From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Wed Oct 1 11:43:55 2008 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:43:55 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] October 1 Message-ID: Update for October 1 A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE! Greetings in the name of our Heavenly Father, the Lord of the Harvest. It doesn't matter if you live in a city, town, or rural area, you know this is the time the Lord has given farmers to harvest the crops from the fields. As Nebraskans, even if we aren't farmers we know the harvest is important to the economic conditions of our state, as well as the well-being of our fellow citizens. Likewise, the Lord has planted a mission field right outside each of our doors. He has brought African immigrants, Hispanic immigrants, and Asian immigrants to our communities, as well as young families, older adults, and those who have never heard of Jesus Christ and His wonderful gift of salvation. The fields around us are ready to be harvested and He calls each of us to go into these fields with His Word and the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ. Please pray about how the Lord can use you in His harvest and pray for those across the District who are joining you in this field. Did you know everything your Nebraska District Office does is with the intention of giving to the congregations and workers the resources they need to go into the mission fields of Nebraska? Every resource available from your District Office is funded by the mission and ministry dollars your congregation commits to the District. This commitment is usually made as part of your congregation's annual budget. It is the dollars from your congregation that allow the District Office to provide these resources back to your congregation when they are needed. To find out more about the resources your District Office has to offer your congregation to equip and support you as you tell the Good News of Jesus in your church, school, and community, visit the District website at www.ndlcms.org or contact the office directly at 888-643-2961 or info at ndlcms.org. * Prayer Request * Church/School Secretary Workshop Registrations Mailed * Parish Health Survey * Beverly Duensing Chosen "Teacher of the Year" * Update on Greater Omaha Mission Opportunities * Omaha Lutheran Schools Change Name * CPH Warehouse Sale is Coming to Nebraska * New Materials Available for LWML Sunday * New IRS Regulations Require Response * Mission Service Opportunities * Asian Tour Rescheduled by Lutheran Hour Ministries * Wheat Ridge Launches "Giving Gardens" Hearts for Jesus Project * Concordia Theological Seminary Announces Library Expansion Project PRAYER REQUEST Virginia Wempen and Family - Prayers have been requested by Pastor Rob Kuefner for Virginia Wempen, a 75-year-old member of Holy Cross, Kearney, and her family. Virginia has been missing since Friday. She is wheelchair bound, and hasn't driven for 10 years, usually transported by various services. Her wheelchair was found next to where a car in their driveway usually sits, but the car was gone. She had money and a credit card with her, but none of her medications. She has been delusional and confused at times, especially since a more recent hospital stay. All of the proper authorities are searching for her, but to date there is no further information. Please join in praying that she would be kept safe and be found, and that she could receive the help she needs. Back to top CHURCH/SCHOOL SECRETARY WORKSHOP REGISTRATIONS MAILED The Nebraska District is pleased to once again be able to offer a Church/School Secretary Workshop for all church and school office staff in the District. This day full of resourcing, renewed acquaintances, and refreshments will be held on Tuesday, November 11, from 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. on the campus of Concordia University, Seward. This year's workshop will include sessions on newsletter design and Godly boundaries, as well as time to meet the District Office staff and to network with the other secretaries. Registration materials were mailed to each church and school office. Copies of the form may be made as needed. Materials are also available to be printed from the District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/news/conferences/secretary.html. The registration deadline is Friday, October 24. Contact Nichole at the District Office, nicholeh at ndlcms.org or 888-643-2961, with questions. Back to top PARISH HEALTH SURVEY The Parish Health Committee of the Nebraska District is asking each congregation to complete an optional online parish health survey to help the committee assess parish health programs taking place in Nebraska congregations, as well as to assist them in allocating resources, planning programs, and providing support to congregation in the areas of health and wellness and health ministry. Follow the link below to begin this short, 5-minute online survey. The survey will only be available until midnight next Wednesday, October 8. Please take five minutes between now and then to share your congregation's information with the committee. Contact Chris Blanke at Christine.blanke at cune.edu with questions or for more information. Survey link: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB2288MSQZGC3 Back to top BEVERLY DUENSING CHOSEN "TEACHER OF THE YEAR" "Beverly Duensing got a call two weeks ago that she didn't expect. The call was from Wal-Mart, letting the local teacher know she had been selected as Wal-Mart's Teacher of the Year. 'I was very honored,' said Duensing, a second grade teacher at St. Paul's Lutheran Education Center. 'I had no idea.'" The Beatrice Daily Sun shares the full story of Beverly's award in an article on their website, http://www.beatricedailysun.com/articles/2008/09/30/news/local/doc48e23c657efc3481125841.txt. Beverly has been a teacher at St. Paul's for 15 years, starting as a kindergarten teacher and now teaching second grade. She was nominated at the Beatrice Wal-Mart by several former students. We thank and praise God for Lisa Knoepfel (see last week's Update), Beverly Duensing, and all of the other dedicated teachers who serve the Lord, the students, and their families through Lutheran schools in Nebraska. Back to top UPDATE ON GREATER OMAHA MISSION OPPORTUNITIES The Greater Omaha Task Force has been busy planning and developing new ministries at the 40th and Q Street property in Omaha, previously Zion/Peace Lutheran Church. When the congregation closed its doors, the Nebraska District - LCMS purchased the building to minister to the neighborhood where it is located. Right now, the mission at 40th and Q Streets has centered on human care ministries, with plans to tie it in with God's Word with a future preaching station. Faithful servants have been busy sharing and showing the love of Christ through English as second language (ESL) classes, American citizenship classes, as well as Vicar Obdulio Felix leading devotions and singing with the students. The gym is being used by Sudanese and Hispanics. Computers have been donated and moved to the center to be used for a job training center starting in October. You can be a part of this mission too! There are opportunities for volunteers from all areas to be part of this walking together in mission. To hear more about how the Lord has already touched the lives of people benefiting from activities in the building, and to learn how you can be part of this effort as it unfolds over the next months, please attend a meeting on Sunday evening, October 12, at 7:00 p.m., at the former Zion/Peace campus at 40th and Q Streets, Omaha. The assembly will receive the report of the Greater Omaha Area Task Force, who will also be sharing about mission opportunities in Greater Omaha and how churches can partner together to develop new missions and strengthen established ministries in Greater Omaha. The meeting is open to everyone! Back to top OMAHA LUTHERAN SCHOOLS CHANGE NAME The Wider Omaha Lutheran School Association has changed its name to Concordia Lutheran Schools of Omaha. The change brings the corporate name of the Lutheran school system into agreement with the names of the schools it operates: Concordia Academy elementary school, at 108th and Grover Streets, and Concordia Jr.-Sr. High School, 156th and Fort Streets, both in Omaha. "Concordia means harmony or agreement, and this brings harmony to our schools' names," said Rev. Jim Rasmussen, Concordia Schools' chief executive officer. Rasmussen said he believes the new name will help the schools become better known in the Omaha area. The schools' former name was often shortened in writing and conversation to the acronym WOLSA. Rasmussen said that acronym "didn't mean anything to people who weren't already familiar with us." By contrast, Concordia is a name that is used by Lutheran educational institutions across the country, including the Concordia University System affiliated with The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod. That system includes Concordia University, Nebraska in Seward. Concordia Lutheran Schools of Omaha was founded as the West Omaha Lutheran School Association in 1996 and opened its first elementary school in 1998. The name was later changed to the Wider Omaha Lutheran School Association (replacing "West" with "Wider"). Today the schools serve a total of 440 students: 231 at Concordia Academy in grades kindergarten through 6, and 209 at the junior-senior high in grades 7 through 12. Concordia Lutheran Schools of Omaha is owned by 16 churches affiliated with The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod in Omaha and the surrounding area. In addition to the new name, the school system has a new logo. Concordia Omaha plans to complete the transition to the new name in all documents, promotional materials, signs, and the website (which continues as www.wolsa.org for the time being) by the end of the current school year. Back to top CPH WAREHOUSE SALE IS COMING TO NEBRASKA Concordia Publishing House brings its Warehouse Sale -- the largest sale of the year -- to the campus of Concordia University, Nebraska. The sale is open Friday, October 24, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, October 25, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. During this time, excess inventory from Concordia Publishing House is offered at deep discounts. Sale items include books for children and adults, teaching resources, and more. The Concordia Publishing House Warehouse Sale is located in the Janzow Campus Center on the Concordia University campus in Seward. For more information about the Warehouse Sale, call Mary Oldenburg at Concordia at 402-643-7405. Back to top NEW MATERIALS AVAILABLE FOR LWML SUNDAY The Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) is offering new materials for this year's suggested LWML Sunday, October 5. Dr. Robert Roegner, executive director of LCMS World Mission, the global Gospel outreach arm of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, authored a number of the new materials using this year's theme, "Opened Eyes ... Hearts Ablaze!," based on the text from Luke 24:31-32. Some of the materials available include worship service bulletins (for purchase), a sermon with an outline (free), and a children's sermon (free). In addition, for the first time this year, LWML is providing a LWML Sunday worship service CD for $10. There is also a short video clip featuring LWML President Jan Wendorf, available for free download at www.lwml.org, which can be used to inform congregations about the women's auxiliary and its ministry. Those who place an order for LWML Sunday bulletins or the worship service CD will receive a free packet of the new "With This Ring" Mustard Seed Devotions. For more information or to order LWML Sunday materials, visit www.lwml.org. Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) is the official women's auxiliary of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. LWML provides spiritual support to woman while also encouraging and equipping them to use their God-given talents to share the Gospel with those in their community and around the world. Back to top NEW IRS REGULATIONS REQUIRE RESPONSE (From Reporter Online, http://www.lcms.org/pages/rpage.asp?NavID=14163) Concordia Plan Services (CPS) is offering resources to help LCMS congregations, schools, and other church organizations understand revised Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations that go into effect January 1 governing tax-deferred savings plans and tax-sheltered annuities -- and which will require response by many LCMS employers, according to CPS. An article prepared by CPS for this issue of Reporter reads as follows: "The revised IRS 403(b) regulations (governing tax-deferred savings plans and tax-sheltered annuities) that go into effect on January 1, 2009, will have a significant impact for all employers, including church organizations that have at any time permitted their workers to make pre-tax contributions to a 403(b) plan. Depending on the employer's decision and action regarding the new regulations, their workers can be affected as well. "In the past, 403(b) plans have generally been considered an individual contract between the worker and a 403(b) provider. With the revised regulations, the IRS has made it clear that 403(b) plans are now going to be regulated as employer-sponsored plans. This means employers will have ongoing oversight and compliance responsibilities, including the requirement of a written plan document, for any 403(b) providers to which their workers make pre-tax contributions. "As an option, any LCMS employer enrolled in The Church's Plan and using only the Concordia Retirement Savings Plan (CRSP) after December 31, 2008, has the assurance that Concordia Plan Services and MetLife will take responsibility for most of the administrative and compliance issues of the new regulations minimizing the administrative burden on the employer. "To help employers and workers understand these revised regulations and the employer's increased responsibilities, Concordia Plan Services has compiled helpful resources. To access the information, visit the Concordia Plan Services website at www.concordiaplans.org and click on "Retirement" on the left, select "Concordia Retirement Savings Plan," then "403(b) Regulations." There you will find: * "A link to the IRS website, where you can view Q & A and link to a copy of the 131-page revised regulations. * "A link to the MetLife website, which also provides many resources regarding the IRS revised regulations (MetLife is the administrator of the Concordia Retirement Savings Plan, the 403(b) plan offered through the Concordia Plan Services). * "A Glossary of 403(b) terms which is a handy reference tool when reading about the regulations. * "The Concordia Plans Update newsletter which was mailed in late August 2008 to all LCMS employers participating in the Concordia Plans. This newsletter explains what these new regulations mean for employers. * "A recorded "Webinar" that references the Concordia Plans Update and presents the topic in a user-friendly format geared toward LCMS employers. "The revised regulations have the greatest impact on employers that allow salary deferrals to multiple 403(b) providers. Employers in this situation are urged to carefully consider their options and research the costs and impact to staff and resources if they wish to support contributing to multiple providers after December 31, 2008." Back to top MISSION SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES Ysleta Lutheran Mission - El Paso, Texas/Juarez, Mexico A group of mission-minded folks from Trinity, Grand Island, are planning a week-long mission trip to Ysleta Lutheran Mission January 17 thru 24, 2009. This mission is a recognized service organization of LCMS that engages in a variety of mission activities and social ministries in the El Paso area and across the border in and around Juarez, Mexico. These activities have included building and repairing churches, building homes, and distributing food, clothing, health kits, blankets, toys, and other charitable items. The mission has recently been allowed to engage in ministry at the U.S. Border Patrol Detainment Center in El Paso. A passport is required. Some updated immunizations are also recommended. Cost is approximately $800 - $1000 per person, which includes most expenses. Some scholarships may be available to those interested. Fund raising efforts are also being planned to help defray expenses. A website is available for further exploring at www.ylm.org/servantevent.html. If you are interested in knowing more, call Ken and Gerry Koepke at 308-381-4712. Korea (from missionary Rev. Patrick O'Neal's newsletter) EFL Professors and Volunteers Luther University/Seminary (LTU) is seeking two experienced teachers with a Master's degree to teach English as a first language (EFL) classes to university students and community children. These are paid positions on yearlong contracts starting March 1, 2009. LTU is also in need of 2 to 3 volunteer missionaries to teach English for their 3 week Winter English Camp for children in January. If you are interested in these positions, please email directly to patrick.oneal at lcms.org. Back to top ASIAN TOUR RESCHEDULED BY LUTHERAN HOUR MINISTRIES Lutheran Hour Ministries is postponing its Asia tour previously scheduled for this November until the first week of November 2009. The move comes following a period of political protests in Thailand that led to the Thai government at one point imposing a state of emergency. "We have had a ministry center in Thailand since 1991 and view the country as very stable," says the Rev. Walt Winters, Director of LHM's International Ministries division. "The last couple weeks have simply been an exercise in democracy by the citizens there. While we didn't anticipate any safety problems moving ahead with our tour this November, we have decided to be cautious and postpone the trip for a year to allow for things in Thailand to return to normal." LHM will now offer two ministry tours in 2009, one to Panama and Nicaragua Feb. 5-14 and one to Thailand and Vietnam Nov. 1-14. The tours offer attendees an opportunity to get a firsthand look at LHM ministry in action and learn about the many outreach ministry highlights in the host countries. Tour leaders include LHM staff or board members who know the countries, the sights, and the ministries of the specific country you will be visiting. The tours are managed by professional tour agencies that have expertise in the regions being toured. A brochure, bulletin insert, and PowerPoint presentation with more information are available at www.lhm.org/tours. The website also includes trip itineraries, costs, payment schedules, and registration forms (Latin America tour information is available now, Asia tour information will be online soon). You may also call 1-800-944-3450, ext. 4168 or send an e-mail to tours at lhmint.org if you have additional questions. Back to top WHEAT RIDGE LAUNCHES "GIVING GARDENS" HEARTS FOR JESUS PROJECT Wheat Ridge Ministries is excited to announce a new Hearts for Jesus project, Giving Gardens. This new project, in partnership with Hope Seeds, Inc., Bradenton, Florida, will make a difference in the lives of children in Haiti and other countries where the world's hungry live. When your school, Sunday school, vacation Bible school, small group, etc., participates in the Giving Gardens project, you can make a world of difference! Your gift to Giving Gardens will support the distribution of climate and cultural-appropriate seeds, training, planting, and harvesting of gardens. Perhaps the most important gift you will give is the seed of faith being planted and nurtured through the work of teachers and missionaries. Every $500 donated to Giving Gardens supports: * Garden seeds that can produce nutritious vegetables and fruits that will feed many families. These vegetables and fruits can transform sick and malnourished children into healthy and energetic boys and girls. * Surplus food from the gardens is sold to earn money for other kinds of food, for clothing, for medicine, and for education. * Seeds from the produce may be collected and used for the next season's crop. * Seeds of faith that are planted in young people through special garden schools, similar to vacation Bible school, taught by trained teachers and missionaries. Wheat Ridge Ministries invites you to "plant" Giving Gardens! We thank you for what you do to care for God's children throughout the world. Giving Gardens offers another way to share the love of Christ in a hungry world. Giving Gardens resources include daily activities for early childhood and elementary age students, object lessons, chapel resources, a skit, a poster, postcards, chapel offering boxes, a copy of the book "3 in 1 (A Picture of God)," and much more. For additional information and to order materials, please visit the Giving Gardens website at www.wheatridge.org/givinggardens. You may also contact Wheat Ridge Ministries at 800-762-6748. There is no charge for these materials. Back to top CONCORDIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY ANNOUNCES LIBRARY EXPANSION PROJECT The opening service for the commencement of the one hundred sixty-third academic year brought more than just the inauguration of a new school year. The Reverend Dr. Dean O. Wenthe, President of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, announced the public phase of an eight million dollar renovation and expansion project for the campus' Walther Library. The Walther Library expansion project will provide new resources for students and faculty, house specialized instruction centers, and centralize more than 175,000 volumes owned by Concordia Theological Seminary, the home of one of the richest and most unique theological collections in the state of Indiana. The seminary contracted with the architectural firm MSKTD & Associates, Inc. to move forward with working drawings for the Walther Library project with preliminary work done this winter and construction anticipated to begin sometime next summer. This addition will add approximately 48,000 square feet to the existing library and will house 40,000 volumes currently in storage, as well as an additional 6,000 volumes in the seminary's rare book collection. The new facilities will also provide areas for students to benefit from collaborative study opportunities. The architect has taken wonderful care to design an addition that will blend in beautifully with the architectural masterpiece Eero Saarinen designed over fifty years ago that came to fruition in this campus. Special care has been exercised in preserving the heritage that will continue to serve the seminary and church for many years to come. "God's people have already responded so generously from the heart that gifts and commitments to the Walther Library addition have reached $5,625,000, or 70 percent of the total needed to pay for the first building to be added to the campus in over forty years. Praise God for His lavish grace," commented Dr. Wenthe. Back to top 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. We pray this e-newsletter may be a useful resource tool to you in your personal and congregational ministry. Please feel free to reproduce anything in this newsletter and pass this resource along to others you know who may also benefit from this information. Anyone is welcome to subscribe and may do so by emailing their email address to communications at ndlcms.org and requesting to be added to the mailing list, or by visiting http://www.ndlcms.org/news/communications. Blessings, Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 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: 55158 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.ndlcms.org/pipermail/distupd/attachments/20081001/3492d883/attachment.txt From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Thu Oct 2 09:15:58 2008 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:15:58 -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 Connie Borchers at the District Office. She may be reached at 888-643-2961 or missions 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 from 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 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: 6788 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.ndlcms.org/pipermail/distupd/attachments/20081002/a936f4eb/attachment.txt -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: October 08.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 936994 bytes Desc: October 08.pdf Url : http://lists.ndlcms.org/pipermail/distupd/attachments/20081002/a936f4eb/October08-0001.pdf From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Thu Oct 2 13:56:15 2008 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Thu, 02 Oct 2008 18:56:15 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] FIREworks Newsletter Message-ID: Greetings in Christ! Attached is the current issue of FIREworks, a newsletter designed to educate and update the leaders of the Nebraska District on the Fan into Flame campaign in Nebraska. This newsletter is sent every other week to share current information and stories about the things God is doing through Ablaze! and Fan into Flame. Pastors and church office staff are encouraged to print and post this newsletter, reproduce this page for their congregational newsletter, or forward it to their electronic mailing list. Issues of this newsletter are also available by following the Fan into Flame link on the District website, www.ndlcms.org. You are receiving this newsletter because you receive the weekly Email Update e-newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe from this list, you may email your request to nicholeh at ndlcms.org. Removing yourself from this list will also take you off the list to receive the weekly Email Update, the Mission Fields Nebraska newsletter, and the Sudan Mission newsletter. I appreciate the opportunity to share with you news of how God is using the congregations and individuals of the Nebraska District through this exciting mission effort. Feel free to contact me with any questions you might have on Ablaze! or Fan into Flame. Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 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: 6026 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.ndlcms.org/pipermail/distupd/attachments/20081002/83b4d4f0/attachment.txt -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: 10-2.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 45730 bytes Desc: 10-2.pdf Url : http://lists.ndlcms.org/pipermail/distupd/attachments/20081002/83b4d4f0/10-2-0001.pdf From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Wed Oct 8 11:32:36 2008 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:32:36 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] October 8 Message-ID: Update for October 8 A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE! Greetings in the name of our generous and loving heavenly Father. October is a time of prayerful discernment and decision making for many congregations in the Nebraska District. They are seeking the Lord's will for how they will give offerings to the Lord to support the mission and ministry He has entrusted to them. They are also considering how they will lovingly support the ministry of their pastor, other professional church workers, and staff with salaries and benefits. In addition, they are praying over how they will support the common services and mission of their Nebraska District and their Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Finally, many are also pondering their support for a specific missionary or project in Nebraska or at an LCMS university, seminary, or on the international mission field. Where to start? How about starting with the Apostle Paul where he writes in 2 Corinthians 8:9, "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich." I have truly been astonished at the generosity the Lord creates in the hearts of His people with the sacrificial love of Christ. The One who has opened the storehouse of His blessings is the one who can also open the hearts and hands of His people. (taken from President Sommerfeld's October Nebraska Lutheran Reporter article) As your congregation spends time discussing and praying about your congregation's mission and ministry budget, or as your congregations takes time to focus on the life of the Christian steward, take time to remember the common work of the Nebraska District and the blessings that the Lord showers on His people as we work together to faithfully minister to God's people and share the saving message of Jesus Christ with those outside of a relationship with Him. * Prayer Requests * Important Upcoming Deadlines * No Email Update Next Week * New Church Start News * LCMS World Relief/Human Care Continues Response to Hurricane Ike * Special Events at Mission Central * Fan into Flame Update * TLCare for Those Traveling to Mayo Clinic * Lincoln Women's Retreat * Internet Family Devotional Materials Available * Teen LWML is Challenging Their Congregation * Anniversary Celebrations * Nebraska Lutherans for Confessional Study to Meet * Camp Luther News PRAYER REQUESTS Virginia Wempen and Family - Pastor Rob Kuefner of Holy Cross, Kearney, shared the following update and prayers of thanksgiving for Virginia Wempen last week: A word of thanks to the Lord for this wonderful news. This afternoon (Wednesday, October 1) I went out to the planned search for Virginia Wempen to meet with her children to offer our support and see what we could do as congregation in the efforts. While there, a report was received that a car had been spotted from the air, and just before they sent everyone out they checked out the situation and found Virginia alive. I met with family and Virginia in the hospital emergency room, and she was alert, concerned about the trouble she caused, obviously relieved to be found, and doing fairly well considering. She was kept in the hospital to deal with dehydration and for observation. Thank the Lord she was found safely. Thanks for you who have been including Virginia in your prayers. It's not often that a 75-year-old lands her car into a ditch and survives for almost 6 days without any medication or other care. The Lord is gracious! Back to top IMPORTANT UPCOMING DEADLINES Please note the following important deadlines: * Parish Health Online Survey - Midnight tonight, Wednesday, October 8 * http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB2288MSQZGC3 * Registration deadline for Teachers' Conference - Friday, October 10 * http://www.ndlcms.org/news/conferences/teachers/index.html * Registration deadline for Fall Pastors' Conference - Friday, October 10 * http://www.ndlcms.org/news/conferences/pastors/index.html * Registration deadline for Church/School Secretary Workshop - Friday, October 24 * http://www.ndlcms.org/news/conferences/secretary.html * Registration deadline for District Youth Gathering - Saturday, October 25 * www.neyouth.org Back to top NO EMAIL UPDATE NEXT WEEK I will be out of the office next week, so there will be no Email Update next Wednesday. These weekly news and ministry bulletins will return to the normal schedule on Wednesday, October 22. Information for upcoming issues may be sent anytime to communications at ndlcms.org. Back to top NEW CHURCH START NEWS The Rock Lutheran Church - The Rock Lutheran Church, a church plant of Christ, Lincoln, in the Seward community, in cooperation with St. John, Seward, is set for its launch service at 10:00 a.m. this coming Sunday, October 12, at the Lied Senior Center (1010 Manor Drive West) in Seward. Word of Life Lutheran Church - Word of Life Lutheran Church, a church plant of St. Paul, Malcolm, began services in the Fallbrook area of Northwest Lincoln on Sunday, September 28. Led by DELTO Vicar Dr. Larry Oetting, the new mission congregation began a sermon series entitled, "Joy? You Got to be Kidding?" According to Vicar Oetting, it was a joyful, wonderful blessing to be able to share the Good News with the 125 people that gathered for the service. Last Sunday, October 5, 100 people returned to hear more about Jesus Christ and His saving work of redemption for all people. Center for Liturgical Art outfits new Lincoln church, Word of Life Being a new church that's virtually in the backyard of the Center of Liturgical Art has its benefits. The center, based at Concordia University, Nebraska, worked recently with a new church plant in northwest Lincoln, Word of Life Lutheran Church, to fill most every artistic need the fledgling church had, from a logo and communication system to furnishings for their worship space. "The center has been wonderful to work with," said Dr. Larry Oetting, vicar for the new church. "We were starting from scratch, and Mark Anschutz and the whole team took us through the creative process to arrive at great images and objects that focus on the Word, Christ, and the cross." The center's artists provided an altar, processional cross, candle stands, a baptismal font, communion ware and a communication system that included a logo, stationery, bulletin inserts and business cards. View some images of the work at http://bibelot.squarespace.com/church-projects/. "Part of what we do at the center involves outreach and helping churches of all sizes design within their capacities and budgets," said Brock Shaw, coordinator of education and outreach for the center. "One of our tasks was how we would be able to meet their limited budget with beautifully designed furnishings." The altar is a refurbished wood piece with the addition of an inset space for seasonally-changing graphics. Originally created by Alan Luebbe, Jeff Voehl did the refinishing and staining work. From that design, Shaw designed the wooden baptismal font, processional cross, and candle stands. Trevor Youngberg, a visiting artist from Connecticut, sculpted the ceramic bowl for the font, and Michael Strand, chair of the art department and director of the center, did the finishing and glazing work. Amy Smith, a ceramic artist in Lincoln, designed and created the communion ware. Another consideration for the center was the need to create mobile pieces. Word of Life is worshiping in space in the Town Center of the Fallbrook neighborhood that is used as classrooms during the week. "The large pieces are on wheels, and the baptismal font has a door on the backside that opens up for storing the large bowl," said Shaw. William Wolfram, professor emeritus at Concordia and an artist for the center, designed the church's logo, a cross. The symbol has been fabricated in multiple colors to use at the head of the processional cross in different church seasons. Shaw also created the stationery and other printed pieces. Word of Life is still in need of individual cup communion ware. If your congregation has some individual cup communion ware you can donate or sell to Word of Life at a reasonable price, contact Vicar Oetting at larkitoetting at yahoo.com or 402-261-8759. Back to top LCMS WORLD RELIEF/HUMAN CARE CONTINUES RESPONSE TO HURRICANE IKE (from http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=14187) While Texans tackled massive clean-up and repairs after Hurricane Ike, the Synod's mercy arm also went to work behind the scenes, reaching out to impacted LCMS congregations to learn about their member and community needs. Checking on LCMS churches after the September 14 Category 2 hurricane quickly became a top priority of LCMS World Relief and Human Care staff in St. Louis, Mo., despite widespread power outages in Southeast Texas that challenged information gathering. Mercy team members - directors as well as support staff - contacted ministries, congregations, and pastors to ask about property losses and needs. They also offered prayers. To date, about 20 LCMS congregations have reported property damage, with among the hardest hit in Galveston, Port Arthur, Beaumont, Orange, and Bridge City. More than two weeks after Hurricane Ike, LCMS WR-HC's Director of Disaster Response Rev. Glenn Merritt and Director of Districts and Congregations Rev. Carlos Hernandez continue to work closely with Texas congregations and church workers, including Dr. Lou Jander, Texas District mission and ministry facilitator who also serves as the district's disaster response coordinator. As of September 30, Hurricane Ike and the storm's aftermath had claimed 67 lives in Texas and beyond. LCMS WR-HC has awarded $102,000 in grants to the Texas District and Orphan Grain Train for Hurricane Ike response. As damage and needs assessments continue, additional WR-HC grants are in the works to assist congregations with repairs and recovery. Along with making calls to Texas, WR-HC also received calls for assistance - including one from a Hurricane Ike evacuee in Ohio. After fleeing his Galveston home, the father and his two children were staying with friends in Franklin when Hurricane Ike's remnants forced the family to evacuate a second time with few resources and nowhere to stay. Calls to the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and FEMA offered no immediate solutions, so the desperate dad telephoned LCMS WR-HC. Aileen Hoffman, WR-HC customer support staff member, located information about an LCMS congregation near the stranded family and shared it with the father. Checking on needs and offering a link to a helping hand may sound small in the aftermath of a huge disaster such as Hurricane Ike. But, over and over, hurricane survivors thanked the Synod's mercy arm for the calls and prayers - and for showing how much the church cares. _______________________________________ Volunteers and donations are still needed to assist with the continued clean-up in Texas. Congregations and individuals wanting to help can visit the LCMS World Relief/Human Care website at http://www.lcms.org/ca/worldrelief/menus/news/. Dr. Lou Jander, a mission and ministry facilitator on staff for the Texas District, as well as the Texas District Disaster Relief Coordinator, has created a blog to share up-to-date information on relief efforts and continuing needs for the hurricane victims. Read more about what is taking place by visiting http://disaster-reports-response-relief.blogspot.com/. Back to top SPECIAL EVENTS AT MISSION CENTRAL Just Added! - Coral Rose, LCMS World Mission Business Manager for all of Africa, will be presenting her amazing story of God's work among the people of Africa at 1:00 and 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 15. See her in person as she shares some artifacts, tell stories, and shares with all her exciting PowerPoint story of how God is calling the people of Africa by the thousands to know their Savior Jesus. Coral will be living in Pretoria, South Africa, as she serves as Business Manger. Rev. Carlos and Lidia Winterle - Pastor Carlos Walter Winterle and his wife, Lidia, will be at Mission Central in person on Wednesday, December 3, 2008, at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to share their stories, contacts, and exciting miracles of how God is touching the lives of millions of African people with the Gospel. Few people realize how the church is growing in Africa, and now is your opportunity to hear in person this amazing story of doors opening. Dr. Steve and Julie Lutz - Mark your calendars for December 16, 2008, as the Lutz Family will be at Mission Central speaking at 1:00 p.m. and then again at 7:00 p.m. It will be a time you will long remember. The video, photos, and artifacts from the Papua New Guinea area are just BREATHTAKING! This couple travel to some of the most remote regions of the entire world to share the love of Jesus as medical missionaries. Everyone is invited to Mission Central near Mapleton, Iowa, to hear of these wonderful people's mission work. Visit www.missioncentral.us for directions and more information. Back to top FAN INTO FLAME UPDATE What is Ablaze? Ablaze! is sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with those who do not yet know Him. This can take place at the library, in line at the check-out counter, or with your wait staff at a restaurant. It does not cost anything to share the gift of God's grace given through Jesus! More information and Ablaze! educational materials are available on the LCMS website at www.lcms.org/ablaze. What is Fan into Flame? Fan into Flame undergirds the innovative projects and mission goals that will advance the Ablaze! movement goal to share the Gospel with 100 million people worldwide by providing new dollars for new mission efforts. Gifts given through Fan into Flame will assist in revitalizing congregations to become mission outposts in their communities, developing programs to equip the laity with Bible-based evangelism instruction, calling additional missionaries for work in national and international mission fields, and planting new ministries at home and abroad. The Nebraska District's involvement in Fan into Flame is part of a commitment to heed Jesus' words in John 4:35b, "I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields. They are ripe for harvest." We are asking each of the 244 Nebraska District congregations to partner with us and participate in this exciting and unique mission opportunity. After prayerful consideration, the Nebraska District Fan into Flame goal was set at $6 million, contributing to the national goal of $100 million. With God's blessings, more than $2.5 million has been pledged or given to date. How can your congregation participate in this historic mission effort? 