Second Row: Kaitlin Opdahl, Maddy Thorpe, Elsa Skeie, Sarah Hausken

Third Row: Ashley Olson, Chloe Halvorson, Stephen Rasmusson, Matthew Vinson, Shaun Luker, Leah Jesertitz, Jeremy Hallquist, Halla Dontje-Lindell

Top: Eric Nicolauson

Your Lutheran Youth Organization Leadership

+Bishop Jon V. Anderson 

We are thankful for the new leadership God is calling forth in many areas in our congregations and synod. Here is a picture of your synod's Lutheran Youth Organization board members on a retreat earlier this year, building community and planning our upcoming youth gatherings. 

The Many Strands of a Call and Ordination 

+Bishop Jon V. Anderson

A few weeks ago, one of our synod's Lutheran Youth Organization's leaders, Pr. Kayla Nelson Munson, was ordained. As I read my colleague and Pr. Kayla Nelson Munson's father, Pr. Dave Nelson's (serving at St. John's in Annandale) sermon, I decided it is a story and sermon that should be shared. In the sermon you will learn the origin of the stole and the many strands of Kayla's call story and receive a reminder that we are all called in our baptisms to be ministers of the Gospel.

It will take a few minutes to read this but it will be a reminder of how God creates pastors. It takes many strands woven together in Kayla's life. The same truth applies to all of us as ministers. 

An Update on Your Synod's Financial Life

+Bishop Jon V. Anderson

Your mission support makes ministry happen in all kinds of ways in the larger church regionally and nationally. The youth ministry in a previous article is one thing your mission support makes possible at a synodical level. The formation of leaders at seminary in the article above about an LYO Leader who was recently ordained, is also supported by our synod. Thanks for your generosity.

As we enter the final quarter of the year we have received $1,151,282 in mission support (what was once called benevolence). Our receipts so far are behind last year's giving as of the end of September by $70,868.

2013     $1,222,150 (59.7% of yearly budget)        

2014     $1,151,282 (55.7% of yearly budget)

 We have been managing our resources carefully as we see the reduced giving of congregations which we assume reflects the reduced giving of congregation's members.

 We appreciate the generosity of our people and congregations. Thanks for supporting the infrastructure of our church body so that we can continue to make a difference regionally, nationally and globally. We notice that after the soft beginning of our year, related to weather issues, the support has strengthened as we move deeper in the year.

Your generosity in sharing mission support makes your larger church - synods, institutions and churchwide' s life happen. Thanks. Thanks as well for your congregation's strong local ministry and mission. 

Presenter Dirk Lange will explore the role of "Presider," broadly understood as the work of both clergy and lay people as they lead God's people in worship. 

Presenter Jay Beech will address the ways musicians can most effectively act as presiders in worship.

Schedule 

10:00am - Welcome

10:05 - Worship

10:20 - Session1 - The Worship Space (Gathering)

How does our worship space affect the way in which we preside?

11:10 - Break

11:20 - Session2 - The Theology of Presiding (Word)

What are the Biblical and theological foundations for presiding in worship?

How has our understanding and practice changed over the years?

12:10pm - Lunch

1:00 - Session3 - The Body in Worship (Meal) 

How do presiders express meaning through their bodies?

1:50 - Break

2:00 - Session4 - Teaching Presiding to Worship Leaders (Sending)

What are some ways that both the concept and practices of presiding can be taught to those you lead worship in your context?

2:50 Prayer and Blessing

Some of the most dynamic and innovative musical artists in the church are coming together to support the newly formed Center for Worship & Music Studies. A fundraising concert on November 2nd will feature Agape, Rachel Kurtz, Jonathan Rundman, John Kerns from the Spirit Garage, and the director of The Center, Jay Beech.

  "We are creating a new kind of worship and music training program, one that celebrates ALL the musical gifts of God's people," says Beech. "This includes everything from our rich hymn and choral traditions to the newest kinds of music from our own culture, as well as music from around the world."

"This concert will feature immensely gifted artists specializing in rock, hip-hop, and R&B styles, all of whom are driven by a deep faith and genuine love for the church. We are deeply grateful for their generosity and willingness to help grow this new ministry."

In addition to their individual performances, the musicians will also play some songs together. This may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see this very eclectic "super-group." The concert will begin at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 2nd, 2014, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Brooklyn Park. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door.

Click here to purchase ticket