Palanga Lutheran Church Dedication

 

Palanga Lutheran Church

 

On 14 July 2012, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lithuania dedicated the recently completed church in Palanga, Lithuania. Nearly seven years ago, on 30 July 2005, the corner stone for the Palanga Lutheran church was laid, after the Iowa East District of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod formed a partnership with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lithuania. The Lutheran Church in Palanga burned down in 1938, and during Soviet times the congregation disbanded with her members relocating to other cities.

 

 

 

The service began at a private house on Maironis street, where the congregation had gathered since the fall of communism in 1993. After the gathering of the cross and altar ware the home was deconsecrated with the brief service and singing of hymns. From the former prayer house, the pastors and congregation processed down the street about a mile to the location of the new church.

 

 

The procession had police escort from the prayer house to the new location of Palanga Lutheran Church. Along the way people gathered in these street to watch the procession. Some people stood from their apartment balconies and took photographs of the procession.

 

 

Upon arriving at the church, approximately 350 people waited outside the church for the bishop to arrive and open the doors of the church.

 

 

Bishop Mingdaugas Sabutis opened the church doors and gave the keys of the church to Pastor Dr. Darius Petkūnis. More than twenty pastors, from Lithuania, Latvia, Germany, and the United States, filed into the church along with the rest of the congregation.

 

 

 

Bishop Sabutis and Pastor Dr. Darius Petkūnis conduct the divine service and consecrate the church building. In his sermon based upon the encounter of the Samaritan woman with Jesus in John 4:19 - 26, Bishop Sabutis said that the Lutherans in Lithuania know what it means to be a "little flock." He noted that the Lutheran church returned to Palanga just 15 years ago, after the Lutheran church had been persecuted, deported, and exterminated in Lithuania. During the time of communism, only 6 Lutheran pastors remained in Lithuania. Sabitus gave thanks to the Lord who is merciful and to all the people both in Lithuania and in the United States who made it possible for the construction of the church in Palanga. He gave special thanks to the people of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, especially to the Iowa East District.

 

 

Bishop Sabutis and the pastors assisting with Holy Communion practice the ancient custom of kneeling before the consecrated hosts on the altar. Although this custom is not commonly practiced by Lutherans in the United States, its practice goes back to the days of Dr. Martin Luther and comes to the Lithuanian Lutheran Church from the Saxon Church Agenda (the ones used by the congregations near Wittenberg in the time of Martin Luther).

 

 

After the service, honored guests presented to the congregation. Bishop Sabutis retorted that he knew the congregation would appreciate a five minute speech from each of the twenty plus pastors, but he would have to disappoint them by limiting the remarks to a few honored guests. The first to present was Rev. Dr. Gary Arp, President Emertius of the Iowa East District of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. He spoke how President Matthew Harrison, then Executive Director for LCMS World Relief and Human Care, approached him in 2003 to see if his district would be interested in helping the Lithuanian Lutheran Church build a church and mercy center. President Arp indicated that he and his district were interested. In 2005, President Arp participated in the laying of the corner stone of Palanga Lutheran Church. President Arp also brought official greetings from President Harrison to the assembled congregation.

 

President Arp presented two plaques (one in Lithuanian and the other in English) to the congregation. The plaque read, "From the Cedar River to the Baltic Sea, The Palanga Evangelical Lutheran Parish. This facility was made possible by the generous support of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod World Relief & Human Care, St. Louis, Missouri, USA and The members of Iowa District East, Marion, Iowa USA, Mr. Kurtas Velius, and other distinguished benefactors, dedicated to the Glory of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit 14 July 2012. In Him the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. Ephesians 2:21-22."

 

 

After President Arp presented the plaques, Rev. Dr. Albert Collver, LCMS Director of Church Relations - Assistant to the President, brought additional greetings.

 

"Bishop Sabutis, Pastor Petkūnas, honored clergy and brothers and sisters in Christ.

Last evening, President Matthew C. Harrison asked me to bring additional greetings to you here in Palanga and to the Lutherans in Lithuania on his behalf and on that of the people of the Missouri Synod in the Name of Jesus! It is a great privilege and honor to be here among you today. It is a joy to see this church completed and ready to be used in worship.

For as long as I have served with President Harrison (both as President and when he worked as the director of Diakonia for the LCMS), he has spoken of the need to help our brothers and sisters in Christ who suffered under communism. He said we need to help them, to show mercy to them. Today, we heard Bishop Sabutis say, "This is a house of mercy." Indeed it is. It is the place the Lord comes and shows mercy.

It is a privilege and honor that the Lord allowed the people of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, in particular the Iowa East District, to participate in the building of this church in Palanga. It brings us joy to see this day.

We also heard how after the corner stone was laid in July 2005 how plans were made to dedicate this church in 2007. Yet those plans were delayed and now 5 years later we celebrate the opening of this church. Some may have thought the promise to build the church would not come true. Some may have even thought the Lord failed his promises. Hear this word of Scripture after Solomon finished building the temple, he "Blessed be the Lord who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised. Not one word has failed of all his good promise." (1 Kings 8:56)

Indeed, today the Lord has given rest to his people as he has promised. Today he has given you rest in his promises. Not one word of the Lord has failed you. The Lord has given you his precious Gospel and his forgiving gifts. He has given you this sanctuary to worship him.

Today, we celebrate and rejoice with you at the completion of the Lutheran Church in Palanga. We pray that it will be blessing to you and to the people here. Remember that the Lord is faithful to his promise. He will never fail you. It is our duty to given him thanks and praise, for his Gospel and for this place of worship.

The Blessing of God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be with you. Amen."

Rev. Dr. Brian Saunders, District President of Iowa East District, brought greetings to the congregation in Palanga. President Saunders also preached on Sunday morning (15 July 2012).

 

 

Rev. Dr. Charles Evangson (pictured above) has played a significant role in the Lutheran church of Lithuania for the past 14 years. He was sent to Kaipedia, Lithuania, by Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, in the late 1990s to assist in the instruction of pastors. He along with Rev. Dr. Darius Petkūnis, pastor of the Palanga Lutheran Church, have played a significant role in the development of the Lithuanian hymnal and agenda, primarily working to restore the liturgy that existed pre-communism. Dr. Evanson participated in the dedication service, reading the Epistle lesson in Lithuanian and English and assisted in Holy Communion. He also regularly assists in Lutheran congregations in Lithuania. Bishop Sabutis honored Dr. Evanson by counting him among the members of the Lithuanian clergy. Currently, Dr. Evanson serves in Lithuania under the aspics of the LCMS Office of International Mission.

 

 

All of the pastors gather outside of the church after the dedication for a photo.

 

 

Rev. Dr. Albert Collver speaks with Rev. Dr. Darius Petkūnis during the reception held after the dedication.

 

 

-- Posted by Rev. Dr. Albert Collver, Director of Church Relations in Vilnius, Lithuania on 15 July 2012.

Working Agreement Between ECAV and the LCMS

Rev. Tony Booker, Rev. Dr. Albert Collver, Rev. Marián Čop, and Dr. Jaromír Neumann Sign
working agreement between ECAV and the LCMS

 On 11 July 2012, The Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession (ECAV) in the Czech Republic signed a working agreement with the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod at Saint Michael's Lutheran Church in Prague. The working agreement is not a declaration of altar and pulpit fellowship between the churches, but rather it expresses both churches commitment to engage in further discussion as they work together in limited ways externally. For instance, both churches agree to have regular contact between the churches' leadership, to strengthen the work of pastoral ministry through lectures and symposia, to invite each other to theological presentations, and to share theological opinions with each other, especially as these statements pertain to "theological and ethical problems of our civilization."

 Dr. Collver, Director of Church Relations, and Superintendent Marián Čop Sign the Agreement 

The other concrete area the agreement covers is the operation of the English speaking congregation of the ECAV in Prague. Specifically, the ECAV has agreed to allow the LCMS to operate the English congregation as if it were a LCMS congregation, including the right to select and install a pastor in accordance with the procedures and policies of the LCMS. This agreement will allow Rev. Tony Booker, LCMS Missionary to Eurasia, to serve the English congregation as a Missouri Synod pastor upholding the LCMS position on altar and pulpit fellowship and conducting the service according to the Lutheran Service Book.

 Working Agreement Ready to Sign between ECAV and the LCMS 

Rev. Marián Čop, Superintendent of the ECAV, noted that this relationship with the LCMS was very important to his church. Dr. Collver noted that the desire for this working agreement shows that the LCMS has contributions to make to world Lutheranism, particularly in the realm of theological dialog, education, and in the social and ethical arenas. This short video introduces St. Michael's Lutheran Church in Prague and references the newly signed working agreement.



If you are interested in assisting Rev. Tony Booker with his work in Prague, please visit: http://www.lcms.org/booker

A few more pictures.

 Saint Michael's In Prague 

The City of Prague in the Evening Prague on a Summer Evening 

The Astronomers' Clock The Astronomers' Clock at 10 PM

posted: 11 July 2012
-Rev. Dr. Albert Collver, LCMS Director of Church Relations and Assistant to the President

New Madrid Earthquake Fault

Today, while driving from Memphis, TN, to Saint Louis, MO, I passed the town of New Madrid on the highway and decided to stop and see the earthquake fault.

