March 2018 President’s Newsletter

Dear Fellow Workers in Christ’s Kingdom:

A tragedy at a high school has heightened the awareness of evil for our nation… Then, too, there are challenges in our own lives that put a strain on our personal demeanors… Congregations and schools face obstacles as they seek to proclaim the truth of God’s Word in their communities. The sobering fact of humanity infected with sin is not only an external observance. We know the sinful nature lurks from within. Thank God, we have the rescue from sin and all evil! I am reminded of what is beautifully stated in the middle of the mournful book, Lamentations: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (3:22, 23). Each day we can arise in the unconditional love of our Savior. Jesus has come, lived, suffered, died, and risen to extricate us from the penalty of our own sins and to rescue us from all evil. He has done this by taking upon himself our guilt and punishment and transferring to our account his holiness and righteousness needed for heaven. This we possess by faith in Him. May you and I find in our Lord’s sacrificial love the joy and confidence to face every dawn of every day with renewed zeal and strength — and do so with thankfulness!

Blessings in the name of our dear Redeemer,

John A. Moldstad

Women’s Mission Rally

The Circuit 11 Women’s Mission Rally was held on Saturday, January 27, at Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

Chimbote Congregation Now Live-Streaming

A new and exciting project has begun in Chimbote, Peru. The congregation now streams their Sunday service live via the internet and Facebook. Regular video devotions are also planned. Services and devotions will be shared not only with the congregation, but through the Peruvian church body website, they are available to the world.

The Rev. Paul Fries and the Rev. Matthew Behmer traveled to Peru this month and report: “It was our pleasure to see the interest in using this technology to reach out to others in Peru and throughout the world. After brief training, the pastors and members now run the project with high hopes as the first live stream attracted multiple viewers without any type of announcement or advertising! We pray that this congregation will continue to be blessed by God and that their outreach efforts will bear much fruit!”

Seminary Students

On their way to the Mission and Ministry Conference at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, Wisconsin, our Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary students stopped at the grave of H.A. Preus, one of the founders of the Norwegian Synod. This is a fitting picture as we consider our one hundredth anniversary this year.

2018 Synod Budget

2 percent of expenditures for special projects

Grants are available for special projects conducted by various boards. Application for such grants is made to the synod’s Board of Trustees for review and recommendation, and then grants are awarded upon approval of the Marvin M. Schwan Charitable Foundation. In the past grants have been awarded for the national teachers’ convention, support for international students attending Bethany Seminary, foreign mission building projects, and home mission media/video streaming equipment. Many of these projects could not happen without the generous support of the foundation.

Synod Centennial

By now pastors have received information and music for the Choral Union Choir which will sing during the Centennial Synod Sunday Service on Sunday, June 17. The service will begin at 4:30 p.m. in Trinity Chapel on the campus of Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato. Choir members from throughout the synod are invited to begin practicing now and join together for this festive and historic service under the direction of Dennis Marzolf. Further information regarding a joint rehearsal will be coming in the future.

Board and Committee Reports

The deadline for items for publication in the 2018 Book of Reports and Memorials is April 1. Completed reports are to be mailed to the synod’s secretary. Requests for presentation time during the synod convention program must be directed to the president of the synod prior to April 15. Board and committee secretaries are reminded that any corrections or additions to the “Addresses of Board and Committee Members” which is printed in the Synod Report also should be submitted at this time.

Anniversary Offering Update

In Mark 6 we are given a glimpse into the love our Savior had for the lost. “And Jesus … saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them” (Mark 6:34). Having compassion for the lost as Jesus did and living under grace in thankfulness is vital to giving generously. May we truly give in thankfulness for the Lord’s compassion to us as well as others. els.org/donate

This is the year we celebrate one hundred years of grace through our ELS. With only ten months left in our Anniversary Offering, now is the time to make sure those promised gifts are sent in to the office. Now is a good time to also ask, “Have I prayerfully thanked the Lord for His grace to us in Christ in this offering?” As I meditate on his passion, do I see the depth of his love for me and for those I love? Have I then given generously in proportion to the gifts He has given? Visit our offering page at els.org/offering as you plan your gifts. Or call 507-344-7311 to discuss even more options.