Update for November 26 A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE! "You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you." (Psalm 118:28) What a blessing it is to have time set aside this week to focus our hearts on praising the Lord and thanking Him for all of the good gifts He showers on us. May you have a blessed and enjoyable Thanksgiving celebration. § [1]Prayer Requests § [2]District Office Holiday Hours § [3]District Office Staff Changes § [4]Good News from Fan into Flame § [5]Rev. Dr. Robert Roegner Returns to "Hands-On Ministry" § [6]Copy Machine and Riso Machine Available § [7]Kids Against Hunger Packaging Project in Omaha § [8]Summer Short-Term Mission Opportunity § [9]The 72 is Looking for Volunteers § [10]Lutheran Marriage Encounter Weekend § [11]Lutheran Hour Ministries Mission Trip Opportunities § [12]New from Concordia Publishing House PRAYER REQUESTS Containers in Sudan - Please continue to pray for the three Orphan Grain Train containers that have been unloaded in Port Sudan, Sudan. Rev. John Deang is continuing to work with the Sudanese government to facilitate transportation of these containers to Malakal in southeastern Sudan. We ask the Lord to remove any remaining roadblocks and allow safe passage of these containers through Sudan. Pastor Keith Kiihne - Please lift up in prayer Pastor Keith Kiihne, emeritus pastor, who is very ill and hospitalized at Methodist Hospital in Omaha. Please pray for him and his wife Dorothy at this time of spiritual, physical, and emotional need. [13]Back to top DISTRICT OFFICE HOLIDAY HOURS The District Office will be closed this Thursday and Friday, November 27 and 28, in observance of Thanksgiving. The office will reopen Monday morning, December 1, at 8:00 a.m. with staff devotions. Information is available anytime on the District website at [14]www.ndlcms.org. [15]Back to top DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF CHANGES Kathy Melton, who served the Nebraska District as assistant to Don Weber in Education and Youth and assistant to Dr. Marv Bergman in Lay Leadership, has left her position at the District Office for a position in Omaha. Questions or information for the education or youth ministries may be sent to [16]education@ndlcms.org. Questions for Rev. Dr. Bergman may be sent directly to him at [17]Marv.Bergman@cune.edu. The District Office staff gives thanks to God for the blessing Kathy was in our office and to the education, youth, and lay leadership ministries in Nebraska, and we pray God's blessings on her. [18]Back to top GOOD NEWS FROM FAN INTO FLAME God continues to move the hearts of His people in Nebraska to be about His mission work. Just this week, the Nebraska District received Fan into Flame pledge agreements and reports from two more congregations: Trinity, Arapahoe and St. Matthew, Cedar Bluffs. Trinity made a pledge of new money from their budget over and above their current ministry giving. The congregation of St. Matthew voted on a goal of $10,000, and through the Lord's blessings they sent in gifts and pledges totaling more than $17,000. All of these funds will be used to tell lost souls about the saving work of Jesus Christ in their communities, across Nebraska, and around the world. We praise God for the generous hearts of the people He moved to action in these congregations. Peace, Grand Island, a Fan into Flame pilot congregation in Nebraska, is featured in the November/December 2008 Fan into Flame Update News newsletter. Peace used the Acts 1:8 framework to outline a four-week focus in their worship services and Bible study time. Read more about how the Lord blessed the efforts of Peace in the newsletter found on the LCMS website at [19]http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=11976. We know there are other congregations talking about participating in Fan into Flame, and maybe have already made participation decisions, but we haven't heard from them. Is your congregation one of them? If so, please complete a Congregational Pledge Agreement and return it to the District Office as soon as possible. Visit the Fan into Flame webpage on the Nebraska District website, [20]www.ndlcms.org, for more information and to download a Congregational Pledge Agreement. Agreements were also mailed to each church office this month. Contact Andrea Essling at [21]Andrea.Essling@lcms.org or 888-643-2961 with questions. [22]Back to top REV. DR. ROBERT ROEGNER RETURNS TO "HANDS-ON MINISTRY" (from Reporter Online, [23]www.lcms.org/reporter) Dr. Robert Roegner announced his resignation as executive director of the Synod's Board for Mission Services, effective Nov. 16, citing his desire to return to "a more hands-on ministry." On November 19 the board appointed Dr. Thomas R. Zehnder of Baileys Harbor, Wis., as interim