[DistUpd] April 8

Wed Apr 8 16:03:29 CDT 2009

Update for April 8
A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE!

What a blessing to draw together this week with fellow believers at the foot of the cross and the entrance of the empty tomb to remember the tremendous sacrifice God made to save us. May the Lord bless your Holy Week and grant you a blessed Easter celebration!

*         Prayer Requests
*         Easter Greetings!
*         District Office Holy Week Hours
*         Convention Registrations Mailed
*         Reminder: Nebraska Biennial Report Forms Due April 1
*         Correction to Concordia Family Life Ministry Courses
*         Take the Bus to Greensboro for the LLL Convention
*         Overseas Service Opportunity
*         Facilities Added at Concordia for Advanced Anatomy Course
*         Nebraska Youth Participate in Council of Lutheran Youth Fellowship Representatives
*         Travel to Germany in 2010
*         New from Concordia Publishing House
*         Children's Christian Concern Society Celebrates 40 Years of Ministry

PRAYER REQUESTS
Mikayla Stockmeyer - We join in prayers of thanksgiving with Rev. Michael and Heidi Stockmeyer at the birth of their daughter, Mikayla Marie, born on March 25. We praise God for this new gift of life, and we look forward to Mikayla receiving her gift of eternal life through her baptism. Rev. Stockmeyer serves the congregations of Grace, Platte Center, and St. Peter's, Humphrey.

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EASTER GREETINGS!

Jesus' Resurrection Alive in Us!

Easter Joy from Your Nebraska District LCMS Staff

District President Russ Sommerfeld

 On Easter in 1524, Martin Luther proclaimed the Resurrection of Jesus in a sermon with these words:

"St. Paul writes in Romans 4, 25 as follows: "Christ was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification." Paul is indeed the man who extols Christ in a masterly manner, telling us exactly why and for what purpose he suffered and how we should conform ourselves to his sufferings, namely, that he died for our sins. This is a correct interpretation of the sufferings of Christ, by which we may profit. And as it is not sufficient to know and believe that Christ has died, so it will not suffice to know and believe that he rose with a transfigured body and is now in a state of joy and blessedness, no longer subject to mortality, for all this would profit me nothing or very little. But when I come to understand the fact that all the works God does in Christ are done for me, nay, they are bestowed upon and given to me, the effect of his resurrection being that I also will arise and live with him; that will cause me to rejoice. This must be brought home to our hearts, and we must not merely hear it with the ears of our body nor merely confess it with our mouth."

As the certainty of God's amazing Word made flesh in Jesus to suffer, die, and rise victorious over death is proclaimed this Easter Sunday, it can dwell in the very core of our beings! There simply is no one else like Jesus Christ. He stooped to our earth to suffer, die, and arise solely to sacrifice Himself to rescue imperfect and undeserving human beings. He is God for us!  And He gives us the delight of sharing His resurrection from the depth of our beings.

With the 247 congregations, 43 schools, 36 preschools, Concordia University Nebraska, pastors, teachers, directors of Christian education, vicars, interns, and other workers in the church of the Nebraska District LCMS, your servants of the District rejoice:

He is Risen!  He is Risen indeed!

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DISTRICT OFFICE HOLY WEEK HOURS
The Nebraska District Office will be closed this Friday, April 10, in observance of Good Friday. The Office will reopen on Monday, April 13, at 8:00 a.m. with staff devotions.

Remember, the District website is always available to answer many of your common questions, even when the office staff is unavailable. You may visit our site at www.ndlcms.org<http://www.ndlcms.org/> anytime.

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CONVENTION REGISTRATIONS MAILED
District Convention registration materials were mailed to all rostered church workers and certified voting lay delegates last week. Everyone who plans to attend the convention must complete and return a registration form by the May 11 deadline to insure adequate meals and lodging. Guests are welcome and encouraged to attend. Guest registration forms, as well as voting and advisory delegate forms, are available to be printed from the District website at www.ndlcms.org<http://www.ndlcms.org/> and follow the convention link. Church offices will also be receiving a copy of the guest registration form that may be copied for anyone wishing to register.

All meals and lodging will be on Concordia's campus, unless delegates choose to make their own arrangements. There is no reimbursement for personal arrangements. All lodging on campus is double-occupancy dorm housing.

