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Regional Workshops Attended
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We're Going Up North
Rev. Dwayne Lueck
Imagine waking up on a Sunday morning at your favorite campsite this summer and you decide you want to go to the closest LCMS church near you. You could Google "LCMS Church Locator" on your phone or iPad and type in the town closest to you. Once you have the phone number, you could call the church for the summer worship schedule or you could go to the church's website for the information-off to worship you go!
We are excited to share that there is yet another place to look for this information. This link: http://www.nwdlcms.org/Congregation_Map.html on the the North Wisconsin District website will take you to our new interactive map. Once at the map, click on the location of your congregation and you will see information about your church. I would encourage every congregation to take a look at this link and make sure that the information listed there is correct. If there is an error, please contact the District office at 715-845-8241 and let us know what needs to be changed.
As summer approaches and people head out for vacation you will also want to check your answering machine and your church website to make sure that they will have the correct information for your summer worship schedule. Also double check to make sure that your physical address is listed so that visitors can get directions to the church.
Remember those visitors that worship with you could be your future members.
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Main Article
Five regional workshop events were held in the North Wisconsin District during April. Eighty-five attendees came to better understand how to make additional resources available to ministry. Sponsored by the District and supported by Lutheran Church Extension Fund, these events were an opportunity to build relationships with individuals who lead Christian ministries. The purpose for the events was to educate congregation leaders in growing ministry, inspiring generosity and expanding financial giving.  Video lead-ins by President Dwayne Lueck and Concordia University of Wisconsin President Patrick Ferry highlighted the hope for all ministry organizations to grow in their leadership of supporting the mission of the church in growing relationships and in helping donors and supporters find the joy of giving. Read more on our website.
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Don't Forget to Register
Church Workers' Golf Outing
Monday, July 29 - 8 a.m.
If you haven't already done so, get your clubs out and register for the 2013 annual church workers' golf outing.
The place is the Trapp River Golf Course - details and registration materials are on the District website. D eadline for registration is Monday, July 22 - Absolutely no registrations will be accepted after that date so please go to our website today for further details.
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Spread the Word - NWD Early Childhood Conference
August 9, 2013
The District Early Childhood conference date has been set. Notices are in the mail and details are available on the District website. This year's theme, "Through the Eyes of a Child" will be the centerpiece for the conference. Keynote speaker, Dr. Candyce K. Seider from Concordia University Wisconsin will address the theme, 'The Power of Play: A Special Gift From Our Creator'. For information and registration materials, go here
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Volunteers Needed
God is Calling Us Back to Minot, ND
Seeking volunteers for June 8-15, 2013 to help restore homes, faith, hope, and love. All skill levels are welcome! Tools and supplies will be provided. For additional information, or to register, contact Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 1731 St. Agnes Dr., Green Bay, WI 54304, or call 920-965-2233.
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LERT Training
June 10, 2013
Lutheran Early Response Team training is open to interested participants at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Kingsford, MI. Pastor Andy Weden will lead this 3 hour certification training on June 10th from 6 to 9 p.m. This training is required for all disaster responders to have access to affected areas.
This training and certification is open to all interested parties. Cost for materials and laminated Disaster Response Certification ID is $20.00.
To register or to request additional information call Pastor Tom Mackey at 308-216-0563 or Our Redeemer Lutheran Church at 906-774-1844.
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church
420 W. Breitung Ave.
Kingsford, MI 49802
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NWD Financial Box Score
May offering $ 149,862.93
May budget $ 162,755.00
Year-to-date total offerings: $ 724,995.04
Year-to-date budget: $ 719,605.00
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News from CHP
Cigna's Disaster Resource Center
Helps with Challenging Situations In light of the recent disaster in Oklahoma, Concordia Plan Services wants to remind Concordia Health Plan (CHP) members* how they can access the Disaster Resource Center available through Cigna Behavioral's Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Natural disasters are unpredictable, but CHP members can always count on the EAP and the Disaster Resource Center to be there in a time of need. The Disaster Resource Center provides information to help people cope with a variety of disasters, crises, and challenging situations. To explore these resources, visit www.cignabehavioral.com and click on "Disaster Resource Center". *The EAP is not available to CHP for Medicare members. Hearing Care Benefits Available to All Concordia Health Plan Members Concordia Health Plan (CHP) members, including Medicare supplement members, receive the highest quality services and products at discounted prices when they access their hearing care benefits provided through the HearUSA Hearing Care Network. As a member of the CHP, you and your enrolled dependents* receive substantial discounts on diagnostic testing and hearing aids. Members pay no additional contribution cost, and they pay the discounted amounts directly to the provider for all products and services provided. HearUSA providers are licensed audiologists and board certified hearing aid dispensers who dispense many brands of of hearing aids. For a directory of licensed audiologists and board certified hearing aid dispensers in the HearUSA Network, visit www.ConcordiaPlans.organd click on Healthcare>Concordia Health Plan>Hearing.
*Hearing care services for children under age 19 are covered as medical benefits under the applicable benefit administrator.
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Free for the Taking | |
Mission Field Sign
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St. Luke's of Wisconsin Rapids has a very nice 8' x 3' sign they would love to see another congregation make use of.
This is a sturdy, wood framed sign. Lettering is painted on a smooth finished panel with blue letters on off-white background.
There are wooden buttons to finish off the screw holes when hung. Phone 715-423-5990 for more information.
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The Counseling Connection:
The Addictions 101
By: Pastor Dan Kohn - District Counselor
Everyone knows one...or at least has an image of one in their mind. It is the addict whose life is clearly out-of-control.
So what do we know about this condition called addiction? An equally valid question is what do we know from a Biblical perspective? This brief expose' will give an overview to help church professionals gain a better understanding of the realities of addiction...and the life transformation that is also possible.
We begin with a definition for addiction from a spiritual vantage point. "Addiction" is present "when the relationship to the compulsive experience corrupts love relationships with God and others." The experience becomes a "false god" to the addict. This is a definition that can be applied to the wide range of addictions; and is not focused narrowly on the frequency of the behavior (i.e. the alcoholic drinks everyday; the drug addict is never straight, etc.).
Here the definition is focused on what God prioritizes-the corrupting of the integrity of love relationships-with Himself, and others (Matthew 22:37-39). It also recognizes that this is a S-I-N (a Separation In Nature from God) condition needing what God alone offers as a fully relieving remedy.
Though the Bible does not address addiction directly, it can be presumed to be a sin pattern with deep roots. The apostle Paul identifies "drunkenness" as an example of one of the "works of the flesh" (Galatians 5:19a & 21a). In contrast, he identifies "self-control" as a "fruit of the Spirit" (vss.22a & 23a).
At the core of addiction is a compulsive, destructive pattern of thinking and behaving. These are interwoven...and both need attention when it comes to the life transformation that God offers. Here we find Scriptural wisdom in Romans 13:12-14 as Paul addresses the deeds of darkness as we "put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires." Here we find a Christ-centered "Gospel" solution to a deep "Law" dilemma.
God is fully aware of the progressive destruction that can occur in this sin pattern. He is also fully ready to offer hope and healing. True repentance and subsequent obedience to His guidelines are essential ingredients. The Spirit, working through the Word can produce remarkable results (2 Timothy 3:16-17). And as a vanguard of hope, we find Christ offering the invitation-""Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest"" (Matthew 11:28).
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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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