Friday, January 14, 2011

Installation of PASTOR Harrison

Last Sunday (Jan. 9), LCMS President Rev. Matthew C. Harrison was installed as Assistant Pastor at Village Lutheran Church in Ladue, MO.  This marks the first time in several generations that the LCMS President has been called to serve a congregation as pastor.  Pr. Paul McCain, who was among the clergy participating in the Installation Service, shared some thoughts here about the occasion, including something Pr. Harrison said to him after the Service:  "The closer the Synod president is to bedpans, the better."  I concur with Pr. McCain that there is a lot of wisdom in that statement, and I believe our synod is very blessed to have a leader such as Pastor Harrison at the helm. 



2 comments:

Logan said...

Pastor,

Interesting to note the individual communion cups on the Alter (sigh)...also the liturgical color of white? I realize it is the Epiphany season but should the color be red during an installation?

Just a layman trying to learn.

Logan

Rev. Thomas C. Messer, SSP said...

Logan,

Not a big fan of the individual cups, either, so I sigh along with ya.

As for the liturgical color, yes, usually the color is red for the Ordination and/or Installation of a pastor. However, there is no hard and fast rule here. While red is usually used, it's certainly acceptable to go with the liturgical color of the day/season (in this case, white, upon the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord). This latter option is often chosen when the Installation occurs within the regular Divine Service of the congregation, as was the case with Pres. Harrison's Installation. At least, that's how I understand things.