executive director. Zehnder, 72, is a former missionary to Japan and served as president of the Synod's Florida-Georgia District from 1987 to 1997. Roegner, 55, had served in the post since November 2001. He was instrumental in the development and implementation of the church body's Ablaze! movement to share the Gospel with 100 million "unreached and uncommitted people" by 2017, the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. In a Nov. 10 statement to the missions board and staff, Roegner said he has spent the past seven years using his passion for mission and reaching the lost for Christ "and being a part of the planning for the Ablaze! movement, helping to create a vision within The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod and our partners here in the United States and worldwide, writing resolutions for conventions, putting together a structure within LCMS World Mission to lead this movement, giving leadership to a strategic plan that helps to accomplish successful completion of its goals," and other duties. "The time has come for me now to stop talking, writing, planning, and giving leadership here at LCMS World Mission and to start doing," he said in the statement. "The desire for me to return back to a more hands-on ministry has never been greater than in the past six-plus months. It comes with a lot of prayer, discussion with my family and a few close friends, and a deep desire to be more engaged with the people of God in the LCMS." [24]Back to top COPY MACHINE AND RISO MACHINE AVAILABLE Messiah Lutheran Church and School in Lincoln would like to donate a black and white Savin 2535p copier and a Riso machine to a church or school who could benefit from this type of either of these machines. The Savin copier has been regularly maintained. They are both in good working order. Included with the Riso would be a blue drum, burgundy drum, and a moderate supply of masters and ink cartridges. Please contact Micah Miller for more details or if you are interested in either one of these machines at 402-489-3024 or [25]mmiller@messiahlincoln.org [26]Back to top KIDS AGAINST HUNGER PACKAGING PROJECT IN OMAHA A Kids Against Hunger packaging was held Saturday, November 22, at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in conjunction with the Nebraska District LCMS Youth Gathering. A community packaging session on Saturday morning had 38 participants package 4,312 meals, and the youth gathering had 148 participants package 12,936 meals, for a total of 186 volunteers packaging 17,248 meals. Funding of $5,000 in supplies for this project came from Thrivent, with $3,000 from the Northwest Douglas-Sarpy County Chapter. * 14,256 of these meals will be used by Orphan Grain Train in a shipment to Swaziland. (36 pallets, 256,620 meals) * Nearly 3,000 meals are being distributed to Lutheran food pantries in the Omaha area. Contact has already been made with First Lutheran, Iglesia Luterana Cristo Re, Project Hope, and Kountze Memorial. Over twenty food pantry clients lined up outside Kountze Memorial on Monday morning were handed the individual packets, with several people asking for multiple packages for their hungry ones at home. It was a very moving and uplifting experience to visit with them face to face. For more information on Kids Against Hunger, or Thrivent's support of this ministry, contact [27]dennis.engelbart@thrivent.com or [28]info@kidsagainsthungernorfolk.org, or visit [29]www.kidsagainsthungernorfolk.org. [30]Back to top SUMMER SHORT-TERM MISSION OPPORTUNITY There is a small group in Grand Island wanting to determine the interest in a short-term mission project in Slovakia. This will be an opportunity to teach English to high school students during summer school. The destination may be in Slovakia or Poland. Of particular interest is the possibility of meeting up with a young gentleman who was a foreign exchange student at Heartland Lutheran High School in Grand Island this past school year. The missionary leading this effort in central Europe is a graduate of Concordia in Seward. Please contact Alice Bartlett in Grand Island ([31]ABart@kdsi.net) or Jennifer Mustard at the LCMS World Mission office, ([32]Jennifer.Mustard@lcms.org). [33]Back to top THE 72 IS LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS Are you retired? Have you been wondering...what should I do with these amazing gifts of extended life and good health God has given me? Or How can I continue making a significant difference in the lives of others? If you answered yes to either of these questions, The 72(TM)--Partners on the Road ministry invites you to consider serving congregations of the LCMS as a team member of The 72. Members of The 72 serve our Lord and His Church by partnering with LCMS congregations to equip their members for effective outreach ministry through various stages of development. Loren and Marge Rehmer of Prior Lake, Minn., shared how they feel about their impact as they have partnered with congregations since 1996. Loren said, "It is really rewarding to come to a parish that has little or no outreach program, meet wonderful Christians, and help them develop a plan of action to reach the lost in their community...Working with various boards and committees brings fulfillment to us as they (the members) start to develop a plan of action." The 72 is an innovative ministry that develops partnerships to expand and enhance their partners' ministry as well as mobilize its own teams to their full capacity. One of the newest partnerships is with Ablaze! Covenant Congregations (A!CC). The 72 will begin partnering with A!CC in 2009 to assist them as they plant new and healthy churches in their surrounding areas. To read stories about those touched by this outreach ministry, visit [34]www.lcmsworldmission.org/The72. If you are interested in learning more about The 72 or requesting an application, please contact The 72 office by sending an e-mail to [35]The72@lcms.org or by calling 800-433-3954, Ext. 1286. They are waiting to hear from you today. Applications for the next training session, which will begin in February 2009, are being accepted now. The training begins with some pre-study work done at home and concludes by meeting with all other new team members at Saint Paul Institute For Education in Concordia, Mo., April 27-May 1, 2009. [36]Back to top LUTHERAN MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND Another Lutheran Marriage Encounter weekend will be offered at the Good Samaritan Retreat Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the weekend of March 6-8, 2009. Last year over 30 couples attended, so register early. What is Marriage Encounter? In a nutshell, it is a weekend for married couples away from the responsibilities and daily pressures of life. It is an opportunity to focus on each other. It is an opportunity to help improve our communication in a relaxed and private setting. It is for couples with "good" marriages who want to enrich what they already have. There are NO "group discussions." It is a series of presentations that touch on many aspects of marriage given by three lay couples and a clergy couple. After each presentation, the couple has time in the privacy of their own room for personal sharing using the communication techniques learned on the weekend. The cost is $45 to register (this reserves your room and meals) and a freewill donation at the end of the weekend. If you want to know more or to register, go to [37]www.GodLovesMarriage.org or contact one of these couples: Vernon and Karen Harrington: 712-533-6221 or [38]giblem@frontiernet.net Milton and Donna Kaufman: 605-651-3231 or [39]miltkauf@tnics.com Pastor Bob and Aimee Moeller: 605-526-3572 or [40]seelsorge8@aol.com The weekend is presented by Lutherans, but people of any faith are welcome. Think about this chance as an opportunity to take a new look at your marriage and your partner! Learn simple, effective communication techniques. Enhance the love that you share. Attend a Lutheran Marriage Encounter weekend! Registrations for this weekend are needed by February 23, 2009. [41]Back to top LUTHERAN HOUR MINISTRIES MISSION TRIP OPPORTUNITIES When you participate in a Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM) Global Work & Witness trip, you "leave your hometown as mission trip participants, and you come home as missionaries for life." That's what one trip leader said after her group returned from a weeklong trip to Guatemala. "We realized that sharing the love of God through Jesus' sacrifice for every one of us is one of the most invigorating ventures EVER! We wholeheartedly fell in love with the people God chose for us to touch and to reach with His love." Groups of 10-20 teenagers and/or adults work alongside local LHM ministry center staff on Vacation Bible School activities, building projects, and other outreach events. Besides working and witnessing, each trip allows for some time to sightsee and learn about the culture of that country. LHM oversees all logistical details, manages the project in the host country, and provides high quality DVD-based volunteer training prior to the trip. Because many of the logistical details are taken care of by LHM, there is less legwork for your group. Currently, there are projects available in many countries including Kenya, Thailand, Mexico, and Latvia. Each group is responsible for their own travel and project costs. Visit [42]www.lhm.org/globalmission or contact Jeanne Lawrence at 1-800-752-9636, ext. 4168 or [43]jeanne.lawrence@lhm.org for more information. [44]Back to top NEW FROM CONCORDIA PUBLISHING