Installations - Central Illinois District - Lutheran Church Missouri Synod

The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod www.cidlcms.orgNovember/December 2008In ThisIssue...What Will You Remember? . . . . . . . . . . 1President’s Letter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Nominations for District Convention . 3Volunteer Teacher of the Year . . . . . . . . 3Vacation Bible School in Alaska . . . . . . 3Official Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4St. Paul, Manito, Baptizes Family . . . . . 42009 Bible Bowl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Mayo Clinic Pastoral Care . . . . . . . . . . . 4High School Youth Explore ChurchVocations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5CID Great Commission Convocation . 5Installations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7Church Extension Fund Form . . . . . . . 7Bible Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8What Will You Remember?Soon the hassle of Christmas will be over.The shopping and wrapping done.Soon the carefully wrapped presents will beripped open and the paper discarded. Wewill gather with family for dinner and toshare the glow of the season. All too soonChristmas 2008 will only be a fadingmemory. In its special way each Christmascarries with it the memories of earlierChristmases. It leads to the question: WhatWill You Remember This Christmas?Let us use the Virgin Mary as our exemplar.(Luke 2:19 NIV) “But Mary treasured up allthese things and pondered them in herheart.”Most of us remember a special Christmasfrom our youth. Perhaps there was a specialgift. The movie, “A Christmas Story,” isabout Ralph who wanted more thananything a Red Ryder B. B. gun. Do youremember pouring over the catalogs beforeChristmas dreaming of what might beunder the tree? What was it, a bicycle, awagon, a doll or some other special toy? Onthe other hand, how many Christmasesdon’t stand out in our minds? How manyblend into one another so that it is difficultto remember what happened whichChristmas?It is a blessing we do not remember thehassles of the Christmas season: theshopping; the traveling; the extra company;the extra cooking; trying to find where youput the decorations; the impatient, anxiouschildren; the disappointments; and the hurtfeelings. These have caused more than oneperson to shout, “Bah Humbug!” instead of“Merry Christmas!”What do you think Mary remembered fromthat first Christmas? Foremost in herthoughts was God’s grace. God fulfilled Hispromise in sending the Savior of allmankind. She wondered and was amazedthat God had chosen her of all people to bethe mother of the Savior.We, too, should treasure and meditate uponGod’s grace. We, too, should wonder and beamazed that God has chosen us to be a partof His plan. He has called us by the Gospelto faith in His only begotten son. The HolySpirit has worked faith in our hearts so thatwe trust in Jesus’ death on the cross for theforgiveness of our sins. As God chose Maryby grace to be the mother of the Savior, Godby grace has chosen us to bear the name ofHis Son. God placed His name on usthrough the water and the word of Baptism.His birth, life, death and resurrection is forus. It is ours by grace through faith.

2The GatePost • November/December 2008From thePresident’s DeskRev. David J. Bueltmann, PresidentDon’t Get Even, Just PrayWe hear people talk about Matthew 18 quiteoften. Yes, if someone sins against you, youshould go and talk to them. Often that iseasier said than done. Some time ago I saw abumper sticker: “Don’t get mad – get even.”This is what we are inclined to do because ofour human nature. An angry word from oneperson gets an angrier word in return. A childstrikes another child and the other childstrikes back. A batter is brushed back or hitwith a pitch; he quickly charges the pitcher’smound for a fight.Getting even may bring a temporarysatisfaction, but it does not solve the problem.If we are to heed our Lord’s words andrespond to some of the sticky situations oflife, we will not get even. Rather we shouldactually pray for ourselves and for the otherperson. We will want to ask God to keep usfrom doing something we should not and weask God to work with the other person.“Hatred stirs up dissension,but love covers over all wrongs.”(Proverbs 10:12)We should realize that there will be times,perhaps more than we like, when others willanger us by what they say or do. Often thesepeople are close to us. It is interesting that theLord says, “If your brother sins against you.”The greater hurt usually comes from familymembers, people we work with, friends,classmates, or even fellow church members.It is said that God hates the sin but loves thesinner. Similarly, our Lord is not suggesting tous that we simply approve of what others havedone to us. He is not saying to lay it aside andforget it. He is not saying we do not have anycause to be upset or even angry. He does notwant us taking it out on the other person whomay not even know what he has done. Lookat the example Christ set for us. We do not getwhat we deserve for our sins, but He forgivesus. Christ, the perfect one, willingly suffereddeath on the cross for us sinners. He rosefrom the dead to give us the victory.Matthew 18 is often used to remove peoplefrom our fellowship. This should be done in aloving manner because of the love andconcern we have for those people. Ourconcern is to be seeking, finding, forgiving,and making reconciliation. I know of severalcases where the congregation exercised churchdiscipline and the people returned monthslater very thankful for what was done forthem. It made them realize the seriousness ofwhat they were doing and as a result theybecame more active in the congregation.To do nothing would not be much help for theperson. Like in the parable of the lost sheep,it would not be any help for the lost sheep ifthe shepherd took “Little Bo Peep’s” advice,“Leave them alone and they will comehome…” Sheep do not find their way backhome on their own. The shepherd needs tolook for them. Human sheep do not findtheir way back home either, especially ifthey are not aware that they are lost ortrapped. People may not be aware that theyhave done harm, nor do they know the way tomake amends. This is especially true in thecase of non-Christians.Hate erects barriers, but love insists onkeeping open windows for communicationand open doors for reconciliation. Thevictory of Christ on the cross should be ourconstant focus. This enables us to act out ofconcern and not revenge. In Christ all ispossible. “Hatred stirs up dissension, but lovecovers over all wrongs.” (Proverbs 10:12)

Telling The Good News About Jesus 3Nominationsfor DistrictConventionThe Nominations Committee for theCID 2009 Convention mailed in earlyOctober to the CID Congregations aninvitation to nominate candidates forvarious offices of the District as well asother pertinent information relative tothe election at the CID 2009 Convention.We pray that we can get a number ofqualified candidates from throughoutour congregations in Central Illinois.This mailing is timely so thatcongregations at a Voters’ Meeting beforeDecember 19, 2008, can address thesubject of nominees for the variousoffices.The two major goals of the NominationsCommittee are: 1) to present to thevoting delegates at the Convention twohighly qualified candidates for eachelected office, and 2) to have each of theCircuits represented with nominees to beelected. The accomplishment of thesetwo goals starts with each congregationin the CID to nominate someone withthe qualifications to serve if elected.The offices to be filled are: Secretary(Clergy), Assistant Secretary (C),Treasurer (Lay), Financial Secretary (L),Board of Directors (C, Teacher, L),Constitution Committee (C, L - Lawyer),2012 Nominating Committee (C, T, L),Synodical Nominations Committee (L),Church Extension Fund (C, T, L), CIDEndowment Fund (C, T, L). Nominationsfor District President will be a separatemailing in November.Volunteer Teacher of the YearEach year the Central Illinois District Parish EducationCommittee recognizes an individual in one of ourcongregations as the Lutheran Volunteer Teacher of the Year.This year the nomination and selection process led to GoodShepherd-Hoopeston to recognize Marlene Schultz as the 2008Lutheran Volunteer Teacher of the Year for the Central IllinoisDistrict.A sampling of the supporting information provided in thenomination materials included the following comments aboutMarlene’s activities: Serving in the field of education in thecongregation for over 25 years; Served as Sunday schoolsuperintendent; Vacation Bible School chair; Director of theChildren’s Christmas program. Whether she is working with the LWML, serving as financialsecretary and church secretary, or serving on the Altar Guild, she is recognized as someone whowalks the walk with Christ. She carries her service and her faith walk out to the community aswell in many volunteer roles. Marlene was presented with a plaque during the Sunday morningservice at Good Shepherd on June 15.Vacation Bible School in AlaskaA group of CID volunteers taught VBS this past summer in Alaska. This was a mite project ofthe CID LWML. Their assignment and lodging was arranged by Alaska Mission for Christ.They were assigned to teach at Holy Mary of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Healy, Alaska. Thegroup left O’Hare Airport in Chicago on June 11, arriving in Anchorage where they stayed twonights at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church. Healy, Alaska, is located ten miles from DenaliNational Park. They were able to view Mt. McKinley and visit the Park while there. The churchin Healy is a small church and around 20 children from the area attended the VBS which wasJune 16-20. Lessons, crafts, treats, singing, and games were part of the week’s activities. AfterVBS they travelled on to Fairbanks and stayed three nights at Zion Lutheran Church.Left to right: PastorRoger Wohletz, Immanuel,Shobonier; ClaireEichelberger, Trinity,El Paso; Liz Drake andPeg Seitz, Good Shepherd,Sherman; and Sandy Finck,Trinity, El Paso.Nominations for the above offices mustbe postmarked no later than December 19,2008 or delivered to the CID office byDecember 19, 2008. Mail to:CID Nominations Committee1850 N. Grand Ave. WestSpringfield, IL 62702-1626

4The GatePost • November/December 2008St. Paul, Manito,Baptizes FamilyOfficial Notices:Pastoral Changes:Rev. Christopher Bushre of Nebraskato St. John, GeneseoPastoral Transfers:Rev. Paul Dorr (em)to English DistrictCalling Congregations:Immanuel, BroadlandsConcordia, GeneseoChrist, Mason CityOur Redeemer, Quincy (Assoc.)St. Paul, SadorusTrinity, Springfield (Assoc.)Peace, ThomasboroAppointment:Rev. Gary Wrightas Rock Island Circuit CounselorDistrict Convention:July 5-7, 2009Crowne Plaza in SpringfieldOn August 7, 2008, the Devall familyhad all six of their children baptizedduring the closing ceremonies of VBSat St. Paul’s in rural Manito. Theceremony took place at the Parish Halland was officiated by Rev. AloysiusMajewski, with head elder HaroldOsland assisting. Also, the two oldestchildren, Kevin and Kaitlyn arebeginning confirmation this year.2009 Bible BowlAnnouncing the 2009 Central Illinois District LC-MS Youth Bible Bowl!Topic: The Life of David (1 Samuel 16 – 1 Kings 2:12)Date: Sunday, March 29, 2009 • 3:00 p.m.Place: Springfield Lutheran High SchoolThe Bible Bowl provides an opportunity for our youth to beinvolved in Scripture study and thus to grow in their knowledgeof God’s Word and to grow in their faith. Circuits are to holdtheir Bible Bowls at least a week before the District BibleBowl, and send their top two teams to Springfield. For moreinformation on how you can hold a Bible Bowl in yourcircuit, please contact Pastor Mark Eddy at Zion LutheranChurch, Taylor Ridge, Illinois (309) 795-1063 or GlennGoeres, assistant to the District President in the area ofeducation, at the CID office (217) 793-1802.Mayo Clinic Pastoral CareTrinity Lutheran Church, Rochester, Minnesota, seeks to assist members of congreations in theCentral Illinois District who travel to the Mayo Clinic.If you or someone else in your congregation will be receiving care at the Mayo Clinic inRochester, Minnesota, Trinity Lutheran Church of Rochester offers their TLCare ministry toout of town medical guests. They strive to serve people in many ways such as prayer support,a homemade meal, a visit from one of their caring members, free parking in their lot, acomfortable place to go between appointments, and more. Please let them know when youare coming to town by emailing Jennifer at tlcjennifer@charterinternet.com or Pastor Otte atpastorotte@charterinternet.com.

Telling The Good News About Jesus 5High School Youth Explore Church VocationsTwo high school youth from the Central Illinois District participatedin the Exploring Church Careers Event (ECCE), held July 19-22,2008, at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. The participants were: MariaPummill, Trinity, Peoria, and Jeremiah Williams, Concordia,Springfield.During the ECCE, admission representatives from seven ConcordiaUniversity System schools distributed information and answeredquestions about academic programs that lead to church careers. Theyalso served as small group leaders and sponsored an informationfair on the last evening of the event. While the ECCE includedinformation regarding a wide variety of church work vocations, theECCE Amplified focused on the pastoral and deaconess ministriesand featured Seminary professors talking about preparation for andchallenges of the ministry. Activities culminated with presentationsby staff from The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS)International Center.One ECCE participant commented, “The best part about the ECCEwas the time I was able to spend with the other teens learning aboutchurch careers.” One ECCE Amplified participant said, “The servantevent was the best part of ECCE Amplified because it was a way toshare Christ’s love and a good example of teamwork.”The 2009 Vocatio and Vocatio Amplified (formerly ECCE and ECCEAmplified) are scheduled for June 27-July 2, 2009. Nomination formswill be mailed to all LCMS pastors, high school principals, teachersand guidance counselors in February, 2009. Prior to this, nominationA total of 33 youth attended the 2008 Exploring Church Careers Event and a total of23 youth attended the 2008 ECCE Amplified held July 19-25 at Concordia Seminary,St. Louis. The participants from the Central Illinois District were (front row, fromleft) Jeremiah Williams and Maria Pummill.They are pictured with Rev. JoelFritsche, admissions counselor; Rev. Paul Philip, admissions counselor; Rev. KyleCastens, director of ministerial recruitment; and Alison Moeller, recruiting eventscoordinator.forms may be printed from the Concordia Seminary Web site atwww.csl.edu. Registration will begin on March 1, 2009, and noregistrations will be accepted prior to this date.Coming Next Year(Save the Date)Central IllinoisDistrict GreatCommissionConvocationSaturday, November 7, 2009Dr. Wallace Schulz“Forever Free”Trinity Lutheran Church,Bloomington✁Home Delivery ofDo you want to receive the GatePost at home?If your church has not provided a mailing list,but you would like home delivery of theGatePost, please fill out this form and mail to:GatePostC/o Concordia Lutheran Church3303 E. Maryland St.Decatur, IL 62521Name _____________________________________________________________Address ___________________________________________________________City ________________________ State _______________ Zip _____________Church ____________________________________________________________

6The GatePost • November/December 2008Installations▲Rev. Scott Adle InstallationThe Rev. Scott Adle was installed as pastor at St. John, Secor, on June 29,2008. Pictured: Rev. Joe Burns, Rev. Scott Adle, Rev. David Bueltmann,Rev. Dan Gilbert. 2nd Row: Rev. Tom Wirsing, Rev. Allen Steinbeck, Rev.David Bergelin, Rev. Randy Blankschaen, Rev. Jerry Koch, Rev. JonBender, Rev. Kevin Martin, Rev. Barry Long, Rev. Bobby Niemtschk,Rev. Peter Glock. 3rd Row: Rev. Heath Curtis, Rev. Bryan Hopfensperger,Rev. Joshua Gerig, Rev. Wayne Martin, Rev. Micah Gaunt, Rev. Jeff Pulse,and Rev. Bruce Scarbeary.Pastor Randy Blankschaen Installation▲Pastor Randy Blankschaen was installed as Associate Pastor at Christ,Normal, on June 22 at 3 p.m. by District President, David Bueltmann, whoalso preached for the service. Randy is a 2007 graduate of the Ft. WayneSeminary, but waited a year to receive a call in order that his wife, Lydia,could finish her degree in dental hygiene. He was ordained the first Sundayin May in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Besides assisting in the general areas ofpastoral ministry, Pastor Blankschaen has been called to work in the areasof Assimilation, 18 – 30 year old Adult Ministry, and Jr. High Ministry.Pictued front row, left to right: Rev. David Bergelin, St. Paul, Lexington;Rev. Philip Kaufmann, Christ, Normal; Rev. Randy Blankschaen, Christ,Normal; Rev. Marvin Matzke, Emeritus, Christ, Normal; and Rev. David Bueltmann, District President. Back row, left to right:Rev. Allen Steinbeck, Trinity, Bloomington; Rev. Tom Wirsing, Trinity, Bloomington, and Circuit Counselor, Bloomington South;Rev. Chad Lueck, Good Shepherd, Bloomington; Rev. Chris Nitzel, Trinity, Bloomington; Rev. Frank Zimmerman, Zion, Danvers,and Good Shepherd, Minier.▲Rev. Stephen Mueller Ordinationand InstallationThe Rev. Stephen Mueller was ordained and installed as pastor of St. James,Quincy, on August 3, 2008. Pictured front row, left to right: Rev. HaroldBender, Rev. John Mueller (father of Stephen Mueller) from Saginaw MI,Rev. Stephen Mueller, Rev. Marlin Rempfer, and President Bueltmann.Back row, left to right: Rev. Paul Beisel, Rev. Robert Alexander, Rev.Lawrence Saeger, and Rev. Stephen Southward.GoodHumorBoxA man was painting a church building. Noticing that he would not have enough paint to finish, he addedthinner. As the paint continued to run out, the painter added more and more thinner.A rainstorm the next day washed away his paint job. The pastor met the painter on the job and demandedthat he “repaint and thin no more.”

Installations▲Rev. Dr. Dan Olson InstallationTelling The Good News About Jesus 7The Rev. Dr. Dan Olson was installed as pastor at St. John’s, Buckley, onAugust 31, 2008. Pastor Wendorf of Ash Grove preached for his vicarsupervisor’s installation. Pastor Jeff McPike was liturgist and Pastor Janssenthe lector. The District president installed Pastor Olson. Pictured backrow: Pastor Olson’s step-son Charlie, the crucifer; Pastors Bachelor,Poynter, McPike, and Janssen (Circuit Counselor). Front row: PastorsWendorf, Decker, Olson, President Bueltmann, and Allen.Rev. Christopher Bushree Installation▲The Rev. Christopher Bushree was installed as pastor of St. John’s, Geneseo,on Saturday, September 6, 2008. Pictured back row, left to right: PastorsEddy, Karsten, G. Wright, S. Anderson, Umbarger, and Fisher. Front row, leftto right: Pastors D. Anderson, Castor (preacher from Ohio), Bushre,President Bueltmann, Dominguez, and Wegener.✁CENTRAL ILLINOIS DISTRICT CHURCH EXTENSION FUND, INC. INVESTMENT FORM 10/6/081850 North Grand Avenue West, Springfield, IL 62702-1626 • (217) 793-1802 E-mail cef@cidlcms.com • www.cidlcms.orgThe mission of The Church Extension Fund, Inc. is to make funds and services available tocongregations for building efforts in support of The Great Commission (Matthew 28).Enclosed $_________________ investment in CID-CEF should be issued as follows:TERM % RATE* MINIMUM___Flexible 1.00 $25 (Passbook Savings Account)___1 Year___5 Year3.003.50$100$1,000___3 Year___6 Months3.25Variable$100$5,000___Interest Check Semi-Annually (if over $25)___Accumulate Interest and Add to Note Balance*RATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE.__ Individual Ownership - Name (print)PLEASE CALL TO CONFIRM CURRENT INTEREST RATES.__ Joint Ownership - Name _______________________________________________and/or Name _____________________________________________________(As joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common)__ Minor Owner- Adult ______________as custodian for Child __________________(Under the Illinois Uniform Gifts to Minors Act)____________________________________________________________________Address City State Zip____________________________________________________________________PhoneCongregationSocial Security orI.D. Number__________________________________________Signature______________________________________________Apply Investment for Benefit of______________________Lutheran Church towards meeting its supporting investmentrequirement: 25% of loan.CERTIFICATION: Under penalties of perjury, I certify (1) that the number shownon this form is my correct taxpayer identification number and (2) that I am NOTsubject to backup withholding under the provisions of section 3406(a)(1)(C) of theInternal Revenue Code. (Allow two weeks for delivery of note.)USA PATRIOT ACT of October 26, 2001, says we must verify the identity of any person seeking to open an investment account with us. We will follow this law by obtainingpicture identification of all new investors. Therefore, if you are a new investor, please include a photocopy of your drivers license or other state issued photo identification. Theprotection of our customer’s identity and confidentiality is CEF’s pledge to you. We proudly support all efforts to protect and maintain the security of our investors and our country.

Bible StudyJohn 1:1-18John’s Gospel is different. It beginswith a prologue. John was battlingGnostics, people who did not believeJesus could be true God and true man.He talks about Jesus Christ before Hisincarnation (coming in the flesh).He explains why Jesus became incarnatethat first Christmas.1. The opening words of John’s Gospelremind us of which Old Testamenttext?2. Who is the Word?3. What is John trying to establish byhis wording?4. What was the Word doing beforeHe became flesh?5. What else is the Word called inVerse 4?6. What sense do light and darknessconvey? Verse 57. What does it mean that the darknesshas not understood or overcome thelight?8. Who sent John and what was hismission? Verse 69. How did the world react to the light?Verse 1010. Who are His own?11. What does it mean to receive Him?12. How do we become children ofGod? What does not make uschildren of God? Verse 1213. “Made His dwelling among usliterally means “pitched His tent(tabernacle) among us. For whatpurpose did He do this?14. What is grace?15. What have we received?16. What is Moses known for?17. What does Jesus bring?18. What does it mean, “no one has everseen God?”19. Who alone has seen God?20. Who alone can make God knownto us?The GatePost for The CentralIllinois District of theLutheran Church - Missouri Synodis published 6 times per year.It is a supplementto congregational newsletters.Submit all articles to the Editor:Rev. Robert L. Bruer3070 E. Lynnwood DriveDecatur, IL 62521Email: rbruer1@comcast.netLayout and Design by:Deverman AdvertisingPekin, IllinoisPrinting and Distribution by:Martin GraphicsChampaign, IllinoisDeadline forJanuary/February 2009 Issue:November 20, 2008Communications CommitteeRev. Dr. Rodger Abatie, ChairmanRev. Robert Bruer, EditorJim DevermanLisa DippelJoel FletcherRev. Dr. Wayne HoffmanRev. Wesley Reimnitz, AdvisorMike SmithRev. Robert L. Bruer3070 E. Lynnwood DriveDecatur, IL 62521