCMS have been critical of the meetings with ELCA leadership because of those differences, he said. Kieschnick indicated the LCMS leaders' willingness to continue meeting with ELCA leaders "because it's the right thing to do." Back to top UPDATED INFORMATION ON CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES The Pacific Southwest District shared the following update on the California wildfires and their aftermath. More information is also available from the LCMS World Relief/Human Care page on the LCMS website at http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=12681. In the midst of the devastation of the fires these past days, God has been at work in some wonderful ways. Our congregations in Fallbrook and Valley Center became home to over 100 fire fighters and National Guard personnel with a wonderful opportunity to serve those who serve us. While no congregations suffered damage, many members and friends lost their homes and congregations are reaching out with assistance and care. Our thanks goes out to all who have responded with prayers and financial support. The fire fund established at the District Office is receiving checks every day and all funds earmarked for the fire will be distributed through the congregations affected. We are also grateful to President Gerald Kieschnick, LCMS World Relief and Human Care, and our brothers and sisters throughout the LCMS for their prayers and support. The Rev. Dr. Larry Stoterau, President Pacific Southwest District, LCMS Wednesday October 31, President Larry Stoterau went to San Diego and Escondido to meet with several pastors from our District's churches that were affected by the various Southern California Fires. Executive Team Leader Jerry Reichman caught up with the group in the afternoon. God has been gracious to our churches, schools, and preschools; as all remain intact after the fires with relatively minor damage. Fire Disaster Funds from the LCMS World Relief and Human Care office have been sent to the Pacific Southwest District Office to assist our members who have lost property and/or have been displaced. Additionally, many churches and individuals have already sent funds to the District Office earmarked for the Fire Disaster Fund. The money that has been received is being used for immediate needs of the displaced and those who were evacuated. Churches who responded to the needs of those victims are also eligible to receive funds to partially reimburse them for the services they provided. Our assistance focus will be changing to help those who need assistance while their homes are being repaired. Even though the fires are close to full containment, the need for the fires' victims will continue for a long time. Thank you for all the prayers that have lifted up the churches, schools, preschools, people who have been affected by the fires, and the brave men and women who have offer assistance in a variety of ways. Jerry Reichman, Executive Team Leader Pacific Southwest District Back to top LUTHERAN GOSPEL MAILERS SAYS, "THANK YOU" Thank you to those participating in the All Professional Church Workers Conference who brought an amazing amount of Scripture and gospel literature for the Lutheran Gospel Mailers Program (a joint project of Good Shepherd and Redeemer Lutheran Churches of Lincoln). For those who missed this opportunity or who may be anticipating more books to donate as time goes by, Gospel Mailers is an ongoing project. Scripture, CPH Bible study guides, Sunday school materials (including Teacher's Guides), catechisms, mid-week and confirmation books, etc., may be brought to Redeemer Lutheran Church Office/Education Building, 510 South 33rd St., Lincoln, NE. [Use the elevator immediately inside the entrance marked "Office." Materials may be left on the lower level, just outside the elevator (under the coat rack) between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. weekdays. Contact Linda Groothuis 402-464-5645, groothuis at worldnet.att.net, to arrange after hour or weekend drop-offs, or if you have questions.] These materials are shipped via Orphan Grain Train to Lutheran congregations and orphanages in Liberia. This year Gospel Mailers mailed (prior to the postal increases May 14) or shipped (after May 14) a total of 2.31 tons of gospel literature overseas. Compared to 2006, we are currently sending 60% more gospel literature for a little less than half the previous cost. God turned a roadblock (the postal hike) into greater opportunity. To Him be the glory! Back to top NEW ISSUE OF "MISSION FRIENDS" AVAILABLE (From LCMS eNews - LCMS World Mission) The newest issues of Mission Friends are now available online: Mission Friends Cambodia and Mission Friends Indonesia! You can find them at www.lcmsworldmission.org/children to download and reproduce. Mission Friends is a children's education resource packed with excitement! In these Mission Friends issues, LCMS personnel share stories, recipes, games, and more from the people of Cambodia and Indonesia. Children will learn simple Khmer (Cambodia's language) and Indonesian phrases, children's games, how to make fried bananas and coconut pound cake, how to design batik cloth, and how to help the people of both countries. Each issue comes with student, preschool, teacher, and parent pages. Learn about the work going on around the world by joining the Mission Friends mascot, Palmer the Parrot, on his exciting adventures. Other countries and people groups featured in the Mission Friends series include: Botswana & South Africa, Guatemala, Guinea, India, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Papua New Guinea, Russia, Thailand, Togo, Venezuela, and Vietnam, as well as Native Americans and refugees. All of these countries also have webpages on the LCMS World Mission website. Go to the "National" and "International" ministry program areas to learn more about the various projects and work being done on behalf of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod through LCMS World Mission. Have fun and be creative in how you use these Mission Friends resources. And then, share your Mission Friends experiences by sending a photo of your family, class, or group experiencing Palmer's adventures to mission.photos at lcms.org. We look forward to hearing from you! Find these downloadable and reproducible resources on the LCMS World Mission website at www.lcmsworldmission.org. To order Mission Friends passport booklets, bookmarks, maps, and more, please call 1-800-433-3954 or send an e-mail to mission.resources at lcms.org. Back to top CONGREGATION LOOKING FOR SHORT-TERM MISSION PARTNERS Peace Lutheran Church, Grand Island, has a small group of folks that is interested in participating in an Alaska Thrivent/Habitat for Humanity house build or vacation Bible school during the summer of 2008. They would be interested in joining efforts with a congregation that has already begun planning for such a short term mission trip. If your congregation would be interested in partnering, please contact Elaine or Ken Steinbeck at KenSteinbeck at GMail.com or 308-381-2714. Thank you! Back to top GRAND ISLAND LUTHERAN MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER DATES CHANGED The date for the Lutheran Marriage Encounter weekend in Grand Island has been changed to February 22-24 instead of the previously publicized February 29-March 2 date. For more information on this date change or the Lutheran Marriage Encounter weekend, contact Arnold or Yvonne Nilsen at aynilsen at nctc.net or 308-452-3002. 