Thanksgiving is the day when we wonder if we'll have enough. We bought
a 20 pound turkey. Will it be enough to feed everyone? We plan on
mashing a dozen potatoes, but what if that's not enough? We baked
three pies. But that might not be enough if Uncle John shows up. --
Yet how often does it ever happen that we don't have enough for our
Thanksgiving meal? It's almost always the opposite. We usually have so
much that we end up eating leftovers clear 'til Christmas.
Isn't that the way it is in all aspects of our lives? The Lord not
only gives us enough. He usually gives us more than enough. Who of us
can't join David in saying: "My cup runneth over!"?
Unfortunately we don't always see it that way. How often don't we find
ourselves complaining and worrying because we feel we just don't have
enough? We need a new car but the money just isn't there. That couch
is ready to fall apart, but we have too many bills to think about
getting a new one. The remodeling project we planned--well, we just
can't afford it!
On and on it goes. We never have enough. But is this true? Are we
really lacking the things we need?
If we take an honest look at the situation, we will probably find that
the things we don't have are things we really don't need. The old Ford
really could be repaired and we could get by with the old couch a
little while longer. The things we really need we still have. The Lord
has never failed to give us these.
In fact, He usually gives us way more than we need. Even the poorest
of us have televisions sets, microwaves, and VCR's. Most of us
probably have two or more vehicles. Many of us have boats,
snowmobiles, and RV's. Few of us can't afford to take a nice vacation
once in awhile. Is it really that we don't have enough of this world's
goods, or could it be that we don't have enough faith to see that the
cup of our life is filled to overflowing?
But our dissatisfaction comes from more than just failing to recognize
that we have been richly blessed with all that we need for our
physical lives. The deeper problem is that we often fail to recognize
what it means to be truly blessed. Daily we are tempted to believe
that our personal happiness is based on the amount of earthly
possessions we own. "He who dies with the most toys wins!" is today's
attitude. This is in sharp contrast to what Jesus ways: "What will it
profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?"
(Mk. 8:36)
Checking Attitudes
How can we tell if we've begun to be sold on the "buy it and you'll be
happy" sales pitch of the world?
We could look at our offerings to the Lord. Is a love for material
things keeping us from giving the Lord our firstfruits? We could look
at how much time we spend at work. Does a desire for more of this
world's goods causes us to spend so much time working that it cuts
into the amount of time we spend with God's Word? Does such a desire
cut into family time? We could look at our decision to be a
double-income family. (We are thinking in particular of families with
pre-school age children.)
Maybe both we and our spouse do need to work in order to make enough
money to clothe, feed, and shelter the family. But maybe both spouses
work because dad doesn't make enough to buy the things the world says
we need to make us happy. Only with the Lord's help can we evaluate
these things as we ought. Only the Lord knows our hearts. Only He can
truly judge our motives.
--And only He can renew our hearts and help us see that true
satisfaction and contentment are the result of knowing His Son by
faith. Whether we always fully realize it or not, we as Christians
have more than enough: We have Jesus! With Him we have what money
could never buy!
*We have all our sins washed away.
*We have peace for our guilt-tormented hearts.
*We have the guarantee that God hears and answers all our prayers.
*We have the assurance that all things in this sin-troubled world
work for our good.
*We have an escape from death and hell.
*We have the resurrection of the body and eternal life.
*We have the Word and Sacraments to lift us above the worldly idea of
what true happiness is all about.
Jesus once said: "I have come that they may have life, and have it to
the full" (Jn. 10:10). Jesus fills our lives to overflowing! More than
likely (even if Uncle John is in attendance) we'll have more than
enough food for our Thanksgiving meal! Most certainly, since Jesus is
our God and Savior, we already have more than enough of everything we
need!
--Pastor Michael Wilke
What's the best movie you've ever seen? Hollywood producers would like
to make you think it's the one opening soon in a theater near you.
They saturate the airwaves and video tape rentals with "trailers,"
that is, the previews for upcoming attractions. These previews are
skillfully edited to show the most exciting, dramatic, or humorous
moments of the film they are promoting. Previews can make almost any
movie look great, but the expectations only rarely live up to reality.
The hype and build-up for a given film often leads to a big letdown.
But isn't that the way it is for most things in life? The anticipation
that we have for the things that we eagerly look forward to is only
rarely matched by what actually happens.
Advent "Previews"
Advent is refreshingly different. During this season of the year we
look back fondly to the "previews" that the Lord revealed to His Old
Testament people about the coming of Christ. These are impressive in
themselves! The coming Savior was billed as the Head-crusher, who
would destroy the power of the devil (Gen. 3:15). He would come as the
Miracle-Child, born of a virgin (Is. 7:14). He would be, at one and
the same time, a Man of many sorrows (Is. 53. 3), and the Lord our
Righteousness (Jer. 23:6). He would be exceedingly humble (Zech. 9:9),
yet also the King of Kings (Ps. 2:7-8).
With this kind of advance billing, could anyone really fulfill the
expectations of those who waited for the arrival of the Messiah? Many,
in fact, were disappointed with Jesus of Nazareth. They were looking
for an entirely different kind of King, one who would bring
independence and prosperity to the nation of Israel. Therefore His own
people did not accept Him, but sent Him to the cross in shame instead.
Yet, behind the scenes the Lord was working a far greater glory. The
Lord had a greater kingdom in mind, a nation of people made righteous
through the death of their King. And like many lesser dramas, this
glorious outcome was not apparent to most people until the surprise
ending. Jesus' resurrection proved without a doubt that when our Lord
makes a promise, He not only meets all expectations, but exceeds them!
The Best Is Yet To Come
What are your expectations for Advent this year? Be sure that you do
not set your sights too low, for in our Lord Jesus we have much more
than the memory of a glorious story of long ago. We ourselves are part
of the ongoing story, as we are brought into the Kingdom of Christ by
faith. And the best is yet to come. The story of God's love is set to
continue with a sequel, and the second coming of our Lord promises to
be even greater than the first!
What sort of previews have we been given? The Lord has shown us some
tantalizing glimpses of victory, glory, and eternal joy.
The coming of our King will not be in lowliness and poverty this time,
but in power and glory (Matt. 25:31). All the dead will rise, and
those who are part of Jesus' kingdom by faith will have their bodies
glorified and made ready to be in the presence of the King (1 Cor.
15:51-52).
Our inheritance of grace will then commence, as we see and meet our
Jesus personally and abide with Him forever (1 Thess. 4:17), where no
sickness, pain, or tears will ever diminish our joy (Rev. 21:4).
As we remember the love that God has already shown to us in Christ
this Advent, we look as well to the coming glory when Jesus returns.
In anticipation of His arrival, don't be afraid to expect the best.
Our Lord has shown us that, when it comes to keeping His promises, He
always exceeds our expectations!
--Pastor Bruce Naumann
The introits for Advent (The Lutheran Hymnal, pp. 54-55) have
been written into poetic form by Gerhardt Mueller of Luther Memorial
Church, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. The hymn stanzas are written to be
sung with the melody of O Lord, How Shall I Meet Thee (TLH #58).
The author, a choir director and retired teacher, writes: "The
congregation could sing the Introit for the four Sundays or the choir
could sing them in unison or four-part. It would provide a bit of
variety to the liturgy during the four Advent Sundays. They could also
be used in home devotions."
Advent I -- Psalm 25:1-4
Unto Thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul: O my God, I trust in Thee.
Let me not be ashamed: let not mine enemies triumph over me. Yea, let
none that wait on Thee: be ashamed. Show me Thy ways, O Lord: teach me
Thy paths.I lift my soul to Thee, Lord; O God, I trust in Thee. Let me not be
asham-ed Before mine enemy. O may He not o'ertake me Nor triumph o'er
my soul; Teach me Thy ways and paths, Lord, That I may reach the goal.
Advent II -- Isaiah 62:11 & 30:30, Psalm 80:1
Daughter of Zion: behold, thy Salvation cometh. The Lord shall cause
His glorious voice to be heard: and ye shall have gladness of heart.
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel: Thou that leadest Joseph like a flock.Behold, Daughter of Zion, Salvation now draws near; The Lord will
speak His message That all may rightly hear. Grant us a heart with
gladness, Shepherd of Israel, dear, Thou leadest us like Joseph, With
Thee we have no fear.
Advent III -- Philippians 4:4-6, Psalm 85:1
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your
moderation be known unto all men: the Lord is at hand. Be careful for
nothing: but in everything, by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. Lord, Thou
hast been favorable unto Thy land: Thou has brought back the captivity
of Jacob.Rejoice, rejoice, ye Christians, Again I say: Rejoice! Lead lives of
moderation, The Savior is at hand; Be full of care for nothing,
Address the Lord in prayer. He leads us out of prison, Brings Jacob
safely there.
Advent IV -- Isaiah 45, Psalm 19:1
Drop down, ye heavens, from above: and let the skies pour down
righteousness. Let the earth open: and bring forth salvation. The
heavens declare the glory of God: and the firmament showeth His
handiwork.Drop down with grace, ye heavens, Drop down now from above. And let
the skies show favor With righteousness and love. Let earth bring
forth salvation, Let His bright light arise! The heav'ns declare His
glory, The firmament His praise.
"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I
give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall
anyone snatch them out of My hand." -- John 10:27-28
As we read the history of the 16th century Reformation it is quite
easy to get caught up in the debates of the theologians of the day. I
just finished preparing an overview of the Smalcald Articles for our
Minnesota Pastoral Conference. The study was very fascinating and
edifying.
But is that it? What about the people? What about the souls for whom
Christ died? It might be easy to read the doctrinal formulations of
the period and conclude that Martin Luther stood aloof from the
people, above their every day trials and afflictions and lacked
concern for the individual souls.
For example, as I reviewed the history of the Smalcald Articles we see
how they were written in preparation for a General Council of
Christianity. Why a General Council? Luther did everything he could to
convince the Emperor to convene such a Council. Why? For more debate?
More argumentation with the Romanists? No! Luther was tired of debate
without a God-fearing resolution. He was convinced that the Roman
Church would not listen to the Truth of God. But the common
people--the souls out there--were utterly neglected. This was his
greatest concern.
Therefore he writes: "We see in the bishoprics everywhere so many
parishes vacant and desolate that one's heart would break, and yet
neither the bishops nor canons care how the poor people live or die,
for whom nevertheless Christ has died, and who are not permitted to
hear Him speak with them as the true Shepherd with His sheep." (Smal.
Art. Preface, Conc. Trig., p. 457)
Upon visiting various congregations Luther cries out in alarm, "Mercy!
Good God! What manifold misery I behold! The common people, especially
in the villages have no knowledge whatever of Christian doctrine, and,
alas! many pastors are altogether incapable and incompetent to teach .
... O you bishops! What will you ever answer to Christ for having so
shamefully neglected the people and never for a moment discharged your
office?" (Sm. Cate. Preface, Conc. Trig. p. 533)
He pleads with his fellow pastors and preachers, "Therefore I entreat
you all for God's sake, my dear sirs and brethren who are pastors or
preachers, to devote yourselves heartily to your office, to have pity
on the people who are entrusted to you, and to help us inculcate the
Catechism upon the people, and especially upon the young." (Same ref.)
He just wanted the sheep to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd
clearly. He loathed preaching which was over the heads of the people.
His desire was to speak to the people, as he put it, as simply as a
mother speaks to her child while nursing it.
As a true pastor Luther addressed the sins of the day, clearly and
plainly. He was convinced that the only way properly to address sin
was with the Law of God laying sin bare in all its wretchedness. And
the only way to comfort the heart and raise one up from the
devastation of sin was with the sweet Gospel of God's love. The people
had to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd, for there alone was true
comfort and peace for the soul for time and the assurance of God's
love for all eternity.
And so he wrote letters, published pamphlets and prayer books --
gradually to wean the sheep from the words of the hirelings and lead
them to eat of the green pastures and drink of the still waters of
God's wondrous grace in Christ Jesus.
Luther humbly prayed to his Good Shepherd: "Lord God, you have
appointed me in the church as bishop and pastor. You see how unfit I
am to attend to such a great and difficult office, and if it had not
been for your help, I would long since have ruined everything.
Therefore I call upon you. . . ."
Thank you, Lord, for Martin Luther. We pray, Oh Lord, that You give
all of our pastors such a shepherd's heart.
--Pastor L. D. Redlin
You read in the secular press how the largest Lutheran synod, the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), approved fellowship
relations this summer with three major Reformed synods {the
Presbyterian Church (USA), the United Church of Christ, and the
Reformed Church in America}. Now ELCA Lutherans can commune with, and
its pastors can exchange pulpits with, those synods.
Rejected by a slim vote (six votes short of a two-thirds majority) was
a similar relationship with the Episcopal Church. Some synod delegates
were concerned about the fact that they would be approving the
"historic episcopate" of the Episcopal Church which states that there
is "an unbroken succession of bishops dating back 2,000 years to Saint
Peter."
From our view, it's just a matter of time before another vote will be
taken and the ELCA will declare fellowship also with the Episcopal
church. After all, if the synod could so easily push aside the
doctrinal differences* which for centuries have separated Lutherans
from Reformed (Calvinistic) churches -- which difference re: the
Lord's Supper one participant called "no big deal" -- the same synod
will soon find a way to work around and even accept the "succession of
bishops." The next logical step will be finding a way to accept the
leadership and authority of the Pope, thus returning this largest of
Lutheran synods to fellowship with the Roman Catholic Church.
It is sad. How easily, even blithely, doctrinal differences are set
aside these days by church leaders and "theologians" as well as,
apparently, by lay-delegates.
The newspaper accounts stated that one of the hymns sung after the
vote to establish Lutheran/Reformed fellowship ties was "The Church's
One Foundation." Let's look at it (cf. #473 in The Lutheran Hymnal).
Yes, that hymn sings of a unity among those who are members of
Christ's Church--one line reads: "one Lord, one faith, one birth". But
careful reading indicates that the reference is not to a unity which
overlooks doctrinal differences for the sake of superficial unity.
Rather, the hymnwriter would have us rejoice in and sing the praises
of a unity which is already found within "the Holy Christian Church,
the communion of saints."
There is also ample evidence for the fact that the hymnwriter
understands the need for, and praises, an orthodox confession of the
doctrines of God's Word. Words such as these are used: "false sons,"
"foe," "traitor," "schisms," "heresies". . . . Who are "false sons"
and "traitors" in the church if not false teachers (cf. Jeremiah
23:21ff)? To what does "schism" and "heresy" refer if not to rifts
brought about by doctrines contrary to that which we have learned (cf.
Romans 16:17f)? Who is a "foe" of Christ's Church except those who,
according to the words of Christ Himself, are "false prophets (who)
come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious
wolves" (Matt. 7:15)? Of such Jesus adds: "Watch out" for them.
False teachings and their teachers were and are a "big deal" to the
Master.
We of the CLC are where we are and what we are in Protestantism -- a
small, orthodox Lutheran synod separate from mainline Lutheran and
Reformed denominations -- as on on-going protest against the doctrinal
compromising we are here witnessing. We are where we are because we
knew we had to "resist the beginnings" of the leaven of error. When
false doctrine in the form of elevating human judgment above Holy
Scripture made its way into the Wisconsin Synod (over the fellowship
doctrine, by the way), we went our separate way for conscience reasons
grounded in the Word. Still today, for the same reasons, we cannot
join in religious fellowship with any church body, Lutheran or
Reformed, unless and until there is agreement in doctrine and
practice. "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no
divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and
thought" (1 Cor. 1:10).
To that end, God help us.
In these last days of sore distress
Grant us, dear Lord, true steadfastness
That pure we keep, till life is spent,
Thy holy Word and Sacrament.
The haughty spirits, Lord, restrain
Who o'er Thy Church with might would reign
And always set forth something new,
Devised to change Thy doctrine true.
And since the cause and glory, Lord,
Are Thine, not ours, to us afford
Thy help and strength and constancy,
With all our heart we trust in Thee.
* Among the Doctrinal Differences:
True Reformation Lutheranism teaches that Christ's body and blood are
truly present "in, with, and under" the bread and wine, and that the
Supper is a Means of Grace in which God actually gives forgiveness of
sins, life, and salvation. The Reformed churches deny the Real
Presence and that the sacrament is a Means of Grace. Rather, they
embrace the teaching that bread and wine only represent Christ's body
and blood, so cannot offer forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.
When Luther, the "Reformer," debated this doctrinal point with Ulrich
Zwingli, the "Reformed," at the Marburg Colloquy (A.D. 1529), Luther
refused to give Zwingli the hand of fellowship for lack of agreement
on the issue at hand.
Most Reformed churches likewise err with regard to Baptism. To us
Baptism too is a sacrament--a Means of Grace in which God, through the
Spirit working through water and the Word, brings about regeneration
and actually washes away sins. Put another way, in Baptism, as in the
Lord's Supper, God is the doer and man, the sinner, is on the
receiving end of His grace (cf. Titus 3:5-6, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Romans
6:4). By contrast Baptism to the Reformed is reduced to a "holy
ordinance" in which man is the doer with God being placed on the
receiving end of a human commitment.
Other areas of historical disagreements between the two churches
include the doctrines of 1) predestination and 2) the proper use of
the Law in the Christian life. On the former, the orthodox Lutheran
position has always been that God wants all people to be saved (cf. 2
Peter 3:9, 1 Timothy 2:4), whereas the Reformed teach that God chose
some to be saved and others to be damned. On the latter, the Reformed
emphasis is on the Law of God as a rule book for God-pleasing living
(sanctification). By contrast, the traditional and orthodox Lutheran
emphasis is on the Law of God as a mirror to reveal the sinner's lost
condition (cf. Rom. 3:19-20) and subsequent desperate need for a
God-provided Savior from sin (justification).
Much of the controversy between evolutionists and creationists
concerns the age of the earth and its fossils. Evolution, depending as
it does on pure chance, requires an immense amount of time to stumble
upon anything remotely approaching the complexity we see in even the
simplest living things. For over 1200 years, geologists have attempted
to devise methods for determining the age of the earth that would be
consistent with evolutionary dogma. At the time Darwin's Origin of
Species was published (1859), the earth was "scientifically"
determined to be 100 million years old. By 1932, it was found to be
1.6 billion years old. In 1947, geologists firmly established that the
earth was 3.4 billion years old. Finally in 1976, they discovered that
the earth is "really" 4.6 billion years old. These dates indicate that
for 100 years the age of the earth doubled every 20 years. If this
trend were to continue, the earth would be 700
thousand-trillion-trillion years old by the year 4000 AD. This
"prediction," however, is based on selected data and certain
assumptions that might not be true. As we will see, selected data and
unprovable assumptions are a problem with all methods for determining
the age of the earth, as well as for dating its fossils and rocks. It
has all become something of a "dating game" in which only the
evolutionarily-correct are allowed to play.
The most widely-used method for determining the age of fossils is to
date them by the "known age" of the rock strata in which they are
found. On the other hand, the most widely-used method for determining
the age of the rock strata is to date them by the "known age" of the
fossils they contain. This is an outrageous case of circular
reasoning, and geologists are well aware of the problem. J. E.
O'Rourke, for example, concedes: "The intelligent layman has long
suspected circular reasoning in the use of rocks to date fossils and
fossils to date rocks. The geologist has never bothered to think of a
good reply, feeling the explanations are not worth the trouble as long
as the work brings results" (American Journal of Science 1976,
276:51). In this "circular dating" method, all ages are based on
evolutionary assumptions about the date and order in which fossilized
plants and animals are believed to have evolved.
Most people are surprised to learn that there is, in fact, no way to
directly determine the age of any fossil or rock. The so-called
"absolute" methods of dating (radiometric methods) actually only
measure the present ratios of radioactive isotopes and their decay
products in suitable specimens -- not their age. These measured ratios
are then extrapolated to an "age" determination. This extrapolation is
based on the fact that an unstable (radioactive) chemical element,
called the parent isotope, breaks down at a presently known rate to
form a more stable daughter isotope. In the case of radiocarbon
dating, an unstable isotope of carbon (C14) decays to a more stable
form of carbon (C12). This currently occurs at a rate which would be
expected to reduce the quantity of the parent C14 by half every 5,370
years (the half-life). In other words, the less of the parent isotope
(and the more of the daughter isotope) we measure in a specimen, the
older we assume it to be.
Radiocarbon dating is actually of little use to evolutionists. There
are several reasons for this. First, no rocks and very few fossils
contain measureable quantities of carbon of any kind. Second, because
of the short half-life of C14, the radiocarbon method can only date
specimens up to about 40,000 years of age. Essentially nothing of
evolutionary significance is believed to have occurred in this "short"
time frame. The most commonly used radiometric methods for "dating"
geological specimens are potassium-argon, uranium-thorium-lead, and
strontium-rubidum. All three of these decay processes have half-lifes
measured in billions of years. None of these methods can be used on
fossils or the sedimentary rock in which fossils are found. All
radiometric dating (with the exception of carbon dating) must be done
on igneous rocks (rocks solidified from a molten state such as lava).
These radiometric "clocks" begin keeping time when the molten rock
solidifies. Since fossils are never found in igneous rocks, one can
only date lava flows that are occasionally found between layers of
sedimentary rock.
The problem with all radiometric "clocks" is that their accuracy
critically depends on several starting assumptions which are largely
unknowable. to date a specimen by radiometric means, one must first
know the starting amount of the parent isotope at the beginning of the
specimen's existence. Second, one must be certain that there were no
daughter isotopes in the beginning. Third, one must be certain that
neither parent nor daughter isotopes have ever been added or removed
from the specimen. And fourth, one must be certain that the decay rate
of parent isotope to daughter isotope has always been the same. That
one or more of these assumptions are often invalid is obvious from the
published radiometric "dates" (to say nothing of unpublished dates)
found in the literature.
One of the most obvious problems is that several samples from the same
location often give widely-divergent ages. Apollo moon samples, for
example, were dated by both uranium-thorium-lead and potassium-argon
methods, giving results which varied from 2 million to 28 billion
years. Lava flows from volcanoes on the north rim of the Grand Canyon
(which erupted after its formation) show potassium-argon dates a
billion years "older" than the most ancient basement rocks at the
bottom of the canyon. Lava flows from underwater volcanoes near Hawaii
(that are known to have erupted in 1801 AD) have been "dated" by the
potassium-argon method with results varying from 160 million to nearly
3 billion years. No wonder the laboratories that "date" rocks insist
on knowing in advance the "evolutionary age" of the strata from which
the samples were taken -- this way, they know which dates to accept as
"reasonable" and which to ignore. Of one thing you may be sure:
whenever "absolute" radiometric dates are in substantial disagreement
with evolutionary assumptions about the age of associated fossils, the
fossils always prevail.
As far as the plausibility of evolution is concerned, it really
doesn't make any difference if the earth is 10 billion years old or 10
thousand years old. Indeed, if the whole of evolution were reduced to
nothing more than the chance production of a single copy of any one
biologically useful protein, there would be insufficient time and
material in the known universe to make this even remotely likely. Time
by itself simply does not make the hopeless evolutionary scenario of
chance and natural selection more reasonable. Imagine if a child were
to claim that he alone could build a Boeing 747 airplane from the raw
material in 10 seconds, and another were to claim he could do it in 10
days. Would we consider the latter less foolish than the former,
simply because he proposed spending nearly a million times more time
at the task? Our Creator tells us that "the fool has said in his
heart, there is no God."
--Dr. David N. Menton
When it comes to passing down the family occupation, the Rev. Bertram
Naumann seems to know best.
After all, four of Naumann's six sons are pastors.
The Naumanns reunited last week at the annual Pastoral Conference of
the Church of the Lutheran Confession at Immanuel Lutheran College.
Last month James Naumann became the fifth "Pastor Naumann" in the
family and the fourth brother to graduate from seminary at Immanuel
Lutheran.
James joined Paul, David, and Bruce Naumann in the pastoral
occupation.
Some might assume the sons were pressured to become pastors.
But Bertram wanted his boys to "use God's gifts to excel at whatever
we chose to do," Bruce said. "We recognize that it is the Lord who
really issues that call."
"I almost encouraged my children in the opposite way," Bertram says.
The Naumann family seems determined to fulfill the call that has been
in the Naumann family for generations.
Bertram's grandfather, Justus, immigrated from Germany in the late
1800s and served in Lutheran congregations.
Bertram's father, Paul, was also a Lutheran minister until he died of
heart failure in his early 40s.
"I never met my grandfather, but I know he had the gospel at heart,"
Paul said. "That gave me a strong desire to pick up the torch and
carry on the work of proclaiming God's forgiveness in Christ."
Bertram and his wife, Alice, of Seattle, Wash., have raised eight
children -- six sons and two daughters.
The Naumanns serve in congregations across the United States.
Their oldest son, Paul, serves Ascension Lutheran Church in Du Pont,
Wash. David is pastor at Holy Truth Lutheran Church in Ketchikan,
Alaska.
Bruce graduated from seminary in 1990 and leads Faith Lutheran Church
in Markesan. James accepted a pastoral position in Lamar, Colo., and
will move there later this month.
Bertram's daughters, Ann and Gail, have served churches by teaching.
Sons Thomas and Steven chose different vocational paths. Thomas is a
restaurant manager in Seattle, and Steven is a pharmacy technician in
Eau Claire.
The Naumann brothers hope to continue the pastoral service tradition
through the next generation. However, they plan to follow their
father's example by not twisting any arms.
The Naumanns agreed that the mission statement for their next
generation is simple: "If the Lord has need of them in public
ministry, He will seek them out."
--Reprinted, with permission, from the Sunday, June 22, 1997 Eau
Claire Leader-Telegram; article by Christa Farris; photo by Jeff
Thompson.
Installations
In accord with our usage and order Karl Olmanson who was called by
Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church and School of Mankato, Minnesota to teach
in our Immanuel High School was installed on August 31, 1997.
--Pastor L. D. Redlin
In accord with our usage and order Michael Wheaton who was called by
Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church and School of Mankato, Minnesota to teach
grades 1 & 2 in our Immanuel Grade School was installed on August 31,
1997.
--Pastor L. D. RedlinChange Of Address
Kurt Koenig 1421 Jackson Saginaw, MI 48602 Phone (517) 249-1974
Time Of Service
St. Paul Lutheran Church of Golden, Colorado (Delwyn Maas, pastor) has
a new time of worship. The new service time on Sunday is 9:30 a.m.,
with Sunday School and Bible Class at 10:45 a.m.
In Our October Issue: A printing error appeared in President
Fleischer's Reformation article, p. 6. The sentence should read:
" . . . Disagreements are never agreeable!"
Just In Time For Christmas
Our May issue included a review of Mrs. Celeste Reim's book A Peek
Into My Nigerian Diary, written when she accompanied her missionary
husband, Norbert, to Nigeria in the 1940's. The initial printing of 50
copies (intended only for family!) soon ran out.
A new offset print full-color-glossy-cover edition will be ready for
shipment by Christmas at $9.95 each, plus $3.00 postage (congregations
please note: no postage for 10 books or more to one address!). Orders
may be placed with the ILC Bookstore in Eau Claire, or sent directly
to Pastor & Mrs. Norbert Reim, 11060 Fargo Dr., Sun City, AZ 85351.
Cash with order is preferred.