From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Wed May 6 08:44:42 2009 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Wed, 06 May 2009 13:44:42 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] May 6 Message-ID: Update for May 6 A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE! Greetings in the name of our risen Lord and Savior, Jesus! * Prayer Requests * Important Convention Reminders * Nebraska District Call Report * Camp Luther Work Day * Special Events at Mission Central * National '09 - The Lutheran Youth Workers Conference * A Celebration of Reinhold Marxhausen * Orphan Grain Train is Collecting Vestments and Paraments * Spanish Resources from Concordia Publishing House * CPH to Offer Stained Glass Windows and Church Steeples * Lutheran Tape Ministry Offers "God and Country" Bible Study PRAYER REQUESTS Vicar Matthew Makela - We lift up in prayer Vicar Matthew Makela of Zion, Imperial, who has been ill and hospitalized. We ask our Heavenly Father to grant him continued healing and recovery. Back to top IMPORTANT CONVENTION REMINDERS Convention Registration - The registration deadline for all those attending the Nebraska District Convention is next Monday, May 11. All voting and advisory delegates must return their registration forms by that date, as well as any guests who wish to attend. Meal counts will be turned in and housing will be assigned shortly, so those attending are strongly encouraged to return their form by the deadline to assist in the planning and ensure adequate materials. Voting delegates chosen and certified by their congregations must still complete and return a pink Voting Delegate Form to register for Convention. Additional forms may be printed from the District website at www.ndlcms.org. Ingathering - Delegates and guests to Convention are invited to take part in the special ingathering of ESV Bibles and Luther's Small Catechisms. These books may be brought to Convention and will be collected in the Convention arena. All books gathered at Convention will be shared with new mission starts in the District. Please consider taking part in this opportunity to provide the Word of God with these new ministries in Nebraska. Back to top NEBRASKA DISTRICT CALL REPORT Spring graduates placed in Nebraska congregations include (if married, wife's name is in parentheses): FROM ST. LOUIS Hyannis, Swede Valley (Ashby) Andrew Safarik (Johanna), Seward, NE Lincoln, Word of Life Larry Oetting (Kitty), Lincoln, NE McCook, Peace Thomas Albertson (Charlene), Fort Collins, CO Omaha, Pacific Hills (associate) Matthew Schneider (Robin), Peoria, IL Schuyler, Trinity & Immanuel William Mattfeld (Marilyn), Schuyler, NE Sterling, Immanuel Elmer Smith (Bonnie), Lincoln, NE Superior, Centennial Brian Earl, Lincoln, NE Wilcox, St. John Melvin Mertens (Eileen), Sterling, CO FROM FT. WAYNE Merna, Immanuel Ryan L. Loeslie, Warren, MN VICARS in NEBRASKA . . . Assigned as vicars in Nebraska for the coming year: FROM ST. LOUIS Chambers, St. Paul Terry Makelin (Mary), Norfolk, NE Columbus, 1C David Ficken, Aurora, IL Grand Island, Trinity Joshua Leigeber, Cullman, AL Gretna, Good Shepherd Michael Feldmann (Jessica), Perryville, MO Omaha, Sudanese Evangelical Peter Bur, Omaha, NE Osmond, Immanuel Chet Scherbarth (Beth), Lincoln, NE FROM FT. WAYNE Arapahoe, Trinity James Moshier (Renee), Riverton, WY Imperial, Zion Sean Hansen (Rebecca), Lodi, OH Neligh/Elgin, Grace/Trinity Paul Shupe, Cheyenne, WY Spencer/Lynch, Immanuel/Christ Harrison Goodman (Lisa), Champaign, IL DEACONESS in NEBRASKA . . . Assigned as a deaconess in Nebraska: FROM ST. LOUIS Fremont, Good Shepherd Jessica Koenig (Michael), Chester, IL NEBRASKANS PLACED . . . Nebraskans completing seminary training this year were placed in April, including: FROM ST. LOUIS Peter Jurchen, Beaver Crossing Hope (associate), Des Moines, IA Andrew Schermbeck, Elk Creek St. Paul, Chicago, IL FROM FT. WAYNE Mark Duer, Lincoln Our Redeemer, Cushing, OK Back to top CAMP LUTHER WORK DAY Everyone is invited to help get Camp Luther fixed up and looking good for the coming summer camp season at their spring work day on Saturday, May 23, beginning at 9:00 a.m. This would be a great time to get a small group from your church or a group of families to come together. There will be jobs for all sizes, ages, and skill levels. Lunch will be provided. Go for all or part of the day. Anyone wanting to go out on Friday night is welcome. There will be an old fashioned hot dog roast and a campfire for that evening's meal. The rest of the evening is open for hiking or boating. Call 402-352-5655 or email campluther at campluther.org to let Camp Luther know that you're coming and how many are in your group. Back to top SPECIAL EVENTS 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 at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in the barn at Mission Central. For more information on Mission Central or on these special events, visit the Mission Central website at www.missioncentral.us. May 5 - the Schielke Family - Kazakhstan May 20 - Ted Engelbrecht - Vietnam June 6 - Dr. Lo and family - Indonesia June 12 - Delano and Linda Meyer - Sierra Leone, West Africa June 17 - Rev. Mark and Rose Krause - Riga, Latvia June 20 - David and Radka Fiala - Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia June 24 - Rev. Claude & Rhoda Houge - Kenya, East Africa June 27 - Rev. Joel Scheiwe and family - Southern China July 7 - Rev. J. P. Cima and family - Vietnam July 20 - Donna Meyer - Indonesia September 16 - Rev. Matt Heise - Georgia, Russia, and Mongolia Back to top NATIONAL '09 - THE LUTHERAN YOUTH WORKERS CONFERENCE If you serve youth in the congregational or school setting as a pastor, DCE, teacher, lay volunteer, Mom, Dad, or friend - you want to attend the National Lutheran Youth Workers Conference, sponsored by the DCS Youth Ministry Office of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. This conference is open to individuals and teams serving youth in congregations and throughout districts of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Both professional and volunteer youth workers are encouraged to attend this conference being held at the Sheraton Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 16-19. Congregations are encouraged to consider sending youth who are leaders in the Church to participate in the event alongside of their youth leaders. Youth attendees will participate in the same program as adult participants. The NLYWC strives to provide a comprehensive program that meets the needs and challenges the minds of professionals and volunteers working with junior and senior high youth in the Lutheran congregational setting. At NATIONAL, participants will... Be affirmed in the service their work provides the Church through encouragement, celebration, and recognition of their calling to be a youth worker. Discover practical skills and relevant theory for effective youth ministry. Network with volunteer and professional youth workers through fellowship and community building. Be challenged and equipped to develop youth ministry programs that focus youth to Christ in mission, program, and outreach. Leave enriched by content that is timely for their ministry and applies their understanding of that ministry in their day to day vocation. Get an inside look at the 2010 National LMCS Youth Gathering general program and the city of New Orleans. Register online or learn more about NATIONAL seminars and general sessions, speakers, and presenters by visiting www.nlywc.com. Back to top A CELEBRATION OF REINHOLD MARXHAUSEN A celebration of the career of Reinhold Marxhausen, Concordia University professor, artist, and long-time Seward resident, will take place at Seward's Rivoli Theater, 533 Main Street, Sunday, May 24, at 3 p.m. Findings, a 1975 documentary film about Marxhausen's work produced by Banker's Life and Nebraska NET, will be shown. Portions of two films Marxhausen helped develop, A Time to See and Timelines, also will be aired as part of the celebration. Marxhausen became a recognized painter, sculptor, and photographer in the Midwest in the latter part of the 20th century. From 1951 until 1989, he was a professor of art at Concordia. Among his most noted works are two large murals in the Nebraska State Capitol Building. The gathering is sponsored by the Seward Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with Concordia University, family, and friends. Back to top ORPHAN GRAIN TRAIN IS COLLECTING VESTMENTS AND PARAMENTS Orphan Grain Train is requesting vestments and liturgical paraments for use by the Lutheran Church of Lithuania. Anyone wishing to donate cassocks, chasubles, stoles, surpluses, albs, or paraments for altars, lecterns, or pulpits should send items to Trinity, Grand Island. Please do not send these items to any other Orphan Grain Train collection spots. Pastor John Reehl will be collecting these items, sorting them, and getting them to Orphan Grain Train to be shipped to Lithuania. Items will be collected until December 31. Questions may also be directed to Pastor Reehl at jojureehl at charter.net or 308-384-3792. Back to top SPANISH RESOURCES FROM CONCORDIA PUBLISHING HOUSE Vacation Bible School Planning a mission trip to a Spanish-speaking country? Doing outreach in your neighborhood? Concordia Publishing House has a great Gospel resource. Un viaje en miniatura: Descubriendo la grandeza de Dios (A Tiny Adventure: Discovering God's Greatness) teaches children about God's greatness and love for us. It's a perfect program for community outreach or mission trips. And it's the only Spanish/bilingual VBS program available. Discover how practical and economical it really is. Visit www.cph.org for more information. Portals of Prayer Portales de Oraci?n is the Spanish-language version of the popular daily devotional, Portals of Prayer, available only from Concordia Publishing House. Written in Spanish, and not simply a translation of the English text, Portales truly provides you an open door to Spanish-speaking people close to home and on mission trips. Bulk pricing is available, and CPH will ship to mission locations. Visit www.cph.org for more information on either of these great outreach resources. Back to top CPH TO OFFER STAINED GLASS WINDOWS AND CHURCH STEEPLES Concordia Publishing House now offers stained glass windows and church steeples to aid congregations in renovation projects. Visit www.cph.org/renovate. "Lutheran churches no longer have to search the yellow pages before embarking on a renovation project. They can come right to the source they trust, Concordia Publishing House," says Erika Bennett, Marketing Manager of Ecclesiastical Arts at CPH. The stained glass windows are developed by IHS Studios, featuring artist Dennis Roberts and craftsmen. The artists create custom stained glass windows in a variety of media. Bennett shares, "We are pleased to bring our customers the inspirational work of IHS Studios www.ihsstudios.com, available to enhance the worship experience for all congregations." IHS Studios exhibited at the 2007 LCMS Synodical Convention. IHS Studios specializes in the design, fabrication, and installation of art glass windows. CPH is also partnering with Piedmont Fiberglass, Inc. to offer church steeples. "Regardless of your church size, we have a steeple that fits your needs. Churches can now have their very own extreme church makeover," comments Bennett. Churches can select pre-designed steeples, design their own, and add accessories, such as windows, louvers, and lighting. Lutheran Church Extension Fund's Architectural Advisory Committee and LCMS's Laborers for Christ endorse this new product offering by publicly supporting Concordia Publishing House as the provider of choice for stained glass windows and church steeples. Bennett shares, "We want churches to feel comfortable when making this important decision about renovations." Back to top LUTHERAN TAPE MINISTRY OFFERS "GOD AND COUNTRY" BIBLE STUDY Lutheran Tape Ministry, Inc., and TalkingScriptures.com announces the release of their newest Bible study devotional series on compact disc entitled: God and Country: Devotions for Men and Women in the Military and Those Who Love Them" written by Fred Naumann, Executive Producer of Lutheran Tape Ministry. This devotional study includes topics such as patience, patriotism, the measure of God's love and faith in the midst of adversity. This is the perfect gift for anyone deployed with our military or the family member waiting and praying for a love one serving our country. God and Country includes original music written for this devotional study by John Valentine, including his musical bonus track entitled: "God Bless the U.S.A." God and Country is available from Lutheran Tape Ministry and TalkingScriptures.com for a suggested donation of $10.00 per CD. Order a Resource Listing by calling toll-free 800-937-2591 or visit Lutheran Tape Ministry at www.TalkingScriptures.com. Back to top Blessings, Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 1-888-643-2961 nicholeh at ndlcms.org 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. -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: text/html Size: 43847 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.ndlcms.org/pipermail/distupd/attachments/20090506/e3f4f4a9/attachment.txt From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Wed May 13 13:29:50 2009 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Wed, 13 May 2009 18:29:50 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] May 13 Message-ID: Update for May 13 A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE! Greetings in the name of the Lord! At this very busy time of the year, with Mother's Day, graduations, spring planting, and so much more, we are so thankful for a Heavenly Father who promises to be with us at all times. May He continue to bless you and your family during this busy springtime. * Prayer Requests * Convention Notes * Omaha Ascension Service * New Nebraska Vicar in The Lutheran Witness * District Student Wins National Award * VBS Curriculum Offers