1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

michigan
MARCH 2015
A publication of the Michigan District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
The Lutheran Witness Michigan District, LCMS Supplement
IN TOUCH
BeLENTEN ENCOURAGEMENT
Staying Within
Earshot of
God’s Word
by Rev. Dr. Robert E. Kasper
I
now consider it a privilege to have grown up
experiencing large open spaces and the fresh
country air of the farm. The quiet was often interrupted by sound rather than noise being interrupted
by silence. On my way for an independent romp, I
was instructed to “stay within earshot” so that my
parents could call me in if needed. Such an instruction gave me significant latitude as the human voice
could be heard for more than a quarter mile over the
waving grass and standing woods.
In Luke 16:19-31, Jesus tells the story of an
michigan
IN TOUCH
Rev. Dr. David P. E. Maier, President
Debby Fall, Editorial Manager
Seth Hinz, Web/Media Director
Official Periodical of the Michigan District
of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
March 2015, Volume 14, No. 3
ISSN: 1538-8115 (print)
ISSN: 2331-8619 (online)
Mike Beens, Art Director
Elisa Schulz, Staff Writer/Copy Editor
©2015 Michigan District, LCMS, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan In Touch is published
monthly by the Michigan District and inserted into The Lutheran Witness and distributed
to subscribers 11 times a year. It is also available online at www.michiganintouch.com.
Reproduction of articles is permissible with written permission of the Michigan District
Communications Department and should give credit to Michigan In Touch. References
to resources and websites for further information are included in Michigan In Touch for
the potential use by individuals and congregations. Resources not associated with or
published by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod or Concordia Publishing House® may
contain helpful programmatic information but may vary in doctrine from The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod. Please use discretion or consult your pastor on doctrinal issues.
Michigan District, LCMS
3773 Geddes Rd
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
888.225.2111
[email protected]
michigandistrict.org
un-named “rich man” and the beggar Lazarus.
Lazarus was hungry and sick, laid by the rich man’s
gate, but was ignored except for the dogs who licked
his wounds. The rich man was oblivious to the needs
of the beggar as he indulged in his opulent lifestyle.
Both men died. Lazarus was taken to experience
comfort and peace alongside God’s man, Abraham.
Meanwhile, the rich man was “in Hades, where he
was in torment.”
As Jesus tells it, a conversation ensued between
the rich man and Abraham. Briefly, the rich man
requested a drop of water be given him from the hand
of Lazarus but was informed that such a request was
impossible. Then the request came to have Lazarus
sent to the rich man’s brothers to warn them, “so that
they will not also come to this place of torment.”
This request also was not granted.
The crux of Jesus’ story is not to give a commentary on a specific social problem or even to give some
continued on page 2
Table of Contents
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4
6
8
11
12
13
15
15
16
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Lenten Encouragement
Healthy Congregations
Healthy Workers
Church Extension Fund
Congregation and School News
Other News
Special Recognition
Lutheran Laymen’s League
Lutheran Women's Missionary League
Calls and Roster Update
Calendar of Events
michiganintouch.com
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clues about the “life after death.” Rather, the focus is on
“listening to,” or “staying within earshot of” the Word of
God. As Abraham denies the request of the rich man to
send Lazarus to his brothers, he says, “They have Moses
and the Prophets, let them listen to them.” And when the
rich man suggests that one coming back from the dead
will be more convincing, Abraham retorts that “If they
do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be
convinced even if someone rises from the dead” (Luke
16:31).
What are some things that may deafen our ears to
God’s Word of life?
1. The uproar of riches. Taking a clue from Jesus’s
story, riches can indeed make us deaf to the voice of God.
In this very context, Jesus said that we “cannot serve
both God and money” (Luke 16:13). While money is,
of itself, amoral, serving it and seeking it above all else
deafens us to the purposes of God. Money can never be
lord, but rather, along with every other gift from God,
must serve the will of God in our lives. Any good thing
that becomes the main thing is an idol and deafens us to
the voice of God.
2. The clamor of comfort. It’s normal to seek “crea2
March 2015
ture comforts”. But again, Jesus also instructed us not to
“worry about … what you will eat or drink … For the
pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly
Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be
given to you as well” (Matt. 6:25, 32-33). I’m thankful for a warm and comfortable home, a closet full of
clothes, and a refrigerator gorged with food; but woe to
me if I seek that to the exclusion of also working to help
those who do not have even basic needs met. Any good
thing that becomes the main thing is an idol and deafens
us to the voice of God.
3. Boisterous busy-ness. You may have heard the little
quip, “If the devil can’t make you bad, he’ll make you
busy.” I’ve been there and have the t-shirt. (I’m there
most of the time, if truth be told. In fact, it’s my favorite
t-shirt!) We often live out the lie that our value is based
solely on our production and accomplishments. Hard
work is a good thing. It too is a gift from God. However,
Luke records the event of Jesus’ visit to Mary and Martha
for a reason.“One thing is necessary. Mary has chosen
the good portion” (Luke 10:38-42, ESV), which was to
listen to His Word. Often, we are moving so fast (even
doing good things … things for God!) that we can’t hear
what God is calling us to be and do. Any good thing that
becomes the main thing is an idol and deafens us to the
voice of God.
An invitation to “Listen” and be renewed by God’s
Word:
The Church’s season of Lent is a great time to renew
our listening skills as we journey again with Jesus on His
way to Calvary. The “Word of God made flesh,” who
came among us to speak life and hope into a sin-deafened
world, makes His way to the cross where His sacrifice
will cover the sins of all people and open the ears of all
to hear the message of salvation that comes only through
His bloody death and empty tomb of Easter. “For no
matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘YES’
in Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:20).
Stay within earshot of God’s Word because His
Word is:
1. A treasure that gives great reward. “The decrees
of the Lord … are more precious than gold … By them
your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great
reward” (Psalm 19.9-11).
the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of
grace and truth” (John 1:1, 4, 14).
Be encouraged this Lenten season especially to “stay
within earshot” of God’s Word. Ask the Holy Spirit to
guard your heart from the uproar of riches, the clamor of
comfort, and boisterous busy-ness or anything else that
would deafen you to the Word of God. Yes, listen to (pay
attention to, take instruction from, obey) Moses and the
Prophets, as Abraham instructed, because they bear testimony and point to the Word made flesh, Jesus, the Christ,
whose death on the cross means forgiveness of all your
sins and whose resurrection from the dead means new
and everlasting life for you and all who believe.
Scripture quotes from NIV unless otherwise noted.
Rev. Dr. Robert E. Kasper is the Assistant to the
President – Congregation Mission and Ministries,
Metro Zone / Ministry Support for the Michigan District,
LCMS.
The Church’s season of Lent
is a great time to renew our
listening skills as we journey
again with Jesus on His way
to Calvary.
2. A light that pierces the darkness.“Your word is a
lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps. 119:105, ESV).
3. A sword that pierces the heart. “For the word of
God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged
sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit,
joints and morrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of
the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
4. It is a whisper that shouts hope. “When He had
received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that,
He bowed His head and gave up His spirit” (John 19:30).
5. A life that defeats death. “In the beginning was
the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was
God … In Him was life … The Word became flesh and
dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, the glory of
www.michiganintouch.com
michiganintouch.com
3
healthy congregations
When we move into a discussion of “spiritual
warfare,” these are some of the questions
that could come up. They will be some of
the questions that will be addressed in Life
in the Spirit: Watered, Fed, And Armed
at the 2015 Michigan District Theological
D,
Conference
held March 21 at Holy Cross,
F E D, A N D
by Rev. Dr. Bruce M. Hartung
Jenison and simulcast sites.
Dr. Leo A. Sanchez of Concordia
Seminary, Saint Louis, will provide
three models of life in the Holy
Spirit. Dr. Bruce M. Hartung, also of
Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis, will expand on one of
“Perhaps the most controversial question to be raised
Dr. Sanchez’ models, “Armed: Sanctification as Battle
is, ‘Can a true believer be demonized’? Note that I am
in the Desert” as he unpacks some of the dynamics of
not speaking of demon possession, but of demonizaspiritual warfare.
tion. Possession implies ownership and total control.
In this section of the conference, focusing on spiritual
Christians, even disobedient ones, belong to God,
warfare, we will take time to discuss these things, for
not to Satan. Thus, Satan cannot control them totally.
these are foundational to a life of sanctification. Because
Demonization is a different matter, however. By demonithe Christian is baptized and made a child of God and
zation I mean that Satan, through his demons, exercises
placed into the Body of Christ (the fellowship of the
partial control over an area or areas of the life of a
believers), this is not a question of salvation. That has
Christian or a non-Christian. Can that really happen to
been won for the Christian by the life, death and resurChristians? According to Scripture and Christian experirection of Jesus Christ. But we Christians live in the
ence it can.”– Ed Murphy, The Handbook for Spiritual
“now but not yet” of this fallen world, and continue to be,
Warfare, Second Edition, p. xii
as Luther reminds us, both saints and sinners. What does
hen Luther suggests that we are at war with the
it mean to fight in spiritual warfare in this world? This is
world, the devil and our human flesh, he suggests
the question of sanctification. It does take prayerful and
that a good part of spiritual warfare goes on in the life
thoughtful planning on the Christian’s part. Exploration
of the believer. When Paul encourages us to put on the
of strategies and tactics will be considered.
whole armor of God, he proposes getting in shape and
Register now for the conference at michigandistrict.
having the proper equipment for life’s battles. When
org/tc15.
Peter names the enemy as a roaring lion, he gives shape
Bruce M. Hartung, Ph.D. is Professor of Practical
to where the evil lies and the dangers of such evil.
Theology at Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis, Mo.
