The Lutheran Spokesman (November 1995)
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* L u t h e r a n *
* S P O K E S M A N *
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* November 1995 *
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Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
In this issue
Women's Equality and Mothers Superior: A Thanksgiving
Behold, Your King Is Coming To You...
Blessed Radicals
After The Death Of Luther (Part Two)
The Pastoral Ministry -- Counsel And Reflections
Meet The Graduates From Our Seminary
Vacation Bible School
Ground-breaking in Austin, Minnesota
Announcements
For Circulation and Subscription Information, click here.
Your newspaper carried articles about it -- on Saturday, August 26th
-- about Women's Equality Day and the 75th Anniversary of the 19th
Amendment (Women's Suffrage).
The next day, Sunday the 27th, we did something special in West
Columbia, South Carolina. We inserted a "Mother's Thanksgiving
Service" into our morning worship.
God's Loving Care
A baby girl was born earlier that month. She was baptized at the local
hospital on the day of her birth. On the Sunday in question mother and
child, father and older son, plus a witness to the baptism, and the
pastor (sponsors can be included), stood at the altar to report the
holy washing. Then a special, brief, seven-part rite was
held.
We began in the name of Jesus. Then came a declaration of God's
physical protection and baptism grace. We were here to give Him
thanks. Short Scripture portions were read, followed by a brief
address. God's loving care was evident during the pregnancy -- the
times of discomfort, anxiety, perhaps even fear, then labor. The
special work of God, through this mother, was being highlighted.
A birth was now celebrated! Abortion had been no option for this
family. Mother (and father) saw it through under God. God's will was
done. The blessing of the Triune God rested upon them. It was now time
for exuberant, thankful prayer -- part five of the rite.
Then everyone moved aside, leaving the mother all alone facing the
altar, holding her baby, as the congregation stood and sang the first
verse of "Now Thank We All Our God!" Many eyes glistened, many cheeks
were moist. Sheer joy!
Finally, mother and baby, father, brother, and witness were all
dismissed in Jesus' name. We sang the next hymn.
Good Spiritual Therapy
This is a revival of the old custom of escorting a mother to the altar
-- sometimes called "the Churching of Women" -- to offer thanks after
the delivery of a child. It may be held right after a church baptism,
or soon after a hospital or home baptism. There is a variety of
Scripture passages that can be used. The pastor shapes the rite
(declaration, Scripture, address, prayer), personalizing it to suit
mother, child, and circumstances. Everything is brief, to the point.
Here is good post-natal therapy for mother, family, and entire
congregation. Good spiritual therapy! Pastors and elders may want to
take note. Bible selections could be from Psalm 18, 27, 40, 103, 105,
111, 121, Luke 1:46-55, John 16:21-24, Romans 6:3-7, etc.
Why have such a rite? Read 1 Timothy 2:11-15 -- and then recall the
words of the Rev. Paul F. Nolting in his "Hard Sayings" publication
(p. 5 bot.): ". . . Child-bearing and child-rearing are . . . the
special sphere of woman's activity. There is a God-given and
God-willed dignity, importance, and worth for the church and society
in this activity, which is seemingly so despised by many feminists. In
the church, ruling through the Word is the sphere of the man; bearing
and rearing the future generation of church members are the sphere of
the woman."
True Christians have always understood and celebrated "Women's
Equality": perfect equality with men in the Lord Jesus Christ, at the
cross, at the communion table, in the hour of death and on the day of
resurrection to life eternal. We also stand in awe of the special,
even superior work God does through mothers. We do not want to neglect
His work. God forbid!
Therefore, God be thanked! And thank your mother every once in a while
too. We shall probably include the special service again, just to
remind ourselves to do both.
--Pastor Warren Fanning
As we prepare for another Christmas celebration, we may wonder what it
will cost us this year. Special gifts, special cards, special food,
holiday travel -- how much poorer will it make us?
The Role Of Poverty
Actually poverty plays quite a large role in preparing for Christmas,
as it did at the time of Jesus' birth. The people of Israel were poor
in the sense that they were not independent, but under Roman rule.
That cost them taxes for one thing. For another, it cost them travel
expenses to obey the decree of Caesar Augustus and journey to their
home-town to be enrolled. Joseph the carpenter may well have been in
Nazareth in the first place because of poverty. It could be that there
was not enough work in Behtlehem, while Nazareth, on the great trade
route, offered more opportunity. Joseph and Mary were so poor that,
after Jesus was born, they brought two small birds rather than a lamb
to redeem their first-born.
Joseph and Mary were poor in their accomodations at Bethlehem, Mary
having to give birth in a stable, wrap the newborn Child by herself in
strips of cloth, and lay Him in a feed-trough. Of course, the stable
may have offered them more privacy than the crowded inn, and it also
gave the angel a sign by which to direct the shepherds. There might
have been twenty babies in Bethlehem that night, but how many would
they find wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger?
The shepherds themselves were not out in the fields at night because
they were wealthy, but the angels did not mind coming as messengers to
these poor men. The good news they brought was wine and milk for them
without money and without cost (Isaiah 55). "Unto you is born . . . a
Savior, Christ the Lord."
Jesus also was poor when He was born. When Jesus grew up and entered
Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to complete His work, we see more poverty. He
comes not on a white charger, but on a donkey's colt, borrowed. He had
no receptionist screening His calls. He had no bodyguard with armor
clanking and spears gleaming.
How Blest We Are!
How blest we are that this is so! For by ourselves we too stand before
God in poverty, even if we are wealthy wise men. We have no continuing
city. We have no earthly wealth that moth cannot corrupt or thieves
break in to steal. The closest relative, the dearest friend, the
happiest times -- what do we have that cannot be taken away, and
eventually is?
Even our Christianity, God's gift by faith, has not been left
untainted by our sinful human nature. Our repentance has not been as
deep as it might have been. Our faith has not been as firm as it
should have been. Can we count on God as our friend? Not because of
our love for Him. That has been mixed with complaints and
questionings, polluted by love of things and self.
Yet Jesus came in lowliness and poverty, not to glorify being poor,
but in order to be with us. He lived in material poverty so that we
might be assured that none of our poverrty, material or spiritual,
could stop Him from being our Representative before God, our
Substitute in the face of judgment and destruction. He lived in our
name the spiritually rich life of fellowship with God. He loved us and
gave Himself for us that we might have peace with God, the Giver of
all material blessing, physical resurrection, perfect health, and
joyous life without end!
As we prepare for another Christmas, how much richer it will leave
us!
See, my soul, thy Savior chooses
Weakness here and poverty;
In such love He comes to thee
Nor the hardest couch refuses;
All He suffers for thy good,
To redeem thee by His blood.
Joy, o joy, beyond all gladness,
Christ hath done away with sadness!
Hence, all sorrow and repining,
For the Sun of Grace is shining!
--Pastor Paul Schaller
Chapter 6
"Blessed Radicals"
"Moderation in all things." This principle is a wonderful guide to the
use of those things neither commanded nor forbidden in God's Word. But
when the clear Word of God calls for a definite action, the moderate
Christian is to become a blessed radical.
In a similar way "Only the best will do" was the theme of "The
Fountainhead," Ayn Rand's classic novel from the thirties. Neither the
author nor the underlying theme of the novel were Christian. But many
of us drew from it some thoughts about how marvelous it would be if
Christians would always follow the Word with the same intense,
dedicated, uncompromising singleness of purpose practiced by the
architect-hero of the novel. Principle was never to be sacrificed on
the altar of personal fame or fortune.
"Radical" isn't all bad. Its base meaning is "one who advocates basic
and revolutionary change in current practices." In fact, "Blessed
Radicals" may find themselves in some pretty good company. With their
Savior, for example? The cross was nothing if not a radical solution
for paying off the world's tremendous debt of sin.
Jesus exhibited a flint-like posture in "setting his face toward
Jerusalem" to suffer the radical death reserved only for the worst
criminals -- the cross (Lk. 9:51). He in fact issued a radical rebuke
to Peter who would have stopped Him from offering His life: "Get
behind Me, Satan" (Mt. 16:23).
Good Company
Blessed radicals find themselves likewise in good company with the
apostle Paul. Certainly he offered "basic and revolutionary changes in
current practices." The time for all such change is always now, not
later (v. 2). And the results of such changes were sometimes not just
discomfort, but beatings and imprisonment for the sake of the Gospel
(v. 5). We may certainly commend the Corinthian Christians who, once
assured that it was for the sake of the Gospel, could nevertheless
thank God for a pastor sitting in jail with a bloodied back. Surely
that called for some fairly radical thinking and doing.
We live in a world of suspicion, mistrust, and deceit. Yet the
Christian finds himself opening a guileless heart to his fellow
believers, even as Paul did in Corinth, expecting them also to respond
in kind (vv. 11-13). It is a radical departure from what goes on
around us in the world to open ourselves up to each other both in
sharing the joys of Gospel victories as well as the duties of mutual
warnings.
Radical action was required to settle the case of the Corinthian
member living in sin. Paul used his apostolic authority to order the
excommunication which, however, ended up in that member's ultimate
repentance and reinstatement (1 Cor. 5:4-5, 2 Cor. 2:3-8).
There Are Limits
To be sure, the "Blessed Radicals" have their limits. The key word is
"blessed" -- "eternally happy." Radical is good when used to describe
all actions in keeping within the limits of God's Word. When we are
confronted in getting mixed up in a fellowship based on something less
than full agreement with the Word, the chapter before us sets limits.
Some questions in this regard shouldn't even need an answer, such as,
whether or not Christians are to be paired with unbelievers, or walk
in this world's sinful darkness, or make common cause with Satan, or
cooperate with the unbeliever and his idols. Where the holy God lives
in the heart there can be no room for anything or anyone else opposed
(vv. 14-16).
And let us all remember and cherish the wonderful promise of grace
made to all who come out from and separate themselves in their
faith-life from among those who stand for anything else than full
agreement in God's Word.
Can we expect to be left in despair and hopelessness? On the contrary:
"'I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My
sons and daughters,' says the Lord almighty" (v. 18).
Now there are some "Blessed Radicals"!
--Pastor Bertram Naumann
Part Two: The Augsburg Interim
Luther died in 1546 and Charles V conquered Germany in 1547. "Interim"
refers to the period between the defeat of Germany and the hoped-for
Council of Trent, which would settle all doctrinal matters in
dispute.
The first Interim was announced in Augsburg by Emperor Charles V on
May 15, 1548. No one was allowed to preach, teach, or write against
the Augsburg Interim. John Agricola, a former friend of Luther and
Melanchthon, bragged about his cooperation in writing the Interim.
Agricola also created the Antinomian controversy, which was settled by
the Formula of Concord.
The Augsburg Interim permitted clergy to marry, but proclaimed papal
supremacy, seven sacraments, and transubstantiation. Lutheran
doctrines were either denied or omitted, including justification by
faith. This half-way measure was not enough for ardent papists or the
Pope himself, who demanded total submission.
Charles V used military force to force the Augsburg Interim upon the
German Lutherans, making it doubly hateful. The city of Magdeburg
resisted valiantly and declared, "We are saved neither by an Interim
nor by an Exterim, but by the Word of God alone." Pastors who opposed
the Interim were deposed, banished, jailed, and executed. In Swabia
and along the Rhine about 400 ministers suffered banishment,
imprisonment, and death because of the Interim.
An old minister said at an assembly of 300 pastors, convened to sign
the Interim, "I love Agricola, and more than him I love my Elector;
but by Lord Jesus Christ I love most." He threw the document into the
fire. Margrave Hans of Kuestrin threw away the pen, declaring, "I
shall never adopt this poisonous concoction, nor submit to any
council. Rather sword than pen; blood rather than ink."
Others were more practical. Philip of Hesse, who surrendered to the
Emperor rather than fight, was willing to sign. Elector John Frederick
was living with the promise of having his death sentence removed if he
only signed a piece of paper. But John Frederick said, "I will rather
lose my head and suffer Wittenberg to be battered down than submit to
a demand that violates my conscience."
Philip Melachnthon, Luther's co-worker, the author of the Augsburg
Confession, the Apology of the Augsburg Confession, and the Treatise
on the Power an Primacy of the Pope displayed extraordinary weakness
during the Interim. Musculus, an author of the Formula of Concord, was
deposed for his opposition to the Augsburg Interim, but Melanchthon
was not willing to risk the wrath of the Roman Catholic emperor.
Many Church of the Lutheran Confession pastors and teachers know what
it means to be deposed and banned for their oppostition to false
doctrine. They remember their dismay at the wavering attitude of
leaders who seemed to share their love of orthodox doctrine, yet
became enemies of sound doctrine when it mattered most. The crisis of
scriptural authority in the Synodical conference did not reach the
stage of shedding blood (Hebrews 12:4), but many fell away.
Melanchthon and his disciple George Major set the stage for those
modern "confessional" Lutherans who invent subtle, sophisticated, and
appealing rationales for abandoning the clear teachings of the Word of
God.
Aquila wrote to Melanchthon: "Thou holy man, answer and come to our
assistance, defend the Word and name of Christ and His honor (which is
the highest good on earth) against the virulent sycophant Agricola,
who is an imposter."
Melanchthon remained silent and then compounded his error with his
authorship of the Leipzig Interim.
--Pastor Gregory L. Jackson
Readers may recall that a recent issue of the Spokesman (Sept. '95))
referred to work being done by some of our retired pastors and
professors. We noted that when opportunity presents itself, and health
and strength allows, they continue to preach the Word in sister
congregations.
When these servants were invited to tell of their retirement
activities we also asked: "What words of counsel and advice would
you like to give to new pastors today?" we asked. At the same time
comments were invited on perceptions of changes in the pastoral
ministry today compared to years ago. Finally, we said, they might
add some personal reflections on the ministry in general.
Take Heed
When the responses came, expression was given above all else to the
concern that pastors today remember St. Paul's counsel to young
Timothy: "Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine... (1 Tim. 4:16).
For example:
* "Pray without ceasing for a larger measure of the Holy Spirit!"
* "Remain a defender and student of pure doctrine lest you become a
spreader of spiritual poison."
* "The Lord wants you to be a good husband and father as well as a
good pastor."
* "Thank God we still have young men strong enough spiritually to
enter the Christian ministry to help guide people in the right
Christian beliefs and paths."
We are sure the respondent who counseled that new pastors "go back to
what the ministry was 50 years ago!" meant to underscore the need for
undivided dedication and whole-hearted commitment to the Lord's work.
Another warned pastors today about "too much table serving; not giving
themselves to God's Word and prayer."
With regard to perceived changes in society and family, a couple of
our respondents said that compared to years ago, there are more
family problems due to the increased divorce rate, remarriage, and
children with one parent or step parents. One observed that though
"man has remained sinful man since Adam's fall" yet "at times the
gross outbursts of sin and the public acceptance of sin are more
readily seen." And such appears to be the case today: "The restraints
of sin are gone to a large degree in our society" compared to years
ago. One reason for this, said another, is the "profound media impact
on forming opinions."
One respondent chose to pass along a longer reflection about the
grace of God shown our CLC:
* "In retrospect one can only marvel at the way the Spirit endowed
our people with the necessary courage for the action the Word
required of them for the preservation of their confessional
integrity. The pain and frequent humiliation of separation and
reformation was borne courageously, in faith and good hope. Each
hundred communicants undertook (and still do) the support of a
full-time called worker in addition to maintianing church and
school facilities and an ever-expanding program of synodical
mission and educational endeavor. It took courage to forego the
easy money offered for endorsement of some fraternal insurance
businesses. It took courage to face expanding needs at ILC and the
pleas for support in home and foreign missions.
The Spirit supplied the courage we have needed these years to
maintain viability as a church in isolation.
My fervent prayer for our CLC is that God may grant the courage
we need in days to come. The courage it takes to look out and
away. To try for communication with the Lord's people outside
of our fellowship, especially those who are striving to maintain
confessional integrity coupled with genuine mission zeal. They
may be few, but they are there. We might be of help to them, and
they to us."
"...At The Foot Of The Cross"
Finally, young pastors, said one, should heed Dr. Norman Madson's
advice: "When preaching, leave your hearers at the foot of the cross."
Allow some personal reflections. Dr. Norman A. Madson died in 1962
(age 77). That was while this writer was in classes at our CLC's
Immanuel Lutheran Seminary, then conducted out of the church basement
at Immanuel Church, Mankato. We Sem students stood as "honor guard" at
the funeral bier.
Though I have only a few recollections of Dr. Madson, those I have
are personal and poignant. I recall him sitting in the worshiping
audience in our Eagle Lake church when I, as a young Sem student,
conducted one of my first worship services. What a relief when the
service was over -- and Dr. Madson thanked me for the sermon! (I
even recall the sermon text and theme used that day. I had used
it a half-dozen times, and it is still on file: 1 Corinthians 3:18-23,
"Wisdom and Foolishness in the Light of God's Holy Word.")
Though I came to know Madson only in his waning years, he was a
statuesque man. He was that physically. But far more, spiritually.
For those old enough to remember the time of controversy in the old
Synodical Conference, he remains an example of one who was unwilling
to compromise obedience to the Word of his Lord. Long-time leader
within the ELS (pastor, president, editor,seminary Dean), Madson
severed fellowship relations with that synod in 1959 for conscience
reasons.
An article in the Lutheran Spokesman reporting on Madson's death said:
"... Three years ago he left the Evangelical Lutheran Synod when most
men excuse themselves by saying they are too old for the rigors of
controversy; when they are tempted to sit back and enjoy the homage of
the people whom they have served. 'Be careful for nothing'
(Php. 4:6). This precept guided Dr. Madson throughout his life amid
adversity and controversy. Even when he learned he was incurably ill
with cancer, he still clung to those words knowing that God's good and
gracious will was being done. Blessed be his memory among us."
With all that this "teacher of preachers" was by the grace of God,
he was above all a preacher himself. And what a preacher! After he
had joined the CLC, I recall him delivering two Reformation fesitval
sermons. With solid biblical content, as well as flamboyant delivery,
he held his hearers' attention. In my opinion, spell-binding is not
too stong a word. For a taste read his books of chapel sermons at
Bethany College and Seminary (Evening Bells at Bethany, I & II),
and of addresses at graduation exercises at seminaries, at synodical
conventions etc. (Preaching to Preachers). In this writer's opinion --
and at least one of our retired pastors would agree -- Madson's books
should be required reading for all pastors even today.
In October of the year he was to die, Madson accepted the invitation
to preach the sermon for Reformation Fest at Immanuel, Mankato. Due
to his deteriorating physical condition (head bandaged and quite
weak), he couldn't mount the pulpit. Instead, still quite strong of
voice, he used a loudspeaker out of the sacristy. Though out of
sight, still he held the rapt attention of the worshipering assembly,
leaving myself and all his hearers, as always "at the foot of the
cross."
In other words, he preached what he taught -- the unadulterated
Gospel of Christ crucified. No better "pastoral counseling" can
be given.
-- Pastor Paul Fleischer
Quotable Quotes from PREACHING TO PREACHERS. Copyright 1952, Dr.
Norman A. Madson, Dean, Bethany Lutheran Seminary.
A well-tailored and neatly-groomed suit will never cover up an
ill-conceived and poorly-delivered sermon.
"Rightly dividing" does not merely mean that you know what the Law
and the Gospel are, but that you also know when and how to apply
them.
Reasons is never more unreasonable than when it insists on reasoning
in things above reason.
You cannot of truth be for true doctrine without being unalterably
opposed to false doctrine.
You may be "saving the world for Christ" while forgetting your sacred
obligation as a spiritual priest in your own home: but of such a
pastor God says that he "is worse than an infidel."
If there be anything from which we should recoil with holy horror it
is the thought of having men in our pulpits, Seelsorgers at the
sick-bed, teachers in our seminaries, officials in positions of trust
in our church, who know not the Lord.
If no church can claim to have fully and exhaustively comprehended
all of the Gospel, where does that leave Paul, who declares to the
Ephesian elders that he had "not shunned to declare unto them all
the counsel of God"? . . . We must not make Christ out to be a
Unionist. His desire and prayer is, that there may be perfect unity,
as that which existed between Him and the Father.
Pastor Robert McDonald --
St. Peter's Lutheran church of Stambaugh, Michigan had submitted a
blank Call form to the Call Committee for Graduates, leaving it to the
Holy Spirit of God to guide the committee's choice for its new pastor.
The holy lot fell upon graduate Robert McDonald, who subsequently
accepted the Call and was installed on June 25, 1995.
The new pastor had gained valuable experience for the Gospel ministry
by vicaring in CLC congregations in Coloma, Mich. (1993) and Rapid
City, So. Dakota (1994). This informal experience complemented the
formal theological training he had received by attending Immanuel
Lutheran College (1988-92) and Immanuel Seminary (1992-95).
In fact, Pastor McDonald is a product -- thanks to concerned Christian
parents -- of formal Christian education through most of his early
years. He was born October 26, 1969 in Oshkosh, Wis. to James and
Fran McDonald. After the family moved to Ripon, he attended
kindergarten in the public school there. He then attended 1-2 grade
at Faith Lutheran School in Markesan and, after moving, 3-8th grade at
Luther Memorial School in Fond du Lac, where he was also confirmed.
Robert attended, and was graduated from, high school at Immanuel
Lutheran, Eau Claire, in 1987. A short time was spent in the US Army
Reserve as well as in the Naumann parsonage in Lynnwood, Wash. before
beginning college.
Pastor and Mrs. McDonald were married April 23, 1993. Before becoming
the new Mrs. McDonald, Samantha (nee Petersen) took adult instruction
classes with Pastors Tiefel and L. W. Schierenbeck in Eau Claire. She
also completed a BA degree in political science at UW-Eau Claire in
1995. Son Patrick was born March 20, 1995.
May the Lord Jesus, the Head of His Church, bless the new pastor and
family. May He also bless the new "marriage" between shepherd and
flock in St. Peter's, Stambaugh.
Pastor Michael Schierenbeck--
On July 2, 1995 Michael Schierenbeck was ordained and installed as
pastor of Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bowdle, SD. Pastor
Paul Krause officiated at the installation which also involved several
area pastors and former Redeemer pastor, Terrel Kesterson, now of
Hendersonville, No. Car., and Pastor L. W. Schierenbeck of Eau Claire,
Wis. Pastor John Schierenbeck of Winter Haven, Flo. preached the
sermon based on the text of Acts 20:28-32: "Take Heed To Yourself and
to All the Flock."
Michael was born on July 8, 1968 to Pastor John Schierenbeck and his
wife Sharon in Spokane, Wash. His family lived in Spokane until April
of 1980 when his father accepted the call to Holy Trinity Lutheran
Church of West Columbia, SC. Mike completed Christian grade
school in West Columbia and then attended high school at Immanuel
Lutheran in Eau Claire.
It was in Eau Claire that Pastor Schierenbeck met his wife, Sara (nee)
Brandle, daughter of Pastor Karl and Margaret Brandle. They were
married on February 14, 1987. During their marriage the Lord has
blessed them with two children, Timothy (7) and Megan (4).
Mike attended the University of South Carolina for two years and then
enrolled at Immanuel Lutheran Collete where he graduated in 1992. He
then attended seminary at ILC and graduated in 1995. During those
yhears he had the opportunity to serve two six-week terms in the vicar
program. The first was at Messiah Lutheran of Eau Claire, and the
second was at Grace Lutheran of Sleepy Eye.
May Jesus, the Redeemer of sinners, bless the union of the new pastor
and family with the congregation of precious souls in
Bowdle.
Pastor Frank Gantt --
Frank Grant, pastor of St. Paul's in White River, South Dakota and
Peace in Mission, South Dakota was ordained and installed on July 16,
1995. Pastor Gantt's hometown congregation is Holy Trinity in West
Columbia, South Carolina.
Pastor Gannt received much encouragement from his family to enter into
the preaching ministry. By the grace of God he knew what he wanted to
do with his life from an early age. With that in mind he attended
Immanuel, Eau Claire, for four years of high school, four years of
college, and three years of seminary.
While in seminary Pastor Gannt vicared in West Columbia under Rev.
John Schierenbeck. That was unusual since West Columbia is his
hometown. Pastor Gantt's second year as a vicar was slightly unusual
as well, because he ended up being called by the congregations that he
served as a vicar. He served under Rev. Paul Naumann.
The Holy Spirit used both of these vicaring opportunities to the
benefit of his servant, and to the benefit of the Church. We are
confident that the Lord of the Church will bless We pray this new
undershepherd of His two little flocks in south central South
Dakota.
Salem Lutheran Church
Eagle Lake, Minnesota
Michele Rysavy of Salem congregation writes: "VBS was held June 12-16,
1995. We had 17 children in attendance. The upper level class made a
banner for the back wall of the church."
St. Stephen Lutheran Church
Mountain View, California
Pastor Bruce Naumann writes: "We were privileged to serve 30 children,
half of whom were visitors to our congregatio. The six teachers and
numerous helpers gave freely of their time and effort, and were well
rewarded through the happy reception of God's Word on the part of the
children."
By the grace of God St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Austin, is seeing its
prayers answered. After many years of coping with floodwaters at a
previous site, a new church and school complex is under construction
above the floodplain. The congregation hopes to celebrate Christmas
1995 in the new facility.
Change Of Address
Douglas A. Libby
115 Thayer Avenue
Mankato, MN 56001
Alvin P. Sieg
6754 Paw Paw Ave.
Coloma, MI 49038
Los Angeles, California
CLC members -- or others interested in conservative and orthodox
Lutheranism -- living in the greater Los Angeles area are invited and
encouraged to be in touch with Mike & Alison Collins of Canoga Park.
Phone (818) 993-1748.
Gold Canyon, Arizona
Holy Cross, Phoenix, is conducting Sunday evening (6:30) services
in Gold Canyon (east of Apache Junction). Contact Pastor Mike
Eichstadt (602-966-2341) for location and details.
Orange Park, Florida
Messiah Confessional Lutheran Church, the CLC's exploratory mission
group in Orange Park, Florida, has begun conducting Sunday morning
services (previously held in the evening). The Sunday worship service
begins at (9:00 a.m. followed by Bible Class and Sunday Shcool at
10:15). Messiah welcomes all persons living, wintering, or visiting in
the greater Jacksonville, Flo. area. Contact Pastor Wayne Eichstadt
(904) 272-0911 for more information.
Atlanta, Georgia
Worship services are being held in Atlanta on the third Sunday of the
month at 6:00 p.m. The site is the Bradbury Inn, Norcross. Visitors
are welcome. Inquiries should be directed to Pastor Warren Fanning of
West Columbia, South Carolina, Phone (803) 796-0005.
Communion Ware Needed
Messiah Confessional Lutheran Church, the CLC's exploratory mission
group in Orange Park, Flo. has a need for communion ware. If any of
the sister congregations have items not currently being used which
could be available for loan or sale, please contact Pastor Wayne
Eichstadt, 2121 Burwick Avenue #2905, Orange Park, FL 32073. Phone
(904) 272-0911.
Installations
With the knowledge of President Fleischer, I installed Candice Ohlman
as principal and teacher of St. John's Christian Day School, Okabena,
Minnesota, on July 30, 1995.
--Pastor Vance Fossum