DISTRICT NEWS

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SOUTH DAKOTA

See MESSAGE, page 3

Rev. Scott SailerDistrict President

Your congregation may be livestreaming its worship services as COVID-19 continues to alter the way we provide the Word of God to church mem-bers and to the world. You livestream via the internet because our gracious God is a life-streamer. Let me explain.

God is all about life. He created your physical life. He sustains it. He gave you faith. He sustains it, too. By life-stream-ing.

The Heavenly Father accomplished your redemption via His Son’s death on the cross. He life-streams the bene-fits of Christ’s first-century death and resurrection to you today via the Word

of God, and via the Word connected to Holy Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. The Word and Sacraments are God’s Means of Grace, His life-stream to you.

The newest version of Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation, from Concordia Publishing House, explains:

Baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and Holy Absolution, along with God’s Word as it is written, preached, and shared, are sometimes called “the Means of Grace,” because through them, as through earthly elements, the triune God delivers His gifts of forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. These Means of Grace are not simply information presented for our con-sideration, but are God’s Word doing what it says and actually giving and delivering to us what it promises.

Rev. Peter Kurowski, in his 2019 self-published devotion book Better than Twenty-Twenty Vision, writes this in the March 19 devotion concerning the blessing of the Means of Grace:

What a wonderful Savior we have in Jesus Christ! Not only did He love us so much that He would die on the cross to take away all our sins, but as risen Lord, He gives to us the vessels of grace to stream into our lives. Through His means of grace, we grow.

Ordinarily, we get into our cars and head to church for worship in order to receive these life-streaming Means of Grace, along with other members of the Body of Christ. We sing together, con-fess our sins together, receive the Lord’s absolution together, hear the Scripture readings and sermon together, receive the body and blood of Jesus together and pray together.

What a blessing it is to gather as the people of God for public worship! Such gatherings, that we so often take for granted, seem all the more glorious to us as we may have had to forgo public gatherings because of health concerns. We look forward to the time when we brothers and sisters in Christ once again can gather freely and safely for public worship.

Still, God the Life-Giver has not forgot-ten that we need the life He alone can give. He loves us so much that He has been busy life-streaming to us the for-

Life- streaming

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DISTRICT NEWS

Risen Savior Preschool blessed by Harvest Grant

Risen Savior Preschool, Tea, received a 2019 Harvest Grant. The grant provided the preschool with sup-

plies for the Dad’s and Donuts program, Mother’s Day program, preschool grad-uation and the Christmas program.

During these events, the children shared songs of praise and spoke special words to share God’s love. Following each program, there was fellowship time with refreshments. The grant money helped provide donuts, cake, brownies, banan-as, cookies, juice and milk.

The preschool students were able to share God’s love in a fun and enjoyable way. At the end of the 2019 Christmas program, the students came together to

create the nativity scene. This picture was truly precious! I had so many par-ents and grandparents comment to me that it was truly was a special day. The excitement on the students’ faces was contagious, which is a way great way to help others strengthen their faith. As the children shared Bible stories — at a child’s level — we as adults could learn from them the true meaning behind the stories.

Each of the events were very meaning-ful, and successful. Twenty-four parents took part in the Dad’s and Donuts and Mother’s Day event. Sixteen students graduated, and 70 people attend the ceremony. The Christmas program had

152 people attend, the most we have ever had. What a blessing to share Je-sus’ birth with so many people.

This school year, we had 24 students — 13 three/four-year-olds, and 11 four/five-year-olds. For the 2020-21 school year, we have 20 students enrolled — six three/four-year-olds, and 14 four/five-year-olds.

Blessings,Holly Hank • Preschool Director/Teacher

MAY 2020 / 3

DISTRICT NEWS

ACCEPTED▶ Rev. Ryan Janke, Christ/Zion/Trinity,

Winner/Hamill/Reliance, accepted a call of pastor to St. Peter/St. Paul, Orchard/Venus, Neb., March 25.

DECLINED▶ Rev. Sam Bobby, St. Paul, Aberdeen,

declined the call of pastor to Good Shep-herd, North Mankato, Minn., March 21.

▶ Rev. David Lindenberg, Peace, Rapid City, declined the call of associate pastor to St. John, Battle Creek, Neb., March 15.

▶ Rev. Nathan Neugebauer, St. John/Beth-lehem, Revillo/rural Milbank, declined the call of pastor to Trinity, Gerard, Ill., March 14; and he declined the call of pastor to Shepherd of the Hills/Faith/Bingham Lutheran, Hyannis/Bingham, Neb., March. 7.

