Dear Fellow Workers:
For us Lutherans, the day of All Saints (November 1) frequently is overshadowed by our celebration of the Lutheran Reformation (October 31). How wonderful, though, that we have the connection of these two days to remind us that true sainthood comes only through faith in being justified freely by God’s grace as revealed in the atoning work of Jesus Christ. In reference to all believers in Christ, Luther states it well: “They are not called saints because they are without sin or have become saintly through works. On the contrary, they are nothing but condemned sinners. But they become holy through a foreign holiness, namely, through that of the Lord Christ, which is given them by faith and thus becomes their own. This faith is so strong and powerful that it covers and wipes away all sins and shortcomings that remain in flesh and blood” (from Luther’s comments on John 17:19). Take heart, fellow workers in Christ’s kingdom, we truly are saints in God’s sight because God sees us through lenses stained by the blood of his own Son. Now, as saints, let’s busy ourselves always with the holy things God would have us do.

ELS Bright Spots
On October 1, 2006, Veterinarian David Riese and family joined King of Grace, Waukon, IA, increasing the congregation’s membership by one third. Nathan, Elizabeth, Jacob, Katie, Richard, Laura, Sarah, Sandy and Leah (left to right) are pictured with Pastor Kincaid Smith (far right) and the congregation chairman (far left).

Pastor Matthew Crick reports that his congregation, Faith Lutheran in San Antonio, TX, is now underway with the long-awaited building project. The project, which includes a new sanctuary, has been able to meet all of the requirements of the city’s firm tree ordinance.

We have learned from Thoughts of Faith that a generous gift was received from our newest ELS congregation in Frankenmuth, MI, that will enable the completion of a roof on the church building in Sevastopol, Ukraine.

Trinity Lutheran in West Bend, WI, as served by Rev. Ken Schmidt, celebrated 150 years on October 22, 2006. A large addition to the church building is in progress. The $750,000 project includes space for a preschool and kindergarten in the lower level, and fellowship hall and offices on the main floor.

India
At the time of this writing, two ELS pastors (Rev. David J. Webber and Rev. Steven Sparley) are lecturing in Rajahmundry. Twenty-five men from the LMSI are enrolled in the seminary program.

ELS Handbook
Updated copies of the Handbook of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, which includes the guidelines of the synod, were distributed at the General Pastoral Conference. If you have not received a copy, please contact the synod office.

 

Here are two recent photos of St. John’s Lutheran in Frankenmuth, MI, our newest ELS church.Sunday services are broadcast live over WRCL (93.7 FM) at 10 a.m.

LSA
In overseeing the two-year special offering "For You and Your Children," the Board for Stewardship is recommending that the congregations of our synod use Sunday, November 12, 2006, as the kick-off Sunday. This offering is for the promotion of our new Lutheran elementary education effort in our synod called "Lutheran Schools of America." Materials for the offering already have been sent to the churches. (If more items are needed, please contact Rev. David Russow: dprussow(at)yahoo.com, phone: 763-923-4749). The goal is to encourage the opening of two schools per year throughout the parishes of our ELS. The newly elected Board for LSA met recently in Mankato, MN, on October 12-13.
 
The 2006 convention elected members for the Board for Lutheran Schools of America.
Pictured here are (from left to right): Mr. Allen Labitzky (King of Grace, Golden Valley, MN), Mr. John Tetzloff (Mt. Olive, Mankato, MN), Mr. Brian Brudvig, advisory (Scarville Synod, Scarville, Iowa), Rev. Alex Ring (Lakewood Lutheran, Lakewood, WA), Rev. Edward Bryant, chairman (St. Timothy, Lombard, IL), Mr. Jim Murphy (Bethany, Port Orchard, WA), Mr. Curt Mantey (Bethany, Port Orchard, WA), Rev. Ken Mellon (Abiding Word, Bowling Green, OH), Mr. Michael Butterfield, LSA President (St. Timothy, Lombard, IL), Mr. Herb Berg (Peace, Kissimmee, FL), and Mr. Wayne Anderson, BOT advisory (Redeemer, Scottsdale, AZ).
 
Reconstructed board: The former Board for Education and Youth is now known as the Board for Parish Education and Youth. Rev. Chuck Keeler serves as the chairman of the board. Here the newly elected members are pictured for the first meeting at Heritage Lutheran in Apple Valley, MN.

CfIT
One of the duties of the Committee for Integrating Technology is to “assist synodical boards, committee, congregations and organizations in the implementation of appropriate technologies.” If your congregation can make use of the expertise of our synod’s five member committee, we urge you to contact Rev. Phil Lepak (pastor(at)hopeportage.org, phone: 630-554-7208).

Treasurer’s Report
Mr. Keith Wiederhoeft reports that through the month of September congregational receipts have totaled $433,000. This puts us $159,000 behind budget ($789,000) for the year. Please bring the needs of our synod before your congregations. We trust that God will open hearts and bless us with resources needed to carry on the vital Gospel work we do together.

Announcement
First American Lutheran Church of Mayville, North Dakota, is no longer a member church of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod. The congregation is served by a pastor who has been suspended from our ELS clergy.

Prayer Requests
Please remember Rev. Brad Homan, Our Saviour’s Lutheran, Madison, WI, in your prayers. He had surgery to remove a large tumor near the brain on October 23.

Ron Younge, Bethany Lutheran College’s Vice President of Academic Affairs, suffered a mild heart attack on October 13. Please keep him in your prayers as he continues to recover.

Lynette Jones, a former teacher and coach at Bethany College, has undergone emergency surgery for a brain aneurysm. Please keep her and her family in your prayers.

Address Changes
Harry Bartels: hkbartels(at)mac.com
James Dale Wilson: Resurrection Lutheran Church (office) 841-290-2167

President’s Activities
November 2 - Preach at BLC chapel
November 2-3 - Board for Foreign Missions
November 11 - ELS Historical Society
November 13-14 - Board of Regents
November 14 - Board of Trustees
November 15 - Synod Review Committee
November 19 - Preach in Iola, WI
December 1 - CELC Planning Committee
December 3 - Preach in Clara City, MN
December 7-8 - Thoughts of Faith
December 11-12 - Doctrine Committee

In the grace of Christ our Redeemer,

John A. Moldstad