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Rhymes & Reasons

Category: General / Topics: Faith • Memories

Recalling My Ordination Day

by Greg Asimakoupoulos

Posted: June 27, 2010

It's more than pressing redial on my iPhone…

Near old St. Paul I took a stand,
while bowing to God's sovereign plan
that cloaked a nervous willing heart
and covered feet of clay.

The robe I wore reminded me
how ministry's a mystery,
how I am clothed in righteousness
though flawed and needing grace.

They handed me a cherished book
in which they said (if I would look)
I'd find my message and the means
to qualify my call.

They draped me with a fabric yoke
and in my heart the Spirit spoke
reminding me I'm not my own
but made alive to serve.

And then I felt upon my head
confirming hands whose kind touch said,
"You have been set apart by Christ
who promises a crown."

And like St. Paul I realized
that I must press toward this prize
held out to those who've heard the call
to serve in Jesus' name.

* I was ordained as a minister in the Evangelical Covenant Church 25 years ago this week at the Minneapolis Civic Auditorium. The theme of the 100th Annual Meeting of the Covenant denomination was ALIVE TO SERVE. For more information on this unique denomination go to www.covchurch.org


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Greg Asimakoupoulos (pronounced AWESOME-uh-COPE-uh-less) is an ordained minister, published author and chaplain to a retirement community in the Pacfic Northwest. Greg maintains a blog called Rhymes and Reasons, which he graciously provides to SeniorLifestyle.

Greg's writings have now been assembled in book form. See the SeniorLifestyle Store.

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Posted: June 27, 2010

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