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 Annual Shawano Christmas Parade |
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LEADERS! MAKING THINGS BETTER
Rev. Dwayne Lueck
"People who lead - whether or not they have a title - strive to make things better." I recently read that quote by Mark Sanborn in his book You Don't Need a Title to Be a Leader. How true! In our congregations there are many volunteers who do not have a title but wish to serve their Lord and make things better.
There are seven leadership meetings planned in our district. The presenters' goal at these events is to help your leaders do things better or to learn about resources and share ideas to carry out God's work better. We hope you will join us.
Whether or not you attend, this time of year is a good time to train your leaders as new people accept new positions in your congregation. Take time to review the tasks listed in your constitution or by-laws. Remind people how to run a good meeting so you make good use of your volunteers' time. Do not assume people know how to do the jobs or tasks they are willing to perform.
Finally, say "THANK YOU" to those who may be stepping down after serving in a leadership role or serving as a volunteer for their Lord!
For additional information, or a list of dates, Leadership Meetings
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WRLHS Float is Winner!
The 18th Annual Shawano Christmas Parade was held on Friday, December 7th at 6 pm. The WRLHS float, entitled "The Wise Still Seek Him," was produced and manned by students, staff, and parents. It depicted a classroom scene on the main float following a nativity scene in the bed of the pickup pulling the float. There was even a basketball goal on the back of the fl oat with players encouraging people in the crowd to take shots. They were awarded a trophy as "Best Children's Entry."
By Jay Lindsay
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THE TIME HAS COME
Bob Whipkey Says 'Farewell'
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
Ecclesiastes 3:1 "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:" For every ending there is a beginning.  What is ending is my service to the servants in the North Wisconsin District. To say that I have been blessed these past 14 years is the greatest of all understatements. I have had the opportunity to meet, work with, and listen to so many of God's people here in the North Wisconsin District. Each in their own way has added value to me. Will I miss the late night travel? No. Will I miss you? Yes.
I would be remiss if I did not give a personal thank you to the NWD staff. What value they have added to me! Their insights, their honesty, their cooperation, and especially their love for those they serve has made my days in the office one of growth, encouragement, and joy.
What is beginning? I believe the Lord is not quite finished with me yet. I am excited with the knowledge He has a plan for me. I can hardly wait for the new doors to open.
It has been an honor and privilege to serve you. Thank you, for remembering Marilyn and me in your prayers.
Your brother in Christ,
Bob Whipkey
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LMI Update - Making Progress
Extra, Extra! Read All About It!!!
Do you know which animal is the most dangerous in Kenya, Africa? The lion? No... The tiger?
 No, again... Must be the hippo, right? Wrong! The most deadly animal in sub-Saharan Africa is the mosquito! Yes, a little mosquito. How can that be? The number one life-threatening disease and the number one reason for a hospital visit in Kenya, is due to the bite of a malaria-carrying mosquito! While mosquitoes bite everyone, children, pregnant women and their unborn babies are most vulnerable because of weakened or insufficient immune systems. In Kenya and many other parts of Africa, malaria disease takes the life of a child every 45 seconds. World-wide there are more than 200 million cases of malaria each year and of those infected, nearly a million die. Malaria, like so many other disea ses, disproportionately affects people living in poverty-stricken areas. To Read More
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Youth Bible Bowl Competition Date Set
Saturday - March 23, 2013
The Book of Acts
The third annual Bible Bowl date has been set. Youth, grades 7-12 are invited to participate. Competition will be held at St. Mark's Lutheran Church - Wausau. Details Here
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Resources Available for 2013 'Life Sunday'
"Life Sunday"- Jan. 20, 2013
LCMS Life Ministries and Lutherans For Life (LFL) are both offering resources designed to help congregations observe "Life Sunday" on Jan. 20, 2013. The observance marks the 40th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's Jan. 22, 1973, decision that legalized abortion. Life Ministries, a program area of the LCMS Office of International Mission, is providing free online resources including bulletin inserts, sermons, prayers, psalms and hymn suggestions, and study resources. To download the resources, go to www.lcms.org/lifesunday.
The resources also may be used on an alternate date.
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HMONG CONGREGATION THANKS DISTRICT
Plaque Presented to District for Support Three families gathered together with Pastor Yia Vang in 1996 at Pilgrim Lutheran in Green Bay. Pastor Vang was the Missionary-at-large for the South Wisconsin District. It was established for the purposes of serving as a place of worship for the Hmong community.
Pastor Kue Ly and his family were part of that original group. Kue first served as a deacon and then enrolled and completed the DELTO program and became the first pastor of the congregation in 2003. Hmong Pilgrim officially became a congregation of The Lutheran - Church Missouri Synod in 2005. Over the years they have received funding to support their ministry in the Green Bay area. "We are grateful for all the support we have received from the District and this plaque was a small way for us to show our appreciation," stated Pastor Ly after presenting President Lueck with a plaque at the Hmong Christmas worship on December 23.  | | President Vong Ly (on the left) and Pastor Kue Ly flank President Lueck. |
They also expressed a deep sense of gratitude to Pilgrim Lutheran who has been very supportive of the Hmong ministry as they continue to allow the Hmong congregation to worship and carry out various ministry functions at Pilgrim. The pastors of Pilgrim also were mentors for Pastor Ly as he went through his seminary training. Beside the Hmong congregation in Green Bay there are two other Hmong ministries supported by the District. Pastor Chia Thao leads the group that meets at Good Shepherd in Appleton and the other Hmong group meets at St Matthew in Eau Claire with Neal Xiong serving as the pastor. There are a total of eight Hmong ministries that are presently taking place in the state of Wisconsin.
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AGO Hosts Workshop
Transferring Piano Skills to the Organ:
A Workshop for Beginning Organists
The Northeastern Wisconsin Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO) will be hosting a workshop, Transferring Piano Skills to the Organ: A Workshop for Beginning Organists, on Saturday, January 26, 2013 in De Pere, WI. The Northeastern Wisconsin Chapter of the AGO sees the critical need to help the skills of pianists who are called by their churches to play the organ for worship services. Dr. Lynn Trapp of Minneapolis, a nationally recognized leader in church music will lead the workshop.
Northeastern Wisconsin Chapter, AGO
Organist & Handbell Director, Faith Lutheran, Appleton, WI
Additional Information, Registration Materials or Poster
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Elders Retreat for Congregational Lay Leaders
Does Your Congregation Have New Lay Leaders?
Could your congregation and Board of Elders benefit from a lay leadership training seminar based on God's Word? Are you concerned about the proper view of the pastoral office within your congregation? Are you seeking to see a healthy relationship between pastors and church leaders, elders, or deacons? Then our Elders Retreat at Concordia University, St Paul, MN on January 25 & 26, 2013 is for you. In today's troubling society, many congregations are in desperate need of lay leadership training based on the Word of God.
Additional information including registration at:
http://www.bethlehem-eaststpaul.org/pages/256.html
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First Ever Life Conference
January 25-26, 2013
Please spread the word and consider attending LCMS' first-ever Life Conference - "Lutherans and Pro-Life Advocacy: Good and Acceptable Service" (1 Tim. 2:1-4). It's coming up on Jan. 25-26, 2013 and is being held in conjunction with the national March for Life.
The 2013 event marks the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, which has led to the abortion of 54 million children since 1973. We hope you plan to attend and will encourage others to join you as we all become better equipped to give a voice to the sanctity of human life! This conference is packed full of dynamic speakers with encouragement for all ages to live out a pro-life ethic in their daily Christian vocations.
We want to fill all the seats - including those for our student and youth group track. This is an opportunity for the LCMS to send a bold witness to others, yet many seats remain unfilled.
Registration closes Jan. 14. Would you please consider promoting the conference via your district and school communications channels?
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Lutheran School for the Deaf
Accepting Students for 2013-2014
A Lutheran education you can depend on! St. Martin Lutheran International School for the Deaf is accepting deaf students now for its 2013-2014 school year. St. Martin is a private residential school for deaf students from kindergarten through 12th grade. The ability to read, write, and understand the English language is crucial for success not only in all academic areas, but throughout life. St. Martin will not only equip its students to succeed in these areas in a bilingual/bi-cultural atmosphere, but will do it with a solid Lutheran foundation as well. You can learn more about St. Martin at their website: www.smlid.org. Or contact them at info@smlid.org, or 248-980-5741, or 13667 West Highland Road, Hartland, MI 48353. |
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The District office strives to keep you informed and provide easy access to information for your congregation, school, or for you personally. If there is something we can do to improve this publication, please feel free to drop us a note or give us a call and let us know. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Dwayne Lueck, President
North Wisconsin District LCMS
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