[DistUpd] September 9
District Updates
distupd at lists.ndlcms.org
Wed Sep 9 15:14:36 CDT 2009
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September 9, 2009
In this issue:
Greetings in the name of our loving Heavenly Father.
With the passing of Labor Day each year, many people-especially children-realize summer has drawn to an end and the routine of school has become their new reality. While many schools in Nebraska begin in August, September is still thought of as "education month" by most. Many churches hold their "Rally Sunday," or first day of Christian education classes, on the Sunday following Labor Day.
While this rhythm seems to make sense and is familiar to many, the questions most often not answered are, "What are we teaching?" or, "What are the students learning?" Quick answers would surely include: Bible stories, Bible verses, Catechism instruction, and Christian songs, followed by the old stand-bys of reading, math skills, spelling, social studies, and more. None of these answers would be wrong, but are we missing something?
The Nebraska District is committed to encouraging Lutheran congregations and schools in "missional Lutheran education." What does that mean? The simple answer is making Lutheran parish and school education available to all people to equip them as witnesses for Christ.
The real question might be, "What does that look like?" In truth, it will look different in every congregation and every school, but the common thread will be the proclamation of the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ on the lips of every man, woman, and child of the LCMS. As children and adults spend time in God's Word, in prayer, and in singing praises, they will also learn about sharing the joy that the Holy Spirit has placed in them because of the free gift of salvation they received through their Baptism.
So, as your congregation prepares to begin parish education classes, or as your school faculty continues to prepare lesson plans, consider how "missional" your Lutheran education is. Are we equipping people to be witnesses for Christ? Would you like to know more about what this can look like in your congregation? Contact Nebraska District education executive Don Weber at 888-643-2961 or donw at ndlcms.org<mailto:donw at ndlcms.org> for more information or resources on missional Lutheran education.
* Prayer Requests
* One Rural Ministry Conference Scholarship Still Available
* New District Financial Aid Application Deadlines
* Concordia Visit Days for Prospective Students
* Celebrate CPH's Anniversary with 140-Hour Sale
* Omaha Tri-Circuit Worship Service
* Needed: 14 Short-Term Mission Teams for Poland
* Plum Creek Literacy Festival
* Christmas Program Emphasizes God's Gift of Salvation for All
* "StudentConnect" Can Help Students Find Christ-Centered Community on Campus
* The Lutheran Study Bible is Available Early
* Upcoming Lutheran Marriage Encounter Weekends
PRAYER REQUESTS
Nathan Hultquist - We join in prayer with Nathan Hultquist and his family as he continues to be monitored by doctors following treatments for his brain tumors five summers ago. His grandparents, Rev. Don and Sandy Becker of Minden, share the following update and prayer request:
Nathan (almost nine) will be heading to Denver on Thursday, September 10, for a check-up with specialists who are monitoring the side-effects of his radiation treatments for his brain tumors five summers ago. So far, his cancer has been in remission (praise God), but there are side-effects his doctors want to watch closely, and in turn to grant peace of mind to his parents Rob and Jen (Becker) Hultquist, members at St. Paul Lutheran, Minden. So we commend to Jesus them and all others who live in the shadows of the unpredictability of cancer and the side-effects of effective treatments. We pray that all will continue to look good for Nathan and that God's good and gracious will for all His children will be done. Nathan is now in third grade and in good health and good spirits.
We thank God for the health He has granted Nathan, and we join in prayer for all those who are battling cancer.
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ONE RURAL MINISTRY CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIP STILL AVAILABLE
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/>. Deadline for registration and scholarship application is October 2.
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NEW DISTRICT FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION DEADLINES
Students who plan to apply to the Nebraska District for financial aid should take note of the new application deadlines. Application deadline for first semester is May 1, and the deadline for second semester is December 1.
