The visibility of stars on a cold winter night is one of the added benefits of the upper Midwest in February. If you head out on a run, as I did, with snowshoes on, and get out in the middle of a brightly moonlit field, the snow crisp and virgin under your tracks, remembering the blizzard you drove through on the way home now cleared away by the swift change in temperatures, you get both the sense of brutal nature and vast distances, but then the warm cloying closeness of sweat under jacket and misty breathe that beads and freezes under the facemask. You're cozy in the midst of something palpably other. I wonder if astronauts also feel this in their spacesuits as they float in a vacuum.

Madison also affords long, scenic views across wind-swept lakes, the biggest being just down the hill from our apartment complex. So the view of the stars is not only long and high but also expansive.

Last weekend was my ordination. Anyone needing the full text necessary to print an ordination worship bulletin, I'm inserting here my stab at it. Unfortunately, I can't host it here as an actual file, so if you like it and need it, simply e-mail and I'll send it as a Word document. For those interested, followed the basic pattern as printed in the occasional services, used the LBW setting for the remainder of the service, picked some of my favorite hymns (wish more congregations sang these hymns on a regular basis). Had the organist play a Bach Fugue at the end which was especially nice and calm and quiet prior to going out to the reception. Thanks to all who helped and attended.

Liturgy at the Ordination
of Clint Schnekloth
February 9th, 2003

The Word

Prelude Praise to the Lord, the Almighty C. Phillips
Welcome
Opening Hymn LBW #230: Lord, Keep Us Steadfast
Apostolic Greeting LBW, p. 57
Kyrie
Prayer of the Day
First Reading: Romans 11:25-32
Psalm 95 (sung responsively, cantor begins) LBW, p. 260
Gospel: John 21:15-17
Sermon Pastor Andris Sedlins
Apostle's Creed LBW, p. 65
Hymn of the Day LBW #396: O God, O Lord

The Ordination

P: I present for ordination to the holy ministry of Word and Sacrament Clint Allan Schnekloth, who has been prepared, examined, and certified for this ministry and who has been called by the Church to the office of pastor.
C: Thanks be to God.

Sit
P1: According to apostolic usage you are now to be set apart to the office of Word and Sacrament in one holy catholic Church by the laying on of hands and by prayer.
C: Thanks be to God.
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C: And also with you.

Sharing of the Peace
Sit

The Lord's Supper

Offering Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ J.S. Bach

All offerings at this service will be donated to
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services

Stand

Offertory hymn, Let the Vineyards LBW, p.67
Prayer Merciful Father...
The Great Thanksgiving
Words of Institution
The Lord?s Prayer LBW, p. 71

Sit

Distribution of the Lord's Supper
Prayer
Blessing & Benediction
Dismissal
Postlude ?Fugue in G Major? J.S. Bach
You are invited to remain seated for the postlude
---
Please join us in the C ommons for coffee, cake & ice cream following the liturgy.

and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matt. 11:28-30)

Ministers Address the Newly Ordained

B: The God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in you that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and ever.
C: Amen.

Ministers and newly ordained face the congregation
B: Will you, assembled as the people of God and speaking for the whole Church, receive Clint as a messenger of Jesus Christ sent to serve God's people with the Gospel of hope and salvation? Will you regard him as a servant of Christ?
C: We will.

B: Will you pray for him, help and honor him for his work's sake, and in all things strive to live together in the peace and unity of Christ?
C: We will.

B: Let it be acclaimed that Clint is ordained a minister in the Church of Christ. He has Christ's authority to preach the Word and administer the Sacraments, serving God's people.
C: Amen. Thanks be to God.


