Update for July 1 A publication of the Nebraska District, a District ABLAZE! This Saturday gives us another reminder of the precious freedom Americans have to live free from tyranny and oppression. It can also remind us of the even greater freedom Christians have through Jesus Christ. Paul writes in his letter to the Galatians, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free." (Gal. 5:1) What a blessing that we receive this freedom from sin and eternal death as a gift from God so that we may be free to share this Good News with people in our families and communities. May we find opportunities this weekend and always to share our joy in this freedom with those around us. The Nebraska District staff wishes you a happy and safe Fourth of July weekend. § [1]Prayer Request § [2]District Office Holiday Hours § [3]Deaconesses Available to Serve § [4]Correction to Last Week's VBS Article § [5]Revised Donna Meyer Speaking Schedule § [6]Witnessing in Song - Concordia A Cappella Choir Tour Report § [7]Overseas Service Opportunities § [8]Concordia Tops Nation in NAIA Scholar Athletes § [9]New Project Connect Booklets from Lutheran Hour Ministries § [10]Technology Provides Access to Resources from LCMS, CPH, and Seminary § [11]District Pastor Earns Doctorate PRAYER REQUEST Rev. John and Martha Deang - Please lift up in prayer Rev. John and Martha Deang as they travel back from Sudan. Rev. Deang, Nebraska District missionary-at-large for African immigrant ministry, has been in East Africa and Sudan for over six months working on behalf of the Nebraska District with our mission partners there. He and Martha were married in April, and they are returning to Nebraska this weekend. Please pray for safety as they travel, and ask our heavenly Father to bless them as they make their new home together here in Nebraska. This will be Martha's first time in the United States, and we pray that God will be with her and help her as she adjusts to her new life. [12]Back to top DISTRICT OFFICE HOLIDAY HOURS The District Office will be closed Friday, July 3, in observance of Independence Day. The office will reopen Monday, July 6, at 8:00 a.m. with staff devotions. A safe and blessed Fourth of July to all! [13]Back to top DEACONESSES AVAILABLE TO SERVE Currently at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, nine deaconess candidates are on the waiting list for placement into a diaconal ministry of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Some have been waiting for over four years for placement. (At the conclusion of the upcoming 2009-2010 school year there will be an additional six traditional deaconess studies graduates, and three Center for Hispanic Studies graduates.) Each candidate has responded to the concern expressed by her Church for faithful servants, and they have dedicated several years of their lives (and tuition dollars) in preparing to serve the Lord as a deaconess in the Lord's Church. Deaconesses serve in congregations and schools by teaching, visitation, counseling, youth ministries, family ministries and other caring ministries. They are also equipped to serve with compassion in health care institutions and older adult care ministries. Deaconess candidates have received an M.A. in Deaconess Studies after completing two years of post-graduate academic coursework, six quarters of field education, and one year of internship. If the Lord is moving your congregation to consider a deaconess for service, or if you just desire additional information, please contact District President Russ Sommerfeld at [14]russs@ndlcms.org or 888-643-2961. [15]Back to top CORRECTION TO LAST WEEK'S VBS ARTICLE The amount of the offering collected by Holy Cross, Kearney, from their VBS students was inaccurately reported in last week's Email Update. The correct amount was nearly $1,800 in response to a $1,200 challenge, not $18,000 as was reported. Sorry for any confusion! [16]Back to top REVISED DONNA MEYER SPEAKING SCHEDULE We have just received this newly revised speaking schedule for Donna Meyer, a Nebraska teacher serving LCMS World Mission in Banda Aceh, Indonesia. Following is her updated schedule: Date Time Congregation City July 1 7:30pm St Peter Deshler, NE July 2 1:30pm Zion Tobias, NE July 5 9:30 am Peace (Bible class) Grand Island, NE July 11 5:00 social 6:00 dinner 7:00 presentation Faith Hazard, NE July 12 10:15am Zion (Bible class) Hastings, NE July 12 6:30 pm St. Paul Minden, NE July 22 7-8pm Hope South Sioux City, NE July 23 TBA St John Pierce, NE July 25 6pm Trinity Fremont, NE July 26 8, 9:15, 10:30 am Trinity Fremont, NE [17]Back to top WITNESSING IN SONG - CONCORDIA A CAPPELLA CHOIR TOUR REPORT Concordia University, Nebraska's A Cappella Choir will spend nearly three weeks touring Spain, Austria and Italy, giving concerts and competing in the 46^th International Competition of Choral Singing in Spittal on der Drau, Austria. The tour launched June 24. The choir's schedule includes stops in Madrid, Seville, and Barcelona. Spain was chosen, in part, due to the Lutheran church's active support of mission congregations in the region, and their efforts to spread the Gospel. While in Barcelona, the choir will have the opportunity to join voices with a local choir, Coral St. Sadurní. Reports