[DistUpd] December 2

Wed Dec 2 11:22:15 CST 2009

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December 2, 2009

In this issue:

Advent greetings in the name of our loving Heavenly Father. The beginning of December evokes different reactions in different people. For many adults, it begins the stressful countdown to Christmas with all of the shopping, baking, programs, and parties to fit into 24 short days. For church workers, it is a busy time of preparing for and leading many worship services, as well as preparing and practicing for children's services. For children, it is usually time to start counting the days until Christmas by opening doors on the advent calendar, eagerly watching the progression toward the Baby in the manger. May the Lord grant each of us time this December to stop and look toward that stable in Bethlehem and to remember where this time of Advent leads us. May He grant us the excitement of little children as we cross another day off our calendar and move one day closer to the celebration of the arrival of the newborn Christ-child.

 *   Prayer Requests
 *   Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure and Governance Report Available Online
 *   Correction to Boar's Head Festival Announcement
 *   Christmas Concert at Lutheran High Northeast
 *   Live Nativity in Fremont
 *   Bethlehem Skyline Concert Twice in Nebraska
 *   Lutheran Family Services Christmas Appeal for Congregations
 *   In the News: "Here's the Church. And Here's the New Steeple."
 *   Nebraska Lutherans for Confession Study to Meet
 *   Volunteer Opportunities in Korea
 *   Chalkboards Available to Congregations
 *   Seminaries Host Workshops/Conferences
 *   Bus Ride and Lodging Offered to Life Marchers
 *   Life By His Word Bible Study Covers Entire Bible
 *   New Speakers Scheduled at Mission Central
 *   New Look for Children's Prayer Book

PRAYER REQUESTS
Living H2O Lutheran Campus Ministry, Omaha - Please remember in prayer Don Bader, ministry coordinator, and those involved with campus ministry in the Omaha area. There are 60,000 college students in the Omaha area, and campus ministry in Omaha works to connect with them through Christian fellowship and worship opportunities at Omaha congregations. As students study for finals and prepare to return home for the holidays, we ask the Lord to bless the fellowship opportunities offered, such as the "Prep Week" chili and sandwich supper next Wednesday. This ministry is a partnership between Pacific Hills, Omaha, and the Nebraska District.

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BLUE RIBBON TASK FORCE ON SYNOD STRUCTURE AND GOVERNANCE REPORT AVAILABLE ONLINE (From Reporter Online, November 2009)
The final report of the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure and Governance is available on The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod website at http://www.lcms.org/lcmsfuture.  The report, titled "Congregations Walking in Mission," was delivered to the Office of the President before the Oct. 15 deadline and then underwent editing prior to publication and posting to the site.

The 50-page report contains two recommendations for clarifying confessional and congregational mission, and an additional 19 recommendations on the relationships between congregations and districts, including consideration of the number of districts; relationships between congregations and the national Synod, including the number of boards and commissions and national staff; congregational representation at district and national conventions; and frequency and function of district and national conventions.

The report's recommendations are the result of more than four years of study, feedback, and evaluation, and will be presented for consideration at the 2010 Synod convention July 10-17 in Houston. With the completion of the report, the task force was disbanded.

Delegates to the convention will have the opportunity to discuss the task force proposals, ask questions, and make recommendations to the convention floor committee chairman, Pacific Southwest District President Larry Stoterau, at regional gatherings scheduled for December, January, and February.  Dates and locations of the gatherings are listed at http://www.lcms.org/lcmsfuture. (Nebraska delegates are attending the regional gathering in Denver this Friday and Saturday, December 4-5.)

Also invited to the gatherings is a cross-section of convention advisory delegates, including district presidents and a number of commissioned ministers, plus district vice presidents and five members of each district board of directors.

Questions or comments about the report may be submitted via e-mail to infocenter at lcms.org<mailto:infocenter at lcms.org>.

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CORRECTION TO BOAR'S HEAD FESTIVAL ANNOUNCEMENT
The time shared in Boar's Head Festival announcement in the last Email Update was incorrect. The presentation will be at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 13. Following is the announcement with the correct time. I apologize for any confusion or inconvenience.

