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Archives
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| From
the President |
| “See
You in September” brings to mind an old song for some folks. But for our Nebraska District churches and schools, it
describes the joy of full worship services, busy classrooms,
eager Sunday schoolers, bright-eyed confirmation students,
renewed Bible study groups, and the excitement that accompanies
growing in the Lord’s Word and service. With the Vacation Bible School crafts stored until next
summer and school days replacing vacation days, September is a
time to rejoice in a renewed focus on the words God gave Peter,
“Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18a) God calls to His people to “keep on growing.”
God wants each of us to continue to grow in His grace way
of life through forgiveness from Jesus. He further wants our knowledge in the Lord to continue to
expand. Many a
Lutheran school student or child in confirmation class will grow
into new understandings of God’s Word and how it applies to
his or her daily life. God
wants the same for each of us.
For as He grows His grace and knowledge in our lives
through His Word, Baptism, and The Lord’s Supper, He will make
us “strong and courageous” to be servants in the advancement
of His kingdom. I
am also looking forward to seeing some of you in September as I
begin a series of Circuit Visits to listen and rejoice with you
in the Lord Jesus. --President
Russ Sommerfeld |
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| New
Schools Opened |
| School has started and this year there are two new
Lutheran schools in the Nebraska District.
Christ Lutheran School, Lincoln, opened its doors this
fall at 4325 Sumner Street.
Good Shepherd Lutheran School, Lincoln, is located at
3825 Wildbriar Lane, adjacent to the church building.
Several other schools in the District are starting
classes in new classrooms. Faith, Lincoln; Our Redeemer, North Platte; and St. Paul,
West Point are all in new buildings for school this year. What a blessing the Lord has given to the Nebraska District
through these and all its Lutheran schools. |
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| Lutheran
Family Services Auxiliary |
| The LFS Auxiliary is hosting two events in September.
Join them for the Auxiliary Craft Show Saturday,
September 13, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Millard South High
School in Omaha. Thursday,
September 18, is the annual Auxiliary Day at First Lutheran
Church in Fremont. The day begins at 8:30 a.m. and includes live entertainment,
education, and fun! Register
by calling Deloris Hansen at 402-591-5063.
The registration fee is $10 per person.
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| What
Do You Think? |
| The Mission 21st Century Task Force appointed by President
Kieschnick is gathering information about why the LCMS church
body is declining and what should be done to change that.
To help them answer these questions, they have launched a
web site to offer you, the lay members and church workers of
Synod, the opportunity to offer “opinions about what the
church should be doing in the future to capture a mission
vision,” according to Chairman Rev. Larry Stoterau.
To fill out the questionnaire, visit www.psd-lcms.org
and click on the “Mission 21st Century Survey”
link. The deadline
is October 1.
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| Volunteer
Missionary |
| Ms. Ann Evelyn, member of
Calvary, Lincoln, is serving as a volunteer missionary in Macau
for six weeks this summer.
If you are interested in serving the Lord in this way,
contact Kurt Buchholz of Volunteer Ministries in St. Louis at
1-800-133-3954. |
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| Courageous
Leadership Conference |
| King of Kings, Omaha, is offering this conference October 4-6 for those
ready to be renewed, refreshed, enlivened, and encouraged in
their ministry. Experience
anew the love, grace, and power of God and be drawn into a more
personal and intimate relationship with Jesus through prayer and
worship. More
information is available at www.kingofkingsomaha.org
or by contacting Terri Hitsman at terri@kingofkingsomaha.org
or 402-333-6464.
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| KidFaith
Seminar |
| Concordia University,
Seward, will host a KidFaith training seminar September 12-13.
This workshop, designed to set the stage for the faith
nurturing of young children, will include speakers on five
topics focusing on ministry with children and developing
strategies to strengthen that ministry. A team from your congregation is invited to attend.
For more information or to register, contact Shanna
Stewart at shannanrstewart@hotmail.com
or (708) 488-4104.
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| Called
to Glory |
| Mrs. Irene Geerdes,
wife of Rev. Bernard Geerdes, was called home to the Lord
February 8 in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Pastor Geerdes served parishes in Scottsbluf, Morrill,
and Leigh, Nebraska. He
also served as pastoral advisor and president of the Nebraska
District Walther League. Condolences
may be sent to Rev. Bernard Geerdes, 11732 Hidden Lake Dr. #214,
St. Louis, MO, 63138.
Mrs. Alma (Brauer) Pflughoeft, widow of teacher Ernst
Friedrich “Fritz” Pflughoeft, passed away June 26.
Fritz served as teacher and principal in Lutheran schools
in Kenesaw, Staplehurst, Kearney, and Worms, Nebraska.
Condolences may be sent to Mr. and Mrs. Harlan Grier,
4080 Field Stone Trail, Missoula, MT, 59802.
Mrs. Marie
(Carstens) Buss, wife of Rev. Walter E. Buss, pastor
emeritus, departed this life on June 30.
