Church Canceled December 31

There will be no church or Sunday School December 31 due to cold weather.

Baptism - Kimber Skye Christiansen

Heavenly angels rejoice with us as Christ pours out His gracious water of Baptism upon Kimber Skye daughter of Kyler and Alyssa Christiansen.  Sponsors are Dallus Christiansen and Zane Christiansen and witnesses are Perry and Leah Schaller.  May God in His good grace keep her in the true faith by His Holy Word.

+ Sydney Loofe + Memorial Service

Memorial Services for Sydney Loofe age 24 of Lincoln, Nebraska will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, December 11, 2017 at Grace Lutheran Church in Neligh, NE with Pastor David Kuhfal, Officiating.  Visitation with the family will be Sunday, December 10, 2017 from 4:00-7:00 at Grace Lutheran Church in Neligh, Nebraska.  Arrangements are being conducted by Beyer Snider Memorial Funeral Home of Neligh.  Condolences may be directed to the family at www.beyersnidermemorialfh.com

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that a monetary donation be made to be used for a memorial at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo.

Sydney Irene Loofe of Lincoln, NE was born in Broken Bow, NE on August 21, 1993 to George and Susie Loofe and lived in Arcadia, NE until she was 7 years old.  Her family moved to Neligh, NE where she went to Neligh-Oakdale Public Schools from 2nd grade until her graduation in May of 2011.  She was baptized in September 1993 at Grace Lutheran Church in Ord, NE and confirmed on May 6, 2007 at Grace Lutheran Church in Neligh, NE.  She has now passed through heaven's pearly gates.



Sydney was a lover of the outdoors.  She loved to go fishing and also enjoyed a round of golf.  She was a caring individual who was known for having a loving, kind heart as many friends, Menards customers, and fellow employees would attest to.  Sydney was also extremely passionate about animals and leaves behind her cat, Mimzy.

Sydney is survived by her parents George and Susie Loofe of Neligh, NE, her brother Levi Loofe of Valentine, NE, her sister MacKenzie Loofe of Neligh, NE, and her grandmother Betty Johnson of Osmond, NE.  She is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Sydney was preceded in death by her grandfathers George Loofe Sr., John Fuller, and Dwaine Johnson, by her grandmother Irene Fuller, and by her Uncle Danny Johnson.

+ Danald A Reinke + Funeral

Funeral Services for Donald A. Reinke, age 93 of Neligh, Nebraska will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, December 7, 2017 at Grace Lutheran Church in Neligh, with Pastor David Kuhfal, Officiating. Burial will be in Laurel Hills Cemetery with Military Rites conducted by Neligh American Legion Post #172 and VFW Post #5287 and Legion Riders. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 pm Wednesday, December 6, 2017 at Beyer Snider Memorial Funeral Home in Neligh. Donald passed away Monday, December 4, 2017 at Neligh Care and Rehabilitation in Neligh, NE. Arrangements are being conducted by Beyer Snider Memorial Funeral Home of Neligh.



Donald Arthur Reinke was born on September 26, 1924 to Ferdinand and Meta (Schlecht) Reinke at Neligh, NE. He attended school at District #83 and later received his GED. He was enlisted in the United States Army on February 24, 1945 at Fort Levenworth, KS and served in Osaka, Japan for 8 months. Was discharged on December 9, 1946 at Camp Beale, CA. Awards and Medals during the services were Asiatic Pacific Campaign, Good Conduct, WWII Victory, Army Occupation. His highest grade held Tec. 5/Corporal. On August 26, 1951 he was united in marriage to Lois Hoefer at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Neligh. They celebrated 66 years together. He farmed North of Neligh and raised hereford cattle most of his life. He was a member of Farmers Coop, VFW Post #5287, School Dist #4, Farm Bureau, and very active in his church. He enjoyed playing cards, dominoes, and games.

He is survived by his wife, Lois. Daughters, Elaine (Jerry) Wallace of Spirit Lake, IA and Joyce (Larry) Kassebaum of Beatrice, NE. Granddaughter, Jessica (Adam) Juza of Dickens, IA.

Preceded in death by his parents and infant son James Lewis. Four brothers, Howard, Bernard, Elvin, and Wilbert. Two sisters, Elta Middleton and Iola Schacht.

Candlelight Vigil Planned Sunday For Sydney Loofe

From Antelope County News

The Neligh community will host a candlelight vigil on Sunday night at the Neligh-Oakdale football field to pray for the safe return of Sydney Loofe.

The vigil will begin at 7:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend and is asked to bring their own candles. Grace Lutheran Pastor David Kufahl will lead the prayer service. 

Sydney, the daughter of George and Susie Loofe of Neligh, has been missing since Wednesday after leaving for a date. She was last heard from on a SnapChat prior to the date. Sydney's vehicle is still at her home, and she did not go to work on Thursday. Neither friends nor family have heard from Sydney since.

George Loofe is the high school principal and assistant football coach at Neligh-Oakdale, and Susie Loofe is a teacher at the school and very involved in student and community activities.

A Lincoln Police Department (LPD) officer told Antelope County News that the search continues for Sydney, who is a 24-year-old, 5'7 female weighing about 130 pounds. She has blonde hair and blue eyes. Her last known location was near Wilbur, Nebraska.

If you have any information on her whereabouts, contact the Lincoln Police Department at 402-441-7204.

Vicar Jordan Schaller

Meet the Schallers



Jordan and Amy met at Concordia University Chicago in January of 2010. Amy grew up in Bryant Indiana surrounded by Amish neighbors in a small farm community while Jordan grew up in St. Louis Missouri.  In college Amy majored in Art education with an emphasis in figure drawing and a minor in theology while Jordan majored in theology with a minor in art with an emphasis on 3D art.  On June 1, 2013 Jordan and Amy were married and moved to Elmhurst Illinois.  While there Amy taught art at a local Christian school and Jordan worked for a Lutheran church doing music and youth ministry work.  On April 29, 2014 Eloise Anne Schaller was born.  Two weeks later the Schallers moved to Bridgman, Michigan where Jordan took a job at a Lutheran Church as a Young Adult Ministry Coordinator and Worship Arts Director for two small LCMS churches.  While there, God continued to work in their lives and those around them and continued to press them to consider the seminary, so in the Fall of 2015 Jordan enrolled at Fort Wayne Theological Seminary to begin pastoral training.  On July 1st, Adeline Rose Schaller was born.  Now a year and a half later Eloise has become a wonderful tea party host, ballerina and yoga fanatic, while Adeline has taken to climbing, dancing and getting into all sorts of trouble.  Amy has spent much of her time taking care of the kids at home as well as painting, drawing and running whenever she can.  Jordan has stayed busy at work with seminary classes and his part time job as a chiropractic assistant at a nearby clinic.  When they have free days the family will often go on long hikes or bike rides or anything else that involves the outdoors or boardgames.  They are very excited to meet their new church families in Nebraska and can't wait to see how God works through them and the church to share God’s Word and grow in faith and love towards one another.

Hurricane Benefit Tomorrow - Spread the Word!

+ Ethel Ehlers + Funeral

Funeral Service for Ethel J. Ehlers age 84 of Neligh, NE will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 22, 2017 at Grace Lutheran Church in Neligh, with Pastor David Kuhfal, Officiating. Burial will be in Laurel Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, September 21, 2017 at Beyer Snider Memorial Funeral Home in Neligh. Ethel passed away Monday, September 18, 2017 at Antelope Memorial Hospital in Neligh. Condolences may be directed to family at www.beyersnidermemorialfh.com



Ethel Jeanette Ehlers was born on April 19, 1933 to Lawrence and Bernice (Moon) Wylie at Cortland, NE. She attended school district #113 and graduated from Cortland High School. She played softball for Pickrell's town team and also, Elgin watch factory team softball. She worked in Lincoln at the Elgin Watch Factor from 1951 to 1957. On July 3, 1955 she married Robert Ehlers in Lincoln. They then moved to Neligh where she sold Avon and worked at Oetters Jewelry Store. Ethel enjoyed bowling, golfing, crocheting, and gardening. She went to northeast tech to learn painting. She was a member of Modern Mothers Extension Club, Goldstar Wives, and Grace Lutheran Church in Neligh.

She is survived by her children: Mark Ehlers of Neligh, NE, David and wife Pritiana Ehlers of guam, and Todd and wife Marilyn Ehlers of Ft. Calhoun, NE. 4 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. 2 brother-in-laws and 2 sister-in-laws.

Preceded in death by parents; husband (1977); daughter, Michelle; brothers and and sisters: Arlyn, Carl, Patricia, Lola, Betty.

