Christ Lutheran Newsletter November 2017

Echo 2.0 Share God’s Word, Share His Love, and Do It Now!

Christ Lutheran

Christ Lutheran 605 South Fifth Street, Norfolk, NE 68701

www.clnorfolk.org 402-371-1210

Reformation 500 Preparations Over 40 people from area LCMS churches joined voices on October 12 for a mass choir rehearsal (left) in preparation for the Reformation 500 service on November 5 at 3:00 at Christ Lutheran Church. Rev. Dirk Reek will be the guest speaker. Steve Whitney, Music Director from St. John Lutheran Church in Battle Creek is directing the mass choir. Instrumentalists have also practiced as a group for the event.

Big Mission Event November 12 The Big Mission Event sponsored by Servants of Our Savior will be held on Sunday, November 12 beginning with social hour at 5:00 p.m. and dinner at 6:00 p.m.

Tickets are still available for the event at a price of $50 each, and may be purchased from S.O.S. (Servants of the Savior) members or the Church Office. Deadline to purchase tickets is November 5. The event will be held at Divots. Gary Thies will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Grant Schmidt, Orphan Grain Train Vice-President of Operations will be the featured speaker. Live and silent auctions help raise funds for missionaries, Orphan Grain Train and other servant projects.

Thanksgiving Worship Wednesday, November 22

6:30 p.m. A Service of Prayer, Praise and Song

with Holy Communion

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November 2017 Congregation News

Sunday School Needs You! Our Junior High Sunday School class needs one additional staff member. This position has been open a long time, and the current teachers of this class have been doing extra duty. We are looking for a faithful and willing person to learn how to be a team teacher with this popular class! Please consider helping this thriving group of young Christians.

We also need a volunteer to help lead a Sunday school station. These 10-15 minute crafts, skits, science experiments or games are prepared for you, and the class’s teacher is there to help the leader. These leaders choose the dates they work, usually 1-2 Sundays each month.

If you can help with either of these positions, please contact Lisa Moreno or the church office.

Veterans Day Program All members of the community are invited to be a part of our annual Veterans Day program on Wednesday, November 8 at 1:30 in the church sanctuary. The band will play, students will sing, essays will be shared, and veterans will be honored during the program. Afterward, everyone is invited to a reception in the fellowship hall. Please note the

date is November 8, since Veterans Day falls on a

Saturday and there is no school on Thursday or Friday of this week.

The Celebration of All Saints Day On the weekend of November 4-5, Christ Lutheran Church will observe All Saints’ Day and the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed. The Church through much of its history has taken this opportunity to give thanks to God for the early witness of those who have fallen asleep in the Lord. We are also thankful for the wonderful comfort we receive from knowing our dear ones are with our Gracious God through the mercy of Jesus Christ.

As we celebrate the communion of all those who have gone before us and now sit around the throne of God, we join as the family of God here on earth at His banquet table through Holy Communion. Holy Communion will be celebrated at all services on the weekend of November 4-5, in our time of remembrance and thanksgiving.

Installation of new playground equipment is near completion on the east side of Helping Hands Childcare. The fenced in area provides a safe environment for the younger children to play.

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Christ Lutheran

November 2017

Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Sundays

at Christ Lutheran School

Children’s Ministry Lisa Moreno, Children’s Ministry Coordinator –

lmoreno@clnorfolkmail.org

Talking to Kids About Thanksgiving For many families, a highlight of Thanksgiving is the opportunity to enjoy meaningful conversations—often around a good meal. Asking the right questions is key, and with a little brainstorming, you can move beyond “What are you thankful for?” Good questions can spark great discussions where family members learn more about each other. Use these tips to ask questions that help children dig deep and open up:

• Ask questions that don’t have specific answers.

When questions are surprising, children’s answers will be unpredictable as well.

• Ditch the question mark. Ask kids to tell about a

time they experienced something, like being left out or being helped by a friend.

• Open Up to Open-Ended Questions. If a question

can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no,” it will stifle kids’ answers.

• “Why do you think…?” and “What could you

do…?” Instead of having kids guess what people in

the Bible thought, turn the tables and make it personal.

• “What if…?” These wondering questions make kids

really ponder the context of a situation.

• “Why…?” and “How…?” These questions often

help kids make new discoveries, while “who, what, when, and where” questions are usually just for review.

Preparations for Christmas Service Mark your calendars for the Sunday School Christmas Service on Wednesday, December 20 at 6:30 pm. All Sunday school students from age three through grade 8 will be participating in this service. Our offering ingathering will be basic care items for Orphan Grain Train to send to people in need worldwide. Watch for a list of items in the December Echo and Sunday school newsletter. Information will be sent home with Sunday School students in November, for students in grades 3-8 who are interested in singing in the Angel Choir, directed by Starla Landkamer. Practices for this will be held in the blue youth room at Christ Lutheran School from 3:30 – 3:50 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, starting Monday, November 20. Jeanette Schipporeit and Nicole Phelps will direct children in grades 6-8 interesting in being actors or readers for this service, with both speaking and non-speaking parts available. Information will be sent home from Sunday school and practices will be held in the church sanctuary from 3:45 – 4:25 on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, starting Monday, November 27. Students CAN be an actor AND be in Angel Choir. Permission forms for both of these should be turned in at confirmation, Sunday school or at Christ Lutheran School, on the secretary’s desk.

November Children’s ministry dates ~ November 5 - Sunday School: 3 Men in a Fiery Furnace, science station; newsletter November 12 – Sunday School: Daniel in the Lion’s Den, science station; mission offering November 19 – Sunday School: God’s People Go Home, craft station; mission offering November 20 - Angel Choir practice begins 3:30 p.m., Christ Lutheran School November 26 – Sunday School: Book of Esther, snack station November 27 – Actor practice begins for Christmas Service, 3:45 p.m., church

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November 2017 Reformation Tidbits

You ARE saved by works.

You are saved by works. But not yours. Jesus did more than die for you. He lived for you. Salvation is not merely the forgiveness of sins. It is the gift of righteousness, received by faith. This Good News is the focus of the Scriptures. You do nothing. God works. And His works are very good. Your good works are done in response to salvation. Justification by grace through faith does not mean good works are bad, but puts them in their proper role. We live according to God’s will out of thankfulness to His love. You can read the Bible on your phone because of

Luther.

We love and treasure the Word of God. The Scriptures are our sole source for doctrine and practice. The Scriptures deliver Christ to us, and for this we rejoice. Luther desired that every person have access to the Word of God. He translated the Bible into German so that every person could read it. A result of Luther’s translation was the proliferation of Bible translations, and today, the multiplicity of media through which God’s Word is freely available. Sola Scriptura, Sola Gratia, Sola Fide. Solus Christus. Sola Scriptura. Sola Gratia. Sola Fide. Solus Christus. Latin. Ironic, isn’t it? A movement that resulted in the liturgy and the Bible in our language (not Latin) is remembered by Latin phrases. By Scripture alone, by grace alone, by faith alone. Through Christ alone. Alone. Without your help. Without human tradition. Without anyone’s assistance. God acts alone through Jesus.

Scripture. Given by God. Through which we receive Christ. Grace. Given by God. Through which we receive Christ. Faith. Given by God. Through which we receive Christ. Through Christ alone. God gives us all these gifts because of Jesus’ death and resurrection. All good gifts come from God and benefit those who believe. Through Christ alone.

You still aren’t good enough for God’s love.

“The love of God does not find, but creates, that which is pleasing to it” (Luther’s Works 31:57). God loves you. For no good reason … except His goodness. Though you may be tempted to work to improve to be more liked or loved, God doesn’t wait for your improvement. He doesn’t even require it. He loves you. His love is what changes you from sinner to saint. His love sent Jesus to die and rise for you. His love gives you salvation in Christ freely. His love caused Holy Scripture to be written so that you might hear and believe in His love. His love washed you in Baptism. His love feeds you in the Lord’s Supper. His love makes you lovable. He loves you freely and fully. No strings attached. Baptism saves. God works through means. The Holy Spirit creates faith through the Word and the Sacraments. When ordinary water is combined with God’s Word and connected with His command, it does exactly what God promises it will do. It saves (Titus 3:4–7; 1 Pet. 3:21). Through Baptism God forgives sins and gives the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). Baptism joins you to Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection (Rom. 6:4–5). Baptism gives eternal life through the resurrection of Jesus (Col. 2:11–12). Baptism makes disciples (Matt. 28:19). These promises are for all people, young and old (Acts 2:39). These promises are fulfilled in the death and resurrection of Jesus. For you.

The Lord’s Supper accomplishes something. We believe Jesus is present because He promises to be. And when God is present, things happen. Either life or death, either blessing or curse, but be assured of this: something occurs when God is present. Jesus comes to us in His body and blood for the forgiveness of our sins to all who trust in His Word. All who receive the Sacrament receive Christ’s body and blood. Those who receive it in faith receive the benefits given in Christ’s promise. Those who do not believe receive judgment.

Continued on page 5

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Christ Lutheran

November 2017 … more Reformation Tidbits

Continued from page 4 Crux sola est nostra theologia.

The cross alone is our theology. God’s love is manifest in Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross. God’s love is fulfilled through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. With the New Testament, we proclaim Christ and Him crucified. Forgiveness is free — but not cheap. Your sins have earned the penalty of death. Christ paid that price for you through His death. Salvation is not cheap — the Son of God gave up all things for you. Forgiveness is free. God gives you this salvation, which Christ earned, for free. Solus Christus. Through Christ alone. Augsburg Confession

The Lutherans stood before the entire world and confessed. Given the opportunity to say what they believe, they freely and joyfully confessed the truth that God justifies sinners by grace, through faith, for Christ’s sake. The Augsburg Confession was read out loud on June 25, 1530, during the Diet of Augsburg. Written by Philipp Melanchthon, this document explained the faith of the Christian Church as taught by Luther in accordance with the Scriptures. Article IV contains the central confession of how God saves people. Read it. Especially Article IV. Diet of Worms. Yuck … How did Luther get so fat? Luther obviously didn’t stick to his diet. A Diet was an imperial meeting of the Holy Roman Empire. Official business was conducted that changed things throughout the empire. Luther was called to the Diet that took place in Worms, Germany. There, he was told to say he recanted of what he wrote and taught. Luther responded that he could not in good conscience deny his writings because they proclaim the truth of the Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ. Here I stand.

The entire Christian life is one of repentance.

Luther’s 95 Theses begins: “When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, ‘Repent’ (Matt. 4:17), he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.” Christians are to daily die to the old Adam, their sinful nature. The focus is not on our dying or on our old Adam (sin). The focus is on the promise of resurrection in Jesus Christ. He is our life. He is our hope. He is our joy. Repentance is a turning away from self to Jesus. In Him are life and light. In Him are salvation and forgiveness. In Him is eternal life. Repent. You are His. Through Baptism. And this is true every day.

Lutheran theology brings joy. The heart and soul of Lutheran theology is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God loves you!! That’s good news. All your sins are forgiven through the death and resurrection of Jesus. This forgiveness is given to you for free. It is a gift of God for you.

The most important teaching of Lutheran theology is that God loves you with no effort, merit, or work on your behalf. God loves you. He sent His only Son to die and rise for you. His love is fulfilled in the Gospel. That is good news and fills us with joy. God loves you for all of eternity. Freely. That will never change.

Reformation Tidbits is a compilation of articles that have been running in the Weekly Focus during September and October.

Sunday, November 5 at 3:00 p.m. Christ Lutheran Church

Fellowship Potluck & Activities 5:00 Our Savior Lutheran – 2420 W. Omaha Avenue

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Christ Lutheran

November 2017 Youth Ministry Matt Wingert, Director of Youth – mwingert@clnorfolkmail.org

WHERE IS  GOD CALLING YOU TO SERVE?

DEC 29- JAN6

HOUSTON RELEIF

Malawi 2018 We want you to prayerfully consider going to Malawi Africa next Summer. Everyone 18 & up is invited to serve with Christ Lutheran in Malawi next May. We will be working with an Orphanage, Norfolk Schools Malawi, and Leading VBS at a local Lutheran Church. The dates are May 21-June 3. Cost is around $2,300/per person. Contact Matt for more details.

WHERE IS  GOD CALLING YOU TO SERVE?

MAY 21- JUNE 3*

MALAWIHouston Relief Trip Hurricane Harvey was devastating to Houston and surrounding areas. The affected communities will take years to recover from the storm’s wreckage. As the Church, we are called to go and serve our neighbors in need. This December, Christ Lutheran is sending a team to serve alongside the efforts of the LCMS as they give mercy and relief to those in need. We will be staying at Salem Lutheran Church in Tomball, Texas, and serving in the surrounding Houston Area. On our way down to Houston, we will stop in Austin for a Concordia Texas College visit. This trip is for Senior High Students, and all adults who want to serve. Dates are December 29 – January 6. Cost is approximately $200/person. Sign up by December 1.

November Dates

Wed 1 & 8 - Confirmation Nov 11-12 - Jr. High DYG Wed 15 - Confirmation Nov 17-19 - Sr. High DYG Wed 22 - No Confirmation Thurs 23 - Thanksgiving Wed 29 - Confirmation Every Sunday- 9:30 Bible Study

Get Connected

If you want to receive emails, or sign up for an event, it all takes place online. Please sign yourself up on the website below.

https://christnorfolk.churchcenteronline.com /home Text @cljrhigh or @clsrhigh to 81010 so you can get text updates about events!

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Christ Lutheran

November 2017 Pastor’s Ponderings Rev. Chip Winter, Director of Ministry -

cwinter@clnorfolkmail.org

“Wars and rumors of wars” A little over a month ago (as I write this in early October) the citizens of the United States began to be on the receiving end of a series of heavy blows. Hurricane Harvey made a mess of Houston, Texas. Hurricane Irma, while not as devastating as it could be, put a hurt on Florida. Hurricane Maria nearly wiped out Puerto Rico just before Hurricane Nate decimated certain parts of Mississippi and Alabama. Again, at this writing what could become Hurricane Ophelia is taking shape in the Atlantic – if it becomes a hurricane, it will tie a record as the tenth in a season; a season of three category 5s and of fifteen named storms. Along with that we have fires in the wine country of California. Ten people have lost their lives and ten thousand have fled their homes in Napa County, alone. Leaving the realm of natural disasters, we suffered the worst mass shooting in modern American history with fifty-eight deaths in the Las Vegas Massacre. This accompanied the regular sabre rattling of North Korea, which in turn elicited cryptic tweets and statements from our White House. None of this should be surprising in a world soiled by our sinfulness. It can, however, cause one to be uneasy when the prophetic utterances of our Lord Jesus are remembered. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains…

43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is

coming at an hour you do not expect. (Matthew

24:6-8, 36, 42-44) The coming of the End of Days is fraught with misery and mystery. But the words above must be joined by some of the other words that God has shared with us in Scripture. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my

burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30). Jesus has done

the heavy lifting necessary for our salvation. That, the greatest of our worries when we compare ourselves to the Law’s demands, has been handled for us. Then, too, St. Paul assures us that God is beside us and working for us in every situation. 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been

called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28).

That presence will steady and strengthen us through all trials, through to the day when Christ Jesus returns in triumph. 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to

endure it. (I Corinthians 10:13).

Until that day when we will know the complete peace and radiance of God, we struggle in this world. And we can say of this loving, heavenly Father, with the greatest of confidence, “Lord, when the tempest rages, I need not fear, for You the Rock of Ages, Are always near. Close by Your side abiding, I fear no foe, For when Your hand is guiding, In peace I go.” (LSB 722, stanza 2).

36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only… 42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.

