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Archives
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| From
the President |
| Who
Moved the Stone?
At dawn on the day Jesus Christ rose from the dead, the women
who went to adorn His lifeless body wondered who moved the stone
door from His tomb. Who Moved the Stone? also became the
title of a book by an English journalist named Frank Morrison.
Mr. Morrison set out to disprove Jesus' resurrection. But his
journey to the Holy Land and into the Bible led him to believe
that Jesus is risen indeed! The Holy Spirit moved the
"stone" of Mr. Morrison's disbelief and opened the way
to faith in the resurrected Jesus. During Lent, the movie The
Passion of the Christ has riveted the attention of many to the
awful suffering, horrible crucifixion and sacrificial death of
Jesus. April 11 will launch Christians into a 50-day
resurrection celebration that will illumine the passion of
Christ with resurrection joy. Indeed, the depth of Jesus'
passion with the sins of humanity upon Him is powerful. But how
much more glorious is His resurrection from the dead! God's Word
declares, "But Christ has indeed been raised from the
dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep . . . So
will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is
sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable . . ." (1
Corinthians 15:20,42) Rejoice! Live in joy! Christ is risen!
Jesus said: "I am the resurrection and the life. He who
believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives
and believes in me will never die." (John 11:25-26)
. . . President Russ Sommerfeld
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| District
Staff Change |
| Pastor
Tom Mroch will be leaving his position as Assistant to the
District President for Congregational Mission Development and
Church Worker Care on April 30 to become Senior Pastor of Holy
Cross Lutheran Church in Kearney. Co-workers and District
officials thank God for Pastor Mroch's dedicated service to the
congregations and workers of the District. They offer God's
blessings to Pastor Mroch and his wife, Chris, as they move to
Kearney and undertake the ministry God has placed before them
there.
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| Parish
Health Ministry Networking |
| The
next Parish Health Ministry Networking meeting is scheduled for
Wednesday, May 12, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., in the Thom
Leadership Education Center at Concordia University in Seward.
The meeting is for anyone who has an existing parish health
ministry and for anyone who may be interested in or
contemplating such a ministry. Bring a bag lunch. Refreshments
and beverages will be provided. Contact Chris Blanke at
1-402-643-4278 or cblanke@cune.edu
with questions.
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| Camp
Luther Work Weekend |
| Pack
up your bags, your tools and your energy for a great weekend
working with fellow Lutherans fixing up Camp Luther April 23-25.
Come for the whole weekend or just Saturday. The camp needs
painters, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, as well as a whole
host of workers for cleaning and moving things. Project foremen
are also needed. There are both inside and outside projects to
choose from. Families and church groups are welcome to work
together to help improve the camp. In addition to work projects,
participants will have time for fellowship, Bible study, hiking
and campfire devotions. Call the camp office at 1-402-352-5655
for more information. All meals are provided and Sunday morning
worship will be held at camp. Workers are invited to stay in
camp cabins or bring their own camper or tent.
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| Marriage
Enrichment Retreat |
| This
couples-only weekend April 30 - May 1 at Camp Luther is designed
to encourage married couples to grow in their relationships with
each other and with the Lord. Led by a professionally-trained
pastor and his wife, this weekend promises to be an enjoyable
time together with spouse. Call Camp Luther for more information
at 1-402-352-5655.
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| Volunteer
Missionaries |
| Andrew
and Rebecca Schermbeck of St. Peter, Elk Creek, will be leaving
in August to serve as long-term volunteer missionaries teaching
English as a second language in Vietnam. Andrew is the son of
Pastor Robert Schermbeck of Elk Creek. Contact LCMS World
Missions at mission.recruitment@lcms.org
or 1-800-433-3954 with questions on missionary service
opportunities available for individuals.
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| Nominated
Nebraskan |
| Last
month's Reporter inadvertently omitted Marvin Thompson of
Lincoln from the list of Nebraskans up for election at the
synodical convention in July. Marvin is nominated as layperson
for the LCEF Board of Directors.
