of the Eucharist, Christ as the Man of Sorrows supported by two angels standing in a chalice. ca. 15501600,
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“Should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?” – Jonah 4:11
These are the final words in the book of Jonah, and they are a rebuke from God against the prophet. We all know the story of Jonah: called to prophesy against the capital city of the Assyrians, Jonah instead catches a ship headed the other way. Eventually a storm arises, and he is thrown overboard where he is swallowed by a great fish. But that isn’t the end of Jonah. Inside the fish, Jonah prays to God, and God commands the creature to spit him up on shore alive. Then Jonah obeys God and finally goes to Nineveh: “Yet forty days,” he cries out, “and Nineveh shall be overthrown” (3:4).
And now God performs another miracle, greater even than bringing Jonah alive from the belly of the fish. The people of Nineveh—these people infamous for their wickedness—repent. “The people of Nineveh believed God,” we read (3:5). The king himself puts on sackcloth and ashes, and commands the people to fast. “Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands,” he says. “Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish” (3:9).
And that is precisely what happens. “When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that He had said He would do to them, and He did not do it” (3:10). The story wraps up then with a nice little bow.
Except, it doesn’t. Jonah is angry with God for sparing the Ninevites. They were enemies of Israel. Other. Wicked. And yet, God spares them. “That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish,” Jonah says bitterly to God. “For I knew that You are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster!” (4:3).
Jonah was all too grateful to receive mercy from God in the belly of the fish; but he didn’t want that mercy to be shown to his enemies. He was an Israelite; they were Assyrians. Surely God should just look out for His own people?
We see in Jonah, then, a self-centered nationalism which misunderstands God’s will towards the world. God didn’t just love the people of Israel; He loved everybody. He created all people, and so He is the Father of all, regardless of nationality and ethnicity. Shouldn’t He care for His wayward children?
Jonah’s error is not just a thing of the past either. We have recently seen online the growth of a disturbing ethno-
nationalism among some Christians—including some who claim to be Lutherans. These individuals engage in grotesque racist rhetoric under the veneer of “Christian” faith. Online, you can see them demonizing people of Jewish descent (including Christians) and rejecting people of African heritage (and other backgrounds) as sub-human. They even openly praise Adolf Hitler as a “Christian prince”! Such positions are to be condemned in the strongest terms. Insofar as Christians hold these views, they sin and are to be called to repentance.
God’s will for all people was ultimately revealed in Jesus Christ. For He was sent by God—like Jonah before Him—to proclaim a message to sinful people. But not a message of condemnation this time. Now the promise of salvation is clear for all nations. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life,” Jesus says. “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him” (John 3:16-17).
Whoever believes in Jesus, then, has salvation through His death and resurrection—no matter who you are, no matter where you are from. St. Paul puts it this way: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). One body. One family—the children of God.
Jesus, then, is the greater Jonah—for He calls not just one city but the world to repentance. In fact, Jesus Himself points to the “sign of Jonah” as pre-figuring His own sacrifice of love—something Rev. Dr. Joel D. Heck explores this issue (page twelve). That love motivates us to care for others, including those—as Rev. Dr. Jonathan Kraemer writes— facing the epidemic of loneliness so common today (page six). Finally, Rev. Dr. Thomas Korcok discusses the Christian Nationalist movement, reminding us of the essential unity all Christians enjoy as members of the body of Christ (page nine).
O Lord God, teach us to love the world as You love the world: with a heart that recognizes all people as Your precious children in need of mercy. Teach us also to embrace the unity You give us as fellow believers in Your Son, Jesus Christ, and to truly understand that in Him we all are one. Draw us ever nearer to You, O God, and through You to each other. Amen.
Loneliness in the Body of Christ
by Jonathan Kraemer
All the lonely people
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong?
— Eleanor Rigby by the Beatles
Where can the lonely, those who do not have adequate social connections, find belonging?
If you were to ask a Christian, undoubtedly they would say “at church.” This is natural because we often think of others at church as our sisters and brothers in Christ, fellow members of the body of Christ. If anyone should be connected, one would think it would be Christians. Christians don’t get lonely. So goes the stereotype.
Christian community means community through Jesus Christ and in Jesus Christ. There is no Christian community that is more than this, and none that is less than this. Whether it is a brief, single encounter or the daily community of many years, Christian community is solely this. We belong to one another only through and in Jesus Christ.
— Dietrich Bonhoeffer
The statistics, however, do not bear this out. They indicate that while being a Christian helps to mitigate loneliness, many who attend church are still lonely. The Barna Group reports that in 2020, both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, about one-third of adults in the United States felt lonely at least part of the day. Those who were practicing Christians fared slightly better with 20 percent reporting daily loneliness. Although this research is American in focus, given many similarities in culture this is probably reflective of Canadians as well. All in all, it paints a picture of loneliness as a problem for many in our society, Christian and non-Christian alike. Some have even taken to calling it an epidemic.
On the surface, loneliness may not seem to be a serious problem but there are grave consequences when it is chronic or unaddressed. Susan Mettes, a researcher in loneliness, puts it bluntly: “Loneliness kills.” The effect on the body can be similar to well-known unhealthy lifestyles. The former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said in 2017 that “the reduction in life span [for loneliness] is similar to that caused by smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and it’s greater than the impact on life span of obesity.” When we do not have the social connections we were made for, the results can be severe. As God Himself said: “It is not good that man should be alone” (Genesis 1:18).
How then can we combat loneliness? One way of combatting loneliness is to examine one’s expectations regarding social connection. Although social media allows for connections to be made with others, ironically it may be feeding false expectations for connection that lead to more, not less loneliness. Murthy says, “Our social media feeds would have us all believe that our social lives depend on having hundreds of friends and followers online and a constant schedule of dates, trips, and parties.”
Although social media is not the sole source of unrealistic expectations, it certainly can have a big impact, and one should be mindful of that.
John T. Cacioppo, a leading researcher on loneliness, says the main way of lessening it is by actively turning from oneself to helping others. This is not easy or intuitive for someone who is lonely. Cacioppo says that “the most difficult conceptual hurdle for people in the throes of loneliness is that, although they are going through something that feels like a hole in the center of their being—a hunger that needs to be fed—this ‘hunger’ can never be satisfied by a focus on ‘eating.’ What’s required is to step outside the pain of our own situation long enough to ‘feed’ others.” By focusing less on oneself and more on serving the needs of others, the downward spiral of loneliness can be interrupted and reversed.
Given this is an effective means of helping the lonely, how can the Church help? One thing the Church can do is to fight the stigma of loneliness rather than double down on it. The general thought seems to be that if someone is lonely, there must be something socially defective with them. This can be amplified by fellow Christians who imply something must be spiritually defective in Christians who are lonely. The reality is, however, that Christians do get lonely. It is not enough to have a common spiritual bond; relationships must be actively pursued and nurtured beyond the one connection all Christians have in Christ.
This is in no way to diminish the bond we have in Christ. Being part of the body of Christ and believing does help because, unlike a group of friends who are joined together by common interests and experiences only, or a family who are joined by blood, members of the body of Christ are connected by the Spirit to one another and
Where do all the lonely people belong? Ultimately they belong in the church, the communion of saints, in and through Christ Jesus.
to Christ the head. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in his book Life Together, describes their relationships in this way:
Christian community means community through Jesus Christ and in Jesus Christ. There is no Christian community that is more than this, and none that is less than this. Whether it is a brief, single encounter or the daily community of many years, Christian community is solely this. We belong to one another only through and in Jesus Christ.
We have community with other sinners through the forgiveness and grace we have in Jesus Christ. All are united, all are one through and in Christ as a body, no matter what their different gifts, ethnicities, social standings, and so on (Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31). Because of this, one would expect that there would be all sorts of different people in the congregation, including both those with whom one has much in common and those with whom one has very little in common. Such social distinctions do not matter where salvation is concerned (Galatians 3:28); we are all one in and through Christ.
Christians, then, can build on the relationship they have in Christ. Differences in social status, vocation, ethnicity, and other aspects become something of a point of interest to learn about each other rather than something which divides. Not only that but the relationship between members of the body is to be characterized as one of active care, despite differences. Paul describes how one part of Christ’s body is not above the other so that there is division and hierarchy, but rather that “God has so composed the body, giving greater honour to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together” (1 Corinthians 12:24-26). It is a relationship of care that then continues to connect them, one to the other, enlivened by the Spirit and their relationship with Christ who cares for the least. Therefore, deep relationships may come to exist between people who are vastly different and
may never have related to one another if it had not been for their connection in Christ.
The Church therefore can help with loneliness. One way is to provide opportunities for the lonely to increase and deepen their relationships. This gives those who are lonely the opportunity to “step outside the pain” of their loneliness to greet and serve others. There are different examples of what can be done to help the lonely. Sometimes social events at church like meals and games nights are seen as of lesser importance to the hard mission work that gets done in the community. Yet maybe such events are of vital importance for the community of the body of Christ. They are a way to meet people, for connections to be made, and for others to be served. It is a way in which those who gather together around the Lord’s Supper can continue to draw close socially and to care for one another. When others from outside the church are invited, we can fight loneliness not just within the church, but in the broader community.
The Church’s ministry to those who are “shut in” or socially isolated can be another way they can help fight loneliness. While it is vital to get Word and Sacrament to those who cannot make it to church, the ministry of visitation is also important in providing social contact as well. This not only fights loneliness, but it also helps the isolated feel the reality that they are part of the body of Christ, even though they are shut-in and cannot gather with them for church.
Where do all the lonely people belong? Ultimately they belong in the Church, the communion of saints, in and through Christ Jesus. These are just some ways in which the Church can help strengthen the ties that Jesus creates between believers. Churches can be places of welcome and connection for the lonely in their midst and the socially isolated in the local community.
Rev. Jonathan Kraemer is pastor of All Saints Lutheran Church in Edmonton.
A Lutheran Response to Christian Nationalism
by Thomas Korcok
Recent actions by the American administration have captured the attention of many Canadians, with commentators describing them as the most dramatic shift in world order since the end of World War II. While many policy announcements appear purely political, some are inspired by a religious movement called Christian Nationalism. Border restrictions, anti-immigration policies, the rejection of transnational agencies such as the United Nations and NATO, and the militant rejection of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies and gender-
identity politics are all core to the Christian Nationalist agenda. While Christian Nationalism is rooted in American Evangelicalism—and has come to dominate that tradition— it has crossed denominational and national boundaries. What is Christian Nationalism? More than just a set of doctrines, it is a particular way of looking at the world. In his book A Case for Christian Nationalism, proponent Stephen Wolfe offers this concise definition: “Christian nationalism is a totality of national action, consisting of civil laws and social customs, conducted by a Christian
Our hope does not rest in any earthly kingdom, but in the kingdom that God has given us in Christ Jesus...
Jesus who brought you into this kingdom continues to dwell in His Church through the Word and the Sacraments.
nation as a Christian nation, in order to procure for itself both earthly and heavenly good in Christ.”
While there is a broad spectrum of thought that often overlaps with other political and cultural movements, Christian Nationalists generally maintain that:
1. Governments should be based explicitly on Christian morality and order their legislative priorities according to God’s Law.
2. The Christian’s calling is to defend against alien worldviews and foreign influences that are contrary to the Law of God.
3. Western institutions (governments, schools, universities, church bodies) are beyond reform.
Christians need to reclaim these “failed” institutions by rebuilding them according to Christian moral precepts.
4. Western democracy is essential for the final victory of the Church. It is the best system of government because it was “historically” based on Christian morality.
Christian Nationalism is not strictly an “American” phenomenon. There has been a global rise in Religious and
Christian Nationalism—and Canada is no exception. We have seen the emergence of several groups in recent years that have explicitly called for a transformation of the political order in Canada along Christian Nationalist lines—something which has occasionally led to controversy in wider society as well as within Christian congregations.
Some Lutherans have adopted the cause of Christian Nationalism, claiming it aligns with Lutheran theology. In the United States, some Lutherans influenced by this theology have openly espoused virulent forms of racism and endorsed the use of violence to achieve their goals. Others have called for Lutherans to unite in recovering the Christian identity of the nation and reinstating Christendom—a term used to describe a time when governments supposedly operated according to Christian principles. They assert that, amidst all the societal changes of the past few decades, the church has been too passive. As such, we must repent of this “quietism” by adopting a more activist and even militant stance to make our voices heard.
Such calls to action may seem appealing to Lutherans who comprise a very small percentage of the population and understandably feel that their voices haven’t been heard. However, it is crucial to recognize that many advocating for a Christian Nationalist “renewal” approach it from a significantly different theological perspective than do Lutherans. They hold
Photo: Anna Kraemer
radically different understandings of the Church, the Gospel, and Christ Himself. Upon closer examination, we find reason to distance ourselves from this movement. While there is much to critique in Christian Nationalism—including its intolerance toward others (particularly immigrants), racist tendencies, politicization of Christian faith, and advocacy for a “Christian government”—at the heart of it all lies a distorted understanding of Christ and His relationship with the Church.
Christian Nationalism rests on a theology that sees a distant Jesus who ascended into heaven and is present today only in some spiritual way. Proponents reject the Lutheran conviction that Christ is physically and actually present in the Church as it gathers around the Word and Sacrament. Consequently, they reject that Christ is present in His Church to guide, nurture, and protect it as His own body. Instead, they believe He is removed and confined to heaven, observing whether His people are living according to Christian laws and working to institute a Christian nation to which He might one day return. Furthermore, they believe the Church is not about Christ’s gracious, forgiving presence but instead about our submission to God’s divine law. As a result, they pervert the Gospel, transforming it from a comforting message of the forgiveness of sins into a tool, a bludgeon to compel others to conform to God’s Law and establish a Christian state.
The Lord promised: “I will not leave you as orphans” (John 14:18), yet, because of their views, Christian Nationalists effectively reject these words. For them, the Church is a collection of baptized orphans forced to struggle on earth while a majestic Jesus observes from heaven. But the truth is that Christ has not abandoned His Church. Through Baptism, we are united with Jesus who continues to abide in His church and who directs the world’s affairs for its benefit. This truth empowers Christians to live with quiet confidence, even when the world appears hostile. Even in a culture that has abandoned its Christian heritage and disregards divine law, we have hope, confidence, and comfort in challenging times as Christ works through His Word and Sacraments to protect and prosper His bride in the most adverse circumstances.
Here is the dividing line between the Evangelical Lutheran Church and the church of the Christian Nationalist. In the church of the Book of Concord, the entire Christ is present bound up with the words, “I forgive you your sin.” Where these words are found, Jesus is there, bringing us sinners perfect liberty from sin, death, and all evil foes. This is not enough for the Christian Nationalist. For them, liberty can only be assured if they wrestle civic freedoms from civil authorities. Therefore, the church must fight against secularism, globalism, “wokism,” and any other perceived threat. They fret over “tyrannical” governments that restrict their civic freedoms, believing that these restrictions endanger the church. While Christian citizens may debate such matters, we recognize that through Christ we already possess a kingdom that transcends the civic affairs of this world. It is guaranteed by the body and blood of the incarnate
Christ and cannot be removed, even by the most tyrannical of governments. This is the victory of the Church.
Christian Nationalists cannot accept that a victorious Church can also be a suffering Church—that Christ’s sufferings are manifested in His body today. Instead, they hope, that through their efforts, they might someday reflect the glory of a victorious Jesus reigning from heaven. How hollow the promises of Christ must sound to the Christian Nationalist! When Jesus calls out, “Come to Me, all you who are weary, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28), they can only hear the faint, distant voice of a sovereign Lord reigning above, beckoning to a rest that may come at some indeterminate point in the future.
So, how are we to respond?
Remind yourself that our hope does not rest in any earthly kingdom, but in the kingdom that God has given us in Christ Jesus. It was given to you in your baptism, and Jesus who brought you into this kingdom continues to dwell in His Church through the Word and the Sacraments. Everyone who believes in Christ has life and forgiveness through His death and resurrection. As Christians, we are members of His Kingdom now through His Church— and we look forward in hope to the full revealing of His Kingdom in the world to come.
Remind yourself that God has used and continues to use a variety of political powers to accomplish His will. Nations and kingdoms will come and go, but the Church is not dependent on any specific form of government. It has thrived under and in spite of dictators, monarchs, emperors, tyrants, communists, and fascists, and will continue to do so until Christ’s return.
Remind yourself that regardless of your opinion of the current political situation, we live in a blessed country. Even though certain political parties may espouse positions we, as Christians, reject, they are servants of God whom God continues to use for good.
Remind yourself that we are called to look to our neighbours in love. The devil wants us to focus on national morals, political causes, and legislative agendas at the expense of our neighbours. While political causes may be worthy of attention, if we neglect, or worse, despise those whom God has placed in our lives because of their political views, we become willing allies of the evil one.
Finally, remind yourself that it is all about the Gospel— the forgiveness of sins, the communion of saints, the resurrection of the dead, and the hope of the world to come. This, not politics or nationalism, is what we all need the most.
Rev. Dr. Thomas Korcok is Associate Professor of Theology at Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary in St. Catharines, Ontario.
THE SIGN OF
JONAH
by Joel D. Heck
But [Jesus] answered them: “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah…”
— Matthew 12:39 —
During my days as a university instructor in theology, I often used the book of Esther to show that the building of a new major league baseball park had been predicted in Esther. Xerxes, King of Persia, represented the Commissioner of Baseball. Vashti, Xerxes’ Queen, symbolized the old stadium that was about to be torn down. Esther represented the new stadium soon to be built. The archvillain Haman represented those forces against the new stadium, and Mordecai stood for the
governor or mayor or congressman who championed the new stadium. These forces worked together, resulting in the prediction of the construction of a new baseball park. The correlation worked nicely but the problem was this: it wasn’t true.
I was showing my students how a similarity between biblical happenings and modern-day happenings does not prove that the former predicted the latter. Scholars call such similarities or patterns between Old Testament and New Testament people and events “typology.” It is a real tool for biblical interpretation but one that must be used with care. Some students of the Bible use Old Testament events to “prove” all sorts of New Testament theology, especially related to the End Times, but they end up misusing the Scriptures in the process.
The “sign of Jonah” is most often understood as typology, but remember that typology must be used carefully. Typology refers to the study of types, or patterns of similarities, between people, places, and events in the
Old Testament and their corresponding people, places, and events in the New Testament. In every instance, the Old Testament pattern is a shadow of the New Testament pattern. Most often, typology shows the greatness of Jesus in comparison to someone like Joseph, whose humiliation in a pit and then in a prison, followed by his exaltation to the right hand of Pharaoh, bears some similarity to the humiliation and exaltation of Jesus. But the fact that you can show a similarity between two sets of people or events provides no assurance that that is what the Holy Spirit intended.
Some think that Jonah actually died in the belly of that “great fish” (Jonah 1:17), given the conditions inside the fish that would make life difficult. But nowhere does the text of Jonah or any other passage make that clear. An actual death and resurrection would blunt the typological interpretation, even if, in the long run, it matters little.
Typology is different from prophecy and fulfillment. The many spectacular prophecies from the Old Testament
prophets about the coming Messiah invite our trust and admiration, especially at Christmastime, when we hear Isaiah’s prediction of the Virgin Birth (Isaiah 7:14) or Micah’s naming of the birthplace of the Messiah (Micah 5:2) or Jeremiah’s prediction of the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34). Other passages, such as Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22, are among those Old Testament passages that prophesy the death of the Messiah. In those clear instances of prophecy and fulfillment, we often have the words of a New Testament writer quoting an Old Testament passage, such as in the place where the birthplace of the Messiah is noted as being fulfilled in the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. According to Matthew 2:6, for example, the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem fulfills Micah 5:2 (“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: ‘But you, Bethlehem…’”). In the case of typology, we often don’t have a clear indication from the inspired writer. In the case of the sign of Jonah, though, we have Jesus’ words.
Seascape with Jonah and the Whale by Gaspard Dughet
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Treating the book of Jonah as something other than history too often causes the reader to miss its message as well as its important connection to the New Testament.
The passages from Matthew and Luke which contain Jesus’ words about the sign of Jonah are not Messianic prophecy in the sense described above but instead typology.
R. T. France calls the sign of Jonah “a counterchallenge” to the challenge of Jesus’ opponents, who requested the sign, and “an explicit typological parallel.” Typology gives us a comparison with the higher level of that comparison in Jesus. Jonah experienced a virtual death or near death (the lesser level), whereas Jesus went through actual death (the higher level). The sign is Jesus’ resurrection, and the comparison is to death and resurrection. The “one greater than Jonah” (v. 11) outdid Jonah.
Few Messianic prophecies focus on the resurrection (the later verses in Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22 are exceptions). The sign of Jonah, however, turns our attention to the resurrection with its rather explicit prediction of Jesus’ resurrection.
Many interpretations have been suggested for the book of Jonah: (1) myth, (2) allegory (which has fallen out of favour), (3) parable (a more relaxed version of allegory, the prevailing view today, especially among critical scholars, but the book is too long, and there is no interpretation to the parable), (4) legend (a story coming from the past, popularly regarded as historical, although not verifiable), (5) a modern cartoon, (6) a sermon on a theme, (7) a prophetic novel, and (8) history.
Treating the book of Jonah as something other than history too often causes the reader to miss its message as
well as its important connection to the New Testament. Some of these views are attempts to explain away the supernatural elements, which includes resurrection, and to explain the improbability of an Israelite prophet going to Nineveh and succeeding in his work.
Jesus mentions the sign of Jonah in Matthew 12:39-41 (“The men of Nineveh will arise at the judgment…”) and in Luke 11:29-32. We focus on Matthew’s account, where Jesus makes the sign of Jonah more explicit. The sign of Jonah, He says, is the three days and nights that Jonah was in the belly of the great fish—an anticipation of Jesus being buried for the same period of time, but also implying His rising again. Matthew writes (12:39-41):
He [Jesus] answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here.
Jonah’s “death and resurrection” (assuming that he did not actually die) anticipate (but do not predict) Jesus’ own death and resurrection, and also argue for the historicity of the book and its authorship by Jonah. No one else but Jonah would have known the details of many of the events in the book of Jonah. Jonah was as good as dead, while Jesus was actually dead. Jonah was given a new lease on life, a sort of “resurrection,” whereas Jesus actually came back to life. Jesus once stated: “No one takes it [My life] from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord” (John 10:18). [By the way, first-century Jewish custom counted any part of a day as a whole day (Genesis 42:17-18; 1 Samuel 30:12-13; Esther 4:16, 5:1).]
Jesus’ purpose for mentioning the sign of Jonah is apparently the lack of faith from the Pharisees and teachers of the law. They asked for a sign when they had already seen Jesus’ miracles. They were requesting “some sort of undeniable, overwhelming proof that Jesus is who he claims to be.” And they wanted the sign soon. Jesus refused because of their unbelief. When we become impatient that a prayer is seemingly not answered, we can face the same criticism that Jesus leveled against the Pharisees and teachers of the law. The Ninevites repented; the Pharisees did not. Let us, rather, trust that “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him” (Romans 8:28), believe that He answers every prayer, and see the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ as a demonstration of the love that He has for us and all believers.
REV. DR. JOEL D. HECK is Interim President of Concordia Lutheran Seminary in Edmonton.
Lutherans in Paraguay reelect President Figur
PARAGUAY – The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Paraguay ( IELP) held its 43rd General Assembly from March 8-9 in Loma Plata, Chaco
LCMS
Paraguayo, during which time the church reelected Rev. Alceu Alton Figur to another three-year term as president. The theme for this year’s convention was “Guided,” drawing on Romans 8:14.
“Leading the church in postmodern times is a huge challenge,” President Figur noted. “Family values are broken, marriage is despised, unborn children are murdered, and Christian values are vilely attacked. But our church has been greatly blessed by God: all our parishes are served by a pastor and we are able to maintain our mission throughout the country.
Remembering our church’s theme— ‘Guided’ (Romans 8:14)—we seek to continuing leading and guiding God’s people, under His grace and love.”
President Figur was first elected to serve the Paraguayan church in 2022. He is also pastor of Cristo Rey Lutheran Church in Asunción. In addition to his ministry in Paraguay, President Figur also serves as Latin America regional representative on the International Lutheran Council’s (ILC) board of directors, a position he has held since 2022.
Condensed from ILC News
President Emeritus Kuhn enters into glory
USA – Rev. Dr. Robert T. Kuhn, President Emeritus of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), entered into glory on March 1, 2025.
He was 87 years old.
Dr. Kuhn studied at Concordia Seminary (St. Louis, Missouri), graduating in 1963. He was later awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Concordia Theological Seminary (Fort Wayne, Indiana).
During his ministry as a parish pastor, Dr. Kuhn served Illinois congregations in Bath and Chanderville (1963-1970); Geneseo (1970-1977); and Pleasant Plains (1979-1985). He also served as Assistant Director of Development at Concordia Teachers College (River Forest, Illinois) from 1977-1979.
In 1985, Dr. Kuhn was elected to serve as the 14th President of the
Central Illinois District (whose board of directors he had also served on since 1972). He continued as district president until 1995, when he was elected to serve the LCMS as its First Vice President.
When LCMS President Alvin L. Barry died near the end of his third term in 2001, Dr. Kuhn automatically advanced to the office of president. He was the LCMS’ eleventh president, serving from March to August 2001.
Memorial services for Dr. Kuhn took place on March 14 in Oviedo, Florida, and on March 28 in Bath, Illinois.
Condensed from ILC News
New President for Lutherans in Guatemala
to serve the church as its new president.
“To serve as president is to be a servant of all and to be at the service of all parishes and their needs,” President Jasinto said, reflecting on his election. “As St. Luke writes: ‘So you too, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, “We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty”’ (Luke 17:10).”
Rev. Jasinto is pastor of Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Gualán, Zacapa, where has served since his ordination in 2000. Rev. Jasinto studied for pastoral ministry at Gauatemala’s Lutheran Center for Theological Studies. He also received a Master of Arts in Systematic Theology from Concordia Seminary (St. Louis, Missouri) in 2020.
Condensed from ILC News
GUATEMALA – The Lutheran Church in Guatemala (ILG) has elected Rev. Luis Alberto Jasinto
LCC BOD meets in Winnipeg
Online: Dcn. Amanda Hastings, Doug Petersen
CANADA – Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC)’s Board of Directors met in Winnipeg from March 28-29, 2025, along with LCC staff members and leadership.
During this meeting, the board received reports from the President, Rev. Dr. Timothy Teuscher; the Regional Pastors, Rev. Marvin Bublitz (East), Rev. David Haberstock (Central), and Rev. Robert Mohns (West); Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Dwayne Cleave; and the Director of Advancement, David Friesen.
The Directors of Missions, Rev. Mark Smith (International) and Rev. Jacob Quast (Domestic) provided reports on LCC missions in Canada and around the world. The Director of Communications, Alex Steinke, provided her report with progress updates on the work of the Communications Department along with future planning.
The committees of the board also provided updates on work they had completed in partnership with LCC staff. Additional reports were also received.
Kirsten Guggenmos.
At their meeting on March 29, the board reviewed and approved LCC’s spending budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year, as recommended by the Finance Committee. The approved budget is included in the Financial Update Section of the March/April issue of The Canadian Lutheran. The group gathered together for worship with devotion led by President Teuscher in the Chapel at Synod office, who reminded them of the words of the Large Catechism:
“Everything, therefore, in the Christian Church is ordered to the end that we shall daily obtain there nothing but the forgiveness of sin through the Word and signs [i.e. the Sacraments], to comfort and encourage our consciences as long as we live here.”
The current Board of Directors was elected at the 2022 LCC Synod Convention. Learn more on LCC’s website under Who We Are > Leadership > Board of Directors.
Pictured: President Timothy Teuscher; Rev. Tom Kruesel; Arnold Drung (Chairman); Lois Griffin; Rev. Ted Giese; Rev. Mark Hennig; Vice-President Michael Schutz; Grace Henderson (Secretary).
(Vice-Chair);
LCC FY2026 BUDGET & FINANCIAL UPDATE
The last issue of The Canadian Lutheran highlighted strategic initiatives developed through the Purpose and Priorities Planning process with input from synodical leadership, church workers, and laity across the country. Each of these initiatives is focused on the support and expansion of Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC)’s mission and ministry. In this final year of our Quadrennial Workplan, adopted at our last Synod Convention in 2022, we continue to work toward the Together One vision for “a unified, confessional body of believers, fulfilling the Great Commission.”
The chart and table below show the actual FY2026 Budget, approved by LCC’s Board of Directors on March 29, 2025. The budget reflects our commitment to “serve, strengthen, and equip congregations for bold, faithful, Christ-centred witness.” FY2026 runs from February 1, 2025 to January 31, 2026. This budget covers all aspects of the work of Lutheran Church–Canada. The FY2026 LCC Budget has a total mission and ministry expenditure of $4.787 million dollars.
Each piece of the pie represents a unique part of LCC’s mission and ministry. The two inner circles represent those services which share their costs across all mission and ministry areas. Common Services include administration, human resources, office fixed costs, Board of Directors, investment fees, governance, and miscellaneous costs. Advancement Services reflect all costs associated with the development of sustainable resources across all areas, Together One initiatives, and congregation services related to Lutheran Foundation Canada.
EXPANDING OUR MISSION & MINISTRY
As a synod, we are blessed to walk together in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the proclamation of the Word and the administration of the Sacraments. We also work together in acts of mercy, showing the love of Christ to those in need. This work is done across our country and around the world in every place God has called us to serve.
“Everything, therefore, in the Christian Church is ordered to the end that we shall daily obtain there nothing but the forgiveness of sin through the Word and signs [i.e. the Sacraments], to comfort and encourage our consciences as long as we live here.” |
LARGE CATECHISM
Building on the opportunities God has placed before us, the vision of Together One focuses on three goals highlighted by our members as most important to the future of our synod. With a strong mandate to expand our outreach in Canada, these goals help to implement new initiatives while sustaining existing mission and ministry priorities.
DISCIPLE MAKING CULTURE
Serve, support, and equip congregations and partner ministries for mission and discipleship
MISSION OUTREACH
Pursue bold domestic and international outreach and ministry
EQUIP LEADERS
Recruit, educate, and support ecclesiastical, diaconal, and lay leaders for the Church
Two key outcomes of the 2022 Synodical Convention were the recognition of the need for a full-time Director of Domestic Missions and an Associate Director - Family Ministries. In response, a Director of Domestic Missions was called in 2024 to lead and coordinate mission efforts across Canada. Plans are in place to call an Associate DirectorFamily Ministries in 2025 to provide focused support for families, strengthening this vital aspect of congregational life. These developments directly support the three primary goals of the Together One mission initiative, identified by our members as critical to the future of our synod:
• Disciple Making Culture: Providing resources, leadership, and support for healthy and sustainable Word and Sacrament ministry.
• Equip Leaders: Through care, continuing education, and practical tools for ministry.
• Mission Outreach: To new Canadians, urban centres, and First Nations communities—expanding the proclamation of the Gospel into growing and underserved populations.
With these new roles and other initiatives in place, we are actively working to support our congregations and extend our reach across Canada—for the glory of God and the proclamation of His saving name!
We are grateful for the financial support our congregations provide through remittances. Your partnership is crucial in carrying out the mission and ministry entrusted to us. We were blessed in FY2025 with the highest level of remittances over the past five years. We thank you for your stewardship and commitment in our walk together.
THE
IMPACT YOUR CONGREGATION CAN MAKE
As we look ahead to the needs of this fiscal year and the work God has placed before us, the budgeted congregation remittances are $2.22 million. This represents about 45% of the total revenue needed. We invite each congregation to prayerfully consider how you can partner in this effort. One meaningful way to help is by designating 10% to 15% of the savings realized from the reduction in pension plan expenses toward an increase in your congregation remittance. By faithfully investing in our synod-wide ministry, you directly contribute to the sustainability and growth of the work we do together in His name.
CANADA – Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) has developed a new resource to help congregations temporarily without a pastor by providing guidelines and examples for lay-led services.
The Lay Service Guidelines were prepared by the President’s Ministry Council (PMC) in consultation with LCC’s Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR).
The new guide emphasizes this distinction: “[T]he exercise of the keys (in the narrow sense) should not and cannot be delegated; namely, absolution, writing sermons (i.e. authoritative teaching), presiding at the Sacrament of the Altar, and (except in the case of emergency) baptizing. These things should be reserved for when an ordained pastor can come to do them.”
“What, however, if a congregation is without a called pastor?” the new guide asks. “Elders have a unique and important role, especially during a pastoral vacancy.”
The guide serves to ensure that a proper way to delegate the pastor’s wider duties (reading God’s Word and leading public prayer and praise) is available to congregations in these extraordinary circumstances, so that they are not deprived of God’s Word and corporate prayer.
In addition to providing definitions of church building and worship terms, this guide offers detailed directions for two orders of worship from the Lutheran Service Book, which are appropriate for services led by a male elder. A third order provides these directions for a devotional service that could be led by a congregation member who is not an elder. For those congregations which are still using Lutheran Worship, two orders of service are provided, for an elder and congregation member respectively.
The need for such a guide was identified by LCC Circuit Counsellors, and the resource has already been sent out to them to assist vacant congregations in their respective
Circuits. The full guide is available on LCC’s website under Congregational Resources.
Additional Resources
By June of 2025, supplemental videos will become available providing examples of these services.
An additional resource for vacant congregations includes LCC’s Written Sermon Database ( details in the article below).
Beyond increased attention to lay leader training and resources, other efforts are underway in the area of recruitment and pastoral formation, including the expansion of LCC’s Pastors with Alternate Training (PAT) program (details on page 21).
How you can help
It continues to be true that one of the strongest ways that recruitment happens is within the local congregation. Members of congregations are especially encouraged to identify and speak to those in their midst who may be suited for the pastoral and diaconal offices.
LCC restructures database of written sermons
CANADA – For several years now, Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) has been providing written sermons as a resource for congregations temporarily without a pastor, and this resource is among the most frequented webpages on LCC’s website. Each sermon is accompanied by the Collect of the Day, appointed Scripture Readings, suggested hymns, and prayers. Scripture Readings
are from the Three-Year Lectionary Series of the Lutheran Service Book.
As our sermon database continued to grow, the current web structure needed improvement to ensure it remained user-friendly. After discussion, and based on feedback from LCC members, work began on implementing a new system. The new Written Sermons database is now live, and includes a search feature and the
option to pull up sermons by both Series and Season of the Church Year.
The database includes all sermons from Series B, as well as Series C sermons from the First Sunday in Advent to the current season of the Church Year. Sermons for Series C are being posted on an ongoing basis, one month in advance of a given Sunday. Sermons for Series A will be added to this new database in the coming years.
LCC chaplain receives King Charles III’s Coronation Medal
CANADA – LCdr Rev. David Jackson, a Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) Senior Fleet Chaplain serving the Royal Canadian Navy’s Atlantic Fleet, was awarded King Charles III’s Coronation Medal.
The Chaplain General’s Office describes this award as follows: “The Coronation Medal commemorates the
Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III as King of Canada. Recipients were selected based on nomination in recognition that they have made a significant contribution to Canada or to a particular province, territory, region or community of Canada, or have made an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada.”
As part of Lutheran Church–Canada’s service in congregations and reaching out to others, LCC serves our nation by mandating Ordained Pastors to serve as chaplains for His Majesty’s Canadian Armed Forces. Whether at home in Garrisons, Dockyards, Wings, and chapels, or overseas in the field or in warships, the blessings of the Gospel are carried forth by faithful padres to men and women in uniform, and their families.
Chaplains of the Canadian Armed Forces serve both God and nation by bringing their unique gifts with which they are endowed by God, to the military personnel of Canada in the broad, challenging, diverse, and ever-changing environment of the Regular and Reserve forces of Army, Navy and Air Force.
Lutheran Church–Canada is grateful to God for providing faithful chaplains to serve the men and women of our Canadian Armed Forces.
LCC/LLL-C accepting applications for paid, part-time internship for 2025!
CANADA – Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) and Lutheran Laymen’s League of Canada (LLL-C) are teaming up again to offer a paid, part-time internship opportunity this summer.
For the summer of 2025, the internship will focus on inspiring young people to consider their gifts and how they might be used in service of God’s people. If you are interested
in serving the church in any way at all—whether it be in communications, graphic design, donor retention, office management, or even through music or art—we would love to hear from you!
Do you have an idea as to how you could get involved in church work, but don’t have the resources? Tell us about it in your cover letter! This paid, parttime internship will provide the chance
to explore your God-given gifts and employ those skills in service of your brothers and sisters in Christ.
More details available at lutheranchurchcanada.ca/internship.
Please send your cover letter and resume to Lisa Jackson, LLL-C Managing Director, at director@lll. ca by the application deadline of May 30, 2025.
PASTORS WITH ALTERNATE TRAINING PROGRAM EXPANSION OF
CANADA – The Boards of Regents of Lutheran Church—Canada’s (LCC) two seminaries in collaboration with the President’s Ministry Council (PMC) are in the final planning stages of a multi-level extension of the existing Pastors with Alternate Training (PAT) program, as well as for training and resources for lay leaders in congregations with an indefinite period of vacancy. On February 6, 2025, the PMC and PAT Committee met, confirming key changes to the newly revised PAT program.
PAT came into existence at LCC’s 2002 convention. The program was originally envisioned for remote, declined, and rural congregations— though, only one pastor fitting that criteria has graduated from the program. Instead, the majority of graduates are serving ethnic language communities in Canada. Meanwhile, the need for these remote, small congregations has grown more acute over the last two decades. In 2017, Resolution 17.2.02 authorized the Council of Presidents (now the President’s Ministry Council) to “further develop and expand who can enroll in the Pastors with Alternate Training program.”
Key changes to the PAT Program:
1. Men are to go through the program in cohorts, rather than in stages individually.
2. Instruction will be primarily offered online, by seminary professors and by capable pastors who have often taught these courses in our seminaries on the mission field. This will standardize the training, with an additional goal of increasing overall confidence in the program.
3. LCC PAT Coordinator, Rev. Kevin Walrath (Emeritus), will schedule the courses and instructors, ensuring effective movement through the program for the cohort of students.
4. Courses will be offered 3-5 times per year, with the possibility of supplemental courses being offered as demand requires, to ensure timely completion of the program.
5. A standardized set of courses (including syllabi, suggested resources, and course length) will provide clear expectations for instructors, students, and PAT sites.
6. The possibility of early ordination will be available in cases of great need.
7. Pastoral mentors will function in similar fashion to a vicarage bishop or
field work supervisor, rather than being primarily responsible for teaching the entire program to a PAT candidate.
The program will continue to be administered by Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (St. Catharines) with oversight by the PAT Committee, which includes LCC’s Central Regional Pastor as Chair, the PAT Coordinator, and representatives from LCC’s two seminaries.
The recent meeting provided great clarity on the administrative processes and future applications of the PAT program, while removing stumbling blocks. The PMC continues to work on defined tracks for various needs, such as remote rural settings; ethnic and language settings; and pastors working as part of a team in multipoint parishes.
LCC thanks God for the new cohort of seven students scheduled to start their training in March of 2025, as well as for the applications already underway for additional students in the coming years.
For more information about LCC’s PAT Program, contact your Regional Pastor, the PAT Committee, or visit concordia-seminary.ca/pat/.
EFC response to committee recommendation to remove charitable status for advancing religion
CANADA – The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC), of which Lutheran Church–Canada is a member, expressed concern in light of a parliamentary committee recommendation to remove the advancement of religion as a charitable purpose and “no longer
provide charitable status to anti-abortion organizations.”
The EFC reminds Canadians that such recommendations do not have to be adopted, encouraging strong advocacy as a preventative measure. The EFC has written to the finance
minister and calls on Christians to contact their local MPs to oppose these recommendations.
Updates and related resources on this topic can be found at evangelicalfellowship.ca.
In the opening chapters of Genesis, God formed Adam out of the dust of earth and breathed into him the breath of life. Taking from Adam’s side a rib, God formed Adam’s bride, Eve. No other part of God’s creation was formed by God’s own hands, no other creature received the Creator’s breath of life. God gave to them the wonderful words of life: “Be fruitful and multiply and rule the earth” (Genesis 1:28).
Through the still small voice of the Lord’s handmaiden, Eve, human expression was first given to that profound mystery of the creation of human life. It happened at the birthing of the first human being, Cain: “I have gotten a man with the help of the L ORD.”
I do not know whether I spoke those exact words when my two sons were born, but it was with a sense of awe and gratitude that my wife and I received the gift of new life which the Lord had given us. I am sure many parents have had that moment when they first held their newborn baby, echoing in body and soul the word of Eve: “I have given birth to a new son or daughter with the help of the Lord.”
From conception, human beings are given the gift of life by God. The Psalmist declares: “For You formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well” (Psalm 139:13-14).
You, dear saint, are created by God to live. It was for this purpose that our Lord came into the world: “I came that they may have life and
WEST REGION NEWS
MADE TO LIVE (NOT MAID TO DIE)
FROM THE REGIONAL PASTOR | REV. ROBERT MOHNS
have it abundantly” (John 10:10). All Scripture has been delivered to you for this very purpose. The Apostle John wrote “these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13). With both a warning and admonition, the Lord spurs you on, saying: “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).
You were made to live. Period. Full stop. Of this, we should have no doubt. However, through doubt Satan tempted our first parents, and they did eat of that forbidden tree which led to death. Every Ash Wednesday, we hear that word spoken to us and drawn upon our foreheads: “Dust you are and to dust you shall return.” From conception forward, all of us know the pain and suffering of our great enemy, death.
Scripture speaks to us frankly of this reality, saying, “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law” (1 Corinthians 15:56). It was for this reason that Christ came; “for the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
You, dear saint, were made for life—and not even the last and greatest enemy, death, can keep you in the grave.
Satan continues to use doubt to tempt Christians away from the gift of life. Every year, people increasingly turn to medical assistance in dying
(MAID). Data published by Vivre dans Dignity on March 3, 2025, reports that in Quebec in 2022, MAID made up 6.2 percent of all deaths. For those facing common forms of cancer, the number ranged from 13.8 to 17.2 percent. For those facing neurological or neurodegenerative diseases, the rate varied from 24.5 to 41.9 percent. What is of growing concern is the increasing number of our aged population choosing MAID because they fear decline in their ability to care for themselves.
Friend, you were not MAID to die. You were made to live. But if and when Satan tempts you in this way, you can respond: “Yes. I know that I shall die. But what of it? My Saviour died my death. He was buried in my grave. And He was raised from the dead so that I have life now and life forever. For the life I have is not my own, but I now live in Christ, and the living Christ now lives in me, and I shall never die.”
Lent and Holy Week provide us with plenty of opportunities to cling with dusty hands to the cross of our Lord, and to walk with bruised soles the way to death’s bloody death and the joyous proclamation of the empty tomb. It provides us with opportunities to breathe in God’s Holy Word and partake of the medicine of immortality, the Holy Supper. Here you will find a cure for your tired body and soul, and here you will find a sure defense against Satan’s temptations.
The Apostle Paul encourages Christians facing temptation from Satan with these words: “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your
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eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself. Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved” (Philippians 3:17–4:1).
God’s gift of abundant life is yours, dear brothers and sisters in Christ! Alleluia! Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!
WEST REGION NEWS
New doors in Dawson Creek
DAWSON CREEK, B.C. – With praise and thanksgiving for 66 years of blessings, the congregation of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Dawson Creek dedicated new sanctuary doors, which were adorned with beautiful stained glass inserts depicting Luther’s Rose and the symbol of the Trinity. The inserts were designed, created, and donated by congregation member Dale Brocke, and the doors and inserts were dedicated by vacancy pastor Rev. Ken Eifert of Wembley, Alberta.
May these doors always be open to those who desire to hear God’s infallible word! John Bartlett
Learning about Liturgy
PORT COQUITLAM, B.C. –
On Sunday, December 1, Hope Lutheran launched “Why We Do What We Do,” a guide to the Lutheran liturgy. The booklet explains the historical and theological foundations of the Lutheran service, covering the liturgical parts and rubrics, music, and alternative liturgical services.
It also presents an appendix with explanations about the use of vestments, kneeling for communion, the use of the Nicene Creed on
Communion Sundays, sitting and standing, the use of candles, and more.
The booklet will be permanently available in the pews, and is designed to assist service participants—both newcomers and regular members— in learning and deepening their understanding of the significance of worship content and practice, fulfilling the church’s mission of “Growing in Christ” through faithful engagement with Word, Sacrament, history, and practice of the Divine Service.
A special note about the booklet’s dedication weekend is that kindergarten students placed them in the pews on the previous Friday afternoon. This is part of a joint initiative between the church and school to give the little ones concrete occasions to practice the school’s mission: impacting the world for Christ’s Glory—in this case, getting involved with the place of worship.
Rev. Lucas Albrecht
Rev. Ken Eifert on the left, and Dale Brocke on the right
WEST REGION NEWS
Trinity Lutheran Church creates a Story Walk
60th LWMLC anniversary marked
PORT ALBERNI, B.C. – The theme for LWMLC Sunday 2024 was “Making Melody to the Lord.” The theme was considered very appropriate by the members of Grace LWMLC, because following the service on October 6,
Rev. Richard Klein presented the Grace LWMLC members with a certificate from Linda Long, LWMLC President, to mark their 60th anniversary. It was a day to celebrate and thank God for His guidance and blessings.
panels attached to the fence which tells the story of “The Christmas Journey,” produced by the International Lutheran Laymen’s League.
The Story Walk is on a street nearby an elementary school which students walk by on their way to and from school. The congregation plans on placing additional Bible stories on the Story Walk so that students and adults who walk along the street may learn Bible stories and read God’s Word.
Charles von Hahn
Grace LWMLC’s charter date was April 9, 1964. Two of the current members, Linda Fenske and Audrey Barron, were part of that group. Mary Rowe and her daughter, Arlene Hoffman, were also members back then. Arlene passed away last September and Mary passed away last December. All of these ladies have been a blessing to the group over the years.
Following the presentation, the congregation joined the society for coffee with cupcakes decorated with the LWMLC logo made by Audrey Barron’s daughter, Barb Olstad.
Shirley Besler
Judie Donaldson, Linda Fenske, Shirley Besler, Audrey Barron, Joan Denninger, Cathy Redlack, Rosmarie Klein, and Rev. Richard Klein.
QUESNEL, B.C. – Members of Trinity Lutheran Church created a Story Walk
along a fence bordering the church property. The Story Walk is several
Growing up in 1970s and ‘80s Saskatchewan, most everyone still had connections to the Church. Society still upheld basic Ten Commandments values. The Church was generally respected, and valued, if increasingly ignored in the day to day. For me, going to Divine Service, being connected to the Church, and having the moral values of the Church seemed pretty common. Today, though, valuing the Church, going to her services, and agreeing with the Ten Commandments as the blueprint for morality is not so common—even in Saskatchewan.
The difference between what is common or everyday versus what is set apart for sacred purpose is at the heart of the biblical distinction between what is holy and what is profane. The holy people of God are to be set apart from the world by meditating upon God’s Word (Psalm 1), which writes His Word upon our foreheads and upon our hearts (Deuteronomy 6:6-9; 11:18-20).
Just as the proclamation of forgiveness in Christ creates faith, rescues us from eternal death, and transfers us into His kingdom, so the ongoing presence of His Word sanctifies and sets apart our common lives. When God’s Word has its way with us, this impacts our culture also.
At this point I would assert, and I think you would agree, that our culture is no longer in any serious contact with God’s Word. Hence, what is common today is largely the opposite of God’s Word. This is not a culture we should let ourselves be influenced by.
But between the technology that has captured our attention
CENTRAL REGION NEWS
MORNING AND EVENING I WILL PRAISE YOU
FROM THE REGIONAL PASTOR | REV. DAVID HABERSTOCK
(the screens that dominate our living rooms, and the screens that are always in our hands), and the ways of the world washing over us through that technology, our lives are extremely common.
Enter in a Christmas gift I received: a prayer kneeler called a prie-dieu (French for “pray to God”). It is designed for focusing your prayers to the Lord; it has a little shelf for your arms but also for prayer books and hymnals.
I’ve wrestled most of my life with regular practices of prayer. One of the reasons I have struggled (other than laziness) is a notion I imbibed as a child that prayer that is not “from the heart” is somehow less valid or meaningful. If that is true, then how could prayer at a prayer kneeler, using books of prescribed prayer forms, even be an option? Isn’t spontaneous, Spirit-prompted prayer the only valid form of prayer if prayer must always be “from the heart?” But, living in a culture as profane or common as ours does not leave much room for natural “prayer prompts.”
Thus, the “discipline” and “technology” of the prie-dieu—its constant invitation to prayer in my bedroom, morning and evening—has been a tremendous blessing. Its mere presence transforms our physical space, for it is a piece of furniture set apart for one purpose. It not only invites me to prayer, but sanctifies my prayers by setting them apart. Kneeling down and singing Compline or praying Matins sets apart my prayers from the common things of this world and makes them different
from everyday things. Praying daily using prayer rites developed and written by the saints who went before puts my heart and mind at ease. What is more, doing it at the beginning and end of the day as Scripture has long enjoined (Psalms 92:1; 88:13; 141:2, etc.)—when all the anxieties of what is to come or what has been attack me most—has been a joy!
In 2019, I wrote about the constitution of Lutheran Church–Canada encouraging the maintenance of the home altar. It was a strange term to me, and I noted a trend that younger people were increasingly having prie-dieus and literal home altars around which they and their families often gather. Today, this focus is increasingly needed. I encourage you in your devotional times to light a candle, sing a hymn, and set that time apart.
Dear ones, you need that: some thing, some time in your day, maybe even some space in your house, set apart for the practice of your faith. For daily devotions. For regular prayer.
Our hymnal, Lutheran Service Book, has amazing resources for this, from morning and evening devotion forms (pages 294-298), to various rites of prayer that can be sung or spoken, to morning and evening hymns that can enrich your times of prayer and orient you towards the promises of our Lord at those hours of the day. Incorporating such practices into your life will surround you with our Lord and His Word, bring you in contact with the Triune God, and sanctify and set apart your day, increasing your spiritual well-being.
CENTRAL REGION NEWS
New beginnings at New Beginnings
REGINA, Sask. – In the fall of 2024, New Beginnings Lutheran Church warmly welcomed 35 brothers and sisters in Christ, who came from near and far: Brazil, Uganda, Jamaica, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Mexico, and China! Some were transfers from other congregations, and others participated in an introductory “Christianity 101” class taught by Rev. Paulo Brum. God has brought people from around the world to New Beginnings as, with the help of the Holy Spirit, the church carries out the Great Commission of “making disciples of all nations”!
Deanna Hautz
Camp Lutherland’s Fall Fowl Supper
FORT QU’APPELLE, Sask.
– Camp Lutherland, near Fort Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan, held its annual Fall Fowl Supper on September 21, 2024, with about 120 guests, including three members
of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Frankslake, Saskatchewan. These members were honoured and recognized for their congregation’s financial donation to Camp Lutherland.
The donation from Frankslake helped re-shingle the chapel’s roof, and an additional $12,000 will be put towards a special fund. The Camp Board thanks Art and Bea Kautz and Alma Nieser for their kindness and consideration.
The Camp Board also thanks those who donated to the Campership fund last spring, which helped about ten children come to camp, and to New Beginnings congregation in Regina who sponsored three children to come to camp this past year, of whom two were later baptized at New Beginnings.
Diane Dennis
CENTRAL REGION NEWS
Mental health workshop in Regina
REGINA – In October 2024, New Beginnings Lutheran Church and Grace Lutheran Church partnered to host a workshop entitled “The Roots Feed the Tree: Mental Health and Addiction Information and Support Workshop for Churches.” This was a very informative twohour workshop presented by Jennifer Jade Kerr (MAMFT, RMFT, C.C.C.), a Christian counselor with The Caring Place in Regina.
Kerr presented explained that the “trees” are what is seen on the outside (e.g., substance abuse and other difficult behavior patterns) and the “roots” are the underlying systemic influences. The presentation noted that addressing mental health and addictions can be very challenging but can also be beautiful opportunities to show the love and community of Christ, as well as to connect struggling folks with important community resources.
It was a thought-provoking presentation by a gifted Christian speaker with much knowledge to share. Those interested in hosting a similar presentation are invited to call The Caring Place in Regina and ask to speak with Jennifer Jade Kerr.
Dot Zwack
Lately, I have been pondering parenting. It’s not an easy thing to raise children. You work and sweat to provide for them. You sacrifice your time and goals for their sake. You do your best and hope it was enough.
Yet sometimes despite all your efforts, they go astray. I have often told parents, they are always your kids, but they are not always kids. Parents do their best. But sometimes…
Still, it is important that parents do their best. Shame on us if we do less. Shame on us if we fail to teach and train the Lord’s ways to the child baptized at the Lord’s Font. Shame on us if we spend more time teaching the things of this world rather than the things of God. Sadly though, that is what often happens.
Much effort and many hours are spent on teaching hockey, basketball, and any number of other things. It’s not that those things are wrong; parents should spend time in all manner of things with their children. But there is one thing more needful: “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). As Christian parents, we must follow the Word of God and train a child in His ways.
In my travels, I see a number of billboards. One said something like: “It is easier to raise a child properly than to correct an adult.” When I first saw it, I laughed, thinking of the many adults I know that need correction— myself included.
Sometimes the problem is parents are not trained in how to teach the faith to their children. As pastors and congregations we need to spend more time and effort in training parents to
EAST REGION NEWS
TRAIN UP THE LITTLE CHILDREN
FROM THE REGIONAL PASTOR | REV. MARVIN BUBLITZ
teach their children. Martin Luther begins the Small Catechism with these words: “As the head of the family should teach them in a simple way to his household.”
Often, however, families settle for handing the child over to the Sunday School teacher to learn Bible stories and to the pastor for confirmation. I fear we have failed in our responsibility to equip parents. I pray that pastors and congregations work to help parents in their God-given responsibilities.
Unfortunately, it is too easy to take the other road. A congregation can spend more effort and budget on the things of this world for their children than on the things of God. As I visit congregations, I have seen an abomination: they take the children out of the Divine Service. They remove the children from the presence of God among His people. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14).
I can understand holding separate classes for children, confirmands, ladies’ groups, men’s groups, and such. But in the Divine Service, the whole people of God in a congregation should come together. The Body of Christ consists of all. To remove the children is wrong. Some say children get nothing out of the service. Hogwash. That is “St. Peter syndrome.” Remember when Jesus told His disciples what was to come?
“From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him,
saying, ‘Far be it from You, Lord! This shall never happen to You.’ But He turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are a hindrance to Me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man’” (Matthew 16:21-23).
Jesus said how things would be, but Peter thought he knew better. Imagine the arrogance of telling the Son of God that He is wrong and you have a better idea. And yet Jesus tells us: “Let the little children come to Me”… but we know better.
Sadly, such behavior is all too common among us sinners. We are told in Holy Scripture that the Lord works through His Word and Sacrament to create, strengthen, and sustain faith. In our Confessions, we are reminded:
“So that we may obtain this faith, the ministry of teaching the Gospel and administering the Sacraments was instituted. Through the Word and Sacraments, as through instruments, the Holy Spirit is given (John 20:22). He works faith, when and where it pleases God (John 3:8), in those who hear the good news that God justifies those who believe that they are received into grace for Christ’s sake” (AC 5:1-3).
Yet I cannot tell you how many times I hear someone say, “Oh that Word and Sacraments stuff again. Now, if you really want to grow the church, we should…”
Dearest Jesus, forgive us our sins and our self-importance. Return us in repentance that we may heed Your word and follow Your ways. Heavenly Father, train us, Your children, in Your ways, that we not fall from them. Holy Spirit, strengthen us in the holy faith unto life everlasting. Amen.
EAST REGION NEWS
Hamilton Circuit Epiphany Service
HAMILTON, Ont. – During Epiphany 2025, 40 people from the Hamilton Circuit gathered to
worship together and commemorate the arrival of the magi. Three pastors from the circuit participated
St. Paul’s banner builds through Lent
COBOURG, Ont. – At St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, the penitential seasons of the Church Year are a time to bring out banners that advance with the season, in similar fashion to an Advent calendar. Originally stemming from a Sunday school lesson, two
unique banners were designed by member Ulla Jensen for both Advent and Lent, to guide members through those seasons by adding a new image to the banner each week.
The Lenten banner starts out relatively bare, with a single cross.
in the service held at Redeemer Lutheran: Rev. Peter Gatluak from Pilgrim (Hamilton) served as lector; Rev. Dave Zakel from Prince of Peace (Burlington) delivered the sermon; and Rev. Jason Gillard from Redeemer (Hamilton) and Christ Our Saviour (Grimsby) presided over the Divine Service.
The service was followed with time for joyful fellowship in the church basement. The circuit hopes to continue to gather as one body— knit together by Christ, despite the usual Sunday worship occurring separately—on these special days of the Church Year.
The Hamilton Circuit further planned to hold a Circuit Easter Vigil service at Prince of Peace (Burlington) on Saturday, April 19. Rev. Jason Gillard
The additions, created by Ulla, are made of felt and are easily fastened to the banner before midweek and Sunday Divine services.
For Lent, many of the symbols are taken from the events of the last week of Jesus’ earthly life, while others are symbols of the season. These include the number 40, palms, the loaf and cup, the basin and towel, a bag of coins, the rooster, a spear, the pillar and scourges, the crown of thorns, the robe and dice, and INRI (the initials of the Latin inscription on the cross).
For Advent, the main text reads “Come Lord Jesus” above an empty manger. Additions include baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph, sheep, the shepherds, the star, and the magi with a camel.
St. Paul’s is grateful to Ulla for her creativity and work in producing these banners that help members in their meditation on the life of Christ and His redeeming work for His people, as structured into the very fabric of the church calendar.
EAST REGION NEWS
Tidings of Joy
KITCHENER, Ont. – Historic St. Paul’s Lutheran Church has been wellknown for its music programming throughout its history. The Christmas Cantata project began in 2008, and over the years the project has grown to utilize the world-renowned Centre In The Square theatre. The goal of the Christmas Cantata is to spread the central Christmas message that “Jesus has become man for our salvation, let us rejoice!” Historic St. Paul’s feels that music is a powerful and beautiful form for conveying this Good News of Christ.
Held on November 22, 2024, “Tidings of Joy, a Celtic Christmas Cantata,” was this year’s program. Inspired by Celtic music traditions and time-honoured carols, this new work by Joseph Martin overflowed with seasonal spirit. From prophecy to Epiphany, the cantata covered the entire Christmas story and wrapped it
in jubilant and approachable music. Supported by encouraging narration and dazzling orchestration, this spectacular work was a warm holiday welcome for the community.
The Christmas Cantata was directed by Historic St. Paul’s music director and organist, Cameron Streicher. The Historic St. Paul’s Community Choir was made up of more than 110 voices, and were accompanied by five incredible soloists, the full Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Orchestra, and the Historic St. Paul’s Hand Bell Choir.
This year, Historic St. Paul’s celebrates their 190 th anniversary. One of their great traditions has always been music, and the church was thrilled to share that with the community this past November.
Community has always been important to the members at Historic St. Paul’s. In 2019, after much prayer
and planning, the church began work on their largest project yet. Proceeds from the 2024 Christmas Cantata will go to support the Affordable Housing development project, which is under construction on the Historic St. Paul’s property. Once completed, this six-story building will provide 57 affordable units to seniors, which will be a great blessing to the community.
The church is thankful for all the volunteers, the Cantata Committee, the incredible musicians, the generous sponsors and donors, and the amazing community who attended this year’s Christmas Cantata. The church is excited to report that 2024 was the best attended Cantata ever, with 1,400 attendees, raising nearly $15,000 towards the affordable housing project.
To learn more about the Christmas Cantata or the Affordable Housing Project, visit www.historicstpauls.ca. Joshua Lavalle
LAMP founder called to glory
CANADA – Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots (LAMP) announced that its founder, Rev. Les Stahlke, was called to glory on March 22, 2025.
Rev. Stahlke served as a parish pastor in Alberta for six years before founding and serving as CEO of LAMP
for 25 years. He saw LAMP grow to become an international organization with two boards, and expanded to serve people scattered over more than one million square miles of northern Canada and Alaska.
“The entire LAMP family is mourning the loss of our founder,”
Pastors installed to serve
shared LAMP’s Executive Director, Rev. Dr. Steven Schave. “But we grieve with hope in Christ our Saviour.”
Dr. Schave first encountered Rev. Stahlke as a child, when the missionary came to his home congregation as a speaker, sharing stories about LAMP’s work. This encounter had a profound impact on Dr. Schave, who recalled these fond memories when he was approached to serve as LAMP’s Executive Director in 2021.
“Little did Les know that he was planting seeds for future missionaries,” shared Dr. Schave. “Just as he sowed the seeds of the Gospel that would blossom across Northern Canada.”
LAMP writes: “Pastor Stahlke was passionate that the focus of the ministry be on developing relationships with people in the communities LAMP serves”—which remains a focus of the organization to this day.
new Lutheran mission in Managua
NICARAGUA – On February, 2, 2025, the Lutheran Church in Nicaragua (Iglesia Luterana-Sinodo de Nicaragua – ILSN ) joyfully celebrated the installation of Rev. Felix Sanchez and Rev. Agustin Lanzas, who have been called to serve a new mission congregation in the capital city of Managua. The ceremony took place in the humble yet reverent setting at the housechurch currently being used for the
mission congregation, marking the beginning of their pastoral ministry in Managua.
The installation service was attended by fellow clergy and members of the faith community, who gathered for this important occasion. The two newly installed pastors, dressed in traditional white vestments with red stoles, that were made for them for this occasion and for their ministry, stood in solemn reflection as prayers were
spoken over them. The presence of fellow pastors laying hands upon them symbolized the continuity of faith and the sacred duty now entrusted to them.
Rev. Sanchez and Rev. Lanzas will work together to shepherd this growing mission congregation, offering spiritual guidance, preaching the Gospel, and administering the Sacraments. Their mission is to reach out to the people of Managua, providing a strong Confessional Lutheran presence and bringing the message of Christ’s grace and salvation to those in need.
This new mission was established with the help of Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC), which continues to support its growth and ministry. The partnership between ILSN and LCC reflects a shared commitment to spreading the Gospel and strengthening Confessional Lutheran communities in Nicaragua.
LCC prays that God will bless Rev. Sanchez and Rev. Lanzas in their ministry and strengthen the new mission congregation in Managua.
The Church is not static; she is a living body, called and sent, always in motion. From the moment Christ Jesus commanded His apostles, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19), the Church has been moving—preaching, baptizing, and teaching. Yet mission work is not movement for its own sake. The Church moves with a clear purpose: to bring sinners into Christ’s Church, where He Himself serves and nourishes His faithful through the Means of Grace. The mission of the Church is not complete when someone hears the Gospel once; it is complete when those called to faith are established in the sacramental life of the Church, receiving Christ’s life-giving gifts for their salvation. Missions, therefore, is nothing other than the living activity of the Church as she carries out her Lord’s command in accordance with His institution and promise.
From the beginning, the Church’s movement has had this goal. The apostles did not simply evangelize and move on; they planted congregations, appointed pastors, and ensured that new believers received ongoing pastoral care (Acts 2:42; 14:23). The same must be true for Lutheran missions today. The Church in motion does not merely scatter the seed of the Word; she gathers the harvest, so that those brought to faith may be continually sustained by God’s life-giving gifts in Word and Sacrament.
THE CHURCH IN MOTION
A Confessional Lutheran Approach to Missions
DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS | REV. M.L. SMITH
THE PERFORMATIVE ACTION OF THE GOSPEL
The Church’s mission is not driven by human strategy, emotional persuasion, or numerical success, but by the performative power of God’s Word to create faith: “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). The Church does not operate as a marketing campaign but as Christ’s ambassador (2 Corinthians 5:20), proclaiming the Word through which God Himself works. When God speaks, His Word does not merely describe reality—it creates it. “Let there be light” (Genesis. 1:3) was not a statement but a command that brought light into existence. Likewise, when the Gospel is faithfully preached, the Holy Spirit is at work, creating faith according to His will, bringing sinners from death to life.
Where faith is created by the Spirit, it must be nurtured and sustained by the Spirit. Thus, the Church’s mission work must not settle for short-term engagement but ensure that those brought to faith are continually fed and cared for. This underscores the essential role of local congregations, where believers receive ongoing nourishment through the Means of Grace.
MISSION WORK IS CHURCH WORK
The Church in motion does not move aimlessly. She moves toward a goal: establishing and leading people into congregations where Christ’s
people receive His life-giving, and faith-sustaining, gifts. Mission work is not separate from the Church’s life—it is the Church’s life. Missions that fail to establish and lead people into congregations leave new believers spiritually vulnerable, disconnected from the Means of Grace. Without regular Word and Sacrament ministry, faith is left to wither rather than grow. The Church in motion does not merely pass through a place, leaving behind scattered converts; she takes root, ensuring that Christ’s gifts are continually given to His people.
The Church is always in motion, but her movement is purposeful. Christ has given her the task of making disciples through Word and Sacrament. Because faith is created and sustained by the Spirit’s work through the Means of Grace, mission work must not only proclaim but also establish and strengthen believers in Lutheran congregations where they are regularly fed and cared for.
The movement of the Church is not about quick results but lasting faithfulness. The Church in motion does not merely spread; she gathers. She does not simply reach people but plants them firmly in the life of Christ’s Church. As we engage in mission work, we do so with confidence—not in human efforts, but in the power of Christ’s Word and His promise to build His Church (Matthew 16:18). The Church moves because our Lord sends her, and wherever she goes the Spirit works through the Means of Grace to gather, nurture, and preserve saving faith in
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those He enlightens, keeping them steadfast in Christ’s Body, the Church until His glorious return.
PRAYER:
Lord, You have set Your Church in motion, calling us to go forth with the Gospel, to proclaim, to baptize, and to teach. As Your Word goes out, let it accomplish all that You purpose, gathering sinners into Your Body and sustaining them in faith through Your Means of Grace. Richly bless those who labour in mission, that they may not only faithfully proclaim Your Word but also establish congregations where Your faithful may continually be spiritually nourished and nurtured. Keep Your Church steadfast, moving always according to Your will, guided by Your Spirit, and firmly planted in Your promises. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen
The Blessings of Lutheran Day Schools in Nicaragua
The Lutheran Church in Nicaragua is a vibrant testimony to the power of the Gospel and the Spirit’s work through faithful education. Central to this ministry are the 22 Lutheran Day Schools spread across the country, where children are instructed in both academic subjects and, more importantly, in the saving faith of Christ crucified and risen. These schools are not only centres of learning but also vital mission outposts, forming the next generation of Christians and strengthening the Church in its mission to share the Good News of our salvation in Christ Jesus. At the heart of this fruitful ministry are the faithful deaconesses and maestras (teachers) who serve as the Church’s hands and voice in the classrooms. These women dedicate themselves not only to tutoring children in math, science, and language but also to nurturing the souls of the young Christians entrusted to their care.
Daily catechesis, devotions, and prayer weave the faith into the rhythm of school life, ensuring that each child grows in their knowledge of God’s Word and promises. Many children, through the instruction they receive at these schools, are introduced to the faith for the first time, while others deepen their understanding of their baptismal identity and their role in Christ’s Church.
This vital work is supported and encouraged by Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC), which has long partnered with the Lutheran Church Synod of Nicaragua (Iglesia Luterana Sinodo de Nicaragua - ILSN). Through financial support, prayer, and pastoral care and guidance, LCC helps sustain these schools as places where Christ is proclaimed and His love shared. The partnership between LCC and the ILSN is a shining example of how the global body of Christ works together to accomplish the Great Commission, reaching into local communities with the truth of the Gospel.
The fruit of this collaboration is evident in the lives of the children who attend these schools. Many go on to be active members of their congregations, sharing the Gospel with their families and communities. Some even pursue service in the church themselves, becoming pastors, deaconesses, or lay leaders. In this way, the Lutheran Day Schools not only impact the students who attend but also build up the church in Nicaragua for generations to come.
ILSN schools are a profound blessing. They remind us of the Church’s call to teach the faith, following the command of our Lord to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). As Lutherans, we confess that faith comes by hearing the Word of Christ, and these schools ensure that the Word is planted in the hearts of children, where it can grow and bear fruit. We thank God for the faithful work of the deaconesses, teachers, and all who serve in this ministry, and we continue to pray for the ongoing support and partnership between the ILSN and LCC.
May God continue to bless the Lutheran Day Schools of Nicaragua as places of learning, faith, and hope. May He guide the hands and hearts of those who serve, and may His Gospel shine brightly through this work, bringing more souls to the joy and peace of salvation in Christ Jesus.
FRENCH MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS | Following the French Liturgy Workshop hosted by LCC's Francophone Lutheran Liturgical Institute in 2023, the International Lutheran Council formed a Francophone subcommittee—which includes Rev. Dr. David Somers, LCC's Missionary-at-Large in Quebec. Much of the Lutheran worship and education material in French used worldwide comes from Lutheran Church–Canada!
A PASTORAL LETTER ON THREE YEARS OF WAR IN UKRAINE
Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ,
As we mark three years of war in Ukraine, our hearts are heavy with sorrow for all those affected by this ongoing conflict. The members of Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) grieve with those who have suffered loss, displacement, and unimaginable hardship. We especially hold in our prayers the countless families torn apart—husbands and fathers separated from their wives and children, uncertain of when they might be reunited. The pain of such separation, endured for the sake of defending one’s home and loved ones, is a burden no family should have to bear.
As the war rages on, we continue to stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, offering our heartfelt compassion, prayers, and tangible support. We remember those forced to flee their homes, many of whom now live as refugees in foreign lands, struggling to rebuild their lives. We also acknowledge those who remain, enduring the daily realities of war, trusting in God’s provision and strength. May the Lord be their refuge and stronghold in these troubled times.
PARTNERSHIP WITH SELCU
We give thanks to God for the courage and dedication of our brothers and sisters in the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU). We especially give thanks for the faithful shepherds who have embraced their calling in the face of overwhelming adversity, tirelessly caring for their flocks even as they themselves endure hardship and uncertainty.
Despite being separated from their own families—many of whom have found safety in Germany and other parts of Europe—these pastors have remained steadfast, offering spiritual nourishment and works of mercy to those in need. Their selfless sacrifices exemplify the love of Christ, who laid down His life for His sheep. We thank God for their unwavering commitment to the Gospel, as they continue to proclaim His Word and administer the Sacraments amid war’s devastation. Their example reminds us that the Church endures, not because of human strength, but by the sustaining power of Christ, our Good Shepherd.
THE FAITHFUL MINISTRY OF REV. OLEXSIY NAVROTSKYY
Among these faithful servants, we particularly commend the work of our missionary in Ukraine, Rev. Olexsiy Navrotskyy. Throughout these difficult years, he has remained steadfast in his calling, shepherding the flock entrusted to him at the Nikolaev parish and Lviv mission.
When the war began, most of his congregation in Nikolaev was forced to seek refuge elsewhere, leaving behind only a small remnant. Yet, instead of retreating, Rev. Navrotskyy turned outward, faithfully serving his community, overseeing LCC’s Ukraine Aid Fund, and providing both physical and spiritual care to those in need. Through his tireless ministry, he has shared the love of Christ in word and deed, bringing the comfort of the Gospel to many lives.
By God’s grace, this faithfulness has borne great fruit. The once-diminished congregation now overflows with new members who have come to hear the Word of God and receive Christ’s
Life-giving gifts. The church is filled with those seeking the peace that only Christ Jesus can give. We rejoice in this remarkable witness to the power of the Gospel, which shines ever brighter in the darkest of times.
A CALL TO PRAYER
As we reflect on these three years of suffering and endurance, we lift our voices in prayer. We implore our merciful Lord to bring an end to this war, to restore peace, and to heal the wounds of all who have been affected. We pray for the people of Ukraine, for those displaced, for the grieving, for those living in fear, and for those who hunger and thirst for justice and restoration.
We also commend to God the members of SELCU and their pastors, who continue their ministry with faithfulness and perseverance. We pray for Rev. Olexsiy Navrotskyy and the work he carries out in Nikolaev, Odessa, and Lviv, that the Lord would strengthen him and bless his labours for the sake of Christ’s kingdom. Finally, we remember the Ukrainian diaspora— our brothers and sisters now scattered here in Canada and throughout the world—asking that they would find comfort, support, and a steadfast faith in their new circumstances.
May the Lord of all peace, who has conquered sin and death through the victory of His Son, grant His abiding presence to His people in Ukraine and throughout the world. We place our trust in His unfailing mercy, knowing that He will sustain His Church until the day when all things are made anew and His faithful dwell in eternal peace.
In Christ,
Rev. M.L. Smith, Director of International Missions
EDUCATION
CLS call for nominations for president
EDMONTON – Concordia Lutheran Seminary (CLS) in Edmonton is issuing a second call for nominations for the role of President.
In February 2023, CLS worked with Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (St. Catharines, Ontario) and Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) representatives to set goals that
would further CLS’ work in training servants for the church. At that time, the CLS Board of Regents made the decision to call an Interim President for a two-year period, anticipating that during that period clarity would be gained regarding both the needs of the church with regard to seminary education and the role of CLS in providing for those needs.
While this work continues, there has been sufficient clarity gained for the Board of Regents to be confident in calling a President. CLS issued a call in December to Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Kloha to serve as the seminary’s new president, which was declined, and the seminary continues to be served by Interim President Joel D. Heck.
After prayerful consideration, the Board of Regents has refined the Call for Nominations document, and continues searching for someone who will carry forward the seminary’s current strengths, work with existing faculty and staff, and help lead
Second president of CLS called to glory
EDMONTON – On February 21, 2025, Rev. Dr. Milton Rudnick— the second president of Concordia Lutheran Seminary (CLS) in Edmonton, Alberta—was called to glory, at the age of 97.
During his lifetime, Dr. Milton served as a pastor, church historian, theologian, author, fund-raiser, missionary, and seminary president. He spent much of his ministry serving as a professor at Concordia College (now University) in St. Paul, Minnesota.
In Dr. Rudnick’s role as Regional Director of the LCMS Forward in Remembrance funding drive, he raised some of the money that helped build the Concordia Lutheran Seminary building—and there remains a small endowment that supports the seminary to this day.
forward in the ongoing exploration of what lies ahead for CLS in its role of providing for the education of Church Workers in Canada. This is a called position.
A full list of qualifications can be found in the Call for Nominations document on CLS’ website.
Nominations may be made by members of LCC: congregations, pastors, deacons, including LCC President’s Ministry Council and Board of Directors, faculty, and CLS Regents. Nominations should be submitted by May 13, 2025.
The screening and interviews will take place in early June 2025, with a call issued by the end of July and a proposed start date negotiable.
Questions can be directed to the Chair of the Board of Regents at slyons@concordiasem.ab.ca.
Please send nominations to Dcn. Miriam Winstanley at mwinstanley@ concordiasem.ab.ca.
Dr. Rudnick served as CLS President for five years, from 19871992. During this time, he saw the seminary through accreditation with the Association of Theological Schools, as well as the funding and construction of the current seminary building.
In retirement, Dr. Rudnick served as interim pastor for several churches and as Assistant to the Pastor at Life in Christ Lutheran Church in Albertville, Minnesota. He also taught at Russian and Ukrainian seminaries, and worked in development for the Oswald Hoffmann School of Christian Outreach.
A funeral service was held on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Life in Christ Lutheran Church (Albertville, Minnesota).
First president of CLTS called to glory
St. CATHARINES, Ont. – On February 4, 2025, Rev. Dr. Howard Kramer—the first president of Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (CLTS) in St. Catharines, Ontario—was called to glory, having celebrated his 100th birthday in June of 2024.
After graduating from Concordia Seminary (St. Louis) in 1948, Dr. Kramer went on to teach at Concordia College (Ann Arbor, Michigan) and, in 1984, accepted the position of CLTS President, serving until his retirement in 1990.
In a release, CLTS wrote: “Dr. Kramer’s legacy lives on not only through the countless students he taught and mentored over his 24 years in higher education but also through the ministry of three of CLTS’s current professors. Dr. Winger, Dr. Kellerman, and Dr. Korcok were all taught by Dr. Kramer at Concordia College, Ann Arbor, with Dr. Winger and Dr. Korcok studying under him at CLTS.”
Current CLTS President, Rev. Dr. Thomas Winger, reflects on Dr. Kramer’s influence on the seminary: “He carried on the foundational work
of Dean Humann by strengthening our ties with Brock University, increasing financial support, and calling the great faculty members that taught us in the late ’80s and ’90s. He took a keen interest in all of us, which continued long after he left St. Catharines.”
Dr. Kramer and his wife, Valerie (who was called to glory in 2020), had four children, 13 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.
A funeral service was held on February 8 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Des Peres, Missouri. The family encouraged memorial gifts be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (Des Peres, Missouri) or to Kramer scholarship funds at Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (St. Catharines, Ontario) or Concordia University (Ann Arbor, Michigan).
CLTS staff member writes children’s book
ST. CATHARINES, Ont. –Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (CLTS) recently celebrated the launch of a children’s book written
by one of its staff members who goes by the pen name Maria Antonia.
Barnaby the Runaway Sheep is a story of trust, telling the tale of
a lamb who must learn to trust his shepherd in the face of his fears.
For more information on ordering, visit: MariaAntoniaWrites.com.
Lutheran Women Today
HELPING WOMEN GROW, SHARE AND SERVE IN HIS NAME
BE PART OF THE MUSIC
Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise in the assembly of the godly! (Psalm 149:1)
Every three years Lutheran Women’s Missionary League–Canada, Inc. (LWMLC) selects a new theme verse from Scripture to unify its national convention and to serve as an underlying theme for the next three years. Sing to the Lord a new song was selected as the league’s theme for 2024-2027.
To help carry that theme forward, the league’s online devotions posted each month feature background on the writers of familiar hymns. Watch for these devotions:
February: Anna Warner - Jesus Loves Me, LSB 588
March: Ray Palmer - My Faith Looks Up to ee, TLH 394
April: Carolina Sandell Berg - Children
of the Heavenly Father, LSB 725
May: Horatio Spa ord - When Peace
Like a River, LSB 763
Devotions are available in written form and recorded for listening, in English and in French. Why not hone your French-speaking skills and listen in French while following along with the English print version?
If you have a favourite hymn and would like to know about the author, contact Jill at vpchristiangrowth@ lutheranwomen.ca.
A prayer calendar is also available each month. It and the devotions can be found on the LWMLC website at lutheranwomen.ca/growing-godsword/
FREE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO ALL
Only through Growing in God’s Word can we be equipped to share God's Son and serve God's people. LWMLC wishes to serve not only the members of LWMC but women throughout Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC), and congregations of e Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) within Canada with resources to help them be built in
faith within the security of Lutheran theology.
LWMLC o ers an abundance of such resources free of charge through their Download on Demand Resource (DOD) Catalogue. Over 30 pages detail Bible studies, devotions, litanies and more which you can request through DOD for use by groups or for personal spiritual growth. e
The women of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League seek to serve the women in Lutheran Church–Canada. WHO are we?
We are Lutheran women who seek to serve God.
WHAT do we do?
We help women grow in God’s word, share God’s son, and serve God’s people.
WHERE do we serve?
We serve in Canada and in missions throughout the world.
WHEN do we serve? Wherever and whenever He has need of us.
HOW do we serve?
providing resources for growth for women.
WHY do we serve?
Because Jesus commanded us to in
As a woman in Lutheran Church–Canada, I invite you to join us. Serving Him, Marilyn Witte, President LWMLC and “music conductor”
catalouge also houses YouTube links to videos of past webinars for instant viewing. Visit lutheranwomen. ca/resources/dod/ and open the Download on Demand Resource Catalogue to nd this treasure trove of faith-building resources.
Lutheran Women Today
HELPING WOMEN GROW, SHARE AND SERVE IN HIS NAME
EMPOWERING WOMEN THROUGH INFORMATIVE WEBINARS
As women of LWMLC we seek to support our sisters in Christ within LCC as together we Grow in God’s Word, Share God’s Son and Serve God’s people. One such avenue is the use of webinars, open to all. ey are grassroots and are conducted in response to need. In the past, our webinar platform hosted the 2021 national convention and in 2022, three out of the four district conventions. Our webinar platform has hosted Bible studies, featured speakers from various mission projects supported by LWMLC through
our mites, provided “how to” seminars and been used to present spiritual growth seminars. Future plans include adding webinars discussing Christian leadership and other topics by inspirational speakers. LWMLC is committed to exploring and adding more content that will help equip and encourage women as they serve in their churches and communities. Don't miss these opportunities to engage, learn and stay connected by attending our webinars.
STORE
Our rst webinar this triennium, held November 30, is available online by requesting a link. Some previous webinars are also available on request. e second MITES IN ACTION webinar is planned for Saturday, March 1. Our presenter from LAMP, recipient of one of our chosen mission grants, will share information about their ministry in the North. To join the webinar please send your request to webinar@lutheranwomen.ca.
Its unique link will be sent to you within the week before. Watch on your own or consider planning a gathering to take in this event. Paci c Time - 8:30 am Mountain Time - 9:30 am Central Time - 10:30 am Eastern Time - 11:30 am Atlantic Time - 12:30 am e third webinar will be held in June. More information will be shared through LWMLC Update and LWMLC social media as details come together.
While this idea is aimed at LWMLC societies, it would also be an excellent one for congregations where there is no active society. LWMLC has many items available for sale from their Resource Centre in Kitchener, Ont. You can nd a catalogue at lutheranwomen. ca, but seeing the actual items rst-hand is much better than looking at a picture. Consider ordering a consignment kit for a special event or just to have available for three months. Pick what you want to receive, sell the items, forward the money and return any unsold items, keeping in mind that you are responsible for the cost of any returns. For assistance, contact resourcecentre@lutheranwomen.ca.
KEEP UP TO DATE
on programs, materials and opportunities for women throughout the church by signing up to receive the twice-monthly LWML–Canada Update at https:// lutheranwomen.ca/publications/
PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE THE CHURCH
All the activities carried out by LWMLC are done by volunteers. ere are no funds for paid sta , even short-term projects. at, however, does not prevent the league from o ering some great opportunities for women of any
age, to use their gi s or to be mentored as they learn new skills. Currently a call has been issued for women to use their God-given gi s to help put together a spiritual growth seminar/retreat and to assist with its presentation in 2026.
Never done this before but would like to learn? Speak to the VP Communication Karen (vpcommunication@ lutheranwomen.ca) about the possibility of a volunteer mentorship in this or other areas of LWMLC.
Lutheran Women Today
HELPING WOMEN GROW, SHARE AND SERVE IN HIS NAME
WOMEN SUPPORT MISSION WORK IN CANADA AND ABROAD THROUGH MITES
Every three years women of LWMLC select a wide variety of mission projects to receive grants. During the 2024-27 triennium “mites” will fund $251,000 in approved grants.
e gi s received are called mites based on the biblical story of the widow’s mite (Luke 21:1-4) in the King James Version (more recent versions refer to a small coin worth less than a penny).
Contributions amount to thousands of dollars. ey allow the contributors, through the national body of LWML–Canada, to provide nancial grants which assist others in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to implement the LWMLC program.
AN UPDATE ON MISSION GRANTS FOR 2024-2027
e league’s goal over the next three years is to gather and pay out $251,000 in grants for mission projects selected by delegates in July 2024.
• $24,000 Street Reach Ministry, Regina, Sask. • $7,500 Technology Upgrade, Concordia Lutheran eological Seminary, St. Catharines, Ont. • $10,000 Lutheran Hospital Ministries Southern Alberta • $30,000 Deaconesses, Cambodia Lutheran Church • $7,500 National Youth Gathering • $1,000 Christian material, Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Regina, Sask. •
$15,000 Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots (L.A.M.P.) • $6,000 Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Central Region • $30,000 Ministry and Outreach, Nicaragua • $3,735 French Liturgy Foundations • $21,000 Ethiopian Ministry and Outreach • $9,475 First Lutheran Academy, Windsor, Ont. •
$4,000 Joint Faculty Retreat, Concordia Lutheran Seminary and Concordia Lutheran eological Seminary • $3,880 Bus Ministry, Christ Our King Lutheran Church, Mississauga, Ont. • $27,910 Youth Director, Richmond/ Vancouver, B.C. • $50,000 Mission Opportunity Fund ~ support for mission needs that arise between conventions
MISSION GRANTS PAID
e following grants have been paid as of February 1, 2025, since their selection at the league’s national convention in July.
$7,500 National Youth Gathering ~ o ers community and spiritual growth to youth and youth leaders in Lutheran Church–Canada to be held in Waterloo, July 2025.
Support for these projects is open to anyone. For more information about mission grants and how you can support them visit our website https://lutheranwomen. ca/ or contact our Vice-President, Christian Mission at vpchristian@ lutheranwomen.ca
$3,735 French Liturgy Foundations ~ funds the adaptation and translation of liturgy education materials into French for use in francophone congregations in Canada, USA, France, Haiti and several African countries.
As the rest of the year’s series of the liturgical foundations for childrens’ materials are completed, they will be sent weekly to the same congregations and posted on the LCC’s liturgical resources page.
Mission Opportunity Fund grants
• Central District Pastors’ Wives Fall Retreat – $500
• Camp Lutherland Christian Resources - $750
the Wilfred Laurier campus, Waterloo, Ont., where
HELPING WOMEN GROW, SHARE AND SERVE IN HIS NAME
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE FOR THE LWMLC MAGAZINE, TAPESTRY
is spring LWML–Canada’s magazine, Tapestry, celebrates thirty year of publication. When the magazine was begun in 1995 there was a great need to bring women together in our newly independent organization. As districts, we’d always looked south for leadership and resources; now we were looking east/west, and we didn’t know each other very well. Being able to publish a magazine of our own only two years a er our founding gave us much con dence that small as we were compared to our American sisters, God would provide us with the gi s we needed to be successful.
Here we are thirty years later, working together as if we’d always done so. So, what’s the magazine’s purpose now? Do we still need it to bring/keep us together across this vast country? Is it more than or less than that? Every so o en it is imperative to review,
refresh, rethink, and a signi cant anniversary such as this seems like a good time.
e world around us, including within the church, has changed— not God’s promises and the love our Saviour has for us but the ways people communicate and some of the needs of our sisters in Christ. How do those changes a ect the ways LWMLC communicates as we seek to carry out the league’s mission of enabling and encouraging all the women of Lutheran Church–Canada to grow in God’s Word, share God’s Son and serve God’s people? Tapestry has been part of that communication and answering the questions posed above, and others, will help us determine the magazine’s purpose today and into the future.
e editors and the communication committee, invite you (subscribers, former subscribers and non-subscribers)
“I wept many tears at the closing service of our old church. I
Ann Misener, Winter 2024
a team, a group, that learns together, worships
Jane Jacob, Summer 2024
In addition to Tapestry, each district produces a newsletter several times a year with news about all the activities by local societies and zones. Find copies at https://lutheranwomen.ca/publications/
to contribute your input and ideas, to share your needs and to encourage the women around you in your congregation to do so as well. A survey has been written. Answering it will take a little time but that time spent considering what is asked will be a valuable resource in determining the magazine’s future.
Most of 2025 will be needed to receive and analyze your responses as well as determine what is both possible and will meet your needs. ere will, therefore, be no changes to renewal forms for 2025-26. ey are available for you to subscribe individually or aas a group at https://lutheranwomen.ca.
LINK TO THE SURVEY ONLINE: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/ e/1FAIpQLSenOjRMGMf_RAv55C n2mdlC1ik4NhP6SXdyCUSj9x_6y sMB6Q/viewform?usp=sharing
LINK TO PRINTABLE VERSION: https://lutheranwomen.ca/wpcontent/uploads/2025/01/SurveyFuture-of-Tapestry- nal-PDFversion.pdf
For those who have never seen Tapestry, we have provided some sample copies on our website but here are direct links as well. https://drive.google.com/ le/ d/1GY0i5eoEEzNO7MIbom9a9smgPYCqETg/view?usp=sharing
Rev. Eric Moffatt , serving Foothills (Calgary, AB) accepted a call to St. John’s (Beach Corner, AB).
Y OUR F AITH ,
Y OUR L EGACY .
As stewards of God’s gifts, what legacy will you leave? A legacy gift in your Will ensures the blessings God has entrusted to you continue to serve His Church and spread the Gospel.
Rev. Paul Eifert, Emeritus (Edmonton, AB) called to glory.
Rev. David Bode, Foothills (Calgary, AB) to Emeritus.
Rev. Dr. James Gimbel, President Emeritus (CLSEdmonton) accepted a call to St. John (Kimball, MNLCMS) beginning July 1, 2025.
Dcn. David Faerber , Candidate (Windsor, ON) to Emeritus.
Rev. Sang-Rog Choi, Candidate (Vegreville, AB) to Emeritus.
Rev. James Lindemann, Candidate (Lethbridge, AB) to Emeritus.
Dcn. Ashley Maskowitz, Candidate (Red Deer, AB) resigned from roster.
Concordia Lutheran Mission Society
“Jesus loves me, this I know for the Bible tells me so…”
When we partner together we enable the local pastors, deaconesses and teachers to provide Christian education to the children within their own communities.
For a free seminar on Christian Estate Planning, contact:
Please support Theological Training in Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar and our other mission areas so that Jesus’ message of love continues to reach the children.
Thank you for your prayers and gifts in support of our LCC missions To donate, please visit our website: www.concordiamissions.org
IRUMINATIONS ON STEWARDSHIP FROM LENT AND HOLY WEEK
SYNOD PRESIDENT | REV. DR. TIMOTHY TEUSCHER
n the Large Catechism we read the following concerning the First Commandment: “Many a person thinks that he has God and everything he needs when he has money and possessions, in which he trusts and boasts so arrogantly and securely that he cares for no one. Surely, such a man has a god, Mammon by name, that is, money and possessions, on which he fixes his whole heart. It is the most common idol on earth. He who has money and possessions feels secure, happy, fearless, as though he were in the midst of Paradise. On the other hand, he who has nothing doubts and despairs as though he never heard of God” (LC Part One, 5-8).
During this past Lenten-tide, we heard a number of references to money and possessions. Being a penitential season, these were couched in terms of the Law—showing us thereby our sins when it comes to these First Article of the Creed gifts.
It began on Ash Wednesday with these words of Jesus: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).
This was followed a few days later by the traditional Gospel Reading for the First Sunday in Lent—the account of our Lord’s temptation in the wilderness by the devil who said to Him: “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread” (Luke 4:3). And do you remember Jesus’ answer? “Man shall not live by bread alone” (Luke 4:4).
On the Second Sunday in Lent we heard from the apostle Paul concerning those who are preoccupied with the things of this world: “Their end is destruction,” he said, “their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:19-20).
This was followed on the Third Sunday in Lent by the apostle recounting Israel’s disobedience during their forty years of wandering in the wilderness in these words: “Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, ‘The
people sat down to eat and to drink and rose up to play’” (1 Corinthians 10:7).
The next Sunday we heard Jesus’ familiar parable of the prodigal son who “said to his father: ‘Give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living” (Luke 15:12-13).
On the Fifth Sunday in Lent we heard Jesus’ parable of the wicked tenants who, instead of giving the servant of the owner of the vineyard a portion of the fruit from the vineyard, “beat him and sent him away empty-handed” (Luke 20:10).
But then came Holy Week and, fittingly, some positive examples of the stewardship of our possessions. It began on Palm Sunday when “most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before [Jesus] and that followed Him were shouting, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!’” (Matthew 21:8-9).
On Holy or Maundy Thursday we heard Jesus’ words to the disciples after He washed their feet in the upper room: “I have given you an example, that you should do just as I have done to you” (John 13:15).
The next day, Good Friday, the account of our Lord’s crucifixion concluded with Joseph of Arimathea, along with Nicodemus, taking the body of Jesus down from the cross, wrapping it in “linen cloths with the spices” (John 19:40), and laying Him in Joseph’s family tomb.
And then, the Gospel for Easter Day began with Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them going to Jesus’ tomb early in the morning, “taking the spices they had prepared” (Luke 24:1).
What are we to make of these readings that refer in one way or another to the money and possessions that God has given to us? Just this, as Luther says: “God does not want to lavish His blessings on us for any other purpose than His glory, the praise of the Giver, and the welfare of His church.”
Missouri North traces the history of Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) from its beginnings in the mid-1800s down to the present day.
In the first half of Missouri North, noted Canadian Lutheran historian Norman J. Threinen charts the development of LCC from its origins until autonomy. The second half of the book sees LCC’s first three presidents, Edwin Lehman, Ralph Mayan, and Robert Bugbee, continue the story, recounting milestones in the history of Lutheran Church–Canada over the next three decades. David H. Somers provides an additional essay examining the unique story of LCC’s French-language ministry.
MISSOURI
We all confess the Holy Ghost, Who, in highest heaven dwelling With God the Father and the Son, Comforts us beyond all telling; Who the Church, His own creation, Keeps in unity of spirit. Here forgiveness and salvation Daily come through Jesus' merit. All flesh shall rise, and we shall be In bliss with God eternally.