HOUSE More information and ordering instructions for the following resources are available on the CPH website, [45]www.cph.org or 1-800-325-3040. CHILDREN'S BULLETIN CONNECTS KIDS AND FAMILIES TO WORSHIP A new resource from Concordia Publishing House provides interactive, engaging weekly children's bulletins for use by children and their families. Growing in Worship involves children more fully in worship and the life of the church. The Commission on Worship of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod has endorsed the new resource saying, "Growing in Worship engages children with Christ as He is encountered each week in Word and Sacrament, and sends them home with Christ-centered ideas and suggestions for the week ahead. Every congregation should get Growing in Worship. It is truly a wonderful resource for our children!" The new four-page weekly children's worship folder highlights the theme and message of the day and teaches children about the Church Year and special festivals. Each bulletin includes: · PRAY: Child-friendly format that highlights the prayer of the day (Collect) · SEE: Activity that focuses children on what they will see in worship · HEAR: Clear instructions help children follow the Gospel reading · DO: Engaging activity unpacks the message of the Gospel reading Definitions of words used in the context of worship, intriguing facts, and brief ideas for daily family faith-activity and discussion throughout the week are also included in each children's bulletin. The all-new children's worship resource is ideal for children ages 5-10. Now through December 31, 2008, Concordia Publishing House is offering 20% off the first quarter of subscription. Call 1-800-325-3040 and mention code WGW. The promotion offer is not available through the website. For more details, including a sample, and complete pricing and subscription details, visit [46]www.cph.org/worshipresources and click on "Every Sunday Bulletins." CHILDREN'S HOLIDAY TITLES Fear Not, Joseph! Fear Not, Joseph! from Concordia Publishing House portrays the man who stood beside Mary in her pregnancy and protected her during Jesus' birth. He faced fear and doubt as God brought a miracle to pass before his very eyes. This story describes the faith of Joseph as he devotedly followed God's instructions and became an earthly father to an infant who was the Savior of the world. Drawing from Luke 1 and Old Testament prophecy, author Julie Stiegemeyer and illustrator Cheri Bladholm tell Joseph's unique story as he faithfully walked the path his Father placed in front of him. Fear Not, Joseph! captures the heart of the biblical Christmas story as it explores Joseph's faith. Hardback with jacket 32 pages $12.99 Item #56-2444YBG The Christmas List The Christmas List from Concordia Publishing House follows two children who take different approaches with their Christmas wish list. Emily is thoughtful as she considers what she wants on her Christmas list. Jacob, her brother, is done with his list and everyone in the family is asking about hers. But Emily has a lot to think about. When Emily is through thinking, she asks for the most precious gift of all - a gift that will last forever. A gift that is also well worth sharing. In this book children learn that a wish list of gifts is not as important as Jesus' list of all the names of God's children--the Book of Life. (Luke 10:20; Revelation 3:5) The Christmas List helps children focus on the meaning of Christmas: that God sent His Son to be our Savior from sin and to reconcile us with our heavenly Father. Hardback with jacket 32 pages $12.99 Item #56-2448YBG The Wonder of Christmas In The Wonder of Christmas from Concordia Publishing House, author Dandi Daley Mackall wonders aloud as she captures children's imaginations with whimsical questions about the celebration of Christmas. Easy-to-read and -understand explanations of that first joyous Christmas night are combined with colorful illustrations of a Christmas pageant about Jesus' birth. Children ages 5 and up learn from the straightforward answers as they enjoy the distinctive rhyme and engaging illustrations in The Wonder of Christmas. They discover the facts of Jesus' humble birth, His divinity, the importance of Christmas, and its meaning. Hardback with jacket 32 pages $12.99 Item #56-2445YBG Away in a Manger Away in a Manger from Concordia Publishing House shares the carol that paints a picture of the Christ Child's birth more than 2,000 years ago. Realistic artwork completes the story with exceptional impressions of this amazing time in Christian history. As children hear the words they have sung at home or in church, they grasp the drama and excitement of Bible truth and the season of hope and joy--Christmas. Rhyming text is memorable and easy for young ones