[DistUpd] July 29
District Updates
distupd at lists.ndlcms.org
Wed Jul 29 10:00:13 CDT 2009
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July 29, 2009
In this Issue:
Greetings in the name of our Heavenly Father, who blesses His earth with sunshine and rain. As summer continues with beautiful weather and needed rain, we give thanks to God for His goodness.
I'm sure you noticed the new look of this week's Update. In an attempt to "update" and freshen the look, we are trying out this new layout. Please feel free to share your thoughts and comments on the readability or usability of this new format by emailing communications at ndlcms.org.<mailto:communications at ndlcms.org.> If you aren't able to view this email properly, email me at nicholeh at ndlcms.org<mailto:nicholeh at ndlcms.org>.
The Email Update is sent to anyone who is interested in the mission and ministry of the Nebraska District. This weekly newsletter shares information and happenings from around the District and throughout the LCMS.
* Prayer Requests
* Help College Freshmen Get Connected
* Geared Up! Event for Youth
* K4 Restoration Sunday
* National Youth Gathering E-Newsletter
* Lost and Found in Concert in Nebraska
* JCPlay Zone Helps Beat Summer Boredom
* Wooden Pews for Sale
* Lutheran Museum Opens at LCMS International Center
* Concordia University, Seward, to Offer Free Tuition to Veterans
* LWML Awards Lutheran World Relief Mission Grant
* Office Furniture Sale at Concordia University, Seward
* Requests for Health Kits Outpace Availability
* New from Concordia Publishing House
PRAYER REQUESTS
Pastor Brian Francik - We give thanks to God for the upcoming wedding of Pastor Brian Francik and Tamara Brose this Sunday, August 2. Pastor Francik and Tamara will be married in California this weekend. We praise God for joining these two lives and pray that He will be with them as they begin their lives together. Pastor Francik serves at St. Peter in Deshler.
Pastor Dan and Deb Heuer - We join in prayers of thanks with Pastor Dan and Deb Heuer of Trinity, Fremont, at the birth of a grandson, Eli Jacob Sankey, born to their daughter Sara and her husband Thad.
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HELP COLLEGE FRESHMEN GET CONNECTED
The Nebraska District is in the process of gathering information to reach out and connect LCMS members who will be attending a college or university during this next academic year with the campus ministry in their area. With your help, we can connect students to a campus ministry before they get on campus. We have learned that a student's first year on campus can be their most impacted. To share the names of students in your congregation, please email Connie Borchers at connieb at ndlcms.org<mailto:connieb at ndlcms.org> the name, current address, phone number, email address, and the college they will be attending by July 31. You can also go to http://www.ndlcms.org/ministries/district/campus.html and you will find a poster, bulletin announcement, and information on emailing the names of the students.
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GEARED UP! EVENT FOR YOUTH
It's time to get "Geared Up!" for the Geared Up! Youth Gathering at Pershing Center, Lincoln, Nebraska on October 9-10, 2009.
Featuring Dr. Micah Parker, Travis Hartjen, Jeffrey Meinz, Leon Jameson, Gretchen Jameson, Room211 Band, and "These Guys," this day and a half event is designed to encourage students to become "imitators of Christ" through a life of service.
Early bird pricing ends August 18.
Interested youth and leaders can check out the information and schedule at www.unpavedministries.org<http://www.unpavedministries.org/>.
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K4 RESTORATION SUNDAY
As we approach the 4th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina (Aug. 29), RAI Ministries boldly asks you to partner with them in their restoration work in the areas still affected by this storm.
They are asking each congregation to observe "Restoration Sunday" on any Sunday in August of their choosing this year. They ask you to do four things:
* Lift up the people of the Gulf Coast in prayer.
* Keep the story alive, tell others about God's work in the Gulf Coast.
* Go volunteer.
* Help raise the funds to continue this good work.
For more information and materials, including additional K4 event opportunities, please visit their K4 Resource Page at http://raiministries.org/index.php/getinvolved/restoration or call them at 888-248-2636.
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NATIONAL YOUTH GATHERING E-NEWSLETTER
The LCMS Youth Ministry staff has developed a Gathering Update e-newsletter full of important information for leaders and youth interested in attending the 2010 National Youth Gathering in New Orleans. Find all the latest information and sign up to receive your own gathering updates by visiting the "latest news" page on the Gathering website at http://www.lcmsgathering.com/?PageID=11063. You can receive more newsletters with information like this:
A new Fundraising<http://www.ne16.com/t/9640091/386809368/50543529/0/> page was created to help foster creative ways to raise funds for the Gathering. Here is one of the ideas we've received:
St. Peter Lutheran Church in North Bend, Nebraska, is planning a Christian rock concert this summer! The youth group discussed their plans to attend the National LCMS Youth Gathering with the band, and the band agreed to a 50/50 split on the ticket revenue. They were able to get a local college to donate space to have the concert. They also plan on having a concession stand to help bring in a little more. The youth group is hoping to sell 1,000 tickets at $10 each to give their half of the tickets $5,000 plus the concession stand sales.
For more ideas check out the fundraising page on the Gathering website. If your group is doing something unique for your fundraising efforts we would like to hear what you are doing: youth.ministry at lcms.org<mailto:youth.ministry at lcms.org>.
Check out the fundraising discussion on the Facebook<http://www.ne16.com/t/9640091/386809368/53132431/0/> group site as well.
Now that you are starting to raise funds for the Gathering, what are you going to do with those funds?
Individual churches disperse their fundraising dollars in several different ways. Two DCE's who have set up effective dispersion methods are Jeremy Becker at Concordia Lutheran Church in Kirkwood, MO and Brent Howard of Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Aurora, CO. If you are interested in learning how Brent or Jeremy divvy up funds to their youth, look them up on the LCMS Church Workers Directory<http://www.ne16.com/t/9640091/386809368/53132432/0/> and send them an email.
>From the Youth Worker Prayer Book:
(Resource available from the Youth Ministry Office - www.lcms.org/dcsstore<http://www.ne16.com/t/9640091/386809368/53132433/0/>)
Heavenly Father, All good gifts come from You. Thank You for entrusting us with talents, abilities and assets. You challenge us to use them wisely. Please help all of us, children, teens and adults, to recognize the gifts You have given each of us and enable us to be good stewards of those gifts. Show us how to bring out the best in each other and rejoice in who You made us to be. In Jesus' name we pray.
Amen.
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LOST AND FOUND IN CONCERT IN NEBRASKA
Camp Luther is sponsoring Lost and Found in three concerts at three Lutheran high schools in Nebraska August 14-16. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. each night, with the event beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Lincoln Lutheran Jr./Sr. High School, Lincoln
August 14
Lutheran High School Northeast, Norfolk
August 15
Heartland Lutheran High School, Grand Island
August 16
Advance tickets are available and recommended for groups wishing to attend. Anyone may purchase tickets by contacting Camp Luther at 402-352-5655 or visiting www.campluther.org<http://www.campluther.org/>.
Camp Luther is offering a July Special! Purchase (request and pay for) your tickets by July 31and get tickets at the following prices:
20 tickets or more and pay $5 per ticket.
10-19 tickets and pay $7.50 per ticket.
1-9 tickets and pay $10.00 per ticket.
Tickets are $15 each after July 31 or at the door.
More information on Lost and Found is available at www.speedwood.com<http://www.speedwood.com/>.
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JCPLAY ZONE HELPS BEAT SUMMER BOREDOM
As the summer heats up, the kids are looking for something new and exciting ... and maybe something indoors! LHM's interactive Web site for kids, JCPlayZone, is just the thing. JCPlayZone has it all: games, coloring pages, crafts, e-cards, and much more. New content is added often to keep the site fresh and fun. JCPlayZone also features Bible stories, Christian music, and Daily Devotions to teach the kids about Jesus while they play.
The "Bee Attitudes" downloadable coloring book is a popular feature for churches and schools alike. Your church or school can customize the coloring book with service times, contact information, or a special event schedule. One church customized and printed 1,000 coloring books and used them to invite Vacation Bible School participants to church services.
The coloring book teaches children to "Bee Happy," "Bee Joyful," "Bee Patient," and others, covering the Beatitudes from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3-12). The coloring book even allows children to think of their own "Bee Attitude." Just click "Coloring" from the JCPlayZone home page.
LHM is also working on a new game that will teach children common words and numbers in Spanish, along with a sprinkling of "heavenly" words! This game is sure to be a favorite! Other games include "Wacky Word Search," "Bramble Ramble," "Bubble Bugs," "Creation Matching," and much more.
To start playing now, visit www.jcplayzone.com.
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WOODEN PEWS FOR SALE
Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church in Omaha has over 30 solid oak pews with padded seats to sell for less than $10.00 per foot.
29 pews at 15' 11 7/8"
4 pews at 13' 5 1/2"
2 pews at 11' 5 5/8"
2 pews at 14' 5 1/2"
1 pews at 18' 5 1/2"
These oak pews are in very good condition. They will sell the entire lot of 38 pews for $4499 or best offer.
