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District Vision
Witness
Planting and Revitalizing Congregations
(Rev. Zelwyn Heide)
- Working on a new website.
Lutheran Education (Vacant)
Will you serve in this area?
Mercy
International Mercy Care (Rev. Rick Jones)
- Overseeing relationship with Kenya
- Overseeing relationship with Chile
Local Mercy Care (Vacant)
Will you serve in this area?
Life Together
Ordained and Commissioned Ministers
(Rev. Clark Jahnke)
- MARK YOUR CALENDARS - PRELENT RETREAT for all the pastors of our District.It is being held January 6-8, 2020 in Bismarck.Rev. Bernie Worral of Immanuel, Fargo will present on Hebrews 11. (more info on pg 10)
Youth and Young Adults (Pat Sebastian and Rev. Jon Bonine)
- Work with the District LYF officers as they plan and take leadership in events.
- Synod Teen Leadership training, St. Louis, MO
- National Youth Gathering
- Promote Synod Training opportunities - Symposium and "NATIONAL"
- Summer LYF Gathering for grades 9 & up.
- Fall Middle School Gathering for grades 6 & up
Stewardship (Rev. Dan Voth)
- Presentation before the Board of Directors on Stewardship and Fundraising on April 5.
- Presentation to the Pastors’ Conference on new fundraising initiative for the District.
Life Coordinator (Rev. Matthew Tooman)
Will you serve in one of these vacant areas?
Let President Bertsch know that you are interested.
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In This eNews:
- In our Prayers...
- District President Message
- Changes in the District
- LCEF Scholarship
- Installation invitation(10-6)
- Anniversary Celebration(10-6)
- Archive News
- Campus Ministry
- Middle School Gathering (10/17-19)
- Youth Leadership Request
- Who is LCEF?
- Milestone Celebrations
- MSLN September Update
- 40 Days for Life (9/25-11/3)
- Hymn Sing(10/27)
- Get Answers - Creation(10-20)
- SHCR Update
- Fargo Men's Ministry(11/2)
- Everyone His Witness(10-12)
- HT Retreat (3/27-28)
- Mercy Meals(11/9) in Fargo
- RSTM - Moving Beyond Survival
- Pre-Lent Retreat(1/6-8)
- DBGR - From Chaos to Calm
- Helpful Services Available
- Trip to Greece
- LWML News
- Salary Guidelines
- District Financials
- Contact information
Next eNews deadline October 25th
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In Our Prayers
- Bob Bauer, former district board member, as his wife Janet received her Crown in Glory.
- Rev. Sean Daenzer and his family as his father received his Crown in Glory.
- Rev. Chris and Katherine Brademeyer and family as their daughter, Sophia, received her Crown in Glory. We thank God for the promises Sophia received in Holy Baptism.
- Rev. Alan Eppen: Prayers of thanks to God for guiding the surgeon’s hand with open heart surgery and for the caring hands of nurses as he recovers from open heart surgery on September 8th. Especially prayers of God’s healing hand upon him so that he may be about the things God has given him to do. Also, pray for Rev. Pat O’Brien as he will lead worship until Rev. Eppen has recovered.
- Thanksgiving for the successful knee surgery for Vicki Peihl, Fargo Office Manager.
- Thanksgiving for successful lung surgery for Doris Bertsch at Mayo Clinic, Rochester on September 26th.
- Kenya Africa - Christ’s Care for Children/Project 24
- Iglesia Luterana de Chile in Santiago, Chile and Pastor Omar Kinas
- Shepherd's Hill at the Crossroads, Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch and Orphan Grain Train our RSOs
- For Life Skills and Transition Center
- Campus Ministries
We also remember in prayer…
- Vicar Richard Dailey (Bethel and Shepherd of the Valley, Bismarck), and Vicar Christopher Durham (Zion, Bismarck).
- Martha Semanko (From Immanuel, Fargo) DCE Internship in Colorado.
- Lutheran Schools, homeschools, universities, and seminaries, and all who teach and learn in them.
- Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison
- For all those serving in the military, especially those of the LCMS, and for our LCMS Chaplains, including ND Pastor Tim Stout
- Vice-presidents: Rev. Kirk Peters (west) and Rev. Steve Schulz (east).
- Struggling rural churches
Do you have a prayer request you would like to see added to this list?
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A Message from the District President...
Innocent Fun or Something to Avoid?
What I know is that Halloween has become a major commercialized and popular holiday, second only to Christmas.
Halloween is short for All Hallows Eve, the evening before All Saints Day, a holy day on which Christians remember the heroes and martyrs of the faith. For us Lutherans, All Hallows Eve is also Reformation Day, when Martin Luther nailed the 95 Thesis to the church door.
In the Middle Ages, people had a sense for the demonic. People believed that the demons were especially active on the eve of All Hallows. People carved gourds with ugly faces and set them out to guard their homes. This was similar to the practice of carving grotesque gargoyles on the drain spouts of cathedrals to ward off devils. People paraded in the streets dressed in costumes and masks to confuse the demons and confound their schemes.
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Changes in the District
Calls Accepted/Returned
Rev. Allen Kramp, South Wisconsin District accepted a call to serve St. John, Hillsboro and Trinity, Hope. Installation 3pm October 6th (Information on page 4)
Rev. Heath Trampe from Faith Lutheran, York, NE has accepted a call to Our Savior in Minot. (Installation TBA)
Rev. Sean Daenzer, Peace, Barney & Trinity, Great Bend has returned a call to Trinity, Corona & Our Savior’s, Wilmot, SD.
Rev. Mike Giddings of Crosspointe, Fargo has returned a call to Christ Victorious Lutheran, Chaska, MN.
Rev. Aaron Hambleton of Redeemer, Lisbon has returned a call to Trinity Evangelical Lutheran, Clinton, Iowa
Rev. Ryan Wendt from Christ the King, Billings, MT returned a call to St. Peter, Hannover and Zion, New Salem.
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Vacancies/Calling Process
- Zion, Claire City, SD, in vacancy – (Served by MN North District)
- St. Peter, Hannover and Zion, New Salem: in vacancy, (served by Rev. Dennis Voss and Rev. Kirk Peters).
- Trinity, Tolley (served by Rev. Brandvold)
Calls Being Considered
Retirements
Called to Glory
Parish Updates
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$1,000 LCEF SCHOLARSHIPS
for LCMS high school seniors & college students
Scholarships, each in the amount of $1,000, will be awarded to at least one applicant from each district in the LCEF Central Region. Learn more at lcefcentral.org/scholarships
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You Are Cordially Invited to an
Installation Service
for
Rev. Allen Kramp
St. John, Hillsboro & Trinity, Hope
To be held at
St. John Lutheran Church
204 2nd St. NW, Hillsboro, ND 58045
Sunday, October 6, 2019
At 3:00 p.m. Central Time
Fellowship meal to follow installation.
Clergy are invited to process. Please bring vestments (red stole).
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135th Anniversary and Dedication Celebration
You are cordially invited to join the saints of Immanuel Lutheran Church in rural Lidgerwood, ND, on Sunday, October 6, 2019, for the dedication of our new narthex and windows, as well as the celebration of their 135th Anniversary. The dedication and anniversary celebration will occur at their regular 11:00 am Divine Service, with a luncheon following the service. All are invited and encouraged to attend.
Immanuel Lutheran Church, 9702 ND-18, Lidgerwood, ND 58053
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ARCHIVE NEWS
Thanks to all who have called or e-mailed to check with the District office on what is in their church files. As noted earlier, Ed Bean will be taking to St. Louis several boxes of records from the closed churches that have been in our vault. If you know of a closed church whose records are in someone's house or at your church, please bring them to the Fargo District office. Copies are made, and the original books are given to Concordia Historical Institute in St. Louis. If you are ever in St. Louis, you can stop to look up information on your church or see their State-of-the-art exhibits that showcase five major periods in the history of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. You can become a member and receive a one-year subscription to the CHI Quarterly Journal and the Historical Footnotes biannual newsletter for only $50 a year. Visit CHI at 804 Seminary Place, St. Louis, MO, 63105, or call (314) 505-7900 to find out more. Go to their website at https://concordiahistoricalinstitute.org to learn more about CHI.
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Campus Ministry
If any of you have young people who are attending NDSU in Fargo, we would love to meet them and introduce them to Immanuel Lutheran Church and our Lutheran Student Fellowship. We will provide them with Word and Sacrament ministry while they are here in Fargo, and we will endeavor to be their “home away from home” congregation while they are here. Encourage them to get involved with our Thursday night Bible study on campus and other events that we host throughout the year. Please send Steve Schulz at steve.schulz@live.com their names and contact information (email address and cell number), and we will make every effort to get in touch with them and to provide them with pastoral care. If you have any students who will be attending UND instead please send their contact information to our campus pastor in Grand Forks, Rev. Dan Suelzle at dsuelzle@me.com. Or register at LCMSU.org
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 LCMS North Dakota District 23rd Annual Youth Gathering - For grades 6 and up!
Ramada Inn, 1400 East Interchange Ave, Bismarck, ND
October 17 (7 PM) – October 19 (noon)
Sponsored by ND District Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod Life Together/Youth & Young Adults
Registration due date: Sunday, October 6 - Later registrations will be accepted if space is available.
Gathering Coordinator: Pat Sebastian | (701) 471-3289 | patsebbis@aol.com
COST: The $175 registration fee includes:
- Your hotel room for Thursday and Friday nights, four people/room.
- Meals on Friday, Saturday breakfast and three snacks
- Program costs (including covering partial cost of Mercy Meals supplies)
Check the registration form for reduced rates for certain circumstances.
Bible study leader – Pastor Ben Griffin - Maplewood, MN
Find more information about the gathering at ndyouthonfire.org
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Nominations requested for youth leadership positions!
THE SEARCH IS ON for ND high school students to serve on the District Youth Commission (DYC) for 2019-2020. All positions are open - president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, Christian Growth, editor/tech, assistant editor/tech and zone (circuit) representatives. Students can nominate themselves or another student, pastor or youth leader can nominate them. The completed nomination form, brief answers to five questions and a recommendation letter are due to Pat Sebastian, 3000 Bernell Dr, Bismarck, ND 58503 (patsebbis@aol.com) by Tuesday, October 15.
The nomination form is available at ndyouthonfire.org/downloads/.
Our District has a long history of entrusting high school students to serve in leadership positions among their peers. The DYC serves beside a pastoral advisor and a lay advisor to plan retreats, gatherings and other youth events. The role students fill as leaders depends on their interests and talents. Several have gone on to represent the LCMS Upper Midwest/Great Plains Region on the Synod Youth Ministry Executive Team (Katie Worral (2010-2013), Dane Wolfgram (2016-2019), Aidan Quirk (2019-2022)) and several have pursued vocations within the Church.
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Who is LCEF and How Does It Fit with the Church?
Since 1978, Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) has been the chief mission enabler of the Church by being a Christ-centered servant partner of the LCMS. Our mission is to ensure the Church has the funds and resources she needs. Partner with LCEF because we share your Lutheran beliefs. We also share your love of the Church. Yesterday. Today. Always. To learn more, visit lcef.org, call 800-843-5233 or contact your LCEF district vice president, Tami Ulland, at 701-360-1469.
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MILESTONE CELEBRATIONS!!
We would LOVE to celebrate with you, our congregation members! In years past, the North Dakota District’s supplement to the Lutheran Witness magazine mentioned birthdays of our congregation members who were 90 years or older and wedding anniversaries of 50 years or more. It’s time to start sharing such wonderful milestones again, but we need your help. Please let us know if anyone in your congregation has a milestone coming up. The articles need to be submitted about six weeks ahead of time, so the magazine can do the layout. By starting with January 2020 celebrations, articles have to be submitted to us by November 20, 2019. Pictures are optional and would depend on available space each month.
If you have any other articles or ideas for the Lutheran Witness supplement, the North Dakota District eNews, or the Message in the Pew, please submit to Tami at lcms.nd.busman@gmail.com, Vicki at fargoofficendlcms@gmail.com or Marie at news@nodaklcms.org. Thank you!
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Main Street Living - October Update
It’s hard to believe that 18 years have gone by since the Twin Towers in New York City were destroyed. As I write this newsletter article on “9-11” of 2019, all of the news programs are remembering the horrific actions flowing from mankind’s sinful hearts which killed and injured so many people! Holy Scripture tells us that “Out of the heart comes evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft false testimony, slander.” Matthew 15:19. But thanks be to God through Jesus Christ, there is power in God’s word to renew our fallen hearts and minds - and to forgive repentant hearts!
Please continue to share information about our LCMS “Main Street Living” media ministry with others. In addition to being broadcast each Sunday morning – you can view all archived programs at any time at www.mainstreetliving.com (then click on the link under the picture identified as “North (Fargo).”
Thank you for your much needed financial support! Checks may be sent to “Main Street Living NORTH,” 821-5th Ave. S., Fargo, ND 58103, or donate by Credit Card or your PayPal account on the web site. God’s blessing in Christ!
Read More
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Get Answers!
Does God exist? How can anyone believe in religion when science has neither a need nor a place for God? Is evolution happening today? If God is a God of love, why do we suffer and die?
Creation Ministries International is coming to Immanuel, Fargo with answers to these important questions. Come and hear Joel Tay expose the bankruptcy of the evolutionary myth. You'll be amazed to see how weak the scientific evidence for evolution is.
This is an issue that affects everyone. Evolution teaches us there is no need for God, there is no spiritual realm, and there is no afterlife. According to the theory, spirituality is just an evolutionary trick of the mind!
The Bible gives a very different picture about the nature of these things. At this presentation, you will learn how the scientific evidence, when properly understood, confirms the details of the biblical account. At the same time, we will answer many of the Big Questions.
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Another season of change is happening at
Shepherd’s Hill at the Crossroads.
As fall changes to winter (according to the weather, not the calendar) we are working on wrapping up fall events. October 18-20th, we will have a Stamping Up Retreat for cardmaking. If you have any interest, please contact Pastor Jon to reserve a space. We will also be having a clean-up and winterize weekend on October 25th -27th. Storm windows, winterizing buildings and final stocking of firewood will be the focus for that weekend. If you would be willing to lend a hand, please contact Pastor Jon so that he can reserve a spot for you! If you want to help out at some other time, there is always more work to do! Give a call, and I can arrange some work opportunities that meet your skills and interest.
We greatly enjoyed hosting the Fall LWML ND retreat with a tremendous interest in the event. We had over 85 people there for the weekend. As part of the weekend, we were able to dedicate a new playground that was given as a grant by the LWML. While the weather was wet, it was a great opportunity to show off the camp to supporters around the district.
In September, we had our annual Quilt, Craft and Culinary Arts auction. Thank you to everyone who supported us with a donation of items for the sale, as well as purchasing items during the sale. Over $15,000 was raised this weekend to support the work of Shepherd’s Hill at the Crossroads and the outreach to kids during the summer.
We have had several projects that we have been working on for the fall, including installing a water line to provide rural water to the camp. Thanks to hours of work donated by several individuals, a major water line and meter was connected to the rural water system. This will improve the quality of water we are able to provide to guests as they stay at camp. We have a list of projects small and large that we are working to accomplish as time and funding allow.
As we move into the winter, we have cabins available to rent for Christmas gatherings, whether for family or congregations. Watch our website and Facebook page for upcoming events during the winter months!
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Mercy Meals of North Dakota, is planning a packing event at Immanuel, Fargo on
Saturday, Nov. 9th, from 1pm to 4pm.
Mercy Meals will provide the supplies and the training in order to mix, weigh, seal, and pack nutritious meals to be used for humanitarian aid for the children of Liberia, Africa. Volunteers will be able to participate in a “hands-on” way in sharing Christ's love with fellow Christians through food and acts of encouragement.
Our goal is to pack 10,000 meals. Therefore, we NEED YOU to help us in this exciting endeavor. Bring the whole family! Come for an hour or come for the whole afternoon. The cost for packing a meal is 15 cents per meal, so that makes our monetary goal roughly $1500. Please consider giving generously of your time and efforts in making this mission event a reality.
For more information please contact Pastor Schulz (701-293-7979).
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Moving Beyond Survival:
DOXOLOGY and Your Church’s Future
Boom and bust have been the cycle of farmers for generations, as well as businesses in small towns that depend on farm customers. But lately it’s been mostly “bust” and very little “boom.” Plummeting commodity prices, rising expenses, and international trade wars have all taken their toll on those who live and work in America’s heartland. Combine that with the advent of factory farms and vanishing family farms, add in plunging birth rates and the exodus of rural youth, and that leaves the average congregation on the ropes numerically and financially. A whole lot of churches in rural and small-town America are in survival mode these days.
Have your members begun to look backward instead of forward? ...
Read More
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Pre-Lent Retreat!
- MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
This Retreat is for all the pastors of our District. It is being held January 6-8, 2020 in Bismarck. Rev. Bernie Worral of Immanuel, Fargo will present on Hebrews 11.