Nebraska District financial support is available to anyone preparing for full-time service in the church at a Concordia University System school or Concordia Seminary at Fort Wayne or St. Louis. Applicants must demonstrate financial need. The Concordia University System consists of the 10 LCMS-operated universities located in Ann Arbor, Austin, Bronxville, Irvine, Mequon, Portland, River Forest, St. Paul, Selma, and Seward. Application forms may be obtained from the District Office, from the universities and seminaries, or downloaded from the District website at http://www.ndlcms.org/education/education/aid.html.
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CONCORDIA VISIT DAYS FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS
Students interested in attending Concordia University, Nebraska in Seward or finding out what the University has to offer are invited to head to campus for one of the upcoming "Visit Days." Prospective students can find out all they can and experience the excitement at Concordia on the following dates:
Friday October 9
Friday, November 6
Friday, December 4
Monday, January 18
Monday, February 15
Friday, March 26
Friday, April 23
A sample schedule would include:
8:30 a.m. Check-In
9:00 a.m. Welcome
9:30 a.m. Chapel
10:10 a.m. Visit a Class
11:00 a.m. Visit with Professors
11:30 a.m. Campus Tour
12:30 p.m. Let's Eat
1:15 p.m. Ask a CU Student/ Academics at Concordia seminar
2:00 p.m. "Getting In and Making It Affordable" seminar
2:30 p.m. Wrap-Up
Call the Concordia admissions office at 800-535-5494 ext 7233 to sign up for a visit day or to create your own personal visit experience!
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CELEBRATE CPH'S ANNIVERSARY WITH 140-HOUR SALE
On September 11, Concordia Publishing House (CPH) celebrates 140 years of ministry as the publisher for The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Combined with the fall launch of the company's groundbreaking premier product, The Lutheran Study Bible, CPH will mark the milestone anniversary with an emphasis on its vision to be the premier provider of choice for products and services that set the bar for Christ-centered, Lutheran resources across the Church.
CPH will celebrate its 140th with a special 140-hour sale, which commences at midnight on September 8, 2009. The sale will be available at http://www.cph.org/140.
Concordia Publishing House began its ministry on September 11, 1869. The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod's first president, Dr. C. F. W. Walther considered quality Christian literature to be an essential part of the Church's role. This led local St. Louis congregations to become involved in the publishing business. The original print house made use of a $3,800 printing press, operated by a seven-horsepower steam generator. "The operation was considered high tech for its time," shares Dr. Bruce G. Kintz, President and Chief Executive Officer for CPH. "Today, we operate a 380,000 square-foot facility near the same historic site, using industry leading distribution technology and product development software to serve our customers with the latest digital products and services."
CPH's first major project was a Lutheran annual, which contained a listing of pastors and congregations. The annual included a 3-page catalog of items available from the Synod's one-man marketing department, Mr. M.C. Barthel. Today, CPH publishes more than 8,000 resources that have been translated into 56 languages with sales that span many Christian denominations worldwide.
"It's incredible to look back over the history of CPH and really consider the incredible changes in technology that we have experienced," Kintz says. "Today, we have our new Emerging Products department, which is completely focused on dreaming and developing digital and technology-driven products and services. This intentional focus will rapidly propel CPH forward into its next 140 years and allow us to serve better today's people in the online age."
"Things change, and CPH has grown and changed with them," Kintz concludes. "But what has stayed constant has been this company's dedication to our mission to help the Church seek and save the lost for Jesus Christ. It doesn't get more innovative than that clear legacy, and it's that commitment to God's Word that will propel CPH into its next chapter."
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OMAHA TRI-CIRCUIT WORSHIP SERVICE
LCMS Lutherans in Omaha will gather again for a joint worship service at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 27, at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in La Vista, located at 7706 S. 96th Street, between Harrison and Giles.
Similar to the service held on September 16, 2007, at Divine Shepherd, Omaha, this service will be a joyous event with a variety of music and an inspiring message, along with the Lord's Supper. The speaker will be Rev. John Deang, Nebraska missionary-at-large for African immigrant ministry. The guest conductor will be Dr. Kurt Von Kampen of Concordia University.
This worship service is designed to unite, encourage, and strengthen LCMS Lutherans of Omaha and greater Nebraska in their common mission. There will be a mass choir for adults, one for youth, and still another for children. There will also be a variety of instrumentalists and a contemporary worship band. A handbell choir will also be featured. The service will be followed with a reception.
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NEEDED: 14 SHORT-TERM MISSION TEAMS FOR POLAND (Reprinted with permission from the September 2009 Reporter, the official newspaper of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod)
As a placement counselor for LCMS World Mission, Jennifer Mustard knows the value of sending teams of U.S. Lutherans to teach weeklong English "camps" in other countries.
So she wasn't too surprised that sending five short-term teams to Poland for the first time this past July would be just as successful.
The only problem was that there weren't enough teams to serve the 21 Polish congregations that had requested them.
"I'm going to need a lot of teams for next year," Mustard said -- a minimum of 14, to be exact, with six to 10 members each.
News about the weeklong English camps has spread "across the whole region," Mustard says, thanks to advertising by congregations of the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland -- which co-host the camps as outreach events; the church body's Center for Mission and Evangelism; media coverage by Polish TV stations and newspapers; and word of mouth.
Even the mayor of Zabrze, in southern Poland, who visited a camp hosted by the local Lutheran church there, "was so impressed," Mustard said. In a thank-you letter dated July 18, Mayor Malgorzata Manka-Szulik told Mustard, in part: "I am glad that representatives of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod have organized the project from 13 to 18 of July 2009 in our city. It was a very precious and fruitful time for children living in Zabrze, very appreciated by all participants and their guardians. I hope that the project will be continued in the next years."
Continuing the project is just what LCMS World Mission plans to do. Teams for July 2010 will lead camps at the seven congregations served this year, plus seven others in various parts of the country.
Poland has Christians, according to Mustard, but many are "uncommitted" to their faith. The weeklong camps give local pastors opportunities to reach both congregation members and non-members, she said, and all of the hosting churches and communities are "very welcoming" to their U.S. guests.
Through the camps, LCMS volunteers are expected to share their faith while helping Polish youth practice their English-language skills. The camps include Bible study, skits, crafts, games, music, dance, and sports competitions.
Kathy Witto, a teacher at Martin Luther High School in Queens, N.Y., helped lead a camp in Lidzbark, in northern Poland. Her team consisted of two adults, three college students, and a high-school student. Their camp was similar to a vacation Bible school and involved 33 young people ages 9 to 18, "so our young team members fit right in," Witto said.
Since the neighborhood around Martin Luther High School is largely populated by recent Polish immigrants, her short-term mission experience provided "a wonderful opportunity to build bridges between our school and community by learning more about the Polish culture and language," she said.
Witto said she also enjoyed meeting the Polish pastors and congregation members, as well as the students, because "it was obvious their passion for -- and faithfulness to -- the Word was the reason they were there. It was another reminder of how far and wide the Body of Christ extends."
Mustard said teams can come from a single congregation, or several, and no special training is necessary to serve as a short-term missionary. Team members can be any age, and families are welcome.
All you need, she said, "is just a desire to speak to youth in English and share the Gospel."
This year's cost totaled about $2,000 per person for 10 days, which included airfare, food, lodging, ground transportation, and international health insurance. Volunteers flew into Krakow, Poland, from their home cities, so airfare costs varied.
For more information or to volunteer, send an e-mail to mission.teams at lcms.org<mailto:mission.teams at lcms.org> or call 800-433-3954 and ask to speak with a placement counselor.
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PLUM CREEK LITERACY FESTIVAL
The 14th annual Plum Creek Children's Literacy Festival hosted by Concordia University, Nebraska will take place Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 1-3. The event gives children and adults the opportunity to connect with nationally acclaimed authors and illustrators in order to enhance literacy enjoyment and education. Almost 9,000 children and adults are expected to take part in this year's festival.