You will need to arrange pickup from Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church (15005 Q St), Omaha.
For further information or to see photos of the pews, please contact Bill Seim at Divine Shepherd at 402-895-1500 or bill at dsomaha.org<mailto:bill at dsomaha.org>.
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LUTHERAN MUSEUM OPENS AT LCMS INTERNATIONAL CENTER
Concordia Historical Institute Museum, a state-of-the-art learning facility dedicated to preserving the history and celebrating the heritage of Lutheranism in America, opened Monday, July 27, to the public. Located at The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod's (LCMS) International Center at 1333 S. Kirkwood Rd., Kirkwood, Mo., the museum will be open weekdays, except holidays, from 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Admission is free and the museum is fully accessible.
The museum's exhibits showcase five major periods in the history of the LCMS:
* Luther and the Reformation - describing the origins of the Lutheran church in mid-16th-century Europe and providing insight into the life of Martin Luther.
* Colonists and Missionaries to America - tracing the travels of the Saxon immigrants to the United States and missionaries who helped form the LCMS in 1847.
* Growth of a Synod - illustrating the growth of the LCMS in the 19th century as the young church organized under its first president, Dr. C.F.W. Walther, to reach the people of America with the Word of God.
* From St. Louis to the World - demonstrating how from its founding near St. Louis the church's mission work has expanded domestically and internationally.
* An Unchanging Message for a Changing World - indicating how the LCMS has worked to meet the challenges of proclaiming the Gospel in the 20th century and into the future through the use of new media, an expanding system of higher education, and outreach to all parts of society.
Concordia Historical Institute (CHI), the Department of Archives and History of the LCMS, will operate the museum. Tours are self-guided; however, groups are encouraged to give advance notice. For more information, call 314-505-7900 or write chi at lutheranhistory.org<mailto:chi at lutheranhistory.org>.
"We give all thanks and glory to God for bringing us to this special day, the grand opening of the CHI Museum," said Rev. Marvin Huggins, CHI's interim executive director. "We welcome all to this museum, and it is our prayer that visitors will come away with an enhanced understanding of the significant history of Lutheranism in America and a clearer perspective on the church's work to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ while serving its members, communities, and the world."
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CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY, SEWARD, TO OFFER FREE TUITION TO VETERANS
Qualified veterans will be able to attend Concordia University, Nebraska this fall tuition-free. As a participating institution in the recently-enacted Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program, Concordia has teamed up with the Veterans Administration to cover all tuition expenses for veterans.
"Concordia is excited to offer our excellent Christian education at no cost to those who have served our country in recent years," said Brian Friedrich, president of Concordia. "It is a small way we can honor them for their service and ensure their futures are as bright as the futures they have helped to secure for others."
The Yellow Ribbon Program is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. Institutions that voluntarily enter into a Yellow Ribbon Agreement with Veterans Affairs choose the percentage of tuition and fees that will be waived. Veterans Affairs then matches that percentage and issue payment directly to the institution.
Students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs at Concordia are eligible, and Concordia has placed no limit on the number of eligible veterans who may enroll and take part in the program.
Most students taking part in the program will have the cost of room, board and books paid for as well. Under another provision of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, a housing allowance and the books and supplies stipend is also provided.
Once a service member has applied for benefits with the Department of Veterans Affairs, they will receive their Certificate of Eligibility and notice of their qualification to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students must be accepted to Concordia through the standard admission procedures.
More information is available on Concordia's site at www.cune.edu/yellowribbon<http://www.cune.edu/yellowribbon>.
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LWML AWARDS LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF MISSION GRANT
Delegates to the 33rd Biennial Convention of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML), voted to provide an $80,000 mission grant to Lutheran World Relief to defray the costs of shipping more than 100,000 Lutheran-made quilts to people in need worldwide. The Lutheran Women's Missionary League is an official auxiliary of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
LWR's mission grant proposal, one of 19 selected at the convention to receive funding, received overwhelming support, receiving 340 votes out of 601 voting delegates at the convention. The Biennial Convention was held June 24-28 in Portland, Oregon.
"Lutheran World Relief is so appreciative to have our quilt ministry affirmed this way," says Brenda Meier, LWR's Director for Congregation & Community Engagement. "LWML has been a longtime partner in ministry and this generous mission grant will continue to strengthen the work we achieve together."
The grant will be funded over the next two years as part of the LWML's 2009-2011 biennium mission goal of $1.825 million. It is the largest in the organization's 67-year history-$125,000 more than the previous mission goal. The funds are raised by the LWML's 250,000 members nationwide.
