[DistUpd] May 13

Wed May 13 13:29:50 CDT 2009

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<http://www.lcms.org/reporter> under "Top Stories."

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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<mailto: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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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<http://www.cph.org/> or by calling 1-800-325-3040.

To learn more about children's mission projects, go to www.lcmsworldmission.org/children<http://www.lcmsworldmission.org/children> and click on "Sparklers projects."

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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."

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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<http://www.lcmsworldmission.org/searchopps>. Contact an LCMS World Mission placement counselor at 1-800-433-3954 or mission.recruitment at lcms.org<mailto:mission.recruitment at lcms.org>.

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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<mailto: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<mailto:limm at limm.org>. Please copy LIMM if you contact MOST Ministries.

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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.

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Blessings,
Nichole Hetz
Nebraska District LCMS
Director of Communications
1-888-643-2961
nicholeh at ndlcms.org<mailto:nicholeh at ndlcms.org>
www.ndlcms.org<http://www.ndlcms.org/>

* Please Note: The inclusion of items in the Update from outside sources is for informational purposes only. Inclusion of such items does not constitute District endorsement.

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