Pastor Kuhfal 25th Anniversary of Ordination

Sunday August 13th the congregation celebrated Pastor Kuhfal's 25th Anniversary of his ordination.   The day included a catered meal, cake, a slideshow, speeches, letters from former vicars, a song by Pastor Andrew Richard, and a card shower.  In those 25 years Pastor Kuhfal has served three congregations Trinity Lutheran in Denver, Colorado (2.5 years); and Grace, Neligh and Trinity, Elgin. Here are some of the pictures of the event.

Sunday School Pool Party

The Sunday School held its first ever Pool Party this summer.  There was a good turnout and fun was had by all.

Picnic Potluck 6:30PM Tomorrow in the Park with the Measels

Former Vicar, Pastor Marty Measel (2007-2008) and his family will be coming through Neligh tomorrow, Friday July 7.  We will be having a church potluck picnic with the Measel family.  The picnic potluck will start at 6:30, bring a dish to share and look for us at one of the covered picnic areas by the pavilion.  Marty Measel has served as Pastor of Christ Lutheran in Stevensville, Michigan since 2009.  All are welcome to join us.

Measel Family Then

Measel Family Now

  

Marty, Jill, Andrew, Elliot, Isaac, and Karissa

Baptism - Brycen Leonard Pelster

Heavenly angels rejoiced with us as Christ poured out His gracious water of Baptism upon Brycen Leonard son of Kyle and Kala Pelster.   Sponsors and witnesses were Justin Uecker, Kiki Marie Rice, Donnell Weed and Camryn Pelster.  May God in His good grace keep him in the true faith by His Holy Word.

Vacation Bible School Starts Tomorrow!!!

Vacation Bible School Starts tomorrow from 9-Noon.  All children ages 4 (potty trained) to 8th grade are welcome!

Armed Services Sunday - If Not Us, Then Who?

Tomorrow is Armed Forces Sunday -- See what the LCMS is doing for our Armed Services.

Vacation Bible School 2017

Grace Lutheran Church in Neligh invites All Children 4 years (potty trained) to 8th grade to come to Vacation Bible School 9:00AM - Noon, Monday, May 22 through Friday, May 26.  We will have daily Bible Stories, crafts, snacks, games, opening and closing programs.  Please call the church office to register 402-887-4791.  There is no cost and all are welcome.  Children's daily freewill offering will go to the Orphan Grain Train.

Baptism - Luke Easton Furstenau

Heavenly angels rejoiced with us as Christ poured out His gracious water of Baptism upon Luke Easton son of Cory and Jenny Furstenau.  Witnesses are Josh and Kara Johnson.  May God in His good grace keep him in the true faith by His Holy Word.

Baptism - Erich Michael Anderson - April 15

Heavenly angels rejoiced with us as Christ poured out His gracious water of Baptism upon Erich Michael son of Jared and Brittany Anderson at the Easter Vigil Saturday night.  Sponsors and witnesses were Troy and Becky Hurtig, Emily and Clayton Anderson and Nick and Hayleigh Mosel. May God in His good grace keep him in the true faith by His Holy Word.

LCMS Reporter Movie Review "The Case for Christ"

Check out LCMS Reporter movie review for "The Case of Christ."  Here it is:

Movie review: ‘The Case for Christ’

April 11, 2017 in NEW THIS WEEK, REPORTER4 

Mike Vogel portrays Chicago Tribune reporter and avowed atheist Lee Strobel in “The Case for Christ” — a docudrama detailing the story of Strobel’s attempt to disprove Christianity after his wife becomes a Christian.

(Rated: G [Canada] and PG [MPAA] for thematic elements including medical descriptions of crucifixion, and incidental smoking; directed by Jon Gunn; stars Mike Vogel, Erika Christensen, Robert Forster, L. Scott Caldwell, Mike Pniewski, Tom Nowicki, Renell Gibbs, Haley Rosenwasser, Brett Rice and Faye Dunaway; run time: 112 min.)

A compelling film with a positive message

By Ted Giese

“The Case for Christ” is a docudrama detailing the story of a Chicago Tribune reporter, Lee Strobel (Mike Vogel), who attempts to disprove Christianity after his wife, Leslie (Erika Christensen), becomes a Christian following a “chance” encounter with a nurse (L. Scott Caldwell) who saves the life of their daughter (Haley Rosenwasser).

Sensing something more than coincidence at work — the right person (a nurse) in the right place (the restaurant) at the right time (a choking incident) — Leslie eventually accepts an invitation to go to church with the nurse. At church, she hears God’s Word and believes in Jesus.

Strobel, an award-winning journalist and avowed atheist, is beside himself at the news of his wife’s conversion to Christianity. The rest of the movie revolves around his work as an investigative journalist and his attempt to disprove Christianity so that his life can go back to the way it was before his wife’s conversion.

The film’s dramatic tension comes in the interplay between his bitter, alcohol-laden, downward spiral and his wife’s steadfast, yet tested, love for him.

Strobel’s investigation of Christianity hinges on one question: Did Jesus really die and then rise from the dead? If Jesus didn’t die, then there’s no reason to believe in a resurrection.

He wants to prove that Jesus’ death and resurrection are nothing more than legend, a really old lie, or maybe mass lunacy. As he begins working, he doesn’t consider that through his investigation he could end up making “The Case for Christ” as Lord and Savior.

Leslie Strobel’s coming to faith is more focused in her heart and personal experiences, whereas her husband’s old-school journalistic approach to every investigation — including his investigation into Jesus — focuses on the facts, while harboring deep suspicions.

He’s part of the “If your mother says she loves you, you’d better find another source to corroborate that story before it goes to print” school of journalism.

“The Case for Christ” quickly becomes a compelling story about a couple at odds over faith. It rings true because many couples experience the same tensions and stresses regarding faith and skepticism, even if a spouse isn’t a Chicago Tribune journalist.

As the film unfolds, a question emerges: Can the marriage weather this conflict, or is separation — or even divorce — on the horizon?

Christian viewers may be reminded of 1 Cor. 7:13-14, “If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband.”

In this case the unbelieving husband seriously contemplates divorce, but while he is frequently angry, unkind and drunk, he continues living with his wife and, much to his chagrin, begins noticing positive changes in her due to her Christian faith.

Some of the producers of “The Case for Christ” also worked on “God’s Not Dead 2” (2016) and some, like Elizabeth Hatcher-Travis and David A.R. White, also worked on “God’s Not Dead” (2014). But in this case, their efforts result in a better film.

A major complaint with the “God’s Not Dead” films was the poor treatment and development of the atheist characters. The screenwriters seemed to forget what St. Peter says when it comes to the task of apologetics (the reasoned defense of the Christian faith).

He says Christians should “always [be] prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).

While director Jon Gunn doesn’t sugarcoat Strobel’s faults and character defects in “The Case for Christ,” he presents a man who loves his daughter, struggles to love his wife, and even personally struggles to come to terms with his estranged father (Robert Forster).

Strobel also is portrayed as an honest journalist who, while good at his work, is willing to eat crow if he fails in his reporting. Essentially what viewers see is a fleshed-out character — not a flat, two-dimensional, cardboard cut-out or stereotype of an atheist.

This is a leap ahead when it comes to the way other faith-based films present nonbeliever characters.

As a film, “The Case for Christ” deals with its atheist characters fairly, one could even say with “gentleness and respect.” This is refreshing.

Lutheran viewers will want to be aware of the film’s strong, repeated emphasis on “decision theology” — that a person is saved when he makes a decision to accept and follow Jesus Christ.

That said, careful viewers will pick up on some elements that downplay making a personal decision for Jesus and better reflect the Small Catechism when it says in the explanation to the Third Article of the Apostles’ Creed: “I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith.”

Leslie becomes a Christian after hearing God’s Word. Receiving faith in this way echoes St. Paul: “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17).

Another significant detail in this regard is the film’s use of an Old Testament verse from Ezekiel: “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”

After Leslie encounters this verse, she makes it her prayer for her husband.

Ultimately, while Lee Strobel wrestles against God with all his reason, strength and investigative drive, the film shows it is God who changes the investigator.

Ironically, just as he can’t investigate his wife’s way out of the faith, he can’t investigate his way into the Christian faith.

Overall, the film shows it was God who “called, gathered and enlightened” Strobel, and Strobel is portrayed as a man with the gift of a repentant heart.

Most Christian viewers familiar with popular apologetics won’t be surprised by the film’s ending: Lee Strobel is now a popular Christian apologist and author.

Although this film is a cut above other films in the faith-based genre (better script, acting, cinematography and design), it still hits a couple of snags.

First, because “The Case for Christ” is professed to be a “true story” and deals with questions and answers rooted in apologetics which center on a search for and a proclamation of what is true, viewers might expect a high level of accuracy in telling Strobel’s story.

A quick surf over to YouTube will find a number of videos of Strobel telling his story. When they are compared to the 2017 film, it will become apparent that some details have been altered and/or added for dramatic effect.

Depending on the purpose of “The Case for Christ,” this could easily become a major flaw.

By injecting Strobel’s true story with factually inaccurate details, skeptical viewers may be tempted to distrust the important truths concerning the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. That could be a problem if the purpose of the film is reaching agnostic, skeptical and atheist viewers with a personal story about a man who was where they are now.

If, however, “The Case for Christ” is intended only to encourage people who already believe — who, it is assumed, will not have their faith in Christ rocked by some dramatization of Strobel’s life — then perhaps adding fictional elements will not be an issue.

A really great film for everyone — believer and nonbeliever — would present both an unvarnished account of Strobel’s journey and a strong apologetic for Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. If viewers dig into the details of “The Case for Christ,” they will find it to be a strong film on the latter point and a good-but-weaker film on the former.

Viewers — both Christian and non-Christian — will have to come to terms with whether it’s important that the film’s details about Strobel’s life are accurate. Hopefully, this won’t be a distraction from the core message of God’s love for the world in Jesus Christ.

While overly sentimental and sappy in spots, “The Case for Christ” is a step in the right direction.

Aspiring Lutheran scriptwriters and directors can be encouraged by a film like this, even if they are critical of its flaws. It shows that the door continues to open wider and wider for telling new stories on film.

What would a similar, modern Lutheran entry into the faith-based genre look like? Better yet, what would it look like if it was not even categorized as “faith-based,” but mainstream?

Could someone make such a film successfully for both Christians and non-Christians?

Good questions to ponder after seeing “The Case for Christ.”

Unlike “The Shack,” which muddles up the Holy Trinity in an unchristian way, “The Case for Christ” is a Christian film with a positive message that clearly points to Christ Jesus while emphasizing that it is God who ultimately changes hearts.

Watch the trailer

The Rev. Ted Giese (pastorted@sasktel.net) is lead pastor of Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada; a contributor to the Canadian Lutheran, Reporter Online and KFUO.org; and movie reviewer for the “Issues, Etc.” radio program. Follow Pastor Giese on Twitter @RevTedGiese.

Easter Service Schedule

Grace Lutheran Neligh is offering two services on Easter Morning, April 16:
Easter Sunrise Service with Holy Communion at 7:00AM
Easter Breakfast Served by the Lutheran Laymen's League following the Service
Easter Service with Holy Communion at Elgin at 9:00AM
Easter Service with Holy Communion at 10:30AM



Christ is Risen!
He is Risen Indeed, Alleluia!!!

Tonight, April 15, Grace Lutheran will Celebrate the Great Easter Vigil at 8PM.  The congregation will gather at a bonfire in the parking lot.  If you have not been to an Easter Vigil Service, there is a description below.  Tonight at the Easter Vigil there will be a baptism (along with remembrance of our Baptism).  (Please note this service is about an hour and a half, so come planning for patience.)  The Lord's Supper will also be offered.

Easter Vigil Explained

Scott Kinnaman in his blog "Blog My Soul" explains the Easter Vigil Service like this:

The Great Vigil of Easter, kept on the Eve of the Resurrection of Our Lord, is the culmination of the Holy Triduum. It brings to a festive completion the three-day service that began on Holy Thursday and continued on Good Friday. In itself, the Easter Vigil is a transitional service. In much the same way that Holy Thursday was both the conclusion of Lent and the beginning of the Triduum, so the Easter Vigil both completes the Triduum and ushers in the Fifty Days of Eastertide. This transition is poignantly manifested in the course of the vigil, which progresses purposefully from darkness to light. It celebrates specifically the passage of Christ from death into life, and the Church’s passage through death into life with Him through Holy Baptism. The night begins with hushed anticipation, proceeds with eager expectation, and finally climaxes in the exuberant celebration of the Paschal Feast.



The Easter Vigil is very much a Christian “Passover,” that is, a celebration of the great exodus that Christ Jesus, the Lamb of God, accomplished by His sacrificial death and brought to light in His resurrection from the dead. All that the Lord God did for Israel in bringing His people out of Egypt and into the Promised Land He has perfectly fulfilled for all the baptized, who are the new Israel, in His cross and resurrection. In Holy Baptism we have come out of Egypt and have crossed the Red Sea with Him, and have entered with Him into Canaan through the Jordan. In the Paschal Feast of Holy Communion, we eat and drink the true Passover Lamb. His blood covers us and protects us from sin, death, and hell; His body feeds and sustains us on our way. (Pless)


In particular, the Easter Vigil proclaims and confesses that as we have died with Christ by our Baptism into His death, so do we also rise with Him and live with Him in newness of life. It is for us that He died and rose from the dead. The Vigil lays hold of that sure and certain hope in the Gospel, or, better, the Vigil lays hold of us and brings us with Christ out of death into His life. It does so not by any sort of magic, but by the Word and Spirit of God.

With its rites, ceremonies, and propers, the vigil itself catechizes pastors and their congregations in the paschal mystery celebrated on this night. The most important preparation, therefore, is for service participants to study carefully and rehearse the notes and rubrics of the Easter Vigil. When all is well prepared and the service can proceed according to its proper rhythm, the Word of God in the readings and prayers of the Easter Vigil will do its own work among the people of God.



The Easter Vigil is presented in six parts: the Service of Light, the Service of Readings, the Service of Holy Baptism, the Service of Prayer, the Service of the Word, and the Service of the Sacrament. Each part has its own integrity and contributes to the progression of the whole. The Service of Light, in which the paschal candle is consecrated for use and lighted as a sign of the Lord’s resurrection, may take place at a bonfire outside the church building. To accentuate the continuity of this night with the Passion of our Lord, the gathering may occur where the congregation assembled for the procession with palms on Passion Sunday. After the consecration of the paschal candle, the people follow it into the church, as Israel followed the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night in the exodus from Egypt. During this procession, “The Light of Christ” (“Thanks be to God”) is chanted at three points, which may replicate the points at which the sentence “Behold, the life-giving cross” was stated during the adoration of the cross in the Good Friday service. These ceremonial associations contribute to the way in which the Easter Vigil holds together the cross and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ as the New Testament Passover.

The Service of Light crescendos in the chanting of the Exsultet (which ideally is sung rather than spoken). This beautiful proclamation of the paschal mystery sets the tone of the entire Easter Vigil, celebrating the fulfillment of the Old Testament exodus in the resurrection of the Christ. It rings out in the night, in much the same way that the candles break into the darkness with their shimmering light. There is the tension of waiting, a pregnant expectation of that which has already been accomplished but has yet to be openly announced. It is no secret that Christ has risen from the dead—no more so now than on Ash Wednesday or at any other time throughout Lent. Yet the Church on earth lives in, with, and under the cross of Christ; thus she experiences the now-and-not-yet of the resurrection in the Word of the Lord.



Although the handheld candles of the congregation should be carefully extinguished at the end of the Exsultet, the Service of Readings should proceed in semidarkness, with only as much light as necessary for the reading of the Holy Scriptures and for the prayers and canticles of the people. The Readings are the distinctive and definitive heart of the Easter Vigil. They set forth a series of Old Testament prophecies and types of the Christ, of His cross and resurrection, and of the Church’s participation in His dying and rising again. It is not expected that congregations will employ all twelve Readings, but as many of these as possible should be used. At least the first three Readings should always be used (the creation, the flood, and the exodus), and preferably the twelfth Reading (the three men in the fiery furnace). A selection of four Readings is given here, along with congregational responses in the form of two psalms and two canticles. The congregation should sit for the Readings, kneel for the collects that follow each Reading, and stand for the psalms or canticles that are interspersed with the Readings. Because the Church waits on the Lord in steadfast faith and hope by giving attention to His Word, there is no need to hurry through the Readings. Congregations comprised largely of younger members may arrange to observe the Easter Vigil through the hours of the night, culminating in the early dawn of Easter Sunday. In such a case (presumably rare), all of the Readings would be used; each followed by its collect, the appropriate psalm or canticle, and separated with periods of silence. The Readings do not require commentary because within the context of the entire week, the collects, psalms, and canticles provide appropriate and sufficient reflection of the Word by which the Lord catechizes His people and accomplishes His purposes among them.

Whether or not there are catechumens to be baptized at the Easter Vigil, the Service of Baptism follows the Readings as a return to the death and resurrection of repentance and faith that all the baptized share with Christ by the washing of water with His Word and Spirit. Here is the crossing of the Red Sea with the One who is greater than Moses, which already anticipates the crossing of the Jordan with the New Testament Joshua (Jesus, the Christ). This returning to the significance of Holy Baptism through contrition, repentance, and faith in the forgiveness of sins is to be the daily and lifelong discipline of every Christian. It is here embraced at the very heart of the Easter Vigil, in remembrance and celebration of the cross and resurrection of Christ. It is not meant to replace the daily taking up of the cross to follow Jesus as His disciples, but it is observed in service and support of that Christian faith and life. This is the fulfillment of Lent and the rebirth of an Easter life.



