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Pray to the Lord

• For the continued blessings on the synod as we continue to be a light in the darkness for lost souls, that they may have the light of Christ’s forgiveness and promise of eternal life.
• That the Gospel in its truth and purity may continue to be proclaimed at home and abroad.
• That our ELS members be strengthened in faith in Christ, and continue to support the Lord’s work in our individual congregations and synod with their time, talents and treasures.
• For the President, Congress, Legislators, Governors, Judges and all in authority to fit them for their high calling with the wisdom and fear that comes from the Lord.

Give thanks to the Lord!

• For the faithfulness of pastors, teachers and lay to continue to teach and witness to the truth of God’s Word.
• For the souls being brought to faith and nourished through our Home and Foreign Mission work.
• For the construction work on the new BLC Academic building.
• For those who have remembered the synod’s work in their wills and trusts.

The Lutheran Schools Newsletter

Every ELS member needs to read the LSAdvocate, a newsletter focusing on Lutheran Schools in the ELS.  Articles tell about the importance of Lutheran Schools, teacher profiles and school news.  School principals, teachers, and early childhood program directors are urged to send articles and photos to Pastor Ed Bryant (elbryant50@comcast.net) for inclusion in future issues.

Know your Synod

ELIZABETH KOREN - WIFE OF EARLY MISSIONARY

Elizabeth Koren was the wife of Rev. Ulrik Vilhelm Koren.  Rev. Koren and his new bride came to America in 1853 to bring the Gospel to the new settlers who had just come over from Norway. The Korens settled down by Decorah, Iowa. They lived for several months with Mr. and Mrs. Erik Egge and two children in a small log cabin. Elizabeth tells about personal experiences that made the life of this young, refined lady from Norway quite a challenge. This is a story taken from her diary.

"It can irk one considerably, as, for example, a moment ago while were eating. Erik who had had supper already, did not eat with us, but drew off his shoes and socks, put both feet on a stool, and began quite unabashed to rub them with turpentine; my appetite was not particularly sharpened by either his manners or the awful smell. On the whole we have to shut our eyes and ears as much as possible to preserve our appetite and good humor when our finer sensibilities are offended by these rustic manners; fortunately, they usually have the opposite effect, however: one glance at each other, and we have a hard time to keep from bursting into laughter." (From the Diary, p.122, Jan. 7, 1854)

We have provided these accounts of early life on the prairie so that we can see how our forefathers endured hardships so that the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ could be brought to America.

 (Submitted by Rev. George Orvick, Director of the Ottesen Museum)

Synod Finances

The 2009 revised Congregational Contribution Synod budget is

$ 725,000 and as of August we are only $12,846.20 short of meeting the monthly proposed budget. Please continue to support and pray for our synod as we continue in doing the Lord’s work at home and abroad.

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  Each man should give what he has decided in his to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-7)