[DistUpd] September 30

Wed Sep 30 13:35:19 CDT 2009

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September 30, 2009

In this issue:

Greetings in the name of our loving heavenly Father. A special welcome to the new workers in the Nebraska District who are receiving this electronic newsletter for the first time this week. It was a pleasure meeting you all and spending time together at the New Worker Orientation in Seward at the beginning of this week. It was a great time to get to know the new pastors, vicars, DCEs, and deaconess who are beginning or continuing their ministry in Nebraska. If there is a new pastor, vicar, DCE, or teacher in your circuit, please take some time to introduce yourself and get to know him or her. The Lord has led a wonderful group of men and women to Nebraska to be about His work, and we thank Him for the opportunity to partner with them and with all of you.

 *   Prayer Requests
 *   National Youth Gathering Resources
 *   LCMS Women's Ministry Survey
 *   Good Shepherd Institute Conference Offers Bachfest and Preaching Workshop
 *   Benefit Dinner for Jeremy Gierke
 *   Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska Offers "At Ease" Program
 *   Choir Robes Available
 *   New From Concordia Publishing House

PRAYER REQUESTS
Rev. Douglas Irmer - Please remember in prayer Rev. Douglas Irmer, senior pastor at St. Paul, Beatrice, who is currently serving as Wing Chaplain with the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing in Manas, Kyrgyzstan. We pray for safety for Pastor Irmer during his deployment and we ask the Lord to use him to share the love of Christ with those to whom he is ministering.

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NATIONAL YOUTH GATHERING RESOURCES
Three new resource items to help in planning for the 2010 National LCMS Youth Gathering have been added to the Nebraska District website, www.ndlcms.org<http://www.ndlcms.org/>.

*        PowerPoint summary of Gathering information - could be adapted and shared with congregational leadership groups
*        Excel budget template - use to add your specific group data to figure individual and congregational costs for the Gathering
*        LCEF StewardAccount options - deposit your money before the Gathering and have access during the Gathering

Remember to check the 2010 National LCMS Youth Gathering website at www.lcmsgathering.com<http://www.lcmsgathering.com/> often for lots of adult leader and family life resources. Right now, information is available regarding the online registration process. Check it out!

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LCMS WOMEN'S MINISTRY SURVEY
Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM) and the Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) are working together to answer two questions: Does our church body need something more in the area of women's ministry? And, if so, can our two organizations work together to help meet that need?

To answer these questions, they have developed a survey for the women in every congregation to take part in. With the Spirit's guidance, and working together, LHM and LWML have the potential to be of great service to congregations in the area of women's ministry, provided the need for such service exists.

Please consider including the following announcement in your Sunday bulletin for one or more weeks to encourage the ladies of your congregation to help as this ministry moves forward:
Lutheran Hour Ministries and Lutheran Women's Missionary League invite all women to complete the "LCMS Women's Survey" at www.lhm.org/research/women<http://www.lhm.org/research/women> today! Your help is greatly appreciated!

All women who are subscribed to the Email Update are also encouraged to take part in this survey.

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GOOD SHEPHERD INSTITUTE CONFERENCE OFFERS BACHFEST AND PREACHING WORKSHOP
Attendees to the Tenth Annual Good Shepherd Institute Conference will get to know Johann Sebastian Bach anew through this year's theme of Bach in Today's Parish: Still the Evangelist, November 1-3 on the campus of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana.

It is the hope of the conference organizers that this Bachfest will be much more than just a listening event, but instead an experience that attendees can take home with them. "We wish this conference to be a practical application of this treasure of music as it relates to a host of topics-from bell choir repertoire to home devotions, from lectionary to children's choir with flute, etc.," offers Kantor Richard C. Resch, co-director of the Good Shepherd Institute.

Notable presenters at the conference will include:
*        Rev. Robert Bergt, Artist-In-Residence and Bach Scholar, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis;
*        Dr. Robin Leaver, Visiting Professor, Juilliard School of Music, New York;
*        Dr. David Mulbury, Professor Emeritus, University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music;
*        Dr. Uwe Siemon-Netto, Director of the Center for Lutheran Theology and Public Life, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis; and
*        Dr. Daniel Zager, Associate Dean and Head of the Sibley Music Library and Associate Professor of Music, Eastman School of Music, Rochester, NY.

Presenters from CTS include Dr. Paul Grime, Kantor Kevin Hildebrand, Dr. Arthur Just Jr., and Kantor Resch.

There will also be an Advent Preaching Workshop entitled Proclaiming the Coming! The Rev. Jeffrey H. Pulse, Associate Professor, Exegetical Theology, CTS, will be the presenter for the workshop that will run November 3-4.

For additional information concerning the conference and preaching workshop or to register online, go to www.goodshepherdinstitute.org<http://www.goodshepherdinstitute.org/> or call 260-452-2224

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BENEFIT DINNER FOR JEREMY GIERKE
Jeremy Gierke, son of Rev. Tim and Barb Gierke of Good Shepherd, Fremont, is a young man who has dealt with a serious medical condition for the past several years. The Good Shepherd congregation in Fremont is organizing and hosting a benefit dinner to raise funds to help offset some of his medical costs.  All are welcome to join them for dinner, fellowship, and fun!

