Lutheran Campus Ministry.BHSU

A few facts about ADVENT and it's origin:

• In days gone by, candles were always a traditional part of Christmas and still are today.
• Candles and lights were related to Hanukkah, the Jewish "Annual Festival of Lights". 
  
• Our Christmas candles are meant to be symbolic of Christ, "The Light of the World".
• On Christmas Eve around the world, Churches hold candlelight services in honor of the coming of Jesus' birthday.
  
• Christmas lights are meant as a symbol of the candles that burn signifying that Christ is the Light of the World.
  
• The placing of candles on windowsills at Christmas time originated in the Middle Ages. This tradition was intended to guide the Christ Child to Christian homes, and also served as a sign to travelers or pilgrims that they would be welcome in the house that displayed candles.
  

Advent Wreath and Candles:

• The tradition of using wreaths as Christmas decorations dates to 16th century Germany, where Lutherans created the Advent wreath.
  

• The wreath was a symbol of Jesus’ birth and God’s grace.
  

• The evergreens used in the Advent wreath are a symbol of God’s “everlasting nature” or immortality.

• The round shape represents eternity and green is the Church’s color of hope and new life.
  

• The light from the candles symbolizes Christ coming as the light of the world. John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 

The Prophecy Candle Week One: Hope, Christ is coming was foretold by the prophets.

The Shepherds’ Candle Week Two: Love, The shepherds were the first to be told of the birth of the Messiah; the first to behold Christ and to spread the word of his birth to all.

The Angel’s Candle Week Three: Joy, Angels appeared in the sky, announcing Christ’s birth — “Glory to God in the highest, and peace to His people on Earth” (Luke 2:14).

The Bethlehem Candle Week Four: Peace, Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem to enroll as part of the Roman census, and while they were there Jesus was born in Nazareth.

The Christ Candle: The center candle is white to represent purity and light; Christ is the light of the world.

Let's fight back...society's idea of "holiday" and answer by celebrating Advent first!!

Now that would be living life on the edge!! Oh MY....Gosh!

Are you one of those falling prey to 'the world's' view of taking "Christmas" out of the season? Are you jumping on the bandwagon and going with saying "Holiday Tree" versus "Christmas Tree" or "Happy Holidays" versus "Merry Christmas"?

  Driving down the street, I am almost angered at seeing "Holiday" lights on windows already and "Holiday" decorations on the lawns, and we are not even past Thanksgiving!!  Grrrrrrr.....

Do we think about what we are doing? What message we are giving out?

This is the season of Advent... A season of watching, of preparation, of repentence and hope.  It's a season of ANTICIPATION!  We are waiting and watching for the Christ child!!  We need in our Christian homes, in my humble opinion, a response to the whole "holiday" theme.  We need to prepare our hearts, our children, our families for Christ's coming, by celebrating ADVENT!  For 4 weeks we wait...we watch.

 However, we are not in a society anymore where we wait for much.  We want it now...by golly and we're going to get it.  I know, I"m just as guilty.  Apparently "Christmas" falls into that whole line of thinking. 

So our response could set the world's view back on it's arse...let's put the focus where it should be.  Let's keep Thanksgiving Thanksgiving, let's prepare out hearts for the coming of the Christ Child. Let's at least wait until we're into December if you are not going to wait for the Season of Christmas? Let's take it back from "the world", and as Christians let's quiet our hearts, prepare for His coming, repent, and anticipate! 

I dare ya...

Joan 

(P.s. The 'world's view' as well has us taking down our decorations December 25th or 26th...don't fall prey to that as well!! egads!! )

Perhaps you've stumbled upon this particular blog; however, I like to think you've joined our little Scavenger Hunt and found the 'hit' of the Open House!  Thanks for playing and enjoy...you'll love this! 

Auntie Janice’s

4th of July Nut Bars

My Auntie Janice always made these yummy treats for our family Fourth of July celebration. Our family now refers to them as “Auntie Janice’s nut bars…you know, the ones that she makes every 4th of July!” Enjoy!

                                                                             Jane Klug

1 ½ C. Flour

½ C. Brown Sugar

¼ C. Sugar

½ C. Soft Butter

¼ tsp. Salt

Mix. Press into a 9 X 13 pan and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.

1-6 oz. Bag of Butterscotch Chips

½ C. Corn Syrup

2 Tbsp. Butter

1 Tbsp. Water

1 dash Salt

1-12 oz. Can of Mixed Nuts

Pour nuts over baked shell. Melt the above ingredients and pour over the nuts. Bake for an additional 10 minutes.

(A big thank you to Jane for sharing "Auntie Janice's Nut Bar" Recipe with us, (everyone needs to give Auntie Janice credit on this recipe should it find it's way into your kitchen), and for letting LCM use it in our little Scavenger Hunt!)

A little slow today at welcoming the day in! I'm tired!

I realized this morning that something awakened in me when I became the Director of LCM in September. It had been dormant for quite sometime.

 
What awakened in me perhaps not only a sense of fulfillment, but an understanding of something I've always believed in; our youth. I believe in LCM and I believe that this ministry is viable and essential in the further development of our about-to-become-adult youth and it is VERY needed. Like I shared in an earlier blog, I never thought about it before. I begin to wonder why I never did. Is it because our children want so much independence so quickly in life? Are they ready to handle it? Are we more than ready to hand it over?

Some of us are not ready to handle what comes when we leave home. I know I was not. It was a great deal freedom and I don't think I was mature enough to handle all of that. I believe as an organization we are like that saying "we can lead a horse to water, but we cannot make them drink". Our ministry is to help them see that have a need for Christ and what is real in that. I'm becoming more and more of a believer that our churches cannot stop when they graduate high school. What better way to help our youth into adulthood but through LCM?

