Sun
Nov 1
2009
Bishop Dave deFreese
Nebraska Synod, ELCA
Over the years, I have shared various writings entitled: “I Love the Church Because…” In this month with a special holiday set aside to awaken our gratitude, please allow me another attempt at expressing my appreciation for the Body of Christ in this world. Using a beloved Psalm, my thankfulness matures and grows.
“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.”
Sun
Nov 1
2009
Pastor Martin Russell
Assistant to the Bishop
Nebraska Synod, ELCA
At the invitation of the Northern Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, the Nebraska Synod recently sponsored a special vision trip to the Rukwa region of Tanzania. Rukwa is a relatively remote region of Tanzania that lies to the east of Lake Tanganyika. The two main towns in Rukwa are Mpanda and Sumbawanga. The Rukwa region is also a “mission area” of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania where the Northern Diocese is a leader in mission work.
Sun
Nov 1
2009
Syracuse sits at the crossroads of Highways 50 and 2, a busy intersection most of the year, and particularly busy during the time of year motorcyclists like to hit the road.
In looking for a unique way to reach out to others, Pastor Paul Coen and the members of Luther Memorial Lutheran Church came up with an idea, “The Blessing of the Bikes.”
The church already holds a mid-week Wednesday night service intended to be a more casual worship opportunity for those looking for a non-Sunday service option. The Wednesday night service provided a time and place for the church to hold the special blessing for a crowd that is sometimes viewed as less than connected with church.
The church worked with bikers groups around Nebraska to spread the word about the event. Then, this past July 29, they wheeled a motorcycle into the sanctuary of the church and held a special blessing in front of 40 motorcycle enthusiasts.
Coen said the blessing service was not an attempt to increase membership numbers; rather, it was “one more place for the church to proclaim the Gospel.”
“It opened the door for other things,” he said. “It may have said to the participants, ‘Oh, I have a place in the church.’”
Sun
Nov 1
2009
During the 2009 Synod Assembly, Bishop deFreese asked mission centers/congregations to share what they do in ministry with and among the poor. Below are excerpts from just one of the many responses the Bishop has received.
This past year, Immanuel’s ministry among the poor has included the collection of nonperishable goods to various local pantries such as Project Hope, Together, Inc., the food bank and other emergency services.
Immanuel’s women’s organization made hundreds of quilts to send overseas and collected new underwear and winter clothes for the needy. More than 100 shoeboxes full of stuff are sent to Operation Christmas Child each year by Sunday School classes. The Lutheran Men in Mission often send gifts to the synod’s prison ministry. This year, Immanuel helped to set up a duplex and provided supplies for a refugee family of five from Somalia.
Congregation members give more than $2,000 a year for the pastor’s discretionary fund - the vast majority of which is given to help people in desperate situations. People cannot always be rescued from major financial crises, but sometimes they can be provided just enough help to get them through the week or to the next paycheck.
Sun
Nov 1
2009
Lisa Kramme
Director of Faith Formation
Nebraska Synod, ELCA
There was a song I learned at Girl Scout day camp years ago. We sang it as a round, and the words were, “Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold.” Maybe because we sang it in a round—over and over and over—or maybe just because it had a simple message and a sweet tune, I can remember the words and melody like I sang this song just yesterday. Maybe I remember the song because it’s true. It is good to make new friends. It is good to remember old friends. Each has value. Each can add new dimensions to my world.