India Mission Project * CPH Offers Resources Through Current Technology * Service Opportunity in Kazakhstan * Medical Mission Opportunity in Guatemala * Nebraska Lutherans for Confessional Study to Meet PRAYER REQUESTS Family of Rev. Alfred Hinz - We lift up in prayer the family of Rev. Alfred Hinz, who passed away in Laurel, Nebraska, on May 5. During his ministry, Rev. Hinz served the Nebraska congregations in Valley, Bridgeport, Newcastle, Ponca, and Martinsburg. We pray for a special measure of the Lord's peace and comfort for the family at this time, while we give thanks to God for the eternal life that is now Rev. Hinz's through Jesus Christ. Vicar Matt Makela - We join with Vicar Matt Makela of Zion, Imperial, in prayers of thanksgiving for the healing the Lord has granted him. His health is returning, and he has returned to work on a limited basis. God willing, he will be back to full strength soon. Thanks be to God for placing His healing hand on Vicar Makela. St. John's, Geneseo, Illinois and St. John's, Yankton, South Dakota - Please remember in prayer the members of St. John's, Geneseo, Illinois, who lost their church building in a fire on March 31. Pastor Christopher Bushre, pastor of this congregation, served the Nebraska congregation of St. John, Lyons, Nebraska, before going to Illinois. The full news article on this fire, as well as an arson fire at St. John's, Yankton, South Dakota, may be read online at www.lcms.org/reporter under "Top Stories." Back to top CONVENTION NOTES Special Pre-Convention Reporter The special pre-convention issue of the Nebraska Lutheran Reporter was mailed to church offices late last week. Pastors and church office staff are encouraged to share this newsletter with their members as soon as possible in the way that works best for them. There will be another, regular Reporter in church offices in late May, with the special Convention issue to follow in July. This special Pre-Convention issue is also available on the District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/news/communications/reporter.html. Questions on the Reporter may be directed to communications at ndlcms.org. Registration to Take Place in New Building Delegates and guests attending the 2009 Nebraska District Convention should plan on registering at the new Health, Human Performance, and Athletic Center (HHPAC) on the north side of Concordia's campus. Registration will take place in the main lobby of this new building from 1:30 - 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 4, with late registration beginning at 7:30 p.m. A map of campus showing the location of the new building is available on the District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/news/convention/index.html. There is ample parking at the new facility, and delegates may wish to drive to the HHPAC to register and receive housing keys upon their arrival on campus. Concordia Publishing House Will Offer Mission Church a "Resource Shelf" Concordia Publishing House (CPH) announces its 2009 Stock the Library campaign, part of the company's ongoing support for the districts and congregations of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The gift is part of CPH's participation in the 35 district conventions taking place throughout 2009. Each LCMS district was invited to identify one recipient for the gift. CPH encouraged the selection of "a congregation or mission with great financial need; one that recently experienced a loss (fire or theft); or a new mission plant." The campaign provides a "shelf" of CPH resources to one congregation, per district, cost free. Twenty-five titles are included that appeal to a wide range of topics for church professionals, families, parents, adults, youth, and children. Selected recipients can also tailor the list to meet unique ministry needs in their settings. The total retail value of the gift is $500. 1C Mission Church in Columbus will be the recipient of the Stock the Library resource shelf at the District Convention. What a blessing for CPH to support this new mission congregation, and all congregations, with quality Christian materials. Back to top OMAHA ASCENSION SERVICE Lamb of God Lutheran Church will be hosting the Omaha South Circuit Ascension Service on Thursday, May 21, at 7:00 p.m. at 7033 L Street, Omaha, Nebraska. The guest preacher for the Ascension Service will be Rev. Ryan Matthias, chaplain from Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska. Everyone is invited to attend the service and a reception immediately following the Divine Service. Back to top NEW NEBRASKA VICAR IN THE LUTHERAN WITNESS Vicar Dave Ficken, who was pictured on the cover of the May issue of The Lutheran Witness, will be serving as vicar at 1C Mission Church in Columbus during the next school year. Vicar Ficken, who just completed his second year of studies at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, wrote an article for the series "Engaging the World with the Gospel of Hope" focusing on pastoral education in the LCMS. To read Vicar Ficken's article, visit http://www.lcms.org/pages/witness.asp. Back to top DISTRICT STUDENT WINS NATIONAL AWARD Zion Lutheran School of Kearney has a State Champion! Eighth grader, Victoria Crow, is the Nebraska state champion for the 2009 Scholastic Challenge! The Scholastic Challenge is a timed, online academic contest for 8th graders across the nation; this year over 18,000 students participated. Students have one hour to complete 100 questions covering a wide range of academia. Victoria Crow is Zion Lutheran School of Kearney's second state champion - her brother, Chris Crow, was Nebraska's state champion in 2007. Well done, Victoria! Back to top VBS CURRICULUM OFFERS INDIA MISSION PROJECT Concordia Publishing House's 2009 vacation Bible school curriculum, "Gadget's Garage," provides an opportunity for children to get more involved in God's mission. The curriculum's featured mission project, "Teaching Tools for India Schools," encourages children to bring offerings that will help students in India get a quality education and learn about Jesus. The proceeds from these offerings, given by children attending vacation Bible schools across the country, will go towards providing resources for children studying at Lutheran schools in India. The schools are operated by the India Evangelical Lutheran Church (IELC), which is an LCMS partner church. The "Gadget's Garage" curriculum is available for purchase on the Concordia Publishing House Web site at www.cph.org or by calling 1-800-325-3040. To learn more about children's mission projects, go to www.lcmsworldmission.org/children and click on "Sparklers projects." Back to top CPH OFFERS RESOURCES THROUGH CURRENT TECHNOLOGY Christian Product Podcast Channel Launched Concordia Publishing House (CPH) announces the launch of The House Channel, a podcast channel that features interviews, commentaries, and discussion focused on CPH products and related topics. The podcast is found online at http://cphconnect.org/podcasts/. New podcasts are added each month. Listeners can subscribe to the channel's RSS feed and also through iTunes. Current available podcasts feature interviews with contributors to The Lutheran Study Bible, commentary by CPH editors, and a round-table conversation with multiple authors of CPH's premier women's Bible study series, A New Song. An interview with CPH President and CEO, Dr. Bruce Kintz is also available. The House Channel is a free format, allowing CPH to explore a variety of topics connected to their products and services and their mission. It's an opportunity to showcase the ministry expertise and concern of their authors, editors, and staff and to engage their customers in new ways. Digital Lutheran Music from Concordia Publishing House Available Online Digital music downloads from Concordia Publishing House (CPH) are now available for purchase at iTunes, Amazon.com, and other select digital music stores. The publishing company produces an extensive catalog of instrumental arrangements, choral groups, and hymns, as well as children's music suitable for Christian ministry settings. Find, preview, and purchase CPH-published music by searching for "Concordia Publishing House" on the iTunes Store, Amazon MP3, or preferred major digital music stores. Eight titles are currently available, and the company says there are "more to come." Back to top SERVICE OPPORTUNITY IN KAZAKHSTAN Right now you have the opportunity to meet an urgent need as a Relationship Builder in Kazakhstan. LCMS World Mission needs two individuals to serve as Relationship Builders through English as a Foreign Language in Kazakhstan. You will lead both English classes and small groups. You will work closely with the team in Kazakhstan to connect the learners to more culturally specific ministries. Much of your ministry will be to university students. Although the position could be filled by two individuals, it could also be filled by a married couple. To learn how you can serve by going global, go here: www.lcmsworldmission.org/searchopps. Contact an LCMS World Mission placement counselor at 1-800-433-3954 or mission.recruitment at lcms.org. Back to top MEDICAL MISSION OPPORTUNITY IN GUATEMALA MOST (Mission Opportunity Short Term) Ministries is recruiting dentists, dental assistants, and community health workers for a dental and health education team to serve in Guatemala July 31 to August 8, 2009. If interested, please contact Debby Suchyta, team administrator, at dsuchyta at mostministries.org or call at 734-994-7909, ext 11. If you have any additional questions, please contact Lutherans in Medical Missions at limm at limm.org. Please copy LIMM if you contact MOST Ministries. Back to top NEBRASKA LUTHERANS FOR CONFESSIONAL STUDY TO MEET The May gathering of the Nebraska Lutherans for Confessional Study (NLCS) will be held on Thursday, May 21 at Good Shepherd, 3825 Wildbriar Lane, Lincoln. Refreshments will be in the fellowship hall at 9:30 a.m., followed by Matins at 10:00 a.m. Presenter for the day will be Rev. Robert Wentzel, pastor of Trinity, Walton. His topic will be "The First Commandment." The morning session will start at about 10:30; following lunch the afternoon topic will start at about 1:00 p.m. The meeting will conclude by 2:30 p.m. Everyone is invited, both clergy and laity. A free-will offering will be taken to help defray expenses. Back to top Blessings, Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 1-888-643-2961 nicholeh at ndlcms.org 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. -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: text/html Size: 33023 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.ndlcms.org/pipermail/distupd/attachments/20090513/dcabfd6f/attachment.txt From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Wed May 20 10:50:39 2009 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Wed, 20 May 2009 15:50:39 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] May 20 Message-ID: Update for May 20 A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE! Greetings in the name of our loving and gracious Heavenly Father. With the District Convention just over two weeks away, preparations and last-minute details are getting full attention at the District Office. With all of the details yet to be addressed, the Email Updates the next two weeks will be brief, sharing only urgent and timely information. There will be no Update on June 3, as District staff will be moving office equipment, including computers, to the Convention site. Full Convention coverage will be available on the District website, www.ndlcms.org, by Saturday afternoon, June 6, and shared in the Update on June 10. Please keep the upcoming Convention in your prayers, as delegates and guests travel from across Nebraska to gather together for worship, fellowship, and to set the mission vision for the Nebraska District. * Important Convention Notes * Lutheran Family Services Father's Day Appeal * Prepare/Enrich Training Offered in Lincoln * CPH Memorial Day Sale * Concordia Theological Seminary Offers New Church Music Workshop * New Speakers Added to Mission Central Schedule IMPORTANT CONVENTION NOTES Blood Drive - Don't forget, the American Red Cross will be having a blood drive on campus Thursday, June 4, from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Everyone who donates blood during that time will be entered into a drawing for a $10 Target gift card as a thank-you for their time and their donation. If you are able, please consider taking some time Thursday afternoon to help save a life through your blood donation, thanking Jesus for the life He gives you through the shedding of His blood. The blood drive will be in the P.E. Building gym, and walk-ins are welcome. You may also pre-register by visiting www.givebloodgivelife.org and searching for sponsor code #1953 or by calling 1-800-GIVELIFE. Thank Offering - There's still time for your congregation to take part in the Convention thank offering by gathering your gifts during services on one or both of the upcoming Sundays. This thank offering will be used over the next three years to purchase Bibles and catechisms in various languages for the growing ethnic mission fields in Nebraska and for our brothers and sisters in Christ in Sudan. Christians today have the wonderful message of Jesus to share. As we build relationships with those who do not know this Good News of Jesus Christ, our conversations are to be "full of grace." To help equip Christians around the world be prepared to answer everyone with this Good News, the Nebraska District will use this thank offering to provide Bibles and catechisms for those whose primary language is not English. Congregations that wish to include bulletin inserts in their worship folders may contact the District Office to request them. Email nicholeh at ndlcms.org or call 888-643-2961 to request the amount your congregation needs. We give thanks to God for the opportunity to provide His Word and its explanation to those who might not otherwise receive it. Ingathering of Bibles and