[DistUpd] December 3

[District Updates]

Update for December 3
A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE!

Advent greetings in the name our Savior, for whom we wait in hopeful anticipation. According to some traditions, the first candle on the Advent wreath symbolizes hope. The prophets and others in the Old Testament hoped on the promises God gave them regarding the Savior. We join with them in hopeful anticipation of the coming of the Savior, both in the celebration of His birth at Christmas and at His second coming. May the Lord grant each of us the eyes to see the opportunities to share the hope we have in Jesus Christ with those around us this week.

*         Prayer Requests
*         Guitar Found at Youth Gathering
*         Youth Gathering Band Footage Available Online
*         Birthday Celebration for Rev. Dr. Ted Janzow
*         Good News from Fan into Flame
*         Living Nativities in Nebraska
*         Life Sunday Materials Available
*         Nebraska Lutherans for Confessional Study
*         Seminary to Offer Choir Member Workshop
*         Lutherans For Life Invites Others to Join January March


PRAYER REQUESTS
Bishop Andrew Elisa - Please continue to lift up in prayer Rev. Andrew Elisa, Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sudan. Bishop Elisa underwent brain surgery this past Sunday, November 30, and remains hospitalized in Jordan. Please pray for him and his wife, Linda, as they are far from their home and family at this very stressful time. We ask the Great Physician to grant healing, comfort, and strength at this time. We also lift up the Lutheran Church in Sudan, as they continue in ministry without the leadership of Bishop Elisa at this time.

We also ask the Lord to provide the financial resources needed for these medical treatments. The hospitalization, treatments, and travel are very expensive (over $12,000 so far), and an appeal has come forward from LCMS World Mission and Lutheran Heritage Foundation to assist Bishop Elisa and his family in this time of need. Since the Nebraska District in its 2006 Convention voted to partner with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sudan and is currently involved in various Lutheran Christian mission projects in Sudan, this appeal for prayer and gifts to help the Elisa family is coming to you.

You may send monetary gifts to:
Lutheran Heritage Foundation World Mission Center
Attention: Jeff Rahn
51474 Romeo Plank
Macomb, MI  48042
Please note "Andrew Elisa Medical Expenses" on the memo line of your check.

OR

You may go to www.lhfmissions.org<http://www.lhfmissions.org/> and click on the article about Bishop Elisa to give a gift using a credit card.


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GUITAR FOUND AT YOUTH GATHERING
Pastors and youth leaders - if your youth group attended the District Youth Gathering in Omaha in November and one of your students took a guitar along but came home without one, we might have it! To claim the guitar, contact Don Weber at the District Office at 888-643-2961 or donw at ndlcms.org<mailto:donw at ndlcms.org>.


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YOUTH GATHERING BAND FOOTAGE AVAILABLE ONLINE
The Youth Gathering band, 211 Band, has posted video footage from the District Youth Gathering on its website. Visit http://www.211band.com/Index.asp?PageID=10638 to view the videos. Pictures of the band from the weekend are also available on the picture page at http://www.211band.com/Index.asp?PageID=10699.


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BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION FOR REV. DR. TED JANZOW
Everyone is invited to celebrate Concordia University, Nebraska President Emeritus W. Theophil "Ted" Janzow's 90th birthday. An open house will be held on December 18 from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. in the lobby of Janzow Campus Center at Concordia University, Seward. Rev. Dr. Janzow served as Concordia's 6th president from 1963-1977. Prior to his presidency, he was a member of the faculty and taught sociology. Following his presidency at Concordia, he became the first president of Concordia Seminary, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He has authored a number of books including his own autobiography, Servant for Jesus' Sake, and The Smoke of the Spirit, a collection of presidential columns printed in the Broadcaster in the 1960's and 70's. He currently lives in Lincoln. His four children, Fred, Frank, Kathy, and Dan, plan to attend the open house as well.


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GOOD NEWS FROM FAN INTO FLAME
The Lord continues to work in the hearts of His people, and as more Nebraska District congregations share with their members the urgent need to tell people about the saving work of Jesus Christ, hearts are moved to support this work with gifts and prayers.

