Sir Edward Elgar’s 1901 military march, “Pomp and Circumstance,” also called “The Graduation March,” is being played across the land at graduations this month and next. Elgar received an honorary doctorate of music during Yale University’s graduation in 1905 and his 1901 tune was played. Since then, it has become a tradition.
The word “pomp” comes from Latin “pompa” meaning “procession,” which is also based on a Greek word meaning “to send.”
Send / Sent / Sent forth is an important New Testament word: Galatians 4:4 – “God sent his Son.” Acts 12:11 “The Lord has sent his angel.” John 14:26 “the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send.” Luke 10:1 “The Lord appointed 70 and sent them to every town and place.”
The Greek verb is “apostellow” and the noun is “apostle” – as in Acts 1:26 “Matthias was added to the 11 apostles.” We are apostles – sent people who follow Jesus; those sent forth for the sake of Jesus, in the name of Jesus, to preach, teach, heal, serve, share, give, love, bless, walk with, pray and praise. God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world. The “Sending” is the concluding and shortest part of our worship service each Sunday, but it is the beginning of the biggest part of our worship and service every week!
Congratulations and God’s blessings to college, university and seminary graduates being sent!
Rebecca Jane Lord – Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary of Lenoir-Rhyne University. (May 24) Rebecca is Mt. Olive’s current vicar and from Greenville, SC and the South Carolina Synod of the ELCA.
Katie Maul – Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary of Lenoir-Rhyne University. (May 24) Katie served as Mt. Olive’s vicar 2012-2013. She is from Portage, PA and the Allegheny Synod of the ELCA, which is also the Synod to which she was assigned.
Cassie McIntosh – Lenoir-Rhyne University. (May 16) Cassie is a member of Mt. Olive’s Bear’s Pew and served Mt. Olive’s Guest Preacher on Sunday, April 6. She plans to go to Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary.
Jordyn Setzer – Wingate University. (May 17) Jordyn is the daughter of Tim and KC Setzer. She played on Alexander Central High School’s state championship softball team and earned an athletic scholarship to Wingate for the same.
You and I join them in POMP, in the procession as sent people, apostles, in Jesus’ name. As they are sent out from school, and we from worship, with all the rights, privileges, and honors pertaining thereto, may we all: “Go forth into the world to serve God with gladness; be of good courage; hold fast to that which is good; render to no one evil for evil; strengthen the fainthearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honor all people; love and serve God, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.” (ELW p. 222)
Thanks be to God!