[DistUpd] September 17

[District Updates]

Update for September 17
A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE!

Greetings in the name of our Heavenly Father. The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Rome, "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4) What a blessing it is to know that God loved us enough to give us His Word to teach us, so that we might have the hope of eternal life with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ.

This verse can serve to remind us to faithfully teach God's Word to the children, youth, and adults in our congregations, and encourage members, parents, and children to take advantage of the Christian education opportunities available through their congregations. By spending time reading and studying "everything that was written in the past," we are encouraged in the hope we have in Jesus Christ.

As the Holy Spirit works through the lessons taught in Bible classes, Sunday school, Midweek, or day school, this hope is strengthened, and the joy that comes from knowing Jesus as the Savior increases. It is this joy that overflows into daily life, allowing us to be witnesses to those around us.

The Ablaze! movement is exactly that, being prepared to give a personal witness of the hope and joy you have because Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior. There is no complex evangelism program or strategy to follow. Simply take the opportunities God gives you each day to share the Gospel message of eternal life through Jesus Christ with those who don't have a relationship with Him. May your time spent in the study of God's Word and in prayer give you the "encouragement of the Scriptures" to share the hope you have in Jesus Christ with those you meet each day.

*        Update and Statement on Hurricane Ike
*        Wives of Pastors Retreat Still Accepting Registrations
*        Teachers' Conference Registration Materials Mailed
*        Kick-Off Event for The Rock Lutheran Church
*        Lutheran Blind Mission Anniversary Materials
*        Fan into Flame Congregation Update
*        Orphan Grain Train Sends Relief to Haiti
*        Pastor Appreciation Month is Coming
*        LCMS Medical Mission Trip to Indonesia Rescheduled
*        Concordia Lincoln Campus Ribbon Cutting
*        Plum Creek Literacy Festival


UPDATE AND STATEMENT ON HURRICANE IKE
LCMS World Relief/Human Care Update, September 15, 2008
(from http://www.lcms.org/pages/default.asp?NavID=891)
Hurricane Ike affected 132 counties and 13 million people - including an estimated 80 LCMS congregations. To date, 20 LCMS churches were significantly damaged, as were six church worker's homes. The status of the LCMS church in Galveston Island is yet unknown.

"There is going to be a lot of devastation, if not to LCMS congregations, certainly to member's homes," said Rev. Glenn F. Merritt, director of LCMS World Relief and Human Care disaster response.

Nearly 2 million residents are without power in Southeast Texas and officials say it could be 2-4 weeks before it is repaired. In response, LCMS WR-HC is partnering with Orphan Grain Train to provide food, water, and other basic necessities, as needed in Texas and Louisiana along the Gulf Coast. LCMS WR-HC will work closely with the LCMS Texas District and Southern District to further provide for immediate needs.

As LCMS church workers and members return home, LCMS WR-HC expects to learn of major damages. LCMS WR-HC is working closely with Recovery Assistance, Inc., the Southern District's disaster response arm, to deploy clean-up teams to Louisiana and Texas. LCMS WR-HC will also continue working with Lutheran Social Services of the South, a Lutheran Disaster Response affiliate, to provide long-term relief.

"The big issue for us today is we haven't seen these dollars come in," said Rev. Merritt. Your financial gifts are critical for immediate and long-term disaster relief on the Gulf Coast. Each dollar you donate provides for emotional, spiritual, and physical needs of those affected by recent hurricanes.

To donate, gifts can be mailed to LCMS World Relief and Human Care, P.O. Box 66861, St. Louis, MO 63166-9810, marked for Hurricane Relief. They can also be given via telephone through their credit card gift line, 1-888-930-4438.