"This mission grant will help sustain the ministry that so many LWML members have been a part of for generations. The women work long hours to sew the quilts they donate to Lutheran World Relief," said Melanie Gibbons, Parish Projects Coordinator for LWR. Gibbons works with Lutheran quilting and kit-making groups through the U.S.
"The quilts they make are offerings of peace, comfort and compassion, carefully pieced together as expressions of Christian love. Through this project, both LWML and LWR serve as the hands of Christ to bring healing to those in need," Gibbons said.
Last year, LWR distributed more than 455,000 quilts to people in need in 27 countries.
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OFFICE FURNITURE SALE AT CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY, SEWARD
Concordia University in Seward is doing some cleaning/recycling by offering older/unused furniture items for sale. Come check out office desks, chairs, bookcases, file cabinets, tables, odds & ends, etc. Money raised will go toward campus improvement projects.
Take part in the "Leftover Office Furniture Sale" on Friday, August 7, from 12 noon until 6 p.m. The sale will be at the Health and Human Performance house at the end of Faculty Lane (north of the library) on campus.
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REQUESTS FOR HEALTH KITS OUTPACE AVAILABILITY
Lutheran World Relief's supply of health kits remains critically low as requests for assistance across the world increase.
The kits-containing basic hygiene supplies to help reduce the spread of germs and disease-are sent around the world to people dealing with the affects of war, disaster, and poverty. As humanitarian crises escalate, requests for LWR health kits are outpacing the inflow of health kit donations from groups and congregations throughout the United States.
"The shortage of health kits is getting more drastic each week," notes Trevor Knoblich, who manages LWR's quilt and kit inventories. "We simply do not have the stock to fulfill needs."
LWR needs more than 56,000 health kits to fill planned shipments to Azerbaijan, Mauritania, Tanzania, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Palestine (Gaza), Philippines, Peru and Guatemala by year's end.
"We hope to see a big increase in health kits as a result of fall ingathering contributions," says Melanie Gibbons, LWR's Parish Projects Coordinator. Ingatherings are events at which churches, service groups and individuals meet regionally to consolidate and ship their quilts and kits in bulk to LWR's warehouses. Many such ingatherings occur in October and November throughout the U.S.
"Kits not only send a tangible message of God's love amidst suffering, they also save lives. Health kits, in particular, help families stay healthy in difficult living conditions," says Brenda Meier, LWR's Director for Congregation and Community Engagement.
"If you already have a kit making ministry, we are asking that you send as many health kits as you can. If your church or service group does not yet have a ministry, it is a great way to engage people of all ages in service to their brothers and sisters in need," says Gibbons.
In addition to the critical need for health kits, LWR continues to work to meet the requests for quilts, school kits, sewing kits, layettes, and soap. Instructions for making health kits, as well as how to assemble other kits and material aid items, are available on the LWR website at www.lwr.org/beinvolved<http://www.lwr.org/beinvolved>. Or call 1-800-LWR-LWR-2 to request a copy of "Be Involved," a free resource that includes instructions on kit making.
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NEW FROM CONCORDIA PUBLISHING HOUSE
New Bible Study for Men Offers 'Adventure and Challenge'
Concordia Publishing House announces Blessed Is the Man, a new Bible study for use in both individual and group settings. Based on the Psalms, the resource includes daily reading and life-application questions, and study options for small group formats.
The first two studies in the series are available online at www.cph.org/men<http://www.cph.org/men> or by calling 800-325-3040.
"This Bible study for men creates a fun and challenging place for men to be men," says Jim Stropnik, manager of Bible studies and Bibles at Concordia Publishing House. "The study uses chapters written by everyday guys and encourages guys to rediscover the adventure in life through reading real stories about a real Savior."
Authors include pastors and men who come from a "wide-range of life experiences," including work as executives, entertainers, in the IT field, as private pilots, and professional church workers.
"This study offers men a way to see how Scripture applies in their day-to-day experiences," says Rev. Robert Baker, editor for the project. "Men's ministries are on the rise, including in the LCMS with programs like the Men's Ministry Network from Lutheran Hour Ministries, and this study is a great fit for use as part of those programs. The Psalms are an incredible first-person way to see how God works in men's lives; after all they were written by a real guy's-guy, King David!"
Two more books that will complete the series are scheduled for an early 2010 release. "Blessed Is the Man is the perfect resource to combine men's activities like watching football with studying God's Word. Give men a time to reflect and connect," Stropnik says.
