[cid:image001.jpg@01CA263B.2C89BA30] August 26, 2009 In this issue: Greetings in the name of our loving Heavenly Father. This past weekend the District hosted the last of three Fiscal Conferences around the state. With 90 in attendance last Saturday, the total number of people who took time to come and learn more about stewardship and fiscal responsibility neared 200. Thanks be to God for the dedicated pastors and lay leaders who joined us and participated in these workshops. If you or your stewardship committee was not able to join us and you would like to learn more, contact District Treasurer Paul Pettit at [1]paulp@ndlcms.org or 888-643-2961. He is available for presentations to help your congregation understand its role and responsibility as a member congregation of the LCMS, as well as to offer stewardship materials and resources. The Lord has given the Nebraska District wonderful mission opportunities, and congregations and individuals can be a part of these ministries through their gifts of time, prayer, and treasurers. Visit [2]www.ndlcms.org or contact the District Office to learn more. * [3]Prayer Request * [4]Statement from President Kieschnick * [5]No Website Updates * [6]Congregational Youth Ministry Inquiry Forms Still Being Collected * [7]Worship at State Fair * [8]LWML Nebraska District North Fall Retreat * [9]Concordia University, Nebraska on "Best" List * [10]Nebraska Lutherans for Confessional Study to Meet * [11]Sibling Harmony Concerts in Nebraska * [12]Financial Peace University Class Offered in Omaha PRAYER REQUEST Samuel Felix - We rejoice with Vicar Obdulio and Yoliza Felix at the birth of their son, Samuel, on Wednesday, August 19. We thank God for the gift of life He granted to this family, and we look forward to welcoming Samuel into the Body of Christ through Holy Baptism. Vicar Felix serves at Iglesia Luterana Jesus es el Senor Hispanic mission in Omaha through Beautiful Savior, La Vista. Back to top STATEMENT FROM PRESIDENT KIESCHNICK (Reprinted with permission of the LCMS Office of the President) Nebraska District President Russ Sommerfeld shares the following: LCMS President Gerald B. Kieschnick has offered two responses to the August 17-23, 2009, decisions on human sexuality by the Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. Both responses can be accessed at [13]www.lcms.org. On Friday, Aug. 21, the ELCA Assembly voted to open the ministry of the ELCA to gay and lesbian pastors and other professional workers living in "committed relationships." In an earlier action, the assembly also approved a resolution that commits the ELCA "to finding ways to allow congregations that choose to do so to recognize, support, and hold publicly accountable life-long, monogamous, same-gender relationships." The LCMS regards these decisions by the ELCA assembly to be contrary to the Scriptures. The LCMS believes that the Word of God teaches that homosexual behavior is contrary to God's will, and it seeks to minister to those who are struggling with homosexual inclinations. The LCMS is committed to caringly show these individuals their sinfulness and assuring them of forgiveness in Christ upon sincere repentance and faith in Christ. As members of the body of Christ, the LCMS strives to assist the individuals to rely on Christ's love and strength to abstain from homophile behavior and to help them to bear their burden without fear of recrimination and rejection by sisters and brothers in Christ. Pastors, professional church workers and members of LCMS congregations are also encouraged to pray for the ELCA, as well as LCMS relations with the ELCA. For as President Kieschnick stated in his address to the ELCA Assembly on August 22, "The decisions by this assembly to grant non-celibate homosexual ministers the privilege of serving as rostered leaders in the ELCA and the affirmation of same-gender unions as pleasing to God will undoubtedly cause additional stress and disharmony within the ELCA. It will also negatively affect the relationships between our two church bodies." Further responses to the ELCA Assembly's actions will be provided as they become available. Following is a letter to congregations from President Kieschnick in response to these actions of the Churchwide Assembly of the ELCA. Congregations may reprint this letter for their use by including the following line: "Reprinted with permission of the LCMS Office of the President." The two largest Lutheran church bodies in the United States are the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) with 4.8 million members and The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod (LCMS) with 2.4 million members. On Friday, Aug. 21, the Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America voted to open the ministry of the ELCA to gay and lesbian pastors and other professional workers living in "committed relationships." In an earlier action, the assembly approved a resolution that commits the ELCA "to finding ways to allow congregations that choose to do so to recognize, support, and hold publicly accountable life-long, monogamous, same-gender relationships." The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod has repeatedly affirmed as its own position the historical understanding of the Christian church that the Bible condemns homosexual behavior as "intrinsically sinful." It is therefore contrary to the will of the Creator and constitutes sin against the commandments of God (Lev. 18:22, 24,20:13: 1 Cor. 6:9-20; 1 Tim 1:9-10; and Rom. 1:26, 27). Addressing the ELCA assembly on Saturday, Aug. 22, I responded to their aforementioned actions, stating: "The decisions by this assembly to grant non-celibate homosexual ministers the privilege of serving as rostered leaders in the ELCA and the affirmation of same-gender unions as pleasing to God will undoubtedly cause additional stress and disharmony within the ELCA. It will also negatively affect the relationships between our two church bodies. The current division between our churches threatens to become a chasm. This grieves my heart and the hearts of all in the ELCA, the LCMS, and other Christian church bodies throughout the world who do not see these decisions as compatible with the Word of God, or in agreement with the consensus of 2,000 years of Christian theological affirmation regarding what Scripture teaches about human sexuality. Simply stated, this matter is fundamentally related to significant differences in how we [our two church bodies] understand the authority of Holy Scripture and the interpretation of God's revealed and infallible Word." Doctrinal decisions adopted already in 2001 led the LCMS, in sincere humility and love, to declare that we could no longer consider the ELCA "to be an orthodox Lutheran church body" (2001 Res 3-21A). Sadly, the decisions of this past week to ignore biblical teaching on human sexuality have reinforced that conclusion. We respect the desire to follow conscience in moral decision making, but conscience may not overrule the Word of God. We recognize that many brothers and sisters within the ELCA, both clergy and lay, are committed to remaining faithful to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, are committed to the authority of Holy Scripture, and strongly oppose these actions. To them we offer our assurance of loving encouragement together with our willingness to provide appropriate support in their efforts to remain faithful to the Word of God and the historic teachings of the Lutheran church and all other Christian churches for the past 2,000 years. Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick, President The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod [14]Back to top NO WEBSITE UPDATES Due to computer complications at the District Office, we are not able to update the District website at this time. As soon as the situation is resolved, updates will be made. Until that time, feel free to email us at [15]info@ndlcms.org, call us at 888-643-2961, or become a fan of the Nebraska District Facebook page to learn the latest news on ministry in Nebraska. We apologize for any inconvenience, and we appreciate your patience. [16]Back to top CONGREGATIONAL YOUTH MINISTRY INQUIRY FORMS STILL BEING COLLECTED Church offices should have received a mailing in mid-July regarding the 2010 National LCMS Youth Gathering, WE BELIEVE. As part of that mailing, congregations were asked to return a Congregational Youth Ministry Inquiry form. If your congregation has not yet completed this form, we would still like to have this information. This mailing and the form are on the District website at [17]www.ndlcms.org/education/youth/gathering.html. There is also information on the WE BELIEVE Adult Leader Informational meetings taking place in the District in September, along with contact information for the Nebraska District Coordinators. [18]Back to top WORSHIP AT STATE FAIR Are you planning to take in the Nebraska State Fair this weekend or next weekend? Will you be there on a Sunday? If so, join the Nebraska District Lutheran Laymen as they provide a worship service at the Open Air Auditorium each Sunday at 9:00 a.m. Rev. Paul Holtorf, Associate Professor of Theology, Concordia University, Seward, will be preaching and leading the service on Sunday, August 30. Special music will be provided by the A Cappella Choir of Concordia University under the direction of Kurt Von Kampen. Rev. Keith Grimm will be preaching the message on Sunday, September 6. Pastor Grimm serves as the International Pastoral Advisor of the Lutheran Laymen's League and serves as senior pastor at Beautiful Savior in LaVista. Leading the worship service and sharing the children's message will be Rev. Duane Fahr of First Trinity, Bloomfield. Pastor Fahr serves as the Nebraska District's LLL Pastoral Advisor. Special music will be provided by the Concordia Lutheran Schools, Omaha, High School Choir, under the direction of Peter Klemp. If you are at the fair, don't miss this special time to worship our Lord. [19]Back to top LWML NEBRASKA DISTRICT NORTH FALL RETREAT The LWML Nebraska District North Fall Retreat will be held at Zion Lutheran in Plainview on September 19. The retreat theme is "Singing His Praises In His Word." The day will include three Bible studies based on three favorite hymns, as well as a hymn sing and organ recital by Stephen Hakes of Christ, Norfolk. Registration forms and the $20 fee are appreciated by September 1. Teens (Friends Into Serving Him) are also invited to come to join in praising the Lord and learning through the Word. Registration forms and information on the day have been sent to all churches and society presidents in the district. Pastors and secretaries are encouraged to include this information in their upcoming bulletin and Sunday morning announcements. For more information, contact Katy Gifford at 402-586-2411 or [20]blessings@gpcom.net. [21]Back to top CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY, NEBRASKA ON "BEST" LIST Concordia University, Nebraska moved to No. 16, up two spots, in the Midwest baccalaureate category of U.S. News & World Report's 2010 America's Best Colleges rankings released last week. Concordia continues its upward move in the rankings in recent years and maintains its spot as the highest ranked Nebraska school in its category. "We are very pleased to once again be listed among the top baccalaureate universities in the Midwest," said Rev. Dr. Brian L. Friedrich, president of Concordia. "The rankings highlight the excellence and value of Lutheran, Christian higher education available at Concordia University, Nebraska." Based on its first-tier ranking and an overall score of 69, Concordia also compares well to schools in other categories and regions. Concordia Nebraska continues to be the top-ranked school in the Concordia University System. "Our staff and faculty have worked tirelessly to make Concordia an outstanding experience for our students and to be recognized in this way is an honor," said Aaron Roberts, director of admissions at Concordia. "The exceptional support of our alumni and friends is also reflected in this ranking. Our high academic standards, alongside the Christian environment that our entire campus strives for, make Concordia a unique and highly respected university." Criteria evaluated in the rankings included academic reputation, retention and graduation rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, and alumni support. While placed in the baccalaureate category based on the overall percentage and number of graduates in programs offered, Concordia also offers master's degrees in multiple areas, including a new MBA program. Complete rankings are available online at [22]www.usnews.com/colleges and in the magazine's issue on newsstands August 20. [23]Back to top NEBRASKA LUTHERANS FOR CONFESSIONAL STUDY TO MEET The September gathering of the Nebraska Lutherans for Confessional Study (NLCS) is Thursday, September 3, at Good Shepherd, 3825 Wildbriar Lane in Lincoln. Refreshments will be in the fellowship hall at 9:30 a.m., followed by Matins at 10 a.m. Special guest presenter will be Dr. Mark Mattes, Religion and Philosophy Department Chair at Grand View College in Des Moines, Iowa, and world-renowned Lutheran scholar and expert on the doctrine of justification. His topic, starting at 10:30 a.m., will be "A Critique of Robert Jenson's teaching on Justification." Publications by Dr. Mattes include "The Preached God: Proclamation in Word and Sacrament," "The Role of Justification in Contemporary Theology," and "The Grand View College Reader." The meeting will conclude by 2:30 p.m. Everyone is invited, both clergy and laity. A free will offering will be taken to help defray expenses. [24]Back to top SIBLING HARMONY CONCERTS IN NEBRASKA Sibling Harmony is a Christian band (LCMS) that will be playing at the following locations in Nebraska on their way to Colorado. Wednesday, September 2 - 7 p.m. concert - St Peter Lutheran Church, Deshler Thursday, September 3 - 9:15 a.m. chapel - Deshler Lutheran School, Deshler Thursday, September 3 - 6:30 p.m. concert - Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Holdrege Kevin Bueltman, former director of Camp Luther, is part of this group with his sister, Kim, and a brother, Kurtis, both church workers in Illinois. Kevin is attending Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. You can hear their music at [25]www.SiblingHarmony.com or search for their songs at [26]www.iTunes.com. [27]Back to top FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY CLASS OFFERED IN OMAHA St. John, Omaha, is offering Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University class this fall. The free preview will be Saturday, August 29, beginning at 9 a.m. at 11120 Calhoun Road, Omaha. Classes begin at the church on Saturday, September 12, and run from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. For more information contact the church office at 402- 451-2441. [28]Back to top Thank you to all who shared information for this Update. Please continue to send information of interest to the District Office by replying to this e-mail or sending it to [29]communications@ndlcms.org. Blessings on your day, Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 1-888-643-2961 [30]nicholeh@ndlcms.org [31]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. mailto:paulp@ndlcms.org 2. http://www.ndlcms.org/ 3. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090826/e7209792/attachment-tmp.htm#prayer 4. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090826/e7209792/attachment-tmp.htm#statement 5. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090826/e7209792/attachment-tmp.htm#website 6. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090826/e7209792/attachment-tmp.htm#youth 7. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090826/e7209792/attachment-tmp.htm#fair 8. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090826/e7209792/attachment-tmp.htm#lwml 9. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090826/e7209792/attachment-tmp.htm#CU 10. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090826/e7209792/attachment-tmp.htm#nlcs 11. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090826/e7209792/attachment-tmp.htm#harmony 12. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090826/e7209792/attachment-tmp.htm#fpu 13. http://www.lcms.org/ 14. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090826/e7209792/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 15. mailto:info@ndlcms.org 16. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090826/e7209792/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 17. http://www.ndlcms.org/education/youth/gathering.html 18. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090826/e7209792/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 19. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090826/e7209792/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 20. mailto:blessings@gpcom.net 21. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090826/e7209792/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 22. http://www.usnews.com/colleges 23. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090826/e7209792/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 24. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090826/e7209792/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 25. http://www.SiblingHarmony.com/ 26. http://www.iTunes.com/ 27. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090826/e7209792/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 28. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20090826/e7209792/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 29. mailto:communications@ndlcms.org 30. mailto:nicholeh@ndlcms.org 31. http://www.ndlcms.org/