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In this devotion, Terrance L. Stratton ’73 M.Div, ’93 D.Min., considers what God might be asking us, given that God’s will can sometimes seem obscure. Read today’s God Pause.

Here’s the schedule of RFS activities for today and tomorrow. For complete details, see the Fall 2026 RFS schedule and Fall 2026 Moodle site. Also note: campus security | campus pastor availability | weather-related announcements

Monday, September 21
8:00–10:50 a.m. —Classes
11:00–11:30 a.m. —Chapel: Convocation
11:30–12:30 p.m. —Lunch with Faculty Advisors
12:30–4:20 p.m. —Classes
4:30–5:30 p.m. —Headshots
6:30–8:30 p.m. —Hymntap with the Fleshpots of Egypt

Tuesday, September 22
No Classes
5:00-5:30 p.m. —Campus Tour with Admissions Ambassador
4:00–6:00 p.m. —Headshots
6:00–8:30 p.m. —2026 Fretheim Lecture in Biblical Theology, online registration still open

Do you know a fellow student who embodies the mission and vision of Luther Seminary? Do you want to grow as a leaders and promote the health in the Luther community? Please follow this link to nominate a classmate or yourself for a representative position on our Student Council. Nominations close at 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 26. Reach out to the Student Election Committee with any questions. Carolina Bowen, cbowen001@luthersem.edu, and Josh Elias, jelias001@luthersem.edu.

Brake Bread Part 2 is coming this year! Do you like stories about interesting artifacts, objects, or traditions on the Luther Seminary campus? Do you like bread, pastries and coffee? If you answered yes to either of those, you’ll want to join us each month for a brief time of gathering to learn about some of the unnoticed and significant pieces of our communal past, present, future and break bread together. Join us for our first “Brake Bread” event on Tuesday, September 22 at 11:30am-12:30pm in the narthex area outside the OCC chapel, where we will gather around the Ordinary Time paraments woven by artist Jeanette Paulson. Professor Mary Hess will share about the incredible creation and significance of these liturgical pieces that hang on our chapel walls. We’ll listen, learn, and feast on bread for the mind, body, and spirit. “Brake Bread” events are made possible by the Endowment Grant from Thrivent. Look for a monthly announcement so you can participate and join in the fun! A note for those new to Brake Bread: these events are not a full meal but a light serving of bread and pastries—please bring a lunch on September 22 if you would like to add more to your plate. If you have any questions about Brake Bread, contact Mary Hess (mhess@luthersem.edu), Caleb Rollins (crollins001@luthersem.edu), or Emily Rova-Hegener (erovahegener001@luthersem.edu).

As we prepare to move into another school year, and the last on this campus, this prayer ribbon sculpture will be a space for students, faculty, staff, and community members to participate in sharing in a prayer, hope, or dream for Luther Seminary for this year and beyond. You are invited to contribute personal or communal prayers by writing them on a ribbon and placing them on the sculpture. Then, take some time to read and consider the rest of the prayers shared by members of the community. The sculpture is outside by the HOPE sign, and beginning Friday, September 18 through the end of RFS 2 there will be a staffed table with instructions. Reach out to Kiersten Dahl-Shetka, kdahlshetka@luthersem.edu, if you have any questions.

Explore the history of writing, publishing, and libraries at Luther Seminary. Come to the library’s reading room any time during Fall RFS when the library is open to explore the history of writing and publication and the role libraries have played at each stage of the seminary’s history. The exhibit draws entirely from Luther’s rare book room and library resources and features illuminated manuscripts, papyri, art, and more. The exhibit will be open during regular library hours—10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, September 18, and during the week of RFS (Monday September 21 to Friday September 25.) For information contact Bryant Kumlin at bkumlin002@luthersem.edu.