Concordia Nebraska heads to LCMS National Youth Gathering

Thousands of Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod youth traveled to San Antonio, Texas, this month to take part in the LCMS’ triennial National Youth Gathering, held July 1-5. There was also a lot of Concordia Nebraska blue to greet them there and serve behind the scenes. Concordia University, Nebraska President Brian Friedrich attended and numerous faculty and students served in supporting roles at the event. 

Four Concordia students were selected to introduce Concordia Nebraska to the attendees at a mass event. Students included sophomore Josh Blankenship, Ft. Myers, Fla.; junior Alyssa Lehenbauer, Lake Ozark, Mo.; junior Andrew Magnus, Springfield, Mo.; and sophomore Mary Wheeler, Lee’s Summit, Mo.  

Check out blog posts from Bruiser, Concordia's mascot, as he traveled to San Antonio for the Gathering »

Thaddeus Warren, associate professor of education and dean of the College of Graduate Studies and Adult Education, gave two talks for teens about dating, sex and marriage.

Kurt von Kampen, professor of music, conducted the Gathering Choir during morning worship on July 4. Members of the choir were selected by audition.

Jeffrey Blersch, professor of music at Concordia, was commissioned to compose music for the Gathering’s Divine Service and closing ceremony. The commission came last summer from the Gathering’s organizing committee, and Blersch finished the peices earlier this year.

“I’m honored, as I have been in the past, to be asked to compose music for the National Youth Gathering,” Blersch said. “Knowing that your music is being used in worship services that involve thousands and thousands of people is both humbling and terribly exciting at the same time. My prayer is that these new settings would be of benefit to the church at large as we seek to proclaim Christ, the Lamb of God.”

Blersch wrote a new setting of the Divine Service, found in the Lutheran Service Book, originally written by Richard Hillert. He also composed a setting of “This is the Feast of Victory,” the Sanctus and the Agnus Dei for brass choir, percussion, organ, congregation and choir. Blersch has composed music for the past four Gatherings.

Staff members David Kumm and Julie Johnston-Hermann have served as co-coordinators of the event for the LCMS’ Nebraska District, and will be assisted by Robert Hermann, physics professor.

Jodi Groeteke represented Concordia’s College of Graduate Studies. Six of Concordia’s undergraduate admissions counselors hosted a booth at the Gathering to reach out to youth and provide information about what Concordia has to offer.

Joel Helmer, chair of Concordia’s social sciences department, attended as an adult leader for participants from St. John Lutheran Church in Seward, and Professor of Education Mark Blanke attended as a special guest.

Art faculty member Seth Boggs had an early role in the Gathering and also attended.  Boggs designed the logo two years ago as plans for the event got underway. The logo he developed is an interpretation of the Gathering’s theme verse, 1 John 4:9, and uses the catchphrase “LiveLove(D).”

“It was important that the mark have a distinctive cross, and that the ‘D’ at the end be contained in parentheses to allow for the multiple meanings in the words,” Boggs said, “that we ‘live loved’ because of Christ’s love for us and because of that love, we ‘live love,’ sharing His love with others.”

Boggs designed nearly 30 different logos before presenting his favorites to the organizing committee. The committee then selected the final design and chose the colors for this year’s Gathering. Boggs’ design will appear on posters, signs, Bible covers and T-shirts, among other Gathering items.