Dear Fellow Workers in Christ’s Kingdom:
As we celebrate the Reformation at the end of this month, may each of us rejoice and give thanks to God for moving Luther and all the faithful reformers – including dedicated laymen and women – to hold fast to the true gem that always was and is in the Bible but until then had not received its due prominence: God has justified sinners through the life, death and resurrection of his Son, and by faith alone in this grace of God we not only have full forgiveness but the assurance of everlasting life in heaven. What a legacy is packed into the Lutheran Reformation! What a legacy to share with each and every generation! John A. Moldstad
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Lake Mills Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lake Mills, Iowa! The congregation, served by Pastor David Emmons, celebrated its 150th anniversary on September 20. We give thanks to our Lord for all the blessings and pray these continue to be poured out on the congregation in the years to come. The Lake Mills church is one the congregations comprising a 5-point parish in northern Iowa. 
Classical Education at Port St. Lucie
Christ Lutheran School opened this year its Classical Christian school in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The school is owned and operated by Christ Lutheran Church. Currently offered is preschool and VPK to students ages 3-5 as well as school to all elementary grades. All who are interested may contact Academic Dean Chris Dale by email or phone (772) 240-0405 for more information. For information regarding the preschool programs, see: http://www.christportstlucie.org/vpk-preschool/
Circuit 2 Women’s Mission Rally On September 26, 2015, the very first Women’s Mission Rally was hosted for Circuit 2 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Brewster, Massachusetts. The Rev. James Braun serves as the pastor of Trinity, located on Cape Cod. We are hoping the rally may become an annual event for the two congregations in the state of Massachusetts.
World Outreach Update: Korea- 300+ members at Seoul Lutheran Church
- Served by the Rev. Young Ha Kim
- Approximately 70 students enrolled in US Lutheran high schools
- Focus on outreach through education – Canaan Language Academy continues English training and preparation for enrollment in US high schools
- At the end of October, Seoul Lutheran Church will host the Asia Regional Conference of the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference (CELC).
Installation at Our Savior’s, Bagley, MinnesotaPastor Gene Lilienthal was installed as pastor of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church of Bagley and St. Paul Lutheran Church of Lengby, Minnesota, on September 13. The Rev. Jeffery Merseth was liturgist, the Rev. John Merseth was lector, the Rev. Nicholas Proksch officiated, and the Rev. Michael Lilienthal preached the sermon with the theme, “The Lutheran Pastor Mentions the Cross of Christ.” The installation was held at Our Savior’s, and the ladies provided an excellent meal afterwards.
Installation at Gloria Dei, Cold Spring, MinnesotaThe Rev. Rodney Flohr was installed as pastor of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Cold Spring, Minnesota on September 13, 2015.
Installation at Peace, Deshler, OhioThe Rev. Peter Heyn was installed as pastor of Peace Lutheran Church in Deshler, Ohio, on September 20, 2015.
2015 Reformation Lectures
The annual Bjarne Teigen Memorial Lectures will be held October 29-30, 2015. This year the theme will be Lutheranism and the Arts: “Lutheranism and the Visual Arts” by Prof. William Bukowski; “Lutheranism and History” by Dr. Robert Rosin; “Lutheranism and Literature” by Prof. Brian Dose. The registration form can be downloaded from the website of Bethany Lutheran College or Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary.
ELS General Pastoral Conference 2015
Pastors from our Evangelical Lutheran Synod gathered in Bloomington, Minnesota, for the annual conference last week. During the three-day session five essays were presented: Doctrinal: “Luther’s Commentary on Galatians (LW 26)” by the Rev. Kyle Madson; Exegetical: “An Overview if the Minor Prophets” by the Rev. Joshua Skogen; Doctrinal: “A Critique of the New Perspective on Paul” by the Rev. James Braun; and Practical: “Pastoral Care and Devotional Life” by the Rev. Luke Ulrich.
Upcoming Events
Did you know that the synod calendar is online: http://www.els.org/about/calendar/? If you want to view synod events on your own electronic calendar, the ical subscription address is: https://www.google.com/calendar/ical/elsynod%40blc.edu/public/basic.ics.
October 3 – Women’s Mission Society Rally in Parkersburg, Iowa
October 4 – 100th Anniversary of Manchester Lutheran (Manchester, Minnesota)
October 4 – 125th Anniversary of Hartland Lutheran (Hartland, Minnesota)
October 10 – School Dedication at Christ Lutheran (Port St. Lucie, Florida)
October 13 – Synod Review Committee
October 17 – Women’s Mission Society Rally in Cottage Grove, Wisconsin
October 20 – Board for Christian Service
October 24 – Women’s Mission Society Rally in Golden Valley, Minnesota
October 29-30 – Bjarne Wollan Teigen Reformation Lectures at Bethany Lutheran College
November 3 – Board of Trustees
November 4 – Synod Review Committee
November 5-6 – Board for Home Outreach
November 14 – Women’s Mission Society Rally in Port St. Lucie, Florida
November 16-17 – Board of Regents
November 17-18 – Board for World Outreach
November 20 – Centennial Committee
Click here to view current vacancies and calls in the Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
Click here to download the newsletter bulletin insert.
