Oxford Presbytery, London Conference
The United Church of Canada
An Act of Covenanting
Between
The Rev. Elizabeth Lemon
and
The Drumbo-Richwood Pastoral Charge
January 15, 2012
THE GATHERING
GATHERING MUSIC
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP – David Money
This is the day the Lord has made, like yesterday and the day before!
This is a day for loving and dreaming.
This is a day for new beginnings.
A day for singing, praying, and rejoicing!
With so much to celebrate and so much to share,
Let us praise God together.
Let us sing to the Lord!
* HYMN # 245 “Praise the Lord with the Sound of Trumpet”
Praise the Lord with the sound of trumpet,
praise the Lord with the harp and lute,
praise the Lord with the gentle-sounding flute,
Praise the Lord in the field and forest,
praise the Lord in the city square,
praise the Lord anytime and anywhere.
Praise the Lord in the wind and sunshine,
praise the Lord in the dark of night,
praise the Lord in the rain or snow or in the morning light.
Praise the Lord in the deepest valley,
praise the Lord on the highest hill,
praise the Lord never let you voice be still.
Praise the Lord with the crashing cymbal,
praise the Lord with the [pipe and string,
praise the Lord with the joyful songs you sing.
Praise the Lord on a week-day morning,
praise the Lord on a Sunday noon,
praise the Lord by the light of sun or moon.
Praise the Lord in the time of sorrow,
praise the Lord in the time of joy,
praise the Lord every moment, nothing let your praise destroy.
Praise the Lord in the peace and quiet,
praise the Lord in your work or play,
praise the Lord everywhere in every way.
OPENING PRAYER & THE LORD’S PRAYER
O God, you are always with us. You have laughed with us in
the joy of a new birth, and mourned with us when death has claimed one of our own. In the laughing and the crying you have blessed us with your presence, moved us with your Holy Spirit, and upheld us with your love. Be with us now during this special time in the life of this pastoral charge, and bless us as we pray together: Our Father ...
THE WORD OF GOD
STORY TIME – Rev. Liz
ANTHEM “Go, Make a Difference” – Combined Choir
SCRIPTURE Genesis 15: 1-21
SERMON “A New Beginning” - The Rev. Fred Hagle
*HYMN # 23 MV “Come, O Holy Spirit”
Come, O Holy Spirit, set the Church on fire;
strike it as the lighning hits a posing spire.
Burn away the structures and consume the sham
of our holy systems: Come in Jesus’ name!
CHORUS:
Come, come, come in Jesus’ name! Take our hearts by storm.
All the world lies open: Pentecost is now! I said
Come, come, come in Jesus’ name! Take our hearts by storm.
All the world lies open: Pentecost is now!
Blow away the cobwebs of our stubborn past.
Come, send flying from us myths unfit to last.
Wind of change, refresh us and disturb our calm;
teach us what true love is, take our hearts by storm.
CHORUS
Free us from the babble of our Babel mind;
spark in us a language all can understand.
Lighten then our darkness, come and show us how
all the world lies open: Pentecost is now!
CHORUS
THE COVENANTING
RENEWAL OF BAPTISMAL FAITH
Let us stand and join in a statement of our communal faith
We are not alone, we live in God’s world.
We believe in God: who has created and is creating,
who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh,
to reconcile and make new,
who works in us and others by the Spirit.
We trust in God.
We are called to be the Church;
to celebrate God’s presence,
to live with respect in creation,
to love and serve others,
to seek justice and resist evil,
to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,
our judge and our hope.
In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us.
We are not alone, Thanks be to God. Amen.
PRESENTATION OF THE NEW MINISTER
Mary Anne Silverthorn: Co- Chair of Oxford Presbytery
We are gathered here, in the presence of God, to celebrate a new ministry and to covenant together for the service of God in this pastoral charge. This covenant includes the members of Oxford Presbytery, the Drumbo-Richwood Pastoral Charge, and The Rev. Elizabeth Lemon.