1. Take information about Fan into Flame to your congregational leadership. Visit http://www.ndlcms.org/news/FIF/index.html for materials. 2. Consider making a congregational pledge above current district and Synod mission giving over the next 5 years. We are asking all congregations in our district to partner with us. 3. At your approval meeting, vote to make a gift of new money of 10% of last year's budget pledged to be paid over the next 5 years. Pledge agreement forms are available on the Nebraska District Fan into Flame webpage. 4. Contact the Nebraska District office to apprise them of your decision to participate. Partnering with the district and the leadership throughout the process will allow the District Office to provide the resource materials and support that you may need. Congregations are strongly urged to decide on their participation by November 1 and notify their circuit coordinator or the District Office by this date. 5. Commit to partnering by praying for the Lord's blessings on Fan into Flame. By giving God's people a chance to support this historic mission funding effort, we will all be blessed to see how God can use individuals and congregations to share the story of salvation through Jesus Christ. If you need assistance, take time to contact your Fan into Flame circuit coordinator or the Nebraska District Office at info at ndlcms.org or 888-643-2961. There are people who are willing to "walk with you" as you develop plans, and as you gather to celebrate the Spirit's blessing through this initiative. To God be the glory as together we grow in our mission to give hope to those not connected by faith to Jesus! Back to top TLCARE FOR THOSE TRAVELING TO MAYO CLINIC Will you or someone in your congregation be receiving care at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota? Trinity Lutheran Church of Rochester offers their TLCare ministry to out-of-town medical guests. They strive to serve people in many ways such as prayer support, a homemade meal, a visit from one of their caring members, free parking in their lot, a comfortable place to go between appointments, and more. Please let them know when you are coming to town by emailing Jennifer at tlcjennifer at charterinternet.com or Pastor Otte at pastorotte at charterinternet.com. Back to top LINCOLN WOMEN'S RETREAT The fourth annual Women's Retreat will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2008, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Knolls Country Club, 22nd & Old Cheney Road, Lincoln. This is a retreat for women of all ages and is designed to deepen bonds with other women of faith through the study of God's Word and the sharing of life experiences. Doors open at 9:30 a.m., and you can enjoy a beverage while browsing the vendors or visiting with friends. The schedule will include a devotion, the program "Who Gets Grandma's Yellow Pie Plate," and a talk on antiques and a mini antiques road show. The cost is $18 per adult and $15 for those 12 and younger. To register or for more information, contact Deon Wentzel at 402-782-6936. Back to top INTERNET FAMILY DEVOTIONAL MATERIALS AVAILABLE Faith Moments, Inc. (www.faithmoments.com) is a web ministry dedicated to bringing families together in Christ by actively and intentionally integrating Christian faith-building devotional and learning materials into the daily schedule. Faith Moments, Inc. is an Internet-based ministry for families to: * Engage in faith formation where they live and make decisions * Create manageable, interactive faith building situations at home * Discover tools for effective non-threatening faith conversations * Explore resources that help expand opportunities for faith development Families that visit www.faithmoments.com will find a weekly devotion appropriate for the entire family, along with Bible-based activities for kids and resources for parents. Back to top TEEN LWML IS CHALLENGING THEIR CONGREGATION Members of Immanuel, Laurel's, "Friends Into Serving Him: WORD!" are challenging their congregation to remember their pastor with a card during Clergy/Pastor Appreciation Month. For every card that is received between October 1 and 31, a 50-cent donation will be made to District LWML mites in their pastor's name. In response to this challenge, the women of Immanuel LWML will match their donation to District mites. Might your congregation's LWML consider a similar challenge? October is designated as national Clergy Appreciation Month, and October 12 is suggested as "Clergy Appreciation Sunday." What a great opportunity to show your pastor or pastors how much you appreciate their dedication and hard work, while at the same time raising mission awareness in your congregation. Consider starting your challenge on Sunday for the rest of the month. If your congregation does not have a local LWML chapter, contact the Nebraska District Office (www.ndlcms.org) or Nebraska District LWML North or South for more information on mission opportunities. LWML South website - http://lwmlnesouth.homestead.com/ LWML North website - http://www.lutheransonline.com/servlet/lo_ProcServ/dbpage=page&mode=display&gid=01220001361005841487653808 Back to top ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS Following are two anniversary announcements that were not included in the October Nebraska Lutheran Reporter. Zion, Hampton, will celebrate their 135th Anniversary and Mission Festival on Sunday, October 19. Service at 10 a.m. with a potluck meal following worship -- everyone is invited! Faith, York, will celebrate their 45th Anniversary on October 26. Worship is at 8:30 a.m. with Pastor Phillip Hannemann as guest speaker. There will be a brunch served at approximately 10 a.m. Charter members will be our honored guests. Pastor Hannemann is a son of Rev. Norman Hannemann, Faith's first pastor. Back to top NEBRASKA LUTHERANS FOR CONFESSIONAL STUDY TO MEET The October gathering of the Nebraska Lutherans for Confessional Study (NLCS) is Thursday, October 23, at Good Shepherd, Lincoln (3825 Wildbriar Lane). 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. Paul Egger, pastor at St. John Lutheran Church in Galva, Iowa. His topic, starting at 10:30, will be "The Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope." Following lunch, Rev. Brent Kuhlman, pastor of Trinity, Murdock, will lead the afternoon topic on "Luther's Lectures on Galatians." 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. Back to top CAMP LUTHER NEWS There are a number of upcoming fall events at Camp Luther near Schuyler. Visit the Camp Luther website at www.campluther.org and click on the "What's New" link for full event information. * Junior High Retreat - October 17-18 * Christian Women's Scrapbooking Retreat - November 7-9 * Lutheran Hour Ministries Men's Retreat - November 21-22 Also new at Camp Luther: "THE BARN" is currently being remodeling and will provide a unique setting for a small retreat group of youth or junior high age students. "The Barn" will sleep about 20, have attached bathrooms, and a large rustic meeting space for your group. An indoor fireplace will provide a warm setting. Just outside the building will be a private campfire site for your group to use. Meals will still be served in the main Gerwick Lodge area. "The Barn" will not have any cooking facilities. Camp Luther is looking for a few good groups to use this facility this fall to give them input on its use. If you are interested, contact Camp Luther at 888-639-5809 or hank at campluther.org. Back to top Thanks to all who shared information for this week's Update. If you have information to share, please send it to communications at ndlcms.org. We hope these weekly E-mail Updates are a valuable resource in your ministry. The Updates are for all workers and leaders in your congregation. If you know of someone you think would benefit from the information in the Update, please forward it to them. Anyone is invited to subscribe by visiting http://www.ndlcms.org/news/communications/update.html. Blessings, Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 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: 64456 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.ndlcms.org/pipermail/distupd/attachments/20081008/2e859617/attachment.txt From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Wed Oct 15 08:37:36 2008 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:37:36 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] Jeanne Chandler Called to Glory Message-ID: + OBITUARY + Jeanne (Sather) Chandler, wife of teacher emeritus Bill Chandler, departed this life on Saturday, October 11, 2008, at her home in Grand Island. Bill Chandler was principal at Trinity Lutheran School, Grand Island, for 29 years prior to his retirement in 2001. Bill and Jeanne were married on July 18, 1959. Mrs. Chandler was born March 3, 1939. Jeanne enjoyed volunteering at Trinity Lutheran Church, Grand Island, caring for her children and grandchildren, and caring for many foster children from Nebraska Children's Home Society and Nebraska Health and Human Services. Jeanne is survived by her husband, their 10 children: daughters, Kathryn and Jack Eans of Woodland Park, Colo.; Angie Sirabella of Albuquerque, N.M.; and Angela and Dustin Vokes of Grand Island; sons, David of Ault, Colo.; Paul and Tama of Bamako, Mali, Africa; Troy of Grand Island; Dewey and Shelby of Cozad; Steve and Terrie of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and Jonah and James at home; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Denise and Chester Peterson and Linda and Peter Pfenning, both of Granite Falls, Minn.; and one brother, William Sather of Nevis, Minn.; 15 grandchildren and one great-grandson. A memorial service was held on Tuesday, October 14, 2008, at 10:30 a.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church, Grand Island. An inurnment will be held at a later date. Condolences may be sent to www.giallfaiths.com. Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 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: 5750 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.ndlcms.org/pipermail/distupd/attachments/20081015/300570ac/attachment.txt From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Wed Oct 15 16:32:32 2008 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 21:32:32 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] FIREworks Newsletter Message-ID: Greetings in Christ! Attached is the current issue of FIREworks, a newsletter designed to educate and update the leaders of the Nebraska District on the Fan into Flame campaign in Nebraska. This newsletter is sent every other week to share current information and stories about the things God is doing through Ablaze! and Fan into Flame. Pastors and church office staff are encouraged to print and post this newsletter, reproduce this page for their congregational newsletter, or forward it to their electronic mailing list. Issues of this newsletter are also available by following the Fan into Flame link on the District website, www.ndlcms.org. You are receiving this newsletter because you receive the weekly Email Update e-newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe from this list, you may email your request to nicholeh at ndlcms.org. Removing yourself from this list will also take you off the list to receive the weekly Email Update, the Mission Fields Nebraska newsletter, and the Sudan Mission newsletter. I appreciate the opportunity to share with you news of how God is using the congregations and individuals of the Nebraska District through this exciting mission effort. Feel free to contact me with any questions you might have on Ablaze! or Fan into Flame. Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 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: 6186 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.ndlcms.org/pipermail/distupd/attachments/20081015/63585583/attachment.txt -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: 10-16.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 52514 bytes Desc: 10-16.pdf Url : http://lists.ndlcms.org/pipermail/distupd/attachments/20081015/63585583/10-16-0001.pdf From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Wed Oct 22 14:49:33 2008 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2008 19:49:33 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] October 22 Message-ID: Update for October 22 A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE! Greetings in the name of our Heavenly Father, who loves us and promises to provide for us. Just watching the nightly news can be enough to cause us to worry. Along with the other headlines, we hear constant discussions about the upcoming elections and the uncertainty of the economy. It's easy to forget Jesus' words, "And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well." (Luke 12:29-31) One of the Bible stories in the book I read with my three-year-old before bed has a paraphrase of this portion of Jesus' teaching, with an emphasis on how much God loves us and how he promises to give us what we need. At a time when there seems to be more things to worry about than hours in the day to worry about them, what reassurance it is to be reminded that our loving Heavenly Father has already "given us the kingdom" and the worries of this life are not to be our worries. His love for us is so great that not only does He provide for our physical needs, but He has already sent His Son Jesus to provide us with the gift of eternal life. In this time of uncertainty, it is not appropriate to bury our heads in the sand and ignore those things we are called to attend to. However, as we make the decisions God places before us, let us remember Jesus' direction to "provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Luke 12:33-34) * Prayer Requests * Church/School Secretary Workshop Registration Deadline This Week * Nebraska Pastors and Grace Place Retreats Featured in Lutheran Witness * Lutheran World Relief Ingathering Sites Announced * Extra Percussion Instruments Available * Fan into Flame Congregational Update * LCMS Mercy Medical Team to Sumatra Looking for Volunteers * Congregation Anniversary Update * LHM's Advent Devotions Available Online * November is National Hospice Month * Take a Look at Concordia Publishing House's 2009 VBS Materials * An Opportunity to Have a "Taste of the Sem" * New Testament Greek Class to be Offered in Lincoln PRAYER REQUESTS Family of Henry Visser - Please remember in prayer the family of Henry Visser, member and trained lay leader at Christ, Cairo. Henry was called to the Lord's side suddenly on Monday, October 20. He served the congregation of Christ, Cairo, in a number of ways, and was known by many in the Nebraska District through his participation in the district's Lay Leadership Training Program. The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 23, at Christ, Cairo. Preston Charles Rodencal - We join in prayers of thanksgiving with Pastor Charles and Brenda Schmidt of Grace, Fairbury, and Pastor Larry and Sandra Rodencal of Peace, Cincinnati, (former pastor of St. John, McCook) for the gift of a new grandson born on October 4. We thank God for the new gift of life He has given this family and we look forward to welcoming Preston into God's family through the waters of Holy Baptism. Rev. Thomas Schmitt - We lift up in prayer Rev. Thomas Schmitt and his family at the death of his father, Paul Schmitt. We ask the Lord to grant this family a special measure of His comfort and peace at this time, as well as reassurance in the promise of an eternal reunion in Heaven. Back to top CHURCH/SCHOOL SECRETARY WORKSHOP REGISTRATION DEADLINE THIS WEEK Attention all church office staff!!! The deadline for registering for the Nebraska District Church and School Secretary Workshop is this Friday, October 24. The workshop, held at Concordia University, Seward, on November 11, will offer practical tips for designing newsletters, address setting and maintaining godly boundaries, and provide lots of time for networking with other church office staff. More information and registration forms may be found on the District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/news/conferences/secretary.html. Back to top NEBRASKA PASTORS AND GRACE PLACE RETREATS FEATURED IN LUTHERAN WITNESS The October 2008 issue of The Lutheran Witness featured an article on Grace Place Retreats, and featured the retreat offered especially to pastors from the Nebraska District and their spouses. The article share the idea behind what founder Dr. John Eckrich calls "one of the Synod's most misunderstood ministries - and most urgently needed." The article goes on to tell how "working with pastoral-care professionals and Lutheran leaders, Eckrich developed his vision for a continuing-education ministry to offer a 'pause point' or 'minisabbatical' for church workers and their spouses - an opportunity to recharge spiritually, physically, and emotionally." To read the entire article online, visit The Lutheran Witness webpage at http://www.lcms.org/pages/wPage.asp?ContentID=396&IssueID=26. Back to top LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF INGATHERING SITES ANNOUNCED The dates for this year's Lutheran World Relief Ingathering are November 3-7. Cities with ingathering sites are Beatrice, Lincoln, North Platte, Omaha, Scottsbluff, and Sidney. These gathering sites will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Goods packed for LWR should be sorted and labeled according to kind, packed in strong cartons secured with packing tape, and addressed for Lutheran World Relief. Boxes should not exceed 40 pounds and should be marked with the name and address of the sending church. For locations and information on what to donate, check the District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/news/temp/lwr.html, call Dave Roseland at 1-800-456-1092, Betsy Buschkemper at 402-292-6665, or Mary Stoetzel at 308-534-9327. Back to top EXTRA PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS AVAILABLE Attention Music Directors: Just in time for Christmas and Easter services.... Four octave celesta and several sets of Ludwig timpani for sale. Contact: jimkrutz at gmail.com for more information. Also, professional percussion instrument repair and maintenance services available. Back to top FAN INTO FLAME CONGREGATIONAL UPDATE There are some incredible stories of what the Holy Spirit has already accomplished in Nebraska congregations where pastors and people have prayed and participated in Fan into Flame. God can do great things anywhere and in every congregation through this mission effort. Fan into Flame is an opportunity for your congregation to witness once again the power of the Spirit in the lives of God's people. Following is an example, written by the pastor and leadership, of how one congregation in the Nebraska District implemented Fan into Flame. Full congregational summaries are available on the District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/news/FIF/summaries.html. St. John, Tecumseh - The Fan into Flame appeal has been a tremendous blessing to our congregation. The key to our congregation's ready acceptance and mission zeal for this appeal was the Holy Spirit working through the startling fact that every minute 83 people die in the world not knowing Jesus Christ. This message cut to the heart of our congregation and provided them with a sense of urgency found in the heart of Jesus who came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10). Throughout the appeal, Pastor Diener used various means to highlight the value of "every minute" in sermons and other communications. One week after the first congregational mailing was sent, the Church Council met to hear more about the appeal from Pastor Diener and were challenged to give their early gift commitment. This meeting resulted in eight leaders and their pastor giving early gifts of $17,000, eclipsing the entire congregation's goal. The Holy Spirit set the hearts of our leaders Ablaze!, and this passion set the tone for our entire appeal. The Fan into Flame appeal kickoff was a Friendship Sunday and picnic. Our members, along with many personally invited, currently unchurched visitors, heard of the friendship we share in Christ Jesus and the mission appeal that day. The following week was Testimonial Sunday, where our leaders who gave early gifts shared their faith, their commitment, and the sense of urgency to make a difference through gifts that will provide international, national, district, and local opportunities to share the Good News. These testimonials helped bring this appeal to a personal level for our members. Our monthly newsletter, weekly bulletin, and information table overflowed with information about the Fan into Flame appeal. Every worship service during the appeal had a Fan into Flame "minute" following the sermon to show the Fan into Flame video clips, make the campaign announcement provided in the information packet, and provide appeal details. Our appeal also featured a Mission Festival prior to the cottage meetings. Our cottage meetings were meetings held for a specific portion of the congregation for 30 minutes immediately following the worship services. These meetings were led by Pastor Diener, who answered questions and provided encouragement not to miss the wonderful opportunity our Synod was giving every member to be involved in the mission of the Church. Despite the thought that $15,000 may be too aggressive a goal, the power of the Holy Spirit worked in the hearts of our people to provide a generous response of $56,270 (375% of our goal), with $23,360 sent through initial gifts. During the cottage meetings, I shared one of the greatest disasters in history which took place in 1271. Nichelo and Matteo Polo (the father and uncle of Marco Polo) were visiting Kubla Kahn, ruler of all of China, all of India, and all of the East. He was attracted to the story of Christianity as Nichelo and Matteo told it to him. And Kubla Khan said to them, "You shall go to your high priest and tell him on my behalf to send me 100 men skilled in your religion and I shall be baptized, and when I am baptized all my barons and great men will be baptized and their subjects will receive baptism too, and so there will be more Christians here than there is in any part of the world." So Nichelo and Matteo went to the Pope in the Vatican, but he responded that "those barbarians don't deserve the Gospel." Nothing was done for 30 years, and then only 2 or 3 were sent. As a result of this delay, Buddhist monks, who were pleased to come, converted the largest empire history has ever known - from China to the Middle East and Europe - to Buddhism. The world is ripe for a harvest now but the laborers are few. We can do something about that - and not miss this opportunity. Fan into Flame gives us the opportunity to directly support mission work all around the world, including our own community. May God bless your congregation's prayerful consideration to participate in this life-changing and life-giving mission opportunity. Your congregation will surprise and delight you with their support - not because of your efforts - but because the Holy Spirit will bless it beyond even your highest expectations. If you want to know the difference the Spirit makes, speak to the people of St. John's, Tecumseh, and they will share with you the joy of responding to the challenge of the Fan into Flame appeal. Every congregation of the Nebraska District is encouraged to prayerfully consider how they can be involved in Fan into Flame. It doesn't take much to participate - just a dedicated core of lay people, a mission-minded pastor, and the materials provided by Fan into Flame. Once the opportunity to be personally involved in mission work is shared with the members of your congregation, the Spirit can move hearts to respond. For more information on how to get started, or to report how your congregation plans to be involved, contact Andrea Essling at the Nebraska District Office, Andrea.Essling at ndlcms.org or 888-643-2961. Back to top LCMS MERCY MEDICAL TEAM TO SUMATRA LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS LCMS World Relief and Human Care seek a variety of medical specialties and hard-working laity as members of its first "Mercy Medical Team" for Sumatra, Indonesia, February 14-25, 2009 (with an evening of team building in Atlanta on February 14). Clinics for care of the extremely under-served poor on the island of Sumatra will be set up near the World Relief and Human Care office in Ache and the surrounding area of the northern part of the island. Before returning home, there will be a day of rest and sightseeing on this beautiful tropical island. Volunteers cover the cost of the trip which includes airfare from the chosen departure airport, and a flat fee for ground transportation, lodging, and medical supplies for the needy (total estimated to be around $3000). Write for more details to Maggie Karner at Maggie.karner at lcms.org or call her at 800-248-1930, ext. 1371 with any questions. Also see www.lcms.org/mercyteams for more information. Back to top CONGREGATION ANNIVERSARY UPDATE Trinity, Schuyler, shared the following updated information on their anniversary celebration: Trinity, Schuyler, will celebrate its 75th Anniversary on November 9. President Russ Sommerfeld will be the guest preacher at a 10:00 am service, followed by brunch. Everyone is invited to join them. Back to top LHM'S ADVENT DEVOTIONS AVAILABLE ONLINE (from LHM Ministry Update, October 2008) Once again this year, two Advent devotions will be offered online from Lutheran Hour Ministries at www.adventdevotions.net. Come to the Manger continues our traditional approach to the Christmas devotions, but with a twist. Written by ministerial students from the 2008 graduating class of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, these meditations share insights as seen from a first-call pastor's perspective. In devotions of varied topics, Come to the Manger considers the significance of the Christmas story from different angles. Whether it's God fulfilling promises to Abraham centuries ago or the prayers of a grandmother recovering from cancer a few years ago, the bold truth of "Emmanuel-God with us" is at the heart of each pastor's text. With Christmas Conversations, Pastor Ryan Peterson of St. John Lutheran Church in Ellisville, Missouri, invites the reader to a give-and-take exchange apart from the holiday bustle. Slowly, deliberately - he unwraps the universal meaning of the holiday season like the amazing gift it is. Written for those who are unchurched or peripheral to the life of the church, it guides the reader along, inviting him or her to join in the conversation. The Christmas story is a miracle story, and Peterson knows miracles for modern man are hard to believe. God - appearing in the person of Jesus Christ? A child - born of a virgin? Salvation - a free gift to all? These are not easily received by a 21st-century mind. Peterson walks alongside his reader in these messages, encouraging him and her, mindful that patience is crucial when having a Christmas conversation. Both Come to the Manger and Christmas Conversations will be offered as customizable PDFs in English and Spanish. Audio will be available for Come to the Manger in both languages, as well as the option to subscribe to podcasts for automatic downloading to your computer or MP3 player. Promotional pieces available this year include bulletin shells, PowerPoint slide templates, web banner ads, and cover art for creating your own promotional pieces. For more information or to download these resources, visit www.adventdevotions.net. Back to top NOVEMBER IS NATIONAL HOSPICE MONTH Church office staff, you are invited and encouraged to include the following announcement in your November newsletter or in one or more November bulletins. November is National Hospice Month, a time to raise awareness of a comforting care serving approximately 6,000 terminally ill Nebraskans each year. Providing more than traditional healthcare, hospice furnishes an interdisciplinary team of a doctor, nurse, social worker, chaplain, various therapists, and volunteers. The hospice team provides pain management, symptom control, psychosocial support, and spiritual care to patients and their families when a cure is not possible. Faith communities have the power to support people of all ages with end-of-life issues such as advance care planning, serious illness, caregiving, and grief: * Encourage friends and family members to talk with their physician about hospice * Visit someone who is sick or in the dying process * Volunteer with a local hospice * Support someone in the grieving process * Have a conversation with your family about your end-of-life wishes and sign an advance directive Find additional information and locate a hospice in your area at www.nehospice.org. Back to top TAKE A LOOK AT CONCORDIA PUBLISHING HOUSE'S 2009 VBS MATERIALS "If an LCMS congregation is sponsoring a VBS program in the summer of 2009, we want it to be a CPH VBS," says Gretchen Jameson, Manager for Public Relations and Corporate Communications at Concordia Publishing House. Jameson shares that this is "a bold invitation," adding, "We know some use programs offered by other Christian publishers. We want every LCMS congregation to give CPH a fresh look in 2009; they won't be disappointed." Concordia Publishing House is the publisher of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The 2009 VBS program includes, "new music, a focus on living out faith, and options for both large and small VBS programs." The 2009 program, Gadget's Garage website is now online at www.cph.org/vbs. The site includes a wealth of new features designed to assist those planning to host VBS programs in the summer of 2009. "We've really expanded our website," says Vacation Bible School Marketing Manager Terri Simon. "VBS directors can find the basics about the program and easily place orders. They can also download media, preview music, participate in community, and starting this winter, create a congregational VBS webpage using our site." Beefing up the content and improving the features of the VBS website is "a great way to get volunteers, parents, and students involved and excited long before VBS begins." Website features include: * * Blogs, forums, and even a Facebook connection for discussion, and posting photos (January, 2009). * * A "Leader Toolbox" with tips for large and small VBS programs, FAQs on the benefits of site rotation (a style of VBS programming), and new and improved recruitment kit ideas. * * The Nuts & Bolts of Gadget's Garage, which offers an overview of the program and details about the all new CPH Starter Kits and the featured 2009 VBS mission project. Vacation Bible School Editor Cindy Wheeler shares, "At Gadget's Garage VBS, kids learn about Jesus, their Savior, and respond by putting their faith in motion, using their hands, minds, ears, eyes, and hearts to serve Jesus and live as His people." The website "helps customers better connect with the important message that CPH VBS is all about Jesus, every day in every way." Two Starter Kits are available for the 2009 VBS. The traditional Starter Kit includes all leader resources-CDs, guides, and Skit DVD. The new Small VBS Starter Kit is ideal for Vacation Bible School programs with fewer than 50 students, fewer volunteers, or limited space. Now through December 31, 2008, Concordia Publishing House is offering free shipping on Starter Kit orders. Pre-order at www.cph.org/vbs or call 1-800-325-3040 and mention code VSM. Kits will be shipped December 2008. Back to top AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A "TASTE OF THE SEM" The seventh annual visitation event called "Taste of the Sem" will take place Jan. 17-19, 2009, 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. With the theme, "Thy Strong Word," participants will spend the afternoon studying God's Word in its original languages and understand what it means to proclaim God's Word in its truth and purity. 