by Pam Knepper
Managing Editor, For the Life of the World

Today, that focus remains the same. For in this house of worship, students, staff and faculty continually gather as a community to receive God's gifts in His Word and Sacraments. By gathering for worship, the seminary demonstrates the incarnational character of the Body of Christ-His church.

"Christ is present on our campus in exactly the ways that He promises to be in His Word and Sacraments. These gifts are abundant in our life together at CTS," explained the Rev. Richard Resch, Kantor at CTS. "Students, faculty and staff are blessed with several opportunities daily to gather in Kramer Chapel to receive this heavenly food. This prayer life is the center of our life together; everything else flows from this."

Throughout the day, multiple opportunities exist to worship. Beginning at 7:30 in the morning, the chapel bells invite the community to Matins, followed a few hours later with Morning Prayer, and again in the afternoon for Vespers. On two evenings each week, Compline and Evening Prayer are also offered.

"At each service the seminary community is fed by the daily lectionary readings that reinforce the theological substance of the previous Sunday's Gospel," explained the Rev. Daniel Reuning, Dean of the Chapel at CTS. "And for those who are unable to attend each service, the schedule for all service readings is published in our Seminary Prayer Book with the encouragement and hope that they will be read at home or in the dormitory. Thus, the whole seminary community has available to them a rich nourishment of God's wholesome, sustaining Word."

In the course of daily worship, the seminary community prays for those who have sorrows and concerns as well as those who are rejoicing over a good gift.

"We pray for church, synod, districts (on a rotating basis), all our leaders, families, those who are ill and for ourselves," explained Kantor Resch. "One of the many benefits these daily prayers offer is the increased opportunity to pray for many people and many needs in the church."

Along with worship opportunities, Confession and Absolution is also offered on a daily basis.

"I am delighted that private Confession and Absolution are available," explained Daryl Biberdorf, CTS Seminarian. "When my sins begin to trouble me greatly, my Confessor graciously pronounces the words of life, 'I therefore forgive you all your sins.' It is difficult to describe the relief and comfort which accompany these words."

Often referred to as the "jewel" of the campus, Kramer Chapel and its worship life has, for many students, been a strong and positive factor in the decision to come to the Fort Wayne seminary.

"The worship of Christ is the most fundamental aspect of pastoral formation. As the Scripture says, 'Faith comes by hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ.' (Romans 10:17)," said Lance O'Donnell, CTS Seminarian. "Thus, worship in Kramer Chapel, in the midst of CTS' rigorous academic program, not only builds one spiritually but serves as a constant reminder that Christ Himself is both the content and the purpose of theological study."

Along with providing spiritual renewal, the worship life at Kramer Chapel also provides lessons for members of its community.

"I have learned the value of repetition as a catechetical and memory aid. My need for the liturgy sections in the hymnal has decreased substantially, and I have memorized many of the canticles telling of our supreme Lord Jesus Christ. It has demonstrated to me that the repeated use of standard liturgical forms catechizes in a painless fashion," explained Daryl Biberdorf. "The fact that many of these forms are quite old has also given me a sense of unity with the saints who have gone before. The Church is one throughout time. It is more than a simple gathering of believers; it is the actual body of Christ Himself. To change our voices, the liturgical forms, is for the hand to fight with the body."