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| How
Do You Start a Fire with Water? |
| It
happens with every baptism. As the Holy Spirit enters the heart
at baptism, a fire is lit within. However, as we daily face the
challenges of work, family, church and community, it is easy to
neglect the fire. Plan now to attend the "Prairie
Fire" Event August 14 at Concordia University, Seward, to
have that fire fanned and learn how the Spirit can use you to
take that fire and spread it in your congregation or community.
Watch for more information on this event for lay and rostered
church leaders.
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| "Be
Strong and Courageous . . . |
| For
the Lord Your God Goes With You" is the theme of Circuit Visits taking
place across the District. President Sommerfeld and members of
the District Board of Directors and staff will be visiting the
final circuit in this round of visits in April. If you would
like to attend this Circuit Visit, contact the church office of
Grace, Wayne, or the District Office.
The Wayne Circuit Visit
will be on April 21 at Grace, Wayne.
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| Unity
in Diversity |
| The
first Black Clergy Caucus to include both African-American and
African-immigrant clergy was held at Christ Lutheran Church in
Lincoln on Feb. 16-19. Under the theme, "Unity in
Diversity," 70 black clergy from across the LCMS met
together to discuss their common goal of enlarging the kingdom
of heaven. Amid the business of listening to reports, task force
presentations, and dialogue on future ministry opportunities,
the participants found time to join together in worship to the
Lord. The Nebraska District is proud to have hosted such a
historic event and we join in prayers for these two groups as
they continue to work together to find "unity in
diversity."
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| New
Look for Nebraska District Website |
| The
Nebraska District is currently working on a new design for their
website, www.ndlcms.org.
The new design will be visually appealing, as well as offering
various new navigational options. As the launch of the new site
approaches, the District will reveal the new home page and
navigation options to allow users to become familiar with the
new site's features while still being able to locate items on
the old site. Watch for the new design to appear on the website
in late April.
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| Campus
Ministry Coordinator Needed |
| Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus
Christ and desire to share that Good News with others? Are you
enthused about working with college students? Are you passionate
about meeting new people? Are you looking for a challenging and
rewarding position? Pacific Hills, Omaha, in partnership with
the Nebraska District, is looking for a Campus Ministry
Coordinator for the Omaha area. Interested persons please send
resumes to Pacific Hills Lutheran Church, Attn: Campus Ministry,
1110 So. 90th St., Omaha, NE 68124-1299, by April 23, or call
the church office at 1-402-391-9625 with questions. |
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| LCEF
Investment Dollars at Work in the Nebraska District |
| LCEF
featured Holy Savior, Lincoln, on a postcard mailed to each LCEF
Nebraska District investor this spring. The postcard highlighted
the mission of Holy Savior and shared information on how LCMS
members provided funding to help Holy Savior build a
12,000-square-foot addition through their LCEF investments. The
addition expanded Holy Savior's ministry with seven classrooms,
five offices, 70 sanctuary seats, an elevator and space to house
the Loving Hearts Child Development Center. For more information
on how you can join hands with LCEF to help build Lutheran
churches and schools, contact Paul Pettit or Connie Borchers at
the District Office at 1-888-643-2961.
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| German
Good Friday Service |
| Mt.
Calvary Lutheran Church, 5529 Leavenworth St., Omaha, will host
a Good Friday service conducted in German on Friday, April 9, at
2:00 p.m. Preaching will be Rev. Edmund Schafer of Marianna,
Fla. All are welcome to attend. Contact Rev. Rich Gudgel at
1-402-551-0244 for more information.
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CALL
INFORMATION
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ORDAINED MINISTERS
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Calls Accepted
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Rev.
Jeffrey Bloom
(StL'98), St. John, Pilger, to Immanuel, Lincoln.
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Rev.
Thomas Mroch
(StL'71), Assistant to the President for Congregational Mission
Development and Church Worker Care, Nebraska District LCMS,
Seward, to senior pastor, Holy Cross, Kearney.
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Calls Declined
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Rev.
Brad Birtell
(StL'92), St. John, Columbus, to Christ the King, Spencer, Iowa.
