This past Thursday, I had the privilege of attending our Seminary's call service. Towards the end of that service, after singing beautiful hymns, hearing God's Word proclaimed, and joining in prayer with thousands, the names of each graduate and the congregation they were assigned were announced. What an exciting day it was for so many young men, their families, and so many others in congregations around the world!
My family and I were especially excited this year as my brother Julius was receiving his assignment as well. We heard announced his new congregation and home as St. Paul, Saginaw, MI. We both went to High School down the street at Michigan Lutheran Seminary. I know the Lord will use him to do wondrous things by his power and wisdom!
Also in his infinite wisdom and grace, God led the assignment committee to send graduates to three congregations in our area: Kenneth Rodrigue to Grace, Sugar Bush, Wolf Parsons to Divine Savior, Shawano, and Aaron Kristopeit to St. Peters, Weyauwega. Let us say a prayer of thanks with our brothers and sisters in the area for these new shepherds called by the Lord into ministry in our Waupaca county! These reinforcements were much needed!
May we also keep praying for all the congregations throughout our Synod who are still calling for full-time shepherds to serve them. Only God knows the plans he has for each congregation and each person. However, we know that his plans are wonderful and that he "works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).
Let us never stop giving thanks to God for his great love for us which he conveys to us through Ministers of the Word, called by his grace and his power, and sent out by him! "He himself gave the apostles, as well as the prophets, as well as the evangelists, as well as the pastors and teachers, for the purpose of training the saints for the work of serving, in order to build up the body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:11-13).
May God bless you through His Word!
- Pastor Titus Buelow
