NALC to partner with Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge

The North American Lutheran Church (NALC) has chosen to partner with Trinity School for Ministry to create a “Seminary Center” for the training of future NALC pastors. In a nearly unanimous vote on August 8, 2013, the Convocation of the NALC took action to establish a new North American Lutheran Seminary (NALS). This seminary will not be a degree granting institution, rather, it will partner with existing accredited seminaries to provide sound theological education for NALC students. Trinity will soon welcome a new NALS Seminary Director to its Ambridge, PA campus to oversee the formation of NALC students, whether at Trinity or at one of the Houses of Study that will be developed throughout North America.

This is especially exciting news for St Stephen as we have welcomed two NALC seminarians from Trinity as our members and are preparing ministries to support incoming seminarians. Read the whole story here.

In blessed memory

The St Stephen Faith Family mourns the death of our sister in Christ, Maureen O'Shea, on August 10, 2013. The family will receive visitors Monday 6-8 p.m. and Tuesday 1-3 and 6-8 p.m. at the SCHEPNER - McDERMOTT FUNERAL HOME, INC., 165 Noble Ave., Crafton. The funeral service will be held on Wednesdsay, 10:30 a.m. at St Stephen.

'Rest eternal grant her, O Lord,
and let light perpetual shine upon her.'

Obituary from Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

NALC Convocation Worship - August 8, 2013 'Come to the Water of Life!'

The North American Lutheran Church Convocation will be held in Pittsburgh at the Sheraton Station Square August 8-9. A highlight of the convocation will be the Festival Service of Holy Communion held at First Presbyterian Church, 320 Sixth Avenue, Pittsburgh, on Thursday, August 8.

The pre-service music will begin at 7 p.m. with Joyce M. Strobel, St Stephen Lutheran Church, organist; Charles Lirette, co-principal trumpet of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and the Westmont College Choir of Santa Clara, California.

The Rev, Dr. Israel-Peter Mwakyolile, Bishop of the Konde Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, will preach the sermon. The Rev. Herb Hafermann will be honored for his fifty years of missionary work in Tanzania. The Rev. John Bradosky, Bishop of the North American Lutheran Church, will preside at the celebration of Holy Communion.

The theme of this year's NALC Convocation is 'Come to the Water of Life.' By water and the Word, we are baptized into the Triune God who entered the world in Jesus Christ and still is among us by the power of the Holy Spirit. The 'living water' of the Holy Spirit enlightens our lives and sends us into the world to proclaim the good news of Jesus.

You are invited to join the Convocation as we celebrate God's goodness together!

Pastor Frontz

July NALC News Online!

The July issue of the NALC News is online.

Included are the following important items:

• Convocation to consider establishing NALC Seminary
• Questions and Answers: Proposal for the North American Lutheran Seminary
• Bishop’s response to the recent decisions of the United States Supreme Court regarding marriage
• Standing Together for Religious Freedom: An Open Letter to All Americans

In Prayer and in Mission

Pictured Center: Chris Wendel, St Stephen Lutheran Church

Read about Trinity seminarian and St Stephen member Chris Wendel's mission trip here.

I couldn't help thinking of this VeggieTales excerpt from 'King George and the Ducky' during the reading of the first lesson this Sunday.

My sermon was a little more prosaic, but I hope faithful.