Dr. Eric W. Gritsch

LUTHERFEST 2018

Martin Luther's Birthday Celebration was held again on 
Sunday, November 11th at the Adlersaal of Zion Church of Baltimore 

The evening's featured speaker was the Rev. Dr. Joseph Vought. 
He spoke of GRAVITAS, GRACE, and GOOD HUMOR : Luther’s Theology of the Cross & Vocation. It included a tribute to Dr. Gritsch 

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A traditional meal of bratwurst, crusty bread, boiled potatoes, saurkraut was shared and washed down with Warsteiner Draft German Beer.

Thanks to student guests from Loyola who volunteered to be servers.

Bernie Penner lead everyone in singing "The Cuckoo Song". 

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ENJOY OUR PHOTO SLIDE SHOW OF THIS EVENT BELOW:

A native of Pennsylvania, Rev. Joseph Vought received a Masters of Divinity from The Lutheran Theological Seminary in 1983 after graduating from Gettysburg College. Ordained in 1983, Pastor Joe served Second English Lutheran, Baltimore, MD.  In 1987 he was called as Pastor of Our Saviour Lutheran, Richmond, VA where he developed ministries, built buildings and trained interns.  He ministered on Virginia’s “Death Row,” providing care to inmates before and during executions. In 1997 he was called as Senior Pastor of Muhlenberg Lutheran, Harrisonburg, VA. Membership grew and ministries were begun: an After-School Program for children, Mission work in West Virginia and a school in Rwanda.  Building projects were undertaken.  Pr. Joe represented Lutherans in Virginia to encourage denominational service and full communion partnerships.  He received a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Wesley Seminary. Called to Community in October, 2008.

He is married to Debra Swenson.   Together they enjoy exercise, movies, reading and traveling.  They have two grown children, Kristin and Jonathan.