CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Bradley E. Schmeling, pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church, Atlanta, a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), returns as the featured speaker Dec. 5 on "Day 1," the nationally broadcast award-winning radio program. The program includes a brief interview with the speaker.
Schmeling will preach an Advent sermon based on the Gospel of Matthew story of the prophet John the Baptist, who cried out for people to repent. "The truth of it is that we all like to play the role of John the Baptist," Schmeling says in the program. "Judgment makes us feel like we're right. Being self-righteous makes us feel like we're worthy."
Schmeling has a degree in telecommunications and journalism from Ohio University, Athens, Ohio. He earned a master of divinity in 1989 from Trinity Lutheran Seminary, an ELCA seminary in Columbus, Ohio, and spent the next six years as a pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church, Columbus. He also serves as Lutheran campus minister at Emory University, Atlanta.
Formerly known as "The Protestant Hour," "Day 1" has been broadcast every week for more than 59 years, winning numerous awards in the process, including the George Foster Peabody Award and the 2003 Crystal Award for Excellence for Inspirational Radio Programs, by an international group of communication professionals. Produced by the Episcopal Media Center, it features guest preachers from the ELCA, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, the Episcopal Church, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the United Methodist Church, and the United Church of Christ.
The executive producer for "Day 1" is Peter Wallace.
---
*Nan Ross is director of marketing and communication, The Episcopal Media Center, Atlanta.
Information about "Day 1," including affiliates and a link to listen to the program online, is at http://www.Day1.net on the Web.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
- - -
About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
