Higher Things Internet Services is pleased to announce that the 2010 Lenten Reflections are now available. These Reflections, written by Pastor George Borghardt, focus us on having a "Happy Lent" because of the suffering and death of Jesus which saves us from our sins and His forgiveness bestowed upon us by the Word and Sacraments.

To download the Lenten Reflections in a printable booklet format, click here.

As always, thanks for your support of Higher Things!

The Lord's richest blessings to you and a Happy Lent!

Greetings!

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!

Things are really heating up! We are entering our final month of registration for the Given Conference. Registration for our Tennessee Conference is almost two-thirds full!

A few weeks ago, we became concerned that we would be unable to serve the number of youth that the Lord was giving us for this conference.. Not wanting to turn anyone away from the conference, our staff began to seek out other alternatives.

Changing a venue in the middle of a conference season is a pretty serious matter. We didn't take it lightly. Groups that were registered were contacted preparing them for a possible venue change. We didn't want to inconvenience any group. We wanted to make sure everyone was informed. Most importantly, we didn't want to leave anyone out of the opportunity to be given to by the Lord at a Higher Things Conference.

Higher Things is very excited to announce that our Tennessee Conference venue has changed! Our Tennessee Conference will be at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. The dates remain the same (July 6-9, 2010). The state does too! And the Gospel - it'll be in the ears of even more kids!

Registration is now! It's still open for both conferences. While Tennessee is almost full, there is plenty of room in Utah! For more conference information, please check out the website. For questions, please email us at conferences@higherthings.org.

We can't wait to be given to by the Lord in Nashville! We'll see you there!

In Christ,
Rev. George F. Borghardt III
Conference Executive
Higher Things, Inc.

Given Conference registration is in its final month and our Tennessee Conference is almost two-thirds full! There is still time to register your group!

Once again, we see a horrible disaster, the earthquake in Haiti. Such disasters often cause many to question the Lord's goodness and working in this world. To help youth understand where the Lord is in such times, Higher Things is pleased to offer an article written by The Rev. Bruce Keseman entitled, "Where was God?" as well as a bible study for our HT Online subscribers dealing with the topic. The bible study, entitled "What is God Doing in Haiti?" is available to our HT Online subscribers here.  If you are not yet an HT-Online subscriber you can sign up here and gain access to lots of great content.

Pastor Mark Buetow
HT Internet Services

Concordia Theological Seminary Commons
January 19, 2010 @ 7:00pm

For the past 10 years, Higher Things has provided youth ministry resources to confessional Lutheran pastors, parents, and congregations. To kick off the celebration of our 10th anniversary year in 2010 we invite you join us during Symposia for good food, good beer and and good conversation.

RSVP on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=233081208610&ref=mf

The next set of Daily Reflections for the Epiphany and Pre-Lent seasons is now available. These Reflections point us to Christ as He shows Himself in His Baptism, miracles and transfiguration and as He prepares to journey to Jerusalem and the Cross. The Reflections cover January 10 through February 16, 2010. To download the Reflections in a printable booklet format, click here.

Register for a 2010 Higher Things conference AND pay your group's balance IN FULL by January 1 and you will pay the lowest registration fees available! On January 2, all registration fees will increase by $10 per person. (Registration and payment of deposits prior to January 1 does NOT "lock in" your group's fee at the lowest rate, but it does guarantee that your group will have places reserved should the conference of your choice reach max capacity.) 

Just in case this is the first you've heard of this year's Higher Things conferences, here's the scoop... 

The Theme 
“Take, eat; this is My Body given for you. This is My Blood, poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins.” Sound familiar? 

Jesus does the giving, we are the ones given-to. Jesus gives His life for us on the Cross and we are given His Cross-won forgiveness in the Divine Service - in the Word, in Holy Absolution, in Holy Baptism, and His Supper. As Jesus gives us His life and salvation in the Divine Service, so we are given to pray in His Name, to praise and to give thanks unto our Father in heaven. And just as we are given the gift of Jesus in the Divine Service, so also He gives us as a gift to our neighbors. 

This year, in Utah and in Tennessee, Lutheran youth will gather to rejoice in all that we are GIVEN in the Divine Service where Jesus gives us His actual Body to eat and His Blood to drink! His Word and Sacraments enliven us to be given in service to our neighbors. And it’s all given to us in the Divine Service - the Cross, forgiveness, eternal life, salvation, and service to others! 

