In the months of May and June we celebrate two days to recognize our parents. We recognize with Luther that parents are God’s representatives for us as children. Rejoice and be grateful for faithful Christian parents. They have an awesome responsibility. Consider these words written in regard to our Lord’s earthly parents—Mary and Joseph—when they and Jesus traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover and how they also apply to us even to this day:
If the parents of the most holy God-man recognized it as their duty to lead Him into the house of the Lord, how much more should we recognize our duty to lead our children, who are sinners in need of grace, to the Lord early on! … Our children are not given to us as toys and pleasantries or as our servants. Instead, they are entrusted to us by God, so that when they know nothing about Him we should lead them to their heavenly Father. …[As parents,] We each have a little Child Jesus to carry in our house and in our arms. (God Grant It: Daily Devotions from C.F.W. Walther, CPH 2006, pp. 115-116.)
Thank you, Christian mothers and fathers. Even in your imperfections forgiven by the blood of Jesus Christ, God has used you to do the noble work of raising up your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Glenn Obenberger
ELS Circuit #7 Lay Education Conference
On Saturday, April 26, Grace Lutheran Church, Lake Mills, Iowa, hosted this conference which was well-attended, represented by most of the congregations in Circuit #7. Rev. Edward Bryant, the ELS Congregational Counselor presented on the theme: “The Word of the Lord Endures Forever: The Faithful Church in an Age of Apostacy.” It was observed that in our part of the world many churches close their doors each year. This is partly because of demographics, but also because many fall away from the faith. These points were considered: You are not alone in a small or declining congregation; Confronting realities; The Church may not be what you think it is; The tragedy of inter-church disharmony; and Ways forward. All twelve ELS circuits are encouraged to have such lay conferences with this presentation by Rev. Bryant.
Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary
Three seminary graduates were assigned as pastors during the 2025 Commencement Service held on May 7. One teacher and one vicar were also given assignments. Skyler Hepler was assigned as pastor to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Caleb Strutz was assigned as pastor to Our Savior Lutheran Church in Lakeland, Florida, and Resurrection Lutheran Church in Winter Haven, Florida; Caleb VonDeylen was assigned as pastor to Lakewood Lutheran Church in Lakewood, Washington. Peter Estrem, Jr. was assigned as vicar to Divine Mercy Lutheran Church in Weatherford, Texas. Chloe Madson was assigned as teacher to Holy Cross Lutheran School (4th grade) in Madison, Wisconsin. We ask the Lord’s blessings on these individuals and the congregations they will serve.
Highlights at the 2025 ELS Convention
We begin on Synod Sunday on Father’s Day, June 15, and are scheduled through to Thursday, June 19.
- Our theme: “Bondage of the Will: I Cannot by My Own Reason or Strength …” essayist: the Rev. David Jay Webber. It is the 500th anniversary of the seminal Reformation work: “Bondage of the Will” by Dr. Martin Luther.
- Two representatives of the Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of Kenya (President Evans Mokua Gwachi and Pastor David Ongwaye Ombogo) are attending the convention and will address the assembly on Monday afternoon.
- We will observe the 1700th Anniversary of the Nicene Creed at our opening service on Wednesday, June 18.
Historical Society
The ELS Historical Society will meet on Synod Sunday, June 15, at 6:30 p.m. in the Bethany Lutheran College theater. The program “The First Decade of ELS Growth” will be presented by Rev. Paul Webber. A hymn will be sung by the Norseland singers. Everyone interested is welcome and encouraged to attend.
2025 Bjarne W. Teigen Reformation Lectures
October 30–31, 2025
Luther’s Great Treatises of 1525: Not by My Own Reason or Strength
- Against the Heavenly Prophets in the Matter of Images and Sacraments — Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Austin, TX
- How Christians Should Regard Moses — Prof. Mark DeGarmeaux, Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, MN
- The Bondage of the Will — Dr. Keith Wessel, Martin Luther College, New Ulm, MN
Bethany Lutheran College | Sports and Fitness Center
Mankato, MN | October 30, 10:30 a.m.
ELS Youth Missionary Fund
The Hugh Brooks Mission Fund was established Rev. Matthew & Rebecca Brooks in memory of their dear son Hugh who died from heart complications before he was a year old. This memorial fund exists to assist ELS teens and college students with financial help to participate in mission projects within our fellowship. Youth leaders and/or parents of our young people are encouraged to contact to our ELS Board for Youth Outreach chairman, Josh Mayer, through their congregational pastor to learn more about how their youth might make use of these funds in kingdom work.
Upcoming Events
June 15–19 – Synod Convention
July 8–9 – Board for Home Outreach
July 24–27 – LYA Convention
View current vacancies and calls in the Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
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