I and a number of other CPH editorial staff members were invited to the installation of President Harrison’s executive staff. It was a beautiful order of Matins, featuring a piece by J.S. Bach, performed by Rev. Vieker’s talented violist daughter, and a closing trumpet piece, the name escapes me, preformed by his talented trumpet playing son. A choral piece by J.S. Bach was sung, the whole service was beautiful. President Harrison preached on 1 Peter 4:7-11, an excellent exegetical homily, in which he began by reading from his own personal copy of the first edition of the Book of Concord of 1580, the rousing closing words that follow the Formula of Concord:

Since now, in the sight of God and of all Christendom [the entire Church of Christ], we wish to testify to those now living and those who shall come after us that this declaration herewith presented concerning all the controverted articles aforementioned and explained, and no other, is our faith, doctrine, and confession, in which we are also willing, by God’s grace, to appear with intrepid hearts before the judgment-seat of Jesus Christ, and give an account of it; and that we will neither privately nor publicly speak or write anything contrary to it, but, by the help of God’s grace, intend to abide thereby: therefore, after mature deliberation, we have, in God’s fear and with the invocation of His name, attached our signatures with our own hands.

I shot the video in the chapel and I apologize for the sound, so, crank up your computer volume to hear it as best you can. At the end of this post, you will find an exclusive interview with President Harrison. It did not quite turn out as I hoped it would, but maybe next time?

Here is the service folder, which used one of my favorite typefaces as the header and title font: Optima. Whoever prepared this service folder obviously has excellent typographical taste!

Here is the installation, the first two the order itself, and the last, words afterward. Sorry, again, for the sound level.

The reception following was very nice. Pastries and fruit were provided. I chose pastry. The frosted blueberry scones…wow.

And here is a photo of President Harrison with his staff members, Mrs. Below, Rev. Vieker and Dr. Collver.

A brief interview with President Matthew Harrison, with a bit of encouragement from the Synod’s First Vice-President, Rev. Mueller: