ABC District President Installed, LCC Pastoral Leader Commissioned

LCC’s Interim Pastoral Leader for Alberta and British Columbia Nolan Astley (third from left in front), ABC District President Glenn Schaefer (fourth from left in front), and LCC President Robert Bugbee (fifth from left in front) pose with the many pastors taking part in the joint Installation-Commissioning service in Edmonton.

EDMONTON – On October 4, Concordia Lutheran Church in Edmonton hosted a special vespers service to mark the installation of Rev. Dr. Glenn Schaeffer as President of the Alberta-British Columbia District and the commissioning of Rev. Nolan Astley as Lutheran Church–Canada’s (LCC) Interim Pastoral Leader for Alberta and British Columbia.

Officiating was LCC President Robert Bugbee, and ABC District President Emeritus Donald Schiemann served as liturgist for the service. Preaching was Rev. Mark Hennig of Concordia Lutheran (Edmonton), who, in a sermon on 2 Corinthians 3:7-11, reminded the congregation that the glory of ministry is the proclamation of Jesus as the Saviour of the world, both locally and to the ends of the earth.

ABC District Presidents Emeriti Harry Ruff and Edwin Lehman (who is also LCC President Emeritus) served as lectors. Pastors came to participate from a number of circuits, including from as far away as Calgary and Rocky Mountain House. Concordia Lutheran Seminary’s Music Director David Mitchell and Deacon Alyx Quinlan led music for the event.

“What a humbling honour the Lord has bestowed on me that He has called me to guide our church through these challenging times as we address our financial issues, and as we come to terms with the implications of being Jesus’ followers in Canada as we transition into a post-church era,” said ABC District President Schaeffer. “May the Spirit of God fill our hearts with compassion and love for the lost people in our communities so that we are passionate about sharing His love in word and deed. May the Spirit of God so fill our hearts with love and compassion for one another that people outside our congregations, proclaim, ‘Behold, how they love one another!’”

Following his commissioning, Interim Pastoral Leader Nolan Astley said this: “As President Schaeffer and others who are charged with overseeing the corporate side of District operations work toward putting forward a Plan of Arrangement, I will work diligently to fulfill my responsibilities as ecclesiastical overseer.  I pray daily for God the Holy Spirit to give me the strength to accomplish this task and to bring healing to those whose hearts are heavy as a result of the current financial situation affecting Synod’s members in Alberta and British Columbia.”

Following the installation and commissioning service, the members of Concordia Lutheran Church welcomed guests to stay for supper.

———————

Print this article