President's Newsletter August 2, 2004 Dear Fellow Workers: The word "Evangelical" in our synod's name is important to all of us. It reminds us that we are "good news bringers," sharing the greatest account ever told: God came in human flesh to make the atoning sacrifice for our sins! In classical Greek literature there is an account of the battle at Marathon. The Athenians who won the battle chose one of their fastest runners to go back home and report the news of the victory. He ran the 26 miles shouting, "Rejoice, we have won." Then he collapsed and died from exhaustion. The Greeks called him an "evangelist." You and I have a far more significant victory to proclaim back home and around the world. John says it this way: "The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work" (1 John 3:8). This victory secured at Calvary is the great message everyone desperately must hear. The energy expended-every ounce of it-in telling this message is highly commendable. "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" (Romans 10:15) Carry forward, dear EVANGELISTS! Calls Rev. Matthew Brooks as youth pastor to King of Grace, Golden Valley, MN - accepted Rev. John Smith to St. Martin Lutheran, Shawano, WI - holding Rev. Karl Heck to Peace Lutheran, Jefferson City, MO - holding Rev. David Meyer to Our Redeemer Lutheran, Kallangur, Australia - holding Rev. Roger Holtz to Redeemer Lutheran, Iola, WI - holding Rev. Ronald Muetzel to Wisconsin Lutheran College, Milwaukee, WI, to serve as Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Church Relations Rev. Norman Madson to serve as interim pastor, Redeemer, Scottsdale, AZ - accepted Mr. David Dahlberg to teach at Parkland Lutheran School, Parkland, WA - accepted Vacancies First Evanger Lutheran, Fertile, MN, and Grace Lutheran, Crookston, MN Our Redeemer Lutheran, Kallangur, QLD, Australia (independent) Redeemer Lutheran, Iola, WI Peace Lutheran, Jefferson City, MO St. Martin Lutheran, Shawano, WI Ordinations and Installations Candidate of Theology Erich Hoeft was ordained and installed as pastor of Faith Ev. Lutheran Church, Clara City, MN, on June 27, 2004. Mr. Daniel Finn was installed as vicar of Norseland Lutheran Church, St. Peter, MN, and Norwegian Grove Lutheran Church, Gaylord, MN, on June 27, 2004. Mr. Samuel Schmeling was installed as vicar of Grace Lutheran Church, Vero Beach, FL, on July 4, 2004. Candidate of Theology John Merseth, Sr., was ordained and installed as pastor of Grace Ev. Lutheran Church, Weston, OH, on July 11, 2004. Ordination service at Weston, Ohio. Rev. Matthew Thompson was installed as pastor of Apostles Lutheran Church, Ukiah, CA, on July 11, 2004. He also continues shepherding Christ Lutheran, Windsor, CA. Rev. Mathew Brooks will be installed as youth pastor of King of Grace Lutheran Church, Golden Valley, MN, on August 8, 2004. Rev. Carl Wosje will be installed as pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church, Bishop, CA, on August 29, 2004. Schools A preschool is scheduled to open this fall at Peace Lutheran, North Mankato, MN. In Kissimmee, FL, a kindergarten will be opening at Peace Lutheran. Peace Lutheran in Kissimmee, FL, is served by Pastor Herb Huhnerkoch. Pictured below are building plans for Abiding Shepherd in Cottage Grove, WI. The Home Mission Board recently met at the home of Bob and Ruth Smith. Newly elected board member, Mr. Loren Meyer of Indianola, IA, is pictured at the bottom right. Congratulations Rev. Andy Palmquist and Christine Gulczynski were married on July 9. Rev. Matthew Brooks and Rebecca Dinyer were married on June 3. Foreign Missions During this month of August certain members of the Board for Foreign Missions will travel to Peru and Chile to meet with our missionaries and also with the Peruvian national pastors. The Board for Foreign Missions continues to explore the relationship with Lutheran Mission - Salvation India (LMSI) toward the potential goal of mission status. The LMSI has about 10,000 souls under its pastoral care. Retirement Rev. Dr. J. Kincaid Smith will retire from the active ministry on August 31, 2004. Rev. Klebe Brumble retired from the active ministry at Redeemer, Scottsdale, AZ, on July 4, 2004. Prayer Request We ask that you remember Vangaleen Wiederhoeft in your prayers. She is the mother of our treasurer, Mr. Keith Wiederhoeft, and is suffering with cancer. Please continue to pray for the full recovery of Rev. Robert Lawson, Bethany, Princeton, MN. Recently Bob experienced a kidney surgery and is doing well. We also give thanks to God for blessing Rev. Herbert Larson. Herb reports: "With the passing of time since last August I have benefited from chemo therapy which has been completed.  My oncologist told me that current tests show there to be no cancer in my body.  The thought of that brings tears of joy and thanksgiving to our Lord who does indeed answer the prayers of His people. Thanks to you and all those within the Synod who have been praying for me." Deaths The Rev. Dr. Bjarne W. Teigen was called to his heavenly home on July 11, 2004. Christian burial service was held at Trinity Chapel on the campus of Bethany College on July 16, 2004. Interment was at the Woodland Hills Memorial Park in Mankato. The Rev. El Roy Buhr was called to his heavenly home on July 24, 2004. Christian burial service was held on July 28, 2004, at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Waterloo, IA. Interment was at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Sumner, Iowa. Mr. Emmett Norell, long-time member of Heritage Lutheran Church in Apple Valley, MN, passed away peacefully at 9:00 p.m. Saturday night, July 31st, at the Augustana nursing home in Hastings. The funeral is set for Wednesday, August 4, 10:00 a.m., at Heritage. He was chief engineer at Bethany in the 70s and 80s. His wife, Clara, is in a nursing home, and is extremely forgetful. His daughter (Mrs. Ruth Olson) lives in Apple Valley. President's Activities July 22-23 - Board for Foreign Missions, Mankato, MN July 25 - Preached at St. Martin Lutheran Church, Shawano, WI July 27-28 - Board for Home Missions, Hay Lake, MN August 3 - Board for Stewardship, Mankato, MN August 5-6 - Thoughts of Faith, Madison, MN August 8 - Installation of Rev. Matthew Brooks, King of Grace, Golden Valley, MN August 10-11 - Regents & Trustees meeting, Marvin M. Schwan Retreat August 23-24 - Doctrine Committee, Mankato, MN September 10 - LSI meeting in Mankato September 12 - Preach at Redeemer Lutheran in New Hampton, IA September 18 - Board for Christian Service September 19 - Board for Publications September 23-24 - Circuit Visitors' Conference September 26 - Preach at King of Grace, 25th anniversary, Golden Valley, MN St. Martin's in Shawano, WI, has in its church park a stone pulpit that is used only for the yearly mission festivals. Pres. Moldstad preached for St. Martin's 2004 festival, July 25. New addresses: Rev. J. Kincaid Smith, 110 Tanager Road, Mankato, MN 56001 Phone: (507) 344-1039 e-mail kinsmith@hickorytech.net Rev. Harold Vetter Good Samaritan Towers Apt 414 423 Boyd Ave Alliance NE 6930 Phone: (308) 762-3337 Rev. Steven Sparley e-mail vyhnanec@earthlink.net Missionary Karl Kuenzel 411_K_L_Kuenzel@terra.com.pe May the good news of Christ the Savior be in your hearts and also on your lips. JAM:ma