Worral writes, If you’ve ever been to the nation’s capital in Washington D.C. then you’ve seen the statues in the hallways. Each state has two statues…North Dakota has John Burke (Governor, US Treasuer, Chief Justice) and Sakakawea (Explorer). Hebrews chapter 11 also has a great hallway of faith filled with living memorials those who have walked in faith before us. Hebrews 13:7 says “Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.”
In our mid-week Lenten services we will be doing just that in the outline of Hebrews chapter 11. We will start with Abel who by faith offered a...
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From Chaos to Calm: Horse-inspired Healing
If you’d see fourteen-year-old Jackson* in a lighter moment, you’d see he loves a good joke and is quick to laugh. But he came to Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch recently because he had great difficulty managing his behavior, and especially, his anger. He also had significant problems staying focused and functioning well in school. Much of this was because he often refused to take his ADHD medication.
His personal struggles were so overwhelming; he fought thoughts of suicide. His parents simply weren’t equipped to deal with Jackson’s challenges.
In the company of horses
Each child at the Ranch is given the opportunity to spend time at the stable with the horses. Horses are highly sensitive and have a unique ability to read human emotions. Sometimes they provide comfort to a child who is anxious...
Read More
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Helpful Services Available
Consider the following services available from people of the North Dakota District.
Do you provide a service that you would like to advertise in the eNews? Contact Marie at news@nodaklcms.org today.
Biblical Sermon Hymns
Three separate hymnbooks written by Pastor Lyle Kath using the scripture from each Sunday’s scripture readings...Series A, B, and C, with Series A & C including extra hymns and texts from Psalms, Proverbs, & favorite scripture Pastors like to use when preaching outside the pericopes. Cost: $10 @ plus $2-shipping...(can be viewed at my website-pastorlylekath.com). Email Pastor Kath if interested: ljkath@midco.net
Book Binding and Repair
Contact Rev. Zelwyn Heide on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/heidebook/ or send him an email at zelwyn.heide@gmail.com for a quote.
Hymnus Tree
Are you looking for Lutheran merchandise or custom printing? Hymnus Tree (located in Underwood) offers unique Lutheran gifts that are great for Confirmations, Baptisms, Weddings, and more. Wholesale pricing available. Contact Alisha by email info@thehymnustree.com or on their website www.thehymnustree.com (Alisha is the wife of Pastor Schieber in Underwood) |
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Highlights – Athens, Taverna Dinner Show, 3-Night Cruise, Mykonos, Ephesus, Patmos, Santorini, Thessaloniki, Kavala, Philippi, Meteora, Delphi, Corinth, The Acropolis
More information available on the website - nodaklcms.org
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LWML NEWS:
LWML ND Retreat
About 70 women plus a few husbands and children, gathered at Shepherd’s Hill at the Crossroads on September 20-22 to retreat from the hustle and bustle and learn more about perseverance.
Donna Pyle led the women to study Nehemiah through her new book titled “Perseverance: Praying Through Life’s Challenges (A Nehemiah Battle Plan).”
Dr. Becky Grossmann, Lutheran Bible Translators, told attendees about the ways that the LWML has helped to share the Word of God to the people in Liberia, Africa.
God’s beautiful fall colors were showing in the trees around Shepherd’s Hill at the Crossroads.
The ladies of the LWML ND District were also able to participate in the dedication of the new playground at Shepherd’s Hill. This playground is the fulfillment of a Mission Grant selected at the 2014 District Convention.
Visit NDLWML.org/Retreat for more pictures and information.
SAVE THE DATES:
District Convention 2020 - June 26-28, 2020 - Delta Hotel in Fargo
Theme: “Great is the Lord” from Psalm 145:1-3: I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable. | Keynote speaker: Jan Struck | Mission speaker: Rev. Dr. Robert Roegner | Songleader and Saturday night entertainment: Wendysue Fluegge
The Nominating Committee is still seeking candidates for the following positions within the LWML North Dakota: President | Vice-President of Mission Grants | Vice-President of Human Care | Vice-President of Communication | Treasurer | Nominating Committee Member(chosen at Fall Rallies)
Please, prayerfully consider this privilege and challenge. Send an email to nominating@ndlwml.org with any questions.
LWML Convention 2021 — Lexington, Kentucky — June 24–27
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