The Chartering of New Thing at Concordia Prep

 

June 5, 2022 was the Chartering Service for 

New Thing Lutheran Church

at Concordia Preparatory School in Towson, Maryland.

Rev. Peter Couser has served as Mission Developer 

for the Southeastern District

 and has led the way for the forming

 of this new worship community.

Southeastern President John R. Denninger leads

 the chartering service of New Thing-

Igniting people to follow Jesus with an everyday faith.

The signing of the Charter

 by the congregational President-

Betty Kansler.

The signing of the Charter 

by the Congregational Secretary -Faith Smith.

June 5 was also Confirmation Sunday 

and the 4 Confirmands

 were the first members of New Thing.

Seminarian Mark Esser and wife Paige,     

who were both former teachers at Concordia Prep, 

returned to participate in the service 

by leading readings and helping with music.

Visiting with DCE Emily Phoenix

 at the chartering service.

SED President John Denninger

 and Rev. Peter Couser

Joining here are:

 Connie Denninger and Amy Couser

We pray that the Holy Spirit works 

mightily among the students 

of Concordia Preparatory School,

 their faculty and the affirming community of believers.

To God be the Glory!

Rev. Luke Self- Installation

 

The Installation of Rev. Luke Self 

took place on February 20. 2022

at New Hope Lutheran Church

 in Mooresville, North Carolina.

What a blessing that so many clergy

 were able to join for this celebration.

The blessings and Words of Scripture shared

 by other men in ministry is a wonderful gift.

Rev. Luke and wife, Dani, with their son, Levi.

Baby girl, Salem, was born on 

Maundy Thursday, April 14, 2022.

We pray many blessings over this 

ministry family as they serve in the Kingdom.

Living a Legacy

                      The legacy continues as the baton of ministry is passed…

A “church” may have finished its season in a particular location, 

though the Lord’s ministry lives 

on as a legacy of this faithful congregation.  

Behold, I am doing a new thing;

    now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

I will make a way in the wilderness

    and rivers in the desert.

         Isaiah 43:19 

On Saturday, October 2, 2021 

First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Towson, Maryland

 held its final Celebration of Life worship service

 in the sanctuary at 40 E. Burke Avenue, Towson, Maryland. 

First Lutheran Church made a faith-filled,

 legacy decision to “move on and plant,”

 directly blessing two gospel-focused ministries. 

Like many congregations, First Lutheran had been experiencing

 waning energy for many years. 

In 2018, their pastor accepted a call 

 and they began the process of discerning

 how the Lord was leading them forward. 

Upon reading the book “Legacy Churches” 

by Stephen Gray and Franklin Dumond, 

they actively pursued a ministry opportunity 

with Concordia Preparatory School in Towson.  

What used to be a majority Lutheran student body

 is now a mission field. Concordia Preparatory School, 

formerly known as Baltimore Lutheran Middle and High School, 

has also made adjustments to meet the challenges

 and needs of our changing culture.  

In 2014, the school adopted a new name to communicate

 more effectively to prospective students 

who were not already attending Lutheran elementary schools, 

as the robust network that used to exist in Baltimore has also declined. 

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

John 12:24-26

Baton passed to Rev. Peter Couser

Betty Kansler, president of First Lutheran 

led the congregation through a year-long discernment 

and visioning process facilitated by 

Director of Christian Outreach 

and Ministry Development Coach Tina Jasion, 

and her coaching practice of Faithful Innovation. 

A unified vision developed between First Lutheran 

and Concordia Preparatory School

 to call a Mission Developer who would also serve as a Campus Pastor

 to serve a student body and their families, 

the majority of whom are not connected to any Christian church.

 A joint call was issued to Rev. Peter Couser, 

who being so moved by the willingness of a church to “die” 

for the sake of the Gospel accepted the call and the vision

 for what has become “New Thing” began to take shape. 

 First Lutheran has hosted another ministry on their campus since 2011,

 Horizon Church. The church property and an adjoining house

 has been purchased by Horizon, 

who will continue the Gospel ministry in that location. 

First Lutheran prayed the words from Psalm 71 

as they discerned what God was doing among them with open hands.

O God, from my youth you have taught me,

    and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.

So even to old age and gray hairs,

    O God, do not forsake me,

until I proclaim your might to another generation,

    your power to all those to come.

Psalm 71:17-18 

Through their faithful response, 

First Lutheran has provided for two ministries:

New Thing on the campus of Concordia Preparatory School

 with baton received by  Headmaster Brent Johnson. 

Horizon Church will continue worship and discipleship

ministry on the campus at E. Burke Avenue. 

Well done, good and faithful servants!  

It has been my joy and privilege to walk with you this season of joy

 as we experienced the Lord painting a new ministry vision,

 also mixed with the sorrow of letting go. 

Through your faithfulness, may these ministries

 bear much fruit for years to come and provide an example

 for others finding themselves in a similar season of ministry. 

