[DistUpd] March 18

Wed Mar 18 11:46:28 CDT 2009

Update for March 18
A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE!

Lenten greetings in the name of our loving Lord and Savior.

*         Prayer Requests
*         New Mission Congregations Join the Nebraska District
*         LCEF Outreach Grant Deadline
*         Spring Junior High Retreat
*         In the News: Singing for Mr. McMahan
*         Grace Place Offers Retreats in 2009
*         LCMS Family Ministry Blog Launched
*         Witness the Passion Play of Oberammergau
*         Correction to Last Week's Oberammergau Announcement
*         Helpmates in Ministry Planning Committee
*         Mission Central Speaking Schedule
*         Easter Timpani for Sale or Rent
*         Still Time to Schedule a Spring "Equipping to Share" Event
*         Overseas Mission Opportunity

PRAYER REQUESTS
Pastor Charles Gierke - We join with Pastor Charles Gierke in prayers of thanksgiving for a successful back surgery earlier this week. The Lord brought him safely through the procedure, and early reports indicate that the surgery was successful in relieving the pain that prompted the operation. We continue to ask the Great Physician to grant healing and comfort to Pastor Gierke during his time of recuperation.

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NEW MISSION CONGREGATIONS JOIN THE NEBRASKA DISTRICT
It is with tremendous joy that the Nebraska District welcomes three new mission churches as new member congregations of the LCMS and the Nebraska District. We thank God for adding these three congregations to the 244 other congregations of the District as partners in sharing God's love and mercy through His Word.

1C Mission Church of the LCMS, Columbus, became an official congregation of the Nebraska District and joined the LCMS on January 11, 2009. This membership service came just two days short of a year after the mission congregation's first fellowship/Bible study meeting. The congregation is now in the process of applying for a vicar that would lead to having a pastor to serve the congregation and reach out into the Columbus community. They gather each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. for Sunday school/Bible class, and at 10:30 a.m. and 6:45 p.m. for fellowship and teaching time. They are currently meeting at the Westgate Center in Columbus. Visit www.1cwhatever.com<http://www.1cwhatever.com/> for more information.

Word of Life Lutheran Church, Lincoln, joined the LCMS and the Nebraska District on Sunday, March 15. The congregation of St. Paul, Malcolm, planted this church start in the growing area of northwest Lincoln by commissioning DELTO Vicar Larry Oetting as a church planter. This mission congregation is located in the new Lincoln development of Fallbrook and meets in the new Concordia University, Nebraska Lincoln site. Vicar Oetting is completing his coursework and God-willing will be ordained and installed as this congregation's first pastor this summer. The congregation gathers weekly at 10:30 a.m. for worship at 570 Fallbrook Blvd., Suite 205 in Lincoln. For more information visit Word of Life's website at http://wordoflifelincoln.org/.

The Rock Lutheran Church, Seward, will be signing the LCMS Constitution and joining the Synod and the Nebraska District this coming Sunday, March 22. This mission congregation began meeting last fall, and continues to meet weekly at 10:00 a.m. every Sunday at the Lied Senior Center in Seward. This new congregation will be applying for a pastor through the spring placement process. Visit www.therockseward.com<http://www.therockseward.com/> for more information.

Thanks be to God for gathering these groups of believers to form congregations where the Word of God is preached and shared with the communities in which they are located. We thank God for all 247 congregations in Nebraska and the way He is using each one to further His kingdom. Please remember in prayer the congregations, pastors, leaders, and other church workers in each congregation, but especially these three new congregations as they begin a new chapter of their ministry.

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LCEF OUTREACH GRANT DEADLINE
As a result of the partnership between the Lutheran Church Extension Fund's faithful investors and borrowers, LCEF has been blessed by our Lord to be able to offer Outreach Ministry Grants to congregations and other LCMS organizations within the Nebraska District. Twenty-five $1,000 Outreach Ministry Grants are available to Nebraska District LCMS congregations, schools, and related organizations.

To be considered for a grant, the applicant must:
*        Conduct a specific outreach/evangelism program, activity, or event designed to reach lost people for Christ within one calendar year of receipt of this grant.
*        Reflect the goals of the LCEF Mission Statement, which reads as follows: To support the Church in fulfilling its mission of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ by being a Christ-centered servant partner of the LCMS, ensuring that funds and services are available now and in the future.
*        Provide photos and a written summary of the LCEF grant-funded outreach ministry to this office within one calendar year of receipt of this grant. This will be used for LCEF promotional purposes.

Guidelines and an application were sent to all pastors, principals, DCEs, congregational chairmen, and LCEF congregational representatives. Contact one of these individuals for more information, or visit the Nebraska District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/financial/lcef/grant.html for more information or to print an application form.

The deadline for receiving completed applications is April 1. Grant recipients will be selected by May 15.

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SPRING JUNIOR HIGH RETREAT
The Junior High Retreat at Camp Comeca near Cozad is scheduled for April 24-25. The theme for this year will be "You Ask About...Relationships" by Tim Pauls. The registration fee is $45.00 per person, and registrations are due by April 15. More information and the necessary forms are available on the District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/education/youth/jrhigh.html.

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IN THE NEWS: SINGING FOR MR. MCMAHAN
For a long time the children had known their teacher's husband was dying.

Someone would raise a hand almost every day in music class at Faith Lutheran Elementary School.

How's Mr. McMahan today?

And for a long time, the answer was the same: Not so good.

Then, last week, Cassie McMahan had a different answer.

He's better.

He's gone to live with Jesus.

Read the entire article on Mrs. Cassie McMahan and her students at Faith, Lincoln, from the Lincoln Journal Star at http://www.journalstar.com/articles/2009/03/17/news/local/doc49beddbc2dd35445662191.txt.

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GRACE PLACE OFFERS RETREATS IN 2009
"The best event I've ever attended professionally. And I've been in ministry over 30 years."

That's how Keith Dirks, a teacher at Trinity Lutheran Church, Lincoln, describes the Grace Place retreat he and his wife, Connie, also a Trinity teacher, attended last summer in Aspen, Colo.
The Dirkses are among nearly 2,000 LCMS professional church workers and their spouses who have taken part in Grace Place retreats over the past 10 years. In just the last three years, nearly 75 Nebraska church workers have experienced Grace Place.

One retreat veteran is Nebraska District President Rev. Russell L. Sommerfeld and his wife, Donna. "Stepping back from ministry into a relaxing time of meditative retreat, biblical reflection, and lifestyle and marital examination in the midst of others who understand our lives gave us a special time with the Lord and each other," Sommerfeld said.

A recognized service organization, Grace Place Lutheran Retreats offers affordable, mini-sabbaticals as opportunities for church workers and spouses to recharge spiritually, physically, and emotionally. Dr. John Eckrich, a Lutheran physician, started Grace Place after years of treating church workers and their families and seeing how ministry challenges negatively impacted their health.

"Our church workers were burning themselves out while they cared for others but did not take care of themselves," Eckrich said.

Churches and schools also benefit from Grace Place retreats. Church workers who are physically, mentally, and spiritually healthy are better equipped to serve. "Our Grace Place retreat was very energizing," Dirks said. "I think we're finding new joy in our ministry this school year because of it."

This summer, Grace Place offers seven retreats, five that are open to Nebraska District church workers - all in scenic settings such as Aspen and Trego, Wis. Participants learn biblically based strategies to enhance ministry and personal life. Each retreat also includes opportunities for recreation and for spiritual growth.

Dates and Places
Nebraska Pastors/Wives

Lutheran Educators/Spouses
Ministers of Music/Spouses

July 13-17, 2009

July 6-10, 2009

Aspen, Colorado

Aspen, Colorado

Single Pastors

July 20-24, 2009 *

September 2-6, 2009

Trego, Wisconsin

Snowmass, Colorado

Pastors/Spouses
Lutheran Educators/Spouses

July 27-31, 2009 *

Trego, Wisconsin

For further Information contact Rev. Mark Rockenbach at the Nebraska District Office at markr at ndlcms.org<mailto:markr at ndlcms.org> or 1-888-643-2961. Online registration is also available at www.graceplaceretreats.org<http://www.graceplaceretreats.org>.
* Thrivent members pay only $175 for the marked retreats.

To keep retreats affordable, Grace Place depends on grants and donations. One generous supporter is the Rupert Dunklau Foundation, headed by Dunklau, a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Fremont. The foundation awarded Grace Place a $35,000 matching grant to help underwrite the cost of two retreats next year. The grant will help enable as many as 36 Nebraska church work couples to take part in the retreats - but the required matching funds of $35,000 must be raised by October.

"When matching grants are awarded, Grace Place must match, dollar for dollar, the grant amount within one year," said John Diefenbach, Grace Place chief development officer. LCMS members throughout Nebraska may wish to make a gift so that even more church workers and the congregations they serve can benefit.

For more information, contact Diefenbach at jdief at graceplaceretreats.org<mailto:jdief at graceplaceretreats.org> or (314) 842-3077.

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LCMS FAMILY MINISTRY BLOG LAUNCHED (From LCMS Family Ministry eNews, March 13)
LCMS Family Ministry has launched a new "Family Ministry Blog" as part of the District and Congregational Services website.

Initially, postings to the blog will be authored by Dr. Steve Christopher, Associate Director for Family Ministry. It is envisioned however that as time goes on, additional authors will be added to the blog.

After registering, readers may offer their comments to the articles.

To read Steve's first posting, click here<http://www.lcms.org/ca/dcs/family/blog/default.asp> or visit http://www.lcms.org/ca/dcs/family/blog/default.asp. Be sure and bookmark this link so you can return again and again. RSS feed is available for subscribing to blog updates also.

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WITNESS THE PASSION PLAY OF OBERAMMERGAU
Pastor Michael & Suzy Awe, in cooperation with Nawas International Travel, would like to invite you to join them May 22 - June 1, 2010, on an exciting 11 day Alpine Tour!  Participants will enjoy the picturesque vistas of Switzerland, Austria, and Southern Germany. The absolute highlight of the trip will be the experience of the famous Oberammergau Passion Play. The group will be leaving from Omaha and flying in to Frankfurt, Germany. Price will include most meals, first-class accommodations, and roundtrip airfare from Omaha.

If you are interested in joining them for this memorable experience, please contact Pastor Michael Awe at 402.368.9929 or 402.368.5690, or e-mail him at The1Rev at cableone.net<mailto:The1Rev at cableone.net> for more information. Space is limited.

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CORRECTION TO LAST WEEK'S OBERAMMERGAU ANNOUNCEMENT
The dates of the Germany tour shared in last week's Update were incorrect. The tour with Pastor Tom Krause will be September 4-13, 2010. The corrected information is below.

Pastor Tom and Miriam Krause of Overland Park, Kansas invite you to join them on their "OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY AND REFORMATION SITES TOUR" September 4-13, 2010.  Traveling with Imagine Tours and Travel, the group will visit the Luther sites of Wittenburg, Augsburg, and Worms - plus stops in Munich, Nurnberg, and a Rhine River cruise. The trip ends with the Oberammergau Passion Play. Basic cost is $3995 from Kansas City and includes great accommodations, transportation, and two meals daily! Additional costs for taxes and tips. For a detailed brochure or more information, contact the Krauses at 913-906-9976, or thomas.krause at att.net<mailto:thomas.krause at att.net>.

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HELPMATES IN MINISTRY PLANNING COMMITTEE
It is time to begin planning for the next HIM (Helpmates in Ministry) retreat. Your ideas and opinions are the key to a successful event!  We are currently looking for volunteers to help us coordinate the next retreat.  Would you be willing to serve in this way?

Serving on the HIM committee involves two face-to-face meetings to brainstorm ideas and determine the logistics of the retreat, and communication via email to work out the details.  Additional tasks associated with the retreat may be assigned, as necessary.

If you would enjoy working on this committee, please contact Pastor Mark Rockenbach or Julie Roebke at the District Office, 888-643-2961, by Friday, April 3. You may also email them at markr at ndlcms.org<mailto:markr at ndlcms.org> or julier at ndlcms.org<mailto:julier at ndlcms.org>.

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MISSION CENTRAL SPEAKING SCHEDULE
Following is the upcoming speaking schedule at Mission Central near Mapleton, Iowa. For more information on Mission Central or these speakers, visit the Mission Central website at www.missioncentral.us<http://www.missioncentral.us/>.

All the missionaries will be presenting in the same format: 1:00 p.m. and again at 7:00 p.m. at the barn at Mission Central.
 Rev. Jon and Julie Muhly and family from Moscow, Russia on April 28.
Vicar Phil & Kerri Schielke and family from Kazakhstan on May 5.
Dr. Funchatou Lo and family from Banda Aceh, Indonesia on June 6.
Dave and Radka Fiala from Slovakia, Hungary, Poland and Czech Republic on June 20.
Rev. Claude & Rhoda Houge from Kenya in East Africa on June 24.
Rev. Joel & Iantha Scheiwe from Hong Kong and Asia on June 27.
Vicar J. P. & Amiee Cima and family from Hanoi, Vietnam on July 7.

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EASTER TIMPANI FOR SALE OR RENT
Attention Music Directors:
Do you have timpani lined up for Easter yet?  There are several sets of timpani available for sale or rent in the Nebraska District. Contact Jim Krutz at JimKrutz at gmail.com<mailto:JimKrutz at gmail.com> for more information.

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STILL TIME TO SCHEDULE A SPRING "EQUIPPING TO SHARE" EVENT
What better way to welcome the springtime temperatures of April and May than to host an Equipping to Share workshop? The weather's warmer, people are in brighter spirits, and they're ready to get together and get involved. Dates are available for an EtS workshop in your neck of the woods, but spring won't last forever. Calling today will net you an additional advantage, too.

For those scheduling an EtS workshop during April or May, Lutheran Hour Ministries is offering your congregation a $75 Practicing Hospitality program-free! Designed to help your church give visitors a sincere and bighearted welcome, Practicing Hospitality includes a planning guide, PowerPoint, and video material for easy instruction; a facilitator script; and a DVD for use during worship.

...And did we mention it's free when you schedule an EtS workshop?

Practicing Hospitality and EtS complement each other exceptionally well, according to Sarah Guldalian, EtS program coordinator. "Practicing Hospitality is the natural progression after receiving EtS training," she says. "With EtS, lay people are trained in personal and congregational evangelism, which hopefully results in new visitors. With Practicing Hospitality, your members will be ready to warmly welcome and incorporate visitors into your church body, resulting in a smooth transition towards membership."

Take advantage of this offer soon though. The spring EtS season is coming to a close and the last date a workshop request will be accepted is April 24. For more information, call Sarah Guldalian at 800-944-3450, ext. 4144, or send her an e-mail to equipping at lhm.org<mailto:equipping at lhm.org>.

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

LCMS World Mission is looking for teachers to teach English as a Foreign Language (EFL) in areas where LCMS and its partners are currently serving local communities in Mainland China. You will teach future English teachers who otherwise would not have the opportunity to learn from a native English speaker.

To learn how you can serve by going global, go here: 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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A special thank you to all who shared information for this week's Update. By submitting information to be shared, you help make this e-newsletter a useful networking tool. Please continue to share information by emailing it to communications at ndlcms.org<mailto:communications at ndlcms.org> or calling the District Office at 1-888-643-2961.

Blessings on your Lenten journey,
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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