WORD OF LIFE LUTHERAN CHURCH

Worship 10:30am on Sundays

9:15 Education Hour

200 Fletcher Ave

Lincoln, NE 86521

(402) 742-9673

CALL EXTENDED TO KRISTOPHER MORRIS

On Sunday, June 28, our congregation voted to extend a call to Pastor Kristopher Morris, who is currently serving as Director of Church Engagement at Concordia University, Nebraska. Thank you to everyone who was able to participate in this important voters meeting. Call paperwork has been delivered to Pastor Morris, and we look forward to engaging with him further as he prayerfully considers the call. Please keep Pastor Morris and his family in your prayers as we seek God’s plan to bring a Pastor to Word of Life.

PASTOR MORRIS BIOGRAPHY

Pastor Kristopher Morris graduated from Concordia University-Austin in 1999 and began his Seminary education at Concordia Seminary St. Louis, where he met his wife of 21 years, Sheri, who was in training with LCMS World Missions for missionary service to Kyrgyzstan. He served as a vicar at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lincoln, NE in 2003-2004. He graduated with a Master of Divinity degree in May 2005, was ordained into the office of the public ministry, and was installed as Associate Pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Collierville, TN.

In September 2010, Pastor Morris accepted a call to serve as Associate Pastor of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Lake Ozark, MO, a 13-year-old congregation at the time. During his ministry, the congregation opened a school and built a new dedicated sanctuary. During this time, he was also elected to serve as the fourth Vice President of the Missouri District in 2018 and the second Vice President in 2022.

In April 2024, he earned a Doctor of Ministry from Concordia Seminary St. Louis. Shortly after, in June 2024, he accepted the divine call to serve as the Director of Church Engagement for Concordia University, Nebraska, where his wife Sheri, who has a counseling background, currently works in the Link Library. The Morrises have been blessed with four children, from middle school to college ages.

A NOTE FROM OUR ELDERS

We God’s Blessing to you all!

The Elders Team Brent, Tim and Dan would like to reach out to everyone at Word of Life

to Thank you for the continued support and Fellowship. We also want publicly Thank

Pastor and Brenda Schmidt for the ministry and support they have been providing

during this time; We praise a trustworthy and powerful God for how he has used them to

sustain the ministry at Word of Life!

We realize this transition between full time Pastors has been long and bumpy at times.

We are aware that after the congregational meeting to vote on a call there may be some

conversations that we need to have! We have called Pastor Morris and hope to get a

chance to meet with him, in the interim we would like input from anyone who may have

concerns, ideas, or just want to talk to the Elders about the ministry or any other topic

so we can better serve and support the Word of Life family going forward.

Brent Schleicher 402-304-7507

Tim Schultz-402-304-4978

Dan Walla 402-742-9673

VBS: 2026

Thank you to all who made our VBS a huge success this year! We had 30 kids who came, sang, and learned about Jesus’ love for them! WOW GOD!

The kids will share a few things they learned in church on Sunday.

We also thank Christ Lutheran and Crossroads Community Churches for generously sharing VBS decorations and supplies with us.

SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL MOVIE SERIES

Last week we started The Prince of Egypt. This week we will finish up the movie and do a few activities.

All ages are invited to come and explore God’s Big Story with our Summer Sunday School Movie Series. Each Sunday we will watch a movie based on real Bible events. We’ll familiarize ourselves with classic Bible Stories recognizing that every story points to Jesus!

Sundays, June 7-August 30, 9:15-10:15am

Join us for the fun!

SCHLEICHER FAMILY SUPPORT

A Note from the Schleichers:

Thank you so much for all of the support we have received during this difficult time for our family. We are beyond grateful for the prayers, meals, and financial support we have been gifted. We are so blessed to be a part of this church family, this road would have been a lot harder to walk without all of you. Brent still has quite a way to go, he is getting there slowly, praise the Lord for progress. In Christ, The Schleicher Family

Many of you know the Schleicher family, who attend Word of Life. Brent, one of our Elders, was recently involved in a severe car accident. He suffered several broken bones and is facing multiple surgeries along with a very long road to recovery.

To help support the Schleicher family during this difficult time, a Meal Train and GoFundMe have been organized for anyone who would like to help.

Meal Train:

https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/wn4kow

GoFundMe:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-brent-schleichers-recovery

Please continue to keep Brent and the entire Schleicher family in your thoughts and prayers during the weeks and months ahead.

WOW CHRISTMAS IN JULY!

Join us as we spend some Holly Jolly time together with our friends! Bring a christmassy snack and a white elephant gift (wrapped… something on your shelf that you just don’t use any more). We’ll exchange gifts, snack, and focus ourselves back on Christ at this slightly less busy time of the year!

Mark your calendars for 2-4pm on Sunday, July 26th for this fun event!

OTHER WOW EVENTS

Our Women’s group at Word of Life (WOW) is invited to several LWML activities around the area. Please stay tuned for other Women’s Events!

September 18-19: Kearny Nebraska, Sharing the Love of God, LWML convention.

STEWARDSHIP COMMITMENT LETTER

Thank you to those who have given both through acts of service and through your tithing in the past year. Without your support our church’s ministry could not have flourished.

Your offering helps provide for our ministries for missions, Sunday school, Christian formation for all ages, for our pastor’s wages, for upkeep of our church, for utilities, supplies and much more.