Registration 
Registration opened on October 1, 2009 and will close on February 28, 2010, or when a site reaches capacity - whichever happens first. We work very diligently to keep costs as low as possible while providing the best conferences we can - every year! Here’s how it works out this year: 

Register between Oct. 1, 2009 and Jan 1., 2010
Given - Utah: $300 
Given - Memphis: $325 

Jan. 2, 2010 to Feb. 28, 2010
Given - Utah: $310 
Given - Memphis: $335 

After Mar. 1, 2010 
Given - Utah: $325 
Given - Memphis: $350 

The per-person rates above are based on the date your group’s registration balance is PAID IN FULL. Additional fees may apply for registrations and changes made after March 1, 2010. 

Your Registration Fee covers: 
- Conference Programming 
- Planning 
- Catechesis 
- Worship 
- Entertainment 
- Three (3) Nights of Housing 
- Ten (10) Meals 
- Conference Handbook 
- Daily Services Book 
- Conference T-Shirt 
- One-year subscription to Higher Things: Dare to be Lutheran magazine 

Are there age requirements for youth? 
Not really. Higher Things conferences are generally planned for high school aged youth, but registrants may be any youth who has been confirmed before the date of the conference, including college students. We recognize that the age for confirmation may vary from congregation to congregation and just ask that if a group is bringing youth who are not yet in high school that the group leaders be prepared to provide any additional supervision accordingly. 

Chaperones 
Higher Things requires that each group must have at least one (1) male adult for every seven (7) male youth and/or at least one (1) female adult for every seven (7) female youth in your group. Chaperones must be at least 21 years old at the time of registration and approved by the group’s pastor for their role. All chaperones and other adults in a group must also complete the registration process. 

If you are unable to recruit the necessary number of chaperones from your church for your youth to attend a conference, Higher Things is happy to help you find other groups from your area who might be willing to share their chaperones with you. 

For more information, email conferences@higherthings.org to make sure you haven’t missed anything, or to ask any questions you might have. Everything that is available about the conferences at any GIVEN time is at http://www.given2010.org. 

Need a Christmas gift for that hard-to-buy-for teenager or college student? We have the perfect gift! Give a subscription to the Higher Things Magazine, the only Lutheran Youth magazine that keeps kids connected to their faith and their world in a fun and informative way!

Higher Things was recently granted Recognized Service Organization (RSO) status by The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. As an RSO, Higher Things is officially recognized as an organization whose mission, ministry and programs are consistent with the confessional standards of the LCMS and in harmony with the programs of the Synod while retaining its independence and self-governance.

Higher Things Magazine is published quarterly at $15 for one year, $25 for two years. An online subscription is also available for $25 a year. Along with the current issue, the online subscription provides access to past issues and bible studies.

The Winter 2009 is now available! Click here to order a subscription online or order by phone by calling 1-888-448-2359.

Higher Things is pleased to announce that it has been granted Recognized Service Organization (RSO) status by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. As an RSO, Higher Things is officially recognized as an organization whose mission, ministry and programs are consistent with the confessional standards of the LCMS and in harmony with the programs of the Synod while retaining its independence and self-governance. We believe that RSO status will enhance Higher Things' ability to serve the youth of our Synod with the fullness of our liturgical and confessional heritage.

We would like to thank the Synod's Board for District and Congregational Services and its chairman David Bruns for their hard work and support. We are also greatly appreciative to Rev. Herbert C. Mueller for his sponsorship and support.

We look forward to yet greater opportunities to assist parents, congregations and pastors in cultivating and promoting a Lutheran identity among youth through conferences, retreats, publications and the internet. Dare to be Lutheran!

For the last 10 years, Higher Things has provided youth ministry resources to confessional Lutheran pastors, parents, and congregations. To kick off the celebration of our 10th anniversary year in 2010, we thought it'd be a good idea to give our logo a fresh look.

And who better to design that 10 Year Anniversary logo than those who have supported and attended conferences and retreats, subscribed to the magazine, joined Christ on Campus congregations, and made use of our vast online resources!? The designer of the winning logo will receive $100 off of a GIVEN conference registration for themselves or a person of their choosing.

Submit your ideas to 10Years@higherthings.org in jpg or pdf format by NOON on SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2009. Ideas do not have to be in the final format, and Higher Things reserves the right to reject or modify any design as we see fit. "Higher Things" and "Dare to be Lutheran" are registered trademarks of Higher Things, Inc.

Rejoice, rejoice, believers! Higher Things is pleased to announce the 2009 Advent Reflections have arrived. This booklet prepares the way for the Coming of our Lord Jesus with reflections upon the readings of the Advent Season. They carry us through the birth of our Savior on Christmas and into the first days of the Epiphany Season. To download the Advent Reflections in a printable booklet format, click here.