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March 2003 

 
In This Issue
 
From the President
Be Strong and Courageous
Men's Retreat
Contemporary Worship Workshop
Cross-Cultural Workshop
Student Aid
Lutheran College Fairs
DELTO Vicar
Conference on the Confessions for Laity
Rock Around the Clock
Call Information
Do You Like What You're Reading?
Coming Events
Anniversaries

 Archives

From the President

“Good luck!”  “I hope things go well for you.” “I’ll be thinking of you.” “You will be in my prayers.” “God be with you.” These are some of the words that were shared with me when people heard about my upcoming heart surgery. I want to thank all of you for your prayers, words of encouragement and care. God willing, successful surgery will have taken place with healing well on the way by the time you read this. Two of the above phrases, "Good luck!” and “God be with you,” especially stick out in my mind.  What a contrast in those words. “Luck” is defined as something that happens by chance, fortune or lot. “God be with you,” is a precious promise we have from our God that is so certain and real. We especially see that again this Lenten season as we travel the road to the cross of Calvary. It is there where we see Immanuel, God with us, in His Son Jesus Christ, showing forth His greatest love as our Savior from sin. Whatever we face in life, we have this promise: “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:31-32) Whatever we face, in all things, God goes with us. He cares for us and loves us. We can witness to that in our daily life by what we share with people.  May God be with you. 

-- President Eugene Gierke

  

"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 regular delegates, any LCMS member is welcome and encouraged to attend.  Registration forms will be available by mid-April from all congregations and from the District Office.

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Men's Retreat
The Southeast Nebraska Men’s Retreat will be held March 29 at St. John, Seward.  This year’s retreat will center around the theme “In the Light” and will feature Dr. James Eckman, President of Grace University in Omaha, as the keynote speaker.  There will also be sessions by various other presenters.  For more information, call Randy Moyer at 402-643-2983.

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Contemporary Worship Workshop
Trinity, Grand Island, is hosting a Contemporary Worship Workshop Weekend Saturday and Sunday March 29-30.  The presenters will be Sean and Julie Swanson from King of Kings in Omaha. For details, please email Rev. Martin Schmidt at schmidt@triluthgi.org or phone 308-382-0753.

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Cross-Cultural Workshop
Dr. Ken Behnken will present “Planting Missions Across Cultures” May 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Concordia University, Seward.  A core group from each congregation, made up of a pastor and several lay leaders, is invited to attend this workshop.  Information was mailed to each pastor in early January.  All congregations who have the opportunity and challenge of working with different cultures, socio-economic groups, or generations are invited and urged to attend.  Call the District Office for more information.

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Student Aid

Nebraska District financial support is available to anyone with demonstrated financial need, who is enrolled in a Concordia University System school or Concordia Seminary at Fort Wayne or St. Louis, to prepare for full-time service in the church. The Concordia University System consists of the 10 LCMS-operated universities located in Ann Arbor, Austin, Bronxville, Irvine, Mequon, Portland, River Forest, St. Paul, Selma and Seward. Application forms may be obtained from the District Office or the universities and seminaries or online at http://www.lcms.org and go to Resources. Deadline for completing the application process is June 1.

  
Other Scholarships . . . The LWML North provides scholarships for students preparing for church ministry careers. The Nebraska District Student Aid Committee administers the grants on the basis of residence in the North region, financial need and full-time enrollment. Application is made by completing the District financial aid application process by June 1.
  
The LWML South offers assistance to students from the South region who are going into full-time church work. Applications may be obtained from student’s local LWML society or from Elaine Schardt, RR 1 Box 25C, Carleton NE 68326 (402) 365-4161. Completed applications are due June 1.
  
LLL is offering scholarships to members of the Nebraska District, LCMS who are going into full-time church work (i.e. teacher, pastor) and will be attending one of the LCMS schools.  Send request for applications/inquiries to Donald E. Monson, 905 E South Airport Road, Norfolk, NE  68701. The deadline is May 1
  
The Gil and Blondie Vogt Scholarship Fund is designed to assist Nebraska students preparing for LCMS church vocations at any LCMS university or seminary.  Requests for information or applications should be sent to King of Kings Lutheran Church, c/o Harold Schroeder, 955 S 119th Court, Omaha NE  68154.  Application deadline is April 15.
  

