Dear Fellow Workers:
As we near the eleventh of this month, people will be forced to recall the fifth anniversary of one of the worst acts of aggression perpetrated on US soil in a single day.  Who can forget the grief, the fear, the questions raised about the future?   By contrast, you as workers in Christ’s vineyard are offering the antidote to all acts of terror, to every kind of fear, and to any doubts about the future. All evil in this world stems from the fall at the tree in Eden, so we look to another tree for every bit of hope and confidence.  The accursed tree on which the Prince of Glory died (Gal. 3:13) brings abundant joy and life to all who trust in his redeeming blood.  Now, another tree–the tree of hope and life awaits God’s faithful people (Rev. 22:2).  What a message this is to convey!

ELS National Teachers' Conference
On August 4-6, 2006, sixty teachers and their families attended the ELS National Teachers’ Convention at the Marriot Inn in Arlington, VA, near Washington, DC.  This was the first time in 32 years that a synod-wide gathering of our teachers was held. “Blessed With Freedom” served as the theme. A special grant enabled substantial assistance for those who attended.
One of teachers commented, "A highlight of the trip was singing ‘God Bless America’ and ‘Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow’ on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial around 10 p.m. one night.”

Appointment
Prof. Norman Holte has resigned from the Committee on Archives and History after serving faithfully for many years. Prof. Mark Harstad has been appointed to serve the remainder of his term on this committee.

Applying for Membership
On Sunday, August 27, St. John's Lutheran Church (WELS) of Frankenmuth, Michigan, voted to seek membership in the ELS. They are planning a call meeting September 24. The current pastor, Rev. Joel Elert, has announced his retirement that will be effective October 1.

Lutheran Schools of America
On Thursday and Friday, October 12–13, the newly elected LSA Board is planning to hold its official organizational meeting in Mankato, Minnesota. The synod-wide offering for LSA is scheduled to begin in our congregations this fall. The Board for Stewardship is suggesting November 12 as the kick-off Sunday. Let us continually pray for the success of this aggressive project that will serve as a benefit for the spiritual training of many children in years to come.

Czech Mission - 15th Anniversary:
Pastor Mark Grubs writes: “Our mission will formally observe 15 years of the Lord’s blessings upon His work among us with special observances this fall.  The first public worship service conducted by our Lutheran mission was held in 1991.  The theme for this anniversary year is “God’s Grace Sustains Us”, based on Saint Paul the Apostle’s words in Ephesians 2:8,9:  “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”

The anniversary worship service will be held on Sunday, November 5, at 10 AM.  During the service, special music will be presented by all the children of our school. ... Plans also include an anniversary booklet, including pictures from the early days of Thoughts of Faith work in the Czech Republic.  Representatives of Thoughts of Faith, the mission group in the US which supports our activities here, will be in attendance, as well as representatives of other sister church bodies from other countries.  All former students of Martin Luther School as well as former pastors and teachers, and friends of our mission are cordially invited to join us for these anniversary observances.”

World View Seminar
The fourth annual Confessional Christian Worldview Seminar will be held October 19-21, at King of Grace Lutheran Church in Golden Valley, MN. This is a seminar set up as a free conference that is intended to help Christians understand how popular cultural and religious trends conflict with the biblical worldview and the Lutheran Confessions. Speakers this year will include:  Prof. John Brenner (WELS), Dr. David N. Menton (CLC), Rev. Edward Bryant (ELS), Attorney Craig Parton (WELS), Prof. Lyle Lange (WELS), and Dr. Steven L. Reagles (ELS).  For more information you can visit these websites: www.kog-els.org and www.confessionalworldviewseminar.blogspot.com, or call 763-546-3131.

ELS Bright Spots
• 230 contacts with strangers were made by ELS Home Missionaries in the month of June.
• During one Sunday service this summer the 131 were in attendance at our mission in South Korea. 
• Rev. Wayne Halvorson and Rev. Steven Petersen completed a field visit to Chile at the end of July.  One result of the visit was a proposal to expand ESL work among the middle class in Maestranza, as an avenue for developing even more mission contacts.
• A gift of $400,000 for our seminary will be coming soon from the estate of two faithful synod members in AZ, Merrill and Dotty Rope.   

General Pastoral Conference
Pastors, we hope you are making plans to attend our annual conference in October.  The dates and location are:  October 3-5 at the Days Inn in Bloomington, MN.  Rev. Thomas Rank (thomrank(at)wctatel.net) serves as the chairman of the conference.

October Reformation Lectures at Bethany College
Three presentations will be given on “Exegesis in the Synodical Conference,” October 26-27, 2006.
Please contact 1-800-944-3066 for more information.

Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary
Twenty-one students are enrolled this fall:  8 juniors, 5 middlers, 3 seniors and 4 vicars, and one part-time student.  Prof. Adolph Harstad preached for the opening service in the seminary chapel on Monday, August 28, using as his text 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.   

St. Sophia Seminary
The seminary of our sister church in Ukraine is scheduled to resume classes on September 5.  This day will also serve as a day of graduation for four of the men.  Eight others and possibly two more applicants will be enrolled for the classes.  Rev. John Vogt serves as the new rector of the seminary.

Carmen Soledad Huaranga of our sister church in Lima, Peru, is pictured here with President and Mrs. Moldstad at Peace Lutheran Church in North Mankato, MN, on August 27, 2006.   Soledad is enrolled as a freshman at our Bethany Lutheran College.  She traveled to Mankato with Mary Schultz, wife our Missionary Terry Schultz.   This is Soledad’s first trip to the USA.  She is eager to meet new friends and pursue her studies at our Christ-centered college. 

University of Iowa Student Contact
Bethany graduates Nick and Kelly Jo Bleodel have offered rides and support to any ELS or WELS students attending the University of Iowa. The nearest ELS or WELS congregations to the university are in Williamsburg and Cedar Rapids. Pastors have been asked to send contact info for any University of Iowa students either to the Bloedels or Pastor Karl Heck.
      Nick and Kelly Jo Bloedel
      319-354-0688
      n.bloedel(at)yahoo.com

Prayer Requests
Please remember Lynne Kessel, wife of Professor William Kessel, in your prayers. She was taken to St. Mary’s in Rochester on August 23 where she was diagnosed as having a massive brain hemorrhage (AVM).  Lynne’s condition has been steadily improving.  The family requests no visitors, phone calls or flowers, but appreciates your prayers. A special webpage has been set up at tkessel.livejournal.com to relay information from Rochester.

We ask you to pray also for Prof. Wilhelm Petersen who today, September 1, is undergoing gall bladder surgery at the Mankato hospital. 

Congratulations to Rev. Timothy and Katie Hartwig on the birth of a daughter, Abigail Marie,  on April 24, 2006 and to Rev. Piet and Charity Van Kampen on the birth of a son, Harmen John, on August 24.

Missionary Terry Schultz, who is working along the Amazon river in Peru, is pictured here sharing God’s Word with children who were recently baptized.

Address Changes
Rev. Matthew Brooks
6133 Sumter Ave N
New Hope MN 55428
mbrooks(at)kog-els.org

Rev. Harvey Abrahamson: revabe(at)alum.blc.edu

Rev. Alexander Ring
11221 Farwest Dr
Lakewood WA 98498
Home 253-589-5330
Office 253-584-4615

President’s Activities
September 5—Board for Stewardship
September 7––preach in chapel at BLC
September 10 ––preach for 75th anniversary at Marinette, WI
September 11––Circuit #9 Winkel at Mt. Olive, Mankato, MN
September 19—Synod Review Committee
September 21–22—Circuit Visitors’ Conference
September 26 ––Christian Service Board

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with all of you,

John A. Moldstad