Luther League News December, 2016

Transcription

1 Interested in Next Summer s Gathering? Page 7 Meet our Scholarship Winners! Page 5 Luther League News December, th SELC District Luther League Youth Gathering Theme: IN THE BEGINNING June 30 July 3, 2016 St. Paul Lutheran Church, Whiting IN The 89 th SELC District Luther League Youth Gathering was appropriately themed IN THE BEGINNING as Whiting, IN is where the Luther League actually began in 1927! The theme was based on the Bible verse from Revelation 22:13, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. Devotions during the weekend focused on beginnings, including creation and baptism. We were blessed to have as devotion leaders Rev. Andy Dzurovcik (Clark NJ) and Rev. Rick Schauer (Tinley Park IL), both spiritual sons of St. Paul, Whiting IN; along with Rev. Luke Jacob (Racine WI), Rev. Luther Bajus (Norridge IL), and Rev. John Henry (Whiting IN). Our SELC youth were able to hear firsthand from Deaconess Dehlia DeLeon regarding her ministry to the Hispanic community at both St. Paul in Whiting IN and Dr. Martin Luther in Chicago IL. The youth participated in three different servant events: landscaping at St. Paul, Whiting; landscaping and cleanup at the Deaconess house in Whiting; and assisting with the ESL program at Dr. Martin Luther, Chicago. On Saturday morning, special guest speaker Rev. George Borghardt, from McHenry IL, led the youth in a Bible study focused on Colossians chapter 2 and 3, which focused on dying, being buried, and being raised with Christ through baptism. The youth also were introduced to Rev. Jonathan and Deaconess Cheryl Naumann, as they told us about their upcoming ministry in the Dominican Republic. While worship, devotions, and Bible study were an important part of the weekend, plenty of time was still available for taking in the local sights. The group used the local YMCA for sports and swimming, spent Friday evening at Navy Pier in Chicago, and walked to the Whiting lakefront to spend Saturday afternoon at Wihala Beach. Some of the group even made it to a Northeastern Indiana Oilmen s baseball game!

2 2 The Luther Leaguers also experienced local culture through their meals, including Beggar s Pizza (Chicago style pizza, and the official pizza of the White Sox); and cabbage rolls and pierogis from Whiting s famous Lynethe s Diner. The youth also affirmed their support for Vitor and Joao Paulo, two brothers from Brazil who we have been sponsoring with our mission funds. Additional contributions were made to support Deaconess Dehlia DeLeon; Rev. and Deaconess Naumann; and Pack Away Hunger in Valparaiso IN. The Luther League was able to award three scholarship this year: Noah Balla (Clark NJ); Lexi Linback (Crown Point IN); and Steven Steingass (Parma OH). Over $400 was raised in Kangaroo Court. Some of the more notable fines went to Linda Tempco for trying to crush ice with a plyers and a can opener; John Tempco for teaching young children to tell corny jokes; and Dehlia DeLeon for taking us on the march. Special thanks to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Whiting; Pastor John Henry and Deaconess Dehlia DeLeon for all of their hard work putting the youth gathering together; and for all who helped out with the weekend. IN THE BEGINNING led to the beginning of many new friendships in Christ!

3 Dehlia DeLeon 3 I still remember fondly our time last summer when St. Paul hosted the Luther League gathering in Whiting, IN. Thank you again for your help and support of our Hispanic ministry including my ESL classes. I wanted to share my experience this August when I was able to study Spanish for four weeks in Guatemala so that I could better serve the Hispanics in our church s community. I lived in Antigua, Guatemala which is a small colonial town that was founded in 1543 (it had to be moved after being destroyed by the Volcano Agua). It is a beautiful city with cobblestone streets, ruins around every corner, and vibrant colors of red, yellow, and orange painted on many of the local businesses and residences. It is in the middle of a valley surrounded by mountains and volcanoes. Antigua is well-known for its Spanish school immersion programs and I registered with the same school I went to last time I visited. I was placed with a Guatemalan family who provided me with my own bedroom, bathroom, and meals three days a week except Sundays. Classes began a couple days after I arrived and I was placed with my teacher, Cristy. We had one-onone classes for four hours every morning. Cristy would teach me grammar that I was uncomfortable with or didn t know and we would break off into conversations about life at various points during the lesson. Almost every class would end with reading from my Spanish Bible and my explanation/summary of the Bible story. After morning class, I would eat lunch with my family and come back for my 2-hour afternoon class with my other teacher, Brenda. Brenda had incredible patience with me because after my brain being fried in the morning, I was a bit tired in the afternoon. She had a great sense of humor and found pleasure teaching me various Spanish expressions ( claro como lodo literally means clear as mud which she taught me after I didn t understand something she said). Besides class, I didn t have too much time for many other activities, but was able to take Salsa dancing classes, a cooking class, did some sightseeing, and visited a couple Lutheran churches. I made friends from all over the world and had a chance to enjoy Guatemalan culture. There is always something going on in town; sometimes there are processions or parades in the streets, a concert in the park, or various street performers to watch. Going back to Guatemala has given me a new love and appreciation for the Spanish language and the people I am privileged to serve. God is good and He blessed me with an unforgettable experience! It does feel good that I m back and re-energized to get back to work in the name of Christ! In Christ, Deaconess Dehlia DeLeon

4 IN CHRIST ALONE 4 From July 16 th 20 th this year, 25,000 youth from all around the country and the world descended on New Orleans, LA for the LCMS National Youth Gathering. Held every three years in a city with a domed stadium, convention center, and enough hotel space within walking distance, the theme of this year s gathering was IN CHRIST ALONE. From the first mass event in the Superdome on Saturday night, to the closing communion worship service on Wednesday morning, the excitement was contagious as the youth explored the book of Philippians each day. Each night the dome events focused on a different aspect of the theme. Saturday focused on Joy in Christ Alone; Sunday focused on Identity in Christ Alone; Monday focused on Humility in Christ Alone; and Tuesday focused on Community in Christ Alone. The youth heard from speakers like Shanna Decker, a childhood cancer survivor who lost a leg to the disease; Rev. Tige and Sarah Culbertson, who minister to families recovering from addiction; DCE Shelli Haynes, who was invited to church by a childhood friend; Benjamin Helge, missionary to the Czech Republic, and Tomas Precek, who felt the call to become a Christian through Ben s ministry; and Rev. Gregory Manning, whose mother forgave and witnessed to her abusive ex-husband in the last days of his life, even though she was terminally ill with a brain tumor at the same time. During the daytime, the youth had the opportunity to attend various breakout sessions, examples including Zak Mirzadeh, an illusionist who is a former Muslim; Brad Alles, The ABC s of Defending the Faith ; or Pam Stenzel, The High Cost of Free Love, among many others. Youth also participated in servant events around the city, and spent time in the Experiential Learning Center which featured many activities, along with games and sports. Churches from the SELC District who attended IN CHRIST ALONE included St. Lukes, Oviedo FL; Hope, Viera FL; St. John, Emporia VA; Calvary, Parma OH; and Pentecost, Racine WI. No youth who attended IN CHRIST ALONE will ever be the same!

5 Meet our 2016 Luther League Scholarship Recipients! 5 In 1953, the Luther League - - the official youth organization of the SELC District - - began a scholarship fund to encourage higher education for SELC youth with leadership potential. Thanks to generous donations from our SELC youth groups, scholarship alumni, and friends, we were able to award three $750 scholarships this year: Noah Balla Zion Lutheran Church, Clark NJ:.Noah plans to attend New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) in Newark, NJ to study architecture. Noah has been involved with the Luther League since sixth grade. At his home congregation he has been involved with church dinners, clothing drives, picnics, and playing musical instruments including the clarinet and handbells. His hobbies and interests including playing all types of sports, especially basketball. During the summers he is a lifeguard and he loves to surf. Alexis Linback Resurrection Lutheran Church, Crownt Pt. IN: Alexis will be attending Indiana University Bloomington in the fall, with the intention to study marketing and dietetics. She has been a youth group leader at her church, participating in youth-led worship services, and helping prepare youth breakfasts. Alexis also volunteers as a scripture reader for Sunday worship and has assisted in teaching Sunday School. She has attended summer Luther League district youth gatherings and the Western Circuit Ski Trip in February. In her spare time Alexis enjoys running. Steven Steingass Calvary Lutheran Church, Parma OH: Steven is entering his junior year at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. He intends to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Parks and Natural Resource Management, with a minor in Criminology. From there, Steven plans to attend the State of Ohio, State of Delaware, or National Park Service s police academy to become a Law Enforcement Park Ranger. Steven has been a member or Calvary s Youth N Christ and has attended Luther League gatherings as well as the 2010 and 2013 National Youth Gatherings. While away at college he attends All Saints Lutheran Church. He enjoys rock climbing, unicycling, hiking, small engine repair, and computer repair. If you would like to help support more young people like Noah, Alexis, and Steven, please consider a gift to the Luther League Scholarship Fund! Find out how on page 6!

6 Brazil Mission Society 6 The pictures below are items that we have recently received from our sponsored children, Vitor and Joao Paulo, that we support through the Brazil Mission society!

7 FUN in the SUN SNOW! 7 Western Circuit Youth Ski Trip February 18 & 19, 2017 The Western Circuit Youth Ski Trip will once again be held at Wilmot Mountain in Wilmot, WI. However, the mountain has been newly renovated since last year! We will meet for day skiing on February 18 th. Wilmot offers skiing, snowboarding, and tubing. After fun in the snow, we ll travel back to Pentecost Lutheran Church in Racine, WI for dinner and a lock-in led by a Concordia University WI Youth Ministry Team. Some changes for this year: We will starting at 11:00 a.m.! Anyone taking a lesson will be required to rent a helmet. Registration is no longer electronic. Registration will be coordinated by Pentecost in Racine. Registration materials will available soon. Watch your and the Luther League website or Facebook page for more details. District Summer Gathering! SELC District Luther League Youth Gathering July 20 23, 2017 Fellowship Deaconry Camp, Basking Ridge NJ Hosted by St. John Lutheran Church, Bound Brook NJ Stay Connected to the Luther League! Website: Facebook: SELC Luther League Interested in getting on the Western Circuit Bus? Contact Tim Hasko (timhasko@execpc.com) Watch the Beacon for further details, or check out the Luther League website ( or Facebook page! Upcoming Events!! Eastern Circuit Winter Retreat: Feb 17-19, 2017 Western Circuit Ski Trip/Lockin: Feb 18-19, 2017 District "Luther League" Youth Gathering: July 20-23, 2017

8 Contribute to the Luther League 8 You can now contribute to the Luther League in two ways! Like always, you can contribute with cash or check via standard mail (Specify along with your donation if you would like the donation to be used toward something specific i.e. Scholarship Fund, Mission Fund, or General Fund) at our mailing address. Make checks out to: SELC District Luther League Mail to: Pentecost Lutheran Church ATTN: Luther League Treasurer 2213 Coolidge Ave. Racine, WI OR You can now support the Luther League through donations online via our website: