INDIANA JANUARY 2019 / 1

True Wisdom Begins with God’s Word.

Epiphany

On Jan. 6, the church traditionally celebrates Epiphany, the beginning of the liturgical season of the church year in which we consider the world-enlightening revelation of Jesus Christ.

The season begins with the account of the wise men as recorded in Matt. 2:1.

Daniel, a wise manGo back 600 years before Christ. Daniel was a captive in Babylon, yet because of his knowledge and wisdom he was used by pagan kings for his sage advice. So wise was Daniel that he was appointed “chief of the magi-cians” (Dan. 5:11). “Magicians” in this verse was translated by the Jews into the Greek word Ma-gone. This is the same word used in Matt. 2:1 for the “wise men” who, interestingly, came from the east … a direction on the compass identifying the location of Daniel’s captive residence.

As chief of the wise men, would not Daniel have shared his Jew-ish faith and the wisdom of the Jewish Scriptures, which point-ed to the coming Messiah? This

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Rev. Dr. Daniel Brege District President

seems almost certain. Would some of the “wise men” under Daniel have come to believe in God’s promises? This also seems likely. Would there still be such wise men 600 years later who would seek the Messiah — the one promised in Scripture to be born king of the Jews? We do not know, but it is entirely possible.

The greatness of the Christ Child: true wisdomIt does not matter whether such speculations about Daniel and the wise men are correct, though it may help us understand a possible reason why and how the wise men would have done what they did. What we do know is that these men were wise beyond the wis-dom of the world, for they sought the Christ. To be moved to make

such a search, they must have heard God’s Word. We do know that they fell down and worshiped neither Mary nor Joseph, but only the Christ child. We also know that they gave unto the Christ child their treasures, thus magni-fying their faith that in this Child is found their greatest treasure.

Indeed, the Christ is the world’s greatest treasure, for, as predict-ed in the Old Testament, this one would be “pierced for our transgressions … crushed for our iniquities” (Is. 53:5a). He would thus earn for all mankind for-giveness and eternal life. Is there any greater treasure? How could this child do this? He is rightly worshiped, for He is God with us, Immanuel — of greater value than the entire universe!

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OUTREACH

Connect to Disciple guides congregations in creating effective outreach

Connect to Disciple is a one-day workshop designed for church leaders to develop an effective outreach approach. The workshop,

led by trained facilitators, provides resources for creating and mapping each church’s pathway for outreach so congregations can invite, welcome and receive people from outside the church.

Connect to Disciple is the first module in the re:Vi-tality program, a comprehensive revitalization initiative which provides action-oriented resourc-es for congregations. Developed by Witness & Outreach staff of the LCMS Office of National Mission, Connect to Disciple is the starting point in what will eventually be a 10-module program, all with the intent of helping congregations create connections and build relationships.

Rev. Dr. Mark Wood, director of LCMS Witness & Outreach Ministry and creator of Connect to Dis-ciple says: “When people show up for an event but nothing after the event, churches are probably not using an effective outreach approach for purpose-fully engaging them for connection and relation-ship-building. This approach helps congregations address that.”

During the seven-hour workshop, facilitators work through the process with congregational leaders and help them develop an intentional out-reach plan. Dr. Wood says that if a congregation has difficulty implementing their outreach plan, facilitators provide ongoing coaching.

Several LCMS congregations that participated in the Connect to Disciple workshop are experiencing positive results from using an intentional out-

Rev. Geoff Robinson Outreach Executive

To find out more about Connect to Disciple, contact Rev. Robinson at geoff.robinson@in.lcms.org.

reach process. Rev. John Armstrong, senior pastor of Grace, Columbus, says: “The ‘outreach funnel’ concept has helped us clarify that we indeed do a good job of making connections with people outside of our congregation and even developing relationships with some of them, but we have not been intentional about creating a pathway for these people to Word and Sacrament ministry.

“The process encourages lay leadership and involvement, which is vital for a congregation to grow, and our congregation is blessed with some fantastic lay leaders who are guiding us in this ef-fort. I am grateful to God for the insights our peo-ple are gaining because of Connect to Disciple, and we anticipate a fruitful ministry moving forward.”

Recently, Grace made an intentional decision to hold a Trunk or Treat event inside their facility. More than 1,200 people from the community at-tended, and Grace members are following up with those who expressed an interest in the church.

Rev. David Wiist, pastor of Concordia, Evansville, says the Connect to Disciple process is helpful to his congregation for several reasons: “First, its roots are fundamentally Lutheran. I did not have to spend any time trying to ‘sanctify’ the material. From start to finish, the material was doctrinally grounded and ‘backed up’ what is taught from our pulpit and lectern.

