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District Vision
Witness
Planting and Revitalizing Congregations
(Rev. Zelwyn Heide)
- Working on a new website.
- Attended the North American Mission Enablers (NAME) Conference in St. Louis, Wednesday, April 24.
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)
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
- District Staff Spotlight
- Life News
- Zion, Claire City SD Anniversary
- VBS offer
- LCMS Convention Update
- District Mission Spotlight
- MSLN July Update
- June Installations
- National Youth Gathering
- IMPORTANT Church History
- Stewardship Conference(8/16-17)
- RSTM - Active Stewardship
- Helpful Services Available
- LWML News
- Fall Retreat (9/20-22)
- LWML Convention
- State of District Report
- District Financials
- Contact information
Next eNews deadline July 25th
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In Our Prayers
- The youth as they gather together in Minneapolis, MN for the LCMS Youth Gathering on July 11-15.
- The Synod as we gather in Convention in Florida July 20-25.
- The vicars arriving to serve our district, Richard Dailey (Bethel and Shepherd of the Valley, Bismarck), and Christopher Durham (Zion, Bismarck).
- Martha Semanko (From Immanuel, Fargo) as she serves her Deaconess Internship in Colorado.
- All of our Lutheran Schools, universities, and seminaries, and all who teach and learn in them; especially Grace and Martin Luther Schools and our preschools, daycare centers and homeschooling families throughout the district.
- for Martin Luther and Grace Lutheran schools as they break for summer and hope to add additional students to their roster for the coming school year.
- for our Concordia university and seminary students and teachers.
- The Church under the changing climate toward an attack on Christianity.
- Kenya Africa - Christ's Care for Children / Project 24, thanksgiving for ELCK and LCMS church fellowship.
- Our partnership with Iglesia Luterana Confessional de Chile in Santiago, Chile (partner church of the LCMS), for Pastor Omar Kinas, as we support his ministry in Talca and Constitución.
- Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison - Synod President and all elected vice presidents of Synod.
- For all those serving in the military, especially those of the LCMS, and for our LCMS Chaplains, including ND Pastor Tim Stout.
- That the ND District continues work toward a LIFE TOGETHER in mission, financial support, and prayerful encouragement toward one another.
- For our Vice-presidents: Rev. Kirk Peters (west) and Rev. Steve Schulz (east).
- Shepherd's Hill at the Crossroads, Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, and Orphan Grain Train our RSOs (Recognized Service Organizations).
- For Life Skills and Transition Center (Chaplain Pastor Seter).
- Campus Ministries at UND (Pastor Suelzle) and NDSU (Pastor Schulz).
- Struggling rural churches (financial and declining membership) and pastors bearing the burden of shepherding God's people in the rural setting.
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...
The Debt is Gone!
The title of this July E-News “The Debt is Gone” is meant in two ways. First, the most important, the debt of our sin is gone through Christ Jesus. Any sin, no matter what degree we may place on it, either as a little or a large sin, deserves eternal death from God. Eternal death means separation from God into eternal pain and gnashing of teeth and eternal torture in hell. But Christ Jesus, true God and true man, made payment for sin on the cross for our sin so that we would not die that eternal death. You see, God has only accepted one commodity for payment for sin and that is blood. Blood that was foreshadowed in the blood of sacrifices in the Old Testament but then fulfilled in Christ Holy Precious Blood on the cross. Therefore, connected to Christ death and resurrection in Baptism we have eternal life. Because you can only die once, and Christ died that death for us, we cannot die the eternal death. Therefore, “The Debt is Gone.”
The other way the title “The Debt is Gone” is meant is that in this earthly kingdom the debt of our Synod is gone so that we may do more freely and willingly the work the Lord has given us to do spreading the Gospel of Christ Jesus. I share with you an announcement from Synod...
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Changes in the District
Calls Being Considered
Rev. Rick Jones is considering a call from Trinity Lutheran of Medford and Trinity Lutheran of Chelsea, WI.
