How is Your Circuit Doing? In This Issue... The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod From the President s Desk Page 2

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1 The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod September 2013 How is Your Circuit Doing? In This Issue... From the President s Desk Page 2 A Celebration of Blessings Page 3 National LCMS Youth Gathering Page 4 CID Missions Pages 5-8 Youth Bible Bowl Results Page 9 Official Notices Page 10 LLL Speakers Page 12 Each circuit, its churches, lay people, and pastors, should constantly be searching their communities for new mission outreach possibilities. What mission opportunities has God put in our backyard? Each of our circuits could benefit from a mission committee or circuit mission council to identify and explore new outreach potential. The Central Illinois District (CID) is happy to assist in this effort. Guidelines to start a circuit mission council are available from the CID. The purpose, of course, is always to tell the Good News of Jesus Christ that God may bring unbelievers to see their sins and by His grace they may have saving faith in Christ who died for them and rose again! God s mission is known: for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10); God our Savior... desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). The apostle Paul tells us how we must tell the Good News so that others can learn about their Savior. How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things! (Romans 10:14-15). So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). Take a look at your area, people, and the number of unchurched, their needs and the opportunities. In these anti-christian culture days we want to pursue ministry centered in God s Word. His Word won t return void. He can give the increase! 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth (Acts 1:8). 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy (1 Peter 2:9-10).

2 2 The GatePost September 2013 From the President s Desk Tools of the Trade Part Two At the recent Synodical Convention in St. Louis, we were reminded of several things. Baptism touches our lives in the past, in the present time, and it holds promise for our future. It was never intended to be an overand-done-with sort of thing. LCMS President Matthew Harrison reminded us of the wealth that the Lord has put into the water. Jesus own life, suffering, death, and the power of the resurrection has been put into the water. Subsequently, there one also finds every good and perfect gift that comes from above. Baptism touches our lives in the past, in the present time, and it holds promise for our future. It was never intended to be an over-and-done-with sort of thing. There is found forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). In the water one finds adoption from a sinful race of men into the royal heavenly household who now bear the name of the Triune God and it makes us heirs of heavenly wealth and splendor. In the water life is found as one is born again from above and thereafter walks in the new life God gives (John 3:3-6, Romans 6:4-5). This is not life that is good only for this time and place, but this baptismal life is eternal. Rejoice! For sinners, Jesus puts His own perfect and now fulfilled righteousness in the water. An open gate to heaven is put in the water. The Holy Spirit He puts in the water. The Father s acceptance of us, for Jesus sake, is put into the water. The promise of paradise He puts into the water. The hope of Baptism gives promise and power for this and every moment. A Christian who doesn t live in the fullness of all that God wishes to give is cheating himself out of the innumerable blessings a benevolent God is eager to grant to those who are His. Our heavenly Father desires so much to confirm to us His loving kindness that Baptism is an on-going conduit of God s mercy and love in Christ. And, it doesn t end there! Through your pastor a gracious word is spoken to the penitent that confirms what holds true in heaven. Echoing the words of Jesus commissioning of His Apostles (John 20:22-23), whoever s sins you forgive, they are forgiven, His ambassadors assert that the Father is reconciled through the Son, and your trespasses are no longer held against you (2 Cor. 5:19-20). They hammer home that the blood of Jesus was rightly and profitably shed and now is applied that the repentant sinner might stand acquitted and comforted before the tribunal of the Most High. There is no better news for the dying! There is no greater treasure to those, who Rev. Mark A. Miller, President apart from God s mercy are poor, than the wealth that is absolution and pardon. Our gracious God would fill the air with words of His acceptance that we might have a certain foundation of hope. The turbulence of this world reveals that we need what God is speaking and giving. Our own spiritual poverty demands that we not merely talk about the Gospel but rather that it would therapeutically reverse the effects of death in our life. So the preacher would proclaim the power of the pardon that is writ large in the blood of Christ. The sinner, by the Spirit of God, would take that gracious word to heart. The father confessor would quickly apply the absolution to the broken-hearted that the canyon that divides a poor, sinful creature from his just but loving Creator would be bridged finally and forever. Still, it doesn t end there. There is nothing more necessary to sustain life than to take nourishment regularly and often. Three squares a day seem to be the minimum, but in the midst of our earthly prosperity we tend to also partake beyond the mere minimum. The Lord has provided a feast that requires faith in order for us to behold its full benefits. He has attached a powerful word that becomes the true essence of this meal. The Lord desires for us to make full use of all our senses for the

3 sake of the body and soul which He has made and now saves. He is concerned for the whole person. So salvation would come through simple elements of bread and wine. By worldly standards this is nothing that could be considered a banquet. In, with, and under that bread and wine is Jesus body and blood; the same body and blood that was crucified and raised for us and was given for our justification and deliverance. Still, because of the attached promise, this holy supper is more resplendent than an East Room banquet and the fare prepared by the finest executive chefs. This bread/wine/body/ blood meal should be the steady diet of any and all who desire the favor of the only true and Triune God. Telling The Good News About Jesus 3 A Celebration of Blessings Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois (LCFS) is giving thanks for 140 years of God s blessings with a celebration service on September 28, 2013, from 2 to 5 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church and School in Melrose Park. This complimentary event is open to everyone. The celebration will begin with a worship service, including a sermon from Rev. Dr. Leopoldo A. Sánchez, director of the Center for Hispanic Studies at Concordia Seminary. Rev. John Nunes, faculty chair at Valparaiso University and outgoing president and CEO of Lutheran World Relief will also conduct a one-on-one interview with LCFS President and CEO Gene Svebakken on the past, present and future of social ministry through the lens of LCFS. Following the program, everyone is invited to stay for a reception featuring hors d oeuvres and refreshments. LCFS is a recognized service organization of the LCMS that traces its roots back to 1873 when several Lutheran churches in northern Illinois established the German Evangelical Lutheran Orphan Home in Addison. Opening its doors that year to six young children, the orphan home grew quickly and expanded its services over the years. Now LCFS has more than 25 service sites around the state and serves more than 40,000 individuals annually through services that include foster care, family counseling, youth residential treatment and a variety of community services. For those individuals or congregations that are unable to attend this celebration, LCFS would welcome the opportunity to visit your congregation and share with you directly the work being done. For additional information, to RSVP or to schedule a visit, contact (708) or events@lcfs.org. This bread/wine/body/blood meal should be the steady diet of any and all who desire the favor of the only true and Triune God. Why? Because God commands it: do this often! But secondly, it should be our regular food because it brings benefits greater than all others and found nowhere else. The wonder of these tools is that they seem insignificant, but our God, who comes in unassuming manner using the weak, the seemingly foolish, the unseen, (1 Cor. 1:27-28) and even taking up the mantle of human flesh and nature to save ours, He makes them great, good, wise, and mighty, and we are but to trust that where He has attached His promise there we will find Him in His grace and mercy and the profit of the greatest spiritual value. Pastors, these Baptism, Absolution, and Communion are the tools that build the Church of God. People, these Baptism, Absolution, and Communion are the treasures that make Christians! President Mark A. Miller 1 Corinthians 2:2 Volunteer Teacher of the Year Announced After reviewing many outstanding nominations and recommendations, the CID Parish Education Committee selected Barbara Maske, of Zion Lutheran Church, Mt. Pulaski, as the 2013 Lutheran Volunteer Teacher of the Year. In addition to having taught Sunday School at the elementary level, Barbara currently leads the junior high Sunday School class, and serves as the Sunday School superintendent at Zion Lutheran. Using her unique gifts as a full-time grade school teacher during the week, Barbara adapts and writes curriculum for her Sunday morning class, and has also designed the Sunday School Christmas program the past two years. Those recommending Barbara noted that in addition to the effort she gives in leading her class, she also mentors other teachers and guides high school youth to serve as Sunday School classroom aides. Additionally, Barbara was described as an ambassador for Christ [at Zion Lutheran] and [in the Mt. Pulaski] community. This was evident as she opened her home property and encouraged her neighbor to do the same in order to provide the host site for the entire week of Vacation Bible School this past summer while the church and school were being renovated. The Parish Education Committee congratulates Barbara Maske for her dedicated service, and thanks everyone who nominated teachers for the award this year. As the Lord provides talents and abilities to share the love of Christ, we see the blessings He has showered upon the congregations in our District.

4 4 The GatePost September LCMS National Youth Gathering The 2013 National Youth Gathering (NYG) has come and gone. The memories and learning will last a lifetime. We were blessed to hear tremendous and inspirational speakers, energetic and lively music, and in-depth and meaningful Bible study. There were opportunities to serve the greater San Antonio area. The NYG was an experience our youth and adults will not soon forget. The CID had a large contingency of congregations participate. Altogether 51 of our District congregations sent a group. The largest number of participants from one congregation was 44 from Redeemer Lutheran, Peoria. The smallest group came from Mt. Calvary, Decatur, with a total of three participants. The entire CID sent 636 youth and 199 adults for a grand total of 835 participants. First time NYG attendee and Director of Youth Ministry at Immanuel, Charleston, Kyle Creel stated, Throughout the week we learned that God has a crazy love that saves us sinners, and gives us a better identity. We have been made free to go make a difference. As 1 John says, Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God since God so loved us, we ought to love one another (4:7, 11), and that is exactly what we have learned we can do. Throughout the NYG, there was a difference made in the lives, hearts, and faith of each participant. Looking at tangible numbers we saw 64 girls donate to Locks of Love, 1,006 pints of blood donated, 1,140 school kits packaged, and 320,000 meals made for local and world food distribution. Servant events were held throughout the city. Some of the work done took place at animal shelters, nursing homes, parks, low-income neighborhoods, churches, and schools. Thousands of man hours were worked by youth and adults saving the San Antonio area hundreds of thousands of dollars in labor costs. Youth leader volunteer, Tina McRae, from St. John s, Chatham, shared her excitement, I loved the town of San Antonio! Such a friendly and caring community! I personally loved the mass events...even if I felt tired at the end of the day the mass event really sparked my faith at the day s end. The joy of serving because of the Love of God showed that our serving doesn t end when the NYG ends. The youth from Chatham learned that lesson well. On their return home the flight was cancelled so an extended stay in the airport was required. This allowed for personal witnessing. McRae said, Our youth were able to talk to four people about our wonderful and caring Lord and about their experience at the NYG. They truly shared the message of LiveLove[d]! The 2016 NYG location has been set for New Orleans, Louisiana. The exact dates haven t been set. Many congregations will begin their planning and fundraising now. This cuts down on the stress leading up to the 2016 event. If you need assistance or further information about starting a youth group or participating in the next National Youth Gathering, the CID has resources available. Contact Pastor Chris Decker at pastor@ zionmp.org or call Glenn Goeres at the CID office. Pictured left to right, Pat Baker and Joanne Stamm. Two Lutheran School Teachers Retire Ms. Joanne Stamm and Ms. Patricia Baker retired from teaching at Zion Lutheran School, Lincoln, (ZLS) at the conclusion of the school year. Ms. Stamm served in Lutheran Schools for 36 years and taught at ZLS during the last 24 years. Ms. Baker taught a total of 19 years, serving at ZLS for the past 15 years. Ms. Stamm and Ms. Baker are excellent teachers, and they both have been a tremendous blessing to countless students and families throughout their years of service. We are very thankful for their ministry, and they will be greatly missed, commented Steve Schumacher, ZLS Principal. CID Student Attends Christ Academy Emmett Bartens of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Newton, attended Christ Academy High School at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN, June 16-29, Christ Academy High School offers young men the opportunity to delve deeper into their faith, enjoy the seminary experience and make friendships that will last a lifetime. More information on Christ Academy can be found at

5 CENTRAL ILLINOIS DISTRICT MISSIONS Our Congregations and People Supporting and Furthering the Good News of Jesus Christ in our District Your District Mission Dollars at Work The mission dollars your congregation gives to our District makes possible these ministries of our District: A) NEW CHURCH STARTS 1. Hispanic Outreach, Beardstown New in Christ The King (Cristo Rey) Lutheran Church, East Moline Hispanic ministry in the Quad Cities 3. Faith Lutheran Church, Monticello New in Redeemer Lutheran Church, Peru New in Our Savior Lutheran Church, St. Joseph East of Urbana, New in 2006 B) SPECIAL MISSIONS Deaf, Developmentally Disabled, Prison 6. Christ Lutheran Church for the Deaf, Jacksonville Also serves students from Illinois School for the Deaf 7. Joy of Jesus Lutheran Church for the Deaf, Peoria/Bloomington Also, Bible Study at several other CID locations 8. Ministry among the Developmentally Disabled Serving spiritually the developmentally disabled throughout the CID 9. Lincoln Correctional Center, Lincoln 10. Logan Correctional Center, Lincoln 11. Pittsfield Work Camp, Pittsfield 12. Western Correctional Center, Mt. Sterling 13. Green County Work Camp, Roodhouse C) CAMPUS MINISTRY 14. University of Illinois, Champaign 15. Eastern Illinois University, Charleston 16. Illinois State University, Normal 17. Western Illinois University, Macomb D) FOREIGN MISSION 18. Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia Assisting our sister church in former Soviet Union

6 CENTRAL ILLINOIS DISTRICT MISSIONS Our Savior, St. Joseph, Mission Update Our Savior Lutheran Church, St. Joseph, held their first service on Christmas Eve in Pastor Scott Weiler and the members of Our Savior have a wonderful passion for souls. Our Savior Lutheran Church: Mails a welcome letter and visits all new residents with a Welcome Bag Has a weekly Bible study for residents at the Village apartment for seniors Has a 6:30 a.m. Thursday, wakeup Bible study at a local restaurant (inviting others to join them) Has a monthly food collection for local food pantry Holds VBS every summer with community invitation and outreach Pastor volunteers at the child s reading program at the St. Joseph library every Tuesday in the summer Pastor is the chaplain to the St. Joseph Fire Department, ministering to victims and firefighters Pastor meets monthly with and as a member of the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce Pastor s wife, Lenell, is the official Chamber of Commerce Greeter to the new residents Members do meals on wheels to the community every Friday Uses their big outdoor sign (on the main highway going through St. Joseph) to witness to Christ Has adopted a local highway and regularly picks up the trash Members invite the unchurched to worship! Regularly calls, contacts and visits prospects and church visitors And more! New Latino Outreach in Beardstown In January 2013, a new Latino outreach was begun in Beardstown, a city of about 6,000 people. Beardstown has close to 3,000 Latino people and 23 different nationalities, including many African immigrants. St. John s Lutheran Church, Beardstown, and the CID are working together for future outreach in the Beardstown area. Pastor Brian Lesemann and lay members from Salem, Chandlerville, are also assisting. These efforts have led St. John s and her pastor, the Rev. Douglas Evenson, to open their gym at night for community sports. St. John s has also provided office space for a Latino Information and Help Center. The CID pays for a part-time worker, Mrs. Maria Guijosa, who assists the Latino community. Rev. Pablo Dominguez, the CID Hispanic Missionary-At-Large and Pastor of Cristo Rey Lutheran Church, East Moline, visits several times monthly for follow-up calls and conducts a Bible Study twice monthly. Pastor Douglas Evenson leads the Latino community in two weekly English As Second Language Courses where he uses the Bible and Tells the Good News that Jesus Christ is our Savior from sin. Many other new activities have begun at St. John s to welcome the community people to their church!

7 Our Congregations and People Supporting and Furthering the Good News of Jesus Christ in our District Stay Connected with Campus Ministry Please help the CID serve the spiritual needs of your student who attends the University of Illinois, Illinois State University, Eastern or Western Illinois University. Share the student s information (student name, address at school, address at school, home congregation) directly to the following CID campus ministry: University of Illinois Eastern Illinois University Rev. Rick Milas University Lutheran Church 604 E. Chalmers Champaign, IL rmilas@illinois.edu Immanuel Lutheran Church Mr. Greg Witto, gpwitto@eiu.edu Rev. Kenneth Hoover 902 Cleveland Ave. Charleston, IL Illinois State University Western Illinois University Rev. William Jensen Wittenberg Lutheran Center 201 S. Main Normal, IL wittenberglcms@gmail.com Rev. Michael Brudick Immanuel Lutheran Church St. Timothy Student Center 303 N. Clay Street Macomb, IL lutheran@macomb.com

8 CENTRAL ILLINOIS DISTRICT MISSIONS 2013 Central Illinois District Budget Thank you to our congregations who support the Lord s work through our District! 2013 Income Mission Dollars Promised by CID Churches $1,950,000 Reserve Funds $58,535 Special Gifts, Grants, Assessments, Other $390,230 Total Budget $2,398, Ministry Disbursements CID gift to LCMS World Missions $555, CID Missions $939,872 (new mission churches; campus ministry; deaf, developmentally disabled, and prison work) CID gift to LCMS Seminaries $30,000 CID gift to the Latvian Lutheran Church $10,000 Camp CILCA Ministry $30,000 Evangelism Outreach $44,413 Student Church Worker Aid $85,300 Program Services to Congregations $307,946 Support Expenses/General Administration $220,834 Convention Assessment, CID Ballpark, Youth Gathering, Conferences, etc... $175,400 Total Budget $2,398,765 Still Applies Today! The following was written by the Rev. J.E. Hermann, LCMS Stewardship Department in 1951: Through District and Synod, we and our churches can reach out beyond our own church and further the world program of Christ s Kingdom. This is vital to the spiritual life and vision of those who would go into all the world. The mission budget of a congregation is often referred to as its spiritual thermometer. That congregations provide for themselves is nothing so unusual. But when they invest heavily in the work of saving souls the world over they give evidence that they have caught the spirit of the Master. A church which does not believe in mission ultimately confesses that she does not believe in her message. If she has nothing to share she really has nothing to keep. Someone has said that the chief sin of the church today is that it is self-centered; that it feels its main business is to keep its own wheels going. Congregations which bring generous offerings for missions are usually spiritually alive. Their vision has widened; their love for Christ as well as for others reflects itself in zeal to build the Kingdom also at home. Bread cast upon the waters returns well-buttered. Church history bears ample testimony that the spiritual health of the church is closely related to her missionary zeal. There is a deep concern for souls far away. This concern will manifest itself in personal evangelism at home. And where there is a deep concern for the lost at home that concern will know no fences but reach out into the world for Christ. Thankful For Your Partnership In The Gospel From The First Day Until Now (Phil. 1:3-5) Free Help From the CID For Your Congregation Our CID wants to help our churches move forward in serving Christ s people in their congregation and the unchurched people in their community! We have a process (without cost) where the CID Mission and Evangelism Executive can work several times monthly with your congregation. This can be a valuable opportunity for all churches, especially those whose worship attendance is plateaued or declining. For more information contact: Rev. Joel Cluver jcluver@cidlcms.org (217) ? Did You Know? CID President, Rev. Mark A. Miller mmiller@cidlcms.org (217) Latvia gained her independence from communist Russia in the early 1990 s. Fifty years of Soviet rule had almost wiped out the Lutheran Church. Before the communist take over the majority of the people in Latvia were Lutherans. With the coming of freedom in the 1990 s, the church had few members, few pastors, no seminary, and they were given back 300 church buildings, all in need of much repair. By the grace of God, the new church in Latvia numbers 40,000 people and has a seminary training new pastors. Our CID support is purchasing cars and computers for pastors, building a Children s Center, providing Sunday school and Biblical materials and assisting the church in other areas

9 Telling The Good News About Jesus 9 Church with No Children Enrolled 29 in VBS The last children at Concordia Lutheran Church, Warsaw, were members of the pastor s family. When Pastor Beisel took a call four years ago it left the congregation childless. But this June with a VBS staff of ten, the congregation enrolled 29 children, from age three through grade six, in their week-long June Bible School. The average daily attendance was 23 and three unchurched families have been added to the prospect list. The U.S. Postal service offers an Every Carrier Route mailing that costs 17 cents per address. There are some requirements such as paper weight and size but there is no permit fee. This year our one-sheet mailing went to all Warsaw city addresses and two rural carrier routes. All the children enrolled came from Warsaw city addresses, so next year the congregation will eliminate the two unproductive routes. We are told that perhaps 25% of the LCMS rural and small town congregations will decline and disappear. Concordia, Warsaw, is praying that VBS may be the agency that keeps them on the visible church map. The congregation at Warsaw began as a mixed confession group in In 1865, under the leadership of an obviously Lutheran pastor, the congregation declared itself to be Evangelical Lutheran, UAC, and joined a new church body which now calls itself the LCMS. The congregation is planning a big 160th anniversary celebration September 15, The present pastor, Rev. Lester H. Dumer, who just celebrated his 49th anniversary of ordination, declared that, by the grace of God and with help from the LCMS and the CID, Concordia will continue to be a witness in (Warsaw) area. CID Youth Bible Bowl Results The 15th annual CID Youth Bible Bowl took place on Sunday afternoon, April 14, 2013, at Trinity Lutheran School in Springfield. 12 teams from six circuits participated by answering questions about The Exodus. The championship team for the fifth year in a row came from St. Matthew s Lutheran Church, Milan. Team members were Jakob Dodd, Hanna Dodd, Audrey Gale, and Jonathan Michel. Their record was 5-1. Second place went to the team from Trinity Lutheran Church, Coal Valley, with a record of 5-2. Team members were Caleb Engelbrecht, Hannah Evans, Blade Peterson, and Hunter Peterson. Third place went to the senior high team from Immanuel Lutheran Church, Altamont, (2-2). These three teams received trophies. Second place team, left to right: Hannah Evans, Hunter Peterson, Blade Peterson, and Caleb Engelbrecht. The team from the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Bloomington, took fourth place with a 3-2 record. The team from Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Altamont, also finished with a 3-2 record. The team from Our Redeemer, Quincy, had a 2-2 record. Other teams which won a match came from Holy Cross, Vandalia; St. James, Quincy; and Mt. Zion, Mt. Zion, participating in their first Bible Bowl. The quizmasters this year were Mr. Glenn Goeres, assistant to the President of the CID LCMS in the area of education, and Pastor Mark Eddy of Zion, Taylor Ridge, the Bible Bowl coordinator. A number of District pastors were asked to serve as judges for individual matches. The CID Parish Education Committee was in charge of registration, awards, refreshments, Champions, left to right: Audrey Gale, Jonathan Michel, Jakob Dodd, and Hannah Dodd. and set-up/clean-up. Thanks to them all. Special thanks to Trinity Lutheran School for allowing us to use their facilities at the eleventh hour. Thanks also to the many parents and youth workers who spent long hours in their home churches to prepare the young people for the Bible Bowl. And God s blessing to all the young people who studied God s Word so hard and to their churches who supported and encouraged them throughout the Circuit and District Bible Bowls. The Bible Bowl is open to junior and senior high youth from any congregation in the CID LCMS. Circuits who are interested in holding a Bible Bowl should contact the Bible Bowl coordinator or Mr. Glenn Goeres at the District office. Next year s Bible Bowl will cover some part of the New Testament. God willing, the topic will be announced in October. Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it! (Luke 11:28). Third place team, left to right: Ethan Deadmond, Austin Campbell, Andrea Wendling, and Travis Whitt.

10 10 The GatePost September 2013 Official Notices ORDAINED Ordinations Michael Fieberkorn, STL, June 9 to St. James, Quincy Joshua Frazee, STL, June 23 to Immanuel, Shobonier Andrew Dierks, FW, June 23 to Trinity, Arenzville Adam Jacobsen, FW, June 23 to St. John, Mattoon Jacob Stuenkel (Glidden WI), FW, June 30 Joshua Traxel, STL, July 14 to Our Savior, Springfield Adam Ray, STL, August 11 to St. John, Decatur Incoming Rev. Martin Kaufmann, TX to Trinity, Auburn Rev. Gerry Weaver, NEB to Trinity, Manito 2013 Council of Lutheran Youth Fellowship Representatives The 33rd annual meeting of the Council of Lutheran Youth Fellowship Representatives (CLYFR) met in St. Louis, MO, March 14-17, 2013, at the Pallottine Renewal Center. 60 persons, representing 17 districts, included 19 male youths, 5 male adults, 25 female youths, and 10 female adults. Full time staff participation included Dr. Terry Dittmer, LCMS Director of Youth Ministry; Jessica Bordeleau, Lutheran Youth Fellowship (LYF) Coordinator; and Rev. Jay Reed, author of the Teens Reaching Teens (TRT) materials. The CID sent three participants, Rev. Aaron Schellhas, Josh Eckhoff, and Lauren Sperry. Participants were trained in the TRT peer outreach program developed by Rev. Reed. This was the fifth time TRT was presented as the Teen Leadership Initiative component. Teens are trained in the materials and trained to lead the materials in their congregations, circuits and district. Training was lead by the Executive Board with Rev. Reed serving in a consultant/ advisory capacity. A standing resolution from CLYFR calls for Teens Reaching Teens to be presented once every three years would be the next year on the LYF schedule. Transfer Out Rev. Thomas Wenndt, St. John, Green Valley, (candidate) FL/GA Rev. Aaron Schellhas, Christ, Peoria, to NID Rev. Jonathan Manor, Our Redeemer, Bloomington, to NED Called to Glory Rev. Harlan C. Wendler (December 4, July 15, 2013) Immanuel, Altamont, Welcomes New Members Immanuel Lutheran Church, Altamont, welcomed 10 new members on May 5, Four persons were baptized.

11 # Telling The Good News About Jesus 11 New Disaster Response Trailer The CID wishes to thank the CID Church Extension Fund for their $15,000 donation for a trailer and equipment to be used in District disaster response (floods, tornadoes, fires, etc.). Currently, the CID LCMS has 100 laypeople trained and certified in disaster response. By the end of this summer, we expect that number to be 200! Deaconess Tiffany Manor of Bloomington is the volunteer CID Disaster Response Coordinator. She can be reached at Tiffany@ LutheranChurchCharities.org. Installations A B C D A) Rev. Justin Schmidt was installed as pastor of Christ Lutheran, Delavan, and St. Luke s, San Jose, on April 7th. B) Rev. Michael Fieberkorn was ordained and installed as associate pastor at St. James, Quincy, on June 9. C) Rev. Adam E. Jacobsen was ordained and installed as pastor of St. John s, Mattoon, on June 23. D) Rev. Joshua Frazee was ordained in a service on June 23 at his home congregation of St. John s, Beardstown. He was then installed as pastor of Immanuel, Shobonier, on June 30. E) Rev. Andrew Dierks was ordained and installed as pastor of Trinity, Arenzville, on June 23. (Not pictured) CENTRAL ILLINOIS DISTRICT CHURCH EXTENSION FUND, INC. INVESTMENT FORM 7/18/ North Grand Avenue West, Springfield, IL (217) cef@cidlcms.com The mission of The Church Extension Fund, Inc. is to make funds and services available to congregations for building efforts in support of The Great Commission (Matthew 28). Enclosed $ investment in CID-CEF should be issued as follows: TERM % RATE* MINIMUM Flexible 0.40 $25 (Passbook Savings Account) 1 Year 0.50 $100 3 Year 1.00 $100 Interest Check Semi-Annually (if over $25) 5 Year 1.50 $1,000 6 Months 0.25 $5,000 Accumulate Interest and Add to Note Balance *RATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE. PLEASE CALL TO CONFIRM CURRENT INTEREST RATES. Individual Ownership - Name (print) Joint Ownership - Name and/or Name (As joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common) Minor Owner- Adult as custodian for Child (Under the Illinois Uniform Gifts to Minors Act) Address City State Zip Phone Congregation Social Security or I.D. Number Signature Apply Investment for Benefit of Lutheran Church towards meeting its supporting investment requirement: 25% of loan. CERTIFICATION: Under penalties of perjury, I certify (1) that the number shown on this form is my correct taxpayer identification number and (2) that I am NOT subject to backup withholding under the provisions of section 3406(a)(1)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code. (Allow two weeks for delivery of note.) USA PATRIOT ACT of October 26, 2001, says we must verify the identity of any person seeking to open an investment account with us. We will follow this law by obtaining picture identification of all new investors. Therefore, if you are a new investor, please include a photocopy of your drivers license or other state issued photo identification. The protection of our customer s identity and confidentiality is CEF s pledge to you. We proudly support all efforts to protect and maintain the security of our investors and our country.

12 Central Illinois District 1850 North Grand Avenue West Springfield, IL Lutheran Laymen s League Speakers The CID Lutheran Laymen s League (LLL) is again sponsoring speakers that are available to congregations, schools, and other groups from Oct The Rev. Dr. Carlos Hernandez, Director of LCMS Church & Community Engagement, and Rev. Pablo Dominguez, Hispanic missionary for CID, will speak about LCMS Hispanic ministry. Those interested should contact Robert Kassel at (618) or rgkassel@ mediacombb.net. Rev. Pablo G. Dominguez (right) was ordained into the Holy Ministry by the Lutheran Synod of Mexico, a LCMS partner church, on December 15, Pablo accepted the call to be the first Hispanic missionary of the CID LCMS in August The Dominguez family arrived into the Quad Cities area with the specific task of reaching out to the thousands of Hispanics who live permanently or temporally in this area. Rev. Dr. Carlos Hernandez (left) is a frequent guest preacher and speaker. He also consults, conducts workshops, and provides pastoral care and coaching to church workers in his work as Director, Church and Community Engagement of the LCMS Office of National Mission. He is often called into districts and congregations to assist with urban and hispanic ministries and other Gospel-centered, Lutheran Social Work activities grounded in Luther s concept of serving body and soul through Christian vocation. He was recently assigned duties as Synod s Hispanic Ministry Counselor to attend to this important work of reaching the largest ethnic minority in the U.S. LLL Rally in Altamont Lutheran Hour Speaker Rev. Gregory Seltz (left) will speak at Immanuel Lutheran, 203 E. Division, Altamont, beginning at 2:00 p.m. on December 8. The rally will also include music from area congregations and schools. Come enjoy a service of song, music, and inspiration. The GatePost for The Central Illinois District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod is published 3 times per year. It is a supplement to congregational newsletters. Submit all articles to the Editor: Glenn Goeres 1850 North Grand Avenue West Springfield, IL ggoeres@cidlcms.org Layout and Design by: Deverman Advertising Pekin, Illinois Printing and Distribution by: Martin Graphics Champaign, Illinois Deadline for January 2014 Issue: November 20, 2013 Communications Committee: Rev. Dr. Rodger Abatie, Chairman Rev. Mark Miller, Advisor Glenn Goeres, Editor Rev. Bob Bruer Jim Deverman Shawn Hoffmann Tim Mathis