President's Newsletter: February 2006
February 2006
February 2006
Dear Fellow Workers:
In our courts when witnesses are called to take the stand they are asked to raise their right hand and call upon God as a witness to their telling the truth. On the Mount of Transfiguration we can say that God himself took the witness stand as he made the testimony about his Son: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased. Hear him!” (Matthew 17:5) The certainty of our Lord Jesus’ full deity means the certainty of salvation for sinners. During this Epiphany season may the glory of Christ shine forth, and may we manifest his accomplished work of salvation for the world to the souls we serve and to those who are yet to hear the good news.
Installation
Rev. Jesse Jacobsen was installed at Concordia, Hood River, and Bethany, The Dalles, Oregon, on January 11, 2006.
Seminary Training in India
Twenty-five men from Lutheran Mission of Salvation, India, are enrolled in the seminary program that began in January 2006. Prof. Adolph Harstad taught New Testament Isagogics and Pres. Moldstad taught the first volume of Pieper's Dogmatics. Our Missions Counselor, Rev. Steven Petersen, also made the trip to Hyderabad and had several meetings with the directors of LMSI.
WELS Website Hosting
Recently WELS launched a web hosting service which will allow congregations and schools to build a web site with little or no technical or graphic design knowledge necessary. WELS Chief Technology Officer Martin Spriggs has made arrangements with the host of these websites to accommodate ELS congregations as well as WELS congregations. If your congregation or school is interested, more information can be found at: <www.wels.net/jumpword/webhosting>.
Financial Aid for Seminary Students
The Siebert Lutheran Foundation annually makes grant money available to assist Wisconsin students with their educational expenses at the seminary. Each year the seminary submits a grant request on behalf of any students whose home congregation is located in Wisconsin. For the 2005–06 school year, Bethany seminary students received a total of $4,000.
Seminary students also receive tuition assistance from donations throughout the year by individuals and organizations to the seminary scholarship fund. The current tuition and fees for one year at the seminary is $6,200.
ELS Bright Spots
A decision was made by the Board of Trustees at the request of the Board of Home Missions to purchase 4.8 acres of land for our mission in Clermont, Florida. Rev. Greg Sahlstrom serves as the pastor of South Lake Lutheran Church.
Our exploratory mission in Rogers, MN, is up and running. Services began in January and are averaging close to thirty in attendance each Sunday.
On January 30, 2006, the Board of Trustees and the Board for Home Missions held a joint conference to discuss procedures for future property purchases. The meeting was well attended and very beneficial.
New sign at Indianola
Pastor Robert Harting and his son, Michael (the official sign changer) stand next to the
new sign for the church in Indianola, Iowa. The sign was
purchased with funds from Cross-Stitch and a special grant from the
Board of Trustees.
Book of Concord in Ukrainian
The Book of Concord has been translated into the Ukrainian language by
the Ukrainian Lutheran Church (ULC, a member of the CELC). A formal
celebration of the publication was held in January.
2006 Convention Plans
Theme: “For You and Your Children”
Essayist: Rev. Edward Bryant
Kickoff for the Lutheran Schools of America special two-year offering
Financial news
Our synod treasurer reports the good news that contributions from our
congregations in the year of 2005 exceeded our $765,000 budget by
$13,000. We give thanks to our Lord for moving hearts to respond
generously.
The total 2005 relief funds (tsunami and hurricanes) sent to the committee in WELS for distribution was $86,000.
Retirement
Rev. Richard Wiechmann, our Planned Giving Counselor for the past 8
years, has announced his plans to retire. We are very grateful for his
dedicated service during these many years and wish him God’s richest
blessings in his retirement. The Board of Trustees currently is seeking
names for his replacement. If you have any recommendations (clergy or
lay), please forward such names to my office.
Address Changes
Rev. Nathan Krause: nckrause1(at)verizon.net
Rev. Edward Bryant: elbryant50(at)comcast.net
Installation Date Set
Rev. Rodney Flohr will be installed as pastor at King of Grace in Golden Valley, MN, on March 5, 2006, at 4:00 p.m.
Resignation
Mr. Dan Johnson has resigned from the Board for Education and Youth.
Suspension
Rev. Rolf Preus has been suspended from the synod’s clergy roster.
Prayer Requests
Our prayers go with the family members of Pastor Walther Gullixson who
died on Saturday, January 7, 2006. He served faithfully as pastor in
our synod at the following parishes: Parkland, Tacoma, WA; East/West
Paint Creek, Waukon, IA; Our Savior’s/Bethany, Princeton, MN; and
Bethel/Oslo, Sioux Falls, SD.
We also ask God’s blessings upon the families of Rev. Erwin Ekhoff and
Rev. David Russow. Pastor Ekhoff’s mother died on January 6 and Pastor
Russow’s mother died on Sunday, January 8.
Please pray for Rev. Dennis Schmidt who is recovering from a skiing accident.
President’s Activities
February 1—Board for Foreign Missions
February 5—Norwegian Grove, Gaylord, MN
February 6—Board for Stewardship
February 7—Board for Christian Service
February 13–14—Board of Regents
February 19—Family of God, Fort Mohave, AZ
February 20—Board of Trustees
February 25––ELS Historical Society, Norseland, MN
February 26—Board for Publications (LaCrosse, Wisconsin)
March 20–21—Doctrine Committee
March 26—First Trinity, Marinette, WI
March 31––CELC Planning Committee
In Christ,
John A. Moldstad
