Dear Fellow Workers:
We wish all of you a very blessed celebration of our Savior’s birth. The message proclaimed by the angel to the Bethlehem shepherds so long ago contained the vital words “for you.” May you and I also take heart in knowing this Baby–God come in the flesh–is for each of us personally. As we speak God’s message of the nativity to the members of our parishes, may we also pray personally: “Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child, make Thee a bed, soft, undefiled, within my heart that it may be a quiet chamber kept for Thee.”

Ordination
Candidate of Theology Samuel Schmeling was ordained and installed as pastor of Richland Lutheran Church, Thornton, Iowa on October 9, 2005. Candidate of Theology Timothy Schmeling conducted the liturgy; Circuit Visitor the Rev. Wayne Halvorson served as the lector; Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary President Gaylin Schmeling preached the ordination sermon; and President Emeritus George Orvick performed the rites of ordination and installation.
 

Redeeming Grace
Our exploratory mission in Rogers, MN, is known as Redeeming Grace Lutheran Church. Pastor David Russow serves as pastor and reports that there already is a healthy nucleus of people eager to begin worship services in the bank building we are leasing. Only one mile from where the services will be held is a plot of land (about 5 acres) our synod has purchased as the potential site for a new church building some day. If you are visiting in the area, we urge you to contact Pastor Russow at 763-923-4749. 
Redeeming Grace Lutheran is leasing a portion of a bank building on the north end of Rogers. MN.

ELS Bright Spots
Pastor Aaron Hamilton at Hope Lutheran Chruch in West Jordan, Utah, has indicated that 13 adults are currently enrolled in his information class.

Pastor Pittenger of Bethany Lutheran in Port Orchard, WA, reports: “I just finished our fall Adult Instruction class: 6 adult confirmands, one of whom will be baptized later this week, 5 children to be baptized as a result of this session.”

The eighth grade class at King of Grace, Golden Valley, MN, achieved historic success at a recent forensics contest in their area. Out of the five categories—prose, serious poetry, storytelling, speech, and humorous reading—the King of Grace team took three first places and five second places for a total of 804 points. The judges prefaced their statements before announcing the top team by telling the packed gym that this is the first time EVER that a team went over 800 points. The King of Grace team scored 804. Congratulations to the team on this great achievement!


Iowa and Missouri
Recently the Board of Home Missions granted limited support to King of Grace, Waukon, IA, where Rev. Kincaid Smith will serve as vacancy pastor for a while. The board also granted limited support to Beautiful Savior, Osage Beach, MO, where Micah Ernst serves bi-vocationally.

India Seminary Training
Prof. Adolph Harstad and President Moldstad are planning to teach about 25 pre-sem students in Hyderabad. The two week intensive courses will include NT Isagogics (Harstad) and Dogmatics-Pieper I (Moldstad). The Board for Foreign Missions hopes to continue this program with two-week intensive sessions offered intermittently. Please pray for our brothers and sisters in the faith in the Lutheran Mission of Salvation, India (LMSI). 

Resignation
Rev. Kurt Smith has resigned from the synod’s clergy roster. Kurt currently serves as an agent for Thrivent Financial in the Atlanta, GA, area. He and his family are members of the WELS church in Alpharetta, GA. 

Prayer Requests
Rev. Walther Gullixson is recovering from a brief stay in the Mankato, MN, hospital. 

Rev. Henry Gieschen has now passed the three month mark following his liver transplant. We thank God for this and pray that Henry’s recovery continues.

Our Missions Counselor, the Rev. Steven Petersen, is recuperating at home for a few days following foot surgery.

Address Changes
Rev. Karl Kuenzel
12349 Metric Blvd Apt 525
Austin TX 78758
512-973-0053

Rev. Andrew Palmquist: osllakeland(at)verizon.net

President’s Activities
December 5-6—Doctrine Committee
December 16––Michigan Winkel
December 18––Preach at Hillman, MI and Alpena, MI
January —India
January 30—Trustees and Board for Home Missions
January 21—Board for Home Missions

Have a truly blessed celebration of our Lord’s birth,

John A. Moldstad