[DistUpd] August 19

Wed Aug 19 11:48:24 CDT 2009

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August 19, 2009

In this issue:

Greetings in the name of our loving Heavenly Father. Schools across Nebraska have started or are starting in the days ahead. Likewise, congregations are preparing for the start of a new year of Sunday school and Bible classes. Part of the preparations for a new school year is choosing mission projects for the students to support. Did you know the Nebraska District has a number of mission projects here in Nebraska that need funding?

Congregations of the Nebraska District support ministries on Nebraska college campuses, Hispanic ministry, Sudanese ministry, Native American ministry, and Sandhills ministry through their mission and ministry gifts to the Nebraska District and through gifts specified for these ministries. These directed gifts are made by using one of the adoption agreements available on the District website. Congregations and schools are encouraged to visit http://www.ndlcms.org/ministries/district/agreements.html to view adoption agreements for Nebraska District missions and to consider supporting one or more local missions throughout the coming school year. More information on the ministries is available at http://www.ndlcms.org/ministries/district/index.html. Contact Rev. Rich Boring at the District Office, richb at ndlcms.org<mailto:richb at ndlcms.org> or 888-643-2961, for more information on District missions.

*         Church/School Secretary Workshop Date Set
*         Tell Us About Your Vacation Bible School
*         LCMS Issues Statement on Health Care Reform
*         Prospective Seminary Students Invited to "Contemplate"
*         K4 Restoration Sunday Video
*         TLCare at Mayo Hospital
*         Nebraska Lutherans for Confessional Study to Meet
*         Concordia Publishing House to Dedicate New Bookstore at Concordia University, Nebraska

CHURCH/SCHOOL SECRETARY WORKSHOP DATE SET
The 2009 Church Secretary Workshop hosted by the Nebraska District is scheduled to be held from 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3, at Concordia University, Seward. More information will be mailed to church and school offices in mid-September. Office staff should mark the date on their calendars and make plans now to join together with others to celebrate their common ministry and gain new insights from shared ideas. Questions may be directed to Nichole at the District Office, nicholeh at ndlcms.org<mailto:nicholeh at ndlcms.org> or 888-643-2961.

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TELL US ABOUT YOUR VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Congregations across the District are finished with another Vacation Bible School season. Throughout the summer, many of you have told us exciting stories about VBS at your congregation or in your community.

We have heard about the wonderful things God has done through your VBS (reaching out into the community to bring the Gospel to unchurched children). Others have shared stories of the ways the seed was planted in the hearts of children and their families (taking VBS into community trailer courts). Some of you approached VBS in unique and different ways (kissing an alligator)!

Whether you are a pastor, a teacher, a volunteer, a parent, or a student, you have a story to tell. We love hearing stories about the unique and special things that happened at VBS, as well as seeing the miracles God is working through these summertime gatherings.

Maybe it was a new schedule, a fresh approach to advertising, a wonderful witness given by teacher or student, or something else. Whatever it was, let us know. Just send your VBS stories to info at ndlcms.org<mailto:info at ndlcms.org>, along with your name and your congregation's name, and let us rejoice with you! Thanks for taking the time to share your story.

Here's one to get you started: Eighteen high school youth and two adults traveled from Mexico to Omaha on a mission trip and helped hold a Vacation Bible School at the Tree of Life Center for Hispanic children in the area.

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LCMS Issues Statement on Health Care Reform
In a statement released Aug. 14, Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod President Gerald B. Kieschnick acknowledges that the health-care reform issue is "complicated and still evolving," but stresses that the Synod "would not endorse any component of a plan that includes funding for abortion."

"As pro-life advocates," Kieschnick says, "we would want to prohibit any government money from being used, even indirectly, for insurance that covers abortion."

Regardless of the outcome of the health-care debate -- now "on the table" until lawmakers return to the capital next month - "God's Word will continue to guide us as we offer Christian care and compassion to our neighbors in time of need," he says.

Kieschnick encourages LCMS congregation members "to be attuned to the debate and the process" and to "pray for our elected leaders and for all those in authority."

Says Kieschnick: "We have been called to be disciples of Christ and witnesses for Christ.  Searching for an effective means of ministering to the sick and vulnerable is one way to respond to that calling.  May the Lord grant us, our leaders, and our nation wisdom in this process."

To read the statement in its entirety, click here<http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=15560> or visit the LCMS website at www.lcms.org<http://www.lcms.org/>.

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PROSPECTIVE SEMINARY STUDENTS INVITED TO "CONTEMPLATE . . ."
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, is pleased to invite prospective students and their guests to attend "Contemplate..." to be held October 8-10, 2009, and March 11-13, 2010, on the Seminary campus. At this time, the registration form for both events is on the Concordia Seminary website at www.csl.edu<http://www.csl.edu/>. A full brochure is forthcoming.

Designed for those who are college age or older, the structured visitation event provides an effective means of learning more about life in the Concordia Seminary community and the preparation that leads to service as a pastor, missionary, chaplain, or deaconess in The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

There is no charge to attend "Contemplate..." and all meals and lodging are provided free of charge. Round-trip transportation to Concordia Seminary from the airport is provided.

For more information, contact the Admissions Office at 1-800-822-9545 or admissions at csl.edu<mailto:admissions at csl.edu>.

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K4 RESTORATION SUNDAY VIDEO
Hundreds of congregations and individuals from all over the country (even the Virgin Islands) have said they'll be holding a "K4 Restoration Sunday" to support the people still recovering from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. As the hurricane season begins in earnest, it's important to remember the long-term devastation each one of these storms can leave in its wake.

To help promote "Restoration Sunday" Recovery Assistance, Inc. Ministries (RAI Ministries) has just released the "Restoration Sunday 2009" video for you to show your congregation. Please visit their website at http://www.raiministries.org/ to watch the video and to find other K4 resources.

Additionally, would you please send an email to RAI to let them know that you will be holding a "Restoration Sunday" so that they can include your congregation in their prayers during the "K4 Worship Service" in New Orleans on August 29th? You may email them at director at raiministries.org<mailto:director at raiministries.org>.

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TLCARE AT MAYO HOSPITAL
Trinity Lutheran Church in Rochester, Minnesota has a ministry called TLCare that offers hospitality to those receiving medical care at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. TLCare now has lodging to offer to LCMS brothers and sisters at no cost. The small apartment is located on the edge of the Mayo campus and is available first come, first served. For more information, please contact Jennifer Jurgensen, tlcjennifer at charterinternet.com<mailto:tlcjennifer at charterinternet.com> or Trinity Lutheran Church at 507-289-1531.

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NEBRASKA LUTHERANS FOR CONFESSIONAL STUDY TO MEET
The August gathering of the Nebraska Lutherans for Confessional Study (NLCS) will be held on Thursday, August 20, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 3825 Wildbriar Lane in Lincoln. Refreshments will be in the fellowship hall at 9:30 a.m., followed by Matins at 10 a.m. Presenter for the day will be Rev. Philip Hale, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bancroft, Nebraska; his topic will be "Narrative Criticism." The morning session will start at about 10:30 a.m. Following lunch, the afternoon topic will start at about 1 p.m. The meeting will conclude by 2:30 p.m. Everyone is invited, both clergy and laity. A free-will offering will be taken to help defray expenses.

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CONCORDIA PUBLISHING HOUSE TO DEDICATE NEW BOOKSTORE AT CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY, NEBRASKA
Concordia Publishing House dedicates its newest bookstore on the campus of Concordia University, Nebraska, home of the Bulldogs, on August 27, 2009. The Nebraska store joins the ranks of other CPH operated campus stores at Concordia University Chicago; Concordia University Ann Arbor; Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana; and Concordia Seminary in St. Louis.

The dedication will be held at 11 a.m. on August 27 in the new bookstore. Concordia University President, Rev. Dr. Brian Friedrich will share remarks, and CPH President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Bruce Kintz and CPH Vice President Jonathan Schultz will also attend.

"CPH wants to get to know the students at the ten schools in the Concordia University System, and our bookstores provide a great front-line way to do that," says Dr. Kintz. "We are experts at bookstore operations, and look forward not only to providing top-tier service for faculty, students, and local communities near the stores, but also to forming new connections with customers who are really important to us."

"We are pleased to be part of the community in Seward with this latest branch of CPH," remarks Peter Frank, Manager of Bookstore Operations. "Like our vision statement says, 'We strive to be the premier publisher and provider of choice...' and that applies for the CUNE community as well."

Concordia Campus Bookstores offer advantages both to students and faculty on the campus where they operate, and also to local congregations and individuals, who can place orders for church resources and CPH products and services without incurring shipping costs. "Our campus stores offer the same advantages as shopping in our anchor store at our St. Louis headquarters," Frank stresses.

The Concordia campus will also be part of transforming the store's appearance, with the Department of Art getting involved in updating the look of the space.

"We are a ministry, not just a business," said Frank. "We are there to serve."

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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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