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans (formerly Aid Association for Lutherans and Lutheran Brotherhood) also offers various financial assistance to members. Contact your local representative for more information or check their web site at http://www.thrivent.com.

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Lutheran College Fairs
Representatives of schools will be on hand with information about Lutheran colleges and universities, including the LCMS Concordia University System schools.  The fairs are primarily for high school sophomores and juniors, along with their parents.  A fair is scheduled on Sunday, March 23, from 3L30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Central, 3321 S 72nd St., Omaha.  Further information is available by calling 402-393-3950.

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DELTO Vicar
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, has announced that 31 DELTO (Distance Education Leading to Ordination) students have been declared vicars in October.  Michael Meyer has been assigned to Trinity Lutheran Church and School in Fremont.

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Conference on the Confessions for Laity
an introduction to the Augsburg Confession, will be held at Mt. Olive, Norfolk, on Saturday, March 22, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Rev. Daniel Preus, LCMS vice president, will be the presenter.  Register by contacting Rev. David Kuhfal at Grace, Neligh, 402-887-4791.

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Rock Around the Clock
The Lord is our refuge and strength at all times, even during those challenging junior high years. Junior High youth and their adult leaders will have two more opportunities to explore this theme through two retreats offered March 28-29 at Camp Luther, Schuyler, and April 4-5 at Camp Comeca, Cozad. Registration information is being mailed to all congregations, available on the web site, or call Susan at the Distinct Office.

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CALL INFORMATION

ORDAINED MINISTERS

COMMISSIONED MINISTERS

Calls Accepted

Calls Accepted

Rev. John Fale (FtW'85)

Faith Regional Health Service, Norfolk, to Director of Chaplaincy, Pastoral Counseling and Clinical Education, Human Care Ministries, St. Louis.

Carol Loewe (S'67) 

Commissioned Roster-Teacher to LCMS World Mission, Missionary to East Africa.

  

 

Calls Declined

  Other Transactions

Rev. Roland Feickert (StL'00)

Zion, Altamont, IL, to Christ, Falls City.

Julie Dahn (S97)

Teacher, Trinity, Madison to Inactive Non-Candidate

 

   

    

Rev. Jeff Anderson (StL'88)

senior pastor, Grace, Wayne, to Immanuel, Springfield, IL.

Everett Thies (S69)

Teacher, Immanuel, Columbus to Commissioned Non-Candidate

 

Rev. Loren Cooper (FtW'90)

Zion, Hampton, to St. Paul, Malcolm.

Tamra Jurchen (SP'69)

 Beaver Crossing, NE, Lay teacher to Commissioned, Our Redeemer, Staplehurst

  

 

Rev. Allen Pingel (StL'85) 

St. Mark, Milwaukee, WI, to St. John, Chester, and Zion, Hubbell.

 

  

 

Rev. Waldemar Vinovskis (StL'92)

Concordia, Macungie, Pa., to St. Paul, Omaha

 

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Do You Like What You're Reading?
Do you want more information on what is happening in the Nebraska District?  Check out the Nebraska District website, which has past and current District publications and contact information for District staff, as well as news and events from around the District as they happen.  Get the information you want anytime by logging on to www.ndlcms.org

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Coming Events

National Lutheran Schools Week, March 2-8

District LLL Convention, Emmanuel, York, March 21-23

Caring Ministry Workshop, Christ, Lincoln, March 22

Junior High Retreat, Camp Luther, Schuyler, March 28-29, 2003

Junior High Retreat, Camp Comeca, Cozad, April 4-5, 2003

Principals’ Conference, Leadership Center, Aurora, April 10-11, 2003  

Cross-Cultural Workshop, Concordia University, Seward, May 3

Nebraska District LCMS Convention, Concordia University, Seward, June 5-7, 2003

Early Childhood Conference, Concordia University, Seward, June 18

Teachers' Retreat, Seward, August 5

Orphan Grain Train National Convention, Lutheran High Northeast, Norfolk, Sept. 12-13

Teachers' Conference, Immanuel, Columbus, Oct. 23-24

Lutherans For Life National Convention, Holiday Inn, Omaha, November 7-9

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Anniversaries

Trinity, Grand Island, 125th, March 1-2, with Dr. David Peter, son of the congregation and Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, faculty member, speaking.  October 4-5, 2003, special service with Rev. Terry Timm preaching.

Emmanuel, York, 100th, March 20, services at 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. with Rev. David Block preaching, 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.

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