We warmly invite all students, staff, and faculty to join us for the Luther Board Reception on Thursday, May 7 from 4:30–6 p.m. Come to the OCC Café on the 2nd floor to engage and connect with our board of directors. Refreshments, including drinks and finger food, will be provided for everyone to savor and enjoy.
Announcements
Application for Tanzania Travel Course
The application for next year’s Tanzania travel course (January 16–31, 2027) is available here. The course is limited to 19 students because of transportation and housing capacities of our Tanzanian hosts. Applications and a $225 deposit are due by May 30. Some financial aid is available. For more information and a draft of the itinerary, please contact Kathryn Schifferdecker at kschiffer@luthersem.edu.
Graduate Recognition BBQ Party [In-Person]
Mark your calendar for our annual Graduate Recognition BBQ Party. Join us Thursday, May 14, 4-6 p.m. on the OCC Patio (weather permitting) to celebrate the end of the school year and our 2026 grads with good food (gluten free and vegan available), good drinks, ice cream, and great company!
Wentz Paper Prize in American Lutheran History
Abdel Ross Wentz was a leading figure in American Lutheranism. His family established an endowment providing prize money for the best history paper on a topic related to Lutheranism in America. Read more about the prize on the society’s website. The 2026 Abdel Ross Wentz Prize in American Lutheran History is in the amount of $2,500 and can be awarded in four categories (1) First degree seminarian, (2) M.A./Ph.Dd graduate student, (3) Post-Graduate Pastor, Layperson, and/or Faculty member, (4) Amateur Historian. Paper should be 25-35 pages in length, double spaced using Turabian Manual or Chicago Manual of Style. Papers are to be in the field of history dealing with some aspect of Lutheranism in America. Open to all writers regardless of religious identification or denominational affiliation. Submission deadline is September 30, 2026. If you want assistance with this, contact Professor Mark Granquist.
God Pause for May 4: Acts 17
In this devotion, Bradford Frye ’21 M.Div., considers our own limited understanding of divine things and how we engage those outside our faith communities. Read today’s God Pause.
Chapel Schedule for the Week: May 4–8
You are invited to join in community faith formation every weekday (Monday-Thursday) at 11:00 a.m. CT. We gather in a variety of ways and places. See the schedule below to see how you can join us in-person and online.
Monday, May 4, 11 a.m. CT
Text study with the chapel staff on Zoom (link in email).
Tuesday, May 5, 11 a.m. CT
Contemplative Practice in the Meditation Chapel and on Zoom.
Wednesday, May 6, 11 a.m. CT
Join us for a service of Holy Communion in the Chapel of the Incarnation. Rolf Jacobson, dean of the faculty, is preaching, and Steve Thomason, dean of the chapel, will preside. We will have visitors from the class of 1976 celebrating their Golden Anniversary. The Luther Seminary Choir led by Carolina Bowen will sing, and Doran Schoeppach will be playing organ. The service will be livestreamed.
Thursday, May 7, 11 a.m. CT
Lunch Church in the OCC Dining Room led by M.Div. student Joellen Barak.
Share your prayer requests.