Dear Fellow Workers:
Our prayers surely go up to God’s throne on behalf of all of the people in the Minneapolis area who were affected by the I-35 bridge collapse. To my knowledge, none from our own synod were injured, but a member from our sister synod’s congregation in New Ulm was one who was carried safely from the debris while his car remained horizontal as it dropped 64 feet into the Mississippi River. We trust God will use this tragedy to turn many hearts to his Word for spiritual guidance, strength and comfort.  May each of us who believe in Christ’s righteousness for eternal salvation realize personally the truth of the promise given in Psalm 121:  “The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”  
 
Installation & ordination of Candidate of Theology Michael Muehlenhardt
On Saturday, July 21, Michael Muehlendardt was ordained and installed as the pastor of Christ Lutheran Church, Klamath Falls, OR.  Rev. Alex Ring, the alternate visitor of Circuit #12, served as the officiant. Pastor Tom Westendorf served as the preacher for the service, Pastor Steven Sparley served as the liturgist, and Pastor  James Wilson as the lector. The service included a joint choir from Our Savior's Lutheran Church-Grants Pass, OR and Christ Lutheran Church-Klamath Falls, and was followed by a dinner prepared by ladies of Christ  Lutheran Church. In the picture above are, from R to L:  Pastors Steve Sparley, Alexander Ring, Michael Muehlendardt, James Wilson, and Tom Westendorf.

Valle Sagrado
Missionary Terry Schultz informs us that on May 20 the church located at Valle Sagrado, near Lima, Peru, received its own pastor.  Rev. Jorge Estrada was ordained and installed as the first pastor of this congregation that grew up around a recycling center/garbage dump outside of Lima.  The people at Valle Sagrado are very excited to have their own pastor.  Jorge also serves as pastor at his home barrio of Zapallal.  

Second School Opens
“King Christ” is the name of the second Lutheran day school operating in the Amazon jungle area of Peru.  It opened in June and is located in Louis Terry, formerly known as Nuevo Porvenir.  So far, fifteen children are enrolled in the new school.  Costs for running the school among the Chayahuita tribe are about $5,000 per year.

India Hymnal
Pastor Ananda Raju states that the printing of 3,000 of the first edition of the LMSI Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary has been completed.  It contains some hymns from the hymnal used in Hyderabad that are in Telegu and English, together with the catechism, order of divine service, Baptism service, Sacrament of the Altar service, Table of Duties, Christian Questions, Confirmation, Marriage, House dedication, Church dedication, Burial, etc.   

Announcement
Rev. Thomas Heyn will be installed as pastor at Western Koshkonong Lutheran Church on Sunday, August 12 and 2:00 p.m.
 
VBS in Ukraine
Jeremy Schumacher, 19, from Trinity (WELS) in Waukasha, WI, is pictured here sharing information concerning this summer’s VBS Program in Ukraine sponsored by Thoughts of Faith.  Jeremy, Kari Baltutis and Polly Joubert reported at the TOF Board of Directors meeting on August 3, 2007, in Madison, WI.   Kari told how the Ukrainian children especially reacted to the teaching of the creation account, since they are subjected heavily to the theory of evolution in their country’s school system.
 
Thanks to Polly!
Polly Joubert of Holy Trinity in Okauchee, WI, has helped organize the Ukraine VBS program for the past four summers.  This summer a record number of ELS/BLC young people assisted (24).  In all, 53 American volunteers were placed into 14 groups covering 14 different locations.  More than 840 children participated in VBS during the two consecutive weeks of Vacation Bible School in Ukraine (July 2-13).  Larry Dilgard, administrator for Thoughts of Faith who oversees the program, commented:  “I also estimate that over 150 adults were in attendance during VBS.  The Lord surely blessed the efforts of all involved with sharing the message of salvation!”  Our ELS Board for Parish Education and Youth provides some financial subsidy each year for the youth of our synod who volunteer their services for this valuable, annual Gospel-outreach activity.

WELS Convention
Rev. Mark Schroeder, 53, has accepted the call to be the next WELS president. Schroeder currently serves as president of Luther Preparatory School in Watertown, Wis. He has previously served at congregations in Fond du Lac, Wis., and Maitland, Fla. Concluding his remarks, Schroeder told the delegates, “I will strive with the help of God to be faithful to the calling you have given me, and faithful to God’s Word.”  Rev. Karl Gurgel had announced his retirement, after
serving fourteen years as the president of WELS.

Prayer Requests
Rev. William and Patricia Mack’s grandson, Declan, is not doing well as he undergoes more treatment in California.  Please continue to keep Declan in your daily prayers.

We ask you to keep the families of BLC faculty/staff members, Steven & Lois Jaeger and Ralph & Eileen Miller in your prayers.  Recently we were informed of the deaths of Steve’s father (Ixonia, WI) and also of Ralph’s mother (New Ulm, MN).  May God comfort them with the solid assurance of the glorious resurrection to all who die with trust in the redemptive work of our risen Savior.

Birth Announcement
We thank the Lord for the birth of a healthy son, Isaac Glenn, to Rev. Glenn and Maria Smith. Isaac was born on July 14, 2007.

Address Changes
Be sure to update your new 2007 Synod Report!

Karl Kuenzel
143 Whispering Wind
Georgetown TX 78633

Young Ha Kim
East Seoul Canaan Church
Seoul Kangdonggu Kilildong 368-1
Seoul Korea 134-812

Dan Oberer: pastor.hopelutheran(at)gmail.com

Michael Muehlenhardt
1020 West Oregon Ave
Klamath Falls OR 97601
Home 541-274-0585

David Thompson: immanuelels(at)arvig.net

President’s Activities
August 7 – Board of Trustees
August 8 – Board for Home Missions
August 13-14 – Board of Regents
August 19 – Board for Publications (teleconference)
August 20 – Synod Review Committee
August 21-22 – Doctrine Committee
August 24 – CELC Planning Committee (teleconference)
August 28 – Board for Stewardship
September 3-14 – teaching at St. Sophia Seminary in Ternopil, Ukraine
September 18 – Synod Review Committee
September 19 – Regents/Trustees Subcommittee
September 20-21 – Circuit Visitors’ Conference in Bloomington, MN
September 23 – preach for school dedication at Peace, Kissimmee, FL
September 24 – BLC Women’s Auxiliary Day
September 28 – WELS CICR and ELS DC meeting in Milwaukee, WI

God’s blessings to all of you in Christ’s saving grace,

John A. Moldstad