Rev. Bernard Lutz (’54) graduate of Concordia St. Paul recently received an Honorary Doctorate from there.  He has served the Lord on three continents and in eight countries. A parish pastor for 17 years, Pastor Bernie also served as a District Pastoral Advisor for the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) and a Circuit Counselor for several LCMS districts. He was elected three times to the synod’s Board for Mission Services. Dr. Lutz has served as a teacher, professor and missionary in Papua New Guinea, Nigeria, Lebanon, Sudan, Canada and the United States. He has received the PNG Independence Medal from the government of Papua New Guinea and the Servis Ecclesiae Christi award from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana. He has also authored the book “Guidelines for Sharing Your Faith with Your Muslim Friend”.

If my memory serves me correctly Dr. Lutz was Pastor at Our Redeemer in Moorehead, Minnesota for some years.  His son Rob is a parochial School teacher at Our Savior Lutheran in Crookston and taught for a time in North Dakota.  I am honored to call him my friend.

Dr. Lutz’ wife Roberta and Rob’s Mom. passed away and our condolences go out to Rob and Pastor.  The funeral will be in Grand Rapids Minnesota at First Lutheran Church this coming Thursday at 11 AM.

I did not know her personally but I do know that men like Rob and Bernie count on the love and faithful witness of a loving wife and mother .  There quiet support and prayers are with them wherever they go and whatever they do.  So prayers ascend for the Lutz family and our condolences to these men of faith.

Blessed in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.