[cid:image001.gif@01CA62BD.1A761E10] November 11, 2009 In this issue: A blessed Veterans Day to you! What a wonderful opportunity we have today to be reminded to thank and pay tribute to the millions of veterans, both living and dead, who sacrificed so much for the freedoms we enjoy everyday. While the history of Veterans Day begins at the end of World War I, the holiday as we observe it today was finally set in 1978. According to [1]www.history.com: "On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in the First World War, then known as `the Great War.' Commemorated as Armistice Day beginning the following year, November 11th became a legal federal holiday in the United States in 1938. In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars." While it is very important that we honor our veterans, and we are fortunate to have a holiday to remind us of their great service, today is also a good time for each of us to identify the hostilities in which we are engaged in our own lives. Because we are sinful, we have relationships that are strained or broken. These relationships might be with our spouse, children, co-workers, church workers or members, neighbors, or others. Because Jesus died and rose again to reconcile us to Himself, He has restored our relationship with Him. Through His goodness and mercy, we can extend the olive branch of peace to those with whom we are in conflict. Imagine the witness our own personal "Armistice Day" could give to those around us. By working toward the end of our hostilities, our relationships can begin to heal, creating a God-given peace that is evident to those around us. As we commemorate Veterans Day today, may we prayerfully consider those God is calling us to "make peace" with. * [2]Prayer Requests * [3]LCMS World Mission Provides Resources for Veterans * [4]Portals of Prayer Needs Authors * [5]Lutheran High Northeast Returns to State Volleyball * [6]Christmas at Concordia Concerts * [7]Live Nativity in Bloomfield * [8]Registration Opens for 2010 LCMS Servant Events * [9]Current LCMS Family Ministry Newsletters Available * [10]Missionary to Southwest Alaska Sought * [11]Christmas Timpani for Sale or Rent * [12]Darwin Conference Audio Available Online * [13]Nebraska Lutherans for Confessional Study to Meet * [14]Teen LWML "Appreciates" Pastor * [15]November a Time to Recognize the Benefits of Hospice PRAYER REQUESTS Rev. Richard Gudgel and family - Please remember Rev. Richard Gudgel and his wife Bonnie in your prayers as Pastor Gudgel's 91-year-old father, Andrew, was called home to heaven Friday, November 6. His funeral will be today, November 11, at Grace Lutheran Church in Grand Island. Pastor Gudgel serves Mt. Calvary, Omaha, as well as Omaha North Circuit Counselor. Nathan Hultquist - From the friends and members of St. Paul Lutheran, Minden, and Pastor Don and Sandy Becker: Please remember in your prayers Nathan Hultquist, the Becker's nine-year-old grandson. Nathan is heading back to Denver Children's Hospital with his parents Rob and Jenny (Becker) Hultquist for a scheduled, annual MRI to once again check the status of Nathan's malignant brain tumors that underwent radiation five years ago. Nathan will also be meeting with a team of specialists who continue to monitor his case and the side-effects that he experiences as he grows older. So far, he is doing well in the third grade, and greatly enjoys the friendship and fellowship of his classmates in Sunday school. [16]Back to top LCMS WORLD MISSION PROVIDES RESOURCES FOR VETERANS Veteran's Day is today and it provides a perfect opportunity to reach out to those who have served in our nation's military. This day of remembrance and thanks is a great opportunity to encourage a veteran who is brother or sister in Christ. It could also provide a bridge for sharing faith in Jesus with an unbelieving friend or family member who is a veteran. Operation Barnabas, a program of LCMS World Mission's Ministry to the Armed Forces, specializes in equipping congregations to reach out to veterans in their communities and to support LCMS reserve chaplains who are returning to parish pastor roles. If your congregation would like to learn more about reaching out to veterans and their families with Christ's healing love, consider attending a district Operation Barnabas training workshop. Upcoming workshops include: Living Water Lutheran Church, Sanford, Fla., Nov. 14; Trinity Lutheran Church, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Nov. 21; and Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Plano, Texas, Jan. 16. Has your congregation organized a special outreach or thank you to men and women who have served in the United States military? Have you promoted Veteran's Day in another special way through your congregation? Please share your experiences and ideas with LCMS World Mission at [17]mission.info@lcms.org. Learn more: ˇ Follow the latest news from Operation Barnabas at [18]http://barnabas.lcmsworldmission.org. ˇ [19]Read an article from the November 2009 issue of the Lutheran Witness about a reserve chaplain's family that has been touched by the ministry of Operation Barnabas. ˇ Contact Rev. Mike Moreno, director of Operation Barnabas, at [20]michael.moreno@lcms.org to learn more about how your congregation can be involved. [21]Back to top PORTALS OF PRAYER NEEDS AUTHORS Concordia Publishing House (CPH) has sent out a call for devotional writers for its popular daily magazine, Portals of PrayerŽ. The developers of Portals of Prayer ask that interested writers send an e-mail to [22]portals@cph.org by November 15, 2009, to request a copy of the 2012 Writer's Guidelines. More information about Portals of Prayer is available at [23]cph.org/magazines. Robert Sexton, Marketing Manager of Portals of Prayer, says "Portals of Prayer is the longest running daily devotional magazine, delivering life enriching content to over 750,000 Christians every day of the year." After applicants receive their copy of the 2012 Writing Guidelines, the company will ask for four sample devotions. Writing samples are due January 4, 2010, and CPH will select its team of authors sometime that month. In addition, Sexton shares the following requirements to write for Portals of Prayer, "We ask that the authors show their excellent writing skills, accuracy in theology, and the ability to write within specified guidelines, which includes accurate word count." [24]Back to top LUTHERAN HIGH NORTHEAST RETURNS TO STATE VOLLEYBALL For the second consecutive year, the Lady Eagles of Lutheran High Northeast in Norfolk are headed to the State tournament in Lincoln. Last year's team qualified as a member of C2. This year's team qualified as a member of C1, which is remarkable, given that they are one of the smallest schools in C1. After finishing their regular season with a record of 30-0, the girls won their sub-district championship, but it wasn't easy. They played Pierce in the first round and defeated them, 3-1. That was the first time this year that any team had taken them to a fourth set in a five-set match. The girls defeated Norfolk Catholic in the championship on Nov. 3 in a thrilling 3-2 match--the first time this year that the girls had been extended to a fifth set. On November 6, the Lady Eagles traveled to O'Neill to play Ord in the District final. After falling behind 18-13 in the first set, the Lady Eagles rallied by scoring 12 of the next 15 to win the set. They used this momentum to win the second and third sets as well, sweeping Ord 3-0, to qualify for State. The team enters State with a 33-0 record and is seeded third. The first match for Lutheran High Northeast is against Syracuse on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 1:30 p.m. at Lincoln Northeast High School. The winner of that match advances to the semi-finals on Friday, Nov. 13, playing at 2:30 p.m. at Pershing. If they win that match, they'll play in the C1 championship at the Coliseum on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 9:30 a.m. If they don't, they will play for third place at Lincoln Southeast High School at noon on Saturday, Nov. 14. Find out more and keep up-to-date on LHNE tournament play on the school's website, [25]www.lhne.org or [26]www.nsaahome.org. Way to go, Lady Eagles! [27]Back to top CHRISTMAS AT CONCORDIA CONCERTS Christmas at Concordia, presented by the Concordia University Department of Music, will put audiences in the holiday mood with three concerts on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 5 and 6 at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward. The Saturday performance will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday's performances are scheduled for 3 and 7 p.m. The concerts are free, but tickets are required. "There is something very special about the annual Christmas at Concordia concert," shared Dr. Kurt von Kampen, director of the University A Cappella Choir and Concordia Chorale, the men's chorus. "In my years at Concordia it has developed into a most powerful telling of the most important story ever told. The student musicians feel it. The professors feel it. Many have said that it has become an essential part of their preparation for the celebration of the birth of Christ." More than 200 student musicians will be involved in the event. Along with the ensembles directed by von Kampen, the University Symphonic Band, Concordia Handbell Choir, Concordia Singers and the Brass Ensemble will participate. Dr. Jeffrey Blersch, university organist, and featured student soloists also will perform. "This is more than a concert," said von Kampen. "The performances will be spectacular but more importantly the Christ Child will be praised." During the concerts, Scripture readings will be woven together with Christmas music from around the world. The program includes traditional holiday hymns, audience participation and pieces composed or arranged by members of the department. A holiday buffet will be offered in the Janzow Campus Center from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Saturday and between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. on Sunday. Christmas at Concordia concert and holiday buffet tickets need to be reserved online at [28]www.cune.edu/CaCpayment; printed receipts from the online reservations will serve as tickets for the events. [29]Back to top LIVE NATIVITY IN BLOOMFIELD First Trinity Lutheran Church will hold their annual Live Nativity presentation at the Harm and Tullys Event Center on the Knox County Fairgrounds, Bloomfield, NE, Sunday, December 13, at 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. The title of the presentation is "Glorious Impossible," and will include First Trinity's choir, soloists, duet, and a cast of members telling the story of God's salvation from creation to the resurrection. Some video will be included this year. A Christmas CD will be given to each family who attends. The Live Nativity presentation is a gift to the community from the members of First Trinity, therefore there will be no charge at the door. For more information, please contact First Trinity Lutheran Church, PO Box 540, Bloomfield, NE 68718, 402-373-4797, or [30]ftlc@gpcom.net. [31]Back to top REGISTRATION OPENS FOR 2010 LCMS SERVANT EVENTS (LCMS News, No. 88) Groups interested in participating in a 2010 LCMS servant event may begin registering now. For that process, check the list of available servant events at [32]http://www.lcms.org/youth/servantevents, choose an event, and follow the "How To Register" steps on the Web site. Servant events sponsored by LCMS District and Congregational Services -- Youth Ministry provide opportunities for youth to learn that serving others can make a difference because of Jesus Christ. In 2010, a variety of servant events will take place across the country and one is scheduled in Costa Rica. Event opportunities include construction, human care, environmental, outreach, multicultural, crisis, and family events. "All of our events include Bible study, group building, and connection with other Christian youth," said Jim Lohman, associate director of servant events with LCMS Youth Ministry. "They are an excellent opportunity for youth to grow in their faith as they live what they believe." LCMS servant events have been held for more than 25 years. And participants say that lives have been changed as a result of them. Eric Gerken, a director of Christian education at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fremont, Neb., says he has seen first-hand how servant events have an impact on the lives of youth. Young people from his congregation participated in the Joyful Hearts Camp this past summer at Camp LuWiSoMo in south Wisconsin, where they served mentally and physically disabled campers. "Our youth jumped into the project with enthusiasm and embraced the idea of serving God by serving others," Gerken said. "It was difficult, as many of the campers had needs beyond what our youth anticipated, but they were mature and made a decision to put others before themselves. It has had a lasting effect, in that I see more service-oriented attitudes in how they live life daily," Gerken said. At the Cedar Rapids Flood Relief event through Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca -- also this summer -- Jessica Bordeleau, part-time youth worker at Timothy Lutheran Church in St. Louis, saw significant spiritual growth in one of her youth. "Shannon had been coming regularly to Bible Study and youth activities for a while," Bordeleau said. "He came with his buddy on the weeklong servant event. At the end of the servant event, he asked if he could be baptized. His parents, who are religiously indifferent, wanted him to think about it for two more weeks before doing it, but they were open to the idea. Shannon was committed to it and was baptized in August. Praise God!" [33]Back to top CURRENT LCMS FAMILY MINISTRY NEWSLETTERS AVAILABLE (Family Ministry eNews, October 31) The LCMS Family Ministry Department has made the current issues of the following newsletters available. For many families, the transcendent meaning of traditions and rituals associated with observing holidays testifies to the powerful influence they have for contributing to family identity and a sense of belonging. These may take the shape of rituals handed down for generations or declare the establishment of a new family identity. This month's issue of Home Base invites you to celebrate and create traditions known and new, [34]click here to check it out. Thanksgiving is a time to remember God's special blessings in our lives, the ones we enjoy everyday, and other ones that really surprise us. Read this month's issue of 24/7 for a story of a "double blessing" for an unsuspecting young lady. [35]Click here to read the November 2009 issue of 24/7. Dr. Vic Constien offers insights about the stability and skills that older people can share with their faith community as well as a few practical suggestions for honoring and recognizing them. Check out this month's issue of Great Expectations-A