Monthly E-News of the ND District LCMS  
January 2016 
Mission Statement:   Desiring that all might be saved, our mission is to encourage the 
making and nurturing of disciples of Jesus Christ through Word and Sacrament ministry .

Quick Links
District President's
Schedule



Jan

4
Congregation Visit
11
Congregation Visit
12
Congregation Visit
15
LWML Mission Grant Meeting
17
Preach Hannover, New Salem
29-31 Annual Marriage Retreat


Feb

1-5
Council of Presidents
7
Rev. Jon Walla installation, Bethel Bismarck
9 Martin Luther School BOD
19
Board of Directors, Fargo
19-20
Lay/Clergy Conference on Religious Freedom
20-23
Ft. Wayne Sem Regents Mtg


Mar

6 Preach Beulah, Glen Ullin
9 Grace School Chapel
13 DP worship with St. John Hillsboro
17-18
COP Regional Mtg Sioux Falls, SD

Who does What?



The North Dakota District basically has 5 Staff Positions (full and part-time).  Each have specific duties 
of 
responsibility - according to the Synod Handbook or District Bylaws.  

If you have  specific question, please do not hesitate to contact any of the people below:



District President
Pastor Baneck

Ecclesiastical Supervision of a church worker or congregation

Conflict involving pastors, church workers, and congregations

Doctrinal issues

Synod issues

Calling a pastor or other church worker

Alignment of congregations (parish agreements) and circuits

District Task Forces of Witness, Mercy, and Life Together (New Church starts, Education, International and Local Mercy Care, Church Workers, Youth)

Pastor's Conferences

 

Business Manager
Bill Sharpe

S tewardship

Development

District Budget

Payroll, Audit

Financial issues in the district and congregations

Lutheran Church Extension Fund

Concordia Plan Services

Tuition Assistance for church work students

Salary Guidelines

Oversee mechanics of district convention

State of the District and Strategies for Funding Reports
 



Administrative Asst
Denise Wolfgram

Administrative
Assistant to the District President, which includes:

Manages PIF and SETs

Enews

Lutheran Witness Insert



Webmaster
Marie Johnson

Sets up and oversees District Website and other District Social Media


Biblical Finance
Ed Bean
Works with Planned Giving in relation to the ND District

All in a Day

This is a new feature that gives the District insight into the daily life and  ministry  of the District President



Theological 
Reading 

One of the main responsibilities of a district president is to be a theological teacher in the district.  Much of the work of a district president to help congregations and pastors apply our theology to the faith and life of our people.

I do try to spend a good amount of time studying. In preparing for the pastor's conference in May, I am studying "Third Use of the  Law." This is taking me to the Scriptures, the Lutheran Confessions, Johann Gerhard, Martin Luther, and more.  

Applying the Third Use of the Law is important for the life of God's people. This issue touches the old man/new man tension, works-righteousness, free will, preaching, and more.

In addition, I'm working on a doctor of th eology (ThD) degree t hrough Helsinki University, Finland.  As my call as district president comes to an end in two years, this doctorate degree will hopefully be added to my resume for whatever the Lord has planned for my future.  My thesis involves reading Luther's major works to identify his major  tenets of faith. Then I will read his sermons to determine how he preaches these major tenets of faith to God's people.  It is a focus in Luther's homiletics (preaching).

It is good for every pastor to sharpen his theological and pastoral skills 
through  continuing education.  

But... it's all in a day's work.

- Pastor Baneck

__________________

District Officers

District President
Rev. Dr. James A. Baneck
1st Vice-President
Rev. Arie Bertsch
2nd Vice-President
Rev. Thomas Eckstein


Board of Directors

(Chairman) Rev. Thomas R. Marcis, Jr.
Secretary Rev. Joshua Reimche
Treasurer Mr. Leon Bladow
Clergy
Rev. Lester Wolfgram
Lay Mr. Robert Bauer