Pastor Buss served congregations in the following
Nebraska communities: Champion,
Arapahoe, Grand Island, and Pierce. Condolences may be sent to Rev. Walter Buss, 2507 Westside
Avenue, Norfolk, NE 68701.
Rev. Herman A.
Etzold, emeritus pastor, of Seward, was called to the Lord
July 19. Funeral
services were held July 23 at St. John, Seward, with interment
at Greenwood Cemetery, Seward.
Pastor Etzold served congregations in Illinois, Missouri,
Indiana, Arizona, and Nebraska, as well as teaching at Concordia
Senior College, Ft. Wayne, Ind.; St. Paul’s College,
Concordia, MO; and Concordia, Seward, Neb.
Condolences may be sent to Mrs. Mabel Etzold, 500
Heartland Park Drive, Apt. 35, Seward, NE 68434.
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| Lay
Leadership Program Launched |
| Two
orientation meetings introducing the Lay Leadership Program of
the Nebraska District, held on July 12 and August 4, involved
fifty-eight laity and pastors. These meetings presented the
vision, mission, and goals of the program, as well as to the
four levels of participation. Those levels are: Level
One- Personal Growth; Level Two- Lay Ministry
Assistant; Level Three- Licensed Deacon Ministry; Level
Four- The DELTO program offered by the two seminaries of The
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
The first course “Theology, History and Literature of the Old Testament,” begins on September 6.
For more information, please contact Rev. Marvin Bergman
at mbergman@seward.cune.edu,
Rev. Tom Mroch at tomm@ndlcms.org,
or call toll free: 888-643-2961. Visit the website for more information
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| District
Staff Changes |
| Myra Soflin, who served
as bookkeeper in the Nebraska District Office for nearly 13
years, left her position earlier this summer to move with her
family to St. Joseph, Mo. Co-workers
and District officers pray the Lord will bless Myra and her
family as they continue their walk in faith.
Susan Bray, who has served the District in the Education
Department for 10 years, has moved into the bookkeeper position. |
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| Get
Grants |
| Three congregations in
the Nebraska District received Evangelism Outreach through
Congregation grants from funds provided to the Synod by the
Marvin M. Schwan Foundation. These congregations or ministries
are: Cristo Cordero de Dios, Grand Island, in collaboration with
Trinity, Grand Island; Trinity, Auburn; and Atonement, Omaha. |
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| Board
of Directors Meets |
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The Board of Directors received reports
and took the following action at their meeting on August 2:
- Appointed Mr. Kermit Brashear of Brashear and Ginn as legal counsel for the Nebraska District this triennium.
- Ratified LCEF loans to Trinity, Fremont; St. Paul, Omaha; and Zion, Kearney.
- Authorized a Corporate Authorization Resolution for all District and District ministry depository accounts.
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| Church
By the River |
| Members of Grace,
Pleasanton and Faith, Hazard, held worship and a day of fun on
the banks of the Loup River in July. Following worship,
there was an old-fashioned summer picnic with food, fun, and
fellowship. |
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| Dedicate
Fellowship Hall |
| Members of Trinity, Blue
Hill, dedicated their new fellowship hall on Sunday, July 27. |
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| Reformation
Festival |
| Pacific Hills Lutheran
Church and the Omaha North Circuit will co-sponsor the annual
Omaha Reformation Festival on Sunday, October 26, at 2:30 p.m.
at Pacific Hills. District President Russ Sommerfeld will
be the preacher. |
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| Engaging
the Aging |
| Dr. Shirley Bergman, Director of the Lutheran Institute on Aging, and
former Governor Kay Orr and her husband, Bill, will be the
featured speakers at the Engaging the Aging Conference Tuesday,
October 7, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Kountze Memorial
Lutheran Church in Omaha. This year’s conference, “Building Effective Senior
Ministry Programs,” is open to all interested seniors and
those in senior ministry. For
further information, contact Roger Kruger at rkruger@lfsneb.org
or (402) 978-5670.
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Homecoming
Scheduled |
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Homecoming Weekend 2003 at Concordia University will be September
26-28. Activities include an alumni reunion, Family and
Friends Weekend, Prospective Student Visit Day, Alumni in the
Classroom, Athletic Hall of Fame, and Alumni Awards Banquet.
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CALL
INFORMATION |
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ORDAINED MINISTERS |
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Calls Accepted |
|
Patrick
Riley (StL‘83), Zion, Pawnee City, to U.S. Navy Chaplain,
Board for Mission Services.
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Craig
Whitson (StL‘84), Salem (associate), Tomball, TX, to St.
Paul, Malcolm. |
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Calls Declined |
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Brad Birtell
(StL’92), St. John, Columbus, to Beautiful Savior, North
Platte. |
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Brian Friedrich
(StL‘86), Concordia University, Seward, to Valparaiso
University, IN. |
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Bret Schroeder (StL'91),
associate, Trinity, Riverton, Wyo., to St. John, Wakefield. |
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Craig
Whitson (StL’84), Salem (associate), Tomball, TX, to St.
