The installation service for Rev. James Behling of Sola Scriptura
Evangelical Lutheran Church was an exciting event. If it weren't for
people scrambling for extra chairs, it would have been standing room
only. There were 52 in attendance, consisting of Sola Scriptura
members, visitors, family and friends.

The service was held at the Country Springs Hotel and Conference
Center in Waukesha, Wisconsin, a suburb of Milwaukee. The room was
set up with conference tables along the perimeter and an altar and
pulpit at the front of the room.

Service began at 10:00AM with Rev. William Abbott of Pilgrim Lutheran
Church in Decatur, Illinois, officiating. He gave an inspiring and
poignant sermon entitled, "It's What the Lord Has Ordered You to
Say", based on Acts 10:33b. Following the sermon was the installation
of Pr. Behling by Pr. Abbott. The concluding hymn was Luther's, "A
Mighty Fortress is Our God".

Immediately following the service, Pr. Behling thanked all those
present, and then gave a short talk on the mission of Sola Scriptura.
That mission is to reach the lost and share the Gospel of Jesus
Christ and Him crucified. A luncheon was then held which gave ample
opportunity for fellowship and discussion of the next steps for the
mission congregation. If it were not for the hotel needing the room
for a subsequent event, the fellowship would have kept going.

Among those in attendance were Mr. & Mrs. Alan Ruwe from Pilgrim –
Decatur, and Mr. & Mrs. Brad Vincent from Redeemer Lutheran Church in
St. Clair Shores, Michigan. Mr. Ruwe is the Chairman of the United
Lutheran Mission Association (ULMA). Mr. Vincent is a Commission
Member of ULMA.

This was an important milestone in ULMA's mission to help establish
Lutheran congregations that adhere to the Scriptures and Lutheran
Confessions. The members of Sola Scriptura and their new pastor are
heartily congratulated by their brothers and sisters in the faith at
ULMA and its member congregations. We thank God for this opportunity
to serve Him in our humble efforts to help spread the Gospel. Our
work continues with Sola Scriptura as they grow and reach out to
their community.

Photographs of the service will be posted within the next week on
ULMA's website, www.unitedlutheranmission.org. Our thanks go to Mrs.
Kay Tolly of Pilgrim - Decatur for providing her photographs, as
well. (Your roving reporter is new to digital photography and didn't
have the most stunning results. <wink>)

If you or someone you know is interested in starting a conservative,
confessional Lutheran congregation, or maybe know of an existing
congregation that needs assistance in its outreach and growth, please
contact us. We are also looking for other congregations to join ULMA
as member congregations as we continue this endeavor. Contact
information and further details can be found on the above-mentioned
website.