GOOD NEWS

Kountze Memorial Lutheran Church • www.kmlchurch.org

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

NOVEMBER 2014

From the Pastor

Advent Begins Nov. 30Pg. 2

Stewardship SpotlightPg. 3

Kountze Military Christmas Greetings

Pg. 4

Elevate Youth Retreat ReflectionsPg. 6

Our Lutheran PilgrimagePg. 9

Dear Friends in Christ,

“But now thus says the Lord. . . ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name,

you are mine.’” Isaiah 43:1

I couldn’t help but be moved when Ian brought in the first copy of the new directory. Very, very few large congregations take ondoing a directory in-house, and even fewer do it with such a passion for excellence. Pictures do, indeed, tell a thousand words. This directory, from the opening photographs of our staff who lead and serve us so well, to the ministry pages arranged according to our mission to Worship, Grow and Serve, to the photos of the current generation in the oldest continuous Lutheran congregation west of the Missouri River, to the history in the back; this directory can serve as a vital tool in becoming more familiar with one another as we seek to live out our mission in our generation. This directory can be continually updated as changes occur within the congregation, and new members become a part of our community. Our Advent theme this year is: “God is in the Manger: Reflections on Advent and Christmas,” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

More information can be found inside this newsletter. This devotional resource would go well next to your Bible and new directory. If you do not already do so, perhaps this Advent would be a good time to start praying for a member of the staff and one household a day, or even a whole page of your friends at Kountze. The most important section of our directory is obviously the pages of individual households—the current generation of our historic congregation. “Generation after generation stands in awe of your work, each one tells stories of your mighty acts” (Psalm 145: 4). “Generations of Generosity” is our fall stewardship theme, and it fits us well! We stand on the broad shoulders of generations of generosity. In many cases at Kountze, the generations of generosity include parents, grandparents, even great grandparents, and uncles and aunts. It is Generations of Generosity that are making the negotiations to purchase the KETV television station possible through our Endowment Fund. One of our goals next year is to call a full-time Associate Pastor to join the rest of the staff and Pastors Hall and Inbarasu, who both serve very ably, but only on a quarter-time basis. The Associate Pastor

would likely serve in much the same capacity as Pastor Lundahl did and oversee such areas as pastoral care, senior ministry and congregation-wide events, which have been identified as areas of potential emphasis and growth. The stewardship packet contains the following: • Step Up in Giving • Growth in Giving Guide • Ways to Give Bookmark • Simply Giving Form • Estimate of Giving Card

Extra packets are available at the Welcome Desk, or you may use the enclosed Estimate of Giving card. Your estimate is just that—an estimate that can be changed at any time during the year. Consecration Weekend is Nov. 8-9, but you may make your 2015 Estimate of Giving at any time. The current generation of Kountze has been entrusted with much in the way of material good—in many cases far more than the generous generations preceding us. I hope the generation that follows ours will deem us as generous as the generous generations before us.

In Christ,Jeffery Alvestad, Pastor

Good News2

Advent begins Nov. 30God Is in the Manger: Reflections on Advent and Christmas

“There are only two places where the powerful and great in this world lose their courage, tremble in the depths of their souls, and become truly afraid. These are the manger and the cross of Jesus Christ.”

“No priest, no theologian stood at the cradle of Bethlehem. And yet, all Christian theology finds its beginnings in the miracle of miracles, that God became human.”

From the editor’s preface:This devotional bring together daily reflections from one of the 20th century’s most beloved theologians, Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945). These reflections have been chosen especially for the seasons of Advent and Christmas, a time when the liturgical calendar highlights several themes of Bonhoeffer’s belief and teachings. . . for Bonehoeffer waiting—one of the central themes of the Advent experience—was a fact of life during the war: waiting to be able to spend more than an hour a month in the company of his young fiancée, Maria von Wedemeyer; waiting for the end of the war. In his absence, friends and former students were killed and his parents’ home was bombed; there was little he could do about any of this except pray and wield a powerful pen. There was helplessness in his situation that he recognized as a parallel to

Advent, Christians’ time of waiting for the redemption of Christ.

These stirring words are among 40 devotions that will guide and inspire us as we move through the weeks of Advent and Christmas, from waiting and mystery to redemption, incarnation and joy. The liturgical setting for the Wednesday services will be Holden Evening Prayer.

Wednesday, Dec. 3: WaitingWednesday, Dec. 10: MysteryWednesday, Dec. 17: Redemption

A light supper will be served from 5:30-6:30 p.m. followed by Holden Evening Prayer in the sanctuary at 7 p.m.

Welcome, Pr. Ostrom! On Oct. 12, Pr. Mike Ostrom was installed as the Omaha Coordinator for Nebraska Lutheran Campus Ministry (NeLCM). He will join Pr. Hall in the wider effort to keep an active Lutheran presence at Omaha colleges and universities. NeLCM at UNO, Metro and other schools have not had an active coordinator in some time. Pr. Ostrom will help maintain/revive these ministries and create opportunities for students from all Omaha colleges and universities to gather for service, study and worship. This new program was developed in consultation with our existing campus ministry at Creighton and received support from the Endowment. We are delighted to have a friend and partner in our continuing efforts at Creighton and a leader who can help the synod bring the good news of the Gospel to our colleges and universities. Pr Ostrom will join a group of pastors from area congregations (including Augustana Lutheran and First Central Congregational UCC) who help Pr. Hall in the ministry at Creighton.