The Divine Service of the Easter Vigil is somewhat simpler than the usual Sunday observance, yet it is not as full and festive as the chief Divine Service on Easter Sunday will be. The same basic movement takes place: from the Word of the Gospel to the Word made flesh in Holy Communion, received in faith and with thanksgiving. In this case, the Prayer of the Church (in the Litany of the Resurrection) precedes the basic pattern of the Word preached and the Sacrament administered, which serves to further heighten the unity of the Holy Gospel and Holy Communion.



The Service of the Word at the Easter Vigil is really as much or more a part of the entire Eucharistic rite rather than a separate component. In contrast to the deliberate and steady pacing of the Readings, the Service of the Word proceeds forward swiftly. Ideally, this would occur after night fall as there is now a striking transition from darkness to light, from the sobriety of Holy Week to the sights and sounds and celebration of the Easter feast. That is signaled by the Easter acclamation: “Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!” The altar candles are now lighted from the paschal candle, the lights in the church are turned on, bells are rung, the organ opens up in jubilation, the Gloria in Excelsis is sung, and the Lord’s altar is prepared for the Sacrament (there is no offering or offertory in the usual manner).

The proclamation of the Easter Gospel (John 20:1–18) testifies that the Jesus who died and was buried is not only no longer in the tomb, but has been raised bodily from the dead. The preaching of this Gospel should be straightforward and direct, brief and to the point. All of Holy Week and the entire Easter Vigil have been an extended proclamation and catechesis of the Word, the Law and the Gospel, to repentant faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore it is neither necessary nor desirable to have a lengthy sermon at this point.


The Service of the Sacrament will follow according to one of the usual settings of the Divine Service, beginning with the Preface. Here it is suggested that Setting Four continued to be used as it has throughout this Lenten series. While other settings may surely be preferred in some congregations, Setting Five should not be chosen for use at the Easter Vigil. Note the special Post-Communion Collect appointed for the Easter Vigil.

The color of the day at the Easter Vigil is white and/or gold. However, the church should be kept in semidarkness until the Service of the Word, at which point there is a transition to all the trappings of Easter, as previously indicated. Depending on the circumstances, the altar may be dressed and adorned with the appropriate paraments, Easter flowers, and other accoutrements at this point in the service. The logistics for such a transition require planning and rehearsal to avoid awkwardness or uncertainty. Similarly, the celebrant and his assistant(s) may prefer to be vested in cassock and surplice, but at this point they would vest in alb (and chasuble for the celebrant) for the Service of the Word and Sacrament.

*From "Rubrics and Notes for Celebrating Lent and Holy Week in the Lutheran Congregation"

Prayer for Easter Vigil

O God, You made this most holy night to shine with the glory of the Lord's resurrection. Preserve in us the spirit of adoption which You have given so that, made alive in body and soul, we may serve You purely; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (466)

Good Friday Service 7:30PM

Friday, April 14 we will be remembering the Friday the Church calls Good at 7:30PM.  It is called Good not because what happened to Jesus, for on this night He suffered and died for the sins of the world.  The Church calls this Friday Good because of what it means for the church.  On this night Jesus died for our sins.  Join us to remember what Jesus did for you.

Good Friday Gospel reading: John 19:17–30 

17 and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. 18 There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. 19 Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” 20 Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek. 21 So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’ ” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.”
23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, 24 so they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture which says,
     “They divided my garments among them,
      and for my clothing they cast lots.”
So the soldiers did these things, 25 but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.
28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” 29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Prayer for Good Friday

Almighty God, graciously behold this Your family for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed and delivered into the hands of sinful men to suffer death upon the cross; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (Lutheran Service Book, L33)

Maundy Thursday Service 7:30 with Holy Communion

Maundy Thursday Night, April 13, at 7:30 Grace Lutheran (5:30PM at Trinity Lutheran, Elgin) will be having a Service remember what Jesus did on this Holy Week giving His disciples the mandate (hence the word Maundy) to do the Supper saying, "Do this in remembrance of me."  We will have service with the Lord's Supper and a stripping of the Altar in preparation for Good Friday. 