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: 57003 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.ndlcms.org/pipermail/distupd/attachments/20071107/02ea05c0/attachment.txt From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Tue Nov 13 16:55:24 2007 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2007 22:55:24 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] November 14 Message-ID: Update for November 14 A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE! Greetings in the name of the Lord. November is the month of raking leaves, football, turkey, family, friends, and a time of thanksgiving. May the Lord bless your November and give you time with family and friends in thanksgiving for the gifts He has given us, most of all for the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. * Prayer Requests * Church Reconciler Training * Grace Place for Single Pastors * Wheat Ridge Ministries Awards Grant to Concordia University * LCMS Launches Operation Barnabas to Serve Military Veterans * New Parenting Workshop Offers Practical Strategies - Outreach Opportunities * LWML Mission Grant Deadline Approaching * The 33 Laws of Stewardship Books Available * Lutherans For Life Seeks a Director of Operations * Lincoln Lutheran Choir Fall Concert * Plum Creek Festival Receives Award * LCMS Servant Events Announced PRAYER REQUESTS Nathan Hultquist - Pastor Don and Sandy Becker of St. Paul, Minden, shared the following update and prayer request for their grandson, Nathan Hultquist, who has been battling brain cancer for the past few years. Nathan is doing well, now in the 1st grade, and will be returning to the new Denver Children's Hospital for an MRI on Wednesday, November 14. His last MRI in June 2007 showed his radiated brain tumors were small fading spots. You can check out Nathan's website, www.caringbridge.com/ne/nathan/, to get Jen's report and to read the history of Nathan's illness and treatments. We greatly appreciate the prayer support of friends and congregations around the District for Nathan's health and well-being. Our prayer is for God in His grace and mercy to hold the Hultquist family and all families with loved ones having cancer or in treatment for cancer in His strong, healing hand and grant comfort, relief, and hope. Back to top CHURCH RECONCILER TRAINING The Nebraska District in partnership with Ambassadors of Reconciliation (AOR) is offering Church Reconciler Training in 2008. This training will equip pastors and laity to apply biblical approaches to conflict. You will learn reconciler techniques such as coaching, mediating, arbitrating, and setting up your own congregational reconciling ministry. This training will be a helpful preventative training for all congregations, not just those in current conflict. The registration fee of $890 includes professional instructors from AOR, six night's lodging and meals, and program materials. Participants attend a full week of training, beginning on April 13 for dinner and concluding on April 19 at 11:30 a.m. The event will be held at The Leadership Center in Aurora, Nebraska. For a registration form or more information contact Rev. Mark Rockenbach or Julie Roebke at the Nebraska District Office at julier at ndlcms.org or 1-888-643-2961, or visit the District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/congregational/workercare/Reconciler.html. Back to top GRACE PLACE FOR SINGLE PASTORS Grace Place will offer a retreat for single clergy in 2008. The retreat will be held at the spectacular retreat house of St. Benedict's Trappist Monastery high in the Colorado Rockies, just 30 minutes west of Aspen, Colorado. The retreat is scheduled for Tuesday, September 2, 2008, through Sunday morning, September 7, 2008. The all-inclusive cost will be $300 per pastor and will cover all room and board (incredible food!), retreat materials, and transportation to and from the airport in Aspen. This retreat is applicable for all single clergy, whether life-long single or "single again' through being widowed or divorced. For more information and to register for this event, go to www.graceplaceretreats.org. Back to top WHEAT RIDGE MINISTRIES AWARDS GRANT TO CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY Wheat Ridge Ministries recently approved seven grants totaling $210,407 to assist new ministries of health and hope. "We are so grateful for the support we receive from the thousands of supporters of Wheat Ridge Ministries around the world that makes it possible for us to provide seed money grants for these outstanding new ministries," said Dr. Richard Herman, president of Wheat Ridge Ministries. "Each of these efforts is a great example of God's people responding to the Good News of Jesus Christ through service to people in their congregation, neighborhood and community." Concordia University, Nebraska, was awarded $35,000 to establish The Generations Project, a new, action-based gerontology curriculum which will create 40 new long-term senior ministry projects through congregations and communities. This program promises to deepen the understanding of lay leaders, pastors, DCE's, parish nurses, teachers and other volunteers as they seek to engage in deliberate ministry/service to older adults. Wheat Ridge Ministries is recognized throughout the world as an independent Lutheran charitable organization that seeds new ministries of health and hope in the name of the healing Christ. Over 100 ministries are currently receiving assistance through Wheat Ridge funding. In addition to its granting ministries, Wheat Ridge also connects and equips people, congregations and organizations with health and hope ministries. For information regarding grant proposals, contact Brian Becker, Wheat Ridge Ministries' Vice President for Ministry Programs, at brian at wheatridge.org or visit the website at www.wheatridge.org. Back to top LCMS LAUNCHES OPERATION BARNABAS TO SERVE MILITARY VETERANS Equipping congregations for the critical role they can play in helping military chaplains and other veterans returning from battlefields is the goal of a new initiative by two ministries of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS). "Everyone who goes into a war zone and returns home needs a period of readjustment," said Chaplain Mark Schreiber, director of LCMS World Mission-Ministry to the Armed Forces, which developed the program in partnership with LCMS World Relief and Human Care. "Too many Vietnam veterans returned and were not taken care of. Today, we're more sensitive to needs and how we as a church can help." Assisting pastors called to active duty as Reserve and National Guard chaplains is the initial focus of Operation Barnabas, named for the apostle who accompanied St. Paul on his first missionary journey. The