[DistUpd] August 20

Wed Aug 20 10:21:41 CDT 2008

Update for August 20
A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE!

Greetings in the name of our Heavenly Father, the Lord of all.

At the 2006 Nebraska District Convention, delegates voted "To Partner with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Sudan." At that time, the congregations of the Nebraska District committed themselves as a District to becoming partners with this emerging church body through the work of LCMS World Mission and in collaboration with Orphan Grain Train, Lutheran Heritage Foundation, Mission Central, and other LCMS ministry agencies.

Since this time, many connections and ministry opportunities have been explored. Adoption agreements for church and school roofs, a church-wide radio system, trained school teachers, and school uniforms have been developed. Last winter Pastors Rich Boring and Ray Wilke spent time in Sudan preparing the church property in Malakal to receive a medical clinic with a water purification system being shipped by Orphan Grain Train. Just last week this container, as well as two others containing farming equipment collected by the Minnesota South Division of Orphan Grain Train, were shipped to Sudan.

The passage of these containers will take a few weeks, and prayers are needed as they travel across the ocean, and especially as they pass through the Port of Sudan and travel over land to Malakal. The containers will pass through countries that have not always been kind to Christian organizations and have held up containers or disturbed their passage in other ways. We pray that the Lord will open doors and provide safe passage for these ministry tools. We thank God for the generous hearts that provided the materials and the resources to ship them to where they can be used to open doors for people to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

To learn more about the ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sudan and the Nebraska District partnership, visit the District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/news/temp/Sudan.html or contact Rev. Rich Boring at richb at ndlcms.org<mailto:richb at ndlcms.org> or 888-643-2961.

*        Prayer Requests
*        2009 Compensation and Benefit Guidelines Now Online
*        Zion, Hoskins, Remembers Ministry as it Closes Doors
*        New Assistant in Missions and Outreach at the Nebraska District
*        A Fan into Flame Frequently Asked Question
*        District Youth Gathering Band Wins Award
*        Immigration Task Force to Form
*        Junior High Retreat This Fall
*        Sibling Harmony in Seward, Omaha, and Columbus
*        Lincoln Circuit Mission Convocation
*        Disaster Preparedness to be Focus of Orphan Grain Train Convention
*        Nebraska Lutherans for Confessional Study to Meet
*        Upcoming Events at Mission Central
*        Portable Dental Chair Available for Mission Use

PRAYER REQUESTS
Katie McFadden - The following update and prayer request for Katie McFadden, the seven-year-old in the lawnmower accident we included last week, is provided by her great-uncle Rev. John Ryding, pastor at Christ, O'Neill:
When I stepped off the elevator, Katie and her dad were in the hall. Katie was in a wheelchair and her leg was in a brace and supported by a pillow. She had not lost her leg, as we were first told. There is plenty of damage. She needs skin grafts (which is why she was in the burn unit), and they have been fighting an infection, which is not surprising. At the moment, she has good circulation and her nerves are all in tact. But she has lost most or all of her knee-cap. That could be replaced, but the growth plate is under it, and that's the problem. It may be damaged, or it may be gone altogether. If it is, then as she grows, her lower leg will not grow. They may be able to take her home this weekend.  She will use a wheelchair and a walker for some time. Eventually she will be taken to Shriner's Hospital in St. Louis where they will try to stimulate that growth plate. If that works, she'll be on her way. If not, the decision about her lower leg will have to be made sooner or later. Thank you for all the prayers. With God's help, Katie will have her leg restored and she will be a happy active girl.

Joanna Nelson and Family - We lift up in prayer Rev. John and Joanna Nelson and their family at the death of Joanna's father, Ron Stark, who passed away in Seal Beach, California on Saturday following a stroke. We ask for the Lord to grant this family a measure of His comfort and peace at this time, as well as a reminder of His promise of eternal life and that blessed reunion at Jesus' side. Joanna teaches at Immanuel, Columbus, and Pastor Nelson serves the congregation of Christ, Columbus.

The Family of Rev. Dr. George Wollenburg - Please remember in prayer the family of Rev. Dr. George Wollenburg, former Montana District President, who was called to glory on Monday, August 18. Although a specific time is still being determined, a funeral service is planned for Tuesday, Aug. 26, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Billings.