“Second, this is a fundamentally optimistic approach to a traditionally uncomfortable topic. Many might shy away because they would expect that such a program by its nature would have to focus on the negative. A pastor may be afraid that a facilitator is going to come in and potentially undermine what he has been working long and hard to establish without ever taking the time to listen. Nothing could be further from the truth. At its heart, this program provides a beautiful and simple visual aid that each congregation can use to better understand the effectiveness of their current ministry and programs and to reveal potential gaps in the important work of making connections, building relationships and making disciples.

“This is a helpful tool for any and every congrega-tion in our Synod.”

Rev. Dr. Mark Wood, director of LCMS Outreach & Ministry, created the Connect to Disciple module.

JANUARY 2019 / 3

OUTREACH

Every One His Witness is a six-session course that helps Lutherans to share the Gospel naturally in their everyday lives. Created by

Rev. Dr. Mark Wood, director of LCMS Witness & Outreach Ministry, the program uses the acronym LASSIE as a framework that teaches Lutherans how to witness to those God has placed in their lives.

“The best way to share the story of Jesus is understanding who we are sharing it with. LASSIE helps with that,” says Dr. Wood. “God has crafted relationships in our lives and these are the people he intends us to be witnesses to.”

LASSIE stands for listen, ask, seek, share, invite and encourage, and emphasizes a how-to approach to personal witnessing. The framework can be used with friends, neighbors and co-workers, and gives Lutherans the opportunity to share the Gospel of Christ through their various vocations. The program does not use a canned script, but rather emphasizes listening to the other person’s story and looking for “points of connection with Jesus’ story,” according to Dr. Wood.

Witnessing is something we are all called to do.

Week of January 7 › Rocky Mountain District › Circuit 16–Indianapolis North

› Cornerstone, Carmel/Fishers

› Journey, Fishers › Holy Cross, Indianapolis › Messiah, Indianapolis › Christ, Noblesville › Epiphany, Westfield › Lord of Life, Westfield › Mission: Kenya Compassionate Care, Emanuel, New Haven

› RSO: Lutheran Special Ed Ministries, Fort Wayne

Week of January 14 › SELC District › Circuit 18–Seymour › Lord of Life, North Vernon › Emanuel, Dudleytown › Immanuel, Seymour

January Prayer List

You have a mission field and can use this approach with the people that you know.

The kit for Every One His Witness is available through Concordia Publishing House and includes one DVD plus materials for 12 people. The cost of the kit is $129.99 (plus shipping). The program can be used with both small or large groups and comes with a leader’s guide and step-by-step instructions. The program provides maximum flexibility because it can be used as a weekly course or completed as a one-day workshop.

Participants also get access to free resources at the Every One His Witness website so they can go deeper into specific context modules. This additional resource gives participants the chance to learn more about using LASSIE in specific contexts like witnessing to Muslims, dechurched adult children, Mormons and Jewish people. More than 40 modules are planned for the website.

To order copies or find out more about Every One His Witness, visit cph.org/everyonehiswitness.

› Peace, Seymour › Redeemer, Seymour › Zion, Seymour › Mission: TIM Support– First Timothy/Messiah, Indianapolis

› RSO: Siberian Lutheran Mission Society, Fort Wayne

Week of January 21 › South Dakota District › Circuit 3–Valparaiso › St. Paul, Chesterton › St. Paul, Kouts › Immanuel, Michigan City › St. Paul, Otis › St. Peter, Portage › Faith Memorial, Valparaiso › Heritage, Valparaiso › Immanuel, Valparaiso › Prince of Peace, Valparaiso › Mission: African American Assistance–First Timothy/Messiah, Indianapolis

› Other Ministries, Valparaiso University

Week of January 28 › South Wisconsin District › Circuit 7–Fort Wayne North

› Faith, Churubusco › Suburban Bethlehem, Fort Wayne

› Emmanuel, Fort Wayne › Holy Cross, Fort Wayne › Praise, Fort Wayne › St. Augustine, Fort Wayne › St. Paul, Fort Wayne › St. Michael, Fort Wayne › Trinity, Fort Wayne › Our Hope, Huntertown › Mission: Foreign Mission, Concordia, Fort Wayne

› RSO: Wittenburg Village, Crown Point

Every One His Witness kit• Gives groups everything they need

to implement this evangelism program at their church, school, or organization!

• Designed to serve groups of 12.• $129.99• cph.org/everyonehiswitness

Learn to effectively share the Gospel

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INSTALLATIONS

On Oct. 28, the Rev. Jason Reed was installed as pastor of Messiah, Wolcottville. Pastor Reed, a 2006 graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, served a three-point parish in the Southern Illinois District prior to accepting the call to Wolcottville. He also has served St. John’s, Matton, Wis.; and Messiah, Beloit, Wis. He and his wife, Emily, have three children.

Kendallville Circuit welcomes two new pastors

Participating in the service were, from left, Rev. Herbert Gerken, Aiden Hoffman (crucifer), Rev. Jonathan Nack, Rev. Thomas Dunbar, Reed, Rev. Peter J. Brock (officiant), Rev. Jerry Winegarden, Rev. Phil Rigdon and Rev. Pat Kuhlman.

On Nov. 4, the Rev. Philip J. Rigdon was installed as senior pastor at St. John, Kendallville.

Pastor Rigdon is no stranger to Indiana. He served as a teacher at Bethlehem Lutheran School, Fort Wayne, prior to entering Concordia Theological Seminary. Upon graduation in 2008, he was called by Our Shepherd Lutheran Church, Avon, as associate pastor and served there until 2015.

He then accepted a call to First Lutheran Church, Clearwater, Fla.

Pastor Rigdon is married to Jamelyn, a native of Indianapolis.

Participating in the installation were, from left, Rev. Jason Reed, Rev. Dr. Daniel J. Brege (officiant), Rev. David Easterday, Rigdon, Rev. Patrick Kuhlman, Rev. Randall Glander and Rev. Jonathan Nack.

Philip Rigdon accepts call to St. John, Kendallville

Jason Reed accepts call to Messiah, Wolcottville

JANUARY 2019 / 5

CELEBRATIONS & EVENTS

Calendar of EventsJanuary 13 Epiphany Evening Prayer,

CTS, Fort Wayne

January 14 2019 Lenten Preaching Workshop, CTS, Fort Wayne

January 15-16 34th Annual Symposium on Exegetical Theology, CTS, Fort Wayne

January 16-18 Symposium on the Lutheran Confessions, CTS, Fort Wayne

January 27- February 2

National Lutheran Schools Week

February 8-10 Katie Retreat, Inn at DePauw, Greencastle

February 12 Seminary Guild, CTS, Fort Wayne

February 15-17 Christ Academy Confirmation Retreat, CTS, Fort Wayne

February 17 Choral Vespers, CTS, Fort Wayne

February 17-19 National LEA Administrators Conference, Washington, D.C.

March 1 Deadline for Vicarage and Call Documents to District President for Spring Placement

March 12 Seminary Guild, CTS, Fort Wayne

March 13-16 Prayerfully Consider Campus Visit, CTS, Fort Wayne

March 20 Lecture/Recital Convocation, CTS, Fort Wayne

April 9 Seminary Guild Spring Luncheon, CTS, Fort Wayne

April 28 Easter Evening Prayer, CTS, Fort Wayne

April 29 Vicarage Assignments, CTS, Fort Wayne

April 30 Call Service, CTS, Fort Wayne

May 1 Vicarage and Call Services, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

May 6-8 Southern Pastors Conference, Camp Lakeview

May 13-14 Northern Pastors Conference, Oakwood Resort

May 17 Graduation Day, CTS, Fort Wayne

June 16-29 Christ Academy: Timothy School, CTS, Fort Wayne

June 16-29 Christ Academy: Phoebe School, CTS, Fort Wayne

July 11-15 National Youth Gathering, Minneapolis

July 19-25 LCMS Convention, Tampa

Mielke receives leadership awardJon Mielke received the 2018 Indiana Non-Public Education Associ-ation (INPEA) Outstanding Leadership Award in recognition of all he has done with INPEA as well as Indiana District Lutheran schools. Mielke (holiding award) is pictured with INPEA representatives, from left, John Elcesser (executive director) and Mark Muehl (pres-ident). Mielke, who retired in December, received the award during the 2018 INPEA Conference, held Oct. 29-30 at the Indianapolis Convention Center.

During the Fall Pastors Confer-ence Nov. 5 in Noblesville, three pastors were recognized for 60 years of service. Rev. Thomas Going, Rev. Luther Strasen and Rev. Theodore Taykowski were ordained in 1958 — represent-ing 180 years of ministry. Praise God! Pastor Going (in photo) of Columbus, was the only honor-ee able to attend. Rev. Strasen lives in Fort Wayne, and Rev. Ted Taykowski completed his work here on earth and was called to his heavenly home on Nov. 14. May God continue to bless these men and may they continue to proclaim His love and grace as they are able.

60 years of ministry

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STEWARDSHIP

As with gladness men of old Did the guiding star behold; As with joy they hailed its light, Leading onward, beaming bright; So, most gracious Lord, may we Evermore be led by Thee.

The above verse (from “As with Gladness Men of Old” LSB#397) of course refers to the Magi, who followed the star to visit the

Christ Child in Bethlehem. They were the first of many Gentiles to worship Jesus. Today, through His Word, God the Father guides people of all nations to Christ. Jesus is the “star” the Father provides so that we can see our Savior. The Holy Spirit works faith in our hearts through the Gospel, and like the Magi, we joyfully offer our gifts of thanksgiving to the Holy One.

Unlike the Wise Men, we don’t have gold, frankincense or myrrh. But our gifts of thanksgiving come in the form of money, time and talents. These treasures truly are not ours, but God’s. The entire world is His, as Gen. 1:31 states:

“And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good.”

As you calculate your personal budget for 2019, what will your treasurers be? We, who have been blessed far more abundantly than most of God’s people in the world, should make a conscience decision in giving to the Lord. I cannot tell you

On Nov. 4, the congregation of Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, Kokomo, recognized Florence Moeller with a reception for her 50 years of service as organist. By God’s grace she is still playing! May God continue to bless her service to His Glory.

Organist recognized in Kokomo

From left, Rev. William Allison, senior pastor; Florence Moeller and Rev. Barry Akers, associate pastor.

Ken Schilf Council of Resources

Giving to the Lord

what or how much to give — that’s between you and the Lord. But I can tell you that Christians today give only 2.5 percent of their income. Compare that to the days of the Great Depression when it was 3.3 percent.

In this time of abundance, please check your hearts in this new year to see how you can more fully serve our Lord. Then we can sing more fervently the third verse of “As with Gladness Men of Old”:

As they offered gifts most rare At Thy cradle, rude and bare, So may we with holy joy, Pure and free from sin’s alloy, All our costliest treasures bring, Christ, to Thee, our heavenly King.

50 years!

JANUARY 2019 / 7

CELEBRATIONS

January 1 Sigrid Haertel, 92 Redeemer, Louisville

January 2 Ruth Kunkel, 92 Zion, Decatur

Melba Stuckwisch, 90 Immanuel, Seymour

January 4 Vern Samson, 97 Our Redeemer, Evansville

Ruth Nicolet, 96 Emmanuel, Fort Wayne

January 7 Helen Brooks, 91 Trinity, Hobart

January 11 Virginia Peck, 93 St. John, Monroeville

Norma Holst, 91 Heritage, Valparaiso

January Birthdays

January 1 Mr. and Mrs. Will Doehrman 64, Holy Cross, Fort Wayne

Mr. and Mrs. Bob Nehrt 64, St. Peter’s, Brownstown

January 4 Mr. and Mrs. Dave Reed 50, Cornerstone, Carmel

January 5 Mr. and Mrs. Richard Rodenbeck 64, Holy Cross, Fort Wayne

January 6 Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Kovener 67, Immanuel, Seymour

January 9 Mr. and Mrs. Henry Nieman 54, Immanuel, Seymour

January 11 Mr. and Mrs. Don Hartig 66, Our Redeemer, Evansville

January 12 Mr. and Mrs. Gene Woodard 62, Immanuel, Seymour

January AnniversariesJanuary 15 Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Wheeler 53, Immanuel, Seymour

January 16 Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Hancock 59, St. John, Lanesville

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hoffman 59, Zion, Decatur

January 18 Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Hall 61, Immanuel, Seymour

Mr. and Mrs. Larry Brothers 52, Emmanuel, Fort Wayne

January 19 Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Young 50, Holy Cross, Fort Wayne

January 21 Mr. and Mrs. Allen Harvey 53, St. Peter, North Judson

Mr. and Mrs. Gwin Kahl 52, Grace, New Albany

Mr. and Mrs. Erwin Mockler 52, Our Shepherd, Avon

January 24 Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hiser 66, St. John, Lanesville

January 25 Mr. and Mrs. Frank Zoll 66, Heritage, Valparaiso

Mr. and Mrs. Don Lantz 61, Holy Cross, Fort Wayne

Mr. and Mrs. Don Schuppert 61, Grace, New Albany

Mr. and Mrs. Jack Hoesli 50, Emmanuel, Tell City

Mr. and Mrs. William Pipes 50, Grace, New Albany

January 27 Mr. and Mrs. Ken Carrier 60, Epiphany, Westfield

Mr. and Mrs. John Willenbrock 56, Cornerstone, Carmel

Mr. and Mrs. Jim Ray 51, Holy Cross, Fort Wayne

January 28 Mr. and Mrs. Robert Minick

58, Trinity, Hobart

January 29 Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Osterman 53, Zion, Seymour

January 30 Mr. and Mrs. Phillip DeBolt 60, St. John (Bingen), Decatur

Mr. and Mrs. David Brooks 54, Immanuel, Seymour

January 31 Mr. and Mrs. Richard Garretson 65, Our Shepherd, Avon

Belated AnniversariesNovember 25 Mr. and Mrs. Stan Wagner 64, Zion, Garret

October 11 Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Diederich 66, Zion, Garrettt

January 12 Dr. Richard Schnute, 92 Cornerstone, Carmel

Delores Butler, 90 St. John, Monroeville

January 14 Betty Reinking, 95 Emmanuel, Fort Wayne

January 15 Elmer Klinstiver, 94 Grace, New Albany

Erwin Mueller, 91 Holy Cross, Fort Wayne

January 16 Lucille Wessel, 92 Immanuel, Seymour

January 17 Shirley Yager, 90 Cornerstone, Carmel

January 19 William Knipstein, 92 Zion, Fort Wayne

Richard Bohnke, 90 St. John, Monroeville

January 21 Libby Lantz, 99 Emmanuel, Fort Wayne

Janet Kuehner, 92 Grace, New Albany

January 22 Fred Roeder, 91 Our Redeemer, Evansville

Herbert Schortemeyer, 93 Our Shepherd, Avon

January 23 Elvira Preuss, 95 Immanuel, Seymour

January 24 Jeannette Wobith, 91 St. Peter, North Judson

January 25 Jewell Wehmiller, 90

Emanuel, Dudleytown

January 26 Mildred Schroer, 98 Zion, Seymour

Raymond Steinkuhl, 91 Trinity, Darmstadt

January 29 Ken Ranney, 91 Calvary, Plymouth

January 30 Ralph Imler, 92 Holy Cross, Fort Wayne

January 31 Betty Wade, 90 Calvary, Plymouth

Belated BirthdaysDecember 24 Don Ortel, 90 Zion, New Palestine

November 15 Herbert Kleeman, 94 Zion, Garrett

October 10 Harold Kleeman, 92 Zion, Garrett

October 16 Leola Reinoehl, 92 Zion, Garrett

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DISTRICT NEWS

Applications are now available for $500

scholarships for the 2019-20 academic year, awarded from the LWML Indiana District Scholarship Fund. Eligible for the scholarships are those students who are preparing for full-time church work in The Lutheran Church—Mis-souri Synod.

Students must demonstrate a need for financial assis-tance, have a good scholastic aptitude and be enrolled in an LCMS college or semi-nary. Applicants need to be a communicant member of an LCMS Indiana District congregation for at least 18 months prior to filing for a scholarship.

When Trinity Lutheran Church, Darmstadt, observed its annual Loyalty Sunday on Oct. 21, the Rev. Michael Salemink, executive director of Lutherans For Life, served as after-dinner speaker. For several weeks, prior to the event, a wooden cradle stood in the narthex ready to receive bibs, bottles and any other items for new parents in need. The collected items were then donated to a local agency. From left, Cleoramae Stunkel, Salemink, Valerie Eberhart and Rev. Stanton Temme, Trinity pastor.

Church-worker scholarships available

Share Your News!

The deadline for the March issue of The Lutheran Witness is Jan. 10.

Do you have exciting news you’d like to see published in the Indiana District Lutheran Witness? We’d love to share your news and see photos of what’s happening in our district! Be sure to send in your submissions.

Your stories and photos are welcomed and most appreciated. Please send all submissions to Jan Koenig at:

jan.koenig@in.lcms.org or Lutheran Witness Editor Indiana District LCMS 1145 South Barr St. Fort Wayne, IN 46802.

Help for new parents

Applications are posted on the LWML district website at lwmlindiana.org. Go to the “Resources” tab and select

Pastoral candidates line up for the distribution of calls at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind., last April.

“Applications & Forms” from the drop-down menu. Appli-cations may also be received by contacting Iris Wittman

at mariawit35@gmail.com, or at LWML Scholarship Chairman; 10601 N County Road 1200 E.; Evanston, IN 47531.

The deadline for applications is March 15.

Last year, 14 scholarships were awarded. Scholar-ships are funded through donations and gifts given as memorials or in honor of a special occasion. Contri-butions should be sent to Arlene Wolfgang, LWML Financial Secretary; 440 S 325 E.; Lagro, IN 46941.

Your gift can be a blessing to one person who will soon be a blessing to many!