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November 2017 Membership Roll Call Starla Landkamer – slandkamer@clnorfolkmail.org

Roster Changes Transfer In: Danica Praeuner, 404 West 26th Street #1, Kearney, from Holy Cross, Kearney. Vince Hoehne and Aria, 1900 Elm Street, Stanton, NE, from Faith Lutheran, Stanton. Cara Hoehne, 1900 Elm Street, Stanton, NE, from St. John, Battle Creek. Kevin Knapp, 83726 550 Avenue, Norfolk, from St. John (Green Garden) Madison, NE. Transfer Out: Mark and Tina Feddern, Ashton, Gavin, Braden and Taylor, 84602 Elimay Drive, Hoskins, NE to Our Savior, Norfolk. Carmen Thelen, 85354 540th Avenue, Pierce, NE, to Zion Lutheran, Pierce. Myka Mayo, 4434 E. Justice Circle, Orange, CA, to Immanuel Lutheran, Riverside, CA. Chad Miller, 3341 N. 67th Street, Lincoln, NE to Faith Lutheran, Lincoln. Baptized into God’s Family: Alyssa Rose Thoene, daughter of Jeff and Sarah Thoene. Born September 8, 2017; baptized October 8, 2017. Sponsors are Dale and Rhonda Keyes. Calum Shawn Pohlman, son of Garrett and Monique Pohlman. Born March 23, 2017; baptized October 14, 2017. Sponsors are Adam Pleas and Amy Graham. Called to Their Heavenly Home: Donald Eugene Dendinger, January 18, 1932 – September 27, 2017. William H. Bermel, Sr., July 1, 1931 – October 8, 2017. Dennis D. Miller, April 23, 1956 – October 12, 2017. Clinton R. Hogendorn, August 14, 1970 – October 14, 2017. United in Marriage September 30 - Cody Woockman and Harley Siedschlag . October 21 – Casey Hoskinson and Alyson Bowers.

November Birthday of 80 years or more: 1: Jerrine Kohlhof 3: Mary Gray 16: Yvonne Lichtenberg 18: Bill Kenny 20: Melvin Horst 21: Jean Woockman 22: Elaine Scheurich 27: Ed Wiedeman 28: Margaret Rasmussen 29: LaVona Kesting Clarence Mann Moved from One House to Another: Dan and Bobbi Bell, 3103 Dover Drive, Norfolk 68701-3107. Nicole Spiering-Ruterbories, 915 South Clark Street, Grand Island, NE 68801-6717. Harlan Prauner, Heritage of Bel-Air, 1203 North 13th Street, Norfolk 68701. Thelma Schroeder, 708 Walnut St., Creighton, NE 68729-3000. Heath Burris, 112 Lookout Pt., Buffalo, MN 55313-5038. Kyle and Amanda Jacobsen, 4708 South Victory Road, Norfolk 68701.

Grief Forum Sponsored by Stephen Ministry An upcoming forum sponsored by Stephen Ministry can speak to the hearts of many in our congregation. Coping with Grief and Helping Others by Lisa Glissman-Mayner, Bereavement Coordinator with AseraCare Hospice, will be held Tuesday, November 7 at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

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. This presentation will review common grief responses, appropriate expectations during the grief journey and ways to help others who are experiencing grief.

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Christ Lutheran

November 2017

Left - September 24, all Christ Lutheran School children from Kindergarten through Grade 8 joined together at the 8:00 service to sing “In Christ Alone.”

Above - On Sunday, October 15, many of the Christ Lutheran School children visited Grace Lutheran Church and sang at their 10:30 service.

Right – A stroller that holds 4 is perfect for a Helping Hands worker to take toddlers out and about on a beautiful autumn day.

Christ Lutheran November 2017

Printing Costs for This Month’s Echo 2.0 Paid for by Donations from These Sponsors

Bev Mauch, Coldwell Banker Dover Realtors

Norfolk Implement Dr. Dan Blomenberg

Eye Physicians PC Elkhorn Valley Bank & Trust

Dinkel Implement Dr. Leon Gebhardt

Freudenburg & Associates LLC Taylor Creek Physical Therapy

Jerry’s Trailers & Campers U-Save Pharmacy

Randy Oertwich, United Farm and Ranch Management

Christ Lutheran www.clnorfolk.org

Church 605 South Fifth Street

Norfolk, NE 68701 402-371-1210 phone

402-371-1228 fax

School 511 South Fifth Street 402-371-5536 phone

402-371-1288 fax

Helping Hands Childcare 400 West Pasewalk Ave.

(Corner of Fourth Street & Pasewalk Ave.) 402-379-3275 phone

Next ECHO 2.0 deadline is November 8,2017

Send items to echo2@clnorfolkmail.org