June 2012
Dear Fellow Workers in Christ's Kingdom:

In less than three weeks the annual convention for our Evangelical Lutheran Synod will take place in Mankato, Minnesota. It is a time to evaluate the work we do together, and it is a time to be re-energized in carrying out the mission of our Lord. May God grant those who are traveling a safe journey. We urge all to pray for our synod as we strive to move forward with the next phase of our strategic plan to "Engage Others With Jesus."
 
Sincerely,
John A. Moldstad

 

Engaging Ideas

As we seek to engage others with Jesus, we will plan to share in each Newsletter an idea for how better to connect with people. An example of a short (15 second) advertising spot as done by our King of Grace Lutheran Church, Golden Valley, Minnesota can be found on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Rt2FaAiF47k

 

 

Dedication at Mount Vernon

Sunday, April 15, 2012, was a big day for the members of St. Luke Lutheran in Mt. Vernon, Washington. The long-anticipated dedicatory service of the new sanctuary included guest preacher, Rev. Glenn Obenberger, vice president of our synod. Rev. Jerrold Dalke, pastor of the congregation, conducted the liturgy and rites of blessing the building, the baptismal font, the pipe organ, the pulpit and the altar. There were 85 in attendance, and the St. Luke ladies served a delicious supper following. Michelle Most, niece of the pastor, was guest organist for the day. Pastor Dalke remarks, "The building is such a wonderful blessing for our congregation. With the Lord's blessing, we hope to reach many more in our community with the Gospel. The building and the pipe organ have added a lot to our services. The singing, the music - what a blessing!"

 

 

Visiting Choir at Peace

The handbell choir from King of Grace Lutheran in Golden Valley, Minnesota, graced the two worship services at Peace Lutheran in North Mankato, Minnesota, on May 6, 2012. The choir is under the direction of Randy Gerdes. The second service also featured combining the bell choir with the singing choir from the Peace church.

 

Join us for the Mission Outreach Conference!

Mission workers, church leaders, media professionals, students, and anyone interested in supporting Christian mission outreach are invited to join us for an extended conversation on media outreach in world missions. Featured speakers: John Lawrenz (Hong Kong), Ugis Sildegs (Latvia), Terry Schultz (Haiti), Paul Hartman (El Paso), Gonzalo Delgadillo (El Paso), Jas Lonnquist (San Jose), and Michael Klebig (Silicon Valley) Challenges Addressed: technological, cultural, legal & political, creative, teaching local production, stewardship & funding, and nourishing new Christians.

 

Event Details 

When: October 12-14, 2012

Where: Bethany Lutheran College campus in Mankato, Minnesota 

Cost: The suggested registration fee of $50 covers the cost of materials, six meals, and snacks. However, we want nobody to be excluded due to cost. Registrants are asked to pay what they are able.

 

More information on this event is available at the Christ in Media website.

 

 

Florida Mission Rally at Peace Lutheran

The Florida Women's Mission Society met at Kissimmee, Florida on March 10, 2012. The rally theme was "Lift High the Cross." Among the day's highlights, were three students from our Bethany College speaking about their experiences canvassing in the Kissimmee area.

 

 

ASSIGNMENTS

On May 10, 2012, the annual Call Service of Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary was held at Trinity Chapel on the Bethany Lutheran College campus. The Rev. Gaylin Schmeling, seminary president, served as liturgist for the service, the Rev. Joel Willitz preached the sermon, and the Rev. John Moldstad, synod president, presented the calls.

 

Candidates:

Nathanael Abrahamson - Abiding Shepherd Lutheran Church, Cottage Grove, Wisconsin

Timothy Grundmeier - further education

Peter Heyn - to be assigned

Luke Willitz - to be assigned

 

Vicars:

Paul Webber - vicarage delayed

Benjamin Wiechmann - King of Grace Lutheran Church, Golden Valley, Minnesota

Michael Willitz - Christ Lutheran Church, Sutherlin, Oregon

 

 

West Coast Conference

Eleven pastors and one vicar from Circuits 11 & 12 gathered at St. Luke's congregation in Mt. Vernon, Washington, on April 18-19, 2012.

 

 

Another conference!

Here is the Southern Minnesota Pastoral Conference, Circuit #9. The one-day session was at our Bethany Lutheran College on May 16, 2012.

 

 

Gift of Life Anniversary

Friends and supporters of Thoughts of Faith, Inc., met in Madison, Wisconsin, on April 22, 2012, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Gift of Life (GoL) - Medical Clinic on Wheels (MCOW). The medical assistance provided by the life centers and the medical vans is much needed and appreciated by the people in Ukraine. Pictured to the right is a young boy receiving dental treatment near the Ternopil region by a MCOW volunteer. Nick and Kerry Laper serve as director and assistant director for the medical mission. If you wish to contact GoL, please use this email address: giftoflife.org@gmail.com

 

Useful ELS links you may want to use on your congregation's website...

Main ELS site can be linked as:www.els.name OR www.evangelicallutheransynod.org 

Lutheran Sentinel: Current articles only (shareable via social media): http://www.els.name/Lutheran-Sentinel/ 

Current Issue (updated monthly- link doesn't change):  http://www.evangelicallutheransynod.org/lutheran-sentinel-current-issue/  

Library of Issues for one year: http://issuu.com/lutheransentinel  

PDF Archive of past issues: http://www.evangelicallutheransynod.org/lutheran-sentinel-archive/  

We Believe Teach and Confess PDF document (you may link directly to this address or save the pdf file to your own website for linking):  http://www.evangelicallutheransynod.org/download/pdfs/WeBelieve.pdf  

ELS on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/elslutherans 

ELS on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/ELSLutheran 

ELS on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/EvangelicalLutheran 

ELS on Vimeo: www.vimeo.com/lutheranism 

PLEASE NOTE: You may embed videos from YouTube or Vimeo on your congregation's site at no charge. This will not use your own website's bandwidth. See the help section on YouTube or Vimeo for more information.

 

 

Pentecost Confirmation

At Holy Cross Lutheran in Madison, Wisconsin, eight young confirmands renewed their baptismal vows on Pentecost Sunday, May 27, 2012. Pictured here are Pastors M. Bartels and B. Tweit addressing Cole Chancellor, Isaac Gulrud, Aaron Jackson, Brittni Jergerlehner, Emma Krszjzaniek, Hannah Mathison, Jonathan Olah and Arabelle Orivick.

 

Convention week, June 17-21 - Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, Minnesota

Synod Sunday, June 17 -worship at 3:00 PM in Trinity Chapel

Wednesday Communion Service with Honor Choir, June 20 - 7:30 PM

For the entire schedule for the week, please go to: http://www.evangelicallutheransynod.org/about/event-registration/?ee=4