Local John the Steadfast Chapter Raises $700 for Issues, Etc. at Oktoberfest

These Schnitzel and Brats have Issues.

Who would’ve thought a little schnitzel and spaetzle could turn into $700 for Issues, Etc.? Actually it was a lot of schnitzel, 250 pieces to be exact, and 3 large boiling pots of spaetzle,  150 brats, 100 hot dogs, not to mention several crock pots full of saurkraut, German potato salad and a few hot pretzels.

Sunday afternoon the gymnasium at Bethany Lutheran Church in Naperville, Illinois, was turned into an Oktoberfest hall with a live band, great food, dancing, and gemutlichkeit galore. The congregation chapter of St. John the Steadfast helped to put on the event and after all expenses were deducted, over $700 was collected for Issues, Etc. Bethany Lutheran is  the home church of Pastor Rossow and is where the Brothers of John the Steadfast were founded last Spring after the LCMS fired Radio Talk Show Host Pastor Todd Wilken and Producer Jeff Schwarz. The Brothers were established to support new Lutheran media such as Issues, Etc., to promote the knowledge of the Lutheran confessions among Lutheran layman (and women), to promote the historic liturgy and to help men become better leaders in their homes and their congregations.

Over 200 Members of the Congregation Enjoyed the Food, Band and Dancing

There are already seven chapters of this new men’s group around the country. Bethany hopes to model the typical chapter. Chapters are encouraged to not only sponsor Confessions reading groups in the local parish but to try to do at least one fund-raiser a year for Issues, Etc. The purpose of the fund raiser goes way beyond the few hundred dollars that might be raised. The greater purpose is to expose congregation members to the work of Issues, Etc. and other new Lutheran media projects yet to be adopted by the group.

One of the Many Booths Set Up at the Festival

Bethany Chapter Leader Keith Luhrs was able to recruit serveral young men to volunteer to help with the festival. These  young men represent  the future of confessional Lutheranism. One young man, just two years out of college, was pressed into service to run to the store twice to replenish the  Root Beer supply for the children. When Keith tried to reimburse him he simply said “Count it toward my contribution.”

“Schnitzel Frau” Angie Blaesner Fried Over 250 Servings of Pork Tenderloin Schnitzel for the Hungry Festival Goers

If you are interested in starting a chapter of the Brothers in your congregation or region, send an  e-mail to Pastor Rossow at [email protected] and you will receive a complimentary chapter start-up kit so you can join this growing group of men dedicated to supporting Issues, Etc. and other new Lutheran media.

Click on any of the pictures to see them in more detail

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