[DistUpd] December 10

[District Updates]

This week's Update is a day late because the District Office was closed a portion of the last two days due to the winter weather. Due to a computer "quirk" there are no links in this week's Update. The links will return when the issue has been resolved. I apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience in these matters. Now to the news!

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December 10, 2009

In this issue:

It's getting closer! Can you feel the excitement in the air? As the December days zip by, the celebration of our Savior's birth comes even closer. As Christians, our Christmas preparations are done knowing that we prepare to celebrate the coming of the Christ-child to earth once again. What a wonderful time of the year to share the true meaning of Christmas with those around us. Decorating our houses or yards, buying gifts in stores, and anytime anyone wishes us a "Merry Christmas" are all times to share the real meaning of Christmas. Take just a couple of minutes in prayer to ask God how He can use you to tell the miracle story of Christmas this year as you go about your preparations.


 *
Prayer Requests
 *   Concordia Jr/Sr High School Christmas Concert
 *   Nebraska Congregation Celebrates 25 Years of Ministry Partnership
 *   'The Lutheran Hour' Float Stands as "A Cut Above the Rest"
 *   Concordia Professor to Have Compositions Published
 *   Student Visit to Seminary Offered
 *   Concordia High One-Act Wins First Place
 *   Organ Accompaniment for Hymns Now Available for Lutheran Service Builder
 *   Pre-Lenten Preaching Workshops
 *   New From Concordia Publishing House


PRAYER REQUESTS
University Lutheran Chapel, Lincoln ­- Please remember in prayer the staff and students who worship at the University Lutheran Chapel on the University of Nebraska - Lincoln campus. Pastor Bill Steinbauer and Mark Meyer minister to the university students through Word and Sacrament ministry, as well as Bible studies and other Christian fellowship events. We thank God for the students who are hearing about Jesus and whose faith is being nurtured through this ministry. Please pray for the staff this week as they minister to the students preparing for final exams.



CONCORDIA JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL CHRISTMAS CONCERT
CHRIST IS BORN!  COME AND SEE! is the theme of "Christmas at Concordia" featuring the music of the bands, choirs, and string ensemble from Concordia Jr/Sr High School in Omaha. The concert will take place Friday, December 18, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Concordia gym (156th and Fort Streets). Pre-concert music will be provided by CHS's guitar class.

Everyone is invited and there is no admission charge. A free-will offering will be taken.  Refreshments will be served during the intermission.



NEBRASKA CONGREGATION CELEBRATES 25 YEARS OF MINISTRY PARTNERSHIP
LCMS World Mission<http://www.lcmsworldmission.org/> is very pleased and humbled to report that 15 LCMS congregations will be celebrating 25 years of partnership with LCMS missionaries through the Together in Mission program. The Wayne Circuit in northeast Nebraska joins 14 LCMS congregations who celebrate such anniversaries in 2009.

"Without our Together in Mission partnerships, we could not be on the field. We do not go to Vietnam in isolation or for our own purposes, but on behalf of the church, representing those who have sent us. Financial donations help us physically get there, but it is on the wings of thousands of prayers, offered by our Together in Mission partners, that we are truly able to fly in the confidence of God's endless provision. Moreover, it is the personal relationships with our Together in Mission partners that provide the most support. E-mails, letters, packages, visits-our Together in Mission congregations aren't some name on a report, but rather they are our partners, our friends, our global extended family, united in Christ. Praise the Lord for their gracious support!"-J.P. and Aimee Cima, human care workers in Southeast Asia.

The most common way a congregation can partner with an LCMS missionary is through the Together in Mission program. Together in Mission congregations pledge ongoing financial support, prayer support, and encouragement. They themselves are also encouraged through direct contact with the missionary. (www.lcms.org?991<http://www.lcms.org/?991>)

Individuals and families can also support LCMS missionaries by becoming Mission Senders. A Mission Sender is an individual or family who pledges annual support for any amount. Senders also enjoy direct contact with the missionaries they support. (www.lcms.org?989<http://www.lcms.org/?989>)

To learn more about becoming a Together in Mission congregation or a Mission Sender, contact LCMS World Mission by calling 1-800-433-3954 or sending an e-mail to mission.giving at lcms.org<mailto:mission.giving at lcms.org>.



