"A Great Blessing"

Dear Friends in Christ:

As you read this, Mary and I will be attending the “Lutheran Academy of the Rockies” continuing education retreat for pastors and their families at Meeker Park Lodge, Allenspark, Colorado.

This time over the years has become a great blessing for us spiritually, mentally, physically, and socially. We have been challenged by the teaching, inspired by the beauty of God’s creation, and enriched by meaningful relationships with new and old friends.

This academy began in 1937 at Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. It was the first Lutheran continuing education event in the United States. The academy remained an annual event in Dubuque for the next 31 years, with a brief respite during World War II. In 1969 it was moved to Colorado with an expanded format to include pastors, spouses, and families.

This year’s theme is” “Religion In Today’s World”. The distinguished faculty members are :
* Dr. Monica Melanchton, professor of Old Testament studies and Head of the Department of Women’s Studies at Gurukul Lutheran Theological College in Chennai, India;
* Rev. Dr. Winston Persaud, Professor of Systematic Theology at Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa;
* Rev. Dr. Wayne Weissenbuehler, Bishop Emeritus of the Rocky Mountain Synod—ELCA, now part-time associate pastor at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, St. Paul, Minnesota, with an emphasis on senior ministry and biblical teaching.

I am very thankful for your support and encouragement of my attending the academy.

You will be in our prayers as we ask that we be in yours. The peace of the Lord be with you always.

—Pastor David Fetter

† † †

"Peace! Be Still!" (Mark 4:39)

Dear Friends in Christ:

Often we read or hear news reports of frightening events, and don’t give them much more thought. But, when the news involves a loved one or personal acquaintance, it affects us differently!

This occurred on Saturday, June 7th when I became aware that a nephew and cousin of church members was lost at sea after the sailboat he was on was found capsized in the Gulf of Mexico! Travis Wright, a nephew of Neil and Judy Haverlah, was missing after the boat he was on was found capsized. The crew of six was evidently not aboard. Desperate prayers were said throughout the day and night. Then, after 26 hours, at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, five of the crew members were located floating on four lifejackets. Later, the sixth crew member was tragically found dead inside the capsized, sunken boat.

It is at times like this that God’s Word becomes very personal as it speaks to our needs. Jesus Christ is “God with us” always — our Emmanuel!

As I was praying for these men lost at sea, I opened my Bible to the Gospel of Mark (4:37—41) and read:

“A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But Jesus was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?’ And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’”

The words of a great hymn of faith, “Eternal Father, Strong to Save”, sometimes known as “The Navy Hymn”, came to my mind:

Eternal Father, strong to save,
whose arm has bound the restless wave,
who bade the mighty ocean deep,
its own appointed limits keep:
oh, hear us when we cry to thee for those in peril on the sea.

O Savior, whose almighty word
the winds and waves submissive heard,
who walked upon the foaming deep,
and calm amid the storm didst sleep:
oh, hear us when we cry to thee for those in peril on the sea.

In our Evangelical Lutheran Worship book, there are a variety of prayers for all needs. This one for “emergency workers” is so appropriate for times like these:

“God of earth and air, water and fire, height and depth, we pray for those who work in danger, who rush in to bring hope and help and comfort when others flee to safety, whose mission is to seek and save, serve and protect, and whose presence embodies the protection of the Good Shepherd. Give them caution and concern for one another, so that in safety they may do what must be done, under your watchful eye. Support them in their courage and dedication that they may continue to save lives, ease pain, and mend the torn fabric of lives and social order; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

—Pastor David Fetter

† † †