The Messenger402-269-2360 Email: lmcchurchoffice@gmail.com

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Me

God’s UFOs

This past weekend I attended a UFO retreat at Camp Carol Joy Holling. It was not a gathering of people searching for extraterrestrial beings. Instead, it was a gathering of crafters-from knitters to quilters to cross-stitchers and beyond- coming together to work on our UnFinished Objects. We had a great time. The rooms were filled with the hum of sewing machines, the click of knitting needles, the occasional frustrated exclamation and the frequent outbursts of laughter. As we all settled into work on our projects, one of the things that struck me over and over again, was the camaraderie that built as people shared the projects they were working on, helped each other over tricky spots and celebrated when UFO’s became FO’s, Finished Objects.

There were people there who had been coming to this retreat together for years. So they knew each other well and would all bring their challenging UFO’s, knowing that there would be plenty of people willing to share their expertise and help teach new skills.

As I crafted with this group of women, watching them gather to help each other, it struck me that in some ways the church is basically one giant UFO retreat. Every time we gather, we bring the UFO’s that are our lives. While God has created each of us and called us good, we are never completely finished. We are always growing and changing and learning.

So we bring to our church family, those things that we are working on, we help each other navigate the tricky spots, and we celebrate successes together. At its best, church is the place where we can bring those things that challenge us and frustrate us, knowing that there are people willing to share their expertise and their experi-ence to help us continue to grow and learn.

I am increasingly aware of this as I enter the beginning of my second year here at Luther Memorial and my second year as a pastor in general. As the newness wears off, and my UFO-ness becomes more apparent, I am grateful for all of those people who have shared their expertise, their knowledge and their experience to help me continue to grow as a pastor and person.

For all of the confirmation parents who have shared their expertise from their careers to their lives as parents to help me become a stronger confirmation teacher. For all our musicians and altar guild and other worship leaders who have shared their experience to help become a more confident and comfortable presence at worship. For Pr. Sarah, Nick and Hilary who have helped me navigate Luther Memorial, learning names and family connections and so much more. For all of you, who have shared from your expertise as farmers, teachers, parents, nurses, lawyers, coaches and so much more to help me continue to grow and learn as a pastor.

As God’s church, we get to continue to be one giant UFO retreat. We get to bring to God and to each other all of our UFO’s for a little extra help when needed and all of our FO’s when it’s time to celebrate and everything in between.

Remember in Prayer...

Henry & Marilyn Wellensiek Irving Stubbendick

Lorine Hespen Robert Hallstrom, Sr.

Lois Block Sharon Hudson Don Carey

Phyllis Bueslng Helen Hawkins

Don Rosenthal Mae Lang

Dale Janssen Janis Ehmke

Lucille Niebuhr Delores Post LeeAnn Zeiger

Steve Lade Robin Maestle

Ninajean Rohlfs

LMC Goes

Green!

While on the Synod Journey Mission trip in July, our nine young women

began to say, “Save the Sea Turtles!” every time one of us would take a plastic straw for a drink or begin to

throw away something that could be recycled. Somewhat a joke at first,

this saying moved to all seriousness when I asked our youth how they wanted to share their Chicago trip with the congregation. Immediately the girls stated that they truly want to help us become better stewards of how we take care of God’s creation. They wanted to come home and challenge us as LMC! Hence, plans for “LMC Goes Green” day began! On Sunday, September 29th our youth will

lead us at both the 8 and 10:15 a.m. worship services. PLEASE WEAR GREEN or purchase a “LMC Goes Green” t-shirt for $12. The Luther League will also have metal straws for sale at $2 each so

that you are empowered to say no to plastic straws that pollute our oceans and jeopardize our ocean and seas animals.

Our youth are also helping us find ways to increase our recycling here at LMC by purchasing and adding small recycling bins in each Sunday School classroom and a larger one for meals on the

south side of the fellowship hall so we can recycle our plastics, aluminum, etc. God has blessed us with an amazing earth! Join us as LMC GOES GREEN, and praising God as we care for the earth

together!

