“Let it be acclaimed that Hans is a called and ordained minister in the church of Christ. He has Christ’s authority to preach the word of God and administer the sacraments, serving God’s people as together we bear God’s creative and redeeming love to all the world.” – ELW
On Saturday, October 23, the church gathered at Hope Lutheran Church in Jordan, Minnesota, to celebrate the ordination of Hans Douglas Peterson. Hans is well-known as a church musician. He accepted a call from River of Hope Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, and is welcomed to the rostered ministry of the Southwestern Minnesota Synod as Pastor Hans Peterson. Halleluia!
Preaching for the ordination was Bishop Emeritus April Ulring Larson.
Hans joined in leading the service music from the piano for the prelude and many other songs. Music was also led by Hans’ long-time friends Ray Makeever, Larry Olson, and many other amazing musicians.
Hans was presented with a stole gifted to him by his piano teacher, Suzanne Nelson. Suzanne made the stole for her spouse, Obed, decades ago when he was first ordained. Suzanne was instrumental in Hans’ first calling as a music minister for 25 years.
At the time of Holy Communion, Hans led the congregation in a Great Thanksgiving and Holy, Holy written by friend, colleague, and music mentor Ben Larson, who tragically died with 200,000 Haitians during the earthquake in 2010. Hans noted how he imagines his voice joining with Ben’s and all the family not present with us today, singing, “so with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven….”
We give thanks to God for calling Hans into this next chapter of ministry, and for all the saints who have cheered him on over the years. We rejoice with the people of River of Hope for extending this call, and will celebrate Hans’ installation on Sunday, November 28.
+Bp. Dee Pederson