A new and different way to look at the birth of our Savior will be presented in the sanctuary of Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church in Omaha (15005 Q Street). Performances will be:
Friday, December 11 at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 12 at 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 13, at 2:00 p.m.

A cast of 45 people will present the Nativity as entertainment to the King and Queen. The response of the King will help us see the real King. Plan to bring a friend or neighbor to witness the Gospel in word and song.

What is the "Boar's Head Festival"?  It is really a time-honored story of a love so great, that God sent His only Son into our restless and changing world to be one of us. "Emmanuel" - God with us!  The wild boar has long been a symbol of the devil and all that is evil in this world. The "Master of the Hunt," the one who kills the wild boar, is a symbol of Jesus, who came to that little town of Bethlehem as a helpless infant, cradled in a food trough for cattle. He came because He loved us! By His agonizing death, which we deserved, and by His resurrection He proclaims His triumph over evil - that same evil represented by the severed boar's head. That entire message of love comes wrapped in the Boar's Head Festival - the birth of a baby, the conquering of sin and death, and the coming of all the faithful of all time to worship the Son of God born for us.

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CHRISTMAS CONCERT AT LUTHERAN HIGH NORTHEAST
The Lutheran High Northeast Concert Band & Choir will present their annual Christmas Concert at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 13, at Lutheran High in Norfolk. A variety of sacred instrumental and vocal music will be performed. There is no admission charge to this event. The LHNE music program is under the direction of James Jurchen.

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LIVE NATIVITY IN FREMONT
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Fremont will be holding their annual live nativity, "Back to Bethlehem," on Sunday, December 13. "Back to Bethlehem" is a family-friendly, drive-through event that includes a live nativity scene, a wide variety of live animals, and the brightest spotlights in the state! You are welcome to drive through between 5:00-8:00 p.m.  Good Shepherd is located on the corner of Lincoln & Military Avenues - please enter from Military Avenue.

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BETHLEHEM SKYLINE CONCERT TWICE IN NEBRASKA
Everyone is invited to take time to experience a fresh blend of Christmas carols and original compositions at an intimate evening celebrating the birth of Jesus. The "Bethlehem Skyline" concert will be presented twice in Nebraska, and both concerts will feature the band Downhere, as well as Lanae' Hale and Jason Gray.

December 10 - 6:30 p.m.
Messiah Lutheran Church, Lincoln (1800 S 84th St.) -    www.messiahlincoln.org<http://www.messiahlincoln.org/>

December 11 - 7:00 p.m.
Beautiful Savior, La Vista (7706 South 96th St.) - www.bslcomaha.org<http://www.bslcomaha.org/>

More information about the concert can be found at www.bethlehemskyline.com<http://www.bethlehemskyline.com/>. Information about purchasing tickets is available on the congregation websites or at www.downhere.com<http://www.downhere.com/>.

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LUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICES CHRISTMAS APPEAL FOR CONGREGATIONS
Church offices of the Nebraska District should have received a mailing from Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska asking them to take part in their annual "Christmas Appeal for Congregations." Along with a letter of explanation are bulletin inserts that congregations are asked to use throughout December to educate members on the ministry of LFS and prayerfully consider support for this Lutheran human care ministry.

If more inserts or envelopes are needed, please contact Kali Johnson at 402-591-5063 or kjohnson at LFSneb.org<mailto:kjohnson at LFSneb.org>. The inserts may also be downloaded from the website link: http://www.LFSneb.org/Christmas.pdf<http://www.lfsneb.org/Christmas.pdf>. LFS is a Recognized Service Organization of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod of which the Nebraska District and its congregations are ministry partners.

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IN THE NEWS: "HERE'S THE CHURCH. AND HERE'S THE NEW STEEPLE."
"After a long absence, Zion Lutheran Church near Tobias gets its rebuilt steeple back - and the bell will finally ring again."

So starts the front page article from the December 1 Lincoln Journal Star article that shows Zion's new steeple being placed on the church. Read about the new steeple and the congregation's reactions in the online article at http://journalstar.com/news/state-and-regional/nebraska/article_e4e07166-de1c-11de-8efd-001cc4c03286.html.

The new steeple and bell tower will be dedicated just prior to the 8:30 a.m. service this coming Sunday, December 6.

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NEBRASKA LUTHERANS FOR CONFESSION STUDY TO MEET
The December gathering of the Nebraska Lutherans for Confessional Study (NLCS) will be held on Thursday, December 10, 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 morning session will be Rev. Dan Feusse, pastor of Concordia Lutheran Church in Clearwater, Nebraska. His topic will be "Thy Kingdom Come: The Binding of Satan on Earth through the Cruciform Life of the Church." The morning session will start at about 10:30 a.m. Following lunch, the afternoon topic will start at about 1 p.m. The afternoon presenter will be Rev. Micah Gaunt, Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ravenna, Nebraska. His topic will be "A Defense of Narrative Criticism." 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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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN KOREA (from LCMS missionary Rev. Patrick O'Neal's Newsletter)
LCK Seeking Long-Term Volunteers - There is need to recruit two long-term volunteer missionaries from the LCMS to serve as relationship builders through English as a Foreign Language (EFL) for one year. In LCMS World Mission terms, this kind of long-term (1-2 years) volunteer missionary is called a GEO missionary, which stands for: Globally Engaged in Outreach.

The LCK executive committee has approved this plan as a 1 year pilot project. They are providing the funds to cover the housing and utility costs of the missionaries. This is the first time that the LCK will have such GEO missionaries working long-term in congregations. In the past 3 years, a number of short-term EFL projects have been hosted by these congregations. They have recognized the value such mission partnerships bring to their ministries. The English teachers are the draw for people to come into the church who might not otherwise have been reached. Then the pastors and church members can share the Good News of Jesus Christ with them.

If you are interested in exploring how you might serve as one of these GEO missionaries in Korea, or somewhere else in the world, contact Erin Alter, Program Director for GEO Missionary Service at LCMS World Mission, by email at Erin.Alter at LCMS.org<mailto:Erin.Alter at LCMS.org> or call 1-800-433-3954.

LTU Needs Short-Term Volunteers - Luther University/Seminary (LTU) needs two short-term volunteer missionaries to teach at its annual Winter English Camp, which will be held January 4-24, 2010. The camp is for elementary-age students from the surrounding community. It is an opportunity for them to hear and practice English with a native English speaker (that's you!). It is also an opportunity for them to hear about Jesus since about half of these students are not Christian. A stipend is provided so that in-country costs should be covered. Volunteers will need to provide for their own airfare to Korea and bring a willing servant heart to help kids learn English, and more importantly, learn about their Savior who loves them dearly. If you are interested, email Jennifer.Mustard at LCMS.org<mailto:Jennifer.Mustard at LCMS.org> or call her at 1-800-433-3954 immediately as time is short to get everything arranged.

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CHALKBOARDS AVAILABLE TO CONGREGATIONS
Christ, Lincoln, has two 4 ft. by 6 ft. chalkboards available free to interested congregations or schools.

Anyone interested or having questions should contact Nancy Boeche at Christ Lutheran Church, Lincoln, by calling 402-483-7774, ext. 124.

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SEMINARIES HOST WORKSHOPS/CONFERENCES
Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne
2010 Symposia Series - Scholars and clergy from around the world will gather on the campus of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana, to take part in the 2010 Symposia Series.  The series will take place January 19-22, 2010, with a Lenten Preaching Workshop offered on January 18.

The 25th Annual Symposium on Exegetical Theology will run from January 19-20 with a theme of "The Sacraments in Scripture."  The 33rd Annual Symposium on The Lutheran Confessions takes place January 20-22 under the theme of "God: Past, Present, and Future."  In addition to members of the accomplished CTS faculty, there will be speakers from many different backgrounds who have been invited to share their views on these timeless topics.

For a complete schedule, list of speakers, or to register online for the symposia and preaching workshop, go to www.ctsfw.edu/symposia<http://www.ctsfw.edu/symposia>. Those interested may also call 260-452-2172 for additional information.

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis
Adult Choir Member Workshop - Concordia Seminary will offer its 18th Annual Schola Cantorum: An Adult Choir Member Workshop, on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2010. The workshop will be held in The Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus and the Clara and Spencer Werner Auditorium on the Seminary campus.

The Schola Cantorum is open to all choir members, choir directors and ministers of music. The schedule for the day begins with registration at 8:15 a.m., Morning Prayer at 8:45 a.m., and rehearsal sessions at 9:15 a.m. The day concludes at 3:30 p.m. after the Closing Prayer service, which will include some of the music learned that day. Dr. Christopher Aspaas will serve as this year's clinician.

A Choral Reading Session will be held Friday, Jan. 22, 2010, from 7:00 p.m. to
8:30 p.m. In the session, Aspaas will guide participants through an evening of choral and instrumental song in which he will preview new and current titles of music. The session is open to all, but is especially designed for choir directors. There is no charge to attend but registration is required.

The cost for the Schola Cantorum is $60 per individual or $110 per congregation ($70 or $125 after Jan. 8, 2010). For the congregation fee, a choir can send as many members as it desires. Lunch and the choral music are not included in the fee. For more information or registration forms, call 314-505-7486 or e-mail ce at csl.edu<mailto:ce at csl.edu>.

Green and Gold Visitation Days - There are two remaining "Green and Gold Days" this academic year at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. A visitation day for college students thinking about the pastoral or deaconess ministry, a "Green and Gold Day" is a one-day event with opportunities to explore what Concordia Seminary has to offer. The next two "Green and Gold Days" will take place on Friday, January 18, 2010, and Friday, March 19, 2010.

Visitors will attend chapel and classes with current students, participate in a discussion with faculty members, and take a "Loop de Lou" tour of St. Louis. An optional dinner reception will close the day.

There is no registration fee to attend "Green and Gold Days." Housing will be available on campus for all dates. All meals are also provided free of charge. Transportation to and from Lambert-St. Louis International Airport will be provided if needed. The registration deadline is two weeks prior to each event.

For questions or to register by phone, please call 1-800-822-9545.

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BUS RIDE AND LODGING OFFERED TO LIFE MARCHERS (from Reporter Online, November 2009)
To encourage more Lutheran participation in the Jan. 22 "March for Life" in Washington, D.C., a group bus ride is being offered by LCMS Life Ministries, a program area of LCMS World Relief and Human Care (WR-HC), and the Lutherans For Life (LFL) delegation is arranging free lodging for travelers.

Titled "Roadtrip for Life," the bus ride will be hosted by LCMS Life and Health Ministries Director Maggie Karner, whose department is co-sponsoring the ride with Advent Lutheran Church in Zionsville, Ind., which is providing the bus.

The bus ride will originate in Indianapolis, and enable those interested in joining other Lutherans for the 37th annual march to ride along with Karner as a group.  Reservations will be on a first-come, first-served basis, with a donation requested to assist with the costs of gas and driver fees.

To reserve a spot on the "Roadtrip for Life" bus, call Karner or Sandy Burris at 800-248-1930, ext. 1371, or e-mail maggie.karner at lcms.org<mailto:maggie.karner at lcms.org>.

After arriving in Washington, participants may stay for up to two nights free in the homes of area Lutherans, arranged by members of the LFL delegation.

Dennis Di Mauro, organizer of the delegation for the 12th year and leader of the LFL chapter in northern Virginia, said the march to protest the 1973 Supreme Court decision to legalize abortion is more important this year than ever as the country debates the health care system.

"In 1976, the Hyde Amendment, which prohibited the use of federal dollars to pay for abortion coverage, was passed.  And since that time, it has been our national policy not to use federal tax dollars for abortion.  Participating in the march is one way of letting our representatives know that we want to keep the Hyde Amendment and do not want federal tax dollars to be used to pay for abortion," he said.

Di Mauro said that women should have true alternatives to abortion, including adoption, and should be offered financial and spiritual assistance so they can make the right choice for their children and themselves.

"Let's not let our goal of providing quality health care for every American be used as a tacit endorsement of abortion," he said.

On the day of the march, the Lutheran group will worship at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Alexandria, Va. LCMS WR-HC Executive Director Rev. Matthew Harrison will serve as guest speaker. Last year, more than 160 attended the service.

Following a brunch, the group will travel to downtown Washington for the rally and noon march from 7th Street, down Constitution Avenue, to the Supreme Court building.

For more information on the 2010 March for Life or to arrange for free lodging in the Washington, D.C., area, contact Di Mauro at 703-568-3346 or e-mail dimauro.dennis at gmail.com<mailto:dimauro.dennis at gmail.com>.

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LIFE BY HIS WORD BIBLE STUDY COVERS ENTIRE BIBLE

It's a journey of Scripture from creation through the redemption of Jesus Christ. If you crave more intentional study of all of the Bible, you will appreciate Life by His Word.

Life by His Word is the study companion for The Lutheran Study Bible. This Bible engages you in devotional, Christ-centered Bible reading and study with distinctive, comprehensive notes and practical application.

With more than 1,500 individual study lessons (that's less than 20 cents for each lesson), Life by His Word provides discussion questions, application, and summary insights for The Lutheran Study Bible. Every chapter and book are explored, offering a rich and full approach to study and devotion.

Smaller sets of lessons are available in a downloadable format. Select the "Order Now" link below to view the sets.

Connect to the timeless conversation that has been unfolding within and around God's Word throughout the centuries. Perhaps the start of a new year is a good time to start taking a fresh look at God's Word!

Life by His Word - Complete Set CD-ROM
Price: $299.99
Item Number: 20-3488WEB
Order Now<http://www.cph.org/cphstore/product.asp?part%5Fno=203488&promo=WEB&CMID=1231>

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NEW SPEAKERS SCHEDULED AT MISSION CENTRAL
The following special events are planned at Mission Central near Mapleton, Iowa. Gary Thies invites everyone to come and hear these wonderful folks talk about their work around the world. All speaking events are in the barn at Mission Central, and the newest additions to the speaking list are in red. For more information on Mission Central or on these special events, visit the Mission Central website at www.missioncentral.us<http://www.missioncentral.us/>.

December 15, 7:00 p.m. - Dr. Mike Rodewald, African area director, from South Africa
April 20, 2010, 1:00 and 7:00 p.m. - Rev. Greg Sawyer from Hong Kong
June 8, 2010, 1:00 and 7:00 p.m. - Matt and Dee Dee Wasmund from Taiwan
July 7, 2010, 1:00 and 7:00 p.m. - Dr. Steve Oliver from Taiwan
July 17, 2010, 1:00 and 7:00 p.m. - Sharon Owens from Macau

Mission Central now has a Facebook page! Those interested in viewing this page may follow the link from the Mission Central homepage, www.missioncentral.us<http://www.missioncentral.us/>.

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NEW LOOK FOR CHILDREN'S PRAYER BOOK
Available from JCPlayZone<http://www.jcplayzone.com>, the Children's Book of Prayers helps teach little ones The Lord's Prayer, bedtime and mealtime prayers, prayers of thanksgiving, and prayers of forgiveness. The book encourages children to take everything to God as their faith and relationship with Him grows stronger. St. Louis artist Kelly Schumacher makes each prayer come to life for the children with memorable illustrations throughout the book.

Your church or school can customize and use the book to reach out to neighbors and children who do not attend church on a regular basis. The book also includes a place for children to write their own prayer, so it is a perfect project for an art class or Sunday school class. The back cover also encourages the children to visit JCPlayZone<http://www.jcplayzone.com> for daily devotions, Christian music, games, crafts, e-cards, and other fun activities. Purchase your copies of the book from Lutheran Hour Ministries by clicking here<http://www.lhmgift.org/storefront/product.asp?by=alpha&style=&id=C&code=6BE131>. Call 1-800-876-9880 to order by phone.

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Advent 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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