'THE LUTHERAN HOUR' FLOAT STANDS AS "A CUT ABOVE THE REST"
The theme of the 121st Tournament of Roses Parade on January 1, 2010, in Pasadena, California, is "A Cut Above the Rest," and The Lutheran Hour float entry will participate in the parade under a theme of "The Ten Commandments-Jesus Fulfilled."

The float depicts the Ten Commandments, which God gave to His people to live by. Etched in stone are the "thou shalts" and the "thou shalt nots" for the world to see. Also on the float is the "Ark of the Covenant," a vehicle designed by God himself to remind people that He is always present with them even as they walk through trouble and the high waters of their lives.

"Today, God continues to lead us now, not through an Ark, but through the Holy Spirit who leads us all the way to heaven," says Dick Gast, organizer of The Lutheran Hour float. "It is our prayer that the Holy Spirit would touch the hearts of those who view The Lutheran Hour float. May the Lord bless us all in this new year of grace."

This year's float riders will recognize several current and past International Lutheran Laymen's League leaders from the national and local levels. LHM Executive Director Bruce Wurdeman, Int'l LLL Regional Governor Steve Rice, and past Int'l LLL Vice Presidents Raymond Stuckemeyer and Bob Beer will be among the riders.

Thanks to the Int'l LLL's Southern California District, The Lutheran Hour float is a 60-year tradition in the longstanding New Year's Day event, carrying on a mission to provide a Gospel witness to viewers everywhere, from the parade route along Pasadena's Colorado Boulevard to televisions all over the world. The float serves as the only Christian float in the parade. The Tournament of Roses Parade is watched live on television by approximately 40 million Americans and by millions more people in 150 countries.

The LHM float, as well as six other parade floats, will be decorated again in 2010 by the Petal Pushers, a 4,000-member group of volunteers. The Petal Pushers travel to Pasadena from all over the United States and Canada and include families, church groups, Girl Scout troops, and many other types of groups, as well as individuals of all ages.

Please invite friends, relatives, and neighbors to watch for The Lutheran Hour float during television coverage. Although ABC and NBC will broadcast the parade, the LHM float may or may not be shown on those networks because of commercials or other television commitments. Cable's Home and Garden Television (HGTV) may provide the best viewing option since it carries the entire parade without interruption nationwide. The Lutheran Hour float is scheduled as the 38th entry in the 91-unit parade. Check your local listings for channels and times.

For more information about The Lutheran Hour float and the Petal Pushers, visit www.petalpushers.org<http://www.petalpushers.org/>.



CONCORDIA PROFESSOR TO HAVE COMPOSITIONS PUBLISHED
Two compositions by Joseph Herl, associate professor of music at Concordia University, Nebraska, have been accepted for publication by Concordia Publishing House.

"While with Ceaseless Course the Sun" is written for soprano, alto, tenor and bass choir and also for organ. Herl created the piece for the Lincoln Lutheran Choir. Based on text by John Newton, who also wrote "Amazing Grace," the piece speaks of the brevity of life and the need to live with eternity in view.

"I am especially pleased CPH is publishing 'While with Ceaseless Course the Sun,'" said Herl.  "It is a favorite of mine among my own compositions."

The second selection, "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence," is written for a soprano, alto and bass choir and for organ. This hymn was written in 2007 when Herl was directing the Concordia Chorale.  "I needed a piece for the Christmas concert. The group had many talented sopranos and altos, but just a small men's section with limited vocal experience. I wrote the piece with this in mind."

Herl has had several musical compositions and a book, Worship Wars in Early Lutheranism: Choir, Congregation, and Three Centuries of Conflict published. In 2005 it won an award from the Sixteenth Century Society and Conference for best book in the fields of art history or music.



STUDENT VISIT TO SEMINARY OFFERED
College students interested in learning more about the pastoral ministry or service as a deaconess are invited to make plans to attend Christ Academy College/Phoebe Academy College, January 21-24, 2010 at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne. There is no charge for this event designed to give interested students the opportunity to visit with faculty and current students, attend classes, and worship with the CTS community. For more information go online to www.ctsfw.edu/cacollege<http://www.ctsfw.edu/cacollege> or call 1-800-481-2155.



CONCORDIA HIGH ONE-ACT WINS FIRST PLACE
In its first season with a one-act play production team, Concordia High School in Omaha has taken first place in its district. The team's performance of "Any Body for Tea?" won first place with a superior ranking for District C1-2 at Midland Lutheran College in Fremont on December 2. Additionally, Joe Hawk, Nick Yaksich and Hanah Zehnder were recognized as outstanding performers. The team is directed by CHS teacher Lori Plummer.

The District championship followed Concordia's win November 23 at the Frontier Conference competition in Cedar Bluffs, Nebraska. In that event, Concordia's first-ever competition in play production, Hanah Zehnder won Best Actress, Nick Yaksich won Best Supporting Actor, and Joe Hawk, Emma Rasmussen, and Ben Hayworth were all awarded honorable mention.

On December 11, the Concordia team will compete in Kearney for the C-1 state title.



ORGAN ACCOMPANIMENT FOR HYMNS NOW AVAILABLE FOR LUTHERAN SERVICE BUILDER
In October Concordia Publishing House announced the release of the Concordia Organist, a 31-CD set that includes accompaniment for every hymn in the Lutheran Service Book hymnal. Now, the Organist is available as an add-on for CPH's Lutheran Service Builder.

The Concordia Organist-Lutheran Service Builder Subscription (TCO-LSBS) allows subscribers to use the service to facilitate use of the Concordia Organist.

The Lutheran Service Builder is a tool for drag-and-drop planning of worship services. This means that customers who opt to subscribe to TCO-LSBS will be able to click a single button "Burn CD" and watch Builder quickly download the right Concordia Organist tracks and burn them to a single CD. This will help make maneuvering through the 31-CD set trouble-free.

"It's really slick," says Robert Lail, CPH"s programmer for the Lutheran Service Builder. "You can preview the accompaniment. In some cases you can choose different registrations. But the end is the best part: you click 'burn' and in 5 minutes you've got a CD of some of the best organists in the LCMS playing your service."

The CDs feature organists Paul Grime, Kevin Hildebrand, and Richard Resch, playing the Schlicker organ in Kramer Chapel at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana.

The CD version of the Organist is available at the introductory price of $499, usually $699. As for the Lutheran Service Builder, pricing is determined by using weekly congregational worship attendance at all services combined. Pricing for The Concordia Organist, an add-on to the Builder, is the same regardless of congregation size and is $199 per year.

To see a demonstration version of this service visit www.cphconnect.org/builder/pricing<http://www.cphconnect.org/builder/pricing>.  Demo installations can preview low-quality samples but cannot create finished CDs. Call 1-800-325-2399 to order or get more information.



PRE-LENTEN PREACHING WORKSHOPS
One-day Workshop in Lincoln
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lincoln is pleased to announce that a Pre-Lent Preaching Seminar will be offered on Friday, January 8, 2010. The Rev. Brent Kuhlman will be the guest presenter with the title of his presentation, "When You Pray, Say...; preaching the Our Father." This seminar will offer sermons, preaching resources, and worship resources (LSB) for the Wednesdays in Lent, as well as Holy Week and Easter, based on the 3rd Chief Part of Luther's Small Catechism. Cost is $12 and includes lunch and all preaching and worship materials. Please register by calling the church office at 402-423-7639 or by sending a note to Rev. Clint Poppe at pastorpoppe at goodshepherdlincoln.org<mailto:pastorpoppe at goodshepherdlincoln.org>.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is located at 3825 Wildbriar Lane (just north of 40th and Old Cheney) in Lincoln. Motel information is available upon request.

Tentative Schedule:
Refreshments                9:00 a.m.
Matins                          9:30 a.m.
1st Presentation            10:00 a.m.
Lunch                            12:00 p.m.
2nd Presentation          12:45 p.m.
Closing                         3:30 p.m.