Newsletter on Expanding Ministry With Older People by [36]clicking here. To read the most recent entry in the LCMS Family Blog and offer your thoughts about Dr. Christopher's article, "Or Else!" [37]click here [38]Back to top MISSIONARY TO SOUTHWEST ALASKA SOUGHT Alaska Mission for Christ is prayerfully seeking someone with a heart for serving others and for reaching people with the Gospel to fill the position of Missionary to Southwest Alaska. The successful applicant will creatively coordinate and facilitate mission outreach in an area of Alaska the size of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. He will work with volunteers and local residents to share the Gospel through relationships in mostly small isolated rural villages. While interest in native languages is encouraged, English is the mode of communication for the missionary. The Alaska Mission for Christ is a non-profit corporation organized and directed by the churches of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod in Alaska. For more information see [39]http://www.alaskamissionforchrist.org or contact Todd Roeske at 907-259-5115 or [40]toddroeske@alaskamissionforchrist.org . [41]Back to top CHRISTMAS TIMPANI FOR SALE OR RENT Attention Music Directors: Do you have timpani lined up for Christmas yet? There are several sets of timpani available for sale or rent in the Nebraska District. Contact Jim Krutz at [42]JimKrutz@gmail.com for more information. [43]Back to top DARWIN CONFERENCE AUDIO AVAILABLE ONLINE Dealing with Darwinism proved to be one of the most popular conferences hosted by Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana. Presenters Dr. Dean O. Wenthe, President, CTS; Dr. Adam Francisco, Assistant Professor of Historical Theology, CTS; and Dr. David Menton, Associate Professor Emeritus of Anatomy at Washington University School of Medicine and speaker for Answers in Genesis, shared insightful information on this most thought-provoking subject during the October 9-10 conference. Those who were unable to attend the conference may now purchase the audio files online. You will be able to listen to the audio, as well as save copies of the MP3 files to your computer for use in an MP3 player or iPod. Simply [44]click here, create an account, and select Dealing with Darwinism (All Audio). For additional information on this and all events at CTS, please visit [45]www.ctsfw.edu or phone 260-452-2100. [46]Back to top NEBRASKA LUTHERANS FOR CONFESSIONAL STUDY TO MEET The November gathering of the Nebraska Lutherans for Confessional Study (NLCS) will be held on Thursday, November 12 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. Presenter for the morning session will be Rev. Dan Feusse, pastor of Concordia, Clearwater. His topic will be "The Eternal Priestly Sacrifice of the Son of God in the Book of Hebrews." The morning session will start at about 10:30 a.m.; following lunch the afternoon topic will start at about 1 p.m. Afternoon presenter will be Rev. Bert Mueller of Trinity, Amherst. His topic will be "The New Perspective on Paul." 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. [47]Back to top TEEN LWML "APPRECIATES" PASTOR Teen LWML "WORD!" of Immanuel, Laurel, if you remember, challenged its congregation to giving cards, etc. to Pastor William Engebretsen in October in honor of Clergy Appreciation Month. This year's tally more than tripled last year's count. Fifty-five remembrances of cards, homemade and home canned foods, snacks, a rubber ducky, text messages, and other miscellaneous gifts were given, with 50 cents per item being donated to District North LWML Mites in Pastor's name. WORD! also challenged the Nebraska District LCMS and are anxious to hear of their response! To share how your congregation participated in Clergy Appreciation Month, send stories to [48]communications@ndlcms.org. [49]Back to top NOVEMBER A TIME TO RECOGNIZE THE BENEFITS OF HOSPICE Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman will proclaim November as National Hospice Month on Monday, Nov. 16, 2009, at 10 a.m. in the Warner's Chambers of the State Capitol Building. The public is invited to attend. Hospice offers patients and their families a team that is comprised of a physician, nurse, social worker, chaplain, therapists and volunteers. The hospice team provides pain management, symptom control, psychosocial support, and spiritual care when a cure is not possible. "Last year, more than 6,500 Nebraskans received care from a hospice provider," said Pat Snyder, executive director of the Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Partnership (NHPCP), the state's hospice association. "Although this number continues to grow each year, it still means that only 43 percent of those who died received the benefits of hospice." Go to nehospice.org to locate a local hospice provider or to request a speaker for a civic, church or veteran organization. NHPCP is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose members include Nebraska hospices, community end-of-life coalitions, and other health and elder-care organizations. NHPCP is a member of Community Health Charities of Nebraska. [50]Back to top Thanks to all who shared information for this week's Update. If you have information to share, please send it to [51]communications@ndlcms.org. We hope these weekly E-mail Updates are a valuable resource in your ministry. The Updates are for all workers and leaders in your congregation. If you know of someone you think would benefit from the information in the Update, please forward it to them. Anyone is invited to subscribe by visiting [52]http://www.ndlcms.org/news/communications/update.html. Blessings, Nichole Hetz Nebraska District LCMS Director of Communications 1-888-643-2961 [53]nicholeh@ndlcms.org [54]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. http://www.history.com/ 2. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20091111/b1fc9e73/attachment-tmp.htm#prayer 3. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20091111/b1fc9e73/attachment-tmp.htm#veterans 4. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20091111/b1fc9e73/attachment-tmp.htm#author 5. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20091111/b1fc9e73/attachment-tmp.htm#volleyball 6. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20091111/b1fc9e73/attachment-tmp.htm#christmas 7. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20091111/b1fc9e73/attachment-tmp.htm#nativity 8. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20091111/b1fc9e73/attachment-tmp.htm#servant 9. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20091111/b1fc9e73/attachment-tmp.htm#family 10. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20091111/b1fc9e73/attachment-tmp.htm#alaska 11. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20091111/b1fc9e73/attachment-tmp.htm#timpani 12. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20091111/b1fc9e73/attachment-tmp.htm#darwin 13. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20091111/b1fc9e73/attachment-tmp.htm#nlcs 14. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20091111/b1fc9e73/attachment-tmp.htm#lwml 15. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20091111/b1fc9e73/attachment-tmp.htm#hospice 16. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20091111/b1fc9e73/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 17. mailto:mission.info@lcms.org 18. http://barnabas.lcmsworldmission.org/ 19. http://www.lcms.org/pages/wPage.asp?ContentID=653&IssueID=38 20. mailto:michael.moreno@lcms.org 21. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20091111/b1fc9e73/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 22. mailto:portals@cph.org 23. http://www.cph.org/magazines 24. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20091111/b1fc9e73/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 25. http://www.lhne.org/ 26. http://www.nsaahome.org/ 27. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20091111/b1fc9e73/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 28. http://www.cune.edu/CaCpayment 29. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20091111/b1fc9e73/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 30. mailto:ftlc@gpcom.net 31. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20091111/b1fc9e73/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 32. http://www.lcms.org/youth/servantevents 33. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20091111/b1fc9e73/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 34. http://www.lcms.org/graphics/assets/media/DCS/1109HomeBase.pdf 35. http://www.lcms.org/graphics/assets/media/DCS/24-71109.pdf 36. http://www.lcms.org/graphics/assets/media/DCS/1109GE.pdf 37. http://www.lcms.org/ca/dcs/family/blog/default.asp 38. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20091111/b1fc9e73/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 39. http://www.alaskamissionforchrist.org/ 40. mailto:toddroeske@alaskamissionforchrist.org 41. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20091111/b1fc9e73/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 42. mailto:JimKrutz@gmail.com 43. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20091111/b1fc9e73/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 44. http://conted.ctsfw.edu/course/category.php?id=7 45. http://www.ctsfw.edu/ 46. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20091111/b1fc9e73/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 47. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20091111/b1fc9e73/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 48. mailto:communications@ndlcms.org 49. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20091111/b1fc9e73/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 50. file://localhost/var/lib/mailman/archives/private/distupd/attachments/20091111/b1fc9e73/attachment-tmp.htm#atop 51. mailto:communications@ndlcms.org 52. http://www.ndlcms.org/news/communications/update.html 53. mailto:nicholeh@ndlcms.org 54. http://www.ndlcms.org/