Category: News

Find the latest news about what’s going on in Higher Things.

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A Treasury of Daily Prayer

How’s that prayer life of yours going? Don’t know where to begin? Help is on the way. CPH is about to release a most excellent resource for daily prayer called a Treasury of Daily Prayer.  And what a treasure chest it is, chocked full of gems, ancient and modern.  Beginning with Ash Wednesday, each day has a psalm, three Scripture reading, a writing from one of the saints of the past, a hymn stanza, and a prayer of the day along with a daily reading guide to the Book of Concord.

But wait!  There’s more!  Great instructional stuff on the church year, the entire Psalter and a great way to pray through the psalms in a month, and a terrific guide to self-examination for confession using the ten commandments as a mirror in the form of questions (remember – curb, mirror, guide?).  At over 1500 pages, it will also suffice as a free weight so you can combine your daily prayer and workout into one.

Our own David Petersen was an assisting editor, and he even managed to get three contributions from yours truly.  All in all, this is a must have book for the praying Christian.  Due to be released in October, it will make a wonderful Christmas gift too.

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HT Fantasy Football League

Friends,

There is a single spot in the HT Fantasy Football League.  Email me TONIGHT to get it!

The draft is tomorrow at 2:30pm CDT.

In Christ,

Pastor Borghardt
Conference Executive
Higher Things, Inc.

P.S.  HT Radio is coming this Thursday Evening (6pm) to Pirate Christian Radio.  Check it out at here.

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Higher Things Fantasy Football!

For the third year in a row, Higher Things has a Fantasy Football league.  If you are interested, contact me.

We certainly aren’t going to let Pastor Fouts win again, are we?  Or worse… me? (smile)

In Christ,

Pastor Borghardt
Conference Executive
Higher Things Inc.

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Happy Birthday Pastor Buetow!

Today as we commemorate the festival of St. Mary, the Mother of Our Lord we’d also like to remember Pastor Mark Buetow. He’s another year older today and it was important to the Internet Services Staff here at Higher Things that we let you know about it. So, drop Pastor Buetow a line and send him special Birthday Greetings to remind him of how old he’s getting. You can e-mail him at buetowmt at higherthings dot org.

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Trinity Season Reflections (Part 4)

Trinity Season Reflections (Part 4) are now available. The Trinity Season continues with more Jesus! Pastor Mark Buetow of Bethel Lutheran Church in Du Quoin, Illinois points us to Jesus accomplishing our salvation on Calvary and delivering to us through the holy gifts of His means of grace in the church. You can download the Relfections in a printable booklet format here.

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Thank You!

As we in Higher Things continue to bask in the glow of three Christ-centered “Amen” conferences, it’s time to take a moment and thank all the people who taught, worked, preached, and sang at our conferences this year. 

This list is by no means comprehensive.  As is always the case, all the laity who volunteered and taught, are all members in good standing of Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod congregations.  And all the preachers, teachers, and chaplains are rostered members of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

So, thank you.  Thank you for your preparation.  Thank you for your time.  Thank you for giving up sleep and for consuming large amounts of caffeine and sugar to stay awake.  Most of all, thank you for making this year’s conferences our best yet!

We’ll see you at Sola!

In Christ,

Rev. George F. Borghardt III
Conference Executive
Higher Things, Inc.

Amen – Poconos
Rev. David Kind Chaplain/Preacher University Lutheran Chapel Minneapolis, MN
Mr. Chris Loemker Organist/Choir Director Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church Freeburg, IL
Rev. George Borghardt Preacher St. Mark Lutheran Church Conroe, TX
Rev. Larry Nichols Preacher Our Redeemer Lutheran Church Smithfield, RI
Rev. Mark Buetow Preacher Bethel Lutheran Church Du Quoin, IL
Rev. Eric Andrae Preacher First Trinity Lutheran Church Pittsburgh, PA
Rev. Christopher Esget Preacher Immanuel Lutheran Church Alexandria, VA
Rev. Marcus Zill Preacher St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church Laramie, WY
Rev. George Borghardt Plenary Teacher St. Mark Lutheran Church Conroe, TX
Rev. Mark Buetow Plenary Teacher Bethel Lutheran Church Du Quoin, IL
Rev. David Fleming In-Depth Teacher Our Savior Lutheran Church Grand Rapids, MI
Rev. James Gier In-Depth Teacher Mount Calvary Lutheran Church Excelsior Springs, MO
Rev. Gifford Grobien In-Depth Teacher Emmaus Lutheran Church South Bend, IN
Rev. David Kind In-Depth Teacher University Lutheran Chapel Minneapolis, MN
Mr. Stan Lemon In-Depth Teacher Redeemer Lutheran Church Oakmont, PA
Rev. Thomas Messer In-Depth Teacher Peace Lutheran Church Alma, MI
Rev. Kurt Onken In-Depth Teacher Messiah Lutheran Church Marysville, WA
Mrs. Sandra Ostapowich In-Depth Teacher Mount Olive Lutheran Church Loveland, CO
Rev. Jay Reinke In-Depth Teacher Concordia Lutheran Church Williston, ND
Rev. Eric Andrae Breakaway Teacher First Trinity Lutheran Church Pittsburgh, PA
Rev. Leonard Astrowski Breakaway Teacher Grace Lutheran Church Fairgrove, MI
Rev. Dr. David Balla Breakaway Teacher Trinity Lutheran Church West Chicago, IL
Rev. Duane Bamsch Breakaway Teacher Evangelists Lutheran Church Kingsbury, TX
Rev. Mark Buetow Breakaway Teacher Bethel Lutheran Church Du Quoin, IL
Rev. Dave Dodge Breakaway Teacher Our Savior Lutheran Church Union City, MI
Rev. John Drosendahl Breakaway Teacher Peace Lutheran Church Goldsboro, NC
Rev. Dr. Carl Fickenscher Breakaway Teacher Concordia Theological Seminary Fort Wayne, IN
Rev. Joseph Fisher Breakaway Teacher Pilgrim Lutheran Church West Bend, WI
Rev. Robert Franck Breakaway Teacher Mount Olive Lutheran Church Duluth, MN
Rev. Gifford Grobien Breakaway Teacher Emmaus Lutheran Church South Bend, IN
Rev. Kevin Johnson Breakaway Teacher Holy Cross Lutheran Church Carlisle, IA
Rev. Dr. Jonathan Naumann Breakaway Teacher Redeemer Lutheran Church Oakmont, PA
Rev. Larry Nichols Breakaway Teacher Redeemer Lutheran Church Smithfield, RI
Mr. Landon Reed Breakaway Teacher Zion Lutheran Church Tomball, TX
Rev. Jay Reinke Breakaway Teacher Concordia Lutheran Church Williston, ND
Rev. Kent Schaaf Breakaway Teacher All Saints Lutheran Church Charlotte, NC
Rev. Stephen Schumacher Breakaway Teacher Bethany Lutheran Church Naperville, IL
Dr. Jim Tallmon Breakaway Teacher Our Savior Lutheran Church Winchester, WV
Dcs. Jennie Waters Breakaway Teacher Concordia University – Chicago Chicago, IL
Rev.Marcus Zill Breakaway Teacher St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church Laramie, WY
       
Amen – St. Louis
Rev. D. Richard Stuckwisch Chaplain Emmaus Lutheran Church South Bend, IN
Kantor Richard Resch Organist Concordia Theological Seminary Fort Wayne, IN
Mr. Timothy LaCroix Choir Director Concordia Lutheran High School Fort Wayne, IN
Rev. George Borghardt Preacher St. Mark Lutheran Church Conroe, TX
Rev. Joel Fritsche Preacher Concordia Seminary St. Louis, MO
Rev. Mark Buetow Preacher Bethel Lutheran Church Du Quoin, IL
Rev. Richard Heinz Preacher St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Lanesville, IN
Rev. Jeffrey Gibbs Preacher Concordia Theological Seminary St. Louis, MO
Rev. Bruce Keseman Preacher Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church Freeburg, IL
Rev. William Cwirla Preacher Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Hacienda Heights, CA
Rev. George Borghardt Plenary Teacher St. Mark Lutheran Church Conroe, TX
Rev. Mark Buetow Plenary Teacher Bethel Lutheran Church Du Quoin, IL
Rev. Paul Beisel In-Depth Teacher Concordia Lutheran Church Warsaw, IL
Rev. Jeffrey Bloom In-Depth Teacher Immanuel Lutheran Church Lincoln, NE
Rev. Allen Braun In-Depth Teacher Mount Hulda Lutheran Church Cole Camp, MO
Rev. Kirk Clayton In-Depth Teacher Zion Lutheran Church Mascoutah, IL
Rev. Marcus Mackay In-Depth Teacher Peace Lutheran Church Hastings, NE
Rev. Klemet Preus In-Depth Teacher Glory of Christ Lutheran Church Plymouth, MN
Rev. William Cwirla In-Depth Teacher Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Hacienda Heights, CA
Mrs. Sandra Ostapowich In-Depth Teacher Mount Olive Lutheran Church Loveland, CO
Rev. William Snyder In-Depth Teacher Holy Cross Lutheran Church Emma, MO
Rev. Jon Bakker Breakaway Teacher Zion Lutheran Church Mount Pleasant, MI
Rev. Michael Brockman Breakaway Teacher Christ Lutheran Church Hutchinson, KS
Dcs. Emily Carder Breakaway Teacher Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Brandon, MS
Rev. Steven Cholak Breakaway Teacher Concordia Theological Seminary Fort Wayne, IN
Rev. Tyler Hauptmeier Breakaway Teacher St. Peter Lutheran Church Summerfield, KS
Rev. Richard Heinz Breakaway Teacher St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Lanesville, IN
Rev. Jim Holowach Breakaway Teacher Christ Lutheran Church Jackson, MS
Rev. Philip Houser Breakaway Teacher Lamb of God Lutheran Church Omaha, NE
Rev. Bruce Keseman Breakaway Teacher Christ our Savior Lutheran Church Freeburg, IL
Rev. Scot Kinnaman Breakaway Teacher Concordia Publishing House St. Louis, MO
Rev. Richard Kolaskey Breakaway Teacher Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church Dillsboro, IN
Rev. Paul McCain Breakaway Teacher Concordia Publishing House St. Louis, MO
Rev. Alan Miller Breakaway Teacher Peace Lutheran Church Glidden, IA
Rev. Michael Monterastelli Breakaway Teacher First Lutheran Church Lufkin, TX
Rev. Mark Mumme Breakaway Teacher Zion Lutheran Church Hardwick, MN
Dcs. Pam Nielsen Breakaway Teacher Concordia Publishing House St. Louis, MO
Rev. Jeffrey Pautz Breakaway Teacher St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church Freeman, SD
Rev. Rick Sawyer Breakaway Teacher Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Brandon, MS
Rev. Scott Schilbe Breakaway Teacher Christ Lutheran Church Rochester, MN
Rev. Eric Tessaro Breakaway Teacher Trinity Lutheran Church Springfield, MO
Rev. Clayton Vail Breakaway Teacher Bethlehem Lutheran Church Altamont, IL
Rev. Glen Wurdeman Breakaway Teacher Advent Lutheran Church Zionsville, IN
       
Amen – Irvine
Rev. William Cwirla Chaplain/Preacher Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Hacienda Heights, CA
Dr. William Heide Organist St. John Lutheran Church Orange, CA
Mrs. Audrey Mink Choir Director St. John Lutheran Church Orange, CA
Rev. George Borghardt Preacher St. Mark Lutheran Church Conroe, TX
Rev. Korey Maas Preacher Concordia University – Irvine Irvine, CA
Rev. Mark Buetow Preacher Bethel Lutheran Church Du Quoin, IL
Rev. Joel Shaltanis Preacher St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Pomona, CA
Rev. Steven Mueller Preacher Concordia University – Irvine Irvine, CA
Rev. Brent Kuhlman Preacher Trinity Lutheran Church Murdock, NE
Rev. George Borghardt Plenary Teacher St. Mark Lutheran Church Conroe, TX
Rev. Mark Buetow Plenary Teacher Bethel Lutheran Church Du Quoin, IL
Rev. Dr. James Bachman In-Depth Teacher Concordia University – Irvine Irvine, CA
Prof. Mark Brighton In-Depth Teacher Concordia University – Irvine Irvine, CA
Rev. Charlie Mallie In-Depth Teacher Zion Lutheran Church Tomball, TX
Rev. Dr. Steven Mueller In-Depth Teacher Concordia University – Irvine Irvine, CA
Rev. William Cwirla In-Depth Teacher Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Hacienda Heights, CA
Mrs. Sandra Ostapowich In-Depth Teacher Mount Olive Lutheran Church Loveland, CO
Prof. Mark Siegert In-Depth Teacher Concordia University – Irvine Irvine, CA
Rev. Prof. Scott Ashmon Breakaway Teacher Concordia University – Irvine Irvine, CA
Dr. Susan Bachman Breakaway Teacher Concordia University – Irvine Irvine, CA
Rev. Dan Bremer Breakaway Teacher Grace Lutheran Church Grand Island, NE
Rev. Tim Eaton Breakaway Teacher Christ the King Lutheran Church Newbury Park, CA
Rev. Dr. Korey Maas Breakaway Teacher Concordia University – Irvine Irvine, CA
Rev. Ian Pacey Breakaway Teacher Catalina Lutheran Church Tucson, AZ
Rev. Jeremy Rhode Breakaway Teacher Faith Lutheran Church Capistrano Beach, CA
Dr. Christine Ross Breakaway Teacher Concordia University – Irvine Irvine, CA
Rev. Prof. Greg Seltz Breakaway Teacher Concordia University – Irvine Irvine, CA
Rev. Wiley Smith Breakaway Teacher Christ the King Lutheran Church Redlands, CA
Rev. Marcus Zill Breakaway Teacher St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church Laramie, WY
Rev. Grant Knepper Breakaway Teacher Zion Lutheran Church Hillsboro, OR
Rev. Brent Kuhlman Breakaway Teacher Trinity Lutheran Church Murdock, NE
Mr. Stan Lemon Breakaway Teacher Redeemer Lutheran Church Oakmont, PA
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Board of Directors – Elections Announcement

