My first year of school at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa was also the first year for music director, Dr. Lee Nelson. My first year of school at WartburgTheological Seminary was also the first year for our New Testament professor, Dr. Troy Troftgruben. In both cases when it came to the final year these two men felt as if they were seniors (or final year students) with us. There was a camaraderie built because they had been with our classes from the start and we had only known there leadership and guidance rather than a previous director or professor.

When the Wartburg College class of 2013 graduated so did Dr. Nelson. He graduated into making it, but also into creating a choral program that continues to thrive and grow in prominence. When the WTS class of 2017 graduated so did Dr. Troy Troftgruben. He graduated from a pastor-turned-professor to a fully fledged seminary professor.

Well…it is hard to believe it, but we have been doing ministry for four years. We have graduated together!! It was about this time four years ago that I had just come back from Germany and was excited to finally do what God has been calling me to do. I think these past four years have included a lot of growth and learning from both pastor and congregation.

Normally at a graduation speech there would be some canned or cheesy version of “Go out there and make something of yourself! You have the world at your fingertips!” While these may be used too often, they have a sense of truth to them. May we as Augustana Lutheran Church continue to make something of ourselves and our church for the sake of Jesus Christ. May we continue to know that Jesus has given us keys to the kingdom…that is keys to knowing how to love our neighbors and community along with keys to sharing the good news.
          
With the utmost love for each and every one of you I say thank you for making me a truly blessed pastor who has the pleasure of doing ministry with you.
 

Liturgical Nerd Notes –
Funerals or Celebrations of Life?
 

           When someone passes away at our church there is usually a funeral, possible graveside committal, and a luncheon following it all. A lot of times people don’t like the word ‘funeral’ and so they call them a “Celebration of Life”. I have found this change is an earnest attempt to not make it sound so grim. This is especially true when you know the deceased would never want people to be dreary, but instead remember them for the good times.

A celebration of life has to do with celebrating the past in the present. We celebrate the life they lived. We share stories of memorable times with them. We think of the accomplishments they achieved. These are usually happy times which definitely need to be celebrated. Funerals, on the other hand, are about the present and the future.

Funerals acknowledge the present grief and yet at the same time celebrate and commend the deceased to be with God for all eternity. Funerals are only grim and desolate if they stay strictly in the present. If funerals are only about crying and hearing the ‘good ole’ hymns then they are indeed a depressing event for someone who has died. That is why it is so important to lift up the future promise! We celebrate the life lived, but also the lift they are still living with God. We celebrate the promise of life we, too, have thanks to Jesus.

Should we call funerals a “Celebration of Life”? Yes, if you acknowledge it is more than just about the past and present. It is about the eternal future of the deceased’s life as well. My opinion: Call a funeral a funeral. Call the
post-funeral luncheon a ‘Celebration of Life’. People are eating, catching up, and reminiscing memories of the one who passed away. That definitely is a celebration of life.