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Order for the Ordination and Installation of Deacons and Elders |
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The ecclesiastical duties of elders
and deacons are set forth in the Book of Church Order (Chapter
1, Part
I, Article 1, Sections 8 and 10). These shall be made known to the
congregation prior to election to office and these office holders shall
acquaint themselves therewith. After the sermon and the prayer for blessing on the Word, as part of the Response to God, the presiding minister shall begin:PRESENTATION Beloved in the Lord, we have come to ordain and install elders and deacons in Christ's holy church. Christ alone is the source of all Christian ministry, through the ages calling men and women to serve. By the Holy Spirit all who believe and are baptized receive a ministry to witness to Jesus as Savior and Lord, andWe are ambassadors for Christ who reconciles and makes whole. We are the salt of the earth; We are the light of the world. Following Christ's resurrection and ascension, God has given the church apostles, prophets, and teachers, deeds of power, gifts of healing, forms of assistance and leadership. We stand within a tradition where God calls and empowers deacons, elders, and ministers of Word and sacrament. The elder vice president of consistory invites the candidates forward, saying:This congregation has elected the following people to the offices of deacon and elder: Marilyn Sciarrino to be ordained and installed to the Office of Deacon; Erik Ander to be ordained and installed to the Office of Elder; Rose Lood to be installed as deacon; and Susan Hanyen to be installed as elder. The candidates shall remain standing, the presiding minister continues:Deacons and elders are called to serve as Christ served. We look to them to be people of spiritual commitment, exemplary life,Deacons are set apart for a ministry of mercy, service, and outreach.Elders are set apart for a ministry of watchful and responsible careAs the three offices of deacon, elder, and minister of Word and sacrament, are united in Christ,Together they enable the whole mission of the church. Everything in the church will be done decently and in order when faithful persons are called to office, and responsibly fulfill their charge. The presiding minister addresses the deacons- and elders-elect:Sisters, before almighty God, and in the presence of this congregation, answer sincerely these questions: Do you confess together with us and the church throughout the ages your faith in one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? Yes, truly, with all my heart. The presiding minister shall invite the congregation to stand:Let us all stand with these sisters, confessing our faith in the words of the Apostles' Creed. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. Do you believe in your heart that you are called by Christ's church, and therefore by God, to this office? Yes, truly, with all my heart. Do you believe the books of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God and the perfect doctrine of salvation, rejecting all contrary beliefs? Yes, truly, with all my heart. Will you be diligent in your study of Holy Scripture and in your use of the means of grace? Will you pray for God's people and lead them by your own example in faithful service and holy living? I will, and I ask God to help me. Will you accept the church's order and governance, submitting to ecclesiastical discipline should you become delinquent in either life or doctrine? I will, and I ask God to help me. Will you be loyal to the witness and work of the Reformed Church in America, using all your abilities to further its Christian mission here and throughout the world? I will, and I ask God to help me. The presiding minister shall address the candidates for the office of deacon:As a deacon, will you faithfully, diligently, and cheerfully manifest Christ's love and care,I will, and I ask God to help me. The presiding minister shall address the candidates for the office of elder:As elders, will you faithfully, diligently, and cheerfully study God's Word,I will, and I ask God to help me. ORDINATION Those who are to be ordained shall kneel individually before the presiding minister for prayer with the laying on of hands. The great consistory may join in the laying on of hands during the prayer. When all have come forward and are in place, the presiding minister shall say: Let us pray. God of grace, pour out your Holy Spirit, gentle as a dove, burning as fire, upon Marilyn and fill her with grace and power for this ministry of deacon in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. When the ordinand has received prayer with the laying on of hands, the presiding minister continues:In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the only head of the church, I declare that Marilyn Sciarrino is ordained to the Office of Deacon. Let us pray. God of grace, pour out your Holy Spirit, gentle as a dove, burning as fire, upon Erik and fill him with grace and power for this ministry of elder in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. When the ordinand has received prayer with the laying on of hands, the presiding minister continues:In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the only head of the church, I declare that Erik Ander is ordained to the Office of Elder. INSTALLATION Elders and deacons of the great consistory extend the right hand of fellowship to the new elders and deacons before returning to their places. All elders and deacons being installed face the congregation. The presiding minister addresses them:Elders Erik and Susan, and deacons Marilyn and Rose, be faithful in performing your duties,The presiding minister addresses the congregation: Members of New Utrecht Reformed Church, please rise to affirm your covenant with the elders and deacons whom God has given us. Beloved in the Lord Jesus Christ, do you receive in the name of the Lord, these deacons and elders as duly elected and ordained servants of Christ? We do. Do you promise to respect them for the sake of the offices for which they have been chosen and ordained? We do. Do you promise to encourage and pray for them, to labor together in obedience to the gospel for the unity, purity, and peace of the church,We do. Beloved people of God, receive these deacons and elders as Christ's own servants.In the name and by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, I declare that these brothers and sisters are duly installed deacons and elders in this church. Thanks be to God. |
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