WEBVTT

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In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

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Amen.

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The holy Gospel According to St.

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John the 21st chapter.

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After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of

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Tiberias and he revealed himself in this way Simon Peter Thomas called

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the twin, Nathaniel of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others

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of his disciples were together.

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Simon Peter said to them "I'm going fishing."

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They said to him, "We will go with you."

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They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught

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nothing.

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Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore yet;

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the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.

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Jesus said to them, "Children

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do you have any fish?" They answered him, "No." He said to them, "Cast the

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net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast

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it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of

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fish. The disciple whom Jesus loved

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therefore said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it

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was the Lord, he put on his outer garment for he was stripped for work,

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and threw himself into the sea.

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The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish,

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for they were not far from the land but about a hundred yards off.

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When they got out on the land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with

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fish laid out on it and bread.

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Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught."

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So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled a net ashore full of large fish,

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153 of them. And although there were so many the net was not torn.

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Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now

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none of the disciples dared ask him,

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"Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread

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and gave it to them,

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and so with a fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed

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to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

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When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son

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of John,

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"Do you love me more than these?"

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He said to him?

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"Yes, Lord;

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You know that

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I love you."

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He said to him, "Feed my Lambs."

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He said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John,

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"Do you love me?"

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He said to him,

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"Yes, Lord;

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you know that

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I love you."

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He said to him, "Tend my sheep."

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He said that him the third time, "Simon, son of John,

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Do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third

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time,

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"Do you love me?"

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and he said to him, "Lord you know everything; you know that I love you."

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Jesus said to him,

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"Feed my sheep."

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This is the gospel of the Lord.

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Grace mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father from our Lord and

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our Savior Jesus Christ the Bible passage for this message is from

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John chapter 21, which was just read.

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Dear friends in Christ family members, friends

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those watching and especially you candidates for the pastoral office and

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the diaconal office.

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Peter loved Jesus.

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When John said it is the Lord he jumped into the water to get the

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Jesus as fast as he could.

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When Jesus asked for fish for that early morning breakfast.

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Peter would have carried all 153 of them to his master if he could.

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I imagine Peter sitting around that campfire

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eyes fixed on Jesus.

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Soaking in every moment every word his heart singing for joy.

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Peter loved Jesus.

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And yet

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Jesus asked him three times.

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Do you love me?

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Simon, he calls Peter Simon here.

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Simon, "Do you love me?"

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And I imagine Peter thinking to himself.

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How could I not love you Lord?

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I saw you feed thousands with just a few loaves of bread and fish;

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rescue me from a violent storm, walk on water, heal a blind man born

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blind.

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You were transfigured on a holy mountain.

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A dazzling white before my very eyes

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and you brought the dead back to life.

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You taught us God's grace and forgiveness.

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I also saw you tired

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needing rest,

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hungry needing to eat, asking for water to drink. Laughing with children

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washing my feet few.

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You Lord are the Messiah, God himself in the flesh one of us,

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come to save us.

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Yes, Lord, you know, I love you.

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Simon,

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"Do you love me?"

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Oh, how could I not love you Lord?

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I saw you

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beaten and bruised, bloodied. I saw you in agony on the cross.

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I saw you do none of us could ever do for ourselves you took on my

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punishment,

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my guilt,

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everything I've done wrong.

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You took on my brokenness with God. Satan's

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hold on me. The death that I deserve, hell itself.

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You took it all.

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And you gave back forgiveness.

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A restored relationship with God you broke Satan's hold on me you gave

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life were once I only had death. Yes, Lord

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you know that

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I love you.

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Simon,

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"Do you love me?"

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Oh Lord.

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How could I not love you?

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I ran to the to the tomb. I found it open that the burial clothes

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folded up so nice and neat.

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I was in the upper room frightened with the rest of the disciples when

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you came and spoke,

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Peace.

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And breathed on us your Holy Spirit.

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I could touch your hands your side just as Thomas could.

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You're sitting in front of us right now glorified,

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body

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You you give us hope for what is coming for us to fill our lives with

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joy because of the eternal life we have now and for forever.

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You are leading us to where you are now going.

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Lord, you know everything.

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You know, I love you.

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Candidates for the pastoral office the diaconal office.

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Do you love Jesus?

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How could you not?

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During our last

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concluding class meeting.

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We did that virtually and you saw behind me at my house a wall of

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crosses.

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A few dozen of them actually.

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And I brought one of those crosses for you to see for our devotion.

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Here it is again.

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It is a cross.

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Where Jesus gave his life took your sin, your punishment, your guilt

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your death.

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And gave you forgiveness and restored your relationship to God.

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On the bottom is the open tomb.

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He has risen for you, too.

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Jesus says I am the resurrection whoever believes in me,

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he will live.

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And on the top

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a little dove.

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The Holy Spirit coming into your life into my life to lead us to love

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Jesus.

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And to lead us into the ministry.

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Yes, Lord.

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We love you.

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Then then Jesus gives Peter a charge a purpose in life.

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He is to feed Jesus sheep three times.

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Tend my sheep, feed my Lambs, feed my sheep.

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And he gives the same charge the same purpose to you who are entering

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the pastoral or diaconal office.

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What will you feed Jesus sheep, you will feed them Jesus.

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You will feed him crucified on the cross for them. You will feed them Jesus

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risen from the dead, you will feed him that hope and life and joy.

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You'll feed them

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all that Jesus has given you. His word the whole counsel of God in the

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scriptures.

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You will feed them Jesus at a baptismal font

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when you bring them into his family the church. You'll feed them at the

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Lord's table his body and blood for life and salvation and forgiveness.

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You will feed

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your sheep,

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his sheep

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with Jesus.

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But how will you do that?

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Three times

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he tells Peter feed my sheep.

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How will you feed the sheep

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he is entrusted to you?

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In whatever way you can bring Jesus to them.

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Some of you may not see the people of your congregation when you get

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there because of this covid-19 virus.

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Some of you may not be able to visit your people in a hospital or a

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nursing home or in hospice care

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until later.

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Some of you may be doing funerals for bodies already buried.

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But you'll do whatever to bring Jesus to your people.

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I remember a Facebook post that came during the middle of our

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sheltering at home.

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I had Forrest Gump on the bench and the caption said,

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"And just like that

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my pastor is a televangelist."

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The week before Holy Week at our house we received

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an envelope mailer. In it

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devotionals for Holy Week.

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A little rope a purple cloth and 7 small candles, you know the ones

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with the tin bottom there about a half inch tall,

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size of a silver dollar.

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For Good Friday

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my wife and I sat in a darkened room.

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With this package sent to us from our pastors and DCE of our

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congregation.

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We made a cross with the purple cloth and the rope.

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We had the seven candles lit and we put them out one by one for that

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Tenebrae service.

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Our church brought Jesus to us

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in our homes.

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I know a district executive that is working with a small rural

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congregation less than 20 people.

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They're mostly around 80 years old.

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They are not tech savvy they do not have good internet access, but

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they know how to use the telephone.

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He arranged for them a Zoom conference phone call.

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He taught them how to use it when to speak.

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What was to be a 20 minute devotion turned into more than an hour of

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just talking with each other catching up with what's going on.

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And that has continued now Sunday after Sunday.

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They know how to do this conference call.

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And when you ask for prayers.

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they don't ask for themselves there ask for prayers outside of

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themselves.

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How will you bring Jesus to your people in whatever way you can?

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A second time Jesus tells Peter, "Feed my sheep."

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And how will you do that?

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You will feed his sheep.

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With such care and love knowing them.

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That's your official title

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pastor,

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deaconess will become one of a relationship.

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I served as assistant pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in

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St. Charles, Missouri from 1982 to 1987.

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One evening during a meeting the phone rang on the wall.

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We did not have cell phones back then.

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I went over and answered it. The local hospital, St.

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Joseph's Hospital was calling to tell us that one of our members have

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been hit by a car.

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Gary was wearing dark clothes.

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It was a dark rainy evening and the driver could not see him crossing

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the road.

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Gary was one of our adult helpers for youth ministry

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and since I was responsible for the Youth Ministry, I hurried on down

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to the hospital.

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When I arrived at the emergency room.

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I found that that Gary's legs have been shattered,

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arm broken, face scratched up and bloodied.

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I looked into that cubicle I could see his face was

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fearful even panicked

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and then he saw me.

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And you said just one word.

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He said,

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pastor.

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And at that moment, I was not just the called the pastor at that

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congregation.

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I was called Pastor.

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How, how will you feed Jesus sheep?

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You will do so with such love and care and knowledge of them that your

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official title Pastor or Deaconess will become one of a relationship

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of love.

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A third time Jesus tells Peter,

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"Feed my sheep."

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And you will feed his sheep.

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In the sacred holy moments of their lives and in the ordinary days in

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between.

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In September 2017

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my wife and I lost our oldest son Matthew suddenly.

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He wasn't feeling well

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and soSue took him to the hospital.

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And that evening at Mercy Heart Hospital.

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Matthew coded

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from a pulmonary embolism.

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He was 33 years old.

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And he died in front of his mother.

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I was up in Wisconsin at the time visiting vicars.

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I got the phone call that he coded.

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I quickly checked out of the motel and started driving home.

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I didn't get more than about 15 miles when my younger son

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Tim called and said Matthew did not make it.

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That drive is the worst,

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longest drive I've ever made.

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I arrived around 3:34 in the morning at my daughter Beth's house in

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Chicago

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rested for a little bit and then

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made the journey to St.Louis.

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I'm not sure what my three adult children my oldest daughter Holly my

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son Tim and my younger daughter Beth expected from their dad when I

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walked into that house. Perhaps that he would be strong and take charge

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of the situation.

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But when I entered that home

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Sue I collapsed into each other's arms

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sobbing.

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We were lost,

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devastated,

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drowning in an ocean of grief.

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No parent should ever lose a child.

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But into that Holy moment of grief stepped our pastors.

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Pastor Bill Wilson from Timothy here in St.

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Louis

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guided us to a funeral home; offered it for us to bury Matthews

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cremains at the Peace Garden at our church.

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So whenever we are up there we can stop and visit. He gave a sermon

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that focused on Matthews smile and how Matthew received the Lord's

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Supper not in his hand but in his mouth.

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I other Pastor Ron Rall came to our house and had a devotion with our

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whole family.

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He did the liturgy.

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At that sacred moment that holy moment of our deepest grief our

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pastors were there,

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bringing us Jesus.