have come back about how God was at work during the first two concerts the choir gave last Thursday and Friday evenings, June 25 and 26, in Mostoles, Madrid. Following are excerpts from the reports sent by Nancy Middendorf, music tour coordinator: June 25 - "We had an attendance of 100, which is more than the IELE (Spanish Lutheran mission) has had sum total in all of Spain at any event they have ever held...but more than that, the people were very moved and almost all were saying they were returning tomorrow night and bringing guests. A lady who runs a major radio station in the area talked long afterward about how fantastic it was and that she was going to air news about tomorrow's concert all day tomorrow on the radio station and to expect a packed room! Pastor Gustavo was extremely overwhelmed (I really don't have a strong enough word to use here), and the missionaries are nearly out of their minds with anticipation for the coming concerts. . . . The crowd tonight clapped for every song as though it were a standing ovation! About 3/4 way through the concert, it was difficult for Kurt (Von Kampen) to begin a new piece because they wouldn't stop clapping. . . . It was a tremendous experience for our choir members, to be sure, and they were also very moved by the audience response." June 26 - "(Tonight's concert) was in the same church as last night's. Indeed, it was a packed audience, more than doubling attendance. The `standing ovation' style of clapping began even before the first song was finished. The crowd anticipated an ending and began cheering and clapping while Kurt patiently waited with raised hands to finish the piece. It is difficult to describe the mood of the audience because I've never witnessed this at our concerts before. It's like they've come to a concert they have been anticipating for a long time and are totally absorbed in the music and the students. We felt like God was shining through us and penetrating the audience with His Spirit!! Some said they didn't understand the English words but were very moved by the spiritual presence of the Lord. . . . Pastor Gustavo, our Lutheran missionary contact here, had tears of joy and disbelief at the end of the concert as he was watching the finale from the rear of the church." Thanks be to God for how He is using this choir from Seward, Nebraska, to be a witness to His love and His glory to people who are searching halfway around the world. Please keep the choir in your prayers as they continue to travel throughout Europe singing praises to God. [18]Back to top OVERSEAS SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES Indonesia - Individuals are needed to teach EFL in a local government junior high or senior high school in Banda Aceh, Indonesia. These individuals will be responsible for preparing lesson plans that fit with and enhance the textbook and other materials currently used by local English teachers in the school, preparing additional teaching aids that promote interactive, communicative English learning, teaching in a formal classroom setting, and planning and conducting additional formal and informal activities with students and other teachers after school and on weekends. Applicants with a teaching degree and formal or informal teaching experience are strongly preferred. Individuals with some type of formal or informal teaching experience, but no bachelor's degree will be seriously considered. To learn how you can serve by going global, go here: [19]www.lcmsworldmission.org/searchopps. Contact an LCMS World Mission placement counselor at 1-800-433-3954 or [20]mission.recruitment@lcms.org. Haiti LCMS World Relief and Human Care is seeking 3 additional volunteers for the Mercy Medical Team trip to Haiti, August 3-13. The team will travel to the town of Thomassique in the central plateau of Haiti, near the border with the Dominican Republic. The clinics will be held in a local Lutheran school and will be general practice with no surgery. The cost of the trip is estimated to be $2,100 per individual. This includes international air, ground transport in Haiti, food and lodging, medical and evacuation insurance, and clinical costs. If you are interested or have additional questions, please immediately contact Maggie Karner at 765-748-7743 or [21]maggie.karner@lcms.org or Jacob Fiene at 800-248-1930, ext. 1278 or [22]mercymedical@lcms.org. Please copy LIMM at the email address below if you contact LCMS World Relief and Human Care. If you have any additional questions, please contact Lutherans in Medical Missions at [23]limm@limm.org. Guatemala TLC LAMMS (Trinity Lutheran Church's Latin-American Medical Mission Society) seeks 10-12 volunteers for a health clinic to be held at Clinica Santa Cruz, Guatemala, October 16-25, 2009. One more physician and a surgeon, nurses (especially ER nurses), PAs, nurse practitioners, paramedics, etc. are needed. Projected cost per person (airfare, room and board, tips) is $2,500 or less. Anyone interested can call Rev. Charles Webb at 231-499-2139 or email [24]cwwebb@charter.net. Immunizations needed before going are minimal and can be found at [25]www.cdc.gov. Each participant is expected to take an extra suitcase containing OTC meds (aspirin, Tylenol, antibiotic/antifungal creams