Update for June 20 A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE! Greetings in the name of the Lord! o Prayer Requests o Prairie Fire is Coming! o In the News: The Sudanese Children's Choir o World Refugee Day Event in Omaha o Missionary Brent Smith to Lead Services in Grand Island o Project Hope Begins Search for New Executive Director o LCMS Convention Set for July 14-19 in Houston o Lutheran Hour Ministries 2008 Rose Parade Float Now Online o Hurricane Relief Efforts Continue in the Gulf States o Congregation Accepting Applications for Minister of Human Care o Nebraska Lutherans for Confessional Study to Meet o Area Lutheran Marriage Encounter Weekends Planned PRAYER REQUESTS The Family of Bob Onnen - Please continue to remember in prayer the family of Bob Onnen, who was called to his heavenly home last Wednesday, June 13. Bob served as a member of the Nebraska District Board of Directors and was a member at Faith, Hebron. Rev. Claude and Rhoda Houge - We rejoice with missionaries Claude and Rhoda Houge, who are serving LCMS World Mission in Kenya and the region of East Africa, over the birth of a granddaughter. Elsa was born on April 24 to the Houges' son, Nate, and his wife, Jodi. We give thanks to God for this gift of new life. Back to top PRAIRIE FIRE IS COMING! What is ABLAZE!? It began as a vision of LCMS World Mission to involve every member of the LCMS, its partner church bodies, and partner mission agencies in one focused and concentrated effort to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with those who do not yet know Him. How can you be a part of this world-wide evangelism effort? Joining other brothers and sisters in Christ at the 2007 Nebraska District Prairie Fire event is one way to start! This gathering of fellow Nebraska Christians on August 4 at Concordia University in Seward is a wonderful time to be encouraged, inspired, and equipped to share God's love with those in our congregations and communities. The National Director of Outreach for LCMS World Mission, Rev. Scott Snow, will be our guest speaker for the day, sharing encouragement from God's Word at the opening and closing and presenting break-out sessions throughout the day. What do you have to do to attend? Registration packets were mailed to each church office in early June. Contact your pastor or church office staff and ask for these materials, which include a list of break-out sessions being offered and a registration form. Choose three break-out sessions on a variety of topics and send in your registration and $25 payment to the District Office by Friday, July 13. All registration and session information is also available on the District website, along with online registration. Visit www.ndlcms.org for more information. Back to top IN THE NEWS: THE SUDANESE CHILDREN'S CHOIR The children of the Sudanese Children's Choir who were in the van accident on April 29 returned to BryanLGH Medical Center in Lincoln this past Saturday, June 16. This time it was to thank the doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals who did so much to help them that Sunday afternoon in April. The children sang a number of songs for the hospital staff as a way to show their gratitude. The full story can be read in both the Omaha and Lincoln papers by following these links: Omaha World Herald - http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10052873 (only available until June 24) Lincoln Journal Star - http://journalstar.com/articles/2007/06/16/news/local/doc467460f1a85ec368644622.txt Back to top WORLD REFUGEE DAY EVENT IN OMAHA The Refugee Task Force of Omaha presents A New Home: A New Life, a World Refugee Day event, on Saturday, June 23, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Milo Bail Student Center on the University of Nebraska - Omaha campus. There is no charge for admission, but a "good will offering" is encouraged. Participants will have the opportunity to taste African and Karen foods, buy refugee-made crafts, learn about Omaha organizations involved with refugees, and honor "Friend of Refugee" award winners. For more information on this day-long event, contact Jeff Vandenberg, Refugee Task Force Chair, at 402-346-6100. The schedule for the day follows: Indoor Events 10 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.: Doors open; access to the display booths and vendors 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.: Food and drink available Noon - 1:00 p.m.: Refugee panel discussion Outdoor Events 10 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.: Children's activities area - face painting, henna, bouncy castle, volleyball net, etc. 11 - 11:30 a.m.: International Daycare children perform Noon - 4:00 p.m.: Music and drinks available 1:30 - 2:00 p.m.: Refugee fashion show 2:00 - 2:30 p.m.: Awards ceremony 2:30 - 3:00 p.m.: Traditional Karen Bamboo Dance Back to top MISSIONARY BRENT SMITH TO LEAD SERVICES IN GRAND ISLAND Pastor Brent Smith and his family are home on furlough from the mission field of Eurasia, where Pastor Smith is the Regional Director for LCMS World Mission. Pastor Smith will be preaching and leading the Bible study at Peace, Grand Island, this coming Sunday, June 24. Worship services will be at 8:00 and 10:45 a.m. and Bible study is at 9:25 a.m. Contact the church office at Peace for more information at 308-384-5673. The church is located at 1710 N. North Road. Back to top PROJECT HOPE BEGINS SEARCH FOR NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR The Board of Project Hope has received the resignation of Mary Ann Johnson as Executive Director as of August 1. Nine years ago, Mary Ann accepted the call to serve as Director to Project Hope. We thank her for her devoted work for the mission of Project Hope. Please share with members of your congregation that the position of Executive Director for Project Hope is open and they are currently accepting resumes. The position entails a twenty hour work week administering the services and total program of the mission of Project Hope. Supervision of all volunteers, salaried employees, and fund-raising efforts are also some of the responsibilities. The Board will consider having an interim director who could also be a candidate for the Director's position. Deadline for receiving resumes is July 16, 2007. Interested applicants should mail them to Project Hope, PO Box 11-1312, Omaha NE 68111. The mission of Project Hope is to provide a living witness for God's love in North Omaha through the development and ministries of direct service to people experiencing emergency hunger or clothing needs. More information on this ministry may be found on their website at http://www.lutheransonline.com/servlet/lo_ProcServ/dbpage=page&GID=00032000001083861995837164&PG=00032000001083861995928378. Back to top LCMS CONVENTION SET FOR JULY 14-19 IN HOUSTON Meeting under the theme "One Message-Christ! His Love Is Here for You!," the 63rd Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) will take place July 14-19 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. The triennial convention serves as the principal legislative assembly for the church body and includes opportunities for worship, inspiration, and fellowship. Attendance is expected to reach 7,500. Business will include the election of officers, boards, and commissions and the consideration of resolutions, 97 of which already have been drafted. Significant issues coming before the convention include: o Election of the president, five vice presidents, secretary, and treasurer. o Declaration of altar and pulpit fellowship with another U.S.-based denomination-The American Association of Lutheran Churches. o Training and ordaining "specific ministry pastors." o Service of women in the church. o Increased funding for the work of the Synod and district offices. o Participation in civic events. A number of uplifting and inspirational special events also are planned, including an evangelistic outreach to the Houston community July 14 and street-witnessing opportunities during convention lunch breaks. More than 120 exhibitors will showcase products and services to assist professional church workers in their ministries and lay members in their faith. The exhibit hall will feature more than 120 vendors, including "Mission Festival Park," a new interactive attraction showcasing the work of LCMS World Mission, LCMS World Relief and Human Care, Lutheran Hour Ministries, and Lutheran Women in Mission (LWML). Activities in "Mission Festival Park" will include a concert July 15 by the nationally recognized Erin Bode Group, which is working with LCMS World Relief and Human Care to raise money to provide scholarships for students in South Africa; daily presentations about mission work around the world; and opportunities to meet and visit with LCMS missionaries and military chaplains. Another feature will be a "Health Park" staffed by parish nurses offering health and wellness counseling and tips for maintaining healthy lifestyles. Convention attendees include 1,250 voting delegates, 400 advisory delegates, pastors, teachers, other professional church workers, lay members representing the 2.5 million members of Synod congregations, missionaries, and representatives of overseas partner churches. All are instrumental in leading their congregations, schools, districts, and ministries in thousands of locations around the world. Convention proceedings, including special events and the exhibit hall, are open to the public. Also, convention business sessions will be streamed live via the Internet at www.lcms.org/convention. Back to top LUTHERAN HOUR MINISTRIES 2008 ROSE PARADE FLOAT NOW ONLINE The 2008 Lutheran Hour Ministries Rose Parade Theme is: "Joy to the World The Lord has Come." An artist's rendering of the 2008 float is now available to be viewed at http://www.petalpushers.org/2008/float/. Lutheran Hour Ministries has been proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Pasadena Rose Parade for the past 58 years. A group of volunteers known as the Petal Pushers help assemble the LHM float, as well as other parade floats. More information on the Petal Pushers and how to volunteer to help is also available on the website listed above. Back to top HURRICANE RELIEF EFFORTS CONTINUE IN THE GULF STATES Lutheran Disaster Response and LCMS World Relief and Human Care continue their relief efforts in the Gulf States in response to the hurricanes of 2005. Following is how these ministries are working to assist those affected by these storms, and how you can be involved in this mission effort. Lutheran Disaster Response Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) is committed to the long-term recovery of the U.S. Gulf Coast in the years to come, and a key transition in LDR's operation toward volunteer hospitality will help ensure that commitment, according to Heather L. Feltman, executive director of LDR -- a collaborative ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. To respond to the damage caused by the 15 hurricanes of 2005, LDR, in partnership with its local affiliates and congregations, established several temporary volunteer camps along the Gulf Coast. As communities along the coast continue to rebuild, many areas have recovered enough to assume the role of providing hospitality to incoming volunteer teams, said Feltman. "As an avenue of further empowering and equipping these local communities, LDR will pass on the role of providing hospitality for volunteers to congregations, organizations, and businesses," she said. "Several of the existing camps may remain open through partnerships among congregations and local recovery organizations, housing and feeding volunteer crews for a nominal fee," Feltman reported. "Information about these sites will be provided to prospective volunteers, so that they can be connected to and support local congregations during their time on the coast. Volunteers are also welcome to stay in motels or campgrounds," she said. "Most importantly, please understand that this transition does not mark the end of our response to the 2005 hurricanes. In accordance with our mission to provide long-term holistic support for disaster survivors, we will continue to coordinate volunteer assistance in the rebuilding of the devastated region. This transition will allow volunteers to support rebuilding communities and will help further the impact of donated monies and extend the crucial work of Lutheran Disaster Response along the Gulf Coast for years to come," said Feltman. LCMS World Relief and Human Care As the recovery continues along the Gulf Coast and as we move into the rebuilding phase, the need for donations and volunteers continues to be strong. However, some adjustment in the types of donations and types of volunteers has been needed. LCMS World Relief & Human Care continues to provide support to Camp Restore in east New Orleans and Camp Biloxi in Biloxi, Mississippi. These camps serve somewhat different but equally needy clientele. Camp Restore, under the direction of the Southern District, serves LCMS professional church workers, churches, schools, and members, as well as people from the community. They have been focused on clean up and rebuilding for the past several months. Camp Biloxi will house volunteers and coordinate efforts with Habitat For Humanity to rebuild over 500 homes in one specific area near Biloxi. Therefore, both camps will be open and operating and need volunteers and donations for the foreseeable future. In addition, Lutheran Social Services of the South will continue to operate the camp at the former Bethlehem Children's Home in east New Orleans on a limited basis as well. LCMS World Mission will serve to provide donations and volunteer streams to these camps. They also continue to provide support to the professional church workers of the district and offer counsel and advice on a regular basis. LCMS World Relief & Human Care is also sponsoring a retreat for pastors in early August, as well as offering to provide spiritual care seminars, in process reviews, counsel and assistance to professional church workers, and congregational recovery and outreach programs as needed and requested. Those who wish to aid in the ministry to the affected region are encouraged to contact one of the following: 1) Camp Restore at http://www.camprestore.org/ or 888-248-2636. 2) Camp Biloxi at campbiloxi@cableone.net or 228-297-2534. 3) The Southern District Disaster Recovery Office at http://relief.inspirlink.com/ or 225-752-5590. Please remember to keep these relief efforts in your prayers, as the need for willing volunteers and ministry dollars will continue for years to come. Visit www.ldr.org or http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=8651 for information on how to be involved or donate to help. Back to top CONGREGATION ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR MINISTER OF HUMAN CARE Applications for the position of Minister of Human Care at St. John Lutheran Church, Seward, are being accepted until July 15, 2007. The Minister of Human Care, which is a contract position, initiates, organizes, supervises, and carries out ministry which serves the well-being of St. John members and members of the community. Applicants should hold a bachelor's degree in a human services field. The complete job description and qualifications are available in the church office. Please submit your resume to St. John church office, 919 North Columbia, Seward, NE, 68434. Please call Sharon in the church office with any questions, 402-643-2983. Back to top NEBRASKA LUTHERANS FOR CONFESSIONAL STUDY TO MEET The June gathering of the Nebraska Lutherans for Confessional Study (NLCS) is Thursday, June 28, at Concordia University in Seward. Refreshments will be served at 10 a.m. in TLEC 113. At 10:30, Rev. Dan Feusse from Concordia Lutheran Church in Clearwater will present a paper entitled, "Who Shepherds the Shepherds?" Following lunch, Rev. Robert Wentzel from Trinity Lutheran Church in Walton will lead the afternoon topic on "A Lutheran Response to Pietism," which will cover chapter 2 in "The Complete Timotheus Verinus" by Valentin Ernst Loescher, which is available for purchase from Northwestern Publishing House at http://online.nph.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?10418&productID=150594. The meeting will conclude by 2:30 p.m. Everyone is invited, both clergy and laity. Back to top AREA LUTHERAN MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKENDS PLANNED Couples are urged to consider one of the following opportunities to nurture their marriage and appreciate its blessings. Learn simple, effective communication techniques and practice privately; no group sharing! Presenting couples will share and show you how they learned to bring more joy and understanding to their marriages. Plan ahead and mark your calendar now! +----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |Place |Date |Reservation Couple | |------------------------------------------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------| |Omaha, NE |October 26-28, 2007 |Dayle & Terri Mautz | | | | | | | |(402-540-8508) | | | |3440 Wildbriar Lane | | | | | | | |Lincoln, NE | | | |68516 | | | |dtmautz@neb.rr.com | |------------------------------------------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------| |Sioux Falls, SD |Nov 2-4, |Vern & Karen Harrington | | |2007 | | | | |(712-533-6221) | | |and | | | | |26705 170th St. | | |Mar 7-9, 2008 | | | | |LeMars, IA | | | |51031 | | | | giblem@frontiernet.net | |------------------------------------------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------| |Grand Island, NE |Feb.29-Mar 2, 2008 |Arnold & Yvonne Nilsen | | | | | | | |(308-452-3002) | | | | RR 1 | | | |Box 20 | | | | | | | |Hazard, NE 68844 | | | | | | | |aynilsen@nctc.net | +----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ For more information, contact one of the couples listed above or one of the following: o 1-800-235-1010 o Bruce and Ila Zellmer at 712-255-9262 o Milton & Donna Kaufman at 605-938-4236 or 605-651-3231 Back to top Summer blessings, Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications and Events 1-888-643-2961 nicholeh@ndlcms.org 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.