On Monday, April 23, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, will send a packet of Concordia Seminary Sunday materials to the pastor of each Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) congregation. A special bulletin insert, a poster, an adult Bible study, sermon notes, a Seminary video DVD and other worship resources are available to assist pastors and congregations in observing Concordia Seminary Sunday. The suggested date for Concordia Seminary Sunday is July 8, the sixth Sunday after Pentecost. Yet the materials are not dated and may be used in a variety of ways throughout the year.

“We want to use one of the appointed Scripture readings in the new lectionary series to make Concordia Seminary Sunday an appropriate observance for the suggested Sunday,” commented Rev. Glen Thomas, special assistant to the president at Concordia Seminary. “This year, Luke 10:1-20 is the Gospel lesson appointed for July 8, and ‘Workers for the Harvest’ is the suggested sermon and Sunday theme.”

Concordia Seminary offers these materials as an annual opportunity for congregations to emphasize the importance of forming men for service in the pastoral ministry and to assist in the crucial process of identifying, informing and encouraging future pastors.

“I think the very enthusiastic response we have received in past years indicates that the people of the LCMS are aware of how important it is to have faithful, compassionate pastors who proclaim God’s Word with boldness and clarity,” remarked Thomas. “The bulletin inserts offer some very concrete actions people can take to help in the formation of tomorrow’s pastors, and people are eager to respond.”

For more information or to order Concordia Seminary Sunday materials, contact the Communications Department, Concordia Seminary, 801 Seminary Place, St. Louis, MO 63105; (314) 505-7374; communications@csl.edu.