Category: News

The deadline for registering with the “early bird” discount for the Fourth Annual Higher Things Christ on Campus Staff Conference being held June 6-8, 2006 in Pittsburgh, PA is drawing near.

Registration for the conference is $69. However, those who register before May 1, 2006 will receive an “early bird” registration rate of $59. Registrations postmarked by on or before Monday, May 1 will suffice. Registration costs are also being waived for any recently assigned Vicars and Candidates.

See our ad on the back of the latest issue of Higher Things (Spring 2006)!

Detailed information as well as downloadable registration forms and flyers are available at:

http://higherthings.org/campus/events/staffconference.html

Engaged in campus ministry? Want to be?

We look forward to seeing you in Pittsburgh!

Rev. Marcus T. Zill
Christ on Campus Executive

Question… Questions… and more Questions!

That seems to be all we’re getting these days here at Higher Things Internet Services. It seems that everyone wants to know what’s going on with BAMBI, that is Big Audacious Mega-Hairy Bodacious Idea. Well, I can’t really tell you what we’re working on… but I can give you a foretaste of what you just might see in BAMBI.

What will BAMBI bring?  BAMBI is going to be interactive. That means, Higher Things the way you want it to be.  BAMBI also means that  we are going to expand Higher Things’ content on the website in a “big, audacious, mega-hairy, bodacious” kinda way.  This means, more Higher Things, for you!

What sort of “stuff” might show up in this Big Audacious Mega-Hairy Bodacious Idea?  Good question!  I can’t answer that fully yet.  But, I can share with you some interactive content that we hope to offer entitled “Dear Madre”, featuring our Secretary, Sandra Ostapowich.  This will be unlike anything else on Lutheran Youth websites today!  These posts will tackle teens’ questions about dating and relationships in HT’s “Dare to Be Lutheran” way – that is with Law/Gospel answers centered in the forgiveness Jesus won for us on the Cross and delivered to us in the Word and Sacraments. 

Teen magazines and websites are full of dating tips.  Most of the time, when things get “christian”-ized they become … legalistic.  How does a Lutheran go about this topic?  Have I piqued your interest?  Check out a special BAMBI preview on Madre’s blog here.   And since it’s BAMBI, it’ll be fully interactive – you ask, she answers. 

It only gets bigger… more audacious… more mega-hairy… and more bodacious.  BAMBI is coming …..

Happy Easter!

Stan Lemon
Higher Things Webmaster

Seminarian Ryan Fouts received a Divine Call to Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Sugarloaf, Illinois tonight at Call Day in St. Louis.  Ryan, who has been accepted to do PHD work at Concordia Seminary, also serves as the voice of the Higher Things Reflections.  Podcast for the Higher Things Daily Reflections here.  Our Podcast is updated daily with an audio version of the reflections.  The Lord’s blessings to you, “Candidate” Fouts.

God of the Prophets, Bless the Prophets’ Sons
By: Denis Wortman

God of the prophets, bless the prophets’ sons;
Elijah’s mantle on Elisha cast.
Each age its solemn task may claim but once;
Make each one nobler, stronger than the last.

Anoint them prophets, men who are intent
To hear and share your Word; their hearts awake
To human need; their lips make eloquent
To gird the right and every evil break.

Anoint them priests; strong intercessors, they,
For pardon and for love and hope and peace.
Oh, if with them the world might, now astray,
Find, Lord, in you from all their woes release.

Make them apostles, heralds of your cross;
Forth let them go to tell all lands your grace.
By you inspired, they count all else but loss
And stand at last with joy before your face.

Hymn # 258 from Lutheran Worship

Dear everyone,

We had mentioned earlier that we would be sending a snail mailing around thistime.

We have since decided that since every group has a contact person with an e-mail, and we have had such great success with posting information at www.thefeastonline.org that will be simply posting the various things that would have been in that mailing as they are available here.

Here is the first such item:

Download a pastoral letter concerning the worship life at The Feast, and specifically how matters pertaining to The Holy Communion are being approached. Please feel free to forward to your pastor, though they will be getting a direct e-mail or snail mail of this letter as well.

Thanks and God bless,

Pastor Marcus Zill
The Feast, 2006 Conference Coordinator

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNA JOY!

Today, one our best volunteers turns eighteen!  Anna is our Reflections Content Manager and recently she did a wonderful job compiling our past magazine issues.  Congrats Anna!  Thanks for helping make higherthings.org the greatest Lutheran Youth site on the planet!

In Christ,

Your Friends at Internet Services

HT Internet Services is very excited to announce a new feature and resource on our web site. You can now find an exhaustive index of Bible studies and leaders’ guides for the articles printed in the Higher Things Magazine. The list can be displayed either alphabetically or by issue. You can find the Bible Studies page under our Resources section by clicking here.

Keep looking for more new and exciting things from Higher Things!

A Blessed Easter to you!

Stan Lemon
Higher Things Webmaster

He is Risen!  He is Risen indeed!  Alleluia!

What wonderful news we heard on Easter Sunday – Christ has died, Christ is risen!  Alleluia!

The Gospel is not that Jesus died.  The Gospel is that Jesus died FOR YOU.  The Good News of Easter isn’t that Jesus rose, but that Jesus rose FOR YOU.  On the Cross Jesus won forgiveness, life, and salvation FOR YOU. Then, as if that wasn’t enough good news, on the third day He rose FOR YOU.  It’s not just a nice idea, it’s personal.  FOR YOU makes the Good News very good news indeed!

