[DistUpd] Special Update Items

[District Updates]

This special Email Update contains two timely bits of information. Next week's regular Update will be in your inbox on Wednesday.

Teacher Emeritus Herbert Grabau Called to Glory
Herbert Grabau, teacher emeritus, departed this life on Thursday, February 7, 2008. Mr. Grabau graduated from Concordia, Seward, in 1951. He served at Bethel and Redemption, Detroit, Michigan; Zion, Leigh, Nebraska; Mt. Calvary, Omaha, Nebraska; and Immanuel, Rock Island, Illinois; before his retirement in May of 1987. His funeral is at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 11, at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, 5529 Leavenworth, Omaha. There will be time in the social hall of the church after the service to visit and offer condolences to the family. The burial will be at 1:30 p.m. at Lincoln Memorial Park, 6800 South 14th St., Lincoln.

Condolences may be sent to his wife, Ingaborg Grabau, at 516 S. 96th St., Omaha, NE 68114.


LCMS Responds to Shootings at Kirkwood City Hall
In response to the tragic shootings at Kirkwood City Hall last night, Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick, president of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, issued this statement:

"Last night at around 7 o'clock, a man shot and killed a Kirkwood, Mo., police officer outside the Kirkwood City Hall. The man then entered the building, wherein a city council meeting was in progress, and shot six more people, killing four. Among the dead were another police officer, two council members, and the city's director of public works. Two other people were wounded, including Kirkwood Mayor Mike Swoboda, who lies in serious condition at a local hospital. The assailant eventually was shot and killed by other Kirkwood police officers.

"As many of you are aware, Kirkwood, a suburb of St. Louis, is the home of the International Center, the headquarters of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The site of the shootings, Kirkwood City Hall, is about a mile north of our offices.

"All of St. Louis is in shock today. Our morning chapel service at the International Center was crowded. Our workers mourned the dead and prayed for the city and especially for the wounded and the family members of the lost and injured. Members of the International Center family and local LCMS congregations are responding in care and support of people in the Kirkwood community. One Kirkwood citizen was quoted as saying that last night's shootings 'were like our own little 9-11.' Then as now, whether a tragedy involves thousands of deaths or six, it is hard to make sense of such events.

"What we do know is that even in times of tragedy, God, in His time, can and will make blessings arise through our Lord Jesus Christ, who gives hope to all who believe in Him through grace by faith.  With this sure and certain hope, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod will be a witness to the Kirkwood community to the goodness of God in Christ Jesus, that in spite of this terrible evil, God promises to work good for all those who love Him (Rom. 8:28)."


Have a blessed weekend,
Nichole Hetz
Nebraska District LCMS
Director of Communications and Events
1-888-643-2961
nicholeh at ndlcms.org<mailto:nicholeh at ndlcms.org>
www.ndlcms.org<http://www.ndlcms.org/>

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