Thomas Downing was a pastor, including pastor of University Baptist Church in Chapel Hill. The service opens in prayer (0:00-3:10). Scripture is read aloud from Genesis 4:1-12 (3:10-6:10). A prayer is led (6:10-8:10). Dr. Lolley introduces the commencement sermon (8:10-10:28). A student presents a check to go toward the construction of a prayer garden from the graduating class (10:28-11:00). Dr. Lolley reflects on the graduates’ gift and announces that the presentation of awards will begin (11:00-13:22). Dr. Ashcraft presents academic awards and Dr. Lolley congratulates the recipients (13:22-20:05). Dr. Lolley introduces the commencement sermon speaker, Dr. Thomas Downing (20:05-22:08). Dr. Downing begins his address with prayer (22:08-22:44). His message focuses on grace and how one can still know that grace even when experiencing the challenges of life (22:44-44:10). He concludes by stating that the hope in the land of Nod, instead of Eden, is the gospel (42:00-44:10). Dr. Downing closes his message in prayer (44:10-44:45). The service is then closed in prayer (44:45-46:27).
Janice Siler was Pastoral Counselor at Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, N.C. The service begins with a word of praise given to Esther Adams and an announcement about the establishment of the Esther Adams Endowment Fund for Seminary Women (00:00-01:31). Janice Siler is introduced as the chapel speaker as a part of the Esther Adam Series (01:32-02:26). Siler opens with an overview of her education and ministerial experience for the purpose of giving herself validity to speak on the topic of personal development in ministry (02:27-07:11). Her first major point is to not be afraid to ask for what you want (07:12-12:02). Her second major point is to not be afraid to receive (12:03-19:42). Her third major point is give affirmation and love to one another (19:43-26:07). Her final major point is nurture and care for yourself (26:08-29:19). She concludes her sermon by asking the audience to spend a moment in silence to think about one of the points mentioned to try today (29:20-30:24). Siler ends the service with a prayer (30:25-31:20).
Bob Willard was the pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church in Epsom, NC. The service begins with instrumental music (00:00-04:18). The speaker reads John 3:16, and he gives a word of prayer (04:19-05:13). Bob Willard is introduced as the chapel speaker (05:14-06:03). The choir sings a song of worship (06:04-09:41). Willard begins his sermon by speaking on his journey to grow in humility (09:42-12:30). Willard reads from James 1:19-26, and he gives a word of prayer (12:31-17:36). The main idea of Willard’s message is faith in Christ comes with an expectation of being a doer of the word (17:37-32:30). Willard concludes his sermon with a word of prayer (32:31-33:32). The service ends with the choir singing a song of worship (33:33-34:24).
Louis McBurney was the founder and director of Marble Retreat in Marble, CO. The service opens with a prayer (00:00-01:11). Louis McBurney is introduced as the chapel speaker (01:12-04:26). The choir leads in a song of worship (04:27-07:36). McBurney opens his sermon by explaining his work as a psychiatrist, and he tells of his vision for the ministry at Marble Retreat (07:37-09:17). He desires to give three points of parting wisdom to the audience, and the first point is to know yourself (09:17-10:47). His second point is to accept yourself (10:48-15:17). His third point is to be yourself (15:18-21:57). The service ends with a benediction (21:58-22:25).