Wed
Jan 20
2010
Bishop Dave deFreese
Nebraska Synod, ELCA
“Be strong and bold; have no fear or dread, because it is the Lord your God who goes with you; he will not fail you or forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)
As we watch the horrors of the Haitian earthquake and our hearts ache at the overwhelming tragedy of human destruction, the call to be the Church arises with a profound clarity. Now we can live love. Now we can express the compassion of our God that declares immense value to each human life. Now we can overcome our innate selfishness and respond with the nobleness of Christ’s claim on our lives. Now we can demonstrate the acute difference our baptismal gift makes. Now we can be the Body of Christ for the sake of the world.
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Wed
Jan 20
2010
Lisa Kramme
Director of Faith Formation
Nebraska Synod, ELCA
Can you see yourself in either of these scenarios?
A high school youth regularly helps with Vacation Bible School. You comment to the young man, “I can see you as an elementary teacher someday!”
A stay-at-home mom capably assists your congregation’s bookkeeper with recording income and expenses. You share with her, “If you ever consider working outside the home, I think you really have the gifts to be an accountant!”
In my opinion, people are usually very good at suggesting career paths to others as we see them exhibit their God-given skills, but here’s what I wonder—do we intentionally point out to others the gifts we see in them for the rostered ministry? I am not so sure that, even within the Church, people with gifts for ministry hear from trusted friends and mentors often enough.
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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.
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Tue
Dec 1
2009
Bishop Dave deFreese
Nebraska Synod, ELCA
We need Christmas!
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” (Luke 2:13-14)
We need Christmas! Not the hurried bustling of consumer driven anxiety. Not the sentimental trappings of illusional memories. Not the exhaustion of trying one more time to do it right. We need Christmas with God!
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Tue
Dec 1
2009
Jim Petersen
Assistant to the Bishop
Nebraska Synod, ELCA
Sometimes life reminds me of the guy standing on the observation deck atop the Empire State Building in New York. As he’s looking out over Central Park, someone comes up behind him, grabs him, and tries to throw him over the side. He struggles mightily but his assailant is stronger, so down he goes. As he’s zipping past the 42nd floor, he’s thinking, “Well, it’s going pretty well so far!”
Which illustrates two conflicting absurdities; the reluctance with which we anticipate change and, once it’s underway, the speed with which we adapt to it.
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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.”
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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.
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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.’”
