Addressing the 2023 graduates of Davis and Elkins College at the Baccalaureate service on Friday, Reverend J. Herbert Nelson II affirmed to the graduates: When you wear that tassel today, thank your family and friends for the wonderful way they raised you. ”
Nelson, secretary of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), who was introduced by the Reverend Chris Wood, president of Davis and Elkins, told the crowd. in life. “
J. Herbert Nelson II leads a service at the May 2017 Presbyterian Missionary Board meeting. Image by Randy Hobson.
J. Herbert Nelson II leads a service at the May 2017 Presbyterian Missionary Board meeting. Image by Randy Hobson.
“Know that God is pleased with your accomplishments and good deeds,” Wood told graduates of Davis and Elkins, a PC (USA)-affiliated college in Elkins, West Virginia. rice field. “You are that blessing and we thank God.”
Psalm 47 and Acts 1:1-11 were scriptures for Friday services held on the Harper McNeely Auditorium campus at the Miles Center for the Arts. You can view the 2 hour 15 minute service here.
Those who loved and cared for the graduates at the time of their enrolment—the parents, brothers and friends who “helped and prayed for them to pass the test”—represented the “fulfilling content of the Scriptures read today,” especially the Acts of the Apostles. Mr Nelson said. . After the resurrection, “the disciples are walking with Jesus, a miracle worker, given to disciples who doubt.” [an idea of] What it really means to look into the deep wells of their spirit and walk by faith, not by sight. The one who said, “Come, follow me,” and they learned a lot from him over time…Jesus told his disciples and us today that nothing is easy. rice field. But we know for sure that there is a force that can keep us going even when others try to hold us back. ”
Nelson told the graduates, “What a powerful story that makes you think about the miraculous power of a man who never abandoned anyone.”
“You didn’t get here on your own. It was impossible,” Nelson said.If her own mother had come on Friday, “She would have shouted ‘Thank you, Jesus!'” as she did on my graduation day. [from Johnson C. Smith University]. “He graduated from college.” Oh, thank goodness! ‘”
After Jesus was crucified, “those closest to Jesus begin to suffer. They are afraid and don’t know what to do,” Nelson said. “Where are you headed? Today’s text will help you fight that.”
‘I know who you are, not necessarily personally, but I know your journey to getting tassels when you’re struggling during a pandemic,’ Nelson said. told alumni. “I know some of you have tried to quit. In fact, you’re still here, you’re crossing the finish line, you have family right next to you, and most of all, they never let you down and got you this far. There is God.”
“This is not about ‘me’, ‘my’, ‘me’,” Nelson said. “We hold people’s hands while we run the race. We need someone to stand in the middle of us and help us.”
Nelson pointed out that Jesus asked his disciples to “don’t be upset with how hard it is and just keep going.” “Jesus reminds us that this world is a difficult world.” “How can we look back and bring back those who have lost their way on their journey?” Who needs your help and hope when they never had the chance? “Today I would like to tell you that it is easy to ignore what powers far greater than ourselves have brought us to this point. It is a powerful essence of what God really is.”
Jesus ordered his disciples to go upstairs to a room, where “they fought and argued with each other. Read the Bible,” Mr. Nelson advised those present. “We do that sometimes too.”
“Today you will be spinning the tassels,” Nelson said to the graduate. “But I want you to remember that tassels don’t make it all right. It takes patience to get it right. We know we’re not walking alone.” Let’s bow down and give thanks, because now we have another mission, because the world needs you.”
“The world you’re about to enter is a mess,” Nelson said. “Friends, there is so much to do in this world we live in…the journey is not over. We have so much to do.”
As a Presbyterian, Mr. Nelson said, “What I have had to work with is an ongoing effort to engage with powers and principalities to help us become what we are called to be.” said. Part of how we move forward is “by looking back at those who have prayed for us.” There is something about our spirit that gives us the potential to shake the world. I know that if we stand up in the right spirit, we can sit in the upper room and find the answers, so I know you can do it.that’s 21 challengescent Living in the Century: How do we learn to respect the ‘otherness’ of others and to love people? I believe we need the culture of your generation to change the world. ”
“I love this country. I love the church I serve, but I know we can all be better,” Nelson said. “It has to come out of our souls and hearts that are committed to something deeper than ourselves.”
“Go out and do the best you can,” Nelson told the graduates. “Be famous if you need to, but be willing to give back and look to the cause of Jesus crucified. He reminded us that what matters is our life…this In times like these, we learn to make the most of what we have, share it, love and care for others, appreciate what we have, and appreciate what we have. Remember that what is is from the Lord.”
“That’s the mission of faith,” Nelson said. “Together we can do more than we ever believed possible.”