Jack Harwell was the General Editor of The Georgia Christian Index. The service begins with a Scripture reading from John 1 and a word of prayer (00:00-00:40). The speaker reads from Micah 7, Matthew 7, and 2 Samuel 24, and he gives word of prayer (00:41-05:36). President Randall Lolley welcomes everyone to commencement, and he presents Albert Meiburg who is stepping down as Dean of the Faculty (05:37-09:40). A graduating student present the gift of a portrait to Meiburg, and Meiburg gives a word of thanks to the seminary family (09:41-11:08). Meiburg gives special recognition to students who have shown remarkable academic excellence (11:09-22:10). Lolley presents Jack Harwell as the commencement speaker (22:11-26:37). The choir sings a song of worship (26:38-30:15). Harwell recounts the stories of both Ananias’ in the book of Acts, and his sermon is about the responsibility of the called ones in obeying God (30:16-55:57). The service ends with a benediction (55:58-56:47).
George Sheridan was from the Interfaith Witness department of the Home Mission Board. The service opens with organ music (00:00-03:14). The speaker reads from Luke 4:14-19, and he gives a word of prayer (03:15-06:35). George Sheridan is introduced as the chapel speaker (06:36-09:05). The choir sings a song of worship (09:06-10:51). Sheridan begins his sermon by reading from Matthew 25:31-46 (10:52-13:48). He believes that this passage should be taken literally, and list three prominent Christians of the 20th century who did take this passage literally: Toyohiko Kagawa, Albert Schweitzer, and Mother Teresa of Calcutta (13:49-20:04). Sheridan then emphasizes the word “see” in Matthew 25:31-46, and he shares a few stories about God being present among the oppressed (20:05-29:06). Sheridan closes the service with a word of prayer (29:07-29:39).
John Rutter was an English composer of choral music. John Rutter is introduced as chapel speaker (00:00-00:32). The choir leads in a song of worship (00:33-04:06). Rutter opens his sermon by talking about his desire to hear the hymn that the apostles sang after the Last Supper in Mark’s gospel (04:07-06:42). He discusses his interest in music, specifically his interest in church music and other language of the church (06:43-08:35). Through the stories he tells about his own experience as a composer, Rutter reflects on the idea that music unites time and the tradition of the church together (08:36-15:02). He gives another reflection on his love for American music and how much it influences his own work (15:03-16:46). Rutter ends his sermon by discussing the unique privilege and responsibility the American church must be creative in worship by drawing from the old European tradition and the new American tradition of music (16:47-20:26).
Max Gray Rogers was Professor of Old Testament. The service begins with a litany with the organ playing in the background, and the speaker gives a word of prayer (00:00-03:02). The choir sings a song of worship (03:03-06:04). Max Gray Rogers begins his sermon by reading from Luke 15:25-32 (06:05-07:42). Rogers’ sermon centers on the story of the Prodigal Son, and he speaks about the irrationality of God’s love which must be experienced to be believed (07:43-19:57). Rogers ends the service with a litany, and the choir sings an “amen” (19:58-20:56).
The service begins with a word of prayer, and Matthew 22:36-40 is read (00:00-05:38). The choir sings a song of worship (05:39-10:48). Ethel B. Lee gives the story of her testimony and her call to ministry (10:49-25:03). Lee ends the service with a word of prayer (25:04-25:36).