(The following were remarks from last evening's community recognition conducted by Grace congregation at the retirement of Police Chief Jim Klann and City Clerk Lucy Wiesenauer)

Nehemiah was the royal cup-bearer to the Persian king, Artaxerxes, in the fifth century BC.  He was a civil servant.  The emphasis here is on "servant." 

Those who serve may do so in many arenas.  There is military service, the forest service, postal service, park service, relief services, and social services -- even the internal revenue service.

But in whatever niche, civil servants work and contribute in the civic area and touch many lives.  The best of them place the emphasis on service. 

They may receive compensation, but their incentive is primarily to help people and to view their vocation or employment -- their career as a calling.  That is commendable.

Nehemiah is an example.

He asked his king to allow him to go to far-away Jerusalem where he was distressed to have heard conditions were disordered and dangerous.  The king sent Nehemiah there, to a place which needed order, protection, and construction.  That's not much different than communities of any place or time in human history, including here in Auburn. 

If you know the story, upon arrival Nehemiah surveyed the city secretly at night and formed a plan for its restoration, a plan he carried out with skill and energy.  His work was in government which is a noble vocation when the emphasis remains on service.

There was a need for reforms.  Nehemiah did that.  He encountered opposition which comes with the territory.  He bore that.  But his energies were devoted to the safety of God's people and good management of the city.

Every municipality needs orderly administration.  It needs qualified, committed public servants.  And when we are blessed with such individuals, as we have been with Lucy, Jim, and others like them, it behooves us to honor them, appreciate them, and esteem the work they have done. 

Nehemiah did not consider Jerusalem his own personal fiefdom.  Jerusalem wasn't his personal domain to run according to his own tastes.  He considered only the welfare of the people. 

Moreover, as a faithful believer in the true God, he realized his duty was higher than just meeting simple community expectations or even the conditions set by his king.  He realized he was an instrument in the service of God.

His zeal was not simply to exercise power but to pursue principle ... the safety and well-being of people under the providence of God.

Nehemiah had security concerns and was a man of action.  Chief Klann has served similarly for us here in Auburn.  Nehemiah was a political office holder, but he was diligent and industrious.  Those are qualities which Lucy, as City Clerk, has employed.  

At the close of this important episode of his public life, Nehemiah went home to Persia.  History went on.   Interestingly, indeed sadly, the old corrupt state of affairs threatened Jerusalem again.  It was a kind of déjà vu, the dull familiarity of community life again needing public service.

Public service must continue because people continue.  Their needs, their conflicts, their trials, their livelihoods continue.  They need other administrators, law enforcement, and a public safety apparatus to fill the shoes of those like faithful Nehemiah, or like Lucy and Jim, whose formal work is concluded. 

May it be our pray and hope that wherever local civil servants step forward, especially here in Auburn, they will do so selflessly, conscientiously, and faithfully. 

(By the way, without naming names, for fear of overlooking any ... we express our general gratitude this evening also to all those who have served formally or informally the best interests of Auburn.  Many are here this evening.  Quite likely, it includes the majority of you who are here.  Our thanks to all of you as well.)

In closing, may our most advanced desire not only be for a praiseworthy political context but for virtues from a Christian set of values which uphold truth, mercy, justice and benevolence grounded in Christ.  To all those who aspire to that kind of service, we extend our sincere thanks and respect.

Finally, as a Lutheran Christian pastor I must also add most importantly that Nehemiah's service foreshadowed Jesus' ministry -- a ministry of restoration and security.  Nehemiah was a type for which Jesus Christ was the perfect fulfillment.  Both gave up high positions to identify with the plight of their people.  Both came with a specific mission.  Both fulfilled it.  Both showed prayerful dependence on God.

In like manner may we reflect Christ in our trusting faith, in our gratitude, in concern for our neighbor, and in acts of service for the sake of Him, the Lord Jesus Christ, who served us with His life, His death, and His resurrection.

Prayer:   O Almighty God, heavenly father, we are grateful for the providence you've shown our community by granting us able and dedicated civil servants. All of us who are citizens of this pleasing community know there are many benefits from living here.  Familiarity with longtime neighbors and proximity to both metropolitan amenities and open countryside give us the best of both worlds.  We are a relatively small town but with large advantages. We don't pretend to be a perfect place or people, and thus we acknowledge we have far more than we deserve.  Receive our thanks, O Father.  Bless the efforts of those who chart the future for Auburn, that in every way it may be to the benefit to all who live here.  We thank you for all those who, in large and small ways, contribute to the welfare of our community.  All such endowments come essentially from your hands, O God.  Continue to bless and favor our neighbors, our civil servants, our children, and our future. This we ask in the name of the Servant of all, our Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen