Monday, June 29, 2009

Museum Mania

The 2009 May issue of Delta Airlines in-flight magazine (Delta Sky Magazine) lists the City Museum in St. Louis at #6 among “30 Must-See Museums.”

Imagine if you let engineer-artists, free to create whatever they want, be spontaneous, take risks and play. And imagine a museum that figures people won't mind getting really dirty or rather wet during their visits, and you have St. Louis' City Museum.

City Museum dares visitors to test their limits by climbing five stories through a giant steel slinky suspended in midair, or eschewing the stairs in favor of sliding several stories down a narrow chute instead, or standing on the wing of a jet airplane five stories high. Screams of fear are heard here almost as often as shrieks of delight.

"The museum is a happy hybrid of solid grown-up engineering skills and childlike raw creativity," said Elizabeth Parker, City Museum director. "Our staff of artist-engineers, welders and construction experts builds totally on impulse. They build whatever they want to build, whenever they want to build it. The museum changes on a daily basis due to the staff's spontaneous and constant bursts of creativity."

Conceived by sculptor Bob Cassilly, the museum's creative director, City Museum occupies the former International Shoe Company headquarters. "Virtually everything inside the building was created from recycled industrial and commercial refuse, much of it donated," said Parker. "The entire museum is itself a work of art."

You really have to see the museum in person to believe it. The museum is open seven days a week, with Fridays & Saturdays staying open until 1am. Try riding the rooftop Ferris wheel surrounded by the starlit sky and the 360 degree view of the nighttime downtown skyline!

Laura Moehlman – Life Transitions Coordinator




Friday, June 26, 2009

The Heat Is On!

Saint Louis, Missouri is experiencing a heat wave. The last several days have been the warmest (no hottest) of the year! Saturday is supposed to be 98 degrees! The meteorologists are promising a cool down on Sunday. A cool down of just a few degrees. This is summer in St. Louis, after all. Many people, myself included, wish that cooler weather would come. However, the heat of a St. Louis summer is not in fact a bad thing. This heat has a way of reminding of the blessings our gracious God bestows upon us.

God's blessings come to us in many forms. In the midst of a heat wave God's blessings may come to us in the form of Air Conditioning, a pool to refresh ourselves in, perhaps even a sprinkler to run through. One of God's greatest blessings is the gift of our Baptism. God has washed us in the cleansing flood of Holy Baptism and placed His Name upon us. By doing so, He has spared us from the unbearable heat of eternal death! The heat of these days reminds us of God's great blessing in sparing us from heat which would truly be unbearable and offering to us rather His grace and the hope of eternal life in the New Creation - where the weather will always be wonderful!

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Indenpendence Day 2009




The United States is truly a diverse nation made up of dynamic people. Each year on July 4, Americans celebrate that freedom and independence with barbecues, picnics, and family gatherings. Independence Day in St. Louis means parades, music, fireworks and fun. There are dozens of places throughout St. Louis to gather with family and friends to celebrate all things American. Of those dozens, here are my top recommendations on where to spend your 4th of July 2009 in the St. Louis area:

1. Fair St. Louis
Fair St. Louis festivities are July 3 & 4 on the Arch grounds and St. Louis Riverfront. The Fair opens Friday night at 6 p.m. and again at 11 a.m. on Saturday after the VP Parade. Most visitors plan their day around the free concerts and fireworks. The Counting Crows and Train are this year's headliners. And of course the Fair's fireworks display is not to be missed!


July 3, 2009

6 p.m. - Fair opens

8 p.m. - Counting Crows

9:15 p.m. - Fireworks


July 4, 2009

11 a.m. - Fair opens

1 p.m. - Nat & Alex Wolff

8 p.m. - Train

9:15 p.m. - Fireworks


2. Webster Groves Community Days
Community Days is a four-day celebration featuring a carnival, BBQ, parade and fireworks. It's truly an old-fashioned event, held July 1st through 4th at Memorial Park.