Marcie Cunningham: Chair of Official Board
We present the Rev. Elizabeth Lemon who has been appointed to a ministry of Word, Sacrament and Pastoral Care in Willis and Richwood United Churches.
Mary Anne: Elizabeth, you are here in response to the request of the Drumbo-Richwood Pastoral Charge and by the action of Oxford Presbytery. You are to undertake the ministry of Word, Sacrament, and Pastoral Care in this place. You, the members of Willis and Richwood United Churches are called to join Liz in worship, study, prayer, and action. We, the Presbytery, will be responsible for the oversight of this ministry. Let us ask for God’s grace as we covenant together this day, Let us pray:
Gracious God, by our baptism you have called us to share in Christ’s ministry. Pour out you Holy Spirit upon us as we commit ourselves to work together in Christ’s name. Amen.
PROMISES OF THE NEW MINISTER
Mary Anne: Liz, do you, in the presence of this congregation, commit yourself to this trust and responsibility?
Liz: I do, God being my helper.
Mary Anne: Liz, will you accept the discipline of Oxford Presbytery and, together with its other members, be responsible for the oversight of the church’s life?
Liz: I will.
Mary Anne: Liz, will you accept the support and encouragement of this Pastoral Charge and this Presbytery?
Liz: I will.
PROMISES OF THE PASTORAL CHARGE
Mary Anne: I ask the members of Willis and Richwood United Churches to please stand. Will you join with Liz in a ministry of worship, study, prayer, and action within this church and in the world?
Members of the Pastoral Charge: We will.
The members of the Pastoral Charge are seated.
PROMISES OF THE PRESBYTERY
Mary Anne: I ask the members of the Oxford Presbytery to please stand. Will you, as members of Oxford Presbytery, join with Liz and the Drumbo-Richwood Pastoral Charge in the ministry that is both theirs and ours?
Presbytery Members: We will.
Mary Anne: Will you exercise oversight for their work and witness, and support and encourage them in this ministry?
Presbytery Members: We will.
Members of Oxford Presbytery welcome Liz and return to their
seats.
PRESENTATION OF SYMBOLS
Mary Anne: Now, Liz, I ask you to receive from the hands of your congregations, these symbols of the ministry which is yours, theirs, and ours.
Bible: Steve Thompson, Richwood
Take this Bible and be among us as one who teaches and proclaims the Word. All: Amen
Water: Pat Harmer, Willis
Take this water and be among us as one who baptizes in the name of Christ. All: Amen
Loaf of Bread: Ann Hoard, Willis
Take this element and be among us as one who breaks the bread.
All: Amen
Chalice: Rose Mary Brittain, Richwood
Take this element and be among us as one who blesses the cup..
All: Amen
Candle: Lynn McDougall, Willis
Take this burning candle and be among us as one who reflects the light of Christ as God leads and guides us all.
All: Amen
Hymn Book: Brent Hutchinson, Combined Choir
Take this hymn book and be among us as we unite our voices in joyful music that speaks to our souls as we praise God in song.
All: Amen
Flannel Board Figures: Emma Van Wyk, Youth Choir
Take these flannel board figures and be among us as one who retells the stories of the Bible and brings them to life.
All: Amen
RESPONSE TO THE COVENANT
Mary Anne: In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the authority of Oxford Presbytery, I declare that these ministries are constituted by the covenant vows we have just made before God and each another. May the God who established them and witnessed our promises give us grace and power to be faithful and effective in these ministries, which are ours together.
People: Amen
Mary Anne: Let us rejoice in the covenants we have made.
ALL: (sing 3 times)
Halle, halle, hallelujah! Halle, halle, hallelujah!
Halle, halle, hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
THE OFFERING
ANTHEM “We Are the Church” - Youth Choir
*Presented in Song # 191 (MV) “What Can I Do?” What can I do? What can I bring?
What can I say? What can I sing?
I’ll sing with joy. I’ll say a prayer.
I’ll bring my love. I’ll do my share. (Repeat )
*Prayer of Dedication
PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING AND CONCERN
Loving God, we give you thanks for all your gifts to us as we pray for those who work in your vineyard; for the bounty of the earth, for the goodness within the human heart, for the power to change and the will to learn.
We give you thanks, O God.
For all those who work for healing, for people in the caring ministries, for ecologists and researchers, for pastoral care workers and friends, for the hands and feet of Christ in the world:
We give you thanks, O God.
We pray for the church and its varied ministries throughout the world; for Willis and Richwood United Churches and their people, for their service and witness to their communities. We pray for Liz as she takes up her new duties. God, hear our prayer:
And, in your love, answer.
We pray for all who suffer from the pain of sickness, loneliness, fear or loss, that those whose names are in our hearts, and in the hearts of others, may receive strength and courage. God, hear our prayer:
And, in your love, answer.
We pray for the peoples and leaders of all nations, that they may be reconciled one to another in pursuit of your justice and peace. God, hear our prayer:
And, in your love, answer.
We pray for all who suffer from prejudice, greed, or violence, that the heart of humanity may warm with your tenderness. We pray for the oppressed that they may know the hope of your faithfulness through the help of others. God, hear our prayer:
And, in your love, answer.
God of compassion, into your hands we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy, now and forever.
Loving God, you put a song in our hearts. Today, strengthened by the praise, fellowship and meditation of this service, we commit ourselves anew to be your instruments of work and praise among your people and throughout the world; to bring glory to your name and to Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN “Deep in Our Hearts”
Deep in our hearts there is a common vision;
deep in our hearts there is a common song;
deep in our hearts there is a common story,
telling Creation that we are one.
Deep in our hearts there is a common purpose;
deep in our hearts there is a common goal;
deep in our hearts there is a sacred message,
justice and peace in harmony.
Deep in our hearts there is a common longing;
deep in our hearts there is a common theme;
deep in our hearts there is a common current,
flowing to freedom like a stream.
Deep in our hearts there is a common vision;
deep in our hearts there is a common song;
deep in our hearts there is a common story,
telling Creation that we are one.
*BENEDICTION & COMMISSIONING - The Rev. Elizabeth Lemon
*SUNG BENEDICTION MV 964 “Go Now in Peace” (round)
Go now in peace, go now in peace.
May the love of God surround you everywhere,
everywhere you may go.
MUSICAL POSTLUDE
* * * * *
Please join us for a reception immediately following the service.
Many thanks to all those who took part in the service today. Special thanks to the Youth Choir, and Adele Gunn, Youth Choir Director; the Combined Choir and Carol Cowan, Pianist and Combined Choir Director, for their work in preparing and presenting the music for this service.
Announcements/ Upcoming Events
- Minister’s Coffee Time 9:30 a.m. Every Monday.
- Youth choir – all children welcome
Rehearsals Thursdays –Willis- 4:30 –5:15 p.m.
- Wed. Jan 18, 2012 Willis Session Meeting 7 p.m. at Willis Church
- Sun. Jan 22 Deadline for Annual Reports.
- Wed. Jan 25 The Oxford Presbyterial United Church Women will hold their 50th Annual Meeting at Trinity United Church, 118 Church St. Ingersoll, Registration 8:45 a.m. Cost $8.00 (Includes Noon Meal) 9:00 – 3:00 p.m. see bulletin board for more information.
- Volunteers Needed for Youth Choir to organize a Party in February.
- Thurs. Feb. 2, 2012 Richwood Session Meeting 7:30 p.m. at Dean Sayles.
- Sun. Feb. 5 Willis Annual Meeting after the service.
- Wed. Feb. 8 Presbytery Meeting at Innerkip
- Thurs. Feb. 16 Richwood Annual Meeting 7:30 p.m. at Richwood Church.
- Sun. Feb. 19 Combined Service at Richwood Church 10 a.m.
