Archives for 2025

In this devotion, Cody Sanders, associate professor of Congregational and Community Care Leadership, wonders how we might root the very essence of who we are in our baptismal identity.
Read today’s God Pause.

Important update about our gathering today: As many of you know, Dale Dobias cannot be with us today, and it is his energy and humor that truly make our DIY Nativity come to life. We simply can’t imagine pulling it off without him, so we are canceling the DIY Nativity play and in its place will be still be gathering for coffee, cider, hot cocoa, cookies, and desserts while we sing carols together. We felt this would be a beautiful way to come together in community and song during this season. We also ask that you keep Dale and his family in your thoughts and prayers during this time. We look forward to seeing you all later this morning . . . Wednesday, December 17 at 11 a.m. in the chapel lobby and OCC dining areas. Everyone is invited—students, staff, and faculty—as we gather for cocoa, cider, coffee, and treats and a community lunch from Andiamo Italian. Join us for fellowship and snacks, sing carols and a community meal, and celebrate coworkers who have reached various milestones.

If you would like to have a student ID card made for RFS, please send your full name and headshot to Peter Susag, Operations Coordinator, at psusag001@luthersem.edu by Tuesday, January 6. ID cards requested by this date will be available for pick up from the Operations Desk in the OCC during RFS. Requests made after this date will be handled as we have capacity. Contact Peter with any questions (psusag001@luthersem.edu).

The Registrar’s Office will be closed from Tuesday, December 23, 2025, through Thursday, January 1, 2026 for the Christmas and New Year’s holiday break. During this time, we will be focused on our family and holiday times. We will not be processing any registrations for winter or spring, transcript requests, loan deferments, transfer work, petition forms, or cross registration for other institutions. To ensure your items are processed before the closure, please note the following deadlines:
• All registration, transcript and petition requests must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office by 4 p.m. CT on Thursday, December 18.
• Any requests submitted after this deadline will not be processed until the week of January 5, 2026.
• Online registration will remain open on MyLutherNet for students to adjust their registration as needed. Students needing assistance will need to wait until Monday, January 5 for a response.
We encourage everyone to plan ahead and submit materials early. Thank you for your cooperation as we work to ensure a smooth transition before and after the break.

“We must empty ourselves of everything that fills us so that we can be filled with what we are empty of.” – Augustine
If you’re anything like me, it seems to be getting harder and harder to live freely and lightly, and I need all the support I can muster to notice the still small voice of God amidst all the noise of this world. Join us for week 3 of Be Still this upcoming Thursday, December 18 at 6:15 p.m. CT. We will continue to engage with practices and discussions in our Advent series centered on slowing down, being present and exploring ways we can be receptive to hope, peace, joy, and love. This week, we will focus on ways we can rest in our receptivity to God’s joy. Don’t worry if you missed the previous sessions. Please come as you are to as many sessions as you are able at 6:15 p.m. CT on Thursday 12/18 and Sunday 12/21 on Zoom (link in email). Email me, Alison Westphal, at awestphal001@luthersem.edu, if you’re interested in joining, if you’re interested but can’t make it, or if you have questions.

In this devotion, Cody Sanders, associate professor of Congregational and Community Care Leadership, shares how we might think and pray about suffering that has no answer we can come up with, suffering in need of salvation. Read today’s God Pause.