Samples of materials congregations can utilize in celebrating Concordia Seminary Sunday are in the mail to pastors throughout The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. Bulletin inserts, a sample sermon, a Bible study, suggested hymns and prayers, and Concordia Seminary's new video, "Proclaim His Salvation," are among the resources available from Concordia Seminary for this observance. The mailing also included a form to order these materials free of charge from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. While Sunday, June 16 is the suggested date for the observance of Concordia Seminary Sunday, the materials are designed to be used any time throughout the year.

The observance is designed to serve as an annual opportunity for congregations to emphasize the importance of forming men for service in the pastoral ministry and enlist prayer support for this activity. It also serves to inform congregations concerning the ways in which pastors are formed for ministry and to encourage congregational activity in the process of identifying, informing and encouraging future pastors. The mailing also provides pastors the opportunity to identify prospective seminary students and pass their names along to the admissions office at Concordia Seminary.

"We have been very encouraged by this particular aspect of the observance," commented Rev. Glen Thomas, vice president for seminary relations at Concordia Seminary. "Dozens of prospective students have been identified over the past couple of years. One pastor in Texas submitted 25 names of prospective seminary students last year alone."

Additional information and Concordia Seminary Sunday materials are available from the Communications Office, Concordia Seminary, 801 DeMun Ave., St. Louis, MO, 63105; 314.505.7374; communications@csl.edu.