• Is there a devil? If so, what is the demonic
strategy? What are the devil’s attacks?
MED
W AT E R
E
AR
LIF
RIT
N THE SPI
EI
W
• Will ignorance of Satan’s tactics and purposes be
dangerous for Christians?
• Can Christians, watered in Baptism and fed in the
Eucharist, still be influenced by Satan?
• What does it mean, and what are the dangers, that
Satan stalks the earth seeking whom he may devour?
• Is it possible for Christians to be of two minds that
are at an internal war inside the same person?
• When Christians sing, “Onward Christian soldiers,
marching as to war,” where is the war to which they
are to march?
• What strategies and tactics can Christians develop
(will you develop!) to engage this spiritual war?
4
March 2015
Though hordes of devils fill the land
All threatening to devour us,
We tremble not, unmoved we stand;
They cannot overpower us.
Let this world’s tyrant rage;
In battle we’ll engage.
His might is doomed to fail;
God’s judgment must prevail!
One little word subdues him.
"A Mighty Fortress Is Our God"
Text: Martin Luther, 1483–1546;
tr. Lutheran Book of Worship © 1978
Reproduced by permission of Augsburg Fortress.
Putting
Away
#1
by Jeremy R. Ashley
I
n today’s culture, taking care of #1 is of utmost
importance. We’ve all heard the old adage, “If you
don’t take care of yourself, no one else will.” This fear has
been engrained in the minds of people today to the point
where it has become a common belief. As Christians, we
know this is completely opposite of what Jesus taught and
modeled for us. In His typical “not-what-you-thought-Iwas-gonna-say” fashion, Jesus tells us things like, “The
first will be last” and “I came not to be served but to serve.”
What?! I thought we were supposed to look out for #1?
Well, we are. It’s just that #1 isn’t us; it’s everyone but us!
If we look at Jesus’ life on earth, what He spent his time
doing, who He hung out with, and the things He said, we
learn pretty quickly what He was all about. He spent His
time looking out for everyone but Himself. In fact, we
know that He put Himself dead last in the end – upon the
cross to take a burden that He had no part in creating. His
death was the ultimate example of selflessness; we were
definitely #1 to Him.
We’ve all been called to live like Jesus, or at least strive
to live like Him. If we’re going to do that, we need to
embrace the fact that we simply aren’t #1. Heck, we’re
not even in the top 100! As weird and contrary to today’s
culture as this sounds, it’s what we’re called to do. The
amazing thing is that, once we get over the fact that it’s
not all about us, life gets easier! It doesn’t seem like it
should, but it does. We worry less about what we have,
what others think of us, and what’s going to happen
tomorrow and, instead, we focus on lifting up and caring
for others so they, too, can someday know the love and
forgiveness that comes with knowing Jesus. That’s way
better than being #1!
One of the many amazing things about Lutheran
Schools is that this whole concept is part of the foundation laid for each student. Kids learn how to be selfless.
They learn how to put others’ needs before theirs. They
learn how to embrace the love of Jesus and live their
lives so others can have the same life-changing experience they already know. They learn to be Jesus to others.
Is there a better gift we can give a child? I would argue
strongly that there isn’t.
During Lutheran Schools week especially, I praise God
for the Lutheran schools He has placed exactly where
He wants them. I thank Him for the students who have
experienced His love through a Lutheran school and I
pray that He helps each child to recognize, embrace, and
put to Kingdom use, the unique talents and gifts He has
given them.
So, let’s all go out and NOT be #1 to someone today!
Jeremy R. Ashley is the Minister for Families with Young
Children at Trinity, Clinton Township.
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5
HEALTHY WORKERS
A
s a pastor’s wife and leader in the congregation, I
know that people watch my family. They are
watching what clothes we wear, what activities we attend
or don’t attend. They watch at which service we worship,
how our children behave in church and how we handle
them when they misbehave. People watch us to see
which songs we enjoy, if we raise our hands or not and so
many other things.
It is true that being a leader in the church—and particularly the pastor and his family—puts us inside a sort of
fish bowl. Being in the fish bowl causes me to struggle
with the question: should I stand back and not allow
myself to become part of the congregation or should I
invest in the people and become vulnerable?
If I choose to invest and become vulnerable, I can find
myself taking personally things that are said and done by
the community. As I share myself with the community, it
is easy to be hurt.
This summer I met with a few ladies from our congregation. We read a book and, coming together about once
a week, we shared our thoughts from the book. We spent
time not only sharing about the book, but about our lives.
Summer came and went and some of those ladies
made choices about where they were going to spend
their time that were different from mine or from what I
expected. I have to be honest—it hurt. I took it personally. I wondered if I said something or did something that
turned them off.
Because I was invested in them when they chose to
leave groups we were doing together or even the church,
I was hurt. I know their choices were not personal, but it
still hurt.
If I choose not to invest, it hurts the ministry and the
people in that community. I never become a real person
to the congregation and they are only objects to me.
Bitterness and resentment creep into my life as I become
angry with how much energy and time my husband
seems to put into those objects.
So how do I hold both of these things in balance? I
don’t want to be too far removed from the members so
that I don’t show any interest or care in them as people,
and I don’t want to be so close that I am hurt.
6
The Fish Bowl
by Miriam Rossow
The answer is in Jesus. He is the Word that became
flesh. He came to get personally involved in our lives. He
did not stay removed from our problems, but took them
as His own.
As He is shared between me and the community, we are
able to view each other through His eyes: as His creation;
as His love; as His people.
By sharing myself, my hopes, my fears, and my
dreams, I become more than just the pastor’s wife. I
become a real person and the people, in turn, are more
than just objects to me. They are His creation.
In the same way that I share and speak Jesus to them,
they do the same for me. They speak into the mess of my
life because I have shared it with them.
Those same women were able to speak the Word
of comfort and promise that is Jesus into my life as I
watched my father struggle with cancer and fall asleep in
Christ. Those women were there to cry with me, support
me, love on me, and speak the promises of Jesus into my
life in a time when it was hard to see or understand what
was happening.
As I struggle with people looking at me through the
fish bowl, I realize that I have the opportunity to share
Jesus with them through my life. And, as I do that, they
in return have the opportunity to speak Jesus into my life.
Miriam Rossow is a mother of four wonderful children,
wife to Pastor Justin Rossow who serves St. Luke,
Ann Arbor, and a member of the Katie Conference
Committee. This year’s conference theme for pastors’
wives and widows, and vicar and deacon wives is
“The Word With Friends.” The conference will take
place April 24-26 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Bay
City, Mich. For more information, or to register, visit
michigandistrict.org/katie15.
March 2015
A Pleasant Surprise
by Laurie Brown
W
orking in a church and school office is_________.
When you allow others to fill in the blank, you
might hear things like: nerve-wracking, boring, overwhelming, fun, or exciting. People are always amazed
when I share my job with them. I’ve had people change
their “language” choices in front of me, share prayer
requests with me, and ask me how I ended up doing that
for a living. Most people, within the congregation or
community, don’t quite understand the role of a church/
school administrative assistant. In my fifteen years of
experience of working in a church and school office, I
didn’t meet a lot of other people that shared my career.
The Office Personnel Conference offered me the opportunity to meet other people that shared not only my job
title, but also my passion for serving God’s people as an
Administrative Assistant.
Moving Out of My Comfort Zone
It all started when my pastor suggested that both our
school and church secretaries attend the Office Personnel
Conference several years ago. We both felt a sense of
excitement and fear. Working at the church does not allow
for a lot of travel, especially overnight! Frankenmuth,
in our minds, was a fun place to go and the outlets were
just down the road. How bad could it be? After our fear
subsided and we were making the drive to Frankenmuth,
we talked about what type people we would encounter.
Would the majority of people be quiet, grandmotherlytype ladies? Would we meet people that wore business
suits and took themselves too seriously? Or would we
meet people who were just like us, moms that started
working full-time in hopes of helping our children go to
a Christian school? What we found was a group of men
and women who were kind, fun, serious but not too serious, and who loved the Lord. We were amazed that they
understood our jobs and shared similar experiences.
Discovering Like-Mindedness
Through the many different workshops, we learned
that others shared some of the same frustrations and
concerns as we did. They also shared many of the joys
that we experienced in our own church/school. We were
excited to learn tricks that other office personnel did to
make their jobs easier and help them to be more efficient.
We shared stories, much laughter, and many ideas on
how to make our church and school offices better. The
speakers offered us ways to better organize our offices
and balance our work and home life. They encouraged
us to live out the all-important calling from the Lord.
Although we sometimes felt as if our role was not important, they shared how important it really was and how
the Lord used us to build His kingdom. We learned that
we didn’t just have a job but were called into a ministry.
Living our lives for Christ and providing a joyful office
allowed children and parishioners the opportunity to feel
Christ’s love for them. It changed the way I looked at my
role in the office. It also encouraged me to be the best that
I could be.
The workshops and networking were wonderful
during the day. At night, we joined for dinner and fellowship and had an opportunity to play mini golf, swim, go
for a walk, or share a karaoke song or two. The relaxed
atmosphere helped us all to feel welcome and accepted.
The food was delicious, the hospitality of the Bavarian
Inn staff was tremendous, and afterwards, there was just
enough time to go shopping.
Valuing Time Off the Clock
If you are working in the office of a church/school,
please consider attending this wonderful conference. It is
well worth it. I’ve learned a valuable lesson from taking
time off from my “normal” job to attend conferences and
classes. The work will still be there when you get back.
Invest in yourself and allow time to refocus, refresh, and
be uplifted by others. You will also provide yourself with
an opportunity to be the best you can be for the Lord and
the people you serve.
Laurie A. Brown serves as an Administrative Assistant
– President’s Office for the Michigan District, LCMS.
Laurie was born and raised in Maryland. She served as
an Administrative Assistant at Peace Lutheran Church
in Shelby Township, Michigan for 15 years prior to
coming to the District Office. She is married to Tom and
has two college-age daughters.
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7
Faith&
8th Edition
Finance
A Dialogue on Faith-Based Investing with CEF
Faith and Finance is a series of discussions about the role CEF investments
can play in the lives of Lutheran parishioners and congregations. In each
installment, the CEF team addresses common questions about CEF and our
financial products. If you would like to submit a question for consideration,
e-mail us at [email protected].
Q:
A:
Does Church Extension Fund offer the 529 Michigan College Savings Plan?
Since a 529 plan is a tax-advantaged plan sponsored by the State of Michigan, (The
name “529” refers to Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code), CEF is not able to
offer 529 plans.
CEF does however offer the Coverdell Savings Account (ESA), which works much
like a Roth IRA. They both allow you to make an annual non-deductible contribution
to a specially designated investment account. This account will grow free of federal
income taxes and withdrawals from the account
will be completely tax-free as well.
Like the 529 plan, ESA withdrawals are to be used
for qualified higher education expenses; but unlike
the 529 plan, ESA withdrawals may also be used for
qualified K-12 education expenses.
And one more thing, there are no fees charged on a
Church Extension Fund ESA. Contact Kris for more
information.
8
March 2015
Q:
A:
Q:
A:
Our Church Extension Fund Representative told me that CEF offers a Fixed Rate
Note that allows additions. Can you tell me more?
The InvestFlex 2+2 is a relatively new product from Church Extension Fund. With a low
$2,500 minimum investment, InvestFlex 2+2 Rate Note provides you with the financial
flexibility to make two additions to your note without changing the interest rate or the
maturity date. It also allows you to take funds out up to two times down to the original
balance. For current rates or to learn more, visit us online or call Carolyn today.
Does Church Extension Fund assess penalties for early redemption on its
products like my bank does?
With the exception of Dedicated Savings and ExtensionPlus demand accounts,
Fixed, Variable Rate and Step-Up Rate Notes submitted prior to maturity are subject
to an interest penalty.
However, if after the initial maturity date the investment is renewed for a like period of
time, the Investor may redeem the Investment without any penalty for early redemption.
Q:
A:
Q:
A:
Which IRA instruments does CEF offer?
Church Extension Fund offers its Dedicated Savings Certificate (minimum $100
investment), Fixed and Variable Rate Notes, Step-Up Rate Notes as investments to
fund Individual Retirement Accounts. For more information call Kris.
Where can I find current interest rates for
investments in Michigan Church Extension
Fund?
Current Interest Rates are posted on our website
www.mi-cef.org/rates. Monthly interest rate
information can also be found by calling toll-free:
800-232-7313.
WHY CEF?
PROVEN investment products, measurable results
DEDICATED Christian financial management since 1901
FOCUSED on funding the needs of Michigan District congregations
Contact CEF today to learn
Church Extension Fund • Michigan District of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod
how CEF can help with your
3773 Geddes Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105-3098 • www.mi-cef.org
retirement investments.
Offices: 800-242-3944 • Interest rates anytime: 800-232-7313
This is not an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy CEF securities. The offering of CEF securities is made solely by our Offering Circular. CEF will offer and sell securities only in states where
authorized. Investments in CEF are not insured by the FDIC, SIPC or any other governmental agency—securities are subject to certain risk factors as described in our Offering Circular.
michiganintouch.com
9
10
March 2015
Congregation and School News
Trinity, Utica wrapped up a week-long food drive with all of the
donations going to Charity, Detroit’s food pantry. There was much
excitement among the classes as they watched the totals far surpass
the goal of 1,500 items set by the school’s student council. The final
count of items was 22,875! Thanks be to God!
Future City Team Wins 1st Place
For the 5th consecutive year, the Future City competition team from St. John, Rochester won 1st place in
the 2015 Michigan Regional Future City Competition.
In addition, the team won the “Best Engineered Project
Award” and was named the “Most Sustainable Food
Production System.” The team received $500 for the
1st place achievement. St. John has won the Michigan
Regional Championship 10 times, finished in the ‘Top
10 National’ seven times, and participated in the ‘Top
5 National’ five times, including winning the 2014
National Competition. This year marks the school’s 19th
year of participating in the Future City program. This
competition advanced them to the National Competition
in Washington D.C.
Photo by Alex Teselsky
Gethsemane to Golgotha: A Living Passion
Drama
You do not have to travel to Oberamergau, Germany,
to witness a very special presentation. Instead, join a
cast of a hundred characters as St. Michael’s, Richville
presents “A LIVING PASSION DRAMA.” Experience
the true meaning of Easter and follow the path of Jesus
Christ as he is betrayed, captured, interrogated, denied,
delivered, punished and finally nailed to the cross.
This eight-scene outdoor Living Passion Drama, entitled “Gethsemane to Golgotha,” will remind us of the
suffering and sacrifice that Jesus did for our salvation.
Accompanied by a guide, the drama will take approximately 25-30 minutes, featuring interaction with the cast.
The event will take place April 1, 3, and 4 from 6-9 p.m.
at St. Michael’s Church Park & School; M-15; Richville,
Mich. Light refreshments will be served following the
walk-thru. All persons attending should dress according
to the weather as this is an outdoor event.
Twenty-four students from St. John attended the
Regional Competition. This year’s theme was “Feeding
Future Cities,” an urban agriculture challenge, in which
students were asked to pick one vegetable and one protein
product and grow enough food within the city limits
to feed their city’s population. The team selected Haiti
for their city’s location based on several factors such as
its high global hunger index, being the poorest country
in the Western Hemisphere, having the second highest
population density in the Western Hemisphere, having
poor soil quality, and being prone to natural disasters.
Future City Competition (futurecity.org) is a national,
project-based learning experience where students in
6th, 7th, and 8th grade imagine, design and build cities
of the future. Students work as a team with an educator and engineer mentor to plan cities using SimCity™
software, research and write solutions to an engineering problem, build tabletop, scale models with
recycled materials, and present their ideas before judges
at Regional Competitions in January.
More at ww2.esd.org/EVENTS/FutureCity.htm.
michiganintouch.com
11
Other News
Martin Luther Coming to
CUAA
Robotics FLL Team – 1st at regional and 2nd at North & West Region
State Competition for Robotic Performance.
CTK Robotics Team Places #2 in State
Competition
This year, the Robotics team from Christ the King
Lutheran School (CTK), Unionville/Sebewaing had
a very successful season. The team is made up of ten
students, grades 3-7, and is one of 25,000 teams in 80
countries that are affiliated with the FIRST LEGO
League (FLL) based out of Manchester, NH. CTK
Robotics placed 1st in the robot performance part of
the Regional Competition which took place in early
December. This allowed the team to advance to the North
& West State Championship where the team placed 2nd
in robot performance. Read about their regional robot
run at ctkl.org/newsletters.
This year’s theme was FLL World Class, and teams
were challenged to find an innovative solution to help
people learn. The team investigated how students can use
virtual reality technology to learn math by using activities they are interested in such as art, sports, cooking,
farming, and archery. This is
a young and energetic team
looking forward to competing next year with the theme
of FLL Trash Trek.
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March 2015
Martin Luther will soon be
on the Concordia University
Ann Arbor (CUAA) campus
in the form of a bronze statue.
The statue will be installed to commemorate the significant anniversary of the founding of Lutheranism as the
oldest Protestant Christian tradition.
In 2017, we will celebrate the 500th anniversary of the
Reformation, which began with the posting of Luther’s
95 Theses on the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church
on October 31, 1517. This is great cause for Lutherans
to celebrate as well as reflect on the key biblical principles taught by Luther: Scripture alone as the authority
and norm for faith and life; and the joyous Gospel truth
that justification and salvation come by the grace of God
alone, through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
Luther, in life only 5’3” tall, will become 6’6” tall in
the statue currently being cast in Italy. After placement
on a granite base, Luther will tower in a prominent location on campus.
Recognized as one of the most influential figures in
Western history, Martin Luther will find a vibrant, energized commitment to his (and our) Lutheran beliefs on
the CUAA campus.
Show and Tell
One of my favorite childhood
school activities was “Show and
Tell.” I could bring something from
home to school and share it with my
classmates. It was my choice, my
words, my excitement. My Teddy
Bear was my favorite as it actually
belonged to my father.
The LCMS 72 – Witness & Outreach can help your
congregation to “Show and Tell” the love of the Heavenly
Father in His Son with each other and the community
around them. Carefully designed presentation modules
are planned with your congregation’s goals and needs in
mind. Partners from The 72 will come to your congregation upon request to help the members come up with
ways to share that Gospel in comfortable and compelling ways in their neighborhood and with each other
and, if needed, to address reaching your congregation’s
inactives.
To learn more about The 72 contact Jim and Lorri
Schumacher, Field Reps to the Michigan District, by
calling them at 989.671.2213 or sending an email to
[email protected]. You can also visit lcms.org/the 72.
Special Recognition
Mary Wagoner Honored for 25 Years of Service
upon Her Retirement
In 1990, Mary Wagoner started working at the
Michigan District office as a receptionist. In a fourand-a-half year span, she went from receptionist to
assistant to the Business Manager—while also working
with Missions and Evangelism—and then on to work
for Christian Care. After that, she started working with
Education, overseeing an average of 30 call lists per
year and accreditation for 54 schools. She assisted many
committees and worked on conferences, workshops,
and District Conventions. Wagoner also maintained all
of the commissioned and lay teacher records, active and
retired, for about 20 years.
Wagoner’s boss, Dr. Bruce Braun, says that it was an
honor to work with her, and he appreciated her positive
attitude towards getting the work done and also having a
little fun along the way.
Former Superintendent of Schools, Dr. George Locke
shares: “Everyone knows the real power behind the executive is his administrative assistant. Thanks to Mary’s
diligent work, I could be where I needed to be—out on
the road serving schools.”
President David P. E. Maier said: “You were a constant,
a pillar … someone you could count on being around,
immensely helpful and genuinely courteous. On the few
mornings that I’d be ahead of the rest of the folks at the
District Office, I never was there in the morning before
you. It warmed my heart to see the light in the District
Office building already burning brightly in the darker
months as I drove up the long drive from Geddes. As you
enter this new stage of life, Pat and I pray and hope that
you will experience every blessing that the Lord has in
store for you and Barry with the same hopeful, grateful
expectation with which you conducted your work and
lived among us.”
The Michigan District thanked Wagoner for her 25
years of service and celebrated her retirement at a dinner
held in her honor. In retirement, she looks forward to
spending time with her three sons and daughter-in-laws,
seven grandchildren, and taking care of her husband,
Barry.
Wagoner’s last day of work was Tuesday, January 27,
2015.
The District Honors Bill Boice and Ken Neitzke for
Being Good Stewards
The Michigan District Stewardship Committee is
proud to announce the selection of Bill Boice of St.
Matthew Lutheran Church, Spring Lake, as the 2015
John E. Herrmann Memorial Stewardship Award winner.
Bill has been a tireless worker in the Kingdom of God.
His list of stewardship work inside and outside the
church fills most of a p age, and is an inspiration to all of
us in the Michigan District.
In recognition of his outstanding stewardship work,
Bill was presented an award plaque on Sunday, January
25, 2015 at St. Matthew, Spring Lake by Rev. Stephen
Schilke, member of the Michigan District Stewardship
continued on page 14
michiganintouch.com
13
continued from page 13
Committee. A $1,000 gift was also presented for ministry use at St. Matthew in honor of Boice. He has also had
his name engraved on a John E. Herrmann Award plaque
that hangs in the Michigan District Office. Boice was
nominated by his pastor, Rev. Michael Goers.
Ken Neitzke was chosen as this year’s runner-up for
the Herrmann Award. Ken has been a great blessing to
his home congregation of Nativity, St. Charles where he
serves on many activities and projects at church and in
his community.
As a District, it is our desire to honor and recognize
those who have heeded the call to do “the heroic, the
unusual” in their stewardship lives. This year we recognize, thank, and honor Boice, Neitzke, and all nominees
for their faithful stewardship work in the Kingdom. Well
done, good and faithful servants!
If you know of someone within your congregation that
you believe deserves consideration for the 2016 John E.
Herrmann Award, nomination forms and entry requirements will be sent to all the congregations within the
Michigan District by September 1, 2015. Each church
is encouraged to submit an entry to the Stewardship
Committee by the October 15, 2016 deadline. The
Committee will choose an award winner by November.
Notification of the award winner will take place in early
2016, and next year’s award presentation will take
place in the home congregation of the winner. All award
winners, like Boice, receive a plaque commemorating
the award, and have his/her/their name(s) placed on the
John E. Herrmann Award plaque in the Michigan District
Office. Additionally, a donation is made to their home
Rev. Stephen Schilke (l), William L. Boice, and Rev. Michael Goers (r)
church in their honor.
The John E. Herrmann award is funded partially
through the Michigan District and partially through
private donors. For further information, or if you are
interested in perpetuating this award through a contribution, send donations to:
The John E. Herrmann Award
Michigan District Stewardship Committee
3773 Geddes Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48105-3098
Michigan Pastor Advances in Civil Air Patrol
Ranks
Pastor Lang Yang (St. Michael’s, Richville) has
recently been promoted to the rank of Major in the Civil
Air Patrol (CAP). Rev. Yang has served the CAP since
2010 as Assistant Chaplain for the Michigan Wing,
Group Chaplain for the Central Michigan Group, and
Unit Chaplain, as well as Finance Officer, Information
Technology Officer, Character Development Instructor,
and Professional Development Officer.
First organized under the Office of Civilian Defense one
week before the Pearl Harbor attack, the CAP was established by Congress in 1948 as the Auxiliary of the new
U.S. Air Force. In addition to homeland security, today’s
CAP members conduct search and rescue, counter drug
reconnaissance, and disaster relief missions. Many of the
34,000 senior members also nurture the leadership skills
of more than 26,000 youth enrolled in cadet programs.
In addition, the CAP broadens the horizons of hundreds
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March 2015
of thousands of students and more than 1,000 teachers
annually through their aerospace education program. The
CAP is endorsed by the LCMS as part of the service to our
Military forces.
LLL
Michigan District Lutheran Laymen’s League
Convention
Elaine Bickel will be the
guest speaker at the banquet
of the 73rd annual convention of the Michigan District
Lutheran Laymenʼs League
on Saturday, April 18, 2015.
