Bestowment of Emeritus Status
The Rev. Dr. Philip E. Hemke
Sunday, August 8, 2021
“Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.” – 1 Timothy 5:17
Pastor Phil Hemke served Beautiful Savior as Senior Pastor from 1989 until 2008. Recently, Pastor Phil and Joan Hemke have reengaged in more of our congregational ministries at my (Pastor Nik’s) invitation, and it has been a delight to see their faces in the building again. I have known them for sixteen years, and they have blessed me with their friendship, guidance, and support. It has been a joy to hear about how they continue to positively influence many of your lives as well. We are grateful that they are actively part of the revitalized spiritual and numerical growth of Beautiful Savior.
In recognition of his nineteen years of faithful service to Beautiful Savior as Senior Pastor and fifty-one years to God’s wider church as an ordained pastor, the Beautiful Savior Church Council voted unanimously on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 to bestow upon Pastor Hemke the honorary title of “Pastor Emeritus.” You may know of professors, presidents of organizations, former CEOs, or others who have received this same type of recognition. The term “emeritus” comes from the Latin “emereri.” It was originally used for distinguished soldiers who had been discharged after years of faithful service. In today’s language, it recognizes someone who served faithfully in a variety of roles, while the person may still serve in designated ways, such as Pastor Hemke continues to help Beautiful Savior when called upon for pastoral support.
During worship on Sunday, August 8, 2021, at 9:00 a.m., we will officially recognize the newly titled “Pastor Emeritus Philip E. Hemke.” After worship, at about 10:00 a.m., we invite you to join with him, Joan, and the rest of us for a celebration of this long overdue honor. While we granted this status to Pastor Hemke in January, we chose for your joy and benefit to hold the celebration after the peak of the pandemic had subsided. We look forward to your participation in the first time that our congregation has ever bestowed this honor upon a former Senior Pastor.
Thankfully, in Christ’s Service,
Pastor Nik
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