Our congregation is full of generous givers! As we move forward in the call process and plan for next year’s budget we are asking that you pray about and consider what you can pledge for the coming year. At this time, we are asking that our members complete Commitment Cards linked below or available at church.

Receiving our congregation’s planned giving amounts will allow the church to plan accurately for ministries since we can base our budget on the dollar amount members plan to give. In addition, having our congregation complete a commitment card can help our members carve out some time for personal examination and prayer to guide your time and tithing priorities and decide how to live out your faith at the church this year. Please note that the cards do not have a space for your name. We do not need to know the names of who plans to give what amount, but we feel seeing what commitment the congregation has as a whole will give us an idea of how to move forward in a fiscally responsible manner.

Please pray about your giving and bring your commitment card (slip of paper) to place in the offering plate on or before July 19. Thank you!

StewardshipCommitmentLetter 2026

SINGLES EVENT

Friday, August 7th, at 7:00 here at Faith Lutheran: 8701 Adams, we are having our initial Singles event. There will be snacks, intentional connection through icebreakers and fellowship, and a short video/discussion-based program about Jesus that we hope will provide an excellent foundation for this community.

Contact Chara Sype: csype@faithlincoln.org.

ORPHAN GRAIN TRAIN CHRISTMAS BOXES

The Way is sponsoring The Orphan Grain Train Christmas boxes this year! Starting July 5th -July 26th, we will have boxes to fill. These boxes will be sent to children across the world! More information to come! Watch for the Christmas Table by the front doors. If you have questions, contact Ruth: 402-580-1764

THIRD THURSDAY CHRISMON CRAFTING

Our tree looked so beautiful this past Christmas with all our new Chrismons on the tree. Come be a part of adding more Chrismons to the Word of Life tree. No experience needed!

The third Thursday of every month, a group will get together for fellowship while making Chrimsons at Word of Life. Chrismons are white and gold Christmas ornaments featuring Christian Symbols derived from Christ and Monogram representing Jesus and core faith doctrines.

Our next meeting is July 16. We meet 6:30 to 8:00. We’ll have some snacks and fellowship. If you have questions ask Ruth Walla or Philip Dani.

MISSION AWARENESS Salad Supper

Please join Messiah Lutheran Women in Mission for this long-standing tradition as Cedars youth Services will present “Serving Vulnerable Youth in Our Community”

We are gathering the following items:

Undies, socks, hygiene supplies, blankets, and school supplies – ages newborn-20 years

Invite friends and bring a salad to share.

Please make donation checks to: Messiah Lutheran Women in Mission

Location: MESSIAH CHURCH, 1800 S. 84 ST, LINCOLN

SCRIP

Thanks to everyone who ordered Scrip over the holidays and to everyone who keeps supporting the Scrip program. We will be placing another order after the 1st of the year. If there is anything you would like us to keep on hand just let us know.

 Contact Linda Lowe with questions: llowe1621@gmail.com

OPTIONS FOR PARENTS

LIVE STREAM in our Nursery/Preschool room available during church services for anyone with the wiggles (young and old!). This space has plenty of toys to keep little ones occupied (parents should plan to be in the room with their children.)

Wiggle Room in Room #4 (the room just to the left out the Sanctuary door) is equipped with a TV to stream the service along with chairs, and a few toys. This is a great space for feeding babies or corralling toddlers! This space is also available during Sunday School for those who are not quite ready for the Preschool classroom. Parents should plan to supervise their children in this space.

And, as always, we welcome the squirms, noises, and energy that come with children. God put the wiggle in children, don’t feel like you have to suppress it here!

Children are a gift, and we’d love to support you in the faith formation of your family!

WORD OF LIFE DECALS

Did you get your WORD OF LIFE DECAL?

If you haven’t they will be available for purchase at the Scrip table on Sundays!

$3.00 for little ones

$5.00 for large ones

SAY IT WITH FLOWERS

If you would like to help beautify our worship space, consider giving flowers! If you have any cut flowers from your garden, or if you’d like to donate toward the purchase of flowers, please contact the office at WOLLincolnOffice@gmail.com.

PASTORAL CARE DURING VACANCY

When a need for pastoral care or an emergency arises, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team! We are there to offer prayer, support, and encouragement during all life’s needs!

Vacancy Pastor – Charles Schmidt – 402.429.7053

Spiritual Care:

Elders

Brent Schleicher – 402.304.7507

Tim Schultz – 402.304.4978

Dan Walla – 402.432.5805 (leave a message)

Philip Dani – 402.525.7790

 Church Office – 402.742.9673

Website: www.WordofLifeLincoln.org

SUNDAY MORNINGS, 9:15-10:15am

• Sunday School:
• Preschool (3-5 years): Room 1
• Grades K-2: Room 3
• Grades 3-6: Room 2
• Grade 7-High School: Wiggle Room (temporarily)
• Confirmation: Pastor’s Office (9:45am)
• Room 5: Adult Bible Study, studying Romans

MIDWEEK BIBLE STUDIES

•  2nd and 4th Thursdays at 7:00, “The Way” meets at WOL – studies scripture and enjoys fellowship through concerts, game nights, movie nights, etc. For more information, contact Philip Dani or Ruth and Dan Walla.
• Every Other Mondays at 6:30pm, “Logos”, meets at the Meier’s and via ZOOM.

If you have a prayer request or are interested in being part of the prayer chain, please contact Shan Bescheinen: 402.430.5140 or shanbescheinen@gmail.com

Confirmation Sermon Notes

Order of Service – Sunday 7/12