December 2016 President’s Newsletter

Dear Fellow Workers in Christ’s Kingdom:

The national election, by many estimations, surprised the pollsters. Newspaper headlines on November 9 (or 10, if after the publishing deadline) reported an anomaly—a man elected president who seemed to have no chance at winning. Headlines of a far superior anomaly could have blared well over 2,000 years ago. A special King, far superior to any this world has ever known, was born in a stable at a small village in Palestine. If people were in the prediction business back then, they should not have been so surprised. Isaiah and other prophets had foretold the birth. It was truly an extraordinary event—God himself taking on human flesh to be the Savior of sinners! But do we have any reason to believe that, even if newspapers were to have captured the event in huge headers, it would have altered what John wrote: “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him” (John 1:11)? By faith in this King of Kings born in the little town of Bethlehem, we today are holding to a message announced not by stunned pundits but by holy angels to shepherds in their fields at night. Yet this newsworthy event is the greatest message intended for all to believe! May we take to heart the verbally inspired and inerrant report of the Gospel writers concerning this birth and its importance for our salvation. And may we continue to publish and proclaim this great news to the world.

Blessings in the name of our Incarnate Redeemer,

John A. Moldstad

Dedication of Sanctuary

Hope Lutheran of Farmington, Minnesota, dedicated its new church building on October 30, 2016. A children’s choir from a neighboring WELS congregation sang for the occasion, and Pres. Moldstad served as the guest preacher. Many of the synod’s Board for Home Outreach members were in attendance. The Rev. Dan Oberer serves Hope Lutheran.

Members of the Board of Regents

Pictured above are the current members of the Regents for Bethany Lutheran College and Seminary, Mankato, Minnesota, together with the college and seminary presidents. Back: W.Anthony, J.Mears, D.Thompson, N.Proksch, E.Ekhoff; Middle: E.Bryant, L.Fahning, J.Minor, M.Bartels, J.Moldstad; Front: G.Pfeifer, H.Huhnerkoch, P.Chamberlin, H.Theiste, G.Schmeling

Call Issued for Seminary

The Board of Regents of Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary met on Monday, November 14, to call a professor of Old Testament, Symbolics, and Church History. At this meeting, Dr. Timothy Schmeling was called to this position. We ask the Lord’s blessings and pray for Timothy as he deliberates on this call.

Ordination

On November 27, Christ the King Lutheran in Bell Gardens, California, held a special service observing the ordination and installation of its new pastor, Matthew Behmer. Please join us in asking God’s blessings upon Matthew, his family, and upon the congregation. This call has been issued jointly with our Board for Home Outreach and is part of the cross-cultural work we are doing in our synod. Soon worship services in Spanish will be offered at Christ the King and also will be broadcast in the Los Angeles area and beyond.

ELS Circuit 1 News

The Florida Fall Mission Rally was held on Saturday, November 12, at Peace Lutheran Church & School in Kissimmee, Florida.

Resignation and Appointment

Mr. Silas Born has resigned from the Board for World Outreach. We thank him for his many years of service as a member of the board and as its secretary. Appointed to fill the vacancy is Mr. Rodney Rivera from our Peace Lutheran congregation in Kissimmee, Florida.

Grace Lutheran, Weston, Ohio

On Sunday, November 6, the members of Grace Lutheran in Weston, Ohio, celebrated the congregation’s 60th anniversary. President Moldstad preached for the occasion, and a special choir adorned the service. A new sign also was dedicated. Pastor Richard Tragasz serves the Grace church.

Deshler, Ohio

Pictured here is the Rev. Peter Heyn, his wife Andrea and their daughter, Ellie. Pastor Heyn’s congregation of Peace Lutheran in Deshler, Ohio, joined the synod officially at our convention last June. The synod president had opportunity to preach and bring greetings to the members of Peace on November 6.

Colloquy Part II

The second part of the colloquy for the Rev. Robert Lawson, Sr. of Christ Lutheran Church, Princeton, Minnesota, has been scheduled for December 15 at 1:00 p.m. Any correspondence regarding the colloquy should be sent to our synod president.