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 also are 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." There is no registration fee. All meals and lodging will be provided free of charge. Transportation between the airport, train station, 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 NEW TESTAMENT GREEK CLASS TO BE OFFERED IN LINCOLN A beginning Greek grammar class will be starting in November at Good Shepherd, Lincoln, for anyone interested in studying the New Testament in the original Greek language. The class will meet Monday evenings from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Classes will begin on Monday, November 10. The only cost will be the purchase of a Greek grammar textbook. If you would like more information or would like to register for the class, contact Curtis Christiansen at 402-483-1238 or contact Jan in the church office at 402-423-7639. Back to top 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. We pray this e-newsletter may be a useful resource tool to you in your personal and congregational ministry. Please feel free to reproduce anything in this newsletter and pass this resource along to others you know who may also benefit from this information. Anyone is welcome to subscribe and may do so by emailing their email address to communications at ndlcms.org and requesting to be added to the mailing list, or by visiting http://www.ndlcms.org/news/communications. Blessings, Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 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: 57145 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.ndlcms.org/pipermail/distupd/attachments/20081022/2e07d699/attachment.txt From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Wed Oct 29 16:07:48 2008 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2008 21:07:48 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] October 29 Message-ID: Update for October 29 A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE! Greetings in the name of our loving Savior, Jesus Christ, who has gathered and joined His people together as His Church. What a blessing it is for each of us to be a part of the body of Christ, each with different gifts and talents, but each still a part of His Church. What does this mean for us? Why is this a blessing to us as individuals and as congregations? Paul writes in Romans 12:4-5, "Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." This is also the way the Nebraska District works. Over 125 years ago, congregations from across Nebraska gathered together to create the man-made organization of the Nebraska District "in order to build, strengthen, and facilitate the work of the church" in Nebraska and beyond. (Thy Kingdom Come: A History of the Nebraska District of the LCMS, Dr. W. Theophil Janzow) Even today, the 244 congregations of the Nebraska District partner together in support of a District Office to provide needed ministry support and services back to them and the other congregations of the District. Services provided to your congregation include a system for calling and placing church workers, both pastors and teachers; consultations during times of difficulty for congregations, schools, or church workers; resources and support for outreach ministries, including community outreach and new mission planning; a communication network including printed and electronic media; consultations for congregations and church workers on financial issues, including salary, benefits, and budget issues; and many other services. The gifts your congregation provides from your budget to the mission and ministry of the District ensure that these needed services are available when they are required by your congregation or a sister congregation somewhere in Nebraska. A portion of the gifts to the Nebraska District are also passed along to The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod to support similar services and needed infrastructure for all of the LCMS congregations, as well as mission work here and abroad. Thanks be to God for the ministry support gifts given by Nebraska District congregations and generous individuals. As members of the same body of Christ, may God continue to bless the support of our common mission of "discipling the saved and proclaiming Christ to a lost and changing world" through God-pleasing stewardship practices. * Prayer Requests * "Get the 2-1-1" on Human Care Services in Your Area * Lutheran Witness Renewal Time * Two EIIT Vicars Assigned to The Nebraska District * Needs Continue Following Hurricane Ike * Fan into Flame Congregational Update * Pew Cushions Available * Various Worship Items Available * Grants Available to Lutheran Congregations to Support Sabbatical * Concordia Coach Courtney Meyer Announces Retirement * Bulletin Insert Available for Sunday Before Election Day PRAYER REQUESTS Family of Ramon Nolte - We lift up in prayer the family of Ramon Nolte, who passed away last Friday, October 24. Ramon's service to the church throughout the years included president of the Nebraska Lutheran Laymen's League, member of the Lutheran Church Extension Fund District Committee, and member of the Nebraska District Board of Directors. His funeral service was Tuesday, October 28, at St. Paul, Kenesaw. Rev. Bill and Venita Steinbauer and Family - We join in prayers of comfort for Rev. Bill and Venita Steinbauer at the death of Venita's mother this past weekend. Rev. Steinbauer serves as pastor of University Lutheran Chapel in Lincoln. David Koopman and Family - Please lift up prayers of comfort for David Koopman and his family at the death of his mother, Mary Jane, last Friday, October 24. David serves as principal at St. John, Seward. We ask that the Lord will grant all of these families a special measure of His peace and comfort at this time, as well as blessed assurance through the promise of eternal life at the Lord's side. Back to top "GET THE 2-1-1" ON HUMAN CARE SERVICES IN YOUR AREA Church office staff, please consider sharing this information in your bulletin or your next newsletter. Thank you. Statewide information about human care services in your area is available through 2-1-1. Through 2-1-1 you can get information on human care services such as: -Child care -Rent assistance -Respite care -Utility assistance -Adult day care -Shelters -Drug rehabilitation -Food pantries -Mental health services -Legal aid -Job training -Volunteer opportunities -Support groups -Transportation assistance -Education programs -Head Start -Disaster relief -And much more... Simply dial 2-1-1 on your phone and speak with a live operator. Interpretation assistance for more than 150 languages is available to callers. Anyone with Internet access can go to www.ne211.org and search for human service information online. Currently this service is available in 38 counties in Nebraska. Back to top LUTHERAN WITNESS RENEWAL TIME Church offices - it's almost time to start the renewal process for the Lutheran Witness subscriptions. Please call Sandy at the District Office at 888-643-2961 or email sandyr at ndlcms.org with contact information for the person who will be coordinating the Lutheran Witness renewal process for your congregation. This will help us by ensuring all changes are handled properly. Thank you for your help. Back to top TWO EIIT VICARS ASSIGNED TO THE NEBRASKA DISTRICT Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, is pleased to announce that two students received calls to be pastors and 11 students received vicarage assignments in The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS). Ten students in the Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT) program and one student in the Distance Education Leading to Ordination (DELTO) program are awaiting calls. In these cases, the details of calls to specific sites are being finalized and should be completed soon. Great care is exercised in both the candidate call and the vicarage placement processes to ensure that the best possible match is realized between the seminarian and the ministry site. The assignments were given during the Seminary's morning chapel service on October 22. Trinity, Lincoln, was assigned two EIIT vicars during this service: * Gabriel Bol, Trinity Lutheran Church, Lincoln, Nebraska * Vincent Paul, Trinity Lutheran Church, Lincoln, Nebraska Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT) is a specialized program leading to ordination for men engaged in pastoral missionary contexts in ethnic immigrant and urban cultures. Students are preferably first-generation immigrants leading immigrant-based churches. The program consists of distance education, contextual mentoring, and regular on-campus (Seminary) modules. These students join more than 12,000 graduates from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, who have been prepared to serve as pastors, missionaries and chaplains in the LCMS. The Seminary's spring placement is scheduled for April 22, 2009. Back to top NEEDS CONTINUE FOLLOWING HURRICANE IKE (from LCMSNews -- No. 60, October 27) While the economic crisis and presidential candidates' campaigns dominate headlines, little news is heard about Texans who still struggle to clean up their homes and try to get their lives back on track more than one month after Hurricane Ike. Their stories long ago faded from nightly broadcasts, but tough challenges remain in hard-hit areas for many LCMS members and congregations, including: * Rev. Alan Taylor, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church, Galveston, who has yet to learn if his home is salvageable and is dealing with major repairs to reopen the flooded church where at least 75 percent of the members suffered major property damage. * Rev. Timothy Dinger, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Port Arthur, who is living in a rental home with his wife and four children after they lost nearly everything. The family has no insurance to cover their loss because they don't live in a flood zone. * Three staff members of the popular children's center at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Beaumont, whose homes were seriously damaged. All continue to serve in their ministry, including the director who remains in her home but worries about how growing mold is affecting her daughter, who has asthma and severe allergies. Dire, urgent, and "afraid of being forgotten" is how Rev. Glenn Merritt, director of Disaster Response for LCMS World Relief and Human Care, summed up needs when he visited LCMS congregations in Southeast Texas Oct. 8-10. "Galveston is in shambles. Port Arthur and Bridge City are in shambles. Yet we're not hearing anything about hurricane-related needs," said Merritt, who met with pastors to get the ball rolling on emergency grants from the Synod's mercy arm to help impacted LCMS members and professional church workers. "A little over a month out, you don't see much [about Ike-related challenges], even on the news here," said Dr. Lou Jander, the LCMS Texas District mission and ministry facilitator who serves as the district's disaster response coordinator. "Certainly, there are fewer people suffering today than a week after [Ike], and nearly all power has been restored. But needs definitely remain, and some of the greatest are those of our church workers." Among Jander's top concerns are for between 200 and 300 pastors, teachers, and other church workers with financial challenges. Many are grappling with unexpected cleanup and repair costs. Others missed paychecks when Ike forced schools to temporarily close and congregations to cancel services, losing a week or two of offerings. To read the entire article or to find out more information about relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Ike, visit http://www.lcms.org/pages/rpage.asp?NavID=14245. Back to top FAN INTO FLAME CONGREGATIONAL UPDATE The Nebraska District received its first $100,000 pledge for Fan into Flame from a District congregation last week! Praise God that Trinity, Fremont, has prayerfully pledged a tithe of their upcoming campaign to go towards Fan into Flame, with the goal of $100,000. Congregations around the District are beginning to return congregational pledge agreements after much prayerful deliberation. These pledge agreements allow congregations to be a part of the 2008 Fan into Flame campaign in the Nebraska District, while giving them time to plan and implement an appeal next year. Tithing from an upcoming campaign is a great way for congregations to be involved. If your congregation is planning any type of capital improvement or debt-reduction campaign, please consider pledging a portion of the money raised to do mission work through Fan into Flame. Congregational pledge agreements are available to be printed from the District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/news/FIF/index.html. Even if your congregation is not planning a major campaign in the near future, you are still encouraged to set a goal and complete a pledge agreement as soon as possible to help campaign personnel provide the necessary support to congregations involved with Fan into Flame. If you have questions or would like more information on this exciting mission endeavor of the LCMS, visit the District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/news/FIF/index.html or contact Andrea Essling at andrea.essling at lcms.org or 888-643-2961. Congregations are strongly encouraged to notify Andrea of their intent to participate by December 1, 2008. Back to top PEW CUSHIONS AVAILABLE St. Peter's, Davenport, has recently been blessed with God's gift of new cushions for their pews. Their former cushions still have some life in them and might be useful to a mission congregation or any other congregation who would be interested in having some. They are of a burgundy color, slightly redder than the cover of Lutheran Service Book. They have 32 cushions about 138" long, two about 102" long, and two about 202" long. They would be happy to give them free to any congregation. Arrangements can be made for them to be picked up, or if circumstances allow, one of their members may be able to drop them off. Congregations that are interested should contact Rev. Timothy Prince at revprince at hotmail.com. Back to top VARIOUS WORSHIP ITEMS AVAILABLE Pacific Hills Lutheran Church in Omaha has a number of various worship items available free of charge to any congregation that can use them. Following are the items that are available: Purple paraments Two chalices and paten Communion ware Flower vases - 2 Old aisle candles Two candle holders Contact Pastor Bill Moorhead at PastorMoorhead at PacificHillsLutheran.org for more information or if your congregation is interested. Back to top GRANTS AVAILABLE TO LUTHERAN CONGREGATIONS TO SUPPORT SABBATICAL Wheat Ridge Ministries is offering financial assistance to Lutheran congregations that are supporting and encouraging the health and wellness of church leaders by providing sabbatical experiences for pastors and other full-time professional church workers in the congregation. This grant program is being implemented as a pilot project of Wheat Ridge Ministries. Wheat Ridge believes that sabbatical leave for rest and renewal is a significant way that congregations can support professional church worker health and wellness. Ministry sabbaticals can help staff persons stay healthy in the midst of the pressures and complexities of serving others. Any Lutheran congregation developing a sabbatical plan for a pastor or other church worker within the grant guidelines may apply. The maximum amount per grant is $7,500 per congregation, and the congregation must match the grant amount provided. During the pilot phase of this grant, up to ten grants will be available annually and no more than one grant will be provided to a congregation. The grant is to be used specifically for sabbatical experiences for professional church workers. Within these guidelines, funds may be invested in the following ways: salary and benefits for additional staff during the sabbatical period; costs related to assistance provided by a sabbatical interim worker; travel expenses related to the sabbatical experience; education expenses related to the sabbatical experience. The grant may not be used for general congregation operating expenses, purchase of equipment or any other expenses that are unrelated to the sabbatical plan. Congregations interested in applying for a Wheat Ridge Sabbatical Grant can visit www.wheatridge.org/sabbaticalgrants to review the requirements and determine whether the grant is appropriate for their needs and to download a grant application. Any questions may be referred to the Wheat Ridge office at 800-762-6748. Wheat Ridge is also pleased to provide many other valuable resources for sabbatical rest and renewal through its Ministry Sabbatical Resource Center online at www.wheatridge.org/sabbaticalresourcecenter. The Center is coordinated by the Rev. Timothy Fangmeier, Wheat Ridge Staff Associate, Davidson, North Carolina. For questions regarding the sabbatical process in general or for information about the need for coaching regarding the development of a sabbatical plan, please contact Pastor Fangmeier at tim at giftedpeople.org. Back to top CONCORDIA COACH COURTNEY MEYER ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT Courtney Meyer, head football coach at Concordia University, Nebraska, will end his coaching duties at the completion of 2008 season. Coach Meyer made the announcement October 21 after talking with current players and coaches earlier in the week. "For nearly two decades, coach Meyer has led the Bulldog football program," said Rev. Dr. Brian Friedrich, Concordia's president. "His focus on the 'double win' - winning on the field and in life as a Christian - has inspired student athletes, coaching colleagues, alumni and our campus community." Meyer has been a part of Bulldog football for 31 years: four as a player, eight as an assistant coach and 19 as the head coach. He coached the Bulldogs from 1977 to 1984 as the defensive coordinator before taking a head coaching job at Concordia University, Wisconsin. He returned to Concordia University, Nebraska in 1990 as the head coach. Meyer was twice distinguished as a conference coach of the year. He earned the honor first in 1999 as the Nebraska-Iowa Athletic Conference co-coach of the year after Concordia's first winning season in more than 12 years. He was named the Great Plains Athletic Conference coach of the year in 2001 when the Bulldogs went 10-2, finished as GPAC co-champions and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NAIA playoffs. Meyer also served as the president of the NAIA Football Coaches Association in 2000. "Coaching for me has been a ministry," said Meyer. "It is time for someone else to assume this position of influence. Concordia University has been very good to me in giving me this opportunity. I will treasure the relationships I have shared with young men and look forward to continued contact with them. I will do everything I can to support the university and the football program as it moves into an exciting new phase. Coaching is all consuming - my time to step aside is now, and I am at peace with it." "He has found great joy in doing that which is most important - touching the hearts and lives of young men with the love of Jesus Christ," said Friedrich. "Coach Meyer has modeled service and leadership on and off the field. His enthusiasm for life, living, learning and Bulldog football will be missed greatly. We wish him God's richest blessings as he retires and transitions to another pace and phase of life." Coach Meyer noted that the decision to retire came in mid-July and is not related to the current season. Back to top BULLETIN INSERT AVAILABLE FOR SUNDAY BEFORE ELECTION DAY The following information was shared by LCMS President Gerald Kieschnick. Christians in Nebraska are encouraged to vote on Tuesday, November 4, and exercise the freedom God has given them as American citizens. In just a few days, many U.S. citizens will have the opportunity through the casting of their votes to make a decision about traditional marriage that could affect the course of our nation for generations to come. In Arizona, California, and Florida, marriage-protection amendments are on the ballot. The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod has a biblically based position on this very important matter. Respectfully yet unapologetically, I strongly encourage the pastors and people of our Synod to make every effort to protect marriage as a divinely created lifelong relationship between one man and one woman. We urge Christians across the nation to vote to protect marriage for the sake of our society as we know it and as humanity has always known it. Exercising this duty and privilege through voter participation on Nov. 4 is part of the responsibility to our nation that we bear as Christian citizens. Here is a link to a bulletin insert that we encourage you to use this Sunday in your worship services to help communicate to your parishioners the urgency of this issue: http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=14273 For more information, please review the following online resources on this subject either on the President's Web page, www.lcms.org/president, or selectively, as follows: Read the statement from the Synod president: http://www.lcms.org/graphics/assets/media/Office%20of%20the%20President/Protecting_Traditional_Marriage_Statement.pdf Listen to a public service announcement from the Synod president: http://www.lcms.org/ca/www/stream/?pl=14272&vurl=www.lcms.org/graphics/assets/media/Office%20of%20the%20President/LCMS_PSA60.mp3 Watch the press conference conducted at the International Center last week: http://www.lcms.org/ca/www/stream/?pl=14274&vurl=parabolic.edgeboss.net/wmedia/parabolic/sequence_1-gbk_press-samesexmarriage-hdv_1080i_60-parabolic_wmp_wide_screen2.wvx Back to top Blessings, Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 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: 53533 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.ndlcms.org/pipermail/distupd/attachments/20081029/8d7a92be/attachment.txt From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Thu Oct 30 16:12:55 2008 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2008 21:12:55 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] FIREworks Newsletter Message-ID: Greetings in Christ! Attached is the current issue of FIREworks, a newsletter designed to educate and update the leaders of the Nebraska District on the Fan into Flame campaign in Nebraska. This newsletter is sent every other week to share current information and stories about the things God is doing through Ablaze! and Fan into Flame. Pastors and church office staff are encouraged to print and post this newsletter, reproduce this page for their congregational newsletter, or forward it to their electronic mailing list. Issues of this newsletter are also available by following the Fan into Flame link on the District website, www.ndlcms.org. Also attached is the congregational goal agreement form referred to in the newsletter. You are receiving this newsletter because you receive the weekly Email Update e-newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe from this list, you may email your request to nicholeh at ndlcms.org. Removing yourself from this list will also take you off the list to receive the weekly Email Update, the Mission Fields Nebraska newsletter, and the Sudan Mission newsletter. I appreciate the opportunity to share with you news of how God is using the congregations and individuals of the Nebraska District through this exciting mission effort. Feel free to contact me with any questions you might have on Ablaze! or Fan into Flame. Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 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: 6317 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.ndlcms.org/pipermail/distupd/attachments/20081030/1e155afc/attachment.txt -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: 10-30.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 43793 bytes Desc: 10-30.pdf Url : http://lists.ndlcms.org/pipermail/distupd/attachments/20081030/1e155afc/10-30-0001.pdf -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Congregation agreement.doc Type: application/msword Size: 190464 bytes Desc: Congregation agreement.doc Url : http://lists.ndlcms.org/pipermail/distupd/attachments/20081030/1e155afc/Congregationagreement-0001.doc From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Thu Oct 30 16:23:59 2008 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2008 21:23:59 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] Email Update Correction Message-ID: Greetings in the name of our Heavenly Father! There is a correction and an addition to a prayer request that was included in yesterday's Email Update. Rev. Bill and Venita Steinbauer and family - We lift up in prayer Rev. Bill and Venita Steinbauer and their family at the death of Venita's grandmother, not her mother, as was initially reported. We also include prayers for the family at the passing of Pastor Steinbauer's stepfather in Michigan earlier this week. Please continue to remember this family in your prayers, asking that the Lord would grant them comfort and peace at this time of loss. Blessings, Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 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: 4616 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.ndlcms.org/pipermail/distupd/attachments/20081030/832ba279/attachment.txt From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Wed Oct 1 11:43:55 2008 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:43:55 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] October 1 Message-ID: Update for October 1 A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE! Greetings in the name of our Heavenly Father, the Lord of the Harvest. It doesn't matter if you live in a city, town, or rural area, you know this is the time the Lord has given farmers to harvest the crops from the fields. As Nebraskans, even if we aren't farmers we know the harvest is important to the economic conditions of our state, as well as the well-being of our fellow citizens. Likewise, the Lord has planted a mission field right outside each of our doors. He has brought African immigrants, Hispanic immigrants, and Asian immigrants to our communities, as well as young families, older adults, and those who have never heard of Jesus Christ and His wonderful gift of salvation. The fields around us are ready to be harvested and He calls each of us to go into these fields with His Word and the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ. Please pray about how the Lord can use you in His harvest and pray for those across the District who are joining you in this field. Did you know everything your Nebraska District Office does is with the intention of giving to the congregations and workers the resources they need to go into the mission fields of Nebraska? Every resource available from your District Office is funded by the mission and ministry dollars your congregation commits to the District. This commitment is usually made as part of your congregation's annual budget. It is the dollars from your congregation that allow the District Office to provide these resources back to your congregation when they are needed. To find out more about the resources your District Office has to offer your congregation to equip and support you as you tell the Good News of Jesus in your church, school, and community, visit the District website at www.ndlcms.org or contact the office directly at 888-643-2961 or info at ndlcms.org. * Prayer Request * Church/School Secretary Workshop Registrations Mailed * Parish Health Survey * Beverly Duensing Chosen "Teacher of the Year" * Update on Greater Omaha Mission Opportunities * Omaha Lutheran Schools Change Name * CPH Warehouse Sale is Coming to Nebraska * New Materials Available for LWML Sunday * New IRS Regulations Require Response * Mission Service Opportunities * Asian Tour Rescheduled by Lutheran Hour Ministries * Wheat Ridge Launches "Giving Gardens" Hearts for Jesus Project * Concordia Theological Seminary Announces Library Expansion Project PRAYER REQUEST Virginia Wempen and Family - Prayers have been requested by Pastor Rob Kuefner for Virginia Wempen, a 75-year-old member of Holy Cross, Kearney, and her family. Virginia has been missing since Friday. She is wheelchair bound, and hasn't driven for 10 years, usually transported by various services. Her wheelchair was found next to where a car in their driveway usually sits, but the car was gone. She had money and a credit card with her, but none of her medications. She has been delusional and confused at times, especially since a more recent hospital stay. All of the proper authorities are searching for her, but to date there is no further information. Please join in praying that she would be kept safe and be found, and that she could receive the help she needs. Back to top CHURCH/SCHOOL SECRETARY WORKSHOP REGISTRATIONS MAILED The Nebraska District is pleased to once again be able to offer a Church/School Secretary Workshop for all church and school office staff in the District. This day full of resourcing, renewed acquaintances, and refreshments will be held on Tuesday, November 11, from 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. on the campus of Concordia University, Seward. This year's workshop will include sessions on newsletter design and Godly boundaries, as well as time to meet the District Office staff and to network with the other secretaries. Registration materials were mailed to each church and school office. Copies of the form may be made as needed. Materials are also available to be printed from the District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/news/conferences/secretary.html. The registration deadline is Friday, October 24. Contact Nichole at the District Office, nicholeh at ndlcms.org or 888-643-2961, with questions. Back to top PARISH HEALTH SURVEY The Parish Health Committee of the Nebraska District is asking each congregation to complete an optional online parish health survey to help the committee assess parish health programs taking place in Nebraska congregations, as well as to assist them in allocating resources, planning programs, and providing support to congregation in the areas of health and wellness and health ministry. Follow the link below to begin this short, 5-minute online survey. The survey will only be available until midnight next Wednesday, October 8. Please take five minutes between now and then to share your congregation's information with the committee. Contact Chris Blanke at Christine.blanke at cune.edu with questions or for more information. Survey link: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB2288MSQZGC3 Back to top BEVERLY DUENSING CHOSEN "TEACHER OF THE YEAR" "Beverly Duensing got a call two weeks ago that she didn't expect. The call was from Wal-Mart, letting the local teacher know she had been selected as Wal-Mart's Teacher of the Year. 'I was very honored,' said Duensing, a second grade teacher at St. Paul's Lutheran Education Center. 'I had no idea.'" The Beatrice Daily Sun shares the full story of Beverly's award in an article on their website, http://www.beatricedailysun.com/articles/2008/09/30/news/local/doc48e23c657efc3481125841.txt. Beverly has been a teacher at St. Paul's for 15 years, starting as a kindergarten teacher and now teaching second grade. She was nominated at the Beatrice Wal-Mart by several former students. We thank and praise God for Lisa Knoepfel (see last week's Update), Beverly Duensing, and all of the other dedicated teachers who serve the Lord, the students, and their families through Lutheran schools in Nebraska. Back to top UPDATE ON GREATER OMAHA MISSION OPPORTUNITIES The Greater Omaha Task Force has been busy planning and developing new ministries at the 40th and Q Street property in Omaha, previously Zion/Peace Lutheran Church. When the congregation closed its doors, the Nebraska District - LCMS purchased the building to minister to the neighborhood where it is located. Right now, the mission at 40th and Q Streets has centered on human care ministries, with plans to tie it in with God's Word with a future preaching station. Faithful servants have been busy sharing and showing the love of Christ through English as second language (ESL) classes, American citizenship classes, as well as Vicar Obdulio Felix leading devotions and singing with the students. The gym is being used by Sudanese and Hispanics. Computers have been donated and moved to the center to be used for a job training center starting in October. You can be a part of this mission too! There are opportunities for volunteers from all areas to be part of this walking together in mission. To hear more about how the Lord has already touched the lives of people benefiting from activities in the building, and to learn how you can be part of this effort as it unfolds over the next months, please attend a meeting on Sunday evening, October 12, at 7:00 p.m., at the former Zion/Peace campus at 40th and Q Streets, Omaha. The assembly will receive the report of the Greater Omaha Area Task Force, who will also be sharing about mission opportunities in Greater Omaha and how churches can partner together to develop new missions and strengthen established ministries in Greater Omaha. The meeting is open to everyone! Back to top OMAHA LUTHERAN SCHOOLS CHANGE NAME The Wider Omaha Lutheran School Association has changed its name to Concordia Lutheran Schools of Omaha. The change brings the corporate name of the Lutheran school system into agreement with the names of the schools it operates: Concordia Academy elementary school, at 108th and Grover Streets, and Concordia Jr.-Sr. High School, 156th and Fort Streets, both in Omaha. "Concordia means harmony or agreement, and this brings harmony to our schools' names," said Rev. Jim Rasmussen, Concordia Schools' chief executive officer. Rasmussen said he believes the new name will help the schools become better known in the Omaha area. The schools' former name was often shortened in writing and conversation to the acronym WOLSA. Rasmussen said that acronym "didn't mean anything to people who weren't already familiar with us." By contrast, Concordia is a name that is used by Lutheran educational institutions across the country, including the Concordia University System affiliated with The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod. That system includes Concordia University, Nebraska in Seward. Concordia Lutheran Schools of Omaha was founded as the West Omaha Lutheran School Association in 1996 and opened its first elementary school in 1998. The name was later changed to the Wider Omaha Lutheran School Association (replacing "West" with "Wider"). Today the schools serve a total of 440 students: 231 at Concordia Academy in grades kindergarten through 6, and 209 at the junior-senior high in grades 7 through 12. Concordia Lutheran Schools of Omaha is owned by 16 churches affiliated with The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod in Omaha and the surrounding area. In addition to the new name, the school system has a new logo. Concordia Omaha plans to complete the transition to the new name in all documents, promotional materials, signs, and the website (which continues as www.wolsa.org for the time being) by the end of the current school year. Back to top CPH WAREHOUSE SALE IS COMING TO NEBRASKA Concordia Publishing House brings its Warehouse Sale -- the largest sale of the year -- to the campus of Concordia University, Nebraska. The sale is open Friday, October 24, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, October 25, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. During this time, excess inventory from Concordia Publishing House is offered at deep discounts. Sale items include books for children and adults, teaching resources, and more. The Concordia Publishing House Warehouse Sale is located in the Janzow Campus Center on the Concordia University campus in Seward. For more information about the Warehouse Sale, call Mary Oldenburg at Concordia at 402-643-7405. Back to top NEW MATERIALS AVAILABLE FOR LWML SUNDAY The Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) is offering new materials for this year's suggested LWML Sunday, October 5. Dr. Robert Roegner, executive director of LCMS World Mission, the global Gospel outreach arm of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, authored a number of the new materials using this year's theme, "Opened Eyes ... Hearts Ablaze!," based on the text from Luke 24:31-32. Some of the materials available include worship service bulletins (for purchase), a sermon with an outline (free), and a children's sermon (free). In addition, for the first time this year, LWML is providing a LWML Sunday worship service CD for $10. There is also a short video clip featuring LWML President Jan Wendorf, available for free download at www.lwml.org, which can be used to inform congregations about the women's auxiliary and its ministry. Those who place an order for LWML Sunday bulletins or the worship service CD will receive a free packet of the new "With This Ring" Mustard Seed Devotions. For more information or to order LWML Sunday materials, visit www.lwml.org. Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) is the official women's auxiliary of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. LWML provides spiritual support to woman while also encouraging and equipping them to use their God-given talents to share the Gospel with those in their community and around the world. Back to top NEW IRS REGULATIONS REQUIRE RESPONSE (From Reporter Online, http://www.lcms.org/pages/rpage.asp?NavID=14163) Concordia Plan Services (CPS) is offering resources to help LCMS congregations, schools, and other church organizations understand revised Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations that go into effect January 1 governing tax-deferred savings plans and tax-sheltered annuities -- and which will require response by many LCMS employers, according to CPS. An article prepared by CPS for this issue of Reporter reads as follows: "The revised IRS 403(b) regulations (governing tax-deferred savings plans and tax-sheltered annuities) that go into effect on January 1, 2009, will have a significant impact for all employers, including church organizations that have at any time permitted their workers to make pre-tax contributions to a 403(b) plan. Depending on the employer's decision and action regarding the new regulations, their workers can be affected as well. "In the past, 403(b) plans have generally been considered an individual contract between the worker and a 403(b) provider. With the revised regulations, the IRS has made it clear that 403(b) plans are now going to be regulated as employer-sponsored plans. This means employers will have ongoing oversight and compliance responsibilities, including the requirement of a written plan document, for any 403(b) providers to which their workers make pre-tax contributions. "As an option, any LCMS employer enrolled in The Church's Plan and using only the Concordia Retirement Savings Plan (CRSP) after December 31, 2008, has the assurance that Concordia Plan Services and MetLife will take responsibility for most of the administrative and compliance issues of the new regulations minimizing the administrative burden on the employer. "To help employers and workers understand these revised regulations and the employer's increased responsibilities, Concordia Plan Services has compiled helpful resources. To access the information, visit the Concordia Plan Services website at www.concordiaplans.org and click on "Retirement" on the left, select "Concordia Retirement Savings Plan," then "403(b) Regulations." There you will find: * "A link to the IRS website, where you can view Q & A and link to a copy of the 131-page revised regulations. * "A link to the MetLife website, which also provides many resources regarding the IRS revised regulations (MetLife is the administrator of the Concordia Retirement Savings Plan, the 403(b) plan offered through the Concordia Plan Services). * "A Glossary of 403(b) terms which is a handy reference tool when reading about the regulations. * "The Concordia Plans Update newsletter which was mailed in late August 2008 to all LCMS employers participating in the Concordia Plans. This newsletter explains what these new regulations mean for employers. * "A recorded "Webinar" that references the Concordia Plans Update and presents the topic in a user-friendly format geared toward LCMS employers. "The revised regulations have the greatest impact on employers that allow salary deferrals to multiple 403(b) providers. Employers in this situation are urged to carefully consider their options and research the costs and impact to staff and resources if they wish to support contributing to multiple providers after December 31, 2008." Back to top MISSION SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES Ysleta Lutheran Mission - El Paso, Texas/Juarez, Mexico A group of mission-minded folks from Trinity, Grand Island, are planning a week-long mission trip to Ysleta Lutheran Mission January 17 thru 24, 2009. This mission is a recognized service organization of LCMS that engages in a variety of mission activities and social ministries in the El Paso area and across the border in and around Juarez, Mexico. These activities have included building and repairing churches, building homes, and distributing food, clothing, health kits, blankets, toys, and other charitable items. The mission has recently been allowed to engage in ministry at the U.S. Border Patrol Detainment Center in El Paso. A passport is required. Some updated immunizations are also recommended. Cost is approximately $800 - $1000 per person, which includes most expenses. Some scholarships may be available to those interested. Fund raising efforts are also being planned to help defray expenses. A website is available for further exploring at www.ylm.org/servantevent.html. If you are interested in knowing more, call Ken and Gerry Koepke at 308-381-4712. Korea (from missionary Rev. Patrick O'Neal's newsletter) EFL Professors and Volunteers Luther University/Seminary (LTU) is seeking two experienced teachers with a Master's degree to teach English as a first language (EFL) classes to university students and community children. These are paid positions on yearlong contracts starting March 1, 2009. LTU is also in need of 2 to 3 volunteer missionaries to teach English for their 3 week Winter English Camp for children in January. If you are interested in these positions, please email directly to patrick.oneal at lcms.org. Back to top ASIAN TOUR RESCHEDULED BY LUTHERAN HOUR MINISTRIES Lutheran Hour Ministries is postponing its Asia tour previously scheduled for this November until the first week of November 2009. The move comes following a period of political protests in Thailand that led to the Thai government at one point imposing a state of emergency. "We have had a ministry center in Thailand since 1991 and view the country as very stable," says the Rev. Walt Winters, Director of LHM's International Ministries division. "The last couple weeks have simply been an exercise in democracy by the citizens there. While we didn't anticipate any safety problems moving ahead with our tour this November, we have decided to be cautious and postpone the trip for a year to allow for things in Thailand to return to normal." LHM will now offer two ministry tours in 2009, one to Panama and Nicaragua Feb. 5-14 and one to Thailand and Vietnam Nov. 1-14. The tours offer attendees an opportunity to get a firsthand look at LHM ministry in action and learn about the many outreach ministry highlights in the host countries. Tour leaders include LHM staff or board members who know the countries, the sights, and the ministries of the specific country you will be visiting. The tours are managed by professional tour agencies that have expertise in the regions being toured. A brochure, bulletin insert, and PowerPoint presentation with more information are available at www.lhm.org/tours. The website also includes trip itineraries, costs, payment schedules, and registration forms (Latin America tour information is available now, Asia tour information will be online soon). You may also call 1-800-944-3450, ext. 4168 or send an e-mail to tours at lhmint.org if you have additional questions. Back to top WHEAT RIDGE LAUNCHES "GIVING GARDENS" HEARTS FOR JESUS PROJECT Wheat Ridge Ministries is excited to announce a new Hearts for Jesus project, Giving Gardens. This new project, in partnership with Hope Seeds, Inc., Bradenton, Florida, will make a difference in the lives of children in Haiti and other countries where the world's hungry live. When your school, Sunday school, vacation Bible school, small group, etc., participates in the Giving Gardens project, you can make a world of difference! Your gift to Giving Gardens will support the distribution of climate and cultural-appropriate seeds, training, planting, and harvesting of gardens. Perhaps the most important gift you will give is the seed of faith being planted and nurtured through the work of teachers and missionaries. Every $500 donated to Giving Gardens supports: * Garden seeds that can produce nutritious vegetables and fruits that will feed many families. These vegetables and fruits can transform sick and malnourished children into healthy and energetic boys and girls. * Surplus food from the gardens is sold to earn money for other kinds of food, for clothing, for medicine, and for education. * Seeds from the produce may be collected and used for the next season's crop. * Seeds of faith that are planted in young people through special garden schools, similar to vacation Bible school, taught by trained teachers and missionaries. Wheat Ridge Ministries invites you to "plant" Giving Gardens! We thank you for what you do to care for God's children throughout the world. Giving Gardens offers another way to share the love of Christ in a hungry world. Giving Gardens resources include daily activities for early childhood and elementary age students, object lessons, chapel resources, a skit, a poster, postcards, chapel offering boxes, a copy of the book "3 in 1 (A Picture of God)," and much more. For additional information and to order materials, please visit the Giving Gardens website at www.wheatridge.org/givinggardens. You may also contact Wheat Ridge Ministries at 800-762-6748. There is no charge for these materials. Back to top CONCORDIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY ANNOUNCES LIBRARY EXPANSION PROJECT The opening service for the commencement of the one hundred sixty-third academic year brought more than just the inauguration of a new school year. The Reverend Dr. Dean O. Wenthe, President of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, announced the public phase of an eight million dollar renovation and expansion project for the campus' Walther Library. The Walther Library expansion project will provide new resources for students and faculty, house specialized instruction centers, and centralize more than 175,000 volumes owned by Concordia Theological Seminary, the home of one of the richest and most unique theological collections in the state of Indiana. The seminary contracted with the architectural firm MSKTD & Associates, Inc. to move forward with working drawings for the Walther Library project with preliminary work done this winter and construction anticipated to begin sometime next summer. This addition will add approximately 48,000 square feet to the existing library and will house 40,000 volumes currently in storage, as well as an additional 6,000 volumes in the seminary's rare book collection. The new facilities will also provide areas for students to benefit from collaborative study opportunities. The architect has taken wonderful care to design an addition that will blend in beautifully with the architectural masterpiece Eero Saarinen designed over fifty years ago that came to fruition in this campus. Special care has been exercised in preserving the heritage that will continue to serve the seminary and church for many years to come. "God's people have already responded so generously from the heart that gifts and commitments to the Walther Library addition have reached $5,625,000, or 70 percent of the total needed to pay for the first building to be added to the campus in over forty years. Praise God for His lavish grace," commented Dr. Wenthe. Back to top 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. We pray this e-newsletter may be a useful resource tool to you in your personal and congregational ministry. Please feel free to reproduce anything in this newsletter and pass this resource along to others you know who may also benefit from this information. Anyone is welcome to subscribe and may do so by emailing their email address to communications at ndlcms.org and requesting to be added to the mailing list, or by visiting http://www.ndlcms.org/news/communications. Blessings, Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 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: 55158 bytes Desc: not available URL: From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Thu Oct 2 09:15:58 2008 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:15:58 -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 Connie Borchers at the District Office. She may be reached at 888-643-2961 or missions 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 from 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 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: 6788 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: October 08.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 936994 bytes Desc: October 08.pdf URL: From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Thu Oct 2 13:56:15 2008 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Thu, 02 Oct 2008 18:56:15 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] FIREworks Newsletter Message-ID: Greetings in Christ! Attached is the current issue of FIREworks, a newsletter designed to educate and update the leaders of the Nebraska District on the Fan into Flame campaign in Nebraska. This newsletter is sent every other week to share current information and stories about the things God is doing through Ablaze! and Fan into Flame. Pastors and church office staff are encouraged to print and post this newsletter, reproduce this page for their congregational newsletter, or forward it to their electronic mailing list. Issues of this newsletter are also available by following the Fan into Flame link on the District website, www.ndlcms.org. You are receiving this newsletter because you receive the weekly Email Update e-newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe from this list, you may email your request to nicholeh at ndlcms.org. Removing yourself from this list will also take you off the list to receive the weekly Email Update, the Mission Fields Nebraska newsletter, and the Sudan Mission newsletter. I appreciate the opportunity to share with you news of how God is using the congregations and individuals of the Nebraska District through this exciting mission effort. Feel free to contact me with any questions you might have on Ablaze! or Fan into Flame. Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 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: 6026 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: 10-2.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 45730 bytes Desc: 10-2.pdf URL: From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Wed Oct 8 11:32:36 2008 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:32:36 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] October 8 Message-ID: Update for October 8 A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE! Greetings in the name of our generous and loving heavenly Father. October is a time of prayerful discernment and decision making for many congregations in the Nebraska District. They are seeking the Lord's will for how they will give offerings to the Lord to support the mission and ministry He has entrusted to them. They are also considering how they will lovingly support the ministry of their pastor, other professional church workers, and staff with salaries and benefits. In addition, they are praying over how they will support the common services and mission of their Nebraska District and their Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Finally, many are also pondering their support for a specific missionary or project in Nebraska or at an LCMS university, seminary, or on the international mission field. Where to start? How about starting with the Apostle Paul where he writes in 2 Corinthians 8:9, "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich." I have truly been astonished at the generosity the Lord creates in the hearts of His people with the sacrificial love of Christ. The One who has opened the storehouse of His blessings is the one who can also open the hearts and hands of His people. (taken from President Sommerfeld's October Nebraska Lutheran Reporter article) As your congregation spends time discussing and praying about your congregation's mission and ministry budget, or as your congregations takes time to focus on the life of the Christian steward, take time to remember the common work of the Nebraska District and the blessings that the Lord showers on His people as we work together to faithfully minister to God's people and share the saving message of Jesus Christ with those outside of a relationship with Him. * Prayer Requests * Important Upcoming Deadlines * No Email Update Next Week * New Church Start News * LCMS World Relief/Human Care Continues Response to Hurricane Ike * Special Events at Mission Central * Fan into Flame Update * TLCare for Those Traveling to Mayo Clinic * Lincoln Women's Retreat * Internet Family Devotional Materials Available * Teen LWML is Challenging Their Congregation * Anniversary Celebrations * Nebraska Lutherans for Confessional Study to Meet * Camp Luther News PRAYER REQUESTS Virginia Wempen and Family - Pastor Rob Kuefner of Holy Cross, Kearney, shared the following update and prayers of thanksgiving for Virginia Wempen last week: A word of thanks to the Lord for this wonderful news. This afternoon (Wednesday, October 1) I went out to the planned search for Virginia Wempen to meet with her children to offer our support and see what we could do as congregation in the efforts. While there, a report was received that a car had been spotted from the air, and just before they sent everyone out they checked out the situation and found Virginia alive. I met with family and Virginia in the hospital emergency room, and she was alert, concerned about the trouble she caused, obviously relieved to be found, and doing fairly well considering. She was kept in the hospital to deal with dehydration and for observation. Thank the Lord she was found safely. Thanks for you who have been including Virginia in your prayers. It's not often that a 75-year-old lands her car into a ditch and survives for almost 6 days without any medication or other care. The Lord is gracious! Back to top IMPORTANT UPCOMING DEADLINES Please note the following important deadlines: * Parish Health Online Survey - Midnight tonight, Wednesday, October 8 * http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB2288MSQZGC3 * Registration deadline for Teachers' Conference - Friday, October 10 * http://www.ndlcms.org/news/conferences/teachers/index.html * Registration deadline for Fall Pastors' Conference - Friday, October 10 * http://www.ndlcms.org/news/conferences/pastors/index.html * Registration deadline for Church/School Secretary Workshop - Friday, October 24 * http://www.ndlcms.org/news/conferences/secretary.html * Registration deadline for District Youth Gathering - Saturday, October 25 * www.neyouth.org Back to top NO EMAIL UPDATE NEXT WEEK I will be out of the office next week, so there will be no Email Update next Wednesday. These weekly news and ministry bulletins will return to the normal schedule on Wednesday, October 22. Information for upcoming issues may be sent anytime to communications at ndlcms.org. Back to top NEW CHURCH START NEWS The Rock Lutheran Church - The Rock Lutheran Church, a church plant of Christ, Lincoln, in the Seward community, in cooperation with St. John, Seward, is set for its launch service at 10:00 a.m. this coming Sunday, October 12, at the Lied Senior Center (1010 Manor Drive West) in Seward. Word of Life Lutheran Church - Word of Life Lutheran Church, a church plant of St. Paul, Malcolm, began services in the Fallbrook area of Northwest Lincoln on Sunday, September 28. Led by DELTO Vicar Dr. Larry Oetting, the new mission congregation began a sermon series entitled, "Joy? You Got to be Kidding?" According to Vicar Oetting, it was a joyful, wonderful blessing to be able to share the Good News with the 125 people that gathered for the service. Last Sunday, October 5, 100 people returned to hear more about Jesus Christ and His saving work of redemption for all people. Center for Liturgical Art outfits new Lincoln church, Word of Life Being a new church that's virtually in the backyard of the Center of Liturgical Art has its benefits. The center, based at Concordia University, Nebraska, worked recently with a new church plant in northwest Lincoln, Word of Life Lutheran Church, to fill most every artistic need the fledgling church had, from a logo and communication system to furnishings for their worship space. "The center has been wonderful to work with," said Dr. Larry Oetting, vicar for the new church. "We were starting from scratch, and Mark Anschutz and the whole team took us through the creative process to arrive at great images and objects that focus on the Word, Christ, and the cross." The center's artists provided an altar, processional cross, candle stands, a baptismal font, communion ware and a communication system that included a logo, stationery, bulletin inserts and business cards. View some images of the work at http://bibelot.squarespace.com/church-projects/. "Part of what we do at the center involves outreach and helping churches of all sizes design within their capacities and budgets," said Brock Shaw, coordinator of education and outreach for the center. "One of our tasks was how we would be able to meet their limited budget with beautifully designed furnishings." The altar is a refurbished wood piece with the addition of an inset space for seasonally-changing graphics. Originally created by Alan Luebbe, Jeff Voehl did the refinishing and staining work. From that design, Shaw designed the wooden baptismal font, processional cross, and candle stands. Trevor Youngberg, a visiting artist from Connecticut, sculpted the ceramic bowl for the font, and Michael Strand, chair of the art department and director of the center, did the finishing and glazing work. Amy Smith, a ceramic artist in Lincoln, designed and created the communion ware. Another consideration for the center was the need to create mobile pieces. Word of Life is worshiping in space in the Town Center of the Fallbrook neighborhood that is used as classrooms during the week. "The large pieces are on wheels, and the baptismal font has a door on the backside that opens up for storing the large bowl," said Shaw. William Wolfram, professor emeritus at Concordia and an artist for the center, designed the church's logo, a cross. The symbol has been fabricated in multiple colors to use at the head of the processional cross in different church seasons. Shaw also created the stationery and other printed pieces. Word of Life is still in need of individual cup communion ware. If your congregation has some individual cup communion ware you can donate or sell to Word of Life at a reasonable price, contact Vicar Oetting at larkitoetting at yahoo.com or 402-261-8759. Back to top LCMS WORLD RELIEF/HUMAN CARE CONTINUES RESPONSE TO HURRICANE IKE (from http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=14187) While Texans tackled massive clean-up and repairs after Hurricane Ike, the Synod's mercy arm also went to work behind the scenes, reaching out to impacted LCMS congregations to learn about their member and community needs. Checking on LCMS churches after the September 14 Category 2 hurricane quickly became a top priority of LCMS World Relief and Human Care staff in St. Louis, Mo., despite widespread power outages in Southeast Texas that challenged information gathering. Mercy team members - directors as well as support staff - contacted ministries, congregations, and pastors to ask about property losses and needs. They also offered prayers. To date, about 20 LCMS congregations have reported property damage, with among the hardest hit in Galveston, Port Arthur, Beaumont, Orange, and Bridge City. More than two weeks after Hurricane Ike, LCMS WR-HC's Director of Disaster Response Rev. Glenn Merritt and Director of Districts and Congregations Rev. Carlos Hernandez continue to work closely with Texas congregations and church workers, including Dr. Lou Jander, Texas District mission and ministry facilitator who also serves as the district's disaster response coordinator. As of September 30, Hurricane Ike and the storm's aftermath had claimed 67 lives in Texas and beyond. LCMS WR-HC has awarded $102,000 in grants to the Texas District and Orphan Grain Train for Hurricane Ike response. As damage and needs assessments continue, additional WR-HC grants are in the works to assist congregations with repairs and recovery. Along with making calls to Texas, WR-HC also received calls for assistance - including one from a Hurricane Ike evacuee in Ohio. After fleeing his Galveston home, the father and his two children were staying with friends in Franklin when Hurricane Ike's remnants forced the family to evacuate a second time with few resources and nowhere to stay. Calls to the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and FEMA offered no immediate solutions, so the desperate dad telephoned LCMS WR-HC. Aileen Hoffman, WR-HC customer support staff member, located information about an LCMS congregation near the stranded family and shared it with the father. Checking on needs and offering a link to a helping hand may sound small in the aftermath of a huge disaster such as Hurricane Ike. But, over and over, hurricane survivors thanked the Synod's mercy arm for the calls and prayers - and for showing how much the church cares. _______________________________________ Volunteers and donations are still needed to assist with the continued clean-up in Texas. Congregations and individuals wanting to help can visit the LCMS World Relief/Human Care website at http://www.lcms.org/ca/worldrelief/menus/news/. Dr. Lou Jander, a mission and ministry facilitator on staff for the Texas District, as well as the Texas District Disaster Relief Coordinator, has created a blog to share up-to-date information on relief efforts and continuing needs for the hurricane victims. Read more about what is taking place by visiting http://disaster-reports-response-relief.blogspot.com/. Back to top SPECIAL EVENTS AT MISSION CENTRAL Just Added! - Coral Rose, LCMS World Mission Business Manager for all of Africa, will be presenting her amazing story of God's work among the people of Africa at 1:00 and 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 15. See her in person as she shares some artifacts, tell stories, and shares with all her exciting PowerPoint story of how God is calling the people of Africa by the thousands to know their Savior Jesus. Coral will be living in Pretoria, South Africa, as she serves as Business Manger. Rev. Carlos and Lidia Winterle - Pastor Carlos Walter Winterle and his wife, Lidia, will be at Mission Central in person on Wednesday, December 3, 2008, at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to share their stories, contacts, and exciting miracles of how God is touching the lives of millions of African people with the Gospel. Few people realize how the church is growing in Africa, and now is your opportunity to hear in person this amazing story of doors opening. Dr. Steve and Julie Lutz - Mark your calendars for December 16, 2008, as the Lutz Family will be at Mission Central speaking at 1:00 p.m. and then again at 7:00 p.m. It will be a time you will long remember. The video, photos, and artifacts from the Papua New Guinea area are just BREATHTAKING! This couple travel to some of the most remote regions of the entire world to share the love of Jesus as medical missionaries. Everyone is invited to Mission Central near Mapleton, Iowa, to hear of these wonderful people's mission work. Visit www.missioncentral.us for directions and more information. Back to top FAN INTO FLAME UPDATE What is Ablaze? Ablaze! is sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with those who do not yet know Him. This can take place at the library, in line at the check-out counter, or with your wait staff at a restaurant. It does not cost anything to share the gift of God's grace given through Jesus! More information and Ablaze! educational materials are available on the LCMS website at www.lcms.org/ablaze. What is Fan into Flame? Fan into Flame undergirds the innovative projects and mission goals that will advance the Ablaze! movement goal to share the Gospel with 100 million people worldwide by providing new dollars for new mission efforts. Gifts given through Fan into Flame will assist in revitalizing congregations to become mission outposts in their communities, developing programs to equip the laity with Bible-based evangelism instruction, calling additional missionaries for work in national and international mission fields, and planting new ministries at home and abroad. The Nebraska District's involvement in Fan into Flame is part of a commitment to heed Jesus' words in John 4:35b, "I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields. They are ripe for harvest." We are asking each of the 244 Nebraska District congregations to partner with us and participate in this exciting and unique mission opportunity. After prayerful consideration, the Nebraska District Fan into Flame goal was set at $6 million, contributing to the national goal of $100 million. With God's blessings, more than $2.5 million has been pledged or given to date. How can your congregation participate in this historic mission effort? 1. Take information about Fan into Flame to your congregational leadership. Visit http://www.ndlcms.org/news/FIF/index.html for materials. 2. Consider making a congregational pledge above current district and Synod mission giving over the next 5 years. We are asking all congregations in our district to partner with us. 3. At your approval meeting, vote to make a gift of new money of 10% of last year's budget pledged to be paid over the next 5 years. Pledge agreement forms are available on the Nebraska District Fan into Flame webpage. 4. Contact the Nebraska District office to apprise them of your decision to participate. Partnering with the district and the leadership throughout the process will allow the District Office to provide the resource materials and support that you may need. Congregations are strongly urged to decide on their participation by November 1 and notify their circuit coordinator or the District Office by this date. 5. Commit to partnering by praying for the Lord's blessings on Fan into Flame. By giving God's people a chance to support this historic mission funding effort, we will all be blessed to see how God can use individuals and congregations to share the story of salvation through Jesus Christ. If you need assistance, take time to contact your Fan into Flame circuit coordinator or the Nebraska District Office at info at ndlcms.org or 888-643-2961. There are people who are willing to "walk with you" as you develop plans, and as you gather to celebrate the Spirit's blessing through this initiative. To God be the glory as together we grow in our mission to give hope to those not connected by faith to Jesus! Back to top TLCARE FOR THOSE TRAVELING TO MAYO CLINIC Will you or someone in your congregation be receiving care at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota? Trinity Lutheran Church of Rochester offers their TLCare ministry to out-of-town medical guests. They strive to serve people in many ways such as prayer support, a homemade meal, a visit from one of their caring members, free parking in their lot, a comfortable place to go between appointments, and more. Please let them know when you are coming to town by emailing Jennifer at tlcjennifer at charterinternet.com or Pastor Otte at pastorotte at charterinternet.com. Back to top LINCOLN WOMEN'S RETREAT The fourth annual Women's Retreat will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2008, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Knolls Country Club, 22nd & Old Cheney Road, Lincoln. This is a retreat for women of all ages and is designed to deepen bonds with other women of faith through the study of God's Word and the sharing of life experiences. Doors open at 9:30 a.m., and you can enjoy a beverage while browsing the vendors or visiting with friends. The schedule will include a devotion, the program "Who Gets Grandma's Yellow Pie Plate," and a talk on antiques and a mini antiques road show. The cost is $18 per adult and $15 for those 12 and younger. To register or for more information, contact Deon Wentzel at 402-782-6936. Back to top INTERNET FAMILY DEVOTIONAL MATERIALS AVAILABLE Faith Moments, Inc. (www.faithmoments.com) is a web ministry dedicated to bringing families together in Christ by actively and intentionally integrating Christian faith-building devotional and learning materials into the daily schedule. Faith Moments, Inc. is an Internet-based ministry for families to: * Engage in faith formation where they live and make decisions * Create manageable, interactive faith building situations at home * Discover tools for effective non-threatening faith conversations * Explore resources that help expand opportunities for faith development Families that visit www.faithmoments.com will find a weekly devotion appropriate for the entire family, along with Bible-based activities for kids and resources for parents. Back to top TEEN LWML IS CHALLENGING THEIR CONGREGATION Members of Immanuel, Laurel's, "Friends Into Serving Him: WORD!" are challenging their congregation to remember their pastor with a card during Clergy/Pastor Appreciation Month. For every card that is received between October 1 and 31, a 50-cent donation will be made to District LWML mites in their pastor's name. In response to this challenge, the women of Immanuel LWML will match their donation to District mites. Might your congregation's LWML consider a similar challenge? October is designated as national Clergy Appreciation Month, and October 12 is suggested as "Clergy Appreciation Sunday." What a great opportunity to show your pastor or pastors how much you appreciate their dedication and hard work, while at the same time raising mission awareness in your congregation. Consider starting your challenge on Sunday for the rest of the month. If your congregation does not have a local LWML chapter, contact the Nebraska District Office (www.ndlcms.org) or Nebraska District LWML North or South for more information on mission opportunities. LWML South website - http://lwmlnesouth.homestead.com/ LWML North website - http://www.lutheransonline.com/servlet/lo_ProcServ/dbpage=page&mode=display&gid=01220001361005841487653808 Back to top ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS Following are two anniversary announcements that were not included in the October Nebraska Lutheran Reporter. Zion, Hampton, will celebrate their 135th Anniversary and Mission Festival on Sunday, October 19. Service at 10 a.m. with a potluck meal following worship -- everyone is invited! Faith, York, will celebrate their 45th Anniversary on October 26. Worship is at 8:30 a.m. with Pastor Phillip Hannemann as guest speaker. There will be a brunch served at approximately 10 a.m. Charter members will be our honored guests. Pastor Hannemann is a son of Rev. Norman Hannemann, Faith's first pastor. Back to top NEBRASKA LUTHERANS FOR CONFESSIONAL STUDY TO MEET The October gathering of the Nebraska Lutherans for Confessional Study (NLCS) is Thursday, October 23, at Good Shepherd, Lincoln (3825 Wildbriar Lane). 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. Paul Egger, pastor at St. John Lutheran Church in Galva, Iowa. His topic, starting at 10:30, will be "The Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope." Following lunch, Rev. Brent Kuhlman, pastor of Trinity, Murdock, will lead the afternoon topic on "Luther's Lectures on Galatians." 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. Back to top CAMP LUTHER NEWS There are a number of upcoming fall events at Camp Luther near Schuyler. Visit the Camp Luther website at www.campluther.org and click on the "What's New" link for full event information. * Junior High Retreat - October 17-18 * Christian Women's Scrapbooking Retreat - November 7-9 * Lutheran Hour Ministries Men's Retreat - November 21-22 Also new at Camp Luther: "THE BARN" is currently being remodeling and will provide a unique setting for a small retreat group of youth or junior high age students. "The Barn" will sleep about 20, have attached bathrooms, and a large rustic meeting space for your group. An indoor fireplace will provide a warm setting. Just outside the building will be a private campfire site for your group to use. Meals will still be served in the main Gerwick Lodge area. "The Barn" will not have any cooking facilities. Camp Luther is looking for a few good groups to use this facility this fall to give them input on its use. If you are interested, contact Camp Luther at 888-639-5809 or hank at campluther.org. Back to top Thanks to all who shared information for this week's Update. If you have information to share, please send it to communications at ndlcms.org. We hope these weekly E-mail Updates are a valuable resource in your ministry. The Updates are for all workers and leaders in your congregation. If you know of someone you think would benefit from the information in the Update, please forward it to them. Anyone is invited to subscribe by visiting http://www.ndlcms.org/news/communications/update.html. Blessings, Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 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: 64456 bytes Desc: not available URL: From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Wed Oct 15 08:37:36 2008 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:37:36 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] Jeanne Chandler Called to Glory Message-ID: + OBITUARY + Jeanne (Sather) Chandler, wife of teacher emeritus Bill Chandler, departed this life on Saturday, October 11, 2008, at her home in Grand Island. Bill Chandler was principal at Trinity Lutheran School, Grand Island, for 29 years prior to his retirement in 2001. Bill and Jeanne were married on July 18, 1959. Mrs. Chandler was born March 3, 1939. Jeanne enjoyed volunteering at Trinity Lutheran Church, Grand Island, caring for her children and grandchildren, and caring for many foster children from Nebraska Children's Home Society and Nebraska Health and Human Services. Jeanne is survived by her husband, their 10 children: daughters, Kathryn and Jack Eans of Woodland Park, Colo.; Angie Sirabella of Albuquerque, N.M.; and Angela and Dustin Vokes of Grand Island; sons, David of Ault, Colo.; Paul and Tama of Bamako, Mali, Africa; Troy of Grand Island; Dewey and Shelby of Cozad; Steve and Terrie of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and Jonah and James at home; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Denise and Chester Peterson and Linda and Peter Pfenning, both of Granite Falls, Minn.; and one brother, William Sather of Nevis, Minn.; 15 grandchildren and one great-grandson. A memorial service was held on Tuesday, October 14, 2008, at 10:30 a.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church, Grand Island. An inurnment will be held at a later date. Condolences may be sent to www.giallfaiths.com. Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 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: 5750 bytes Desc: not available URL: From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Wed Oct 15 16:32:32 2008 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 21:32:32 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] FIREworks Newsletter Message-ID: Greetings in Christ! Attached is the current issue of FIREworks, a newsletter designed to educate and update the leaders of the Nebraska District on the Fan into Flame campaign in Nebraska. This newsletter is sent every other week to share current information and stories about the things God is doing through Ablaze! and Fan into Flame. Pastors and church office staff are encouraged to print and post this newsletter, reproduce this page for their congregational newsletter, or forward it to their electronic mailing list. Issues of this newsletter are also available by following the Fan into Flame link on the District website, www.ndlcms.org. You are receiving this newsletter because you receive the weekly Email Update e-newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe from this list, you may email your request to nicholeh at ndlcms.org. Removing yourself from this list will also take you off the list to receive the weekly Email Update, the Mission Fields Nebraska newsletter, and the Sudan Mission newsletter. I appreciate the opportunity to share with you news of how God is using the congregations and individuals of the Nebraska District through this exciting mission effort. Feel free to contact me with any questions you might have on Ablaze! or Fan into Flame. Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 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: 6186 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: 10-16.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 52514 bytes Desc: 10-16.pdf URL: From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Wed Oct 22 14:49:33 2008 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2008 19:49:33 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] October 22 Message-ID: Update for October 22 A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE! Greetings in the name of our Heavenly Father, who loves us and promises to provide for us. Just watching the nightly news can be enough to cause us to worry. Along with the other headlines, we hear constant discussions about the upcoming elections and the uncertainty of the economy. It's easy to forget Jesus' words, "And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well." (Luke 12:29-31) One of the Bible stories in the book I read with my three-year-old before bed has a paraphrase of this portion of Jesus' teaching, with an emphasis on how much God loves us and how he promises to give us what we need. At a time when there seems to be more things to worry about than hours in the day to worry about them, what reassurance it is to be reminded that our loving Heavenly Father has already "given us the kingdom" and the worries of this life are not to be our worries. His love for us is so great that not only does He provide for our physical needs, but He has already sent His Son Jesus to provide us with the gift of eternal life. In this time of uncertainty, it is not appropriate to bury our heads in the sand and ignore those things we are called to attend to. However, as we make the decisions God places before us, let us remember Jesus' direction to "provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Luke 12:33-34) * Prayer Requests * Church/School Secretary Workshop Registration Deadline This Week * Nebraska Pastors and Grace Place Retreats Featured in Lutheran Witness * Lutheran World Relief Ingathering Sites Announced * Extra Percussion Instruments Available * Fan into Flame Congregational Update * LCMS Mercy Medical Team to Sumatra Looking for Volunteers * Congregation Anniversary Update * LHM's Advent Devotions Available Online * November is National Hospice Month * Take a Look at Concordia Publishing House's 2009 VBS Materials * An Opportunity to Have a "Taste of the Sem" * New Testament Greek Class to be Offered in Lincoln PRAYER REQUESTS Family of Henry Visser - Please remember in prayer the family of Henry Visser, member and trained lay leader at Christ, Cairo. Henry was called to the Lord's side suddenly on Monday, October 20. He served the congregation of Christ, Cairo, in a number of ways, and was known by many in the Nebraska District through his participation in the district's Lay Leadership Training Program. The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 23, at Christ, Cairo. Preston Charles Rodencal - We join in prayers of thanksgiving with Pastor Charles and Brenda Schmidt of Grace, Fairbury, and Pastor Larry and Sandra Rodencal of Peace, Cincinnati, (former pastor of St. John, McCook) for the gift of a new grandson born on October 4. We thank God for the new gift of life He has given this family and we look forward to welcoming Preston into God's family through the waters of Holy Baptism. Rev. Thomas Schmitt - We lift up in prayer Rev. Thomas Schmitt and his family at the death of his father, Paul Schmitt. We ask the Lord to grant this family a special measure of His comfort and peace at this time, as well as reassurance in the promise of an eternal reunion in Heaven. Back to top CHURCH/SCHOOL SECRETARY WORKSHOP REGISTRATION DEADLINE THIS WEEK Attention all church office staff!!! The deadline for registering for the Nebraska District Church and School Secretary Workshop is this Friday, October 24. The workshop, held at Concordia University, Seward, on November 11, will offer practical tips for designing newsletters, address setting and maintaining godly boundaries, and provide lots of time for networking with other church office staff. More information and registration forms may be found on the District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/news/conferences/secretary.html. Back to top NEBRASKA PASTORS AND GRACE PLACE RETREATS FEATURED IN LUTHERAN WITNESS The October 2008 issue of The Lutheran Witness featured an article on Grace Place Retreats, and featured the retreat offered especially to pastors from the Nebraska District and their spouses. The article share the idea behind what founder Dr. John Eckrich calls "one of the Synod's most misunderstood ministries - and most urgently needed." The article goes on to tell how "working with pastoral-care professionals and Lutheran leaders, Eckrich developed his vision for a continuing-education ministry to offer a 'pause point' or 'minisabbatical' for church workers and their spouses - an opportunity to recharge spiritually, physically, and emotionally." To read the entire article online, visit The Lutheran Witness webpage at http://www.lcms.org/pages/wPage.asp?ContentID=396&IssueID=26. Back to top LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF INGATHERING SITES ANNOUNCED The dates for this year's Lutheran World Relief Ingathering are November 3-7. Cities with ingathering sites are Beatrice, Lincoln, North Platte, Omaha, Scottsbluff, and Sidney. These gathering sites will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Goods packed for LWR should be sorted and labeled according to kind, packed in strong cartons secured with packing tape, and addressed for Lutheran World Relief. Boxes should not exceed 40 pounds and should be marked with the name and address of the sending church. For locations and information on what to donate, check the District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/news/temp/lwr.html, call Dave Roseland at 1-800-456-1092, Betsy Buschkemper at 402-292-6665, or Mary Stoetzel at 308-534-9327. Back to top EXTRA PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS AVAILABLE Attention Music Directors: Just in time for Christmas and Easter services.... Four octave celesta and several sets of Ludwig timpani for sale. Contact: jimkrutz at gmail.com for more information. Also, professional percussion instrument repair and maintenance services available. Back to top FAN INTO FLAME CONGREGATIONAL UPDATE There are some incredible stories of what the Holy Spirit has already accomplished in Nebraska congregations where pastors and people have prayed and participated in Fan into Flame. God can do great things anywhere and in every congregation through this mission effort. Fan into Flame is an opportunity for your congregation to witness once again the power of the Spirit in the lives of God's people. Following is an example, written by the pastor and leadership, of how one congregation in the Nebraska District implemented Fan into Flame. Full congregational summaries are available on the District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/news/FIF/summaries.html. St. John, Tecumseh - The Fan into Flame appeal has been a tremendous blessing to our congregation. The key to our congregation's ready acceptance and mission zeal for this appeal was the Holy Spirit working through the startling fact that every minute 83 people die in the world not knowing Jesus Christ. This message cut to the heart of our congregation and provided them with a sense of urgency found in the heart of Jesus who came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10). Throughout the appeal, Pastor Diener used various means to highlight the value of "every minute" in sermons and other communications. One week after the first congregational mailing was sent, the Church Council met to hear more about the appeal from Pastor Diener and were challenged to give their early gift commitment. This meeting resulted in eight leaders and their pastor giving early gifts of $17,000, eclipsing the entire congregation's goal. The Holy Spirit set the hearts of our leaders Ablaze!, and this passion set the tone for our entire appeal. The Fan into Flame appeal kickoff was a Friendship Sunday and picnic. Our members, along with many personally invited, currently unchurched visitors, heard of the friendship we share in Christ Jesus and the mission appeal that day. The following week was Testimonial Sunday, where our leaders who gave early gifts shared their faith, their commitment, and the sense of urgency to make a difference through gifts that will provide international, national, district, and local opportunities to share the Good News. These testimonials helped bring this appeal to a personal level for our members. Our monthly newsletter, weekly bulletin, and information table overflowed with information about the Fan into Flame appeal. Every worship service during the appeal had a Fan into Flame "minute" following the sermon to show the Fan into Flame video clips, make the campaign announcement provided in the information packet, and provide appeal details. Our appeal also featured a Mission Festival prior to the cottage meetings. Our cottage meetings were meetings held for a specific portion of the congregation for 30 minutes immediately following the worship services. These meetings were led by Pastor Diener, who answered questions and provided encouragement not to miss the wonderful opportunity our Synod was giving every member to be involved in the mission of the Church. Despite the thought that $15,000 may be too aggressive a goal, the power of the Holy Spirit worked in the hearts of our people to provide a generous response of $56,270 (375% of our goal), with $23,360 sent through initial gifts. During the cottage meetings, I shared one of the greatest disasters in history which took place in 1271. Nichelo and Matteo Polo (the father and uncle of Marco Polo) were visiting Kubla Kahn, ruler of all of China, all of India, and all of the East. He was attracted to the story of Christianity as Nichelo and Matteo told it to him. And Kubla Khan said to them, "You shall go to your high priest and tell him on my behalf to send me 100 men skilled in your religion and I shall be baptized, and when I am baptized all my barons and great men will be baptized and their subjects will receive baptism too, and so there will be more Christians here than there is in any part of the world." So Nichelo and Matteo went to the Pope in the Vatican, but he responded that "those barbarians don't deserve the Gospel." Nothing was done for 30 years, and then only 2 or 3 were sent. As a result of this delay, Buddhist monks, who were pleased to come, converted the largest empire history has ever known - from China to the Middle East and Europe - to Buddhism. The world is ripe for a harvest now but the laborers are few. We can do something about that - and not miss this opportunity. Fan into Flame gives us the opportunity to directly support mission work all around the world, including our own community. May God bless your congregation's prayerful consideration to participate in this life-changing and life-giving mission opportunity. Your congregation will surprise and delight you with their support - not because of your efforts - but because the Holy Spirit will bless it beyond even your highest expectations. If you want to know the difference the Spirit makes, speak to the people of St. John's, Tecumseh, and they will share with you the joy of responding to the challenge of the Fan into Flame appeal. Every congregation of the Nebraska District is encouraged to prayerfully consider how they can be involved in Fan into Flame. It doesn't take much to participate - just a dedicated core of lay people, a mission-minded pastor, and the materials provided by Fan into Flame. Once the opportunity to be personally involved in mission work is shared with the members of your congregation, the Spirit can move hearts to respond. For more information on how to get started, or to report how your congregation plans to be involved, contact Andrea Essling at the Nebraska District Office, Andrea.Essling at ndlcms.org or 888-643-2961. Back to top LCMS MERCY MEDICAL TEAM TO SUMATRA LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS LCMS World Relief and Human Care seek a variety of medical specialties and hard-working laity as members of its first "Mercy Medical Team" for Sumatra, Indonesia, February 14-25, 2009 (with an evening of team building in Atlanta on February 14). Clinics for care of the extremely under-served poor on the island of Sumatra will be set up near the World Relief and Human Care office in Ache and the surrounding area of the northern part of the island. Before returning home, there will be a day of rest and sightseeing on this beautiful tropical island. Volunteers cover the cost of the trip which includes airfare from the chosen departure airport, and a flat fee for ground transportation, lodging, and medical supplies for the needy (total estimated to be around $3000). Write for more details to Maggie Karner at Maggie.karner at lcms.org or call her at 800-248-1930, ext. 1371 with any questions. Also see www.lcms.org/mercyteams for more information. Back to top CONGREGATION ANNIVERSARY UPDATE Trinity, Schuyler, shared the following updated information on their anniversary celebration: Trinity, Schuyler, will celebrate its 75th Anniversary on November 9. President Russ Sommerfeld will be the guest preacher at a 10:00 am service, followed by brunch. Everyone is invited to join them. Back to top LHM'S ADVENT DEVOTIONS AVAILABLE ONLINE (from LHM Ministry Update, October 2008) Once again this year, two Advent devotions will be offered online from Lutheran Hour Ministries at www.adventdevotions.net. Come to the Manger continues our traditional approach to the Christmas devotions, but with a twist. Written by ministerial students from the 2008 graduating class of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, these meditations share insights as seen from a first-call pastor's perspective. In devotions of varied topics, Come to the Manger considers the significance of the Christmas story from different angles. Whether it's God fulfilling promises to Abraham centuries ago or the prayers of a grandmother recovering from cancer a few years ago, the bold truth of "Emmanuel-God with us" is at the heart of each pastor's text. With Christmas Conversations, Pastor Ryan Peterson of St. John Lutheran Church in Ellisville, Missouri, invites the reader to a give-and-take exchange apart from the holiday bustle. Slowly, deliberately - he unwraps the universal meaning of the holiday season like the amazing gift it is. Written for those who are unchurched or peripheral to the life of the church, it guides the reader along, inviting him or her to join in the conversation. The Christmas story is a miracle story, and Peterson knows miracles for modern man are hard to believe. God - appearing in the person of Jesus Christ? A child - born of a virgin? Salvation - a free gift to all? These are not easily received by a 21st-century mind. Peterson walks alongside his reader in these messages, encouraging him and her, mindful that patience is crucial when having a Christmas conversation. Both Come to the Manger and Christmas Conversations will be offered as customizable PDFs in English and Spanish. Audio will be available for Come to the Manger in both languages, as well as the option to subscribe to podcasts for automatic downloading to your computer or MP3 player. Promotional pieces available this year include bulletin shells, PowerPoint slide templates, web banner ads, and cover art for creating your own promotional pieces. For more information or to download these resources, visit www.adventdevotions.net. Back to top NOVEMBER IS NATIONAL HOSPICE MONTH Church office staff, you are invited and encouraged to include the following announcement in your November newsletter or in one or more November bulletins. November is National Hospice Month, a time to raise awareness of a comforting care serving approximately 6,000 terminally ill Nebraskans each year. Providing more than traditional healthcare, hospice furnishes an interdisciplinary team of a doctor, nurse, social worker, chaplain, various therapists, and volunteers. The hospice team provides pain management, symptom control, psychosocial support, and spiritual care to patients and their families when a cure is not possible. Faith communities have the power to support people of all ages with end-of-life issues such as advance care planning, serious illness, caregiving, and grief: * Encourage friends and family members to talk with their physician about hospice * Visit someone who is sick or in the dying process * Volunteer with a local hospice * Support someone in the grieving process * Have a conversation with your family about your end-of-life wishes and sign an advance directive Find additional information and locate a hospice in your area at www.nehospice.org. Back to top TAKE A LOOK AT CONCORDIA PUBLISHING HOUSE'S 2009 VBS MATERIALS "If an LCMS congregation is sponsoring a VBS program in the summer of 2009, we want it to be a CPH VBS," says Gretchen Jameson, Manager for Public Relations and Corporate Communications at Concordia Publishing House. Jameson shares that this is "a bold invitation," adding, "We know some use programs offered by other Christian publishers. We want every LCMS congregation to give CPH a fresh look in 2009; they won't be disappointed." Concordia Publishing House is the publisher of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The 2009 VBS program includes, "new music, a focus on living out faith, and options for both large and small VBS programs." The 2009 program, Gadget's Garage website is now online at www.cph.org/vbs. The site includes a wealth of new features designed to assist those planning to host VBS programs in the summer of 2009. "We've really expanded our website," says Vacation Bible School Marketing Manager Terri Simon. "VBS directors can find the basics about the program and easily place orders. They can also download media, preview music, participate in community, and starting this winter, create a congregational VBS webpage using our site." Beefing up the content and improving the features of the VBS website is "a great way to get volunteers, parents, and students involved and excited long before VBS begins." Website features include: * * Blogs, forums, and even a Facebook connection for discussion, and posting photos (January, 2009). * * A "Leader Toolbox" with tips for large and small VBS programs, FAQs on the benefits of site rotation (a style of VBS programming), and new and improved recruitment kit ideas. * * The Nuts & Bolts of Gadget's Garage, which offers an overview of the program and details about the all new CPH Starter Kits and the featured 2009 VBS mission project. Vacation Bible School Editor Cindy Wheeler shares, "At Gadget's Garage VBS, kids learn about Jesus, their Savior, and respond by putting their faith in motion, using their hands, minds, ears, eyes, and hearts to serve Jesus and live as His people." The website "helps customers better connect with the important message that CPH VBS is all about Jesus, every day in every way." Two Starter Kits are available for the 2009 VBS. The traditional Starter Kit includes all leader resources-CDs, guides, and Skit DVD. The new Small VBS Starter Kit is ideal for Vacation Bible School programs with fewer than 50 students, fewer volunteers, or limited space. Now through December 31, 2008, Concordia Publishing House is offering free shipping on Starter Kit orders. Pre-order at www.cph.org/vbs or call 1-800-325-3040 and mention code VSM. Kits will be shipped December 2008. Back to top AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A "TASTE OF THE SEM" The seventh annual visitation event called "Taste of the Sem" will take place Jan. 17-19, 2009, 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. With the theme, "Thy Strong Word," participants will spend the afternoon studying God's Word in its original languages and understand what it means to proclaim God's Word in its truth and purity. 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 also are 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." There is no registration fee. All meals and lodging will be provided free of charge. Transportation between the airport, train station, 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 NEW TESTAMENT GREEK CLASS TO BE OFFERED IN LINCOLN A beginning Greek grammar class will be starting in November at Good Shepherd, Lincoln, for anyone interested in studying the New Testament in the original Greek language. The class will meet Monday evenings from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Classes will begin on Monday, November 10. The only cost will be the purchase of a Greek grammar textbook. If you would like more information or would like to register for the class, contact Curtis Christiansen at 402-483-1238 or contact Jan in the church office at 402-423-7639. Back to top 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. We pray this e-newsletter may be a useful resource tool to you in your personal and congregational ministry. Please feel free to reproduce anything in this newsletter and pass this resource along to others you know who may also benefit from this information. Anyone is welcome to subscribe and may do so by emailing their email address to communications at ndlcms.org and requesting to be added to the mailing list, or by visiting http://www.ndlcms.org/news/communications. Blessings, Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 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: 57145 bytes Desc: not available URL: From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Wed Oct 29 16:07:48 2008 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2008 21:07:48 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] October 29 Message-ID: Update for October 29 A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE! Greetings in the name of our loving Savior, Jesus Christ, who has gathered and joined His people together as His Church. What a blessing it is for each of us to be a part of the body of Christ, each with different gifts and talents, but each still a part of His Church. What does this mean for us? Why is this a blessing to us as individuals and as congregations? Paul writes in Romans 12:4-5, "Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." This is also the way the Nebraska District works. Over 125 years ago, congregations from across Nebraska gathered together to create the man-made organization of the Nebraska District "in order to build, strengthen, and facilitate the work of the church" in Nebraska and beyond. (Thy Kingdom Come: A History of the Nebraska District of the LCMS, Dr. W. Theophil Janzow) Even today, the 244 congregations of the Nebraska District partner together in support of a District Office to provide needed ministry support and services back to them and the other congregations of the District. Services provided to your congregation include a system for calling and placing church workers, both pastors and teachers; consultations during times of difficulty for congregations, schools, or church workers; resources and support for outreach ministries, including community outreach and new mission planning; a communication network including printed and electronic media; consultations for congregations and church workers on financial issues, including salary, benefits, and budget issues; and many other services. The gifts your congregation provides from your budget to the mission and ministry of the District ensure that these needed services are available when they are required by your congregation or a sister congregation somewhere in Nebraska. A portion of the gifts to the Nebraska District are also passed along to The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod to support similar services and needed infrastructure for all of the LCMS congregations, as well as mission work here and abroad. Thanks be to God for the ministry support gifts given by Nebraska District congregations and generous individuals. As members of the same body of Christ, may God continue to bless the support of our common mission of "discipling the saved and proclaiming Christ to a lost and changing world" through God-pleasing stewardship practices. * Prayer Requests * "Get the 2-1-1" on Human Care Services in Your Area * Lutheran Witness Renewal Time * Two EIIT Vicars Assigned to The Nebraska District * Needs Continue Following Hurricane Ike * Fan into Flame Congregational Update * Pew Cushions Available * Various Worship Items Available * Grants Available to Lutheran Congregations to Support Sabbatical * Concordia Coach Courtney Meyer Announces Retirement * Bulletin Insert Available for Sunday Before Election Day PRAYER REQUESTS Family of Ramon Nolte - We lift up in prayer the family of Ramon Nolte, who passed away last Friday, October 24. Ramon's service to the church throughout the years included president of the Nebraska Lutheran Laymen's League, member of the Lutheran Church Extension Fund District Committee, and member of the Nebraska District Board of Directors. His funeral service was Tuesday, October 28, at St. Paul, Kenesaw. Rev. Bill and Venita Steinbauer and Family - We join in prayers of comfort for Rev. Bill and Venita Steinbauer at the death of Venita's mother this past weekend. Rev. Steinbauer serves as pastor of University Lutheran Chapel in Lincoln. David Koopman and Family - Please lift up prayers of comfort for David Koopman and his family at the death of his mother, Mary Jane, last Friday, October 24. David serves as principal at St. John, Seward. We ask that the Lord will grant all of these families a special measure of His peace and comfort at this time, as well as blessed assurance through the promise of eternal life at the Lord's side. Back to top "GET THE 2-1-1" ON HUMAN CARE SERVICES IN YOUR AREA Church office staff, please consider sharing this information in your bulletin or your next newsletter. Thank you. Statewide information about human care services in your area is available through 2-1-1. Through 2-1-1 you can get information on human care services such as: -Child care -Rent assistance -Respite care -Utility assistance -Adult day care -Shelters -Drug rehabilitation -Food pantries -Mental health services -Legal aid -Job training -Volunteer opportunities -Support groups -Transportation assistance -Education programs -Head Start -Disaster relief -And much more... Simply dial 2-1-1 on your phone and speak with a live operator. Interpretation assistance for more than 150 languages is available to callers. Anyone with Internet access can go to www.ne211.org and search for human service information online. Currently this service is available in 38 counties in Nebraska. Back to top LUTHERAN WITNESS RENEWAL TIME Church offices - it's almost time to start the renewal process for the Lutheran Witness subscriptions. Please call Sandy at the District Office at 888-643-2961 or email sandyr at ndlcms.org with contact information for the person who will be coordinating the Lutheran Witness renewal process for your congregation. This will help us by ensuring all changes are handled properly. Thank you for your help. Back to top TWO EIIT VICARS ASSIGNED TO THE NEBRASKA DISTRICT Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, is pleased to announce that two students received calls to be pastors and 11 students received vicarage assignments in The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS). Ten students in the Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT) program and one student in the Distance Education Leading to Ordination (DELTO) program are awaiting calls. In these cases, the details of calls to specific sites are being finalized and should be completed soon. Great care is exercised in both the candidate call and the vicarage placement processes to ensure that the best possible match is realized between the seminarian and the ministry site. The assignments were given during the Seminary's morning chapel service on October 22. Trinity, Lincoln, was assigned two EIIT vicars during this service: * Gabriel Bol, Trinity Lutheran Church, Lincoln, Nebraska * Vincent Paul, Trinity Lutheran Church, Lincoln, Nebraska Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT) is a specialized program leading to ordination for men engaged in pastoral missionary contexts in ethnic immigrant and urban cultures. Students are preferably first-generation immigrants leading immigrant-based churches. The program consists of distance education, contextual mentoring, and regular on-campus (Seminary) modules. These students join more than 12,000 graduates from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, who have been prepared to serve as pastors, missionaries and chaplains in the LCMS. The Seminary's spring placement is scheduled for April 22, 2009. Back to top NEEDS CONTINUE FOLLOWING HURRICANE IKE (from LCMSNews -- No. 60, October 27) While the economic crisis and presidential candidates' campaigns dominate headlines, little news is heard about Texans who still struggle to clean up their homes and try to get their lives back on track more than one month after Hurricane Ike. Their stories long ago faded from nightly broadcasts, but tough challenges remain in hard-hit areas for many LCMS members and congregations, including: * Rev. Alan Taylor, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church, Galveston, who has yet to learn if his home is salvageable and is dealing with major repairs to reopen the flooded church where at least 75 percent of the members suffered major property damage. * Rev. Timothy Dinger, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Port Arthur, who is living in a rental home with his wife and four children after they lost nearly everything. The family has no insurance to cover their loss because they don't live in a flood zone. * Three staff members of the popular children's center at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Beaumont, whose homes were seriously damaged. All continue to serve in their ministry, including the director who remains in her home but worries about how growing mold is affecting her daughter, who has asthma and severe allergies. Dire, urgent, and "afraid of being forgotten" is how Rev. Glenn Merritt, director of Disaster Response for LCMS World Relief and Human Care, summed up needs when he visited LCMS congregations in Southeast Texas Oct. 8-10. "Galveston is in shambles. Port Arthur and Bridge City are in shambles. Yet we're not hearing anything about hurricane-related needs," said Merritt, who met with pastors to get the ball rolling on emergency grants from the Synod's mercy arm to help impacted LCMS members and professional church workers. "A little over a month out, you don't see much [about Ike-related challenges], even on the news here," said Dr. Lou Jander, the LCMS Texas District mission and ministry facilitator who serves as the district's disaster response coordinator. "Certainly, there are fewer people suffering today than a week after [Ike], and nearly all power has been restored. But needs definitely remain, and some of the greatest are those of our church workers." Among Jander's top concerns are for between 200 and 300 pastors, teachers, and other church workers with financial challenges. Many are grappling with unexpected cleanup and repair costs. Others missed paychecks when Ike forced schools to temporarily close and congregations to cancel services, losing a week or two of offerings. To read the entire article or to find out more information about relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Ike, visit http://www.lcms.org/pages/rpage.asp?NavID=14245. Back to top FAN INTO FLAME CONGREGATIONAL UPDATE The Nebraska District received its first $100,000 pledge for Fan into Flame from a District congregation last week! Praise God that Trinity, Fremont, has prayerfully pledged a tithe of their upcoming campaign to go towards Fan into Flame, with the goal of $100,000. Congregations around the District are beginning to return congregational pledge agreements after much prayerful deliberation. These pledge agreements allow congregations to be a part of the 2008 Fan into Flame campaign in the Nebraska District, while giving them time to plan and implement an appeal next year. Tithing from an upcoming campaign is a great way for congregations to be involved. If your congregation is planning any type of capital improvement or debt-reduction campaign, please consider pledging a portion of the money raised to do mission work through Fan into Flame. Congregational pledge agreements are available to be printed from the District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/news/FIF/index.html. Even if your congregation is not planning a major campaign in the near future, you are still encouraged to set a goal and complete a pledge agreement as soon as possible to help campaign personnel provide the necessary support to congregations involved with Fan into Flame. If you have questions or would like more information on this exciting mission endeavor of the LCMS, visit the District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/news/FIF/index.html or contact Andrea Essling at andrea.essling at lcms.org or 888-643-2961. Congregations are strongly encouraged to notify Andrea of their intent to participate by December 1, 2008. Back to top PEW CUSHIONS AVAILABLE St. Peter's, Davenport, has recently been blessed with God's gift of new cushions for their pews. Their former cushions still have some life in them and might be useful to a mission congregation or any other congregation who would be interested in having some. They are of a burgundy color, slightly redder than the cover of Lutheran Service Book. They have 32 cushions about 138" long, two about 102" long, and two about 202" long. They would be happy to give them free to any congregation. Arrangements can be made for them to be picked up, or if circumstances allow, one of their members may be able to drop them off. Congregations that are interested should contact Rev. Timothy Prince at revprince at hotmail.com. Back to top VARIOUS WORSHIP ITEMS AVAILABLE Pacific Hills Lutheran Church in Omaha has a number of various worship items available free of charge to any congregation that can use them. Following are the items that are available: Purple paraments Two chalices and paten Communion ware Flower vases - 2 Old aisle candles Two candle holders Contact Pastor Bill Moorhead at PastorMoorhead at PacificHillsLutheran.org for more information or if your congregation is interested. Back to top GRANTS AVAILABLE TO LUTHERAN CONGREGATIONS TO SUPPORT SABBATICAL Wheat Ridge Ministries is offering financial assistance to Lutheran congregations that are supporting and encouraging the health and wellness of church leaders by providing sabbatical experiences for pastors and other full-time professional church workers in the congregation. This grant program is being implemented as a pilot project of Wheat Ridge Ministries. Wheat Ridge believes that sabbatical leave for rest and renewal is a significant way that congregations can support professional church worker health and wellness. Ministry sabbaticals can help staff persons stay healthy in the midst of the pressures and complexities of serving others. Any Lutheran congregation developing a sabbatical plan for a pastor or other church worker within the grant guidelines may apply. The maximum amount per grant is $7,500 per congregation, and the congregation must match the grant amount provided. During the pilot phase of this grant, up to ten grants will be available annually and no more than one grant will be provided to a congregation. The grant is to be used specifically for sabbatical experiences for professional church workers. Within these guidelines, funds may be invested in the following ways: salary and benefits for additional staff during the sabbatical period; costs related to assistance provided by a sabbatical interim worker; travel expenses related to the sabbatical experience; education expenses related to the sabbatical experience. The grant may not be used for general congregation operating expenses, purchase of equipment or any other expenses that are unrelated to the sabbatical plan. Congregations interested in applying for a Wheat Ridge Sabbatical Grant can visit www.wheatridge.org/sabbaticalgrants to review the requirements and determine whether the grant is appropriate for their needs and to download a grant application. Any questions may be referred to the Wheat Ridge office at 800-762-6748. Wheat Ridge is also pleased to provide many other valuable resources for sabbatical rest and renewal through its Ministry Sabbatical Resource Center online at www.wheatridge.org/sabbaticalresourcecenter. The Center is coordinated by the Rev. Timothy Fangmeier, Wheat Ridge Staff Associate, Davidson, North Carolina. For questions regarding the sabbatical process in general or for information about the need for coaching regarding the development of a sabbatical plan, please contact Pastor Fangmeier at tim at giftedpeople.org. Back to top CONCORDIA COACH COURTNEY MEYER ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT Courtney Meyer, head football coach at Concordia University, Nebraska, will end his coaching duties at the completion of 2008 season. Coach Meyer made the announcement October 21 after talking with current players and coaches earlier in the week. "For nearly two decades, coach Meyer has led the Bulldog football program," said Rev. Dr. Brian Friedrich, Concordia's president. "His focus on the 'double win' - winning on the field and in life as a Christian - has inspired student athletes, coaching colleagues, alumni and our campus community." Meyer has been a part of Bulldog football for 31 years: four as a player, eight as an assistant coach and 19 as the head coach. He coached the Bulldogs from 1977 to 1984 as the defensive coordinator before taking a head coaching job at Concordia University, Wisconsin. He returned to Concordia University, Nebraska in 1990 as the head coach. Meyer was twice distinguished as a conference coach of the year. He earned the honor first in 1999 as the Nebraska-Iowa Athletic Conference co-coach of the year after Concordia's first winning season in more than 12 years. He was named the Great Plains Athletic Conference coach of the year in 2001 when the Bulldogs went 10-2, finished as GPAC co-champions and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NAIA playoffs. Meyer also served as the president of the NAIA Football Coaches Association in 2000. "Coaching for me has been a ministry," said Meyer. "It is time for someone else to assume this position of influence. Concordia University has been very good to me in giving me this opportunity. I will treasure the relationships I have shared with young men and look forward to continued contact with them. I will do everything I can to support the university and the football program as it moves into an exciting new phase. Coaching is all consuming - my time to step aside is now, and I am at peace with it." "He has found great joy in doing that which is most important - touching the hearts and lives of young men with the love of Jesus Christ," said Friedrich. "Coach Meyer has modeled service and leadership on and off the field. His enthusiasm for life, living, learning and Bulldog football will be missed greatly. We wish him God's richest blessings as he retires and transitions to another pace and phase of life." Coach Meyer noted that the decision to retire came in mid-July and is not related to the current season. Back to top BULLETIN INSERT AVAILABLE FOR SUNDAY BEFORE ELECTION DAY The following information was shared by LCMS President Gerald Kieschnick. Christians in Nebraska are encouraged to vote on Tuesday, November 4, and exercise the freedom God has given them as American citizens. In just a few days, many U.S. citizens will have the opportunity through the casting of their votes to make a decision about traditional marriage that could affect the course of our nation for generations to come. In Arizona, California, and Florida, marriage-protection amendments are on the ballot. The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod has a biblically based position on this very important matter. Respectfully yet unapologetically, I strongly encourage the pastors and people of our Synod to make every effort to protect marriage as a divinely created lifelong relationship between one man and one woman. We urge Christians across the nation to vote to protect marriage for the sake of our society as we know it and as humanity has always known it. Exercising this duty and privilege through voter participation on Nov. 4 is part of the responsibility to our nation that we bear as Christian citizens. Here is a link to a bulletin insert that we encourage you to use this Sunday in your worship services to help communicate to your parishioners the urgency of this issue: http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=14273 For more information, please review the following online resources on this subject either on the President's Web page, www.lcms.org/president, or selectively, as follows: Read the statement from the Synod president: http://www.lcms.org/graphics/assets/media/Office%20of%20the%20President/Protecting_Traditional_Marriage_Statement.pdf Listen to a public service announcement from the Synod president: http://www.lcms.org/ca/www/stream/?pl=14272&vurl=www.lcms.org/graphics/assets/media/Office%20of%20the%20President/LCMS_PSA60.mp3 Watch the press conference conducted at the International Center last week: http://www.lcms.org/ca/www/stream/?pl=14274&vurl=parabolic.edgeboss.net/wmedia/parabolic/sequence_1-gbk_press-samesexmarriage-hdv_1080i_60-parabolic_wmp_wide_screen2.wvx Back to top Blessings, Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 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: 53533 bytes Desc: not available URL: From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Thu Oct 30 16:12:55 2008 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2008 21:12:55 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] FIREworks Newsletter Message-ID: Greetings in Christ! Attached is the current issue of FIREworks, a newsletter designed to educate and update the leaders of the Nebraska District on the Fan into Flame campaign in Nebraska. This newsletter is sent every other week to share current information and stories about the things God is doing through Ablaze! and Fan into Flame. Pastors and church office staff are encouraged to print and post this newsletter, reproduce this page for their congregational newsletter, or forward it to their electronic mailing list. Issues of this newsletter are also available by following the Fan into Flame link on the District website, www.ndlcms.org. Also attached is the congregational goal agreement form referred to in the newsletter. You are receiving this newsletter because you receive the weekly Email Update e-newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe from this list, you may email your request to nicholeh at ndlcms.org. Removing yourself from this list will also take you off the list to receive the weekly Email Update, the Mission Fields Nebraska newsletter, and the Sudan Mission newsletter. I appreciate the opportunity to share with you news of how God is using the congregations and individuals of the Nebraska District through this exciting mission effort. Feel free to contact me with any questions you might have on Ablaze! or Fan into Flame. Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 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: 6317 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: 10-30.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 43793 bytes Desc: 10-30.pdf URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Congregation agreement.doc Type: application/msword Size: 190464 bytes Desc: Congregation agreement.doc URL: From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Thu Oct 30 16:23:59 2008 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2008 21:23:59 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] Email Update Correction Message-ID: Greetings in the name of our Heavenly Father! There is a correction and an addition to a prayer request that was included in yesterday's Email Update. Rev. Bill and Venita Steinbauer and family - We lift up in prayer Rev. Bill and Venita Steinbauer and their family at the death of Venita's grandmother, not her mother, as was initially reported. We also include prayers for the family at the passing of Pastor Steinbauer's stepfather in Michigan earlier this week. Please continue to remember this family in your prayers, asking that the Lord would grant them comfort and peace at this time of loss. Blessings, Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 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: 4616 bytes Desc: not available URL: From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Wed Oct 1 11:43:55 2008 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:43:55 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] October 1 Message-ID: Update for October 1 A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE! Greetings in the name of our Heavenly Father, the Lord of the Harvest. It doesn't matter if you live in a city, town, or rural area, you know this is the time the Lord has given farmers to harvest the crops from the fields. As Nebraskans, even if we aren't farmers we know the harvest is important to the economic conditions of our state, as well as the well-being of our fellow citizens. Likewise, the Lord has planted a mission field right outside each of our doors. He has brought African immigrants, Hispanic immigrants, and Asian immigrants to our communities, as well as young families, older adults, and those who have never heard of Jesus Christ and His wonderful gift of salvation. The fields around us are ready to be harvested and He calls each of us to go into these fields with His Word and the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ. Please pray about how the Lord can use you in His harvest and pray for those across the District who are joining you in this field. Did you know everything your Nebraska District Office does is with the intention of giving to the congregations and workers the resources they need to go into the mission fields of Nebraska? Every resource available from your District Office is funded by the mission and ministry dollars your congregation commits to the District. This commitment is usually made as part of your congregation's annual budget. It is the dollars from your congregation that allow the District Office to provide these resources back to your congregation when they are needed. To find out more about the resources your District Office has to offer your congregation to equip and support you as you tell the Good News of Jesus in your church, school, and community, visit the District website at www.ndlcms.org or contact the office directly at 888-643-2961 or info at ndlcms.org. * Prayer Request * Church/School Secretary Workshop Registrations Mailed * Parish Health Survey * Beverly Duensing Chosen "Teacher of the Year" * Update on Greater Omaha Mission Opportunities * Omaha Lutheran Schools Change Name * CPH Warehouse Sale is Coming to Nebraska * New Materials Available for LWML Sunday * New IRS Regulations Require Response * Mission Service Opportunities * Asian Tour Rescheduled by Lutheran Hour Ministries * Wheat Ridge Launches "Giving Gardens" Hearts for Jesus Project * Concordia Theological Seminary Announces Library Expansion Project PRAYER REQUEST Virginia Wempen and Family - Prayers have been requested by Pastor Rob Kuefner for Virginia Wempen, a 75-year-old member of Holy Cross, Kearney, and her family. Virginia has been missing since Friday. She is wheelchair bound, and hasn't driven for 10 years, usually transported by various services. Her wheelchair was found next to where a car in their driveway usually sits, but the car was gone. She had money and a credit card with her, but none of her medications. She has been delusional and confused at times, especially since a more recent hospital stay. All of the proper authorities are searching for her, but to date there is no further information. Please join in praying that she would be kept safe and be found, and that she could receive the help she needs. Back to top CHURCH/SCHOOL SECRETARY WORKSHOP REGISTRATIONS MAILED The Nebraska District is pleased to once again be able to offer a Church/School Secretary Workshop for all church and school office staff in the District. This day full of resourcing, renewed acquaintances, and refreshments will be held on Tuesday, November 11, from 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. on the campus of Concordia University, Seward. This year's workshop will include sessions on newsletter design and Godly boundaries, as well as time to meet the District Office staff and to network with the other secretaries. Registration materials were mailed to each church and school office. Copies of the form may be made as needed. Materials are also available to be printed from the District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/news/conferences/secretary.html. The registration deadline is Friday, October 24. Contact Nichole at the District Office, nicholeh at ndlcms.org or 888-643-2961, with questions. Back to top PARISH HEALTH SURVEY The Parish Health Committee of the Nebraska District is asking each congregation to complete an optional online parish health survey to help the committee assess parish health programs taking place in Nebraska congregations, as well as to assist them in allocating resources, planning programs, and providing support to congregation in the areas of health and wellness and health ministry. Follow the link below to begin this short, 5-minute online survey. The survey will only be available until midnight next Wednesday, October 8. Please take five minutes between now and then to share your congregation's information with the committee. Contact Chris Blanke at Christine.blanke at cune.edu with questions or for more information. Survey link: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB2288MSQZGC3 Back to top BEVERLY DUENSING CHOSEN "TEACHER OF THE YEAR" "Beverly Duensing got a call two weeks ago that she didn't expect. The call was from Wal-Mart, letting the local teacher know she had been selected as Wal-Mart's Teacher of the Year. 'I was very honored,' said Duensing, a second grade teacher at St. Paul's Lutheran Education Center. 'I had no idea.'" The Beatrice Daily Sun shares the full story of Beverly's award in an article on their website, http://www.beatricedailysun.com/articles/2008/09/30/news/local/doc48e23c657efc3481125841.txt. Beverly has been a teacher at St. Paul's for 15 years, starting as a kindergarten teacher and now teaching second grade. She was nominated at the Beatrice Wal-Mart by several former students. We thank and praise God for Lisa Knoepfel (see last week's Update), Beverly Duensing, and all of the other dedicated teachers who serve the Lord, the students, and their families through Lutheran schools in Nebraska. Back to top UPDATE ON GREATER OMAHA MISSION OPPORTUNITIES The Greater Omaha Task Force has been busy planning and developing new ministries at the 40th and Q Street property in Omaha, previously Zion/Peace Lutheran Church. When the congregation closed its doors, the Nebraska District - LCMS purchased the building to minister to the neighborhood where it is located. Right now, the mission at 40th and Q Streets has centered on human care ministries, with plans to tie it in with God's Word with a future preaching station. Faithful servants have been busy sharing and showing the love of Christ through English as second language (ESL) classes, American citizenship classes, as well as Vicar Obdulio Felix leading devotions and singing with the students. The gym is being used by Sudanese and Hispanics. Computers have been donated and moved to the center to be used for a job training center starting in October. You can be a part of this mission too! There are opportunities for volunteers from all areas to be part of this walking together in mission. To hear more about how the Lord has already touched the lives of people benefiting from activities in the building, and to learn how you can be part of this effort as it unfolds over the next months, please attend a meeting on Sunday evening, October 12, at 7:00 p.m., at the former Zion/Peace campus at 40th and Q Streets, Omaha. The assembly will receive the report of the Greater Omaha Area Task Force, who will also be sharing about mission opportunities in Greater Omaha and how churches can partner together to develop new missions and strengthen established ministries in Greater Omaha. The meeting is open to everyone! Back to top OMAHA LUTHERAN SCHOOLS CHANGE NAME The Wider Omaha Lutheran School Association has changed its name to Concordia Lutheran Schools of Omaha. The change brings the corporate name of the Lutheran school system into agreement with the names of the schools it operates: Concordia Academy elementary school, at 108th and Grover Streets, and Concordia Jr.-Sr. High School, 156th and Fort Streets, both in Omaha. "Concordia means harmony or agreement, and this brings harmony to our schools' names," said Rev. Jim Rasmussen, Concordia Schools' chief executive officer. Rasmussen said he believes the new name will help the schools become better known in the Omaha area. The schools' former name was often shortened in writing and conversation to the acronym WOLSA. Rasmussen said that acronym "didn't mean anything to people who weren't already familiar with us." By contrast, Concordia is a name that is used by Lutheran educational institutions across the country, including the Concordia University System affiliated with The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod. That system includes Concordia University, Nebraska in Seward. Concordia Lutheran Schools of Omaha was founded as the West Omaha Lutheran School Association in 1996 and opened its first elementary school in 1998. The name was later changed to the Wider Omaha Lutheran School Association (replacing "West" with "Wider"). Today the schools serve a total of 440 students: 231 at Concordia Academy in grades kindergarten through 6, and 209 at the junior-senior high in grades 7 through 12. Concordia Lutheran Schools of Omaha is owned by 16 churches affiliated with The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod in Omaha and the surrounding area. In addition to the new name, the school system has a new logo. Concordia Omaha plans to complete the transition to the new name in all documents, promotional materials, signs, and the website (which continues as www.wolsa.org for the time being) by the end of the current school year. Back to top CPH WAREHOUSE SALE IS COMING TO NEBRASKA Concordia Publishing House brings its Warehouse Sale -- the largest sale of the year -- to the campus of Concordia University, Nebraska. The sale is open Friday, October 24, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, October 25, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. During this time, excess inventory from Concordia Publishing House is offered at deep discounts. Sale items include books for children and adults, teaching resources, and more. The Concordia Publishing House Warehouse Sale is located in the Janzow Campus Center on the Concordia University campus in Seward. For more information about the Warehouse Sale, call Mary Oldenburg at Concordia at 402-643-7405. Back to top NEW MATERIALS AVAILABLE FOR LWML SUNDAY The Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) is offering new materials for this year's suggested LWML Sunday, October 5. Dr. Robert Roegner, executive director of LCMS World Mission, the global Gospel outreach arm of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, authored a number of the new materials using this year's theme, "Opened Eyes ... Hearts Ablaze!," based on the text from Luke 24:31-32. Some of the materials available include worship service bulletins (for purchase), a sermon with an outline (free), and a children's sermon (free). In addition, for the first time this year, LWML is providing a LWML Sunday worship service CD for $10. There is also a short video clip featuring LWML President Jan Wendorf, available for free download at www.lwml.org, which can be used to inform congregations about the women's auxiliary and its ministry. Those who place an order for LWML Sunday bulletins or the worship service CD will receive a free packet of the new "With This Ring" Mustard Seed Devotions. For more information or to order LWML Sunday materials, visit www.lwml.org. Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) is the official women's auxiliary of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. LWML provides spiritual support to woman while also encouraging and equipping them to use their God-given talents to share the Gospel with those in their community and around the world. Back to top NEW IRS REGULATIONS REQUIRE RESPONSE (From Reporter Online, http://www.lcms.org/pages/rpage.asp?NavID=14163) Concordia Plan Services (CPS) is offering resources to help LCMS congregations, schools, and other church organizations understand revised Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations that go into effect January 1 governing tax-deferred savings plans and tax-sheltered annuities -- and which will require response by many LCMS employers, according to CPS. An article prepared by CPS for this issue of Reporter reads as follows: "The revised IRS 403(b) regulations (governing tax-deferred savings plans and tax-sheltered annuities) that go into effect on January 1, 2009, will have a significant impact for all employers, including church organizations that have at any time permitted their workers to make pre-tax contributions to a 403(b) plan. Depending on the employer's decision and action regarding the new regulations, their workers can be affected as well. "In the past, 403(b) plans have generally been considered an individual contract between the worker and a 403(b) provider. With the revised regulations, the IRS has made it clear that 403(b) plans are now going to be regulated as employer-sponsored plans. This means employers will have ongoing oversight and compliance responsibilities, including the requirement of a written plan document, for any 403(b) providers to which their workers make pre-tax contributions. "As an option, any LCMS employer enrolled in The Church's Plan and using only the Concordia Retirement Savings Plan (CRSP) after December 31, 2008, has the assurance that Concordia Plan Services and MetLife will take responsibility for most of the administrative and compliance issues of the new regulations minimizing the administrative burden on the employer. "To help employers and workers understand these revised regulations and the employer's increased responsibilities, Concordia Plan Services has compiled helpful resources. To access the information, visit the Concordia Plan Services website at www.concordiaplans.org and click on "Retirement" on the left, select "Concordia Retirement Savings Plan," then "403(b) Regulations." There you will find: * "A link to the IRS website, where you can view Q & A and link to a copy of the 131-page revised regulations. * "A link to the MetLife website, which also provides many resources regarding the IRS revised regulations (MetLife is the administrator of the Concordia Retirement Savings Plan, the 403(b) plan offered through the Concordia Plan Services). * "A Glossary of 403(b) terms which is a handy reference tool when reading about the regulations. * "The Concordia Plans Update newsletter which was mailed in late August 2008 to all LCMS employers participating in the Concordia Plans. This newsletter explains what these new regulations mean for employers. * "A recorded "Webinar" that references the Concordia Plans Update and presents the topic in a user-friendly format geared toward LCMS employers. "The revised regulations have the greatest impact on employers that allow salary deferrals to multiple 403(b) providers. Employers in this situation are urged to carefully consider their options and research the costs and impact to staff and resources if they wish to support contributing to multiple providers after December 31, 2008." Back to top MISSION SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES Ysleta Lutheran Mission - El Paso, Texas/Juarez, Mexico A group of mission-minded folks from Trinity, Grand Island, are planning a week-long mission trip to Ysleta Lutheran Mission January 17 thru 24, 2009. This mission is a recognized service organization of LCMS that engages in a variety of mission activities and social ministries in the El Paso area and across the border in and around Juarez, Mexico. These activities have included building and repairing churches, building homes, and distributing food, clothing, health kits, blankets, toys, and other charitable items. The mission has recently been allowed to engage in ministry at the U.S. Border Patrol Detainment Center in El Paso. A passport is required. Some updated immunizations are also recommended. Cost is approximately $800 - $1000 per person, which includes most expenses. Some scholarships may be available to those interested. Fund raising efforts are also being planned to help defray expenses. A website is available for further exploring at www.ylm.org/servantevent.html. If you are interested in knowing more, call Ken and Gerry Koepke at 308-381-4712. Korea (from missionary Rev. Patrick O'Neal's newsletter) EFL Professors and Volunteers Luther University/Seminary (LTU) is seeking two experienced teachers with a Master's degree to teach English as a first language (EFL) classes to university students and community children. These are paid positions on yearlong contracts starting March 1, 2009. LTU is also in need of 2 to 3 volunteer missionaries to teach English for their 3 week Winter English Camp for children in January. If you are interested in these positions, please email directly to patrick.oneal at lcms.org. Back to top ASIAN TOUR RESCHEDULED BY LUTHERAN HOUR MINISTRIES Lutheran Hour Ministries is postponing its Asia tour previously scheduled for this November until the first week of November 2009. The move comes following a period of political protests in Thailand that led to the Thai government at one point imposing a state of emergency. "We have had a ministry center in Thailand since 1991 and view the country as very stable," says the Rev. Walt Winters, Director of LHM's International Ministries division. "The last couple weeks have simply been an exercise in democracy by the citizens there. While we didn't anticipate any safety problems moving ahead with our tour this November, we have decided to be cautious and postpone the trip for a year to allow for things in Thailand to return to normal." LHM will now offer two ministry tours in 2009, one to Panama and Nicaragua Feb. 5-14 and one to Thailand and Vietnam Nov. 1-14. The tours offer attendees an opportunity to get a firsthand look at LHM ministry in action and learn about the many outreach ministry highlights in the host countries. Tour leaders include LHM staff or board members who know the countries, the sights, and the ministries of the specific country you will be visiting. The tours are managed by professional tour agencies that have expertise in the regions being toured. A brochure, bulletin insert, and PowerPoint presentation with more information are available at www.lhm.org/tours. The website also includes trip itineraries, costs, payment schedules, and registration forms (Latin America tour information is available now, Asia tour information will be online soon). You may also call 1-800-944-3450, ext. 4168 or send an e-mail to tours at lhmint.org if you have additional questions. Back to top WHEAT RIDGE LAUNCHES "GIVING GARDENS" HEARTS FOR JESUS PROJECT Wheat Ridge Ministries is excited to announce a new Hearts for Jesus project, Giving Gardens. This new project, in partnership with Hope Seeds, Inc., Bradenton, Florida, will make a difference in the lives of children in Haiti and other countries where the world's hungry live. When your school, Sunday school, vacation Bible school, small group, etc., participates in the Giving Gardens project, you can make a world of difference! Your gift to Giving Gardens will support the distribution of climate and cultural-appropriate seeds, training, planting, and harvesting of gardens. Perhaps the most important gift you will give is the seed of faith being planted and nurtured through the work of teachers and missionaries. Every $500 donated to Giving Gardens supports: * Garden seeds that can produce nutritious vegetables and fruits that will feed many families. These vegetables and fruits can transform sick and malnourished children into healthy and energetic boys and girls. * Surplus food from the gardens is sold to earn money for other kinds of food, for clothing, for medicine, and for education. * Seeds from the produce may be collected and used for the next season's crop. * Seeds of faith that are planted in young people through special garden schools, similar to vacation Bible school, taught by trained teachers and missionaries. Wheat Ridge Ministries invites you to "plant" Giving Gardens! We thank you for what you do to care for God's children throughout the world. Giving Gardens offers another way to share the love of Christ in a hungry world. Giving Gardens resources include daily activities for early childhood and elementary age students, object lessons, chapel resources, a skit, a poster, postcards, chapel offering boxes, a copy of the book "3 in 1 (A Picture of God)," and much more. For additional information and to order materials, please visit the Giving Gardens website at www.wheatridge.org/givinggardens. You may also contact Wheat Ridge Ministries at 800-762-6748. There is no charge for these materials. Back to top CONCORDIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY ANNOUNCES LIBRARY EXPANSION PROJECT The opening service for the commencement of the one hundred sixty-third academic year brought more than just the inauguration of a new school year. The Reverend Dr. Dean O. Wenthe, President of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, announced the public phase of an eight million dollar renovation and expansion project for the campus' Walther Library. The Walther Library expansion project will provide new resources for students and faculty, house specialized instruction centers, and centralize more than 175,000 volumes owned by Concordia Theological Seminary, the home of one of the richest and most unique theological collections in the state of Indiana. The seminary contracted with the architectural firm MSKTD & Associates, Inc. to move forward with working drawings for the Walther Library project with preliminary work done this winter and construction anticipated to begin sometime next summer. This addition will add approximately 48,000 square feet to the existing library and will house 40,000 volumes currently in storage, as well as an additional 6,000 volumes in the seminary's rare book collection. The new facilities will also provide areas for students to benefit from collaborative study opportunities. The architect has taken wonderful care to design an addition that will blend in beautifully with the architectural masterpiece Eero Saarinen designed over fifty years ago that came to fruition in this campus. Special care has been exercised in preserving the heritage that will continue to serve the seminary and church for many years to come. "God's people have already responded so generously from the heart that gifts and commitments to the Walther Library addition have reached $5,625,000, or 70 percent of the total needed to pay for the first building to be added to the campus in over forty years. Praise God for His lavish grace," commented Dr. Wenthe. Back to top 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. We pray this e-newsletter may be a useful resource tool to you in your personal and congregational ministry. Please feel free to reproduce anything in this newsletter and pass this resource along to others you know who may also benefit from this information. Anyone is welcome to subscribe and may do so by emailing their email address to communications at ndlcms.org and requesting to be added to the mailing list, or by visiting http://www.ndlcms.org/news/communications. Blessings, Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 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: 55158 bytes Desc: not available URL: From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Thu Oct 2 09:15:58 2008 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:15:58 -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 Connie Borchers at the District Office. She may be reached at 888-643-2961 or missions 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 from 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 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: 6788 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: October 08.