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March 2004 

 
In This Issue
 
From the President
National Lutheran Schools Week
Board Summary
Four Nebraskans Nominated
Writing for the Church Workshop
Be Strong and Courageous
Living Extreme Days
Call Information
Coming Events
Anniversaries
Student Aid and Scholarship Information

Reach Out and Rejoice

Camp Luther: The Power of One

 Archives

From the President
Fix your eyes on Jesus! How is your vision? Throughout the days of Lent, the Word of God calls us to have eyes that are fixed on Jesus, "the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2) Such Lenten-looking to Jesus, who suffered and died on the cross, can dramatically improve our spiritual vision. In fact, God does far more in our lives than just give us a Lenten opportunity to look again at the pain and agony our Lord encountered for our salvation. Rather than just calling us to come to special Lenten worship times and stare, gaze, or observe Jesus, our God has so much more in mind for us. By the power of His Word, Baptism, and the Lord's Supper, God gives us a clear focus on Jesus that brings overall direction to our lives. The Spirit-inspired writer of Hebrews in the pages of Scripture tells that eyes fixed on Jesus can give us living that throws off sin, resists temptation, endures hardship and gives strength. Eyes fixed on Jesus are given a view of how God embraces us for all of life. During these days of Lent as we are drawn into being fixed on Jesus by God's Word, our eyes of faith will see that we have the author and perfecter of our faith who was willing to go to an awful cross for us. There, He encountered shame and brought joy to us. Yes, He brings us the joy of abundant life focused on Him with a clear direction to eternity. Lent is a time for God to improve your vision and give you a clearer view of Jesus at work for you and in your life. . . . President Russ Sommerfeld

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National Lutheran Schools Week
Lutheran schools in the Nebraska District will be observing National Lutheran Schools Week with schools across Synod the week of March 7-13. The theme this year is "Lutheran Schools A Great Place to Grow: Growing in Grace and Knowledge" (1 Corinthians 3:16, Ephesians 4:15-16, and 2 Peter 3:18). Contact your local Lutheran school for special events planned for that week. You can find school contact information online at http://www.ndlcms.org/Schools/index.html.  

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Board Summary
At a special meeting of the Nebraska District Board of Directors, President Sommerfeld and the Call Committee resubmitted the recommendation to call Mr. Stuart Tietz as District Assistant to the President for Education and Youth Ministry. The motion to call Mr. Tietz did not pass.

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Four Nebraskans Nominated
Four Nebraskans have accepted nominations for synodical positions coming up for election at this summer's synodical convention in St. Louis. They include: Kermit Brashear, Omaha, and Marvin Thompson, Lincoln, as laypersons for the LCEF Board of Directors; Virginia Von Seggern, Orchard, as layperson on the Board for Mission Services; and Shirley Bergman, Seward, as layperson for the Commission on Theology and Church Relations.

(Note: This includes a correction to the printed Reporter.  The correction of adding Marvin Thompson to the list will be published in the April 2004 Reporter.)

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Writing for the Church Workshop
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, is hosting a "Writing for the Church" workshop July 18-24 on the seminary campus. The week-long workshop will include mini-lectures on types of writing, self and instructor critiques, peer "helping circles" to help improve writing, planned fellowship activities and time for writing. To maintain quality instruction, the size of the workshop is limited. Contact Debbie Roediger at 1-314-505-7123 or ce@csl.edu for more information.  

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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. 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. The remaining visits are:

The Hastings Circuit Visit on March 7 at Faith, Hastings.

The Norfolk Circuit Visit on March 21 at Our Savior, Norfolk.

The Ainsworth Circuit Visit on March 28 at Christ, O'Neill.

The Plainview Circuit Visit on March 29 at Immanuel, Osmond.

(The Wayne Circuit Visit will be rescheduled from April 22)

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Living Extreme Days
In junior high, youth begin to go through extreme challenges and decisions that impact their lives. At the upcoming Junior High Retreats, youth will have the opportunity to look at how they can make God-pleasing decisions as they go about "Living Extreme Days." All District junior high youth are invited to join leader Wade Johnson at Camp Luther in Schuyler on March 19-20 or at Camp Comeca in Cozad on March 26-27. Registration information was sent to all congregations, is available on this website, or may be obtained by calling Rachel Pozehl at the District Office.

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CALL INFORMATION

ORDAINED MINISTERS

Placement

Rev. Daniel Molyneux (StLCqy'03), to Zion (Worms), St. Libory.
   

Calls Declined

Rev. Jeffrey Bloom (StL'98), St. John, Pilger, to Zion, Pawnee City.

Rev. Mark Kophamer (FtW'89), Immanuel, Seward, to St. John, Wakefield.

Rev. David Kuhfal (StL'92), Grace, Neligh, and Trinity, Elgin, to Zion, Atlantic, Iowa.

  

Status Change

Rev. David Meyer (StL'62), Concordia, Seward, to non-candidate status effective 12-31-03.
  

Ordinations/Installations

Rev. Daniel Molyneux (StLCqy'03) as pastor, Zion (Worms), St. Libory, January 11.

Rev. Burt Garwood (StL'99) as associate pastor, King of Kings, Omaha, January 18.

  
COMMISSIONED MINISTERS

Calls Accepted

Andy Safarik (S'81), Omaha, to DCE, Bingham, Bingham, Neb.
   

Other Transactions

Keith Stoneman (S'90), Camp Luther, Schuyler, resigned from LCMS roster.

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Coming Events

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

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

Spring Pastors' Conference, Ramada Inn, Kearney .................................. April 19-20

Ministry Network Retreat, The Leadership Center, Aurora ..................... May 10-11

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

District-Wide Leadership Event, Concordia University, Seward .............. Aug. 14

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

National Lutherans For Life Convention, Cincinnati, Ohio ...................... Nov. 12-14

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Anniversaries

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.

Zion, Tobias, 125th, Aug. 1, special worship services and celebration meal.

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NEBRASKA DISTRICT STUDENT AID AND SCHOLARSHIPS
CAMP LUTHER: THE POWER OF ONE

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