In Christ alone + 

Tina Jasion

This story provided by Contributing Writer- Tina Jasion

 for Journeys of Faith

Ordination and installation of Rev. Zachary Sarrault

 

The Ordination and Installation

of Rev. Zachery Sarrault as Associate Pastor

was held on July 18, 2021

at Resurrection Lutheran Church

 in Cary, North Carolina.

Here is the Pastoral Staff:

L to R- Pastor Alan Shaw, Pastor Zachery Sarrault

 and Senior Pastor Jonathan Blanke. 

Gathered for this celebration are:

L to R- Mark and Jill Thomas- parents of Kelsey Sarrault,

Kelsey Sarrault- wife to Zachery, Pastor Zach,

Rev. Joel and Dawn Sarrault- parents to Zachery.

Filled with joy for this special day.

Rev. Joel Sarrault and his son Rev. Zachery Sarrault

                      L to R-Here is Rev. Shaw, Kelsey Sarrault 

and Rev. Sarrault and Juli Blanke and Rev. Blanke.

                       May the Lord bless Kelsey and Pastor Zach

 as they begin their servant adventure

 at Resurrection Lutheran.

Thanksgiving at Zion Praise

 

What a joyful event on Sunday, June 13, 2021 

for the community of 

Zion Praise Tabernacle Lutheran Church

 in Bowie, Maryland.

Pictured- L to R- Rev. Jacob Harris, 

Southeastern District President John Denninger, 

and Rev. Henry Greenfield.

This newly chartered church was blessed

 to extend calls to both of these pastors. 

The congregation also hosted the 

Ordination of Rev. Henry Greenfield in this service.

Rev. Greenfield is presented 

with a new red stole by his wife-Deborah.

Both pastors are given

 Shepherd's Staffs in the service.

Rev. Henry Greenfield and his wife Deborah.

The children were part of the worship and praise.

The service was filled with music

 of praise and thanksgiving.

Special guests for this celebration included:

Rev. Dr. Brent Smith, and Southeastern District Staff members- 

Deaconess Sally Hiller, Rev. Don Schafer, and Rev. Yared Halche.

This Liberian community certainly 

hosts a gathering with an abundant array of food.

So many things to give thanks for,

 as we pray the Lord's blessing 

on this new church in His Kingdom.

May they be faithful witnesses 

of the the grace of the Gospel.

Photo credits to Yared Halche and Brent Smith

Installation of Rev. Lucas Witt

 Rev. Lucas Witt  and his wife Sylvia 

with their three children at his installation.

  Pastor Lucas is the new 
Associate pastor and missionary

at Immanuel Lutheran Church

 in Baltimore, Maryland.

Rev. Donald Schaefer was the officiant 

 and installed Rev. Witt on 

Sunday, December 15, 2019.

Rev. Aaron Bueltmann 

with a blessing for his fellow circuit pastor.

A Blessing for the whole Witt Family.

Rev. Lucas served as a vicar

 at this congregation.

The gathered Circuit pastors join together

 for the installation celebration. 

The beautiful historic church

 is especially lovely at Advent.

Pastor Witt invites all to

 join them for the reception.

Welcome back to the Southeastern District!

May the Lord bless

 your ministry here among us.

150th Anniversary- Charlottesville, Va

Rev. Ben Maton 

at the 150th celebration 

of Immnauel Lutheran Church

 in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Immanuel Lutheran Church

150th Anniversary Celebration

October 27, 2019

The 10 am Celebration was a beautiful service

 and the Guest Preacher was 

Southeastern District President- 

Rev. Dr. John R Denninger.

The service was followed by a Barbecue catered by 
Mission Barbeque with games, music and fellowship.
We give thanks for the ministry
 of this SED congregation and their faithful members
 and Rev. Ben Maton.

50th Anniversary Emmanuel - Hampton, VA

75th Anniversary Celebration

Emmanuel Lutheran Church 
in Hampton, Virginia celebrated
 their 75th Anniversary on 
Sunday, October 20, 2019. 

 Rev. Timothy Utton - Pastor at Emmanuel-

leads singing with the children

 for the Children's Worship time.

Wonderful music 

for the Worship celebration.

 The celebration included 

Southeastern District President John Denninger 

and time to reflect on years of ministry of Emmanuel 

and to look forward to a future founded in mission work. 

President Denninger acknowledges

 the gifts of the ministry

 at Emmanuel, Hampton, Virginia.

The Church’s ongoing mission work includes 

supporting organizations like-(H.E.L.P.Inc)

Hampton Roads Ecumenical Lodgings and Provisions,
  Habitat for Humanity,

 making quilts for Lutheran World Relief,
 knit hats/gloves/scarves for the homeless,
 food pantry assistance, 
and prison ministries with
 the South Eastern Correctional Organization. 
It was a great celebration service 
followed by a barbeque lunch.