P2: Our Lord Jesus Christ says: "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you. Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." (John 20:21-23)

P2: And again: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age. (Matt. 28:18-20)

P3: St. Paul writes: I receive from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new testament in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. (1 Cor. 11:23-26)

B: Before almighty God, to whom you must give account, and in the presence of this congregation, I ask: Will you assume this office, believing that the Church's call is God's call to the ministry of Word and Sacrament?
O: I will, and I ask God to help me.
B: The Church in which you are to be ordained confesses that the Holy Scriptures are the Word of God and are the norm of its faith and life. We accept, teach, and confess
the Apostles', the Nicene, and the Athanasian Creeds. We also acknowledge the Lutheran Confessions as true witnesses and faithful expositions of Holy Scriptures. Will you therefore preach and teach in accordance with the Holy Scriptures and these creeds and confessions?
O: I will, and I ask God to help me.

B: Will you be diligent in your study of the Holy Scriptures and in your use of the means of grace? Will you pray for God's people, nourish them with the Word and Holy Sacraments, and lead them by your own example in faithful service and holy living?
O: I will, and I ask God to help me.

B: Will you give faithful witness in the world, that God's love may be known in all that you do?
O: I will, and I ask God to help me.

B: Almighty God, who has given you the will to do these things, graciously give you the strength and compassion to perform them.

Stand
Prayers of the Church
B: ... Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.

Hymn Veni Creator Spiritus LBW #473
Ordinand kneels
B: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
B: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: It is right to give him thanks and praise.

B: Holy God, mighty Lord, gracious Father, we bless you for your infinite love in Christ our Lord, in whom we have redemption and forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace. We thank you that by his death your Son has overcome death and, having been raised by your mighty power, has ascended far above all heavens, that he might fill all things. We praise you that Christ has poured out his gifts abundantly on the Church, making some apostles, some prophets, some pastors and teachers, to equip your people for their work of ministry for building up the body of Christ.

B: Eternal God, through your Son, Jesus Christ, pour out your Holy Spirit upon Clint and fill him with the gifts of grace for the ministry of Word and Sacrament.

B: Bless his proclamation of your Word and administration of your Sacraments, O Lord, so that your church may be gathered for praise and strengthened for service. Make him a faithful pastor, a patient teacher, and a wise counselor. Grant that in all things he may serve without reproach, that your people may be renewed and your name be glorified in the Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever.
O: Amen.

Stole is placed over shoulders of ordinand
P1: Receive this stole as a sign of your work, and walk in obedience to the Lord Jesus, serving his people and remembering his promise: ?Come to me all who labor



A heartfelt thank you to everyone present here today. Some of you traveled many miles to be here, and that gift alone makes it a special day. Thank you to Pastors Peter Marty, Ron Huber, and Jennifer Henry for hosting and assisting; to Pastor Andris Sedlins, our preacher; to Bishop George Carlson of the South Central Wisconsin Synod, our ordinator; to Melanie Moll, our organist; to Hans Schnekloth and Dave Holtz, our offering collectors; to Harris Schneekloth for setting up the reception space; to Karin Hanson and Jana Moss, as well as the Ruth Circle, who graciously volunteered to help with the reception; to the members of St. Paul Lutheran Church who have continued to support me in preparation for ordained ministry in the Church of Christ; to the members of St. John?s Lutheran Church who have called me into the ministry; and finally, to my family, John & Cynthia Schnekloth, who gave the beautiful gift of a red stole symbolizing Pentecost and used at ordinations, Mildred Schnekloth who helped in many ways with the reception, and Amanda Grell, for input and constant support. Much more could be said here by way of thanks. ?The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit? (Philipians 4:23).

Last weekend was my ordination. Anyone needing the full text necessary to print an ordination worship bulletin, I'm inserting here my stab at it. Unfortunately, I can't host it here as an actual file, so if you like it and need it, simply e-mail and I'll send it as a Word document. For those interested, followed the basic pattern as printed in the occasional services, used the LBW setting for the remainder of the service, picked some of my favorite hymns (wish more congregations sang these hymns on a regular basis). Had the organist play a Bach Fugue at the end which was especially nice and calm and quiet prior to going out to the reception. Thanks to all who helped and attended.

Liturgy at the Ordination
of Clint Schnekloth
February 9th, 2003

The Word

Prelude Praise to the Lord, the Almighty C. Phillips
Welcome
Opening Hymn LBW #230: Lord, Keep Us Steadfast
Apostolic Greeting LBW, p. 57
Kyrie
Prayer of the Day
First Reading: Romans 11:25-32
Psalm 95 (sung responsively, cantor begins) LBW, p. 260
Gospel: John 21:15-17
Sermon Pastor Andris Sedlins
Apostle's Creed LBW, p. 65
Hymn of the Day LBW #396: O God, O Lord

The Ordination

P: I present for ordination to the holy ministry of Word and Sacrament Clint Allan Schnekloth, who has been prepared, examined, and certified for this ministry and who has been called by the Church to the office of pastor.
C: Thanks be to God.

Sit
P1: According to apostolic usage you are now to be set apart to the office of Word and Sacrament in one holy catholic Church by the laying on of hands and by prayer.
C: Thanks be to God.
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C: And also with you.

Sharing of the Peace
Sit

The Lord's Supper

Offering Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ J.S. Bach

All offerings at this service will be donated to
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services

Stand

Offertory hymn, Let the Vineyards LBW, p.67
Prayer Merciful Father...
The Great Thanksgiving
Words of Institution
The Lord?s Prayer LBW, p. 71

Sit

Distribution of the Lord's Supper
Prayer
Blessing & Benediction
Dismissal
Postlude ?Fugue in G Major? J.S. Bach
You are invited to remain seated for the postlude
---
Please join us in the C ommons for coffee, cake & ice cream following the liturgy.

and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matt. 11:28-30)

Ministers Address the Newly Ordained

B: The God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in you that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and ever.
C: Amen.

Ministers and newly ordained face the congregation
B: Will you, assembled as the people of God and speaking for the whole Church, receive Clint as a messenger of Jesus Christ sent to serve God's people with the Gospel of hope and salvation? Will you regard him as a servant of Christ?
C: We will.

B: Will you pray for him, help and honor him for his work's sake, and in all things strive to live together in the peace and unity of Christ?
C: We will.

B: Let it be acclaimed that Clint is ordained a minister in the Church of Christ. He has Christ's authority to preach the Word and administer the Sacraments, serving God's people.
C: Amen. Thanks be to God.


P2: Our Lord Jesus Christ says: "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you. Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." (John 20:21-23)

P2: And again: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age. (Matt. 28:18-20)

P3: St. Paul writes: I receive from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new testament in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. (1 Cor. 11:23-26)

B: Before almighty God, to whom you must give account, and in the presence of this congregation, I ask: Will you assume this office, believing that the Church's call is God's call to the ministry of Word and Sacrament?
O: I will, and I ask God to help me.
B: The Church in which you are to be ordained confesses that the Holy Scriptures are the Word of God and are the norm of its faith and life. We accept, teach, and confess
the Apostles', the Nicene, and the Athanasian Creeds. We also acknowledge the Lutheran Confessions as true witnesses and faithful expositions of Holy Scriptures. Will you therefore preach and teach in accordance with the Holy Scriptures and these creeds and confessions?
O: I will, and I ask God to help me.

B: Will you be diligent in your study of the Holy Scriptures and in your use of the means of grace? Will you pray for God's people, nourish them with the Word and Holy Sacraments, and lead them by your own example in faithful service and holy living?
O: I will, and I ask God to help me.

B: Will you give faithful witness in the world, that God's love may be known in all that you do?
O: I will, and I ask God to help me.

B: Almighty God, who has given you the will to do these things, graciously give you the strength and compassion to perform them.

Stand
Prayers of the Church
B: ... Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.

Hymn Veni Creator Spiritus LBW #473
Ordinand kneels
B: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
B: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: It is right to give him thanks and praise.

B: Holy God, mighty Lord, gracious Father, we bless you for your infinite love in Christ our Lord, in whom we have redemption and forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace. We thank you that by his death your Son has overcome death and, having been raised by your mighty power, has ascended far above all heavens, that he might fill all things. We praise you that Christ has poured out his gifts abundantly on the Church, making some apostles, some prophets, some pastors and teachers, to equip your people for their work of ministry for building up the body of Christ.

B: Eternal God, through your Son, Jesus Christ, pour out your Holy Spirit upon Clint and fill him with the gifts of grace for the ministry of Word and Sacrament.

B: Bless his proclamation of your Word and administration of your Sacraments, O Lord, so that your church may be gathered for praise and strengthened for service. Make him a faithful pastor, a patient teacher, and a wise counselor. Grant that in all things he may serve without reproach, that your people may be renewed and your name be glorified in the Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever.
O: Amen.

Stole is placed over shoulders of ordinand
P1: Receive this stole as a sign of your work, and walk in obedience to the Lord Jesus, serving his people and remembering his promise: ?Come to me all who labor



A heartfelt thank you to everyone present here today. Some of you traveled many miles to be here, and that gift alone makes it a special day. Thank you to Pastors Peter Marty, Ron Huber, and Jennifer Henry for hosting and assisting; to Pastor Andris Sedlins, our preacher; to Bishop George Carlson of the South Central Wisconsin Synod, our ordinator; to Melanie Moll, our organist; to Hans Schnekloth and Dave Holtz, our offering collectors; to Harris Schneekloth for setting up the reception space; to Karin Hanson and Jana Moss, as well as the Ruth Circle, who graciously volunteered to help with the reception; to the members of St. Paul Lutheran Church who have continued to support me in preparation for ordained ministry in the Church of Christ; to the members of St. John?s Lutheran Church who have called me into the ministry; and finally, to my family, John & Cynthia Schnekloth, who gave the beautiful gift of a red stole symbolizing Pentecost and used at ordinations, Mildred Schnekloth who helped in many ways with the reception, and Amanda Grell, for input and constant support. Much more could be said here by way of thanks. ?The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit? (Philipians 4:23).

Kites on Ice

After a morning of worship leadership (Now the Feast and celebration) and an incredibly expeditious congregational meeting (finished in one hour flat, unanimous votes), Amanda and I hopped in our 1993 Ford Taurus (it's still green and has only a bit of rust on the driver side door) and rumbled over to Kites on Ice

What is kites on ice, you ask? It's something the Twin Cities should have thought of first, but then you realize Madison needs something with which to trump the Twins. The Twins do have Winter Carnival, after all. In fact, they build gorgeous ice sculptures, run half marathons, and do all in their power to stave off winter blues. So, cheers to the Twin Cities.

But Madison has Kites on Ice, and this makes all the difference. Lake Monona is completely frozen over here in early February, seems like probably five feet of solid ice, and so Madisonians (Madisonites) gather at the Monona Terrace, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, Wisconsin native, and they set up a large flying grounds for kites out on the ice. People ski or skate while being pulled by kites. Others put up large art kites that are simply staked into the ice and fly all day. Others fly the equivalent of kite blimps, Genies and animals. Others fly kites that explore the science of kites, large 30 foot tall spinning wheels. And then there are the stunt kiters, of which I had been aware but not too aware. Apparently there are now four string kites that can be controlled with the precision of a model car, stop and turn and twist at a moments flick of the wrist. Unlike other kites, that, when aiming towards the ground, must swoop out of the dive in an arc and therefore avoid earth much like a plane would, these four string kites stop "on a dime". They can dive and instantly stop, and then hover, inches above the ground (or in this case ice).

Beautiful. Now imagine hundreds of these kites hovering in the sky, and a thousand or so people milling around out on the ice, that is, standing on top of the lake itself. That is a picture.