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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) gathered on Saturday, September 27 in worship and celebration for the installation of Rev. Dr. Larry Kochendorfer as the church’s fifth National Bishop. 

Taking place in the afternoon at Faith Lutheran Church, Winnipeg, MB, the installation of the new National Bishop brought together rostered leaders, ELCIC members, staff and ecumenical guests. The service was filled with the beauty of choir and musicians, lifting hearts in joyous song, and with prayers carrying deep meaning and hope.

Lutheran, ecumenical, and interfaith pastors and bishops in attendance robed in red vestments and processed into the sanctuary to the hymn Soli Deo Gloria. Scripture readings from Isaiah 43, Psalm 46, and Ephesians 4 were shared, reminding all of God’s steadfast love, strength, and the call to unity.

“We do not fully know the future, but we have what we need, dear church,” Kochendorfer said. “Jesus is feeding us. We have bread and wine, we have the scriptures, we have each other. We will not get to where we are going without going together and with others. Jesus comes alongside. Love is at our side. Hope, faith and love, these are the tools of our calling. Hope, the ability to hear the melody of the future. Faith the courage to dance to its rhythm. Love, the stubborn and unwavering commitment. And together we seek to live out God’s grace and God’s unconditional love.”

You can read the full news release at the ELCIC website here.