antihistamines, bandages, BP cuffs, urine dipsticks, glucometers, etc.). Rev. Charles W. Webb, MD Assistant Pastor/Medical Missionary Trinity Lutheran Church & School 1003 S. Maple Street Traverse City, Mi 49684 231-499-2139 cell 231-946-2720 church If you have any additional questions, please contact Lutherans in Medical Missions at [26]limm@limm.org. Please copy LIMM if you contact Rev. Webb. [27]Back to top CONCORDIA TOPS NATION IN NAIA SCHOLAR ATHLETES Concordia University, Nebraska had the highest number of National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics scholar-athletes in the nation for the 2008-09 academic year. Seventy-four Bulldogs earned the NAIA scholar-athlete status, 16 more than second place University of St. Francis, Fort Wayne, Ind. "It is flat-out stunning what our student-athletes have achieved," said Grant Schmidt, director of athletics for Concordia. "On and off the field, they work very hard. They are here for the right reasons, and they have coaches--and an entire institution for that matter--who truly care about them and support them. We are so proud." Concordia also topped the nation in four individual sports: men's and women's cross country and men's and women's track. Within its conference, the Great Plains Athletic Conference, Concordia came out on top for the sixth year in a row. The GPAC as a whole, which includes more than 4,500 student-athletes in 19 sanctioned sports, had 480 student-athletes earn the NAIA honor. Student-athletes must be at least juniors in academic status and maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale to receive this honor. [28]Back to top NEW PROJECT CONNECT BOOKLETS FROM LUTHERAN HOUR MINISTRIES Brand new from Lutheran Hour Ministries are two Project Connect booklets. The first deals with the difficult relationship fracture that occurs when a child becomes a prodigal. The second offers an insightful approach toward understanding one's identity. In Parents of Prodigals--The Journey Through The Valley, Christian author and counselor Dan Kohn shares his perceptions and first-hand experience dealing with conflicts that can separate family members for long periods of time. More than 30 years of counseling have given Kohn vital words for any parent grieving over the absence of a child: "The heavenly Father is fully able to accomplish what a parent is unable to do. It is time to let go of what cannot be done through human effort and let God do His miraculous work." This booklet will encourage the reader and remind him or her that it is God who puts things back together - it is God who can restore what seems impossibly broken. In The Mystery of You: Clues to Your True Identity, Dr. Melanie Wilson guides the reader in an engaging - and informative - look at what makes him or her tick. Using the popular board game CLUE^® as a template, the quest is on to understand where we've been (rooms); what we've done (weapons); and who other people (witnesses) say we are. In the midst of our grand illusion as to how significant or worthless we are is the One who knows us best, understands us fully, and loves us anyway - Jesus Christ. It is in Him and the price He paid to redeem us from sin - and ourselves - that our true identity - our new identity - is achieved through faith. The booklets were produced for Project Connect, LHM's booklet display ministry that is perfect for your church narthex, school nurse's office, guidance counselor's office, or church library. Booklets address real needs that many people face - from finance issues to divorce, depression to illness, and addiction to grief. For more information about Project Connect or to order a display, please visit [29]www.lhm.org/projectconnect. [30]Back to top TECHNOLOGY PROVIDES ACCESS TO RESOURCES FROM LCMS, CPH, AND SEMINARY Follow the LCMS on Twitter The LCMS is pleased to announce that they have launched the official LCMS Twitter account. You can find them online at [31]www.twitter.com/theLCMS. As you may know, Twitter is a micro-blogging site that allows users to post very short updates about themselves (or their organizations) and follow other users' posts. Updates can be published and viewed via the Internet or via text messaging on mobile phones. Posts, called "tweets," are no more than 140 characters in length and generally include a link to additional information. Content is usually related to announcements. By using this popular social networking tool, the LCMS hopes to benefit all of their ministries by gaining more exposure and improving access to their information. Now you can "twitter" to see what's new in the LCMS. Christian Books Available for Print on Demand Concordia Publishing House (CPH) announces the release of Concordia on Demand, a new print-on-demand service available at the company website, [32]www.cph.org/ondemand. "With the advancements in digital printing, CPH can economically print the titles our customers request, in as little as two weeks' time," says Ken Liszewski, manager of books for Concordia Publishing House. At the time of this release, 50 titles were available for print-on-demand. Topics cover a range of subjects and include commentaries, daily devotional resources, and sermon collections. The company says that is has plans to expand