PENDING▶ Rev. Michael Giddings, Crosspointe,

Fargo, N.D., received a call of missionary at-large, Northern Lincoln County, by South Dakota District Board of Directors, March 15.

▶ Rev. Josiah Fitch, St. Paul, Aberdeen, re-ceived a call of associate pastor to Peace, Neenah, Wis., March 8.

VACANCIES ▶ Brandon, Blessed Redeemer (associate)

▶ Centerville/Hurley, First English/Zion (candidate)

▶ Hill City/Custer, Our Savior’s/Our Redeemer

▶ Leola, St. Paul▶ Menno/Scotland, Immanuel/St. Paul▶ Onida/Blunt/Harrold, Holy

Cross/Trinity/Immanuel▶ Sioux Falls, Faith

(associate)

▶ Spearfish, St. Paul’s▶ Tea, Risen Savior

(candidate)

▶ White/Aurora, Zion/First English

Call Information

Send submissions for the district supplement to:Vonda Sturzenbecher▶ vsturzenbecher@yahoo.com▶ 8605 Woodland Dr.;

Black Hawk, SD 57718The deadline for the August issue is June 15.

MESSAGE (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1)

giveness of sins, life and salvation. He’s been doing this through the marvels of communication technologies like internet livestreaming, text messaging, Twitter, emails, Facebook, eBooks, on-line Scripture access and who knows what else. These all carry opportunities for God to life-stream His blessings of life and salvation into our lives.

Thank God for those technology blessings!

But He’s also been delivering His bless-ings to us through these tried-and-true life-streamers in print form: the Bible, the hymnal, the Small Catechism, and Portals of Prayer and other devotional materials.

Through God’s Word and Sacraments, let God’s life-stream regularly flow

You are welcome to join the congre-gation of Messiah Lutheran Church, Murdo, for its 100th anniversary cele-bration, scheduled for Sept. 20.

The worship service begins at 3:30 p.m. with Rev. Scott Sailer, South Dakota District president, serving as preacher. Supper and fellowship will follow the service.

For more information, contact Jody Lebeda at jody1945@gmail.com; Rev. Ray Greenseth, Messiah pastor, at 605-516-0077; Jackie Fosheim at 605-669-2105; or Everett Zaugg at 840-8426.

“Continuing in the Faith of Our Fathers” is the theme for the 50th anniversary of Peace Lutheran Church, Rapid City.

A celebration is scheduled for June 14th with a worship service with communion at 3 p.m., followed by a catered meal.

Several of the congregation’s former pastors have been invited to attend.

to you. Then, be God’s life-streaming agent by calling others, looking in on your neighbor, and gathering your family for a devotion time.

Your servant in Christ,Pastor Scott Sailer“Not ashamed of the Gospel” Rom. 1:16; 16:25-27

50 years of Peace, Rapid City

100 years of Messiah, Murdo

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LWML HILITES

My mom had a sig-nificant

impact on my life. When I was in third grade, she came to my school with our pastor to tell me that “daddy died.” Life changed drasti-cally that day for my mother, five older siblings and me.

It was not easy growing up without a dad, nor was it easy for mom as a single parent to six children. A constant impact for all of us was Christ in our lives. We went to church each Sunday, attended Walther League–Youth for Christ (as teenag-ers), attended Lutheran school and had family devotions. Mom would attend the Ladies Aid, which later became LWML.

We didn’t have a perfect family, or live perfect lives, but we always knew that

Lisa AsmusLWML South Dakota District President

mom loved us — and even more, that Jesus loved us and forgave our sins.

Although I didn’t know any different at that time, I didn’t always appreci-ate having my life so centered around the church. Now I am thankful for the foundation that was given to me as a baptized child of God, and how that was nurtured throughout my childhood.

When I visited mom at a rehab unit in February, she asked me about this year’s LMWL prayer service. I looked it up on my phone and asked if she would like me to read it since her eyesight is not

good enough for her to read anymore. She did. I read it, we discussed the questions and we prayed. What a blessing it was to have that time with her. At 92, my mom still makes an impact on me. Now she encourag-es me as I serve God by serving others in my role as a pastor’s wife and as a Lutheran Woman in Mission.

Mighty MitesYour mite offerings have made an impact! All 13 of our 2018-20 mission grants have been paid! I praise God for the blessing you and your Mite Box offerings have been to the 13 organi-

With love from Lisa

After much prayer and consideration of the women in the LWML South Dakota District, and with the recommended social distancing and isolation happening all over the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the LWML South Dakota District Executive Committee has decided to cancel our 61st convention.

Visit the district LWML website at sdlwml.org, and Facebook page at facebook.com/sdlwml, for:v A Mission Grants videov Updated information for delegatesv Other convention business information

v Voting results (to be posted in June)v Ways to serve on a district committee in 2020-22 (fill out

the “Ways to Serve” form on the website; these are two-year terms with the option to serve again).

We are also starting a memory book of names of LWML women from our district who have died. If you know of someone who you would like to have included in this book, send the information to Lisa Asmus, 6509 S. Mogen Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 57108 or email at lwmlsdpres@gmail.com. Please include their name, society and town, and birth year and year of death.

District Convention canceled

Lisa’s mom, Shirlee Tesch

Thanks, momzations our district chose to support during this biennium.

At the end of the month, we have the awesome opportunity to choose new mission grants to support. You can visit sdlwml.org to view a PowerPoint presentation with the next biennium’s mission grant selections (the proposals appear on page 5). As you watch it, say a prayer for God to bless the work of each orga-nization and for our delegates, who will be selecting the mission grants.

Set your eyes on Jesus – the author and perfecter of our faith (Heb. 12:2) This was to be the theme for our 2020 district convention at the end of this month. However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the uncer-tainty of when groups such as ours will be able to meet again, the Executive Committee made the decision to cancel our convention (see above).

There is still business that needs to be taken care of by our voting delegates. All voting delegates will be contact-ed with information needed for this process and it will be posted on the website.

To God be the glory!

MAY 2020 / 5

LWML HILITES

COUNSELOR’S CORNER

May is now here. This brings me both joy and sadness.

Joy because who doesn’t love springtime and the promise of warmer weather, even if we can’t fully enjoy it now because of the pandemic?

Sadness because we were looking forward to gathering together in Yankton for our district convention at the end of May, which we will no longer be able to do. Our theme for the convention was “Set Your Eyes on Jesus.” We were eagerly looking forward to doing just that through several days of fellowship, worship and prayer together.

But there is still joy for us today because, of course, we can still set our eyes on Jesus! In keeping with that theme, I’d like to turn your attention to one of my favorite accounts in the New Testament. In fact, I like this story so much, I named one of my own sons Simeon. To get the full context, I’d encourage you to take a minute to read Luke 2:22-35.

I’ll summarize briefly: Simeon is an old man who had been given a unique promise from the Holy Spirit. He was told that he would not die until he had seen the Christ. When the baby Jesus is brought by Mary and Joseph to the temple, Simeon too is led there by the Spirit and is shown Jesus. His prayer of thanksgiving to God is so beautiful, it’s been included in our Lutheran liturgy as a fitting prayer of thanksgiving for us in response to the gift of Jesus’ very own body and blood for the forgiveness of our sins.

The part of Simeon’s prayer that has

Rev. Daniel GrimmerLWML District Counselor

always stood out to me the most is verse 30:

“For my eyes have seen your salvation.”

Although the Bible does not tell us when Simeon died, it is reasonable to suppose that he did not live long enough to see Jesus accomplish salva-tion in His bloody death on the cross, and His victorious resurrection on the third day. When Simeon says he has “seen salvation,” he only means that he has seen Jesus. But for him, that is enough! He recognizes that in seeing Jesus, even as a baby, he is seeing God in the flesh, who will sacrifice that body as an offering for the sins of the world.

I imagine as Simeon lay dying, the image of the baby Jesus was fixed in his mind, as he joyfully departed in peace having set his eyes on the salvation of God.

So we too set our eyes on Jesus because in Him we have seen God’s salvation. We see His salvation every time the Holy Spirit brings the healing balm of His death and resurrection to our wounded and weary ears and hearts. We see His salvation every time we hear the pronouncement of forgiveness in the stead and by the command of Jesus to us. We see His salvation every time we remember that we have been washed and buried into Jesus’ death and resurrection. We see His salvation when we taste Jesus’ body and blood on our lips.

Our eyes have seen His salvation, and so we are able to depart in peace, confident of His forgiveness and mercy toward us, and free to joyfully serve our neighbors for all of the rest of our earthly lives until we set our eyes on Jesus in the flesh in the joy of His eternal kingdom.