WOMEN OF THE ELCA

Everyone is welcomed to the WELCA meetings. Please put these dates and information on your calendar.

We will be collecting items to take to the Nebraska Synodical Women Convention at Carol Joy in Oct. There is a basket in the fellowship hall for the following items– socks, sport bras, undergarments (small to 2X) and logo free t-shirts. Also travel size toothpaste, lotion, soap, deodorant, sham-poo, toothbrushes and jewelry. Items will be shared with victims of sexual assault, women’s shelters and Magdelene House in Omaha.

Dates to Remember

Oct. 8th——Blood Drive-WELCA HOST

Oct. 11-13—NSWO Convention at Carol Joy Holling

Oct. 14——8:30 am Blanket Day

Oct. 20——-Blankets Displayed

Nov. 6—–—1:00 pm WELCA meeting

November Thankoffering collected.

Twenty-two blankets were finished on September workday, and 77 school kits and 50 personal care kits at God’s Work, Our Hands

Day. Thank you to everyone who helped.

COMING RETREAT for

all Senior Citizens 55+

ALL IN

Retreat

Nov. 8-9, 2019 St. Paul’s Lutheran in Grand Island

Come enhance your relational skills as senior adults to reach out, care, and welcome in everyday, everywhere relationships as you are trained for “All In” relational ministry by Lyle Griner.

Cost is $55, and one-night hotel. See Pr. Sarah!

October 31st 5:00-6:30 pm

Come celebrate Halloween with us by eating a hot dog and chip dinner and Trunk-or-Treating in the parking lot from car to car from 5-6:30pm. Stop by between Good Sam and Linden View trick-or-treating times, we’ll be looking forward to seeing you!

6

October 2019

8:00 am Service 10:15 am Service

ACOLYTES: October 6: Rylee Seelhoff & Hailey Kirchhoff Mason & Emma Hougton October 13: Claire Noerrlinger & Jayden Meyer Brendan Siefken October 20: Drew Paulsen & Samantha Cordray Emma Houghton & Jaydon Nichols October 27: Drew Paulsen & Avery Liesemeyer Brenna Schroeder & Samantha Cordray

USHERS: October 6: Bob & Patty Engelbrecht Brent & Regan Harsin October 13: Jim & Pam Pfeiffer Brad & Kristi Buller October 20: Steve & Elaine Hofker Wes & Terri Janssen October 27: Gary & Ellen Kuenning Tom Heller & Tammie Mead

READERS: October 6: Jenniffer Panko Rahe Joy Stilmock October 13: Glenna Bohling Joy Stilmock October 20: Jeanette Wellsandt Kay Bremer October 27: Aimee Johns Larry Bartels

COMMUNION October 6: Roger & Hope Kuenning Jenny Panko & Laurie Kuenning ASSISTANTS October 13 JoDee Paulsen, Aimee Johns Rick Kreifels, Ashley Emerson & Jeanette Wellsandt & Joy Stilmock October 20: Jeni Leefers & Jenniffer Panko Rahe Laurie Kuenning & Tammie Mead October 27: JoDee Paulsen & Aimee Johns Ashley Emerson & Donna Armknecht

POWERPOINT: October 6: Jayden Meyer Brodie Panko October 13: Drew Paulsen Emma Houghton October 20: Hailey Kirchhoff Hannah Grotrian October 27: Brendan Siefken Addison Schubarth

AUDIO VISUAL: October 6: Nick Cordray & Jim Pfeiffer Nick Cordray & Steve Wellman October 13: Andy Brace & Greg Huskey Nick Cordray & Cody Lintner October 20: Nick Cordray & Andy Brace Nick Cordray & Jase Voorhees October 27: Jim Pfeiffer & Hailey Kirchhoff Nick Cordray & Nathanial Nordray

VISITATION: Sharon Frederick

If you are unable to serve, it is your responsibility to get your own substitute!!!

The Summer of 2020 will bring two opportunities for our Luther League to step into God’s Creation and be renewed. Both will be a great way to prepare our group

for the 2021 ELCA Youth Gathering in Minneapolis, MN

Creation Care at Camp Cristikon Boundary Waters Canoeing

Creation Care at Camp Christikon: Journey with Pr. Sarah to the wilderness of

Montanta and a place truly set apart in God’s grace. Discover why this is one of Pr. Sarah’s favorite places. Explore creation with college students that love creation

and their faith. Take time to care for each other and God’s creation. A time to truly

experience something new and beautiful.

There is only room for 8-10 youth, 10th –12th. Cost: $420

Boundary Waters Canoeing: Journey with Nick and staff from Carol Joy Holling

through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The journey will take us from July 27 - August 2. We will have 5 days to enjoy the wilderness of northern

Minnesota. We will discover why so many former Luther League youth loved this

experience.

There is only room for 11-14 youth, Incoming 9th - 12th. Cost: $460

Register Today with Nick and Pr. Sarah to get your name

on the list for one or both of these trips.

Fundraising Opportunities

There will be a variety of fundraising opportunities for both

trips and 2021 ELCA Youth Gathering.

Come to our informational meeting Oct. 13 following 10:15

am worship to learn about the trips and what we will be

doing to prepare for the trips.

Youth & Family Happenings

The Youth Ministry Corner

We have had a great start to our Youth Ministry Year. The Luther League are enjoying Devo & Donuts and their H.S. Sunday School. Our Sunday School have kicked things off with a superhero adventure. The Middle Schoolers have moved their youth room for Sunday Lessons to accommodate the larger group. Many youth joined the adults for God’s Work Our Hands, cleaning the creek, tying quilts, assembling care kits, and walking the neighborhood collecting 6 carts of food led by one of our youth. We will end this month with our annual Trunk-or-Treat in the Church parking lot. All families are welcome to join us with or with-out a trunk.

Sunday School

Trunk-or-Treat is coming up on October 31st! Come celebrate Halloween with us by eating a hot dog and chip dinner and Trunk-or-Treating in the parking lot from car to car from 5-6:30pm. Stop by between Good Sam and Linden View trick-or-treating times, we’ll be looking forward to seeing you!

If your family would like to decorate a trunk,

contact Nick or Hilary!

Upcoming Dates:

Oct. 13 - 2nd Grade Milestone Oct. 31 - Trunk-or-Treat , 5-6:30pm

Confirmation

This month, we celebrate with our 9th grade confirmands as they respond to God’s word in their lives, affirming their baptisms! We are excited to lift them up and have them join in Luther League as well.

Please join us for a reception between services on October, 27th to celebrate and congratulate these young people. The confirmation service will be during 10:15 worship.

Upcoming Dates:

Oct. 18 - 9th Graders present Faith Statements to Council Oct. 23 - 7:40 pm Confirmation Rehearsal & Pictures Oct. 27 - Affirmation of Baptism @ 10:15am

Luther League

We have had a great start to our school year with Devo & Donuts and Sunday School. We have also introduced our digital Newsletter that we plan to send out 3 times a year with highlights and upcoming events.

We have started work on next Summer’s two wilderness adventures; Creation Care at Camp Christikon and a Boundary Waters Canoe Trip. Yes, we are going on two trips. This is to provide an opportunity for as many of our youth to enjoy the outdoors as we can.

Keep an eye out for information on these events.

Upcoming Dates:

Wed Mornings - 7:30-7:50 Devos & Donuts Oct. 13 - 11:20 Fundraising & Trip Meeting Oct. 31 - 4:30– 7:00 Trunk-or-Treat

(Luther League: help serve the meal)

HAPPENINGS IN

GOD’S WORK, OUR HANDS

NEIGHBORHOOD BLOCK PARTY