Sunday, July 6, 2014

34 years ago today. . . updated with new picture!

At Golgotha Lutheran Church, rural Wausa, Nebraska, the Rev. Caryl Ritchey hosting Pastor, the Rev. Eldor Meyer ordaining, the Rev. Marion VonRentzell preaching, and assorted other clergy participating, the Rev. Larry A. Peters was ordained a minister of Christ's holy catholic church.... 34 years ago today!

It was as hot as h e double hockey sticks and a few of the participants were late and the Bishop was making his first trip ever to the parish but... God help us, we made it...  And it has been an exercise in unworthiness countered by the lavish grace of God that still rules the day (thanks be to God!).



11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Congratulations and blessings!

Timothy C. Schenks said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Timothy C. Schenks said...

Congratulations! I was in 6th grade pre-Confirmation class the year you were ordained.

Anonymous said...

"What God Ordains is Always Good"

Rich Kauzlarich said...

God's blessings to you.

Janis Williams said...

Blessings and God's strength to you! With love from a couple of your flock! Dave and Jan.

Anonymous said...

Just had my 28th last month.

You have a good leg up on me.

Well done, good and faithful servant.

jb

Phillip said...

Congratulations - and thank you. SDG

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!! Keep up the good work.

When did the LCMS have Bishops? I'm shocked!

Fr. D+
Anglican Priest

Timothy C. Schenks said...

Fr. D.,

Several conflicting answers:

1. All Lutheran pastors are bishops, or at least the sole pastors and senior pastors are.

2. The LCMS has never had a Bishop. There was a deposed Bishop/Primate of the LCMS' predecessor congregations prior to the formation of the Synod.

3. LCMS District Presidents are ecclesiastical supervisors and might be called bishops. Two LCMS districts call their District Presidents Bishop in their constitution (I think...or so I've been told).

My preference is #1.

Tim

Pastor Peters said...

Whether or not we call them bishops, consecrate them to their office, or invest them with distinctive clothing, there have always been among Lutherans those with episcopal responsibility -- oversight of doctrine and practice. We do not believe that this office is distinctive de jure divino but by human arrangement. That said it is salutary and beneficial and, our confessions would say, desirable. So DPs within local geography and the Synodical President over the whole Synod, with parish pastors over the parish, exercise some or all of this episcopal responsibility, including ordination.