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Bringing Our Worst...Giving Our Best

To Lori Bultemeier, lay, clergy, newly commissioned and newly retired have one thing in common: We are in a continual state of falling short of the glory of God. Recounting a story of having lunch with a grandmother and her grandchildren after church one Sunday, Bultemeier recalls asking one of the children, “What did you learn at Sunday School?” The girl replied, “We learned about the 12 despicables (disciples)."   "That preaches, girlfriend," ...

The privilege of serving God

PEORIA – To Dr. John Hamilton, ministry has been a great privilege of serving God. And he used the commissioning service and retirees recognition to recall that privilege to fellow retirees and to provide guidance to two who are just beginning their ministry. In litany fashion, Hamilton listed the nature of the privilege.   “We have had the privilege of serving the interested and the bored, the committed and half-committed (including ourselves); of seeing thousands who...