Nebraska Lutheran Reporter

Holy Restlessness! For us Lutheran Christians, October is “Reformation” month. For our congregations and schools throughout the Nebraska District, October will be that wonderful time to focus on “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) The vision of Martin Luther at the Wittenburg Church door in Germany on October 31, 1517, nailing the 95 theses of this grace and faith Gospel focus, will be before us. But our churches and schools will do much more than "remember" when they observe the Reformation of the Church. To use the words of Martin Luther, we will be led into “Holy Restlessness.”

Luther wrote: “When a Christian begins to know Christ as his Lord and Savior, who has redeemed him from death, and is brought into His dominion and heritage, his heart is thoroughly permeated by God; then he would like to help everybody attain this blessedness. For he has not greater joy than the treasured knowledge of Christ. So he begins to teach and exhort others, confesses and commends his blessedness before everybody, and sighs and prays that they, too, may come to this grace. He has a restless spirit while enjoying rest supreme, that is, God’s grace and peace. Therefore he cannot be quiet or idle but is forever struggling and striving with all his powers, as one living only to spread God’s honor and praise farther among man, to cause others also to receive this spirit of grace, and through this Spirit to also to help him pray.”

October’s Reformation observance of God’s grace through faith in Christ Jesus at work in our lives leads us to “We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10) -- President Russ Sommerfeld

BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS . . . For the Lord Your God Goes With You"

This is the theme of the circuit visits taking place across the District. As President Sommerfeld and members of the District Board of Directors and staff visit each circuit, they will share ideas and listen to what those in attendance have to say. You are invited to attend any of the visits planned across the District. Contact the host church office or the District Office to sign up. Upcoming visits include:

The Grand Island Circuit Visit on October 19 at Peace, Grand Island

The Falls City Circuit Visit on November 2 at Trinity, Auburn.

The Deshler Circuit Visit on November 9 at St. Peter, Davenport.

The Lincoln Circuit Visit on November 16 at Christ, Lincoln

Clergy Appreciation Month

October is Clergy Appreciation Month. Don't forget to celebrate the pastors in your church, as well as their families. For more information and ideas on honoring these servants of the Lord, visit www.clergyappreciation.org.

Stewardship Workshop

Ron Chewning of Stewardship Advisors, Inc., will present a three-hour stewardship workshop starting at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, October 18, at Peace, Grand Island. All Nebraska District congregations are invited to attend. Call the church office at 1-308-384-5673 for reservations. Lunch will follow the presentation.

Lutheran World Relief Ingathering

Lutheran World Relief Ingathering will be November 10-14 in Beatrice, Columbus, Fairbury, Fremont, Grand Island, Hastings, Kearney, Lincoln, Norfolk, North Platte, Omaha, South Sioux City, and York from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Goods packed for LWR should be sorted and labeled according to kind, packed in strong cartons secured with packing tape, and addressed for Lutheran World Relief. Boxes should not exceed 40 pounds and should be marked with the name and address of the sending church. For locations and information on what to donate, check the District website, call John Roseland at 1-800-456-1092 or Wilma Steinman at 1-402-371-6635, or e-mail Wilma at vsteinmn@ncfcomm.com.

New District Staff

Rachel Pozehl and Sue Kohlwey joined the District Office staff in September. Rachel joins the staff as Executive Secretary to Neil Sandfort in the area of Education and Youth. Sue is the receptionist at the District Office, as well as Executive Secretary for Paul Pettit and coordinator for President Sommerfeld’s events.

Called to Glory

Jenna Bloom, seven-year-old daughter of Pastor Jeff and Julie Bloom of Pilger, went to her heavenly home with Jesus Friday, August 29, through a drowning accident. Jenna’s funeral was Tuesday, September 2, at St. Paul, Wisner. Remaining to cherish Jenna’s memory are her parents and siblings Jordan, Joseph and Julia, as well grandparents, uncles and aunts and various other family members.

Rev. Anton C.E. Warneke, emeritus pastor, Alexandria, Minn., was called to the Lord on Aug. 23. Funeral services were conducted Aug. 27 at Zion, Alexandria, Minn., with interment at St. John's Cemetery, Villard, Minn. Born at Pierce, Nebr., he was ordained and installed at Zion, Crookston, Nebr. in 1942, later serving parishes at Polk, Nebr., and in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Rev. Erwin H. Norden, emeritus pastor, Arcadia, Cal., passed away August 30. Born near Howells, Nebraska, to Pastor Rudolf Norden, Pastor Norden graduated from St. Louis Seminary in 1936 and served his first parish at Trinity, Walthill, Neb. from 1936-1942, later serving congregations in California.

Mrs. Leona (Werner) Leimer, wife of teacher emeritus Walter B. Leimer, departed this life on September 3 in Norfolk, Neb. Walter served as teacher at St. John, Battle Creek and then as principal at St. Paul, Omaha. Leona served as secretary for the Nebraska District Walther League and was very involved in other church and community organizations.

Robert Genrich, husband of Leeann Genrich, was called to the Lord September 3 in Beatrice. His wife serves at St. Paul Lutheran School in Beatrice as a teacher. Robert was an active member of St. Paul’s and the community.

Concordia Alumni Awards

Concordia University at Seward recognized alumni during Homecoming Weekend. Cited were: Brian Mueller, Mesa, Ariz., Alumnus of the Year; Charlyne Berens, Lincoln, Alumna of the Year; Jeff and Erin Huebschman, Syracuse, Neb., Young Alumni Award; Lloyd and Ruth Probasco, St. Louis, Mo., Partners in Mission and Ministry Award; Roger Mailand, St. Louis, Mo., Church Leadership in Outreach Award; Jack Duensing, Seward, Lifetime Service Award; Frank and Ruth Spiva, Antioch, Calif., Honorary Alumni Award.

Reformation Festival

The Lincoln Circuit Reformation Service will be held Sunday, October 26 at 4 p.m. at Good Shepherd, Lincoln. Rev. Matthew Harrison, Chairman of the LCMS Human Care Ministries, will be the guest preacher. For more information, call 402-423-7639.

Celebrations of Ministry

Immanuel, Columbus, will celebrate Pastor Roland Jank, Sr.’s 25 years of ministry at their congregation and over 50 years of ordained ministry on Sunday, October 12. Festivities include a catered noon meal for a fee and a 2:00 p.m. hymn festival with the Jank family providing special music. Contact the church office at 1-402-564-0502 for more information or to make dinner reservations. . . . St. Paul, Utica, celebrated 60 years of ordained ministry for assistant pastor Rev. Harold Malotky, Sunday, August 24. Receiving his first call in 1943, he retired in 1983 and was called to St. Paul’s as assistant pastor in 1987, where he continues to serve.

Lay Leadership Program Launched, First Class Begins

Thirty students from more than twenty congregations of the Nebraska District showed up for class on Saturday, September 6. The students of the first course offered by the Lay Leadership Program of the Nebraska District included six Sudanese students from Norfolk, Omaha, and Lincoln, and two African-American students from Omaha. Chaplain Bo Baumeister of Concordia University is serving as instructor of “The Theology, History, and Literature of the Old Testament.” One student stated, “I was blessed. Pastor Bo was a terrific inspiration and a real encouragement. The Spirit has been tugging at my heart for a number of years to get involved in ministry and this opportunity came at God’s perfect timing. God will use each of us in His way for His purpose.”

New Camp Director

Camp Luther of Nebraska in Schuyler is pleased to announce that Hank Rausch of Colorado Springs, Col. has accepted the position of Camp Director. He will be installed at Camp Luther’s Annual Meeting on October 5 at 5:00 p.m. Friends of Camp Luther are invited to the meeting and following banquet dinner. Rausch is excited to begin his leadership role with the camp and will begin to “determine the organization’s vision and set the groundwork to help the camp strengthen its long-term ministry potential.”

Church Secretary Workshop

Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) recognizes the vital role the church secretary plays in her congregation, and is pleased to sponsor a workshop for all church secretaries in the Nebraska District on October 7 from 9:30 am – 3:30 pm at Concordia University, Seward. This will be a wonderful opportunity for God’s servants to enjoy a time together of learning, fellowship, and idea sharing. Registration information can be found by clicking here, or contact Connie at the District Office at 888-643-2961.

Adult Spiritual Growth Retreat

Looking to grow spiritually? Come to Camp Luther, Schuyler, for an Adult Spiritual Growth Retreat, November 21-23, 2003. Retreat speaker is Greg DeMuth, DCE at the University Lutheran Chapel in Lincoln. The theme will be the Purpose Driven Life. Cost is $60.00 per person, and includes meals, two nights lodging and materials. For more information and registration materials, see www.campluther.org or call 1-888-639-5809.

What Will This Baby Be?

Nebraska Lutherans For Life will be hosting this year’s National Lutherans For Life Convention at the Holiday Inn Central, Omaha, November 7–9, 2003, under the theme: Just Imagine ... What Will This Baby Be? The convention offers a wonderful opportunity to come together for encouragement, education, fellowship, and renewal of strength in the work of upholding the sanctity of all human life. Remember, registrations are due to the National Convention Director, Joyce Gierke, by October 22. You may obtain more information and registration materials from your church office or from the website http://www.lutheransforlife.org/Convention.htm.

Anniversary

Zion, Hampton, celebrated their 130^th anniversary Sunday, September 21, with Pastor James Fandrey as the guest preacher and a noon meal and fellowship following.

Lost and Found in Concert

The Christian music duo “Lost and Found” will be in concert at St. John, Seward, Sunday, October 12 at 7:00 p.m. Call the church office at 1-402-643-2983 to order advance tickets for $7.00 each.

Lay Leadership Program Offers a New Course

The second course to be offered by the Lay Leadership Program of the Nebraska District is a study of “The Theology, History and Literature of the New Testament.” The course will begin November 1 at Concordia University, Seward. For more information or to register for the course, please contact Marvin Bergman at mbergman@cune.edu or Julie Roebke at the Nebraska District Office, 1-888-643-2961.

College Fairs

High school juniors and seniors interested in attending Lutheran colleges and universities, including the Missouri Synod's 10 Concordia University System schools, may want to attend one of 15 college fairs being arranged by the Lutheran Education Conference of North America (LECNA). Admissions representatives will be on hand to answer questions of students and their parents and many will feature financial-aid workshops. For Nebraskans, such fairs are at:

Overland Park Marriott, 10800 Metcalf, Kansas City, Kansas, on Oct. 13, 6:15 to 8:30 p.m.

Holiday Inn University Park, 1800 50th St., West Des Moines, Iowa, on Oct. 14, 6:45 to 9:00 p.m.

Marriott Southeast, 6363 E Hampton Ave., Denver, Colorado, Oct 19, from 4:30 to 8 p.m.

National Youth Gathering

Registration materials for the National Youth Gathering in Orlando on July 24-28, 2004, were mailed to congregations from the national planning team in mid-September. Just a reminder that participant who mail their registrations must have them postmarked between October 22 and November 5. Registration materials are also available on the Youth Gathering website, http://nyg.lcms.org. Use online registration starting in mid-September to begin entering your group's information. Payment and signature forms found in the registration packet must be mailed between October 22 and November 5. Contact the District Office with questions.

CALL INFORMATION

ORDAINED MINISTERS

Calls Accepted

Rev. John Burger (StL90), St. Paul, Marshfield, MO, to senior, St. Paul, Utica

Rev. Robert Deardoff (StL82), Star of the North, Kenai, AK, to Beautiful Savior, North Platte

Rev. Robert Gadeken (StL85), St. Paul, Utica, to senior, St. Michael, Richville, MI

Rev. Ken Hoover (StL83), Peace, Waverly, to Immanuel, Charleston, IL

Rev. Bret Schroeder (StL91), associate, Trinity, Riverton, WY, to Trinity, Hebron, and Zion, Shickley

Calls Declined

Rev. William Aufdenkamp (StL87), Bethlehem, Frazee, MN, to senior, Grace, Wayne

Rev. Steven Heinsen (StL96), associate, Christ, Norfolk, to First Trinity, Bloomfield

Rev. S. Michael Malone (StL02), Christ Our Redeemer, Bennett, CO, to Zion (Worms), St. Libory

Rev. Phillip Vance (FtW93), senior, Trinity, Fremont, to St. Mark, Elko, NV

Status Change

Rev. Eugene Gierke (Spg71), District President, Nebraska District LCMS, to candidate status eff. 7-20-03

Ordinations/Installations

Rev. Wade Mattsfield (StL03) as pastor, St. John (Kramer), Crete, August 24 (ordination also)

Rev. Steve Sirek (FtWCq97) as Associate Director of Development/Athletics, Concordia University, Seward, August 24

COMMISSIONED MINISTERS

Calls Accepted

Henry Rausch (RF’70), principal, Immanuel, Colorado Springs, CO, to Camp Director, Camp Luther, Schuyler

Other Transactions

Rebeca Soppe (S’98), Teacher, Zion+Peace, Omaha, to Commissioned Teacher Non-Candidate

Shawna Spiehs (S’97), Inactive Status-Candidate to contract teacher, St. John, Columbus

Howard Voelker (S’69), principal/teacher, St. Paul, West Point, to contract principal/teacher, Zion (Walburg), Georgetown, TX

Placements

Phillip Meggers (S02), Omaha, to teacher, Wider Omaha Lutheran School Association, Concordia Jr/Sr High School

Coming Events

Grace Place Dinner, The Cornhusker, Lincoln, Oct. 10

Fall Pastors' Conference, Midtown Holiday Inn, Grand Island, October 20-21

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

Omaha Reformation Festival, Pacific Hills, Omaha, Oct. 26

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

Principals' Conference, The Leadership Center, Aurora, April 15-16, 2004

Anniversaries

Faith, Lincoln, 50th, Oct. 4-5 with guest preacher Rev. Calvin Reinke in the worship services and a 5:30 p.m. banquet on Oct. 5; Oct. 25-26 with guest preacher Rev. Michael Miller; Nov. 29-30 with guest preacher Rev. Patrick Burt; Dec. 6-7 with guest preacher Rev. Mark Degner; and Dec. 13-14 with missionaries Rev. Claude and Rhoda Houge. Saturday services begin at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday services are at 8:00 and 10:45 a.m. Tickets for the Oct. 5 banquet may be reserved by calling 1-402-466-6861.

Trinity, Grand Island, 125^th, October 11-12, special service with Rev. Terry Timm preaching.

Emmanuel, York, 100^th, a service of thankfulness and praise on November 2, with Rev. Dr. Ralph Bohlmann, former LCMS President, as guest preacher. Contact the church office for more information, 402-362-3655.

Faith, York, 40th, October 18, with guest speaker Pastor Mark Hannemann preaching at the 10:00 a.m. worship service, followed by a meal and fellowship. Contact the church office for more information, 402-362-3000.

St. John, Waco, 100th anniversary of their church building, Oct. 26, with guest speaker, Rev. John Hafermann preaching at the 9:00 a.m. service, followed by dinner open to all at 11:30 a.m.

Good Shepherd, Fremont, 50th, July 18, 2004, with Dr. Dale A. Meyer as guest speaker.

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