Dr. Wollenburg served as Montana District president twice: from 1969 to 1977, and again from 1992 to 2006.  He also served three terms as an LCMS vice president: as second vice president from 1986 to 1989; fourth vice president from 1983 to 1986; and fifth vice president from 1977 to 1981. Dr. Wollenburg also served on the LCMS Board of Directors (1977-81); the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (1974-83); and the Task Force on Higher Education (1983-83 and 1973-75).

Ordained in 1955, Dr. Wollenburg served as pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, Pleasanton, Neb. (1955-59); St. Paul (Bridger, Mont.) and St. John (Belfry, Mont.) Lutheran Churches (1959-66); and Christ the King Lutheran Church, Billings (1966-92).  Prior to being elected district president in 1969, he served as the district's first vice president from 1966 to 1969.

In addition to his wife, Martha, Dr. Wollenburg is survived by seven children, 19 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, 1333 S. Kirkwood Road, St. Louis, MO 63122-7295.
(From LCMS Reporter Online - http://www.lcms.org/pages/rpage.asp?NavID=13896)

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2009 COMPENSATION AND BENEFIT GUIDELINES NOW ONLINE
The 2009 Nebraska District Compensation and Benefit Guidelines are now available online at www.ndlcms.org<http://www.ndlcms.org/> or http://www.ndlcms.org/financial/office/compensation.html as a printable PDF file. Paper copies will be sent to church offices shortly. Questions on the guidelines may be directed to District Treasurer Paul Pettit at paulp at ndlcms.org<mailto:paulp at ndlcms.org> or 888-643-2961.

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ZION, HOSKINS, REMEMBERS MINISTRY AS IT CLOSES DOORS
The congregation of Zion, Hoskins, remembered over 100 years of ministry in rural Northeast Nebraska at its final service last Sunday, August 17. We join them in thanking God for the blessings He poured on the members and the community through this congregation for many, many years.

KTIV NewsChannel 4 in Sioux City ran a piece about the congregation which can be viewed on its website at http://www.ktiv.com/Global/story.asp?s=8809089.

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NEW ASSISTANT IN MISSIONS AND OUTREACH AT THE NEBRASKA DISTRICT
Connie Borchers, who previously served the Nebraska District as events coordinator, has shifted positions and is now serving as assistant to Rev. Rich Boring in the Missions and Outreach area of the Nebraska District. Those wishing to find out more about mission or outreach opportunities in the Nebraska District should contact Connie. She will also make Pastor Boring's appointments and help coordinate his speaking schedule. Missionaries or those interested in missions or outreach should contact Connie at connieb at ndlcms.org<mailto:connieb at ndlcms.org> or 888-643-2961.

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A FAN INTO FLAME FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION
Our congregation is already having difficulty meeting our budget; we don't have enough money to support something else. How can we do more?

When people are given the opportunity to hear what God is doing in His mission fields and how they can be a part of it, the Spirit can move their hearts in response. People may be moved by the mission stories of God's actions they hear through Fan into Flame, renewing their passion for returning their first-fruits to the Lord.

Fan into Flame provides new funding for the congregation, District, and World Missions globally to bring Christ to the lost. This includes revitalizing older congregations for Word and Sacrament ministry by breathing new life into them with projects that share God's love through Jesus with those in their community and around the world that don't know Him. The District is not going to forget the needs of existing congregations, nor will it ignore the opportunities for growth. In fact, these are equal priorities highlighted in the mission plan. When we return a portion of His blessings we will receive back new blessings a hundred-fold.

For more information on Fan into Flame and resources to help you start sharing the opportunities it presents to your members, visit the Nebraska District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/news/FIF/index.html. If your congregation would like someone to come to a council/leadership team meeting to present the opportunity Fan into Flame provides, contact your circuit coordinator. Coordinators and their contact information are available at the website listed above. Andrea Essling at the District Office may also be contacted with questions or for more information at andrea.essling at lcms.org<mailto:andrea.essling at lcms.org> or 888-643-2961.

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DISTRICT YOUTH GATHERING BAND WINS AWARD
Rough Draft, one of the bands slated to perform at the Nebraska District Youth Gathering in Omaha the weekend of November 21-23, won the Gospel Music Association's 34th Annual Music in the Rockies National Band Competition on Friday, August 8, in Estes Park, Colorado. For more information on this award, the band, and their music, visit their website at www.roughdraftband.com<http://www.roughdraftband.com/>.

