[DistUpd] October 21

Wed Oct 21 13:11:14 CDT 2009

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October 21, 2009

In this issue:

Greetings in the name of our loving Savior, Jesus Christ, who has gathered and joined His people together as His Church. What a blessing it is for each of us to be a part of the body of Christ, each with different gifts and talents, but each still a part of His Church.

What does this mean for us? Why is this a blessing to us as individuals and as congregations? Paul writes in Romans 12:4-5, "Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." This is also the way the Nebraska District works. Over 125 years ago, congregations from across Nebraska gathered together to create the man-made organization of the Nebraska District "in order to build, strengthen, and facilitate the work of the church" in Nebraska and beyond. (Thy Kingdom Come: A History of the Nebraska District of the LCMS, Dr. W. Theophil Janzow)

Even today, the 247 congregations of the Nebraska District partner together in support of a District Office to provide needed ministry support and services back to them and the other congregations of the District. Services provided to your congregation include a system for calling and placing church workers, both pastors and teachers; consultations during times of difficulty for congregations, schools, or church workers; resources and support for outreach ministries, including community outreach and new mission planning; a communication network including printed and electronic media; consultations for congregations and church workers on financial issues, including salary, benefits, and budget issues; and many other services.

The gifts your congregation provides from your budget to the mission and ministry of the District ensure that these needed services are available when they are required by your congregation or a sister congregation somewhere in Nebraska. A portion of the gifts to the Nebraska District are also passed along to The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod to support similar services and needed infrastructure for all of the LCMS congregations, as well as mission work here and abroad.

Thanks be to God for the ministry support gifts given by Nebraska District congregations and generous individuals. As members of the same body of Christ, may God continue to bless the support of our common mission of "discipling the saved and proclaiming Christ to a lost and changing world" through God-pleasing stewardship practices.

 *   No Email Update Next Week
 *   Still Time to Register for the Church/School Secretary Workshop
 *   Correction to CPH Vacation Bible School Materials Link
 *   One Rural Ministry Conference Scholarship Left
 *   The Big Mission Event in Norfolk
 *   In the News: "Diagnosis Unknown"
 *   Updated List of Ablaze! Ambassadors Available
 *   Go on a 12-Day Tour of Germany
 *   Time is Running Out on The Lutheran Study Bible Specials
 *   Update on District Plans for the National Youth Gathering
 *   Cross of Christ Church Plant Plans First Worship Service
 *   Breakfast in Bethlehem Family Event in Seward
 *   Christmas in Branson Tour

NO EMAIL UPDATE NEXT WEEK
There will be no Email Update next week because I will be attending the Pastors' Conference in North Platte. The Update will return to its normal schedule the following Wednesday, November 4. Information to be shared may be sent anytime to communications at ndlcms.org<mailto:communications at ndlcms.org>.

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STILL TIME TO REGISTER FOR THE CHURCH/SCHOOL SECRETARY WORKSHOP
Church or school secretaries can still register for the workshop being held on November 3 at Concordia University, Seward. All of the secretaries from the District churches and schools are invited to come for a day of renewing acquaintances, meeting new friends, sharing ideas, gaining insights into how others do their tasks, and collecting resources to take back and use in their ministry.

In addition to the time of networking, the day will feature Pastor Mark Rockenbach, District Executive for Church Worker Care, presenting Responding to Conflict Biblically. President Russ Sommerfeld will also join us to talk about unity, diversity, and harmony as members of God's Nebraska District mission team.

More information is available on the District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/news/conferences/secretary.html. Those interested in attending should call, email, or mail their registration forms to the District Office by this Friday, October 23.

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CORRECTION TO CPH VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL MATERIALS LINK
The link to the Concordia Publishing House 2010 Vacation Bible School materials in last week's Update was incorrect. To find out more about Planet Zoom, visit www.cph.org/planetzoom<http://www.cph.org/planetzoom>.

I apologize for any confusion or inconvenience this error might have caused.

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ONE RURAL MINISTRY CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIP LEFT
St. Paul Institute for Education (SPIFE) is hosting the third annual Heartland Rural/Small Town conference on November 5-7 at Arbor Lodge Lied Conference Center in Nebraska City. The District offered 10 scholarships, and there is just one still available, in the amount of $500 for a congregation that sends one pastor and one or more lay leaders from their congregation. This final scholarship will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. If you would like to take advantage of the scholarship, please contact Connie at connieb at ndlcms.org<mailto:connieb at ndlcms.org>. Information about the conference and registration can also be found at www.spife.org<http://www.spife.org/>. Because the conference date is drawing near, interested congregations should contact SPIFE and the Nebraska District Office as soon as possible.

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THE BIG MISSION EVENT IN NORFOLK
Servants of the Savior of Christ Lutheran Church in Norfolk are hosting "The Big Mission Event" on Saturday, November 21, at Divots Convention Center in Norfolk. This evening of elegance, excitement, and entertainment will provide an opportunity to share God-given and abundant blessings in support of mission activities locally and around the world. The featured speaker will be Rev. Dr. Thomas Zehnder, executive director of LCMS World Mission, and the master of ceremonies will be Nebraska District mission development counselor Gary Thies. Contact the Christ church office at 402-371-1210 or visit their website at www.clnorfolk.org<http://www.clnorfolk.org/> for more information. Everyone is invited to attend.

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IN THE NEWS: "DIAGNOSIS UNKNOWN"
>From the Fremont Tribune: http://www.fremonttribune.com/articles/2009/10/15/news/local/doc4ad73ff1e201f182904750.txt

To look at Jeremy Gierke, you wouldn't think anything was wrong.

A thin young man with neatly cut hair and a crisp shirt and tie, he appears healthy and fit.

But true to the adage, appearances really are deceiving in Gierke's case.

To read more about Jeremy Gierke and the disease that is baffling doctors around the country, visit the Fremont Tribune website at the link above. Jeremy is the son of Rev. Timothy and Barbara Gierke of Fremont and a member of Good Shepherd, Fremont.

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UPDATED LIST OF ABLAZE! AMBASSADORS AVAILABLE
Nearly 50 Ablaze! Ambassadors are ready to share as guest speakers about the worldwide initiative to share the Gospel with 100 million non-Christians by 2017. All Ablaze! Ambassadors are passionate about outreach and many are former district and national Synod leaders (district presidents, LWML presidents, and LCMS and Lutheran Hour Ministries executives).

As spokespersons for Ablaze!, each agrees to give presentations about the effort in congregations, schools, and other venues to encourage their fellow Lutherans to share their faith with family, friends, co-workers-even strangers.

Consider inviting an Ablaze! Ambassador to come encourage your congregation, school, or group in their personal outreach and faith-sharing. (Hosting groups are asked to cover the transportation, housing, and/or other expenses related to the Ambassador's attendance at their event.) There are four ambassadors in the Nebraska District, so congregations can take advantage of this wonderful resource with limited expenses. Ablaze! Ambassadors in Nebraska are:
Rev. Gene Gierke, Seward
Rev. Alan Harre, Staplehurst
Linda Reiser, Grand Island
Virginia Von Seggern, Orchard

If you have any questions, or would like to view contact information for the list of Ablaze! Ambassadors, please call 1-800-433-3954 or visit: http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=14569

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GO ON A 12-DAY TOUR OF GERMANY
Everyone is invited to join Rev Darold Reiner from Kalispell, Montana (formerly a teacher at Trinity, Fremont, and pastor at Christ, Juniata), for a 12-day tour of Germany (Luther Land) May 13-24, 2010. This exciting tour will include Austria, Switzerland, and culminate with the world renown (once every 10 years) Oberammergau Passion Play, as well as covering the sites of the Reformation starting with Berlin and on to Wittenberg, etc.

Fifteen more spaces are available on the tour, which has a maximum of forty-five participants.

For a 15-page brochure with the full itinerary and prices, call 406-752-1205 or email reiner at centurytel.net<mailto:reiner at centurytel.net>

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TIME IS RUNNING OUT ON THE LUTHERAN STUDY BIBLE SPECIALS
The Lutheran Study Bible introductory pricing is only available until October 31, 2009, but congregations and individuals can still take advantage of introductory pricing for all editions of The Lutheran Study Bible.

The Lutheran Study Bible is the first Bible in English to be developed from the ground up with notes that are distinctively Lutheran, prepared by Lutheran contributors from over twenty Lutheran church bodies. Current Lutheran scholarship, insights from the Church fathers, and rich devotional commentary provide meaningful perspective for both young and mature Christians.

Visit cph.org/lutheranbible<http://www.cph.org/lutheranbible> or click here to download free promotional materials for use in your church.<http://www.cph.org/cphstore/pages/resources/tlsb/promotools.asp>  Congregations can also order a free congregation promotional kit by calling 1-800-325-3040 and asking for item #75-0121.

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UPDATE ON DISTRICT PLANS FOR THE NATIONAL YOUTH GATHERING
An update from your Nebraska District Coordinators for the 2010 National LCMS Youth Gathering has been posted on the Nebraska District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/education/youth/gathering.html. We are asking congregations who plan to attend the Gathering for an indication of their interest in several areas so we can move forward with plans for our Nebraska District.

The District Plans Update gives an overview of details on charter buses, District events, etc. The District Plans Response is a response form - a chance for congregations to share their preferences for involvement with District plans regarding the Gathering.

We especially need to know congregational preferences on using District chartered buses or participating in a District event (there are 3 options being considered for an event). We need to know your interest at this time so we can move forward to make more concrete plans and determine costs, timeframes, etc. so groups can eventually make commitments to participate in certain Gathering-related District opportunities.

The District plans response form is "fill-in-able" so it can be completed, saved, and emailed back to Julie.Johnston at cune.edu<mailto:Julie.Johnston at cune.edu>. It can also be printed off and mailed to the address on the form.

Thank you in advance for helping to coordinate these District plans!

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CROSS OF CHRIST CHURCH PLANT PLANS FIRST WORSHIP SERVICE
Cross of Christ in Aurora is the newest church plant in the Nebraska District, under the supervision of Rev. Kevin McReynolds of St. Paul's, Central City. This group has been gathering in Aurora and will now begin regular Sunday worship on November 1 at 8:00 a.m., with Bible Study following at 9:15 a.m. They will meet in the Bremer Community Center at 1604 L Street in Aurora, and would like to extend an invitation for others in the District to join in celebrating the gifts God has granted His Church in Christ through the service of the Word.

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BREAKFAST IN BETHLEHEM FAMILY EVENT IN SEWARD
Pastors and church office staff - please consider including this information in your church bulletins and newsletter. A print-ready flier is available by emailing nicholeh at ndlcms.org<mailto:nicholeh at ndlcms.org>.

Celebrate the Joy of the Christ-Child this Christmas with your family and friends at BREAKFAST IN BETHLEHEM: "Passport to Jesus" on Saturday, December 5, in the fellowship hall of St. John Lutheran Church in Seward. The family breakfast begins at 8:30 a.m. and activities are from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Activities include:
*        Take-home craft projects
*        Complimentary family photo
*        Story time
*        No-Bake cookie shoppe
*        Children's gift shop.....and lots more!

The cost is $1.00 per person of any age. No pre-registration is necessary! For more information, call 402-643-9803.

This is a great opportunity to share the Word! Bring someone from your neighborhood to Breakfast in Bethlehem!

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CHRISTMAS IN BRANSON TOUR
Pastor Tim Heupel of Beautiful Savior, La Vista, is leading a Christmas in Branson Tour November 19-22. The cost of the tour is $600 per person and includes six shows, three plated meals, bus transportation, and lodging with hot continental breakfast. The highlight of the tour is the enactment of the birth of Christ at the amazing Sound and Light Theater.

This would be a wonderful group experience for your senior group, LWML, or LLL, as well as individuals or families. Commitments must be made by November 5. Call Pastor Heupel at 402-331-7376 for more information.

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The weekly Email Update is a resource offered to all in the Nebraska District to share information and to enrich the ministry God has called you to. Please continue to share information you feel would be of interest to others and let us know if there is any other way we at the District Office can be a resource to your ministry. Items for inclusion in the Update may be sent to communications at ndlcms.org<mailto:communications at ndlcms.org>.

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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