‘She said to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.”’ (2 Kings 5:3 NIV) This statement was made by a girl who had been ‘taken captive ...from Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife.’ (5:2) It is the only time this girl is mentioned in the Bible. It is the only thing she said, BUT she made a difference.

How? Because of that comment by the slave girl, Naaman, commander and general of the army of the king of Syria, becomes a leper and gets healed by contacting the prophet, Elisha.

She made a difference with her comment even though she was a slave girl, the lowest level by their social standards, a Jewish girl living in Syria, and she was a young female. Some might label her a nothing, or a zero. Yet, she made a difference.

You never know when you can make a difference in someone’s life. Right now, school is starting, and students are meeting new teachers and classmates. Parents are encouraging their children, while teachers are doing their best to make students feel welcome. Everyone wants to help and make a difference.

You and I can make a difference through encouragement, not only to students but all the people around us – spouse, children, family, neighbors, co-workers, fellow members at church, the clerk at the store, etc. Jesus said: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 19:19)

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians at Philippi. “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, ² complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. ³ Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. ⁴ Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. ⁵ Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:1-5)

Just stop for a moment and remember a time when someone encouraged you. Maybe it was a mere “thank you” or an encouraging text or email or a thank you in the mail. For some reason it hit home. You needed that, and others need it too!

The Mission statement for our District states: ENCOURAGE, NETWORK and EQUIP Lutheran congregations of the North Wisconsin District LCMS to vigorously make known the love of Christ. That word ENCOURAGE is a goal of our staff when we interact with church workers and members of the congregations in our District. We want to encourage YOU in your ministry. We hope we can make a positive difference in your life and ministry.

I’m sure no one thought that little slave girl would be taken seriously when she mentioned that a prophet could help her owner. But she was taken seriously, and it made a difference! Naaman found Elisha and by God’s power was healed.

My word of encouragement to you is simple – if you want to make a difference, don’t be afraid to do something even if it seems small. One little word or act can make a big difference!

Blessings,

Rev. Dr. Dwayne Lueck, District President

LOL Major Gift

We give thanks for another major gift this month from a NWD congregation member… $25,000! This gift and all gifts received will receive a 20% match from our friends at Lutheran Legacy Foundation. This moves our total actual dollars received to date to just over $665,000. Praise God! Please consider a gift to the Labor of Love Million Dollar Campaign to help us reduce the educational debt of professional church workers. 

September 15 is the first day to apply for the annual Labor of Love grant to reduce professional church worker debt. Application deadline is December 10, and awards will be made in January.

Eligibility requirements have changed for 2024. School debt over $10,000 now qualifies, as well as no limit on the years out of school.

Surveys in 2023 showed that most applicants found the application process simple and worth the effort. Learn more on the nwdlcms.org website under the Financial Resources tab or HERE.

The first NWD Campus Ministry Summit was held on August 7 in Wausau. Pastor Andy Weden leads Peace Campus Center at UW-Stevens Point and organized the discussion. Leaders from Eau Claire, Appleton, Green Bay, and Houghton were able to attend. The day long agenda included best practices for creating and sustaining a meaningful campus ministry. Pray for the efforts of our campus ministry leaders and congregations.

Tracie Douglas from the NID and our very own Dian Schlichtmann from St. Paul Stevens Point presented at the August all-day Early Childhood Gathering at Trinity Wausau. Held every three years, this event for the teachers and directors of the NWD better equips staff to teach the faith in all aspects of their ministry. Tracie and Dian were part of a team of authors that developed the Spiritual Nurture in the EC Classroom materials produced by the Lutheran Education Association. They led the group of nearly 100 NWD EC educators on topics involving integrating the faith into classroom culture and climate, curriculum planning, and teaching methods. Attendees were gifted free access to the Spiritual Nurture video sessions, activities, and resources. We give thanks for all those serving in our NWD EC centers!

Thank you to the North Wisconsin District and donors for supporting my education at Concordia Seminary-St. Louis for the pastoral ministry. I would not be here without your support in this process. My family is also thankful for your support as we know that without support from the district and other donors, this journey to the pastoral ministry would be extremely difficult. Lori, my wife, and David and Timmy, our two sons, are with me on this adventure at the seminary. Thank you again for all your support. “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,” - Philippians 1:3

God’s Peace be with you all, Steven

“If God has given you wealth, give thanks to God, and see that you make the right use of it.” – Martin Luther

What exactly is faith-based investing?

A recent Global Impact Investing Network study found that 88% of investors utilizing faith-based investment strategies screen undesired companies, or divest from select industries because they support enterprises that are run contrary to Scripture. Faith-based investors prioritize investments aligned with their religious beliefs and values over the potential for the absolute highest financial returns.

Below are three types of faith-based investing:

1. Biblically-responsible investing means evaluating your investment on more than just the potential profit by vetting its impact on the world. A biblically-responsible investor avoids investing in companies that are contrary to God’s Word and one’s conscience.
2. Value-based investing for an LCMS Lutheran would include supporting companies and funds that align with our doctrine, values and principles.
3. Kingdom-impact investing focuses on using one’s resources—such as time, skills, wealth and more—on behalf of the Church’s mission. While the intent is for maximum impact, a competitive rate of return can be, and many times is, achieved.

When you invest with LCEF, you can achieve all three of these approaches and confidently know your investments are helping start and grow LCMS ministries. LCEF has a variety of investments to fit your financial needs. Please visit LCEF.org or contact me to get started today!

In Christ,

Bill Jordan

District Vice President - North Wisconsin

Lutheran Church Extension Fund

bill.jordan@lcef.org - 715-845-8241 ext. 102

North WI District Convention - June 1 & 2, 2025

Central Wisconsin Convention + Expo Center - 10101 Market Street, Rothschild, WI

• On August 6, 2024, the NWD Board of Directors approved the 2025 Convention fee at $340 per congregation. Congregational invoices will go out in September.

• The 2025 Nominations Committee held their initial meeting on Monday, August 12, 2024. Rev. Matthew Ruesch was named chair and Mary Scharenbrock was named Secretary. Nominations for positions on the NWD Board of Directors, 2028 Nominations Committee, and District Secretary were mailed to all congregations on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 (Mailing #1). Watch for this mailing and encourage congregational members to prayerfully consider allowing their name to stand for one of these positions. Nominations are due October 31, 2024.

• Mailing #2 will be sent out in September and will include the convention invoice, overture information, nominating ballots for District President, Vice Presidents, Voting Pastoral Delegate, Voting Lay Delegate and Alternate, Advisory Lay Delegate, and guests.

• The Convention website is now live. Links will be populated as the information becomes available. Check out the details - HERE.

Mental Health Training

“Upheld by God’s Hand: Mental Health Outreach" is a new course designed for LCMS educators and youth workers to gain an understanding and awareness of mental health, mental health problems and mental illness. Through this series of video modules, participants will also learn strategies for supporting the mental health of children and youth. The training is available at no cost. Begin training HERE.

God's Mission Here

The congregations and schools of the LCMS are teaching God’s Word and caring for souls every day. National Mission partners with districts to walk alongside, offering support. The monthly newsletter, God's Mission Here, will highlight several items each month. BECAUSE GOD’S MISSION IS RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE.

Check out the Concordia Plans website for a wealth of information or visit the Concordia Plans page of the NWD website listing the main contacts for churches using their services!

Stay informed with Connecting the Dots newsletters - archived HERE.