At Higher Things, we think there is so much Gospel in the proclamation “FOR YOU” that we’ve decided to make “FOR YOU” the theme for next summer’s two conferences.  One “FOR YOU” in Minneapolis, MN from July 24-27, 2007, and the next week, one more “FOR YOU” in Asheville, NC from July 31-August 3, 2007.

Conference themes and worship will focus on the “For You” of the Gospel in Word and Sacraments!  Both conferences will follow the same theme and orders of service, however speakers and preachers will vary.

Because of the overwhelming response to The Feast, Higher Things has decided to offer an opportunity FOR YOU to pre-register your groups for one of the 2007 conferences.  Pre-registration will remain open FOR YOU until until June 1, 2006.  

Download the group pre-registration form HERE.  A non-refundable deposit of $75/person will be required for each group.

Regular registration FOR YOU will open on August 1, 2006.  Those groups with confirmed pre-registrations will be required to submit appropriate group and individual registration forms by January 1, 2007.  Registration will close on February 28, 2007 or when capacity is reached for each conference (MN – 1250, NC – 2100).

A Blessed and Happy Easter to you! 

Mrs. Sandra Ostapowich
MN Conference Coordinator

The Rev. George F. Borghardt III
NC Conference Coordinator

THE SPEAKER Pastor William M. Cwirla was born and grew up on the   southwest side of Chicago. He is a lifelong fan of the White Sox, Cubs, Bulls, Blackhawks, and “da Bears.” (In a pinch he’ll follow the Angels and the Cardinals.) He attended public grammar and high schools and is a graduate of the University of Chicago (SB – Chemistry, 1978) and the University of California-Berkeley (MS – Chemistry, 1980). After working in biotech industry for 7 years, he attended Concordia Seminary in St. Louis (MDiv, 1990; STM, 1999) and was ordained in 1992 as Pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Hacienda Heights, CA. He and his wife, Karen, live in Hacienda Heights together with their two cats and countless tropical fish. He is the Vice-President of Higher Things, a contributor to Higher Things magazine, and the Blogmeister of “Rev. Cwirla’s Blogosphere.” Suffering from vocational ADD, Pr. Cwirla is continually distracted by (in no particular order): woodworking, bicycling, hiking, gardening, plantingg freshwater aquaria, guitar, poetry, writing, great food, good wine, and endless home improvement.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
THURSDAY, AUGUST 3
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.	Registration
1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.	Vespers
1:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.	Session I
Afternoon free for recreation, evening meal and other activities planned
11:00 p.m.	Compline (at Campfire)
FRIDAY, AUGUST 4
8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.	Breakfast
8:45 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.	Matins
9:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.	Session II
11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.	Recreational Activities (make sack lunches)
5:00 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.	Supper
6:00 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.	Session III
7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.	Dance/Hike to Crystal Cave
11 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.	Compline (at Campfire)
SATURDAY, AUGUST 5
8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.	Breakfast
8:45 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.	Session IV
9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.	Closing Matins

COSTS
There are two registration packages available that include registration costs, materials, meals, park passes and parking expenses. Some recreational options will require additional money.

$ 95.00 Cabin Option
$ 65.00 Camping Option

REGISTRATION
Download Group Registration and Individual Registration forms.

The registration fee can be paid upon arrival. Please make any checks out to “Zion Lutheran Church.” Registration deadline is July 1, 2006.

MISCELLANEOUS
Upon registration, further information will be sent concerning:

• Directions
• More info. regarding Cabin/Camping Options
• Entertainment and/or Recreational Opportunities
• Other details pertinent to the retreat

CONTACT INFORMATION
Mr. Landon Reed
% Zion Lutheran Church
907 Hicks St.
Tomball, TX  77375-4125
281-744-6986
lanreed@direcway.com 

As we draw near to Good Friday and our Lord’s Crucifixion, everyone has something to say about Jesus.  In the news lately are those who say that Jesus didn’t really die or that His disciples stole His body.

None of this is new.  The Pharisees bribed the guards to lie and say that the disciples stole the body of Jesus (St. Matthew 28). The idea that Jesus didn’t really die isn’t new either!  St. John says that blood and water flowed from His pierced-side on Good Friday (St. John 19).  The blood and the water is the proof that Jesus was truly dead.  There is no doubt that Jesus did indeed die on the Cross for you.

And if that wasn’t enough, everything was abuzz yesterday concerning a “new” gospel from Judas.  All sorts of new “secrets” are said to be revealed – so they say.  For an excellent analysis of this not-so-new “gospel,” check out Pastor Cwirla’s Blogosphere. 

The Gradual for the season of Lent says it best:  “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2).  Lent takes our eyes off the news and what “they” say about Jesus, and fixes them on the Jesus alone. 

What is He doing?  What does the Word say?  He’s headed to the Cross to die for our sins and the sins of the whole world.  He truly did die for you – no doubt about it.  You died with Him in Baptism.   Don’t listen to anyone tell you otherwise.  Fix your eyes on Him.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Rev. George F. Borghardt III
Internet Services Executive
Higher Things, Inc.