The District Convention will be held June 4-6 on the campus of Concordia University, Seward. Convention business will take place in the newly completed Health, Human Performance, and Athletic Center. A map of campus is also available from the convention webpage.

The Convention Workbook is being distributed on CD this year, and will be mailed to all voting and advisory delegates the week of April 20. The workbook sections will also be available on the District website for guests and others interested in the mission and ministry of the Nebraska District. Questions on the District Convention may be directed to the District Office at info at ndlcms.org<mailto:info at ndlcms.org> or 888-643-2961.

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REMINDER: NEBRASKA BIENNIAL REPORT FORMS DUE APRIL 1
2009 Nebraska Nonprofit Corporation Biennial Report Forms were to be filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State on April 1, 2009, and are delinquent on June 1, 2009.  Failure to file the Biennial Report Form and pay the $20 fee by June 1, 2009, will result in the administrative dissolution of a nonprofit corporation.

Your congregation, school, or ministry, as a Nebraska nonprofit corporation, should have received this form from the Secretary of State's office earlier this year.  If you did not receive this form, you should confirm that your nonprofit corporation's contact information is correct in the Secretary of State's database by using the search feature found at https://www.nebraska.gov/sos/corp/corpsearch.cgi?nav=search. If your congregation is not listed in the Secretary of State's database, please contact Paul Pettit, District Treasurer.

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CORRECTION TO CONCORDIA FAMILY LIFE MINISTRY COURSES
The fee per workshop for the summer family life ministry courses from Concordia University was listed incorrectly in the Update last week. The correct per workshop/day fee is $50. Following is the information with the correct fee listed.

Concordia University, Nebraska, is offering a number of Family Life Ministry workshops this summer as part of its College of Graduate Studies at its Lincoln Campus. Those who are interested in attending one or more of the following workshops may do so on a day-by-day basis. The cost is $50 per workshop/day, and participants will not earn credit, but will earn continuing education credits. To register for a course or a workshop go to http://www.cune.edu/academics/13754/

If you would like more information, please contact Rev. Kevin Kohnke at kevin.kohnke at cune.edu<mailto:kevin.kohnke at cune.edu>.

Site: Lincoln, Neb., campus
June 8-12, 2009
SOC 533 - Aging and the Family
Instructor: Drs. Shirley and Marvin Bergman

Monday, June 8
Aging and the Family (Workshop #155)

Tuesday, June 9
Social Aspects of Aging (Workshop #156)

Wednesday, June 10
Later Life Health (Workshop #157)

Thursday, June 11
Later Life Changes (Workshop #158)

Friday, June 12
Aging and Society (Workshop #159)

Site: Lincoln, Neb., campus
June 15-19, 2009
PSY 545 - Foundations of Christian Marriage and Family
Instructors: Dr. Paul Vasconcellos and Rev. Dr. Roger Kruger

Monday, June 15
C-PREP Training*: Relationship Strategies for Lowering Risk and Raising Protective Factors (Workshop #101)

Tuesday, June 16
C-PREP Training* (Workshop #102)

Wednesday, June 17
C-PREP Training* (Workshop #103)

Thursday, June 18
The Dynamics and Health of Single Parent Families, Remarriage and Stepfamilies (Workshop #104)

Friday, June 19
The Dynamics and Health of Families (Workshop #105)

*C-PREP Instructor Training: All students in the Marriage and Family class will have three days of C-PREP (Christian Prevention & Relationship Enhancement Program). These classes will focus on divorce prevention and maintaining strong love relationships. The material is based on 20 years of research and is the best that we have seen for leading marriage enrichment groups. The class also covers special C-PREP training for leading workshops in your congregation and community. The C-PREP training kits cost an additional $120 and are required for students who wish to become certified nationally to teach in the congregation and community. All class members will need several resources covered by the additional resource fee of $40. Registration must be received by May 1, 2009, for ordering the kits. We must have an exact count by May 1. The kits cannot be returned.

Site: Lincoln, Neb., campus
June 22-26, 2009
PSY 555 - Lifespan Development
Instructor: Rev. Kevin Kohnke

Monday, June 22
Lifespan Development Perspectives (Workshop #130)

Tuesday, June 23
Adolescence (Workshop #131)

Wednesday, June 24
Middle-Late Childhood (Workshop #132)

Thursday, June 25
Older Adults (Workshop #133)

Friday, June 26
Death and Dying Education (Workshop #134)

Site: Online
August, October
SOC-546 - Family Law & Public Policy
Begins Aug. 24

PSY-546 - Dysfunctions in Families/Crisis Intervention
Begins Aug. 24

SOC-545 - Theory & Dynamics of Family Relations
Begins Oct. 16

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TAKE THE BUS TO GREENSBORO FOR THE LLL CONVENTION
The bus traveling to Greensboro, North Carolina, for the International Lutheran Laymen's League Convention will leave Monday, July 13, from Grand Island, picking up passengers at locations going east along I-80, I-29, and I-70 in Missouri.

The bus will arrive in Greensboro on Wednesday, July 15.  Overnight stays will be in St. Louis and Nashville on the way to Greensboro, and in Cincinnati and Springfield, Illinois on the return trip. The bus will arrive home on Wednesday, July 22.

Travel to and from Greensboro, including travel and two nights of lodging each way, will be approximately $395 per person, double occupancy. There must be 45 passengers to ensure this cost.

For more information, email Paul Schmidt, at psflatwater at inebraska.com<mailto:psflatwater at inebraska.com> or call 402-462-2064 for a registration form. The registration deadline is May 1, with a $150 deposit paid by that date, and final payment due June 1.  Registration and payments will be handled through Superior Travel and Tour, 407 N. Central, Superior, Nebraska, 68978. They may be reached at 800-279-1026 or superiortandt at gmail.com<mailto:superiortandt at gmail.com>. You will need to make your own hotel reservations at the convention hotel in Greensboro, and all meals will be on your own to and from Greensboro.

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OVERSEAS SERVICE OPPORTUNITY
Right now you have the opportunity to meet an urgent need as an EFL teacher in Slovakia.

Looking for a school to teach at with a real challenge? If you enjoy working with high school students and would like many opportunities to witness, think about teaching at Evangelical Gymnazium-Tisovec, a completely bilingual school in Slovakia. You will teach English grammar and conversation, as well as other subjects using English, to students attending this Lutheran school. You will also be involved in other activities at the school and dorm.

To learn how you can serve God by going global, visit www.lcmsworldmission.org/searchopps<http://www.lcmsworldmission.org/searchopps>.
Contact an LCMS World Mission placement counselor at 1-800-433-3954 or mission.recruitment at lcms.org<mailto:mission.recruitment at lcms.org>.

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FACILITIES ADDED AT CONCORDIA FOR ADVANCED ANATOMY COURSE
Not every new class at Concordia needs a new room built for it, but it was a necessity for BIO 450 and 451, Concordia University, Nebraska's gross anatomy courses. Because of the new facility, students in gross anatomy, typically pre-med students, are now able to dissect a human cadaver.

"As far as I know, we are the only liberal arts institution in the state to offer a course of this kind," said Dr. Timothy Huntington, assistant professor of biology. "It is such a privilege for the students to have this opportunity, and I'm hoping to offer the gross anatomy courses for pre-med students every spring."

Science 102A, the room built this winter to meet the mandates established by The Nebraska Anatomical Board, ensures proper security, privacy, and ventilation for the study of a cadaver. Huntington hopes the new facility opens the chance to offer human dissection courses on a more routine basis.

Huntington stresses the importance for respect of the donor and of the opportunity. Only biology faculty members have access to the room. "Unless you're in the course, I won't let you into the lab or even look into it through the doorway."  Huntington believes the respectful vigilance is absolutely necessary and protects the privilege that gross anatomy students now have.

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NEBRASKA YOUTH PARTICIPATE IN COUNCIL OF LUTHERAN YOUTH FELLOWSHIP REPRESENTATIVES
The annual meeting of the Council of Lutheran Youth Fellowship Representatives (CLYFR) gathered in Saint Louis, Missouri March 12-15. Lutheran Youth Fellowship is the student leadership organization of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and is sponsored by LCMS Youth Ministry. LCMS districts are invited to send two youth and one adult to participate in this student leadership event. 18 districts were represented at CLYFR 2009. Angela Kleb, Omaha, Kiley Jean Grandstaff, Gretna, and Andrea Roettger, adult leader from Omaha, represented the Nebraska District at CLYFR 2009.