Last week, during the Amen – Irvine conference, the Higher Things Board of Directors and Executives met for our annual Summit meeting.  One of the most important orders of business for this annual meeting are our elections.  The HT Board of Directors is comprised of 9 members.  Directors serve three-year terms, and three director seats are up for election each year.

This year, incumbents Pr. William Cwirla and Pr. Bruce Keseman were both re-elected to serve another term and we are pleased to have elected a new-comer to the Board, Pr. David Kind.  Pr. Kind has served as a conference Chaplain at both For You – Minneapolis and Amen – Poconos, and has been involved with HT’s Christ on Campus as the pastor of University Lutheran Chapel in Minneapolis, MN.

Also during the annual meeting, the HT Board of Directors elects Officers to serve one-year terms.  The Board of Directors Officers for the coming year are as follows:

President:  Pr. William Cwirla
Vice-President:  Pr. Brent Kuhlman
Treasurer:  Lynn Fredericksen
Secretary:  Sandra Ostapowich

All new terms will begin on September 1, 2008.

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Trinity Season Reflections (Part 3)

Trinity Season Reflections (Part 3) are now available. The work of the Holy Spirit continues in the readings for the Trinitytide season. Pastors Mark Buetow and Steven Mac Dougal (Red Bud, IL) bring the word of Christ achieving and delivering salvation to our ears. These Reflections cover the time from July 18 through August 16. You may download a copy in printable booklet form here.

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College Retreat at the Guadalupe

The Guadalupe Retreat is an opportunity for the college-aged HTers to gather for a little worship, work, and play before heading back to school. Large sized flyers are available via e-mail; please feel free to print them and hand them out, hang them up, invite your friends to come hear the word. Open to high school grads and up. More information will be provided as it becomes available. In the meantime, feel free to email me at estephens@higherthings.org and I will try to find answers for you.

Group Registration Forms
Individual Registration Forms

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Amen, Amen, Amen

Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make Amen -Scranton and Amen-St. Louis two great conferences.  The kids were great; the college volunteers were terrific; the speakers and presenters were amazing; the staff was awesome; the worship was divine.  Now on to Concordia University-Irvine, our first ever conference on a Concordia campus.  Amen, Amen, and Amen!

At Amen-St. Louis, several people came up to me and asked if Pres. Kieschnick had been invited to greet us, since we were in the Synod’s own backyard.  As a matter of fact, back in May I did invite Pres. Kieschnick to bring his personal greetings to our conference, but sadly his calendar did not permit it.   He did write us this nice letter which unfortunately didn’t make it into our conference booklet.  I wanted to share it with you here.

May 19, 2008

Dear Pastor Cwirla, Brother William,

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

As you prepare for the Higher Things conference in July, 2008, I would like to take this time to express to you how important your work is in spreading the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to the world.

Although I am both honored and grateful for your kind invitation to be a guest and share in fellowship at this momentous occasion, at this time I must respectfully and regretfully decline, due to a prior commitment.  Please be assured that all of those gathered will be in my special thoughts and prayers.

May God’s grace, power and peace be with you.

Warmly and sincerely, in Christian love,

Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick, President
The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod