Pastor’s Perch
John 16:14 & 15-“He (The Holy Spirit) will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. 15 Everything the Father has is mine.” (EHV)
What is the most important item you have inherited? For some, it is wealth or a family heirloom. For others, it might be land. But it usually takes a death to receive an inheritance. Jesus makes a grand statement about his glorious inheritance. The Holy Spirit will take what belongs to the Son, which the Father gave him, and give it to his disciples.
So, what could we possibly inherit from Jesus? He had no riches. He had no home. He had no land. He had no family heirloom. He had something that we could never find. Everything that belongs to the Father was given to his Son. This is what the Spirit makes known to us. It is God’s image, his perfect righteousness. Jesus is the embodiment of God’s image. The very image that was lost in the Garden of Eden. This image of perfect holiness and glory cannot be earned or found on our own. It must be given to us. This is our inheritance that is declared to us by the Spirit!
But the only way for us to inherit Jesus’ image, his perfect righteousness, is if he died! That is exactly what he did. The morning after saying these words, he gave up his life to give us back the image of God in perfect holiness and righteousness. This brings us into the family of God. You now have the glory of the Son covering you. This ensures your place in the heavenly kingdom. Even if you lose everything in this world, you still possess the glory of Christ’s image as your own. All that was given to the Son is now given to you. How can you be certain? Our Triune God has made this a reality for all of us. We now live our lives as inheritors of God’s glory!
Dear Triune God, continue to bless us with the glory of Christ’s image. Let us be satisfied with his glory as we await his glorious return. In his name we pray! Amen!
A Servant of Christ,
Rev. Patrick Feldhus
Grace’s News
We are offering a Family bible study on familiar Sunday school stories, after worship on Sundays.
The pastor is offering an online topical bible study on Tuesday nights at 7:30 pm. If you are interested, please let Pastor know. He is also looking for topics that are interesting to you.
The delegates for our next Synod Convention will meet at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Mankato on Wednesday, June 11th, at 6:30 pm.
Synod News
WELS Christian Aid and Relief cleans up after Wisconsin tornadoes.
This past Saturday, about 40 WELS Christian Aid and Relief volunteers gathered in Juneau, Wis., to clear tree branches and other debris caused by a tornado that touched down in the community on May 15. Using supplies from one of the WELS Christian Aid and Relief disaster relief trailers, along with their own tools, multiple volunteers were able to chop up the tree debris and move it out of the way. They made quick work at the home of one WELS member and then moved on to a few others.
Additional local cleanup efforts were organized, including one by Lakeside Lutheran High School, which helped to clear debris for a family from Lakeside whose farm was heavily damaged. In the midst of these hardships, it’s wonderful to see God’s people reaching out with love and compassion to assist those who are hurting.
Learn more about Christian Aid and Relief and how to volunteer at wels.net/relief.
Update provided by Rev. Daniel Sims, director, WELS Christian Aid and Relief
Virtual high school celebrates first graduation
Amazing Grace Virtual Academy (AGVA), a fully accredited online WELS high school, celebrated a milestone on May 15 with its first graduation of fully online learners.
Three students graduated from high school in a virtual ceremony, participating from their homes in South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
“This milestone to be able to issue high school diplomas to its first graduating class is yet another example of how AGVA has been extremely blessed by a gracious God over its first 14 years of existence,” says James Grunwald, AGVA’s executive director.
Amazing Grace Virtual Academy (known for a time as ALHS Online) has been offering high-quality online courses since 2011 to supplement the class offerings of WELS and Evangelical Lutheran Synod high schools and elementary schools. With more inquiries from families who didn’t have the opportunity to send their children to one of WELS’ 30 Lutheran high schools, the academy decided to expand its offerings, enrolling its first full-time students in 2022. Currently, 18 students are taking classes full-time and 381 are taking individual courses.
The academy serves a diverse student population, including Lutheran school students whose schools don’t offer all of the courses that meet their learning interests or specific course needs, home-schooled students, students from public schools seeking additional courses, and learners with medical or personal constraints that limit traditional schooling.
Grunwald is stepping down as the academy’s full-time executive director this year but will continue to serve part-time through June 2026. “Being a part of AGVA since its beginning 14 years ago and working with extremely dedicated students, partner schools, instructors, and fellow administrators has been a true blessing,” he says. “To God be the glory!”
Learn more at amazinggraceva.org. Read more about AGVA’s first graduation at forwardinchrist.net/online-partnership.
2025 Synod Convention planning continues
The 68th WELS biennial synod convention will take place July 21-24 at Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minn. Nearly 400 voting delegates, comprised of pastors, teachers, staff ministers, and laymen, will attend, along with several dozen advisory delegates.
The Book of Reports and Memorials (BORAM), which contains the information to be considered by the convention, is now available online at welsconvention.net/boram. Hard copies of BORAM have been sent to all delegates, congregations, pastors, and male teachers.
Some of the important items to be discussed or decided at the convention are:
• The declaration of fellowship between WELS and the Africa Mission Evangelism Church (AMEC) of Tanzania. Discussions have been taking place with representatives of AMEC for several years, and those discussions have determined that WELS and AMEC are united in doctrine and practice.
• Two proposals to change the way synod officers are elected. Both proposals involve seeking nominations prior to the convention and publicizing the final ballot in early summer before the convention convenes. This would give delegates an opportunity to learn more about the candidates and would also give nominees time to think about their decision, if elected, in advance of the actual election.
• The synod will have the opportunity to adopt a new long-range strategic plan entitled “Christ through us,” which will serve as a guide for the synod as it carries out its mission over the next ten years.
• Elections will be held for various positions, including first vice president and recording secretary.
• Every area of ministry will report on its work during the past year and outline plans for the future.
• The convention essay will be delivered by Rev. Joel Otto, professor at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis., focusing on the 175-year history of the synod. Prof. Paul Koelpin will also give an evening presentation on the history of Martin Luther College.
• Several memorials (requests for convention action) will also be considered.
We pray that God will bless the decisions of the convention and will provide delegates with important information they will be able to share with their own congregation and congregations in their area.
Serving with you in Christ,
WELS President Mark Schroeder