CLYFR participants receive training in a core leadership module, written by LCMS experts from various ministries throughout the church. Training is led by the six-member LYF Executive Board. Participants are equipped to teach the model to other youth in their home district.

The 2009 training topic "Teen Focus Training" was written by Megan Gust, one of the members of the LYF Executive Board, in consultation with DCE Lisa Hellyer. The training challenges youth to examine the roles they can play in the church, to share their faith story with unbelievers, and to stay focused on God both now and as they graduate from high school.

CLYFR provides leadership development for teens, and is led by teens. Jessica Bordeleau, LYF Coordinator for the Youth Ministry Office, states, "By equipping and enabling youth to lead, they learn valuable leadership skills and recognize that God has called youth to work as a valuable part of the church community now...not just when they grow up."

For information about sending youth to the 2010 Council of Lutheran Youth Fellowship Representatives, congregations can contact their District office.

An event for Nebraska youth led by CLYFR attendees will be held July 31-August 1 at Peace, Grand Island. This event is designed to encourage and teach youth how to be better leaders in their church and community. More information will be mailed to church offices in early summer.

"Teen Focus Training" will also be offered at a new event this summer called Youth Leadership CORE, which will take place July 5-8, 2009, at Camp Wartburg in Waterloo, Ill. All youth ages 15-18 are encouraged to attend.

To learn more about Lutheran Youth Fellowship, all of the available training modules, and Youth Leadership CORE visit LCMS Youth Ministry online at www.lcms.org/youth, or call 800.248.1930 x. 1722.

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TRAVEL TO GERMANY IN 2010
Pastor Bill and Martha Moorhead invite anyone to join them for a trip to Germany that incorporates Luther/Reformation sites, the Passion Play, and Oktoberfest, as well as some other off-the-beaten-path sites. The trip will be Sept 14-24, 2010. Contact Rev. Moorhead at revhawk at cox.net<mailto:revhawk at cox.net> with questions or for details.

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NEW FROM CONCORDIA PUBLISHING HOUSE
Confirmation Gift and Prayer Book
Concordia Publishing House offers a new resource for young Lutherans, Blessings and Prayers for Confirmation. The contents of the book encourage the practice of prayer and "everyday devotional living."

The resource includes brief devotions, prayers, psalms, and hymns that "allow students to spend time with God's Word, and approach each day understanding God's love for them in Christ," shares Mark Sengele, editor of CPH youth materials. The product is available for order at www.cph.org<http://www.cph.org/>.

The book includes the full text for the Rite of Confirmation. "Often, students appreciate the chance to read the words spoken over them on that special day," shares Gretchen Jameson, corporate communications manager. "This resource is a reminder of God's action in their life, and holds messages that grow with teenagers as they mature in faith."

"Blessings and Prayers for Confirmation was intentionally designed to be portable; it's a great fit for book bags, lockers, and even lunch boxes, so it's accessible to the active student," Sengele adds.

Baptism Birthday Cards Celebrate Life in Christ
Concordia Publishing House announces a new line of Baptism Birthday Cards. The 15-card set includes one card for Baptism, 13 cards to commemorate Baptism birthdays, and a special card to celebrate confirmation. The set, which is unique to the sacramental life of Lutheran churches, is available at www.cph.org<http://www.cph.org/>.

Product developer, Gail Pawlitz shares, "These cards remind a child, 'You are God's child.' The cards are age appropriate, highlight teachings about Baptism, and convey a shared faith and love in Jesus Christ. Adults who use the cards acknowledge a life-changing day, and nurture the child's spiritual growth."

The Baptism Birthday Card set is appropriate for sponsors, family, and other adults to give a child to celebrate the blessings of Baptism.

New Children's Puzzle Book
Concordia Publishing House introduces the new teacher resource, Miracle Puzzlers: Word Puzzles from Jesus' Miracles. The children's puzzle book provides a supplement to classroom curriculum or family devotion time. Twenty-eight reproducible word puzzles, appropriate for children in fourth through sixth grade, offer an exploration of the miracles of Jesus Christ recorded in the Gospels.