Looking to Jesus with you,Pastor Grimmer

‘My eyes have seen your salvation’ 1. LCMS Missionary Support at just

the RIGHT Time – Mission Central, $5,000

2. I Was a Stranger: Lutheran Books for Immigrants in South Dakota – Lutheran Heritage Foundation, $5,000

3. Eldercare Staff and Support at Jacmel Lutheran Home in Haiti – Ministry in Mission (RSO), $5,000

4. Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind., Food and Cloth-ing Co-Op, $5,000

5. Graduate School Support for International Students – Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, $5,000

6. Equipping and Strengthening the Early Learning Center Ministry to Children and Families – Hot Springs, $4,000

7. Worship Furnishings, LCMS Mission to Spain, $3,250

8. Worker Wellness for Chaplain Families, $3,000

9. Christ’s Mercy in Russia, $5,000 10. Lutheran Center for Religious

Liberty, $4,000 11. Deaconess Training in Latin

America, $3,000 12. Nursing Student Mercy Medical

Team Scholarships, $3,000 13. Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch,

Chapel Audio Equipment (RSO), $3,000

14. Sioux Falls Lutheran Schools, Playground Equipment and Musical Instruments, $5,000

15. Lutheran Books for Schools in Papua New Guinea, $5,000

16. Community Outreach Mission at Trinity Lutheran – Belle Fouche, $5,000

2020-22 Mission Grant

proposals

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LUTHERANS FOR LIFE

I felt it was only right for me to share my life story and hopefully encourage women around us to be

more vocal about how life choices affect them.

In 1985, the year I was born, abortion was legal, albeit still frowned upon. My birth mother, as I’ve been told, contemplated whether or not to grant me life. She was 19 years old, unwed and struggled with alcohol and drug addiction. Obviously she chose to have me and when I was three weeks old, and although she did have some family support, her addiction took hold of her and she left me with a babysitter to attend a party. She never returned. I was abandoned.

My grandparents were called and took me into their care. At three months old, I fell deathly ill and without insurance, my grandparents sought out my mother to have her sign adoption papers so

that I could be added to their insurance plan. They found her in a seedy bar, where she signed the papers without a giving it a second thought. I recovered and lived life without knowing my beginning.

At 11 years old, I was told that I was adopted. I was told out of fear that my mother (who I now knew as my sister) would return and tell me. This rocked my world. I felt as though my whole life was a lie and that from the very begin-ning I was unwanted. To make matters worse, my grandmother struggled with mental illness and addictions of her own.

At 15, my grandparents divorced and I went to live with my grandmother. She fell into a deep depression and I

was left to care for her as an adult. I, myself a freshman in high school, turned to alcohol for solace and comfort.

I tell you this story not to show you how bad a choice for life can be, but to show you that even out of bleak beginnings and circumstances, life is always the best choice.

I got married in

2002. Only 17 at the time, my husband was my knight in shining armor. He took me away from my circumstances and, more than that, he wanted me; he loved me. After a bumpy first few years of our marriage, our first daughter was born in 2004. In 2007, right after our second daughter was born, God turned our world upside down in an attempt to get our attention. Thankfully it worked. Through His Means of Grace, our whole family was brought into the Christian faith and in 2008, our son was born into a Christian home, an opposite beginning from the one I had.

An outsider looking at the beginning of my life would say, “Why make this child suffer with a family that suffers with addiction. What future does this

baby have? The best thing to do would be to abort it. The mother can’t take care of her, the grandmother is an addict. Why bring a baby into that kind of world.”

God knew better. Out of a life that would be condemned to suffer too much in our world today came a new life. Out of

my suffering and bleak beginnings, God has five new lives in His family. If this life has taught me anything, it is that God knows. He knows the plans He has for us. Our lives, whether we see it or not, always have value. I look at my children and see the plans that God had and continues to have for me. It is only through His grace and mercy that we are blessed to be His today and for that, I would go through any suffering to arrive to the place we have today. Life is always the best choice and I’m thankful that my mother chose it. We don’t know the future of every person, but He does.

I’m blessed to be able to share my Life story with you and hopefully in the future, you will be able to say hi, share your story with me or ask me anything.

In Christ’s Love,Kimberlea Lessman

Rev. Christopher Navurskis, senior pastor of Mount Calvary, Huron, and Life coordinator for the South Dakota District, has asked readers to share their “life” stories. The following was written by Kimberlea Lessman, Lutherans For Life of South Dakota president.

My life story

Life is always the best choice and I’m thankful that my mother chose it.”

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Babies aborted in the United States since Roe v.

