First responders joined students, faculty and staff for a special chapel service and reception in their honor Sept. 29. It was the Seminary second First Responders Appreciation Day; the first one was held in 2015.

Rev. Kyle Castens, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Festus, Mo., and chaplain of the Festus Fire Department, preached. “God uses you each and every day,” Castens told the responders. “Call on His name and He will answer you.” City of Clayton Mayor Harold Sanger addressed the congregation and offered his thanks on behalf of the city to all first responders for their service. The Erin Bode Group performed and seminarian Chad Biar played the bagpipes.