I am thankful that I have finally gotten a clue!

Have a great day!

In Christ,

J

Where are the thoughts of the church's role today when we think of campus ministry?

These are the students that we have encouraged, prayed, committed into the Lord's hands after baptism through our sunday school programs, summer camp programs and into our Middle School and High School youth groups. We have supported them as they have fund-raised for outside ministry trips or the National Youth Gathering. We have spent hours going to their school activities: sports, music concerts, theater productions, and much more.

It was not until I came into this position as Director that I even thought about our youth, including mine, that we were sending out into the world. Does it not make sense that our youth and young adults would need us even more as they leave home and begin their own journeys out into the world?! DUH!! It was like something hit me upside the head and that darn light bulb went on that I realized that our ministry to them does not stop at high school graduation. It has to continue on and our commitment as Godparents, as sponsors, as members of the congregation continue to have a task in front of us; helping our young adults find their way. What better time to help them on this journey???

Faced with new and different challenges as they head out into the world, our young adults may think they have all the answers when they live at home, but they are not stupid. They know they do not and are faced more with uncertainty, indecision and a great deal of temptation at this new time in their lives. The need for Christ in their lives, the need to know and make right decisions, is huge.

Our commitment, I am realizing, cannot stop at our churches' Senior Recognition Sundays and tossing up prayers now and then. Our commitment should keep pace or grow stronger as we assist them as young adults through ministry programs such as LCM to face the world in front of them. As we think of 'churched youth' and 'unchurched youth' as well; we would like to see our youth to come back our churches as leaders one day. We want their beliefs and knowledge to grow and strengthen, but especially to know Christ and put Him front and center. We all need if not to be taught, but to be reminded over and over again that we need to believe in Him and we will not perish but WILL have eternal life. It is through our ministries in the church, from baptism into adult education, that we know AND trust that GOD did not send his Son into the world to condemn us, but to save us.

It's because of that promise, and our desire to share Christ, that our commitments do not end with high school but continues on and hopefully picks up speed!

Blessings in Christ Fellow Teammates!!

Joan

I was reminded today as I came to The Living Room of a quote by James Hudson Taylor, "Do not have your concert first and tune your instruments afterward. Begin your day with God. "

I have been a stickler for many years now, and ask the question how often do we meet as the body of Christ in council meetings, Bible Studies or Board Meetings and begin our meetings in a time of praise and prayer? It seems to me so many times we begin our meetings; compiling reports, research, committee suggestions, making decisions on the business coming up or that has been tabled. Then at the close of our meetings we maybe then close in prayer, if we even remember to, and then are clever enough to ask God to bless our decisions. Who's made the decisions? Was God taken into consideration? More than likely, not.

I believe that's true of our day as well as we venture into it. I'm guilty as charged as well. I'm terrible at this on a daily basis but I am grateful for my focus on students and youth with my new position here that perhaps after a dry spell I will get back into the 'groove' personally. But I really do try to practice what I preach in meetings where decisions are made. I just need to get my act together when it comes to my day as well. Because I do want Him front and Center of everything we do, but especially in Lutheran Campus Ministry!

It's the only way to do business...

Into Our Hearts Lord Jesus

Since beginning September 1st and being hired ...or accepting the 'call' it's not official what this is I've accepted...I am loving it.

I find myself wondering why I never sought this particular ministry out long before this. 

Perhaps it was because I was raising a family and needed to work to support my children. Perhaps it was because we never lived by a college before.  Who knows the reasons; i'm grateful now that God has opened this door for me.  I haven't been this fulfilled in a very long time.

Now if I can just figure out this ministry and how to do it to the best of my ability!!!

A gift was given.

Then received.

The Living Room.

I'd heard about The Living Room but had never been there.  When I first walked in, I felt a warmth wash through me that left me pleasantly surprised.  The Living Room is a ministry  Our Savior Lutheran Church, and LCM is a ministry within it's doors.  

Located on W. Jackson Blvd and N. Yale St., formerly Hope Lutheran Church and newly decorated in early '09, it's been transformed into a warm and welcoming home for a variety of ministries. 

If you have not seen The Living Room...you are invited personally.  Email me and let me know when I can show you around!!!

... is it?

I believe the right title should be "IT Continues"...

First, as Mainstreet Ministries, then incorporated into Lutheran Campus Ministry in 2008, Robin Long (previous Director) did a remarkable job as she set the ground work for us to be a viable ministry on BHSU's campus. She worked to get us recognized as a Campus Organization. She also put into place, with the help of the board, the Constitution and began the necessarily steps for our future.

My name is Joan. I have called Western South Dakota 'home' for 53 years with the exception of a few years living in other communities. I am married to an ELCA Pastor, on leave from call, and have two grown children. This is what happens when you have an Empty NEST!! So beware!!

An article recently came out on LCM.BHSU in the RC Journal's Religion Page. I was very grateful for the coverage and showing the readership this ministry. But as I reflected, I realized that I did not convey to the editor of the article that it doesn't take anyone special to do ministry.

In our churches, Stewardship is the emphasis this fall, and I reflect on the use of our Time and Talents. I have always been active in my church. The cool thing is that I am not perfect. I do not have it all together. I have made mistakes and have time, and time again, asked for forgiveness and sought to get it right. That is what is so wonderful about God's Grace...He still uses our willing hearts, and committed spirits!

I have experienced fears, frustrations, excitement, confusion, and fulfillment these past 6 weeks since beginning this ministry to students at BHSU. I have stepped out without any answers and have many questions. I am willing for Him to use me and in turn, hope to influence young adults for Christ.

But I know that it is not 'me' that does it, but Him doing it through me and with so many others out there with those willing and committed hearts!

Thru Him, we continue...
Joan