Statement from President Kieschnick, September 16, 2008
Hurricane Ike has caused massive destruction along the Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana, even stretching into the midsection of the country. The scenes of ruin caused by Hurricane Ike on Galveston Island and in other inland cities along the Gulf Coast have been displayed on television screens and other media venues. The reports of flooding and storm-related deaths in Ike's wake are continuing to unfold in cities throughout the Midwest. As of today, it has been reported by CNN that "Ike and its remnants left at least 27 people dead from the U.S. Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes."  Those along rivers, such as the Missouri and Mississippi, are now facing the prospect of additional flooding as rains from the storm drain off the land into those rivers and their respective tributaries.

It is obvious that the devastation caused by Hurricane Ike is of enormous proportion, not just in the Gulf Coast area, but wherever Ike cut his path. Such widespread destruction also means that there is massive human need requiring attention. As Rev. Mark Junkans of the Lutheran Inter-City Network Coalition in Houston noted: "There are so many different communities within such a wide area in the Houston area that it is incredibly difficult to distribute the things that are needed. Even as people are still being rescued from the areas most affected by flooding, I have been throughout a lot of the poorest apartment complexes and subdivisions where families are already without much food or provisions."

As of yesterday, Dr. Lou Jander, Texas District Disaster Response Coordinator, reported that "20 LCMS churches were significantly damaged, as were six church workers' homes. The status of the LCMS church on Galveston Island is yet unknown." Rev. Glenn Merritt, director of LCMS World Relief and Human Care disaster response, added, "There is going to be a lot of devastation, if not to LCMS congregations, certainly to member's homes." This devastation, of course, extends into the neighborhoods and communities surrounding LCMS congregations and their members.

The Texas and Southern Districts along with congregations in the Houston area and across the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast are responding to those in need in the coastal regions. LCMS World Relief and Human Care and other relief agencies, such as Lutheran Social Services of the South, are on the ground in the Gulf Coast and other disaster-struck areas coordinating efforts to help those who have been afflicted. But your help is also desperately needed.

The effects of this horrendous storm, on top of other previous natural disasters-hurricanes, tornados, rainstorms, hailstorms, and flooding-have compounded the need for immediate and long-term assistance. Both physical and financial support are necessary for the recovery efforts that have now begun and, without doubt, will continue not only in the days and weeks ahead, but into the months and years ahead.

It is my prayer and belief that the response of love and care by the people of congregations of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, which has already begun in many cases, will be generous and overflowing, as is the love of God in Christ. Monetary gifts may be sent to LCMS World Relief/Human Care<http://www.lcms.org/pages/default.asp?NavID=891>, which is overseeing relief efforts on behalf of our Synod. LCMS World Relief/Human Care may also be contacted for more information regarding how one may provide on-the-ground assistance.

Please keep in your prayers all whose lives, property, or possessions have been affected by this devastating hurricane.
Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick, President
The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod


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WIVES OF PASTORS RETREAT STILL ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS
Every pastor's wife in the Nebraska District is invited to a retreat designed to provide rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation with other wives of pastors. The Nebraska District Wives of Pastors Retreat will be held October 10-11 at The Leadership Center in Aurora with special guest speaker Linda Bartlett, former president of Lutherans For Life.

There are still rooms available, and women who have not yet registered may do so through this Friday, September 19. Registration materials were mailed to each pastor's wife, and are also available on the District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/news/conferences/wives.html.

The low registration fee covers lodging, three meals, and speaker costs. Congregations are encouraged to cover the cost of this retreat for their pastor's wife if she wishes to attend. Contact Julie Roebke at the District Office, 888-643-2961 or julier at ndlcms.org<mailto:julier at ndlcms.org>, with questions or for more information.


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TEACHERS' CONFERENCE REGISTRATION MATERIALS MAILED
Principals and preschool directors should have received the registration packet for the Nebraska District Teachers' Conference to be held October 23-24 at Trinity Lutheran Church and School in Fremont. The registration materials are also available on the District website, www.ndlcms.org<http://www.ndlcms.org/>.

All educators in the Nebraska District are encouraged to join together under the theme, "Be Still and Know," with keynote presentations by Rev. Dr. David-Paul Zimmerman, pastor and administrator of Amazing Grace Lutheran Church and School in Seattle, Washington. There will also be many break-out sessions to choose from, as well as time to renew acquaintances and enjoy fellowship with other teachers.

Registrations are due to the District Office by Friday, October 10. Contact Kathy Melton at 888-643-2961 or kathym at ndlcms.org<mailto:kathym at ndlcms.org> with questions or for more information.


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KICK-OFF EVENT FOR THE ROCK LUTHERAN CHURCH
Christ Lutheran's (Lincoln) Room 211 Band will be in concert at the Seward Bandshell (5th and Jackson Streets) at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 21, as part of a kick-off event for THE ROCK Lutheran Church, a new LCMS church plant in Seward. (The rain location is the Seward Civic Center Auditorium). Come for the concert and look forward to prizes, pizza, and pop!


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LUTHERAN BLIND MISSION ANNIVERSARY MATERIALS
For 85 years, Lutheran Blind Mission has been serving people who are blind and visually-impaired and helping congregations minister to and reach out to them. October is their anniversary month, and congregations should have received a packet of materials to help highlight this ministry.

A mission of LCMS World Mission, Lutheran Blind Mission works to share the news of salvation with those who are blind and visually-impaired. Each packets contains a Bible study, their anniversary hymn, a banner design, a litany for use in a worship service, a reproducible information brochure, a reproducible bulletin insert, and poster.

Congregations that wish to draw attention to this ministry may use these resources at a Sunday service of their choosing. For more information on Lutheran Blind Mission, visit www.blindmission.org<http://www.blindmission.org/> or call 888-215-2455.


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FAN INTO FLAME CONGREGATION 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.

Immanuel, Tilden - Our congregation had begun discussing the LCMS mission movement Ablaze! in 2007 through Bible studies and at voters' meetings. When we found out the Nebraska District would be participating in Fan into Flame in 2008, we viewed a video provided by the Nebraska District Office that helped increase our awareness of the campaign.

Our congregational appeal began in earnest with the Mission Board, Stewardship Board, and the Church Council meeting to make plans on how to implement our appeal. Our timeline and goal of $21,000 (10% of our budget) was set. This goal seemed a staggering amount to expect from our members, since meeting our local needs can be a challenge.

We held small cottage visits over a 5-6 week period, along with mailing out letters educating the members and inviting them to be a part of a cottage visit. Bulletin announcements and monthly newsletter articles shared about Fan into Flame and what it meant for our congregation. Fan into Flame and Ablaze! were tied into pastor's sermons as often as possible, and the Fan into Flame Faith Sharing Moments video clips were shown at the beginning and end of services for several weeks. (A copy of this DVD is available from the District Office, 888-643-2961.)

A Commitment Weekend was set following the end of the cottage meetings. During the services, congregation members were invited to bring forward the pledge they carefully considered. Through God's blessings, the pledges received doubled our goal with a total commitment of more than $47,000.

The committee chose our Little Lambs Daycare and Preschool for our local use of the mission funds. The 15% net that comes back to Immanuel will be used for scholarships for the daycare and preschool, which is a mission project of Immanuel Lutheran Church that reaches far out into our community.

If I can encourage and help anyone through this experience, I strongly implore all churches to be a part of the "Body of Christ" and come together by thinking outside of themselves, totally trusting that Jesus Christ is indeed Lord of His Church and trusting that He alone blesses and provides. Be a part of mission work at every level. Join with the "Body of Christ" in The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod through some level of Ablaze! and Fan into Flame. It is a truly unique way to connect with each other by reaching out to the world with the positive message that Jesus really did die on the cross for their sins and that He really does love them. And through it, you and your congregation will be blessed!

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<mailto:Andrea.Essling at ndlcms.org> or 888-643-2961.


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ORPHAN GRAIN TRAIN SENDS RELIEF TO HAITI
Orphan Grain Train, a Christian humanitarian relief organization headquartered at Norfolk, Nebraska, announced this week that it is preparing to ship 256,000 "Kids Against Hunger" meals to the port city of Gonaives, Haiti.

An earlier shipment of 256,000 meals to be shared between Haiti and the Dominican Republic arrived only two days before the hurricanes Anna and Ike, and these meals are now being distributed.

The Lutheran Church of Haiti reports that more than 150,000 people have gathered on the highest ground in that city. Most of the city is covered in three to four feet of water since the back-to-back hurricanes. Land transport into the city is limited, as bridges on the north and west have been damaged. Gonaives' main food supply is only through St. Marc or L'Estere, which also have food shortages. Both St. Marc and L'Estere are cut off from the capital city, Port-au-Prince. United Nations helicopters have brought in Gonaives only food supply since the hurricanes. Other reports claim many people in the city have gone without food for four days because of the few helicopters available for this effort.

Medical care is limited to special needs cases as supplies and staff are in short supply. Orphan Grain Train's partner, the Lutheran Church of Haiti, is requesting the food aid that it might relieve the starvation that has come to the island nation. The main church and its offices were housing 200 people after Hurricane Anna. They are now housing 1,000-most of whom are sick. One lady has given birth in their shelter. They hope to receive medical assistance for the baby and her mother.

The people of Gonaives have only the clothes they are wearing. Floodwaters from Hurricanes Anna and Ike ruined everything they own. Toiletries and sanitary supplies are also non-existent. Human corpses and dead animals lie in the mud as floodwaters recede.

Food distributions by the Lutheran Church of Haiti are intended for all people in need, regardless of church affiliation.

Orphan Grain Train's 18 regional divisions share the name and character of Jesus Christ along with humanitarian relief here in America and around the world. Each regional division has volunteers who sort and load donated supplies, clothing, equipment, and other items needed by Orphan Grain Train's recipients. Orphan Grain Train has shipped more than 1,400 semi-loads of relief and development supplies worldwide since 1992.


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PASTOR APPRECIATION MONTH IS COMING
October is national "Clergy Appreciation Month," and October 12 is suggested as "Clergy Appreciation Sunday." The Commission on Ministerial Growth and Support (CMGS) encourages each congregation to celebrate the significant work of their pastor(s) on this or another Sunday in October. Watch for the Clergy Appreciation poster coming to your congregation in October. For congregations with newly graduated pastors, the CMGS offers Post-Seminary Applied Learning and Support (PALS) groups for continuing education and collegial activities to help in the transition from seminary life to life in parish ministry. For further information about PALS and other CMGS programs, contact the CMGS at cmgs at lcms.org<mailto:cmgs at lcms.org>.


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LCMS MEDICAL MISSION TRIP TO INDONESIA RESCHEDULED
The LCMS World Relief and Human Care Mercy Medical Team to Indonesia has been re-scheduled from November to February 15-25, 2009. Volunteers cover the cost of the trip which includes their own airfare from their chosen departure airport, and a flat fee for ground transportation, lodging, and medical supplies for the needy (total estimated to be around $3,000). Please write maggie.karner at lcms.org<mailto:maggie.karner at lcms.org> or call 800-248-1930, ext. 1371 or cell phone at 765-748-7743 with any questions or concerns.


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CONCORDIA LINCOLN CAMPUS RIBBON CUTTING
The official ribbon cutting ceremony for Concordia University's new campus in Lincoln will take place on Saturday, October 11. The university's graduate college and adult education programs in Lincoln have been in session for several weeks there already, but this will be the first celebration of the historic move.

Concordia will celebrate the opening with the other tenants of the Town Center facility and the NEBCO Inc. development company in a day full of events. The ribbon cutting will be at 9:30 a.m.
"Concordia has been about the business of higher education for a long time, 115 years," said Rev. Dr. Brian L. Friedrich. "We are thrilled to be in Fallbrook and start a new venture of serving the Lincoln community in its midst and also continuing to reach out to others through long-distance delivery."

