SHINE! Nebraska District LCMS Servant Event • April 2024

The Nebraska District LCMS is getting ready to SHINE! a spotlight on service in April 2024. Throughout the district, groups of two or more people are asked to give witness to the love of Jesus through acts of service to their neighbors and communities. Simply join with some people from your church, school, small group, ministry group, family, etc., and serve!

How does your church or school fit into your neighborhood? Are you someone with whom your community members can chat over the fence or share a cup of coffee—or are you the stranger who lives across the alley they wave at but never talk to? The Bible says “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.” (1 John 4:7) How can we show love to our neighbors? By being neighborly!

Building relationships with your community should start inside your congregation with prayer, conversations, and encouragement. The prayer is that God will show your people how they can shine His light outside the church walls. The more encouragement and equipping of your members, the more engagement that can take place.

Last year, 18,000 people participated in the Missouri and Northern Illinois Districts of the LCMS, and we are excited to join them in 2024. Learn more about their 2023 Shine! events in THIS ARTICLE.

An invitation to SHINE! in your community

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

I would like to invite you to participate in a District wide servant event this Spring. Of course, God’s people are called to serve others, and indeed that’s what we do as we simply live His Good News daily. However, as we live His Good News we can sometimes become a bit separated from our brothers and sisters within our own school or congregation, or the one across town. And if we can become disconnected from those within our own family of faith, we can certainly become disconnected from those in our community that are separated from Jesus and His people. I invite you to join together and serve others, celebrating the unified service of God’s people and connecting with others in your community.

The entire month of April 2024 is included in this statewide servant event. This month-long emphasis gives congregations, schools, circuits, small groups, friends and neighbors the opportunity to shine the light of Jesus while serving others. It’s easy to participate. Find an opportunity to serve in your community. Connect with others and form a team. Pick a date and time within the month of April that works for those you are serving and your team. Register your event (or events) and get some shirts for your crew. Serve others, connect with one another, and let the light of Jesus shine!

Rev. Lonnie “Jake” Jacobsen, Nebraska District LCMS Executive Assistant to the President for Mission and Revitalization

How can you SHINE! in your community?

• FORM A TEAM: Groups can be as small as two people or as large as the project requires.
• IDENTIFY A NEED: Choose a project your group or congregation can do in your community. See our 40 Ways to SHINE! list for some starter ideas.
• REGISTER ONLINE: Thanks to Lutheran Church Extension Fund, we will have a limited number of T-shirts available on a first-come, first-served basis, for groups that sign up. You can also access the SHINE! logo to make your own shirts, hats, etc. Use the registration form below to tell us a little about your group and project.
• SERVE IN APRIL: You can choose any date in April that works for your team.
• ENCOURAGE OTHERS: Take some pictures or videos and share those with us so we can spread the news of the impact SHINE! has made across the District. (We’ll tell you how when you register.) We will also be sharing our news with the Northern Illinois and Missouri Districts, who will be doing their own SHINE! events in April.

Download a PDF with opening/closing prayers and information on sharing your pictures and stories with us here.

Remember to start and end with prayer!

We want our service to our neighbors to begin with prayer. Here are suggested prayers from Nebraska District President Richard Snow and Rev. Lonnie Jacobsen, Mission and Ministry Executive, that your group can use on the day of your event.

Opening Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, You came into this world not to be served, but to serve and give your life as a ransom for many. As we go out to serve this day, keep us mindful that we serve in your name and in your stead. By Your Holy Spirit, make us to be humble servants as we show mercy to our neighbor and help others in their bodily need. Thank You for coming into our world and sending us as a light into the community where You have put us. May our service point those we serve to You, our Suffering Servant and our Victorious Savior. In Your name we pray. Amen.

Closing Prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, you said, “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your father who is in heaven.” In our presence today, within the words that were spoken and in the work of our hands, may it be Your presence made known, the Holy Spirit filling our words, and the glory of the Father made known in our actions. Thank you for the opportunity to let Your light shine.