Wade (1973):61,808,750

MAY 2020 / 7

DISTRICT NEWS

The South Dakota District Board of Directors understands that LCMS congregations and schools in South

Dakota, and those who are employed by them, may experience financial struggles throughout 2020 because of the corona-virus pandemic. There will be many ave-nues of financial relief through the federal government, the state of South Dakota, and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Syn-od at-large. But in an effort to provide another avenue of financial assistance, the district Board of Di-rectors has created the One Another Coronavi-rus Relief Fund. The board believes that such a fund is in keeping with God’s will:

“And this is His commandment, that we be-lieve in the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as He has commanded us.” — 1 John 3:23

These no-interest One Another loans are avail-able to South Dakota District LCMS congre-gations, early childhood centers, self-standing preschools, elementary and high schools and all those who are employed by them, including called, contracted and hourly-wage employees. Here are details about the One Another loan fund:Congregations/Early Childhood Centers/Schools▶ All loans will have a 0 percent interest rate.▶ Loans may be in the amount of $1,200,

$2,400 or $4,800.▶ All loans will have a 12-month grace period

beginning at the time the loan is granted. At the end of the 12-month grace period, the loan is expected to be repaid within 14 months.

▶ Each congregation, early childhood center or school may receive only one loan.

One Another Coronavirus Relief Fund is set up for congregations, schools and church workers

District offers financial help

Loans are available at 0 percent interest

▶ For congregations that operate an early childhood center, preschool or school, each entity may have one loan.

▶ Relief loan funds may be used for ministry expenses including, but limited to, salary and benefit payments, operational costs and routine costs of conducting ministry.

▶ The loan program is a rolling program with disbursements available throughout 2020. Loan application deadlines are May 15, July 1, Aug. 15, Oct. 1, Nov. 15 and Dec. 30. Loan disbursements will be made shortly after these application deadlines. In cases of dire and pressing need, the immediate granting of a loan will be considered. Loan requests will not be guaranteed to be made in full, but will be evaluated on the basis of need and loan funds available. This relief fund is in place until Dec. 31, 2020 or as long as relief funds are available.

▶ The loan application can be found at the district website: sddlcms.org/forms- applications.

Called, Contracted and Employed Church Workers▶ Loans are available to all of those employed

by an LCMS congregation, early childhood center or school. This includes called work-ers and those workers who are contracted or hourly-wage employees.

▶ All loans will have a 0 percent interest rate.▶ Loans may be in the amount of $360, $480,

$600 or $720.▶ All loans will have a 12-month grace period

beginning at the time the loan is granted. At the end of the 12-month grace period, the loan is expected to be repaid within 14 months.

▶ Each worker may receive only one loan.

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DISTRICT NEWS

Family watch-ing Sunday service from the comforts of their sofa.

Following along with worship on the radio.

▶ Relief loan funds may be used to meet regular financial obligations, including, but not limited to mort-gage/rent payments, utility bills, food, medical needs and other routine expenses.

▶ The loan program is a rolling pro-gram with disbursements available throughout 2020. Loan application deadlines are May 15, July 1, Aug. 15, Oct. 1, Nov. 15 and Dec. 30. Loan

LOANS (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1) disbursements will be made shortly

after these application deadlines. In cases of dire and pressing need, the immediate granting of a loan will be considered. Loan requests will not be guaranteed to be made in full, but will be evaluated on the basis of need and loan funds available. This relief fund is in place until Dec. 31, 2020 or as long as relief funds are available.

▶ The loan application can be found at the district website: sddlcms.org/forms-applications.

Questions about the One Another Relief Fund can be directed to:• Rev. Scott Sailer, district president• Chad Zinnel, district business manager • Rev. Darren Olson, district executive

secretary

Their contact info can be found at sddlcms.org/about-us/directories/staff.

The South Dakota District Board of Directors prays that these loans will be useful and beneficial to our district minis-tries and all those who work in them.

As we navigate our present normal, we are thankful that we still have opportunities, at home, via the internet, to hear God’s Word preached to us by our pastors. And our Lutheran school students can also be in class, albeit on a computer screen.

So, what does this look like for you? Please snap a quick photo or two … it could be of you and/or your family in your living room or at a table watching the worship service on a computer or big screen TV; or your student (or a teacher) at her desk, working or looking into a screen of her classmates in rows of rectan-gles. Or if you’re one of the few souls in church helping with the livestream, capture a scene (like on pages 1 and 3).

Send your photos to vsturzenbecher@yahoo.com. Let us know who and where you are and where you worship, and we’ll use them to show that while we’re physically apart, we’re still to-gether as the Body of Christ.

Got a smartphone?

Show us what your church life looks like!Here are sample photos to use as a guide.

Third-grade teacher leading her online class in song, with help from her son.

Student joins her class for online lesson.