Seminary Chorus to Visit

The Seminary Chorus, a 50-voice choir composed of young men studying for the pastoral ministry at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, WI, will present a sacred concert at East Fork Lutheran School on March 24th, at 7:00 PM.  The choir presents hymns and anthems in traditional and contemporary styles, accompanied by a variety of musical instruments and includes congregation participation. Besides presenting concerts in Wisconsin congregations, the Chorus will also appear at WELS churches in Arizona, Texas, Nevada, and New Mexico during its 2014 spring tour.

The Seminary Chorus is directed by Prof. James Tiefel and has toured throughout the country in its 82-year history. Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, located in suburban Milwaukee, Wis., prepares pastors for the worldwide mission of WELS. WELS is the third largest Lutheran church body in the U.S. with about 1,300 churches in 49 states and 390,000 members. Headquartered in Waukesha, Wis., it carries out mission work in 23 countries around the world. For more information, visit www.wels.net.

A Year of Growth

Last week I had opportunity to attend a Pastoral Institute in Glendale with a number of fellow WELS pastors to study the book of Philippians in the original Greek.  It was great to be surrounded by my brothers in the ministry and to continue my own personal growth and study of God's Word.  While the institute was only a day and a half, the important and valuable ministry and study advice I received from those in attendance will last a lifetime.
This year also has been one of tremendous growth for the congregations of East Fork and Canyon Day as we've had a number of new faces in church.  Attendance increased at both churches and we have our largest number of students enrolled in Bible Information and Confirmation Classes.  It has been exciting to lead people through God's plan of salvation and the main teachings of our Christian faith.

Happy New Year!

As we enter into a new year we look forward to serving God's people in the Apachelands of Arizona with the gospel message.  It's that message that makes all the difference in the lives of every person on earth.  Lives that can be so unfulfilling, depressing, and meaningless without the truth of God's amazing love and mercy.  That thought has really hit home these past few weeks with a number of our brothers and sisters who have completed their journey of faith here on earth and are now standing before the throne of their Almighty Savior.  With the confidence of Job we can say "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!"