Elsa Ferkenstad

“God is present everywhere, but there is a world of difference between ‘God being here’ and ‘God being here for you.’ The Devil knows the… Read More »May 2026 Newsletter

As the children of Israel encamped at the base of Mt. Sinai the Lord came down to speak to them through Moses: “Then it came… Read More »April 2026 Newsletter

Because of our relatively small size as a synod, we do not have much in the way of a bureaucracy. Therefore we are dependent on… Read More »March 2026 Newsletter

The Church’s Breath of Life:She Inhales Gospel,Exhales Her Prayers. “The fiber of the liturgy is the Gospel… liturgy breathes the life of the Gospel into… Read More »February 2026 Newsletter

You are forbidden to know the future; but commanded to know what to do now. The Good Samaritan is a prime example of this truth… Read More »January 2026 Newsletter

As you prepare to celebrate the incarnation of the Son of God on Dec. 24 & 25, contemplate these profound words from Johann Gerhard: “This… Read More »December 2025 Newsletter

Reading Ecclesiastes you may have come away in despair, since it repeatedly characterizes life here “under the sun” as vanity, futile, worthless, and pointless. But… Read More »November 2025 Newsletter

Recently I read a National Geographic article (June 23, 2025, by Alisa Hrustic) containing an interview of a still practicing 102-year-old physician who started his… Read More »October 2025 Newsletter

I have recently read a book that might resonate with many of our ELS congregations and pastors. It’s called “The Small Town Lutheran Church and… Read More »September 2025 Newsletter

For many years a mega church along the busy I-5 through Tacoma, Washington, had this sign prominently displayed: “CHRIST IS THE ANSWER!” But I often… Read More »August 2025 Newsletter