the possible titles into the hundreds. Liszewski adds, "Concordia on Demand allows CPH to maintain a larger book list and bring back out-of-print titles. Customers can visit often to see our newest Concordia on Demand books." Concordia Seminary Resources Now Available for Download on iPhone And iPod Touch Concordia Seminary's department of educational technology is pleased to announce that its complete catalog of educational audio and video podcasts is now available for direct download onto the iPhone and iPod touch. With Apple's release of their 3.0 software update for iPhone and iPod touch, iTunes U is directly accessible over both cellular and Wi-Fi networks through the iTunes Store. "Mobile learning is an exciting area for Concordia Seminary," commented Tony Cook, director of educational technology. "With Apple's latest advance, we are now able to bring educationally and theologically sound content to our residential and distance students as well as the pastors and laity of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod via this exciting technology. Imagine being able to download a podcast directly onto your iPhone or iPod touch and present it to your confirmation class, elders meeting, or Sunday morning Bible study with a simple cable and a standard television. This advance in technology helps to fulfill our goal of offering relevant confessional resources directly to Lutherans throughout the world." For those who are interested in downloading Concordia Seminary content directly onto an iPhone or iPod touch, the instructions can be found at the following Apple support link: [33]http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3570. For questions or help, contact educational technology at 314-505-7018. [34]Back to top DISTRICT PASTOR EARNS DOCTORATE Rev. John Hellwege, former pastor of St. Peter, Humphrey and Grace, Platte Center, received his PhD in Historical Theology from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis on May 22. Hellwege's dissertation was: "Evaluating the Whirlwind: The American Lutheran Theological Interpretations of Pre-War Nazi Germany." Congratulations Rev. Dr. Hellwege! [35]Back to top Have a happy and safe Fourth of July Weekend! Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 1-888-643-2961 [36]nicholeh@ndlcms.org [37]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/20090701/1fe9f428/attachment-tmp.htm#prayer 2. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090701/1fe9f428/attachment-tmp.htm#hours 3. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090701/1fe9f428/attachment-tmp.htm#deaconess 4. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090701/1fe9f428/attachment-tmp.htm#vbs 5. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090701/1fe9f428/attachment-tmp.htm#meyer 6. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090701/1fe9f428/attachment-tmp.htm#choir 7. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090701/1fe9f428/attachment-tmp.htm#service 8. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090701/1fe9f428/attachment-tmp.htm#naia 9. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090701/1fe9f428/attachment-tmp.htm#booklet 10. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090701/1fe9f428/attachment-tmp.htm#technology 11. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090701/1fe9f428/attachment-tmp.htm#doctorate 12. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090701/1fe9f428/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 13. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090701/1fe9f428/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 14. mailto:russs@ndlcms.org 15. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090701/1fe9f428/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 16. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090701/1fe9f428/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 17. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090701/1fe9f428/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 18. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090701/1fe9f428/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 19. http://www.lcmsworldmission.org/searchopps 20. mailto:mission.recruitment@lcms.org 21. mailto:maggie.karner@lcms.org 22. mailto:mercymedical@lcms.org 23. mailto:limm@limm.org 24. mailto:cwwebb@charter.net 25. http://www.cdc.gov/ 26. mailto:limm@limm.org 27. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090701/1fe9f428/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 28. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090701/1fe9f428/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 29. http://www.lhm.org/projectconnect 30. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090701/1fe9f428/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 31. http://www.twitter.com/theLCMS 32. http://www.cph.org/ondemand 33. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3570 34. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090701/1fe9f428/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 35. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090701/1fe9f428/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 36. mailto:nicholeh@ndlcms.org 37. http://www.ndlcms.org/