Paul (associate), Utica.
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Ordinations/Installations |
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Rev. Lance Berndt (StL'03)
as associate, Good Shepherd, Lincoln, Aug. 3 (ordination also). |
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Rev. Chris Bushre (StL'03)
as pastor, St. John, Lyons, July 27 (ordination also). |
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Rev. Philip Houser (LNTS'92)
as pastor, Lamb of God, Papillion, August 10. |
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Rev. Jonathan Meraz (StL'03)
as pastor, Zion, Plainview, July 20 (ordination also). |
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Rev. Craig Whitson (StL'84)
as pastor, St. Paul, Malcolm, August 10. |
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Rev. Barry Williams (StL'03)
as pastor, St. John, Madison, July 27 (ordination in Iowa July
20). |
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Rev. Frank "Chip"
Winter (StL'88), as director of ministries, Christ, Norfolk,
July 27. |
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Status Changes |
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Roger Leavitt (FtW’96),
Christ (associate), Norfolk to emeritus, effective 7/31/03. |
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COMMISSIONED MINISTERS |
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Calls Accepted |
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Scotte Hanson (S'00), DCE,
Hope, South Sioux City, to Director of Youth Ministries, Christ,
Lincoln. |
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Timothy Rippstein (PO'84),
Assistant Director—DCE/Assoc. Prof. Ed.,
Concordia, River Forest, to Asst. Director—DCE/Assoc. Prof.
Ed. Concordia, Seward. |
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Michelle
Simpson (RF00), Teacher, Trinity, Cape Girardeau, MO to
Teacher, Zion (Worms), St. Libory. |
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Placements |
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Tara M. Brune (S03),
Murtaugh ID, to DCE Good Shepherd, Gretna. |
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Michelle Dale (S03),
Miller, SD, to preschool teacher, Little Lamb Preschool,
Bethlehem, Crete
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Phillip Meggers (S02),
Omaha, NE to teacher West Omaha Lutheran School Association,
Concordia Jr/Sr High School |
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Jessica L. Robinson
(S03), Seward, NE, to Admission Counselor, Concordia University,
Seward
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Julie Storek (S03),
Norfolk, NE, to teacher, Lutheran High School Association of
Northeast Nebraska, Lutheran High Northeast, Norfolk
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Circuit
Visits |
|
“Be
Strong and Courageous . . . For the Lord Your God Goes With You”
All
members of District congregations are invited to join President
Sommerfeld and District Board and staff members for dinner and a time
of Biblical inspiration, dialogue, and Christian fellowship for
mission at the Circuit Visit scheduled in their
area. Each congregation
will receive information on their Circuit Visit prior to the visit.
All visits begin at 6:00 p.m.
Contact the District Office with questions. |
| Fremont
Circuit |
Sept.
7 at Trinity, Fremont |
| Omaha
North Circuit |
Sept.
14 at St. Mark, Omaha |
| Western
Sandhills Circuit |
Sept.
28 at Our
Redeemer, North Platte |
| McCook
Circuit |
Sept.
29 at Zion, Imperial |
| Grand
Island Circuit |
Oct.
19 at Peace, Grand Island |
| Falls
City Circuit |
Nov.
2 at Trinity, Auburn |
| Deshler
Circuit |
Nov.
9 at St. Peter, Davenport |
| Lincoln
Circuit |
Nov.
16 at Christ, Lincoln |
| West
Point Circuit |
Dec. 7 at St. Paul, West
Point |
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Coming
Events |
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Carolyn
Arends Concert, Atonement, Omaha, Sept. 6
Orphan
Grain Train National Convention, Lutheran High Northeast,
Norfolk, Sept. 12-13
New
Worker Orientation, Concordia University, Seward, September 15-16
Plum
Creek Children's Literacy Festival, Concordia University,
Seward, September 18-20
LWML
North Retreat, St. Paul, West Point, Sept. 20
Seminar,
"A Sacramental Reading of the New Testament," Zion,
Ainsworth, Sept. 21-23
Concordia
Publishing House Warehouse Sale, Concordia, Seward, Sept. 26-27
Developing
High Performance Teams Workshop, Concordia, Seward, Sept. 27
LWML
South Retreat, The Leadership Center, Aurora, September 27-28
Grace
Place Dinner, The Cornhusker, Lincoln, Oct. 10
Stewardship
Workshop, Peace, Grand Island, Oct. 18
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
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Anniversaries |
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St.
Matthew, Cedar Bluffs, 125th, September 28,
beginning with worship at 9 a.m. including former pastors and sons
of the congregation, followed by a special program at 10:30 a.m.
and lunch beginning at 11:00 a.m.
The afternoon begins with a concert at 1:30 p.m., followed
by a worship service at 2:00 p.m. and reception at 3:00 p.m.
Trinity,
Grand Island, 125th, October 11-12, special service
with Rev. Terry Timm preaching.
Emmanuel,
York, 100th, 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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