Events on October 11 will get underway even before the ribbon cutting. NOAH's Assistance Dogs will be sponsoring both competitive and fun runs with pets during the morning. With the help of faculty and students from Concordia, the group will also have a pet parade and dog handling demonstrations. Registration begins at 8 a.m.

Throughout the afternoon Concordia's offices and classrooms will be open with tours and program information available regarding graduate study programs and bachelor's degree completion for working adults.

"Concordia prides itself in its academic relevance combined with solid theory," said Dr. Mark Blanke, associate provost of the university. "High quality instruction and a student-centeredness are at the core of everything that we do. This facility is testimony to that fact."

In the plazas surrounding the building, attendees will be able to enjoy live music from one of Concordia's student praise bands and visit with Boogie, one of Concordia's bulldog mascots.

NEBCO Inc. is pairing the grand opening with the second Fall Festival for the Fallbrook neighborhood with a tailgate party, a broadcast of the Nebraska Huskers football game, more live music, home tours and an art show.


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PLUM CREEK LITERACY FESTIVAL
Concordia University, Nebraska will welcome nationally known authors and illustrators to campus October 9-11 for the 13th annual Plum Creek Children's Literacy Festival. The event gives children, teachers, administrators, and other interested adults from Nebraska and neighboring states the opportunity to interact with authors, illustrators, and literacy experts. More than 5,700 are expected to participate this year.

"We are very excited to be bringing fantastic authors and illustrators yet again this year," said Vikki Gremel, festival coordinator. "The entire community comes together to help make this a meaningful and educational three days."

Over the course of the three days, the authors and illustrators will visit Seward-area schools, offer sessions on Concordia's campus to students from all over the Midwest, and speak to adults in specialized presentations. They will also participate in multiple autographing sessions.

The first two days are already fully booked, but pre-registration remains open for the adult learning sessions on Saturday, October 11. The general public is invited to sign up. The adult sessions will be of special interest to early childhood, elementary, middle level, and secondary teachers, reading specialists, home school teachers, and media specialists. Mo Willems, New York Times bestselling author and illustrator, will be Saturday's luncheon guest speaker.

This year's festival authors and illustrators include:
*         Joan Bauer of Brooklyn, N.Y., author of numerous award-winning and "best of" books including top young adult titles Rules of the Road and Hope was Here.
*         Cynthia DeFelice of Geneva, N.Y., author of 26 novels and picture books who was inspired to write by her job as an elementary school librarian and her love of reading aloud to children. Her latest title for young readers is The Ghost of Poplar Point.
*         Gail Gibbons, author and illustrator of more than 100 non-fiction titles who got her start in artwork for children's television shows. Always curious about the world around her, the latest title in her collection is about dinosaurs.
*         Mike Graf, author of books covering a huge variety of topics including weather, national parks, caves and rock-climbing, storm-chasing, ghost towns and more, all of which come from his own personal experiences and travels. Tail of the Scorpion is the latest title in his series about our national parks and the Parker family's adventures in them.
*         Hans Wilhelm of Weston, Conn., author and illustrator with more than 35 million books in print including the best seller I'll Always Love You, and one of his most recent titles Come Rhyme with Me. His illustrations are housed in museums around the country.
*         Mo Willems of Brooklyn, N.Y., author and illustrator of the No.1 New York Times bestsellers and Caldecott Honor winning picture books Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale and Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity.

Festival registration forms and payment options are available online at www.cune.edu/PlumCreek<http://www.cune.edu/PlumCreek>. Registrations are due by October 1.


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Blessings,
Nichole Hetz
Nebraska District LCMS
Director of Communications
1-888-643-2961
nicholeh at ndlcms.org<mailto:nicholeh at ndlcms.org>
www.ndlcms.org<http://www.ndlcms.org/>

* Please Note: The inclusion of items in the Update from outside sources is for informational purposes only. Inclusion of such items does not constitute District endorsement.

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