Echo 2.0. Share God s Word, Share His Love, and Do It Now! Beware of False Teachings. Christ Lutheran

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1 Christ Lutheran Newsletter October 2016 Echo 2.0 Share God s Word, Share His Love, and Do It Now! Christ Lutheran 605 South Fifth Street, Norfolk, NE Beware of False Teachings By Rev. Chip Winter A few weeks ago some of the members of Christ Lutheran received a six-page flyer entitled Mystery of Salvation for the churches (sic) tucked under their windshield wipers as their cars were parked in the alley for the Saturday evening service. This last weekend the same flyer was tucked under the wipers of the cars in attendance at St. Mary s Catholic Church on Sunday morning. As I assured some of our members the weekend our parking lot was struck, this was a publication in which we had absolutely no involvement. Christ Lutheran This multicolored, poorly written document is an anti-denomination screed which has been around for a relatively short time, as the Body of Christ reckons time. The theology espoused arose in the 19 th century that is, for the first 18 centuries of the Christian church such nonsense was not ever seriously considered. Along with a mistaken understanding of the Antichrist, the doctrine of the Trinity and Holy Baptism, they mistake the Roman Empire of the first three centuries (they call it the Roman Catholic Empire) with the Roman Catholic Church (which the Roman Empire did not allow to legitimately exist until the fourth century!). While it maintains that it is emphasizing the work of Christ Jesus and the baptism into Him via the Holy Spirit it is really an enlarged Pentecostal emphasis on the working of the Spirit. It warns those of the denominational church that such churches (like Christ Lutheran in the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod) have been governed by the thinking of men and not of God. The problem for them is that there is no other Body of Christ of historical significance than the organized church, such as Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Lutheran. Teachings concludes on page 2 Mrs. Moje s preschool class took advantage of a warm September day for a nature walking. Using their i- pads, binoculars and a nature chart they were able to locate many wonderful things in God s creation. Inside this issue: Fall Fundraiser pg. 2 Children s Ministry pg. 3 SOS Big Mission Event pg. 4 Lutheran Women in Mission pg. 5 Junior High update pg. 6 School Notes pg. 6 Senior High update pg. 7 Pastor s Ponderings pg. 8 Stephen Ministry Grief Forum pg. 8 Membership Roll pg. 9

2 Christ Lutheran Congregation News October 2016 Teachings (continued from page 1) We are certainly aware of our human foibles in the history of the Body of Christ. For our sins we repent and ask God s forgiveness. But the historic Christianity that has been carried through the ages by the church is a blessed wonder of the working of that very Holy Spirit of the living God! Thank you to those who brought the pamphlet to our attention. To all, please don t lose any sleep in reading such a piece if you find it on your car in the future. Jing Moreno, who has Cerebral Palsy, is one of over 130 people to benefit from S.M.I.L.E. Inc. (See Children s Ministry article about S.M.I.L.E. page 3) Fall Fundraiser On Sunday, October 2, the Senior High Youth Group will be starting their annual Fall Fundraiser. The funds raised during this event will enable youth to participate in future youth servant events and youth gatherings. We are taking orders for a variety of butter braids and pies again this year. The items are scheduled for delivery on November 16, making them a perfect option for your Thanksgiving and/or Christmas celebrations. You can place an order directly with any junior or senior high youth member, in the Narthex after worship, or in the Church Office. All orders are due on October 30, so order soon. We appreciate your support and would like to thank you in advance for your on-going support of our senior high youth ministry. On the first day of school, after a flag etiquette presentation by Squadron 16 Sons of The American Legion Commander Thomas Landkamer, Mrs. Harstad s 7 th Grade class raised the flags and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Pictorial Directory Photo Sign-ups Now Available Visit Click on the Michael s Photography link Choose your date and time. For assistance contact Lynn in the Church Office. 2

3 Children s Ministry Christ Lutheran October 2016 Lisa Moreno, Children s Ministry Coordinator lmoreno@clnorfolkmail.org Mission Offering: S.M.I.L.E., Inc. On September 18, Patty Prauner of S.M.I.L.E came to visit our Sunday School opening and gave a presentation about how she puts the Gospel in action by helping kids and adults with disabilities enjoy horse therapy through S.M.I.L.E, Inc. The kids loved hearing about the horses and the ways they have helped so many people! Several of Christ Lutheran s members benefit from S.M.I.L.E. Many people pay for the therapy that they receive at S.M.I.L.E. but our offerings help Patty to assist those who cannot afford to pay for this valuable therapy, and for upkeep of, and improvements to, their equipment and facility. We continue to support S.M.I.L.E through the end of November. Mission offerings are collected on the second and third Sundays of the month. (see S.M.I.L.E. photo page 2) Staff Needed for Sunday School We are still in need of the following staff for Sunday school this year. Please pray about how you can help! Greeter this staff member works from 9:15 9:35, greeting children and families at the main entrance, welcoming newcomers, and answering basic questions about times and places for Sunday school. Station leader Lead a minute activity that is already prepared for you, during the last half of the Sunday school hour 1-2 times a month on Sundays you choose. If you can help in any of these areas, please contact Lisa Moreno. Kids Fun Night Kids Fun Nights have started once again, providing a fun and safe place for kids to go - usually on the second Wednesday night of each month, from 5:15 6:45. All children age 4 through grade 6 are welcome to attend. Our September Fun Night was 9 Square in the Air! The October event will be held on Wednesday, October 19 in the school gym, and has the theme Chair Olympics. If parents are attending confirmation with older children, this is a great way to keep siblings busy without having to get a babysitter! Sign up is available on the Children s Ministry page at Summer Attendance Awards The following Sunday school students received awards for perfect attendance during the summer quarter: Payton Weis The following students had just one absence: Grant Weis, Blake Thoene, Enzo Brueggemann October Children s Ministry Dates October 2 - Sunday School: Gideon, science station October 9 Sunday School: Samson, game, mission offering October 16 Sunday School: Ruth, craft, mission offering October 19 5:15 6:45 Kids Fun Night: Chair Olympics October 23 Sunday School: God s Servant Samuel, skit October 30 Sunday School: Saul Becomes King, game Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Sundays at Christ Lutheran School 3

4 Mission Support Servants of the Savior Christ Lutheran October 2016 BIG Mission Event Planned S.O.S. (Servants of the Savior) Lutheran Hour Ministries group of Christ Lutheran, is planning their annual BIG Mission Event for Sunday, November 6, The activity will be held at Divots Conference Center with a social hour beginning at 5:00 and a delicious tenderloin medallion dinner served at 6:00 p.m. The Event will feature Gary Thies, LC-MS Mission Counselor as Master of Ceremonies and guest speaker for the evening. Silent and live auctions will also be held. Auctioneer for the evening will be Lisa Wolken. Gary Thies, a name long synonymous with mission work in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, has a story to tell that is ever-changing as the Lord blesses the work done through the offices of Mission Central. Mission Central, established in 2003, is the largest mission-supporting agency in the entire Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The not normal location and agency on an acreage outside of Mapleton, Iowa, has one specific vision and that is Mission Education and Raising the Awareness of the Mission of Jesus Christ in the World. S.O.S. is a branch of the L.L.L. (Lutheran Laymen s League). Their mission is to serve as Christ directed through the great commission to serve at home, nationally and internationally. This is done by helping missionaries in foreign fields, an orphanage in Russia, Orphan Grain Train, Mercy Meals, seminarians, and helping support our youth involved in servant events. This support is accomplished through funds raised by work with Lenten suppers, fish feeds, and The Big Mission Event. S.O.S. meets the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Orphan Grain Train Fiscal Year Last year OGT volunteers donated 88,075 hours. This is a value of $792, if paid $9 per hour. Volunteer opportunities: Clothing sorter Clothing packer Warehouse helper Volunteer coordinator Clerical CDL truck driver (short & long) Non CDL truck driver (local) Special projects: Layette kits Pillowcase dresses Sleeping mats Hygiene kits School kits Quilts Adopt and orphanage Feminine kits For every dollar donated 97.4% goes toward helping children and families and only 2.6% goes to administrative and marketing costs OGT has helped people in 28 sates and 65 countries. 148 full shipments of relief supplies were shipped within the U.S. and other countries. The Big Mission Event Sponsored by Servants of the Savior Sunday, November 6 5:00 p.m. Social 6:00 p.m. Dinner Divot s Conference Center Live and Silent Auctions Master of Ceremonies: Gary Thies Auctioneer: Lisa Wolken Proceeds benefit missionaries, Orphan Grain Train and other special mission projects Tickets: $50 per person Available from S.O.S. members or Church Office 4

5 Christ Lutheran October 2016 L.W.M.L. L.W.M.L. Sunday Observed By Edie Feddern The first Sunday in October is set aside to celebrate L.W.M.L. (Lutheran Women s Missionary League). L.W.M.L. is the official women s auxiliary of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. All women, young and old, are included in this auxiliary, which continues to be a leading force in missions and ministry around the world through their sacrificial gifts of mites, offerings, and service. The work of these Lutheran Women in Mission reaches people of all walks of life, foreign and domestic, in the interest of the advance of witness, mercy, and life together for all those who are loved into life through the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Countless millions have been reached and saved for Christ through their ministry, and in these last days, we pray that their grace-filled, faithful labor in sacrifices and offerings may continue to be lifted up in praise to the Lord. Christ Lutheran Church is in the Nebraska District North L.W.M.L. that has approximately 2,800 members from 10 zones. The goal of this organization is to support missions locally, nationally and in foreign lands by the collection of mites to help pay towards mission goals. In the recent convention held at Lutheran High Northeast, Norfolk, the following mission projects were selected by delegates: Mission Central Current Missionary Need The Time is Now $10,000 At Ease-Ministry for Veterans, Active Military, and their Loved Ones $10,000 Concordia Seminary, St. Louis Food Bank $6,000 Widow s Self Employment Project Milk Society $2,000 Columbus Lutheran Hispanic Ministry $10,000 Spanish Bibles with Small Catechism for the Americas $7,500 Professional Church Workers in Crisis Retreat $3,500 Camp Luther Mission Leader Development $9,000 All members of the North District will strive to reach these project goals. Mite boxes are used to collect money for these and other missions chosen at the National Convention. Anyone may get a mite box at the Church Office. Mite boxes may be placed wherever they can be easily fed with loose change. Mite boxes may be turned into the Church Office or given to a L.W.M.L. member when full. Christ Lutheran is privileged to have two L.W.M.L. groups. The afternoon group (Ladies Circle) meets the third Thursday of each month at 1:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. At each meeting there is opportunity to grow in faith with a Bible Study and a Christian Life devotion as well as fellowship with other Christian women. Ladies Circle is privileged to provide a time for food and fellowship for grieving families at funerals during the year. Money earned at these funerals is donated back to the church or mission projects. Donations each year include, but are not limited to: The Lutheran Hour, Lutheran High Northeast, Helping Hands Child Care, Sunday School, Orphan Grain Train, Rescue Mission, and Good Neighbors. For more information about Ladies Circle, contact Judy Allvin ( ). The evening group (Priscillas) meets at 7:00 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month in the Fellowship Hall, or as announced in the Weekly Focus if a meeting is at a different location for a servant event. Servant events include meeting at S.M.I.L.E. to plant flowers, serve an evening meal at the Rescue Mission, pack meals at Mercy Meals, package items for Orphan Grain Train, and serve a Lenten meal. Members bring a special donation at Christmas for needy families. Quarterly meetings are held with Bible Study and guest speakers. For further information contact Jami Winter ( ) or Gloria Hansen ( ). All ladies of the congregation are welcome to attend either group to affirm her relationship with the Triune God so that she is enabled to use her gifts in ministry to the people of the world and develop special relationships with fellow Christ Lutheran sisters. Visit for more information. 5

6 Christ Lutheran Confirmation and Junior High Youth October 2016 Matt Wingert Director of Youth Ministry Bible Study 9:30 on Sunday Join us on Sunday mornings in the Grade 7 room as we continue to grow in our Christian faith. There will be a variety of activities this year including Bible study, service projects, and fun and games. Be sure to make our Sunday morning youth group a part of your regular schedule. We meet every Sunday from 9:30 10:30 a.m. in Room 126. Confirmation Confirmation is for students in Grades 5-8 attending either the public schools, or Christ Lutheran. Pizza dinner will be served every night we meet for confirmation. Please arrive at 4:45 if you want pizza, and no later than 5:15 if you are eating on your own. All pizza will be put away before we start our lesson. Slices will be sold for $1 each. October Calendar Wednesday, October 5 Confirmation Sundays 9:30 Bible Study Wednesday, October 12 NO Confirmation Wednesday, October 19 - Confirmation Sunday, October 23 - Bonfire Wednesday, October 26 - Confirmation Bonfire and S mores October s fellowship event will be a bonfire! Details will be announced in the Weekly Focus during coming weeks. District Youth Gathering 7-8 Grade DYG The Nebraska District will be hosting a Junior High District Youth Gathering in Kearney November Students who attend will have an opportunity to come together to hear and study God s Word, celebrate His love for us, and be reminded that we are known by God through our baptism. We are hoping to get a count of who is interested in attending. Please Matt (mwingert@clnorfolkmail.org) if you want your Junior High (grade 7-8) student to attend. Christ Lutheran School Steve Stortz, Principal sstortz@clnorfolk.org Good Samaritan or Half Dead? We all know the story of the Good Samaritan from Sunday School days. A Samaritan was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho and was attacked by robbers, leaving him half-dead. A priest and Levite walked right past doing nothing, but the Samaritan (one who was looked down upon by the Jews) helped the man. We were always encouraged to be like the Samaritan and help others. This is a great way to look at the parable. God constantly puts opportunities is our path to be of help to other people. I was out of town one weekend and attended another LCMS church in Omaha. The sermon put a different spin on this familiar story. Instead, picture yourself as the man left for half-dead. Christ is the Good Samaritan who came along and paid the price for our healing from sin. Think about it! Choral Clinic to be Held Be sure to join the Lutheran students of CLS, Battle Creek, Madison, and Pierce as they perform musical selections that they will have practiced together for the first time earlier that day under the direction of Mrs. Gansebom. The performance takes place October 10 at LHNE. More School News on page 9 6

7 Christ Lutheran October 2016 Sunday Morning Youth Group Senior High Youth Sarah Moje, Youth Director How do you defend your faith? Join us on Sunday mornings in the blue youth room as we ready ourselves to do just that! We start off with a student-led devotion and then delve into our Bible study. Be sure to make our Sunday morning youth group a part of your regular schedule. On the second Sunday of every month the senior high youth will help with Sunday School. On those Sundays we meet in the blue room and migrate to the skylight room to prepare for the activity we lead. Senior High Youth Clean Up! Join us on Sunday, October 9 as we serve our community by cleaning up at various city parks. We will meet at Christ Lutheran s parking lot at 2:00 and be finished at 4:00 p.m. Bring work gloves and wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Junior and Senior High Fall Fundraiser Be Sure to Pick Up Your Packet The Fall Fundraiser will take place during the month of October. We will take orders for pies and butter braids that will be delivered on November 16. Pick up an order packet on Sunday morning at junior or senior high youth Bible study on October 2 and return it to Sarah Moje, Matt Wingert or the church office no later than October 30. This is an ideal way to earn money for your youth account! These accounts can be used for various youth trips and events throughout your junior high and high school career. Senior High Youth playing Nine Square in the Air at the BBQ in August. October Events Sun., Oct. 2 9:30 a.m. Bible Study in Youth Rooms Fall Fundraiser Begins - Pick up packets! October 2-30 Fall Fundraiser Sun., Oct. 9 9:30 a.m. Assist with Children s Sunday School 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. Sun., Oct. 9 2:00-4:00 p.m. Clean-Up Project at City Parks Sun., Oct. 16 9:30 a.m. Bible Study in Youth Rooms Sun., Oct. 23 9:30 a.m. Bible Study in Youth Rooms Sun., Oct. 30 9:30 a.m. Bible Study in Youth Rooms Fall Fundraiser Ends Return Packets A fierce game of croquet by our youth at an August event. 7

8 Christ Lutheran Pastor s Ponderings October 2016 Rev. Chip Winter, Director of Ministry - cwinter@clnorfolkmail.org Time s Anticipation There are certain periods of time we cannot wait to pass, but in a good way. Other things like taking tests (both educational and medical) we cannot wait to have over and done with. But I m thinking here about times when we re excited by what is to come. In these last few months I ve watched grooms and brides anxiously await their wedding day. There is plenty to prepare in advance, of course, but many of them keep a very accurate account as they check off the days passing by. With little children it s probably a pretty equal sense of anticipation between the week before Christmas and the day before a birthday. They are looking forward to the celebration, the shared joy and, to be sure, the presents. You and I have, with this month, entered into a certain sort of count-down. We will celebrate on October 31, 2016, the 499 th year since the Reformation took place. As we pass through this 500 th year since Dr. Martin Luther posted the ninety-five theses for debate on the church door in Wittenberg we will be thanking God for the way in which He worked through His servant, Martin, to bring the Gospel back into its rightful prominence in the proclamation of the church. Unlike waiting for a birthday, we have many things from the Reformation by which we profit daily, gifts in which we live every moment. The classrooms in Christ Lutheran School and many of our homes utilize Dr. Martin Luther s Morning Prayer as a good way to thank God for the night s rest and to ask for His guidance and protection in the ensuing day. The Small Catechism s meanings for the Commandments, the articles of the Apostles Creed and the Lord s Prayer petitions regularly help us in understanding all that those items encompass. But the two doctrines Dr. Martin Luther fleshed out that are most helpful and encouraging to me on a weekly basis are the doctrines of Vocation and Law & Gospel. The former encourages us to serve where God has called/placed us with the gifts He has provided. The latter is constantly needed as the Law presents the reality of my sinfulness and the Gospel supplies what I thereby need in the forgiveness purchased by Jesus suffering, death and resurrection. God bless you in this time of anticipation and implementation. We look forward to celebrating God s work in history through Dr. Martin Luther on October 31, 2017, even as we rejoice in God s work through each day to that point and onward in His Word and Church. Grief Forum Sponsored by Stephen Ministry By Starla Landkamer, Stephen Ministry Leader A upcoming forum sponsored by Stephen Ministry can speak to the hearts of many in our Christ Lutheran congregation. Coping with Grief and Helping Others by Lisa Glissman-Mayner, Bereavement Coordinator with AseraCare Hospice, will be held Tuesday, November 1 at 7:00 p.m. More information will be published in the Weekly Focus closer to this event with registration requested to help prepare adequate materials. While grief is universal, the experience can vary greatly from individual to individual. No two experiences look the same, even within the same family and supporting one another often means learning what the person s experience looks like and taking the time to listen. As you go through your own grief journey or support someone who is grieving, it is useful to know what to expect or what s normal in the grief journey. This presentation will review common grief responses, appropriate expectations during the grief journey and ways to help others who are experiencing grief. 8

9 Christ Lutheran October 2016 Roster Changes Transfers In: Trevor Osten, 303 Domar Drive, Norfolk, from St. John Lutheran, Columbus. Jeannine Zimmerman, 600 E. Benjamin #C129, Norfolk from Our Savior, Norfolk. Shannon and Julie Spence, Madison, Olivia, Chloe and Josie, 1726 Wyndham Road, Norfolk, from Our Savior, Norfolk. Above: Members and guests of Ladies Circle listen closely as program presenters, Marilyn Wingate and Anne Carter presented Dressing on a Dime at the Annual September Salad Bar Luncheon held September 15. About 40 ladies were in attendance. Pastor Winter had a short devotion on being content. School News continued - Kitchen Make-over Last month we saw the delivery of a new refrigerator, the installation of a new 3-bowl sink (shown below) and the upgrade to another sink. Coming up a new dishwasher! Thank you REVEL supporters. Transfers Out: Chase Winter, 2545 N. 196 th Plaza #22, Elkhorn, NE, to Beautiful Savior, LaVista, NE. Mark and Cindy Riley, and Kameron, 7923 Dawson Creek Drive, Lincoln, NE to Messiah, Lincoln. Heidi Blank, Eustis, FL, to Faith Lutheran, Eustis, FL. United in Marriage: August 28 Tyler Carpenter and Sarah Johnson Called to Their Heavenly Home: Teresa A. Slahn, November 13, 1965 August 21, Celebrating Birthday Blessings: Those celebrating birthday blessings of 80 years or more in the month of October include: 2: Elaine Nitz Dean Wolff 4: Delores Magwire Richard Magwire Jerome Woockman 5: Arlene Meisinger 9: Mildred Gaskill 16: Frank Sramek 19: Melvin Kohlhof 22: Marian Hofmann 31: Vi Cherington Moved from One House to Another: John Hancock & Amy Rose, 603 North Boxelder St., Norfolk, Ruth Lehman, Stanton Care Center, th St., Box 407, Stanton, NE Jack & Traci Bolduan, 1703 E. Berry Hill, Norfolk Michael Saegebarth, 1004 N. 10 th St., #104, Norfolk Dale & Casey Kavan, th St., Columbus, NE Rebecca Jabs, 512 Forsythia Ln., Cleveland, OH

10 Christ Lutheran October 2016 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 Landkamer Flag Sales Taylor Creek Physical Therapy Jerry s Trailers & Campers U-Save Pharmacy Randy Oertwich, United Farm and Ranch Management Krivohlavek & Hatfield, D.D.S. W.A.S./Jerry s Auto Sales & Service 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 October 11, 2016 Send items to echo2@clnorfolkmail.org