Agnus Dei Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg, Virginia, the latest
mission of the ULMA, conducted its first worship service on Sunday,
April 20th. Rev. James Shaw, the ULMA's first Missionary at Large,
officiated.

There were twenty people in attendance for the Morning Service as
found on page 5 in "The Lutheran Hymnal". Rev. Shaw preached on
selections from the 6th and 7th chapters of Acts, focusing on the
unaltered Word and its proclamation.

Following the service, Rev. Shaw led his Bible Study with a reading
from 1 Peter 2:9. The Sunday School was underway in the room next
door. The members and guests (including this writer and his wife),
retired to the Spotsylvania home of one of the member-families for an
afternoon meal and fellowship.

The United Lutheran Mission Association announced their intent to
call a Missionary at Large in February 2007. Pilgrim Lutheran Church
in Decatur, Illinois, was chosen to issue the first call. After
numerous inquiries, conversations, and prayer, Rev. Shaw received and
accepted the call to Pilgrim in March 2008. An article titled, "ULMA
Congregation Calls Missionary-at-Large", written by Rev. Brock Abbott
of Pilgrim, was released last week. It can be found at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UnitedLutheranMission/message/43

Agnus Dei was initiated by a group of dedicated lay people in
Spotsylvania who desired a traditional, conservative Lutheran
congregation. These young families were looking for commitment to
God's Word, the Lutheran Confessions, and traditional worship. They
reached out for assistance and found ULMA in the process. They began
holding devotional services and a study of the Lutheran Confessions
this past winter.

Rev. Shaw began his journey to the Spotsylvania/Fredericksburg area
the prior week with his installation on April 13th at Pilgrim
Lutheran Church. The Bible Study, installation service, and dinner
reception were very well attended.

The following day, Rev. Shaw and his wife Peggy attended a potluck
dinner at Redeemer Lutheran Church in St. Clair Shores, Michigan—a
member congregation of ULMA. Rev. Shaw preached at the evening
worship service. His sermon topic, based on Matthew 10, focused
on, "We Believe, Teach and Confess", the familiar refrain from
the "Epitome to the Formula of Concord". Both the dinner and service
had over 75 people in attendance.

It was exciting for both congregations to meet Rev. and Mrs. Shaw. We
all wished them God's blessings and success on their trip to the
mission field in Virginia.

For up-to-date information on Agnus Dei, here is their website
address:
http://spotsylutheran.googlepages.com

At a time of watered-down doctrines and services more accurately
described as "entertaining", the young families present at Agnus Dei
are thankful for a faithful servant. The doctrine, worship, and
teachings were akin to their "grandfather's church". As the organist
played the closing hymn, this observer noted the appropriate
selection.

"On What has Now been Sown" TLH #46

On what has now been sown,
Thy blessing, Lord, bestow;
The pow'r is Thine alone
To make it spring and grow,
Do Thou in grace the harvest raise,
And Thou alone shalt have the praise.