ages three and up to say and sing. Children discover the peace that comes from knowing their Savior has arrived to bring them salvation. Hardback with jacket 32 pages $12.99 Item #56-2442YBG My Giant Fold-out Book: Christmas My Giant Fold-out Book: Christmas from Concordia Publishing House is a fun, interactive board book with whimsical art, simple text, and giant fold-out pages. As the story unfolds in a simple, easy-to-read narrative, children ages 2 and up learn about Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem, the birth of Jesus in the stable, the angel's announcement to the shepherds, and more, as depicted in Luke's Gospel. Each page reveals more of the scene described in text that stretches across the front and back of the expanded page. The activity helps children stay engaged and learning. Simple and brightly-colored art appeals to young children. Board book 6 fold-out pages $12.99 Item #56-2433YBG [47]Back to top A blessed Thanksgiving to you and your family, Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 1-888-643-2961 [48]nicholeh@ndlcms.org [49]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. References 1. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20081125/7b1d991e/attachment-tmp.htm#prayer 2. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20081125/7b1d991e/attachment-tmp.htm#hours 3. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20081125/7b1d991e/attachment-tmp.htm#staff 4. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20081125/7b1d991e/attachment-tmp.htm#fif 5. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20081125/7b1d991e/attachment-tmp.htm#roegner 6. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20081125/7b1d991e/attachment-tmp.htm#machines 7. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20081125/7b1d991e/attachment-tmp.htm#hunger 8. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20081125/7b1d991e/attachment-tmp.htm#summer 9. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20081125/7b1d991e/attachment-tmp.htm#volunteers 10. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20081125/7b1d991e/attachment-tmp.htm#marriage 11. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20081125/7b1d991e/attachment-tmp.htm#lhm 12. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20081125/7b1d991e/attachment-tmp.htm#cph 13. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20081125/7b1d991e/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 14. http://www.ndlcms.org/ 15. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20081125/7b1d991e/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 16. mailto:education@ndlcms.org 17. mailto:Marv.Bergman@cune.edu 18. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20081125/7b1d991e/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 19. http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=11976 20. http://www.ndlcms.org/ 21. mailto:Andrea.Essling@lcms.org 22. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20081125/7b1d991e/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 23. http://www.lcms.org/reporter 24. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20081125/7b1d991e/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 25. mailto:mmiller@messiahlincoln.org 26. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20081125/7b1d991e/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 27. mailto:dennis.engelbart@thrivent.com 28. mailto:info@kidsagainsthungernorfolk.org 29. http://www.kidsagainsthungernorfolk.org/ 30. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20081125/7b1d991e/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 31. mailto:ABart@kdsi.net 32. mailto:Jennifer.Mustard@lcms.org 33. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20081125/7b1d991e/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 34. http://www.lcmsworldmission.org/The72 35. mailto:The72@lcms.org 36. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20081125/7b1d991e/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 37. http://www.godlovesmarriage.org/ 38. mailto:giblem@frontiernet.net 39. mailto:miltkauf@tnics.com 40. mailto:seelsorge8@aol.com 41. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20081125/7b1d991e/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 42. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20081125/7b1d991e/www.lhm.org/globalmission 43. mailto:jeanne.lawrence@lhm.org 44. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20081125/7b1d991e/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 45. http://www.cph.org/ 46. http://www.cph.org/worshipresources 47. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20081125/7b1d991e/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 48. mailto:nicholeh@ndlcms.org 49. http://www.ndlcms.org/