Catechisms - Another opportunity to help share the salvation story with others is through the ingathering of Bibles and catechisms which will take place during Convention. Each delegate to the Convention is invited to bring with them a new Bible in the English Standard Version (ESV) and a new Luther's Small Catechism. These books will be collected at Convention and distributed to new mission congregations and ministry starts in the Nebraska District, with the prayer that they will be used to "season" conversations about Jesus Christ and His free gift of salvation for all people. Delegates are asked to bring their books to the Convention floor and place them in the designated area before or after any Convention session. More information on the ingathering and the thank offering is available on the District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/news/convention/thank_offering.html. Back to top LUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICES FATHER'S DAY APPEAL Church offices of the Nebraska District should have received a mailing from Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska asking them to take part in their special "Father's Day" appeal this summer. Along with a letter of explanation is a reproducible bulletin insert congregations are asked to include one or more Sundays to educate members on the ministry of Lutheran Family Services and prayerfully consider support for this Lutheran human care ministry. Congregations that prefer to receive the materials by email or receive a specified number of pre-printed copies of the insert may contact Melissa Price at mprice at lfsneb.org or 402-978-5678. Church offices are encouraged to use these materials to help share the ministry of Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska. LFS is a Recognized Service Organization of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and a Social Ministry Organization, of which the Nebraska District and its congregations are ministry partners. Back to top PREPARE/ENRICH TRAINING OFFERED IN LINCOLN PREPARE/ENRICH is a customized couple assessment completed online that identifies a couple's strength and growth areas. Based on a couple's assessment results, a trained facilitator provides 4-8 feedback sessions in which the facilitator helps the couple discuss and understand their results as they are taught proven relationship skills. Rev. Kevin Kohnke will be leading a one-day workshop designed to help facilitators learn how to use the PREPARE/ENRICH Program with premarital and married couples. Date: Saturday, June, 13, 2009 Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Location: Concordia University, Nebraska Lincoln campus 570 Fallbrook Blvd Suite 203, Lincoln, NE 68521 Cost $175 Payable: Rev. Kevin Kohnke Registration Deadline: June 1, 2009 Mail to: Rev. Kevin Kohnke 800 N. Columbia Ave Seward, NE 68434 Email: kevin.kohnke at cune.edu To learn more about Prepare/Enrich visit www.prepare-enrich.com. Follow the "Find a Workshop" link to find the registration form to be completed and included with your payment. Back to top CPH MEMORIAL DAY SALE Concordia Publishing House is offering its Memorial Day Sale every day this week, with savings of 50% on Christian resources for church, school, and home. Visit www.cph.org every day to see the daily special. Each day, they offer a one-day only sale for 50% off the regular price. The sale runs through Friday, May 22. Back to top CONCORDIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY OFFERS NEW CHURCH MUSIC WORKSHOP This summer, Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, is offering a new workshop for church musicians. In addition to a week-long organist workshop at the primer level (June 15-19), they are offering a church music week (June 22-26). This church music week is intended not only for organists, but also for choir and handbell directors. This workshop would also be fruitful for active handbell ringers. Instructors include Kantors Richard Resch and Kevin Hildebrand, as well as Dean of the Chapel Paul Grime-all on the staff of the seminary. Additional instructors include Charles Brown, director of choral activities at Concordia University-Chicago, and Janet Muth, a church musician from Houston. For further information visit http://www.ctsfw.edu/events/organist, e-mail organworkshops at ctsfw.edu or call 260-452-2224. Please forward this information to the musicians in your congregation as well as in your community. Back to top NEW SPEAKERS ADDED TO MISSION CENTRAL SCHEDULE 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 at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in the barn at Mission Central unless otherwise noted. 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. June 6 - Dr. Lo and family - Indonesia June 12 - Delano and Linda Meyer - Sierra Leone, West Africa June 17 - Rev. Mark and Rose Krause - Riga, Latvia June 20 - David and Radka Fiala - Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia June 21 - Rev. Greg Sawyer - Hong Kong at 10:00 a.m. (worship service) June 24 - Rev. Claude & Rhoda Houge - Kenya, East Africa June 27 - Rev. Joel Scheiwe and family - Southern China July 7 - Rev. J. P. Cima and family - Vietnam July 20 - Donna Meyer - Indonesia August 22 - Vicar Heath and Aunnee Trampe - Riga, Latvia at 1:00 p.m. only September 16 - Rev. Matt Heise - Georgia, Russia, and Mongolia Back to top Blessings, Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 1-888-643-2961 nicholeh at ndlcms.org 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. -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: text/html Size: 28248 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.ndlcms.org/pipermail/distupd/attachments/20090520/036bd2f5/attachment.txt From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Wed May 27 09:14:14 2009 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Wed, 27 May 2009 14:14:14 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] May 27 Message-ID: Update for May 27 A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE! Greetings in the name of our Heavenly Father! Once again, this week's Update will be short and to the point. With the District Convention beginning one week from tomorrow, things are moving quickly and all of those last minute details are getting attention. This week's Update shares some important information for the delegates to the Convention. Remember, there will be no Update next week, and the June 10 newsletter will be filled with news from the Convention. IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM THE BLUE RIBBON TASK FORCE ON SYNOD STRUCTURE AND GOVERNANCE The following is from an email sent by the LCMS Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure and Governance. Because the Task Force does not have e-mail addresses for each district convention's lay delegates, at their urging we are sharing this message with district convention lay delegates in this way. If your congregational delegate does not have email, or did not share their email address with us, please pass this information along to them. More information on their work is available at www.lcms.org/lcmsfuture. The Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure and Governance is scheduled to present proposals for consideration and feedback at each LCMS district convention this year. (Their presentation in Nebraska will be Friday, June 5, at 3:35 p.m.) To date, nine districts have held their conventions and the task force's report has been given. In the feedback to those presentations, the task force has been asked whether convention participants may review the current proposals in advance of the task force's presentation. The answer is a resounding "yes!" The task force's current proposals for consideration and feedback are posted online at www.lcms.org/lcmsfuture. They have been posted since April, just prior to the opening of the Oklahoma District Convention. As always, the task force encourages any and all feedback to the proposals being presented. Please contact us at lcmsfuture at lcms.org. Your input will be valuable as the task force prepares its final report to be released in October 2009. Kindly in Christ, Rev. Robert C. Greene Chair, Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure and Governance "GRAN KERMESSE CULTURAL" AT CRISTO CORDERO DE DIOS Everyone is invited to a "Gran Kermesse Cultural" at Cristo Cordero de Dios (512 East 2nd Street in Grand Island) on Sunday, May 31. Music and food begin at 2:00 p.m. Think of this as a mini-ethnic festival. There will be a live band, and food will be available for sale from home countries of the members of Cristo Cordero, including Guatemala, Venezuela, Chile, and Mexico. Please join in the fun! This is the original "home" of Trinity Lutheran. The sanctuary was built in 1894. It was just "finished" last winter with new sheet rock and paint. This was a joint effort by several congregations in the Grand Island area. Please join our friends at Cristo Cordero in celebration of God's blessings and take this opportunity to see the inside of their sanctuary. I look forward to seeing many of you next week at the District Convention at Concordia University, Seward. If you are not attending, please remember those who are traveling and attending in your prayers. Blessings, Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 1-888-643-2961 nicholeh at ndlcms.org 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. -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: text/html Size: 10572 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.ndlcms.org/pipermail/distupd/attachments/20090527/ffdd9436/attachment.txt From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Wed May 6 08:44:42 2009 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Wed, 06 May 2009 13:44:42 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] May 6 Message-ID: Update for May 6 A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE! Greetings in the name of our risen Lord and Savior, Jesus! * Prayer Requests * Important Convention Reminders * Nebraska District Call Report * Camp Luther Work Day * Special Events at Mission Central * National '09 - The Lutheran Youth Workers Conference * A Celebration of Reinhold Marxhausen * Orphan Grain Train is Collecting Vestments and Paraments * Spanish Resources from Concordia Publishing House * CPH to Offer Stained Glass Windows and Church Steeples * Lutheran Tape Ministry Offers "God and Country" Bible Study PRAYER REQUESTS Vicar Matthew Makela - We lift up in prayer Vicar Matthew Makela of Zion, Imperial, who has been ill and hospitalized. We ask our Heavenly Father to grant him continued healing and recovery. Back to top IMPORTANT CONVENTION REMINDERS Convention Registration - The registration deadline for all those attending the Nebraska District Convention is next Monday, May 11. All voting and advisory delegates must return their registration forms by that date, as well as any guests who wish to attend. Meal counts will be turned in and housing will be assigned shortly, so those attending are strongly encouraged to return their form by the deadline to assist in the planning and ensure adequate materials. Voting delegates chosen and certified by their congregations must still complete and return a pink Voting Delegate Form to register for Convention. Additional forms may be printed from the District website at www.ndlcms.org. Ingathering - Delegates and guests to Convention are invited to take part in the special ingathering of ESV Bibles and Luther's Small Catechisms. These books may be brought to Convention and will be collected in the Convention arena. All books gathered at Convention will be shared with new mission starts in the District. Please consider taking part in this opportunity to provide the Word of God with these new ministries in Nebraska. Back to top NEBRASKA DISTRICT CALL REPORT Spring graduates placed in Nebraska congregations include (if married, wife's name is in parentheses): FROM ST. LOUIS Hyannis, Swede Valley (Ashby) Andrew Safarik (Johanna), Seward, NE Lincoln, Word of Life Larry Oetting (Kitty), Lincoln, NE McCook, Peace Thomas Albertson (Charlene), Fort Collins, CO Omaha, Pacific Hills (associate) Matthew Schneider (Robin), Peoria, IL Schuyler, Trinity & Immanuel William Mattfeld (Marilyn), Schuyler, NE Sterling, Immanuel Elmer Smith (Bonnie), Lincoln, NE Superior, Centennial Brian Earl, Lincoln, NE Wilcox, St. John Melvin Mertens (Eileen), Sterling, CO FROM FT. WAYNE Merna, Immanuel Ryan L. Loeslie, Warren, MN VICARS in NEBRASKA . . . Assigned as vicars in Nebraska for the coming year: FROM ST. LOUIS Chambers, St. Paul Terry Makelin (Mary), Norfolk, NE Columbus, 1C David Ficken, Aurora, IL Grand Island, Trinity Joshua Leigeber, Cullman, AL Gretna, Good Shepherd Michael Feldmann (Jessica), Perryville, MO Omaha, Sudanese Evangelical Peter Bur, Omaha, NE Osmond, Immanuel Chet Scherbarth (Beth), Lincoln, NE FROM FT. WAYNE Arapahoe, Trinity James Moshier (Renee), Riverton, WY Imperial, Zion Sean Hansen (Rebecca), Lodi, OH Neligh/Elgin, Grace/Trinity Paul Shupe, Cheyenne, WY Spencer/Lynch, Immanuel/Christ Harrison Goodman (Lisa), Champaign, IL DEACONESS in NEBRASKA . . . Assigned as a deaconess in Nebraska: FROM ST. LOUIS Fremont, Good Shepherd Jessica Koenig (Michael), Chester, IL NEBRASKANS PLACED . . . Nebraskans completing seminary training this year were placed in April, including: FROM ST. LOUIS Peter Jurchen, Beaver Crossing Hope (associate), Des Moines, IA Andrew Schermbeck, Elk Creek St. Paul, Chicago, IL FROM FT. WAYNE Mark Duer, Lincoln Our Redeemer, Cushing, OK Back to top CAMP LUTHER WORK DAY Everyone is invited to help get Camp Luther fixed up and looking good for the coming summer camp season at their spring work day on Saturday, May 23, beginning at 9:00 a.m. This would be a great time to get a small group from your church or a group of families to come together. There will be jobs for all sizes, ages, and skill levels. Lunch will be provided. Go for all or part of the day. Anyone wanting to go out on Friday night is