[cid:image001.gif@01CA15D4.41853760] August 5, 2009 In this issue: Greetings in the name of our loving heavenly Father. I don't know about you, but my August is shaping up to be a very busy month. Instead of one last month of summer relaxation, it has become a non-stop run to get all those last minute summer chores done, as well as getting everything and everyone prepared for the start of another school year and a new routine. Does this sound familiar? If so, consider these words from the Apostle Paul, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (1 Cor. 10:31) What does that have to do with a busy schedule? It helps me remember that my time is a gift from God, and I should live my life remembering His goodness. I can remember that whatever I am doing during my busy days ahead, I am to do it to God's glory. How does that happen? One way is to strive to stay cheerful and remember whose child I am. In response to God's love for me, I can try to show that love to those I am with each day. May the Lord bless your August and all you are doing to His glory! § [1]Synod Convention Delegate Selection § [2]Fan into Flame Campaign Breaks $50 Million Mark § [3]Free Sunday School Materials Available § [4]National LCMS Youth Gathering Adult Leader Information Meetings § [5]National Youth Gathering Online Registration to Open Next Month § [6]Lutheran Choir in Lincoln to Start Fall Season § [7]Peace, Waverly to Celebrate Anniversary § [8]Beth Moore "Living Proof" Simulcast § [9]LCEF President Announces Retirement § [10]Opportunity to Travel to Germany § [11]PRAY2009 Prayer Gathering § [12]LutherHostel 2009 § [13]Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service Welcomes First Refugees from Darfur SYNOD CONVENTION DELEGATE SELECTION Circuit counselors should have received a mailing with all of the information necessary to choose voting delegates to the 2010 Synodical Convention next July 10-17 in Houston. The final deadline for electing the delegates to the Convention from a meeting of the circuit forum is October 10, 2009 with a reporting deadline of October 22. In addition to attending the extended Convention next July, all voting delegates are also being asked to attend a Synod Structure and Governance Regional Gathering in Denver December 4-5. Because travel and lodging arrangements need to be made to allow the delegates to attend this December gathering, the Nebraska District Office is requesting that the names of the circuit delegates be reported to our office as soon as they are chosen, rather than waiting until the deadline. Circuit counselors, please submit the "Report Form for Electoral Circuits" as soon after your circuit forum as possible, or bring the completed form to the Circuit Counselor Conference on October 12. This will enable us to get started making the arrangements for the regional gathering. Thank you for your cooperation. [14]Back to top FAN INTO FLAME CAMPAIGN BREAKS $50 MILLION MARK Fan into Flame, a capital campaign to support The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod's (LCMS) Ablaze! mission movement, passed the $50 million mark in gifts and pledges raised toward its $100 million goal. Since the campaign's authorization by Synod convention in 2004, more than 7,000 individuals and 850 congregations have contributed nearly 20,000 gifts--including more than $23 million in cash. Congregations and individuals in the Nebraska District have contributed more than $3.3 million to this effort so far. "We thank God for the resources He provides, and we thank each and every donor for these generous gifts," said Dr. William R. Diekelman, LCMS first vice president and Fan into Flame spokesperson. "The LCMS is committed to Gospel proclamation around the world and to doing all we can to extend the kingdom of God. Fan into Flame funds already are being used to reach the lost with the Good News of Jesus Christ. As we continue with this campaign, we pray that others will be moved to participate, and we look forward in confidence that the Lord will see us through to the successful achievement of the campaign's goals." The LCMS is organized into 35 districts across the country, and the campaign has unfolded district by district since 2005. As the campaign moves into its final phase, the most populous LCMS districts are now engaged. Decisions also are expected from a number of individuals on significant major gifts. Despite the economy, gifts and pledges in the fourth quarter of 2008 and all of 2009 are the highest of the campaign. Many donors are from the most economically challenged areas of the country, including Michigan, Ohio, Florida, Arizona, and Southern California. Fan into Flame funds support the specific objectives of Ablaze!--planting 2,000 new congregations, renewing the mission vision of 2,000 existing congregations, increasing by 50% the number of career missionaries on the foreign mission field, and increasing support for the Synod's 30 partner churches around the world. Campaign gifts are distributed quarterly to accomplish new outreach ministry in four arenas, following the Acts 1:8 model: * Local, community outreach by the campaign's participating congregations * Regional outreach by LCMS districts * National outreach, church planting, and revitalization ministry * International outreach through missionaries and partner churches Congregations retain net 15% of gifts they raise, and districts also receive net 15% of gifts raised in total from within their borders. Thus far, $1.2 million has been disbursed to participating congregations and $4.17 million to participating districts, with the Nebraska District receiving more than $136,000 for new mission projects. "The campaign is making great impact at the local level, where congregations apply their Fan into Flame funds to immediate community outreach. While some national and international projects are relatively expensive, high-visibility projects--such as construction of a new seminary building in Ghana, West Africa--it is in local neighborhoods and communities that many people are being connected to the love of Christ," said Dr. Thomas R. Zehnder, executive director, LCMS World Mission. For information about participating in the Fan into Flame campaign, contact the Nebraska District Office at 888-643-2961 or [15]info@ndlcms.org or call the Fan into Flame office at 800-977-2017. [16]Back to top FREE SUNDAY SCHOOL MATERIALS AVAILABLE Messiah, Lincoln, has Gospel Light Sunday school materials for preschoolers available for any congregation that can make use of them. They have the fall, winter, and spring curriculum which includes take-home pages, activity pages, and stickers, as well as some teacher guides. Interested congregations should contact Kathy Atterbury, director of children's ministry, at [17]katterbury@messiahlincoln.org or 402-489-3024. [18]Back to top NATIONAL LCMS YOUTH GATHERING ADULT LEADER INFORMATION MEETINGS Nebraska District Coordinators Dave Kumm and Julie Johnston Hermann will be leading a series of National LCMS Youth Gathering information meetings in the District in September. These will be a great chance to have your Gathering questions answered, connect with area youth leaders, find out about the registration process, and gain practical ideas on leading youth on a Gathering experience. The National LCMS Youth Gathering WE BELIEVE will be held July 17-21, 2010, in New Orleans. Registration materials are coming soon to all congregations. Contact Dave at 402-643-7380 or [19]david.kumm@cune.edu, or Julie at 402-643-7354 or [20]julie.johnston@cune.edu if you have any questions. North Event ~ Sunday, September 13 - 3pm Lutheran High Northeast 2010 N 37^th Street Norfolk, NE 68701 West Event ~ Sunday, September 20 - 3pm Trinity Lutheran Church 205 E 7^th Street Lexington, NE 68850 East Event ~ Sunday, September 27 - 3pm Concordia University - Lincoln Campus 570 Fallbrook Blvd, Suite 203 Lincoln, NE 68521 Topics to be covered: + What difference does a National LCMS Youth Gathering make in the life of a youth? + How can we afford sending a group to the National LCMS Youth Gathering? + What are our travel options to New Orleans? + How can I connect with churches in my area to share leadership and travel responsibilities? + What do I need to know if our church hasn't gone to a Gathering before? + What do I need to know if I haven't led a group to a Gathering before? + Registration details and considerations + District T-shirt, event, and travel options for Nebraska District [21]Back to top NATIONAL YOUTH GATHERING ONLINE REGISTRATION TO OPEN NEXT MONTH (From LCMS News, No. 62, July 30) In mid-August, Synod congregations will receive by mail registration material for the 2010 National LCMS Youth Gathering, including step-by-step directions for the online-only registration process that starts September 14, along with other Gathering-related information. With the theme of WE BELIEVE, the Gathering will take place July 17-21 in New Orleans. The mailing includes a pre-Gathering DVD. On the DVD, congregations will find videos that promote the Gathering and a downloadable booklet that details the registration process and contains other information. The booklet also is available on the Gathering website, [22]http://www.lcmsgathering.com. Gathering registration will be online only -- at the Gathering website, [23]http://www.lcmsgathering.com. Groups also will prioritize online their choices of hotels in New Orleans for housing at the Gathering. LCMS District and Congregational Services -- Youth Ministry, the sponsor of National LCMS Youth Gatherings, is making the switch to paperless registration "in an effort to be responsible environmental and financial stewards," said Rev. Mark Kiessling, the Gathering program director. "We hope congregations find the information [in this mailing] helpful in preparing for the ... Gathering," Kiessling said. "Beyond the registration materials, the Gathering website will provide youth and adults opportunities to grow in their faith through Bible study and study of the Gathering's theme and sub-themes. Those materials will continue to roll out between registration and July 2010." Although there is no paper registration for the 2010 Gathering, each group that has registered online will be required to complete its registration by mailing in a paper "Pastoral Affirmation Form" and a "Registration Account Form" -- along with either full registration payment of $275 per person or a deposit payment of $100 per person registered. No personal checks or cash will be accepted. Envelopes with those forms and payments must be postmarked no earlier than Oct. 21, or they will be returned to senders. The registration fee covers the cost of such items as the Gathering Bible, backpack, and post-Gathering DVD that each registered participant receives, as well as all Gathering program and DCS Youth Ministry administrative expenses. A "priority window" for Gathering registration will be open Oct. 21-Nov. 4, 2009. As explained in the downloadable booklet with this month's mailing, groups completing the registration process after registration is filled to capacity will be accepted for the Gathering on a space-available basis. After March 1, participants will continue to be admitted on that basis for a late-registration fee of $325 per person. Congregations that do not receive their mailed Gathering registration information by September 4 should call LCMS Youth Ministry at 800-248-1930, ext. 1155, or send an e-mail to [24]nygregistration@lcms.org. [25]Back to top LUTHERAN CHOIR IN LINCOLN TO START FALL SEASON The Lutheran Choir in Lincoln invites interested musicians to join them as they begin their fall concert season. Rehearsals begin August 30 with a retreat at Trinity Lutheran Church, 12th and H Sts., Lincoln, NE, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. Interested singers should contact Sandie Anderson at 402-489-3948. Two concerts will be performed this fall on November 14 and 15. [26]Back to top PEACE, WAVERLY TO CELEBRATE ANNIVERSARY Peace, Waverly, will celebrate their 40th Anniversary on August 31with former pastor Gene Gierke as guest preacher for the 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. services. Everyone is invited to join them for a time of celebrating what God has done through them and the ministry opportunities He continues to present to them. [27]Back to top BETH MOORE "LIVING PROOF" SIMULCAST Holy Savior, Lincoln, is offering a special opportunity to women of the Nebraska District. Simulcast satellite technology will bring "Living Proof" Live with Beth Moore to Lincoln, Nebraska. Beth will speak on COMING HOME TO THE HEART OF OUR DESIRES, from Psalm 37. Enjoy the same insightful and inspirational teaching, the same soul-stirring worship that Beth and her team bring to their live events, in REAL time! You are invited to attend and invite friends who are not Christians or not connected to a church. WHEN: Friday, August 28, 7:00-9:00 p.m. and Saturday, August 29, 8:00 a.m.-noon WHERE: Holy Savior Lutheran Church, 10^th & Superior Streets Lincoln, Nebraska 402-434-3325 Tickets are free with a suggested love offering of $10.00 to cover the cost of the event. Seating is limited and available on a first come, first served basis. Please make your reservations as soon as possible by sending an e-mail to Holy Savior at: [28]parish.admin@holysaviorlcms.org and put "Beth Moore Tickets" in the heading. In your e-mail state: 1) Full name, e-mail and physical address, city, state and zip code 2) Number of tickets requested 3) The name, e-mail and complete address of all those who will attend with you 4) If you would like your tickets held at the door or sent to you [29]Back to top LCEF PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) President Merle Freitag announced his retirement in July, saying he will serve through January 15, 2010. "In 1998, when I interviewed with the Board of Directors, I indicated that I would serve for 10 years," Freitag stated in a letter to the board announcing his intentions. "I have served over 11 years, and have been happy to do so, but am ready for the next chapter of my life," he said in a meeting with staff in St. Louis. "I intend to remain active in the LCMS organization helping with the Ablaze! initiative, which I fully support and believe in, and likely will continue to serve on the board of Ministry to the Armed Forces--something that's near and dear to my heart," Freitag, 69, said. He was in the U.S. Army for 32 years, including serving as Comptroller of the Army (1991-1994) and as Director of the Army Budget (1989-1991). Prior to joining LCEF, he was also vice president of finance for the American Red Cross Biomedical Services. During Freitag's 11-plus-year tenure, LCEF experienced significant growth and support: total assets rose 84% to $1.80 billion and investments increased 123% to $1.57 billion. And most importantly, LCEF has more dollars at work for LCMS ministries than ever before, with a current portfolio of over $1.5 billion in loans to congregations, schools, and rostered church workers. In addition, Freitag helped expand LCEF's ministry services offerings (such as Laborers For Christ, Capital Funding Services, and Consecrated Stewards) and introduced new products (such as the Rostered Church Worker Loan program, the interest-bearing StewardAccount®, and the related Family Emergency and FlexPlus Health Savings Account) in order to help meet the needs of the Synod and its members. [30]Back to top OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL TO GERMANY Join Rev. Randy Knuth on an unforgettable panoramic journey through the Land of Germany and experience the joys of traveling together in Christian fellowship. Join the group as they travel on an 11-day fully escorted deluxe tour of Germany and attend the "once-in-a-lifetime" experience of the 41^st Passion Play in Oberammergau. Included in the tour will be significant places in the life of Martin Luther and the reformation, and some of the romantic towns and castles of Bavaria and Munich. For more information in regard to this Luther Tour, June 15-25, 2010, please contact Pastor Randy Knuth, pastor of Hope Lutheran Church, South Sioux City, at [31]revrandyk@yahoo.com or 402-494-1847 or 712-540-8243. [32]Back to top PRAY2009 PRAYER GATHERING A dedicated group of Missouri Synod Lutherans will gather together September 10-11 at the St. Louis Airport Crowne Plaza hotel for a time of prayer and intercession. Following is a portion of the invitation letter: The world and the church are at war in this day from both inside and outside. On every side there are challenges that threaten to destroy the very fiber of our Christian culture and our faith. We believe with Saint Paul that we are the church militant that wrestles "not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Ephesians 6:12 KJV) It is time for the church to pray! Our synod in convention has set some lofty goals to reach in the near future as well. The vision is to reach 100 million people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ by the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017. Our nation is in the midst of some of the most difficult economic times since the great depression. Social institutions such as marriage and the family are under attack. How does the militant church of Jesus Christ wage war in such a time as this? Clearly, it is time for the church to pray! This is no time for the church to be silent, but rather the church must go full into the fray on her knees! We are inviting the intercessors of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod to come together for a time of prayer and intercession. We will not talk about prayer. There will be no presentations on prayer. There will be no diagnosis of the types of prayer. We are coming together to pray. We are putting all our personal and political preferences aside so that we can enter into the throne room of the One True and Living God in unity and make our requests known. We certainly can and will continue to pray in our private closets, but we are looking on this occasion to see how the Lord will bless us as we gather together for a solemn time of prayer, supplication, and intercession from all corners of this church and our great nation. We will gather at the St. Louis Airport Crowne Plaza, 11228 Lone Eagle Drive, Bridgeton, MO 63044 on Thursday, September 10 - Friday, September 11, 2009. We chose this important day because of the opportunity we have to be in prayer at the time of the anniversary of the terrorist attacks on New York City. Space is limited in this first gathering, so register early. If you have questions or desire more information, please feel free to contact either Rev. Cliff Bira at [33]cbira@comcast.net or Rev. Victor Belton at [34]pastorbe@pastorbelton.com for further information. Online registration is available at [35]http://pcbman.wufoo.com/forms/pray-2009-registration-form/, or mail your registration to Holy Cross Lutheran Church,1209 Coutant St., Flushing, MI, 48433, Attention - Pray2009. Please remit $50 registration fee made payable to "Holy Cross Lutheran Church." [36]Back to top LUTHERHOSTEL 2009 LutherHostel 2009 will be held Oct. 3-6 on the campus of Concordia Seminary. LutherHostel is an event designed to provide growth in biblical knowledge and understanding, fun and fellowship, and a chance to gain helpful insights for daily living. It is offered for adults age 55 and above. The deadline to register for this event is September 18, 2009. The theme for the event will be "Finite and Infinite Games." The main presenter will be Rev. John Nunes, president of Lutheran World Relief in Baltimore, Md. Scheduled activities for LutherHostel 2009 will feature a reception and dinner with President and Mrs. Dale A. Meyer. Other activities include presentations, class visitation, student-led evening devotions, opportunities for informal interaction with faculty, a private demonstration of the organ in The Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus, and a tour of selected St. Louis area sites. An optional tour of Lutheran historical sites in Perry County, Mo., also is available on Oct. 7, immediately following LutherHostel. The LutherHostel fee is $325 per person, which includes all meals and refreshments for the event. Housing is available on campus (on a limited basis for an additional cost) or in nearby hotels. For more information about LutherHostel, contact the Seminary's Office of Continuing Education and Parish Services at 314-505-7486 or [37]ce@csl.edu. [38]Back to top LUTHERAN IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE SERVICE WELCOMES FIRST REFUGEES FROM DARFUR Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) is the first U.S. refugee resettlement agency to welcome refugees from Sudan's western region of Darfur. "The crisis in Darfur has left countless victims in its wake--children orphaned, families torn apart, entire villages destroyed," states LIRS Vice President for Protection and Programs Susan Krehbiel. "We are honored to be among the first to open our arms to our brothers and sisters from Darfur as they begin their lives anew. We stand with Lutherans and other concerned Americans to welcome this family to their new community and we look forward to lighting the way for others fleeing war and persecution." After a harrowing journey across the desert to find shelter at a refugee camp in Chad, the family was granted refugee status and became the first Darfuri refugees to be resettled in the United States. A widowed mother, her six children, and one grandchild arrived safely to the Atlanta area this past week and received a heartfelt welcome from their new neighbors and friends from Lutheran Services of Georgia, an affiliate of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service. Refugees around the world flee their homelands due to systemic persecution and prolonged conflict. There are currently an estimated 13.6 million refugees and asylum seekers worldwide including as many as 2.7 million displaced from the Darfur region. Since 1939, LIRS has created welcoming communities for America's newcomers. One of the nation's leading agencies serving refugees and immigrants, LIRS is a cooperative agency of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, and the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The organization resettles refugees, protects migrant children, advocates for just treatment of asylum seekers, seeks alternatives to immigration detention, and stands for unity for families fractured by unfair laws. To learn more about LIRS's work of welcome, please visit [39]www.lirs.org. [40]Back to top Blessings, Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 1-888-643-2961 [41]nicholeh@ndlcms.org [42]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/20090805/34c590ae/attachment-tmp.htm#delegate 2. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090805/34c590ae/attachment-tmp.htm#fan 3. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090805/34c590ae/attachment-tmp.htm#materials 4. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090805/34c590ae/attachment-tmp.htm#meetings 5. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090805/34c590ae/attachment-tmp.htm#registration 6. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090805/34c590ae/attachment-tmp.htm#choir 7. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090805/34c590ae/attachment-tmp.htm#waverly 8. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090805/34c590ae/attachment-tmp.htm#moore 9. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090805/34c590ae/attachment-tmp.htm#lcef 10. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090805/34c590ae/attachment-tmp.htm#germany 11. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090805/34c590ae/attachment-tmp.htm#prayer 12. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090805/34c590ae/attachment-tmp.htm#lutherhostel 13. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090805/34c590ae/attachment-tmp.htm#lirs 14. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090805/34c590ae/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 15. mailto:info@ndlcms.org 16. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090805/34c590ae/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 17. mailto:katterbury@messiahlincoln.org 18. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090805/34c590ae/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 19. mailto:david.kumm@cune.edu 20. mailto:julie.johnston@cune.edu 21. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090805/34c590ae/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 22. http://www.lcmsgathering.com/ 23. http://www.lcmsgathering.com/ 24. mailto:nygregistration@lcms.org 25. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090805/34c590ae/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 26. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090805/34c590ae/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 27. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090805/34c590ae/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 28. mailto:parish.admin@holysaviorlcms.org 29. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090805/34c590ae/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 30. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090805/34c590ae/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 31. mailto:revrandyk@yahoo.com 32. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090805/34c590ae/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 33. mailto:cbira@comcast.net 34. mailto:pastorbe@pastorbelton.com 35. http://pcbman.wufoo.com/forms/pray-2009-registration-form/ 36. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090805/34c590ae/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 37. mailto:ce@csl.edu 38. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090805/34c590ae/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 39. http://www.lirs.org/ 40. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090805/34c590ae/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 41. mailto:nicholeh@ndlcms.org 42. http://www.ndlcms.org/