"The joy of the LORD is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10
The Fifty-Fifth Biennial Convention of the Northern Wisconsin District
The Fifty-Fifth Biennial Convention of the Northern Wisconsin District
In 2026 the Lutheran Church remembers the 350th anniversary of the death of Paul Gerhardt, one of her greatest hymn writers. His life was marked by many sorrows: the devastations of the Thirty Years’ War, the loss of his pastoral call for the sake of confession, and the deaths of his beloved wife and most of his children. Yet out of this crucible came hymns of enduring beauty, filled not with despair but with joy, joy that is born from the wounds of Christ and sustained by his promises.
Gerhardt’s witness embodies the theology of the cross: in weakness, the Lord shows his strength; in sorrow, he gives his peace; in death, he proclaims resurrection. For Gerhardt and for all Christians, joy is not fragile cheerfulness nor denial of suffering, but confidence in the Lord who has conquered sin, death, and the devil. That joy is strong because it rests not in us, but in Christ.
Our convention theme, Joy Made Strong, calls delegates to receive again the consolation and courage that flow from Christ through his Word and sacraments. As we remember Gerhardt’s life and sing his hymns, we are reminded that the Lord who was faithful to him is faithful also to us. In every cross, the Lord gives comfort; in every weakness, he gives strength; and in every sorrow, he gives joy that endures forever.
Worship
Joy Made Strong
1. Christ is Near
1 Peter 4:12-19
CW 831 Why Should Cross and Trial Grieve Me?
2. Love Each Other
John 15:9-12
CW 714 Jesus, Your Boundless Love to Me
3. Fear Can’t Win
Romans 8:31-39
CW 819 If God Himself Be for Me
Gerhardt’s witness embodies the theology of the cross: in weakness, the Lord shows his strength; in sorrow, he gives his peace; in death, he proclaims resurrection. For Gerhardt and for all Christians, joy is not fragile cheerfulness nor denial of suffering, but confidence in the Lord who has conquered sin, death, and the devil. That joy is strong because it rests not in us, but in Christ.
Our convention theme, Joy Made Strong, calls delegates to receive again the consolation and courage that flow from Christ through his Word and sacraments. As we remember Gerhardt’s life and sing his hymns, we are reminded that the Lord who was faithful to him is faithful also to us. In every cross, the Lord gives comfort; in every weakness, he gives strength; and in every sorrow, he gives joy that endures forever.
Worship
Joy Made Strong
1. Christ is Near
1 Peter 4:12-19
CW 831 Why Should Cross and Trial Grieve Me?
2. Love Each Other
John 15:9-12
CW 714 Jesus, Your Boundless Love to Me
3. Fear Can’t Win
Romans 8:31-39
CW 819 If God Himself Be for Me
Presentations
"Paul Gerhardt: A life of Cross and Comfort in Christ" - Paul prange
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"Bearing the Cross of Mental Distress: Encouraging good mental health in Christian leadership" by michael helwig
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Information
Dates |
June 9-10, 22026 |
Location |