name Barnabas means "son of encouragement." "The Gospel is deep and rich and gives us strength, but chaplains and pastors are still human beings who get tuckered out," said Operation Barnabas Project Manager Mike Moreno, a Navy chaplain who served 7? years on active duty, including in Iraq. "They need a little down time to reconnect with their families and catch their breath." The second phase will expand Operation Barnabas to all Reserve and National Guard soldiers who are members of LCMS congregations. Plans are to place liaisons - most likely Reserve or retired military chaplains - in all 35 LCMS districts to work with congregations to offer support to soldiers and their families. According to Schreiber, the LCMS is one of the first national church bodies to address the role congregations can play in helping veterans make a positive transition from active duty. Congregations can be a powerful source of support and healing - especially for the large number of Reserve and National Guard personnel whose service has changed from "weekend warriors" to almost certain overseas deployment. Operation Barnabas focuses on those men and women because they typically live far from military bases and accompanying services. "All too often, reservists 'fall between the cracks' and may not get the help and resources they so richly deserve," Moreno said. Operation Barnabas also aims to help congregations reach out to veterans struggling with anxieties related to their war-zone experience. But while all returning soldiers need time to adjust to life back home, most will not suffer from the clinical diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome. "Congregations don't need to be 'on guard' about their pastors and members who return from active duty, but realize that a re-entry period is important and that resources are available that can offer support," said Rev. John Fale, associate executive director of LCMS World Relief and Human Care and a certified pastoral counselor. Numbers are difficult to determine, but most - if not all - LCMS congregations have members serving overseas, including in Iraq and Afghanistan. More than 100 LCMS pastors serve as Reserve chaplains, according to the ministry partners. For information about Operation Barnabas, contact LCMS World Mission-Ministry to the Armed Forces, (800) 433-3954, Ext. 1337. Back to top NEW PARENTING WORKSHOP OFFERS PRACTICAL STRATEGIES - OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES Two workshops for Parenting Families: From ME to WE, one in Omaha and one in Orlando, have resonated well with both presenters and participants. Parenting Families, a six-week, DVD-based series designed for parents and their families, teaches through discussion, humor, and easy-to-understand language, strategies to bring the family together. In Nebraska, one lady attending the workshop has grown children but runs an in-home daycare. After seeing the ad about kids "pushing your buttons," she decided the workshop would probably help her in dealing with the children she takes care of. The benefit for this woman came from the extended group discussions where, more than once, participants got a chuckle at what others were going through and benefited from the open exchange of experiences. Parenting can be one of the hardest jobs in the world. Finding the proper time to focus on your children's needs can be difficult when you factor in the demands of work along with volunteer and family commitments. These stressors provide an opportunity for churches to connect with families in their local community. That's why Lutheran Hour Ministries offers a new program to help churches reach out to families in their communities with the love of Christ. This world-class resource, a 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 ME to WE 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 The fun and interactive sessions give parents ideas to use immediately and allow them to build relationships with other parents, while hearing the message of forgiveness in Jesus in a non-threatening way. Most issues and insights are aimed at families with kids between the ages of 6 and 12, but any family can gain or contribute ideas through these sessions that will make an immediate difference in their life as a parent. Parents are also invited to visit www.parentingfamilies.com to learn more about the workshops, view video clips, read pertinent parenting articles, and send information to friends. Churches and schools can host these sessions and invite the entire community to attend with them. Churches and schools 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 for only $249, and discounts are available. For more information about hosting a 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 LWML MISSION GRANT DEADLINE APPROACHING Applications for mission grants for the 2008 conventions of the Nebraska District LWML South and North are now available from local LWML society presidents. The Vice President of Gospel Outreach for each District may also be contacted. Grants should: * Be 'mission' in emphasis, extending the ministry of the Word; * Fit into plans and projections of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod; * Be current and ready for implementation; * Grants situated in a synodical district should be approved by that district; * Grants involving a national or partner church should be approved by that body; * Continued maintenance of the grant must be assured; * Progress of the grant project will be provided to the Mission Grant Committee. For LWML South, contact Gail Otten at 1518 Clearview Blvd., York, NE, 68467; 402-362-3928; or aotten at neb.rr.com. The deadline for submitting grant applications for LWML South is December 15, 2007. For LWML North, contact Monica Ebmeier at 87161 574 Ave., Laurel, NE, 68745; 402-256-3553; or monica_ebmeier at yahoo.com. The deadline for submitting grant applications for LWML North is January 1, 2008 An individual member, society, zone, district board, or synodical board may submit grant proposals. Back to top THE 33 LAWS OF STEWARDSHIP BOOKS AVAILABLE The congregation of St. Paul, Omaha, has been working through the book, The 33 Laws of Stewardship, by Dave Sutherland and Kirk Nowery. They are willing to sell at a reduced rate books used by members during their study. If you or your congregation is interested in this book, please contact Pastor Ron Holling at 402-451-2865 or ronaldholling2 at netzero.net for more information. Back to top LUTHERANS FOR LIFE SEEKS A DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Lutherans For Life (LFL), a pan-Lutheran, pro-life educational ministry, seeks a Director of Operations. Duties include supervising staff, developing programs to enhance LFL's efficiency, working with LFL's Director of Development to implement fundraising activities, and, in collaboration with the Executive Director, developing action plans to implement LFL's strategic plan. Requirements: A member in good standing of a Lutheran congregation; a minimum of a bachelors degree and/or business or project management experience; and solid experience in administration, personnel management, marketing, and development. They are seeking someone who has the skills necessary to keep LFL growing as an effective organization and at the same time desires to serve the Lord of Life in a vitally important pro-life ministry that equips Lutheran pastors and congregations to share a Gospel-centered, "For Life" message. Those interested should send resume by January 31, 2008, to: Lutherans For Life, 1120 South G Avenue, Nevada, IA 50201-2774; Telephone: 888-364-5433; FAX: 515-382-3020; E-mail: info at lutheransforlife.org. Back to top LINCOLN LUTHERAN CHOIR FALL CONCERT The Lutheran Choir of Lincoln will present their 30th Anniversary Season Fall Concert on December 2 at 7:00 p.m. at Southwood Lutheran Church, Lincoln. The choir will present the concert with the theme "My Soul Doth Magnify the Lord" under the direction of new director Joshua Norris. Selections will include John Rutter's Magnificat and Luigi Boccherini's Gloria, as well as audience participation hymn singing. A reception will follow the concert. Back to top PLUM CREEK FESTIVAL RECEIVES AWARD The Plum Creek Children's Literacy Festival, hosted annually by Concordia University, Nebraska, has been named the 2007 Jane Geske Award winner by the Nebraska Center for the Book. The award recognizes an organization, business, school, or other group for "an exceptional, long-term contribution" to literacy, reading, books, and libraries in Nebraska and is named for one of the founding members of the Nebraska Center for the Book. "We are so honored to be among the winners of the Jane Geske award," said Vikki Gremel, festival coordinator. "From the beginning, our mission was to bring children and authors together to encourage the love of reading, writing, and books. It is wonderful to have that accomplishment recognized by the center." The award was presented to Dr. Leah Serck, one of the festival founders, and Gremel at the Annual Meeting of the Nebraska Center for the Book held on Sunday, October 28, at the Cornhusker Marriott hotel in Lincoln. Present for the award was Norman Geske, husband of the late Jane Geske. "As one of the original committee members, I have enjoyed watching the festival grow over the past 12 years into the huge event it is today," said Serck. "I am delighted that the members of the center have honored our efforts and continuing commitment to keep up the work of literacy." Planning is already in the works for 2008 and beyond, according to Gremel. "We are changing, growing, and improving what we do from year to year. There will always be kids; there will always be books," said Gremel. "We will always have the Plum Creek Children's Literacy Festival." The award itself is a print entitled "Four Dancers" by Randy Waln, professor of art at Peru State College. Each year a different piece of art from a Nebraska artist is selected as the award. Previous award winners include the Nebraska Writing Project and the University of Nebraska Press. Back to top LCMS SERVANT EVENTS ANNOUNCED LCMS servant events for youth and adult leaders are available beginning in November 2007 and through the summer of 2008 at sites across the United States and Mexico. Sponsored by the Youth Ministry Office of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, servant events involve youth in construction, human care, outreach, and environmental projects at Lutheran camps, churches, schools, and social service organizations. Servant events directly contribute to the ongoing ministry of LCMS organizations located in rural, suburban and urban settings. The 2008 theme, "A Servants Heart," engages participants in Bible study and devotion connected to acts of service. The study was written by DCE Sue Steege and will be available for groups planning to participate on an LCMS event at the Youth Ministry website, www.lcms.org/youth in November 2007. "We are excited to see the number of servant sites increasing," shares James Lohman, DCE - Associate Director for LCMS Youth Ministry - Servant Events. "Hosts new to the program in 2007 are adding more events; family-based events are on the increase, and weekend events are planned for the fall, winter, and spring. We are also adding more events with international partner organizations." LCMS Youth Ministry will host a special event at Camp Restore, located in the Greater New Orleans area. Details about this special event will be released in the coming months. Groups with an interest in serving the Gulf Coast are encouraged to directly contact LCMS Southern District Disaster Relief via its website, http://www.lcmsrelief.org. "We have a long history of servant events in the LCMS," Lohman shares. "Many of our host sites have been offering events since the program began in 1982 and are adding new components and formats to those events." Groups interested in participating in a servant event can visit www.lcms.org/youth to learn more about events, and can search by event type, location, or date. "Events, especially those with a long history, fill-up quickly" Lohman adds. "Groups are encouraged to visit the website soon to make their choices, but rest assured, we have plenty of spaces for all those desiring to serve!" 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: 52378 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.ndlcms.org/pipermail/distupd/attachments/20071113/6e19b09f/attachment.txt From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Wed Nov 21 16:21:49 2007 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Wed, 21 Nov 2007 22:21:49 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] November 21 Message-ID: Update for November 21 A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE! "Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." (Psalm 106:1) What a blessing it is to have time set aside this week to focus our hearts on praising the Lord and thanking Him for all of the good gifts He showers on us, especially for the gift of salvation He gives us through Jesus. May you have a blessed and enjoyable Thanksgiving celebration with your family and friends, and may you have opportunity to share with others the Gift for which we are most thankful. * Prayer Requests * Bookkeeper Position Open at District Office * Nebraska District Wins ABLAZE! Award * Electrician Needed for Work with Native American Ministry * Beemer Congregation Awarded Health and Hope Grant * Is Stephen Ministry for Your Congregation? * The Lutheran Home Now Offers Assisted Living Facilities * In The Gospel: LCMS Military Chaplaincy on Display * Organ for Sale * Lutheran Singles Association Looking for Volunteers for Conference to be Held in Seward * LHM Advent Devotions Available in Many Formats PRAYER REQUESTS Nathan Hultquist - Pastor Don and Sandy Becker shared the following update and prayer of thanksgiving following their grandson, Nathan's, visit to his doctor last week: Dr. Foreman looked carefully at Nathan's latest MRI and saw nothing new or different, that everything (old tumors) still looks stable and dormant, the same as before. Praise God! Nathan returned to school the next day, and the rest of the family returned to their normal routine on their farm. Thanks to everyone for including Nathan and his family in your prayers. Tate McReynolds - Tate is the preschool-aged son of Kevin and Karen McReynolds, members at Good Shepherd, Lincoln. Tate was born with a bowel problem which has recently caused him to be re-hospitalized and to undergo surgery and various other procedures. We pray that the Lord would place His healing hand on Tate to relieve his physical suffering, as well as grant peace and understanding to his parents who are watching with anxious hearts. Back to top BOOKKEEPER POSITION OPEN AT DISTRICT OFFICE The following job opening may be something you are interested in. If not, feel free to pass this information along to your congregation members or others you know who might be interested. The Nebraska District Office has begun the process of filling the position of District bookkeeper. This full-time position includes accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, and some clerical duties. Knowledge of Peachtree Accounting Software is helpful. We offer a competitive salary & benefit package. Interested applicants should send their confidential resumes to: Paul Pettit Nebraska District - LCMS PO Box 407 Seward, NE 68434 treasurer at ndlcms.org Back to top NEBRASKA DISTRICT WINS ABLAZE! AWARD The Nebraska District was presented an Ablaze! award at the LCMS Mission Partners annual banquet earlier this month in Dallas. This award is presented in recognition of work done for the Ablaze! effort, that is the LCMS movement to reach 100 million people world-wide with the Good News of Jesus Christ through personal witnessing activities. The Nebraska District was recognized for its contribution to this goal through the Prairie Fire event, as well as our commitment to a ministry partnership with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sudan through LCMS World Mission. This award is truly a recognition of the wonderful people in Nebraska who have passionate hearts for outreach and for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the lost in their families, neighborhoods, and communities. Your willingness and eagerness to gather together on a Saturday in August, to learn more about Ablaze! and how you and your congregation can be witnesses to Christ's love for all, has received national attention and acclaim. Thanks be to God for the mission hearts He has given His people in Nebraska! Back to top ELECTRICIAN NEEDED FOR WORK WITH NATIVE AMERICAN MINISTRY There is an opportunity for an electrician to do a servant project in the new school building at Jesus Our Savior Lutheran Outreach on the Winnebago Reservation. Electricians interested in serving in this way are encouraged to contact Rev. Ricky Jacob in Winnebago at 402-878-2522 or rezrevrj at huntel.net. Back to top BEEMER CONGREGATION AWARDED HEALTH AND HOPE GRANT St. John, Beemer, has been awarded a Congregational Health and Hope grant by Wheat Ridge Ministries to develop a parish nurse program. The purpose of the Congregational Health and Hope Grants is to facilitate the initial development of congregation-based health and wellness ministries. All Lutheran congregations individually or in partnership with other congregations are eligible for these grants. Nineteen grants were awarded during this granting process. "Wheat Ridge Ministries is pleased to offer assistance to Lutheran congregations who are starting ministries of health and hope," said Brian Becker, Vice President for Ministry Programs. "What a great way to reach out to your community with the love of Christ. Another exciting outcome is that this type of ministry helps to energize its members, which often times leads to the overall spiritual and physical growth of a congregation." The focus of the Health and Hope Grant is on new congregation-based health ministries developed under the auspices of a congregation health committee or cabinet. Projects must support and promote the health and well-being of people in the congregation and local community. Grants of up to $2,000 are awarded and the amount granted must be matched by the congregation. Grant funds may be invested in health-related events and leadership development, staff training, planning, materials, resources, or equipment directly related to program development; or contract services or new staff essential for program development. The grant is not to be used for existing staff salaries, congregation or school building programs, or general church or school expenses. For more information on these grants or the ministry of Wheat Ridge, visit their website at www.wheatridge.org. Back to top IS STEPHEN MINISTRY FOR YOUR CONGREGATION? Can your congregation benefit from having Stephen Ministry a part of your congregational life? Do you know what Stephen Ministry is and the ministry it provides? Recently Stephen Ministry was summarized as being about empowering. * Stephen Ministry empowers lay people to use their gifts of caring. There's nothing more personally satisfying for people than when they do something God has gifted them to do. It brings them joy. It changes their lives. * Stephen Ministry empowers pastors. Leading a congregation is very challenging work, and the caregiving load can weigh a pastor down. When a pastor has a team of people who are sharing a significant part of the pastoral care workload, he is freed and empowered to focus on those ministry areas that only the pastor can do. * Stephen Ministry empowers those receiving care. It's a godsend to people facing a life difficulty because they no longer have to face it alone. They value the care they receive and grow tremendously. Stephen Ministry can empower congregations to share Christ's healing love in a very tangible way. If you or your congregation are interested in more information about Stephen Ministry, call 314-428-2600 or visit www.stephenministries.org. Back to top THE LUTHERAN HOME NOW OFFERS ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES The Lutheran Home in Omaha invites everyone to an Open House Celebration of their new third floor Assisted Living Unit. The Open House will be held November 29 from 3:00 - 5:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served and visitors will be able to tour the facility, win door prizes, and visit health service representatives and vendor tables. The Lutheran Home is a recognized service organization of the LCMS and is located at 530 South 26th Street in Omaha. Back to top IN THE GOSPEL: LCMS MILITARY CHAPLAINCY ON DISPLAY Periodically the Concordia Historical Institute mounts impressive displays of various aspects of Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod history. The current exhibit displays LCMS military chaplaincy history dating to the Civil War. Visitors will be able to see numerous documents, letters, artifacts, uniforms, and pictures tracing the assignment of camp chaplains in WWI, the rapid call-up of chaplains in WWII, and the development of Lutheran Servicemen's centers, then the contributions of chaplains during the Korean War, Vietnam, and more recently Desert Storm and the war in Iraq. This unique exhibit will be on display until September 2008. The Concordia Historical Institute is located at 804 Seminary Place (Concordia Seminary), St. Louis, and is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. There is no charge for admission and tour groups are welcome. Back to top ORGAN FOR SALE An individual has an organ suitable for a small church for sale. The Allen digital computer organ is a model number 201 with AGO pedals. For more information, contact Arlys Hartmann at 402-643-4566 or rahart at alltel.net. Back to top LUTHERAN SINGLES ASSOCIATION LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS FOR CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN SEWARD The Lord loves singles and understands their challenges. He is ready and able to provide for all of singles' needs. He knows about their loneliness and anxiety and is able to help them lead a life of blessedness. He has provided singles in Nebraska and the surrounding states the privilege of hosting the 2009 Lutheran Singles Association Conference at Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska, June 25-28, 2009. This is a wonderful opportunity for singles to become more fulfilled in Christ. Singles from across the country will gather to learn how to begin a singles ministry in their community, how to build healthy relationships, develop leadership skills, how to have a successful single life, and be a part of open forums for the never been married, as well as the divorced and widowed. Lutheran Singles Association is the new name for the organization formerly known as ILSA - International Lutheran Single Adults. They are starting with a new name and beginning on an exciting journey to energize, encourage, and enable singles across the nation to FOLLOW: which stands for Fellowship, Outreach, Learning, Leadership, Organization, and Worship. The 2009 Conference will be the first one under the new name and they are looking forward to new beginnings, new friendships, and new passion! Are you a single person who is feeling the Lord call you to step out of your comfort zone to the next level and be a part of the conference committee? The Lord has great things for you to do in your singleness. If you are interested in helping to make a difference in the lives of singles across the nation, please pray about where the Lord has need of you to be on this committee and then contact the conference organizer Kathleen Huxoll. Those of you from Nebraska will also have the opportunity to help with organizing the Nebraska District - LCMS Singles Ministry through this conference. The Nebraska District believes that this is the optimum time to create a ministry for singles in Nebraska to encourage, support, and energize them in their singleness. To volunteer to help or for more information on the conference, contact Kathleen Huxoll at khuxoll at neb.rr.com or 402-276-2741. Back to top LHM ADVENT DEVOTIONS AVAILABLE IN MANY FORMATS Back by popular demand are Lutheran Hour Ministries' Advent Devotions, available online at www.adventdevotions.net. This year, two versions of the devotions allow your church or school to print devotions written specifically for churched people and another set for seekers or non-believers. Each set of devotions is customizable, so your church can add contact information, worship times, and a special event schedule to the inside cover. Radical Advent takes the believer through stories and Scripture with the Lord and Savior whom they have come to know and love and guides them to a rich personal time with the King! Written in a style more traditional and, perhaps, more familiar to Christians, these texts illuminate the timeless story of God's radical gift to the world as given in the birth of His Son. Revolutionary Christmas is a series of challenging messages taking those who don't yet know the Savior on a journey to navigate through the holiday clutter to the essence of Christmas. Through pointed questions and contemporary language, these meditations guide the reader to God's love as revealed in Bethlehem and Jesus' sacrifice as fulfilled on the cross. Use the devotions to reconnect with members you haven't seen in a while or to reach out to non-members in your community or parents of your students who do not attend church. You can also print Radical Advent in Spanish to reach out to Spanish-speaking neighbors in your area. To get started, go to www.adventdevotions.net, and click "printable files for your church." Enter your name and e-mail address (this information is needed to remind you via e-mail when LHM's 2008 Lenten Devotions are available), and fill out a short survey. Your survey answers will help LHM market the devotions during future holiday seasons and give an idea of how many devotions are being printed. The devotions website will walk you through printing and customizing each type of devotion book. Radical Advent devotion books are available in three different printable formats in both English and Spanish. The weekly booklet and the regular full booklet are 5.5 by 8.5 inches. The large-print full booklet version is 8.5 by 11 inches. Revolutionary Christmas is available in regular 5.5 by 8.5 inch booklet format and also in large print. This version for seekers is great for handing out at Christmas parties and in your neighborhood. You can also listen to an audio version of Radical Advent or sign up to receive the devotion via e-mail each day. Just use the links toward the bottom of LHM's Advent Devotions website. Other enhancements to LHM's Advent resources this year include links to an Advent site entirely in Spanish, outreach ideas, and promotional materials for your church or school. Click "promo materials for your church" to access Advent-themed bulletin inserts, web banners, bulletin shells, and much more. Now is the time to start planning how your church or school can use this year's Advent devotions! Back to top A blessed Thanksgiving to you and your family, 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: 39289 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.ndlcms.org/pipermail/distupd/attachments/20071121/3b5fe1db/attachment.txt From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Mon Nov 26 14:07:37 2007 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2007 20:07:37 -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: 6958 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.ndlcms.org/pipermail/distupd/attachments/20071126/c963ffdc/attachment.txt -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: November.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 1859612 bytes Desc: November.pdf Url : http://lists.ndlcms.org/pipermail/distupd/attachments/20071126/c963ffdc/November-0001.pdf From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Wed Nov 28 13:58:38 2007 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2007 19:58:38 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] November 28 Message-ID: Update for November 28 A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE! Greetings in the name of our Lord God, who is "the Alpha and the Omega . . . who is, and who was, and who is to come." (Rev. 1: 8) As we come to the end of another church year and begin another Advent season of anticipation, may we celebrate our eternal God who came to earth as a baby for the redemption of all people. May God place in our paths someone with whom we can share the miracle story of Christmas and the love of our everlasting God. * Prayer Requests * Volunteer Missionaries Needed in Thailand * Journey to the Manger at Concordia University * Grants Available to Lutheran Congregations for Services to Refugees and Immigrants * The 72 - Partners on the Road Accepting Congregational Applications * Rural/Small Town Conference Held * German Worship Service * Seminary Offers Visitation to High School Students PRAYER REQUESTS Tate McReynolds - We join with Tate and his parents, Kevin and Amy, in prayers of thanksgiving for the healing God has provided. Tate is the little boy we included in the prayer requests last week who was born with bowel problems and was recently hospitalized with complications. The Lord blessed Tate with a swift recovery, and he was able to return home on Monday of this week. Kevin McReynolds is serving his vicarage at St. Paul, Central City. Thanks be to God for placing His healing hand on Tate. Pastor Philip Houser - Please remember in your prayers Rev. Philip Houser, pastor at Lamb of God, Omaha. Pastor Houser left this week for a six-month military chaplaincy deployment to the Philippines. We ask the Lord to grant Pastor Houser safety as he continues his travel to his destination, as well as safety during his time there. We also pray for peace and strength for Pastor Houser's family and congregation during his absence. President Russ Sommerfeld, Rev. Rich Boring, Rev. John Deang, and Rev. Ray Wilke - Please lift up in prayer these men and the others who are currently traveling with them in Sudan. These pastors and others from the United States left last Friday, November 23, for Kenya, then into Sudan, to meet with leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sudan, as well as visit and survey possible sites to receive volunteer missionaries and servant teams. We thank God for the safety He granted them on the first leg of their journey. We pray He will continue to protect them as they travel throughout Sudan and return home in December. The following update on their work there was shared by Rhoda Houge, LCMS World Mission missionary in Kenya: When the four men (Russ Sommerfeld, Rich Boring, Ray Wilke, and John Deang) came to East Africa last week, they didn't just come to serve in Sudan. They also performed a great service for Kapenguria Bible College in Northwest Kenya. This school is run by the Norwegian Lutheran Mission, and LCMS has partnered with them over the years with training programs in that area. The college wanted a set of English encyclopedias, but the cost of buying them in Kenya was prohibitive. They could get them in the States, but how would they get the books to Kenya without great expense? Voila! The men traveling to Sudan couldn't take much luggage with them after they left Nairobi, but they were each able to bring 50 pounds of books (or even more in some cases). The people at Kapenguria are so thankful and wish to express their appreciation to everyone! One other note about this trip - because of some difficulties, the Sudanese visas were not processed before Russ, Rich, and Ray got here. They arrived on Saturday night and were leaving on a chartered flight very early on Monday morning. Through some personal contacts, the Sudanese ambassador saw Rhoda and Catherine (LCMS Nairobi office) and issued the visas on Sunday afternoon from his residence! This is nothing but a miracle for anyone who has dealt with foreign governments and visas. Praise God that everyone got off well. We look forward to their return to Nairobi on December 5. Please keep them in your prayers. Back to top VOLUNTEER MISSIONARIES NEEDED IN THAILAND The following request for volunteers was sent out by Pastor Robert and Diana Hedtke in their November newsletter. They are serving LCMS World Missions as missionaries in Thailand. Today I come with an urgent need! We really need help! Physical help. We need volunteers here! We need at least three (3) people to work with us in the area of English as a second language and also a daycare volunteer. The daycare volunteer we need is a DCE and we really need one. The work that is being done in Thailand is very productive for the Kingdom, but there are times when workers go home and that leaves us short on workers. We are there now! It will get worse in a few months when we will have ONLY ONE volunteer here. We need four! Please consider giving of your time to the Lord's work here in Bangkok and beyond. Your time would be a valuable contribution to the cause of the Gospel here in Thailand. If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about this volunteer mission opportunity, contact LCMS World Mission at 800-433-3954. Back to top JOURNEY TO THE MANGER AT CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY The annual Journey to the Manger at Concordia University, Nebraska will be held Tuesday, Dec. 11. Members of the campus and surrounding community are invited to arrive at Weller Hall any time between 6:30 and 8 p.m. to participate. Groups will begin a journey every 10 minutes. The devotional event is a trip through the history of the nativity, from the prophesies of Isaiah to the annunciation to Mary to the birth of Jesus. As groups of participants move from station to station around Concordia's campus, singing and dramatic readings are interwoven with scenes portrayed by student actors. Each journey ends with a time of fellowship and refreshments. More than 30 students will be acting and singing during the devotional event; dozens more will work behind the scenes. Back to top GRANTS AVAILABLE TO LUTHERAN CONGREGATIONS FOR SERVICES TO REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS Wheat Ridge Ministries, in partnership with Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), is offering financial assistance to Lutheran congregations to encourage the development of new programs and services for immigrants and refugees. Competitive grants are available through the Good Samaritan Fund which was established in honor of The Rev. August Bernthal for his dedicated leadership in serving refugees and immigrants. Seed grants up to $5,000 are available to enable congregations to develop vital support services needed by deserving immigrants and refugees beyond the initial stages of resettlement. "Wheat Ridge Ministries is excited to play an ongoing part in the Good Samaritan Grant program because these grants assist Lutheran congregations to effectively and more joyfully carry out their mission in relation to immigrant and refugee communities," said Brian Becker, Wheat Ridge Ministries' Vice President for Ministry Programs. Good Samaritan seed grants will be awarded to congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, or the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Applicant congregations will be expected to contribute at least 25 percent of the project cost, either through cash or in-kind support. Funding priority will be