Preach You the Word

On Sunday June 29, 2008 - the Festival of St. Peter and St. Paul, Apostles - Mike Bahr was ordained into the Office of the Holy Ministry at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bluffs, Illinois. I was both honored and humbled to be asked to preach for this great event, and my sermon is posted here. It was also a day of pride as I got to see a fine young man whom I had the privilege of supervising in Field Education reach his goal of serving the Lord and His Church.

Pr. Bahr will be a very fine pastor for God's flock at Bluffs, Arenzville, and Winchester, IL. I pray God's most gracious blessing on him and the fine folks in the tri-parish. May He grant many years for them to hear and grow together in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Here's a picture of the clergy who came for the laying on of hands:


And here's a picture of the ordinand and his proud former Field Ed. supervisor:

I must also admit that it was somewhat surreal to receive the Eucharist from the hand of this fine young man whom I trained (somewhat, at least) in the Sunday morning liturgy. :-) But it's also great to call Mike a brother in Office. So, Mike,

Preach you the Word and plant it home
To men who like or like it not,
The Word that shall endure and stand
When flow'rs and men shall be forgot.

Preach you the Word and plant it home
And never faint; the Harvest Lord
Who gave the sower seed to sow
Will watch and tend His planted Word
(LSB, 586:1, 6)