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Rev.
Loren Cooper
(FtW'90), Zion, Hampton, to St. Peter, Wymore and First,
Summerfield, Kan.
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Rev.
Timothy Mueller
(StL'87), St. John, New Minden and St. Luke, Covington, Ill., to
Trinity, Amherst.
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Rev. Phillip Vance
(FtW'93), senior pastor, Trinity, Fremont, to St. Peter, East
Peoria, Ill.
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COMMISSIONED MINISTERS
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Calls Accepted
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Dallas
Koffarnus
(M'71), principal, Immanuel, Jefferson City, Mo., to
administrator/teacher, Zion, Hastings.
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Calls Declined
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Sean
Martens
(S'91), acting principal, St. John, Seward, to principal,
Immanuel, Waterloo, Iowa.
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Other Transactions
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Vicki
Heard
(S'96), candidate transfer from Missouri.
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Jane
Gronau
(S'66), teacher, St. John, Columbus, resigned from roster.
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Placements
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Brian
Amey
(SQ'04), Lincoln, to DCE, Calvary, Lincoln.
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Jennifer
Blake
(S'01), contract teacher, Heartland Lutheran High School, Grand
Island, to called teacher, Heartland Lutheran High School, Grand
Island.
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Coming
Events |
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Principals'
Conference,
The Leadership Center, Aurora.................
April 15-16
Spring
Pastors' Conference,
Ramada Inn, Kearney.......................
April 19-20
Revitalization
Retreat,
St. Benedict Center, Schuyler...................
April 25-27
Ministry
Network Retreat,
The Leadership Center, Aurora ........
May 10-11
Synodical
Convention Delegate Caucus,
Concordia University, Seward.....
June 5
LFS
Partners in Caring Church Worker Day,
North Platte...................
June 14
LWML
North Convention,
New World Inn, Columbus........................
June 18-19
Grace
Place Retreat,
Aspen, Colo........................
June 21-26
LCMS
Synodical Convention,
St. Louis, Mo........................
.July 10-15
Teachers'
Retreat,
Concordia University, Seward........................
Aug. 3
Prairie
Fire Event,
Concordia University, Seward........................
Aug. 14
Circuit
Counselors' Conference,
St. Benedict Center, Schuyler.........
Sept. 13-14
LWML
South Convention,
Hastings........................
Sept. 24-25
New
Workers' Orientation,
Concordia University, Seward ...............
Sept. 27-28
All
Professional Churchworkers'
Conference, King of Kings, Omaha...
Oct. 18-20
National
Lutherans For Life Convention,
Cincinnati, Ohio................
Nov. 12-14
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Anniversaries |
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Grace,
Neligh,
75th, April 18, with a special service at 10:30 a.m.
Calvary,
Lincoln,
75th, May 22-23, with an open house on May 22, and a 9:30 a.m.
service on May 23 with Gary Thies speaking, followed by Thies and
Sharon Owens speaking at a 12:30 p.m. luncheon. Contact the church
office for more information, 1-402-476-1567 or info@ecalvary.org.
Trinity,
Jansen,
75th, June 6, with services at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. with guest
preacher, Rev. Russ Sommerfeld, Nebraska District president.
St.
John, Columbus,
125th, July 11, with former pastor Rev. Thomas Wink as guest
preacher at a 10:00 a.m. worship service.
Good
Shepherd, Fremont,
50th, July 17-18, with a 10:00 a.m. service, noon celebration meal
and special worship service at 2:00 p.m. with Dr. Dale A. Meyer
preaching, as well as other activities. Contact the church office
at 1-402-721-8412 or goodshep@tvsonline.net
for more information.
St.
Paul, Kenesaw,
100th, July 25, with guest speakers Dr. Dale A. Meyer and Rev.
John Diener and a noon meal. Call 1-402-752-3240 to register for
the meal.
Zion,
Tobias,
125th, Aug. 1, special worship services and celebration meal.
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Lutheran
Schools in Nebraska are Making a Difference
(In
PDF Format) |
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