In 1812, a very powerful earthquake hit New Madrid, MO. The quake temporarily reversed the flow of the Mississippi River and created sand volcanos. You can read about it Here.




The New Madrid fault presents danger to both Saint Louis and Memphis. By some estimates, when the fault slips again the earthquake would destroy both Memphis and Saint Louis. Large quakes have occurred at New Madrid in 2350 BC, 300 AD, 900 AD, 1450 AD, and 1812 AD. You can read more Here.




A view from the observation deck.

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Buzz Off! LCMS Lutheran Malaria Initiative Song.

Rev. Fritz Baue wrote a song called Buzz Off! to support the LCMS Lutheran Malaria Initiative.

Minnesota Prairie

Yesterday, I visited Buffalo River State Park in Glyndon, MN. It is the largest remnant prairie in Minnesota.




Along the Buffalo River.




Flowers along the trail. There are over 200 species of wild flower on the prairie.



Panorama of the prairie. On the day I hiked on the prairie, the temperature was in the low 80s with wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph. Hiking 4 or so miles on the prairie helped illustrate how being the first settlers to this land would not have been easy. Life would be a struggle.



The settlers did not have a path of mown grass to walk across.




The Buffalo River got its name from the buffalo who would herd here for water and rest. Numerous buffalo skulls have been found along the river.




Boulders left behind by the glacier.




This enter region was once a lake that formed as the glaciers began to melt. The lake is known as Lake Agassiz.

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Location:13th Ave S,Fargo,United States

The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod - LCMS enters fellowship with church in Liberia

http://reporter.lcms.org/pages/rpage.asp?NavID=19975

LCMS enters fellowship with church in Liberia By Adriane Dorr LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison declared fellowship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Liberia (ELCL) May 10. This declaration followed the Commission on Theology and Church Relations’ (CTCR) action on April 26 in which recognition of full agreement between the LCMS and ELCL was approved.

“To its great joy, the CTCR discovered that doctrinal agreement exists with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Liberia,” said the Rev. Dr. Lawrence Rast, CTCR chairman and president of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind. “It was our privilege to recommend that President Harrison declare fellowship with these fellow Christians.” In his official letter to ELCL Bishop Amos Bolay, Harrison wrote, “Church fellowship is not something created by us, but it is a gift from our Lord Jesus that our Lord uses to mutually encourage each of us.” Extensive theological discussions between the LCMS and the ELCL officially began in December 2011, when four LCMS representatives — the Rev. Dr. Albert B. Collver III, director of Church Relations; Dr. David Erber, LCMS missionary to West Africa; Dr.

Mike Rodewald, LCMS Office of International Mission regional director for Africa; and the Rev. Dr. Joel Lehenbauer — visited Bolay and other ELCL church officials in the capital city of Monrovia, Liberia.

“The LCMS is in a position to help us bear witness to our nation,” Bolay told them. “We believe that the LCMS teaches the Bible correctly and holds to the Confessions. We want to have fellowship with the LCMS because we believe the same. If our teaching is not the same as the LCMS’, we seek correction and instruction.” The LCMS and ELCL have young but strong connections. LCMS missionaries first began witness and mercy work in Liberia in the mid-1970s. When the country’s first civil war broke out in 1989, the missionaries and many members and leaders of the ELCL were forced to flee the country, and the LCMS missionaries lost contact with the Liberian Lutherans with whom they had shared a Gospel-centered life.

During this time, however, Liberian Lutherans continued to gather together and also to share the Gospel with others. Four primary groups of Lutherans endured and even grew, despite the devastating effects of the war. These groups were formed when, due to the Second Liberian Civil War (1991-2002), Liberians were scattered about the region, coming into contact with other Lutherans and Christians from other backgrounds who also had been forced to flee their homes. The solid, biblical teachings of the Lutheran churches provided consolation and encouragement for their own members and for others who came to share their convictions.

(One of those new Lutherans was Bishop Bolay). After the fighting ceased, the amalgamation of these four groups formed the basis for the ELCL, which officially formed in 2009.

That church’s difficult start, however, has not been quickly forgotten. Recent media coverage of the trial of Charles Taylor, the former Liberian dictator, brought to light the suffering and persecution the people of Liberia experienced during the war.

Taylor was found guilty of committing war crimes against the Liberian people April 26, 2012.

The ancient church father Tertullian wrote, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.” The ELCL is proof of this, believes Collver: “The Liberian civil war, which brought much harm and evil, was used by the Lord for good. The dispersion of Lutherans during the civil war actually spread the church by putting people in contact with others.” The church now includes about 150 congregations, 16 schools and an estimated 5,000-6,000 members.