That's what Fan into Flame is: the invitation for each member in every congregation to be involved in supporting Ablaze! mission projects through gifts and prayers. Every gift to this unique mission endeavor goes to support telling people about Jesus in four mission fields as outlined in Acts 1:8 - locally, district-wide, nationally, and internationally.

Just this week, the Nebraska District received Fan into Flame pledge agreements and reports from two more congregations: Immanuel, Butte and Grace, Wayne. Immanuel made a pledge of new money from their budget over and above their current ministry giving. The congregation of Grace implemented a congregational appeal based on the cottage visit model and held their commitment Sunday in November. The first report received indicated congregational pledges and gifts of nearly $55,000!

These congregations, together with several generous donors and 30 other congregations in the Nebraska District that have or are currently participating in Fan into Flame, contributed to the over $2.9 million given or pledged so far from Nebraska to support sharing the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ. Just imagine the outreach projects that could be supported to spread the Gospel message if your congregation joined in this effort!

Other congregations are still considering how they will participate. Many congregations will discuss this opportunity at their January voters' meetings and make decisions. If your congregation has not discussed Fan into Flame or decided how to participate, make plans now to talk about this at your next meeting. More information, as well as a Congregational Pledge Agreement Form, is available on the District's Fan into Flame website, www.ndlcms.org/news/FiF<http://www.ndlcms.org/news/FiF>. Questions may be directed to Andrea Essling at the District Office, Andrea.Essling at lcms.org<mailto:Andrea.Essling at lcms.org> or 888-643-2961.


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LIVING NATIVITIES IN NEBRASKA
Pastors and church office staff, please consider sharing these opportunities in your upcoming bulletins. Thank you.

Eagle - A living nativity will be held on Sunday, December 14, starting at 6:30 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1009 G St, Eagle. Celebrate the Christmas season with an outdoor nativity pageant performed by the youth, including live animals. Join in singing familiar Christmas carols and hymns as the story of Christ's birth is retold. Refreshments will be served afterwards in the fellowship hall of the church. For information call the church office at 402-781-2190.

Waverly - Peace Lutheran Church in Waverly will present a living nativity on December 12 at 7:00 and 9:00 p.m., and on December 14 at 7:00 p.m. Contact the church office at 402-786-2345 for more information.


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LIFE SUNDAY MATERIALS AVAILABLE (From Reporter Online - www.lcms.org/reporter<http://www.lcms.org/reporter>)
LCMS Life Ministries and Lutherans For Life both are offering resources designed to help congregations observe "Life Sunday" on January 18 or an alternate date.

Life Ministries, a program area of LCMS World Relief and Human Care (WR-HC), is providing free online resources including sermon helps, a psalmody, and hymn suggestions.  The new Life Sunday sermon study, written by Rev. Matthew C. Harrison, executive director of LCMS WR-HC, is based on John 1:43 and Psalm 139:1 from the lectionary. To download the resources, go to www.lcms.org/lifelibrary<http://www.lcms.org/lifelibrary>.

New bulletin inserts, a Bible study, sermons, and a children's message are available from Lutherans For Life (LFL) for Life Sunday.

"Good News For Life!" is the theme for the 2009 Life Sunday observance, which is designed to coincide with the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's January 22, 1973, decision that legalized abortion.

"The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not just Good News.  It's Good News for life! It's Good News that brings life, speaks of life, speaks to life, and changes life! And we are called to let it shine!" LFL Executive Director James I. Lamb says in a cover letter with a sample mailing of the new materials that LFL sent in October to congregations, LFL groups, and other "friends of life."  LFL is a pan-Lutheran organization based in Nevada, Iowa.

LFL's new Life Sunday materials include five sermons:
*         In "Choice: A Word of Death, A World of Life," based on Rom. 1:18-2:4 and Eph. 1:3-13, Rev. John Juhl talks about "choice."  His sermon presents "man's choice," which is "bad news that leads to death," and then "God's choice," which is "Good News that leads to life."  Says Juhl: "His choice was not a selfish choice, but a self-giving choice."
*         In "The Preciousness of Life," from Phil. 2:15-16, Dr. David Veum points to the Word of Life as the agent to bring "true change to our world of darkness."  He writes that our culture "has grown numb to the sounds of death" and makes clear that "we all choose death because of our sin."  Says Veum: "The Author of Life also chose death.  He chose to die for us all."
*         In "Cosmic War," based on Rev. 12:7-12, Rev. Christopher Esget writes that "there's a cosmic war going on" between the devil and the children of men.  Abortion is one battle in the war, he says, but Christ has been victorious over the devil.
*         In Good News for Life," from Phil. 2:14-16, LFL Executive Director James I. Lamb emphasizes that "the Good News for Life is Good News for your life."
*         Lamb also is the author of "Chastity: The Choice of Champions," from 1 Cor. 6:12-20.  This sermon, for those who would prefer to preach on one of the appointed readings for the second Sunday after Epiphany (Jan. 18), focuses on "how God makes us champions in Jesus Christ, which moves us to honor Him and others through chastity," Lamb says.

All five sermons may be downloaded free from the LFL Web site at www.lutheransforlife.org<http://www.lutheransforlife.org>.

Other new items for 2009 that may be ordered separately are:
*         a bulletin insert (7 cents each, item no. 135BI).
*         a "Just for Kids" bulletin insert (7 cents each, item no. 701BI).
*         a reproducible Bible study (50 cents each, item no. 135BS).
*         a reproducible worship service format (15 cents each, item no. 1821).
*         a children's message (50 cents each, item no. 1828).
*         a CD ($5, item no. 1818CD) includes all five sermons, plus the worship service, children's message, and Bible study.

Those who order Life Sunday resources from LFL also will receive a free copy of the 14-minute "For Life" DVD with study guide.

LFL also offers numerous brochures, booklets, a memorial service for victims of abortion, and other resources.  For more information, visit the LFL website at www.lutheransforlife.org<http://www.lutheransforlife.org> or call 888-364-LIFE (5433).


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NEBRASKA LUTHERANS FOR CONFESSIONAL STUDY
The December gathering of the Nebraska Lutherans for Confessional Study will be held on Thursday, December 11, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 3825 Wildbriar Lane in Lincoln. Refreshments will be in the fellowship hall at 9:30 a.m., followed by Matins at 10 a.m. Presenter for the morning session, starting at about 10:30, will be Rev. Brent Kuhlman, pastor of Trinity, Murdock. His topic will be Luther's "Bondage of the Will," Parts I-III (LW 33:5-160). Following lunch, Rev. Paul Egger, pastor at St. John, Galva, Iowa, will lead the afternoon topic. His topic, starting at about 1 p.m., will be "The Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope." 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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SEMINARY TO OFFER CHOIR MEMBER WORKSHOP
Concordia Seminary will offer its 17th Annual Schola Cantorum: An Adult Choir Member Workshop, on Saturday, January 24, 2009. The workshop will be held in The Chapel of
St. Timothy and St. Titus and the Clara and Spencer Werner Auditorium on the Seminary campus in St. Louis.

The Schola Cantorum is open to all choir members, choir directors, and ministers of music. The schedule for the day begins with registration at 8:15 a.m., Morning Prayer at 8:45 a.m., and rehearsal sessions at 9:15 a.m. The day concludes at 3:30 p.m. after the Closing Prayer service, which will include some of the music learned that day. Dr. Kurt von Kampen will serve as this year's clinician.

Dr. Kurt E. von Kampen has been conducting choirs at Concordia University, Nebraska, since the fall of 1998, and is the fourth conductor in the 68-year history of the University A Cappella Choir. Prior to accepting the position at Concordia University, von Kampen served as head of the choral program at Concordia University in Ann Arbor, Mich., and as director of music at Lutheran High School Westland and Northwest in the Detroit area. He holds a bachelor of science degree in music education from Concordia University in Seward, Neb.; a master of music degree in choral conducting from Oakland University in Rochester, Mich.; and a Ph.D. in choral music education from the University of Nebraska.

"We hold the Schola Cantorum as a way of serving the church at large," commented Rev. Henry Gerike, director of choirs at Concordia Seminary. "By attending, choir members and directors will learn and rehearse new choral music that can be used in their own churches. They will also learn better the art of singing. Each of our clinicians provides great insights into singing the praises of our Lord."

This year, a Choral Reading Session will be held Friday, Jan. 23, 2009, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. In the session, von Kampen will guide participants through an evening of choral and instrumental song in which he will preview new and current titles of music. The session is open to all, but is especially designed for choir directors. There is no charge to attend but registration is required.

The cost for the Schola Cantorum is $60 per individual or $110 per congregation ($70 or $125 after Jan. 16, 2009). For the congregation fee, a choir can send as many members as it desires. Lunch and the choral music are not included in the fee. For more information or registration forms, call 314-505-7486 or e-mail ce at csl.edu<mailto:ce at csl.edu>.


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LUTHERANS FOR LIFE INVITES OTHERS TO JOIN JANUARY MARCH (From LCMSNews -- No. 66, November 19, 2008)

The Northern Virginia chapter of Lutherans For Life (LFL) invites other pro-life supporters to join its members, Synod President Gerald B. Kieschnick, and the LCMS Sanctity of Human Life Committee for the Jan. 22 "March for Life" in Washington, D.C., and several other march-day activities.

That chapter also is offering to help arrange complementary housing through host families for out-of-towners who join the Lutheran delegation.

The annual March for Life observes the anniversary of the Jan. 22, 1973, U.S. Supreme Court's "Roe v. Wade" decision legalizing abortion in the United States.

Expected to draw an estimated 100,000 participants, the 2009 march will be the 12th consecutive one in which an LFL delegation is participating, and the first one for Kieschnick.  It also will be the first time that the 10-member LCMS Sanctity of Life Committee (which is under the auspices of LCMS World Relief and Human Care [WR-HC]) participates as a group.

LFL-sponsored activities Jan. 22 start with an 8 a.m. worship service at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Alexandria, Va., with Kieschnick as the scheduled preacher. A complementary brunch follows there at 9:30, and afterwards marchers will carpool to the National Mall for the pre-march rally at noon. The march itself begins from the Mall at 1:30, and is scheduled to end about 3 p.m. at the U.S. Supreme Court building.

Those who join the Lutheran marchers for the rally should look for the Lutherans For Life and Synod banners, starting about 11 a.m., on the right side of the mall (facing the speakers podium), between 7th and 8th Streets. A number of U.S. senators and members of the House of Representatives are expected to speak during the rally, along with national pro-life leaders.

The theme for this year's March for Life and rally is "REMEMBER -- the 'LIFE Principles' mean 'Equal Care' with 'No Exception!'"

For more information about housing or march-related activities, email Dennis Di Mauro, president of the LFL Northern Virginia chapter and organizer of its march activities, at dennisdimauro at yahoo.com<mailto:dennisdimauro at yahoo.com>.

"The election of a pro-choice president makes the March for Life even more important this year," Di Mauro said. "It will also serve as a powerful reminder of the need to nominate judges to the Supreme Court who are willing to defend the sanctity of life."

Kieschnick said that this is the first year that his schedule has made it possible for him to participate in the March for Life. He also said, "I very much look forward to this activity that in a visible way communicates our Synod's strong pro-life position, with which I wholeheartedly and unapologetically agree.  Particularly at this point in history, it is imperative for LCMS members and other Christian citizens to affirm and speak in support of the God-given blessing of life, from conception to the grave."

Maggie Karner, director of Life and Health Ministries for LCMS WR-HC and chair of the LCMS life committee, said the meeting's agenda will center on discussion of "leadership strategies for upholding the pro-life position under the new federal administration, amidst many statewide changes. Our committee goals for this year will be focused on improving the pro-life witness of the LCMS within our congregations and the larger public square."

"We are at a critical juncture in this nation's history for many reasons," Karner said. "Although the new administration and Congress may bring some positive things for our country and may speak for people who have felt underrepresented in the past, we must, as pro-life Christians, be unrelenting in our efforts to continue to speak out for the interests of those who have no voice at all: the unborn and the helpless."


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Thank you to all who shared information for this week's Update. 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 communications at ndlcms.org<mailto:communications at ndlcms.org>.  Questions and suggestions may be e-mailed to that address as well.

Advent blessings,
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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