The Parish
So, I am out of the loop. I was looking online to find a church to attend for Ascension Day. Seeing as I’d be very very near to Wisconsin, I thought I’d try and go to Lamb of God in Pleasant Prairie. Seems that at the end of this month he’ll be moving to Trinity Sheboygan. If you would kindly keep him and both congregations in your prayers.
This past weekend I had the opportunity to travel to one of my churches seminaries, Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana for the first time ever. It was to visit a few of our former vicars and a member who is going on vicarage. I mention them now:
- Pastor Elect Stuart N. Floyd, Redeemer Lutheran Church in Warsaw, Indiana, vicar 2004-2005
- Pastor Elect Peter A. Richert, Our Savior Lutheran Church in Mt. Pocono, Pennslyvania, vicar 2005-2006
- Vicar Elect Christopher R. Gillespie, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Saginaw, Michigan
- Vicar Elect William Orr, St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lockport, Illinois 2007-2008
I received a mark the calendar card for my fifth year anniversary from graduating at North Central Colelge. I thought I would reflect on the churches in which I have attended at least once since June 2002, when I graduated:
In St. Louis, Missouri
- Chapel of the Cross Lutheran , North St. Louis County (as seminary fieldworker under the direction of Fr. Jonathan Stein)
- St. John’s Lutheran Church, Ellisville
- Concordia Lutheran Church, Kirkwood
- Chai V Shalom Lutheran Congregation, Clayton (when it was at the LHM bldg)
- Ebenezer Lutheran Church, North St. Louis City
It has been a challenging week. I can hardly believe that just the past Sunday was Easter. Work has been extemely stressful dealing with an interpreted dichotemy of the relationship between work and faith. Seems that doing my job is not always appreciated. Oh well. I am paid to work. It is my vocation and Christ must be visible in all that I do. If it means I am not popular or I do not necessarily benefit in this world, then so be it.
I waited with great anticipation last Sunday for Pastor Juhl’s announcement on whether he is accepting the call to Our Savior in Momence. The announcement came, I was excited and said “I have to welcome him to the district” and promptly got busy with work and never welcomed Pastor Juhl.
So, here it is – Welcome to the Northern Illinois District.
Pastor Cholak made an excellent post on his blog today about how you should either be Lutheran or if your not going to be Lutheran, you should leave. How nice would that be if all shepherds that did not hold our confession left our church…? However, that is the easy way out. I certainly hope that those who are in error would see the way of their errors, repent, and preach His Word and administer His sacraments.
Pastor McCain had a blog posting in response to Fr. Fenton’s going east. I liked the Jello analogy. Another post is on Pastor Gregory Alms blog.
I have been reviewing past posts on some blogs I bypassed during our recent (and busy) software conversion at work. Father Paine*, on his blog, Our Seneca, posted an interesting and thought provoking entry called No Soup for You.
Today is CSL’s call day. A glorious day. I sat in amazement as these men that I sat in Greek with, who I goofed around with between declensions, the men who were just students – are very soon to be behind the pulpits of their very own church. I sat and watched as each of my friends received their first call. The smiles, the excitement. God is ready to use them. They are ready to be used by God. They will enter their pulpits and (while I hope that their congregation would instantly fall in love with them – I must be realistic) experience both the love of Christ and the attacks of Satan. They will face challenges and they will catechise. They will win a few battles, and lose a few more. They will be worn down and answer the phone at 2 a.m. to do God’s work. But I know one thing, the Lutheran Church was blessed today. As I sat and watched each of these young men enter the ministry, I can recall the bountiful blessings that they bestowed upon me in my short time in the Lou. I smiled as I recalled the time we shared. These men, my dear friends, all posess the characteristics and qualifications that our brother and crusader in the faith, Paul penned just about 2000 short years ago. I rejoice each and every day, knowing that somewhere God’s Word and Sacraments are being taught and administered purely and for the edification of Him. And it is with this that I rejoice this evening as I pray for each and every one of my friends, for each of these Seminarians who God has chosen. These men are no longer just my friends, they are my Pastors, our Pastors, and, yes, God’s Pastors.
Ok, I promised a review of Pr. Tausz’s congregation. Here it is…
Apostles in Melrose Park is a beautiful church. It is located on Fullerton just west of Mannheim (US 45) in Melrose Park. It is very easy to get to from I-294. Need directions, contact me…
I first attended Melrose Park for the Confession and Christ’s Mission conference. That was back in 2004. I have been there twice since then and they are a very friendly congregation.
Today I had to journey into Chicago – Streeterville to be exact. Well, if I attended my home church, I would not have made it in time so I decided to visit a church closer to the city. This would be Apostles in Melrose Park.
The service was wonderful, though it was LW DS1, which I haven’t been apart of recently, Pr. Tausz chanted the service, something i haven’t seen since the days at CSL and Pr. Burreson. I am so excited and hope that if you are his way to stop by and see a little high church.