Are there certain times of year (besides Christmas and birthdays), when you get a little nostalgic?
I always get a little nostalgic this time of year.
In his infinite wisdom, the Lord changed May 18-21 into some of the biggest days in my life. On those days in different years, the Lord ended chapters in my life and began new ones. Looking back, what took place on those dates changed my life. Here’s what happened…
- 21 May 1985 – Graduated from Kindergarten from Hazelton-Moffit Elementary School in Hazelton, ND(That really was a big date in my life!)
- 21 May 1997 – Graduated from Luther Preparatory School
- 19 May 2001 - Graduated from Martin Luther College
- 18 May 2002 – My wife graduated from Martin Luther College and was assigned to teach 2nd grade for a year at Trinity Christian Academy (WELS) in Woodbridge, VA
- 20 May 2003 – Received vicar assignment to Tree of Life Lutheran Church in Cary, NC
- 19 May 2005 – Received divine call into the pastoral ministry via assignment to Cross of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Liverpool, NY
- 20 May 2005 – Graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary (WLS) (You can see our diplomas ready to be handed out)
Like I said, I can’t help, but get a little nostalgic this time of year as I remember friends and classmates and loved ones who were there, many whom I haven’t seen in years and may not see until I enter glory. I remember the events like they were yesterday and I realize how amazing God’s grace has been all these years. I marvel to see God’s hand in all these events that took place on these days and can be confident he’s guiding all things even now! All I can do is stand in awe of my gracious God and give thanks.
As I mentioned above, tomorrow will mark the day our class graduated from the Seminary. At the time, we had been through a lot over the years. Our class was a transition class when Northwestern Preparatory School and Martin Luther Preparatory School were amalgamated in 1995. In college, our class had to deal with the growing pains of rising tuition, housing challenges and curriculum changes during the early years of Martin Luther College, after the amalgamation of Northwestern College and Dr. Martin Luther College in 1995.
By God’s grace, our Seminary class grew to be the largest since the 1980s, but our large class also graduated at a time when available calls into the parish ministry were at a major low due to a growing financial crisis in our synod. We were the first class in years to not have all candidates assigned by Call Day, a possibility that had hung over our class all year. None of us knew what the future held for ourselves or for the church body we would serve. With all that in mind, we chose Christ’s promise of sufficient grace and Paul’s in-Christ-alone, confident response from 2 Corinthians 12:9 as our class verse.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
For our graduation, Seminary President Paul Wendland preached on that text and preached one of the most encouraging sermons I have ever heard. Ever since that sermon was reprinted in the Winter 2006 edition of the Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly, it continues to encourage me today. The issue is well thumbed through. In celebration of God’s grace this time of year, I’d like to share that sermon with you. Just click on the theme of the sermon below and it will take you to the PDF version of the sermon on the WLS Online Essay site! I pray these words encourage you as they encouraged us that spring day in 2005!
Jesus Promises His Sufficient Grace
I. Sufficient for Your Life
II. Sufficient for Your Ministry