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 936994 bytes Desc: October 08.pdf URL: From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Thu Oct 2 13:56:15 2008 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Thu, 02 Oct 2008 18:56:15 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] FIREworks Newsletter Message-ID: Greetings in Christ! Attached is the current issue of FIREworks, a newsletter designed to educate and update the leaders of the Nebraska District on the Fan into Flame campaign in Nebraska. This newsletter is sent every other week to share current information and stories about the things God is doing through Ablaze! and Fan into Flame. Pastors and church office staff are encouraged to print and post this newsletter, reproduce this page for their congregational newsletter, or forward it to their electronic mailing list. Issues of this newsletter are also available by following the Fan into Flame link on the District website, www.ndlcms.org. You are receiving this newsletter because you receive the weekly Email Update e-newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe from this list, you may email your request to nicholeh at ndlcms.org. Removing yourself from this list will also take you off the list to receive the weekly Email Update, the Mission Fields Nebraska newsletter, and the Sudan Mission newsletter. I appreciate the opportunity to share with you news of how God is using the congregations and individuals of the Nebraska District through this exciting mission effort. Feel free to contact me with any questions you might have on Ablaze! or Fan into Flame. Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 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: 6026 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: 10-2.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 45730 bytes Desc: 10-2.pdf URL: From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Wed Oct 8 11:32:36 2008 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:32:36 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] October 8 Message-ID: Update for October 8 A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE! Greetings in the name of our generous and loving heavenly Father. October is a time of prayerful discernment and decision making for many congregations in the Nebraska District. They are seeking the Lord's will for how they will give offerings to the Lord to support the mission and ministry He has entrusted to them. They are also considering how they will lovingly support the ministry of their pastor, other professional church workers, and staff with salaries and benefits. In addition, they are praying over how they will support the common services and mission of their Nebraska District and their Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Finally, many are also pondering their support for a specific missionary or project in Nebraska or at an LCMS university, seminary, or on the international mission field. Where to start? How about starting with the Apostle Paul where he writes in 2 Corinthians 8:9, "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich." I have truly been astonished at the generosity the Lord creates in the hearts of His people with the sacrificial love of Christ. The One who has opened the storehouse of His blessings is the one who can also open the hearts and hands of His people. (taken from President Sommerfeld's October Nebraska Lutheran Reporter article) As your congregation spends time discussing and praying about your congregation's mission and ministry budget, or as your congregations takes time to focus on the life of the Christian steward, take time to remember the common work of the Nebraska District and the blessings that the Lord showers on His people as we work together to faithfully minister to God's people and share the saving message of Jesus Christ with those outside of a relationship with Him. * Prayer Requests * Important Upcoming Deadlines * No Email Update Next Week * New Church Start News * LCMS World Relief/Human Care Continues Response to Hurricane Ike * Special Events at Mission Central * Fan into Flame Update * TLCare for Those Traveling to Mayo Clinic * Lincoln Women's Retreat * Internet Family Devotional Materials Available * Teen LWML is Challenging Their Congregation * Anniversary Celebrations * Nebraska Lutherans for Confessional Study to Meet * Camp Luther News PRAYER REQUESTS Virginia Wempen and Family - Pastor Rob Kuefner of Holy Cross, Kearney, shared the following update and prayers of thanksgiving for Virginia Wempen last week: A word of thanks to the Lord for this wonderful news. This afternoon (Wednesday, October 1) I went out to the planned search for Virginia Wempen to meet with her children to offer our support and see what we could do as congregation in the efforts. While there, a report was received that a car had been spotted from the air, and just before they sent everyone out they checked out the situation and found Virginia alive. I met with family and Virginia in the hospital emergency room, and she was alert, concerned about the trouble she caused, obviously relieved to be found, and doing fairly well considering. She was kept in the hospital to deal with dehydration and for observation. Thank the Lord she was found safely. Thanks for you who have been including Virginia in your prayers. It's not often that a 75-year-old lands her car into a ditch and survives for almost 6 days without any medication or other care. The Lord is gracious! Back to top IMPORTANT UPCOMING DEADLINES Please note the following important deadlines: * Parish Health Online Survey - Midnight tonight, Wednesday, October 8 * http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB2288MSQZGC3 * Registration deadline for Teachers' Conference - Friday, October 10 * http://www.ndlcms.org/news/conferences/teachers/index.html * Registration deadline for Fall Pastors' Conference - Friday, October 10 * http://www.ndlcms.org/news/conferences/pastors/index.html * Registration deadline for Church/School Secretary Workshop - Friday, October 24 * http://www.ndlcms.org/news/conferences/secretary.html * Registration deadline for District Youth Gathering - Saturday, October 25 * www.neyouth.org Back to top NO EMAIL UPDATE NEXT WEEK I will be out of the office next week, so there will be no Email Update next Wednesday. These weekly news and ministry bulletins will return to the normal schedule on Wednesday, October 22. Information for upcoming issues may be sent anytime to communications at ndlcms.org. Back to top NEW CHURCH START NEWS The Rock Lutheran Church - The Rock Lutheran Church, a church plant of Christ, Lincoln, in the Seward community, in cooperation with St. John, Seward, is set for its launch service at 10:00 a.m. this coming Sunday, October 12, at the Lied Senior Center (1010 Manor Drive West) in Seward. Word of Life Lutheran Church - Word of Life Lutheran Church, a church plant of St. Paul, Malcolm, began services in the Fallbrook area of Northwest Lincoln on Sunday, September 28. Led by DELTO Vicar Dr. Larry Oetting, the new mission congregation began a sermon series entitled, "Joy? You Got to be Kidding?" According to Vicar Oetting, it was a joyful, wonderful blessing to be able to share the Good News with the 125 people that gathered for the service. Last Sunday, October 5, 100 people returned to hear more about Jesus Christ and His saving work of redemption for all people. Center for Liturgical Art outfits new Lincoln church, Word of Life Being a new church that's virtually in the backyard of the Center of Liturgical Art has its benefits. The center, based at Concordia University, Nebraska, worked recently with a new church plant in northwest Lincoln, Word of Life Lutheran Church, to fill most every artistic need the fledgling church had, from a logo and communication system to furnishings for their worship space. "The center has been wonderful to work with," said Dr. Larry Oetting, vicar for the new church. "We were starting from scratch, and Mark Anschutz and the whole team took us through the creative process to arrive at great images and objects that focus on the Word, Christ, and the cross." The center's artists provided an altar, processional cross, candle stands, a baptismal font, communion ware and a communication system that included a logo, stationery, bulletin inserts and business cards. View some images of the work at http://bibelot.squarespace.com/church-projects/. "Part of what we do at the center involves outreach and helping churches of all sizes design within their capacities and budgets," said Brock Shaw, coordinator of education and outreach for the center. "One of our tasks was how we would be able to meet their limited budget with beautifully designed furnishings." The altar is a refurbished wood piece with the addition of an inset space for seasonally-changing graphics. Originally created by Alan Luebbe, Jeff Voehl did the refinishing and staining work. From that design, Shaw designed the wooden baptismal font, processional cross, and candle stands. Trevor Youngberg, a visiting artist from Connecticut, sculpted the ceramic bowl for the font, and Michael Strand, chair of the art department and director of the center, did the finishing and glazing work. Amy Smith, a ceramic artist in Lincoln, designed and created the communion ware. Another consideration for the center was the need to create mobile pieces. Word of Life is worshiping in space in the Town Center of the Fallbrook neighborhood that is used as classrooms during the week. "The large pieces are on wheels, and the baptismal font has a door on the backside that opens up for storing the large bowl," said Shaw. William Wolfram, professor emeritus at Concordia and an artist for the center, designed the church's logo, a cross. The symbol has been fabricated in multiple colors to use at the head of the processional cross in different church seasons. Shaw also created the stationery and other printed pieces. Word of Life is still in need of individual cup communion ware. If your congregation has some individual cup communion ware you can donate or sell to Word of Life at a reasonable price, contact Vicar Oetting at larkitoetting at yahoo.com or 402-261-8759. Back to top LCMS WORLD RELIEF/HUMAN CARE CONTINUES RESPONSE TO HURRICANE IKE (from http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=14187) While Texans tackled massive clean-up and repairs after Hurricane Ike, the Synod's mercy arm also went to work behind the scenes, reaching out to impacted LCMS congregations to learn about their member and community needs. Checking on LCMS churches after the September 14 Category 2 hurricane quickly became a top priority of LCMS World Relief and Human Care staff in St. Louis, Mo., despite widespread power outages in Southeast Texas that challenged information gathering. Mercy team members - directors as well as support staff - contacted ministries, congregations, and pastors to ask about property losses and needs. They also offered prayers. To date, about 20 LCMS congregations have reported property damage, with among the hardest hit in Galveston, Port Arthur, Beaumont, Orange, and Bridge City. More than two weeks after Hurricane Ike, LCMS WR-HC's Director of Disaster Response Rev. Glenn Merritt and Director of Districts and Congregations Rev. Carlos Hernandez continue to work closely with Texas congregations and church workers, including Dr. Lou Jander, Texas District mission and ministry facilitator who also serves as the district's disaster response coordinator. As of September 30, Hurricane Ike and the storm's aftermath had claimed 67 lives in Texas and beyond. LCMS WR-HC has awarded $102,000 in grants to the Texas District and Orphan Grain Train for Hurricane Ike response. As damage and needs assessments continue, additional WR-HC grants are in the works to assist congregations with repairs and recovery. Along with making calls to Texas, WR-HC also received calls for assistance - including one from a Hurricane Ike evacuee in Ohio. After fleeing his Galveston home, the father and his two children were staying with friends in Franklin when Hurricane Ike's remnants forced the family to evacuate a second time with few resources and nowhere to stay. Calls to the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and FEMA offered no immediate solutions, so the desperate dad telephoned LCMS WR-HC. Aileen Hoffman, WR-HC customer support staff member, located information about an LCMS congregation near the stranded family and shared it with the father. Checking on needs and offering a link to a helping hand may sound small in the aftermath of a huge disaster such as Hurricane Ike. But, over and over, hurricane survivors thanked the Synod's mercy arm for the calls and prayers - and for showing how much the church cares. _______________________________________ Volunteers and donations are still needed to assist with the continued clean-up in Texas. Congregations and individuals wanting to help can visit the LCMS World Relief/Human Care website at http://www.lcms.org/ca/worldrelief/menus/news/. Dr. Lou Jander, a mission and ministry facilitator on staff for the Texas District, as well as the Texas District Disaster Relief Coordinator, has created a blog to share up-to-date information on relief efforts and continuing needs for the hurricane victims. Read more about what is taking place by visiting http://disaster-reports-response-relief.blogspot.com/. Back to top SPECIAL EVENTS AT MISSION CENTRAL Just Added! - Coral Rose, LCMS World Mission Business Manager for all of Africa, will be presenting her amazing story of God's work among the people of Africa at 1:00 and 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 15. See her in person as she shares some artifacts, tell stories, and shares with all her exciting PowerPoint story of how God is calling the people of Africa by the thousands to know their Savior Jesus. Coral will be living in Pretoria, South Africa, as she serves as Business Manger. Rev. Carlos and Lidia Winterle - Pastor Carlos Walter Winterle and his wife, Lidia, will be at Mission Central in person on Wednesday, December 3, 2008, at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to share their stories, contacts, and exciting miracles of how God is touching the lives of millions of African people with the Gospel. Few people realize how the church is growing in Africa, and now is your opportunity to hear in person this amazing story of doors opening. Dr. Steve and Julie Lutz - Mark your calendars for December 16, 2008, as the Lutz Family will be at Mission Central speaking at 1:00 p.m. and then again at 7:00 p.m. It will be a time you will long remember. The video, photos, and artifacts from the Papua New Guinea area are just BREATHTAKING! This couple travel to some of the most remote regions of the entire world to share the love of Jesus as medical missionaries. Everyone is invited to Mission Central near Mapleton, Iowa, to hear of these wonderful people's mission work. Visit www.missioncentral.us for directions and more information. Back to top FAN INTO FLAME UPDATE What is Ablaze? Ablaze! is sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with those who do not yet know Him. This can take place at the library, in line at the check-out counter, or with your wait staff at a restaurant. It does not cost anything to share the gift of God's grace given through Jesus! More information and Ablaze! educational materials are available on the LCMS website at www.lcms.org/ablaze. What is Fan into Flame? Fan into Flame undergirds the innovative projects and mission goals that will advance the Ablaze! movement goal to share the Gospel with 100 million people worldwide by providing new dollars for new mission efforts. Gifts given through Fan into Flame will assist in revitalizing congregations to become mission outposts in their communities, developing programs to equip the laity with Bible-based evangelism instruction, calling additional missionaries for work in national and international mission fields, and planting new ministries at home and abroad. The Nebraska District's involvement in Fan into Flame is part of a commitment to heed Jesus' words in John 4:35b, "I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields. They are ripe for harvest." We are asking each of the 244 Nebraska District congregations to partner with us and participate in this exciting and unique mission opportunity. After prayerful consideration, the Nebraska District Fan into Flame goal was set at $6 million, contributing to the national goal of $100 million. With God's blessings, more than $2.5 million has been pledged or given to date. How can your congregation participate in this historic mission effort? 1. Take information about Fan into Flame to your congregational leadership. Visit http://www.ndlcms.org/news/FIF/index.html for materials. 2. Consider making a congregational pledge above current district and Synod mission giving over the next 5 years. We are asking all congregations in our district to partner with us. 3. At your approval meeting, vote to make a gift of new money of 10% of last year's budget pledged to be paid over the next 5 years. Pledge agreement forms are available on the Nebraska District Fan into Flame webpage. 4. Contact the Nebraska District office to apprise them of your decision to participate. Partnering with the district and the leadership throughout the process will allow the District Office to provide the resource materials and support that you may need. Congregations are strongly urged to decide on their participation by November 1 and notify their circuit coordinator or the District Office by this date. 5. Commit to partnering by praying for the Lord's blessings on Fan into Flame. By giving God's people a chance to support this historic mission funding effort, we will all be blessed to see how God can use individuals and congregations to share the story of salvation through Jesus Christ. If you need assistance, take time to contact your Fan into Flame circuit coordinator or the Nebraska District Office at info at ndlcms.org or 888-643-2961. There are people who are willing to "walk with you" as you develop plans, and as you gather to celebrate the Spirit's blessing through this initiative. To God be the glory as together we grow in our mission to give hope to those not connected by faith to Jesus! Back to top TLCARE FOR THOSE TRAVELING TO MAYO CLINIC Will you or someone in your congregation be receiving care at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota? Trinity Lutheran Church of Rochester offers their TLCare ministry to out-of-town medical guests. They strive to serve people in many ways such as prayer support, a homemade meal, a visit from one of their caring members, free parking in their lot, a comfortable place to go between appointments, and more. Please let them know when you are coming to town by emailing Jennifer at tlcjennifer at charterinternet.com or Pastor Otte at pastorotte at charterinternet.com. Back to top LINCOLN WOMEN'S RETREAT The fourth annual Women's Retreat will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2008, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Knolls Country Club, 22nd & Old Cheney Road, Lincoln. This is a retreat for women of all ages and is designed to deepen bonds with other women of faith through the study of God's Word and the sharing of life experiences. Doors open at 9:30 a.m., and you can enjoy a beverage while browsing the vendors or visiting with friends. The schedule will include a devotion, the program "Who Gets Grandma's Yellow Pie Plate," and a talk on antiques and a mini antiques road show. The cost is $18 per adult and $15 for those 12 and younger. To register or for more information, contact Deon Wentzel at 402-782-6936. Back to top INTERNET FAMILY DEVOTIONAL MATERIALS AVAILABLE Faith Moments, Inc. (www.faithmoments.com) is a web ministry dedicated to bringing families together in Christ by actively and intentionally integrating Christian faith-building devotional and learning materials into the daily schedule. Faith Moments, Inc. is an Internet-based ministry for families to: * Engage in faith formation where they live and make decisions * Create manageable, interactive faith building situations at home * Discover tools for effective non-threatening faith conversations * Explore resources that help expand opportunities for faith development Families that visit www.faithmoments.com will find a weekly devotion appropriate for the entire family, along with Bible-based activities for kids and resources for parents. Back to top TEEN LWML IS CHALLENGING THEIR CONGREGATION Members of Immanuel, Laurel's, "Friends Into Serving Him: WORD!" are challenging their congregation to remember their pastor with a card during Clergy/Pastor Appreciation Month. For every card that is received between October 1 and 31, a 50-cent donation will be made to District LWML mites in their pastor's name. In response to this challenge, the women of Immanuel LWML will match their donation to District mites. Might your congregation's LWML consider a similar challenge? October is designated as national Clergy Appreciation Month, and October 12 is suggested as "Clergy Appreciation Sunday." What a great opportunity to show your pastor or pastors how much you appreciate their dedication and hard work, while at the same time raising mission awareness in your congregation. Consider starting your challenge on Sunday for the rest of the month. If your congregation does not have a local LWML chapter, contact the Nebraska District Office (www.ndlcms.org) or Nebraska District LWML North or South for more information on mission opportunities. LWML South website - http://lwmlnesouth.homestead.com/ LWML North website - http://www.lutheransonline.com/servlet/lo_ProcServ/dbpage=page&mode=display&gid=01220001361005841487653808 Back to top ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS Following are two anniversary announcements that were not included in the October Nebraska Lutheran Reporter. Zion, Hampton, will celebrate their 135th Anniversary and Mission Festival on Sunday, October 19. Service at 10 a.m. with a potluck meal following worship -- everyone is invited! Faith, York, will celebrate their 45th Anniversary on October 26. Worship is at 8:30 a.m. with Pastor Phillip Hannemann as guest speaker. There will be a brunch served at approximately 10 a.m. Charter members will be our honored guests. Pastor Hannemann is a son of Rev. Norman Hannemann, Faith's first pastor. Back to top NEBRASKA LUTHERANS FOR CONFESSIONAL STUDY TO MEET The October gathering of the Nebraska Lutherans for Confessional Study (NLCS) is Thursday, October 23, at Good Shepherd, Lincoln (3825 Wildbriar Lane). 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. Paul Egger, pastor at St. John Lutheran Church in Galva, Iowa. His topic, starting at 10:30, will be "The Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope." Following lunch, Rev. Brent Kuhlman, pastor of Trinity, Murdock, will lead the afternoon topic on "Luther's Lectures on Galatians." 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. Back to top CAMP LUTHER NEWS There are a number of upcoming fall events at Camp Luther near Schuyler. Visit the Camp Luther website at www.campluther.org and click on the "What's New" link for full event information. * Junior High Retreat - October 17-18 * Christian Women's Scrapbooking Retreat - November 7-9 * Lutheran Hour Ministries Men's Retreat - November 21-22 Also new at Camp Luther: "THE BARN" is currently being remodeling and will provide a unique setting for a small retreat group of youth or junior high age students. "The Barn" will sleep about 20, have attached bathrooms, and a large rustic meeting space for your group. An indoor fireplace will provide a warm setting. Just outside the building will be a private campfire site for your group to use. Meals will still be served in the main Gerwick Lodge area. "The Barn" will not have any cooking facilities. Camp Luther is looking for a few good groups to use this facility this fall to give them input on its use. If you are interested, contact Camp Luther at 888-639-5809 or hank at campluther.org. Back to top Thanks to all who shared information for this week's Update. If you have information to share, please send it to communications at ndlcms.org. We hope these weekly E-mail Updates are a valuable resource in your ministry. The Updates are for all workers and leaders in your congregation. If you know of someone you think would benefit from the information in the Update, please forward it to them. Anyone is invited to subscribe by visiting http://www.ndlcms.org/news/communications/update.html. Blessings, Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 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: 64456 bytes Desc: not available URL: From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Wed Oct 15 08:37:36 2008 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:37:36 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] Jeanne Chandler Called to Glory Message-ID: + OBITUARY + Jeanne (Sather) Chandler, wife of teacher emeritus Bill Chandler, departed this life on Saturday, October 11, 2008, at her home in Grand Island. Bill Chandler was principal at Trinity Lutheran School, Grand Island, for 29 years prior to his retirement in 2001. Bill and Jeanne were married on July 18, 1959. Mrs. Chandler was born March 3, 1939. Jeanne enjoyed volunteering at Trinity Lutheran Church, Grand Island, caring for her children and grandchildren, and caring for many foster children from Nebraska Children's Home Society and Nebraska Health and Human Services. Jeanne is survived by her husband, their 10 children: daughters, Kathryn and Jack Eans of Woodland Park, Colo.; Angie Sirabella of Albuquerque, N.M.; and Angela and Dustin Vokes of Grand Island; sons, David of Ault, Colo.; Paul and Tama of Bamako, Mali, Africa; Troy of Grand Island; Dewey and Shelby of Cozad; Steve and Terrie of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and Jonah and James at home; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Denise and Chester Peterson and Linda and Peter Pfenning, both of Granite Falls, Minn.; and one brother, William Sather of Nevis, Minn.; 15 grandchildren and one great-grandson. A memorial service was held on Tuesday, October 14, 2008, at 10:30 a.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church, Grand Island. An inurnment will be held at a later date. Condolences may be sent to www.giallfaiths.com. Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 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: 5750 bytes Desc: not available URL: From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Wed Oct 15 16:32:32 2008 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 21:32:32 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] FIREworks Newsletter Message-ID: Greetings in Christ! Attached is the current issue of FIREworks, a newsletter designed to educate and update the leaders of the Nebraska District on the Fan into Flame campaign in Nebraska. This newsletter is sent every other week to share current information and stories about the things God is doing through Ablaze! and Fan into Flame. Pastors and church office staff are encouraged to print and post this newsletter, reproduce this page for their congregational newsletter, or forward it to their electronic mailing list. Issues of this newsletter are also available by following the Fan into Flame link on the District website, www.ndlcms.org. You are receiving this newsletter because you receive the weekly Email Update e-newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe from this list, you may email your request to nicholeh at ndlcms.org. Removing yourself from this list will also take you off the list to receive the weekly Email Update, the Mission Fields Nebraska newsletter, and the Sudan Mission newsletter. I appreciate the opportunity to share with you news of how God is using the congregations and individuals of the Nebraska District through this exciting mission effort. Feel free to contact me with any questions you might have on Ablaze! or Fan into Flame. Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 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: 6186 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: 10-16.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 52514 bytes Desc: 10-16.pdf URL: From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Wed Oct 22 14:49:33 2008 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2008 19:49:33 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] October 22 Message-ID: Update for October 22 A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE! Greetings in the name of our Heavenly Father, who loves us and promises to provide for us. Just watching the nightly news can be enough to cause us to worry. Along with the other headlines, we hear constant discussions about the upcoming elections and the uncertainty of the economy. It's easy to forget Jesus' words, "And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well." (Luke 12:29-31) One of the Bible stories in the book I read with my three-year-old before bed has a paraphrase of this portion of Jesus' teaching, with an emphasis on how much God loves us and how he promises to give us what we need. At a time when there seems to be more things to worry about than hours in the day to worry about them, what reassurance it is to be reminded that our loving Heavenly Father has already "given us the kingdom" and the worries of this life are not to be our worries. His love for us is so great that not only does He provide for our physical needs, but He has already sent His Son Jesus to provide us with the gift of eternal life. In this time of uncertainty, it is not appropriate to bury our heads in the sand and ignore those things we are called to attend to. However, as we make the decisions God places before us, let us remember Jesus' direction to "provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Luke 12:33-34) * Prayer Requests * Church/School Secretary Workshop Registration Deadline This Week * Nebraska Pastors and Grace Place Retreats Featured in Lutheran Witness * Lutheran World Relief Ingathering Sites Announced * Extra Percussion Instruments Available * Fan into Flame Congregational Update * LCMS Mercy Medical Team to Sumatra Looking for Volunteers * Congregation Anniversary Update * LHM's Advent Devotions Available Online * November is National Hospice Month * Take a Look at Concordia Publishing House's 2009 VBS Materials * An Opportunity to Have a "Taste of the Sem" * New Testament Greek Class to be Offered in Lincoln PRAYER REQUESTS Family of Henry Visser - Please remember in prayer the family of Henry Visser, member and trained lay leader at Christ, Cairo. Henry was called to the Lord's side suddenly on Monday, October 20. He served the congregation of Christ, Cairo, in a number of ways, and was known by many in the Nebraska District through his participation in the district's Lay Leadership Training Program. The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 23, at Christ, Cairo. Preston Charles Rodencal - We join in prayers of thanksgiving with Pastor Charles and Brenda Schmidt of Grace, Fairbury, and Pastor Larry and Sandra Rodencal of Peace, Cincinnati, (former pastor of St. John, McCook) for the gift of a new grandson born on October 4. We thank God for the new gift of life He has given this family and we look forward to welcoming Preston into God's family through the waters of Holy Baptism. Rev. Thomas Schmitt - We lift up in prayer Rev. Thomas Schmitt and his family at the death of his father, Paul Schmitt. We ask the Lord to grant this family a special measure of His comfort and peace at this time, as well as reassurance in the promise of an eternal reunion in Heaven. Back to top CHURCH/SCHOOL SECRETARY WORKSHOP REGISTRATION DEADLINE THIS WEEK Attention all church office staff!!! The deadline for registering for the Nebraska District Church and School Secretary Workshop is this Friday, October 24. The workshop, held at Concordia University, Seward, on November 11, will offer practical tips for designing newsletters, address setting and maintaining godly boundaries, and provide lots of time for networking with other church office staff. More information and registration forms may be found on the District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/news/conferences/secretary.html. Back to top NEBRASKA PASTORS AND GRACE PLACE RETREATS FEATURED IN LUTHERAN WITNESS The October 2008 issue of The Lutheran Witness featured an article on Grace Place Retreats, and featured the retreat offered especially to pastors from the Nebraska District and their spouses. The article share the idea behind what founder Dr. John Eckrich calls "one of the Synod's most misunderstood ministries - and most urgently needed." The article goes on to tell how "working with pastoral-care professionals and Lutheran leaders, Eckrich developed his vision for a continuing-education ministry to offer a 'pause point' or 'minisabbatical' for church workers and their spouses - an opportunity to recharge spiritually, physically, and emotionally." To read the entire article online, visit The Lutheran Witness webpage at http://www.lcms.org/pages/wPage.asp?ContentID=396&IssueID=26. Back to top LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF INGATHERING SITES ANNOUNCED The dates for this year's Lutheran World Relief Ingathering are November 3-7. Cities with ingathering sites are Beatrice, Lincoln, North Platte, Omaha, Scottsbluff, and Sidney. These gathering sites will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Goods packed for LWR should be sorted and labeled according to kind, packed in strong cartons secured with packing tape, and addressed for Lutheran World Relief. Boxes should not exceed 40 pounds and should be marked with the name and address of the sending church. For locations and information on what to donate, check the District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/news/temp/lwr.html, call Dave Roseland at 1-800-456-1092, Betsy Buschkemper at 402-292-6665, or Mary Stoetzel at 308-534-9327. Back to top EXTRA PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS AVAILABLE Attention Music Directors: Just in time for Christmas and Easter services.... Four octave celesta and several sets of Ludwig timpani for sale. Contact: jimkrutz at gmail.com for more information. Also, professional percussion instrument repair and maintenance services available. Back to top FAN INTO FLAME CONGREGATIONAL UPDATE There are some incredible stories of what the Holy Spirit has already accomplished in Nebraska congregations where pastors and people have prayed and participated in Fan into Flame. God can do great things anywhere and in every congregation through this mission effort. Fan into Flame is an opportunity for your congregation to witness once again the power of the Spirit in the lives of God's people. Following is an example, written by the pastor and leadership, of how one congregation in the Nebraska District implemented Fan into Flame. Full congregational summaries are available on the District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/news/FIF/summaries.html. St. John, Tecumseh - The Fan into Flame appeal has been a tremendous blessing to our congregation. The key to our congregation's ready acceptance and mission zeal for this appeal was the Holy Spirit working through the startling fact that every minute 83 people die in the world not knowing Jesus Christ. This message cut to the heart of our congregation and provided them with a sense of urgency found in the heart of Jesus who came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10). Throughout the appeal, Pastor Diener used various means to highlight the value of "every minute" in sermons and other communications. One week after the first congregational mailing was sent, the Church Council met to hear more about the appeal from Pastor Diener and were challenged to give their early gift commitment. This meeting resulted in eight leaders and their pastor giving early gifts of $17,000, eclipsing the entire congregation's goal. The Holy Spirit set the hearts of our leaders Ablaze!, and this passion set the tone for our entire appeal. The Fan into Flame appeal kickoff was a Friendship Sunday and picnic. Our members, along with many personally invited, currently unchurched visitors, heard