The relationship between the ELCL and the LCMS remained strong following the war — so strong, in fact, that Bolay explained, “We in Liberia feel we are a LCMS church. You ask why? You are the church that started us.” More recently, church officials in the ELCL requested that LCMS pastors ordain Liberian candidates for the Office of the Holy Ministry. “We were told that LCMS missionaries could not conduct the ordinations because we were not LCMS,” said Bolay. “This hit us hard because we thought we were LCMS. It was an awakening for us and made us desire even more to join the LCMS in partnership.” On behalf of the ELCL, Bolay then officially requested fellowship talks during his visit to St. Louis for the International Disaster Response Conference for Lutherans in October 2011. Those very discussions, which took place in December 2011 and concluded in January 2012, became the subject of an official report prepared by Collver and Lehenbauer. The report was presented to the CTCR at its April 26-27 meeting in St. Louis, and the commission voted unanimously to recommend that the LCMS enter into fellowship with the ELCL.

The process by which churches such as the ELCL can potentially enter into fellowship with the LCMS has changed substantially due to a bylaw amendment passed at the 2010 Synod convention. Instead of waiting for approval by vote at the next convention, a “small, formative, or emerging confessional Lutheran church body” may now request fellowship, and “after consultation with the Praesidium and approval by the commission [CTCR], such recognition may be declared by the president of the Synod subject to the endorsement of the subsequent Synod convention” (LCMS Handbook, 3.9.5.2.2c).

The CTCR, too, looks forward to working together with the ELCL for the sake of the Gospel. “We are excited to cultivate a sense of walking together and working together side by side,” noted Lehenbauer.

Harrison’s declaration of fellowship between the two churches was met with great thanksgiving by the leadership of both the LCMS and the ELCL. “This is joyous time for the Lord’s Church when unity of confession is recognized,” said Collver.

“This is joy unspeakable and full of glory,” agreed Bolay. “The church of Liberia had long desired this fellowship and wishes to extend grateful thanks to all of you who helped to make this possible.” Adriane Dorr is managing editor of The Lutheran Witness.

Posted May 11, 2012.

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Archive Date: June 11, 2012 Prepared by the Division of News & Information, LCMS Communications

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Location:Summer Tree Dr,Ballwin,United States

Installation of Superintendent Marian Čop in Prague

Superintendent Marian Čop

On 29 April 2012, Rev. Marian Čop was installed as the Superintendent at the Slovak congregation that meets at Saint Michael's Church in Prague. Visitors from around Europe and the world came for the installation. One person in the congregation told me that this was the largest gathering in Saint Michael's since the beginning of the communist revolution. The LCMS was invited to attend the installation because of our connection to Pastor David Jurech in the Czech congregation, and because of LCMS Missionary, Rev. Tony Booker, who serves the English speaking congregation at Saint Michael's in Prague.

Dr. Collver Brings LCMS Greetings To Superintendent Čop

LCMS attendees included: Rev. Dr. Albert Collver, Director of Church Relations, Rev. Dr. Brent Smith, LCMS Eurasia Regional Director, and Rev. Tony Book, LCMS Missionary to Prague. Because the LCMS and the Slovak congregation are not in altar and pulpit fellowship, the LCMS attendees did not participate in the installation service, but were happy to bring greetings from President Harrison and the people of the LCMS. The attendance by LCMS people at the installation furthers to strengthen Lutheranism in Central Europe and helps to establish relationships that may lead to further developments in the future.

Bishop Emeritus Schöne Brings SELK Greetings

Bishop Emeritus Jobst Schöne brought greetings from Bishop Hans-Jorg Voigt of the Independent Evangelical Lutheran Church (SELK) in Germany. SELK is a partner church of the LCMS.

The Roman Catholic Bishop Brings Greetings

Prague has had a long standing Papal Nuncio. Rome sent the local Bishop to bring greetings to Superintendent Čop.

Choir Singing at Installation

The service included several of Martin Luther's hymns as well as anthems by the choir. After the three and a half hour service, a reception was held at a nearby cafe. Blessings to Superintendent Čop.

Bishop Schöne and Sights of Prague

The weather in Prague was more like summer than spring. This gave an opportunity to take in some of the sights of Prague with Bishop Schöne after the installation.

The Glory of Yahweh

This crucifix on the St Charles Bridge bears the inscription, "Cavod YHWH," which means the Glory of Yahweh. Indeed, the cross of Jesus is the glory of Yahweh, hidden.

View of Prague from Petrín Hill

-- Rev. Dr. Albert Collver, Director of Church Relations

1 May 2012