For more information on the District Youth Gathering, or to download registration materials, visit the Gathering website at www.neyouth.org<http://www.neyouth.org/> and click "Downloads." The early registration deadline is October 1 and the final deadline is October 25. For more information contact Kathy Melton at kathym at ndlcms.org<mailto:kathym at ndlcms.org> or 888-643-2961.

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IMMIGRATION TASK FORCE TO FORM
Lutheran Family Services and other interested groups are working to form a task force on immigration issues. There was a wonderful turnout and discussion at the first meeting in August. This was not intended to be the only meeting. Its purpose was to brainstorm and confirm the need/support for the creation of some sort of immigration group to take on a more proactive, organized, and visible pro-immigration stance within our community. The need for the creation of such an immigration task force, coalition, network, whatever, was both apparent and confirmed. This group will also serve to increase communication on immigration-related topics and issues throughout our community - a current weakness that we need to overcome.

In order to keep the dialogue and effort moving forward, those in attendance made the decision to meet every month.  We hope to have representation from a broad spectrum across the community. We especially urge representation from the religious community. Please invite others who are interested in such a group.

            When:             2nd Friday of every month
            Location:         Lutheran Family Services
                                   Department of Community Services
                                    1941 South 42nd Street, Suite 402 (Center Mall), Omaha
            Time:               1:00-3:00 p.m.

For more information, please contact Kitcki Carroll at 402-346-6100.

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JUNIOR HIGH RETREAT THIS FALL
The fall Nebraska District Jr. High Retreat will be held October 17-18at Camp Luther near Schuyler under the theme "Cross Training." The cost for the retreat is $55.00 per person and the deadline for registration is October 1. The special speaker will be Rev. Ryan Mathias, Campus Pastor at Concordia, Seward. Registration forms and more information is available at www.campluther.org<http://www.campluther.org>.

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SIBLING HARMONY IN SEWARD, OMAHA, AND COLUMBUS
Sibling Harmony is a contemporary (LCMS) Christian band that will be playing at the following locations in Nebraska on their way to Colorado:

August 27 - 7 p.m. Wednesday concert - Omaha, Nebraska - Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church
August 28 - Thursday morning chapel - Omaha, Nebraska - Mt. Calvary Lutheran School
August 28 - 7 p.m. Thursday concert - Columbus, Nebraska - Christ Lutheran Church
August 29 - 9:25 a.m. Friday chapel - Seward, Nebraska - Concordia University

Kevin Bueltman, former director of Camp Luther near Schuyler, is part of this group with his sister, Kim, and a brother, Kurtis, both church workers in Illinois.  Kevin will begin attending Concordia Seminary in St. Louis this fall. You can hear their music at www.SiblingHarmony.com<http://www.siblingharmony.com/> or search for their songs at www.iTunes.com<http://www.itunes.com/>.

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LINCOLN CIRCUIT MISSION CONVOCATION
The Lincoln Circuit will be hosting a Circuit Convocation on Sunday, September 21 at Lincoln Lutheran Middle/High School located at 1100 N. 56th Street. The keynote speaker will be Rev. Matthew Harrison, Executive Director of Lutheran World Relief & Human Care on the topic of "Christ Have Mercy - Mercy in the Church Yesterday and Today."  Events include a Wisconsin Style Fish Feed hosted by Orphan Grain Train served from noon till 1:30, a Mission Midway highlighting the outreach/human care ministries of the Nebraska District and Lincoln Circuit congregations, a hymn sing, and closing Vespers Service. Members of congregations of the Nebraska District are invited to attend.

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DISASTER PREPAREDNESS TO BE FOCUS OF ORPHAN GRAIN TRAIN CONVENTION
Pastors, principals, and lay leaders from Nebraska District congregations are invited to attend the Orphan Grain Train Convention in Norfolk on September 19-20. This special invitation is being extended because of the special partnership with LCMS World Relief and Human Care (LCMS WR/HC) and the focus of the convention on congregation-based disaster response.

