Update for May 23 A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE! Greetings in the name of our Heavenly Father. o Early July Reporter Deadline o "Christian Law Enforcement Chaplaincy-Theology and Practice" Workshop o Chancel Furniture Available o Create a College Connection Now o Immanuel, Schuyler, to Host Mission Festival o Let's Celebrate the Lord's Blessings! o The Mission Belles from Divine Shepherd, Omaha o New From Concordia Publishing House EARLY JULY REPORTER DEADLINE The deadline for submitting news to be considered for the July Nebraska Lutheran Reporter is next Wednesday, May 30. Information may be emailed to Reporter@ndlcms.org or mailed to the District Office at PO Box 407, Seward, NE 68434, in time to be in the office on or before the deadline. The Nebraska Lutheran Reporter shares information about events taking place, workshops and conferences being offered, and ministry items that affect and include members of the District. Over 40,000 copies of the Reporter are sent to District congregations each month. Back to top "CHRISTIAN LAW ENFORCEMENT CHAPLAINCY-THEOLOGY AND PRACTICE" WORKSHOP Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, together with Peace Officer Ministries, will host "Christian Law Enforcement Chaplaincy-Theology and Practice," July 9-13, on the Seminary campus. This workshop will offer unique accredited training for chaplains, peace officers, and pastors, focusing on effective Christian ministry to and through law enforcement. The workshop will explore issues such as adopting a sound biblical theology; understanding law enforcement as vocation (God's calling); distinguishing and properly applying Law and Gospel and God's Two Kingdoms within a law enforcement context; addressing practical, legal, historical, cultural and missiological considerations; employing Christian stress management and officer spiritual survival strategies; and identifying characteristics of a competent Christian chaplain. An added feature will be a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sponsored class, "FEMA AWR160 Weapons of Mass Destruction Awareness Level Training for First Responders," intended to inform participants about critical incidents and to assist in pre-qualifying for critical incident response. The main presenter will be Rev. Steve Lee, executive director of Peace Officer Ministries, Inc. (POM), a national Christian non-profit 501c3 law enforcement chaplaincy he founded in 1996. POM produces materials for officers and chaplains, including a special law enforcement edition Bible and a book by Lee titled "Backup on the Beat." Lee has served as a pastor of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod since 1992. An additional presenter will be Mike Dahmer, BSEE, P.E., a former law enforcement officer and current licensed professional engineer with expertise in national security, counter-terrorism and homeland security. Concordia Seminary faculty presenters will be Dr. Jeffrey Oschwald, associate professor of exegetical theology; Dr. Timothy Dost, assistant professor of historical theology; and Dr. Charles Arand, professor and chairman of the department of systematic theology. The cost to attend "Law Enforcement Chaplaincy-Theology and Practice" is $295 and includes four breakfasts, five lunches and two dinners. Housing is not included. A total of 2.7 CEUs is available for full participation. For more information, contact the Office of Continuing Education and Parish Services at 314-505-7123, ce@csl.edu; or visit the Seminary's website at www.csl.edu. Back to top CHANCEL FURNITURE AVAILABLE Faith, Lincoln, moved in to a brand new facility after selling its church and school that was built in 1962. Faith removed the chancel cross (16' tall with 7' cross arms) that hung from the back chancel wall. Also removed was the 51"tall X 48" wide X 41" deep pulpit, a portable pulpit of similar size, and two chancel flower stands. The chancel furniture is beautiful custom-crafted wood furniture in like new condition. Faith is willing to give them away to a church that can use them. Any interested ministries will be responsible for picking up the furniture. Back to top CREATE A COLLEGE CONNECTION NOW Church office staff: please consider including the following information in your newsletter or bulletins throughout the summer. College students: get connected before you get to college! Are you looking for Christian fellowship, seeking spiritual growth, or looking for fun? Let us help you get connected before college starts! Please send your summer contact info to: missions@ndlcms.org or visit the Nebraska District website, www.ndlcms.org, to share your contact information and the school you will be attending this fall. Back to top