|
Archives
|
| From
the President |
| Hope – How would
you define that word? We use it a lot in our lives. For example:
“I hope winter will soon be over” or “I hope we
will have good moisture this spring” or “I hope I will feel
better soon.” As we use the word hope, we oftentimes define it
as something that might or might not happen - we just don’t
know for sure. After the resurrection of our Lord, two disciples
on the way to Emmaus used the word hope in a conversation. They
are described as being downcast, as our risen Lord, whom they
did not recognize, engaged them in conservation. In speaking
about Jesus, who they thought was dead, they shared, “We
had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.”
(Luke 24:21) They thought all was lost when He died. The
good news we hear as we once again celebrate Easter is hope as
God defines it. It is something that is so real and certain in
our risen Lord and Savior Jesus! Listen once how the apostle
Peter states it: “Praise be to the God and Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth
into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from
the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil
or fade—kept in heaven for you.” (1 Peter 1:3-4) This hope of life forever in heaven is God’s promise to us
through faith in our risen Savior and Lord. As resurrection
people, we celebrate a hope so sure and certain. A blessed
Easter! – President Eugene Gierke |
|
Back to Top
|
| Nebraska
Bylaws Revision |
| The final round of Listening Posts held throughout the
District has been completed, and the Bylaws Task Force Committee
would like to thank all those who participated with their input
and prayer. The
process involved three rounds of District Listening Posts, as
well as a review by the synodical Commission on Constitutional
Matters, the District Constitution and Handbook Committee, The
Nebraska District Board of Directors, and the Bylaws Task Force.
Your input was valuable – and has been heard and
incorporated into the final draft, along with the suggestions
made by the synodical Commission on Constitutional Matters. This
draft will be presented to the delegates at the June District
Convention. The
committee appreciated the cooperation received on their efforts
and added: "What a blessing it is to have people
willing to serve Him in His work throughout the District!" |
|
Back to Top
|
| Mission
Trip Scholarships |
| In response to Resolution #2.03 adopted by the Nebraska
District LCMS Convention in June 2000, the Nebraska District
Board of Directors has adopted guidelines for the granting of
mission trip scholarships for pastors, professional church
workers and lay people of the Nebraska District. Check the District
web site, or for further information, a copy of the
guidelines or an application, contact Susan Bray at the District
Office at susanb@ndlcms.org
or 1-888-643-2961. |
|
Back to Top
|
| New
Directions in Mission Leadership |
| “Leaving
Mission Fingerprints on the World: Involving Individuals and
Congregations in Local and Global Mission” is the theme of the
New Directions Mission Conference being held in St. Louis April
24-27. This is an
opportunity for anyone interested in becoming involved in
sharing the Good News about Jesus.
For more information call 1-800-433-3954, etx. 1316 or
log on to www.lcmsworldmission.org/newdirections.
|
|
Back to Top
|
| Parish
Nurse Preparation Course |
| A 3-day intensive
professional development course for parish nurses and nurses who
wish to start parish health ministries will be held at Trinity,
Salina, Kan. on July 8-10.
This course is being offered through a collaborative
effort between the LCMS District parish nurse representatives
for the Kansas, Oklahoma, and Nebraska Districts and Thrivent.
The course will introduce nurses to the specific roles
and practice of parish nurses and provide strategies to equip
nurses to start a parish nurse ministry.
For more information, contact Chris Blanke at
402-643-4278 or cblanke@seward.cune.edu.
See the District
website for full course information.
|
|
Back to Top
|
| CALL
INFORMATION |
|
ORDAINED MINISTERS |
COMMISSIONED MINISTERS |
|
Calls Accepted |
Other Transactions |
|
Rev. Robert Kuefner, Jr.
(StL95)
Beautiful Savior, North Platte,
to Holy Cross (associate), Kearney. |
Julene Clarkson (S91)
Teacher, Co-Administrator, Trinity, Madison to Inactive
Commissioned Non-Candidate |
|
Rev. Thomas Mackey (FtW98)
St. Paul, Iron River, and Sion,
Amasa, MI, to St. Paul, Shelton, and St. Paul (Lowell), Kenesaw. |
Diane Merrill (S84)
Teacher, Faith, Lincoln to Commissioned Inactive
Non-Candidate |
|
Rev. Aaron Witt (StL00)
St. Peter, Wymore, and First,
Summerfield, KS, to senior pastor, Zion, McHenry, IL. |
Micah Parker (S91)
Asst. Professor, Concordia University, Seward to
Commissioned Inactive Non-Candidate |
|
|
Betty Tull (S77)
Principal, St. Paul, Omaha, to Commissioned Inactive
Emerita |
|
Ordained Minister Calls
Declined |
|
Rev. Wayne Ahrens (FtW90)
Senior pastor, Trinity, Perry, IA,
to Peace, McCook |
Rev. Tim Mueller (StL87)
St. John, New Minden, and St.
Luke, Covington, IL, to Zion (Worms), St. Libory. |
|
Rev. Michael Chaffee
(StL83)
Senior pastor, Holy Savior,
Lincoln, to senior pastor, Holy Cross, Cary, IL. |
Rev.
Larry Sheppard (FtW99)
Holy
Trinity, Lakeview, Mich., to Christ, Falls City. |
|
Rev. Mark Cutler (StL88)
Senior pastor, St. John, Seward,
to Bethesda, Hot Springs, SD. |
|
|
Back to Top
|
| "Be
Strong and Courageous . . . |
| For the Lord Your God
Goes With You," based on Deuteronomy 31:6, is the theme for the 2003
Nebraska District Convention at Concordia University, Seward,
June 5-7. Held
every three years, the convention is an opportunity for members
of the Nebraska District to come together in celebration of what
God is doing throughout the District, Synod, and the world.
Uplifting worship, elections, business meetings and
dialogue with Synod and District staff are planned.
In addition to the voting delegates, any LCMS member is
welcome and encouraged to attend. Convention Workbooks will be mailed to all voting and
advisory delegates by April 28, and will include registration
forms. Guests
may obtain registration forms from their church office or
the District Office. Registration
forms are due by May 7. |
|
Back to Top
|
| Board
Summary |
|
The
Board of Directors received reports and took the following
action at their meeting on the 28:
·
Ratified
Constitution and Handbook Committee action on the Constitution
and Bylaws of Zion, Hoskins.
·
Ratified
action by the LCEF Nebraska Program Committee for loans to
Christ, Norfolk; Zion, Kearney; Good Shepherd, Lincoln; and
Faith, Lincoln.
·
Ratified the
reappointment of Ron Maaske and the appointment of Burnell
VonSeggern to the Board of Directors of Lutheran Family
Services.
·
Approved
resolutions to submit overtures to the 2003 Nebraska District
Convention, including recommending adoption of the Nebraska
District draft bylaws developed through congregation Listening
Post input, the Bylaws Task Force, the synodical Commission on
Constitutional Matters and the Constitution and Handbook
Committee.
·
Approved
action to release the calls issued to God's servants in two
ministries of the District - Lutheran Deaf Ministry and
Northside Community Lutheran Church.
|
|
Back to Top
|
| Congregational
Representatives for Nebraska LDR |
| The Nebraska Lutheran
Disaster Response Team serves to prepare and coordinate a
Lutheran response to disasters occurring in Nebraska.
The Nebraska LDR Team is seeking to identify
one member from each congregation in the Nebraska District to
serve as the contact person for that congregation.
A mailing was recently sent out, requesting that such a
person be identified by each congregation.
Congregations are urged to send the contact information
to the Regional LDR Coordinator identified in the mailing.
|
|
Back to Top
|
| Early
Childhood Education Conference |
| Concordia University,
Seward, presents an Early Childhood Conference June 18 on
Concordia’s campus. Author Diane Trister Dodge will be the
keynote speaker and Lori Aadsen, Associate Director of the LCMS
District and Congregational Services Child Ministry Department,
will be the Children’s Ministry Luncheon speaker.
Contact Roberta Nelson for more information at
1-402-643-7474 or rnelson@seward.cune.edu.
|
|
Back to Top
|
| Building
Churches |
|
Would
you like to see your investments help build churches and
schools? By placing
your money with Lutheran Church Extension Fund, you are
furthering the Lord’s work and helping your own ministry at
the same time. With LCEF, your investments earn a competitive interest rate
and you receive the “ministry dividend.”
Your dollars support the Great Commission by:
-
Providing
low-cost loans to LCMS churches, schools, childcare centers
and new mission starts.
-
Helping
Professional Church Workers with housing and consolidation
loans.
Please
prayerfully consider investing a portion of the blessings God
has given to you with LCEF.
For more LCEF information, please contact Paul or Connie
at the District Office at 1-888-643-2961, or visit the website
at www.lcef.org.
|
|
Back to Top
|
| Planting
Missions Across Cultures |
| Dr.
Ken Behnken will present this cross-cultural workshop for
pastors and lay leaders May 3 in Seward. Registration materials were sent to each congregation in
early March and are due to the District Office by April 17. For full conference and registration information, visit the
District web site or contact the District Office. |
|
Back to Top
|
|
Coming
Events |
|
Junior
High Retreat, Camp Comeca, Cozad, April 4-5
Cross-Cultural
Workshop,
Concordia University, Seward, May 3
Nebraska
District LCMS Convention,
Concordia University, Seward, June 5-7
Early
Childhood Conference, Concordia University, Seward, June 18
Teachers’
Retreat, Seward,
August 5, 2003
Teachers’
Conference, Immanuel, Columbus, October 23-24
Lutherans
For Life National Convention,
Holiday Inn, Omaha, November 7-9
|
|
Back to Top
|
|
Anniversaries |
|
Pilgrim,
Bellevue, 60th, May 4, with 9:00 a.m. coffee, 10:00 a.m.
worship and 11:45 a.m. lunch.
Emmanuel,
York, 100th, May 18, services at 8:00 and 10:30 a.m.,
President Eugene Gierke preaching; an old-fashioned mission
festival on July 20 with Rev. Robert Roegner as guest preacher; a
service of thankfulness and praise on Nov. 2 with Rev. Dr. Ralph
Bohlmann, former LCMS president, as guest preacher. Contact the
church office for more information, 402-362-3655.
St.
Paul, Minden, 125th, June 1, with a special service at 10 a.m.
at the C. L. Jones Middle
School Gymnasium with Dr. Dale Meyer preaching.
Dinner will follow at the Kearney County 4-H Exhibition
Hall. An open house
is planned at the church from 2 - 5 p.m.
Reservations for dinner may be called to the church office
at 308-832-1343.
Zion,
Juniata, 125th, June 8, 2003, with a 10:30 a.m.
service and an afternoon service of praise and hymns.
St.
Paul, Wisner, 100th, June 29, with morning and afternoon
services.
Zion,
Pierce, 100th, Aug. 3, with Rev. Kenneth Klaus, Lutheran Hour
speaker, preaching, followed by a noon meal. Meal
reservations may be made by calling 402-329-4313.
St.
Matthew, Cedar Bluffs, 125th, September 28.
Trinity,
Grand Island, 125th,
October 4-5, 2003, special service with Rev. Terry Timm
preaching.
|
|
Back to Top
|
|
<<
March May >> |
|