President's Newsletter: January 2007
News from the president in January 2007.
January 2007
Dear Fellow Workers:
The Apostle Paul wrote, "Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes." The circumcision of our Lord and the day of his naming remind us how important it was for our salvation from sin that the Redeemer completely submit himself under the law as our substitute. This he has done. He has kept the law of God immaculately, and now Christ’s perfect slate is what the heavenly Father sees as our very own. Through faith in Christ's righteousness we move into this new calendar year with confidence and joy. If a blessed eternity awaits us and all believers, how can we not greet each day now as a tremendous opportunity to further Christ's saving name?
Bright Spots
The synod's Board of Home Missions has officially decided to name Farmington, Minnesota, as the 2007 site for a mission church start up. This project has established the name "Hope Lutheran Mission" and is being led by Vicar Daniel Oberer and some members of Heritage Lutheran Church in Apple Valley. This mission project will begin by offering the Farmington community a Bible study beginning in February at Farmington Elementary School.If you know of anyone that might be interested in further information regarding the Hope Lutheran Mission, or if you know of anyone interested in attending or participating at Hope, please contact Vicar Oberer at 952-898-9695 or jdsoberer(at)yahoo.com.
Rev. Jay Webber reports that recently there were 35 in attendance at Queen Creek, AZ. Pastor Webber serves at Redeemer Lutheran in Scottsdale, AZ, and has also been holding Sunday worship services in Queen Creek. If you know anyone in the Phoenix area who may be interested in attending services at Queen Creek, please contact Pastor Webber (jaywebber(at)yahoo.com; phone: 480-585-7002).
Two men from India, Kalyan and Pradeep, have arrived to study at our Bethany Seminary. The men will begin classes already at the start of the second semester. Prof. Adolph Harstad and Prof. Michael Smith currently are in Hyderabad teaching classes to twenty-thee Indian men enrolled in the LMSI seminary training.
Kalyan Gollapalli (center) and Pradeep Lingala (right) with Pres. Schmeling at the seminary
ELS Giving Counselor
We are pleased to announce that Rev. Dan Basel has accepted the call to serve as the synod’s new Giving Counselor. He is scheduled to begin his duties at the end of January. On February 13, 2007, his installation will take place during the regular chapel service at our Bethany Lutheran College. Both the Board of Trustees and the Board of Regents will be meeting on campus that day. Please pray for Dan as he takes up his new charge on behalf of our synod.
Resignations and Appointment
Mr. Jon Bruss has resigned from the Board of Regents due to time constraints. We thank him for his diligent service on this important board for the past number of years. Dr. Willis Anthony has been appointed to serve this vacancy until the time of this year’s convention.
Rev. Brad Homan has resigned from the Board for Publications. We are grateful for the service he has provided for this board for the past ten years.
Installations
Rev. James Braun will be installed as pastor at Redeemer in Yelm, WA, on January 14. Rev. Joel Willitz will be installed as pastor of St. John's in Frankenmuth, MI, on January 21.
Assistance in Vacancies
Pastor Steven Sparley will be assisting the vacancy at Christ Lutheran in Klamath Falls, OR. Rev. Norman Madson will be assisting the vacancy at Peace Lutheran in Lakeland, FL.
Address Changes
Rev. Daniel Larson: revlarson(at)iowatelecom.net
Prayer Requests
Please remember Rev. Shawn Stafford in your prayers. His father has been hospitalized at St. Mary's in Rochester for heart surgery.
We also pray for Pastor Kirby Spevacek (WELS) who was in a car accident enroute to church on Christmas Day. His wife, Audrey, was killed in the accident and their daughter Roxanne remains in critical condition. Please keep Kirby and Roxanne and the whole family in your prayers as they face the grief and joy of knowing Audrey has left this world to be with the Lord.
We remember BLC student Cassie Scherer in our prayers. Cassie was involved in a roll-over car accident on the way to church December 10. She spent a week in an induced coma and is now making rapid progress in physical therapy.
Treasurer’s Reminder
Mr. Keith Wiederhoeft informs us that our congregations will have until January 10 as the cut-off date for the December 2006 offering submittals to the synod. Please inform your congregation’s treasurer of this date.
President’s Activities
January 14 - Preach for Mission Sunday in Luverne, MN
January 21 - Installation at St. John’s in Frankenmuth, MI
January 28 - Preach in Sebring, FL
January 29-February 2 - Home Mission Seminar
February 6 - Board for Stewardship
February 7 - Board for Foreign Missions
February 8-9 - Board for Lutheran Schools of America
February 12-13 - Board of Regents
February 13 - Board of Trustees
February 22 - Preach at BLC Trinity Chapel
In the grace of our dear Redeemer,
John A. Moldstad
The Apostle Paul wrote, "Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes." The circumcision of our Lord and the day of his naming remind us how important it was for our salvation from sin that the Redeemer completely submit himself under the law as our substitute. This he has done. He has kept the law of God immaculately, and now Christ’s perfect slate is what the heavenly Father sees as our very own. Through faith in Christ's righteousness we move into this new calendar year with confidence and joy. If a blessed eternity awaits us and all believers, how can we not greet each day now as a tremendous opportunity to further Christ's saving name?
Bright Spots
The synod's Board of Home Missions has officially decided to name Farmington, Minnesota, as the 2007 site for a mission church start up. This project has established the name "Hope Lutheran Mission" and is being led by Vicar Daniel Oberer and some members of Heritage Lutheran Church in Apple Valley. This mission project will begin by offering the Farmington community a Bible study beginning in February at Farmington Elementary School.If you know of anyone that might be interested in further information regarding the Hope Lutheran Mission, or if you know of anyone interested in attending or participating at Hope, please contact Vicar Oberer at 952-898-9695 or jdsoberer(at)yahoo.com.
Rev. Jay Webber reports that recently there were 35 in attendance at Queen Creek, AZ. Pastor Webber serves at Redeemer Lutheran in Scottsdale, AZ, and has also been holding Sunday worship services in Queen Creek. If you know anyone in the Phoenix area who may be interested in attending services at Queen Creek, please contact Pastor Webber (jaywebber(at)yahoo.com; phone: 480-585-7002).
Two men from India, Kalyan and Pradeep, have arrived to study at our Bethany Seminary. The men will begin classes already at the start of the second semester. Prof. Adolph Harstad and Prof. Michael Smith currently are in Hyderabad teaching classes to twenty-thee Indian men enrolled in the LMSI seminary training.
ELS Giving CounselorWe are pleased to announce that Rev. Dan Basel has accepted the call to serve as the synod’s new Giving Counselor. He is scheduled to begin his duties at the end of January. On February 13, 2007, his installation will take place during the regular chapel service at our Bethany Lutheran College. Both the Board of Trustees and the Board of Regents will be meeting on campus that day. Please pray for Dan as he takes up his new charge on behalf of our synod.
Resignations and Appointment
Mr. Jon Bruss has resigned from the Board of Regents due to time constraints. We thank him for his diligent service on this important board for the past number of years. Dr. Willis Anthony has been appointed to serve this vacancy until the time of this year’s convention.
Rev. Brad Homan has resigned from the Board for Publications. We are grateful for the service he has provided for this board for the past ten years.
Installations
Rev. James Braun will be installed as pastor at Redeemer in Yelm, WA, on January 14. Rev. Joel Willitz will be installed as pastor of St. John's in Frankenmuth, MI, on January 21.
Assistance in Vacancies
Pastor Steven Sparley will be assisting the vacancy at Christ Lutheran in Klamath Falls, OR. Rev. Norman Madson will be assisting the vacancy at Peace Lutheran in Lakeland, FL.
Address Changes
Rev. Daniel Larson: revlarson(at)iowatelecom.net
Prayer Requests
Please remember Rev. Shawn Stafford in your prayers. His father has been hospitalized at St. Mary's in Rochester for heart surgery.
We also pray for Pastor Kirby Spevacek (WELS) who was in a car accident enroute to church on Christmas Day. His wife, Audrey, was killed in the accident and their daughter Roxanne remains in critical condition. Please keep Kirby and Roxanne and the whole family in your prayers as they face the grief and joy of knowing Audrey has left this world to be with the Lord.
We remember BLC student Cassie Scherer in our prayers. Cassie was involved in a roll-over car accident on the way to church December 10. She spent a week in an induced coma and is now making rapid progress in physical therapy.
Treasurer’s Reminder
Mr. Keith Wiederhoeft informs us that our congregations will have until January 10 as the cut-off date for the December 2006 offering submittals to the synod. Please inform your congregation’s treasurer of this date.
President’s Activities
January 14 - Preach for Mission Sunday in Luverne, MN
January 21 - Installation at St. John’s in Frankenmuth, MI
January 28 - Preach in Sebring, FL
January 29-February 2 - Home Mission Seminar
February 6 - Board for Stewardship
February 7 - Board for Foreign Missions
February 8-9 - Board for Lutheran Schools of America
February 12-13 - Board of Regents
February 13 - Board of Trustees
February 22 - Preach at BLC Trinity Chapel
In the grace of our dear Redeemer,
John A. Moldstad
Calls - Pastor
Recent ELS calls
Vacancies
Current vacancies in the ELS
