A Moment of Inspiration from President Mark R. Ramseth, Trinity Lutheran Seminary
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12.1-2
Worship in Gloria Dei Chapel at Trinity Lutheran Seminary has been rich these days with the hymns of the church. The Season of Easter will soon be upon us and for such we await and live. (Awake, My Heart, with Gladness, ELW, #378)
But I have heard other hymns too—hymns that inspire our Trinity community witness and our shared heart for service in the church and world. Why do these hymns about witness offer such richness NOW? The reason is that this is the season of sending for seminary graduates. Even now as I write seniors are receiving inquiries from bishops and congregations. Excitement abounds.
Shine, Jesus, Shine, fill this land with the Father’s glory,
Blaze, Spirit, Blaze, set our hearts on fire.
Flow, river Flow, flood the nations with grace and mercy;
Send forth your Word, Lord and let there be light!
Lord, the light of your love is shining, in the midst of the darkness, shining;
Jesus, light of the world, shine upon us,
Set us free by the truth you now bring us.
Shine on me, shine on me. (#671 Shine, Jesus, Shine, ELW)
The gift of God’s light IS shining! It is soon Easter! And be careful. Trinity graduates are soon to be among you! AND, seminary graduates are soon to know in new and profound ways the reality of God’s “so great a cloud of witnesses.” The sending of these seminarians into the church is for now the best image I can think of for showing the truth of this wonderful lesson from Hebrews. Yes, “since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight . . .” Yes, yes, yes. Seminarians. But all of us, too. “Jesus . . . Shine on me, Shine on me.”
I am this year exceptionally proud of Trinity seniors. Numbers of them came to me and requested in advance of the ELCA assignment: “I am open to all; I desire that I be placed for the sake of the mission needs of the church and God’s people.” Wow! Mostly, seminary students offer preferences: “I want to be near family; I want to go to such and such a place (it is beautiful there); I want to go back to a place near where I interned.” But now, open to all. I say to you: Be careful. These students are soon upon you—and the church. And, they (each one!) are prepared for their “hearts to be set on fire” for the gospel. You will “surround” them. You will be the “cloud of witnesses.” You, the church, will “look with them to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.”
Thank you. May we each and all be surrounded in faith and witness. “Shine, Jesus, Shine.”
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Jesus is Risen, He is Risen indeed! Blessings and Easter joy!
Bishop Marcus Lohrmann and the NWOSynod Staff
A Moment of Inspiration from President Mark R. Ramseth, Trinity Lutheran Seminary
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12.1-2
Worship in Gloria Dei Chapel at Trinity Lutheran Seminary has been rich these days with the hymns of the church. The Season of Easter will soon be upon us and for such we await and live. (Awake, My Heart, with Gladness, ELW, #378)
But I have heard other hymns too—hymns that inspire our Trinity community witness and our shared heart for service in the church and world. Why do these hymns about witness offer such richness NOW? The reason is that this is the season of sending for seminary graduates. Even now as I write seniors are receiving inquiries from bishops and congregations. Excitement abounds.
Shine, Jesus, Shine, fill this land with the Father’s glory,
Blaze, Spirit, Blaze, set our hearts on fire.
Flow, river Flow, flood the nations with grace and mercy;
Send forth your Word, Lord and let there be light!
Lord, the light of your love is shining, in the midst of the darkness, shining;
Jesus, light of the world, shine upon us,
Set us free by the truth you now bring us.
Shine on me, shine on me. (#671 Shine, Jesus, Shine, ELW)
The gift of God’s light IS shining! It is soon Easter! And be careful. Trinity graduates are soon to be among you! AND, seminary graduates are soon to know in new and profound ways the reality of God’s “so great a cloud of witnesses.” The sending of these seminarians into the church is for now the best image I can think of for showing the truth of this wonderful lesson from Hebrews. Yes, “since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight . . .” Yes, yes, yes. Seminarians. But all of us, too. “Jesus . . . Shine on me, Shine on me.”
I am this year exceptionally proud of Trinity seniors. Numbers of them came to me and requested in advance of the ELCA assignment: “I am open to all; I desire that I be placed for the sake of the mission needs of the church and God’s people.” Wow! Mostly, seminary students offer preferences: “I want to be near family; I want to go to such and such a place (it is beautiful there); I want to go back to a place near where I interned.” But now, open to all. I say to you: Be careful. These students are soon upon you—and the church. And, they (each one!) are prepared for their “hearts to be set on fire” for the gospel. You will “surround” them. You will be the “cloud of witnesses.” You, the church, will “look with them to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.”
Thank you. May we each and all be surrounded in faith and witness. “Shine, Jesus, Shine.”
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Jesus is Risen, He is Risen indeed! Blessings and Easter joy!
Bishop Marcus Lohrmann and the NWOSynod Staff
