CELEBRATING THE APPOINTMENT OF A PASTOR
Sacrament
Praise the Lord
Litanies, Prayers, And Occasional Services
Object:
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20)
THE PROCESSIONAL
CALL TO CELEBRATION
Leader: Come, people of God, open your hearts and receive the power of God filling you! God has filled our hearts with joy.
People: Let us give thanks and celebrate.
Leader: Come, people of God, open your arms and feel God's love embracing you! God has lifted our spirits in praise.
People: Let us give thanks and celebrate.
Leader: Come, people of God, open your mouths and sing your praises! God has done marvelous things.
People: We will give thanks and celebrate.
HYMN OF PRAISE
INVOCATION
God of love, you call us from the various places of our lives into your service. We praise you for this time and the opportunity for celebration. We give you thanks for your love that has blessed us, and for your Holy Spirit that has guided us. In this hour of worship, may we be open to your presence and celebrate with joy the gifts of your grace. In the name of our Savior Christ we pray. Amen.
SCRIPTURE LESSON
SERMON
An offering may be taken at this point.
HYMN
THE CHARGE TO THE PASTOR
(The following charges may be made by the Bishop or Superintendent, by representatives of the various areas of ministry within the church and by a representative of the clergy group of the area if available. For each charge given there is a word of greeting and an appropriate scripture passage.)
THE BISHOP OR SUPERINTENDENT
______________, you have been appointed to be the pastor of this church. In doing so we recognize your call to pastoral ministry and the gifts and grace God has given you for this work. We charge you to remember the vows you made at your ordination, to be diligent in all matters under your care. As you perform the duties of this office, remember these words of scripture.
Read 2 Timothy 4:1-5
May God keep you in all ways to know and do God's will.
LAY REPRESENTATIVES
(Representing the worshipping congregation)
______________, we are happy to welcome you as our pastor, and to be partners with you in ministry to our sovereign God. We believe that our service to God will increase under your leadership. We pray that you will be guided by these words of scripture as we minister together in Jesus' name.
Read 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
God grant you the richest blessings in your ministry among us.
(Representing the administrative bodies)
______________, we welcome you into the administrative office of this church and celebrate your ministry of stewardship of the physical as well as the spiritual resources God has given us. May we together cause these gifts to grow so that this place of worship may be maintained to the glory of God. May you be led in this office by this directive of scripture.
Read Ephesians 4:11-16
(Representing the children and youth)
______________, on behalf of all the children and youth of our church, we welcome you. We are happy that you are here and hope that you will teach us more about God's love. We are glad that as children and youth, we have been able to take an active part in the life of our church and hope to continue to work with you in the church. Hear the words of scripture:
Read Mark 10:13-16
(Representing the area clergy, if appropriate)
______________, on behalf of the clergy of this area, we welcome you into our fellowship. We celebrate your presence working with us to build up the Kingdom of God. Our charge comes to you from Ephesians 4:1-7.
May the Holy Spirit empower you as you begin your service in this place.
THE PASTOR'S RESPONSE
HYMN or MUSIC SELECTION
ANOINTING AND BLESSING
(The pastor may be anointed with oil, followed by the laying on of hands of representative clergy with an appropriate prayer.)
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
God of grace and power, be with your servant as s/he ministers among your people. Guide, direct, and strengthen her/him in all that s/he does in your name. Grant her/him wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of your Word, that hearts may be touched and your name may be glorified through her/his service. Give us your grace, and empower us by your Spirit, that together we may be one in ministry to this church and to the world through our sovereign God who makes us one. Amen.
RECESSIONAL HYMN
BENEDICTION
Now the service begins, go forward in the power of God's might. Do all that you can to give honor to God's name. And may grace, mercy, and peace be yours now and always. Amen.
THE PROCESSIONAL
CALL TO CELEBRATION
Leader: Come, people of God, open your hearts and receive the power of God filling you! God has filled our hearts with joy.
People: Let us give thanks and celebrate.
Leader: Come, people of God, open your arms and feel God's love embracing you! God has lifted our spirits in praise.
People: Let us give thanks and celebrate.
Leader: Come, people of God, open your mouths and sing your praises! God has done marvelous things.
People: We will give thanks and celebrate.
HYMN OF PRAISE
INVOCATION
God of love, you call us from the various places of our lives into your service. We praise you for this time and the opportunity for celebration. We give you thanks for your love that has blessed us, and for your Holy Spirit that has guided us. In this hour of worship, may we be open to your presence and celebrate with joy the gifts of your grace. In the name of our Savior Christ we pray. Amen.
SCRIPTURE LESSON
SERMON
An offering may be taken at this point.
HYMN
THE CHARGE TO THE PASTOR
(The following charges may be made by the Bishop or Superintendent, by representatives of the various areas of ministry within the church and by a representative of the clergy group of the area if available. For each charge given there is a word of greeting and an appropriate scripture passage.)
THE BISHOP OR SUPERINTENDENT
______________, you have been appointed to be the pastor of this church. In doing so we recognize your call to pastoral ministry and the gifts and grace God has given you for this work. We charge you to remember the vows you made at your ordination, to be diligent in all matters under your care. As you perform the duties of this office, remember these words of scripture.
Read 2 Timothy 4:1-5
May God keep you in all ways to know and do God's will.
LAY REPRESENTATIVES
(Representing the worshipping congregation)
______________, we are happy to welcome you as our pastor, and to be partners with you in ministry to our sovereign God. We believe that our service to God will increase under your leadership. We pray that you will be guided by these words of scripture as we minister together in Jesus' name.
Read 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
God grant you the richest blessings in your ministry among us.
(Representing the administrative bodies)
______________, we welcome you into the administrative office of this church and celebrate your ministry of stewardship of the physical as well as the spiritual resources God has given us. May we together cause these gifts to grow so that this place of worship may be maintained to the glory of God. May you be led in this office by this directive of scripture.
Read Ephesians 4:11-16
(Representing the children and youth)
______________, on behalf of all the children and youth of our church, we welcome you. We are happy that you are here and hope that you will teach us more about God's love. We are glad that as children and youth, we have been able to take an active part in the life of our church and hope to continue to work with you in the church. Hear the words of scripture:
Read Mark 10:13-16
(Representing the area clergy, if appropriate)
______________, on behalf of the clergy of this area, we welcome you into our fellowship. We celebrate your presence working with us to build up the Kingdom of God. Our charge comes to you from Ephesians 4:1-7.
May the Holy Spirit empower you as you begin your service in this place.
THE PASTOR'S RESPONSE
HYMN or MUSIC SELECTION
ANOINTING AND BLESSING
(The pastor may be anointed with oil, followed by the laying on of hands of representative clergy with an appropriate prayer.)
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
God of grace and power, be with your servant as s/he ministers among your people. Guide, direct, and strengthen her/him in all that s/he does in your name. Grant her/him wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of your Word, that hearts may be touched and your name may be glorified through her/his service. Give us your grace, and empower us by your Spirit, that together we may be one in ministry to this church and to the world through our sovereign God who makes us one. Amen.
RECESSIONAL HYMN
BENEDICTION
Now the service begins, go forward in the power of God's might. Do all that you can to give honor to God's name. And may grace, mercy, and peace be yours now and always. Amen.