The benefit will be October 18 from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Community Life Center (Corner of Lincoln & Military Avenues) in Fremont.

The suggested donation is $7.00 for adults and $3.50 for children. The menu will be pork loin dinner with mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, and a dinner roll. Funds will be supplemented by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, with entertainment provided by Lonny Lynn & Orchestra. There will also be a silent auction and raffles!

Donations can be made with checks payable to:
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
ATTN: Jeremy's Benefit
1440 E. Military Ave.
Fremont, NE 68025

For more information, please call the church office at 402-721-8412.

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LUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICES OF NEBRASKA OFFERS "AT EASE" PROGRAM
Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska (LFS) has developed a new program to offer quality behavioral health services to focus on the needs of individuals who serve our country in the armed forces. At Ease is a trauma treatment and therapeutic support program that serves active military, veterans, and their loved ones affected by untreated trauma reactions and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The program places special emphasis on helping military personnel and their loved ones cope with the effects of deployment and the uncertainty of war.

Estimates show up to 35% of armed forces deployed in Iraq will suffer from PTSD.* In addition, their families are suffering in equal amounts, with a 20% increase in the number of children of active duty troops seeking mental health treatment each year.**

The At Ease program provides confidential, individualized counseling and treatment using a combination of individual and group approaches, including educational opportunities, families/couples, and peer-to-peer mutual support groups. The program supports and encourages additional partnerships with community providers. When appropriate, staff will coordinate services with other community agencies and refer clients to area resources.

Services are coordinated out of the Lutheran Family Services' Bellevue office, but veterans and their loved ones may also be served at LFS locations in Blair, Fremont, Plattsmouth, Papillion, and four Omaha-area locations. Additionally, Telehealth sessions can be used to accommodate veterans and/or their loved ones living in greater Nebraska. All active military, veterans, and their loved ones will be accepted into the At Ease program regardless of ability to pay. LFS behavioral health services are made available through insurance payments, sliding scale fees and contributions.

Please click on the following link (http://tinyurl.com/o5wvf4<http://a.tres.mylogomail.com/sendlink.asp?HitID=0&StID=42544&SID=1&NID=571772&EmID=38310939&Link=aHR0cDovL3Rpbnl1cmwuY29tL281d3ZmNA%3D%3D>) to download a brochure that describes the At Ease program in more detail. For more information, to receive multiple brochure copies, or to make referrals, call the At Ease program at the LFS Bellevue location 402-292-9105 or email AtEase at lfsneb.org<mailto:AtEase at lfsneb.org>.

LFS is a recognized service organization of the LCMS and its services are supported in part by the Nebraska District LCMS.

* Source: Wein, Lawrence, "Counting the Walking Wounded," New York Times, Jan. 25, 2009
** Source: Hefling, Kimberly. "Military Sees Big Increase in Troops' Children Seeking Mental Health Care," Associated Press, July 7, 2009

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CHOIR ROBES AVAILABLE
Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lincoln (English District) has 33 adult choir robes available to an interested congregation for the cost of shipping. The robes are dark blue with black trim and a white cross on each. They are in good shape, with some needing minor repairs. Congregations interested in the robes or wanting more information should contact Margaret Krieser at 402-489-6479.

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NEW FROM CONCORDIA PUBLISHING HOUSE
Explore Christian Christmas Traditions Around the World
Christmas Around the World<http://bit.ly/1CKxRk>, a new children's Christmas book from Concordia Publishing House (CPH), teaches young readers the Christmas customs of different cultures through song, food, dress, and greetings.

"This beautifully designed and culture-rich children's Christmas book is perfect for discovering and making Christmas traditions as a family," says Ken Liszewski, manager of books for CPH.

"Christmas Around the World shows children that no matter how people celebrate Christmas, the most important thing is what we celebrate . . . the birth of our Savior," says author Brenda Trunkhill. Christmas Around the World travels the globe to visit Latin America, The British Isles, the Middle East, and more. Each country's story includes a craft idea and an invitation to pray.

Trunkhill continues, "My own children were fascinated by the customs of other countries, but more important to me is that they are blown away by the amazing love God has for us by sending His own Son to earth in order to save us from our sins."

Christmas Around the World is available at www.cph.org<http://www.cph.org/> or by calling 1-800-325-3040.

Christmas Picture Book Tells the Story Behind the Popular Christmas Carol, Silent Night
"Legend says that mice chewed through the bellows of the church organ; thus begins the story of Silent Night," says Ken Liszewski, manager of books for Concordia Publishing House. CPH introduces the story of the hymn in the new Christmas children's book, Silent Night<http://bit.ly/GrJer>.

"Silent Night takes a whimsical approach to a Christmas legend without pushing the story toward fantasy," says Peggy Kuethe, senior editor of children's and family books and women's resources at CPH.

"Many children's books tell this story through the mice-the mice become characters," Kuethe continues. "We include the mice here because they're part of the legend, but the focus of this book is on the two men who worked together to share the story of the Savior's birth through a hymn."

The book shares that one Christmas Eve in the early 1800s, the mice in the Church of St. Nicholas in the village of Oberndorf disabled the organ by chewing a hole in the leather bellows. There would be no organ music that night. Father Joseph Mohr had earlier written a Christmas poem and he asked organist and choirmaster Franz Gruber to set the words to music.

"Joseph Mohr writes and sings the simple song Silent Night, accompanied only by guitar, and shows the parallel of a humble Christmas carol to Jesus' humble birth," says Liszewski.

Kuethe shares, "This hymn has become a favorite of generations of people, and rightly so. In the children's book Silent Night, we encourage readers to see that the lyricist and composer were inspired by their faith to write a simple, elegant, and eloquent hymn of praise to our Lord."

Encounter the Love and Person of Jesus with New DVD Bible Study for Women
Women want connection and community with each other. The newest women's Bible study from CPH introduces today's women to their community of sisters in the Gospels. They will be uplifted through 12 stories about the women who spoke with Jesus, who were challenged by Jesus, and who grieved along the road to the tomb and rejoiced on Easter morning.

The Heart of Jesus: Women in the Gospel of Luke<http://www.cph.org/cphstore/product.asp?part%5Fno=203449&promo=WEB&CMID=1115> gives small groups an invitation to savor friendship, find encouragement, and grow in God's Word.

The Small Group DVD Starter Kit contains the DVD and The Heart of Jesus book, participant workbook, and leader's guide. Each piece is also available separately. Invite women to the study with the free downloadable bulletin insert and table tent, available on the product page of the CPH website. Visit the CPH website, www.cph.org<http://www.cph.org/>, or call 1-800-325-3040 to order this Bible study.

Encourage Faith with "Church Music" That Kids Enjoy
Concordia Publishing House (CPH) announces the release of two new CDs featuring hymn music for children, Hymns of Faith<http://www.cph.org/cphstore/product.asp?category=&part%5Fno=790005&find%5Fcategory=&find%5Fdescription=&find%5Fpart%5Fdesc=hymns+of+faith> and Hymns of the Church Year.<http://www.cph.org/cphstore/product.asp?part%5Fno=790006>  Christian music is emphasizing hymns with new collections coming out from a variety of song writers and artists. CPH offers this resource for the very youngest believers in the rich tradition of the Lutheran Church, often called "the singing church."

Conceptualized as songs for CPH's Growing in Christ<http://www.cph.org/cphstore/Category.asp?find%5Fcategory=97096&find%5Fdescription=Growing+in+Christ&find%5Fpart%5Fdesc=>(tm) Sunday school series, the two CDs were created to help kids grow in a relationship with Jesus Christ and the faith of their Baptism. That growth is encouraged when the children learn the timeless songs of the church found in the hymns.

"Children should know that hymns aren't just big people music, it's their music too," said Deaconess Pamela Nielsen, senior editor at CPH. "It is nice to make the church's song their song, too. Not someday, but right now."

Both CDs feature hymns from Lutheran Service Book, sung by children and accompanied by a piano. Hymns of the Church Year help children follow the life of the church and learn a selection of hymns for Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, and Easter.

"Hymns of the Church Year really helps kids appreciate the rich musical heritage of the Lutheran Church," said Mary Rakoski, Senior Marketing Manager of Curriculum at CPH.

Christian eBooks Available from Concordia Publishing House
Concordia Publishing House (CPH) announces the release of eBook titles for desktop computers and mobile devices. A variety of CPH eBooks are available through Amazon's Kindle<http://bit.ly/3DP9QU> and Mobipocket<http://bit.ly/RV1Fr> and will soon be available on the CPH website.

Electronic delivery demonstrates CPH's strategic commitment to use the most up-to-date technology solutions to offer greater value for customers. Tab Bates, Manager of Emerging Products at CPH says, "We want to make it easier than ever for customers to purchase, read, and enjoy CPH titles how and when they want by providing them in convenient digital formats."

CPH's newly formed Emerging Products Department is focused on developing technology and web-based products and services for use in Christian churches, schools, and homes. CPH President and CEO, Dr. Bruce Kintz underscores the company's focus on expanding in this manner, "Throughout its 140-year history, CPH has made a commitment to integrate technology whenever possible to add value to the customer experience. Ongoing customer feedback and engagement helps us meet this goal as we listen to the needs of our customers and provide top-tier resources to support them."

Bates adds, "In order to strengthen our competitive positioning, success will depend heavily on our ability to incorporate customer feedback as our technology solutions evolve."

Other technologies available from CPH include Concordia On Demand, which allows CPH to print the titles customers want when they want them. Ken Liszewski, manager of books for Concordia Publishing House says, "With Concordia On Demand, we can actually maintain a larger book list and bring back out-of-print titles. Customers can visit cph.org/ondemand<http://www.cph.org/ondemand> to learn more, and we are constantly adding new titles."

CPH also has made music products available in digital formats in English<http://bit.ly/3PYHlM> and Spanish<http://bit.ly/2fkN0L> on iTunes, Amazon<http://bit.ly/3THH1>, and other select digital stores.

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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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