"It is so encouraging to see all of the smiling faces on campus," said Vikki Gremel, festival coordinator. "The festival is a lot of work, but seeing those faces makes it all worthwhile!"
Four authors-John Archambault, David Biedrzycki, John Erickson, and Gordon Korman-will visit students in Seward-area schools on Thursday. On Friday, students from all over the Midwest will attend sessions with the authors and illustrators and participate in a variety of literacy activities. New this year is a session for sixth- through eighth-graders called "Music Alive!" by Concordia's music department.
Registration remains open for the adult learning sessions on Saturday, Oct. 3. The adult conference includes a wide variety of workshops presented by authors, illustrators, and literacy experts. The adult sessions will be of special interest to early childhood, elementary, middle level, and secondary teachers, reading specialists, home school teachers, and media specialists. Carmen Deedy will be the luncheon guest speaker. Deedy is the award-winning author of numerous best-selling children's books including her newest picture book, Martina, the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale. Book sales will be available throughout the conference.
More information and registration materials are available on the Concordia website at www.cune.edu/PlumCreek<http://www.cune.edu/PlumCreek>.
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CHRISTMAS PROGRAM EMPHASIZES GOD'S GIFT OF SALVATION FOR ALL
Concordia Publishing House (CPH) introduces Savior of the Nations<http://bit.ly/E1hK2>, the 2009 Advent-Christmas program designed to draw people to worship God's Gift of Jesus Christ, who was born to save the world. Many congregations use a complete Christmas program to focus the activities, worship life, and celebration they enjoy through this season of the year. With this program, congregations easily launch a complete program that appeals to all ages and can be used in a wide variety of settings.
Savior of the Nations resources are available at www.cph.org<http://www.cph.org/> or by calling 1-800-325-3040.
The 2009 program is based on the hymn, "Savior of the Nations, Come." Rev. Scot Kinnaman, editor at CPH says, "This well-known hymn provides a rich resource for proclamation and teaching as we celebrate the birth of our Savior as a congregation."
"The theme forms the basis for the Advent and Christmas program with preaching resources, Bible study, a devotional, and a children's Christmas worship service," Kinnaman continues. "Used together, CPH provides a complete resource to bring the congregation together in preparation, worship, and celebration, at church and at home."
The theme is unique from other Christmas programs because of its emphasis on mission. CPH pairs the product with its new Christmas children's book, Christmas Around the World, which teaches young readers the Christmas customs of different cultures including songs, foods, dress, and greetings.
"Savior of the Nations is about how Jesus came for all. He came for our brothers and sisters in Jamaica, Australia, and everywhere else in His creation," says Deaconess Pamela Nielsen, senior editor at CPH who helped produce the children's service. "With this Advent-Christmas program, children, and even adults, develop a sense of the Church and the world at large."
The children's service CD-ROM includes a complete early childhood Christmas service. The program is adaptable to create a Christmas pageant.
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"STUDENTCONNECT" CAN HELP STUDENTS FIND CHRIST-CENTERED COMMUNITY ON CAMPUS (Reprinted with permission, from Reporter Online, http://www.lcms.org/pages/reporter.asp?NavID=2155)
"StudentConnect" is a new service developed by LCMS Campus Ministry to help college students connect with a campus ministry. With StudentConnect, students use an online form to provide information that a campus pastor or ministry worker uses to personally contact the student.
"StudentConnect has the potential to help a student establish a relationship with a campus ministry even before he or she arrives on campus," says Jon Jensen, executive director of LCMS Campus Ministry. "We're excited about that -- what a great way to get a head start on building community."
Any student, family member, pastor, or youth ministry leader can go to the LCMS Campus Ministry website and complete the StudentConnect form. The information is provided confidentially to a campus ministry worker, who then contacts the student.