Bickel is a noted author
of curriculum and devotions, experienced as a youth
and family life director, and
a trained coordinator for
“Rainbows for All Godʼs
Children,” a support group for children who are experiencing loss due to death or divorce. She is the author
of “Living with Compulsive Behavior and Christian
Mothering,” published by Concordia Publishing
House, and has written for the Lutheran Womenʼs
Missionary League Quarterly, Guideposts, and My
Devotion. Bickel served for over forty years as an
educator before retiring in 2014.
The convention will take place at Maxfieldʼs
Restaurant; 11228 Wyman Rd; Blanchard, Mich.
Registration opens at 12:30 p.m. Convention sessions
run from 1–5 p.m. The theme of the convention will be
SENT.
The banquet will be held at 5:30 p.m. The cost for
attending the banquet only, featuring Ms. Bickel,
is $20/person. For more information, or to register,
contact John Raffel at [email protected] no later
than April 11, 2015.
Learn more about LLL Men’s Network at lhm.org/men
LWML
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League
2015 National Convention
June 25-28, 2015
Des Moines, Iowa
Available on-line at:
www.lwml.org
Convention Objectives







Information and Registration
forms. (Deadline May 15, 2015*)

Frequently Asked Questions
Convention Flyer

Bulletin Bytes
Servant Events
And More!!
*Details for registration procedure and deadlines
may be found on-line or in the LWML Woman’s
Quarterly Magazine.
National web-site: www.lwml.org
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that
in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will
abound in every good work.” (2 Cor. 9:8 NIV)
Michigan District web-site: www.lwmlmichigan.org
Attendees will be:
Fed by God’s Word and
Sacrament.
Nurtured through worship and
fellowship.
Equipped to sow, nourish, and
reap in the Father’s field.
Childcare/Youth Activities Available
Friday and Saturday 8a-5p.*
*Details for Childcare/Youth Activity may be found
on-line or in the LWML Woman’s Quarterly
Magazine.
Please mail Mites to: Glory Drum;
PO Box 305; Warren, MI 48090
www.michiganintouch.com
15
Calls and Roster Update Calendar of Events
ORDAINED
Calls Accepted
Nemec, Donald P. (New Richmond, IN) to Drummond Island,
Drummond Island
Langewisch, John E. (Midland) to IIP, Good Shepherd, Saginaw
Mikkelson, Robert L. (Pinckney) to Peace, Detroit
Richard, Gary L. (Strongsville, OH) to Associate Pastor, Trinity, Clinton Twp.
Stoll, Allen R. (Bay City) to IIP, Zion, Tawas City
Transferred Out
Westra, John (Holland) to Northern Illinois District
Called Home
Dostert, William A.
Tyvela, Leslie D.
COMMISSIONED
Calls Accepted
Heissenbuettel, Monica (Non-Candidate) to St. Paul, Ann Arbor
Wilson, Brenda (Colloquy) to Bethlehem, Saginaw
Change of Status
Lyvere, Gary (Candidate) to Non-Candidate
Pendley, David (Messiah, Midland) to Candidate
Transferred Into District
Webb, Angela (Pacific Southwest) as Candidate
Winterstein, Charles (Mid-South) as Emeritus
Removed from Roster
Wargo, Andrew
Called Home
Bassett, Leonard
A complete up-to-date listing of Calls and Vacancies can be found at
www.michigandistrict.org, click on About.
MARCH
21
APRIL
Theological Conference on the Holy Spirit
Jenison, Michigan plus simulcast locations
19–21 Office Personnel Conference
Frankenmuth, Michigan
24–26 Katie Conference
Bay City, Michigan
MAy
4–6
North & East Pastorsʼ Conference
Frankenmuth, Michigan
6–7
Circuit Visitor Conference
Frankenmuth, Michigan
12–13 South & East Pastorsʼ Conference
Frankenmuth, Michigan
JUNE
5–7
Jr. High School Youth Gathering
Frankenmuth, Michigan
21–27 Camp Restore—High School Youth Event
New Orleans, Louisiana
28–30 Michigan District, LCMS Convention
Ann Arbor, Michigan
JULY
7–11 Special Friends Camp
Fenton Township, Michigan
27–31 Grace Place Retreat
Mackinac Island
AUGUST
2–6
MED
For detailed event information,
please visit www.michigandistrict.org/events.
E
AR
LIF
W AT E R
D,
RIT
N THE SPI
EI
Students Serve
Troy, Michigan
F E D, A N D
2015
michiganonline
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IN TOUCH
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Content that
Awakens ▪ Connects ▪ Challenges ▪ Inspirits
March 21 Holy Cross, Jenison
Plus Simulcast Locations
michigandistrict.org/tc15
16
March 2015
Check out Blogs, Pictures, Videos, and
Congregation News & Events online at
www.michiganintouch.com.