of the friendship we share in Christ Jesus and the mission appeal that day. The following week was Testimonial Sunday, where our leaders who gave early gifts shared their faith, their commitment, and the sense of urgency to make a difference through gifts that will provide international, national, district, and local opportunities to share the Good News. These testimonials helped bring this appeal to a personal level for our members. Our monthly newsletter, weekly bulletin, and information table overflowed with information about the Fan into Flame appeal. Every worship service during the appeal had a Fan into Flame "minute" following the sermon to show the Fan into Flame video clips, make the campaign announcement provided in the information packet, and provide appeal details. Our appeal also featured a Mission Festival prior to the cottage meetings. Our cottage meetings were meetings held for a specific portion of the congregation for 30 minutes immediately following the worship services. These meetings were led by Pastor Diener, who answered questions and provided encouragement not to miss the wonderful opportunity our Synod was giving every member to be involved in the mission of the Church. Despite the thought that $15,000 may be too aggressive a goal, the power of the Holy Spirit worked in the hearts of our people to provide a generous response of $56,270 (375% of our goal), with $23,360 sent through initial gifts. During the cottage meetings, I shared one of the greatest disasters in history which took place in 1271. Nichelo and Matteo Polo (the father and uncle of Marco Polo) were visiting Kubla Kahn, ruler of all of China, all of India, and all of the East. He was attracted to the story of Christianity as Nichelo and Matteo told it to him. And Kubla Khan said to them, "You shall go to your high priest and tell him on my behalf to send me 100 men skilled in your religion and I shall be baptized, and when I am baptized all my barons and great men will be baptized and their subjects will receive baptism too, and so there will be more Christians here than there is in any part of the world." So Nichelo and Matteo went to the Pope in the Vatican, but he responded that "those barbarians don't deserve the Gospel." Nothing was done for 30 years, and then only 2 or 3 were sent. As a result of this delay, Buddhist monks, who were pleased to come, converted the largest empire history has ever known - from China to the Middle East and Europe - to Buddhism. The world is ripe for a harvest now but the laborers are few. We can do something about that - and not miss this opportunity. Fan into Flame gives us the opportunity to directly support mission work all around the world, including our own community. May God bless your congregation's prayerful consideration to participate in this life-changing and life-giving mission opportunity. Your congregation will surprise and delight you with their support - not because of your efforts - but because the Holy Spirit will bless it beyond even your highest expectations. If you want to know the difference the Spirit makes, speak to the people of St. John's, Tecumseh, and they will share with you the joy of responding to the challenge of the Fan into Flame appeal. Every congregation of the Nebraska District is encouraged to prayerfully consider how they can be involved in Fan into Flame. It doesn't take much to participate - just a dedicated core of lay people, a mission-minded pastor, and the materials provided by Fan into Flame. Once the opportunity to be personally involved in mission work is shared with the members of your congregation, the Spirit can move hearts to respond. For more information on how to get started, or to report how your congregation plans to be involved, contact Andrea Essling at the Nebraska District Office, Andrea.Essling at ndlcms.org or 888-643-2961. Back to top LCMS MERCY MEDICAL TEAM TO SUMATRA LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS LCMS World Relief and Human Care seek a variety of medical specialties and hard-working laity as members of its first "Mercy Medical Team" for Sumatra, Indonesia, February 14-25, 2009 (with an evening of team building in Atlanta on February 14). Clinics for care of the extremely under-served poor on the island of Sumatra will be set up near the World Relief and Human Care office in Ache and the surrounding area of the northern part of the island. Before returning home, there will be a day of rest and sightseeing on this beautiful tropical island. Volunteers cover the cost of the trip which includes airfare from the chosen departure airport, and a flat fee for ground transportation, lodging, and medical supplies for the needy (total estimated to be around $3000). Write for more details to Maggie Karner at Maggie.karner at lcms.org or call her at 800-248-1930, ext. 1371 with any questions. Also see www.lcms.org/mercyteams for more information. Back to top CONGREGATION ANNIVERSARY UPDATE Trinity, Schuyler, shared the following updated information on their anniversary celebration: Trinity, Schuyler, will celebrate its 75th Anniversary on November 9. President Russ Sommerfeld will be the guest preacher at a 10:00 am service, followed by brunch. Everyone is invited to join them. Back to top LHM'S ADVENT DEVOTIONS AVAILABLE ONLINE (from LHM Ministry Update, October 2008) Once again this year, two Advent devotions will be offered online from Lutheran Hour Ministries at www.adventdevotions.net. Come to the Manger continues our traditional approach to the Christmas devotions, but with a twist. Written by ministerial students from the 2008 graduating class of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, these meditations share insights as seen from a first-call pastor's perspective. In devotions of varied topics, Come to the Manger considers the significance of the Christmas story from different angles. Whether it's God fulfilling promises to Abraham centuries ago or the prayers of a grandmother recovering from cancer a few years ago, the bold truth of "Emmanuel-God with us" is at the heart of each pastor's text. With Christmas Conversations, Pastor Ryan Peterson of St. John Lutheran Church in Ellisville, Missouri, invites the reader to a give-and-take exchange apart from the holiday bustle. Slowly, deliberately - he unwraps the universal meaning of the holiday season like the amazing gift it is. Written for those who are unchurched or peripheral to the life of the church, it guides the reader along, inviting him or her to join in the conversation. The Christmas story is a miracle story, and Peterson knows miracles for modern man are hard to believe. God - appearing in the person of Jesus Christ? A child - born of a virgin? Salvation - a free gift to all? These are not easily received by a 21st-century mind. Peterson walks alongside his reader in these messages, encouraging him and her, mindful that patience is crucial when having a Christmas conversation. Both Come to the Manger and Christmas Conversations will be offered as customizable PDFs in English and Spanish. Audio will be available for Come to the Manger in both languages, as well as the option to subscribe to podcasts for automatic downloading to your computer or MP3 player. Promotional pieces available this year include bulletin shells, PowerPoint slide templates, web banner ads, and cover art for creating your own promotional pieces. For more information or to download these resources, visit www.adventdevotions.net. Back to top NOVEMBER IS NATIONAL HOSPICE MONTH Church office staff, you are invited and encouraged to include the following announcement in your November newsletter or in one or more November bulletins. November is National Hospice Month, a time to raise awareness of a comforting care serving approximately 6,000 terminally ill Nebraskans each year. Providing more than traditional healthcare, hospice furnishes an interdisciplinary team of a doctor, nurse, social worker, chaplain, various therapists, and volunteers. The hospice team provides pain management, symptom control, psychosocial support, and spiritual care to patients and their families when a cure is not possible. Faith communities have the power to support people of all ages with end-of-life issues such as advance care planning, serious illness, caregiving, and grief: * Encourage friends and family members to talk with their physician about hospice * Visit someone who is sick or in the dying process * Volunteer with a local hospice * Support someone in the grieving process * Have a conversation with your family about your end-of-life wishes and sign an advance directive Find additional information and locate a hospice in your area at www.nehospice.org. Back to top TAKE A LOOK AT CONCORDIA PUBLISHING HOUSE'S 2009 VBS MATERIALS "If an LCMS congregation is sponsoring a VBS program in the summer of 2009, we want it to be a CPH VBS," says Gretchen Jameson, Manager for Public Relations and Corporate Communications at Concordia Publishing House. Jameson shares that this is "a bold invitation," adding, "We know some use programs offered by other Christian publishers. We want every LCMS congregation to give CPH a fresh look in 2009; they won't be disappointed." Concordia Publishing House is the publisher of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The 2009 VBS program includes, "new music, a focus on living out faith, and options for both large and small VBS programs." The 2009 program, Gadget's Garage website is now online at www.cph.org/vbs. The site includes a wealth of new features designed to assist those planning to host VBS programs in the summer of 2009. "We've really expanded our website," says Vacation Bible School Marketing Manager Terri Simon. "VBS directors can find the basics about the program and easily place orders. They can also download media, preview music, participate in community, and starting this winter, create a congregational VBS webpage using our site." Beefing up the content and improving the features of the VBS website is "a great way to get volunteers, parents, and students involved and excited long before VBS begins." Website features include: * * Blogs, forums, and even a Facebook connection for discussion, and posting photos (January, 2009). * * A "Leader Toolbox" with tips for large and small VBS programs, FAQs on the benefits of site rotation (a style of VBS programming), and new and improved recruitment kit ideas. * * The Nuts & Bolts of Gadget's Garage, which offers an overview of the program and details about the all new CPH Starter Kits and the featured 2009 VBS mission project. Vacation Bible School Editor Cindy Wheeler shares, "At Gadget's Garage VBS, kids learn about Jesus, their Savior, and respond by putting their faith in motion, using their hands, minds, ears, eyes, and hearts to serve Jesus and live as His people." The website "helps customers better connect with the important message that CPH VBS is all about Jesus, every day in every way." Two Starter Kits are available for the 2009 VBS. The traditional Starter Kit includes all leader resources-CDs, guides, and Skit DVD. The new Small VBS Starter Kit is ideal for Vacation Bible School programs with fewer than 50 students, fewer volunteers, or limited space. Now through December 31, 2008, Concordia Publishing House is offering free shipping on Starter Kit orders. Pre-order at www.cph.org/vbs or call 1-800-325-3040 and mention code VSM. Kits will be shipped December 2008. Back to top AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A "TASTE OF THE SEM" The seventh annual visitation event called "Taste of the Sem" will take place Jan. 17-19, 2009, 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. With the theme, "Thy Strong Word," participants will spend the afternoon studying God's Word in its original languages and understand what it means to proclaim God's Word in its truth and purity. 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 also are 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." There is no registration fee. All meals and lodging will be provided free of charge. Transportation between the airport, train station, 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 NEW TESTAMENT GREEK CLASS TO BE OFFERED IN LINCOLN A beginning Greek grammar class will be starting in November at Good Shepherd, Lincoln, for anyone interested in studying the New Testament in the original Greek language. The class will meet Monday evenings from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Classes will begin on Monday, November 10. The only cost will be the purchase of a Greek grammar textbook. If you would like more information or would like to register for the class, contact Curtis Christiansen at 402-483-1238 or contact Jan in the church office at 402-423-7639. Back to top 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. We pray this e-newsletter may be a useful resource tool to you in your personal and congregational ministry. Please feel free to reproduce anything in this newsletter and pass this resource along to others you know who may also benefit from this information. Anyone is welcome to subscribe and may do so by emailing their email address to communications at ndlcms.org and requesting to be added to the mailing list, or by visiting http://www.ndlcms.org/news/communications. Blessings, Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 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: 57145 bytes Desc: not available URL: From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Wed Oct 29 16:07:48 2008 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2008 21:07:48 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] October 29 Message-ID: Update for October 29 A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE! Greetings in the name of our loving Savior, Jesus Christ, who has gathered and joined His people together as His Church. What a blessing it is for each of us to be a part of the body of Christ, each with different gifts and talents, but each still a part of His Church. What does this mean for us? Why is this a blessing to us as individuals and as congregations? Paul writes in Romans 12:4-5, "Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." This is also the way the Nebraska District works. Over 125 years ago, congregations from across Nebraska gathered together to create the man-made organization of the Nebraska District "in order to build, strengthen, and facilitate the work of the church" in Nebraska and beyond. (Thy Kingdom Come: A History of the Nebraska District of the LCMS, Dr. W. Theophil Janzow) Even today, the 244 congregations of the Nebraska District partner together in support of a District Office to provide needed ministry support and services back to them and the other congregations of the District. Services provided to your congregation include a system for calling and placing church workers, both pastors and teachers; consultations during times of difficulty for congregations, schools, or church workers; resources and support for outreach ministries, including community outreach and new mission planning; a communication network including printed and electronic media; consultations for congregations and church workers on financial issues, including salary, benefits, and budget issues; and many other services. The gifts your congregation provides from your budget to the mission and ministry of the District ensure that these needed services are available when they are required by your congregation or a sister congregation somewhere in Nebraska. A portion of the gifts to the Nebraska District are also passed along to The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod to support similar services and needed infrastructure for all of the LCMS congregations, as well as mission work here and abroad. Thanks be to God for the ministry support gifts given by Nebraska District congregations and generous individuals. As members of the same body of Christ, may God continue to bless the support of our common mission of "discipling the saved and proclaiming Christ to a lost and changing world" through God-pleasing stewardship practices. * Prayer Requests * "Get the 2-1-1" on Human Care Services in Your Area * Lutheran Witness Renewal Time * Two EIIT Vicars Assigned to The Nebraska District * Needs Continue Following Hurricane Ike * Fan into Flame Congregational Update * Pew Cushions Available * Various Worship Items Available * Grants Available to Lutheran Congregations to Support Sabbatical * Concordia Coach Courtney Meyer Announces Retirement * Bulletin Insert Available for Sunday Before Election Day PRAYER REQUESTS Family of Ramon Nolte - We lift up in prayer the family of Ramon Nolte, who passed away last Friday, October 24. Ramon's service to the church throughout the years included president of the Nebraska Lutheran Laymen's League, member of the Lutheran Church Extension Fund District Committee, and member of the Nebraska District Board of Directors. His funeral service was Tuesday, October 28, at St. Paul, Kenesaw. Rev. Bill and Venita Steinbauer and Family - We join in prayers of comfort for Rev. Bill and Venita Steinbauer at the death of Venita's mother this past weekend. Rev. Steinbauer serves as pastor of University Lutheran Chapel in Lincoln. David Koopman and Family - Please lift up prayers of comfort for David Koopman and his family at the death of his mother, Mary Jane, last Friday, October 24. David serves as principal at St. John, Seward. We ask that the Lord will grant all of these families a special measure of His peace and comfort at this time, as well as blessed assurance through the promise of eternal life at the Lord's side. Back to top "GET THE 2-1-1" ON HUMAN CARE SERVICES IN YOUR AREA Church office staff, please consider sharing this information in your bulletin or your next newsletter. Thank you. Statewide information about human care services in your area is available through 2-1-1. Through 2-1-1 you can get information on human care services such as: -Child care -Rent assistance -Respite care -Utility assistance -Adult day care -Shelters -Drug rehabilitation -Food pantries -Mental health services -Legal aid -Job training -Volunteer opportunities -Support groups -Transportation assistance -Education programs -Head Start -Disaster relief -And much more... Simply dial 2-1-1 on your phone and speak with a live operator. Interpretation assistance for more than 150 languages is available to callers. Anyone with Internet access can go to www.ne211.org and search for human service information online. Currently this service is available in 38 counties in Nebraska. Back to top LUTHERAN WITNESS RENEWAL TIME Church offices - it's almost time to start the renewal process for the Lutheran Witness subscriptions. Please call Sandy at the District Office at 888-643-2961 or email sandyr at ndlcms.org with contact information for the person who will be coordinating the Lutheran Witness renewal process for your congregation. This will help us by ensuring all changes are handled properly. Thank you for your help. Back to top TWO EIIT VICARS ASSIGNED TO THE NEBRASKA DISTRICT Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, is pleased to announce that two students received calls to be pastors and 11 students received vicarage assignments in The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS). Ten students in the Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT) program and one student in the Distance Education Leading to Ordination (DELTO) program are awaiting calls. In these cases, the details of calls to specific sites are being finalized and should be completed soon. Great care is exercised in both the candidate call and the vicarage placement processes to ensure that the best possible match is realized between the seminarian and the ministry site. The assignments were given during the Seminary's morning chapel service on October 22. Trinity, Lincoln, was assigned two EIIT vicars during this service: * Gabriel Bol, Trinity Lutheran Church, Lincoln, Nebraska * Vincent Paul, Trinity Lutheran Church, Lincoln, Nebraska Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT) is a specialized program leading to ordination for men engaged in pastoral missionary contexts in ethnic immigrant and urban cultures. Students are preferably first-generation immigrants leading immigrant-based churches. The program consists of distance education, contextual mentoring, and regular on-campus (Seminary) modules. These students join more than 12,000 graduates from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, who have been prepared to serve as pastors, missionaries and chaplains in the LCMS. The Seminary's spring placement is scheduled for April 22, 2009. Back to top NEEDS CONTINUE FOLLOWING HURRICANE IKE (from LCMSNews -- No. 60, October 27) While the economic crisis and presidential candidates' campaigns dominate headlines, little news is heard about Texans who still struggle to clean up their homes and try to get their lives back on track more than one month after Hurricane Ike. Their stories long ago faded from nightly broadcasts, but tough challenges remain in hard-hit areas for many LCMS members and congregations, including: * Rev. Alan Taylor, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church, Galveston, who has yet to learn if his home is salvageable and is dealing with major repairs to reopen the flooded church where at least 75 percent of the members suffered major property damage. * Rev. Timothy Dinger, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Port Arthur, who is living in a rental home with his wife and four children after they lost nearly everything. The family has no insurance to cover their loss because they don't live in a flood zone. * Three staff members of the popular children's center at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Beaumont, whose homes were seriously damaged. All continue to serve in their ministry, including the director who remains in her home but worries about how growing mold is affecting her daughter, who has asthma and severe allergies. Dire, urgent, and "afraid of being forgotten" is how Rev. Glenn Merritt, director of Disaster Response for LCMS World Relief and Human Care, summed up needs when he visited LCMS congregations in Southeast Texas Oct. 8-10. "Galveston is in shambles. Port Arthur and Bridge City are in shambles. Yet we're not hearing anything about hurricane-related needs," said Merritt, who met with pastors to get the ball rolling on emergency grants from the Synod's mercy arm to help impacted LCMS members and professional church workers. "A little over a month out, you don't see much [about Ike-related challenges], even on the news here," said Dr. Lou Jander, the LCMS Texas District mission and ministry facilitator who serves as the district's disaster response coordinator. "Certainly, there are fewer people suffering today than a week after [Ike], and nearly all power has been restored. But needs definitely remain, and some of the greatest are those of our church workers." Among Jander's top concerns are for between 200 and 300 pastors, teachers, and other church workers with financial challenges. Many are grappling with unexpected cleanup and repair costs. Others missed paychecks when Ike forced schools to temporarily close and congregations to cancel services, losing a week or two of offerings. To read the entire article or to find out more information about relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Ike, visit http://www.lcms.org/pages/rpage.asp?NavID=14245. Back to top FAN INTO FLAME CONGREGATIONAL UPDATE The Nebraska District received its first $100,000 pledge for Fan into Flame from a District congregation last week! Praise God that Trinity, Fremont, has prayerfully pledged a tithe of their upcoming campaign to go towards Fan into Flame, with the goal of $100,000. Congregations around the District are beginning to return congregational pledge agreements after much prayerful deliberation. These pledge agreements allow congregations to be a part of the 2008 Fan into Flame campaign in the Nebraska District, while giving them time to plan and implement an appeal next year. Tithing from an upcoming campaign is a great way for congregations to be involved. If your congregation is planning any type of capital improvement or debt-reduction campaign, please consider pledging a portion of the money raised to do mission work through Fan into Flame. Congregational pledge agreements are available to be printed from the District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/news/FIF/index.html. Even if your congregation is not planning a major campaign in the near future, you are still encouraged to set a goal and complete a pledge agreement as soon as possible to help campaign personnel provide the necessary support to congregations involved with Fan into Flame. If you have questions or would like more information on this exciting mission endeavor of the LCMS, visit the District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/news/FIF/index.html or contact Andrea Essling at andrea.essling at lcms.org or 888-643-2961. Congregations are strongly encouraged to notify Andrea of their intent to participate by December 1, 2008. Back to top PEW CUSHIONS AVAILABLE St. Peter's, Davenport, has recently been blessed with God's gift of new cushions for their pews. Their former cushions still have some life in them and might be useful to a mission congregation or any other congregation who would be interested in having some. They are of a burgundy color, slightly redder than the cover of Lutheran Service Book. They have 32 cushions about 138" long, two about 102" long, and two about 202" long. They would be happy to give them free to any congregation. Arrangements can be made for them to be picked up, or if circumstances allow, one of their members may be able to drop them off. Congregations that are interested should contact Rev. Timothy Prince at revprince at hotmail.com. Back to top VARIOUS WORSHIP ITEMS AVAILABLE Pacific Hills Lutheran Church in Omaha has a number of various worship items available free of charge to any congregation that can use them. Following are the items that are available: Purple paraments Two chalices and paten Communion ware Flower vases - 2 Old aisle candles Two candle holders Contact Pastor Bill Moorhead at PastorMoorhead at PacificHillsLutheran.org for more information or if your congregation is interested. Back to top GRANTS AVAILABLE TO LUTHERAN CONGREGATIONS TO SUPPORT SABBATICAL Wheat Ridge Ministries is offering financial assistance to Lutheran congregations that are supporting and encouraging the health and wellness of church leaders by providing sabbatical experiences for pastors and other full-time professional church workers in the congregation. This grant program is being implemented as a pilot project of Wheat Ridge Ministries. Wheat Ridge believes that sabbatical leave for rest and renewal is a significant way that congregations can support professional church worker health and wellness. Ministry sabbaticals can help staff persons stay healthy in the midst of the pressures and complexities of serving others. Any Lutheran congregation developing a sabbatical plan for a pastor or other church worker within the grant guidelines may apply. The maximum amount per grant is $7,500 per congregation, and the congregation must match the grant amount provided. During the pilot phase of this grant, up to ten grants will be available annually and no more than one grant will be provided to a congregation. The grant is to be used specifically for sabbatical experiences for professional church workers. Within these guidelines, funds may be invested in the following ways: salary and benefits for additional staff during the sabbatical period; costs related to assistance provided by a sabbatical interim worker; travel expenses related to the sabbatical experience; education expenses related to the sabbatical experience. The grant may not be used for general congregation operating expenses, purchase of equipment or any other expenses that are unrelated to the sabbatical plan. Congregations interested in applying for a Wheat Ridge Sabbatical Grant can visit www.wheatridge.org/sabbaticalgrants to review the requirements and determine whether the grant is appropriate for their needs and to download a grant application. Any questions may be referred to the Wheat Ridge office at 800-762-6748. Wheat Ridge is also pleased to provide many other valuable resources for sabbatical rest and renewal through its Ministry Sabbatical Resource Center online at www.wheatridge.org/sabbaticalresourcecenter. The Center is coordinated by the Rev. Timothy Fangmeier, Wheat Ridge Staff Associate, Davidson, North Carolina. For questions regarding the sabbatical process in general or for information about the need for coaching regarding the development of a sabbatical plan, please contact Pastor Fangmeier at tim at giftedpeople.org. Back to top CONCORDIA COACH COURTNEY MEYER ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT Courtney Meyer, head football coach at Concordia University, Nebraska, will end his coaching duties at the completion of 2008 season. Coach Meyer made the announcement October 21 after talking with current players and coaches earlier in the week. "For nearly two decades, coach Meyer has led the Bulldog football program," said Rev. Dr. Brian Friedrich, Concordia's president. "His focus on the 'double win' - winning on the field and in life as a Christian - has inspired student athletes, coaching colleagues, alumni and our campus community." Meyer has been a part of Bulldog football for 31 years: four as a player, eight as an assistant coach and 19 as the head coach. He coached the Bulldogs from 1977 to 1984 as the defensive coordinator before taking a head coaching job at Concordia University, Wisconsin. He returned to Concordia University, Nebraska in 1990 as the head coach. Meyer was twice distinguished as a conference coach of the year. He earned the honor first in 1999 as the Nebraska-Iowa Athletic Conference co-coach of the year after Concordia's first winning season in more than 12 years. He was named the Great Plains Athletic Conference coach of the year in 2001 when the Bulldogs went 10-2, finished as GPAC co-champions and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NAIA playoffs. Meyer also served as the president of the NAIA Football Coaches Association in 2000. "Coaching for me has been a ministry," said Meyer. "It is time for someone else to assume this position of influence. Concordia University has been very good to me in giving me this opportunity. I will treasure the relationships I have shared with young men and look forward to continued contact with them. I will do everything I can to support the university and the football program as it moves into an exciting new phase. Coaching is all consuming - my time to step aside is now, and I am at peace with it." "He has found great joy in doing that which is most important - touching the hearts and lives of young men with the love of Jesus Christ," said Friedrich. "Coach Meyer has modeled service and leadership on and off the field. His enthusiasm for life, living, learning and Bulldog football will be missed greatly. We wish him God's richest blessings as he retires and transitions to another pace and phase of life." Coach Meyer noted that the decision to retire came in mid-July and is not related to the current season. Back to top BULLETIN INSERT AVAILABLE FOR SUNDAY BEFORE ELECTION DAY The following information was shared by LCMS President Gerald Kieschnick. Christians in Nebraska are encouraged to vote on Tuesday, November 4, and exercise the freedom God has given them as American citizens. In just a few days, many U.S. citizens will have the opportunity through the casting of their votes to make a decision about traditional marriage that could affect the course of our nation for generations to come. In Arizona, California, and Florida, marriage-protection amendments are on the ballot. The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod has a biblically based position on this very important matter. Respectfully yet unapologetically, I strongly encourage the pastors and people of our Synod to make every effort to protect marriage as a divinely created lifelong relationship between one man and one woman. We urge Christians across the nation to vote to protect marriage for the sake of our society as we know it and as humanity has always known it. Exercising this duty and privilege through voter participation on Nov. 4 is part of the responsibility to our nation that we bear as Christian citizens. Here is a link to a bulletin insert that we encourage you to use this Sunday in your worship services to help communicate to your parishioners the urgency of this issue: http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=14273 For more information, please review the following online resources on this subject either on the President's Web page, www.lcms.org/president, or selectively, as follows: Read the statement from the Synod president: http://www.lcms.org/graphics/assets/media/Office%20of%20the%20President/Protecting_Traditional_Marriage_Statement.pdf Listen to a public service announcement from the Synod president: http://www.lcms.org/ca/www/stream/?pl=14272&vurl=www.lcms.org/graphics/assets/media/Office%20of%20the%20President/LCMS_PSA60.mp3 Watch the press conference conducted at the International Center last week: http://www.lcms.org/ca/www/stream/?pl=14274&vurl=parabolic.edgeboss.net/wmedia/parabolic/sequence_1-gbk_press-samesexmarriage-hdv_1080i_60-parabolic_wmp_wide_screen2.wvx Back to top Blessings, Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 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: 53533 bytes Desc: not available URL: From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Thu Oct 30 16:12:55 2008 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2008 21:12:55 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] FIREworks Newsletter Message-ID: Greetings in Christ! Attached is the current issue of FIREworks, a newsletter designed to educate and update the leaders of the Nebraska District on the Fan into Flame campaign in Nebraska. This newsletter is sent every other week to share current information and stories about the things God is doing through Ablaze! and Fan into Flame. Pastors and church office staff are encouraged to print and post this newsletter, reproduce this page for their congregational newsletter, or forward it to their electronic mailing list. Issues of this newsletter are also available by following the Fan into Flame link on the District website, www.ndlcms.org. Also attached is the congregational goal agreement form referred to in the newsletter. You are receiving this newsletter because you receive the weekly Email Update e-newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe from this list, you may email your request to nicholeh at ndlcms.org. Removing yourself from this list will also take you off the list to receive the weekly Email Update, the Mission Fields Nebraska newsletter, and the Sudan Mission newsletter. I appreciate the opportunity to share with you news of how God is using the congregations and individuals of the Nebraska District through this exciting mission effort. Feel free to contact me with any questions you might have on Ablaze! or Fan into Flame. Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 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: 6317 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: 10-30.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 43793 bytes Desc: 10-30.pdf URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Congregation agreement.doc Type: application/msword Size: 190464 bytes Desc: Congregation agreement.doc URL: From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Thu Oct 30 16:23:59 2008 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2008 21:23:59 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] Email Update Correction Message-ID: Greetings in the name of our Heavenly Father! There is a correction and an addition to a prayer request that was included in yesterday's Email Update. Rev. Bill and Venita Steinbauer and family - We lift up in prayer Rev. Bill and Venita Steinbauer and their family at the death of Venita's grandmother, not her mother, as was initially reported. We also include prayers for the family at the passing of Pastor Steinbauer's stepfather in Michigan earlier this week. Please continue to remember this family in your prayers, asking that the Lord would grant them comfort and peace at this time of loss. Blessings, Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 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: 4616 bytes Desc: not available URL: