2020 Commencement Service

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The Order for Worship

The Saturday before the Fourth Sunday of Easter

May 2, 2020

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

PRELUDE

WELCOME.....................................................................................................The Reverend Dr. Michael A. Milton Provost

VOLUNTARY FOR SILENT WORSHIP

Almighty God, you gave your only Son to be for us both a sacrifice for sin and an example of godly living: Give us grace thankfully to receive his inestimable benefits, and daily to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

CALL TO WORSHIP................................................................................................................................Dr. Milton

Minister: Praise the Lord. O praise the Lord of heaven; praise him in the heights. Praise him, all you angels of his; praise him, all his host. Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you stars of light.

People: Praise him, all you highest heavens, and you waters that are above the heavens. Let them praise the Name of the Lord, for he spoke the word, and they were made; he commanded, and they were created.

(Psalm 148:1-5)

HYMN..................................................................................................................................................................All “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”

INVOCATION AND LORD’S PRAYER............................................................................................Dr. R.J. Gore Dean

Our Father, which art in heaven

Hallowed be Thy name Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done On earth, as it is in heaven

Give us this day our daily bread And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

OLD TESTAMENT READING.................................................................................................Dr. John Paul Marr

Adjunct Instructor in Theology and Ministry/Associate Dean

Nehemiah 9:5b–12

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

INTRODUCTION OF MUSICAL GUEST..............................................................................................Dr. Milton

THE PSALTER..............................................................................................................................Mrs. Kelly Stultz

Director of Music, First Presbyterian Church of Chattanooga; Director of Music, Faith for Living and the D. James Kennedy Institute of Reformed Leadership

"The King of Love My Shepherd Is"

NEW TESTAMENT READING........................................................................................................Dr. Mark Ross

First Presbyterian Church – John R. de Witt Professor of Systematic Theology

Reader: This is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

People: Praise to You, Lord Christ.

PASTORAL PRAYER FOR GRADUATES.............................................................................................Dr. Milton

INTRODUCTION OF THE GUEST PREACHER..................................................................................Dr. Milton

SERMON ...............................................................................................................The Reverend Dr. George Grant

Senior Minister, Parish Presbyterian Church, Franklin, Tennessee

GREETINGS TO GRADUATES FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES..........The Reverend Dr. David P. Smith

ANNUAL PRIZES....................................................................................................................................Dr. Milton

ZONDERVAN AWARDS:

Zondervan Publishing House Awards are presented to the first-year language students who do the most outstanding work in the biblical languages. The Award in Theology is presented to the student for their outstanding achievement in the study of Theology. These awards consist of a certificate and at least one reference work.

The Zondervan Award in Biblical Greek goes to: Justin Keith McCurry

The Zondervan Award in Biblical Hebrew goes to: Kyle Jay Keesling, Jr.

The Zondervan Award in Theology goes to: Martha Margaret Cotten

THE RAY A. KING CHURCH HISTORY AWARD:

Established in 2004 in honor of a former Professor of Church History, The Ray A. King Church History Award is given to the student who does the most outstanding work in church history courses. The award consists of a plaque and a cash prize.

The Ray A. King Church History Award goes to: Gregory Francis Delleney

THE BRUCE G. PIERCE AWARD FOR CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP:

The Bruce G. Pierce Award for Christian Leadership was established in memory of a student who exemplified Christian humility, service, and leadership. Bruce tragically lost his life in an automobile accident in 2000, just weeks before he was to graduate. The award, consisting of a plaque and a cash prize, is presented annually to the graduating master’s student who“most completely integrates a spirit of Christian servant-hood with principles of Christian leadership.”

This year that student is: Judy Smith-Irvin

D. JAMES KENNEDY INSTITUTE AWARD FOR MISSIONS:

This award goes to the student who has demonstrated faithfulness in applying seminary course material to pastoral ministry, missions, or personal evangelism; may be discerned through AMER reports or personal knowledge of testimonies. There is a cash award, certificate, and fellowship with admission into the DJK Institute post-seminary Pastoral Residency program.

This year the award goes to: Alan Wesley Martin

CONFERRAL OF DEGREES..................................................................................................................Dr. Milton

MASTER OF ARTS IN PRACTICAL MINISTRY:

Candidate, September 1, 2020

Beverly Diane Burgess......................................................................................................................Aiken, SC

MASTER OF ARTS IN THEOLOGICAL STUDIES:

Graduate, January 1, 2020

L. Lee Hicks II.................................................................................................................................Toccoa, GA

Candidates, May 2, 2020

Stanley Albert Schrader Jr..................................................................................................North Augusta, SC

Seok Yong Yun.....................................................................................................................Seoul, South Korea

Candidates, September 1, 2020

Godwin O. Agbo.........................................................................................................................Lagos, Nigeria

Martha Margaret Cotten............................................................................................................Rock Hill, SC

John A. Lewis...............................................................................................................................Columbia, SC

MASTER OF DIVINITY:

Graduates, January 1, 2020

Darius Lamont James..............................................................................................................Bishopville, SC

Judy Smith-Irvin.........................................................................................................................Columbia, SC

MASTER OF DIVINITY (CONT.)

Candidates, September 1, 2020

Samuel Francis Elsner.................................................................................................................Due West, SC

Alan Wesley Martin................................................................................................................Watkinsville, GA

Franklin Pruitt Jr...................................................................................................................................Iva, SC

Janie B. Williams......................................................................................................................Bishopville, SC

MASTER OF THEOLOGY:

Candidate, September 1, 2020

Andrew John Di Iulio................................................................................................................Greenville, SC

B.S., Thomas Edison University; M.Div., Erskine Theological Seminary

DOCTOR OF MINISTRY:

Graduates, January 1, 2020

Timothy Lee Brooks................................................................................................................Williamston, SC

B.A., Anderson University; M.Div., Erskine Theological Seminary

John Lovic Craven....................................................................................................................Loganville, GA

B.S., University of Georgia; M.Div., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Matthew Scott Miller.................................................................................................................Greenville, SC

B.A., Wake Forest University; M.Div., Reformed Theological Seminary; Th.M., Erskine Theological Seminary

Candidates, May 2, 2020

Timothy George Bonner.............................................................................................................Columbia, SC

B.S., University of South Carolina; M.Div., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Jason Alan Byers.........................................................................................................................Ellenboro, NC

B.A., Gardner-Webb University; M.Div., Gardner-Webb University

Bryant Jay Casteel.................................................................................................................Indian Head, MD

B.A., Christian Heritage College; M.A.B.S., Southern California Seminary; M.Div., Southern California Seminary

Joseph Philip Lea.....................................................................................................................Philadelphia, PA

B.A., St. Charles Borromeo Seminary; M.A., St. Charles Borromeo Seminary; M.Div., St. Charles Borromeo Seminary

Mark Raymond Levine...........................................................................................................Monroeville, PA

B.A., Syracuse University; M.A., Syracuse University; M.Div., Reformed Theological Seminary

DOCTOR OF MINISTRY (CONT.)

Florica Saracut.......................................................................................................................Oradea, Romania

B.A., Emanuel University; M.A.C.E., Erskine Theological Seminary; M.Div., Erskine Theological Seminary

David L. Scott..........................................................................................................................Los Angeles, CA

B.A., California State University San Bernardino; M.A., California State University San Bernardino; M.A.T.S., Liberty University; M.Div., Liberty University

Candidates, September 1, 2020

Terri Jo King..............................................................................................................................Providence, RI

B.M., University of Rhode Island; M.Div., Denver Seminary

Charles Ivan Pollock...................................................................................................................Columbia, SC

B.S., Columbia International University; M.A., Columbia International University; M.Div., Erskine Theological Seminary

BENEDICTION AND DISMISSAL........................................................................................................Dr.

Our Vision and Mission

Burden: [why we exist]

Erskine Theological Seminary, an agency of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, exists because Jesus Christ calls laborers for His harvest who are skilled in the handling of the Word of God.

Values: [non-negotiable essentials that guide us]

Erskine Theological Seminary is grounded in the person and work of the only Savior of mankind, our Lord Jesus Christ; as He is presented in the inerrant and infallible Holy Scriptures; the summary of which is found in the Westminster Standards; and taught with academic excellence by qualified pastor-scholars in a nurturing and gracious community of learning.

Vision: [how we lift the burden]

Erskine Theological Seminary is a Biblical, Reformed, and Evangelical Seminary community of learning sustained in prayer, supported by a growing constituency, united in faith, and fueled by the power of the Holy Spirit for Gospel transformation in every area of life.

Mission: [how we move towards the vision]

Erskine Theological Seminary prepares men and women to fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus Christ through theological higher education that is ecclesial, missional, and confessional.

Philosophy of Ministry: [how we do our work]

Erskine Theological Seminary promotes the Vision and Mission through Biblical and confessional faithfulness, multiple modalities, and academic excellence, set in a loving, pastoral community of service.

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