Taizé Worship Our Taizé liturgy (in partnership with the Office of Campus Ministry at Creigh-ton) is Thursday, Nov. 13 at 8 p.m.

Lutheran Campus Ministry

Advent GatheringNov. 30

The annual Advent Gathering will be held Sunday, Nov. 30 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Fellow-ship Hall. All Kountze members, families and friends are invited to share in this fun, Advent cel-ebration. Activities will include Advent wreaths, crafts, ornaments, music, a book table, devotions and a light lunch.

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Our Immersion Bible Study, led by Dr. Richard Sieling, continues on Wednesdays from 10:30-11:30 a.m. through Nov. 12. We will prepare ourselves for worship by studying the readings for the coming Sunday, with emphasis on the Gospel lessons from Matthew.

Immersion Bible Study

Heritage Series continues

Pr. Ashley Hall continues the Heritage Series this month on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. We are examining Timothy Wengert’s A Formula for Parish Practice: Using the Formula of Con-cord in Congregations (ISBN: 978-0802830265). Participants may order the book online; a limited number of books will be available for purchase ($21) through the church office. All are welcome. Weekly attendance is not necessary. A mind eager to explore is the only prerequisite. The last class this Fall will be Nov. 19 as we pause for Advent and Christ-mas. We will resume in January.

Stewardship Spotlight

Thanks to the congregation of St. Michael Lutheran Church, we have a temporary replacement processional cross and torches while ours are be-ing refurbished. Our congregation’s original processional cross and torches should return to us sparkling and re-stored in time for Christmas. In the meantime, St. Michael’s generosity means that we can continue our liturgical tradition of a procession, which symbolizes the person of Jesus Christ and his life-giving light entering our world and our assembly. Thanks be to God!

Temporary Processional Cross, Torches

Generations of Generosity—“Generation after generation stands in awe of your work, each one tells stories of your mighty acts.” Psalm 145:4

When we look through our history as a congregation, we stand in awe of what those before us accomplished. But isn’t the most awe inspiring work the work that God has done in providing everything we have—including the gift of life eternal? What are we called to do individually and together as God’s people to continue telling the story of what God has done for us? We can begin by being good stewards. There are 3 basic concepts to being a Christian steward: 1. ATTITUDE: Christian stewards begin with an acceptance that all they have is gifted from God. God has given each of us life, which represents the resource of time. God has uniquely enabled each of us with skills or callings, which represent the talents he has provided each of us. God has provided all the treasures we have including the resource of money. 2. GRATITUDE: Because God has given us all we have, we should be thankful to Him. We are expected to return to God a portion of the resources He has provided us as an act of worship. 3. MULTITUDE: If you bring one can of vegetables to the food pantry, it will not do much to feed the more than 400 people served each week. But, together as God’s church, we can do so much with the resources we return to God collectively. We can share the good news through the various programs and activities of the church to grow the faith—both our

individual faith as well as numbers by bringing others to faith in God. Stewardship is all about the way we use all the resources God has provided to each of us—time, talents, possessions and money—to love God and to love others. Remember there are multiple ways to give. Donation by cash and check is still in use. Simply Giving is a program where you set up your offering to be made by EFT withdrawal from your bank account. There is also an online giving page on the church website. This page can be accessed using the QR code in the bulletin. The stewardship committee asks you to prayerfully consider making an estimate of what you will return to the Lord for His work in 2015 by turning in your 2015 Estimate of Giving on Consecration Weekend, Nov. 8-9. This will enable your church leadership to be well equipped to prepare a plan for the use of God’s resources in the form of the church budget. Some of the needs for 2015 include funding for a full-time associate pastor; expanding children, youth and family ministries; renewing senior ministries; and providing ongoing funding for various congregational events.

A Thanksgiving Meal will be held on Thursday, Nov. 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Saint Peter Catholic Church’s gymnasium at 28th and Leavenworth sts. Enjoy fellowship and a free traditional Thanksgiving meal with turkey and all the trimmings! Volunteers and pies are also needed. Contact the church office at (402) 341-7761.

Thanksgiving Meal

Good News4

Pastoral ActsBaptismsDelilah Christine Edris Sept. 13, 2014 Alana May Brown Sept. 27, 2014Declan Joseph Minturn Oct. 12, 2014

FuneralsMaxine Jensen Sept. 25, 2014

Yesterday’s Youth

Veteran’s Breakfast is Nov. 9

The Youth Group invites all members of Kountze to a Breakfast and Coffee honoring all Veterans on Sunday, Nov. 9 from 8-11 a.m. A free-will offering will be taken. We will be serving pancakes, eggs and sausage. All Kountze Veterans: Please contact Ian Hartfield, Director of Con-gregational Life, at (402) 341-7761 or e-mail ian@kmlchurch.org, so we can be sure to honor you! Youth and families: Please contact Ian if you can help cook break-fast.

