wfn.org | Atlanta ELCA Pastor to Preach on 'Day 1'

[NEWS@ELCA.ORG]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

November 30, 2004

Atlanta ELCA Pastor to Preach on 'Day 1'
04-225-NR*/JB

     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