Echo 2.0. Share God s Word, Share His Love, and Do It Now! A New Family

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1 Christ Lutheran Newsletter Echo 2.0 Share God s Word, Share His Love, and Do It Now! Christ Lutheran 605 South Fifth Street, Norfolk, NE A New Family By Rev. David Goehmann even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us [a] for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:4-6 Our family is so thankful to be welcomed into the family here at Christ Lutheran. We were warmly welcomed when we first came to visit. Pastor Winter and all the staff were so glad to show us around and introduce us to the people here. When we arrived many people here welcomed us. What an amazing thing it is to be adopted into the family. That is what it feels like when you are At 2:30 in the afternoon just prior to Christmas, sun shining through the south sanctuary window fell directly on the manger scene creating this reflective setting. a new member at a church. How great it is to know that you have a place that you can call home. In this place Heidi, Macee, Jonah, Jyeva, Ezekiel, and myself have a new family. Continued on page 11 Participating pastors at the Installation Service of Pastor Goehmann included left to right: Rev. Lucas Miller, Nebraska District President Rev. Richard Snow, Rev. Mike Moreno, Rev. David Goehmann, Rev. B.J. Fouts, Rev. Chip Winter and Rev. Chris Asbury. Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-7

2 Christ Lutheran Christmas Memories A Christmas Thank You Many people contributed to the Christmas celebration and helped beautify the services with their time and talents. Thank you to the Altar Guild, the Board of Elders; the Adult Choir (pictured below - top) under the direction of Pat Harstad, Susan Warneke, accompanist, Lisa Moreno, soloist; the Harstad family Dan, Susan, Danielle and Nicole, and Angela Wingert (below-middle); the Blomenberg family (below bottom) Dr. Dan Blomenberg (violin), Allegra and Hope Blomenberg, (flute) and Faith (Blomenberg) Knapp (flute); Matt Wingert, lector; Rev. Chip Winter, officiant and Starla Landkamer, organist. Mindy Schoeder of the Christian Nurture Committee bags up pajamas and other items donated for the Salvation Army s Warmth, Peace and Pajamas program as daughter Eastyn looks on. Thanks to the generosity of Christ Lutheran congregation for their many donations. Pastor Winter led the congregation with his guitar in the singing of Silent Night on Christmas Eve. 2

3 Children s Ministry Christ Lutheran Lisa Moreno, Children s Ministry Coordinator lmoreno@clnorfolkmail.org Youth Handbell Choir After a month of trying things out, we are now ready to get to work learning music for worship! There is still room for more ringers. We meet on Sundays at 4:00 p.m. in the church balcony. This handbell choir is open to youth in grades Come join this fun group and praise God with bells and chimes! Parents and Twos! Do you have a two year old in your house or know someone who does? We have a wonderful Sunday school class for two year olds and their parents! This low-key class offers a chance for parents to get to know each other as they nurture their children s faith. It is a great place to discuss the challenges of parenting and encourage one another. Children enjoy play time, puppets, special games, activities, and crafts just for two-year-olds, and snacks, while they learn about Jesus s love. Come to room 206 of the school from 9:30-10:30 on Sunday morning to find this group. Younger siblings are welcome, too! Mission Offerings Since December, students have been collecting offerings for Pastor and Mrs. Duke, missionaries to Peru. The Dukes have raised 94% of the funds needed for their first year in Peru. They are preparing for some intensive Spanish language training and cultural acclimation in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, at the headquarters for the LCMS Latin America and Caribbean mission region. Please pray for Pastor and Mrs. Duke, as the Lord prepares them for their mission, and prepares their mission field for them. Mission offerings are collected on the second and third Sundays of each month. A Thank You from S.M.I.L.E., Inc. Patty Prauner sent us a letter of appreciation for the offerings we collected: Dear Sunday School, Thank you for remembering the riders at S.M.I.L.E. It is greatly appreciated and needed. Thank you for helping others in your own community and surrounding communities. The dollar amount that you have donated will pay for someone s lessons for the whole summer, who are unable to pay for their lessons. Thank you for blessing others with your blessings! Have a blessed New Year! Patty VBS Preparations: Vacation Bible School has been set for July 23-27, At this time, we are choosing curriculum, and seeking station leaders who will prepare a 20-minute station for crafts, games, Bible stories, and other fun stuff! We run one set of stations for preschoolers, and one for grades 1-6. Station leaders will have 1-2 assistants. If you would like to be a station leader, please contact Lisa Moreno as soon as possible! February Children s Ministry Schedule February 5: Sunday School Jesus Heals Many (craft station, newsletter) February 12: Sunday School Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man (craft and music station) February 19: Sunday School Jesus Calls Matthew (music and game/snack station) February 26: Sunday School Jesus Calms A Storm (music and skit station) Looking Ahead in 2017: Sunday, April 9: Sunday school sings for Palm Sunday, 8:00 a.m. service July 23-27: Vacation Bible School Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Sundays at Christ Lutheran School 3

4 Christ Lutheran Mission News Big Event 2016 Gifts Over 200 people gathered on Sunday, November 6 for the S.O.S (Servants of the Savior) Big Event - an opportunity to offer prayers and monetary support for missionaries, Orphan Grain Train, and other mission projects reaching out with the heart of Christ. With generosity of members, sister congregations, and the community through ticket sales, the silent auction, and live auction, Orphan Grain Train was gifted $9, for disaster relief efforts. Other funds gifted include: Rev. Stuart and Deb Freese were gifted $4, as missionaries to Ghana, West Africa. Jana Ingelhart was gifted $4, to go to the Dominican Republic as Regional Communication Specialist for the Latin American region. Mark and Megan Mantey were gifted $4, as missionaries to Uganda. Dr. Martin and Marie Dicke were gifted $ as missionaries to Papua New Guinea. Rev. Cullen and Jackie Duke were gifted $4, as missionaries to Lima, Peru. Sons of the congregation seminary fund was gifted $4, Christ Lutheran youth was gifted $4, to be used only for mission events. S.O.S was gifted $4, for continuing missionary support and mission projects during the year. We hope to continue to fund an orphanage in Russia. The group supports visiting missionaries who are raising funds for deployment and their ministry needs. We thank God for His blessing on the Big Mission Event. About Servants of the Savior Servants of the Savior (S.O.S.) is a branch of the L.L.L. (Lutheran Laymen s League). Our mission is to serve as Christ directed through the great commission to serve at home, nationally and internationally. We do this by helping missionaries in foreign fields, an orphanage in Russia, Orphan Grain Train (working on all levels), Mercy Meals, and helping support our youth involved in servant events. This support is accomplished through funds raised by our work with Lenten suppers and The Big Event. S.O.S. meets the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. All Golden Agers are invited to attend Golden Age Dinner Sunday, March 5 12:00 p.m. In the golden years of your life? If so, join us for the Golden Age dinner on Sunday, March 5 at noon, in the Fellowship Hall. We will be serving ham, scalloped potatoes, green beans, and dessert. This dinner is an opportunity for our youth to give back to the great generation that came before them. This is not a fundraiser, but rather a chance for our youth to thank you for your support throughout the year. After lunch we will enjoy fellowship with one another as we play board games and cards. 4

5 Christ Lutheran Christ Lutheran School Steve Stortz, Principal Sharing the Gospel, Pursuing Excellence When it comes to sharing the Gospel, few organizations open more doors than our LCMS schools. There, the good news of Christ is shared with thousands of children and families. During the academic year alone, 2,336 students in LCMS schools were baptized into God s family. What s interesting today is that so many people are not coming [to our schools] for religious reasons, explained Terry Schmidt, director of LCMS School Ministry. They have other motivations on their dashboard: a school with sound academics that is safe, affordable, convenient. Many of our schools enroll more non-lutherans than Lutherans, which is great because the real reason we exist is to proclaim Jesus to children and families. They re going to get Jesus in our schools. Lutherans Engage Winter 2017 engage.lcms.org The quote from Terry Schmidt found above is no surprise. It is for that reason that during the last year, I have been gathering with other principals, mostly public, from around Nebraska. We have been discussing ways to improve student learning. This year I am joined by three of our teachers: Gary Weber, Myka Mayo, and LaRhea Voelker. We have been going through Marzano training. Dr. Robert Marzano is a leader in educational research and discusses what elements in education have the greatest impact on student learning. In January, a member of our Educational Service Unit did an introductory inservice with the full teaching staff on this way of looking at teaching. Plans are being made for the staff to have additional days of training during the upcoming school year. Pursuing excellence in all areas of education provides us with opportunities to share the Gospel with more students and their families. We look forward to growing academically and spiritually! Preschool Registration Now Open Christ Lutheran Preschool continues to accept registrations for the school year. Morning and afternoon classes are available for our three and five-day programs and a morning session is offered for the two-day program. Children must be at least three years old by July 31, 2017 in order to enroll in the Tuesday/Thursday or the Monday/Wednesday/Friday programs. The Monday-Friday program is reserved for children who are four by July 31, A registration form is available at the school office or on the school website at For more information call the school office at We would love to schedule a tour and answer your questions. 5 Winter Missionary Carnival God desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:4 The families and staff of Christ Lutheran School believe these words to be true. To that end, each year we hold a carnival to raise money to help God s servants who share the Word with people oversees. We are glad to continue our support of Pastor Ferry and his family as he works with the people in Indonesia. He facilitates fellowship talks, provides educational development for pastors and other church leaders, and manages projects which provide resources and relief. This year we were able to raise $2,509 to continue this ministry. We pray for God s continued blessings on the Ferry family. Kindergarten Open Houses There is still time to bring your 5 year old to one of the two remaining Kindergarten Open Houses February 7 and February 16 both from 5:30-7:30. By attending this event you and your future Kindergarten student will have the opportunity to: meet with our Lutheran School State Certified Kindergarten teachers, check out the classroom where your student would be receiving a college prep/faith development education each and every day of their elementary school journey. Bring along your questions about how you can get started in being a part of the Christ Lutheran School family. Kindergarten teachers will be available to answer questions about curriculum, expectations, and to make your child feel at home. Be sure to bring your child so they can scope out the classroom and meet future classmates. Shopping with a Smile The Ferry Family: Charles, Cheryl, Caleb, Caitlyn, Carissa, Cassandra and Chloe Did you know that Christ Lutheran School Foundation can earn money on every purchase you make through Amazon.com? Just go to and select your charity as Christ Lutheran School Foundation Norfolk, NE.

6 Christ Lutheran Christ Lutheran School Steve Stortz, Principal Woodworking Elective As the second quarter of school wrapped up, so did the first woodworking class that we have had in a number of years. Taught by a former CLS student, Jeff Johnson, students learned vocabulary, mathematics, and safety skills as they built practical projects to be used at home. In the photo at left, students were building keepsake boxes. They also saw what they could accomplish if they continued to refine their skills as they admired a new podium built by Mr. Johnson for school assemblies. Dates to Note Scrip sold in School Office Tuesday & Friday from 7:40-4:00. Chapel every Wednesday at 8:20; all are invited. Feb. 1 3 & 5 Day preschool pajama Day Feb. 2 Parent/Teacher Conferences P-8 No school Feb. 3 Teacher in-service P-8 No school Feb. 7 Kindergarten Open House 5:30-7:30 Feb. 10 Circuit In-service Feb. 11 Christ Luth. Varsity Girls Basketball Tournament Feb. 12 Grades 5-8 Sing at Grace 10:00 Feb. 14 Valentine s Day celebrations Feb. 16 Kindergarten Open House 5:30-7:30 Feb Christ Luth. Varsity Boys Basketball Tourn. Feb Concordia University C-Club Boys & Girls Feb. 28 Board of Education 7:00 Mar. 1 Kindergarten Registration Day Mar. 16 Grandparents Day New podium for use at school assemblies. Keep on saving those Box Tops for Education and Coke points. Left: Parents appreciate the two new chair racks for use in the gym donated by the Beckman family. 6

7 Christ Lutheran Confirmation and Junior High Youth Matt Wingert, Director of Youth Love That Only the Father Can Give. I can t even think about the month of February without seeing pink hearts, chocolates, and little cupids running around in my head. After all, it is the LOVE month. We often think of love as this romantic, and passionate, red hot love. This kind of love is only temporary. I want to remind you of an even stronger love, a love that never ends. Psalm 86:15 - But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. This steadfast love is the love that you can t take away, the type of love that will never change, and the type of love that only comes from God the Father. In Hebrew, it means covenant love. The same love that God had for his children, Israel. They did plenty of things to lose God s love. But because of His steadfast love, he continued to love and provide for his people. Just like he does for us each day. Enjoy the candy, enjoy giving valentines gifts, but remember, that candy melts, cards get lost. This February, abide in God s love, which is full of mercy and grace. Most of all, remember that God s love never changes. Confirmation Retreat The Grade 8 confirmation students have a great opportunity to get away for the weekend and experience a confirmation retreat at Camp Luther March This year s theme is Here We Stand based off of Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. It is our prayer that the confirmands will continue to grow in their faith, and stand firm on the word of God, as they continue on towards High School. Mark the date on the calendar. You won t want to miss this event! Fellowship January s fellowship event was a service project at the Norfolk Rescue Mission. We had the opportunity to serve the Rescue Mission by cleaning, painting, and organizing their facilities. In February, we will go bowling at King s Lanes. The event will be on February 26. Watch the Weekly Focus for more details and time for this activity. February Events Wednesday, February 1 - Confirmation Wednesday, February 8 - Confirmation w/parents Wednesday, February 15 - Confirmation Wednesday, February 22 - Confirmation Sunday, February 26 - Fellowship- Bowling at Kings Lanes Every Sunday - 9:30 Bible Study!!! 7

8 Christ Lutheran Senior High Youth Sarah Moje, Youth Director Sunday Morning Bible Study All of you will be heading off to college or entering the work force in less than four years. More than likely your faith will be tested in some way. Can you defend your faith? Join us on Sunday mornings in the blue youth room as we ready ourselves to do just that! Be ready to share your highs and lows of the week! Bingo at the Nursing Home Add Sunday, February 19 to your calendar. We will be playing bingo with the residents at The Meadows during the afternoon. Plan on meeting there at 2:45 so we can set up and then help with bingo until 4:00. I signed up for an Action Plan to purchase prizes but if you have sample size lotion, shampoo, soap, and conditioners to donate, that would be helpful. When we finish with bingo, plan on food and fellowship afterward. More details about this will follow. The Golden Age Dinner Each generation of people has unique gifts, strengths, and wisdom. Join us on Sunday, March 5 as we have lunch with the Golden Agers of our congregation. This is a time to thank this group for their support of youth ministry, get to know the adults in our congregation, and share in fellowship activities. Youth should plan to set up for this event at 10:45 a.m. (which means attend church at 5:30 p.m. or 8:00 a.m.) and be finished with clean up by 2:00 p.m. We will serve the meal, lead a devotion, and play board games and cards. You might be surprised how much you can learn from and/or teach the golden agers! Are You Connected? Get our regular senior high youth updates? If you do, great! If you don t, be sure to send an to me at youth@clnorfolkmail.org to be added to our list. Would you like text reminders for youth events? If so, please me your phone number. February Service Project Bingo at The Meadows February 19 2:45 p.m. Upcoming Dates Sun., February 5 9:30 a.m. Bible Study in Youth Rooms Sun., Feruary. 12 9:30 a.m. Assist with Children s Sunday School Sun., February 19 9:30 a.m Bible Study in Youth Rooms Sun., February 19 2:45 p.m. Bingo at The Meadows Sun., February 26 9:30 a.m. Bible Study in Youth Rooms 8

9 Christ Lutheran Pastor s Ponderings Rev. Chip Winter, Director of Ministry - cwinter@clnorfolkmail.org Trends vs. the Long View The progress in the field of communication while I ve been in the ministry is really quite remarkable. I would imagine the same transformation has taken place in your work and your social circles, too. When I started to produce sermons in the seminary it was the same process each time: textual study (in the original languages, utilizing the Novum Testamentum Graece and the Biblia Hebraica), confessional concerns through the Book of Concord, historical commentary and then compose the outline. Once the outline was complete I looked for illustrations to flesh out the points. Then I would write a good bit of it out longhand. After that, the typewriter. Pretty old school. Today, while the process is much the same, once the outline is complete (which I still produce on a legal pad) and the illustrations have been arranged, it s composed on the computer. Often, the computer is used to compare translations of the passages of scripture. And frankly, without either pc or mac the power point presentations for the sanctuary screens would be impossible. (And to think, when I was first in college I worked on a computer with punch cards which needed to be kept in strict order cardboard boxes!) These trends in improvement have been very helpful. But of other trends I am wary. Theology doesn t lend itself to sound-bites. There is too much to say to do it in 140 characters. But there is a world of social media (which often limits one to sound bites) which has become a favored option of communication for many. We need to join in conversations as best we can and a tremendous number are taking place in social media. The video I made in my study at home - an alert to our community that we wouldn t have the Saturday evening service on December 17, 2016 and that the Sunday schedule would be altered to one 9:30 service and neither Bible class nor Sunday school because the snow was flying and the wind howling over ice-slickened streets - it was viewed over 1900 times from Christ Lutheran s Face Book page! How might this medium, or others like it, be used more efficiently by Christ Lutheran? That is the question we are going to try to answer in this new year because we have a message to relate to all people. Relate comes from a word in Latin meaning to carry back. It refers to news, a story or an account. We, in the relationships that form all around us, have the best news anyone could hear. We have the story of God, an account of our redemption through the passion, death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. Relating relationships these are the heart of communication. And these are the ways ministry gets done. Red Cross Blood Drive Sponsored Christ Lutheran Church and School will be sponsoring a Blood Drive at the American Red Cross Center, on Monday, February 27, from 12:00-6:00 p.m. The American Red Cross Center is in the process of relocating, the location for the blood drive will be announced at a later date. Please watch the Weekly Focus for more information. Contact Karen Petersen at for more information or to schedule an appointment. 9

10 Christ Lutheran Membership Roll Call Starla Landkamer Roster Changes: Transfer In: Aaron & Felicia Albracht, Claire and Carly, 1705 Bel Air Road, Norfolk from Peace Lutheran, Columbus, Nebraska. Rodney and JoAnn Ewald, Austin, Morgan and Taylor, 2515 Madison Avenue, Norfolk, from Our Savior, Norfolk. Transfer Out: Luke Stevens, 8120 South 190 th Avenue, Omaha, to Good Shepherd, Gretna, Nebraska. Hannah (Wulf) Uecker, Battle Creek, NE to St. John Lutheran, Battle Creek, Nebraska. Dale and Casey Kavan, Tatum and Calum, th Street, Columbus, Nebraska, to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Columbus, Nebraska. Release: Shelly Koehler, 2825 Applewood Road, Gering, Nebraska, to Calvary Lutheran ELCA, Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Baptized Into the Family of God: Harper Olivia Bernal, daughter of Celso Bernal and Deanna Witt. Born November 25, 2016; baptized January 14, Sponsors are Tiffany Witt and Austin Baker. Emmie Jane Svoboda, daughter of Colby and Rebecca Svoboda. Born December 6, 2016; baptized January 21, Sponsors are Phil and Mickie Halloran, Tony Wessel, and Mike and Alissa Hilliges. Called to Their Heavenly Home: Vickie L. Nathan, July 5, 1936 December 27, Carolyn M. Prauner, March 29, 1937 January 18, Moved from one House to Another: Matt Carr, 609 Pierce Street, Norfolk Charlie Schmer, 906 North 10 th Street #3, Norfolk Lois Nielsen, Ivy Manor, 1109 Ivy Street, P.O. Box 294, Stanton, NE Colby and Staci Kolm, P.O. Box 268, Battle Creek, NE Eileen Klug, Stanton Health Center, th Street, #403, Stanton, NE Brent Miller, 1712 College View Drive, Norfolk Barbara Emory, The Meadows, 500 South 18 th Street, #201, Norfolk Celebrating Birthday Blessings of 80 Years or More in February: 1: Donna Eckert 4: Willard Vyhlidal 7: Carl Mellor Duane Zautke 11: Gladys Meisinger 16: Bill Bethards 20: Don Walker 23: Ilene Schmidt 24: Lois Miller Russ Sila 25: Gaynel Hofmann 26: Vernon Miller 28: DeEtte Jenkins Year-End Fast Facts: For the 2016 calendar year just completed, we have 2,189 baptized members; up 16 from There are 1,683 communicant members; up 10 from the preceding year. 10

11 Christ Lutheran Kindergarten students act out the first Christmas. Construction progresses on the new Child Care. Pastor Goehmann continued from page 1 As it says in the passage I referenced at the beginning of this article, we have been given a place from the foundation of the world. God had in mind each one of us, and through Jesus we are made brothers and sisters in Christ. We can hardly wait to meet more and more members of the family here. We were saddened to leave our friends in Ohio where we lived for twelve and a half years. We will remember people there and they will have a special place in our hearts. And now God has placed us here. He has placed us in a neighborhood, in a town, and in a state we are not used to. Yet, as a family in the church we will be together. God has a purpose for each one of us. He has a purpose for our congregation. And now the exciting thing is to discover what God now has in store for our whole family here at Christ Lutheran. With some brand new staff it will create energy and a boost into God s purposes for all of us. Jesus is that Beloved, that only begotten Son of God, who redeemed us and brought us into the family. Through water and through blood he has brought us into the family of God. God s artistry with ice created a beautiful painting of Central Park and gave staff and students an extra snow day in mid-january. 11 What a joy it is to be together in our new family. Thank you for your warm welcome. Thank you for adopting us into the family. Now we have the joyful task of sharing Christ love with each other and with those whom God has yet to bring into his family. God has prepared a place for all of us, both now and forever. In Christ, Pastor Dave Goehmann

12 Christ Lutheran Printing Costs for This Month s Echo 2.0 Paid for by Donations from These Sponsors: Abbey Christian Store Bev Mauch, Coldwell Banker Dover Realtors Norfolk Implement Dr. Dan Blomenberg Eye Physicians PC Elkhorn Valley Bank & Trust Dinkel Implement Dr. Leon Gebhardt Freudenburg & Associates LLC Taylor Creek Physical Therapy Jerry s Trailers & Campers Randy Oertwich, United Farm and Ranch Management Krivohlavek & Hatfield, D.D.S. Christ Lutheran Church 605 South Fifth Street Norfolk, NE phone fax School 511 South Fifth Street phone fax Helping Hands Childcare 400 West Pasewalk Ave. (Corner of Fourth Street & Pasewalk Ave.) phone Next ECHO 2.0 deadline is February 10, 2017 Send items to echo2@clnorfolkmail.org