November 2018 President’s Newsletter

Dear Fellow Workers in Christ’s Kingdom:

A preacher once described each of us sinners as being like a vessel attempting to enter a harbor at low tide. In this case, the harbor contains a bar of sand spanning the entire entrance underneath and prohibits any ship from access during low water levels. So too a bar, not of sand but of impenetrable rock, lies between every sinner and the entrance of heaven. This is the holy and high bar of God’s justice. No ship of any sinner can cross this barrier for we are by nature sailing in low tide. Our own attempts at righteousness fail every time to bring us to the heavenly port. But Christ’s righteousness is the high water which can and does carry the believing sinner to the land of eternal rest. The high waters of our baptism into Christ Jesus transport our vessel into the heavenly Canaan. May we daily treasure our baptism. Dr. Luther exclaimed: “But I am baptized! And if I am baptized, I have the promise that I shall be saved and have eternal life, both in soul and body” (Large Catechism).

John A. Moldstad

Founders’ Day Celebrations

Throughout our ELS local celebrations of our synod’s centennial were observed on October 14. Pictured are the children from Mt. Olive School who helped to beautify a combined service of praise and thanks to God as sponsored by our two churches in the Mankato, Minnesota, area, Peace Lutheran and Mt. Olive Lutheran.

Death of Pres. Em. George Orvick

Our former president, the Rev. George M. Orvick, died on September 27 at his home in Madison, Wisconsin. Our prayers certainly go with Ruth and the family as we ask God to comfort them through the precious promises of life everlasting to all who trust in the Savior. We give thanks to almighty God that he has kept Pres. Orvick in his baptismal grace, and we rejoice that he now enjoys the everlasting home in heaven prepared for him by his blessed redeemer. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints” (Psalm 116:15).

Installation

On September 30 there was an installation service for the Rev. Peter Faugstad at Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Hampton, Iowa. Redeemer has now joined the Saude and Jerico Parish.

Our sister synod, the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), reports: “When Hurricane Michael made landfall, Amazing Grace, Panama City, Fla., took a direct hit. Rev. Jerry Enderle, pastor at Amazing Grace, reports the church and parsonage suffered extensive damage, as did several members’ homes, along with the entire community. Rev. Joel Russow, pastor of Faith, Tallahassee, Fla., also reports trees down in the neighborhood, but the church and parsonage are okay.” No ELS congregations were directly affected by the hurricane.

If you would like to contribute for relief efforts, you can send your donation to the synod office (6 Browns Ct, Mankato MN 56001) to be forwarded to WELS Christian Aid and Relief.

On October 16-17, 2018, twelve leaders from the ELS and twelve from the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) met at its biennial forum at the WELS headquarters in Waukesha, Wisconsin. These fraternal meetings are very beneficial for encouragement and better understanding of the work each synod is doing in the following areas: administration, doctrine/seminary, communication, schools, higher education, stewardship, and missions (home and world). Two presentations were made, one by the Rev. Jonathan Hein, “God’s Country: A Vision for 21st Century Rural Ministry in WELS,” and the Rev. Alex Ring gave an essay entitled “On Gospel Predominance.”

Orphanage Support

Hope Lutheran Church in Farmington, Minnesota recently hosted pastors from the Lutheran Mission of Salvation-India. The congregation raised $1,676 for St. Matthew’s Orphan Home in Bhimivarum. Ella Oberer, daughter of Pastor Dan Oberer, was promoter of the fundraising effort. Thank you to the Hope congregation for this generous gift! (Pictured left to right: Pastor Dan Oberer, Ella Oberer, Pastor G.J. Ananda Raju.)

On Saturday, October 20, 2018, the Circuit 3 Women’s Mission Rally was held at Peace Lutheran Church, Deshler, Ohio. The Rev. Peter Heyn serves as the pastor of the host congregation.

The Board for Home Outreach exists to encourage and equip congregations of the synod in the United States in the work of outreach and evangelism. A notable task of the board is to identify and assist in starting new congregations in the United States. In addition, the Rev. Larry Wentzlaff serves as Evangelism-Missions Counselor. He assists any congregation of the synod with its evangelism and outreach efforts (you do not need to be classified as a “mission” to request his guidance and help).

Due to the Rev. Thomas Rank having accepted the call to be full-time religion instructor at Bethany Lutheran College and noting that he was alternate circuit visitor for circuit 7, I have the need to appoint a new alternate. The Rev. Shawn Stafford has agreed to serve in this position until next convention.

November 1-2 – Board for Home Outreach

November 6 – Board of Trustees

November 9 – Synod Review Committee

November 13-14 – ELS Board of Regents

November 14-15 – Board for World Outreach

December 3-4 – Doctrine Committee

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