Sat
Feb 20
2010
The school bell rings and children rush to the flagpole. There they meet the volunteer of the day for the “walking carpool” from the elementary school to Our Savior Lutheran Church’s “Front Porch” building in Wayne.
Sat
Feb 20
2010
The earthquake in Haiti shook North Platte.
Members of First Evangelical Lutheran Church felt the shock and responded with a “Hearts for Haiti” Prime Rib dinner on February 12. As a result, First Evangelical will be sending $4,943 to ELCA Disaster Relief.
Wed
Jan 20
2010
This past Memorial Day, 113 people gathered together in Plainview, Nebraska from Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and the local congregations from the United Methodist Church, UCC, Missouri Synod Lutheran, and Catholic churches. They gathered for a joint communion service, standing side-by-side in fellowship with others.
The gathering was in advance of the upcoming 958-51 vote at August’s ELCA Churchwide Assembly that adopted a full communion agreement with the United Methodist Church.
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.’”
Thu
Oct 1
2009
Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church held its first worship service Sept. 13 in Lincoln. Spirit of Hope is located in the Highlands area of Lincoln at 5801 N.W. 1st Street.
Spirit of Hope is a partnership between Prince of Peace and Sheridan Lutheran churches in Lincoln. The church’s mission statement is “Bringing Christ’s Love to Life through worship and music, God’s Word, sharing with community, and much more!”
Spirit of Hope got off to a great start with 195 worshipers in attendance. For more information about Spirit of Hope, make sure to check out their web site at spiritofhopelincoln.org.
Tue
Sep 1
2009
The following Meeting the Mission feature was submitted by Pastor Tobi White, who served this summer at Hope Lutheran in Columbus.
The “Store of Hope” opened at noon on Aug. 8. But nearly 75 people were waiting in the Sanctuary starting about 10:30 that morning.
By 1:00, more than 100 people had come through to buy school supplies and school clothes. It was remarkable to see so many families getting what they needed. Some families came from surrounding areas. Other families had more than five children for whom to provide.
The ministry that Hope Lutheran provided for these people was more necessary and appreciated than they could have predicted. More than $250 was offered for the school items. By 2:00, most of the supplies were gone!
All in all, the event was a great success. Dozens of families from the community were helped, and they were incredibly grateful for the ministry. It was a wonderful outreach event for Hope, simply because it was specifically designed NOT to benefit themselves but keep the focus on others.
Sat
Aug 1
2009
It was a small group that met on a particular Tuesday morning at St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Omaha.
That’s not all bad, according to Verne Sandhurst, the church’s administrative executive. Three of the group’s members had received potential job offers during the previous week.
And so it goes for St. Thomas’ job transition ministry - an ebb and flow of participants entering into small group conversations and informative workshops as they attempt to remain or reenter the workforce.
Wed
Jul 1
2009
Picture a place where an older couple can sit at a table with two young people sporting the body art du jour, the four of them complete strangers, discussing the new Star Trek movie over a bowl of soup.
“It’s a picture of what the community of heaven must look like,” said Matt Schur.
This brand of “extreme soup supper” known as The Table is the community building ministry hatched by Schur and others from Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Lincoln.
