[DistUpd] October 14

Wed Oct 14 16:21:07 CDT 2009

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October 14, 2009

In this issue:

Greetings in the name of our Heavenly Father, the Lord of the harvest. It doesn't matter if you live in a city, town, or rural area, you know this is the time the Lord has given farmers to harvest the crops from the fields. As Nebraskans, even if we aren't farmers we know the harvest is important to the economic condition of our state, as well as the well-being of our fellow citizens.

Likewise, the Lord has planted a mission field right outside each of our doors. He has brought African, Hispanic, and Asian immigrants to our communities, as well as young families, older adults, and those who have never heard of Jesus Christ and His wonderful gift of salvation. The fields around us are ready to be harvested and He calls each of us to go into these fields with His Word and the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ. Please pray about how the Lord can use you in His harvest and pray for those across the District who are joining you in this field.

Did you know everything your Nebraska District Office does is with the intention of giving to the congregations and workers the resources they need to go into the mission fields of Nebraska?

Every resource available from your District Office is funded by the mission and ministry dollars your congregation commits to the District. This commitment is usually made as part of your congregation's annual budget.

It is the dollars from your congregation that allow the District Office to provide these resources back to your congregation when they are needed.

To find out more about the resources your District Office has to offer your congregation to equip and support you as you tell the Good News of Jesus in your church, school, and community, visit the District website at www.ndlcms.org<http://www.ndlcms.org/> or contact the office directly at 888-643-2961 or info at ndlcms.org<mailto:info at ndlcms.org>.

 *   Prayer Requests
 *   Winter Clothing Needed for Refugees
 *   Lutheran World Relief Ingathering Locations
 *   Lutheran Hour Advent Devotions Available
 *   Connect Your Sunday School Students with Missionaries
 *   Concordia University, Nebraska Professors Make Contributions to the Church
 *   Sex, Faith, and Your Child: Let's Talk
 *   Nebraska Lutherans for Confessional Study to Meet
 *   Optometrists Needed for Honduras Mission Opportunity
 *   Download The Lutheran Study Bible Hymn and an Order of Dedication for the New Bible
 *   Take a Look at Concordia Publishing House's 2010 VBS Materials
 *   New Speaker Schedule for Mission Central

PRAYER REQUESTS
Rev. Don Moll and family - Please remember in your prayers Rev. Don Moll and his family at the death of his wife, Jeanette Moll. We ask for God's peace for the family at this time, that He would comfort them with His promise of eternal life. Rev. Moll served as pastor at Our Redeemer, Elwood, from 1970-1977. Condolences may be sent to Don Moll, 272 S. Forest, Batavia, IL 60510.

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WINTER CLOTHING NEEDED FOR REFUGEES
Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska (LFS) resettles over 400 refugees from several different countries each year.  Most newly arrived refugee children and adults have never experienced the extreme cold like we endure in Nebraska. Please consider donating the following:
*  Winter coats
*  Gloves, hats, and scarves
*  Socks
*  Closed-toe shoes (smaller sizes only, please)

You can also help by conducting a winter clothing drive in your church, school, or workplace. Winter items may be dropped off at the LFS Community Services office Monday-Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The office is located in the Center Mall at 1941 South 42nd Street, Suite 402, in Omaha.  Cash donations are also welcome so special items may be purchased for the families. Contact LFS at 402-346-6100 with questions. Thank you!

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LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF INGATHERING LOCATIONS

The 2009 Nebraska Lutheran World Relief Ingathering will be November 9 - 13.

In packing your LWR goods for shipment, sort and pack like items together in the box. Pack them in strong cartons secured with packing tape and addressed to Lutheran World Relief. The weight of the box should not exceed 40 pounds. Write the name and return address of your church on each box and deliver your items to the closest ingathering site during BUSINESS HOURS ONLY - 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

WHAT TO DONATE: Quilts and new or gently used blankets, sewing fabric, school kits, health kits, sewing kits, layettes, and soap in the original wrapping. Place a packing slip in each box listing your parish name and mailing address, contact person, and contents of the box. Visit www.lwr.org/beinvolved<http://www.lwr.org/beinvolved> or call 1-800-LWR-LWR2 for specific guidelines.

Donations will be received at the following sites:

Grand Island
Nebraska Transport Terminal
5162 South Elk Drive
308-382-8425
800-347-6331

Omaha
Brown Transfer Terminal
4511 South 79th Street
402-331-5414

Kearney
Brown Transfer Terminal
911 East 11th Street
308-237-2244
800-876-1196

Norfolk
St. John's Lutheran Church
13th & Benjamin Avenue
402-371-1985

Lincoln
First Lutheran Church
1551 South 70th Street
402-488-0919

Scottsbluff
Brown Transfer Terminal
609  5th Avenue
308-632-8888

North Platte
Brown Transfer Terminal
1001 Prospect
308-532-1808
800-759-2598

Sidney
Brown Transfer Terminal
1030 Forest
308-254-2722

For further information please call Mary Stoetzel in North Platte at 308-534-9327 or Betsy Buschkemper in Omaha at 402-292-6665, or email buschkemper at hotmail.com<file:///C:\Documents%20and%20Settings\smiley\Local%20Settings\Temporary%20Internet%20Files\OLK945\buschkemper@hotmail.com>.

Due to trucking changes, some drop-off sites have changed. We want to thank those churches who have so generously allowed their facilities to be drop-off sites in the past. Thank you for your patience while we made trucking adjustments. We are very grateful for Beatrice Freight's past involvement and stewardship. We are excited about this new set-up, and hope it is beneficial for everyone.  THANK YOU!

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LUTHERAN HOUR ADVENT DEVOTIONS AVAILABLE (From LHM Ministry Update)
The Christmas tradition wouldn't be complete without devotions specially designed as reflections on what Advent means. Lutheran Hour Ministries' two Advent devotions series for 2009 herald a new beginning for human beings-made possible only through the gift of God's Son, Jesus Christ, as Savior of the world.

In LHM's traditional-theme selection for 2009, Pastor Vern Gundermann takes the reader alongside Joseph and Mary as they travel From Nazareth to Bethlehem, where Jesus' birth will be only the beginning of His steady fulfillment of Messianic prophecies given about Him in the Hebrew Scriptures.

In Who Would Have Thought? LCMS educator Chuck Strohacker makes it easy for the reader to recall his or her own family Christmas memories even as he offers personal glimpses from his own life. With anecdotes, observations, humor, and insight, Strohacker warmly shares how the yearly celebration of Jesus' birth is reason for the whole world to rejoice. Christmas changes everything-for everyone-for all time. With the advent of Christmas, God gives us a Savior and takes away the sins of the world.

Both versions are customizable as PDF files in English. Audio is available for From Nazareth to Bethlehem, as is a Spanish text version. Promotional features include bulletin shells, a PowerPoint slide template, a web banner ad, and JPEG images of cover art. The Web site, www.adventdevotions.net<http://www.adventdevotions.net>, provides up-to-date information regarding which features are available for which versions.

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CONNECT YOUR SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH MISSIONARIES (From LCMS eNews Involving Kids in God's Mission, October 9)
Do you want to get the children of your church or school involved in mission today? Here's an idea that worked for one congregation. Consider adapting it for your Sunday school or day school.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Florence, Ky., tells us that each Sunday school class is adopting a missionary family this year. They'll use LCMS World Mission's free children's mission newsletters to learn about the country where their missionary family lives, the customs of that country, and how their family shares the Gospel message with the people they meet.

The Sunday school students are writing letters to the missionary kids and praying for them throughout the year. They will also hold fundraisers and collect offerings to help pay for the missionary kids' education.

Lisa Newberry, Sunday school superintendent at Good Shepherd, says she was looking for ways to help her students understand that the world is bigger than their town, bigger than their state, and that Jesus came for everyone. She also wants each student to understand each person can be involved in sharing the Gospel and supporting missionary families.

Want to learn more? Visit the children's section of the LCMS World Mission Web site at www.lcmsworldmission.org/children<http://www.lcmsworldmission.org/children> to download these resources:

 *   Mission Friends<http://www.lcms.org/?2530> (children's mission newsletter)
 *   Sparklers projects<http://www.lcms.org/?3347> (children's mission projects)
 *   Children's mission resource catalog<http://www.lcms.org/?2443>

LCMS World Missionaries serving from the Nebraska District include:

 *   Ashley Effken, Czech Republic
 *   David and Radka Fiala, Slovak Republic
 *   Anna Horkey, China
 *   Rev. Claude and Rhoda Houge, Kenya
 *   Megan Kincaid, Hong Kong
 *   Lynette Lierman, Hong Kong
 *   Jessica Luebbe, Macau
 *   Donna Meyer, Indonesia
 *   Sharon Owens, Macau
 *   Benjamin and Amy Riley, Taiwan
 *   Andrew and Noel Schaff, Taiwan
 *   Katrina Schaff, Japan
 *   Allan and Sandy Schmidt, Asia
 *   Benjamin Smith, Latvia
 *   Rev. Brent and Jennie Smith, Germany

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CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY, NEBRASKA PROFESSORS MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CHURCH
Christ Lutheran Church in Lincoln, Neb., is celebrating its 60th year with an anthem commissioned from Dr. Kurt von Kampen, associate professor of music at Concordia University, Nebraska. The composition, "The Living Water," will be unveiled at services on Sunday, Oct. 18.

Dr. von Kampen and his daughter, Andrea, plan to sing "The Living Water" as a duet with guitar accompaniment at the 8 a.m. service, and a combined choir and orchestra will perform the piece at the 10:30 service.

Von Kampen hopes the composition is something that will bless those at Christ Lutheran and perhaps beyond.  "I was honored to be asked by the church to compose this piece, and I will be very excited to hear it all come together at Christ Lutheran in October."

Dr. Jeffrey Blersch, professor of music at Concordia University, Nebraska, was commissioned by Concordia Publishing House to write a hymn tune to a poem by Rev. Stephen Starke. The hymn was written in celebration of the release of the new Lutheran Study Bible and has been distributed to all Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod congregations to be used in services for this year's Reformation Sunday.

Blersch named the hymn tune "Concordia Cincinnati" in honor of Concordia Lutheran Church in Cincinnati which recently disbanded after 160 years of ministry. Blersch played for the last service. "During the sermon, retired pastor Otto Brillinger made the comment that even though congregations may disband and buildings may fall, the Word of God endures forever," Blersch explained. "That's when it hit me - what a fitting tribute to this congregation and her ministry."

Dr. Jerrald Pfabe, professor of  history at Concordia University, Nebraska, will receive an award of commendation from the Concordia Historical Institute for his article, "Was It Foretold?: Theodore Graebner, Millennialists and the World Wars." The award will be presented on Friday, Nov. 13, at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo., during the institute's 35th annual awards banquet.

Just as people today assert that contemporary events, such as the Iraq war, were predicted in the Bible and are clear signs of an imminent end of the world and of the return of Christ, so too did people believe that of World War I and World War II in the first half of the twentieth century. Pfabe's article shows how Theodore Graebner, a professor at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis from 1913 to 1949, refuted those claims.
The committee considered the paper "an award-winning example of material produced to further the understanding of American Lutheranism."

"I am honored but also humbled by the recognition which the Concordia Historical Institute gave to this article," said Pfabe.  "I have much respect for the work that the Institute has done. It has an excellent reputation, and I'm very grateful that it believes that this article has value in understanding American Lutheranism."

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SEX, FAITH, AND YOUR CHILD: LET'S TALK
Thad Warren from Concordia University, Nebraska will be at Divine Shepherd in Omaha on Monday, October 19, at 7:00 p.m. to talk to parents of junior high and high school students about faith and relationships. The evening will be focused on equipping parents with information, resources, and strategies to engage their children in meaningful conversation about these important topics.

Thad has taught at Concordia University Nebraska since the fall of 2005. Thad's teaching in the DCE department at Concordia focuses him in the areas of Sexuality and the Family, and Family Ministry courses.

For more information, contact the Divine Shepherd church office at 402-895-1500.

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NEBRASKA LUTHERANS FOR CONFESSIONAL STUDY TO MEET
The October gathering of the Nebraska Lutherans for Confessional Study (NLCS) will be held on Thursday, October 22, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 3825 Wildbriar Lane in Lincoln. Refreshments will be in the fellowship hall at 9:30 a.m., followed by Matins at 10 a.m. Presenter for the day will be Rev. Philip Hale, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bancroft, Nebraska; his topic will be "Luther on Forgiveness." The morning session will start at about 10:30 a.m. Following lunch, the afternoon topic will start at about 1 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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OPTOMETRISTS NEEDED FOR HONDURAS MISSION OPPORTUNITY
World Gospel Outreach seeks two optometrists for a team to go to Honduras February 6-13, 2010.  The cost is $1,500 which covers all lodging, transportation, food, and flights.  The clinics are held in the capital city of Tegucigalpa at two different churches for two days each.  Accommodations are in a newly built mission guest house which is pictured on the website www.wgoreach.org<http://www.wgoreach.org>.

Please respond to Tim Bauer at tbb1492 at hotmail.com<mailto:tbb1492 at hotmail.com> if you are interested in going.