welcome. There will be an old fashioned hot dog roast and a campfire for that evening's meal. The rest of the evening is open for hiking or boating. Call 402-352-5655 or email campluther at campluther.org to let Camp Luther know that you're coming and how many are in your group. Back to top SPECIAL EVENTS 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 at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in the barn at Mission Central. For more information on Mission Central or on these special events, visit the Mission Central website at www.missioncentral.us. May 5 - the Schielke Family - Kazakhstan May 20 - Ted Engelbrecht - Vietnam June 6 - Dr. Lo and family - Indonesia June 12 - Delano and Linda Meyer - Sierra Leone, West Africa June 17 - Rev. Mark and Rose Krause - Riga, Latvia June 20 - David and Radka Fiala - Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia June 24 - Rev. Claude & Rhoda Houge - Kenya, East Africa June 27 - Rev. Joel Scheiwe and family - Southern China July 7 - Rev. J. P. Cima and family - Vietnam July 20 - Donna Meyer - Indonesia September 16 - Rev. Matt Heise - Georgia, Russia, and Mongolia Back to top NATIONAL '09 - THE LUTHERAN YOUTH WORKERS CONFERENCE If you serve youth in the congregational or school setting as a pastor, DCE, teacher, lay volunteer, Mom, Dad, or friend - you want to attend the National Lutheran Youth Workers Conference, sponsored by the DCS Youth Ministry Office of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. This conference is open to individuals and teams serving youth in congregations and throughout districts of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Both professional and volunteer youth workers are encouraged to attend this conference being held at the Sheraton Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 16-19. Congregations are encouraged to consider sending youth who are leaders in the Church to participate in the event alongside of their youth leaders. Youth attendees will participate in the same program as adult participants. The NLYWC strives to provide a comprehensive program that meets the needs and challenges the minds of professionals and volunteers working with junior and senior high youth in the Lutheran congregational setting. At NATIONAL, participants will... Be affirmed in the service their work provides the Church through encouragement, celebration, and recognition of their calling to be a youth worker. Discover practical skills and relevant theory for effective youth ministry. Network with volunteer and professional youth workers through fellowship and community building. Be challenged and equipped to develop youth ministry programs that focus youth to Christ in mission, program, and outreach. Leave enriched by content that is timely for their ministry and applies their understanding of that ministry in their day to day vocation. Get an inside look at the 2010 National LMCS Youth Gathering general program and the city of New Orleans. Register online or learn more about NATIONAL seminars and general sessions, speakers, and presenters by visiting www.nlywc.com. Back to top A CELEBRATION OF REINHOLD MARXHAUSEN A celebration of the career of Reinhold Marxhausen, Concordia University professor, artist, and long-time Seward resident, will take place at Seward's Rivoli Theater, 533 Main Street, Sunday, May 24, at 3 p.m. Findings, a 1975 documentary film about Marxhausen's work produced by Banker's Life and Nebraska NET, will be shown. Portions of two films Marxhausen helped develop, A Time to See and Timelines, also will be aired as part of the celebration. Marxhausen became a recognized painter, sculptor, and photographer in the Midwest in the latter part of the 20th century. From 1951 until 1989, he was a professor of art at Concordia. Among his most noted works are two large murals in the Nebraska State Capitol Building. The gathering is sponsored by the Seward Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with Concordia University, family, and friends. Back to top ORPHAN GRAIN TRAIN IS COLLECTING VESTMENTS AND PARAMENTS Orphan Grain Train is requesting vestments and liturgical paraments for use by the Lutheran Church of Lithuania. Anyone wishing to donate cassocks, chasubles, stoles, surpluses, albs, or paraments for altars, lecterns, or pulpits should send items to Trinity, Grand Island. Please do not send these items to any other Orphan Grain Train collection spots. Pastor John Reehl will be collecting these items, sorting them, and getting them to Orphan Grain Train to be shipped to Lithuania. Items will be collected until December 31. Questions may also be directed to Pastor Reehl at jojureehl at charter.net or 308-384-3792. Back to top SPANISH RESOURCES FROM CONCORDIA PUBLISHING HOUSE Vacation Bible School Planning a mission trip to a Spanish-speaking country? Doing outreach in your neighborhood? Concordia Publishing House has a great Gospel resource. Un viaje en miniatura: Descubriendo la grandeza de Dios (A Tiny Adventure: Discovering God's Greatness) teaches children about God's greatness and love for us. It's a perfect program for community outreach or mission trips. And it's the only Spanish/bilingual VBS program available. Discover how practical and economical it really is. Visit www.cph.org for more information. Portals of Prayer Portales de Oraci?n is the Spanish-language version of the popular daily devotional, Portals of Prayer, available only from Concordia Publishing House. Written in Spanish, and not simply a translation of the English text, Portales truly provides you an open door to Spanish-speaking people close to home and on mission trips. Bulk pricing is available, and CPH will ship to mission locations. Visit www.cph.org for more information on either of these great outreach resources. Back to top CPH TO OFFER STAINED GLASS WINDOWS AND CHURCH STEEPLES Concordia Publishing House now offers stained glass windows and church steeples to aid congregations in renovation projects. Visit www.cph.org/renovate. "Lutheran churches no longer have to search the yellow pages before embarking on a renovation project. They can come right to the source they trust, Concordia Publishing House," says Erika Bennett, Marketing Manager of Ecclesiastical Arts at CPH. The stained glass windows are developed by IHS Studios, featuring artist Dennis Roberts and craftsmen. The artists create custom stained glass windows in a variety of media. Bennett shares, "We are pleased to bring our customers the inspirational work of IHS Studios www.ihsstudios.com, available to enhance the worship experience for all congregations." IHS Studios exhibited at the 2007 LCMS Synodical Convention. IHS Studios specializes in the design, fabrication, and installation of art glass windows. CPH is also partnering with Piedmont Fiberglass, Inc. to offer church steeples. "Regardless of your church size, we have a steeple that fits your needs. Churches can now have their very own extreme church makeover," comments Bennett. Churches can select pre-designed steeples, design their own, and add accessories, such as windows, louvers, and lighting. Lutheran Church Extension Fund's Architectural Advisory Committee and LCMS's Laborers for Christ endorse this new product offering by publicly supporting Concordia Publishing House as the provider of choice for stained glass windows and church steeples. Bennett shares, "We want churches to feel comfortable when making this important decision about renovations." Back to top LUTHERAN TAPE MINISTRY OFFERS "GOD AND COUNTRY" BIBLE STUDY Lutheran Tape Ministry, Inc., and TalkingScriptures.com announces the release of their newest Bible study devotional series on compact disc entitled: God and Country: Devotions for Men and Women in the Military and Those Who Love Them" written by Fred Naumann, Executive Producer of Lutheran Tape Ministry. This devotional study includes topics such as patience, patriotism, the measure of God's love and faith in the midst of adversity. This is the perfect gift for anyone deployed with our military or the family member waiting and praying for a love one serving our country. God and Country includes original music written for this devotional study by John Valentine, including his musical bonus track entitled: "God Bless the U.S.A." God and Country is available from Lutheran Tape Ministry and TalkingScriptures.com for a suggested donation of $10.00 per CD. Order a Resource Listing by calling toll-free 800-937-2591 or visit Lutheran Tape Ministry at www.TalkingScriptures.com. Back to top Blessings, Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 1-888-643-2961 nicholeh at ndlcms.org 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. -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: text/html Size: 43847 bytes Desc: not available URL: From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Wed May 13 13:29:50 2009 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Wed, 13 May 2009 18:29:50 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] May 13 Message-ID: Update for May 13 A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE! Greetings in the name of the Lord! At this very busy time of the year, with Mother's Day, graduations, spring planting, and so much more, we are so thankful for a Heavenly Father who promises to be with us at all times. May He continue to bless you and your family during this busy springtime. * Prayer Requests * Convention Notes * Omaha Ascension Service * New Nebraska Vicar in The Lutheran Witness * District Student Wins National Award * VBS Curriculum Offers India Mission Project * CPH Offers Resources Through Current Technology * Service Opportunity in Kazakhstan * Medical Mission Opportunity in Guatemala * Nebraska Lutherans for Confessional Study to Meet PRAYER REQUESTS Family of Rev. Alfred Hinz - We lift up in prayer the family of Rev. Alfred Hinz, who passed away in Laurel, Nebraska, on May 5. During his ministry, Rev. Hinz served the Nebraska congregations in Valley, Bridgeport, Newcastle, Ponca, and Martinsburg. We pray for a special measure of the Lord's peace and comfort for the family at this time, while we give thanks to God for the eternal life that is now Rev. Hinz's through Jesus Christ. Vicar Matt Makela - We join with Vicar Matt Makela of Zion, Imperial, in prayers of thanksgiving for the healing the Lord has granted him. His health is returning, and he has returned to work on a limited basis. God willing, he will be back to full strength soon. Thanks be to God for placing His healing hand on Vicar Makela. St. John's, Geneseo, Illinois and St. John's, Yankton, South Dakota - Please remember in prayer the members of St. John's, Geneseo, Illinois, who lost their church building in a fire on March 31. Pastor Christopher Bushre, pastor of this congregation, served the Nebraska congregation of St. John, Lyons, Nebraska, before going to Illinois. The full news article on this fire, as well as an arson fire at St. John's, Yankton, South Dakota, may be read online at www.lcms.org/reporter under "Top Stories." Back to top CONVENTION NOTES Special Pre-Convention Reporter The special pre-convention issue of the Nebraska Lutheran Reporter was mailed to church offices late last week. Pastors and church office staff are encouraged to share this newsletter with their members as soon as possible in the way that works best for them. There will be another, regular Reporter in church offices in late May, with the special Convention issue to follow in July. This special Pre-Convention issue is also available on the District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/news/communications/reporter.html. Questions on the Reporter may be directed to communications at ndlcms.org. Registration to Take Place in New Building Delegates and guests attending the 2009 Nebraska District Convention should plan on registering at the new Health, Human Performance, and Athletic Center (HHPAC) on the north side of Concordia's campus. Registration will take place in the main lobby of this new building from 1:30 - 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 4, with late registration beginning at 7:30 p.m. A map of campus showing the location of the new building is available on the District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/news/convention/index.html. There is ample parking at the new facility, and delegates may wish to drive to the HHPAC to register and receive housing keys upon their arrival on campus. Concordia Publishing House Will Offer Mission Church a "Resource Shelf" Concordia Publishing House (CPH) announces its 2009 Stock the Library campaign, part of the company's ongoing support for the districts and congregations of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The gift is part of CPH's participation in the 35 district conventions taking place throughout 2009. Each LCMS district was invited to identify one recipient for the gift. CPH encouraged the selection of "a congregation or mission with great financial need; one that recently experienced a loss (fire or theft); or a new mission plant." The campaign provides a "shelf" of CPH resources to one congregation, per district, cost free. Twenty-five titles are included that appeal to a wide range of topics for church professionals, families, parents, adults, youth, and children. Selected recipients can also tailor the list to meet unique ministry needs in their settings. The total retail value of the gift is $500. 1C Mission Church in Columbus will be the recipient of the Stock the Library resource shelf at the District Convention. What a blessing for CPH to support this new mission congregation, and all congregations, with quality Christian materials. Back to top OMAHA ASCENSION SERVICE Lamb of God Lutheran Church will be hosting the Omaha South Circuit Ascension Service on Thursday, May 21, at 7:00 p.m. at 7033 L Street, Omaha, Nebraska. The guest preacher for the Ascension Service will be Rev. Ryan Matthias, chaplain from Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska. Everyone is invited to attend the service and a reception immediately following the Divine Service. Back to top NEW NEBRASKA VICAR IN THE LUTHERAN WITNESS Vicar Dave Ficken, who was pictured on the cover of the May issue of The Lutheran Witness, will be serving as vicar at 1C Mission Church in Columbus during the next school year. Vicar Ficken, who just completed his second year of studies at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, wrote an article for the series "Engaging the World with the Gospel of Hope" focusing on pastoral education in the LCMS. To read Vicar Ficken's article, visit http://www.lcms.org/pages/witness.asp. Back to top DISTRICT STUDENT WINS NATIONAL AWARD Zion Lutheran School of Kearney has a State Champion! Eighth grader, Victoria Crow, is the Nebraska state champion for the 2009 Scholastic Challenge! The Scholastic Challenge is a timed, online academic contest for 8th graders across the nation; this year over 18,000 students participated. Students have one hour to complete 100 questions covering a wide range of academia. Victoria Crow is Zion Lutheran School of Kearney's second state champion - her brother, Chris Crow, was Nebraska's state champion in 2007. Well done, Victoria! Back to top VBS CURRICULUM OFFERS INDIA MISSION PROJECT Concordia Publishing House's 2009 vacation Bible school curriculum, "Gadget's Garage," provides an opportunity for children to get more involved in God's mission. The curriculum's featured mission project, "Teaching Tools for India Schools," encourages children to bring offerings that will help students in India get a quality education and learn about Jesus. The proceeds from these offerings, given by children attending vacation Bible schools across the country, will go towards providing resources for children studying at Lutheran schools in India. The schools are operated by the India Evangelical Lutheran Church (IELC), which is an LCMS partner church. The "Gadget's Garage" curriculum is available for purchase on the Concordia Publishing House Web site at www.cph.org or by calling 1-800-325-3040. To learn more about children's mission projects, go to www.lcmsworldmission.org/children and click on "Sparklers projects." Back to top CPH OFFERS RESOURCES THROUGH CURRENT TECHNOLOGY Christian Product Podcast Channel Launched Concordia Publishing House (CPH) announces the launch of The House Channel, a podcast channel that features interviews, commentaries, and discussion focused on CPH products and related topics. The podcast is found online at http://cphconnect.org/podcasts/. New podcasts are added each month. Listeners can subscribe to the channel's RSS feed and also through iTunes. Current available podcasts feature interviews with contributors to The Lutheran Study Bible, commentary by CPH editors, and a round-table conversation with multiple authors of CPH's premier women's Bible study series, A New Song. An interview with CPH President and CEO, Dr. Bruce Kintz is also available. The House Channel is a free format, allowing CPH to explore a variety of topics connected to their products and services and their mission. It's an opportunity to showcase the ministry expertise and concern of their authors, editors, and staff and to engage their customers in new ways. Digital Lutheran Music from Concordia Publishing House Available Online Digital music downloads from Concordia Publishing House (CPH) are now available for purchase at iTunes, Amazon.com, and other select digital music stores. The publishing company produces an extensive catalog of instrumental arrangements, choral groups, and hymns, as well as children's music suitable for Christian ministry settings. Find, preview, and purchase CPH-published music by searching for "Concordia Publishing House" on the iTunes Store, Amazon MP3, or preferred major digital music stores. Eight titles are currently available, and the company says there are "more to come." Back to top SERVICE OPPORTUNITY IN KAZAKHSTAN Right now you have the opportunity to meet an urgent need as a Relationship Builder in Kazakhstan. LCMS World Mission needs two individuals to serve as Relationship Builders through English as a Foreign Language in Kazakhstan. You will lead both English classes and small groups. You will work closely with the team in Kazakhstan to connect the learners to more culturally specific ministries. Much of your ministry will be to university students. Although the position could be filled by two individuals, it could also be filled by a married couple. To learn how you can serve by going global, go here: www.lcmsworldmission.org/searchopps. Contact an LCMS World Mission placement counselor at 1-800-433-3954 or mission.recruitment at lcms.org. Back to top MEDICAL MISSION OPPORTUNITY IN GUATEMALA MOST (Mission Opportunity Short Term) Ministries is recruiting dentists, dental assistants, and community health workers for a dental and health education team to serve in Guatemala July 31 to August 8, 2009. If interested, please contact Debby Suchyta, team administrator, at dsuchyta at mostministries.org or call at 734-994-7909, ext 11. If you have any additional questions, please contact Lutherans in Medical Missions at limm at limm.org. Please copy LIMM if you contact MOST Ministries. Back to top NEBRASKA LUTHERANS FOR CONFESSIONAL STUDY TO MEET The May gathering of the Nebraska Lutherans for Confessional Study (NLCS) will be held on Thursday, May 21 at Good Shepherd, 3825 Wildbriar Lane, Lincoln. Refreshments will be in the fellowship hall at 9:30 a.m., followed by Matins at 10:00 a.m. Presenter for the day will be Rev. Robert Wentzel, pastor of Trinity, Walton. His topic will be "The First Commandment." The morning session will start at about 10:30; following lunch the afternoon topic will start at about 1:00 p.m. The meeting will conclude by 2:30 p.m. Everyone is invited, both clergy and laity. A free-will offering will be taken to help defray expenses. Back to top Blessings, Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 1-888-643-2961 nicholeh at ndlcms.org 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. -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: text/html Size: 33023 bytes Desc: not available URL: From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Wed May 20 10:50:39 2009 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Wed, 20 May 2009 15:50:39 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] May 20 Message-ID: Update for May 20 A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE! Greetings in the name of our loving and gracious Heavenly Father. With the District Convention just over two weeks away, preparations and last-minute details are getting full attention at the District Office. With all of the details yet to be addressed, the Email Updates the next two weeks will be brief, sharing only urgent and timely information. There will be no Update on June 3, as District staff will be moving office equipment, including computers, to the Convention site. Full Convention coverage will be available on the District website, www.ndlcms.org, by Saturday afternoon, June 6, and shared in the Update on June 10. Please keep the upcoming Convention in your prayers, as delegates and guests travel from across Nebraska to gather together for worship, fellowship, and to set the mission vision for the Nebraska District. * Important Convention Notes * Lutheran Family Services Father's Day Appeal * Prepare/Enrich Training Offered in Lincoln * CPH Memorial Day Sale * Concordia Theological Seminary Offers New Church Music Workshop * New Speakers Added to Mission Central Schedule IMPORTANT CONVENTION NOTES Blood Drive - Don't forget, the American Red Cross will be having a blood drive on campus Thursday, June 4, from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Everyone who donates blood during that time will be entered into a drawing for a $10 Target gift card as a thank-you for their time and their donation. If you are able, please consider taking some time Thursday afternoon to help save a life through your blood donation, thanking Jesus for the life He gives you through the shedding of His blood. The blood drive will be in the P.E. Building gym, and walk-ins are welcome. You may also pre-register by visiting www.givebloodgivelife.org and searching for sponsor code #1953 or by calling 1-800-GIVELIFE. Thank Offering - There's still time for your congregation to take part in the Convention thank offering by gathering your gifts during services on one or both of the upcoming Sundays. This thank offering will be used over the next three years to purchase Bibles and catechisms in various languages for the growing ethnic mission fields in Nebraska and for our brothers and sisters in Christ in Sudan. Christians today have the wonderful message of Jesus to share. As we build relationships with those who do not know this Good News of Jesus Christ, our conversations are to be "full of grace." To help equip Christians around the world be prepared to answer everyone with this Good News, the Nebraska District will use this thank offering to provide Bibles and catechisms for those whose primary language is not English. Congregations that wish to include bulletin inserts in their worship folders may contact the District Office to request them. Email nicholeh at ndlcms.org or call 888-643-2961 to request the amount your congregation needs. We give thanks to God for the opportunity to provide His Word and its explanation to those who might not otherwise receive it. Ingathering of Bibles and Catechisms - Another opportunity to help share the salvation story with others is through the ingathering of Bibles and catechisms which will take place during Convention. Each delegate to the Convention is invited to bring with them a new Bible in the English Standard Version (ESV) and a new Luther's Small Catechism. These books will be collected at Convention and distributed to new mission congregations and ministry starts in the Nebraska District, with the prayer that they will be used to "season" conversations about Jesus Christ and His free gift of salvation for all people. Delegates are asked to bring their books to the Convention floor and place them in the designated area before or after any Convention session. More information on the ingathering and the thank offering is available on the District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/news/convention/thank_offering.html. Back to top LUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICES FATHER'S DAY APPEAL Church offices of the Nebraska District should have received a mailing from Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska asking them to take part in their special "Father's Day" appeal this summer. Along with a letter of explanation is a reproducible bulletin insert congregations are asked to include one or more Sundays to educate members on the ministry of Lutheran Family Services and prayerfully consider support for this Lutheran human care ministry. Congregations that prefer to receive the materials by email or receive a specified number of pre-printed copies of the insert may contact Melissa Price at mprice at lfsneb.org or 402-978-5678. Church offices are encouraged to use these materials to help share the ministry of Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska. LFS is a Recognized Service Organization of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and a Social Ministry Organization, of which the Nebraska District and its congregations are ministry partners. Back to top PREPARE/ENRICH TRAINING OFFERED IN LINCOLN PREPARE/ENRICH is a customized couple assessment completed online that identifies a couple's strength and growth areas. Based on a couple's assessment results, a trained facilitator provides 4-8 feedback sessions in which the facilitator helps the couple discuss and understand their results as they are taught proven relationship skills. Rev. Kevin Kohnke will be leading a one-day workshop designed to help facilitators learn how to use the PREPARE/ENRICH Program with premarital and married couples. Date: Saturday, June, 13, 2009 Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Location: Concordia University, Nebraska Lincoln campus 570 Fallbrook Blvd Suite 203, Lincoln, NE 68521 Cost $175 Payable: Rev. Kevin Kohnke Registration Deadline: June 1, 2009 Mail to: Rev. Kevin Kohnke 800 N. Columbia Ave Seward, NE 68434 Email: kevin.kohnke at cune.edu To learn more about Prepare/Enrich visit www.prepare-enrich.com. Follow the "Find a Workshop" link to find the registration form to be completed and included with your payment. Back to top CPH MEMORIAL DAY SALE Concordia Publishing House is offering its Memorial Day Sale every day this week, with savings of 50% on Christian resources for church, school, and home. Visit www.cph.org every day to see the daily special. Each day, they offer a one-day only sale for 50% off the regular price. The sale runs through Friday, May 22. Back to top CONCORDIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY OFFERS NEW CHURCH MUSIC WORKSHOP This summer, Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, is offering a new workshop for church musicians. In addition to a week-long organist workshop at the primer level (June 15-19), they are offering a church music week (June 22-26). This church music week is intended not only for organists, but also for choir and handbell directors. This workshop would also be fruitful for active handbell ringers. Instructors include Kantors Richard Resch and Kevin Hildebrand, as well as Dean of the Chapel Paul Grime-all on the staff of the seminary. Additional instructors include Charles Brown, director of choral activities at Concordia University-Chicago, and Janet Muth, a church musician from Houston. For further information visit http://www.ctsfw.edu/events/organist, e-mail organworkshops at ctsfw.edu or call 260-452-2224. Please forward this information to the musicians in your congregation as well as in your community. Back to top NEW SPEAKERS ADDED TO MISSION CENTRAL SCHEDULE 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 at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in the barn at Mission Central unless otherwise noted. 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. June 6 - Dr. Lo and family - Indonesia June 12 - Delano and Linda Meyer - Sierra Leone, West Africa June 17 - Rev. Mark and Rose Krause - Riga, Latvia June 20 - David and Radka Fiala - Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia June 21 - Rev. Greg Sawyer - Hong Kong at 10:00 a.m. (worship service) June 24 - Rev. Claude & Rhoda Houge - Kenya, East Africa June 27 - Rev. Joel Scheiwe and family - Southern China July 7 - Rev. J. P. Cima and family - Vietnam July 20 - Donna Meyer - Indonesia August 22 - Vicar Heath and Aunnee Trampe - Riga, Latvia at 1:00 p.m. only September 16 - Rev. Matt Heise - Georgia, Russia, and Mongolia Back to top Blessings, Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 1-888-643-2961 nicholeh at ndlcms.org 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. -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: text/html Size: 28248 bytes Desc: not available URL: From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Wed May 27 09:14:14 2009 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Wed, 27 May 2009 14:14:14 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] May 27 Message-ID: Update for May 27 A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE! Greetings in the name of our Heavenly Father! Once again, this week's Update will be short and to the point. With the District Convention beginning one week from tomorrow, things are moving quickly and all of those last minute details are getting attention. This week's Update shares some important information for the delegates to the Convention. Remember, there will be no Update next week, and the June 10 newsletter will be filled with news from the Convention. IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM THE BLUE RIBBON TASK FORCE ON SYNOD STRUCTURE AND GOVERNANCE The following is from an email sent by the LCMS Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure and Governance. Because the Task Force does not have e-mail addresses for each district convention's lay delegates, at their urging we are sharing this message with district convention lay delegates in this way. If your congregational delegate does not have email, or did not share their email address with us, please pass this information along to them. More information on their work is available at www.lcms.org/lcmsfuture. The Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure and Governance is scheduled to present proposals for consideration and feedback at each LCMS district convention this year. (Their presentation in Nebraska will be Friday, June 5, at 3:35 p.m.) To date, nine districts have held their conventions and the task force's report has been given. In the feedback to those presentations, the task force has been asked whether convention participants may review the current proposals in advance of the task force's presentation. The answer is a resounding "yes!" The task force's current proposals for consideration and feedback are posted online at www.lcms.org/lcmsfuture. They have been posted since April, just prior to the opening of the Oklahoma District Convention. As always, the task force encourages any and all feedback to the proposals being presented. Please contact us at lcmsfuture at lcms.org. Your input will be valuable as the task force prepares its final report to be released in October 2009. Kindly in Christ, Rev. Robert C. Greene Chair, Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure and Governance "GRAN KERMESSE CULTURAL" AT CRISTO CORDERO DE DIOS Everyone is invited to a "Gran Kermesse Cultural" at Cristo Cordero de Dios (512 East 2nd Street in Grand Island) on Sunday, May 31. Music and food begin at 2:00 p.m. Think of this as a mini-ethnic festival. There will be a live band, and food will be available for sale from home countries of the members of Cristo Cordero, including Guatemala, Venezuela, Chile, and Mexico. Please join in the fun! This is the original "home" of Trinity Lutheran. The sanctuary was built in 1894. It was just "finished" last winter with new sheet rock and paint. This was a joint effort by several congregations in the Grand Island area. Please join our friends at Cristo Cordero in celebration of God's blessings and take this opportunity to see the inside of their sanctuary. I look forward to seeing many of you next week at the District Convention at Concordia University, Seward. If you are not attending, please remember those who are traveling and attending in your prayers. Blessings, Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 1-888-643-2961 nicholeh at ndlcms.org 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. -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: text/html Size: 10572 bytes Desc: not available URL: From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Wed May 6 08:44:42 2009 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Wed, 06 May 2009 13:44:42 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] May 6 Message-ID: Update for May 6 A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE! Greetings in the name of our risen Lord and Savior, Jesus! * Prayer Requests * Important Convention Reminders * Nebraska District Call Report * Camp Luther Work Day * Special Events at Mission Central * National '09 - The Lutheran Youth Workers Conference * A Celebration of Reinhold Marxhausen * Orphan Grain Train is Collecting Vestments and Paraments * Spanish Resources from Concordia Publishing House * CPH to Offer Stained Glass Windows and Church Steeples * Lutheran Tape Ministry Offers "God and Country" Bible Study PRAYER REQUESTS Vicar Matthew Makela - We lift up in prayer Vicar Matthew Makela of Zion, Imperial, who has been ill and hospitalized. We ask our Heavenly Father to grant him continued healing and recovery. Back to top IMPORTANT CONVENTION REMINDERS Convention Registration - The registration deadline for all those attending the Nebraska District Convention is next Monday, May 11. All voting and advisory delegates must return their registration forms by that date, as well as any guests who wish to attend. Meal counts will be turned in and housing will be assigned shortly, so those attending are strongly encouraged to return their form by the deadline to assist in the planning and ensure adequate materials. Voting delegates chosen and certified by their congregations must still complete and return a pink Voting Delegate Form to register for Convention. Additional forms may be printed from the District website at www.ndlcms.org. Ingathering - Delegates and guests to Convention are invited to take part in the special ingathering of ESV Bibles and Luther's Small Catechisms. These books may be brought to Convention and will be collected in the Convention arena. All books gathered at Convention will be shared with new mission starts in the District. Please consider taking part in this opportunity to provide the Word of God with these new ministries in Nebraska. Back to top NEBRASKA DISTRICT CALL REPORT Spring graduates placed in Nebraska congregations include (if married, wife's name is in parentheses): FROM ST. LOUIS Hyannis, Swede Valley (Ashby) Andrew Safarik (Johanna), Seward, NE Lincoln, Word of Life Larry Oetting (Kitty), Lincoln, NE McCook, Peace Thomas Albertson (Charlene), Fort Collins, CO Omaha, Pacific Hills (associate) Matthew Schneider (Robin), Peoria, IL Schuyler, Trinity & Immanuel William Mattfeld (Marilyn), Schuyler, NE Sterling, Immanuel Elmer Smith (Bonnie), Lincoln, NE Superior, Centennial Brian Earl, Lincoln, NE Wilcox, St. John Melvin Mertens (Eileen), Sterling, CO FROM FT. WAYNE Merna, Immanuel Ryan L. Loeslie, Warren, MN VICARS in NEBRASKA . . . Assigned as vicars in Nebraska for the coming year: FROM ST. LOUIS Chambers, St. Paul Terry Makelin (Mary), Norfolk, NE Columbus, 1C David Ficken, Aurora, IL Grand Island, Trinity Joshua Leigeber, Cullman, AL Gretna, Good Shepherd Michael Feldmann (Jessica), Perryville, MO Omaha, Sudanese Evangelical Peter Bur, Omaha, NE Osmond, Immanuel Chet Scherbarth (Beth), Lincoln, NE FROM FT. WAYNE Arapahoe, Trinity James Moshier (Renee), Riverton, WY Imperial, Zion Sean Hansen (Rebecca), Lodi, OH Neligh/Elgin, Grace/Trinity Paul Shupe, Cheyenne, WY Spencer/Lynch, Immanuel/Christ Harrison Goodman (Lisa), Champaign, IL DEACONESS in NEBRASKA . . . Assigned as a deaconess in Nebraska: FROM ST. LOUIS Fremont, Good Shepherd Jessica Koenig (Michael), Chester, IL NEBRASKANS PLACED . . . Nebraskans completing seminary training this year were placed in April, including: FROM ST. LOUIS Peter Jurchen, Beaver Crossing Hope (associate), Des Moines, IA Andrew Schermbeck, Elk Creek St. Paul, Chicago, IL FROM FT. WAYNE Mark Duer, Lincoln Our Redeemer, Cushing, OK Back to top CAMP LUTHER WORK DAY Everyone is invited to help get Camp Luther fixed up and looking good for the coming summer camp season at their spring work day on Saturday, May 23, beginning at 9:00 a.m. This would be a great time to get a small group from your church or a group of families to come together. There will be jobs for all sizes, ages, and skill levels. Lunch will be provided. Go for all or part of the day. Anyone wanting to go out on Friday night is welcome. There will be an old fashioned hot dog roast and a campfire for that evening's meal. The rest of the evening is open for hiking or boating. Call 402-352-5655 or email campluther at campluther.org to let Camp Luther know that you're coming and how many are in your group. Back to top SPECIAL EVENTS 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 at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in the barn at Mission Central. For more information on Mission Central or on these special events, visit the Mission Central website at www.missioncentral.us. May 5 - the Schielke Family - Kazakhstan May 20 - Ted Engelbrecht - Vietnam June 6 - Dr. Lo and family - Indonesia June 12 - Delano and Linda Meyer - Sierra Leone, West Africa June 17 - Rev. Mark and Rose Krause - Riga, Latvia June 20 - David and Radka Fiala - Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia June 24 - Rev. Claude & Rhoda Houge - Kenya, East Africa June 27 - Rev. Joel Scheiwe and family - Southern China July 7 - Rev. J. P. Cima and family - Vietnam July 20 - Donna Meyer - Indonesia September 16 - Rev. Matt Heise - Georgia, Russia, and Mongolia Back to top NATIONAL '09 - THE LUTHERAN YOUTH WORKERS CONFERENCE If you serve youth in the congregational or school setting as a pastor, DCE, teacher, lay volunteer, Mom, Dad, or friend - you want to attend the National Lutheran Youth Workers Conference, sponsored by the DCS Youth Ministry Office of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. This conference is open to individuals and teams serving youth in congregations and throughout districts of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Both professional and volunteer youth workers are encouraged to attend this conference being held at the Sheraton Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 16-19. Congregations are encouraged to consider sending youth who are leaders in the Church to participate in the event alongside of their youth leaders. Youth attendees will participate in the same program as adult participants. The NLYWC strives to provide a comprehensive program that meets the needs and challenges the minds of professionals and volunteers working with junior and senior high youth in the Lutheran congregational setting. At NATIONAL, participants will... Be affirmed in the service their work provides the Church through encouragement, celebration, and recognition of their calling to be a youth worker. Discover practical skills and relevant theory for effective youth ministry. Network with volunteer and professional youth workers through fellowship and community building. Be challenged and equipped to develop youth ministry programs that focus youth to Christ in mission, program, and outreach. Leave enriched by content that is timely for their ministry and applies their understanding of that ministry in their day to day vocation. Get an inside look at the 2010 National LMCS Youth Gathering general program and the city of New Orleans. Register online or learn more about NATIONAL seminars and general sessions, speakers, and presenters by visiting www.nlywc.com. Back to top A CELEBRATION OF REINHOLD MARXHAUSEN A celebration of the career of Reinhold Marxhausen, Concordia University professor, artist, and long-time Seward resident, will take place at Seward's Rivoli Theater, 533 Main Street, Sunday, May 24, at 3 p.m. Findings, a 1975 documentary film about Marxhausen's work produced by Banker's Life and Nebraska NET, will be shown. Portions of two films Marxhausen helped develop, A Time to See and Timelines, also will be aired as part of the celebration. Marxhausen became a recognized painter, sculptor, and photographer in the Midwest in the latter part of the 20th century. From 1951 until 1989, he was a professor of art at Concordia. Among his most noted works are two large murals in the Nebraska State Capitol Building. The gathering is sponsored by the Seward Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with Concordia University, family, and friends. Back to top ORPHAN GRAIN TRAIN IS COLLECTING VESTMENTS AND PARAMENTS Orphan Grain Train is requesting vestments and liturgical paraments for use by the Lutheran Church of Lithuania. Anyone wishing to donate cassocks, chasubles, stoles, surpluses, albs, or paraments for altars, lecterns, or pulpits should send items to Trinity, Grand Island. Please do not send these items to any other Orphan Grain Train collection spots. Pastor John Reehl will be collecting these items, sorting them, and getting them to Orphan Grain Train to be shipped to Lithuania. Items will be collected until December 31. Questions may also be directed to Pastor Reehl at jojureehl at charter.net or 308-384-3792. Back to top SPANISH RESOURCES FROM CONCORDIA PUBLISHING HOUSE Vacation Bible School Planning a mission trip to a Spanish-speaking country? Doing outreach in your neighborhood? Concordia Publishing House has a great Gospel resource. Un viaje en miniatura: Descubriendo la grandeza de Dios (A Tiny Adventure: Discovering God's Greatness) teaches children about God's greatness and love for us. It's a perfect program for community outreach or mission trips. And it's the only Spanish/bilingual VBS program available. Discover how practical and economical it really is. Visit www.cph.org for more information. Portals of Prayer Portales de Oraci?n is the Spanish-language version of the popular daily devotional, Portals of Prayer, available only from Concordia Publishing House. Written in Spanish, and not simply a translation of the English text, Portales truly provides you an open door to Spanish-speaking people close to home and on mission trips. Bulk pricing is available, and CPH will ship to mission locations. Visit www.cph.org for more information on either of these great outreach resources. Back to top CPH TO OFFER STAINED GLASS WINDOWS AND CHURCH STEEPLES Concordia Publishing House now offers stained glass windows and church steeples to aid congregations in renovation projects. Visit www.cph.org/renovate. "Lutheran churches no longer have to search the yellow pages before embarking on a renovation project. They can come right to the source they trust, Concordia Publishing House," says Erika Bennett, Marketing Manager of Ecclesiastical Arts at CPH. The stained glass windows are developed by IHS Studios, featuring artist Dennis Roberts and craftsmen. The artists create custom stained glass windows in a variety of media. Bennett shares, "We are pleased to bring our customers the inspirational work of IHS Studios www.ihsstudios.com, available to enhance the worship experience for all congregations." IHS Studios exhibited at the 2007 LCMS Synodical Convention. IHS Studios specializes in the design, fabrication, and installation of art glass windows. CPH is also partnering with Piedmont Fiberglass, Inc. to offer church steeples. "Regardless of your church size, we have a steeple that fits your needs. Churches can now have their very own extreme church makeover," comments Bennett. Churches can select pre-designed steeples, design their own, and add accessories, such as windows, louvers, and lighting. Lutheran Church Extension Fund's Architectural Advisory Committee and LCMS's Laborers for Christ endorse this new product offering by publicly supporting Concordia Publishing House as the provider of choice for stained glass windows and church steeples. Bennett shares, "We want churches to feel comfortable when making this important decision about renovations." Back to top LUTHERAN TAPE MINISTRY OFFERS "GOD AND COUNTRY" BIBLE STUDY Lutheran Tape Ministry, Inc., and TalkingScriptures.com announces the release of their newest Bible study devotional series on compact disc entitled: God and Country: Devotions for Men and Women in the Military and Those Who Love Them" written by Fred Naumann, Executive Producer of Lutheran Tape Ministry. This devotional study includes topics such as patience, patriotism, the measure of God's love and faith in the midst of adversity. This is the perfect gift for anyone deployed with our military or the family member waiting and praying for a love one serving our country. God and Country includes original music written for this devotional study by John Valentine, including his musical bonus track entitled: "God Bless the U.S.A." God and Country is available from Lutheran Tape Ministry and TalkingScriptures.com for a suggested donation of $10.00 per CD. Order a Resource Listing by calling toll-free 800-937-2591 or visit Lutheran Tape Ministry at www.TalkingScriptures.com. Back to top Blessings, Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 1-888-643-2961 nicholeh at ndlcms.org 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. -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: text/html Size: 43847 bytes Desc: not available URL: From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Wed May 13 13:29:50 2009 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Wed, 13 May 2009 18:29:50 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] May 13 Message-ID: Update for May 13 A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE! Greetings in the name of the Lord! At this very busy time of the year, with Mother's Day, graduations, spring planting, and so much more, we are so thankful for a Heavenly Father who promises to be with us at all times. May He continue to bless you and your family during this busy springtime. * Prayer Requests * Convention Notes * Omaha Ascension Service * New Nebraska Vicar in The Lutheran Witness * District Student Wins National Award * VBS Curriculum Offers India Mission Project * CPH Offers Resources Through Current Technology * Service Opportunity in Kazakhstan * Medical Mission Opportunity in Guatemala * Nebraska Lutherans for Confessional Study to Meet PRAYER REQUESTS Family of Rev. Alfred Hinz - We lift up in prayer the family of Rev. Alfred Hinz, who passed away in Laurel, Nebraska, on May 5. During his ministry, Rev. Hinz served the Nebraska congregations in Valley, Bridgeport, Newcastle, Ponca, and Martinsburg. We pray for a special measure of the Lord's peace and comfort for the family at this time, while we give thanks to God for the eternal life that is now Rev. Hinz's through Jesus Christ. Vicar Matt Makela - We join with Vicar Matt Makela of Zion, Imperial, in prayers of thanksgiving for the healing the Lord has granted him. His health is returning, and he has returned to work on a limited basis. God willing, he will be back to full strength soon. Thanks be to God for placing His healing hand on Vicar Makela. St. John's, Geneseo, Illinois and St. John's, Yankton, South Dakota - Please remember in prayer the members of St. John's, Geneseo, Illinois, who lost their church building in a fire on March 31. Pastor Christopher Bushre, pastor of this congregation, served the Nebraska congregation of St. John, Lyons, Nebraska, before going to Illinois. The full news article on this fire, as well as an arson fire at St. John's, Yankton, South Dakota, may be read online at www.lcms.org/reporter under "Top Stories." Back to top CONVENTION NOTES Special Pre-Convention Reporter The special pre-convention issue of the Nebraska Lutheran Reporter was mailed to church offices late last week. Pastors and church office staff are encouraged to share this newsletter with their members as soon as possible in the way that works best for them. There will be another, regular Reporter in church offices in late May, with the special Convention issue to follow in July. This special Pre-Convention issue is also available on the District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/news/communications/reporter.html. Questions on the Reporter may be directed to communications at ndlcms.org. Registration to Take Place in New Building Delegates and guests attending the 2009 Nebraska District Convention should plan on registering at the new Health, Human Performance, and Athletic Center (HHPAC) on the north side of Concordia's campus. Registration will take place in the main lobby of this new building from 1:30 - 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 4, with late registration beginning at 7:30 p.m. A map of campus showing the location of the new building is available on the District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/news/convention/index.html. There is ample parking at the new facility, and delegates may wish to drive to the HHPAC to register and receive housing keys upon their arrival on campus. Concordia Publishing House Will Offer Mission Church a "Resource Shelf" Concordia Publishing House (CPH) announces its 2009 Stock the Library campaign, part of the company's ongoing support for the districts and congregations of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The gift is part of CPH's participation in the 35 district conventions taking place throughout 2009. Each LCMS district was invited to identify one recipient for the gift. CPH encouraged the selection of "a congregation or mission with great financial need; one that recently experienced a loss (fire or theft); or a new mission plant." The campaign provides a "shelf" of CPH resources to one congregation, per district, cost free. Twenty-five titles are included that appeal to a wide range of topics for church professionals, families, parents, adults, youth, and children. Selected recipients can also tailor the list to meet unique ministry needs in their settings. The total retail value of the gift is $500. 1C Mission Church in Columbus will be the recipient of the Stock the Library resource shelf at the District Convention. What a blessing for CPH to support this new mission congregation, and all congregations, with quality Christian materials. Back to top OMAHA ASCENSION SERVICE Lamb of God Lutheran Church will be hosting the Omaha South Circuit Ascension Service on Thursday, May 21, at 7:00 p.m. at 7033 L Street, Omaha, Nebraska. The guest preacher for the Ascension Service will be Rev. Ryan Matthias, chaplain from Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska. Everyone is invited to attend the service and a reception immediately following the Divine Service. Back to top NEW NEBRASKA VICAR IN THE LUTHERAN WITNESS Vicar Dave Ficken, who was pictured on the cover of the May issue of The Lutheran Witness, will be serving as vicar at 1C Mission Church in Columbus during the next school year. Vicar Ficken, who just completed his second year of studies at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, wrote an article for the series "Engaging the World with the Gospel of Hope" focusing on pastoral education in the LCMS. To read Vicar Ficken's article, visit http://www.lcms.org/pages/witness.asp. Back to top DISTRICT STUDENT WINS NATIONAL AWARD Zion Lutheran School of Kearney has a State Champion! Eighth grader, Victoria Crow, is the Nebraska state champion for the 2009 Scholastic Challenge! The Scholastic Challenge is a timed, online academic contest for 8th graders across the nation; this year over 18,000 students participated. Students have one hour to complete 100 questions covering a wide range of academia. Victoria Crow is Zion Lutheran School of Kearney's second state champion - her brother, Chris Crow, was Nebraska's state champion in 2007. Well done, Victoria! Back to top VBS CURRICULUM OFFERS INDIA MISSION PROJECT Concordia Publishing House's 2009 vacation Bible school curriculum, "Gadget's Garage," provides an opportunity for children to get more involved in God's mission. The curriculum's featured mission project, "Teaching Tools for India Schools," encourages children to bring offerings that will help students in India get a quality education and learn about Jesus. The proceeds from these offerings, given by children attending vacation Bible schools across the country, will go towards providing resources for children studying at Lutheran schools in India. The schools are operated by the India Evangelical Lutheran Church (IELC), which is an LCMS partner church. The "Gadget's Garage" curriculum is available for purchase on the Concordia Publishing House Web site at www.cph.org or by calling 1-800-325-3040. To learn more about children's mission projects, go to www.lcmsworldmission.org/children and click on "Sparklers projects." Back to top CPH OFFERS RESOURCES THROUGH CURRENT TECHNOLOGY Christian Product Podcast Channel Launched Concordia Publishing House (CPH) announces the launch of The House Channel, a podcast channel that features interviews, commentaries, and discussion focused on CPH products and related topics. The podcast is found online at http://cphconnect.org/podcasts/. New podcasts are added each month. Listeners can subscribe to the channel's RSS feed and also through iTunes. Current available podcasts feature interviews with contributors to The Lutheran Study Bible, commentary by CPH editors, and a round-table conversation with multiple authors of CPH's premier women's Bible study series, A New Song. An interview with CPH President and CEO, Dr. Bruce Kintz is also available. The House Channel is a free format, allowing CPH to explore a variety of topics connected to their products and services and their mission. It's an opportunity to showcase the ministry expertise and concern of their authors, editors, and staff and to engage their customers in new ways. Digital Lutheran Music from Concordia Publishing House Available Online Digital music downloads from Concordia Publishing House (CPH) are now available for purchase at iTunes, Amazon.com, and other select digital music stores. The publishing company produces an extensive catalog of instrumental arrangements, choral groups, and hymns, as well as children's music suitable for Christian ministry settings. Find, preview, and purchase CPH-published music by searching for "Concordia Publishing House" on the iTunes Store, Amazon MP3, or preferred major digital music stores. Eight titles are currently available, and the company says there are "more to come." Back to top SERVICE OPPORTUNITY IN KAZAKHSTAN Right now you have the opportunity to meet an urgent need as a Relationship Builder in Kazakhstan. LCMS World Mission needs two individuals to serve as Relationship Builders through English as a Foreign Language in Kazakhstan. You will lead both English classes and small groups. You will work closely with the team in Kazakhstan to connect the learners to more culturally specific ministries. Much of your ministry will be to university students. Although the position could be filled by two individuals, it could also be filled by a married couple. To learn how you can serve by going global, go here: www.lcmsworldmission.org/searchopps. Contact an LCMS World Mission placement counselor at 1-800-433-3954 or mission.recruitment at lcms.org. Back to top MEDICAL MISSION OPPORTUNITY IN GUATEMALA MOST (Mission Opportunity Short Term) Ministries is recruiting dentists, dental assistants, and community health workers for a dental and health education team to serve in Guatemala July 31 to August 8, 2009. If interested, please contact Debby Suchyta, team administrator, at dsuchyta at mostministries.org or call at 734-994-7909, ext 11. If you have any additional questions, please contact Lutherans in Medical Missions at limm at limm.org. Please copy LIMM if you contact MOST Ministries. Back to top NEBRASKA LUTHERANS FOR CONFESSIONAL STUDY TO MEET The May gathering of the Nebraska Lutherans for Confessional Study (NLCS) will be held on Thursday, May 21 at Good Shepherd, 3825 Wildbriar Lane, Lincoln. Refreshments will be in the fellowship hall at 9:30 a.m., followed by Matins at 10:00 a.m. Presenter for the day will be Rev. Robert Wentzel, pastor of Trinity, Walton. His topic will be "The First Commandment." The morning session will start at about 10:30; following lunch the afternoon topic will start at about 1:00 p.m. The meeting will conclude by 2:30 p.m. Everyone is invited, both clergy and laity. A free-will offering will be taken to help defray expenses. Back to top Blessings, Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 1-888-643-2961 nicholeh at ndlcms.org 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. -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: text/html Size: 33023 bytes Desc: not available URL: From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Wed May 20 10:50:39 2009 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Wed, 20 May 2009 15:50:39 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] May 20 Message-ID: Update for May 20 A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE! Greetings in the name of our loving and gracious Heavenly Father. With the District Convention just over two weeks away, preparations and last-minute details are getting full attention at the District Office. With all of the details yet to be addressed, the Email Updates the next two weeks will be brief, sharing only urgent and timely information. There will be no Update on June 3, as District staff will be moving office equipment, including computers, to the Convention site. Full Convention coverage will be available on the District website, www.ndlcms.org, by Saturday afternoon, June 6, and shared in the Update on June 10. Please keep the upcoming Convention in your prayers, as delegates and guests travel from across Nebraska to gather together for worship, fellowship, and to set the mission vision for the Nebraska District. * Important Convention Notes * Lutheran Family Services Father's Day Appeal * Prepare/Enrich Training Offered in Lincoln * CPH Memorial Day Sale * Concordia Theological Seminary Offers New Church Music Workshop * New Speakers Added to Mission Central Schedule IMPORTANT CONVENTION NOTES Blood Drive - Don't forget, the American Red Cross will be having a blood drive on campus Thursday, June 4, from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Everyone who donates blood during that time will be entered into a drawing for a $10 Target gift card as a thank-you for their time and their donation. If you are able, please consider taking some time Thursday afternoon to help save a life through your blood donation, thanking Jesus for the life He gives you through the shedding of His blood. The blood drive will be in the P.E. Building gym, and walk-ins are welcome. You may also pre-register by visiting www.givebloodgivelife.org and searching for sponsor code #1953 or by calling 1-800-GIVELIFE. Thank Offering - There's still time for your congregation to take part in the Convention thank offering by gathering your gifts during services on one or both of the upcoming Sundays. This thank offering will be used over the next three years to purchase Bibles and catechisms in various languages for the growing ethnic mission fields in Nebraska and for our brothers and sisters in Christ in Sudan. Christians today have the wonderful message of Jesus to share. As we build relationships with those who do not know this Good News of Jesus Christ, our conversations are to be "full of grace." To help equip Christians around the world be prepared to answer everyone with this Good News, the Nebraska District will use this thank offering to provide Bibles and catechisms for those whose primary language is not English. Congregations that wish to include bulletin inserts in their worship folders may contact the District Office to request them. Email nicholeh at ndlcms.org or call 888-643-2961 to request the amount your congregation needs. We give thanks to God for the opportunity to provide His Word and its explanation to those who might not otherwise receive it. Ingathering of Bibles and Catechisms - Another opportunity to help share the salvation story with others is through the ingathering of Bibles and catechisms which will take place during Convention. Each delegate to the Convention is invited to bring with them a new Bible in the English Standard Version (ESV) and a new Luther's Small Catechism. These books will be collected at Convention and distributed to new mission congregations and ministry starts in the Nebraska District, with the prayer that they will be used to "season" conversations about Jesus Christ and His free gift of salvation for all people. Delegates are asked to bring their books to the Convention floor and place them in the designated area before or after any Convention session. More information on the ingathering and the thank offering is available on the District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/news/convention/thank_offering.html. Back to top LUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICES FATHER'S DAY APPEAL Church offices of the Nebraska District should have received a mailing from Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska asking them to take part in their special "Father's Day" appeal this summer. Along with a letter of explanation is a reproducible bulletin insert congregations are asked to include one or more Sundays to educate members on the ministry of Lutheran Family Services and prayerfully consider support for this Lutheran human care ministry. Congregations that prefer to receive the materials by email or receive a specified number of pre-printed copies of the insert may contact Melissa Price at mprice at lfsneb.org or 402-978-5678. Church offices are encouraged to use these materials to help share the ministry of Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska. LFS is a Recognized Service Organization of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and a Social Ministry Organization, of which the Nebraska District and its congregations are ministry partners. Back to top PREPARE/ENRICH TRAINING OFFERED IN LINCOLN PREPARE/ENRICH is a customized couple assessment completed online that identifies a couple's strength and growth areas. Based on a couple's assessment results, a trained facilitator provides 4-8 feedback sessions in which the facilitator helps the couple discuss and understand their results as they are taught proven relationship skills. Rev. Kevin Kohnke will be leading a one-day workshop designed to help facilitators learn how to use the PREPARE/ENRICH Program with premarital and married couples. Date: Saturday, June, 13, 2009 Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Location: Concordia University, Nebraska Lincoln campus 570 Fallbrook Blvd Suite 203, Lincoln, NE 68521 Cost $175 Payable: Rev. Kevin Kohnke Registration Deadline: June 1, 2009 Mail to: Rev. Kevin Kohnke 800 N. Columbia Ave Seward, NE 68434 Email: kevin.kohnke at cune.edu To learn more about Prepare/Enrich visit www.prepare-enrich.com. Follow the "Find a Workshop" link to find the registration form to be completed and included with your payment. Back to top CPH MEMORIAL DAY SALE Concordia Publishing House is offering its Memorial Day Sale every day this week, with savings of 50% on Christian resources for church, school, and home. Visit www.cph.org every day to see the daily special. Each day, they offer a one-day only sale for 50% off the regular price. The sale runs through Friday, May 22. Back to top CONCORDIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY OFFERS NEW CHURCH MUSIC WORKSHOP This summer, Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, is offering a new workshop for church musicians. In addition to a week-long organist workshop at the primer level (June 15-19), they are offering a church music week (June 22-26). This church music week is intended not only for organists, but also for choir and handbell directors. This workshop would also be fruitful for active handbell ringers. Instructors include Kantors Richard Resch and Kevin Hildebrand, as well as Dean of the Chapel Paul Grime-all on the staff of the seminary. Additional instructors include Charles Brown, director of choral activities at Concordia University-Chicago, and Janet Muth, a church musician from Houston. For further information visit http://www.ctsfw.edu/events/organist, e-mail organworkshops at ctsfw.edu or call 260-452-2224. Please forward this information to the musicians in your congregation as well as in your community. Back to top NEW SPEAKERS ADDED TO MISSION CENTRAL SCHEDULE 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 at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in the barn at Mission Central unless otherwise noted. 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. June 6 - Dr. Lo and family - Indonesia June 12 - Delano and Linda Meyer - Sierra Leone, West Africa June 17 - Rev. Mark and Rose Krause - Riga, Latvia June 20 - David and Radka Fiala - Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia June 21 - Rev. Greg Sawyer - Hong Kong at 10:00 a.m. (worship service) June 24 - Rev. Claude & Rhoda Houge - Kenya, East Africa June 27 - Rev. Joel Scheiwe and family - Southern China July 7 - Rev. J. P. Cima and family - Vietnam July 20 - Donna Meyer - Indonesia August 22 - Vicar Heath and Aunnee Trampe - Riga, Latvia at 1:00 p.m. only September 16 - Rev. Matt Heise - Georgia, Russia, and Mongolia Back to top Blessings, Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 1-888-643-2961 nicholeh at ndlcms.org 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. -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: text/html Size: 28248 bytes Desc: not available URL: From distupd at lists.ndlcms.org Wed May 27 09:14:14 2009 From: distupd at lists.ndlcms.org (District Updates) Date: Wed, 27 May 2009 14:14:14 -0000 Subject: [DistUpd] May 27 Message-ID: Update for May 27 A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE! Greetings in the name of our Heavenly Father! Once again, this week's Update will be short and to the point. With the District Convention beginning one week from tomorrow, things are moving quickly and all of those last minute details are getting attention. This week's Update shares some important information for the delegates to the Convention. Remember, there will be no Update next week, and the June 10 newsletter will be filled with news from the Convention. IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM THE BLUE RIBBON TASK FORCE ON SYNOD STRUCTURE AND GOVERNANCE The following is from an email sent by the LCMS Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure and Governance. Because the Task Force does not have e-mail addresses for each district convention's lay delegates, at their urging we are sharing this message with district convention lay delegates in this way. If your congregational delegate does not have email, or did not share their email address with us, please pass this information along to them. More information on their work is available at www.lcms.org/lcmsfuture. The Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure and Governance is scheduled to present proposals for consideration and feedback at each LCMS district convention this year. (Their presentation in Nebraska will be Friday, June 5, at 3:35 p.m.) To date, nine districts have held their conventions and the task force's report has been given. In the feedback to those presentations, the task force has been asked whether convention participants may review the current proposals in advance of the task force's presentation. The answer is a resounding "yes!" The task force's current proposals for consideration and feedback are posted online at www.lcms.org/lcmsfuture. They have been posted since April, just prior to the opening of the Oklahoma District Convention. As always, the task force encourages any and all feedback to the proposals being presented. Please contact us at lcmsfuture at lcms.org. Your input will be valuable as the task force prepares its final report to be released in October 2009. Kindly in Christ, Rev. Robert C. Greene Chair, Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure and Governance "GRAN KERMESSE CULTURAL" AT CRISTO CORDERO DE DIOS Everyone is invited to a "Gran Kermesse Cultural" at Cristo Cordero de Dios (512 East 2nd Street in Grand Island) on Sunday, May 31. Music and food begin at 2:00 p.m. Think of this as a mini-ethnic festival. There will be a live band, and food will be available for sale from home countries of the members of Cristo Cordero, including Guatemala, Venezuela, Chile, and Mexico. Please join in the fun! This is the original "home" of Trinity Lutheran. The sanctuary was built in 1894. It was just "finished" last winter with new sheet rock and paint. This was a joint effort by several congregations in the Grand Island area. Please join our friends at Cristo Cordero in celebration of God's blessings and take this opportunity to see the inside of their sanctuary. I look forward to seeing many of you next week at the District Convention at Concordia University, Seward. If you are not attending, please remember those who are traveling and attending in your prayers. Blessings, Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 1-888-643-2961 nicholeh at ndlcms.org 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. -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: text/html Size: 10572 bytes Desc: not available URL: