Holding the Gospel Hostage vs. Sharing the Gospel

And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled. (Mark 5:19-20 ESV)

In reading a devotion this past weekend, it listed 5 steps to getting off to the right start following Christ. It is pretty cool because it actually spells the word S.T.A.R.T. So, far we have covered the S – Stop trusting in yourself and your own good works/things and start trusting in Christ alone for everything. (Ephesians 2:8-9). We’ve covered the T- Turn away from everything the Bible calls sin. (2 Timothy 2:19) We covered the A – Attend a small group for personal discipleship/accountability and weekly worship services. (Hebrews 10:25) Yesterday, we covered the R – Read and Obey your Bible every day. (Joshua 1:8) Today, we cover the final letter, T in the five steps to set us on the right track to Following Christ.

The selection from Scripture comes from the 5th chapter of Mark when Jesus heals a man who has a demon. You may remember the story, Jesus commands the unclean spirit to come out of the man. The unclean spirit begs Jesus to send them out of the country as they (Legion) needed another host. They then begged to be sent to the pigs. From there the pigs now with the unclean spirits in them, charged the steep bank, fell into the sea and drowned. The herdsmen were afraid because of what had happened and asked Jesus to leave their land. Which sets the stage for our verse today.

How many of us have attended a bible study or church service that was really moving? Not necessarily a feeling, but a move spiritually. Moving in the manner where God’s work through His Word and Sacraments caused you to see your sin, re-evaluate your life, and change so that you strived to live more according to God’s Will for us. This is not to say that this isn’t happening even when we aren’t aware of it. Just for a moment we are talking about something that hit home for you at that very moment.

How many of you have read something in the Bible that left you in utter shock? The Jerry Springer show, when it was in it’s prime, was all about shock value for its viewers. Here is a little secret for you, the Bible is full of shocking things that happened. The entire book of Genesis alone is so shocking that Jerry Springer wishes he could garner the ratings Genesis would produce. The works of God through Moses in Egypt, the trials and tribulations during the time of Judges, the antics of the prophets, wondrous works of Jesus amongst us, and lest not we forget the book of Acts and the letters from Paul, Peter, and John – all have equally amazing stories.

What happens when we hear, read, or see an amazing thing? We tend to want to share it with someone else. With the rise of the social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and Pinterest everything is one click away from sharing with all our friends. Which leads to a question, “Why don’t we share our faith, how much God has done for us, the Gospel in the same manner?” Enter our final letter for the week; T – Tell everyone about your new relationship with Christ. (Mark 5:19-20)

Jesus said, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” Do you know what happens when you tell others what God has done for you and them, the mercy He has had on you? It leads to Matthew 28:18-20; it leads to the baptizing and teaching of God’s Will. It means seeds are being planted, souls are saved, and the body of Christ expands. Family and friends should be the easiest people to share this simple message. If you can share it will family, then you can share it with anyone. To do anything otherwise is to hold the Gospel Hostage.

Gracious and Loving Father, we thank you for all that You have done for us. We thank you for Your Wondrous Mercy You have bestowed on us in the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Forgive us  for the times that we have kept You to ourselves, when we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves, and when we have held Your Gospel message hostage. Lord, at times we find it hard to share the life saving message of Your Son Crucified for our sins. Provide us with the power of the Holy Spirit so that we may follow the lead of Christ to confidently and enthusiastically share all You have done for us in Your Great Mercy. Amen.

Sermon: 6th Sunday of Easter – Love of a Friend

Spring 2012 Calls and Vicarage Assignments

Credits: Concordia News Release
2012 Spring Calls
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Arranged Alphabetically by Students’ Last Names