IMMANUEL, SCHUYLER, TO HOST MISSION FESTIVAL Immanuel, rural Schuyler (949 Road 7) will be holding their annual Mission Fest on Sunday, June 10, 2007. Worship will be at 10:30 a.m., followed by a chicken dinner at 11:30 a.m., and a mission presentation at noon. The guest speaker will be church planter Jerry Steger from Peace, Columbus, who will speak of the Synod's church planting mission, particularly in Columbus. Back to top LET'S CELEBRATE THE LORD'S BLESSINGS! Assistant Professor of Education Judith J. Ruskamp was named Peru State College 2007 Teacher Excellence Award Winner. She was honored at PSC's graduation ceremony on May 5. In addition, Professor Ruskamp also served as the address speaker to the more than 500 graduates of PSC, their parents and guests. The Teacher Excellence Award is given annually to one outstanding full time faculty member at each of the three state colleges: Peru, Wayne, and Chadron. Recipients of the campus award from each of the colleges are finalists for Nebraska State College Systems' Teacher of the Year Award. Judy graduated from St. Paul's Lutheran School at Arlington, Nebraska, Arlington High School, and received her Bachelors degree in English from the University of South Dakota, her Masters in Education from Peru State College and is pursing a doctorate in education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Judy, husband Jerry, and daughters Laura and Christine live near Auburn where they are members of Trinity Lutheran Church. She has served on the Evangelism Committee for the past 3 years currently completing a year as chair person; has taught the Trinity High School Youth Sunday School class for a number of years and sings in the church choir. Congratulations, Judy! The Lord is using His people to touch lives throughout the Nebraska District and into the world. If you have a "Good News" story to share, send it to communications@ndlcms.org. Back to top THE MISSION BELLES FROM DIVINE SHEPHERD, OMAHA The following account, submitted by Director Betty Buller, shares the story behind the Divine Shepherd, Omaha, "Mission Belles," and the witness they give to their congregation and community. It was early in the summer of 2005 and I had just finished with my morning devotions and prayer time. I had asked the Lord to give me guidance as I searched for additional ways to serve Him. We know the old saying, "Be careful what you pray for." The Lord answered this prayer request very quickly. The very next day Eleanor Hingst called me with an idea. We had never met, but Eleanor had asked the church secretary whom to call and the rest is history. Both of us are members of Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church in Omaha. Eleanor thought it would be a good idea to start a women's choir that could entertain people in retirement and nursing homes and would I be interested in directing a group like this? We began to talk to people about this choir, it was mentioned in the church bulletin, and by August rehearsals began. It was decided that we would rehearse weekly and present a program once a month. We also might sing for worship services occasionally but our main mission would be entertaining people who don't get out much any more. We would sing some old-time favorites, secular songs, and spiritual songs. Since our mission was decided and we are ladies, we chose "Mission Belles" as the name for our choir. Charles Cohen, the music director at Divine Shepherd and our awesome accompanist, is the only man who travels with the ladies. We have such a good time rehearsing and getting acquainted with one another. At the present time we are learning two new songs to add to our repertoire - "The Sunny Side of the Street" and John Rutter's "The Lord Bless You and Keep You." The first program was presented at the Montclair Nursing Home on November 3, 2005. Since that time, the choir has sung in approximately 20 nursing/retirement homes including The Good Samaritan Home, The Thomas Fitzgerald Veterans Home, The Lutheran Home, Immanuel Fontenelle, and others. It is awesome to see faces light up when they hear "You Are My Sunshine" or "Amazing Grace," and the audience is encouraged to sing along. One of the activities directors even had a few people dancing. Tears flow from the eyes of singers and listeners alike on occasion. Music does speak to the soul! Programs always include a few hymns and spirituals and people are reminded that Jesus loves them. Most programs last about thirty minutes and then the ladies spend time meeting and visiting with the residents. The "Belles" have also offered special music at several worship services at Divine Shepherd, sung for a women's retreat at the church, an Assistance League Christmas brunch, and there are new opportunities coming up all the time. At the close of each program we leave the people with a musical benediction. Now may the God of peace be with you all. Give to you every good that you may do His will. To Christ Be glory forever. Amen Back to top NEW FROM CONCORDIA PUBLISHING HOUSE Concordia Publishing House, the publishing arm of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, has a number of new items available for all ages. Visit the CPH website at www.cph.org for more information or to order these new items. Scribble, Dribble, & Glue actively involves children ages 6 to 11 in 40 creative projects that reinforce Bible stories and faith concepts. The simple instructions, easy-to-find materials, and lesson applications help teachers prepare. Item #12-4293YBG - $9.99 Bible Craft Potpourri: 50 Clever Bible Craft Projects brings a potpourri of creative art projects that reinforce Bible stories and concepts. This teacher resource combines bible lessons with craft projects to help teach fundamental art skills. Children ages 8 to 11 are given a creative outlet for expression of their faith. Item #12-4294YBG - $9.99 New Martin Luther School Resources - Martin Luther resources invite youth children to learn about this man of the church. Resources include: Martin Luther flannelgraph (22-3049DNR - $39.99), The Story of Martin Luther activity book (22-3048DNR - $6.99), and a Luther's Rose mobile in 4 and 18 inch sizes (24-1297DNR - $3.99 and 24-1296DNR - $12.99 respectively). You Ask About...Relationships - As teens mature, they have a lot of questions about the world around them. You Ask About...Relationships gets to the heart of it all by answering questions about relationships with parents and authorities, siblings, friends, boyfriends and girlfriends, co-workers, teammates, enemies, and annoying people. Item #12-4275YBG - $9.99 Eight Models of Ethnic Ministry - This collection of eight essays looks at the current state of LCMS mission to Jewish, American Indian, African American, Hispanic, Muslim, Chinese, African immigrant, and Haitian communities in the United States and beyond. Written by those actively involved in outreach to these groups, the essays provide real-world data and perspectives and encourage Christians to identify people groups in their immediate area that may be reached with the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ. Item #15-5099LPR - $19.99 Lutherans Against Hitler: The Untold Story - While much has been written about the Christian churches in Hitler's Germany, no books have focused on the viewpoint of Confessional Lutheran churches, their leaders, and theologians...until now. In Lutherans Against Hitler: The Untold Story, important new historical sources shed a different light upon the teachings and actions of Lutherans under Adolf Hitler. Item #53-1137YBG - $42.99 Luther and World Mission provides a new interpretation of Luther and mission and serves to "rehabilitate" the reformer in modern missiological studies. Author Ingemar O:berg argues that Luther fully embraced the missionary task to the world. Because Luther was foremost a teacher and pastor, his writings interact with Scripture and address current, local situations. Yet in Luther's Bible exposition, pamphlets, and treatises, a clear and passionate commitment to the Gospel and world mission emerges. Item #15-5051LAR - $49.99 Worshiping with Angels and Archangels: An Introduction to the Divine Service leads worshipers through Divine Service I helping them understand its significance. Surrounding the words of the Liturgy are clearly written explanations, Scripture passages, definitions, and striking artwork. Item #22-309DNR - $6.99 The Biblioteca teologica Concordia (Concordia Theological Library) series from Editorial Concordia is unique. Written in Spanish by leading Spanish theologians, the series offers theological studies that can only be found here. Titles in this series include: o Cristologia: Cristo Jesus, centro y praxis del pueblo de Dios (Christology: Jesus Christ, Center and Praxis of God's People) by Alberto Garcia. Item #16-6191HNR - $13.99 (new) o Hermeneutica: Principios de interpretacion Biblica (Hermeneutics: Principles of Bible Interpretation) by Rodolfo H. Blank. Item #16-6193HNR - $11.99 (new) o Pneumtologia: El Espiritu Santo y la espiritualidad de la iglesia (Pneumatology: The Holy Spirit and the Spirituality of the Church) by Leopoldo Sanchez. Item #16-6184HNR - $14.99 o La adoracion Biblica: Enfoques hacia la adoracion hispana (Biblical Worship: A Look at Hispanic Worship) by Douglas R. Groll. Item #16-6185HNR - $10.99 Back to top Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications and Events 1-888-643-2961 nicholeh@ndlcms.org www.ndlcms.org