Please join us on Tuesday, Nov. 4 at noon for lunch followed by Chet Worm speaking about the research trips he and the Archives Committee have been on regarding the history of Kountze. Worm is a member of our Archives Committee. The afternoon should be interesting to both life-long members of Kountze, those brand new to Kountze and everyone else in between. Please call the church office for reservations at (402) 341-7761. Hope to see you on Nov. 4!

Kountze military Christmas greetingsOn Nov. 2 and 9, we will again have the privilege of collecting cards and other items to include in holiday care packages for our Kountze servicemen and servicewomen. This is a wonderful opportunity to show that we, as a church body, are holding them in our thoughts and prayers. Cards will be mailed to each of our Kountze military members. Cards and care packages will be sent to those deployed overseas. If you are interested in participating, we ask that you place your item(s) in the marked box located in the Fellowship Hall. Cards will be provided near the boxes. Please take several cards to write notes to our service members and return them to the Fellowship Hall by Nov. 9 to be included in the Christmas mailings. The size of military boxes is quite specific so we ask that you please select items from this list or items similar in size: Cards and letters, individual packages of peanuts, trail mix, dried fruit, instant oatmeal, coffee, hot chocolate, lemonade, small bags of candy, chewing gum, jelly beans, small packages of beef jerky (this seems to be a favorite!), stationery, small notebooks, small packages of

baby wipes, travel size toiletry items, socks, fun/goofy things such as yo-yos, inflatable balls, super balls or decorations for Christmas and New Year’s Eve (a reminder that all items must be very small), magazines, Husker t-shirts, pens, flags or other small Big Red memorabilia. Our Kountze military members often share your greetings and gifts with their comrades. Thank you so very much for your help in sending love, joy, support and encouragement to those who serve our country! For more information, visit our website at http://www.kmlchurch.org. Click on “Military Christmas” under the News & Events tab.

Changes to TV broadcast on Cox CablePlease note the following change to our television broadcasts on Cox Cable. Our 9 a.m. Sunday service is still broadcast live on Cox Cable Ch. 126. However, the digital-ready channel has changed from 84-4 to 83-2. If you have a digital cable ready TV (most newer models from 2009 on), all you need to do is take the coaxial cable (the one that goes from the wall to the cable box) and plug it directly into the TV. To reach the network, tune to 83-2.

(Ch. 126 is only available through a cable box.) Customers can have any cable plan to connect to Ch. 83-2, if they have a digital ready cable TV equipped with a ClearQam tuner. Most TV’s built after the digital transition in 2009 have these tuners built in; some built between 2006-2009 also have the tuner. For technical assistance for your system, please contact Cox Cable at (402) 933-3000.

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YOUTH And FAMILY @KMLCYOUTH

FACEBOOK.COM/KMLCYOUTH

@KMLCYOUTH

Connect with us!

Children’s MinistriesSunday SchoolOur Sunday School schedule this month is as follows: Nov. 2: Humble and Exalted (Matthew 23:1-12) Nov. 9: Ten Bridesmaids (Mat-thew 25: 1-13) Nov. 16: Parable of Talents (Mat-thew 25:14-30) Nov. 23: Sheep and Goats (Mat-thew 25:31-46). Christmas Program Rehearsal. Nov. 30: Advent Gathering 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (No Sunday School) Dec. 7: John the Baptist (Mark 1:1-8). Christmas Program Rehearsal.

Children’s ChoirsDon’t forget to check out Children’s Choirs on Sunday mornings. Both the Cherub Choir (K-2nd) and Good News Singers (3rd-6th grade) meet upstairs in the Sunday School classrooms from 11-11:45 a.m.

ConfirmationOur confirmation schedule this month is as follows: Nov. 5: Lutheran Worship Prac-tices Nov. 12: Lutheran Worship Prac-tices Nov. 19: Lutheran Worship Prac-tices Nov. 26: No Confirmation. Thanksgiving Eve Worship at 7 p.m. Dec. 3: Advent Devotional—Isa-iah 40:4-5. During Advent, we will be having Worship every Wednesday at 7 p.m.

High School Lock-InA Senior High Lock-In for youth in 8th-12th grade will be held on Friday, Nov. 14 from 7-8 p.m.

Girls Bible Study will be on Monday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. The topic is still being determined. We will be meeting at Lily and Mattie O’Kane’s house. Please contact Katie Larson at katie@kmlchurch.org or (402) 341-7761 for the exact ad-dress.

Girls Bible StudyNov. 10

3rd SundayYouth Group

Our 3rd Sunday Youth Group will be meet-ing at Urban Abbey (10th and Jackson sts.) on Sunday, Nov. 16 at 5:30 p.m. If you would like to meet at Kountze Memorial and then carpool downtown to Urban Abbey, please contact Katie Larson at katie@kmlchurch.org or call (402) 341-7761.

Summer Mission Trip to ELCA Youth Gathering

All KMLC High School Youth (grades 9-12) and Current 8th graders are invited to travel with us July 13-20, 2015, for a once in-a-lifetime oppor-tunity to the ELCA Youth Gathering in Detroit, Michigan! We will gather in Detroit with nearly 40,000 Lutheran teenagers from around the country for a trans-formative week of worship, growth and service. We will be traveling by motorcoach with other area churches.

DETAILSBe sure to watch your mail for a regis-tration packet and dates for an upcom-ing Parent informational meeting.

REGISTRATION DUE: Nov. 30. Space is limited so SIGN UP EARLY!COST: Early-Bird: $550 per person (BY NOV. 16); Late: $650 (NOV. 17-30)DEPOSIT: A $150 deposit is due with your registration forms. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: Financial Assistance is available—it is our goal to make this experience available to everyone. We do ask that families try to commit to providing a portion of the cost if possible.

Check out the Gathering web site for more info at http://www.elca.org/gathering.

Visit our website at http://www.kmlchurch.org for more info.

Parents’ Night OutThe High School Youth Group is hosting a Parents’ Night Out on Friday, Nov. 21 from 6-10 p.m. for all KMLC parents with children ages toddler to 5th grade. A free-will offering will be taken. We’ll provide your children a safe, fun and wonderful evening at KMLC. All children must have eaten dinner prior to attending. Please provide diaper bags and a change of clothes (if applicable). Nursery care will also be provided by the nursery staff.

Good News6

20 Youth participate in Elevate RetreatHe says, “Be still, and know that I am God. . .” Psalm 46:10

“Be still, and know that I am God…” was the emphasized verse at the recent Elevate Youth Retreat held the first weekend in October at Camp Rivercrest in Fremont, Neb. More than 125 middle school and high school Lutherans from five metro-area churches, including Kountze, attended the retreat. In its fourth year of participating, Kountze had 20 youth participants, who were accompanied by Matt Coufal, Ian Hartfield, Katie Larson and Rhonda Wachholtz. “I volunteered to be an adult leader thinking I could help with the youth, make sure they were where they were supposed to be, at the time they were supposed to be there and help with any problems that may arise,” Wachholtz said. “I knew I would enjoy the weekend, but didn’t quite realize that I would be learning as much as I did—not just from the speakers and worship leaders, but from the youth as well. Throughout the weekend I witnessed our youth challenging themselves (and me) spiritually and not shying away from some pretty tough questions.” She said the most memorable part of the weekend for her was closing worship on Saturday night. “The music was playing, everyone was up on their feet singing, and the whole Kountze group was a single spiritual unified chorus standing arm in arm in praise of the Lord,” Wachholtz said. “To be able to be a part of that, especially standing next to my son Carter was truly inspiring. The weekend messages have extended home and have prompted some wonderful discussions in our home to which I am

very thankful for.” Throughout the weekend, the youth participated in multiple worship sessions and fellowship activities, which included everything from hiking and zip lining to paintball and big group games. However, the most memorable and meaningful time was spent in small-group discussion. During small groups on Saturday morning, Ryan Lawrence, a 9th grade student, shared his journey with the rest of his group: “My neighbor asked me to go to church with her,” Lawrence recalled. That’s where it began for him. It was the simple invitation from his neighbor that forever changed his journey. Lawrence continued, “For me it was finding good friends that made the difference. Before I wanted to stay up late on Saturday nights, and I would be too tired on Sunday mornings.”

Larson said that story gave everyone a good lesson in both faith and witnessing. “Kountze Memorial has provided this amazing young man with a loving and supportive community that has helped him grow in his faith and that is extraordinary,” Larson said. “I am extremely grateful that I, along with other youth and adults, were able to have the time at the Elevate Youth Retreat to get to hear Ryan’s story.”

Twenty youth from Kountze, along with four adult leaders, participated in the Elevate Youth Retreat in October at Camp Rivercrest.

Youth and adult leaders share discussion at the Elevate Youth Retreat.

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Children’s Christmasprogram rehearsals

Rehearsals have begun for the Children’s Christmas Program, “Get in Line for Christmas at Bethlehem’s Corner Market.” Rehearsals are each Sunday from 11-11:45 a.m. A dress rehearsal will be held on Saturday, Dec. 13. Performances are on Sunday, Dec. 14 at the 9 and 11 a.m. services. All Sunday School children are invited to participate. We also need the congregation’s help with the following: • Costumes • Set (We need a Bethlehem Market storefront) • A sign language coach for the children • A script coach for the cast • A high school student that can play the snare drum for two songs If you’re interested in helping, contact Shari Lyles at (402) 680-4729 or e-mail sdlyles@gmail.com.

Candlelight Carol Sing

Kountze Memorial Lutheran ChurchSaturday, Dec. 20 at 5 p.m.

Free-Will Offering

Oh, come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant!Oh, come ye, oh, come ye to Bethlehem;

Come and behold Him born the king of angels:Oh, come, let us adore Him, oh, come, let us adore Him,

Oh, come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!

We invite you to join us for a program of Advent and Christmas Carol singing! This festive program will celebrate the birth of Jesus through scripture read-ings, sacred poetry, congregational singing and special musical offerings from our Kountze choirs, bells, brass, woodwinds, strings and more. The gift of the Eucharist will be shared. Beginning at 4:30 p.m., a lovely prelude will be pre-sented by some of our Kountze ensembles. Following the program, we will gather in the Fellowship Hall for hot chocolate and Christmas cookies. It promises to be a lovely and meaningful event as we gather together to welcome the birth of Jesus through the gift of the Blessed Sacrament, word and song! Please remember to invite family and friends for this special event. We look forward to seeing you and joining you in song.

Thank you!n Thank you to all who helped to unload the two trucks when the organ was delivered and thank you to Gordon Boe, Tina Broekemeier, Lowell Harms, Don Palmer, Carol Sieling, Bob Woodworth and Chet Worm for helping as the pipes were being installed.

n A sincere thank you to all who participated in this year’s CROP Walk and to all those who sponsored a walker

or left a check in the office. We also thank Thrivent Financial for $500 in matching funds. A very special thank you to Tootie Rohde, who raised $2,010. For several years, Tootie and Norma Pafford took turns being the highest fundraisers until Norma was forced to retire due to her health. In honor of Pafford’s years of hard work for CROP Walk, Rohde is dedicating her record-breaking total this year to her!

The overall total for Kountze Memorial should be approximately $4,500 plus the $500 from Thrivent for the fight against hunger and poverty in Omaha and around the world. About 30 walkers participated. If you were a walker and still have your envelope (used or unused) or if you sponsored a walker and have not paid, please bring your envelope or check to the church office as soon as possible. Thank you again for your generosity!

Good News8

Book Club Nov. 9Church CouncilThe Church Council met on Oct. 21, 2014. The Treasurer’s Report and Staff Reports were reviewed and accepted. The Council praised the High School Choir, which performed on Oct. 19, and the work of Janet Campbell to lead them. The Parish Planning Day was a success with more than 50 participants from various church committees discussing future projects. The organ will not be ready for Reformation Sunday, Oct. 26, but should be ready in early November. The president of Schoenstein Organ Co. has told us we now have one of the finest Aeolian-Skinner organs in the country. Tarna Kidder provided an update on the work of the KETV Task Force. We have begun communicating with KETV. The meeting adjourned with the Lord’s Prayer.

Men’s Luncheon Nov. 20All KMLC men, working or retired, are invited to attend the KMLC Men’s Luncheon. We’ll meet every month at 11:30 a.m. for a program, coffee and catered lunch. This month’s luncheon is on Thursday, Nov. 20. Watch the Bulletin and weekly E-news for information on the speaker. The cost is $10 for the catered lunch. Please R.S.V.P. to the church office at (402) 341-7761 or e-mail Ian Hartfield at ian@kmlchurch.org.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

The federal government mandated the holiday called “Thanksgiving” in 1941 to give us the opportunity to assess our condition and give thanks for all our blessings. The Bible tells us Congress got it all wrong. “Give thanks in all circumstances,” the Bible says. That means not just when we are full of turkey, surrounded by family and watching football on the fourth Thursday in November. That means every day, in every circumstance, whether we are full or hungry, in the company of loved ones or all alone, good or bad, happy or sad. We are to be a thankful people— always. Not only that. “This is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” It is God’s will for us.

Urban Ministries

Women’s Newsn Lutheran Women of Omaha will meet on Tuesday, Nov. 11 at noon at Rejoice Lutheran Church at 2550 South 138th St. There will be a luncheon followed by a program on Turkey (the country) given by Nancy Johnson, a member of Rejoice. The project is the Salvation Army Heat Fund. If interested in attending, contact Carole Woodworth at (402) 339-2056. Attendance at these meetings is a good way to meet your fellow Lutheran women in the metro area.

n The circle project for November is a Thankoffering and the project for December is the Kountze Heat Fund.

n The Kountze Sewing Group has made 198 quilts to send to Lutheran World Relief.

n The Christmas Tea will be Friday, Dec. 5 at noon. Simone Weber will entertain.

From the God who gives us all our other blessings He gives us one more—the blessing of being thankful. It is a good condition to be in. It improves our whole outlook. So this Thanksgiving and every day, I am thankful for our pantry and pantry guests, our Healing Gift Clinic and patients, and all of you who support our pantry and clinic either as volunteers, health providers or by donating food or funding to these two programs. I am thankful that our church reaches out to the community with its ministries to the hungry and the hurting. And I am thankful to be a part of a church that seeks to serve all people, but particularly those who have the least to be thankful for. May all of you feel blessed and thankful always, for this is God’s will for you. --Gordon Boe, Urban Outreach Coordinator

The Book Club will meet on Sunday, Nov. 9 at noon to discuss “Ordinary Grace: A Novel” by William Kent Krueger. Krueger has written a novel that is part mystery but mostly an extended meditation. The narrator, Frank Drum, writes as a middle-age man looking back on a summer in 1961 in New Bremen, Minnesota, when he was 13; the Minnesota Twins were in their first season; and death, in five different instances, shook his family and their community in the Minnesota River valley. This coming-of-age story shows how grace can work through the fissures of suffering.

Church Directories are in!The 2015 Church Directories have ar-rived. If you ordered a directory, you may pick it up at the Welcome Desk in Fellowship Hall on Sundays or in the Hospitality/Bride’s Room on Satur-days. They are also available for pur-chase for $10.

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Our Lutheran PilgrimageBy Carol Stoltenberg

What do you get when you combine 36 members and friends of Kountze and 12 days in Germany? You get an amazing pilgrimage through the cities where Reformers and Christian martyrs lived, worked and died. You also get the opportunity to deepen your friendships with each of the amazing people in that group. This trip began at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin, where the vesper service in its quiet sanctuary helped us focus on our reason for being on this adventure. The golden figure of Christ against the serene blue glass walls created a sense of peace that one wouldn’t expect at the heart of such a busy city. The next morning we worshipped at our sister congregation, the American Church in Berlin, and then shared a tasty potluck dinner and conversations with its members. What wonderful people of faith they are! We discovered that in spite of living on different continents, we have much in common. We are so grateful to these fellow Lutherans for the gift bags they gave us, but also for the example they set as Christians reaching out to the world around them. Over the next few days, we toured Berlin, Wittenberg, Eisleben, Halle, Leipzig, Weimar, Erfurt, Eisenach and Marburg. We saw the houses where the reformers Martin and Käthe Luther and Philipp Melanchthon lived and worked. We saw original art created by Lucas Cranach and heard music played on instruments from the time of J S Bach. We learned about Dietrich Bonhoeffer and life as a Christian during the time when East Germany was controlled by a communist government. We worshipped near the doors where

Luther nailed his 95 Theses almost 500 years ago and at Buchenwald, where countless people were killed during the Holocaust. We fell asleep in the shadow of the Wartburg Castle, where Luther translated the New Testament while hiding from his enemies. As we drove from town to town, we chatted on the bus and got to know each other better. We bonded over delicious German foods and grew to

appreciate our excellent host and guide, Christian Eggert. We could call this a once in a life-time experience, except that if the opportunity presented itself again, we would all want to sign up for the next trip, too. Our sincere thanks go out to our guides and lecturers in Germany and Pastors Bard and Alvestad for their leadership and inspiration on this amazing pilgrimage into our Lutheran heritage.

Germany Pilgrimage travelers at the Augustinian Monastery in Erfurt, Germany.

Pastor Hall will lead a short preparation for those children ready to make their First Communion on Sunday, Nov. 16, from noon-1 p.m. The seminar begins in the conference room of the office; lunch (pizza) will be served. The ELCA affirms that all baptized Christians may receive the Lord’s Supper. A good rule of thumb to determine if the “time is right” is to consider whether your child is curious

about participating in the Sacrament. Please register by calling the church office at (402) 341-7761. First Communion Celebration, Nov. 30: Children making their First Communion will receive the Sacrament on the First Sunday of Advent, Nov. 30 at the 9 a.m. liturgy and receive their certificates at the Advent Gathering at 10:10 a.m.

First Communion class is Nov. 16

Good News10

Happy Birthday!Nov. 1

Myrtle Hinrichs, A. Wallace Jones, Cameron McCarthy, Sherry Nickel, Daniel Reeves, Cody Schramm

Nov. 2Donald Lamphere, Penny Matuszeski, Marilyn McEwan, Richard Nelson III

Nov. 3Danna Grinnell, Robert Siffring, Anne Ozar

Nov. 4Patricia Elson, Robert Whitehead

Nov. 5Lora Sarich

Nov. 6Kimberly Grassmeyer

Nov. 7Tiffany Zaporowski

Nov. 8Randy Rolfe, Angela Svacina

Nov. 9Gerald Clanton, Leslie Hartmann, Shirley Dietrich, Pamela Duffield, Paul Nippert, Beth Pechacek, Carolyn Wheeler

Nov. 10Michael Dodge, Robin Jones, Paulette Luetje, Katrina Venn

Nov. 11Janette Catron, Hazel Hanson, Dean Van Caster

Nov. 12Deanna Lundin, Jameson McShane, Christina Raber, Ethan Ray, Jeanne Schramm

Nov. 13Kristine Olson

Nov. 14Sharon Anderson, JoDee Klinker, Rebecca Kratky, Christopher Vawter

Nov. 15Blake Gittler, Cathy Mileger

Nov. 16Christopher Fischer, Robin Ferguson, Kristine Zellmer

Nov. 17William Kee

Nov. 18Kristen Freier, Dwight Kurbis, Judith Ryan, Cole Schramm, Jean Zulfer

Nov. 19Vanessa Bang, Antonio Costanzo, Linda Peltz, Jeanette Sikora

Nov. 20Gary Ashcraft, Peter Jacobsen, Kenneth Johnson

Nov. 21Jamie Catron, Justin Diggins, Paul Gittler, Matt Minturn

Nov. 22Joan Kassay-Farkas, Derek Reichert, Sarah Reida, Carol Stoltenberg

Nov. 23June Anderson, Kyle Johnson, Kent Rasmussen, Roberta Worm

Nov. 24Benjamin Brinkman, Tristan Johnson, Lloyd Peters, Kyra Peterson, Douglas Reed

Nov. 25Linda Filbrandt, Benjamin Svacina

Nov. 26Evelyn Fialho, Kara Radwan

Nov. 27Adam Arispe, Sean McLeod, Duane Retzlaff

Nov. 28Susan Muchmore, Walter Nash, Donna Reinig

Nov. 29Albert Grage, Benjamin Hinrichs

Nov. 30Beverly Bannick, Carl Englert, Stefanie Ervin, Katie Harshbarger, John Mertz, Debbie Robinson

A Grief Seminar is scheduled for All Saint’s Sunday on Nov. 2 from Noon-2 p.m. Anyone who has experienced the death of a loved one during the past year is invited to a luncheon at Kountze. This is an opportunity to share with others who are experiencing a similar loss. Materials and guided discussion will be provided. Please call the church office at (402) 341-7761 with questions or to let us know if you will be able to attend.

Grief Seminar Nov. 2

The Social Ministry Committee will be collecting items for Lutheran Family Services for distribution this Christmas to the many families they help support. We would appreciate any help you can provide. We will be collecting during the month of November only. Items needed include newborn onesies, baby wash

cloths, Legos, board games, alarm clocks and silverware. Please visit the Welcome Desk or our website for a full listing of items being collected. On the website, click on “LFS Christmas” under News and Events.

Social Ministry seeks items for Christmas distribution

Perkins chroniclesHaiti experience

Kountze Member Justin Perkins chronicles his experience traveling with 12 people from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Lutheran Center to Wings of Hope in Haiti last summer in the Lutheran Center’s Magazine, “The Letter.” Visit our website at www.kml-church.org and click on “Haiti article” under News & Events to see the article. Wings of Hope is a community that provides a home and life of love for 29 residents with physical and mental chal-lenges.

November Adult Forum Schedule

291623

Stewardship Program, Part 3

Services for Veterans

Presentation on Germany Trip

Pr. Mike Ostrom with NeLCM

Join us each Sunday at 10:10 a.m. in Fellowship Hall for the Adult Forum.

30 Advent Gathering

11www.kmlchurch.org

Faith in ActionEach month, we will highlight a faith formation ministry happening in the church. Send us your stories of Faith In Action, and we’ll share them with the congregation. Contact Ian Hartfield at (402) 341-7761 or e-mail ian@kmlchurch.org with your stories.

Blessing your Christmas tree, Advent wreathIn the German and Scandinavian traditions of Christianity, the Advent Wreath and Christmas Tree became important symbols of the Advent and Christmas Seasons: in the birth of Jesus, the Word made Flesh, our broken world is healed, and sin and death no longer had dominion over us. These symbols can also be important opportunities for families to pray together, to discuss the Christian message of the season, as well as to share family stories. Blessings and prayers (i.e., devotions) around the Advent Wreath and Christmas tree are common and available from many Lutheran resources. Here are two:

Blessing the Advent WreathThe blessing of an Advent Wreath takes place on the First Sunday of Advent or on the evening before the First Sunday of Advent.All may make the sign of the cross as a parent/leader says:Our help is in the name of the Lord. Response (R:) Who made heaven and earth. Then the Scripture, Isaiah 9: (verses 1-2 and 5-6) or Isaiah 63 (verses 16-17 & 19) or Isaiah 64 (verses 2-7) is read. These readings may be done by the children. Reader: The Word of the Lord. R: Thanks be to God.

With hands joined, a parent/leader says:Let us pray: Lord our God, we praise you for your Son, Jesus Christ: he is Emmanuel, the hope of the peoples, he is the wisdom that teaches and guides us, he is the Savior of every nation. Lord God, let your blessing come upon us as we light the candles of this wreath. May the wreath and its light be a sign of Christ’s promise to bring us salvation. May he come quickly

and not delay. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R: Amen.

Blessing of a Christmas Tree (whether done on Christmas Eve or when the tree is put up earlier). With the family gathered, all may make a sign of the cross. A parent/leader says: Let us pray: O God, who made this holy night [or, if done before Christmas Eve: this holy season] shine with the brightness of new light, Bless this tree which we adorn with lights to honor him who comes to enlighten us. Let us see in this tree your beautiful simplicity and humble strength. Let this tree remind us of our responsibility for the care of your good earth. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R: Amen.

Will you offer a ride?We are looking for volunteers from all sections of the greater Omaha area who might volunteer to bring someone to church once or twice a month. If you are interested in participating or if you need a ride to church, please contact the church office at (402) 341-7761.

n Thank you to all the church staff, council, and committee and task force members who attended Parish Planning Day in October. We had more than 50 in attendance, and it was a great time of fellowship, brainstorming, planning and visioning for the future. Guided by our theme “Sharing Christ Generously,” we are looking forward to an enriching new year of mission and ministry.

n A sincere thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s CROP Walk. For more information on the amount of money raised, see pg. 7.

At 8 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 23, Lu-theran Campus Ministry at Creighton and St. John’s Parish (at Creighton University) are co-sponsoring an ecu-menical prayer service to celebrate our commitment to our Lord’s Prayer that his disciples might be one (John 17:21). More information to come.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDOmaha NE 68131

Permit 238

Kountze MemorialLutheran ChurchGood News • November 20142650 Farnam St.Omaha, NE 68131-3616

Phone: (402) 341-7761Fax: (402) 341-4841E-mail: info@kmlchurch.orgWeb: www.kmlchurch.org Jeffery Alvestad, Senior PastorH. Ashley Hall, Associate Pastor Inba Inbarasu, Visitation Pastor

Worship Schedule:Saturday at 5 p.m.

Sunday at 9 and 11 a.m. Wednesday Communion at 12:15 p.m.

The 9 a.m. Sunday service is televised live on Cox Cable Ch. 126 in Omaha.