given to projects that demonstrate at least one of the following services to immigrant communities: social ministry projects, joint projects between community members and new residents, public education or advocacy, and leadership development within the ethnic groups served. Grants will not be made to individuals or church agencies, nor will they be made to support refugee reception and placement activities, other refugee resettlement programs, or projects of evangelism. Interested applicants may download the application packet or review grant guidelines at www.lirs.org. For more information on the Good Samaritan grant program, please contact Brian Becker at brian at wheatridge.org or by phone at 800-762-6748. The deadline for receipt of applications is March 3, 2008. Awards are typically announced in May. Back to top THE 72 - PARTNERS ON THE ROAD ACCEPTING CONGREGATIONAL APPLICATIONS Have you ever wished that someone could come to your town and work with your congregation for the purpose of expanding, revitalizing, or beginning your congregation's outreach ministry? The 72-Partners on the Road may be just what you are wishing for. The 72-Partners on the Road, a ministry of LCMS World Mission, is now receiving applications from congregations to request a team of The 72 to partner with them for this exact purpose. Typically, these teams serve within a congregation for three to four weeks helping congregations reach people in their local communities with the Gospel and then welcome them into their churches. The 72 teams are often retired couples who are experienced laity and church workers. These volunteers have received special training for this ministry to help the members of LCMS congregations reach those who do not know Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. A congregation's expense for this partnership would consist of team meals, housing, and transportation. Additional information about the ministry and congregation responsibilities is available on the Internet at www.lcmsworldmission.org/The72. The ministry's director, Rev. Al Tormoehlen, is also happy to personally explain more about this ministry. Call 800-433-3954 or send an e-mail to The72 at lcms.org to inquire about this ministry or to request an application to partner with a team. Congregations should allow at least two to four weeks for gathering the information to complete the application and returning it to The 72's office. Once an application is submitted, it will be approximately three months until the team would arrive at the congregation. Under the blessings of God's Holy Spirit, congregations who have partnered with this ministry have added 14.5 percent new adult members into their membership, according to the data from LCMS Rosters and Statistics. Back to top RURAL/SMALL TOWN CONFERENCE HELD The first inaugural Rural/Small Town Conference sponsored by Saint Paul Institute for Education (SPIFE) was held November 8-10 at the Arbor Day Farm - Lied Lodge & Conference Center in Nebraska City. Forty-four rural/small town congregations from nine LCMS districts gathered to: * Celebrate their common heritage * Survey their ever-changing culture and examine its impact on rural/small town communities * Build a network for leadership training and ministry support * Investigate stewardship attitudes and maximum resources Dr. Ralph Geisler, the new interim director for Saint Paul Institute for Education commented that, "the sixty-eight LCMS pastors and lay leaders came from congregations in communities with 15,000 population or less, and where many of the members make their living from agri-business and extraction industries of forestry, mining, forestry, and fishing. The LCMS Heartland Districts have 2,509 congregations, with 1,640 that fit the rural/small town definition." The participants met in breakout groups to discuss ways in which they can be a mission outpost to the 50% or more in their communities who are not connected to Jesus Christ or a Christian church. Dr. Geisler reports that those gathered asked SPIFE to plan another Rural/Small Town Heartland Conference in 2008. More information on the planning of this conference will be shared when it is available. Back to top GERMAN WORSHIP SERVICE Good Shepherd, Lincoln, will offer a unique worship opportunity on Sunday, December 2, at 3:30 p.m. Rev. Thomas Obersat and Rev. Clint Poppe will be leading a Lutheran worship service in German. Come and experience an historical look at Advent and Christmas of the past with English translations for those not so fluent with the German language. Good Shepherd is located at 3825 Wildbriar Lane, just north of 40th and Old Cheney. Back to top SEMINARY OFFERS VISITATION TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS The sixth annual visitation event called "Taste of the Sem" will take place January 19-21, 2008, on the campus of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. The event is designed to allow young men in high school the opportunity to experience Seminary life with the help of current Concordia Seminary students. The event features Bible study, prayer, and discussions concerning the Office of the Holy Ministry. Participants are matched with Seminary students and accompany these students to their resident field education congregations on Sunday morning and to classes and chapel service on Monday morning. High school participants are also given a tour of the campus and the opportunity for dinner and discussion with Seminary faculty members. "We want these young men to become informed and excited about what the future could hold for them at Concordia Seminary," commented Rev. Kyle Castens, director of ministerial recruitment at Concordia Seminary. "A 'Taste of the Sem' is exactly what we want the participants to have, and we think this taste will develop an appetite for more." The registration cost is $45. All meals and lodging will be provided free of charge. Transportation between the airport, train station, or bus station and the Seminary campus also will be provided. Participants are responsible for their own transportation costs. For more information about "Taste of the Sem," contact the Admissions Office, Concordia Seminary, 801 Seminary Place., St. Louis, MO 63105; 1-800-822-9545, admissions at csl.edu, or visit the Seminary's website at www.csl.edu. Back to top Thanks to all who shared information to be passed along in this week's Update. Information from the congregations and ministries helps make this electronic newsletter a useful ministry tool for all. If you have something you would like shared in a future Update, email the information to communications at ndlcms.org or call the District Office at 888-643-2961. If there is information here you know others would appreciate having, please feel free to forward part or all of this message. Invite them to register to receive the E-mail Update in their inbox every week by sending their email address to the same email address, 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: 36051 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.ndlcms.org/pipermail/distupd/attachments/20071128/d5bb213b/attachment.txt