President's Newsletter June 3, 2004 Dear Fellow Workers: "Take out your Catechism." - Church workers often draw students' attention to the simple truths found in this wonderful book. Through a series of articles in our Lutheran Sentinel we are marking this year as the 475th anniversary of the printing of Luther's Small and Large Catechisms. In one of his books on Luther, Dr. Robert Kolb reminds us of the common metaphor used to describe the Small Catechism: "Like a busy bee Luther, God's fine, holy tool, had gathered the noble and salutary honey of the Scriptures' rose blossoms and had placed it in the jar of the Small Catechism." Not just young students, but all of us can benefit from refreshing ourselves in the sweet truths we tasted so long ago. Recall how the Reformer spoke of the great purpose of our redemption by the crucified Christ: "?in order that I might be his own, live under him in his kingdom, and serve him in everlasting righteousness, innocence and blessedness?" - Yes, let's all take out the Catechism. What a boost it can give! Enjoy the honey. Calls Rev. Daniel Faugstad to First Evanger, Fertile, MN, and Grace, Crookston, MN ­ holding Rev. Matthew Brooks as youth pastor to King of Grace, Golden Valley, MN - holding Mrs. Joslyn Moldstad to teach pre-school at Peace Lutheran, North Mankato, MN - accepted Candidates of Theology (left to right) Timothy Schmeling will be furthering his education. Erich Hoeft to Faith Lutheran, Clara City, MN John Merseth, Sr., to Grace Lutheran, Weston, OH Vicars Daniel Finn to Norseland Lutheran, St. Peter, MN, and Norwegian Grove, Gaylord, MN Samuel Schmeling to Grace Lutheran, Vero Beach, FL Vacancies First Evanger Lutheran, Fertile, MN, and Grace Lutheran, Crookston, MN Our Redeemer Lutheran, Kallangur, QLD, Australia (independent) Installation Rev. Jeff Londgren was installed as pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Rogers City, MI, on November 23, 2003. Anniversary Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Elderon, Wisconsin, celebrated the 85th anniversary of its re-organization on Sunday, May 23, 2004. Pres. Em. Wilhelm W. Petersen was guest preacher. Youth Honors Choir The Youth Honors Choir will be performing at the Wednesday afternoon devotion, the Wednesday evening Communion Service, and Thursday noon (around 12:10) in Trinity Chapel. LYA Convention, Orlando, FL, July 29 - Aug. 1. Room is still available. Contact Pastor Don Moldstad, 507-345-4966 Pastors from the two MN circuits met for a joint conference in Cold Spring, MN, on May 24 & 25. Many wives also attended and enjoyed activities sponsored by the Gloria Dei congregation. Convention Notes Synod Sunday service, 2:30 pm, Rev. Jonathan Madson, preacher; Rev. John Smith, liturgist Convention Theme: Seek the Peace of the Land (Jer. 29,7) Picnic supper following service Sunday evening, 7 pm, Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary graduation service, Seminary President Gaylin Schmeling, preacher. Reception will follow the service Opening service, Monday morning, at 9:30, Chaplain Thomas Rank, preacher Essayist, the Rev. David Thompson Painting by Prof. Wm. Bukowski Bethany Women's Auxiliary reception Monday, 2 to 4 pm, at the home of BLC Pres. Dan and Kathy Bruss Monday evening 7 pm, Cross-stitch presentation, Ylvisaker Fine Arts Center, Prof. & Mrs. Michael Smith talk on starting home missions Tuesday 5 pm, Anniversaries of Ordination, 25 years, for Rev. Jerrold Dalke and Rev. Rolf Preus. Mr. Dennis Morrison for 25 years of service as Christian Day School teacher. Rev. Glenn Obenberger will be the speaker. Tuesday 5:30 - 7:00 pm. Spaghetti Supper, Mt. Olive, 1123 Marsh Street Tuesday 7:30 pm, Health Insurance Presentation (Meyer Hall of Science and Mathematics) Tuesday 7:30 pm, Artist's Talk by D. Moldstad (Ylvisaker Fine Arts Center) Tuesday 8:30 pm, President's Reception (Great Room) Wednesday 5 pm, Memorial service for Mrs. Beauferd Anderson, Rev. Alf Merseth, Mrs. Lorna Unseth, Mrs. Elna Teigen, and Rev. Paul Petersen. Pres. Em. George Orvick will be the speaker. Wednesday 5:30 - 7:00 pm, Sloppy Joe Supper, Peace Lutheran, 2090 Commerce Drive, N. Mankato Wednesday evening communion service, 7:30 pm, Rev. Anthony Pittenger, preacher; Prof. Mark Harstad, liturgist Thursday noon Youth Honors Choir performs in Trinity Chapel at 12:10 Ottesen Museum Open House (4 Browns Court) Tuesday 6:30 - 8:30 pm. ELS Historical Society The ELS Historical Society will begin its meeting on Saturday, June 19, in the Ylvisaker Fine Arts Center with registration and coffee at 9:30 a.m. This year's theme is Understanding Our Heritage through the Stories Handed Down from Our Forebears. "The Public Ministry of the Word" on the Web Our Webmaster, Rev. Jesse Jacobsen reports: The Presidium Committee on the Ministry study documents are available on the web for download in PDF format. Note that the doctrinal statement is made available by the ELS presidium for study, so that its dissemination should not be seen as an endorsement by the ELS. Please read the cover letter for a more thorough explanation. You can find it at this address. http://www.evluthsyn.org/Pages/pcm.html Reformation Lectures The 37th annual Reformation Lectures will be held on October 28-29, 2004. The theme is Reformation Legacy on American Soil: Franz Pieper, Adolph Hoenecke, and Charles Porterfield Krauth. Lecturers will be The Rev. Dr. Lawrence Rast, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN; The Rev. Prof Lyle Lange, Martin Luther College, New Ulm, MN; and The Rev. Prof. David Jay Webber, Saint Sophia Theological Seminary, Ternopil, Ukraine. Rev. Chuck Howley serves as the pastor of Gloria Dei Lutheran in Cold Spring, MN. In Christ's saving grace, John A. Moldstad President JAM:ma