40th Anniversary of Ordination- JRD

Forty years ago today-

the anniversary of John's Ordination.

It was on a very, very hot day in Nebraska-

in a church with no air-conditioning.

Trinity Lutheran Church
 in Auburn, Nebraska.

Installed by Nebraska District President-

Rev. Eldor Meyer.

This first congregation allowed years
 to learn about ministry

 and faith-life living that can 

Light Up the Darkness.

A second call was to be a Campus Pastor at 

Campus Lutheran at Kearney State College

in Kearney, Nebraska.

This is where we learned 

there is a big world that needs Jesus.

Growing in experience 

and loving ministry to young adults.

The third call was to 

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church

 as Associate Pastor

in Springfield, Virginia.
(Service bulletin signed by Jessica.)

Serving on staff with

L to R- Rev. Ralph Wiechmann- Senior Pastor

      Bob Schmiesing- DCE

and Rev. H. H. Wiechmann.

John became Senior Pastor in 1996

 at Prince of Peace 

and finished a Doctorate 

from Fuller Seminary in 2000.

Twenty-four years in ministry

 at this congregation and John often learned to say-

I Need Grace Today.

In May 2012 John was elected

 to be the Southeastern District President.

The installation day was blessed

 to be shared with our daughters-

 Jessica, Sara and Laura.

John loves to participate 
in ordinations and installations.
Here with Rev. Adam and Sonja Kosberg- 
Calvary Lutheran Church in Charleston, SC.

This group of men - District Presidents-

stand together 

to be strong and courageous.

Visionaries in a challenging time 

to lead in our church.

This job can be rather lonesome sometimes,

and the load heavy.

Time to lean on the Lord

 for recovery and Holy Spirit nudges.

A great love has been to take family and friends
 to the Holy Land-
(here at Temple Mount-
where you have to stand apart)

 In these years of ministry-

 one of the  greatest blessings

are the grandchildren.

Here in 2018 with six of them- all boys.

September 2019-

 with the 7 boys and new granddaughter.

And another grandson is due September 2020.

During these Covid19 days

 one of John's delights is to write

 the worship service and lead ZOOM

  worship for our family.

 This is a service written for littles

 and singing with the guitar (and some dancing)

and doing 

family blessings.

We give thanks for the ministry

 of John Denninger and thank the Lord

 for all of His good grace in these 40 years.

May he be blessed in future years

 of serving in the Kingdom.

Praise to Him!

(We also give thanks to the Vicarage year
 at Faith Lutheran- Vista, California 
for the shaping and experience there 
with Rev. Beryl Droegemueller)