July 1 & 2, 2009

4 p.m. - Festival opens


July 3, 2009

2 p.m. - Festival opens

9:30 p.m. - Fireworks preview


July 4, 2009

10 a.m. - Parade

11 a.m. - Festival opens

9:45 p.m. - Fireworks spectacular


3. St. Charles Riverfest
Riverfest is held each year in Frontier Park on the banks of the Missouri River, and includes a bluegrass music festival, carnival rides, a parade and two nights of fireworks.


July 2, 2009

4:00 p.m. - Food booths open

4:30 p.m. - Bluegrass Music Festival


July 3 & 4, 2009

10 a.m. - Parade (July 4 only)

12:00 p.m. - Food booths & carnival open

9:20 p.m. - Fireworks


4. Alton's Mississippi River Fireworks Festival
Alton's Mississippi River Fireworks Festival is held at Riverfront Park. There's food, live entertainment and a big fireworks display, set against the beautiful Clark Bridge.


July 3, 2009

5 p.m. - Grounds open

9 p.m. - Fireworks


5. Fireworks Over the Confluence, Grafton
In Grafton, the fireworks display is over two great rivers, right at the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois. Grafton's festival also includes live music, children's games and food and drink specials from Grafton area restaurants.


July 4, 2009

All day

Fireworks at dark


6. Hertiage & Freedom Fest, O'Fallon, MO
The two-day celebration features an impressive line up of nationally known musicians, including Craig Morgan, Chris Young, Gavin DeGraw and Sister Hazel. Of course there's also a parade, a carnival, plenty of kids activities and tons of food. To top it off, the festival ends each night with fireworks.


July 3, 2009

7 p.m. - Craig Morgan

9:00 p.m. - Chris Young

10:15 p.m. - Fireworks


July 4, 2009

9:30 a.m. - Parade

12:00 p.m. - Festival opens

4:00 p.m. - Elevation: U2 Tribute

6:15 p.m. - Sister Hazel

8:30 p.m. - Gavin DeGraw

9:45 p.m. - Fireworks


7. Fourth of July Celebration, Ellisville
The event in Bluebird Park keeps with solid traditions, with vendors selling hot dogs, brats, ice cream and other favorite festival foods. There's also a special Independence Day ceremony with the Ellisville Police Department, followed by live music and fireworks.


July 4, 2009

6 p.m. - Celebration begins

7 p.m. - Independence Day ceremony

9:30 p.m. - Fireworks


8. Rockin' on the Landing
Top local bands will be playing on outdoor stages from noon until 9 p.m. Street vendors will be selling all kinds of food or you can always stop in at one of the Landing's many restaurants. This is also a great location to watch the fireworks from Fair St. Louis.


July 4, 2009

Noon - Live music begins


9. Gateway City BBQ Festival
Few things are more American than bar-b-que and live music! The Old Rock House is known for its live music and there will be plenty of it during the festival from bands like Paint the Earth and That '80's Band.


July 3 & 4, 2009

2 p.m. - People's Choice BBQ competition (July 4 only)


10. Fireworks Over Chesterfield
The City of Chesterfield is hosting its annual 4th of July celebration in the parking lot at Chesterfield Mall. There will be activities for the kids and food for sale, but you can also bring your own eats. The evening will end with a traditional fireworks display.


July 4, 2009

6:30 p.m. - Smash Band performs

7 p.m. - Children's entertainment begins

9:30 p.m. - Fireworks



Laura Moehlman - Life Transitions Coordinator

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Summer Content Courses Right Around Corner


If you need to take one of the basic courses in Old Testament, New Testament, or Christian Doctrine, remember that these classes begin with Christian Doctrine in less than 1 month. This class will run from July 13 to the 24th. The course to follow is Old testament which will run from July 27th to August 7th. The final course is New Testament which will run from August 10-August 21.
Please let me know if you have any questions, and I will answer them right away.