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The funeral was on a Monday that following Friday

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was the rehearsal dinner for our younger son Tim's wedding.

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Both pastors and their wives were there.

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The next day the wedding was held at my daughter-in-law Katy's church

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with her pastor, but you know who is sitting on our side?

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Our pastors were.

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And they were there for the reception as well.

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During these holy moments in our life of the the deepest grief and a

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joyous celebration

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our pastors were there.

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And in the ordinary days in between

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we knew where they were.

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You will feed Jesus sheep.

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In the holiest most sacred days of your people's lives

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and all the ordinary days in between.

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Do you love Jesus?

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How could you not?

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And so he gives you candidates for the pastor and diaconal office

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he gives you this charge.

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Feed my sheep.

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And you will do so, however, you can bring Jesus to them in a

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relationship of love and care.

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So they call you pastor, deaconess.

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On the most sacred days,

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the ordinary days as well.

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Jesus says,

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"Feed my sheep."

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Amen.

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Now may the peace of God and his hope and his joy

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fill you,

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fill you with love for him.

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As you carry out your charge.

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To feed his sheep.

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Amen.

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In the name of Jesus. Amen.

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The gospel is well understood as the promises of God. Sometimes God is

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slow in fulfilling his promises as Habakkuk was taught by God himself.

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If it seems slow wait for it.

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It will surely come but there are times when we see God fulfilling his

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promises right before our eyes and this is such a time.

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Psalm 145 verse 4 promises one generation shall commend your works

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to another and shall declare your mighty acts.

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God is fulfilling that promise now as the current generation of

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leaders in Christ church presents theological diplomas vocation to

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the men who are about to enter the holy ministry as pastors and to the

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woman who is about to enter service as a Deaconess.

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Brothers,

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our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has instituted the Pastoral Ministry

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and its promised at all times to provide men who are equipped and

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sufficient for the tasks

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it entails.

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He himself must make them sufficient.

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He does this through the spiritual intellectual and physical gifts

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with which he endows them and through the development of these gifts

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by the nurture of God's word.

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The Faculty of Concordia Seminary has been commissioned by the

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Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod to conduct such instruction for

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00:29:01.200 --> 00:29:07.200
formation for the office of Holy Ministry in the Synod. Reverend president

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00:29:07.200 --> 00:29:12.500
I present the Pastoral candidate class for spring 2020.

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00:32:10.000 --> 00:32:15.100
These men have completed studies in the Master of Divinity program the

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00:32:15.100 --> 00:32:20.000
Residential Alternate Route program the Ethnic Immigrant Institute of

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00:32:20.000 --> 00:32:25.300
Ttheology, the Center for Hispanic Studies and a Cross-cultural Ministry

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00:32:25.300 --> 00:32:26.100
Center.

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00:32:26.900 --> 00:32:31.400
The service folder also includes the names of candidates who completed

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00:32:31.400 --> 00:32:35.600
the Master of Divinity Program in a prior-year but who deferred

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00:32:35.600 --> 00:32:40.700
their candidacy to pursue advanced studies. The names of candidates

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00:32:40.700 --> 00:32:45.000
certified in a previous semester of placement into the Pastoral office

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00:32:45.000 --> 00:32:49.500
also appear in the service folder. The Faculty of Concordia Seminary

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00:32:49.500 --> 00:32:54.200
fulfills, its responsibility to the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod by

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00:32:54.200 --> 00:32:57.700
certifying candidates for placement by the Council of presidents

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00:32:57.700 --> 00:33:02.600
acting as the board of assignments for the Synod. The Faculty has

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00:33:02.600 --> 00:33:07.200
declared these men qualified for entrance into the office of the

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ministry of Word and Sacrament in the church. Through the council of

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00:33:11.400 --> 00:33:14.300
presidents with the assistance of the direct placement

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00:33:14.300 --> 00:33:20.000
these men have already been assigned to calls and parishes and

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00:33:20.000 --> 00:33:20.800
missions of the church.

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00:33:21.300 --> 00:33:25.100
We Rejoice with the entire church upon their entrance into the

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00:33:25.100 --> 00:33:26.300
Pastoral Ministry.

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00:33:26.300 --> 00:33:31.100
I authorize you to deliver to them the instruments attesting to their

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00:33:31.100 --> 00:33:35.700
fitness for office and to their calls. The following men we're

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00:33:35.700 --> 00:33:40.500
certified from the Residential Alternate Route program the Specific

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00:33:40.500 --> 00:33:45.300
Ministry Pastor program and the Cross-cultural Ministry Center for

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00:33:45.300 --> 00:33:52.100
placement into the Pastoral office and fall 2019.

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00:34:30.200 --> 00:34:34.600
Reverend president, I present the graduates of our Deaconess program.

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00:34:38.100 --> 00:34:42.600
Upon successful completion of all requirements the Faculty has

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00:34:42.600 --> 00:34:47.400
declared Michelle qualified for consecration and placement as a

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00:34:47.400 --> 00:34:50.000
deaconess in the Lutheran Church-Missouri, Synod.

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We Rejoice with the entire church upon her entrance into the

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00:34:53.800 --> 00:34:54.400
diaconate.

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00:34:54.400 --> 00:34:58.900
I authorize you to deliver to Michelle the instrument attesting to her

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00:34:58.900 --> 00:34:59.300
fitness.

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00:35:01.100 --> 00:35:06.300
Brothers entering the Pastoral Ministry and sister Michelle entering

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00:35:06.300 --> 00:35:07.400
the diaconal Ministry.

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00:35:08.900 --> 00:35:11.500
I charge you in the name of Jesus Christ.

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00:35:11.500 --> 00:35:16.800
And in the name of the church of which he is the head that you give

402
00:35:16.800 --> 00:35:20.800
all diligence to perform your manifold duties with untiring

403
00:35:20.800 --> 00:35:23.800
faithfulness and constant solicitude.

404
00:35:23.800 --> 00:35:29.100
This is what you will desire to have done when you shall be called to

405
00:35:29.100 --> 00:35:30.600
give an account of your stewardship.

406
00:35:32.400 --> 00:35:36.000
Be sure to make the word of God your guide.

407
00:35:37.000 --> 00:35:42.300
Search the scriptures for your instructions. Depend on the grace of God

408
00:35:42.300 --> 00:35:48.000
and Gospel and Sacrament. Make full use of the privilege of prayer,

409
00:35:48.000 --> 00:35:52.000
especially and interceding for those who will be committed to your

410
00:35:52.000 --> 00:35:52.400
care.

411
00:35:54.000 --> 00:35:59.100
Careful to live as disciples of Christ and thus to be examples that will

412
00:35:59.100 --> 00:36:01.100
prompt others to walk in the fear of God.

413
00:36:03.000 --> 00:36:06.700
May the Lord direct and assist you by his Holy Spirit.

414
00:36:06.700 --> 00:36:09.800
May he Council and strengthen you in

415
00:36:09.800 --> 00:36:10.700
all your undertakings.

416
00:36:10.700 --> 00:36:16.800
May he empower you to labor diligently and faithfully for the

417
00:36:16.800 --> 00:36:20.700
prosperity of his church in fulfillment of your respective calls.

418
00:36:22.100 --> 00:36:27.700
Be steadfast, immovable always abounding in the work of the Lord

419
00:36:27.700 --> 00:36:30.200
knowing that in the Lord

420
00:36:30.200 --> 00:36:34.300
your labor is not in vain. Reverend president,

421
00:36:34.300 --> 00:36:38.500
I present to you the students who have completed all requirements for

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00:36:38.500 --> 00:36:43.000
certification and placement, but who have requested and been granted

423
00:36:43.000 --> 00:36:48.600
deferment of candidacy to pursue advanced studies or to participate

424
00:36:48.600 --> 00:36:50.000
and other service in the church.

425
00:37:06.800 --> 00:37:13.000
In our prayers and good wishes

426
00:37:13.000 --> 00:37:18.300
we include also you, members of this year's class who are deferring

427
00:37:18.300 --> 00:37:22.700
your candidacies and are going on for special studies in order to

428
00:37:22.700 --> 00:37:26.400
enhance your formation in special ways for service in the wider

429
00:37:26.400 --> 00:37:26.900
church.

430
00:37:28.100 --> 00:37:32.300
May our heavenly Father grant to you the rich gift of the Holy Spirit

431
00:37:32.300 --> 00:37:37.500
so that in the name of Jesus you make keep the sense of your calling

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00:37:37.500 --> 00:37:43.400
clear, advance your studies and be equipped more richly to serve the

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00:37:43.400 --> 00:37:48.800
Lord Christ by serving his church. Reverend president, I present the

434
00:37:48.800 --> 00:37:51.900
students who have completed the resident theological studies at

435
00:37:51.900 --> 00:37:56.400
Concordia Seminary and who will now enter vicarage is or internships

436
00:37:56.400 --> 00:38:00.700
assigned to them by the Council of Presidents acting as the Synod's

437
00:38:00.700 --> 00:38:05.400
Board of Assignments to grow in the practice of the pastoral office

438
00:38:05.400 --> 00:38:09.900
or the diaconate under the supervision of ordained pastors.

439
00:38:24.700 --> 00:38:32.800
We Rejoice

440
00:38:32.800 --> 00:38:37.200
with the entire church at their progress towards the holy Ministry or the

441
00:38:37.200 --> 00:38:37.800
diaconate.

442
00:38:37.800 --> 00:38:40.600
I charge you in the name of Jesus Christ

443
00:38:40.600 --> 00:38:45.700
and in the name of the church of which he is the head that you give

444
00:38:45.700 --> 00:38:50.000
all diligence in your vicarage or internship and later.

445
00:38:50.000 --> 00:38:54.300
When you receive your call to perform your manifold duties with

446
00:38:54.300 --> 00:38:57.400
untiring faithfulness and constant solicitude.

447
00:38:57.400 --> 00:39:02.000
This is what you will desire to have done when you shall be called to

448
00:39:02.000 --> 00:39:03.800
give an account of your stewardship.

449
00:39:05.000 --> 00:39:10.300
Be sure to make the word of God your guide. Search the scripture for

450
00:39:10.300 --> 00:39:15.700
your instructions. Depend on the grace of God and Gospel and Sacrament.

451
00:39:15.700 --> 00:39:22.100
Make full use of the privilege of prayer, especially in interceding

452
00:39:22.100 --> 00:39:24.200
for those who will be committed to your care.

453
00:39:24.200 --> 00:39:29.600
Be careful to live as disciples of Christ and thus to be examples that

454
00:39:29.600 --> 00:39:31.600
will prompt others to walk in the fear of God.

455
00:39:33.200 --> 00:39:36.800
May the Lord direct and assist you by his Holy Spirit.

456
00:39:36.800 --> 00:39:40.100
May he Council and strengthen you in

457
00:39:40.100 --> 00:39:40.900
all your undertakings.

458
00:39:40.900 --> 00:39:46.500
May he empower you to labor diligently and faithfully for the

459
00:39:46.500 --> 00:39:48.000
prosperity of his church.

460
00:39:49.500 --> 00:39:55.700
Teach what befits sound doctrine. Show yourself in all respects a

461
00:39:55.700 --> 00:39:57.100
model of good deeds.

462
00:39:58.300 --> 00:39:59.700
Always Be steady,

463
00:40:00.600 --> 00:40:05.500
endure suffering, fulfill your ministry.

464
00:40:06.700 --> 00:40:12.000
From one generation to another God remains faithful for he cannot deny

465
00:40:12.000 --> 00:40:12.500
himself.

466
00:40:14.100 --> 00:40:20.300
That's what Saint Paul says in 2nd Timothy 2 verse 13. Saint Paul also

467
00:40:20.300 --> 00:40:26.000
says in 2nd Corinthians: "For the Son of God Jesus Christ whom we proclaim

468
00:40:26.000 --> 00:40:33.100
among you was not yes and no, but in Him it is always yes, for all

469
00:40:33.100 --> 00:40:36.400
the promises of God find their yes in Him."

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00:40:36.400 --> 00:40:42.400
That is why it is through Him that we u our Amen to God for his

471
00:40:42.400 --> 00:40:42.900
glory.

472
00:40:42.900 --> 00:40:44.800
Amen.

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00:40:45.800 --> 00:40:52.400
Oh God, the Father in heaven have mercy on us o God, the son Redeemer

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00:40:52.400 --> 00:40:58.900
of the world have mercy on us o God the Holy Spirit help us go to Lord

475
00:40:58.900 --> 00:41:04.800
for thankful Hearts to discern your will for special measure of your

476
00:41:04.800 --> 00:41:10.500
spirit for mindfulness of the prayers of the church floor up for a

477
00:41:10.500 --> 00:41:14.200
Clear Vision of Christ crucified and risen.

478
00:41:14.200 --> 00:41:16.800
We asked you to hear us good Lord.

479
00:41:17.600 --> 00:41:23.400
To find joy in being small followers of a great Lord to find

480
00:41:23.400 --> 00:41:26.500
excitement in your working among people through your word and

481
00:41:26.500 --> 00:41:31.800
sacraments to find purpose in serving you and your people in the

482
00:41:31.800 --> 00:41:39.600
church to find peace in the Five Wounds and the open Tomb we ask for

483
00:41:39.600 --> 00:41:41.000
your grace Heavenly Father.

484
00:41:41.900 --> 00:41:45.700
Oh Lord, Jesus Christ Son of God.

485
00:41:45.700 --> 00:41:50.400
We ask you to hear us old Lamb of God.

486
00:41:50.400 --> 00:41:51.900
You take away.

487
00:41:51.900 --> 00:41:55.200
The sin of the world have mercy on us.

488
00:41:55.200 --> 00:41:57.600
All Lamb of God.

489
00:41:57.600 --> 00:41:59.290
You take away.

490
00:41:59.290 --> 00:42:05.100
The sin of the world have mercy on us Little Lamb of God.

491
00:42:05.100 --> 00:42:11.100
You take away the sin of the world Grandpa's your peace.

492
00:42:11.100 --> 00:42:13.900
Will Christ hear us?

493
00:42:13.900 --> 00:42:21.600
Oh Lord have mercy on us o Christ have mercy on us Lord have mercy on

494
00:42:21.600 --> 00:42:21.800
us.

495
00:42:21.800 --> 00:42:22.700
Amen.

496
00:45:22.900 --> 00:45:27.000
In the chapel named for two young pastors who were mentored by Saint

497
00:45:27.000 --> 00:45:29.000
Paul the chapel of St.

498
00:45:29.000 --> 00:45:29.500
Timothy and St.

499
00:45:29.500 --> 00:45:35.000
Titus are concluding students were granted diplomas that attest to

500
00:45:35.000 --> 00:45:40.700
their Fitness for first called into Ministry now under Luther Tower

501
00:45:40.700 --> 00:45:46.700
and buy Gothic buildings that symbolize the lofty academic study of

502
00:45:46.700 --> 00:45:51.500
Theology and service of the Gospel the next generation of pastors

503
00:45:51.500 --> 00:45:55.900
deaconesses and church leaders raised up by our Lord will receive

504
00:45:55.900 --> 00:46:01.200
certificates and academic diplomas that attest to their successful

505
00:46:01.200 --> 00:46:04.900
academic study in preparation for Ministry.

506
00:46:06.300 --> 00:46:10.200
Are commencement speaker knows the younger generation of the church

507
00:46:10.200 --> 00:46:15.300
and of the United States the generation to whom you graduates will

508
00:46:15.300 --> 00:46:15.800
Minister.

509
00:46:15.800 --> 00:46:20.900
I am honored to present to you the Reverend Mark Kiessling, Director of

510
00:46:20.900 --> 00:46:24.000
Youth Ministry for the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

511
00:46:25.500 --> 00:46:29.700
President Meyer members of the faculty, administration, staff, and Board of

512
00:46:29.700 --> 00:46:35.600
Regents at Concordia Seminary. Spouses, parents, family and friends and

513
00:46:35.600 --> 00:46:40.300
the graduating class of 2028 is a wonderful and humbling honor to be

514
00:46:40.300 --> 00:46:42.200
invited to speak to you on this special occasion.

515
00:46:43.500 --> 00:46:46.800
First it has been a blessing to watch this institution to adapt to the

516
00:46:46.800 --> 00:46:48.100
situation of the past month.

517
00:46:48.100 --> 00:46:52.300
Thank you President Meyer and so many in leadership, professors and

518
00:46:52.300 --> 00:46:55.800
students for working together to complete the Academic Year.

519
00:46:55.800 --> 00:46:59.800
Thank you to so many who work so hard to have an uplifting and

520
00:46:59.800 --> 00:47:01.700
wonderful call and placement service.

521
00:47:01.700 --> 00:47:05.000
You've been a great example to the Church of how working together.

522
00:47:05.000 --> 00:47:09.000
We share the gospel and prepare a church workers for service in the

523
00:47:09.000 --> 00:47:09.400
Kingdom.

524
00:47:10.400 --> 00:47:13.500
Since I know you've thought about this a lot in Pike talk about this

525
00:47:13.500 --> 00:47:15.000
may be tired of doing this.

526
00:47:15.000 --> 00:47:18.900
I know this day is not the way that you had planned or what you desire

527
00:47:18.900 --> 00:47:19.500
to be doing today.

528
00:47:19.500 --> 00:47:22.900
And I wish I could be with you in person to celebrate all that you've

529
00:47:22.900 --> 00:47:26.100
accomplished and to see the relationships that a bill then built.

530
00:47:26.100 --> 00:47:29.800
However, this doesn't diminish the accomplishment you have work so

531
00:47:29.800 --> 00:47:34.300
hard to earn and the sacrifice so many of made on your behalf the

532
00:47:34.300 --> 00:47:38.000
church give thanks for you and all who have invested in you and look

533
00:47:38.000 --> 00:47:40.100
forward to what God will do for your ministry.

534
00:47:41.000 --> 00:47:45.500
It's amazing how fast time moves 14 years ago.

535
00:47:45.500 --> 00:47:48.600
I sat in this same quad for my commencement ceremony.

536
00:47:48.600 --> 00:47:51.400
It was a hot St.

537
00:47:51.400 --> 00:47:53.400
Louis afternoon and evening.

538
00:47:53.400 --> 00:47:56.900
I hope you are much more comfortable that I was on that day.

539
00:47:56.900 --> 00:48:03.200
Even those of you that are going out to be deaconesses and about two

540
00:48:03.200 --> 00:48:03.500
years ago.

541
00:48:03.500 --> 00:48:07.600
I was with staff members about CMS youth ministry and we hosted one of

542
00:48:07.600 --> 00:48:09.400
your vicarage and enter preparation lights.

543
00:48:09.400 --> 00:48:12.900
We love our opportunity to have a short time with you as you are sent

544
00:48:12.900 --> 00:48:16.700
out to serve know that lcms youth ministry staff are praying for you

545
00:48:16.700 --> 00:48:18.100
and give thanks for your service.

546
00:48:20.400 --> 00:48:24.700
My present my are asked me to speak at commencement first.

547
00:48:24.700 --> 00:48:28.100
My heart went into my throat and I temporarily couldn't hear him

548
00:48:28.100 --> 00:48:31.600
because I believe my heart was beating so loudly in my chest.

549
00:48:32.900 --> 00:48:36.200
I mean it was only by the mercy of President Meyer

550
00:48:36.200 --> 00:48:38.000
and also Dr.

551
00:48:38.000 --> 00:48:38.500
Schmitt that I

552
00:48:38.500 --> 00:48:40.000
even passed my homiletics classes.

553
00:48:40.000 --> 00:48:42.800
What was I going to be able to say to this distinguished group of

554
00:48:42.800 --> 00:48:48.000
people? Of pastors who had formed me into the pastor that I am today. But eventually

555
00:48:48.000 --> 00:48:52.400
my heart rate subsided and I was able to hear President Meyer reflect

556
00:48:52.400 --> 00:48:56.900
as he prepared for this to be his last commencement ceremony. As the

557
00:48:56.900 --> 00:48:59.500
torch of leadership will be passed on to a new person.

558
00:48:59.500 --> 00:49:03.600
He reflected on a we as Christians talk about passing the Christian

559
00:49:03.600 --> 00:49:05.500
faith from generation to generation.

560
00:49:06.900 --> 00:49:12.100
A legacy of ministry is being past is present my retires. And President

561
00:49:12.100 --> 00:49:12.700
Meyer and Diane

562
00:49:12.700 --> 00:49:13.500
we give so much

563
00:49:13.500 --> 00:49:17.200
thanks for you. For while you have searched your Concordia Seminary and in

564
00:49:17.200 --> 00:49:21.000
the wider church, and I know that service is going to continue. We're

565
00:49:21.000 --> 00:49:23.600
saddened to that were not able to celebrate with you the way that we

566
00:49:23.600 --> 00:49:26.800
had planned, but I know that you have heard so many the thanks that we

567
00:49:26.800 --> 00:49:27.800
have for your ministry.