Congregations represented at this convention will receive an orientation on congregation-based disaster response by LCMS World Relief and Human Care personnel. The information being offered at the convention is the same information that would have been presented at a special congregation-preparedness workshop for pastors in the Nebraska District. Orphan Grain Train was very generous in combining this information with their convention and giving LCMS WR/HC a venue for getting this information to the congregations of the Nebraska District.

As we were reminded once again this spring and summer, disasters can strike Nebraska communities without warning, and congregations that are prepared can take the lead in providing physical and spiritual care to those affected by these disasters.

For more information on the convention, contact Orphan Grain Train at 402-371-7393 or email at ogt.org<mailto:email at ogt.org>, or visit www.ogt.org<http://www.ogt.org/>.

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NEBRASKA LUTHERANS FOR CONFESSIONAL STUDY TO MEET
The August gathering of the Nebraska Lutherans for Confessional Study (NLCS) is Thursday, August 28, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 3825 Wildbriar Lane in Lincoln. Refreshments will be served in the Fellowship Hall at 9:30 a.m., followed by Matins at 10. The presenter for the morning session will be Rev. Clint Poppe, pastor at Good Shepherd. His topic, starting at 10:30, will be "A Brief History of Missions in the LCMS." Following lunch, Rev. Poppe will lead the afternoon topic on "Issues in Mission in the LCMS Today." The meeting will conclude by 2:30 p.m. Everyone is invited, both clergy and laity. A free will offering will be taken to help defray expenses.

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UPCOMING EVENTS AT MISSION CENTRAL (from Gary Thies)
Following is a list of upcoming speakers at Mission Central. Please invite your congregation, your family, and your friends and bring them to Mission Central 2 miles east of Mapleton, Iowa. For more information, visit the Mission Central website at www.missioncentral.us<http://www.missioncentral.us/>.

Teacher Anna Horkey will be telling of her work in Southeast Asia as she teaches and touches the lives of people in China. She will be presenting at 1:00 p.m. and at 7:00 p.m. on August 21, 2008! A must for you to hear and see.  Not a "normal" type of presentation!!!

Missionaries [...] will present the most amazing story of their work in the newly opened country of Turkey, where 99.5% of the people are Muslim. Mark your calendars for September 9, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. for a program you will never, ever forget.

[...] are leaving to work in [...], Turkey, and will be speaking as a part of the "Big Turkey Event" at Mission Central at 1:00 p.m. and then again at 7:00 p.m. on the 9th of September. Please see them!

[...], will be working in [...], Turkey, [...], where [...] will be using his skills to work in the medical field and provide rehabilitation work. They will be here to tell their story on September 9, 2008, at 1:00 p.m. and again at 7:00 p.m.

One of the most amazing Missionaries for LCMS World Mission is missionary Carol Halter. She has spent over 20 years in Hong Kong and China and is doing such amazing work with the poorest of poor. See her in person on November 12, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. What a blessing to hear her report!

Rev. David and Rachel Baker and family will be at Mission Central on November 14 at 1:00 p.m. and again at 7:00 p.m. telling of how God has called them to Kazakhstan to touch the lives of thousands to train, equip, and share with the Kazak people the grace of the Lord Jesus.

Missionaries Mike and Ann Wade work among the remote Dungan people high in the mountains in Kyrgyzstan.  They are agricultural missionaries, and they will be presenting on January 14, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. Their story is amazing!

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PORTABLE DENTAL CHAIR AVAILABLE FOR MISSION USE
St. Paul Lutheran Church & School, Chicago, purchased a portable dental chair in partnership with Lutherans in Medical Missions, and Pastor Walt Schoenfuhs reports that it is being used in Mexico with a dental team of three hygienists seeing 25 patients a day. This portable dental chair is available for others to request for use in similar situations. Congregations or mission teams interested in finding out more about the use of the portable dental chair are encouraged to contact Pastor Walt using the information below:
St. Paul Lutheran Church & School  -  www.stpaulcanfield.org<http://www.stpaulcanfield.org/>
5650 N. Canfield, Chicago, IL 60631  -  708-867-5044

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Thank you to all the congregations 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<mailto:communications at ndlcms.org>.

The Lord's blessings today and always,
Nichole Hetz
Nebraska District LCMS
Director of Communications
1-888-643-2961
nicholeh at ndlcms.org<mailto:nicholeh at ndlcms.org>
www.ndlcms.org<http://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.

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