“Be present, merciful God, and protect us through the hours of this night, so that we who are wearied by the changes and chances of life may find our rest in you; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.” This little collect is one of my favorites. It comes from a service called Compline, a prayer office that is prayed at the close of the day (LSB pages 253-259). We go to bed not knowing what will happen the next day; or even what may happen through the night. The changes and chances of life come without warning, without notice.  

This is why I love this little collect. It reminds the Christian - reminds me - that amid the 

“changes and chances of life” we aren’t riding along life’s sea in a rudderless raft. It’s not as if we are adrift in the sea of life and must cross our fingers and hope for the best. Life is not a rudderless raft but guided by a loving God's hand and providence. This little collect reminds the Christian - reminds me - that through the “changes and chances of life” God is working all things together for good (Romans 8:28). This little collect reminds the Christian - reminds me - that in the tumult of life’s changes and chances we are safely moored in Christ, who is our rest.  

Such “changes and chances of life” came upon me at the North Dakota District Convention, which took place this past January when I was, quite unexpectedly, elected District President. First, I thank Reverend Arie Bertsch for his years of service to the Lord’s Church. Having served as an elder and Sunday School teacher before being ordained into the Office of Holy Ministry, he then served his entire pastorate in North Dakota. During that time he also served the North Dakota District as a circuit visitor, vice president, and district president. Thus, I thank God for all the work that He has done through Rev. Bertsch. Second, I thank my parish, who have been exceedingly generous, kind, and loving to me and my family these last fifteen years. Third, I ask that you keep me and my family in your prayers as we transition out of the Cavalier community to the Fargo area; and, that the Lord would grant me the wisdom and necessary gifts to faithfully carry out this vocation.  

Rev. Bertsch has been in the district for a couple of decades and many of you know who he is. This may not be the case with me.  

Here is a brief introduction: I am Mark Chepulis, son of David and Karen Chepulis. I grew up in Hardin, Montana, the oldest of three children, graduating from Hardin High School in 2000. I received a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from Montana State University- Billings in 2006, and a month later I was at Concordia Theological Seminary - Fort Wayne, Indiana taking Summer Greek. I graduated from the seminary in 2010 and was called to Our Savior Lutheran Church in Cavalier, North Dakota, and have been serving there ever since. During the first few years in Cavalier, St. Paul - St Thomas, ND, and Redeemer - Langdon, ND joined Cavalier in a tri-parish arrangement. My wife, Amy, and I were married in 2009 and have been blessed with four children: Katherine (11), Eli (almost 10), Caleb (8), and Lucia (6). 

Not only has this been a change for me and my family, but the district will also be undergoing some changes. The Board of Directors has been talking for quite some time about moving all of the district offices to one location. Soon, the offices of the District President, the Business Manager, and the Administrative Assistant will be under one roof: Beautiful Savior - Fargo. Also,

instead of the District President and the Business Manager each having their own administrative assistant, these two positions have been merged into one. I am very pleased to announce that Mrs. Tana McKenna has accepted the position of Administrative Assistant to the District President and Business Manager.  

The next few months will bring many changes for the Bertsches, McKennas, and my family. No doubt, you have faced unexpected twists and turns in life as well. Let us pray to the Lord that amid the many changes and chances of life, He would help us to find our rest in Him.