The Commencement Service for Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary, which included the assignment of calls, occurred on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, at 4:00 p.m. in Trinity Chapel. The Rev. Kyle Madson served as preacher, Pres. Gaylin Schmeling served as liturgist, and Mr. John Baumann was the organist. The sermon was based on 1 Peter 4:10-11 with the theme “Your Charge and Its Payoff.” In the sermon, Pastor Madson explained that there are many questions that arise in a student’s mind on the day of their call, but there are also a few certainties. First, their charge is to be a steward of God’s grace. Remaining a student of grace secures fit stewardship. Second, their payoff for stewarding God’s grace is that God is glorified. God is made known by the gracious gifts of salvation, truth, and life given through His stewards.
Graduates from the seminary with a Master of Divinity degree were Adam Brasich, Cui Jinfeng (David Choi), Roger Emmons, Samuel Johnson, and Sean Scheele. Adam Brasich was assigned as pastor of Resurrection Lutheran Church (Winter Haven, Florida) and Our Savior Lutheran Church (Lakeland, Florida); Cui Jinfeng (David Choi) was assigned as pastor in Seoul, South Korea; Roger Emmons was assigned as pastor of Grace Lutheran Church (Redmond, Oregon); Samuel Johnson was assigned as pastor of Abiding Word Lutheran Church (Bowling Green, Ohio); and Sean Scheele was assigned as pastor of Pilgrim Lutheran Church (Waterloo, Iowa) and Faith Lutheran Church (Parkersburg, Iowa). Colin Anderson was assigned as vicar of Saude, Jerico, and Redeemer Lutheran Churches (Lawler and New Hampton, Iowa); Peter Bockoven was assigned as vicar of Parkland Lutheran Church (Tacoma, Washington); Abraham Faugstad was assigned as vicar of King of Grace and Trinity Lutheran Churches (Waukon and Calmar, Iowa); and Nicholas Lilienthal was assigned as vicar of Grace Lutheran Church (Weston, Ohio).
(l to r) Cody Anderson, Nicolas Lilienthal, Samuel Johnson, Abraham Faugstad, Cui Jinfeng (David Choi),
Colin Anderson, Adam Brasich, Joel Hansen, Sean Scheele, Peter Bockoven,
Roger Emmons, Max Kerr, Caleb Helmen, Matthew Lehne