“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:5-6

Christians today have the same message of Christ to share that the Colossians did in Paul’s day. The message does not change – Jesus is the only way to eternal life. As we build relationships with those who do not know this Good News of Jesus Christ, our conversations are to be “full of grace,” that is wholesome to those with whom we share.

To help equip Christians in Nebraska and around the world with the appropriate “seasonings” for their conversations, a special and unique thank offering and ingathering opportunity is being extended to Convention delegates and congregations of the Nebraska District.

• Each delegate to Convention is encouraged to bring with them a new Bible in the English Standard Version (ESV) and a new Luther’s Small Catechism. These books will be collected as a special ingathering during Convention and distributed to new mission congregations and ministry starts in the Nebraska District. Delegates are to bring their materials with them to the Convention floor and deposit them in the specified area before or after any Convention session.
  
  
• Congregations are encouraged to make special arrangements for collecting a thank offering to send with their delegates. This thank offering will be collected during the Convention opening worship service, and the gifts will be used throughout the next triennium to purchase Bibles and Catechisms in various languages, including Nuer, Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese, to be used on the mission fields of Nebraska and out into the world. Arrangements are currently being made to work with Lutheran Heritage Foundation, Concordia Publishing House, and other organizations to provide the needed books.
  
  
• Schools and Sunday schools are invited to participate in the thank offering through offering designations and through special mission efforts. The average cost per book is $10.00, and schools are encouraged to educate and challenge their students to provide these books for those who do not have them.