Mr. Shawn Kramer

Mr. Charles Krause

Mrs. Tamara Jo Ulland

Mr. John Riley
Appointed Mr. Jason Paradis

Mrs. Tina Davidson


Circuit Visitors
Northwest Rev. Carlyle Roth
Southwest Rev. Kirk Peters
Central Rev. Richard Biberdorf
Northeast Rev. Scott Ramey
East Rev. Steven Schulz
Southeast Rev. Douglas Wanderer


Nominating Committee
Clergy Rev. Mark Buchhop

Rev. Daryl Rothchild

Rev. Joshua Reimche
Lay Mr. Jerry Goter

Mr. Myrlin Hall

Mr. Paul Huber

Mr. Jerome Ziegler


Business Manager Mr. Bill Sharpe


Director   of Biblical Finance
Mr. Ed Bean


Steward-
ship
Standing
Committee
Chair
Rev. Dan Voth


Constitu-
tion
Standing
Committee
Mr. Robert Bauer- Chair

Rev. Joshua Reimche (BOD Secretary)

Rev. Chris Waldvogel


Admini-
strative 
Assistant
Mrs. Denise Wolfgram

Synod Statistics from this last Quarter

Updated Sept 2015



359 congregations are currently calling a sole pastor

54 congregations are calling a senior pastor

60 congregations are calling an associate/assistant pastor

288 congregations are being served part-time

25 new churches started in the LCMS

5 churches closed
LUTHERAN PUBLIC RADIO


There is great Advent and Christmas Music on this month! 

Hey - 
Check this out at 

lutheranpublic
radio.org

You can listen to superb authentically Lutheran music on your computer, notebook, or phone.

They play music that connects with the liturgical season.

 

Lutheran School News


Grace Lutheran School, Fargo
Principal Gail Traub
(P-8)


Martin Luther School,
Bismarck 
Principal Kathy Jones
( P-8)


Preschools
  • Grace, Fargo
  • Immanuel, Grand Forks
  • Immanuel, Wahpeton
  • Martin Luther, Bismarck
  • Our Savior, Minot
  • Redeemer, Dickinson


Our Lutheran Schools shape and form our children in the Lutheran faith for faith and life in many and various godly vocations.

LWML NATIONAL CONVENTION
JUNE 25-28
Des Moines, Iowa



LWML leaders elected during the 36 th
Biennial Convention are:

President: Patti Ross

Vice President of Organizational Resources: Debbie Larson  
(from the North Dakota District - Yaaaaah!!!!)

Vice President of Special Focus Ministries: Kaye Wolff

Treasurer: Marilyn Schroeder

Pastoral Counselor: Rev. Robert Mundahl

 

Nominating Committee: Katy Gifford, Chairman, Margo Dupre, Deaconess Betty Knapp, Melissa SolomĂłn, and Deb Poese.

 

Mission Grants selected are 70% of the approved $2,000,000 Mission Goal for the 2015-2017 biennium.


Annual Marriage Retreat


January 29-31

Begins
Friday at 9pm

Ends
Sunday 11am

Shepherd's Hill at the Crossroads


"Love for a Lifetime"


From Dr. James Dobson

we will discuss Building a Marriage that will Go the Distance 

The weekend is informal, fun, and relaxing

Led by 
Pastor Baneck

$175 per couple

includes:
Food
Materials
Sheets
Towels

Please email 
Pastor Baneck 

ndlcmspres@
midconetwork.com

Tell me you're attending and print both of your names

I will contact you in January for more details


District Vision
Witness

1.  Planting and Revitalizing Congregation (Rev. Matthew            Richard

a. Set up plantinginnorthdakota.org website (do see!)

b. Attending Synod Rural/Small Town Conf. this fall

 

2.  Lutheran Education (Mrs. Kristin Nistler)

a. Watch for semi-annual family life newsletter

b. Set up VBS Sharing Network

c. Promotes Annual Lutheran Schools Week

d. Planning for 2017 Year of Lutheran Education

 

Mercy 

3.  International Mercy Care (Rev. Rick Jones)

a. Overseeing relationship with Kenya

b. Overseeing relationship with Chile

c. Coordinating mercy trip to Chile - watch for it!

d. Monitoring EIIT Sudanese students in Fargo

 

4.  Local Mercy Care (Rev. Paul Krueger)

a. Attending Synod Disaster Response Conf this fall

b. Coordinating disaster preparedness workshops

c. Planning annual Mercy Care Sunday in district

 

Life Together 

5.   Ordained and Commissioned Ministers (Rev. Sean                   Daenzer)

a. Overseeing continuing education of workers

b. Planning Reformation Events Oct 2017

c. Participating in Clergy/Lay Conf Feb 2017

 

6.   Youth /Young Adults (Mrs. Pat Sebastian)

a. Planning Middle School Gathering in Mandan

b. Planning LYF Retreat for March 2016

c. Planning Council of LYF Rep gathering Mar 2016

 

Important Mailing to the Congregations


A District mailing just went out to all the congregations at the latter part of December.  If you haven't heard or seen of this mailing, please ask your chairman or pastor.  The contents included:

  1. Brochures and Registration Material for the Lay/Clergy Conference in February on Life, Marriage, and Religious Freedom.
  2. Two copies of the State of the District Reports - vital information about your North Dakota District.

 

 

  1. A Direct-Appeal Letter to supplement congregational giving on the financial promises we made at the 2015 District Convention.
Thank you.



From the District President

A Great Light

"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light." 
(Isaiah 9:2)

Do I have to convince you that this is a dark, miserable, and sinful world? Darkness cloaks this world with suffering and grief.  Darkness looms in the shadows of terrorism, political corruption, and a culture that's quite frankly forsaken God altogether.

However, I just recently read Luther's Large Catechism, particularly the Ten Commandments.  Luther is good at connecting the Ten Command-ments to the everyday-life of God's people.  He is so good, as a matter-of-fact, that on every page I was convicted of breaking God's will in absolutely every aspect of my life, from Commandment One through Commandment 10.  

How can I talk about a dark and miserable world when my own thoughts, words, and deeds are just a dark and miserable in my own life.  I am "the people who walked in darkness."   And so are you!  

During the Twelve Days of Christmas (December 25-January 5), you and I celebrate a miracle of God that is beyond our comprehension.  He who created light, comes to earth to be the Light of the world.  He comes to chase away the darkness of our sins by becoming our sins.  He comes to erase the eternal darkness of hell from our lives by suffering hell as our substitute on the cross.  



No doubt, you may experience some pretty dark times in 2016, and if you do, yet there is no darkness that Christ cannot and does not chase away! Dear friends, your Light has come, Jesus Christ!  

Epiphany is the season of Light.  We celebrate the God who makes Himself known to us in the cradle of Bethlehem, in the cradle of His Word, in the cradle of Bread and Wine, and in the cradle of the Font. How ironic that the season of Light comes at the darkest time in the northern hemisphere.  

And yet, as winter moves forward, we enter a time of darkness; Lent and Holy Week.  But we know, don't we, that the eternal brilliant Light of the world rises from the dead.  Because of your crucified and risen Lord, yours is the LIGHT of Christ eternal.

- Pastor Baneck

 

Life, Marriage and Religio us Lib erty


A Conference for Laity and Church-Workers of the Minnesota North and North Dakota Districts
 
February 19-20, 2016

Ramada Plaza
Fargo, North Dakota
1635 42nd Street South
 

Friday, February 19, 2016
 
5:00 p.m.                Reception
6:00 p.m.                Banquet
Mr. Timothy Goeglein (LCMS), Former Special Assistant to George W. Bush and Deputy Director to the White House, Currently Vice-President of External Relations for Focus on the Family
 
 
Saturday, February 20, 2016
 
8:30 a.m.                Matins
Rev. Donald Fondow, District President, Minnesota North  District LCMS, preacher
 
9:00 a.m.                Two Kingdoms
Rev. Dr. James A. Baneck, District President, North Dakota District LCMS
 
9:30 a.m.                Break
 
9:45 a.m.                Religious Freedom in America
Joseph Infranco , esq,  Senior Counsel, Vice President of Alliance Coordination Alliance Defending Freedom, Washington D.C.
 
10:45 a.m.              Public Policy Advocacy
Public Policy Advocates,  Congressman Kurt Daudt (LCMS)-MN, Sen. Dick  Dever (LCMS)-ND
 
11:45 a.m.              Lunch
 
1:00 p.m.                Religious Freedom in America
Joseph Infranco, esq.
 
2:00 p.m.                Break
 
2:15 p.m.                Panel Discussion
                                   InFranco, Goeglein, Daudt, Dever 
                        
3:15 p.m.                Itinerarium 
                                          Rev. Donald Fondow

Registration Information
 
Please register online at                                https://www.regonline.com/lifemarriageandreligiousliberty
  • November 25, 2015-January 15, 2016 is $75
  • January 16-February 4, 2016 is $85
  • After February 5, 2016 is $100
 
Motel Information
Block name for all three motels is "Religious Liberty Conference"
  • Ramada Suites, 1635 42nd St. S, Fargo, 701-277-9000, $129/149 p/ night
  • Americinn Hotel & Suites South, 4325 23rd Ave SW, Fargo, 701-235-4699, $119 p/night
  • Expressway Suites, 4303 17th Ave S. Fargo, 701-239-4303, $129/139 p/night
 
If you prefer to mail a check to "North Dakota District," please send it to Mr. Bill Sharpe at PO Box 9029, Fargo, ND 58106-9029. Put "Religious Liberty" in the memo. Include your name(s), email address, and phone number.


In Our Prayers


 

  • For the strengthening of Christian families and living out our godly vocations
  • For strength and joy in Being Lutheran for this Moment
  • Upcoming Synod Convention (July 9-14, 2015 in Milwaukee, WI) and Convention resolutions impacting our pastors and congregations (go to www.lcms.org/convention)
  • The Church under the changing climate toward at attack on Christianity
  • Kenya Africa - Project 24, thanksgiving for ELCK and LCMS church fellowship
  • Our new partnership with Rev. Cristian Rauternberg and the Lutheran Church in Santiago, Chile (partner church of
    Rev. Omar Kinas
     the LCMS), for Pastor Omar Kinas, as we support his ministry in Talca and Constitution.
  • Rev. Matthew Harrison - Synod President and all elected vice presidents of Synod, especially Rev. Herb Mueller, first vice-president 
  • For all those serving in the military, especially those of the LCMS, and for our LCMS Chaplains
  • That the ND District continues work toward a LIFE TOGETHER in mission, financial support, and prayerful encouragement  toward one another
  • For our Circuit Visitors and their faithful servanthood role in the District:  Rev. Scott Ramey, Rev. Steve Schulz, Rev. Douglas Wanderer, Rev. Richard Biberdorf, Rev. Carlyle Roth, and Rev. Kirk Peters
  • For our Vice-presidents: Rev. Arie Bertsch (west) and Rev. Tom Eckstein (east)
  • For our two Lutheran Elementary Schools: Grace (Gail Traub-Principal) and Martin Luther (Kathy Jones-Principal), and our preschools throughout the district
  • For Shepherd's Hill at the Crossroads and all of our RSOs (Recognized Service Organizations)
  • For Grafton Developmental Center (Teacher Evelyn Allensworth and Chaplain Pastor Seter)
  • Campus Ministries at UND (Pastor Buchhop) and NDSU (Pastor Schulz)
  • Struggling rural churches (financial and declining membership) and pastors bearing the burden of shepherding God's people in the rural setting
  • For the 10 LCMS Universities and 2 Seminaries
Changes in the District

Calls Being Considered    


Calls Accepted/Returned 

Rev. Jonathan Walla (AK),  accepted the  call to Bethel, Bismarck.  Installation set for February 7

Ordinations/Installations
Rev. Walla, Bethel Bismarck, Feb. 7

Called to Glory - none
  
Vacancies/Calling Process 

Trinity LaMoure (Rev. Paul Preus)

Trinity Adrian (Rev. Tom Eckstein)

St. John's Underwood and Trinity Hazen (Rev. Brandon Woodruff)

St. John's  Mccluskey (Rev. Matt Thompson)

Bethel Bismarck (Rev. Lester Wolfgram, vacancy pastor)

Immanuel Grand Forks - in  the  process of calling an associate pastor from the field

Zion Bismarck - in the process of calling an associate pastor from the seminary
 
Holy Cross Lidgerwood (Rev. Pat O'Brien, vacancy pastor) - 
 
St. Paul Rugby (Rev. Joshua Reimche, vacancy pastor)
   
First American  Lutheran  Church, Mayville - (Rev. Jacob Swenson)


Parish Agreement Updates


 
Note:  As of the 2010 LCMS Convention, two or more congregations being served by the same pastor is considered a dual, tri, etc parish. "Permanent Vacancies" no longer exist.

State of the District Report

Mr. Sharpe and President Baneck are available to update your congregation about the work we do together. Congregations can invite us to speak during a voters meeting, church council meeting, or following a worship service.  Following a worship service in a dual parish works nicely. After the first service, we can speak for 15-20 minutes and then drive to the next congregation and speak following their worship service.

Another option is a presentation can be made as part of a mission festival and potluck.  All we need an invitation, so please don't hesitate to contact one of us.

North Dakota District LCMS 
William Sharpe| ndlcms@gmail.com | (701) 293-9001 | nodaklcms.org  
 
2016 Synod Convention Expenses
The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod 2016 Convention will be held  in Milwaukee, July 9-14, 2016.  North Dakota will have 13 delegates attending.  Each circuit has already elected a lay and pastoral delegate.  The ND District has received its convention assessment from the national Synod for its share of convention expenses ($15,637).  The District also pays for the travel, lodging, and food for the delegates.

North Dakota congregations should include $2.25 per communicant member in their 2016 budget to help cover these costs.  These dollars may be remitted anytime during 2016.  However, the district will be paying many of these costs during the first 6 months of 2016, so, it is helpful to receive them earlier rather than later in the year.

You can learn more about the convention at www.LCMS.org. 

Introducing St. Philip Lutheran Church, Watford City!

Proclaiming the Gospel in McKenzie County

Saint Philip Lutheran Church
Rev. Zelwyn Heide
Sunday at 7:00 P.M. Central
Meeting Room in The Watford Hotel
810 3rd Ave. SW, Watford City, ND 58854

Redeemer Lutheran Church
Rev. Zelwyn Heide
Sunday at 10:00 A.M. Mountain Time
Main Street, Grassy Butte, ND

Click on the website for more information
http://redeemersaintphilip.org/

Check our Facebook page for special announcements!
https://www.facebook.com/redeemergrassybutte

 
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 2207, Watford City, ND 58854




Operated by The Red River Lutheran School Association 

Grace Lutheran School Auction Committee
It's Auction season again, and we are seeking volunteers to be on our auction committee. Our first meeting was Oct 12th, and there is much much more fun to be had! Please contact Becky Johnson @ v-bejohn@microsoft.com if you are interested.  All are welcome!

 
Grace Lutheran Alumni
Did you attend Grace Lutheran School? Do you know someone who did? Please send information to Kari at marketing@gracels.com We look forward to our first Alumni Dinner this coming spring and want to include you!


First Choice Clinic "Largest Baby Shower" is January 2016
"Celebrate Sanctity of Human Life during January!
Be part of "The Largest Baby Shower."

Baby items are needed to re-stock FirstChoice Clinic's Family Boutique for clients who participate in the 'Earn While You Learn' parenting program.

FirstChoice Clinic West is in most immediate need of:
  • Diapers (size 1 to 5) and
  • Gift Cards (Target, Walmart, Gas Stations, Grocery Stores, Tinee and Trendee).

In addition, items such as clothing (NB to 2T),
  • nursing covers
  • nursing pillows
  • baby bath towels
  • wash cloths
  • diaper bags are always greatly appreciated.

Bismarck-Mandan area drop-offs
  •  Tinee and Trendee
  •  Bismarck Baptist Church
  •  Holy Cross Lutheran Church
  •  Messiah Lutheran Church
  •  Spirit of Life Catholic Church
  •  St. Mary's Catholic Church
  •  Bethel Lutheran Church
  •  Charity Lutheran Church
  •  Century Baptist Church
  •  Grace Point Church
  •  St. Mary's Church (Hague, ND)
  •  NDRL Office
  • Donations of new baby items such as diapers, baby wipes and clothes may be dropped off at Central Market in Bismarck and Mandan and Cashwise Foods in Bismarck throughout January.

Fargo-Moorhead area drop offs
  • All Hornbacher's locations
  • St. Joseph's,
  • Bethel Evangelical Free 
  • River of Life churches.

For more information, call (888) 237-6530 or visit   www.teamfirstchoiceclinic.com.

First Lutheran Church, 205 5th ST NW,   
East Grand Forks, MN


There can be no doubt that Islam and its influence are on the rise, not only in the Middle East, but here in America as well. More than two dozen mosques and Islamic centers have sprung up in Minnesota and North Dakota, including centers in both Fargo and Grand Forks. How would Christ have us approach individuals who have embraced the teachings of Mohammed and reject the Gospel of Christ?


Join us for a discussion of these important questions and many more as we welcome Dr. Adam S. Francisco, Assistant Professor of History and Political Thought at Concordia University, Irvine and Adjunct Professor at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Dr. Francisco has an impressive background in Islamic Studies. He was the 2004-2005 Albin Salton Fellow at the University of London's Warburg Institute and received his Doctorate of Philosophy in Historical Theology and Christian-Muslim Relations at the University of Oxford.

Register now-seating is limited. Join the conversation and post your questions for Dr. Francisco on our Facebook page.
 
 
Click here for complete conference information and registration. 
ND District Annual Men's Winter Retreat

January 15-16, 2016 
Shepherd's Hill at the Crossroads, St. John, ND 
  
"I heard the Lord call my name - twice"


Presenter
:
Dr. Bruce Wurdeman

Director of Lutheran Hour Ministries 2009-2013






6:00 P.M. (Supper included) Friday, January 15 th 
to 3:30 PM, Saturday January 16th. 

Cost:  
$80.
Includes: 3 meals, lodging, speaker, snacks, games, fire-side chats, etc.

Bring: Bible, bed roll, personal items, warm clothing, & friends

For over 25 years men have enjoyed the camaraderie of these retreats- thought-provoking Scripture-based presentations, fellowship, music, good food, card games, skeet shooting, etc.
Father & son duos are encouraged to come.

About the speaker-

Bruce Wurdeman retired as the executive director of Lutheran Hour Ministries in 2013, a position he held since August 2009. Prior to being named executive director, Wurdeman held the position of Lutheran Hour Ministries' director of United States Ministries for 18 months, where he oversaw the production of The Lutheran Hour® and Woman to Woman® radio programs, seasonal television specials, and print materials. Under his direction, the ministry launched the very popular LHM Men's NetWork in January 2009, a program geared to help congregations reconnect with men and build local men's ministries. Wurdeman previously worked at Lutheran Hour Ministries from 1994 through 2002 in the Volunteer Opportunities department as an assistant director, a position that allowed him to recruit and train more than 100,000 volunteers throughout North America.

Before returning to Lutheran Hour Ministries in 2008, he served as a mission and ministry facilitator for the Texas District of the LCMS, where he was a resource person for 100 congregations in West and South Texas. Prior to his first stint at Lutheran Hour Ministries, Wurdeman filled a variety of roles throughout Lutheran circles, including principal and director of adult education at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Eureka, Missouri; director of campus ministry for the North Dakota District of the LCMS; director of youth ministry at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Fargo, North Dakota; and a math/science teacher and youth director at Zion Lutheran Church in Bethalto, Illinois.

Wurdeman has a bachelor's degree in Education and School Administration from Concordia University in River Forest, Illinois, and a master's degree in Exegetical Theology (Old Testament) from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. In 2012 he received an honorary doctorate from Concordia University in Chicago. He and his wife Marijane have three grown children and three grandchildren.

 

Preching to Bound Wills in North Dakota, a conversation with Rev. Donavan Riley.
  Check out the latest podcast: Preaching to Bound Wills in North Dakota, a conversation with Rev. Donavan Riley.






mountain-cross-silhouette.jpg
North Dakota District LC-MS
Pre-Lent Preparation
January 11-13, 2016
St. Andrew Lutheran, West Fargo
 
Time to Rest, Reflect, and Re-create.
 
A Lenten Series:
A Reality Beyond Our Mortal Vision:
The Psalms and The Touch of Grace
 
Presenter: Dr. Timothy Saleska
 
Remember:
Ashe Wednesday is February 10th
                                                                                         
Monday January 11, 2016
12-1:00 pm     Registration
1:00-5pm        Session 1 = .4CEU
Evening Free  
 
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
9:00-Noon.      Session 2 = .3 CEU
Lunch on your own
1:00-5pm        Session 3 = .4CEU
Evening Free
 
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
8:30-Noon       Session 4 = .4CEU
 
The title: A Reality Beyond Our Mortal Vision: Psalms And The Touch of Grace relies on the assumption that there are two registers of existence. The world you see with your mortal eyes, where hard work will "get you places." And the other world, the one you cannot see, where God, who controls all things, dwells. Where your work doesn't matter. Job found that out the hard way. God's favor does not depend on anything you do.
So, on this assumption, grace is-in a sense--terrifying because you can't control it. It comes to you. You are touched by it . . . or not. You can't see it-at least not yet. But there are those who are sure they have it. Paul, for one, was sure he and his addressees had it. He wrote: "[God] hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began." The poets in this series also knew God's touch. They knew God's grace. And it haunts their words. By listening to them, we learn of it, and through their words we might even be touched with it ourselves.
 

 
Some motels in the area:
Days Inn-WF      701-281-0000
Ramada            701-277-9000
Super 8             701-232-9202
Hampton Inn     701-235-5566
Comfort Inn      701-280-9666
AmericInn         701-234-9946
 
 
For more information call:      Clark Jahnke      701-282-4195   revchjahnke@ideaone.net
 
                      
Registration is necessary. Please email or call Clark as soon as possible

Ever feel out of the loop?  Stay Connected!

Stay up to date and informed with a
click of the mouse...
(Simply click on the websites in red.)

ND District Home page  
This site includes photos from things around the  
District as well as the District calendar

North Dakota Lutheran Women's Missionary League  
This site will keep you in tune with the mission-minded, mite-gathering, enthusiastic-for-Christ women of the ND District LWML.

 
Northern Crossings
Check out  "Northern Crossing" A Lutheran
Mercy Blog from North Dakota and Northern
Minnesota at:
to learn about great things happening the the
ND and MNN Districts and beyond!

ND District Youth Ministry
This will keep you abreast of what is happening
with our youth on the District level.

LCMS Home Page
You can stay up to date with everything at the
synodical level including a search engine to help you locate church workers across the synod. 

Lutheran Hour Ministries
Go here for daily devotions, Men's Network
materials and more!

_____________________________________________

You knowhat they say....
  (...like these two newly-baptized children of God !) 
A picture is worth a 1,000 words!
 
Want to submit
information for the E-newsletter? 
Please submit your articles by the  25th of each month. 

 

E-mail Denise at ndlcmssec@midconetwork.com

 

To contact the ND District LCMS--
        

Rev. Dr James A. Baneck, District President

ndlcmspres@midconetwork.com

413 E. Avenue D.
Bismarck, ND 58501
701-751-3424

 

Mr. Bill Sharpe

PO Box, 9029

Fargo, ND 

701-293-9001 

fax 701-293-9022 

nddadsum@aol.com

 

Vicki Peihl, Administrative Assistant
fargoofficendlcms@gmail.com