Lutherans For Life, with gratitude and joy, gives thanks this day for our Executive Director, Pastor Michael Salemink, who 20 years ago was ordained and consecrated to the Office of the Holy Ministry in the one, holy, Christian, and apostolic Church. We thank God that He established this office in His Church through which “are imparted not bodily but eternal things and gifts, namely, eternal righteousness, the Holy Spirit, and eternal life.” (AC XXVIII, 8) We praise the Lord that He has permitted His servant to serve His Church these many years and that He has sustained and supported him and blessed his ministry among us.
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” (John 20:21-23)
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:3-8)
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58)
Please pray with us:
Lord God, heavenly Father, You promised to send Your servants the Holy Spirit and to give them power from on high. We give thanks that through Your Word You also called Michael Salemink as Your servant and entrusted him with the Office of the Holy Ministry. We praise Your mercy and faithfulness and ask that You continue to keep him in good health and firm faith. Grant that he may continue to be a blessing to Your people and that they may be a blessing to him. Open everywhere the hearts of the faithful that Your Word may be received and that laborers in Your harvest may not be lacking. Cause Your Church to grow up into Him who is the head, even Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Hark, the voice of Jesus crying,
“Who will go and work today?
Fields are white and harvests waiting—
Who will bear the sheaves away?”
Loud and long the Master calleth;
Rich reward He offers thee.
Who will answer, gladly saying,
“Here am I, send me, send me”?
If you cannot speak like angels,
If you cannot preach like Paul,
You can tell the love of Jesus,
You can say He died for all.
If you cannot rouse the wicked
With the judgment’s dread alarms,
You can lead the little children
To the Savior’s waiting arms.
If you cannot be a watchman,
Standing high on Zion’s wall,
Pointing out the path to heaven,
Off’ring life and peace to all,
With your prayers and with your bounties
You can do what God commands;
You can be like faithful Aaron,
Holding up the prophet’s hands.
Let none hear you idly saying,
“There is nothing I can do,”
While the multitudes are dying
And the Master calls for you.
Take the task He gives you gladly,
Let His work your pleasure be;
Answer quickly when He calleth,
“Here am I, send me, send me!”
(Lutheran Service Book 826)
If you would like to reach out to Pastor Salemink, he can be reached at msalemink@lutheransforlife.org.
