Candidates:

• Nathanael Abrahamson– Associate Pastor, Abiding Shepherd Lutheran Church, Cottage Grove, Wisconsin
• Timothy Grundmeier – further education
• Peter Heyn – to be assigned
• Luke Willitz – to be assigned

Vicars:

• Paul Webber– vicarage delayed
• Benjamin Wiechmann– King of Grace Lutheran Church, Golden Valley, Minnesota
• Michael Willitz – Christ Lutheran Church, Sutherlin, Oregon

The first portion of the institute was a presentation entitled “The Divine Liturgy and Its Use.” This presentation included a summary of the development of the liturgy throughout history, with special emphasis on the divine service in the Lutheran Church. The divine service is first and foremost God’s service to us. Here God serves us with Word and Sacrament, and secondarily, we serve Him with praise and thanksgiving. There was a discussion of present-day worship forms. A beneficial guideline in considering worship forms is that we follow the historic outline of the divine service because it has served and continues to serve as the preeminent means to present properly the Word and Sacrament.

The other segment of the institute was an assessment of the liturgical movement, proper Lutheran art and architecture, and an explanation of the various parts of the divine service. These presentations were delivered by Prof. Gaylin Schmeling.

Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary is hosting their semiannual Seminary Open House on Sunday, March 25, 2012 from 5:30 – 7:00 pm.

This open house will feature Pastor Steve Petersen presenting on “The Pastor and the Mission Field.”

Don’t miss this great opportunity to find out more about what it takes to be a pastor in the ELS today!

This year there were two presenters. The first lecture was given by Rev. Jerome Gernander, pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church in Princeton, Minnesota. The second presenter was Dr. David Schroeder, a professor of history at Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota. The theme of the lectures was “Lessons from the Laypeople of the Reformation.” The first lecture, given by Rev. Gernander, was entitled “Laypeople of the Reformation.” The second lecture, presented by Dr. Schroeder, was entitled “Civil Leaders of the Reformation.”

The Reformation Lectures were a study of contributions by Christian laypeople in the Reformation era. The history of the men and women around Luther and the Reformation presents a fascinating picture. Throughout his life Luther did not only associate with theologians and churchmen, but he also had many contacts with laypeople of all walks of life. There were relatives and friends in Mansfeld and Eisenach, associates and fellow citizens in Erfurt and Wittenburg, and individuals from other parts of Saxony and the empire. Many of them became ambassadors of the good news who spread the Gospel throughout the land. Each one furthered the Gospel in his own way, in government, in business, and in society, through art and literature, or by various other means.

The complete lectures will be published in the March issue of the Lutheran Synod Quarterly.

Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary is hosting their semiannual Seminary Open House on Sunday, October 16, 2011 from 5:30 – 7:00 pm.

This open house will feature ELS President John Moldstad presenting on ”The Pastor’s Relationship To His Synod.” And don’t forget to come hungry: Dinner will be provided!

Don’t miss this great oppertunity to find out more about what it takes to be a pastor in the ELS today!

Jeremiah tells Jerusalem likewise to “ask for the ancient paths.” By this the prophet was speaking of the “road” that Abraham and the other faithful ancients walked in faith, the road that promised an Offspring that would come to bless all people. As Abraham walked this road, it was said of him that he “believed and it was counted to him as righteousness” (Genesis 5:16).

Seminary students are embarking on a “curriculum,” a term that means literally “a running course.” Students were encouraged to travel through this Scripture-based curriculum by first taking advantage of applying the ancient truths to themselves by personal meditation. Finding personal rest for our souls through the one who is the “Way” because of his perfect life, death, and rising—this comes first. Then the refreshed student-traveler will be in a position to help others find the “Way.”

The teaching staff for the seminary this year is as follows: Thomas Flunker, Adolph Harstad, Thomas Kuster, Michael Smith, and Gaylin Schmeling. Professor Flunker is teaching Hispanic outreach;
Professor Harstad is teaching in the areas of Old Testament and homiletics; Professor Kuster is teaching communication; Professor Smith is teaching in the areas of New Testament and homiletics; and Professor Schmeling is teaching a course in dogmatics.

The seminary enrollment this year numbers eleven. There are six vicars, three seniors, no middlers, and two juniors. The vicars are Nathanael Abrahamson at Abiding Shepherd Lutheran (Cottage Grove Wisconsin); Jesse DeDeyne at St. Paul’s Lutheran (North Mankato, Minnesota); Timothy Grundmeier at Holy Trinity Lutheran (Okauchee, Wisconsin); Peter Heyn at Christ and Living Word Lutheran Churches (Windsor and Petaluma, California); and Luke Willitz at Bethany Lutheran (Port Orchard, Washington). Matthew Moldstad began his vicarage at Peace Lutheran Church, Kissimmee, Florida, on January 1. This vicarage will continue until December.

The first portion of the institute was a presentation entitled “Age of Lutheran Orthodoxy.” This presentation included a general outline of this period, which included the distressing days of the Thirty Years’ War when much of central Europe was ravaged and depopulated. Then there was a study of the Lutheran devotional writers of the period, their devotional literature (Erbauungsliteratur), and Lutheran spirituality. Finally, the presentation included a study of the major seventeenth century dogmaticians and their writings.

The other segment of the institute was a presentation on “Major Themes in Preaching.” Here examples were given of presenting the Gospel using the major redemption themes, including the Christus victor, victim, and vicar themes. These presentations were delivered by Prof. Gaylin Schmeling.

Candidates

• James Kassera – Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Albert Lea, Minnesota
• David Locklair – to be assigned
• Michael Moldstad – to be assigned

Vicars

• Nathanael Abrahamson – Abiding Shepherd Lutheran Church, Cottage Grove, Wisconsin
• Jesse DeDeyne – St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, North Mankato, Minnesota (WELS)
• Timothy Grundmeier – Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Okauchee, Wisconsin
• Peter Heyn – Christ Lutheran Church, Windsor, California & Living Word Lutheran Church, Petaluma, California
• Luke Willitz – Bethany Lutheran Church, Port Orchard, Washington