Adams, Caleb – St. Lorenz Evangelical Lutheran Church, Frankenmuth, Michigan, Michigan District
Andreasen, Jordon – St. John and Trinity Lutheran Churches, Wagner and Fairfax, South Dakota, South Dakota District
Barry, Matthew – St. Luke Lutheran Church, Cabot, Pennsylvania, Eastern District
Baumann, Joshua – Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, Pierre, South Dakota, South Dakota District
Behrens, Matthew – LakePointe Lutheran Church, Hot Springs, Arkansas, Mid-South District
Bernhardt, Robert – Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Louis, Missouri, Missouri District
Brandt, Wade – Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Ogden, Iowa, Iowa District West
Braun, Benjamin – Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Austin, Texas, Texas District
Burke, Adam – Mount Hope Lutheran Church, Boulder, Colorado, Rocky Mountain District
Bushuiakovish, Mark – Grace Lutheran Church, Knoxville, Tennessee, Mid-South District
Bussman, John – St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Cullman, Alabama, Southern District
Christensen, Jonathan – Hope Lutheran Church, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, South Wisconsin District
Davenport, Richard – Trinity Lutheran Church, Cincinnati, Ohio, Ohio District
Davidson, Seth – Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Nederland, Texas, Texas District
Davis, Christopher – Trinity Lutheran Church, Elkhart, Indiana, Indiana District
Dickerhoff, Jacob – Christ the Rock Lutheran Church, Rockford, Illinois, Northern Illinois District
Duley, Jason – St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Arlington, Nebraska, Nebraska District
Eden, Timothy – Our Savior Lutheran Church, Sulphur Springs, Texas, Texas District
Edge, David – Zion Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, South Dakota District
Edwards, Lucas – Holy Cross/Immanuel/Trinity Lutheran Churches, Onida/Harrold/Blunt, South Dakota, South Dakota District
Evans, Derek – Clover Trinity Lutheran Church, Buhl, Idaho, Northwest District
Fittje, Kyle – Immanuel Lutheran Church, Lockwood, Missouri, Missouri District
Fries, John – Immanuel and St. John’s Lutheran Churches, Trenton and Chillicothe, Missouri, Missouri District
Gehrke, Wesley – Christ Lutheran Church, Norfolk, Virginia, Southeastern District
Griffith, Christopher – St. John’s Lutheran Church, Covington, Oklahoma, Oklahoma District
Harbaugh, Darren – Concordia Evangelical Lutheran Church, Columbus, Ohio, Ohio District
Hardaway, Matthew – St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Missouri District
Hasz, Martin – Eisleben Lutheran Church, Scott City, Missouri, Missouri District
Hemler, Jonathan – Signal Hill Lutheran Church, Belleville, Illinois, Southern Illinois District
Hengst, Adam – King of Glory Lutheran Church, Williamsburg, Virginia, Southeastern District
Herberts, Dean – St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Norlina, North Carolina, Southeastern District
Hill, Nathaniel – St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, Winchester, Texas, Texas District
Holden, Jason – Our Savior Lutheran Church and Student Center, Carbondale, Illinois, Southern Illinois District
Holdorf, Zachary – Trinity Lutheran Church, Wausau, Wisconsin, North Wisconsin District
Janneke, Kory – Faith Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, South Dakota District
Johnson, Andrew – St. Paul Lutheran Church, Lapeer, Michigan, Michigan District
Johnson, Benjamin – Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Fremont, California, California-Nevada-Hawaii District
Jones, Richard – Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, Minot, North Dakota, North Dakota District
Kasper, Robert Gabe – Board of Mission Admin. (for ACTS, Lakeway), Austin, Texas, Texas District
Koglin, Adam – Redeemer Lutheran Church, Rochester, Minnesota, Minnesota South District
Kollmann, Christopher – Messiah Lutheran Church, Mounds View, Minnesota, Minnesota South District
Lakies, Chad – Concordia University Portland, Portland, Oregon, Northwest District
Larsen, Daniel – Bethany and Trinity Lutheran Churches, Wabasso and Sanborn, Minnesota, Minnesota South District
LeClair, Edward – St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Three Rivers, Michigan, Michigan District
Matyas, Dennis – St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Albion, Michigan, Michigan District
Meyer, Joel P. – Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Kingsland, Georgia, Florida-Georgia District
Miller, Joshua – Community of Life Lutheran Church, Oregon, Wisconsin, South Wisconsin District
Misch, Stephen Nathaniel – Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Corpus Christi, Texas, Texas District
Moore, Tyler – Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Cedar Park, Texas, Texas District
Moquin, Eric – Faith Lutheran Church, St. Cloud, Minnesota, Minnesota North District
Mueller, Jacob – Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church, Emma, Missouri, Missouri District
Mull, John David – St. Peter Lutheran Church, Roanoke, Texas, Texas District
Musegades, Michael – Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Grangeville, Idaho, Northwest District
Niebuhr, Jon – Trinity Lutheran Church, Carver, Minnesota, Minnesota South District
Ninke, John – Trinity Lutheran Church, Scottsboro, Alabama, Southern District
Oetting, Timothy – Our Savior Lutheran Church, Sheldon, Iowa, Iowa District West
Onken, Adam – Zion Lutheran Church, Leigh, Nebraska, Nebraska District
Pay, Garen – Peace Lutheran Church, Alcester, South Dakota, South Dakota District
Rasmussen, John – Our Savior Lutheran Church, South Windsor, Connecticut, New England District
Roettjer, Andrew – St. Mark Lutheran Church, Houston, Texas, Texas District
Roma, Thomas – Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Clayton, North Carolina, Southeastern District
Rose, Kevin – Peace and Our Savior Lutheran Churches, Marbleton and Pinedale, Wyoming, Wyoming District
Rosenkoetter, Brian – St. Paul Lutheran Church, Annapolis, Maryland, Southeastern District
Schroeder, David – Our Savior Lutheran Church, Excelsior, Minnesota, Minnesota South District
Schroeder, Ryan – St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, New Richmond, Wisconsin, North Wisconsin District
Schultz, John M. – St. John Lutheran Church, Plymouth, Wisconsin, South Wisconsin District
Sherman, Travis – Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Gordon, Nebraska, Wyoming District
Snoberger, Adam – Trinity Lutheran Church, Grand Island, Nebraska, Nebraska District
Starfeldt, Chad – Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Greenville, Wisconsin, North Wisconsin District
Sutton, August Trevor – St. Luke Lutheran Church, Haslett, Michigan, Michigan District
Synnott, Matthew – Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Peoria, Illinois, Central Illinois District
Urlaub, Bradley – Love of Christ Lutheran Church, St. Cloud, Minnesota, Minnesota North District
Weaver, Brian – Concordia Lutheran Church, Conover, North Carolina, Southeastern District
Welter, Austen – St. John Lutheran Church, South Euclid, Ohio, Ohio District
Whitmore, Justin – Immanuel and Trinity Lutheran Churches, Clarinda and Shenandoah, Iowa, Iowa District West
Winckler, Paul – Zion Lutheran Church, Rapid City, South Dakota, South Dakota District
Wollenberg, Nathan – St. Paul Lutheran Church, McAllen, Texas, Texas District
Wolters, Luke – Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Wellsville, Missouri, Missouri District
Woodrow, Joshua – LakePointe Lutheran Church, Hot Springs, Arkansas, Mid-South District
Yearyean, Timothy – Grace Lutheran Church, Hibbing, Minnesota, Minnesota North District
Zeigler, Michael – Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Louis, Missouri, Missouri District

CALL PENDING
Ikanih, Afam (EIIT)

DEACONESS

ASSIGNMENT PENDING
Griffith, Jennifer

EIIT: Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology

2012 Spring Calls
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Arranged by LCMS District

California-Nevada-Hawaii District
Johnson, Benjamin – Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Fremont, California

Central Illinois District
Synnott, Matthew – Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Peoria, Illinois

Eastern District
Barry, Matthew – St. Luke Lutheran Church, Cabot, Pennsylvania

Florida-Georgia District
Meyer, Joel P. – Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Kingsland, Georgia

Indiana District
Davis, Christopher – Trinity Lutheran Church, Elkhart, Indiana

Iowa District West
Brandt, Wade – Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Ogden, Iowa
Oetting, Timothy – Our Savior Lutheran Church, Sheldon, Iowa
Whitmore, Justin – Immanuel and Trinity Lutheran Churches, Clarinda and Shenandoah, Iowa

Michigan District
Adams, Caleb – St. Lorenz Evangelical Lutheran Church, Frankenmuth, Michigan
Johnson, Andrew – St. Paul Lutheran Church, Lapeer, Michigan
LeClair, Edward – St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Three Rivers, Michigan
Matyas, Dennis – St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Albion, Michigan
Sutton, August Trevor – St. Luke Lutheran Church, Haslett, Michigan

Mid-South District
Behrens, Matthew – LakePointe Lutheran Church, Hot Springs, Arkansas
Bushuiakovish, Mark – Grace Lutheran Church, Knoxville, Tennessee
Woodrow, Joshua – LakePointe Lutheran Church, Hot Springs, Arkansas

Minnesota North District
Moquin, Eric – Faith Lutheran Church, St. Cloud, Minnesota
Urlaub, Bradley – Love of Christ Lutheran Church, St. Cloud, Minnesota
Yearyean, Timothy – Grace Lutheran Church, Hibbing, Minnesota

Minnesota South District
Koglin, Adam – Redeemer Lutheran Church, Rochester, Minnesota
Kollmann, Christopher – Messiah Lutheran Church, Mounds View, Minnesota
Larsen, Daniel – Bethany and Trinity Lutheran Churches, Wabasso and Sanborn, Minnesota
Niebuhr, Jon – Trinity Lutheran Church, Carver, Minnesota
Schroeder, David – Our Savior Lutheran Church, Excelsior, Minnesota

Missouri District
Bernhardt, Robert – Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Louis, Missouri
Fittje, Kyle – Immanuel Lutheran Church, Lockwood, Missouri
Fries, John – Immanuel and St. John’s Lutheran Churches, Trenton and Chillicothe, Missouri
Hardaway, Matthew – St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Lee’s Summit, Missouri
Hasz, Martin – Eisleben Lutheran Church, Scott City, Missouri
Mueller, Jacob – Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church, Emma, Missouri
Wolters, Luke – Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Wellsville, Missouri
Zeigler, Michael – Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Louis, Missouri

Nebraska District
Duley, Jason – St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Arlington, Nebraska
Onken, Adam – Zion Lutheran Church, Leigh, Nebraska
Snoberger, Adam – Trinity Lutheran Church, Grand Island, Nebraska

New England District
Rasmussen, John – Our Savior Lutheran Church, South Windsor, Connecticut

North Dakota District
Jones, Richard – Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, Minot, North Dakota

North Wisconsin District
Holdorf, Zachary – Trinity Lutheran Church, Wausau, Wisconsin
Schroeder, Ryan – St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, New Richmond, Wisconsin
Starfeldt, Chad – Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Greenville, Wisconsin

Northern Illinois District
Dickerhoff, Jacob – Christ the Rock Lutheran Church, Rockford, Illinois

Northwest District
Evans, Derek – Clover Trinity Lutheran Church, Buhl, Idaho
Lakies, Chad – Concordia University Portland, Portland, Oregon
Musegades, Michael – Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Grangeville, Idaho

Ohio District
Davenport, Richard – Trinity Lutheran Church, Cincinnati, Ohio
Harbaugh, Darren – Concordia Evangelical Lutheran Church, Columbus, Ohio
Welter, Austen – St. John Lutheran Church, South Euclid, Ohio

Oklahoma District
Griffith, Christopher – St. John’s Lutheran Church, Covington, Oklahoma

Rocky Mountain District
Burke, Adam – Mount Hope Lutheran Church, Boulder, Colorado

South Dakota District
Andreasen, Jordon – St. John and Trinity Lutheran Churches, Wagner and Fairfax, South Dakota
Baumann, Joshua – Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, Pierre, South Dakota
Edge, David – Zion Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Edwards, Lucas – Holy Cross/Immanuel/Trinity Lutheran Churches, Onida/Harrold/Blunt, South Dakota
Janneke, Kory – Faith Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Pay, Garen – Peace Lutheran Church, Alcester, South Dakota
Winckler, Paul – Zion Lutheran Church, Rapid City, South Dakota

South Wisconsin District
Christensen, Jonathan – Hope Lutheran Church, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
Miller, Joshua – Community of Life Lutheran Church, Oregon, Wisconsin
Schultz, John M. – St. John Lutheran Church, Plymouth, Wisconsin

Southeastern District
Gehrke, Wesley – Christ Lutheran Church, Norfolk, Virginia
Hengst, Adam – King of Glory Lutheran Church, Williamsburg, Virginia
Herberts, Dean – St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Norlina, North Carolina
Roma, Thomas – Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Clayton, North Carolina
Rosenkoetter, Brian – St. Paul Lutheran Church, Annapolis, Maryland
Weaver, Brian – Concordia Lutheran Church, Conover, North Carolina

Southern District
Bussman, John – St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Cullman, Alabama
Ninke, John – Trinity Lutheran Church, Scottsboro, Alabama

Southern Illinois District
Hemler, Jonathan – Signal Hill Lutheran Church, Belleville, Illinois
Holden, Jason – Our Savior Lutheran Church and Student Center, Carbondale, Illinois

Texas District
Braun, Benjamin – Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Austin, Texas
Davidson, Seth – Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Nederland, Texas
Eden, Timothy – Our Savior Lutheran Church, Sulphur Springs, Texas
Hill, Nathaniel – St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, Winchester, Texas
Kasper, Robert Gabe – Board of Mission Admin. (for ACTS, Lakeway), Austin, Texas
Misch, Stephen Nathaniel – Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Corpus Christi, Texas
Moore, Tyler – Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Cedar Park, Texas
Mull, John David – St. Peter Lutheran Church, Roanoke, Texas
Roettjer, Andrew – St. Mark Lutheran Church, Houston, Texas
Wollenberg, Nathan – St. Paul Lutheran Church, McAllen, Texas

Wyoming District
Rose, Kevin – Peace and Our Savior Lutheran Churches, Marbleton and Pinedale, Wyoming
Sherman, Travis – Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Gordon, Nebraska

CALL PENDING
Ikanih, Afam (EIIT)

DEACONESS

ASSIGNMENT PENDING
Griffith, Jennifer

EIIT: Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology

2012 Spring Vicarages and Deaconess Internships
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Arranged Alphabetically by Students’ Last Names

