A 35-Year Memory

It was 35 years ago yesterday that I was ordained a minister of the Moravian Church. That's me on the right. Bishop Ed Kortz, the ordaining Bishop is in the center, and Dr. Thor Harberg, District President is on the left. The service was held at the Grace Moravian Church in Center Valley, PA, where I had been serving as student pastor for a yer. I had just started as full-time pastor on Sept. 1.

That explains why I have spent time looking at preaching and ministry this past week. I always took some time on these anniversaries to do that. Now that I am "retired" from the church's pastorate it still comes around as a memory worth noting and building on.

In addition, today, September 16, is the Day of Covenanting for Moravian Pastors. It was on this day in 1741 that the Synod in London, unable to find someone willing to be the "head" of the Moravian Church, decided by use of a "lot" that Jesus himself would henceforth be the Head of the Moravian Church. It was then, and continues today, to be more than just a nice little item of history. It forces many of us many times to stop and consider What would Jesus want us to do? It is not an empty statement but one that reminds us that we do not do this alone.

So, for me after 35 years and our church after 268 years, these words still act as a reminder of who we are and why we do what we do:

Jesus makes my heart rejoice,
I’m His sheep, and know His voice;
He’s a Shepherd, kind and gracious,
And His pastures are delicious;
Constant love to me He shows,
Yea, my very name He knows.

Trusting His mild staff always,
I go in and out in peace;
He will feed me with treasure
Of His grace in richest measure;
When athirst to Him I cry,
Living water He’ll supply.

Should not I for gladness leap,
Led by Jesus as His sheep?
For when these blest days are over,
To the arms of my dear Savior
I shall be conveyed to rest:
Amen, yea, my lot is blest.

--Cyberhymnal