Evangelism Resources Offer Tools to Witness Faith
Concordia Publishing House introduces two evangelism resources to help Christians share their faith, How to Share Christ Confidently and What Jesus Means to Me, available for $2.99 each.
How to Share Christ Confidently<http://www.cph.org:80/cphstore/product.asp?category=&part%5Fno=142152&find%5Fcategory=WEB%5FALL&find%5Fdescription=&find%5Fpart%5Fdesc=how+to+share+christ> explores practical techniques for witnessing in any situation. Each chapter includes exercises designed to confront and overcome the fear of witnessing. What Jesus Means to Me<http://www.cph.org:80/cphstore/product.asp?category=&part%5Fno=061328&find%5Fcategory=&find%5Fdescription=&find%5Fpart%5Fdesc=what+jesus+means+to+me> is a collection of personal stories of faith, written in a conversational style.
"Often, people feel uncomfortable witnessing," says, Ken Liszewski, manager of books for Concordia Publishing House. "These new evangelism resources offer suggestions and information, as well as encouragement from other believers to share the Good News, always relying on God's action through His Word and Spirit to form faith."
Bible Studies Compare World Religions and Christian Denominations
Concordia Publishing House announces its release of two youth Bible studies; One God, many gods, an exploration of world religions, and One Christ, Many Creeds, a comparison study of Christian denominations.
One God, many gods<http://www.cph.org:80/cphstore/product.asp?category=&part%5Fno=203406&find%5Fcategory=WEB%5FALL&find%5Fdescription=&find%5Fpart%5Fdesc=one+god%2C+many+gods> has been updated and presents the primary differences of world religions alongside the common creed of the Christian faith. "The original edition was among Concordia's best-selling youth studies, and the new edition includes updated data and also focuses on emergent religions," says Youth Editor, Mark Sengele. The new edition, written by Dr. Adam Francisco, includes six religions not featured in the first. Dr. Francisco is a professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN.
One Christ, Many Creeds<http://www.cph.org:80/cphstore/product.asp?category=&part%5Fno=223096&find%5Fcategory=&find%5Fdescription=&find%5Fpart%5Fdesc=one+christ%2C+many+creeds> compares Lutheranism with 15 other Christian doctrines, leading youth to a greater understanding of the teachings of the Lutheran church. Sengele shares, "Lutheran young people long to understand the differences between what they believe and what their Christian friends believe. One Christ leads students to appropriately understand differences as well as important teachings that we have in common with other Christian people."
Concordia Commentary-Amos
Concordia Publishing House (CPH) announces the availability of the newest Concordia Commentary-Amos<http://www.cph.org:80/cphstore/product.asp?category=&part%5Fno=156060&find%5Fcategory=WEB%5FALL&find%5Fdescription=&find%5Fpart%5Fdesc=amos>. The Concordia Commentary series is developed to "help to pastors and teachers of the Word to proclaim the Gospel with insight and clarity." Concordia Commentaries affirm the inspiration and authority of Scripture and offer a literal translation, textual notes, and theological exposition to present the distinctive themes of Holy Scripture.
Detailed product information is available online at www.cph.org<http://www.cph.org>, keyword: Amos.
"Dr. Lessing 'restores the roar' of the Lion from the tribe of Judah through His prophet Amos," says Dr. Christopher Mitchell, Concordia Publishing House commentary editor. "This commentary elucidates the rhetorical details and theological message of this important prophecy, which proclaims well-deserved judgment for the impenitent, yet also consoles the believer with its promises of the new covenant in Christ, His Church, and the new creation."
Children's Prayer Book Teaches Life-Long Practice Of Prayer
Concordia Publishing House introduces a prayer book for children, A Child's Book of Prayers.
A Child's Book of Prayers<http://www.cph.org:80/cphstore/product.asp?category=&part%5Fno=562458&find%5Fcategory=&find%5Fdescription=&find%5Fpart%5Fdesc=child%27s+book+of+prayers> includes an illustrated collection of prayers for praise and thanksgiving, confession and intercession, as well as prayers for special occasions and daily routines. A Child's Book of Prayers features more than 85 new and traditional prayers sorted by theme. The resource encourages parents and children to move beyond reciting prayers to truly speaking them. The book is available online at www.cph.org<http://www.cph.org> (keyword: prayers), or by calling 800-325-3040.
"Our job as parents, grandparents, and teachers is to make sure that our children know the importance, comfort, and power of prayer," says Ken Liszewski, manager of books for Concordia Publishing House. "A Child's Book of Prayers is the perfect book to share with your children to help them learn to pray and share their lives with God."
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Summer 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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