South Dakota District Pre-Lenten Preaching Workshop
A Pre-Lenten Preaching Workshop, sponsored by the S.D. District Continuing Education Committee, will be held Monday and Tuesday, January 18-19, 2010, (1 PM to noon) at Zion Lutheran Church, Mitchell, SD. The presenter will be The Rev. Nabil Nour, pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Armour, South Dakota, and second vice-president of the SD District LCMS.

Theme: "HIStory" - From Genesis to Revelation, God has a message and a mission to save humankind from the destructive power of death, the slavery of the devil, and the damaging power of sin by sending His Son. So the workshop will focus on the activities and the items that were evident in the final week of our Savior's life.

Workshop Site: Zion Lutheran Church, 620 E. Third Avenue, Mitchell, SD 57501.  Phone: 605-996-7530.  Directions to Zion from I-90: take exit 332. Go north on Hwy 37. Keep going north through three stoplights, until you come to a 4-way stop sign at 1st Avenue.  Proceed north 2 ½ blocks.  The church will be on your right.

 Accommodations:   Kelly Inn, 1010 Cabela Drive, Mitchell, SD - Rates are $61 for one person or $75 for two persons.  The phone # is 605-995-0500.  Your reservation to get this rate should be under "Lutheran Pastors' Retreat."

Workshop Fee:  $35, payable to "SD District-LCMS."  Registration form and fee is due by January 10, 2010. The workshop is sponsored by the S.D. District Continuing Education Committee: Rev. Howard Shane, Chairman (605-271-5532; HShane1 at yahoo.com<mailto:HShane1 at yahoo.com>), and Rev. Keith Bicknase (605-432-9555; elcpastor at itcmilbank.com<mailto:elcpastor at itcmilbank.com>). Contact either of these men to request a registration form.

Workshop Schedule (tent.):
Monday, January 18
Noon - 1 p.m. Registration at Zion Lutheran Church
1-1:15 p.m.                 Opening Devotion
1:15-2:45                   Session 1
2:45-3:00                   Break
3:00-4:30                   Session 2
4:30-4:45                   Break
4:45-6:15                   Session 3
6:15-9:00                   Break for Supper (on your own)

Tuesday, January 19
8:00-8:15 a.m.           Opening Devotion
8:15-9:45                   Session 4
9:45-10:00                 Break
10:00-11:45               Session 5
11:45                          Closing Devotion



NEW FROM CONCORDIA PUBLISHING HOUSE
New Downloadable Bulletin Inserts Are Now Available
Weekly bulletin inserts provide a written copy of the important elements of the service and help you save space in your bulletin for other announcements. Other inserts offer inspirational thoughts as members enter into worship.

Concordia Publishing House's selection of downloadable bulletin inserts includes:

Lutheran Service Book Feasts, Festivals, & Holy Days Inserts
This set includes 56 downloadable bulletin inserts and provides the propers appointed in Lutheran Service Book for the feasts, festivals, and occasions of the Church Year, as well as the non-Sunday and alternate holy days in the lectionary. Once you download the file, you can use these inserts year after year. (If you only use each insert once, it's for the low cost of $3.13 per insert. Use them again and your cost-per-insert decreases.)
$175.00

Lutheran Service Book Weekly Inserts (ESV®)
Available from Lutheran Service Book in both one-year and three-year Lutheran Lectionary. Inserts include Gospel, Epistle, and the First Readings; the Introit; the Gradual; and Collect of the Day (ESV(tm) Scripture).
$40.00 per quarter

Contemporary Faith Weekly Inserts
Provides interesting faith discussion starters for the following week. Each issue gives a Christian perspective on current issues.
$40.00 per quarter

Good News for Families Monthly Inserts
Offers practical advice on concerns and issues for today's families.
$10.00 per quarter

Browse All Titles<http://www.cph.org/cphstore/pages/newsletter/order.asp?catno=97215&Title=Bulletin+Inserts&NU=0&MI=1190&UI=TJBATGK89A808KCED1JEV8CM6BMT8QTD&UT=cph> and find ordering information by visiting http://www.cph.org/cphstore/pages/newsletter/order.asp?catno=97215&Title=Bulletin+Inserts&NU=0&MI=1190&UI=TJBATGK89A808KCED1JEV8CM6BMT8QTD&UT=cph.


Connect God's Word to Everyday Moments
CPH introduces The Lutheran Study Bible Journal, a companion resource to The Lutheran Study Bible. Men's<http://bit.ly/Tv5k7> and women's<http://bit.ly/4gJnwc> editions of the journal have a spiral binding and are available at www.cph.org<http://www.cph.org/> or by calling 1-800-325-3040.

Laura Lane, Production Editor at CPH, says, "This is more than a journal. This is not simply lines on a page. The application notes and prayers provide daily reflection on your salvation through faith alone."

Based on a proven reading plan, the journal provides the tools needed to read through The Lutheran Study Bible in two years. Each day offers a Scripture reading, journaling space, life-application notes, and prayer. Lane shares, "The journal is meant to engage you in active, prayerful Bible reading."

Journaling is a widely-used approach for daily devotion. A podcast<http://bit.ly/10zEKL> that focuses on its benefits, featuring Janice Wendorf, President of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League, can be downloaded at CPH's The House Channel.

"Each time I read an application note, I saw in a new way how all of Scripture applies to my life today," Lane continues. "I was amazed at how so many of these brief statements touched on aspects of my life at that very point in time-how I was feeling, challenges I was having, and opportunities I had to praise God."

The personal index in the journal allows readers to keep track of their thoughts. "With most journals, you write down your good thoughts and then can't find them later," says Rev. Dr. Benjamin Mayes, managing editor at CPH. "The Lutheran Study Bible Journal includes a subject index that you compile as you go. If you write about Baptism on page 42 of the journal, you can write the number 42 beside Baptism in the index. You'll always find what you wrote on any topic."

The Lutheran Study Bible Journal can be followed at www.twitter.com/TLSBJournal<http://www.twitter.com/TLSBJournal> for daily Scripture readings and inspirational thoughts.

The Lutheran Study Bible is the first Bible in English to be developed from the ground up with notes that are distinctly Lutheran, prepared by Lutheran contributors from over twenty Lutheran church bodies.


Reproducible Choral Music Available from Concordia Publishing House
Concordia Publishing House (CPH) offers a new, completely reproducible book of music by composer Carl Schalk called Alleluia to Jesus. The book features a collection of forty familiar and new anthems from Schalk's long career as a composer.

The book can be purchased at www.cph.org<http://www.cph.org/> and includes updated text to match Lutheran Service Book. Plus, because the product is completely reproducible, choir directors and musicians can make as many copies from their copy of the book as needed. This sets the book apart from many other choir books by making it more affordable and easy to share.

"Each piece in this collection had its origin in the desire to provide not simply religious choral music, but music for the liturgical service," said Schalk.

Alleluia's liturgical music features anthems and hymns in canon and has a mixture of works suitable for all types of choirs.

"Carl is fantastic at knowing how to write well for the average church choir," said Henry Gerike, Editor in Music for Concordia Publishing House. "His pieces are well suited for any size congregation and provide a good, challenging piece, without over stressing the choir."

Alleluia releases in correspondence with Schalk's 80th birthday this fall. He was commemorated at Concordia University, Chicago, on October 15 for his retirement and 30 years of service as a professor of music.

"Through his composing and editing, as well as writing and teaching, his vision of church music always had its roots in the heritage of the church while addressing current musical and liturgical expressions," said Steven Wente, Chair of the Music Department at Concordia University, Chicago. "Carl not only provided music for our choirs and many congregations, but he also always had ideas for projects and research, and was always supportive of what other people were doing academically."

In his retirement, Schalk does not plan to quit composing.

"Because one is retired from a particular occupation does not mean one retires from life," said Schalk. "I imagine that I shall be composing music for the church as long as I have the ability to do so."

Until then, this set of composures is available for $50 from cph.org.

"I can only hope that this collection will help choir directors and singers to see the central importance of the role of music in the liturgical service," said Schalk. "Apart from the composing itself, the most satisfying thing is to hear one's composition come alive in performance the way you envisioned it and for the purpose for which it was written."

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/>

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