Activities include a brief Bible connection, directions, a code puzzle, a drawing activity, and a short writing activity. Puzzle solutions reinforce Bible knowledge and problem-solving skills.

Puzzle maker, William Schlegl is a retired fourth-grade schoolteacher who taught for 36 years in the Lutheran parochial school system and the Quincy, Illinois, public school system. Schlegl shares, "Miracle Puzzlers enables students to have fun working the activities, while they learn about our Savior, Jesus. I have been told by many adults that they also enjoy working these puzzles."

To learn more about this puzzle book, visit the CPH website at http://www.cph.org/cphstore/product.asp?category=&part%5Fno=124322&find%5Fcategory=WEB%5FALL&find%5Fdescription=&find%5Fpart%5Fdesc=miracle+puzzlers

Pocket-sized Edition of Lutheran Confessions
Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions is available in a pocket-size edition, measuring just 4" x 6-1/2". Orders can be placed online at www.cph.org<http://www.cph.org/>, keyword: pocket.

The edition includes the official texts of the Book of Concord, plus three appendixes of historic Lutheran writings, a "Book of Concord Reading Guide," a Scripture index, and a subject index.
Concordia Publishing House has produced the pocket-size edition to serve "the pastor on the go, seminary students and pastors in class, and laity."

"Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions is the most popular English edition of the Lutheran confessions ever produced, but the full study edition is not small in size," says Rev. Benjamin T. G. Mayes, Associate Editor, Professional and Academic Books. "People are now able to take the Book of Concord with them in a book bag, briefcase, or even a jacket pocket."

Orders for these and other products can be placed at www.cph.org<http://www.cph.org/> or by calling Customer Service at 1-800-325-3040.

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CHILDREN'S CHRISTIAN CONCERN SOCIETY CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF MINISTRY (from Mission News, April 7)
LCMS World Mission rejoices with the Children's Christian Concern Society (CCCS) as they celebrate 40 years of ministry around the world. CCCS is a Recognized Service Organization of the LCMS through LCMS World Mission. They currently serve more than 17,000 children in 19 developing countries at 193 school sites. In 2009, CCCS celebrates 40 years of sharing the love of Jesus with children through Christian education!

CCCS schools and project managers work in partnership with LCMS missionaries and partner churches in the countries where they serve. Executive Director David W. Saving traveled to African countries in February and March to check the progress of CCCS schools there. One of the countries visited was Sierra Leone, where there are 18 CCCS schools, 68 teachers, and 1,775 students attending school.

One of CCCS' longest-running programs is in El Salvador, Central America. The director, Blanca Marina Mendez, was herself once a scholarship student living with Rev. Mejia in Zacapa, Guatemala, so that she could attend a CCCS school. After marrying, she and her husband began Monte Zion Lutheran School in Pasaquina, El Salvador, where she serves 200 children with scholarships.

Rev. Byron Paz is a pastor in Puerto Barrios, Guatemala, and formerly served as the president of the Lutheran Church of Guatemala. He is also a former CCCS scholarship recipient! He reports that Christ the Savior Lutheran School in Puerto Barrios, Guatemala, has grown to 287 students. He was afraid the enrollment would drop with the country's suffering economy, but it has actually grown by 31 students.

Speaking of the project directors in each country, Project Director Edith Jones writes, "All of our directors are Lutheran Christians in their country and work out of love. They put their hearts into reaching children with the love of Jesus, encouraging them in their faith and their studies. They truly want to make a difference with the hope these children will improve not only their lives, but their families, their churches and their countries. One director wrote that growing strong leaders in their countries is one of their main goals."

Join LCMS World Mission in thanking the Lord for how He has used CCCS over the last 40 years to educate children and reach out to them with God's love! To learn more about CCCS, and to read David Saving's blog, visit www.cccskids.org<http://www.cccskids.org/>.

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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<mailto:communications at ndlcms.org>. We pray 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. They are invited to subscribe by emailing their request to nicholeh at ndlcms.org<mailto:nicholeh at ndlcms.org> or by visiting the District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/news/communications.

The Nebraska District staff wishes you and your family a very blessed Easter!

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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