On Sunday, Sept. 7, at 4:00 p.m., Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, will begin its 165th academic year with a special worship service in The Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus on the Seminary campus. Dr. John F. Johnson, president of Concordia Seminary, will officially open the new academic year. The public is invited to attend.

One new staff member who will be installed at the service is Rev. Kyle Castens as admissions counselor. Eleven DELTO (Distance Education Leading To Ordination) students will be recognized as having completed their Seminary preparation. In addition, The Waldemar and June Schuette Endowed Chair will be officially inaugurated.

During the preceding week, new students will complete an orientation process and register for course work. The orientation process also provides opportunities for new students and their families to become better acquainted, which includes a "Field Day" consisting of men's and women's sports activities, games for children and a community-wide barbeque.

More than 170 new students are expected to enroll at Concordia Seminary this fall. "We join the church in giving thanks for these gifted men who desire to serve as pastors, missionaries and chaplains," commented Rev. Michael Redeker, director of ministerial recruitment at Concordia Seminary. "They come from all walks of life and backgrounds, but they are united in their desire to serve their Lord in this special way."

Concordia Seminary is located at 801 DeMun Avenue in Clayton, Missouri. For more information, call (314) 505-7374.