If you are not an optometrist but know of one in your congregation or community, please send this message to them.

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DOWNLOAD THE LUTHERAN STUDY BIBLE HYMN AND AN ORDER OF DEDICATION FOR THE NEW BIBLE
The timing couldn't be better. The long-anticipated arrival of The Lutheran Study Bible is here, just in time to celebrate the upcoming Day of Reformation, when these words often come to mind: "Scripture Alone, Faith Alone, and Grace Alone."

In honor of these gifts (the new study Bible and our remembrance of Luther's focus on God's Word), Concordia Publishing House is sharing a new hymn by Stephen Starke and Jeffrey Blersch that fits well with our celebration of Reformation Day.

Two free downloads now available
Download the hymn "The Holy Word of God" and let others know this beautiful hymn is available for use. You can also download an Order of Dedication for The Lutheran Study Bible to use before distributing them to members who have placed orders.

Browse the promo tools on The Lutheran Study Bible Web page and look for the Order of Dedication and hymn.<http://www.cph.org/cphstore/pages/resources/tlsb/promotools.asp>

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TAKE A LOOK AT CONCORDIA PUBLISHING HOUSE'S 2010 VBS MATERIALS
The following is a letter from District President Rev. Russ Sommerfeld to the congregations and people of the Nebraska District:

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I'd like to take a few minutes to talk to you about your plans for Vacation Bible School next summer. Many of our congregations offer VBS programs every year. It is a well established ministry effort across The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and has been for over sixty years.

Vacation Bible School offers congregations in our district engaging opportunities to reach out into our communities with the Gospel. VBS gives children a fun, meaningful opportunity to learn about Jesus and to spread this good news to others. That's the main purpose of Vacation Bible School: getting the Good News out!

As you choose your 2010 program, I invite you to take a close look at Planet Zoom, the new VBS program from Concordia Publishing House. CPH Vacation Bible School curriculum is fun, engaging, practical, easy to use, and kid-friendly, plus it offers what other VBS curriculums simply do not: a keen focus on the Gospel. There is no other VBS program that so clearly and consistently gives our children Jesus every day.

CPH has been listening to congregations across the church, and has made many key improvements to their program. Here's what CPH wants you to know, and they invite you to learn more at www.planetzoom.org<http://www.planetzoom.org/>:

 *   Simpler Lesson Format -They've made an effort to ensure that lessons are easy to use, age-appropriate, and designed to support lay volunteers.
 *   Decorating Video - Although several big posters are included in the starter kit, they also developed a video to help share their decorating ideas.
 *   Better Web Tools, like Online Registration -This year you can quickly create an online registration portal to allow parents to register their kids online (saving your church time and paperwork). You can also share ideas, stories, and photos through their VBS Facebook page.

Aside from all these good reasons to use CPH's VBS program, when you purchase resources from CPH, you strengthen its publishing ministry for the whole Synod and out into the Christian church. That's important! I encourage you to consider getting involved with CPH as it serves the church.

Thank you for allowing me to share these thoughts. If you have any questions about CPH's new program, please contact them directly at vbsteam at cph.org<mailto:vbsteam at cph.org>.

God's continued blessings,
Russ Sommerfeld
District President
Matthew 6:33

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NEW SPEAKER SCHEDULE FOR 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 in the barn at Mission Central, and 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<http://www.missioncentral.us/>.

November 12, 7:00 p.m. - Ed Strohstein from Hong Kong and Asia
November 17, 7:00 p.m. - Ivan Rasch from Nigeria, Africa
November 24, 7:00 p.m. - Rev. Jim and Mabelle Bloker from the Czech Republic
December 15, 7:00 p.m. - Dr. Mike Rodewald, African area director, from South Africa
July 7, 2010, 1:00 and 7:00 p.m. - Dr. Steve Oliver from Taiwan
July 17, 2010, 1:00 and 7:00 p.m. - Sharon Owens from Macau

Mission Central now has a Facebook page! Those interested in viewing this page may follow the link from the Mission Central homepage, www.missioncentral.us<http://www.missioncentral.us/>.

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Thanks to everyone who contributed items for this week's Update. This newsletter is meant to be a resource for ministry. Feel free to copy and paste items from the Update in your congregation's bulletins or newsletters, or forward the message to someone you think might find the information useful. Anyone may subscribe to the Email Update by emailing communications at ndlcms.org<mailto:communications at ndlcms.org> or visiting the District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/news/communications/update.html.

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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