Calls Accepted/Returned
Rev. Tim Stout accepted the call to serve St. Peter, Sawyer.
Rev. Robert Hill returned a call to Living Faith in Marine City, MI.
Rev. Robert Hill returned a call to Shepherd of the Hills, Faith, and Bingham Lutheran Churches of Hyannis, NE.
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Ordinations/Installations
Retirements
Called to Glory
Parish Updates
Vacancies/Calling Process
- Zion, Claire City, SD, in vacancy
- St. Peter, Hannover and Zion, New Salem: in vacancy (Rev. Dennis Voss and Rev. Kirk Peters)
- St. John, Hillsboro and Trinity, Hope: in vacancy (Rev. Deitemeyer and Rev. Dan Suelzle)
- Our Savior, Minot - in vacancy (served by Intentional Interim Minister, Rev. Richard Davis)
- St. Peter, Sawyer (Rev. Stout)
- Trinity, Tolley (Rev. Brandvold)
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District Staff Spotlight
*Communication Manager, Marie Johnson*
With a district that is so spread out, communication is key and that is what our Communication Manager’s job handles. Marie gathers information to compose the District eNews, the Lutheran Witness supplement, the District website and our social media accounts (Facebook.com/nodaklcms and Twitter @nodaklcms). If you have news of events in our District please email her at news@nodaklcms.org by the 25th of the month for publication the following month.
*Director of Biblical Finance, Ed Bean*
Ed Bean serves the District as the Director of Biblical Finance. He conducts educational seminars for young families focusing in the areas of child guardianship and minor’s trusts. Presentations are also given on “Preparing for Eternity” with a focus on the end of earthly life and distribution of material blessings to family and ministries. Ed assists families in establishing wills and estate plans and assists congregations with establishing and managing endowment funds. If you would like to visit with Ed on any of the above issues, call him at 701-261-9687.
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District Life News
The board of Elders of Immanuel Lutheran in Wahpeton North Dakota has given their pastor, Rev. Matthew Tooman – Life Coordinator for the North Dakota District, 3 Sundays per year to share with LCMS North Dakota District churches. If your church is sponsoring a life event and would like Pastor Tooman to share a sermon and/or a teaching time at the church or in the community, please contact him at looktoxp@reagan.com. As you think about scheduling, the further out you schedule an event, the more flexibility in time.
The LCMS North Dakota District will receive fetal models from “Lutherans for Life.” If you would like to use these models, please contact Pastor Matthew Tooman at 701-899-1976 to facilitate their use. These are a great visual and tactile tool to teach about life in the womb.
As always, if you have a community event you would like to promote, please contact the district office directly or contact Pastor Tooman either by email: looktoxp@reagan.com or by phone 701-899-1976.
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Zion Claire City Celebrated 125 years!
Zion Lutheran Church rural Claire City, SD celebrated their 125th anniversary on June 16, 2019, at 11:00 AM. North Dakota District president Arie Bertsch was the guest preacher.
Pictured (L to R), Rev. Arie Bertsch, Rev. Larry Johnson, Rev. Larry Harvala, and Rev. Paul Warnier
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VBS offer from Immanuel, Fargo
Anyone wishing to have decorations, etc. from our successful June VBS, CPH’s “Miraculous Mission”: we would like to send you our materials. Contact the Immanuel Lutheran Church office: 701-293-7979 or Immanuel.fargo@gmail.com, and we will connect you with these free-to-you items.
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Harrison elected to fourth term as LCMS president
The Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, having received 51.76 percent of the votes cast, is the president-elect of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) for a fourth term of office, 2019–2022.
https://blogs.lcms.org/2019/harrison-elected-to-fourth-term-as-lcms-president
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Follow convention news wherever you are
Whether you’re attending or not, you can easily keep up with all the news related to the 67th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), July 20–25 in Tampa, Fla. Here’s how to be informed before, during and after the convention.
Before
Everything you need to know about convention business is contained in the Convention Workbook and its accompanying booklet, Biographical Synopses & Statements of Nominees. Read and download both at lcms.org/convention.
During
The opening Divine Service and all convention sessions will be livestreamed and archived at lcms.org/convention/livestream. For a detailed schedule, see lcms.org/convention. All times are Eastern Daylight Time.
Shortly after a livestream ends, the archived video will be available for viewing. In addition, news stories will be posted to the Reporter website (reporter.lcms.org) throughout the convention, and nightly video recaps will be available at lcms.org/convention.
Posted first on the LCMS.org website (https://blogs.lcms.org/2019/follow-convention-news-wherever-you-are) on June 13, 2019
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District Mission Spotlight
*Chile Partnership*
Since 2015, our ND District has been in partnership with the Iglesia LuteranaConfesional de Chile (Confessional Lutheran Church of Chile). The ND District Convention voted to provide $25,000 a year to support the Maule Region Mission located in Constitucion and Talca, along with Pastor Adrian Ventura and Pastor Omar Kinas, their missionaries. In May 2018, President Arie Bertsch and Tami Ulland were in Chile to see what our mission dollars are achieving and to attend the Foro (Pastor’s Conference). President Arie also joined in a couple of church worship services. President Arie and Tami are available to talk about our Chile missions at your church. Call either office to set up a time and date.
Congregational giving was very strong at the end of the 2018 fiscal year. In April, the Board of Directors voted to pay the remaining $18,778.65 of the $25,000 obligation for 2018. In 2019 the hope is to send our support each quarter with your continued support.
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Main Street Living - July Update
 “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17 With this in mind, please continue to share information about our LCMS “Main Street Living” media ministry with others. MSLN is broadcast each Sunday morning - and also available every day 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!
“Main Street Living North” Programs for July 2019...
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Rev. Philip Beyersdorf was installed as Pastor of St. Mark’s, Minot on June 9th. Pastors in attendance (L to R): Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard, Rev. Daryl Rothchild, Rev. Nathan Schieber, Rev. Philip Beyersdorf, Rev. Arie Bertsch, Rev. Josh Reimche, Rev. Scott Ramey, Rev. Tim Stout.
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Rev. Brian Shane was ordained and installed as Associate Pastor at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Fargo on Sunday, June 23, 2019.
(L to R) Back row: Rev. Bernie Worral, Rev. Chris Brademeyer, Rev. Steve Schulz, Rev. Leo Deitemeyer, Rev. Clark Jahnke, Front row: Rev. Adam Harvala, Rev. Christopher Waldvogel, Rev. Brian Shane, Rev. Howard Shane, Rev. Arie Bertsch and Rev. David Suelzle.
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DCE Susanna Danner was installed as Director of Christian Education at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Fargo on Sunday, June 23, 2019.
(L to R) Rev. Arie Bertsch, DCE Danner, Rev. Steve Schulz, Rev. Bernie Worral
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Held every three years since 1980, the LCMS Youth Gathering provides thousands of youth and adults the opportunity to come together as a community of God’s people to learn more about Jesus Christ, the Christian faith and their Lutheran identity. The next Gathering will be held on July 11-15, 2019 in Minneapolis, MN.
During the five days of the Gathering, youth and adults will spend time together in God’s word, worship, service, and fellowship with others from across the synod. This event is organized by LCMS Youth Ministry, Saint Louis, MO.
District Coordinator
Pat Sebastian, Bethel Lutheran, Bismarck, is serving as ND District Coordinator...
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Your Church History is important to the LCMS Synod and District office.
Is your church overflowing with papers and materials from the past 125 years? What should be kept and what should be sent to our archive in the District office in Fargo? There is a website that you can go to – and see what to do with your records. The website is https://concordiahistoricalinstitute.org/category/information-sheets/ and there are different topics of what to do with your church records. There are many church files here in the District vault that contain no history information. Some have information written in German (anyone read German?) Others have pictorial directories from past years and anniversary booklets. This fall there will be a carload of information taken down to St. Louis to the Concordia Historical Institute from the District office. So please check with Vicki on what is needed. You can call the office 701-293-9001 Monday through Thursday or email her anytime at fargoofficendlcms@gmail.com. Thanks for your help in updating our archives both in the District and in St. Louis.
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The stewardship conference you need.
 Led by Synod’s Stewardship Director Rev. Heath Curtis and Assistant Director Rev. Dr. Nathan Meador, this conference will equip pastors and laity to think biblically and “Lutheranly” about financial stewardship in its broader context.
MORE THAN GIVING
A DOXOLOGY Conference on Stewardship
Sponsored by
The LCMS Office of National Mission
and
Iowa District West
August 16-17, 2019
LCMS Camp Okoboji in Milford, Iowa
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Active Stewardship in the Rural Parish
Where I serve, people are conservative. I don’t mean that they watch Fox News and listen to Rush Limbaugh (although plenty of them do). I’m talking about the deep-down conservatism that always asks the question, “Pastor, if we’ve been doing it this way for so many years, why would you ask us to change? Is the risk of messing up what’s been working just fine really worth whatever little marginal gain you think your new way of doing things will give us?”
That question may not always be put into so many words, but after 13 years in rural ministry, I’ve learned that that’s what people are thinking pretty much any time I make a suggestion for doing something new or different in our church. And I’ve come to appreciate the question. People are most conservative about...
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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.
N.D. Pastors...Looking for a biblical sermon hymn?
I wrote 3 separate hymnbooks 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 hash tag conquering cancer through faith in Christ). email me if interested: ljkath@midco.net
God’s peace and blessings to you and your ministry,
Pastor Lyle Kath
Associate Pastor, Immanuel Lutheran-LCMS, Wahpeton, ND
Have a book which needs repairing? Want to have something printed and bound? Contact Rev. Zelwyn Heide on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/heidebook/ or send me an email at zelwyn.heide@gmail.com for a quote.
Hymnus Tree
 LOOKING FOR LUTHERAN MERCHANDISE AND CUSTOM PRINTING? Hymnus Tree (located in Underwood) offers unique Lutheran gifts that are great for Confirmations, Baptisms, Weddings, and more. Are you looking for custom shirts or coffee mugs for your church? Do you have other special merchandise printing needs? We can help! Wholesale pricing available. Contact Alisha Schieber 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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LWML NEWS:
Click the poster image for more information about Retreat.
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
Please consider sharing names of pastors in our district who you think would be good as a junior pastoral counselor and would be willing to be on the ballot in June 2020. Share any names with Nomination Committee, nominating@ndlwml.org. LCMS District President Bertsch will approve the list of names. The LWML ND Board of Directors will then vote in November to select two to be on the ballot in June 2020.
Now is time to start preparing a Mission Grant Proposal. The proposals for consideration at the 2020 convention need to be submitted by September 30, 2019. The form is available on the LWML North Dakota District website (http://www.ndlwml.org) under the Mission Grant tab.
LWML Convention 2021 — Lexington, Kentucky — June 24–27
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LWML Sets 2019–2021 Mission Goal at $2.1 Million
ST. LOUIS, June 24, 2019 — The Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) welcomed 3104 people with 691 as first-timers to the LWML Convention in Mobile, Alabama, June 20–23, 2019, under the theme "In Praise to the LORD!” The convention theme was based on 1 Chronicles 16:23–24a.
Delegates to the 38th Biennial Convention of the LWML adopted a $2,100,000 mission goal for the 2019–2021 biennium. This goal, by the grace of God, will fund 21 mission grants as men and women respond in prayer and offerings during the next two years. LWML chose to support the following mission grants, pledging their support with prayers and mites (offerings) given over the next biennium...
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