This year the festival of Pentecost and Mother’s Day occur on the same Sunday. We often speak of Pentecost as the birthday of the New Testament church. At the same time, the church often been described as our spiritual mother in that believers are, by the Holy Spirit’s power, given new birth and nourished by Word and Sacrament as set forth through the church. Think also of how, through the use of Christian mothers and fathers bringing their children to the font and supporting instruction in the church, God has had his church grow from age to age in keeping with the same mission fervor of the original Pentecost. May you have a blessed Pentecost celebration!

Dedication at Redeeming Grace
Sunday, April 27, 2008, was a very special day in the life of our synod’s mission congregation, Redeeming Grace Lutheran in Rogers, Minnesota. The newly completed multi-purpose worship/education facility was dedicated to God’s glory in the afternoon service. Synod president, Rev J. Moldstad preached for the occasion. Pastor of the congregation, Rev. David Russow served as liturgist, while Vicar Robert Oberg was the lector for the day. Pastor Erwin Ekhoff, chairman of the Board for Home Missions, preached at the morning worship service. The children of Redeeming Grace (pictured below) joined in singing “Jesus Loves Me.”

Mother’s Day Offering
The annual “World Needs Offering” promoted and overseen by our synod’s Board for Christian Service will take place in our churches on May 11. The board has granted financial assistance to a number of needy individuals and congregations throughout this past year, including also support sent to Peru in the wake of the 2007 earthquake in the Lima area. We urge all to make use of the special envelopes provided as we think of the words from Galatians: “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (6:10).

The 2008 Great Lakes Pastoral Conference was hosted by First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Suttons Bay, Michigan, where Rev. Ron Peterson serves as pastor. Subjects addressed at this conference were: an exegetical treatment of 3 John; a review of the break-up of the old Synodical Conference; and a practical paper on Confirmation practices in our parishes.

Lutheran Youth Association Convention:
July 24-27, 2008
Texas Lutheran University, Seguin, TX
cost: $190/person ($90 registration fee to be sent in June 1st)
convention director: Rev. Jon Madson (tudmadson(at)aol.com)

* On Synod Sunday, June 15, following the 3:30 PM opening service, a special groundbreaking ceremony is planned for the construction of a new academic building (66,000 sq. ft.) on our campus of Bethany Lutheran College.
* This year’s convention will focus on the theme God’s Power for Salvation and include an essay by Prof. Erling Teigen reviewing the importance of the key teachings of Law and Gospel in our lives as Christians.
* A proposal is being brought to this year’s convention to have our synod bring under its direction and control the church-related mission organization, Thoughts of Faith. Thoughts of Faith, Inc., supports mission work in Ukraine, Czech Republic and Latvia.
* On Tuesday evening of the convention, we will hear from two former missionaries to Peru, Rev. James Olsen and Rev. Timothy Erickson. This year we are marking the fortieth anniversary of our Peru mission.
* The Synod Review Committee is recommending the adoption of a set of guidelines intended to assist our synod with a better process for developing doctrinal statements.
* One of the memorials to the convention this year challenges the synod to open one new home mission per year in a metropolitan area.
* The Planning & Coordinating Committee is bringing a proposal to hold a strategic planning session for the synod; the same committee is also recommending a 2009 congregational contribution budget of $818,000 for the synod.
 
ELS Pastors Gather in Utah
The West Coast Pastoral Conference (Circuits #11 & 12) met for this year’s sessions at Hope Lutheran Church in West Jordan, Utah, where Rev. Aaron Hamilton serves as pastor. Topics covered at the conference were a study of Formula of Concord Art. X (adiaphora), a review of the chaplaincy question, and discussion centering on the rite of Confirmation. In light of the location of this year’s meeting, considerable time also was devoted to the subject of how best to reach out with Law and Gospel to those who come from a background of Mormonism.

Pastors from Circuit 7 (Iowa) gathered on a very snowy day on March 31 at Hartland Lutheran in Hartland, MN. The doctrine of church fellowship was studied; also, an exegetical presentation of John 10.

From the Czech Republic: A little girl named Anna, pictured here in the back row of students and standing right in front of her teacher, was baptized at the St. Paul’s congregation in Plzen during the month of April.

 

Eisenbeis Installation
Mr. Christian Eisenbeis was installed as vicar of King of Grace Lutheran Church, Waukon, Iowa on April 13, 2008. The Rev. J. Kincaid Smith was the liturgist and performed the rite of installation. The. Rev. Gaylin Schmeling preached the installation sermon based on 1 Thessalonians 2:13 with the theme “Through Christian Preaching God is Speaking.” There were beautiful musical selections by the members of the congregation. Also the Rev. Paul Madson and the Rev. Harvey Abrahamson gave greetings and encouragement to the congregation.

Organ Dedication
On April 27, Pilgrim Lutheran in Waterloo, Iowa, dedicated a new organ for their church. Pastor Dan Finn writes:

The installation of the new organ and speakers was celebrated with a special song service where the congregation was asked to request their favorite hymns. These hymns were sung loudly and joyfully, interspersed with readings and commentary by the pastor. Being able to dedicate a new organ was a wonderful blessing, in keeping with the gift we have in Christ, which fills our whole lives with hope and faith, so that we can “speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.” Through Him, we “sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:19-20). From the people of the congregation, who gave the thank offering used to purchase the organ, to the organist who put in much extra work to be able to do the special song service, and also everyone who will enjoy the organ throughout the time that it will be used in the church, our Lord's blessings are everywhere! "Sing to the Lord a new song!"

On April 6, the Bethany Lutheran College choirs held a choral matins service at Norseland Lutheran Church, St. Peter, Minnesota, in honor of the congregation’s 150th anniversary.

Nigeria (CELC news)
There are two church bodies our synod is affiliated with in the African country of Nigeria: Christ the King Lutheran Church and All Saints Lutheran Church. The latter synod is about 5,000 souls and was greatly in need of pastors. Christ the King’s seminary in Uruk Uso graduated ten students on April 5; seven of these men were ordained on April 20 and will begin work in the parishes of the All Saints church body. Now there are nine pastors serving in All Saints Lutheran Church. We praise God for the Gospel work he is blessing in our sister churches in Nigeria.

Prayers Requested
Our prayers go with the family of Prof. Juul B. Madson. The funeral for Prof. Madson, who died at age 87, was held at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Mankato, MN, on April 6, 2008, and the committal took place the same day at Somber Lutheran, rural Lake Mills, IA. Before serving as seminary professor, and while pastoring the church in Cottonwood, MN, Juul also was president of our synod from 1966-1970. We ask the Lord to comfort the family with the promises of life eternal through faith in our crucified, resurrected and ascended Savior.

We also ask all of you to keep the family of Rev. Wayne Halvorson in your prayers. Mrs. Lois Halvorson passed away on April 26, 2008, after battling thyroid cancer. May our Lord Jesus provide strength and assure the family of his redeeming grace and his loving care.

Pray also for the family of Stuart Steffen who was killed in a farm accident on April 29. He was the father of BLC Professor Tanya Norris and BLC alumnus Kari (Steffen) Paul. His wife Elaine, the sister of Rev. Shawn Stafford’s mother, also had attended Bethany. Stuart was a long time WELS teacher and a DMLC graduate. He had returned to farming in recent years.

Birth Announcement
Nicholas Joseph Palmquist, son of Rev. Andrew and Christine Palmquist of Lakeland, Florida, was born on April 17, 2008. He is healthy and happy, and his mom Christine is doing well too. We rejoice at this blessing from God. Nicholas' baptism is scheduled for May 4.

President’s Activities
May 2 – CELC Planning Committee
May 5 – Board for Home Missions
May 6 – Board of Trustees
May 12-13 – Board of Regents
May 15 – Vicar Workshop and Seminary Call Day
May 21-22 – Circuit 9 Pastors’ Conference
June 3-5 – CELC Convention in Kiev, Ukraine
June 14 – ELS Historical Society Annual Meeting at Saude Lutheran, Lawler, Iowa
June 15-19 – Synod Convention
June 19-20 – Board for Foreign Missions

In the grace of our crucified, risen and ascended Lord,

John A. Moldstad