Posts from January 2018

ELS Circuit 11 Women’s Mission Rally

What and amazing day! Women from all over California, Utah and Arizona gathered at Our Saviour Lutheran Church to hear about our joint foreign mission efforts and home mission efforts. Over 60 people were in attendance. Rev. Matt Behmer of Cristo Rey Lutheran Church in Bell Gardens, California, spoke about his work with Spanish speakers.…

Proclaim the Wonders God Has Done: 1918–2018

Today, as the ELS observes its centennial, the synod consists of 17,000 members in 131 congregations. But prior to 1917, the synod consisted of 150,522 souls in 986 congregations. At that time, the Synod also operated one college, one teacher-training school, one seminary, twelve academies (high schools), four orphans’ homes, three old-people’s homes, two hospitals, and a…

True Love!

February is often referred to as the “Month of Love” – a month filled with roses, boxed-chocolates, special Valentines dinners and don’t forget Cupid, and his quiver of arrows. And while all of these are associated with love, do they really express true love? They might… but again, they might not. There is a story…

ELS Circuit 11 Pastoral Conference

On Friday, January 26, the ELS pastors from California, Arizona and Utah met for a pastoral conference. Because of the long distances involved, these pastors are only able to meet once a year face-to-face in conjunction with the Women’s Mission Rally, so this was a special occasion. These conferences are opportunities for ongoing ministerial education…

Proclaim the Wonders God Has Done: 1918–2018

The Anniversaries Continue. In 2017, we observed the 500th anniversary of the Reformation; in 2018, the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) is observing the centennial anniversary of its reorganization. A series of historical centennial readings will be posted each week entitled: “Proclaim the Wonders God Has Done: 1918–2018” as the ELS celebrates one hundred years of…