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Thank You!Dear Kountze family, Matt and I are so very grateful for your continued support of Table Grace Café in downtown Omaha. We appreciate the grant we were awarded this year from your Endowment Fund to cover one month of operational costs. This will assist us in serving around 50 people per day and will assist in expanding the impact we are able to have on the community that eats at and encounters Table Grace every day. The community café is another way to be the grace of Christ in the world and encounter people from all walks of life with nourishing food for their bodies and food for the soul through music and spiritual food. We invite you to join us at Table Grace Café anytime Monday through Saturday for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Keep Table Grace in mind for any catering needs that may arise for small to large events. We look forward to seeing you all soon.

Peace, Simone Weber

New member classes begin Nov. 9If you are interested in becoming a member of our faith community, Mem-bership Classes will be held on Sunday, Nov. 9 and 16 in Fellowship Lounge. The classes start with a light lunch at noon, following the 11 a.m. worship service. The classes last approximately 1½-2 hours, and you will spend time with our pastors learning more about our congre-gation and Lutheran heritage. Childcare is available. All new members will be received into the congregation on Sunday, Nov. 23 at 9 or 11 a.m.

If you haven’t already contacted the church, we would appreciate you calling the church office at (402) 341-7761 or sending an e-mail to info@kmlchurch.org by Wednesday, Nov. 5 so that we can plan for lunch and childcare. If you have any questions regarding membership at Kountze Memorial, you are welcome to contact one of the pas-tors or Ian Hartfield, Director of Con-gregational Life, in the church office. We look forward to welcoming you as a new member of our faith commu-nity in November!

Interested in ordering The Lutheran magazine?No other magazine offers members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) the range of inspira-tional and informative stories found in The Lutheran. Delivered directly to subscribers’ homes each month, The Lutheran is recognized for its award-winning content and design. Visit www.thelutheran.org to see a sampling of ar-

ticles from each issue. Annual subscrip-tions are $11.75. If you’re interested in subscribing, visit the Welcome Desk in Fellowship Hall or contact the church office at (402) 341-7761.

Families invited to usher, greet

Serving as an usher or greeter is a won-derful way to get to know others in our faith community and beyond. Our 9 a.m. ushers serve a month at a time, typically every third month. Our 11 a.m. ushers serve for a month at a time every other month. Saturday ushers serve on a week-to-week basis. Greeters typically serve one or two months out of the year at the 9 and 11 a.m. services. Greeters are also needed each week at the handicapped entrance. If interested, contact Ian Hartfield at (402) 341-7761 or ian@kmlchurch.org.

Congregational Life CornerBy Ian Hartfield, Director of Congregational Life

“We pray for the big things and forget to give thanks for the ordinary, small (and yet really not small) gifts. How can God entrust great things to one who will not thankfully receive from Him the little things?” Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Last month many of our congregation’s leaders and volunteers gathered together to plan, vision and dream for the next year and beyond of mission and ministry. Building off our stewardship theme, we hope in the coming year to “Share Christ Generously,” both among the members of our faith community and everywhere. Indeed, the many generations that have come before us have shared Christ generously, by giving thanks for things, both big and small, and in doing so, shaping the faith of countless disciples. In this month of Thanksgiving, I remember fondly my great-grandparents, Oscar and Ruth Dohse, who were members of Kountze Memorial for decades before their passing. They taught me the value of faith, family, country and baseball! As a young person growing up at Kountze, it was easy to take for granted the little things like the opportunity to worship together as a family each Sunday, often in the same pew as your parents, grandparents or even great-grandparents, or now as an adult,

seeing your children laugh, sing and grow in faith in the same Sunday school room as you did. And yet new members often remark at how welcome and included they feel upon joining Kountze. They quickly find a faith home here that supports and affirms them. Young and old. New and long standing welcomed together. Such ordinary things, as Bonhoeffer says, seemingly small, but nonetheless significant. It’s easy to give thanks for the “big” things like our beautiful church building, our Endowment, the possibility of purchasing KETV and many more! But in this season of thanksgiving, let’s also give thanks for the many Saints, like my great-grandparents, that have come before us, shared Christ generously and simply with each of us, and made it possible for us to continue God’s work in the world. And so, I give thanks for these things both big and small AND I hope you will, too: The wonder of a child in worship; ushers and greeters; sacred music and our choirs/ensembles; committee volunteers; mission trips; Martin Luther; acolytes; veterans; church directory committee; our founding pastor, Henry W. Kuhns; our pastors, church council and staff; and my parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. May we each find meaning in the big and small.

Members of the Order of Saint John (OSJ) (Left to right: Blake Gittler, OSJ Vice President; Bailey Gittler, OSJ Underclassmen Representa-tive; Mattie O’Kane, OSJ President; and Naomi Kirkvold, OSJ Secretary; along with Ian Hartfield and Jill Gittler (not pictured), represented Kountze at the National Acolyte Festival at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., one of three Lutheran churches attending. Nearly 700 acolytes from all over the country participated. Each church processed in carrying their own cross and banners. The Rev. Dr. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, preached.

National Acolyte Festival Our annual Rogation Week is celebration of God’s good creation and a commitment to be wise and good stewards of this great gift. Our Sunday liturgy has a thanksgiving for/care of creation theme, and there are “clean-up” events on site and in the community. We plan to continue the ecu-menical and community partnership that began last year. We also plan to continue bringing in an outside, commu-nity speaker. Please save the date and join us!

Rogation Week

April 19-26