Dear Fellow Workers:
In this Reformation month our thoughts turn to the blessings that we have received through God’s servant, Martin Luther. Dr. C.P. Krauth makes the comment that Luther would not have been a successful Reformer “had he not possessed the power of spreading the fire of divine truth.” He goes on to explain “The fire of the Divine Word destroyed the accumulated rubbish of tradition, swept away the hay, wood and stubble, which the hand of man had gathered on the foundation and heaped over the temple, and the gold, silver, and precious stones of the true house of God appeared. The Bible, like sunshine bursting through the clouds, poured its light upon the nations. The teaching of mere men ceased to be regarded as authority, and the prophecy was again fulfilled: ‘They shall all be taught of God’” (Conservative Reformation, p. 19). As we thank God for the tremendous blessings we today have reaped from the Reformation, pray that he fills us with the same fervor to spread the fire of his word as it enlightens our sin-weary souls with the saving gospel of Christ.

Installation of Teacher
On Sunday, September 2, Mrs. Misty Parker was installed during the morning worship service as the first preschool director and teacher at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Frankenmuth, Michigan. The St. John’s Preschool began classes on September 4 with six students. The preschool has class for 3-year-olds two days a week, and for 4-year-olds three days a week.

St. Sophia Seminary Graduation
On September 4, Oleksandr Feschenko of Ukraine and Eduard Polkovnikov of Moldova graduated from St. Sophia Seminary in Ternopil’, Ukraine. Rector John Vogt preached for the graduation service with the theme “The Pulpits in our Congregations are Precious and Powerful.” The two graduates are now beginning their year of vicar service. Oleksandr will serve in Tokmak in Southern Ukraine and Eduard will return to Moldova to attempt to restart a congregations which was closed under Communism.

Pictured here on the left is the recently completed interior of the congregation in Kremenetz, Ukraine. The church building is a renovation of a former restaurant in the downtown area. This year the summer VBS program at Kremenetz reported averaging well over 220 students, as well as 50-70 adults each day. Pastor Honcharuk serves this congregation.

Baptisms in Czech
Baptism for two children in the Czech Republic on September 2, 2007: Pastor Mark Grubbs is shown here baptizing Maximilian and Kristyna at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Plzen.

Seminary at Ternopil
In the first two weeks of September, your president had the privilege of teaching at St. Sophia Seminary in Ukraine. The course involved a study of Christian Dogmatics, Vol. I, by Dr. Franz Pieper. The use of a translator, Natalya, was necessary for the study. Two men from Ukraine, one from Belarus and one from Moldova were in the classroom. Prof. John Vogt (pictured second from the right) serves as the rector of the seminary.

Dedication of School Building in Kissimmee, Florida
On Sunday, September 23, 2007, a special afternoon service was held at Peace Lutheran Church in Kissimmee, Florida. The service commemorated 15 years of the congregation’s existence and also served to dedicate a new school facility. Teacher Rossi Henchen was installed earlier this year at Peace Lutheran School; she joins Barbara Huhnerkoch as part of the teaching faculty. Pastor Herb Huhnerkoch has served the congregation since the year of 2001.

Circuit Visitors’ Conference
This year every one of the circuits of our synod was represented at our annual conference held in Burnsville, Minnesota. A major part of the conference was a joint presentation by Rev. Ed Bryant and Mr. Michael Butterfield from our Lutheran Schools of America.

Convention 2008
We will plan to use as our theme for our June convention “God’s Power for Salvation,” based on the Apostle Paul’s comments in Romans 1:16–17. Professor Erling Teigen has consented to serve as the essayist, and his presentation will be focusing on the application of law and gospel in our Christian lives.

Reformation Lectures
The annual BLC Reformation Lectures will be held October 25–26, 2007. This year our theme will be: The Life and Work of Paul Gerhardt-400th Anniversary. The two lectures will be: “Paul Gerhardt: Pastor and Theologian,” by Professor Gaylin Schmeling, Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary, Mankato, MN and “Paul Gerhardt: Hymnwriter and Poet,” by Dr. Carlos Messerli, the director of the Luther Summer Music Institute.

For You and Your Children Offering
In 2006 the Evangelical Lutheran Synod began a two-year offering called “For You and Your Children.” The offering supports the vital work of Lutheran Schools of America. A gift already has been identified for covering administrative costs. This enables the special offering money to assist congregations in the establishment of LSA schools. If you would like to donate or would like more information on LSA, please address correspondence to:

Peru
A proposal is being put together by our Board for Christian Services in requesting funds to help rebuild the homes of members from our sister congregation in the Pisco area. The cities of Pisco and Canete especially were devastated. A large crack appears above a door frame in our seminary building in Lima. If you would like to make a donation to this cause, please address your gift envelope to:

The 2007 gathering of the Lutheran Youth Association took place at our Bethany Lutheran College. A unique aspect of this year’s convention was the involvement of a number of our college professors conducting sessions with the youth, giving them a taste of the college experience.

Prayer Requests
Please pray for Carol Webber, wife of Rev. David Jay Webber in Scottsdale, AZ. Carol underwent cancer surgery on September 20. We ask the Lord to use his healing power in her life.

June Merseth, wife of former pastor Alf Merseth, died on Tuesday, September 11. Funeral services were held Friday, September 21 at First Shell Rock Lutheran, Northwood, Iowa. Please keep the Merseth family in your prayers.

Please keep in your prayers the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Werner, who recently underwent brain surgery. Nancy is scheduled to remain in intensive care for an unknown amount of time and then will be transferred to a rehabilitation program. We pray that God blesses not only Nancy but also her family, especially as her children continue with their home-schooling. Norman serves as secretary on our Synod Review Committee.

Please also pray for Vicar Boyd Longshore and Pastor Joel Willitz, both of whom recently went through surgeries.

Congratulations
We give thanks to God for the birth of a new baby to second-year seminarian Jeff Merseth and his wife Megan. On September 21, 2007, Megan gave birth to a son, Judah.

We wish the Lord's blessings upon the September marriage of Pastor Herb Larson to Mary Daniels Boden. Pastor and Mrs. Larson reside in Canyon Lake, Texas.

Address Changes
Rev. David Jay Webber
7701 E Osborn Rd Apt 4W
Scottsdale AZ 85251
Home: 480-621-7394

Rev. Mark Rogers
3465 S Arlington Rd E#165
Akron OH 44312
715-491-1552
erniegertie98(at)yahoo.com

Rev. and Mrs. Larry Vinton
4958 Lake Park Ln
Acworth GA 30101

Rev. and Mrs. Herb Larson
1153 Mountain View Dr
Canyon Lake TX 78133

Women’s Mission Society Rallies
Iowa – October 13 – Richland Lutheran, Thornton, IA
Michigan – October 13 – Gloria Dei Lutheran, Saginaw, MI
Wisconsin – October 20 - First Trinity Lutheran, Marinette, WI
Minnesota – October 27 – Our Savior’s Lutheran, Princeton, MN
Florida – November 3 – Peace Lutheran, Lakeland, FL
California-Arizona – March 1 – Redeemer Lutheran, Scottsdale, AZ

President’s Activities
October 1– Board for Evangelism meets at King of Grace, Golden Valley, MN
October 2-4 – ELS General Pastoral Conference at Days Inn, Bloomington, MN
October 10 – preach in chapel at Bethany Lutheran College
October 11-12 – Board for LSA meets in Mankato, MN
October 18 – Synod Review Committee meets in the synod conference room
October 21 – preach at Faith Lutheran in Oregon, WI
October 25-26 – BLC/BLTS sponsors the Reformation Lectures
October 28 – preach at ELS/WELS Reformation service at 4 p.m., Ames, IA
November 1 – Board for Foreign Missions teleconference
November 4 – preach at Good Shepherd in Bloomer, WI
November 12-13 – Board of Regents
November 13-14 – Board of Trustees
November 15 – Synod Review Committee
November 16 – TOF Exploration Committee
November 17 – Board for Publications
November 30 – CELC Planning Committee teleconference

God’s richest blessings to all of you in the redemptive work of his Son,

John A. Moldstad