Dear Members and Friends of the ELS:
It is generally accepted that to pursue knowledge is to pursue happiness. Proverbs states, “Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge” (23:12). To learn things about life in this world, generally leads to making money to support ourselves and others, learning to take care of our bodies and the needs of others, and can even assist us with relaxation and enjoyment. But if pursuing knowledge is minus the Book of Knowledge which our Maker provides, this chase for wisdom will result personally in futility and surely not in the blessing God intended. Martin Luther exhorted his hearers: “Let us teach that true knowledge is found in Holy Scripture, in the Word of God. For it instructs us not only about matter, not only about the form of the whole creation, but also about the efficient and final cause and the beginning and end of all things, who has created it, and to what end he made it. Without knowledge of these two causes our wisdom differs little from that of the beasts, who also use their eyes and ears, but clearly know nothing of a beginning or an end” (WA 42:94). To know of our sin and of God’s saving grace through faith in our Savior Jesus Christ—this is the supreme wisdom that is truly out of this world! … Yet God has placed it in our laps, page by page. Pursuing this knowledge reaps eternal dividends! May we daily walk to this school.
John A. Moldstad
Anniversary at Holton
Holton Lutheran Church in Holton, Michigan, gave thanks to God for 150 years of His grace on September 8. At the morning service Pres. Moldstad preached the sermon based on the OT lesson chosen for the day, Isaiah 12. At the conclusion of the day the congregation burned the church mortgage.
Painting from Oslo Lutheran Church
On August 27 former members of the closed Oslo Lutheran in Volga, South Dakota, Walter Wosje and Blaine Hoff, transported the altar painting of the ascension of our Lord. The painting is now on display in the synod’s Ottesen Museum. This congregation was for an extended period of time in a dual parish arrangement with Bethel Lutheran in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Your synod president had the opportunity to serve Oslo during the years of 1980–84. The congregation was located 7 miles south of Volga and joined the synod in the year of 1927.
News from the Board for World Outreach
We urge prayers for our fellow Christians in the LMSI (Lutheran Mission of Salvation–India). Not only are they facing resistance in a predominantly Hindu nation as they continue to proclaim the Gospel of Christ, but now need to recover from recent floods devastating much of their country. Your gifts to provide relief during these challenging times are much appreciated. You may address them to Board for World Outreach India project, 6 Browns Ct, Mankato MN 56001. The board also is contributing from its own funds to this need.
Circuit Visitors Conference
Circuit Visitors Conference was held on September 12–13, 2019. The twelve circuit visitors serve as assistants to the president and as such give encouragement and counsel to the congregations and pastors, assist in the calling process, conduct visitations of the congregations, and disseminate information about the work of the synod. The annual conference includes both the visitors and the synod’s officers. Pictured are: John Moldstad (president), Jay Webber (circuit 11), Paul Schneider (circuit 3), Glenn Obenberger (vice president), Tom Fox (circuit 2), Ken Mellon (circuit 5), Piet Van Kampen (circuit 6), Michael Dale (circuit 1), Steve Sparley (circuit 12), Timothy Hartwig (circuit 9), John Merseth (circuit 8), David Thompson (circuit 4), Craig Ferkenstad (secretary), Robert Harting (circuit 7), and Micah Ernst (circuit 10).
St. Luke’s 50th
Our synod’s congregation in Mt. Vernon, Washington, celebrated 50 years of God’s blessings. Pastor Jerrold Dalke has served St. Luke Lutheran for 35 of those years. He was also observing his 40th anniversary of his ordination into the pastoral ministry.
Reformation Lectures
The Bjarne Wollan Teigen Reformation Lectures will be held October 31–November 1, 2019. This year the theme will be Lutheran Preaching Through the Centuries. The lectures will be: Preaching in the Reformation—Dr. Paul Robinson; Preaching in the Nineteenth Century—Dr. Thomas Kuster; Preaching Today—Pres. Paul Wendland. For more information visit blc.edu/reformation-lectures.
Sunday, September 15, was open house at Living Water Lutheran in San Angelo, Texas and over sixty people were in attendance.
Resignation and Appointment
Dr. Ryan McPherson has resigned from the synod’s Committee on Apologetics. We thank him for his dedicated service on this ad hoc committee. As his replacement, Dr. Doyle Holbird has agreed to be appointed and serve. Due to the committee’s workload, no doubt another may also be appointed soon.
Upcoming Events
October 4 – Synod Review Committee
October 7-8 – Board for Lutheran Schools
October 8 – Board for Youth Outreach
October 8 – Committee on Worship
October 9-11 – General Pastoral Conference
October 13 – 50th Anniversary of Holy Scripture (Midland, MI)
October 20 – Synod president preaching at East Grand Forks and Crookston, MN
October 25 – Missions Advancement Project, Inc. Board of Directors
October 27 – 160th Anniversary of St. Martin (Shawano, WI)
October 27 – 90th Anniversary of Faith (Carthage, MO)
October 31-November 1 – Bjarne Wollan Teigen Reformation Lectures
November 7-8 – Board for Home Outreach
November 8 – Synod Review Committee
November 10 – Dedication at Mt. Olive (Mankato, MN)
November 11-12 – ELS Board of Regents
November 11 – Veterans’ Day groundbreaking for military monument
November 12 – Board of Trustees
November 12-13 – Explanation Review Committee
November 13-14 – Board for World Outreach