The Treasury of Daily Prayer says the following about Maundy Thursday: "Maundy Thursday, the Day of Commandment (Dies Mandati), most properly refers to the example of service given us by our Lord and the directive to love as we have been loved (John 13:34).  Yet we must not forget the command given in the Words of Our Lord to "do this in remembrance of Me."  This day, with its commemoration of the institution of the Lord's Supper, is set off from the rest of Holy Week as a day of festive joy."

Baptism - Cheyney Rae Hild - March 26

Heavenly angels rejoiced with us as Christ poured out His gracious water of Baptism upon Cheyney Rae, daughter of Kevin and Miranda Hild.  Sponsors were Jaryd Montgomery and witness is Jamie Couch.  May God in His good grace keep her in the true faith by His Holy Word.

+ Erma Suhr + Funeral

NELIGH — Services for Erma Suhr, 93, of Elgin will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Grace Lutheran Church in Neligh. The Rev. David Kuhfal will officiate with burial in Oakdale Cemetery in Oakdale.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Sunday at Brockhaus-Harlan Funeral Home in Tilden.

She died Monday, March 20, 2017, at Community Pride Care Center in Battle Creek.

Memorials may be directed to The Arthritis Foundation for Research.

1923-2017

Erma Gail Suhr, daughter of Roy and Mary Elizabeth Ofe, was born April 22, 1923.

She was united in marriage to Alfred Suhr on Sept. 1, 1941. They were blessed with three children, Elvon, Elvena Gail and Jennell.

Erma was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Neligh. She loved her family, grandchildren and quilting.

Erma is survived by her children, Elvon (Vicky) Suhr of Norfolk, Elvena Gail (Gary) Weger of Round Rock, Texas, and Jennell Suhr of Elgin; grandchildren Greg Suhr of O’Neill, Brent (Sue) Beech of Billerica, Mass., Julie (Mark) Smith of Neligh and Monica Zylstra of Solana Beach, Calif.; her great-grandchildren, Preston Smith and Spencer Smith of Neligh, Keith (Shelby) Catt of Lincoln, and Cassandra Borgmeier of Norfolk; her great-great-granddaughter, Kennedy Catt of Lincoln; her sister, Betty (Donald) Mahannah of O’Neill; her sister-in-law, Shirley Ofe of Oakdale; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Mary Elizabeth Ofe; her spouse, Alfred Suhr; her sisters, Esther Strahm, Viola Williams and Hazel Obermire; her brother, Donald Ofe; and 11 brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Baptism - Ryland Meis

Heavenly angels rejoice with us as Christ pours out His gracious water of Baptism upon Ryland, daughter of Kelsey Dreger and Nick Meis.  Sponsors are Travis and Kayla Coover, and witnesses are Nathan and Heather Struewe.  May God in His good grace keep her in the true faith by His Holy Word.

Wednesday Night Lenten Series - Words of Life From the Cross

This Lent our Wednesday Sermon Series will be Words of Life From the Cross focusing on the last seven words of Christ from the cross.

This year’s series is the seven words of Christ spoken from the cross as He offered up His life for the life of the world.  Each word imparts a blessing and is a word of Gospel.  The series will expound on these words of Christ, linking them to Jesus’ words and works recorded in the Gospel as well as the Old Testament prophesies that pointed to Him.  Each word of Christ proclaims and delivers something about Him, the Word Incarnate, and delivers His saving death to us that we would trust Him for forgiveness, life, and salvation.  Services will be at 7:30 on Wednesday in Neligh and Thursday in Elgin.

We will have cookies in the Fellowship Hall after the services.

See schedule below.

Ash Wednesday – March 1/2. The Pardoning Word: 

"Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34) 

Lent Midweek 2 – March 8/9. The Promising Word: 

"Truly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in paradise." (Luke 23:43)

Lent Midweek 3 – March 15/16. The Faithful Word: 

"My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:46)

Lent Midweek 4 – March 22/23. The Compassionate Word: 

"Woman, behold, your son! and "Behold, your mother!" (John 19:26-27)

Lent Midweek 5 – March 29/30. The Suffering Word: 

"I thirst" (John 19:28)

Lent Midweek 6 – April 5/6. The Dying Word: 

"Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit!" (Luke 23:46)

Maundy Thursday – April 13. The Remembering Word 

(1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

Good Friday – April 14. The Fulfilled Word:

"It is finished!" (John 19:30)

Easter Vigil – April 15. The Restful Word 

(the 7th day, rest in the tomb).

Easter Sunday – April 16. The Vindicated Word: 

"He is Risen!"