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Walking Together Lutheran Ministries
An update from Walking Together Lutheran Ministries
for August/September 2010
Faith and Family Night
with the Omaha Royals . . .
In front of almost 9,000 fans, Pastor Thomas Schmitt of Zion Lutheran
Church, Omaha, fulfilled a lifetime dream of throwing out the ceremonial
first pitch at a professional baseball game. On Saturday, August 7th,
Walking Together Lutheran Ministries sponsored “Faith and Family Night”
at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha.
Prior to the game, fans passed by displays hosted by congregations,
schools, and ministries in the Omaha area. Hundreds of copies of
information and materials about Lutheran ministries were handed out. One
congregation even gave away 2000 DVD copies of the Bible. Students from
Living H2O Campus Ministry were energetic in their witness to those
entering the stadium. On their way into the stadium, fans passed by a
display featuring pictures from past events of Walking Together Lutheran
Ministries. Brochures were distributed welcoming fans to Faith and
Family Night with an evangelistic message on the inside. Concordia
Lutheran Schools gained names of half a dozen new families interested in
Christian education.
The Omaha Royals pleased the fans with a victory over Portland. After
the game, the Rev. Stephen Bartelt, President of Walking Together
Lutheran Ministries, invited the fans to stay for a fireworks display
and for a Christian music concert outside the stadium following the
game. Nebraska District President Russell Sommerfeld shared remarks
lifting up the name of Jesus Christ to the crowd.
Over 5000 fans jammed the outdoor stage to hear words and music from
Rebecca St. James. She challenged the youthful crowd to live Christian
lives. She also reminded them of the forgiveness in Jesus Christ for
past failures. She held out the hope of the Gospel especially for young
women with unplanned pregnancies. Another 2000 Bibles were handed out in
the parking lot after the game.
Brush Up Nebraska
On August 14 and 21, volunteers from several Omaha metro churches joined
together to paint the home of a 98 year old resident of Council Bluffs.
Several LCMS churches also participated individually in this annual
“Paint-a-thon.”
Upcoming Events Sponsored by WTLM . . .
September 18, 10:00 a.m.
WTLM is recruiting 50 volunteers to assist Cross Lutheran Church in
a bi-lingual door hanger distribution.
November 7, early afternoon.
WTLM is recruiting hundreds of volunteers for its second “Rake It
Out” effort to rake leaves from the yards of congregational shut-ins and
other homebound people in the metro area.
Watch for more information on how you can volunteer to help!
We had originally scheduled this event on the 28th
with the information we initially had, but, in fact, the event is
starting two weeks earlier. This is truly a servant event where we are
just helping someone in need.
As a result, we need volunteers THIS SATURDAY, August 14th and next
Saturday, August 21. Prep work will be done this weekend and painting
next.
If you are interesting in volunteering either one or both weekends, your
help will be deeply appreciated. If you know someone who likes to paint,
please let them know. Volunteers from youth groups are certainly
welcome.
We will meet at our assigned house at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. All you need
to bring is a pair of work gloves. (If you have a ladder you can bring,
that would be helpful.) We will have primer, brushers, scrapers, trash
bags, etc etc. We will also have water and a light lunch. Our goal is to
be done by 11 a.m. and end with lunch.
If you can volunteer (or ask others to volunteer), please contact Pastor
Stephen Bartelt at stephenrbartelt@yahoo.com.
Walking Together Lutheran Ministries is asking for
help from individuals from metro congregations for two upcoming service
projects: (1) On August 28 (with some work on August 21) Individuals can
join together to paint the home of 90-year old individual who lives by
herself. A Lutheran Crew representing several of our congregations will
assist this individual. (2) On September 18 Cross Lutheran Church is
asking our help in putting hangers on doors within a one mile radius of
Cross to invite people both to Cross and to the Hispanic congregation
Jesus es el Senor. Please consider joining Lutherans from your and other
congregations in these opportunities to serve in the name of the Lord
Jesus Christ. For more information or to volunteer, please contact
Pastor Stephen Bartelt at stephenrbartelt@yahoo.com.
An Update from “Walking Together Lutheran Ministries”
One of our goals is to establish Lutheran visibility in our
communities. Recently a task force made up of members of the Omaha LCMS
churches met to select projects. One of the most popular ideas was a
‘Mass Auto Window Wash” at our neighborhood gas stations – all on the
same day and at the same time, possibly with some media coverage. We
are currently working out the details of date and time, but would like
to do it on Saturday, June 12 from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. We would
ask that someone from your congregation make contact with the gas
station manager for permission, also to hand out a tract or brochure,
even a Bible if they would like, and of course an invitation to
worship.
The big event coming up will be “Faith and Family Night at Rosenblatt on
Saturday August 7th. Each congregation will be able to purchase
baseball tickets at a reduced price and have the opportunity to set up a
table with your outreach materials. Fireworks and a Christian Concert
featuring Rebecca St. James will follow the baseball game. During the
game there will be Christian testimonials and more. A variety of free
pre-game activities are also being planned. Specific details will be
sent to your congregation in the very near future. We are hoping
congregations can use the evening to have their members invite unchurched friends.
Brush Up Nebraska is another event we are planning to participate in.
The official date is August 28th; we will be painting houses for Omaha’s
older citizens. Again, volunteer opportunity details will be coming to
you in time for the event.
Many of you participated in Rake It Out
last fall. You were part of the largest group of ‘rakers’ in the city
and we received recognition for your help. Please mark the weekend of
November 7th on your calendar for this year’s in “Rake It Out”. More
details and recruitment invitations will be sent later.
Walking Together Lutheran Ministries has recently assumed the
administration of the English as Second Language (ESL) at 40th and Q.
Walking Together Lutheran Ministries invites your participation in these
events and also welcome any suggestions from congregations on how we can
help you in your ministry, outreach to the community, or physical needs
around your facility, or others. Our goal is to be Lutherans helping
Lutherans. If you have ideas or questions, please contact Walking
Together Lutheran Ministries at
walkingtogetheromaha@yahoo.com or President, Pastor Stephen Bartelt.
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