568
00:49:27.800 --> 00:49:31.900
And I thank you President Meyer for deeply caring at the church

569
00:49:31.900 --> 00:49:35.700
reflects on Jesus's call to pass the faith of the end of the age

570
00:49:35.700 --> 00:49:37.300
generation to generation.

571
00:49:39.000 --> 00:49:42.400
Working in the synodical office gives one an opportunity to listen to

572
00:49:42.400 --> 00:49:46.300
church members and our church workers about how to best serve them. And

573
00:49:46.300 --> 00:49:51.100
a few years ago LCMS Youth Ministry and LCMS research completed

574
00:49:51.100 --> 00:49:53.800
a round of research with Millennial's. Partly

575
00:49:53.800 --> 00:49:56.600
this research was to hear about their current relationship with the

576
00:49:56.600 --> 00:50:00.000
church. But also to hear about their experience growing up in the

577
00:50:00.000 --> 00:50:03.800
church. But also to hear about their experience growing up in the

578
00:50:03.800 --> 00:50:06.100
young people as they abided with Jesus.

579
00:50:06.100 --> 00:50:10.300
Our goal was to listen well for young adults and encourage parents,

580
00:50:10.300 --> 00:50:14.500
churches, pastors and church workers as they passed on the Christian

581
00:50:14.500 --> 00:50:15.600
faith to the next generation.

582
00:50:15.600 --> 00:50:18.500
I will focus on only a few things

583
00:50:18.500 --> 00:50:22.700
we learned. But most importantly I pray that as you start your ministry

584
00:50:22.700 --> 00:50:25.800
or for those who are continuing and Ministry that you were praying for

585
00:50:25.800 --> 00:50:28.590
the family and young people to whom you are called to serve.

586
00:50:28.590 --> 00:50:33.000
I pray that you consider the opportunity to intentionally invite young

587
00:50:33.000 --> 00:50:35.800
people into the life together that we share at the family of God.

588
00:50:36.590 --> 00:50:40.400
I hope you will spend your ministry and awe of how God works through

589
00:50:40.400 --> 00:50:43.700
word and Sacrament and relationships among the people of God.

590
00:50:43.700 --> 00:50:47.700
I hope you will spend so many days of your life finding joy and

591
00:50:47.700 --> 00:50:50.700
observing the Holy Spirit passing the Christian faith in the church

592
00:50:50.700 --> 00:50:54.900
from generation to generation through baptism, teaching and confessing

593
00:50:54.900 --> 00:50:56.800
the faith and acts of Love & Mercy.

594
00:50:58.300 --> 00:51:04.100
So here you are ready to graduate and start your ministry or you got a

595
00:51:04.100 --> 00:51:07.500
new experience and learning in your continuing your ministry. But you

596
00:51:07.500 --> 00:51:12.300
are in a very unusual time in our country and our churches. You are

597
00:51:12.300 --> 00:51:17.600
well-versed that we live in a fast-changing world. You experience it in

598
00:51:17.600 --> 00:51:21.200
your daily life and I have also observed it and participated in

599
00:51:21.200 --> 00:51:24.800
Ministry and what you're doing now on your vicarage your internship for

600
00:51:24.800 --> 00:51:28.000
your field work and you see the challenges that parishioners and

601
00:51:28.000 --> 00:51:30.400
church workers are wrestling with in many aspects of life.

602
00:51:30.400 --> 00:51:35.400
We Christians stand on the unchanging rock that is Christ and together

603
00:51:35.400 --> 00:51:39.200
we grapple with how our worlds and careers, education, economics and

604
00:51:39.200 --> 00:51:40.800
politics change rapidly.

605
00:51:40.800 --> 00:51:44.500
And now this pandemic has either slammed the brakes on everything

606
00:51:44.500 --> 00:51:48.100
we know when accelerated the need for change adaptation or

607
00:51:48.100 --> 00:51:48.600
decision-making.

608
00:51:49.600 --> 00:51:52.700
You're entering Ministry at an interesting time or continuing that

609
00:51:52.700 --> 00:51:56.100
Ministry at an interesting time. To walk alongside families and young

610
00:51:56.100 --> 00:51:59.700
people to humbly learn from them and the point them to Jesus.

611
00:52:01.300 --> 00:52:05.100
Many things we found in the research are no-brainers like the

612
00:52:05.100 --> 00:52:08.900
importance of parents. Young people who stayed in the church

613
00:52:08.900 --> 00:52:13.800
so often raised by parents who are active and worship pray in the home

614
00:52:13.800 --> 00:52:17.900
study scripture in the home and had open conversations about the joys

615
00:52:17.900 --> 00:52:19.000
and trials of life.

616
00:52:19.000 --> 00:52:23.400
No surprise the Holy Spirit Works through the Word and Sacrament and

617
00:52:23.400 --> 00:52:24.300
faithful parents.

618
00:52:24.300 --> 00:52:29.000
Also we learned about the tapestry of relationships that God uses to

619
00:52:29.000 --> 00:52:30.400
gather his people close to him.

620
00:52:32.300 --> 00:52:35.200
You probably have the opportunity to do this many times in your life.

621
00:52:35.200 --> 00:52:38.500
And maybe it's your time here at Concordia Seminary, but I want you to

622
00:52:38.500 --> 00:52:42.200
take a moment to think of two people who are important for you being

623
00:52:42.200 --> 00:52:48.100
here today, but I want you to consider others. If you grew up in the

624
00:52:48.100 --> 00:52:51.200
church, maybe think of someone in your church from your youth think of

625
00:52:51.200 --> 00:52:55.100
that person that God put into your life and spoke truth and love.

626
00:52:56.200 --> 00:53:00.300
Perhaps it was someone that during a tough time in your life reminded

627
00:53:00.300 --> 00:53:04.400
you of Christ baptismal promises when you felt far away from God and

628
00:53:04.400 --> 00:53:05.100
his presence.

629
00:53:06.100 --> 00:53:11.300
There may have been a time when you really, really messed up in life and you

630
00:53:11.300 --> 00:53:12.000
were showing Grace.

631
00:53:13.000 --> 00:53:16.600
Perhaps it was a pastor who preached a sermon about the specific

632
00:53:16.600 --> 00:53:20.000
temptation and struggles that it is to be a youth and he preached the

633
00:53:20.000 --> 00:53:21.500
hope that we have in Christ.

634
00:53:22.700 --> 00:53:25.700
Perhaps it was like President Meyer shared on Call Day ii was a

635
00:53:25.700 --> 00:53:27.300
pastor who confirmed you in the faith.

636
00:53:28.400 --> 00:53:32.400
Perhaps it was a pastor or a person or a friend who had planned to be with

637
00:53:32.400 --> 00:53:32.900
you in St.

638
00:53:32.900 --> 00:53:34.600
Louis to celebrate this special day.

639
00:53:36.700 --> 00:53:40.400
Will you now enter into this tapestry of relationships with young

640
00:53:40.400 --> 00:53:43.900
people or are already there in your congregation. For your

641
00:53:43.900 --> 00:53:46.800
preaching, teaching, shepherding and serving you have the awesome

642
00:53:46.800 --> 00:53:50.300
opportunity to proclaim the good news that the forgiveness of sins and

643
00:53:50.300 --> 00:53:52.400
remind young people of Christ baptismal promises.

644
00:53:52.400 --> 00:53:56.600
You will do this alongside parents and grandparents and other caring

645
00:53:56.600 --> 00:54:00.400
adults as they work to guide young people to be connected to Jesus and

646
00:54:00.400 --> 00:54:04.500
the life of the church for a lifetime. And the research we heard the

647
00:54:04.500 --> 00:54:07.700
impact specifically that a pastor can have when they demonstrate care

648
00:54:07.700 --> 00:54:11.800
for a young person for young children to teenagers in your congregation

649
00:54:11.800 --> 00:54:14.000
Lutheran School for Early Childhood Center.

650
00:54:14.000 --> 00:54:17.600
Simply knowing their name and keeping up on the basic aspects of their

651
00:54:17.600 --> 00:54:20.000
life was very important in our walk with Jesus.

652
00:54:20.900 --> 00:54:24.500
This was demonstrated through preaching and teaching and regular act

653
00:54:24.500 --> 00:54:25.600
interactions with young people.

654
00:54:25.600 --> 00:54:29.300
We also heard of the impact of pastors and church workers who took the

655
00:54:29.300 --> 00:54:33.500
time to open the scriptures to a young person sometimes individually.

656
00:54:33.500 --> 00:54:37.300
Who just had their heart ripped by the lies of Satan the weight of

657
00:54:37.300 --> 00:54:40.800
their sin or the weight of brokenness in their lives. In this situation

658
00:54:40.800 --> 00:54:44.600
it was a fellow forgiven sinner who took the time to remind them of

659
00:54:44.600 --> 00:54:48.200
Christ loved about the living Christ and they had a place to belong.

660
00:54:49.600 --> 00:54:54.000
And you and parents don't do this alone. Your example and Ministry can

661
00:54:54.000 --> 00:54:57.900
so often be followed by the family of faith. These staff and lay people

662
00:54:57.900 --> 00:55:02.100
brothers and sisters in the faith help us build this tapestry of warmth, Grace

663
00:55:02.100 --> 00:55:06.500
and connection for Christ word and stories of faith are shared and young

664
00:55:06.500 --> 00:55:08.900
people are rooted in Christ and built up in him.

665
00:55:09.800 --> 00:55:14.300
Together you are also equipping young people to be front line witnesses

666
00:55:14.300 --> 00:55:17.800
and missionaries to their peers. Current college and high school

667
00:55:17.800 --> 00:55:18.300
students

668
00:55:18.300 --> 00:55:22.400
and those younger are members of what many call Generation Z and are

669
00:55:22.400 --> 00:55:25.300
part of the least Church generation almost a century,

670
00:55:25.300 --> 00:55:29.800
if not longer. This environment is nothing new to most of you and now

671
00:55:29.800 --> 00:55:33.100
you have the blessing to form disciples who may be the first Christian

672
00:55:33.100 --> 00:55:35.000
friend and unbeliever may have in their life.

673
00:55:35.000 --> 00:55:39.000
These young disciples may be the first person to tell them about Jesus.

