2013-2014 - December Commencement Service

Commencement Service December 19, 2013

MARTIN LUTHER COLLEGE, New Ulm, Minnesota

The Order of Morning Praise Pictures may be taken during the processional, the distribution of diplomas, and the recessional.

Please remain seated for the processional.

Processional Hymn—Hosanna to the Coming Lord

Stand

M:

O Lord, open my lips.

M:

Hasten to save me, O God.

M:

Behold the King comes: let us worship him.

Be seated

First Lesson — Isaiah 7:13-14 Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans?

Will you try the patience of my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”

Choral Response Oh, Come, Oh, Come, Emmanuel

Music arranged by Terry Schlenker

Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appears.

Refrain: Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Oh, come, oh, come, thou Lord of might, who to thy tribes of Sinai’s height in ancient times did’st give the law in cloud and majesty and awe. Refrain Oh, come, thou Rod of Jesse, free thine own from Satan’s tyranny; from depths of hell thy people save and give them victr’y o’er the grave. Refrain Oh, come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by thine advent here; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night and death’s dark shadows put to flight. Refrain Oh, come, thou Key of David, come, and open wide our heav’nly home; make safe the way that leads on high, and close the path to misery. Refrain

Stand

The Gospel — Luke 1:68-79 “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them.

He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us— to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death,

Be seated

Hymn—I’m But a Stranger Here

Sermon — 2 Timothy 3:14-17 Give What’s Been Given To You! But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Choral Response Neither Death nor Life

Music by Jonathan Crutchfield

When we lose our hold, we are held in the everlasting arms.

My sheep hear my voice and they know me, and they follow me and I give them eternal life. And they shall not die forever.

For I am sure that neither death nor life will ever, nor things now, nor things to come will ever, nor mighty powers, nor height nor depth will ever separate us from the love of God. When we lose our hold, we are held in the everlasting arms.

This is the voice of eternal life.

Conferring of Degrees Please reserve applause for the Presentation of the Class.

Stand

Prayer Minister:

Heavenly Father, we praise and thank you for giving your Church men and women who are qualified to serve in the public ministry.

All:

Bless every servant of your Word who proclaims Christ crucified for sinners as the wisdom and power of God.

Minister:

We pray especially for our graduates, who have successfully completed their course of study at this college of ministry.

Graduates:

Lord, from your hand we are willing to accept the joys and the sorrows of life. Keep us from sin, comfort us with your Word, and bless our service to you.

All others:

You have promised to be with them. Watch over their lives, both now and forevermore.

Keep them faithful to your Word, that they may continue to grow in wisdom, righteousness, and holiness.

Minister:

Gracious Lord, continue to bless Martin Luther College with instructors who recognize Jesus Christ as wisdom’s highest and noblest treasure, and with students who are committed to preparing themselves for the public ministry of your Church.

Faculty and Students:

Help us use our talents and energies in joyful service to you.

Minister:

Lord God, watch over the lives of all your people. Dispel our fears, strengthen us in our weakness, and finally bring us all to everlasting glory through the merits of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord.

All:

In his name we pray. Amen.

M:

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Hymn—Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing

Be seated

Presentation of the Graduates, December 2013

Recessional Following the recessional, please usher yourselves out of the sanctuary.

Service Participants Preacher

Presenting degrees

Organist

Martin Luther College Choir Conductor

Graduation Marshal

Rev. Mark Zarling President Dr. David Wendler Vice-president for Academics Prof. Robert Potratz Music Division Dr. Kermit Moldenhauer Music Division Michelle Gartner Event Coordinator

Bachelor of Science in Education Major: Early Childhood Education

Amanda G. Walther Watertown, WI

Bachelor of Science in Education Major: Elementary Education

Megan E. Hall Johnson Creek, WI

Elizabeth A. Henke New Berlin, WI

Margaret G. Rasmussen Oak Creek, WI

Rachel E. Larson Altoona, WI

Bachelor of Science in Education Major: K-12 Music

Brian J. Hildebrandt Neenah, WI Instrumental and Vocal Music

Bachelor of Science in Education Majors: Elementary Education Secondary Education

Carla J. Carmichael Shakopee, MN Instrumental and Vocal Music

Nathan R. Gartner Watertown, WI Social Studies

Ryan J. Schmeling Menomonie, WI Physical Education

Bachelor of Science Major: Educational Studies

Kathryn E. Borck Jefferson, WI

Jesse L. Knox Manitowoc, WI

Bachelor of Science Major: Staff Ministry

David A. Koester Albuquerque, NM

Shane R. Wascher Las Vegas, NV in Absentia

Staff Ministry Certification

Brian P. Kerbs New London, WI in Absentia