October 2013  

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Reformation. October 31, 2013.
496 years and counting...

Victory of the Unknowns
  
Rev. Dwayne Lueck
  

It is baseball playoff time, a time for some unknown to step up to the plate to become a hero.  Bobby Thomson, Bill Mazeroski, and Joe Carter are some names in baseball history who have stepped up to the plate for the game winning home runs in the final game of the series.  They will always be remembered for what they did.

 

"I believe in Jesus Christ...who...suffered under Pontius Pilate." Paul Maier wrote: "Pilate could never know it but, apparently the insignificant ex-prefect that he was, his would eventually be the most familiar name in all of Roman history" (Pontius Pilate, p349). What did he do? Many would remember him as the one who killed Jesus Christ.  

 

We may recall the names of some of these unknown men who did a rather historical deed but in the end it was all about what they brought about - a victory for all their fans.  The home run for these athletes won the game. Pilate may have had Jesus executed but little did he know that Jesus would rise from the dead and bring eternal victory for all who believe in Him as their Lord and Savior.

 

We too may feel unknown but we too are victorious because of Jesus.  "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." I Cor 15:57

 

Pastor Appreciation Month
October is Pastor Appreciation month. Thank you pastors for teaching God's Word. Thank you for being there when life throws us its joys and sorrows. Thank you for speaking the truth in love. Have you thanked your pastor?
Making a Difference
The Shawano Circuit (13) sponsored an LMI Golf Event at Golden Sands Golf Course in Cecil, WI.  With 72 participants, they raised $3,979 to help fight the disease of Malaria in Africa. To God Be the Glory!
Retirement Workshops Offered
Mark Your Calendars!
There will be two Retirement Workshops offered again at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Wausau.
  • Friday, October 18th - 9 am to 3 pm
  • Saturday, October 19th - 9 a.m. to 3 pm  
Attention Congregational Treasurers
Watch your mailbox!  An electronic version (jump drive) of the new Congregation Remittance Form will be coming to you via "snail mail" in the next few weeks.         
St. Paul - Bonduel Celebrates 150th!
Please join members of St. Paul Lutheran Church and School of Bonduel, WI the weekend of October 19th and 20th in celebrating 150 years of existence with the anniversary theme of "To GOD be the GLORY - Yesterday, Today, and Forever".
 
President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison will deliver God's message on Oct. 19th at 7 pm and again on Oct. 20th at the 8 am and 10:15 am. worship services.  The annual weekend worship services will debut "Give Ear, O Zion, to God's Call" by Rev. Stephen P. Starke, who has penned 28 hymns in the current Lutheran Service Book.  We hope you are able to join us to celebrate our many blessings! 

Synod Response to Boy Scouts
The National Office of the LCMS recently distributed meaningful guidance for churches regarding their work with Boy Scouts. Multiple articles can be found on the LCMS.org website. Click here.  
2013 Lutherans for Life National Conference
The 2013 Lutherans for Life National Conference is scheduled for November 8-9 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Urbandale (Des Moines), Iowa.  The them is L.I.F.E. (Living In Faith Everyday). There will be great speakers including Rev. Matt Harrison, Rev. Dr. James I. Lamb, Linda Bartlett, and Steve Deace, along with wonderful workshops and life-affirming fellowship!  Click here
Principal Academy Held
The first Principal Academy of this year was held on October 10. Guest presenter Terry Brown of School Choice WI shared how to grow enrollment, increase budgets, improve programming, and evangelize the community through vouchers. Time was also spent coordinating district accreditation teams and sharing ministry celebrations/challenges.

2014 Men's Retreat
The 14th annual Men's Retreat will be held at the Holiday Inn in Manitowoc on the weekend of February 29-March 2, 2014.  The theme for the retreat is "gods at war".  We will be looking at how to defeat the idols that are battling for our hearts.  Click here
Camp Luther, WI Seeks Program Director
Camp Luther, Three Lakes, WI welcomes qualified applicants for the position of Program Director.  This key year-round position on our staff is responsible for directing all aspects of our summer children's camps including:  program development, staffing, marketing, leadership, and evaluation, as well as a variety of other responsibilities.  For more information please visit www.campluther.com/staff.  Resumes may be submitted with cover letter to Gary "Woody" Vought, Director of Outdoor Ministry, 1889 Koubenec Rd, Three Lakes, WI 54562 or [email protected].
  

NWD Financial Box Score 

 

September offering

$ 127,106.26

September budget

$ 133,085.00

Year-to-date total offerings

$1,328,149.10

Year-to-date budget

$1,328,055.00

 

             
CONCORDIA PLAN SERVICES (CPS) CORNER
New Online Benefits Website - myCPS.org
  
CPS is excited to present myCPS.org online benefits* portal.  This new website allows Concordia Health Plan (CHP) members to see some personal information on file with CPS as well as their health plan benefits, including information about Be Well Rewards.
  
Since myCPS.org displays information that is personalized, a username and password is required to access the site.  In September members in the CHP (and their enrolled spouses) were sent letters announcing myCPS.org.  These letters contained instructions for accessing the site, including the required username.  (Members set up their password upon initial entry to the site.)
  
To help CHP members get acquainted with myCPS.org, a helpful e-learning module, "Overview to myCPS.org benefits portal," is available at www.ConcordiaPlans.org under Resources > E-Learning.
If you have any questions about myCPS.org, please call CPS at 888-927-7526.
 
*Phase One of the benefits portal is focused on the CHP and health and wellness.  Subsequent phases will incorporate other benefits like disability, retirement, and survivor benefits.                   
  
CRSP Fund Has New Share Class
CPS Investment Committee strives to provide the best investment lineup possible for the Concordia Retirement Savings Plan (CRSP).

 

On September 27, 2013, after the close of the stock market, a change will be made to one of the funds.  The share class of the Invesco International Small Company I will be improved.  Improving the share class of a fund reduces the fees plan participants pay, allowing them more potential for investment earnings.  If you have a CRSP account balance with the fund listed above, you will see the transfer of funds on your 3rd Quarter CRSP statement.                    

  
ProManage will not conduct a rebalance at this time.
The new ticker symbol for the fund is IEGFX.
  
For additional information on the investments offered through the CRSP, visit our website at www.ConcordiaPlans.org and click on Retirement > Concordia Retirement Savings Plan > Investment Options. 

COUNSELING CONNECTION
THE "TRIPLE-D" DIVE 
                 

His seminary education was inspiring. The first placement had the appearance of a perfect match for this new pastor. He was going to make a difference!

 

And then reality hit. It began with a fairly small incident. But for this pastor, he felt his first twinge of "disappointment." It proved to not be an isolated incident, as a pattern of such "disappointments" began to impact this young pastor's passion.

 

Then the unexpected took place, something this pastor presumed would never happen to him.  He began to experience "discouragement." Questions began to form in his mind about his abilities. The vibrancy of his vision for ministry began to deflate. Yet he still had the reserve energy to carry on his daily duties. None of his members were aware of the dark, inner struggle that was growing slowly.

 

The line between "discouragement" and "disillusionment" was a vacillating one. Yet, as this third "D" began to creep in, what had been so well hidden began to show itself when it came to work performance. His sermons lacked zeal...he was spending less time at the office...moodiness was more evident.

 

This pastor, who had dedicated his life to full-time parish ministry, was now beginning to seriously question whether he had made a serious mistake. His, related anxiety was affecting not only his ministry, but his family life as well. With only four years in ministry, this pastor was moving toward burn-out. The difference he had planned to make was now a presumed myth that only added to the "disillusionment" he felt.

 

The pastor was in a state of "brown-out." He hadn't crossed into "big B" territory yet (burn-out)...but he was progressing all-too-quickly in that direction. Without outside help, that crossing would likely occur...and with it, a great chance that this once-on-fire pastor would become another one of the 1500 pastors who leave the ministry every month...many of whom were victims of this "triple-D" dive. 

 

There is help...there is hope. Counseling is not a sign of weakness...but of wisdom. If you are in the "dive," call for help today.

Pastor Dan Kohn

District Counselor

(715) 610-2400/ [email protected]

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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
LCMS North Wisconsin District