674
00:55:39.000 --> 00:55:44.100
What an exciting opportunity you have to share Christ with them as you

675
00:55:44.100 --> 00:55:45.800
meet young people in your congregation.

676
00:55:45.800 --> 00:55:49.600
I hope you can already see the future of joy filled days of high school

677
00:55:49.600 --> 00:55:54.700
graduations, Christian marriages, location fulfillment and career

678
00:55:54.700 --> 00:55:59.600
fulfillment as adults, graduations from one of our seminaries or maybe one of our Concordias

679
00:55:59.600 --> 00:56:03.600
as fellow Church workers and most importantly living internally with

680
00:56:03.600 --> 00:56:04.000
Jesus.

681
00:56:04.600 --> 00:56:09.100
In Matthew 28 Jesus gives the Great Commission to his disciples: "All

682
00:56:09.100 --> 00:56:10.000
authority in heaven

683
00:56:10.000 --> 00:56:13.600
and on Earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of

684
00:56:13.600 --> 00:56:17.200
all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son

685
00:56:17.200 --> 00:56:20.900
and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have

686
00:56:20.900 --> 00:56:26.100
commanded you. And behold I Am With You Always to the end of the age."

687
00:56:26.100 --> 00:56:31.100
And for centuries Christ church has been doing just that baptizing

688
00:56:31.100 --> 00:56:32.500
teaching and making disciples.

689
00:56:32.500 --> 00:56:37.000
And now you have a front row seat to watch our God create faith in the

690
00:56:37.000 --> 00:56:40.500
next generation of disciples coming after you. You will be God's

691
00:56:40.500 --> 00:56:44.300
instrument to break down walls and certainty and isolation for young

692
00:56:44.300 --> 00:56:44.700
people.

693
00:56:44.700 --> 00:56:48.900
God will use you to bring healing and comfort to hurting families and

694
00:56:48.900 --> 00:56:51.300
be with them through some of the most joyous times in life.

695
00:56:51.300 --> 00:56:56.300
I hope this aspect of ministry brings you much joy and opportunities

696
00:56:56.300 --> 00:56:59.400
to give thanks for how God has worked through others in your life.

697
00:57:00.200 --> 00:57:01.600
God bless you and your ministry.

698
00:57:01.600 --> 00:57:05.700
God bless you and your ministry to families and young people of your

699
00:57:05.700 --> 00:57:06.400
congregation.

700
00:57:08.100 --> 00:57:12.000
President Meyer it is my duty and delight to present the candidates in

701
00:57:12.000 --> 00:57:14.200
the Alternate Route Certificate program.

702
00:57:14.200 --> 00:57:18.100
These candidates have completed all the requirements set forth by the

703
00:57:18.100 --> 00:57:21.500
faculty and have been recommended as worthy of a certificate

704
00:57:21.500 --> 00:57:25.600
indicating completion of a program of theological studies leading to

705
00:57:25.600 --> 00:57:25.900
ordination.

706
00:57:33.300 --> 00:57:37.100
I confirm these man the certificates which attest to their

707
00:57:37.100 --> 00:57:37.400
accomplishments.

708
00:57:39.200 --> 00:57:42.600
These students have completed academic residency and will be eligible

709
00:57:42.600 --> 00:57:47.400
for certification and ordination upon completion of a 1-year vicarage.

710
00:58:05.000 --> 00:58:09.300
We wish to recognize these men on the completion of the classroom

711
00:58:09.300 --> 00:58:13.500
portion of their work and accordingly we confer on them the

712
00:58:13.500 --> 00:58:18.300
certificates which attest to their accomplishments. President Meyer,

713
00:58:18.300 --> 00:58:22.100
it is my duty and delight to present the candidates for the degree of

714
00:58:22.100 --> 00:58:23.100
Master of Arts.

715
00:58:23.100 --> 00:58:27.300
These candidates have fulfilled all requirements prescribed by the

716
00:58:27.300 --> 00:58:31.600
faculty and have been recommended as worthy of the degree of Master of

717
00:58:31.600 --> 00:58:32.100
Arts.

718
00:59:27.100 --> 00:59:30.300
By virtue of the authority committed through the charter from the

719
00:59:30.300 --> 00:59:35.200
state of Missouri granted to Concordia Seminary and through the action

720
00:59:35.200 --> 00:59:36.500
of its Board of Regents.

721
00:59:36.500 --> 00:59:42.200
I confer upon these candidates the degree of Master of Arts and

722
00:59:42.200 --> 00:59:47.100
declare them entitled to all attendant rights and privileges. President

723
00:59:47.100 --> 00:59:47.400
Meyer,

724
00:59:47.400 --> 00:59:51.100
it is my duty and delight to present the candidates for the degree of

725
00:59:51.100 --> 00:59:58.100
Master of Divinity. These candidates have fulfilled all requirements prescribed by the faculty and have

726
00:59:58.100 --> 01:00:01.300
been recommended as worthy of the degree of Master of Divinity.

727
01:02:58.910 --> 01:03:04.310
By virtue of the authority committed through the charter

728
01:03:04.310 --> 01:03:08.110
of the state of Missouri to Concordia Seminary and through the action

729
01:03:08.110 --> 01:03:09.210
of its Board of Regents.

730
01:03:09.210 --> 01:03:14.210
I confer upon these candidates the degree of Master of Divinity and

731
01:03:14.210 --> 01:03:18.510
declare them entitled to all attendant rights and privileges. President

732
01:03:18.510 --> 01:03:18.810
Meyer,

733
01:03:18.810 --> 01:03:22.110
it is my duty and Delight to present the candidates for the degree of

734
01:03:22.110 --> 01:03:22.810
Doctor of Ministry.

735
01:03:22.810 --> 01:03:27.010
These candidates have fulfilled all requirements prescribed by the

736
01:03:27.010 --> 01:03:31.010
faculty and have been recommended as worthy of the degree of Doctor of

737
01:03:31.010 --> 01:03:31.110
Ministry.

738
01:03:33.310 --> 01:03:39.610
Timothy Carl Bourman Major Applied Project- "Deep as the Sea: Lutheran

739
01:03:39.610 --> 01:03:42.510
Devotional Bringing Gospel to Trauma."

740
01:03:44.710 --> 01:03:50.610
Carl Benjamin Mueller major applied project "Overcoming Barriers:

741
01:03:50.610 --> 01:03:56.410
Helping Navy Chaplains Understand the Need and Implementation of Self-

742
01:03:56.410 --> 01:03:56.510
Care."

743
01:03:59.010 --> 01:04:02.710
Rance Allen shuttle major applied project.  "Deepening Our Welcome: Embracing Relational Hospitality in Our Homes"

744
01:04:04.210 --> 01:04:11.010
By

745
01:04:11.010 --> 01:04:14.810
virtue of the authority committed through the charter from the state

746
01:04:14.810 --> 01:04:19.010
of Missouri to Concordia Seminary and through the action of its Board

747
01:04:19.010 --> 01:04:19.610
of Regents.

748
01:04:19.610 --> 01:04:24.510
I confer upon these candidates the degree of Doctor of Ministry and

749
01:04:24.510 --> 01:04:29.210
declare them entitled to all attendant rights and privileges. President

750
01:04:29.210 --> 01:04:29.510
Meyer,

751
01:04:29.510 --> 01:04:33.010
It is my duty and delight to present the candidates for the degree of

752
01:04:33.010 --> 01:04:34.010
Master of Sacred Theology.

753
01:04:34.010 --> 01:04:38.510
These candidates have fulfilled all requirements prescribed by the

754
01:04:38.510 --> 01:04:43.110
faculty and have been recommended as worthy of the degree of Master of

755
01:04:43.110 --> 01:04:43.610
Sacred Theology.

756
01:05:36.610 --> 01:05:40.410
By virtue of the authority committed by the state of Missouri through

757
01:05:40.410 --> 01:05:44.610
the charter to Concordia Seminary and through the action of its Board

758
01:05:44.610 --> 01:05:45.210
of Regents.

759
01:05:45.210 --> 01:05:49.810
I confer upon these candidates the degree of Master of Sacred Theology

760
01:05:49.810 --> 01:05:54.110
and declare them entitled to all attendant rights and privileges.

761
01:05:54.110 --> 01:06:00.110
President Meyer, It is finally my duty and delight to present the candidates for the

762
01:06:00.110 --> 01:06:01.410
degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

763
01:06:02.810 --> 01:06:06.110
These candidates have fulfilled all requirements prescribed by the

764
01:06:06.110 --> 01:06:10.410
faculty and have been recommended as worthy of the degree of Doctor of

765
01:06:10.410 --> 01:06:13.010
Philosophy in the area of Theology.

766
01:06:14.710 --> 01:06:21.310
I present Roberto Enrique Bustamante whose dissertation is titled "Contemporary

767
01:06:21.310 --> 01:06:26.210
Confessional Commitment: A Models-based Approach with a Particular

768
01:06:26.210 --> 01:06:31.410
Focus on Global South Lutheranism his adviser is the Reverend

769
01:06:31.410 --> 01:06:33.410
Professor Leopoldo A Sanchez.

770
01:06:34.610 --> 01:06:38.110
By virtue of the authority committed through the charter from the

771
01:06:38.110 --> 01:06:42.110
state of Missouri to Concordia Seminary and through the action of its

772
01:06:42.110 --> 01:06:43.210
Board of Regents.

773
01:06:43.210 --> 01:06:48.910
I confer upon the candidate the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the

774
01:06:48.910 --> 01:06:55.010
area of Theology. I present Samuel Reduss Fuhrmann whose dissertation is

775
01:06:55.010 --> 01:07:00.110
titled "Mission in the Margins: An Emplaced Missional Ecclesiology

776
01:07:00.110 --> 01:07:02.510
for the Brazilian Church in Urban Environments."

777
01:07:04.110 --> 01:07:09.210
His adviser is the Reverend Professor David R. Schmitt. By virtue of the

778
01:07:09.210 --> 01:07:12.510
authority committed through the charter from the state of Missouri to

779
01:07:12.510 --> 01:07:16.610
Concordia Seminary and through the action of its Board of Regents.

780
01:07:16.610 --> 01:07:22.510
I confer upon this candidate the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the

781
01:07:22.510 --> 01:07:31.010
area of Theology. I present Jon Carl Furgeson whose dissertation is titled "The Sword and the Mask: Toward a

782
01:07:31.010 --> 01:07:33.510
Confessional Lutheran Account of Spiritual Warfare."

783
01:07:34.610 --> 01:07:39.810
His adviser is the Reverend Professor Leopoldo A Sanchez. By virtue of

784
01:07:39.810 --> 01:07:42.510
the authority committed through the charter from the state of Missouri

785
01:07:42.510 --> 01:07:46.910
to Concordia Seminary and through the action of its Board of Regents.

786
01:07:46.910 --> 01:07:53.110
I confer upon this candidate the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the

787
01:07:53.110 --> 01:08:00.010
area of Theology. I present David Isaac Melvin Lewis whose dissertation is titled

788
01:08:00.010 --> 01:08:04.910
"Purity/impurity and the Lordship of Jesus in the Gospel According to

789
01:08:04.910 --> 01:08:09.310
Mark." His adviser is the Reverend Professor James W. Voelz.

790
01:08:10.010 --> 01:08:13.210
By virtue of the authority committed through the charter from the

791
01:08:13.210 --> 01:08:17.410
state of Missouri to Concordia Seminary and through the action of its

792
01:08:17.410 --> 01:08:18.410
Board of Regents.

793
01:08:18.410 --> 01:08:24.810
I confer upon this candidate the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the

794
01:08:24.810 --> 01:08:31.310
area of Theology. I present Ruth Erica Hooper McDonald whose dissertation is

795
01:08:31.310 --> 01:08:36.300
titled "Whither the Body: Using the Church's Hymnody to Reassert the

796
01:08:36.300 --> 01:08:37.800
Hope of the Bdily Resurrection."

797
01:08:39.410 --> 01:08:44.210
Her adviser is the Reverend Professor Glenn A. Nielsen. By virtue of the

798
01:08:44.210 --> 01:08:47.610
authority committed through the charter from the state of Missouri to

799
01:08:47.610 --> 01:08:51.710
Concordia Seminary and through the action of its Board of Regents.

800
01:08:51.710 --> 01:08:57.610
I confer upon this candidate the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the

801
01:08:57.610 --> 01:08:58.810
area of Theology.

802
01:08:58.810 --> 01:09:04.410
I present William Daniel Miller whose dissertation is titled "Lived

803
01:09:04.410 --> 01:09:08.710
Kardecism: A phenomenological Approach to Understanding Brazilian

804
01:09:08.710 --> 01:09:09.310
Spiritism."

805
01:09:10.310 --> 01:09:15.110
His adviser is the Reverend Professor David R. Schmidt. By virtue of the

806
01:09:15.110 --> 01:09:18.010
authority committed through the charter from the state of Missouri to

807
01:09:18.010 --> 01:09:22.010
Concordia Seminary and through the action of its Board of Regents.

808
01:09:22.010 --> 01:09:28.210
I confer upon this candidate the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the

809
01:09:28.210 --> 01:09:29.610
area of Theology.

810
01:09:29.610 --> 01:09:38.610
I present Maximiliano Wolfgramm Silva whose dissertation is titled "Giftive Dialogue: An Analysis of

811
01:09:38.610 --> 01:09:42.810
the Use of the Giftive Metaphor in the Pluralist Context of the

812
01:09:42.810 --> 01:09:44.210
Lutheran University of Brazil."

813
01:09:45.110 --> 01:09:50.010
His adviser is the Reverend Professor Glenn A. Nielsen. By virtue of the

814
01:09:50.010 --> 01:09:53.510
authority committed through the charter from the state of Missouri to

815
01:09:53.510 --> 01:09:57.810
Concordia Seminary and through the action of its Board of Regents.

816
01:09:57.810 --> 01:10:03.410
I confer upon the candidate the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the

817
01:10:03.410 --> 01:10:13.610
area of Theology. I present Bill J. Tackmier whose dissertation is titled "Life with Yahweh After Death: How the

818
01:10:13.610 --> 01:10:16.310
Psalter's References to Life After Death Cohere."

819
01:10:17.610 --> 01:10:20.910
His adviser is the Reverend Professor Timothy E. Saleska.

820
01:10:22.110 --> 01:10:25.210
By virtue of the authority committed through the charter from the

821
01:10:25.210 --> 01:10:29.410
state of Missouri to Concordia Seminary and through the action of its

822
01:10:29.410 --> 01:10:30.410
Board of Regents.

823
01:10:30.410 --> 01:10:36.810
I confer upon this candidate the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the

824
01:10:36.810 --> 01:10:38.010
area of Theology.

825
01:10:38.910 --> 01:10:42.110
President Meyer, it is my pleasure to present

826
01:10:42.110 --> 01:10:42.810
Dr.

827
01:10:42.810 --> 01:10:48.210
Leroy Wilke as candidate for the Christus Vivit Award. Who because of

828
01:10:48.210 --> 01:10:52.410
his evident devotion to the Lord and his diligent and effective use

829
01:10:52.410 --> 01:10:56.610
of his gifts in support of the church and its Mission and especially

830
01:10:56.610 --> 01:11:01.610
Concordia Seminary has been granted this honor by the Faculty.

831
01:11:01.610 --> 01:11:06.810
This award is conferred upon Christians from all over the world who

832
01:11:06.810 --> 01:11:11.210
have been distinguished in some special way in the exercise of their

833
01:11:11.210 --> 01:11:16.410
callings on behalf of the Lord Jesus Christ and his church. The title

834
01:11:16.410 --> 01:11:21.910
of the award presented to you Leroy, reflects the ideal of the Christian

835
01:11:21.910 --> 01:11:25.710
life that Christ lives in you.

836
01:11:26.710 --> 01:11:31.810
President Meyer, it is a great joy to present the Reverend

837
01:11:31.810 --> 01:11:32.110
Dr.

838
01:11:32.110 --> 01:11:37.310
Thomas Zelt for his exceptional service to the church as pastor, author

839
01:11:37.310 --> 01:11:41.210
and teacher. The Faculty has voted to confirm on him

840
01:11:41.210 --> 01:11:43.410
the Distinguished Alumnus Award.

841
01:11:43.410 --> 01:11:49.210
This award is bestowed upon graduates of Concordia Seminary in whom

842
01:11:49.210 --> 01:11:54.510
God has particularly worked to bless his church and world through

843
01:11:54.510 --> 01:11:59.810
their outstanding service to our Lord Jesus Christ. Upon the

844
01:11:59.810 --> 01:12:01.110
recommendation of the faculty.

845
01:12:01.110 --> 01:12:06.410
I hereby confer the Distinguished Alumnus Award upon the Reverend Dr.

846
01:12:06.410 --> 01:12:11.410
Thomas Zelt in recognition of his service to our Savior and his

847
01:12:11.410 --> 01:12:11.610
church.

848
01:12:12.710 --> 01:12:19.110
President Meyer, it's with fondness, gratitude and great sadness that I

849
01:12:19.110 --> 01:12:26.010
present in memoriam Reverend Laokouxang (Kou) Seying as a candidate

850
01:12:26.010 --> 01:12:31.610
for the degree of Doctor of Divinity honoris causa in recognition of

851
01:12:31.610 --> 01:12:36.710
his outstanding service to the church as Pastor, Missionary, Church

852
01:12:36.710 --> 01:12:45.210
planter and teacher. In granting this degree this institution and especially its faculty

853
01:12:45.210 --> 01:12:50.610
gives praise to God for the talents he bestowed on Kou and for the

854
01:12:50.610 --> 01:12:56.510
great gift he was to each of us his students in the entire seminary

855
01:12:56.510 --> 01:12:57.110
community.

856
01:12:58.810 --> 01:13:02.610
Our campus still grieves Kou's passing.

857
01:13:03.610 --> 01:13:07.910
We miss the witness of his presence among us to the gospel for all

858
01:13:07.910 --> 01:13:12.210
nations that legacy will continue here.

859
01:13:13.510 --> 01:13:17.410
We continue to uphold Maykou and family in prayer.

860
01:13:17.410 --> 01:13:23.510
You are beloved by our Seminary family until that day

861
01:13:23.510 --> 01:13:25.410
we are all with Dr.

862
01:13:25.410 --> 01:13:28.710
Kou Seying around the throne of Jesus.

863
01:13:30.410 --> 01:13:34.710
By virtue of the authority granted by the state of Missouri under the

864
01:13:34.710 --> 01:13:38.810
charter given to Concordia Seminary and by virtue of the authority

865
01:13:38.810 --> 01:13:42.910
granted to Concordia Seminary by the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

866
01:13:42.910 --> 01:13:52.510
I confer upon Kou Seying in memoriam the degree of Doctor of Divinity on

867
01:13:52.510 --> 01:13:59.210
honoris causa with all the rights and privileges thereof. It is my pleasure

868
01:13:59.210 --> 01:14:06.010
to present Reverend Pornprom (Ted) Na Thalang as a candidate for the degree of Doctor of Divinity

869
01:14:06.010 --> 01:14:11.510
honoris causa in recognition of his outstanding service to the church

870
01:14:11.510 --> 01:14:16.410
and world as pastor, teacher, missionary and translator.

871
01:14:17.210 --> 01:14:18.810
In granting an honorary degree

872
01:14:18.810 --> 01:14:24.510
this institution gives praise to God for the talents bestowed by him on

873
01:14:24.510 --> 01:14:29.110
the recipient and it recognizes the faithful and distinguish use of

874
01:14:29.110 --> 01:14:34.410
the same in service to the Lord Church in many and varied efforts. By

875
01:14:34.410 --> 01:14:37.310
virtue of the authority granted by the state of Missouri under the

876
01:14:37.310 --> 01:14:41.410
charter to Concordia Seminary and by virtue of the authority granted

877
01:14:41.410 --> 01:14:44.810
to the Concordia Seminary by the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

878
01:14:44.810 --> 01:14:50.010
I confer on Ted Na Thalang the degree of Doctor of Divinity,

879
01:14:50.010 --> 01:14:55.010
honris causa with all the rights and privileges thereof.

880
01:14:55.010 --> 01:15:01.510
It is my privilege to present Reverend Mark Kiessling as a candidate for the degree

881
01:15:01.510 --> 01:15:06.810
of Doctor of Letters on honoris causa in recognition of his demonstrated

882
01:15:06.810 --> 01:15:10.610
creativity and excellence in the literary articulation of the

883
01:15:10.610 --> 01:15:14.810
Christian faith in service to the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod as

884
01:15:14.810 --> 01:15:16.610
Director of Youth Ministry.