"We want to help congregations continue to be active in ministry to their member students who go away to college," Jensen said. "We know that many already stay in touch through greeting cards, prayer circles, care packages, personal contacts from home pastors, even webcasts of their worship services. This is still another resource -- a way for congregations to partner with ministry professionals who are on the ground in campus communities and who care deeply about the spiritual growth of their member students."
Students whose schools are not served by a campus ministry can use StudentConnect to find or start a Lutheran Student Fellowship group or start a campus ministry. "Students can actually play a vital role in making StudentConnect a valuable tool," says Jensen. "If you're a student, you can tell the pastor or youth worker at your home congregation about it and explain how it can serve as an important ministry link to all of your church's student members away at college. The better we're all connected, the stronger we are together."
For more information or to fill out an online form, visit www.lcmscampusministry.org<http://www.lcmscampusministry.org> and click on "LCMA StudentConnect."
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THE LUTHERAN STUDY BIBLE IS AVAILABLE EARLY
The much-anticipated release of The Lutheran Study Bible from Concordia Publishing House (CPH) has arrived. Six and a half years of research, writing, editing, and design have culminated in a Bible that is the first 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.
Scheduled to arrive for Reformation Day, October 31, 2009, The Lutheran Study Bible hardback edition is available now at cph.org/lutheranbible<http://cph.org/lutheranbible> or by calling 1-800-325-3040. The leather editions are due to arrive at the end of September, a month before the intended release date.
The Lutheran Study Bible uses the English Standard Version(r) translation, one of the fastest-growing translations worldwide and considered one of the most precise English translations available. It includes a wealth of features, including 26,500 study notes; maps, charts, and diagrams; 220 articles; and 90,000 cross-references.
"These features guide biblical students to a richer understanding of His Word and how we can apply it to our daily lives," shares Dr. Kurt Senske, president and CEO of Lutheran Social Services of the South. "The Lutheran Study Bible is certain to be a comfortable, constant companion on my personal spiritual journey."
Like most study Bibles, The Lutheran Study Bible offers interpretation of the Word and life application, but this Bible also offers a mission approach. General Editor of TLSB, Rev. Edward A. Engelbrecht says, "I believe that a great resource like The Lutheran Study Bible must lead people to pray for and practice sound catechesis and mission work: the spread of the Gospel at home and abroad. We developed The Lutheran Study Bible not only to provide sound interpretation and personal application but also to motivate and encourage Gospel outreach."
"The editors have placed a 'Mission Icon' next to sections and verses of Scripture which speak of the privilege and necessity of sharing the Good News of the Gospel," says Rev. Dr. Thomas Zehnder executive director of LCMS World Mission. "Thus the student of the Bible is given a visual reminder that we are not only to read the Word but to share the Word."
For more information on The Lutheran Study Bible, or to order your own copy, visit the Concordia Publishing House website, www.cph.org<http://www.cph.org/>.
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UPCOMING LUTHERAN MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKENDS
Lutheran Marriage Encounter weekends are planned in the area this fall and early next spring. Couples are encouraged to consider this opportunity to nurture their marriage and appreciate the blessings God gives through marriage. To learn more about these weekends, contact Dayle and Terri Mautz at 402-540-8508 or dtmautz at yahoo.com<mailto:dtmautz at yahoo.com>, or Vern and Karen Harrington at 712-533-6221 or giblem at frontiernet.net<mailto:giblem at frontiernet.net>. Choose from the following dates and locations: October 2-4 in Omaha; November 20-22 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota; February 12-14 in Lincoln; or March 5-7 in LeMars, Iowa. Find out more about Lutheran Marriage Encounter at www.godlovesmarriage.com<http://www.godlovesmarriage.com/>.
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Thanks to all who shared information to be passed along in this week's Update. Information from the congregations and ministries helps make this electronic newsletter a useful ministry tool for all. If you have something you would like shared in a future Update, email the information to communications at ndlcms.org<mailto:communications at ndlcms.org> or call the District Office at 888-643-2961.
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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