Ankersen, Ryan – St. Paul Lutheran Church, Flemington, New Jersey, New Jersey District
Barlau, Joseph – Immanuel Lutheran Church, Seymour, Indiana, Indiana District
Bartholomew, Andrew – Immanuel Lutheran Church, Elmhurst, Illinois, Northern Illinois District
Bender, Douglas – Immanuel Lutheran Church, Macomb, Michigan, Michigan District
Black, Eric – Trinity Lutheran Church, Des Moines, Iowa, Iowa District West
Brandon, Kurt – Faith Lutheran Church, Bloomington, Indiana, Indiana District
Conrad, James – Light of the Hills Lutheran Church, Cameron Park, California, California-Nevada-Hawaii District
Deardoff, Carl – Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Madison, Wisconsin, South Wisconsin District
Doering, Theodore – Trinity Lutheran Church, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Southern District
Eden, Joel – St. Lorenz Lutheran Church, Frankenmuth, Michigan, Michigan District
Elfe, Chad – New Beginnings Lutheran Church, Pacific, Missouri, Missouri District
Erdman, Michael – Trinity Lutheran Church, Rochester, Minnesota, Minnesota South District
Espinosa, Alfonso – Salem Lutheran Church, Affton, Missouri, Missouri District
Fertitta, Patrick – Faith Lutheran Church, Tullahoma, Tennessee, Mid-South District
Fraker, Timothy – St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Oviedo, Florida, SELC District
Gerber, Anthony – St. John’s Lutheran Church, Orchard Park, New York, Eastern District
Grote, Joshua – Zion Lutheran Church, Palmyra, Missouri, Missouri District
Hanson, Kale – Zion Lutheran Church, Bethalto, Illinois, Southern Illinois District
Heckmann, Michael – Redeemer Lutheran Church, Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Oklahoma District
Hinrichs, Brett – St. John’s Lutheran Church, Decatur, Illinois, Central Illinois District
Holman, Raymond – St. John’s Lutheran Church, East Moline, Illinois, Central Illinois District
Koltz, Gary – Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Bridgeton, Missouri, Missouri District
Krepel, Joshua – Immanuel Lutheran Church, Washington, Missouri, Missouri District
Kruse, Caleb – Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lakewood, Colorado, Rocky Mountain District
Lally, Richard – Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Gretna, Nebraska, Nebraska District
Llewellyn, Joseph – Christ the Rock Lutheran Church, Rockford, Illinois, Northern Illinois District
Marque, Edward (Alex) – Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Roanoke, Virginia, Southeastern District
Martinal, Timothy – St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, New Hartford, Connecticut, New England District
Meyer, Jonathan – Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Edmond, Oklahoma, Oklahoma District
Murillo, David – Cross Lutheran Church, New Braunfels, Texas, Texas District
Nguyen, Daniel – Trinity Lutheran Church, Sacramento, California, California-Nevada-Hawaii District
Ostlund, Daniel – Our Savior Lutheran Church and Lutheran Student Center, Carbondale, Illinois, Southern Illinois District
Parker, Harrison – Messiah Lutheran Church, Clio, Michigan, Michigan District
Peters, Matthew D. – Blessed Savior Lutheran Church, Florissant, Missouri, Missouri District
Pettit, Joshua – St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Elberta, Alabama, Southern District
Potts, Daniel – Grace Lutheran Church, Winter Haven, Florida, Florida-Georgia District
Reinke, Joshua – Trinity Lutheran Church, Howards Grove, Wisconsin, South Wisconsin District
Reynolds, Stephen – First Lutheran Church, Gainesville, Florida, Florida-Georgia District
Ross, Bernard – Our Savior Lutheran Church, St. Charles, Missouri, Missouri District
Rosse, Andrew – Trinity Lutheran Church, Grand Island, Nebraska, Nebraska District
Rusert, Joshua – Living Savior Lutheran Church, Fairfax Station, Virginia, Southeastern District
Schaekel, Timothy – Trinity Lutheran Church, Janesville, Minnesota, Minnesota South District
Schlund, Andrew – Zion Lutheran Church, Litchfield, Illinois, Southern Illinois District
Schmidt, Micah – Ascension Lutheran Church, Wichita, Kansas, Kansas District
Smith, Harry – Concordia Lutheran Church, Conover, North Carolina, Southeastern District
Strussenberg, David – Trinity Lutheran Church, Ironwood, Michigan, North Wisconsin District
Taylor, Ryan – Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Warner Robins, Georgia, Florida-Georgia District
Vanderhyde, David – University Hills Lutheran Church, Denver, Colorado, Rocky Mountain District
Wade, Jeffrey – Trinity Lutheran Church, Troy, Missouri, Missouri District
Wampfler, Jacob – Woodbury Lutheran Church, Woodbury, Minnesota, Minnesota South District
Warmbier, Matthew – Trinity Lutheran Church, Frankfurt am Main, Germany, Office of International Mission
Wildauer, Weston – Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Jacksonville Beach, Florida, Florida-Georgia District
Wilshusen, James – Immanuel Lutheran Church, St. Charles, Missouri, Missouri District
Wilson, Andrew – Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Green Bay, Wisconsin, North Wisconsin District
Wingfield, William – Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Olathe, Kansas, Kansas District
Witt, Lucas – Immanuel Lutheran Church, Baltimore, Maryland, Southeastern District

Alternate Route
Hanchett, Mark – St. John Lutheran Church, Akron, Ohio, Ohio District
Haugen, Daniel – Redeemer Lutheran Church, Bellingham, Washington, Northwest District
Heermann, William – Trinity Lutheran Church, Amherst, Nebraska, Nebraska District
Hooper, William – St. Paul Lutheran Church, Hamburg, Michigan, Michigan District
Schockman, Gary – Christ Lutheran Church, Clinton, Wisconsin, South Wisconsin District
Vogeli, Mitchell – Nativity Lutheran Church, St. Charles, Michigan, Michigan District
Center for Hispanic Studies (CHS)
Corps, Rafael – Messiah Lutheran Church, Tampa, Florida, Florida-Georgia District
Huertas, Jose – Messiah Lutheran Church, Tampa, Florida, Florida-Georgia District
Justiniano, William – Messiah Lutheran Church, Tampa, Florida, Florida-Georgia District
Mendez, Arturo – Centro Familiar Cristiano, Houston, Texas, Texas District
Morales, Moises – Mount Zion Lutheran Church, Richmond, California, California-Nevada-Hawaii District

Cross-Cultural Ministry Center (CMC)
Dirks, Dennis – Our Savior Lutheran Church, Livermore, California, California-Nevada-Hawaii District
Schuermann, John – St. Luke Lutheran Church, Reno, Nevada, California-Nevada-Hawaii District

DEACONESS
Effken, Ashley – Lutheran Senior Services, Webster Groves, Missouri, Missouri District
Elliott, Sarah – Village Lutheran Church, Ladue, Missouri, Missouri District
Fallaque Maria (CHS) – Messiah Lutheran Church, Tampa, Florida, Florida-Georgia District
White, Sylvia – Messiah Lutheran Church, St. Louis, Missouri, Missouri District

CHS: Center for Hispanic Studies
CMC: Cross-Cultural Ministry Center

2012 Spring Vicarage and Deaconess Assignments
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Arranged by LCMS District

California-Nevada-Hawaii District
Conrad, James – Light of the Hills Lutheran Church, Cameron Park, California
Dirks, Dennis (CMC) – Our Savior Lutheran Church, Livermore, California
Morales, Moises (CHS) – Mount Zion Lutheran Church, Richmond, California
Nguyen, Daniel – Trinity Lutheran Church, Sacramento, California
Schuermann, John (CMC) – St. Luke Lutheran Church, Reno, Nevada

Central Illinois District
Hinrichs, Brett – St. John’s Lutheran Church, Decatur, Illinois
Holman, Raymond – St. John’s Lutheran Church, East Moline, Illinois

Eastern District
Gerber, Anthony – St. John’s Lutheran Church, Orchard Park, New York

Florida-Georgia District
Corps, Rafael (CHS) – Messiah Lutheran Church, Tampa, Florida
Huertas, Jose (CHS) – Messiah Lutheran Church, Tampa, Florida
Justiniano, William (CHS) – Messiah Lutheran Church, Tampa, Florida
Potts, Daniel – Grace Lutheran Church, Winter Haven, Florida
Reynolds, Stephen – First Lutheran Church, Gainesville, Florida
Taylor, Ryan – Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Warner Robins, Georgia
Wildauer, Weston – Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Jacksonville Beach, Florida

Indiana District
Barlau, Joseph – Immanuel Lutheran Church, Seymour, Indiana
Brandon, Kurt – Faith Lutheran Church, Bloomington, Indiana

Iowa District West
Black, Eric – Trinity Lutheran Church, Des Moines, Iowa

Kansas District
Schmidt, Micah – Ascension Lutheran Church, Wichita, Kansas
Wingfield, William – Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Olathe, Kansas

Michigan District
Bender, Douglas – Immanuel Lutheran Church, Macomb, Michigan
Eden, Joel – St. Lorenz Lutheran Church, Frankenmuth, Michigan
Hooper, William – St. Paul Lutheran Church, Hamburg, Michigan
Parker, Harrison – Messiah Lutheran Church, Clio, Michigan
Vogeli, Mitchell – Nativity Lutheran Church, St. Charles, Michigan

Mid-South District
Fertitta, Patrick – Faith Lutheran Church, Tullahoma, Tennessee

Minnesota South District
Erdman, Michael – Trinity Lutheran Church, Rochester, Minnesota
Schaekel, Timothy – Trinity Lutheran Church, Janesville, Minnesota
Wampfler, Jacob – Woodbury Lutheran Church, Woodbury, Minnesota

Missouri District
Elfe, Chad – New Beginnings Lutheran Church, Pacific, Missouri
Espinosa, Alfonso – Salem Lutheran Church, Affton, Missouri
Grote, Joshua – Zion Lutheran Church, Palmyra, Missouri
Koltz, Gary – Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Bridgeton, Missouri
Krepel, Joshua – Immanuel Lutheran Church, Washington, Missouri
Peters, Matthew D. – Blessed Savior Lutheran Church, Florissant, Missouri
Ross, Bernard – Our Savior Lutheran Church, St. Charles, Missouri
Wade, Jeffrey – Trinity Lutheran Church, Troy, Missouri
Wilshusen, James – Immanuel Lutheran Church, St. Charles, Missouri

Nebraska District
Heermann, William – Trinity Lutheran Church, Amherst, Nebraska
Lally, Richard – Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Gretna, Nebraska
Rosse, Andrew – Trinity Lutheran Church, Grand Island, Nebraska

New England District
Martinal, Timothy – St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, New Hartford, Connecticut

New Jersey District
Ankersen, Ryan – St. Paul Lutheran Church, Flemington, New Jersey

North Wisconsin District
Strussenberg, David – Trinity Lutheran Church, Ironwood, Michigan
Wilson, Andrew – Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Northern Illinois District
Bartholomew, Andrew – Immanuel Lutheran Church, Elmhurst, Illinois
Llewellyn, Joseph – Christ the Rock Lutheran Church, Rockford, Illinois

Northwest District
Haugen, Daniel – Redeemer Lutheran Church, Bellingham, Washington

Ohio District
Hanchett, Mark – St. John Lutheran Church, Akron, Ohio

Oklahoma District
Heckmann, Michael – Redeemer Lutheran Church, Bartlesville, Oklahoma
Meyer, Jonathan – Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Edmond, Oklahoma

Rocky Mountain District
Kruse, Caleb – Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lakewood, Colorado
Vanderhyde, David – University Hills Lutheran Church, Denver, Colorado

SELC District
Fraker, Timothy – St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Oviedo, Florida

South Wisconsin District
Deardoff, Carl – Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Madison, Wisconsin
Reinke, Joshua – Trinity Lutheran Church, Howards Grove, Wisconsin
Schockman, Gary – Christ Lutheran Church, Clinton, Wisconsin

Southeastern District
Marque, Edward (Alex) – Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Roanoke, Virginia
Rusert, Joshua – Living Savior Lutheran Church, Fairfax Station, Virginia
Smith, Harry – Concordia Lutheran Church, Conover, North Carolina
Witt, Lucas – Immanuel Lutheran Church, Baltimore, Maryland

Southern District
Doering, Theodore – Trinity Lutheran Church, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Pettit, Joshua – St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Elberta, Alabama

Southern Illinois District
Hanson, Kale – Zion Lutheran Church, Bethalto, Illinois
Ostlund, Daniel – Our Savior Lutheran Church and Lutheran Student Center, Carbondale, Illinois
Schlund, Andrew – Zion Lutheran Church, Litchfield, Illinois

Texas District
Mendez, Arturo (CHS) – Centro Familiar Cristiano, Houston, Texas
Murillo, David – Cross Lutheran Church, New Braunfels, Texas

Office of International Mission
Warmbier, Matthew – Trinity Lutheran Church, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

DEACONESS

Florida-Georgia District
Fallaque Maria (CHS) – Messiah Lutheran Church, Tampa, Florida

Missouri District
Effken, Ashley – Lutheran Senior Services, Webster Groves, Missouri
Elliott, Sarah – Village Lutheran Church, Ladue, Missouri
White, Sylvia – Messiah Lutheran Church, St. Louis, Missouri

CHS: Center for Hispanic Studies
CMC: Cross-Cultural Ministry Center

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Life Continues: Reflections on Call Day

At this point we are a day away from Call Day. The day 2nd, 3rd (deferred), and 4th year seminarians look forward to with anticipation. Don’t be fooled anyone who says, “I haven’t thought about it much.” They are putting on a brave face for you and others. In reality, the months leading up to Call Day can be very draining mentally and spiritually for those receiving assignments, their family and friends, and the church that will welcome them. Where will I go? Will they welcome me? Where will God get this biggest bang out of me? Was I selfish in the areas I thought best enhanced my skill set? Will I get along with my supervisor? What will happen with my family and friends? All of these are questions that have and will continue to run through the minds of seminarians, their families and friends, and their waiting congregation. There is no way to get around it.

Even for those very few who already know where they are are going to be placed, the stress of Call Day doesn’t escape them. The same worries fester within them as well. It becomes harder to concentrate on class work. Your instructors will work to keep you focused on the task at hand. They know more than anyone else, that life continues after you have heard your name called and you have learned you the location of your assignment. Life continues as they are still assignments to be completed, packing to take care of, arrangements to be made, and other life issues to pay attention.

Yes, I assure you Life Continues after you open that white envelope (after the service, not during). Life continues after you have met your supervisor, had dinner with family, and shared with friends. Life continues as the next day you are expected to re-focus on the exam or paper that is due in a couple of days. In fact because Life Continues, you owe it to yourself, your placement location, and future parish down the line that re-focus on what is important, the here and now. The church expects you to be the best of the best. The church is entrusting you with a noble task among its people.

I speak from experience. I am only days away from hitting the 1yr mark when I received my vicarage placement. Life continues with your formation. Rejoice in reaching this milestone of your formation careers. However, realize this is only a step, not the finish line. Let me be the first to congratulate you all on your vicarage placements and 1st Calls. Remember, this is not the finish line. Life Continues…

Sermon Palm Sunday: Once in a Lifetime

Call Day is May 1st at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

CALL DAY IS MAY 1 AT CONCORDIA SEMINARY, ST. LOUIS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 20, 2012

ST. LOUIS—Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, cordially invites the public to share in the joy of Call Day on Tuesday, May 1, 2012. Students who will serve as vicars or deaconess interns (a one-year internship) next year will receive their assignments during a 3:00 p.m. (CDT) worship service. Rev. Keith E. Kohlmeier, president of the Kansas District, will serve as preacher.

During a 7:00 p.m. worship service, candidates for the pastoral ministry will receive their first calls to serve as pastors, missionaries, and chaplains in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). One deaconess studies student will receive a call into the diaconal ministry. Dr. Jon T. Diefenthaler, president of the Southeastern District, will serve as preacher. Both services will be held in the Seminary’s Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus.

Those unable to attend may listen to the services online via the Seminary’s website (www.csl.edu). Both audio and video will be available. For more information, visit the Seminary’s website beginning two weeks prior to the services.

The vicarages and calls will be posted on Concordia Seminary’s website on May 1 at 9:00 p.m. Lists also will be emailed at the same time via the Seminary’s email list service, CSLNEWS. Those who desire to subscribe to CSLNEWS prior to the May 1 services in order to receive the lists may do so at the bottom of this email. A complete listing also will be featured in the spring/summer issue of Concordia Seminary magazine. Audio and video recordings of the sermons for both services will be available on the Seminary’s website within 24 hours.

For more information, contact creative services, Concordia Seminary, 801 Seminary Place, St. Louis, MO 63105; 314-505-7379; communications@csl.edu.

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Sermon: Preaching Christ Crucified – 3rd Sunday in Lent

4th Sunday after Epiphany: The One Authority and Teaching

Sermon – The Baptism of our Lord

Sermon as preached at the 8am service

30 years since the passing of Jonathan Udo Ekong

May 19, 1928 Jonathan Udo Ekong (1881–1982) was sent to the U.S. by the Ibesikbos in Nigeria to seek missionaries for his country.

“In the history of the Lutheran Church of Nigeria, Rev. Jonathan Udo Ekong is regarded as the patriarch. Ekong stands as living springboard between the Lutherans in the U.S.A. and the Lutherans in Nigeria. Ekong worked hard to bring a church and a school to Ibesikpo, his village in the present Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria. So great were his efforts that by the time he died in 1982, not only were there churches and schools in every Ibesikpo village, there were also Nigerian Lutherans serving with distinction all over Nigeria, in virtually every occupation and profession. Ekong was the very first person in Ibesikpo clan to beat a log-bell for people to assemble for worship. In a very real sense, therefore, Ekong was a pioneer and a trailblazer.”
(Dr. Kemdirim O. Protus, 2005)

January 6, 1982 Jonathan Udo Ekong, founding father of the Lutheran Church of Nigeria, died in Ibesikpo, Nigeria.

I was just short of my sixth birthday when word reached us in the U.S. that grandfather had died. At that point in my life I had only seen pictures of grandfather and heard the numerous stories from various people. For the men in my family and the Lutheran Church of Nigeria, grandfather really left large set of shoes to fill. His life story is simply inspiring to any man or woman entering the ministry. Try this on for size…

* He arrived in the U.S. looking for “the one true religion” (not my words, taken from the Log-Bell Ringer book) at the tender age of 47. At which point he had to begin his educational studies. Not like most missionaries that come from to our seminaries today. He had to start at the grade school level and work his way up at age 47.

* He would later return to Nigeria aided by the leadership of the late Dr. Henry Nau (President of Immanuel Lutheran Seminary, Greensboro, North Carolina)

* Longevity – He was 101 when he passed. His ministry even though it started late in life lasted 46 years. A ministry that included planting churches and schools among his people while using the a bicycle for transportation. A ministry that influenced his three children to excel; his oldest son Hosea serves as a pastor in the LCMS in Youngstown, OH and sits on the Board of Directors for the Ohio District, his other son Victor holds a Ph.D. in mathematics while teaching in Nigeria and in the U.S., and his daughter Dorcas who serves the Lutheran Church of Nigeria as a Deaconess.

* How many men have carried the weight of their people to go and bring back not only religion, but wherewithal to institute a educational system in each village to improve his people.

I am not big on recognizing the death of individuals, regardless of their impact on the world. We honor them back building off of the work during their time here. Yet, this one hits a little close to home, so I thought I would share. 🙂

To read more of Dr. Kemdirim O. Protus’ essay see the link below….
http://www.dacb.org/stories/nigeria/ekong_.html

The book he makes reference to, I reviewed back in August of 2010. It can be found here:

Jonathan Udo Ekong – The Log-Bell Ringer

http://www.lutheranhistory.org/history/tih0106.htm