885
01:15:17.010 --> 01:15:18.510
In granting an honorary degree

886
01:15:18.510 --> 01:15:22.710
this is institution gives praise to God for the talents

887
01:15:22.710 --> 01:15:27.010
bestowed by him on the recipient and it recognizes the faithful and

888
01:15:27.010 --> 01:15:31.010
distinguish use of the same and service to the Lord's Church in many

889
01:15:31.010 --> 01:15:35.410
and varied to efforts. by virtue of the authority granted by the state

890
01:15:35.410 --> 01:15:39.510
of Missouri under the charter to Concordia Seminary and by virtue of

891
01:15:39.510 --> 01:15:42.910
the authority granted to Concordia Seminary by the Lutheran

892
01:15:42.910 --> 01:15:43.810
Church-Missouri Synod.

893
01:15:43.810 --> 01:15:49.210
I confer on Mark Kiessling the degree of Doctor of Letters

894
01:15:49.210 --> 01:15:54.610
honoris causa with all the right and privileges there of.

895
01:15:54.610 --> 01:16:00.610
Finally it is with joy that I present Gunya Na Thalang as a

896
01:16:00.610 --> 01:16:05.910
candidate for the degree of Doctor of Laws honoris causa for her

897
01:16:05.910 --> 01:16:10.210
outstanding dedication to the theology and mission of the Lutheran

898
01:16:10.210 --> 01:16:14.510
Church particularly through her work for Lutheran Hour Ministries.

899
01:16:15.210 --> 01:16:16.610
In awarding this degree

900
01:16:16.610 --> 01:16:18.510
we thank God for the talent

901
01:16:18.510 --> 01:16:23.010
he has bestowed on this recipient in the fields of Education

902
01:16:23.010 --> 01:16:25.710
leadership and extending the gospel of Christ.

903
01:16:27.310 --> 01:16:31.510
By virtue of the authority granted by the state of Missouri under its

904
01:16:31.510 --> 01:16:35.610
charter to Concordia Seminary and by virtue of the authority granted

905
01:16:35.610 --> 01:16:38.810
to Concordia Seminary by the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

906
01:16:38.810 --> 01:16:44.910
I declare the Gunya Na Thalang be awarded the degree of Doctor of

907
01:16:44.910 --> 01:16:50.310
Laws on honoris causa with all the rights and privileges thereof.

908
01:16:58.510 --> 01:17:02.210
The retirement of a servant of Christ from active service to the

909
01:17:02.210 --> 01:17:06.610
church is a planing event that rightly demands of bittersweet

910
01:17:06.610 --> 01:17:11.810
recognition thus with regret and joy mingled.

911
01:17:11.810 --> 01:17:16.910
I present faculty colleagues who will retire as this Academic Year

912
01:17:16.910 --> 01:17:17.710
draws to a close.

913
01:17:19.210 --> 01:17:20.310
The Reverend Dr.

914
01:17:20.310 --> 01:17:24.100
Andrew Bartelt the Gustav and Sophie Butterbach Professor of

915
01:17:24.100 --> 01:17:31.910
Exegetical Theology has been a member of this faculty since 1978 and

916
01:17:31.910 --> 01:17:36.510
has served God the church and the seminary faithfully and with

917
01:17:36.510 --> 01:17:37.110
distinction.

918
01:17:38.910 --> 01:17:43.910
If you are not a part of our immediate Campus Community, I encourage

919
01:17:43.910 --> 01:17:45.310
you to take a look at dr.

920
01:17:45.310 --> 01:17:51.310
Bartels resume. You'll be amazed at all that he has done and we

921
01:17:51.310 --> 01:17:55.510
served with him on the faculty are also amazed at his prolific

922
01:17:55.510 --> 01:17:58.310
scholarship and his Hands-On work for the church.

923
01:17:58.310 --> 01:18:03.810
He's been visionary in so many ways, but especially in supporting the

924
01:18:03.810 --> 01:18:09.710
ethnic programs and developing the Specific Ministry Pastor program on

925
01:18:09.710 --> 01:18:11.710
behalf of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

926
01:18:13.010 --> 01:18:17.510
The word that I hear most often for Andy is churchmanship.

927
01:18:18.710 --> 01:18:24.310
Now graduates you might be a pastor or a deaconess, but that doesn't

928
01:18:24.310 --> 01:18:25.810
make you a Churchman.

929
01:18:26.910 --> 01:18:28.610
Learn from the passing generation

930
01:18:28.610 --> 01:18:33.410
what a Churchman is and be a Churchman in your time.

931
01:18:34.310 --> 01:18:35.710
Thank you, Andy.

932
01:18:36.810 --> 01:18:40.310
By the authority vested in Me by The Board of Regents of Concordia

933
01:18:40.310 --> 01:18:45.110
Seminary I declare Andrew Bartelt to be professor emeritus of

934
01:18:45.110 --> 01:18:49.810
Concordia Seminary upon his formal retirement and authorized the

935
01:18:49.810 --> 01:18:54.510
presentation of the Emeritus Medallion attesting to his new status.

936
01:18:55.810 --> 01:18:56.510
The Rev.

937
01:18:56.510 --> 01:18:56.810
Dr.

938
01:18:56.810 --> 01:19:01.510
Jeffrey Gibbs professor of Exegetical Theology has been a member of

939
01:19:01.510 --> 01:19:07.510
this faculty since 1992, serving God the church and this Seminary

940
01:19:07.510 --> 01:19:09.910
faithfully and with distinction.

941
01:19:11.010 --> 01:19:11.710
Here too

942
01:19:11.710 --> 01:19:15.410
we have an exemplary Churchman. Jeff

943
01:19:15.410 --> 01:19:19.210
you have ministered to me personally through your sermons that always

944
01:19:19.210 --> 01:19:20.110
focus on Jesus.

945
01:19:20.110 --> 01:19:25.410
I think we all get tired of vague spirituality and weary of religion

946
01:19:25.410 --> 01:19:27.010
that isn't centered on Jesus.

947
01:19:27.010 --> 01:19:30.110
You consistently bring us to him.

948
01:19:31.210 --> 01:19:34.810
Some of you outside the seminary might think that we only produce

949
01:19:34.810 --> 01:19:36.510
pastors and deaconesses here.

950
01:19:36.510 --> 01:19:37.710
Dr.

951
01:19:37.710 --> 01:19:43.710
Gibbs massive commentary on Matthew shows that Concordia Seminary is

952
01:19:43.710 --> 01:19:49.610
also resourcing the church for generations to com. Jeff you and I will

953
01:19:49.610 --> 01:19:54.710
both have passed into eternity, but your work in the classroom and

954
01:19:54.710 --> 01:19:58.610
commentary will continue to focus people upon Jesus.

955
01:19:58.610 --> 01:20:00.410
Thank you.

956
01:20:01.910 --> 01:20:05.310
By the authority vested in Me by The Board of Regents of Concordia

957
01:20:05.310 --> 01:20:09.310
Seminary, I declare Jeffrey Gibbs to be professor emeritus of

958
01:20:09.310 --> 01:20:13.910
Concordia Seminary upon his formal retirement and authorize the

959
01:20:13.910 --> 01:20:18.910
presentation of the Emeritus Medallion attesting to his new status.

960
01:20:20.610 --> 01:20:25.010
In addition to the well-deserved recognition of both doctors Bartelt

961
01:20:25.010 --> 01:20:28.910
and Gibbs from before we recognize and honor the service of our

962
01:20:28.910 --> 01:20:33.310
president who will retire at this Academic Year draws to a close.

963
01:20:35.110 --> 01:20:39.110
It has been my privilege to work with President Meyer on the Board of

964
01:20:39.110 --> 01:20:44.610
Regents of Concordia Seminary. His love for the Seminary faculty and

965
01:20:44.610 --> 01:20:48.910
above all its students can be attested by everyone

966
01:20:48.910 --> 01:20:49.710
who knows him.

967
01:20:50.910 --> 01:20:56.710
He's brought a passion a pastoral heart and a love for people to this place

968
01:20:56.710 --> 01:21:01.110
that frankly is infectious but in a good way.

969
01:21:02.410 --> 01:21:02.910
Dr.

970
01:21:02.910 --> 01:21:05.610
Meyer loves to say that it is a great time to be the church.

971
01:21:05.610 --> 01:21:07.410
I would add that

972
01:21:07.410 --> 01:21:09.410
thanks in no small part to him

973
01:21:09.410 --> 01:21:14.010
we will also say it is a great time to be Concordia Seminary.

974
01:21:15.410 --> 01:21:19.310
Therefore I'm honored to announce action authorized by the Board of

975
01:21:19.310 --> 01:21:24.410
Regents of Concordia Seminary and declare Dale A. Meyer to be professor

976
01:21:24.410 --> 01:21:29.510
and president emeritus of Concordia Seminary upon his formal

977
01:21:29.510 --> 01:21:34.210
retirement and authorize the presentation of the Emeritus Medallion

978
01:21:34.210 --> 01:21:36.310
attesting to his new status.

979
01:21:37.910 --> 01:21:40.110
Today we're thankful to God for you

980
01:21:40.110 --> 01:21:45.910
and for all the work that our Lord will do through you as graduates of

981
01:21:45.910 --> 01:21:46.910
Concordia Seminary.

982
01:21:46.910 --> 01:21:51.410
These feelings are still here from us, even though we are not there in

983
01:21:51.410 --> 01:21:51.510
person.

984
01:21:52.910 --> 01:21:57.210
Most of your going out to service pastors in congregations, but there

985
01:21:57.210 --> 01:22:01.810
are others of you who are missionaries, deaconesses, teachers and leaders in

986
01:22:01.810 --> 01:22:03.510
God's Church throughout the world.

987
01:22:03.510 --> 01:22:08.010
It is our hope and prayer that your time here at Concordia

988
01:22:08.010 --> 01:22:12.710
Seminary has helped shape your identity through the scriptures the

989
01:22:12.710 --> 01:22:17.210
Lutheran Confessions, the chapel life, the classrooms, your fellow

990
01:22:17.210 --> 01:22:20.010
students and of course your professors.

991
01:22:20.910 --> 01:22:25.310
May our Lord Jesus Christ continue to bless and keep you all that you

992
01:22:25.310 --> 01:22:29.610
go out and service to his people living lives of significance because

993
01:22:29.610 --> 01:22:35.210
God has called you to himself in Baptism. And I hope the next time we

994
01:22:35.210 --> 01:22:37.210
see each other it will be face-to-face.

995
01:22:37.210 --> 01:22:38.810
Thank you.

996
01:22:40.110 --> 01:22:40.810
Thank you.

997
01:22:42.710 --> 01:22:44.310
To tonight's graduates.

998
01:22:44.310 --> 01:22:48.910
Let me be the very first to say congratulations.

999
01:22:48.910 --> 01:22:53.510
You are alumni of Concordia Seminary.

1000
01:22:55.310 --> 01:22:58.410
I think I can hear the shouts of joy from all over the country.

1001
01:22:58.410 --> 01:23:00.710
You are no longer seminarians,

1002
01:23:00.710 --> 01:23:02.810
you are alums.

1003
01:23:04.310 --> 01:23:07.810
He wouldn't have gotten here without amazing support from so many

1004
01:23:07.810 --> 01:23:15.110
people. I say thank you to your family's to your home congregations and

1005
01:23:15.110 --> 01:23:17.310
to your adopt a student donors.

1006
01:23:17.310 --> 01:23:18.110
Alums

1007
01:23:18.110 --> 01:23:19.910
please keep in touch with them.

1008
01:23:21.310 --> 01:23:23.910
And it is also our deep sincere

1009
01:23:23.910 --> 01:23:29.310
thanks that we say to all our daughters who have made Concordia

1010
01:23:29.310 --> 01:23:33.910
Seminary stable and strong in the mission of the Gospel of our Lord

1011
01:23:33.910 --> 01:23:34.210
Jesus.

1012
01:23:37.410 --> 01:23:40.910
I won't reflect long, you want to celebrate.

1013
01:23:42.210 --> 01:23:44.810
I speak for Diane and myself when I say.

1014
01:23:46.110 --> 01:23:51.310
Serving Concordia Seminary these years has been humbling very

1015
01:23:51.310 --> 01:23:51.810
humbling,

1016
01:23:52.910 --> 01:23:55.110
but also an undeserved honor.

1017
01:23:56.310 --> 01:23:58.810
I think of Luke chapter 17 verse 10

1018
01:24:00.010 --> 01:24:02.310
"We are unworthy servants;

1019
01:24:02.310 --> 01:24:04.210
we have only done

1020
01:24:04.210 --> 01:24:05.410
what was our duty."

1021
01:24:07.410 --> 01:24:09.810
I often say it's a great time to be the church.

1022
01:24:09.810 --> 01:24:14.510
That's a statement of faith. Sight does not always tell us that it's a

1023
01:24:14.510 --> 01:24:15.110
great time.

1024
01:24:15.110 --> 01:24:21.410
But faith trust in a living Lord Jesus that breaks out in hope

1025
01:24:21.410 --> 01:24:24.410
whatever our outward circumstances maybe.

1026
01:24:26.010 --> 01:24:30.210
In the 47 years since I graduated from Concordia Seminary, I have

1027
01:24:30.210 --> 01:24:33.110
learned that people want their pastors to show

1028
01:24:33.110 --> 01:24:35.610
joyful confidence in the Gospel.

1029
01:24:36.610 --> 01:24:42.410
This campus has that kind of culture, confidence in Jesus Christ.

1030
01:24:43.110 --> 01:24:47.510
People in your churches and communities need that today more than ever.

1031
01:24:47.510 --> 01:24:52.910
Model for them that it's a great time to be the church and teach them

1032
01:24:52.910 --> 01:24:54.110
why.

1033
01:24:54.110 --> 01:25:00.510
Jesus is alive, exalted and gives us buoyant hope by his resurrection

1034
01:25:00.510 --> 01:25:06.510
from the dead. And Jesus is the very reason why it is also a great time

1035
01:25:06.510 --> 01:25:13.610
to be at Concordia Seminary and a great time to be an alumnus and

1036
01:25:13.610 --> 01:25:15.410
alumna of Concordia.

1037
01:25:16.510 --> 01:25:22.310
I now declare the 181st Academic Year closed in the name of the Father

1038
01:25:22.310 --> 01:25:25.110
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

1039
01:25:27.110 --> 01:25:28.410
Not unto us,

1040
01:25:28.410 --> 01:25:34.610
O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy

1041
01:25:34.610 --> 01:25:39.410
and for thy truth sake, Psalm 115 verse 1.

1042
01:25:44.410 --> 01:25:46.910
As we look for the coming of the Kingdom

1043
01:25:46.910 --> 01:25:50.910
let us pray as Christ himself has taught us.

1044
01:25:52.010 --> 01:26:00.310
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy

1045
01:26:00.310 --> 01:26:04.110
will be done on Earth as it is in heaven;

1046
01:26:05.210 --> 01:26:07.310
give us this day our daily bread;

1047
01:26:08.510 --> 01:26:14.310
and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against

1048
01:26:14.310 --> 01:26:14.310
us;

1049
01:26:15.810 --> 01:26:17.610
and lead us not into temptation,

1050
01:26:17.610 --> 01:26:23.610
but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and

1051
01:26:23.610 --> 01:26:25.910
the glory forever and ever.

1052
01:26:25.910 --> 01:26:26.710
Amen.

1053
01:26:29.410 --> 01:26:34.610
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ the love of God In The Fellowship

1054
01:26:34.610 --> 01:26:37.110
of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

1055
01:26:37.110 --> 01:26:38.610
Amen.

1056
01:26:39.510 --> 01:26:43.010
Alleluia! Christ is risen!

1057
01:26:43.010 --> 01:26:45.210
He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

1058
01:27:14.310 --> 01:27:21.310
Congratulations to all graduates and to your families and all that have supported you. Well done and God's blessings to whereever he sends you.

1059
01:27:22.310 --> 01:27:31.510
Congratulations to all those graduating today you will definitely be missed but I pray to God will use you to the best of your abilities in your future ministries.

1060
01:27:32.610 --> 01:28:00.110
Congratulations 2020 graduates what a dynamic future awaits you. My hope is your time at Concordia Seminary becomes a foundation for a life that challenges you and is both meaningful to both you and those you will serve. On behalf of Concordia Seminary Office of Alumni Relations. I would like to extend most sincere congratulations on the successful completion of your degree.

1061
01:28:02.110 --> 01:28:08.910
Congratulations, I am rejoicing with you. The Lord's gifts to His church.

1062
01:28:09.910 --> 01:28:20.910
Congratulations graduates. I'm so happy to share in the excitement of your accomplishments. Today I am praying God's love and guidance for you as you take these next steps.

1063
01:28:21.910 --> 01:28:37.910
Congratulations. The Elwosky family would like to extend our congratulations and best wishes as you go out into your reward and we want you to know yu are joining one of the best unions out there. So we are looking forward as having you as fellow colleagues in the body of Christ. Congratulations.

1064
01:28:38.910 --> 01:28:40.910
Well done guy. See you on the escaten.

1065
01:28:41.910 --> 01:28:56.910
Class of 2020 graduates congratulations. It has been a pleasure, privilege and honor to get to know you and I am so proud of the work that you have done here at Concordia Seminary. And I pray that God would bless the ministry and the churches your going to. God's blessings.

1066
01:28:57.910 --> 01:29:14.910
¡Afectuosos saludos y felicitaciones a Leticia Sánchez, Abiel Orozco, Elry Orozco, Luis Jasinto y David Blas al cumplir su Maestría! ¡Muchas bendiciones en el amor de Cristo!

1067
01:29:15.910 --> 01:29:24.910
For son, Jacob, and 2020 Seminary graduating class. We are very thankful for you and pray God's blessings upon you as you serve Him.

1068
01:29:25.910 --> 01:29:39.910
Congratulations on your graduation and God's richest blessings to you in ministry. From St. John Lutheran Church in Canyon City, Colorado. And from the Sangrow De Christo Circuit in the Rocky Mountain District. Congratulations.

1069
01:29:40.910 --> 01:29:58.910
I just want to take a moment and congratulate the MA, STM, DMin and PhD students and the class of 2020. You have fought the good fight. You have stayed the course and you have completed the work. Congratulations. My the God of peace continue to mold you to doing his work.

1070
01:29:59.910 --> 01:30:03.910
Congratulations on all of your hard work and dedication.

1071
01:30:04.910 --> 01:30:20.910
Congratulations. This is only the beginning and as you leave this place remember the Seminary goes with you to support your lifelong learning and to help you to sustain a vigorous life and mind in service to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

1072
01:30:21.910 --> 01:30:42.910
May he who has begun a good work in you bring it to completion in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. I pray that you would as graduates and as people of God will do a great job as pastors and that Christ will inspire you though his Holy Spirit to do his holy work of of the Gospel in this world. Amen.

1073
01:30:43.910 --> 01:30:58.910
To my brother Jacob and all graduates the words of Philippians 1:6. "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Congratulations.

1074
01:30:59.910 --> 01:31:04.910
I wish you and your families the very best. Congratulations.

1075
01:31:05.910 --> 01:31:29.710
Graduates before our Lord sent His apostles out into the harvest field he asked if they would pray that the Lord of the harvest would send workers into the field. As you go out I pray that you will be encouraged knowing that you are the answer, our Lord's answer, to someones prayer. Congratulations and God's blessing. Peace and God be with you.

1076
01:31:30.710 --> 01:32:03.710
I thank my God every time I remember you in all my prayers for all of you. I always pray with joy cause of your partnership in the Gospel. From the first day until now being confident of this that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ. Thank you for all your hard work. You have given us some great stories to tell donors. From Laura Thomas in Advancement, deployed in the great state of Michigan. Thank you and congratulations.

1077
01:32:03.710 --> 01:32:10.710
God's blessings to you graduates as you go out into ministry, please keep in touch with your professors.

1078
01:32:11.710 --> 01:32:15.710
Hey class of 2020 I just want to say congratulations.

1079
01:32:16.710 --> 01:32:23.710
Congratulations to the class of 2020, the coronavirus class and now your theological education can begin.

1080
01:32:24.710 --> 01:32:25.710
Congratulations.

1081
01:32:26.710 --> 01:32:27.710
Congratulations.

1082
01:32:27.910 --> 01:32:28.710
Congratulations.

1083
01:32:29.710 --> 01:32:30.710
Congratulations.

1084
01:32:31.710 --> 01:32:32.710
Congratulations.

1085
01:32:33.710 --> 01:32:35.710
Congratulations.

1086
01:32:36.710 --> 01:32:37.710
Congratulations.

1087
01:32:37.710 --> 01:32:39.710
Congratulations.

1088
01:32:39.710 --> 01:32:40.710
Congratulations.

1089
01:32:40.710 --> 01:32:41.710
Congratulations.