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Like Baseball, Humans Imperfect,

Bishop Tells 175th Celebration

The congregation applauds as the Rev. Paul Messner prepares to bless the recently installed organ at the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Hartwick Seminary, which is celebrating its 175 anniversary today. (Jim Kevlin/allotsego.com)
The congregation applauds as the Rev. Paul Messner prepares to bless the recently installed organ at the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Hartwick Seminary, which is celebrating its 175 anniversary today. (Jim Kevlin/allotsego.com)
Bishop Macholz used baseball metaphors to describe man's imperfection in today's sermon. But grace – forgiveness – is always at hand, he said.
Bishop Macholz used baseball metaphors to describe man’s imperfection in today’s sermon. But grace – forgiveness – is always at hand, he said.

HARTWICK SEMINARY – Human beings are imperfect, like baseball, the Most Rev. John S. Macholz, bishop of the Methodist Church’s Upstate Synod, at today’s 175th anniversary celebration of the Evangelical Lutheran Church here.

“Life is a mixture of hits and errors,” Bishop Macholz told the congregation. “It’s not over ’til it’s over and there is grace in that. It means we get another chance. There is always time for redemption.”

The church, across Route 28 from the original site of Hartwick College, was founded in 1839 to serve the first Lutheran theological school in the U.S. The Rev. Paul Messner, pastor, also serves as chaplain at the Oneonta college.

The celebration began with a concert on the church’s new organ, rebuilt by Sid Chase of Worcester with pieces of three different church organs, including one that was built for the Vatican Pavilion at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York City.

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