Just as it began, the International Conference on Confessional Leadership concluded with God’s Word and prayer as participants joined in the the order of Itinerarium (a brief liturgy for those about to travel). Conference chaplain, the Rev. William Weedon, LCMS director of worship, led the service where each participant confessed the Apostles’ Creed and prayed the Lord’s Prayer in his or her own tongue. They prayed:

 

Lord God, our Father, You kept Abraham and Sarah in safety throughout the days of their pilgrimage, You led the children of Israel through the midst of the sea, and by a star You led the Wise Men to the infant Jesus. Protect and guide us now in this time as we set our to travel. Make our ways safe and our homecomings joyful, and bring us at last to our heavenly home, where You dwell in glory with Your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

 

Concluding the service and the conference was the hearty singing of “Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word,” a theme which ran throughout the conference presentations. The worship services, a highlight for many this week, have been musically led by a trio from Concordia University Nebraska with Paul Soulek, cantor of St. John Lutheran Church, Seward,  Ne.; Caley Gerth, music director of Trinity Lutheran in Holly Hill, Fla.; and Robert Cody, senior at Concordia University Nebraska.

 

With hearty embraces, Life Together and great joy in the Gospel, the participants head back to the four corners of the globe, having been strengthened in the faith, eager to Witness and bear Mercy in their own church bodies.