allsaintsjonesboro News

Deus Vult! – The Installation of Fr. Dan Suelzle

On Sunday evening, August 3, 2025, the people of All Saints Parish in Jonesboro gave thanks to God for the installation of The Rev. Fr. Daniel Paul Suelzle. The rite of installation, led by Fr. Joshua Willadsen (Auxiliary Bishop / Vice-President of the LCMS Mid-South District), was joyfully conducted within a service of choral Evening Prayer.

We were blessed to welcome guests from our sister congregations, including First Lutheran Church in Blytheville, Zion Lutheran Church in Waldenburg, and the pastors of Our Shepherd Lutheran Church in Searcy and of Hope / Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Churches in Batesville / Horseshoe Bend. With the saints gathered and the Word richly proclaimed, it was a joyful evening of worship, fellowship, and mission-minded encouragement.

During the service, Fr. Leigeber preached a sermon that captured the heart of the Church Militant’s calling in northeast Arkansas:

“The devil and his minions are on their heels and we’re going to keep pushing forward… The Church Militant in northeast Arkansas is armed and ready and continues to fight, praise God!

“Christ, our Lord and King, has already won the war and defeated sin, death, and the power of the devil with His own blood and with the weapons of his cross and empty tomb. This is why we preach Christ crucified, as Saint Paul entreats us. It is the power of God. It is through the preaching of the Crucified One and through the delivery of His grace in the holy sacraments that the hordes of hell continue to be sent reeling.

…Christ Jesus, working through His Church—and particularly through his called and ordained servants—got to you when you were still behind enemy lines. And through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism and the preaching of the Gospel, He exorcised you, cast the devil out, delivered you from the bonds of hell…

So, Father Suelzle, you have been called to faithfully preach and teach and administer the sacraments in this parish… fighting to protect the saved and fighting to set free the souls of the lost and enslaved.”

Fr. Suelzle’s installation marks an important new chapter not only for All Saints Lutheran Church, but for the broader All Saints Cathedral Parish—a regional collaboration among All Saints Jonesboro, Zion Waldenburg, and First Blytheville. Together, we continue to build up the Church in northeast Arkansas through Word and Sacrament, traditional and Christ-centered education at All Saints Classical Lutheran School, and soon, God-willing, the launch of All Saints Music Conservatory.

As we continue the good fight of faith, we give thanks to God for calling Fr. Suelzle to serve the saints in our northeast Arkansas communities. We look forward to the faithful shepherding, teaching, and leadership Fr. Suelzle will bring to our parish family. We also give thanks for his wife Mary and their children—Norah, Ephraim, Miriam, and Adelaide—and we pray they quickly and easily find joy, peace, and fellowship among us.

“Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.” (Luke 12:43)

Soli Deo Gloria.

allsaintsjonesboro News

The Vigil of Pentecost and the Spirit Who Proclaims Christ

This evening we celebrate Holy Mass (6:30pm) for the Vigil of Pentecost, as we rejoice at God’s gift of the Helper, the Holy Spirit, who continues to proclaim Christ to us and make Him known in God’s holy Word and blessed Sacraments.

From the beginning, the Holy Spirit’s mission has been clear: to make Christ known. Jesus Himself said the Spirit would not speak on His own authority, but would take what is Christ’s and declare it to us (John 16:13–14). The Spirit is not a vague, impersonal force. He is the Third Person of the Holy Trinity—sent by the Father and the Son to gather and sanctify the Church through the proclamation of the Gospel.

On this Vigil of Pentecost, the Church anticipates the outpouring of the Spirit, not only as a historical event, but as the ongoing life of Christ’s Body on earth. Through Word and Sacrament, the Spirit still gathers sinners into the holy community of the Church, where Christ is truly present—absolving, feeding, and sustaining His people.

The miracle of Pentecost was not simply that tongues were spoken, but that Christ—the Salvation of the world—was preached. That miracle continues every time the Gospel is proclaimed and believed. Every baptism, every sermon, every Eucharist is Pentecost anew—Christ crucified and risen, made known by the Spirit to a world in need.

As we keep vigil, we do so as those who have been called, enlightened, and sanctified by the Spirit. We rejoice that He has gathered us into Christ’s Church, where the risen Lord is among us—still speaking, still saving.

Come, Holy Spirit, and make Christ known.

allsaintsjonesboro News

NEA Hymn-Sing and Organ Recital at Hope Lutheran Church – A Festival of Sacred Music

Join us for a joyful evening of sacred music and fellowship at Hope Lutheran Church in Batesville, Arkansas! On Sunday, June 8 at 4pm, we’re joining together for a Hymn-Sing and Organ Recital that will walk us through the festival half of the Church Year, celebrating the life of Christ through Scripture and song.

Featuring Special Guest Organists

We’re honored to welcome three talented organists who will lead us in music throughout the evening: Kristi Leckband, Malachi Heinecke, and Aaron Jackson.

Their performances will guide us through the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost—each one reflected in beautiful hymns and organ works that draw us deeper into the story of our salvation in Christ.

Between congregational hymn singing, each organist will present pieces that highlight the rich traditions of sacred music and the theological depth embedded in the Church’s year.

Dinner and Fellowship

Following the music, a delicious dinner will be served, giving us a chance to enjoy fellowship with friends old and new. All are welcome—bring your family, friends, and neighbors for this uplifting evening.

Support Disaster Relief Through LERT

A free-will offering will be received during the event to support LERT (Lutheran Early Response Team). LERT provides practical assistance and the comfort of Christ to individuals and communities in our region affected by natural disasters. Your generosity will help bring hope and help to those in need.

📍 Hope Lutheran Church, Batesville, AR

📅 Sun., June 8, 4pm

🍽️ Dinner to follow the recital

💛 Free-will offering to benefit LERT

Come be encouraged by the beauty of sacred music, the joy of communal singing, and the fellowship of believers. We look forward to seeing you there!

Soli Deo Gloria!