First Things First reflections & videos – Fall 2016
September 7, 2016
First Thing First Worship
New Brunswick Theological Seminary celebrated the new 2016-17 academic year the week of Aug. 29 with its traditional “First Things First” worship services. The special gatherings are held each evening during the first week of classes and feature a variety of worship leaders and themes. This week was especially memorable as it marked the beginning of President Gregg Mast’s final year at the helm of NBTS. Dr. Mast has announced he will retire next June. He is a 1976 graduate of NBTS, beginning his tenure as president in January, 2006 after serving churches in New York, New Jersey and South Africa.
“Each year during my eleven years as president it has been a joy to begin each new school year with a service that includes the Lord’s Supper and a blessing of our new students,” said Dr. Mast. “During my service as president the first liturgy has become a bookend to the Baccalaureate Service held the evening before Commencement which also includes the celebration of the Lord’s Supper and the blessing of graduating seniors with prayers and the gift of a seminary cross. It has been a gracious gift to participate in this beautiful rhythm of God’s call on our lives.”
Dr. Mast led the Monday, Aug. 29th “First Things First” service. Other worship leaders during the week were Dr. Willard Ashley, Dean of the Seminary; Pastor Yucan Chiu of the Ethnos Network and Dr. Kimberly Credit, NBTS Professor of Homiletics and Director of the Doctoral Program in Transformational Preaching. Videos of each of their sermons is below.
On Tuesday the annual Esther Award was presented to Pastor Gregory Jackson and the Mt. Olive Baptist Church of Hackensack, NJ. The Esther Award recognizes individuals and congregations whose ministry in the public sphere gives witness to a strong foundation in Christian faith. NBTS student Marvin Whitest, Jr. received the Esther Award Scholarship, a full-tuition grant for one year.
Click here for a gallery of photos from the week!
Watch the videos of the sermons below:
Dr. Gregg A Mast – First Things First – August 29, 2016
First Things First • Dr. Will Ashley • August 30, 2016
First Things First – Pastor Yucan Chiu – August 31, 2016
First Things First – Dr. Kimberly Credit – September 1, 2016