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February 2004 

 
In This Issue
 
From the President
Outstanding Lutheran Educators
Addition Dedications
Grand Island Mission Fair
Be Strong and Courageous
2004 Summer Camp
Mosaic
Call Information
Coming Events
Anniversaries

Reach Out and Rejoice

SERVANTS IN OUR BACKYARDS

 Archives

From the President
There are many special days in February. While everyone knows that Feb. 2 is Groundhog's Day and Feb. 14 is Valentine's Day, did you know Feb. 4 is Thank a Mailman Day, Feb. 9 is Clean Out Your Computer Day, and Feb. 16 is Do a Grouch a Favor Day? February is also American Heart Month, Canned Food Month and National Cherry Month. I don't know who fills the calendar with all these special days or designates month-long observances, but I do know that for us Lutheran Christians who observe the Church Year calendar, this February has some special times in store for us. Feb. 2 is "The Presentation of Our Lord," a day to recall that Joseph and Mary on the 40th day after Jesus' birth brought him to the Temple for presentation to God. Jesus is the Promised One, whose light will shine, beaming rays of hope to all the world. This is a day to light candles in the dark to be reminded that Jesus is our only Light in the darkness of sin and death. On Feb. 22, we celebrate Jesus on a mountain before He went down to Jerusalem to sacrifice His life for the forgiveness and salvation of humanity. There, He was transfigured and shone as bright as the sun, standing between Moses and Elijah. This is a day to know that Jesus fulfills all the Law and the Prophets. On Feb. 25, we make our Ash Wednesday entrance into Lent. This is our time to give special consideration to Christ's suffering and death, as well as reflect upon baptism and renewal in preparation for the joy of Jesus' resurrection at Easter. These are special days to invite someone to hear with you of the One True Gift that Christ Jesus is upon the cross. -- President Russ Sommerfeld

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Outstanding Lutheran Educators
Allard Warneke and Dr. Neil Sandfort were both named Outstanding Lutheran Educators for 2003 by the Nebraska District Lutheran teachers gathered in conference in October. Allard served as principal of Zion Lutheran School in Hastings until his retirement in June of 2003. Neil served the Nebraska District as Assistant to the President for Education and Youth Ministry until his retirement the end of 2003. The Nebraska District thanks these men for their years of dedicated service to Lutheran education.

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Addition Dedications
Christ, Norfolk, dedicated its new school addition Sunday, Jan. 18, in a special service. This addition provides the school with much needed space to assist in the education of all the students, including 11 new classrooms, a library, computer rooms and restrooms. . . . First Trinity, Bloomfield, will dedicate its new fellowship hall Sunday, Feb. 22, in a 10:00 a.m. service with guest preacher Rev. Tom Mroch, followed by a potluck dinner and a service of thanksgiving at 1:00 p.m. All are invited to join the members of this congregation as they dedicate this new addition for the work of the Lord. Contact the church office at 1-402-373-4797 for more information.

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Grand Island Mission Fair
Peace, Grand Island, is hosting an "Igniting Hearts for Mission" mission fair on Sunday, Feb. 29, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. All are invited to join them to be ignited with how Jesus Christ and His love are being shared around the world. Hear stories from West Africa, Jamaica, China and Ghana first-hand from missionaries Rev. Peter and Carla Kirby, Dr. Bill Foster, Dr. Ralph and Sharon Von Qualen and Bill Voelker. There will also be food and fellowship. For more information, contact the church office at 1-308-384-5673.

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"Be Strong and Courageous. . . 

For the Lord Your God Goes With You" is the theme of Circuit Visits being continued this year. 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 at the Circuit Visit in their area. Contact the host church office or the District Office to sign up.  View the complete schedule of visits here.

Visits in February are:

Feb. 15: Kearney Circuit at Holy Cross, Kearney.

Feb. 16: Omaha South Circuit at Beautiful Savior, Omaha (rescheduled).

Feb. 22: Omaha West Circuit at Divine Shepherd, Omaha.

Feb. 23: Columbus Circuit at Peace, Columbus.

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2004 Summer Camp
Camp Luther is preparing for the 2004 summer camp season under the theme, "Soul Survivor," based on Galatians 1:3-4, "He gave himself to rescue us . . ." Just as a life preserver rescues people and keeps them from drowning, so also Jesus came into the world to keep us from drowning in a sinful world. Registration materials for 2004 were mailed to congregations and schools in late January. Contact Camp Luther for more information at 1-402-352-5655 or visit www.campluther.org.  

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Mosaic
Bethphage and Martin Luther Homes have consolidated to become Mosaic, a recognized service organization of the LCMS. The mission of Mosaic is to be in partnership with people who have disabilities - providing, supporting and advocating so that all may realize God's gift of wholeness of life. If you or a family member are interested in the services Mosaic can offer, they have offices across the Nebraska District. More information is available by calling 1-877-366-7242 or visiting www.mosaicinfo.org.  

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CALL INFORMATION

ORDAINED MINISTERS

Calls Accepted

Rev. James Fandrey (FtW'80), Cross, Omaha, to Calvary, Elgin, Ill.
    

Calls Declined

Rev. William Caughey (FtW'97), Trinity, Campbell, and Calvary, Rosemont, to Peace, Rapid City, S.D.

Rev. Steve Heinsen (StL'96), associate pastor, Christ, Norfolk, to Immanuel, Lincoln.

Rev. Charles Schmidt (FtW'81), Grace, Fairbury, to senior pastor, Grace, Wayne.

   
COMMISSIONED MINISTERS

Calls Accepted

Aline Kitten (CQ CU'03), Grand Island, to Peace, Grand Island.

Michael Vincent (S'70) to Concordia, Seward.

  

Other Transactions

Barbara Huebner (S'70), reinstated and transferred from Minnesota South.

Kimberly Ryden (CQ'03), Milford, completed colloquy program.

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Coming Events

Spring Pastors' Conference, Holiday Inn, Kearney............................ Feb. 2-3

Women's Retreat, Trinity, Lincoln...................................................... Feb. 7

National Lutheran Schools Week..................................................... March 7-13

Junior High Retreat, Camp Luther, Schuyler...................................... March 19-20

Nebraska District LLL Convention, Arapahoe................................. March 19-21

Junior High Retreat, Camp Comeca, Cozad...................................... March 26-27

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

LFS Partners in Caring Church Worker Day, North Platte............... June 14

Grace Place Retreat, Aspen, Colo. ................................................... June 21-26

LCMS Synodical Convention, St. Louis, Mo..................................... July 10-15

Circuit Counselor Retreat, St. Benedict Center, Schuyler...................Sept. 13-14

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Anniversaries

Zion, Tobias, 125th, Feb. 1, "Anniversary Kick-off Service" at 9:00 a.m. with former pastor Rev. Michael Reiners preaching, potluck meal at noon.  Aug. 1, special worship services and celebration meal.

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 fellowship, a celebration service with guest speaker Gary Thies at 9:30 a.m. and a 12:30 p.m. lunch on May 23. Contact the church office for more information, 1-402-476-1567 or info@ecalvary.org.

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 special worship service featuring Dr. Dale A. Meyer July 18 at 2:00 p.m.

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.

   
SERVANTS IN OUR BACKYARDS

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