June 2016 President’s Newsletter

Dear Fellow Workers in Christ’s Kingdom:

We hope to see many of you at our annual Synod Convention in just a few weeks, June 19-23. In one of our general prayers we include these phrases: “Protect all who travel… Protect our bodies and souls from all harm and danger…” (ELH pp. 96, 97). We urge all in our synod to petition the Lord for his blessing upon our pastors, delegates and guests who will be making the trip to our convention in Mankato, Minnesota. We also are praying that God grants his grace and guidance upon all that we do so that his name is glorified and that his kingdom may come to many!

Blessings in Christ,

John A. Moldstad

Graduates and Students at our Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary

(back L to R) Christian Walz, Andrew Soule, Joshua Mayer, Noah Thompson, Kurtis Freimuth (front L to R) Aaron Ferkenstad, Matthew Behmer, Daniel Ruiz, Jeffrey Hendrix, Patrick Ernst

On May 11, 2016, five pastoral candidates were assigned to serve parishes in our Evangelical Lutheran Synod: Matthew Behmer was assigned as pastor of Christ the King Lutheran Church (Bell Gardens, California); Jeffrey Hendrix was assigned as pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church (Ulen, Minnesota) and Grace Lutheran Church (Crookston, Minnesota); Joshua Mayer was assigned as pastor of Redeeming Grace Lutheran Church (Rogers, Minnesota); Daniel Ruiz was assigned as pastor of Hope Lutheran Church (Leander, Texas); and Andrew Soule was assigned as pastor of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and Rock Dell Lutheran Church (Belview, Minnesota).

Also on May 11, two vicars were assigned: Aaron Ferkenstad was assigned as vicar of St. John’s Lutheran Church (Frankenmuth, Michigan) and Kurtis Freimuth was assigned as vicar of Grace Lutheran Church (Vero Beach, Florida).

We praise God for raising up men to carry on the work of the pastoral ministry, even as we also ask for his blessings upon these men and their families.

Medical Clinic on Wheels in Ukraine

Gift of Life physicians are preparing for the summer season of travel to sixteen villages/sites. Pictured: Dr. Oxana, Dr. Igor, and Dr. Larisya. Medical and dental teams treat over 10,000 Ukrainians each year – 80% of them are children. At each stop, Gospel tracts are shared with patients. Learn more at www.tof.org.

From our Sister Church in Peru

Roy Peter Albarran Caballero is a 33-year-old student at our seminary in Lima. As a boy growing up in Chimbote, Peru, he and his sister attended Sunday School at our church there, but since his parents were not members, he fell away. As a high school student he was drawn toward the Catholic congregation in town through its drama club, but noticed something was missing in the teaching he received. “Where is Christ?” he asked himself. He returned to the Lutheran church, was confirmed, and enrolled in our seminary in Lima. Now Roy is committed to becoming a pastor. He is also studying nursing, and will be employed at a hospital in support of his pastoral ministry. Roy wants to help people, and as nurse and pastor will be a blessing to body and soul!

ELS Youth Convention

This year’s LYA gathering is set for July 28-31, 2016, at the campus of SMU in Dallas, Texas. If you have not registered yet and would like to do so, please go to: http://www.els.org/lya16

Installation at Bishop, California

On Sunday, May 8, 2016, the Rev. Dale Jaech was installed as pastor at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Bishop, California. The Rev. David Jay Webber, circuit visitor, officiated. The preacher was the Rev. Richard Warnke (WELS).

Building Plans for Leander, Texas

On May 27, 2016, the Board of Trustees gave its approval to begin with building the proposed sanctuary at our home mission congregation, Hope Lutheran in Leander, Texas. The project had been put on hold due to anticipated power lines crossing the property. After assessing that the potential impact on the project would be minimal, the decision to move forward was granted.

Convention Schedule

June 19 – Synod Sunday Service at Trinity Chapel, BLC, Mankato, MN, 3:00 p.m.

June 20 – Opening devotion, Monday, 9:00 a.m.; Rev. Michael Muehlenhardt

June 21 – Opening devotion, Tuesday, 9:00 a.m.; Rev. Jeff Merseth

June 21- Essay and discussion, 1:20 p.m.; Rev. Timothy Hartwig, essayist

June 21 – Anniversary Offering Presentation, 2:30 p.m.

June 22 – Opening devotion, 8:00 a.m.; Rev. Daniel Hartwig

June 22 – Essay and discussion (continued), 1:20 p.m.

June 22 – Anniversaries observed, 3:45 p.m.

June 22 – Communion Service, 7:30 p.m.; Rev. Timothy Buelow, preacher

Synod Centennial Photo

This June at the Synod Convention group photographs will be taken of both the assembled convention in the gymnasium and also a group photograph of the clergy. These photographs will be taken during the conclusion of the Tuesday morning session. As these will serve as the centennial photographs, both delegates and pastors should make special efforts to be present!

Road Closure

As you travel to Synod Convention, please be aware, there is a complete closure of Highway 169 between St. Peter and Mankato. You may wish to allow extra time for the detour.

Pastors and Delegates, please note!

This year at our convention we will be taking individual photographs of pastors for a new pictorial directory. Also, in preparation for our upcoming centennial, we are planning two group photos at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 21. Denise Woller and David Norris will be assisting us in making the arrangements.

Initiating the Anniversary Offering

This year’s convention kicks off a thank-offering celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation in 2017 and the 100th anniversary of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod in 2018. The proceeds will be used for developing home missions and also for our seminary’s vicar-in-mission program. Pastors, delegates, and guests at this year’s convention are encouraged to participate in bringing forward gifts and/or pledges on Tuesday afternoon of convention week. More information will be shared at our convention as we gear up for presenting the offering in all of our ELS congregations in the fall. Each and every congregation of the synod is strongly urged to participate in this offering with gifts and prayers. These gifts are given over and above regular contributions and in thankfulness for the blessings we have received. The Lutheran church and the Evangelical Lutheran Synod certainly have been blessed over these past centuries. “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever” (Psalm 107:1).

Upcoming Events: http://www.els.org/about/calendar/

June 7-8 – Meeting of the Theological Commission of the CELC

June 19 – Synod Sunday Worship Service at Trinity Chapel, Bethany College, 3 p.m.

June 19-23 – ELS Convention, Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, MN

July 6-7 – Seminary Pastors’ Institute, Mankato, MN

July 28-31 – LYA Convention, Dallas, TX