Elder-astronaut gets PCUSA sendoff
The Presbyterian Layman, October 28, 1998
Astronaut-again John Glenn, a Presbyterian elder, got a boost from the PCUSA before his space flight. General Assembly moderator Douglas W. Oldenburg, General Assembly, stated clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick and General Assembly Council executive director John J. Detterick have sent Glenn the following letter.
To Elder John Glenn, Our Brother in Christ
Dear John,
We send our prayers and gratitude on behalf of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) as you continue your public service through research in space.
As you prepare for your historic flight we are reminded of the words of Psalm 19, “The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.”
We hope Psalm 116:12-14 will reinforce your service commitment to humankind and to Christ as you fly into the space above this earth:
“What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord, I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.”
Our message to you is being relayed to Presbyterians everywhere via the denomination’s computer communication system. We ask our 2.6 million Presbyterian brothers and sisters to pray for the productivity and safety of your space flight. We also send prayers and best wishes to the entire NASA team, astronauts and scientists who continue to make space exploration and research a marvelous part of progress on earth.
John, your church is grateful for the service you continue to share with millions of Americans and citizens of the world. May the peace of Jesus Christ be with you and your colleagues on this flight. Prayers from those of us in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) will certainly be there.
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14.