Kyle Castens

Friday, June 19, 2009

When Will I Hear?

If you have been expecting to hear something from the Admissions Office, and want to know when that word will come, please do not hesitate to call us. Our toll free number is 1-800-822-9545.Free Clipart Picture of a Green Question Mark. Click Here to Get Free Images at Clipart Guide.com
Some of you are still awaiting word on your admission status. The Admissions Committee will meet again at the end of this month, so expect to hear word in the near future.

When is Chapel?


As I sat down to write this post, the bells of Luther Tower started ringing to call the campus community to chapel. This time of the day is the most significant one for us here at Concordia. It is here we receive and take in the good things the Lord so richly offers. Whether we feel it or not, we are changed for the day.
So, post interrupted, I went to chapel. I thank the Lord for His Word delivered to us today from Psalm 1, and the strong proclamation of that Word by Dr. Glen Nielsen.
I want to encourage you as you come to visit us here on campus, please join us for chapel. Chapel is every morning at 9:40am.
Many of you may remember that years ago chapel was broadcast on KFUO radio. Although that broadcast no longer occurs, you can hear the chapel sermons on iTunesU.
Also know that if you come to campus around chapel time, you will not find us in our office; we will see you in chapel.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Here I Stand



Alright,I realize it is June, and it may be a little early to announce this, but "Taste of the Sem" is already planned for January 16-18, 2010. The theme for next year's "Taste" is "Here I Stand." Our high school guests will take a extremely in-depth look at the Lutheran Reformation.
Three of our professors will engage the guests in this topic by looking at the reformation from an exegetical, systematic, and historical perspective. Exegetically, the professor will lead guests through the translation of portions of Romans 3 from Greek. Systematically, the professor will lead a discussion of phrases such as "sola fide, sola Scriptura, and sola gratia," and why these are so important to us as Lutherans. Historically, one of our professors will discuss how this event, since it did not occur in a historcial vacuum, has had an impact upon both Church and world.
Registration materials and more information regarding this event will be sent out to churches in September.
Kyle Castens

Free Movie-Mania

During the summertime you can find numerous free movies playing in various locations throughout the city of St. Louis. Local movie theatres, city parks, and even farmers markets are typical places that show movies, free to the public. My particular favorite sites are those in which I can bring my entire family (dog included), pack a picnic dinner, and sit on my own lawn chair amongst 100s of other excited movie-goers. During the month of June, Laumeier Sculpture Park is hosting a weekly event entitled, "Music + Movies Series." Every Friday night in June, Laumeier will feature a different band and movie combo, starting at 7pm. The event is located outside which means you can bring your own seating and your own food; although, food can also be purchased there. Last Friday night, my husband and I packed up the lawn chairs, grabbed a blanket, filled the picnic basket, and snagged a prime spot on Laumeier's amphitheatre lawn. During the concert portion of the evening (7pm), we were able to roam around the park admiring all of the giant sculptures. We noticed a lot of people were passing the time by playing with a Frisbee, or walking through the woodsy nature trails, or playing in the children's sculpture garden (the more hands-on exhibits). Once the sun set around 8:45pm, the movie The Great Outdoors began. We had such a good time and I would recommend this event to anybody! Below is a schedule of the Music + Movies Series for the upcoming weeks:
June 12, 2009
7pm: Arvell and Co.
8:30pm: Kung Fu Panda
June 19, 2009
7pm: Ticket to the Beatles
8:30pm: Jurassic Park
June 26, 2009
7pm: Bored of Education
8:30pm: The Sandlot
In addition to Laumeier Sculpture Park, there are many other venues that offer free movies throughout the summer months. For example, Wehrenberg Theatres Summer Series offers free movies on Wednesday & Thursday mornings, and the Frontyard Features Series shows free movies at various locations in the evenings. Check out both websites: www.wehrenberg.com and www.fyfstl.com/calendar.php
Laura Moehlman - Life Transitions Coordinator and Free Movie Fanatic