OUR EYES FIXED ON JESUS IN WORSHIP
PREACHING JESUS CHRIST THROUGH MUSIC
CALLED TO SERVE CONCORDIA SEMINARY, ST. LOUIS
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FIRST LOOK
During the annual Oktoberfest celebration Sept. 27, Master of Arts student Sofia Van Hattem, left, along with Deaconess Studies students Julia Witt, Pamela Vue, Aine Molvik and Master of Arts student Elizabeth Vanderhyde dressed in traditional dirndl festival attire. To learn more about Vue’s journey to deaconess ministry, see page 14. Photo: Davin Alberson
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CONCORDIA SEMINARY, ST. LOUIS
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OUR EYES FIXED ON JESUS IN WORSHIP
PREACHING JESUS CHRIST THROUGH MUSIC
CALLED TO SERVE CONCORDIA SEMINARY, ST. LOUIS
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ON THE THE COVER COVER ON
Three Concordia Seminary caption students gather for a photo in the Main Quadrangle. Photo: Ana Nebeker Seminary President Dr. Thomas J. Egger. Photo: Jill Gray
PRESIDENT PUBLISHER Dr. Thomas J. Egger Dale A. Meyer EXECUTIVE EDITOR EXECUTIVE EDITOR Vicki Biggs
Vicki Biggs
ART DIRECTOR
MANAGING EDITOR Beth Hasek Melanie Ave DESIGNER
ART DIRECTOR Courtney Koll Jayna Rollings WRITERS
DESIGNERS Vicki Biggs Christie Hampton Michelle Poneleit Deaconess JaynaRebekah RollingsLukas Sarah Maney Dr. Stephen Pietsch WRITERS
Sarah Maney
PHOTOGRAPHERS Daniel Mattson
Davin Alberson Lisa Mills Christie Hampton Travis Scholl Sid Hastings Courtney Koll PHOTOGRAPHERS Sarah Maney Ana JillNebeker Gray Harold Rau Sid Hastings Rolf Ringwald Courtney Koll Tyler Simmons
Sarah Maney Michelle Poneleit Harold Rau
Dear friends, As the Lord forms future pastors, deaconesses and missionaries during their time at the Seminary, we pray that their eyes will be fixed on Jesus. Only God can grant this. Only God can work this. And He does! In the waters of Baptism, He has seized us for Himself. He has delivered us from the power of “the god of this world [who] has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ” (2 Cor. 4:4 ESV). By His Word and Spirit, God opens our eyes, lifts our eyes, redirects our eyes again and again and again. By His holy means of grace, by His Word and by His Sacraments, God draws our eyes to His Son Jesus. And we behold Jesus — in His dying love, in His saving power, in His authority and reign at the right hand of God. Flesh and blood does not reveal this to us, but the Father who is in heaven. And seeing Jesus, our drooping hands and our weak knees are strong again. We press on toward our heavenly calling. We run with endurance. Seeing Jesus, we do not lose heart. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus. And when we do, what do we see? We see Him looking at us. The Lord is looking at you, toward you, caring for you, caring about you, regarding you, loving you. Jesus’ eyes are fixed on you. Always. He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you — The Lord will keep you from all harm — he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. (Ps. 121:3b-5a, 7-8 NIV) Lord God, lift our eyes continually to behold Your Son. Grant, dear Lord, that we may be a people with eyes fixed on Jesus. And send Jesus forth, soon, we pray, that we may look upon His face, and behold His scars, and serve and praise Him in unending joy. Amen. Friends in Christ, thank you for prayers and support as we go about our Lord’s work.
Concordia Seminary magazine is a Concordia magazine a member of theSeminary Associated ChurchisPress member of the Associated Church Press and the Evangelical Press Association. and the Evangelical Press Association.
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Dr. Thomas J. Egger, President
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FALL/WINTER 2024 ISSUE FEATURES 6
Our eyes fixed on Jesus
in worship
10 Preaching Jesus Christ through music
IN EVERY ISSUE 4 From the President
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14 Student Spotlight 16 Faculty Focus 18 Alumni and Friends 20 Support Your Sem 22 News Worth Noting
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OUR MISSION Concordia Seminary serves church and world by providing theological education and leadership centered in the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ for the formation of pastors, missionaries, deaconesses, scholars and leaders in the name of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod.
WANT TO JOIN OUR MAILING LIST? To be added to the mailing list, or to receive the magazine electronically, address correspondence to: Concordia Seminary magazine, Concordia Seminary, 801 Seminary Place, St. Louis, MO 63105; call 800-822-5287; or email magazine@csl.edu. Congregations may request copies in bulk for distribution within their churches. Copyright © December 2024, Concordia Seminary, 801 Seminary Place, St. Louis, MO 63105. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior written permission of Concordia Seminary.
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Our eyes fixed on Jesus in worship BY DR. STEPHEN PIETSCH
When you come into church on Sunday morning and sit down, where do your eyes go? What catches your visual attention? Every church has its prime visual center, which stands out and draws your eyes. Throughout its history, the church has known how important and powerful this is for its worship life. When you go into the great cathedrals and churches of Europe and stand in those naves, looking forward toward the sanctuary, you will see quite quickly what center point of theology and faith is being preached there. That visual center often is pushed forward at the viewer by the other features of the church’s architecture — archways, lighting, recesses or steps that lead one’s gaze to the object, place or image which they frame. In most cases, this visual center will be the altar and its ornamentation. Or it may be the picture stained glass window set into the wall behind the altar or other image above the altar.
What we look at forms us spiritually For Christians whose senses have been trained to this kind of environment, it is natural, even perhaps automatic, that we look at the visual center point and think about it, that is, meditate on it. Often, we are not aware of doing this or aware of how that visual focus is impacting us, teaching us and even inspiring us. In the pre-modern period, during the centuries before most people were able to read, these images told the faith story. Instead of reading words, people saw and interpreted these pictures. This dynamic was used as a strategy for teaching and forming people in the faith. In some churches in Europe, you can still see how this was done, using elaborate hinged altar pictures that reversed and folded back to show CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 >
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different pictures at different times of the year: Jesus’ crucifixion, the Nativity, the Ascension, etc. People fixed their eyes on these paintings and learned about Jesus and His ministry. They were very detailed, incorporating characters from Bible stories, sparking the worshippers’ imaginations and helping them put together their own understanding of the Christian faith and their relationship with God. This worked for good and for ill. During the Middle Ages, for example, the Roman church wanted its adherents to focus on the impending last judgement of Christ, as a way to influence people toward repentance so they could be ready to meet the returning Lord and Judge. Many altarpieces depicted this scene from Matt. 25:31-46, in which Christ separates “the sheep from the goats.” On one side of the picture was the blessed heavenly realms set aside for the faithful believers, but on the other side, where people really fixed their eyes, the picture showed souls in terror, being dragged away by devils into hell and its torments. This produced a climate of spiritual fear and dread for many Christians and a constant questioning about the final destiny of their souls as they searched for salvation and peace of heart. That is how powerful the visual can be in our worship. Where you fix your eyes really matters. In our own Lutheran tradition, this “fixing of our eyes” on Jesus has been and still is a very important emphasis. During the Reformation, Luther worked with the royal court painter in Wittenberg, Lucas Cranach, to encourage people to fix their eyes and hearts back on Jesus as their true Savior and Lord. After Cranach’s death, his son, Lucas Cranach the Younger, took over this work. Cranach the Elder is sometimes numbered as one of the “Wittenberg Reformers” because he created the pictures that illustrated over and again the centrality of Jesus as the author and perfector of our faith, the Redeemer who alone can save and transform our lives, through His death and resurrection.
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Lucas Cranach, fixing our eyes on Jesus The Wittenberg altarpiece in the Wittenberg City Church in Germany is the most famous example of this. It comprises four pictures, which each have their own complex and rich meaning. However, the picture that binds all the others together theologically is the small painting at the bottom, the “predella.” At the center of this picture is Jesus crucified. The billowing cloth flapping around Him is symbolic of the grave clothes in which He will be wrapped as He lies in the tomb, and which He will shed from His body again in His resurrection. Jesus spreads out His arms on the cross, pointing, it would seem, to the other pictures above that show scenes from the life of the church — the celebration of the Sacraments, and confession and absolution. In this predella, the image of Jesus functions as the altar crucifix and stands behind the altar Bible, symbolizing that Jesus is the center and heart of Scripture. In the picture itself, Luther appears off to the right in his pulpit, with one hand on the Bible and the other extended to point at Christ’s cross, as he preaches. The congregation, as they listen to Luther, are themselves turned toward the cross. The central message for the viewer sitting in this church is unmistakable — fix your eyes on Jesus, the One who died and rose for you!
From left facing page: The Luther altarpiece in Wittenberg City Church, Germany. Photo: Adobe Stock; the altarpiece in the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, Weimar, Germany. Photo: ©️JeanChristophe BENOIST; the Resurrection window above the altar in the Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Photo: Courtney Koll
Where do you fix your eyes? The other famous Cranach altar painting that fixes our eyes and our hearts on Jesus is the Weimar altarpiece, painted by Lucas Cranach the Younger. This amazing picture dominates the interior of the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul in Weimar, Germany. It is full of meaning and biblical narrative. In the foreground, John the Baptist points to the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, and Christ is pictured conquering death in His resurrection. In the center, again, we have Jesus, lifted up on the cross. A thin stream of redeeming blood flows down from Christ’s side onto the head of Lucas Cranach the Elder, pictured at the foot of the cross between John the Baptist and Luther. The Bible held by Luther is open to John 3:14-15 (ESV): “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” This makes a lot of sense when the viewer notices in the background of this painting the depiction of Israel in the desert from Num. 21:4-15, with the bronze serpent lifted up so that all who had been bitten by the venomous snakes could look at it and be healed. Again, the viewer’s eye is fixed on Jesus, as the central figure in the whole Bible, both Old and New Testaments, and the central figure in the individual believer’s life.
Here at Concordia Seminary, each day we walk into our beautiful chapel for morning worship and meet Jesus in His resurrected glory, looking down from the large stained glass window above the altar. The light pours through this image and the worshipper’s eyes are drawn to it. We are reminded of His living presence among us, His power to overcome sin and death, and His victory over all the things that can burden and distract us from our studies. As you come into your own home church on Sunday morning and sit down, where do your eyes go? Maybe your church follows the “Cranach lead” and has above or on the altar a depiction of Jesus. Maybe the central visual focus is the crucifix, with Jesus giving His life for your salvation. Maybe there are symbols that speak eloquently of Jesus’ ministry to the world. It is good to stop and notice where your eyes are fixed, because that is what will lead your mind and heart into worship as you hear, speak and sing the Word of God and praise the name of Jesus. Let us always look toward Jesus, “the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2 ESV).
Dr. Stephen Pietsch is an associate professor of Practical Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.
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Preaching
Jesus Christ through music
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BY CHRISTIE HAMPTON
“Music shows the wonder of our Creator — the splendor of God in all His complexity and beauty. Paired with the truth of Scripture, the two together can be a powerful force for preaching the Good News,” explains Dr. Samuel Eatherton, the new assistant professor of Practical Theology, kantor and the Kreft Professor for Music Arts at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Among his responsibilities, Eatherton leads a group of 17 seminarians in a premier choir called Laudamus. The students are preparing for full-time service as pastors in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and seek to touch the hearts of their
The 2024-25 members of Laudamus, the premier choir at Concordia Seminary. Photo: Rolf Ringwald
listeners by preaching Jesus Christ through music and sharing the message of what He accomplished through His life, death and resurrection. Seminarians approach their studies with due seriousness and are instructed to find time daily to read and meditate upon the Holy Scriptures. They also are instructed to prioritize spending time with others. Chapel services provide a daily opportunity to do both regularly. During the academic year, Laudamus accompanies and enriches the Seminary’s chapel services, leading the Seminary community in musical expressions of the faith. The Concordia Seminary Music Series provides additional opportunities for the choir to sing during
Hymn Festivals and Services of Sacred Music with members from the St. Louis community. When they perform, Laudamus members have many opportunities to connect with their audiences. When the choir practices, “We pray together that the words will be effective and that we do it all for God’s glory and not for our own. The deeper relationship with God comes with His Word, which is why we want to share that with people as much as possible,” Eatherton said. He also explains that after their concerts, the students engage in conversation with attendees that often lead to making connections over everything from celebrating a special occasion CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 >
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to providing support to someone going through a difficult situation. Laudamus members are ready to bring a special service to new audiences and share the transformative power of the Gospel in their upcoming 2025 spring tour, titled “My Song is Love Unknown” based on the Lenten hymn by that name. The hymn retells events in Christ’s life and reflects on the sacrifice He made and the rejection, betrayal and grief He endured. It is suffused with examples of His selfless love and ends with a poetic expression of the power of His story: Here might I stay and sing, No story so divine! Never was love, dear King, Never was grief like Thine. This is my friend, In whose sweet praise I all my days Could gladly spend! (LSB 430, v. 7) “We can’t predict how people will react to certain pieces of music. We also can’t predict how God’s Word and the truths that we sing will impact them,” said Eatherton. “We do know, ‘For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it’ (Is. 55:10-11 ESV). At the end of the day, we pray God’s Word does what He sent it for — to reach them.” The Gospel presented through music has been a powerful medium for expressing faith and transforming lives for the glory of God. In 1 Chronicles 25, David and the chiefs of the service appointed the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun to prophesy and play musical instruments in the house of the Lord. They were divided into groups to serve in specific duties. “The Bach Bible, seen in the Kristine Kay Hasse Memorial Library on campus, has a handwritten note by Bach next to this chapter, notating that God is instituting music as a high and noble art for His worship,” said Eatherton.
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Eatherton’s deep devotion to music began in his childhood when his family attended church every Sunday. Through music repetition, he knew the service even before he could read. His educational journey reflects his unwavering commitment to the Lord’s calling, culminating in a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in church music from Baylor University (2019) in Waco, Texas. Throughout his career, his dedication to teaching and leading church music programs has impacted countless lives. He enjoys seeing former students contributing to the church through music and other avenues. Eatherton and his wife, Lois, are blessed with five children and attend St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Des Peres, Mo., where Lois teaches music. “I am excited to be here at the Seminary to provide leadership to the faculty and students in proclaiming the Word of Christ richly through psalms, hymns and spiritual songs as St. Paul directs us in Col. 3:16,” Eatherton said.
“ We pray together that the words will be effective and that we do it all for God’s glory and not for our own.” — Dr. Samuel Eatherton Under Eatherton’s leadership, Laudamus is poised to make a lasting influence as they share the message of hope and redemption with all who hear them. “I think it’s wonderful that they are singers and future pastors,” said Eatherton. “Wherever they serve after the Seminary, these men will share that joy for music with those in their ministry.”
Christie Hampton is a communications specialist at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Left facing page: Laudamus practicing in the Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus; Right: Dr. Samuel Eatherton. Photos: Rolf Ringwald
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“Here they really do care for your spiritual wellbeing.”
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Pamela Vue. Photo: Tyler Simmons
— PAMELA VUE
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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Called to serve PAMELA VUE’S JOURNEY TO DEACONESS MINISTRY BY SARAH MANEY
Pamela Vue was knee deep in the study of childhood development and family relationships for her undergraduate degree in child and family science at California State University in Fresno, Calif. It was her junior year, and she was wondering about her future career. “I knew I wanted to work with children and families, and I wanted to include faith in my profession,” said Vue. Vue longed to find a way to serve the Lord and His people and share the rich, life-changing Scriptural truths that she learned about in The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod (LCMS). But she wasn’t always Lutheran. Vue, who is Hmong, grew up attending a Hmong Assembly of God church with her mother. Many congregants were refugees who did not know how to read. “If you don’t know how to read, you’re not going read the Bible. And so, you’re dependent on a pastor who is supposed to know the Word of God,” said Vue. Much of the preaching was about outward appearance; one’s own works. “It was very Law heavy,” said Vue. Even as a child, she realized that the people in the congregation, including her mom, were filled with guilt, believing that they were never able to “be good enough for God.” But the Lord was at work in her life. At the invitation of her uncle, she began
attending Peace Lutheran Church in Fresno, Calif., a congregation that served both Anglo and Hmong communities. Her uncle, Khai Lee, was a student in Concordia Seminary’s Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT) Program, which provides specialized preparation for men seeking to serve as pastors or women who want to serve as deaconesses in immigrant and ethnic minority communities across North America. When Vue was 12 years old, Lee was called to serve as pastor at Peace Lutheran Church. Vue increasingly became more involved at Peace Lutheran, but also continued to attend a Saturday service of the Assembly of God church with her mother. As she grew into her teenage years, she began to distance herself from the Assembly of God church. “I felt like the teachings were very shallow and they didn’t teach the way that the Bible describes God’s love.” During college, she continued to grow spiritually at Peace Lutheran and in her desire to use her faith in her future career. But she wasn’t sure what that looked like. Thankfully, Janett Lee, her youth director at church, asked if she had ever thought about becoming a deaconess. “I was like, what’s a deaconess?” said Vue. Lee reached out to Dr. Gillian Bond, the Seminary’s director of Deaconess Studies at the time. Over a Zoom meeting, Bond shared what a deaconess does and talked about the deaconess programs offered at Concordia Seminary. Vue thought it was a neat ministry role, but she had never thought about church work. Yet, she continued to feel the pull toward vocational ministry as she sought the Lord in prayer. “The Holy Spirit works in unusual ways. Just a few months later, I started filling out an application to enroll at the Seminary,” said Vue.
She was impressed with the Seminary’s friendly admission staff. Sarah Seying, a former admissions officer, and Monica Rhodes, the Enrollment office manager, patiently helped her through the application process. “They were encouraging and extremely helpful, kind and so patient with me and my questions,” said Vue. During her application process, she also started listening to “Under the Fig Tree,” the Seminary’s podcast geared toward helping people learn about the Seminary and vocational ministry. “That solidified everything,” said Vue. “There was an episode with deaconess students Alyssa Choate and Lara McComack, who talked about life at the Seminary. I didn’t have a concept of what the Seminary was like, so having Alyssa and Lara share how their studies benefited them and how they’re doing at the Seminary was reassuring to me.” Now in her second year of deaconess studies, Vue sees the importance of deaconess ministry in the church. “There are issues that women face and go through that men don’t or cannot necessarily understand or empathize. I’m thinking of abuse, domestic violence and sexual trauma. God gives women a gentle approach that is nurturing and protective in a unique way,” said Vue. She also sees the value of her Seminary education and appreciates that the professors, while academically rigorous, have also served as pastors and are very pastoral with the students. “Concordia Seminary is different from a public institution where the student body is so large and connecting with your professors is not really realistic,” said Vue. “Here they really do care for your spiritual wellbeing.” Sarah Maney is the manager of communications at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.
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“The absolute best thing about the Seminary is the students ... That keeps me going.” — DR. GERHARD BODE
Dr. Gerhard Bode. Photo: Davin Alberson
KEEPING & TEACHING HISTORY Helping people remember God’s faithfulness BY REBEKAH LUKAS
Even from a young age, history and theology have had prominent places in Dr. Gerhard Bode’s life. During his earliest years, his father taught religion at a Lutheran high school, and when Bode was five years old, his dad took a call into the parish in Wayzata, Minn. “I had a very positive experience in that place,” he recounts thoughtfully about his growing-up years when his family lived in the parsonage. “We lived in the middle of everything, and we were a part 16
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of everything. We loved the people, and they were kind to us.” That congregation, along with his Lutheran education, and the influence of his father, all left a lasting impact on Bode. “I was really moved by the fact that the people were so good to us. I went to the Lutheran high school and had terrific teachers, especially in religion and history. They, along with my dad, inspired me to go to the Seminary.”
Seminary, he decided to do further study. “I was most interested in systematics simply because I love the Scriptures and the message of the Gospel. I had great teachers, too — Dr. Kolb, Dr. Arand, Dr. Rosin and others.” He completed his Master of Sacred Theology at the Seminary while also completing a master’s degree in classics at Washington University in St. Louis.
Bode attended the University of Minnesota — where his mother, grandfather and great-grandfather attended. He studied history, German, Latin and Greek. After graduation in 1990, he headed down to St. Louis and started the Master of Divinity Program at Concordia Seminary.
While studying for his doctorate, Bode received a call to serve as the assistant pastor at Salem Lutheran Church in Affton, in South St. Louis County. “I really wanted to get out into the parish,” he says. “The contact with the people and the congregation’s cycle of life — it’s busy, but it’s fun. And I can’t say enough about how kind the people were.”
“I was amazed at the richness of the program and the content across classes,” he remembers. “I found I loved studying theology, and I wanted to get better at preaching and pastoral care.” He served his vicarage in Fremont, Neb., with a wonderful congregation and a great supervisor. Upon returning to the
During that time, the Seminary asked him to help teach history classes parttime. “I was serving as a pastor, teaching at the Sem, in the middle of my Ph.D. program, and my wife Rachel and I had our first son,” he recalls. “Then we had two more children. Rachel was working, I
FACULTY FOCUS
was working — it was a very busy time in our lives. But it was a wonderful time.” In 2005, the Seminary called him full-time. While parish ministry always will have a place in Bode’s heart, his love for serving at the Seminary is evident. “The absolute, best thing about Concordia Seminary is the students,” he explains. “God sends this wonderful group of new students every year. They’re bright, energetic, hardworking and want to learn. That keeps me going.” Bode not only serves as a professor; he also is the director of the Center for Reformation Research. But he does more than oversee. “I’m the instructor for a course we offer on Latin and German paleography, the study of ancient handwriting,” he says. “We spend time reading manuscripts and learning about different scripts from antiquity into the 19th century.” This course has been offered since the 1960s. “We have a long tradition of studying paleography,” Bode explains with a smile. “It might sound strange, but it’s really cool.” In addition to his other roles, Bode also is the Seminary’s archivist. Having always been interested in American Lutheranism and the history of the LCMS, Bode is a natural fit. “Serving as the archivist is about helping people remember the purpose and the work of the Seminary,” he explains. “The thing about the archives is that you see the way history really was. It’s not a glorified image of the past.” Bode’s passion for the intersection of theology and history is unmistakable. “It’s a history of faithfulness — God’s faithfulness to His people, and the faithfulness of the people who have served here and who have gone out from here to serve the church. The faculty, the staff and the students are instruments of that faithfulness.” Deaconess Rebekah Lukas is a Clintonville, Wis.,-based freelance writer and a student in the Doctor of Philosophy Program at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.
ASK THE ARCHIVIST How long has the Seminary had an archivist? I am the third archivist, starting in 2009. The position is unique because it reports directly to the president.
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What’s in the archive? We keep the Seminary’s official records and publications: syllabi, directories, meeting minutes, service folders, student journals — any artifact related to the Seminary’s history. Someone once donated an entire box of lovely little black notebooks from the 1920s full of class notes their great-grandfather had taken as a student. In the future, someone may want to know what students were learning, and we may be able to answer those questions. We also keep photos. Once I received photographs a student had taken during class in the 1940s. The professors didn’t know he was doing this, so we have all these interesting, candid photos of professors in action.
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What do you do? I keep and retrieve things when people need them and field questions. Just about every week I get an archival request. I give lots of presentations. In the spring, I’m giving one on all the stained glass windows in Koburg Hall.
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What do you enjoy most about this job? I love learning new things and gaining deeper insights into the past. It’s interesting seeing the challenges students and professors faced and how they overcame them. For example, I learned that in 1943, the faculty resolved students should wear their clerical collars when out and around St. Louis. When students wore their collars, they didn’t get scrutinized for not serving in World War II. It’s not glorious history. It’s practical, real-life things that people dealt with in a difficult time. It’s always been real life at the Seminary.
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What’s one of the most interesting artifacts you’ve found? We have an 1842 essay book from a young student at the log cabin college who used it to improve his handwriting. One essay describes everyday life in the Altenburg community. C.F.W. Walther preserved this book, and it ended up in the archives. Another fascinating thing is a big, thick file of documents from World War II regarding distance education students who were German prisoners of war in camps in the United States. We sent them books, assignments and exams by mail, and they sent back their writings and little blue answer books. We even have letters from our librarian pleading with camp commanders to make sure they sent the books back. It’s amazing — when you dig around in the archive, you’ll find unexpected things. I didn’t expect to find that.
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Following the Call ANDREW THOMPSON’S STORY OF FAITH AND MINISTRY BY SARAH MANEY
Andrew Thompson, the oldest of five siblings, grew up on a farm in rural Iowa. Both his father, a full-time farmer, and his mother, a Lutheran schoolteacher who later became a stayat-home mom, were deeply committed to their Christian faith. Church was central to their lives, and for Thompson and his siblings, Sunday services were non-negotiable. “We were at church every Sunday, no exceptions, unless we were sick,” Thompson recalled. “Even on vacations, we’d find a church wherever we were. That commitment shaped us.” But it wasn’t just Sunday services that influenced Thompson’s faith. His parents integrated spiritual practices into daily life: prayers before meals, nightly devotions and even home church services during blizzards. “We would put together our own little service, and my mom and dad would say, all right, one of you will read this, and one of you will say a prayer,” said Thompson. While Thompson didn’t fully appreciate these traditions as a child, as he grew older, he recognized their significance. It wasn’t until high school, though, that he began to feel the tug toward ministry.
A GROWING SENSE OF CALL
In high school, Thompson became active in his church, enjoying Bible 18
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study and feeling a pull toward serving others. Yet, he hesitated when he thought about serving as a pastor. It didn’t seem like an especially “cool” choice for a career, nor a money-making venture. He considered other paths like engineering or farming, a natural fit given his family’s background. It wasn’t until he went on a mission trip to Chicago that everything started to click. The trip was filled with service, Bible studies and worship with other young people who loved God. That mission trip was a turning point. Thompson sensed a clear call to ministry. “I couldn’t imagine doing anything else, but I was slow to admit it,” he said. After high school, Thompson visited Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, Ill., which set him on the path to Concordia Seminary. The campus pastor shared two ideas that resonated deeply with him: pastors love to serve others and study God’s Word. “That moment felt like God speaking to me,” Thompson says. “I prayed, ‘If this is Your will, open doors. If not, block the way.’ And the doors kept opening.”
SEMINARY AND A DEEPER SENSE OF PURPOSE
Thompson went on to study at Concordia Seminary, where both academic and spiritual growth flourished. “The professors don’t just teach theology — they care for us personally, understanding the challenges we face,” Thompson said. “They form us to be pastors, not just scholars.” One professor who had a profound impact was Dr. Jeff Gibbs, who served as Thompson’s formation lab instructor. “Dr. Gibbs wasn’t just a teacher — he was a mentor. He shared practical wisdom and modeled pastoral care.” Thompson also learned the realities of ministry, especially through pastoral care and counseling classes with Dr. Mark Rockenbach. “Those classes were eye-opening,” Thompson said. “As a
young guy, I hadn’t faced things like marriage counseling or funerals. But those classes prepared me for realworld ministry.” Thompson graduated in 2022, and today serves as the pastor at St. John Lutheran Church in Plymouth, Wis. Also, he recently joined the Alumni Council, a volunteer leadership group serving the Seminary. “My wife and I really loved our time at the Seminary. It has a special place in our hearts,” said Thompson. “By the time we left there, we were excited to get started in the ministry at a church, but we were sad about leaving all the people at the Sem — the community we grew to love. As part of the Alumni Council, I still get to hear how things are going, and I can help provide avenues for others to come and study at the Seminary.”
A GRANDFATHER’S INFLUENCE
Thompson often reflects on his grandfather, who wasn’t a pastor but was very active in his church, often visiting those who were homebound. “When I was little, my grandpa joked that I’d be a pastor,” Thompson remembers. “When I finally admitted I was considering it, he said, ‘I knew it all along.’” Thompson’s first sermon, preached in his home church, was a meaningful moment. “My grandpa was there, and I think he was prouder than I was. He had been praying for me, and seeing me preach was something we’d both hoped for.” Looking back, Thompson has advice for those considering ministry. “The devil will try to make you feel unworthy. You might think, ‘I don’t know enough about the Bible’ or ‘I’m not a great speaker,’” said Thompson. “But God doesn’t call the equipped. He equips the called.” Sarah Maney is the manager of communications at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.
ALUMNI AND FRIENDS
“God doesn’t call the equipped. He equips the called.” — REV. ANDREW THOMPSON
The Thompson family. Photo courtesy: Andrew Thompson
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The Seminary’s gift officers pose for a photo in the Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus. Photo: Ana Nebeker
BOUND BY GENEROSITY Reflections from Concordia Seminary’s gift officers BY CHRISTIE HAMPTON
At Concordia Seminary, a dedicated team is committed to empowering the mission of nurturing future church leaders through effective fundraising and community engagement. Read personal stories from the Seminary’s gift officers and discover the genuine joy they experience in sharing the Seminary’s mission with generous supporters. Focused on Jesus, these donors humbly embrace the high calling of supporting the preparation of future pastors, deaconesses and church leaders through prayers and financial gifts — for the sake of the Gospel! Christie Hampton is a communications specialist at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.
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ROGER DOW Senior Gift Officer
Region of service: I cover the East Coast, from Maine to Northern Florida as well as Northern California. Professional background: I started at Concordia Seminary in May 2012 and now have 12 years of service with 22 years of experience in fundraising for Lutheran organizations. Favorite Bible verse: “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom. 10:9 ESV). Memorable moment: I work with a gentleman who plans to leave his entire estate, valued at around $6 million, to Concordia Seminary. Influenced by a couple of wonderful pastors, he wants his gift to significantly impact the preparation of new shepherds who will guide others in faith. It’s heartwarming to see how much he values the Seminary’s mission.
SUPPORT YOUR SEM
RANDY FAUSER
Senior Gift Officer, Individual & Congregational Engagement Region of service: I serve donors in Colorado, Kansas, half of Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming and all congregations in our Synod. Professional background: I’ve been with Concordia Seminary for five years. Before that, I served at LCMS World Mission and was CEO of Grace Place Wellness, now part of Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF). Favorite Bible verse: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10 ESV). Memorable moment: One of my memorable experiences was with a donor who supports Master of Divinity (M.Div.) and deaconess students through our Adopt-A-Student (AAS) program. She showed me three large binders filled with every single letter and note she has received from students over the past 30 years. She still corresponds with some deaconesses, celebrating their lives, children and faith journeys.
WAYNE OLIVER Senior Gift Officer
Region of service: I serve donors in Northern Illinois, Southern Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Western Texas and Wisconsin. Professional background: I have been with Concordia Seminary for seven years and have over 30 years of experience in investment advisory services and banking. Favorite Bible verse: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Heb. 12:1 ESV). Memorable moment: Recently, I worked with a congregation and its members, many of whom are dedicated supporters of Concordia Seminary. Their stories of familial relationships and mission work from decades ago continually inspire me and highlight the significant impact of our shared mission.
MIKE FLYNN Director, Principal Gifts
Region of service: I serve donors in Arizona, Southern California, Southern Florida, Nevada, Oregon, Texas (within a 100-mile radius of Dallas), Washington and some donors in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina and Wisconsin. Professional background: I’ve been serving at Concordia Seminary since 2007, totaling over 16 years. Before that, I served at Concordia University, St. Paul, St. Paul, Minn., from 1975 to 2007. Favorite Bible verse: “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us” (Eph. 3:20 ESV). Memorable moment: A memorable moment was during a major building dedication when the donor with whom I served, who was battling cancer, emotionally shared with his family, “Look what the Lord has enabled us to do!” His joy, despite his condition that took his life four months later, highlights the impact and joy of sharing financial blessings for the Lord’s work.
COURTNEY SIELFLEISCH Senior Gift Officer
Region of service: I serve donors across Alabama, Arkansas, Southern Illinois, Northern Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Southern Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas (excluding Dallas). Professional background: I have been at Concordia Seminary for two years. Before that, I served for six years at the St. Louis County Library Foundation. Favorite Bible verse: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Phil. 4:6 ESV). Memorable moment: I had the privilege of working with two brothers whose parents were missionaries. Both graduated from Concordia Seminary and became pastors. Together with their spouses, they established an endowment to support international students in honor of their parents. Witnessing such deep family devotion and being a small part of their impactful initiative has been incredibly rewarding. CONCORDIA SEMINARY, ST. LOUIS
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What’s happening
Grant awarded for ‘Children Seminary Regents inNew Worship Initiative’
MatthewSeminary Kenitzerhas andreceived Dr. Adam Koontzgrant (M.Div. Concordia a $762,497 from’14 Lilly Endowment CTSFW) have been added to the Seminary’s Board Inc. to help establish the Children in Worship Initiative, a new program of will Regents after having beenrole elected during that accentuate the pivotal worship servesthe in faith formation for 68th Regular Convention of The Lutheran children. The primary emphasis of this programChurch— will be educating church Missouri (LCMS) this summer Milwaukee, leaders in theSynod theology and practice of faithin formation and providing Wis. One existing member, Dr. Paul Edmon, also growth, was them with resources to guide children in their spiritual especially re-elected during the convention. President Dr. Thomas through the church’s worship. “With our church body’s heritage of J. Eggerchildren welcomed new and andschools, returning teaching in itsthese churches the members Seminary is poised to and thanked two outgoing Regents, Dr. Tyler Arnold offer learning opportunities that focus on the spiritual formation of our and Paul Hegland, for their service to the Seminary. children through worship and singing,” said Dr. Sam Eatherton, kantor “We grateful for for theMusic service of at Mr. and and theare Kreft Professor Arts theHegland Seminary and the grant’s Dr. Arnold. We hate to see them go, but we are also project director. Funding for this grant has been made available through excited to welcome new Regents with a new mix of and Prayer Lilly Endowment’s Nurturing Children Through Worship backgrounds and gifts,” he said. Initiative, a national initiative designed to help Christian congregations more fully intentionally intergenerational Board of and Regents membersengage gatherchildren for lunchin Aug. 20 in Koburg Hall afterand a day of business. Photo: Christie Hampton corporate worship prayer practices. Dr. Samuel Eatherton. Photo: Christie Hampton
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Annual Concert Faculty presenters Series begins at ICRC conference The annual Concordia Seminary Concert SeriesConcordia began its new Seminary seasonPresident this fall with Dr. Thomas threeJ.After Egger, Chapel Associate Concerts Professor and two of Practical special services Theology of sacred Dr.music. Jon Vieker An After and Associate Chapel Concert Professor was held of Practical Sept. 12 with Theology Dallas-based Dr. Stephen organist Pietsch Benjamin were among Kolodziej, the nine followed featured by the essayists second selected concert toOct. present 10 with at theseminarian International andChurch trombonist Relations Owen Conference Duncan.(ICRC) Director organized Matthewby The Janssen Lutheran led theChurch—Missouri Lutheran High School Synod South (LCMS) Windand Symphony held Oct.in21-24 a Nov. in14 Wittenberg, performance. Germany. The Seminary Somecelebrated 90 attendees thefrom Reformation 40 countries Oct. 29 with representing “‘Each Life a High more Doxology!’ than 40 confessional A Service of Sacred Lutheran Music for bodies Reformation” gathered for andthe welcomed four-day the Advent conference, and Christmas which metseasons under the withtheme an evening “Christ service, the “Stay Lord of Awake! History.” A Service of Sacred Music for the End of the Church Year” From left, Dr. Stephen Pietsch, Seminary Nov. President 28. LearnDr. more about upcoming concerts Thomas J. Egger and Dr. Jon Vieker were honored to be selected to present essays at csl.edu/concert-series. at this year’s International Church Relations Conference (ICRC) held in Wittenberg, Germany. The congregation lifts their voices in song during a Photo: Sid Hastings Reformation service Oct. 29. Photo: Jill Gray
NEWS WORTH NOTING
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Magness delivers inaugural lecture Dr. Jodi Magness, the Kenan Distinguished Professor for Teaching Excellence in Early Judaism in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, delivered a fascinating lecture titled “Jerusalem in the Time of Jesus” on campus Oct. 17. The lecture kicked off the “These Stones Will Shout” Annual Lecture in Biblical Archaeology and Historical Geography of the Holy Land. “Scripture is eminently tangible and historical. Physical people lived in physical places at specific points in time. The Christian faith is built upon the historical people and events that are evidenced in the archaeological record,” said Dr. Kevin Golden, dean of Theological Research and Publication. These lectures are free and open to the public. They have been made possible through the generosity of Tom and Linda Ray. Dr. Jodi Magness captivates the audience as she delivers remarks at the first “These Stones Will Shout” annual lecture in Werner Auditorium on campus. Photo: Sarah Maney
Annual giving days set records Generous supporters contributed a record $119,968 for Concordia Seminary’s Give Green and Gold Day Sept. 25, surpassing the $100,000 goal and exceeding the total amount raised in the Seminary’s six-year history of this annual campaign. In addition, Seminary friends teamed up to raise $100,173 on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 3. The Seminary has been participating in the global Giving Tuesday movement since 2015 and, thanks to the generosity of donors, consistently exceeds campaign goals. “It is our unique privilege as Christians to give joyfully of what God has first given us,” said Vicki Biggs, senior vice president of Seminary Advancement and chief communications officer. “We are grateful to our friends and supporters who partner with the Seminary during our special campaigns and throughout the year to benefit our students. Their gifts have eternal significance.” Learn more at csl.edu/giving-days. Concordia Seminary students outside the Benidt Seminary Center on campus. Photo: Ana Nebeker
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Calls announced at chapel Ten students representing five programs at Concordia Seminary were recognized Nov. 1 in the Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus for completing their programs and receiving their first pastoral and diaconal calls. The programs represented were the Master of Divinity (M.Div.), Center for Hispanic Studies (CHS), Residential Deaconess Studies, Center for Hispanic Studies (CHS) Deaconess Studies and Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT) Deaconess Studies. “We rejoice in the placement of the five pastoral candidates to serve as pastors in the Lord’s harvest and five deaconesses being placed as well. They will serve Chinese, Hispanic and English populations, bringing spiritual care and theologically informed teaching to their congregations,” said Dr. Glenn Nielsen, senior professor of Practical Theology, director of Placement and director of Certification. “We thank our Lord for calling these dedicated men and women to serve in His church.” The Seminary recognizes and celebrates calls throughout the year although the campus’ primary Call Day celebration typically is held in April. During call celebrations, students receive their first calls to ministry as well as assignments for vicarages and deaconess internships. The Seminary’s next primary Call Day is set for April 30. Faculty members gather with students for a celebratory photo following the chapel service. Photo: Sarah Maney
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Student awarded FASPE fellowship Master of Divinity (M.Div.) student Joshua Armstrong was among 14 award recipients selected from 200 applicants for a Fellowship at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics (FASPE) scholarship. He joined fellows from around the world for a two-week program of intense study set in Germany and Poland, including a visit to the Auschwitz Nazi concentration camp, held June 21-July 5. The fellowship addresses the complicity of clergy in Nazi policies and provides a holistic curriculum focusing on ethical problems faced by individual leaders in contemporary pastoral or academic settings. “I was thrilled to participate in this immersive interdisciplinary experience alongside students from diverse institutional backgrounds,” Armstrong said. M.Div. vicarage student Joshua Armstrong. Photo: Harold Rau
NEWS WORTH NOTING
2024 Alumni Reunion The 2024 Alumni Reunion held on campus Oct. 10-11 welcomed members of the jubilarian class of 1974, the silver anniversary class of 1999 and graduates from class years ending in “4” or “9.” Highlights during their time on campus included two plenaries: a tour of the stained glass windows in the Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus led by Dr. David Schmitt, professor of Practical Theology, and an interactive session with Seminary President Dr. Thomas J. Egger on theological education in the 21st century. The closing banquet featured a performance by Laudamus, the Seminary’s select men’s choir. “We look forward every year to having our alumni back on campus for the reunion,” said Vicki Biggs, senior vice president of Seminary Advancement and chief communications officer. “It’s a joy to host these very special guests — our brothers and sisters who serve and have served so faithfully in ministry — back where the formation for their life’s work began. We give thanks to God for each and every person and are thrilled for this special opportunity to say, ‘Welcome home!’” Alumni on campus for the 2024 reunion participated in a special presentation on the stained glass windows in the Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus. Photo: Christie Hampton
Cornerstone laying anniversary On Wednesday, Oct. 30, the Concordia Seminary community marked the 100th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone for its Clayton, Mo., campus with a joyous celebration. The observance began with the weekly Divine Service in the Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus, followed by a procession to Pieper Hall for a rededication of the cornerstone and a special after-chapel coffee under Luther Tower. The cornerstone was laid Oct. 26, 1924. One hundred years later, it is a privilege to remember the Seminary’s forefathers who conceived the plans for the campus and give thanks to God for the legacy of mission that continues today, preparing pastors, deaconesses, missionaries and other leaders for service to the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. Concordia Seminary President Dr. Thomas J. Egger addresses the assembly gathered near the cornerstone. Photo: Sid Hastings CONCORDIA SEMINARY, ST. LOUIS
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2024 Theological Symposium “Technology and the Church: Promise and Peril” drew a large crowd to the 2024 Theological Symposium held Sept. 17-18. “Technology is one of the Lord’s first article gifts to us for our benefit and it bears great promise,” said Dr. Kevin Golden, associate professor of Exegetical Theology and dean of Theological Research and Publication. “This year’s symposium led the church to thoughtful, faithful engagement of technology.” Plenary presenters included Dr. David Maxwell, the Seminary’s Louis A. Fincke and Anna B. Shine Professor of Systematic Theology; Dr. Joshua Hollmann, professor of Systematic Theology, Concordia University, Saint Paul, Minn.; Dr. C. Ben Mitchell, associate professor of Bioethics and Contemporary Culture at Trinity International University/Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, Ill.; and Dr. Bernard Bull, president of Concordia University, Nebraska, Seward, Neb. Werner Auditorium is filled to hear Dr. David Maxwell deliver the first part of the opening plenary Sept. 17. Photo: Sid Hastings
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Lay Bible Institutes Two Lay Bible Institute seminars in October provided participants opportunities to explore vital topics. On Oct. 5, Dr. Stephen Pietsch, associate professor of Practical Theology, led “Christian Caregiving for People Suffering with Depression and Anxiety.” Participants gained practical skills drawn from the Christian tradition of providing care and comfort to those in mental distress through the use of Scriptural teachings and insights from Martin Luther. Dr. Joel Biermann, professor of Systematic Theology, led an Oct. 12 session titled “Christian Politics: Jesus is Lord,” during which participants explored the role of the church in the lives of people as they interact with the world. The Seminary’s Lay Bible Institute, generally offered three times a year on campus and led by faculty members, is an ongoing study of the Bible and how it relates to today’s life and events. Above, Dr. Stephen Pietsch. Photo: Davin Alberson Below, Dr. Joel Biermann. Photo: Davin Alberson
NEWS WORTH NOTING
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Lay Bible Institute Solum Verbum: What Word Alone Can Do in the Gospel According to John
FEB
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user Dr. Bruce Schuchard map-marker-alt Concordia Seminary, St. Louis laptop csl.edu/lbi Register by: Jan. 24, 2025 • Fee: $20 ($15 boxed lunch)
Multiethnic Symposium 2025
MAY
6-7
Learning From Each Other: Catechesis That Raises up Multiethnic Leaders for the Kingdom
map-marker-alt Concordia Seminary, St. Louis laptop csl.edu/multiethnic
ALUMNI RELATIONS NEW FROM
.org FALL 2024 CONCORDIA JOURNAL: CELEBRATING FIVE CENTURIES OF LUTHERAN HYMNALS
Commemorate the many years of athletic excellence and spiritual formation cultivated through field house athletics. Attend this special celebration that will include thought-provoking discussions, a banquet and basketball.
FEB 20-22
map-marker-alt Concordia Seminary, St. Louis laptop csl.edu/alumni/pederson-field-house calendar-alt Register by: Feb. 6, 2025 money-bill-wave Fee: $40 per person (No cost to register for alumni games only)
Concordia Journal explores urgent ideas, themes and issues related to the past, present and future of global Christianity and today’s world from a confessionally Lutheran perspective. To view the latest issue, scan the QR code or visit: concordiatheology. org/category/ concordia-journal.
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